Healthy Muscle
By Jim Stoppani, PhD.
In the past, bodybuilders often had one goal on their mind – building maximum muscle. They had no real concern for their immediate or future health. Today’s M&F reader is far more concerned with their health. Now their goal is to not only build muscle but to also build their health. The good news is that muscle building and health promotion go hand in hand, especially when you combine the right supplements that work synergistically to simultaneously achieve both goals. Consider using these four Optimum Nutrition products throughout the day to aid muscle growth and promote general health all in one fell swoop.
Optimum Platinum Hydrobuilder
There are certain nutrients that you must have before and after every workout. These include fast-digesting whey protein to kickstart muscle protein synthesis and therefore muscle growth, slow-digesting casein protein to blunt muscle breakbown and keep protein synthesis cranked up for longer, creatine to boost quick energy levels for more strength and to boost muscle growth, beta-alanine for greater muscle strength and endurance, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) for energy during the workout and heightened muscle protein synthesis and growth as soon as the workout is over. Optimum Platinum Hydrobuilder is a supercharged protein powder that provides ALL of these critical ingredients, and even a few more, in each and every scoop. Use Optimum Platinum Hydrobuilder before and after every workout.
Optimum Gold Standard 100% Casein
Before bed you need to prep for a long night of fasting. While you sleep your body turns to your muscle fibers to breakdown muscle protein and convert the amino acids into glucose to fuel your nervous system. Casein digests slowly throughout the night to supply your body a source of amino acids to prevent your body from turning to your muscles. And any aminos from the casein not used for fuel can be put to use to build up the muscle fibers. Be sure to take Optimum 100% Casein right before you hit the hay.
Optimum Amino Chewables
To really maximize muscle growth, you need to be sure you’re getting in adequate BCAAs, namely leucine, throughout the day. Research shows that of all the essential amino acids that your body needs for muscle growth, leucine is the most critical of all. That’s because leucine has been discovered to be the key to turning on muscle protein synthesis, which leads to muscle growth. Research has even shown that supplementing with BCAAs can increase life expectancy. It’s a good idea to get a dose of BCAAs every few hours throughout the day to keep muscle protein synthesis turned on. A convenient way to do so is by taking Optimum Amino Chewables with you wherever you go so you’ll always have a dose of BCAAs, as well as glutamine and arginine, close at hand.
Optimum Fish Oil
The essential omega-3 fats acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are known to provide a number of health and performance benefits. Not only do these fatty acids appear to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as provide other health benefits, such enhancing joint healing, and improving brain function, they also enhance muscle growth and promote fat loss. The best way to get adequate amounts of these essential fats is with a fish oil supplement taken two to three times per day.
