Questions tagged [supplements]

Whey, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), creatine, psyllium husks, caffeine and other non-food items that athletes add to their diet to improve training and recovery. Questions are about which supplements are appropriate in which circumstances, and the details of using them.

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1 answer
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Can Kre-Alkalyn be used to preload for standard Creatine-monohydrate?

I'm new to creatine and lifting. Apparently, Creatine-monohydrate requires a loading period, while Kre-Alkalyn does not. Can one start with Kre-Alkalyn then switch to the cheaper old school Creatine ...
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6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can you drink alcohol while taking creatine?

I just started taking creatine and I am excited about the journey. However, I do also enjoy an adult beverage from time to time. I know increased water intake is required when taking creatine, and ...
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Science behind Beta Alanine for Running

Is anyone familiar with good research on beta alanine supplementation for improving running performance? I am trying to determine if this is a supplement worth taking and I have only found minimal ...
3 votes
1 answer
163 views

general question about dietary supplement for my trainning

I have ~30 years, I do sport almost every day. My sessions are divided between: climbing (1* per week) running to prepare for a half marathon (3/4* per week) muscle building via a crossfit session (...
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2 votes
1 answer
143 views

Vegan protein digestion/absorption speed? (Soy, pea, wheat, rice) [closed]

Whey causes fast release of protein in blood. Casein causes slow release of protein in blood. This can be used e.g. to use use whey after sport and casein before going to bed. But what about vegan ...
2 votes
1 answer
123 views

Have any studies been done to examine the effects of smelling salts on 1-rep max performance?

If you have watched professional Strongman events, you have probably seen athletes sniffing a small bottle or breaking a small capsule near their face. They are inhaling ammonia carbonate, which bro ...
2 votes
0 answers
81 views

Does alcohol really helps to get substances into the blood faster? [closed]

I saw the video where Arnold Schwarzenegger cooks some protein cocktail and adds Austrian Schnapps to the mix, saying that it's to make everything get faster to the blood. Is it true or some kind of a ...
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4 votes
3 answers
3k views

How can I check if my protein powder has been 'amino spiked'?

Apparently, there exists a process called Amino Spiking in which cheaper, non-muscle-building, amino acids are added into protein powder to artificially inflate the protein percentage on the nutrition ...
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-3 votes
3 answers
551 views

What are risks of bodybuilding? [closed]

Are there any risks of bodybuilding? Every exercise has it's features, and bodybuilding has it's too. What are risks that these features could possibly cause? Or risks from other than these features? ...
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1 vote
1 answer
105 views

Should I use Nitrobolon for better muscles growth?

I've been searching about nitrobolone, but I found only shop pages. Is nitrobolon(technutrition) realy can help me improve my work out and improve muscles strength and growth? Is it better than ...
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3 votes
1 answer
503 views

How does absorption differ between vegan and animal protein powder?

Post workout, will an animal based protein powder (such as casein, whey) be better absorbed or utilized by the body than a vegan one (pea, soy, rice, blend), even if they contain the same exact amino-...
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3 votes
3 answers
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Supplements to aid in body recomposition. (Beginner)

Is the consumption of supplemental products such as protein, creatine, and/or l-carnitine beneficial for the development of muscle and loss of fat? What evidence exists to support that, and does being ...
5 votes
6 answers
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Can you get jacked-up without weights (more broadly, without equipment) or supplements?

My experience seems to show that you can't significantly change anything regarding your physique with solely your body weight, even if you work out regularly for years. On the other hand, you can find ...
1 vote
2 answers
245 views

Are more expensive Protein powders worth it? [closed]

Protein powder in general is very helpful in supplementing extra protein intake, especially during a caloric deficit. I typically buy the cheaper stuff since I'm a student, and I never really thought ...
3 votes
1 answer
178 views

How would drinking carb blend after workout affect my weight lose program?

I have passed my bulking phase and have got a bit of muscle gain during that. From the beginning of this month, I starting the cutting phase with low calorie intake (about 1500 Cals a day - weight 5 ...
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3 votes
2 answers
222 views

Is BCAA worth taking and what are its pros and cons?

I've recently began revamping my supplementation. As of now, I'm only taking protein and creatin (although admittedly, I didn't really adhere to the recommended rationing / week plans of creatin). I ...
1 vote
1 answer
231 views

How to make a home made pre-workout in bulk, at "home"?

