Bodybuilding supplements consists of various substances including proteins and amino acids, mineral replacement products, prohormones, testosterone boosters and are taken by body builders and sports persons to help with building muscle or to accelerate fat loss. Bodybuilding supplements are also used for improving sports performance.

Bodybuilding supplements consists of various substances including proteins and amino acids, mineral replacement products, prohormones, testosterone boosters and are taken by body builders and sports persons to help with building muscle or to accelerate fat loss. Bodybuilding supplements are also used for improving sports performance.

Do supplements really help with muscle gain?

Yes. Generally Body building supplements are necessary if you want to gain bigger muscles faster.

Each supplement has its own benefits and most importantly with today's poor diet you will probably not be getting enough of them through your normal meals. This is the primary reason why you need supplementation.

Which supplements to take:

1. Protein: possibly the most important of any supplements - protein is for muscle growth

Protein builds muscle. It is the common supplement that every bodybuilder uses. You need up to 1 gram of protein for every pound of your bodyweight per day for rapid muscles growth. This is a lot of protein, more than most people will get from their meals alone

Types of protein

Amino acids

You can supplement individual amino acids, but usually a good protein powder is sufficient. Protein is metabolized into amino acids by our bodies anyway. But if you do wish to try individual Amino Acids the best are leucine, isoleucine and valine. These are called branched chain amino acids and they promote resistance to muscle breakdown.

Soy protein. This is a naturally lactose free complete protein. It is avoided by some as it is though to exhibit estrogenic activity - bad for muscle growth. Or there is egg protein. Or Casein, a rich protein source for the amino acid glutamine. Plus Casein contains casomorphine which releases the amino acids slowly at regular intervals.

Protein powders are available online from websites such as Bulk Nutrition. Remember muscles are primarily made of protein so protein also helps us in the repairing and growth of muscles. It is usual to take protein just after exercise or as a replacement for a meal.

As well as protein you may wish to also supplement these:

2. Creatine - this can increase muscle volume. It will also improve your sporting performances and raise your energy levels so that your workouts are more intensive and this provides for greater muscle gain

3. Glutamine Supplements - Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, which makes up to 60% of the amino acids in the muscles. Glutamine helps in your muscle recovery after your workouts and also prevents muscle lost due to muscle catabolism.

4. Multi Vitamins / Minerals Supplement - an active person need many vitamins and minerals. They also assist in recovery as some vitamins and minerals are antioxidants. They remove free radicals generated after your muscles are stressed out and damaged during a gym workout.

For the majority of people, these four supplements are all you will need to help you gain bigger muscles fast.