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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Energy Jolt

By Jim Stoppani , Ph.D.

To reap the full benefits of any training program, you have to put all-out intensity into every workout. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Yet after a grueling day of work or school, or both, that energy needed for the workout may suddenly be waning. Stacking BPI’s 1.M.R and BLOX about 30 minutes before workouts will give you the energy you need to make every workout your best one yet.

BLOX is a good source of silk amino acids, which are short-chain proteins that include alanine, glycine, serine, valine, and threonine. They’re then easier for the body to use, enhancing performance, physique, and even general health.

Stimulants like caffeine, yerba mate, Schisandra sinensis, beta-alanine, creatine, taurine, arginine alphaketoglutarate, and N-acetyl-L-tyrosine combine to give you the jolt you need to keep up your intensity for tough training sessions.

Workout Wonders

By Jim Stoppani, PhD

What you consume in the 30 minutes before you train can make or break your workout, not to mention the results you see. These four nutrients are non-negotiable staples of a real pre-workout stack.

Whey Protein should be first on your must-have list. Protein is the wonder nutrient for active muscles, doing everything from stopping muscle breakdown to activating muscle growth. Chicken breast, fish, eggs and other whole-food protein sources don’t compare. They all take far too long to digest to offer any benefit during your workout.

While branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine are found in whey, they’re such an important energy source for working muscles and so critical for muscle growth that you need to add an extra dose of them to your pre-workout stack.

By now, I don’t have to convince you of the importance of creatine for muscle growth and strength. Hundreds of studies confirm its efficacy. Did you know, however, that one of the best times to take creatine is immediately before workout? This is because creatine supplies muscles with quick energy to help you pump out extra reps, so be sure to give them a dose when they need it most.

Research shows that when athletes take beta-alanine before workouts, they’re stronger and gain more muscle. This amino acid has been shown to push creatine’s proven benefits to an even higher level. Athletes who stack creatine with beta-alanine gain more strength and mass than counterparts who take creatine alone.

Workout Wonders

By Jim Stoppani, PhD

What you consume in the 30 minutes before you train can make or break your workout, not to mention the results you see. These four nutrients are non-negotiable staples of a real pre-workout stack.

Whey Protein should be first on your must-have list. Protein is the wonder nutrient for active muscles, doing everything from stopping muscle breakdown to activating muscle growth. Chicken breast, fish, eggs and other whole-food protein sources don’t compare. They all take far too long to digest to offer any benefit during your workout.

While branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine are found in whey, they’re such an important energy source for working muscles and so critical for muscle growth that you need to add an extra dose of them to your pre-workout stack.

By now, I don’t have to convince you of the importance of creatine for muscle growth and strength. Hundreds of studies confirm its efficacy. Did you know, however, that one of the best times to take creatine is immediately before workout? This is because creatine supplies muscles with quick energy to help you pump out extra reps, so be sure to give them a dose when they need it most.

Research shows that when athletes take beta-alanine before workouts, they’re stronger and gain more muscle. This amino acid has been shown to push creatine’s proven benefits to an even higher level. Athletes who stack creatine with beta-alanine gain more strength and mass than counterparts who take creatine alone.

Workout Wonders

By Jim Stoppani, PhD

What you consume in the 30 minutes before you train can make or break your workout, not to mention the results you see. These four nutrients are non-negotiable staples of a real pre-workout stack.

Whey Protein should be first on your must-have list. Protein is the wonder nutrient for active muscles, doing everything from stopping muscle breakdown to activating muscle growth. Chicken breast, fish, eggs and other whole-food protein sources don’t compare. They all take far too long to digest to offer any benefit during your workout.

While branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine are found in whey, they’re such an important energy source for working muscles and so critical for muscle growth that you need to add an extra dose of them to your pre-workout stack.

By now, I don’t have to convince you of the importance of creatine for muscle growth and strength. Hundreds of studies confirm its efficacy. Did you know, however, that one of the best times to take creatine is immediately before workout? This is because creatine supplies muscles with quick energy to help you pump out extra reps, so be sure to give them a dose when they need it most.

Research shows that when athletes take beta-alanine before workouts, they’re stronger and gain more muscle. This amino acid has been shown to push creatine’s proven benefits to an even higher level. Athletes who stack creatine with beta-alanine gain more strength and mass than counterparts who take creatine alone.