I was about to order the supplements for my pre workout till I realized something. I won't be able to measure each time I'm going for a workout session. I've been stuck with a pencil and paper trying ...
1 vote
0 answers
34 views

herbs / teas for sleep and side effects of melatonin and dipenhydramine? [closed]

what are some herbs / teas for sleep and what are side effects of melatonin and dipenhydramine taken long term? Please stop closing my questions there isn't really a nutrition/supplements ...
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0 votes
2 answers
171 views

Is it worth buying caffeine pills to increase performance?

I don't drink coffee at all, and I don't have the tools nor the time to make it. Not to mention it's hard to drink so many cups of coffee in a day to get it's benefits. So I was thinking about getting ...
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0 votes
1 answer
75 views

which supplements to go for? [closed]

Im from South Africa and here we don't have that much wider selection of supplements and I've been looking for one that works. here we have USN (Ultimate Sports Nutrition) and by far it is the ...
0 votes
2 answers
112 views

Protein Supplements and Gout

I have been using Protein Supplements for a year now and try to eat high protein food everyday, so I think I take high amount of protein daily Now I worried about Gout. as far as I know it is caused ...
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4 votes
2 answers
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Relaxed belly no abs show

When I used to be 21 my belly was flat now it looks sticking out when I relax it , my abs pop out if I flex is this normal and what can I do to make it flat and my abs show?
3 votes
2 answers
172 views

What should one do in case of whey protein allergy?

I've been using a whey protein concentrate by an Indian brand named Muscleblaze. I had been reading reviews from the internet that one should shift to American protein brands as they have a better ...
13 votes
5 answers
4k views

Should an 18-year-old overweight woman take supplements?

My daughter is 18 years old and overweight. She has decided to join a gym. Would taking any supplements advisable since she has started working out?
2 votes
2 answers
125 views

Are BCAA supplements and/or creatine necessary when balancing power and cardio training?

Background: I am 33 y.o. about 1.77 (which is like 5'10in) around 200-205 lbs. According to BMI measurements I am overweight but in reality I have a big frame, broad shoulders and compact built, ...
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1 vote
0 answers
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Is xtend BCAA really effective? [closed]

I am planning to use Xtend BCAA and whey isolate from MyProtein So if anyone can tell me that whether it is good to take it? Or i should consider BCAA and whey from any other brand which is very ...
3 votes
2 answers
345 views

Protein supplement recommendation based on diet

I am body building along with 1 day cardio but i think that i am not taking enough protein in a day. So this is what my diet is : Preworkout : Milk or sometimes oats with milk After workout : 1 ...
1 vote
1 answer
161 views

Best preworkout and post workout supplement to help body recover immediately

I am doing weighlifting for 5 days and 1 day is for cardio but i also do abs workout on my shoulder day. Problem is when i do cardio then i am not able to do with my full strength i.e i get tired bit ...
1 vote
0 answers
45 views

What to replace potassium orotate with? [closed]

First of all, I'm not endorsing this supplement here. Scientific literature generally describes it as inefficient, but in my particular case it seems to be working, is all. There's zero guarantee that ...
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2 answers
3k views

Cleaning your body of Creatine and Amino Acids [closed]

How many days does the body need to get rid of all Creatine and Amino Acids? Is not using any Creatine and Amino Acids for a week is enough to clean Liver and Kidney of these supplements? If not then ...
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1 vote
0 answers
31 views

Is this too much Protein? [duplicate]

I am tall 192cm (6'4") and I weigh 100kg I use Protein shake after gym around 30gm of Protein and because I go to gym late night, immediately after gym i eat 2 cans of Tuna ( around 15gm Protein each)...
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2 votes
3 answers
90 views

Mixing Supplements [closed]

Before training I first take BCAA an then creatine, after my training I first take a smaller amount of BCAA and then whey protein. My question is, if I can mix the BCAA & Creatine powder in one ...
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1 vote
4 answers
1k views

Is it possible to gain 1.5-2 inches on arms and 2 inches on chest without protein supplement

I started working out quite recently and my trainer at the gym gave me the following diet plan as soon as I joined: As you can see, most of the items are regular day to day meals (I'm an Indian and ...
0 votes
2 answers
71 views

Suggestions regarding prework out supplements to boost workout

I am thinking to take a prework out supplements which can help me keep energised during workout and help me do hardcore workout. Right now i am doing weight lifting exercise like Chest,back,Bicep,...
2 votes
1 answer
123 views

At what age can I start taking supplements?

I'm 13 years old (14 in June) and I've been working out for some time. I'm getting what I feel like are awesome results in definition and size of the muscles, but I feel the actual quantity of weight ...
2 votes
4 answers
744 views

Alternative to protein shake after gym

I get the feeling if I don't drink protein shake after workout I feel low. Is it a mind thing or is it really a nutritional fact that hits the body? I usually don't go to gym and it has been 1 year ...
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3 votes
1 answer
180 views

Is it safe to use nicotine to enhance performance?

Nicotine seems to be a performance-enhancing drug, like caffeine. But because nicotine is associated with smoking, it seems dangerous to try a nicotine patch to get better gym results. Is it safe? ...
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3 votes
3 answers
170 views

Ineffective pre-workouts

I have been using a pre-workout for the past 3 years, but I'm not entirely sure why. I can drink my pre-workout 30-45 minutes before my workout starts and not feel a thing. No "tingling" that so ...
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4 votes
2 answers
446 views

Is it good to take protein supplements?

I have just joined the gym and it has been a month since I have started the gym. I have done cardio for 3 weeks and 1 week body building but the problem is that while doing cardio I used to get tired ...
0 votes
1 answer
71 views

Which brands of creatine are good? [closed]

I'm skinny and want to gain some weight. I joined a gym 3 months ago but still there is no gain. Now I want to try creatine supplements. I chose two products Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate BULK ...
3 votes
3 answers
12k views

Does supplimenting creatine cause belly fat to increace or stomach to bloat?

I have been taking 2-3gm of creatine per day mixed extremely well with 16-17oz lukewarm water, that too on workout days (i.e. I avoid the non-workout days) for at least 2.5 months now. However, I feel ...
0 votes
1 answer
84 views

Which is the best supplement for lean person with workout? [closed]

Which is the best supplement for lean person with workout when he want gain healthy muscle quickly.And I also like to know what will be the supplement intake routine. Height 5Ft 6Inch and Weight 50....
2 votes
4 answers
3k views

I can't swallow CLA pills, looking for alternatives [closed]

I have too much belly fat and trying to burn them. But because of my chronic sinusitis (it's affecting my throat) I'm not able to swallow CLA pills, they are too big. I see that there are no liquid ...
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2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Osta-Red Supplements [closed]

I have been researching into the Osta-Red supplements online. From the reviews I have been reading they seem to be great for lean muscle mass building without water retention or potential side effects ...
2 votes
2 answers
5k views

Taking L-Carnitine, how much is too much? [closed]

Hi I actually have a question about supplements. I am female and 24 yrs old. I am currently taking 4 capsules a day of L-Carnitine (Levocarnitine Tartrate) by Vital Strength I believe each capsule has ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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Do I need to take L-glutamine if the whey protein contains it?

I started off just taking L-glutamine before and after my workout and creatine after my workout. I just started taking whey protein and noticed it contains L-glutamine. Should I continue to take the ...
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1 vote
2 answers
126 views

Why is my weight-gain supplement causing unexpected abdomen growth?

I am asking this question on behalf of my friend. He says he has been regularly going to gym and doing workouts for 3 months for 1 and half hours daily, which consist of push-ups, leg-raises, dumbbell ...
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0 votes
1 answer
104 views

how to use supplement nutrition? [closed]

I have started the gym 40 days ago , and ever since I managed to jump from 69 KG to 78 KG as I used true mass protein and amino X but now I have few fat around my belly which is I never had before. ...
1 vote
1 answer
98 views

Should you supplement magnesium as an athlete when you eat low-carb, high-protein? [closed]

My vegetarian diet is well belanced so I'm pretty sure I have no deficiency BUT I read that it makes sense supplementing magnesium as an athlete and that it especially makes sense when you go easy on ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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Would you recommended supplements for the average Joe/Jane? [closed]

I see a lot of people using pre-workout boosters and I tend to question myself if they are really necessary for the average gym user. I can understand it for pros though as they potentially have more ...
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