Enhance your work-out with BCAA Supplements

Continuing the theme of supplements to enhance your fitness, exercise, weight loss, toning or just your well-being programme, here is a further article from Bryen Hooper offering some good advice & guidance on the subject - and sourced through 'articles base'(http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/enhance-your-performance-with-bcaa-workout-supplements-7107761.html). As stated previously - do your research and be thorough - either on the Internet, or at a local strode where you can source these products, or through your gym and/or PT. There is no reason why you should not be well informed and get the best advice for your very specific needs and goals.

Whenever we think of bodybuilding, the first person that comes to our minds is Arnold Schwarzenegger. For most of the aspiring bodybuilders, Schwarzenegger is their inspiration as he is the genuine sports celebrity. Everyone wants to be fit but for some people, bodybuilding is a passion. They give all their time and effort to have a well-sculpted body for which they have a burning desire.

A proper diet and a strict workout regime offers you the basics for anyone looking to get a well-toned body. But at times, it is essential to take additional supplements for better results. One of the best supplements that most fitness freaks use these days is the BCAA workout supplement. Made up of three amino acids - Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine, BCAA or Branch Amino Acids help in muscle repair and growth.

Without supplementing the body with amino acids, the proteins in the body break down when you work out intensely, thereby resulting in muscle loss. Out of the total 20 amino acids that the body needs, about half of the amino acids are not essential. The rest of the essential amino acids are obtained from food and supplements. Of these, the aforesaid three BCAAs are the most important for muscle recovery.

When is the best time to take BCAA supplements?
An important question that often comes to the minds of bodybuilders is: What is the most appropriate time to take BCAA supplements to boost their performance? Well, most of your colleagues and trainers say that you should take these supplements either before, during or after a workout. To be honest, this is a very vague advice as it does not give a clear idea about the results to expect. Let's help you out by analysing the benefits of taking these supplements before, during and after your workout regime.

Before workout : if you train in the morning before eating your breakfast, then it is advisable to take BCAA workout supplements before you start your workout. Research has shown that taking these supplements before workouts reduces fatigue, which will help you perform better.

During workout : another option you can try is taking bodybuilding supplements during your workout regime. In fact, taking these supplements during the workout is a great way to give nourishment to your muscles when the body needs it most. Thus, taking BCAA during a training session reduces fatigue.

After workout : if you get exhausted after your workout session, then it is best for you to take BCAA supplements after the workout. Taking the supplements after your training will help in muscle recovery and repair. The supplements help the muscle fibres in healing. During your workout regime, the increased levels of serotonin can cause fatigue. Many studies have proven that taking BCAA supplements during workout helps in reducing the level of serotonin thereby reducing exercise fatigue.

BCAA supplementation according to your workout regime will help you in getting better results. To enhance your performance and achieve the ideal body for which you have been working out, take the supplements during ideal times according to your workout regime.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Best Protein for Weight Loss and Healthy Living

I was reading this article by Tammy R. Fuller (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tammy_R_Fuller) that I caught on ezinearticles.com (Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8553230) that captured my interest and I think it will yours too. Have a read and incorporate into your diet regime from today. . . you'll soon notice a real difference!


Macronutrients are the major nutrients required by the human body. There are three types of macronutrients: protein, fat, and carbohydrates. In this article we will answer the questions:

• What is protein?
• Why do we need protein?
• What is the best protein for weight loss or for all around healthy living?

Protein is a necessary part of our diet. Protein is part of every cell in the body. It makes up the building blocks for our hormones and neurotransmitters. It is needed for muscle health, growth and recovery. A diet lacking in protein will result in illness and breakdown of the body.

Protein breaks down through the process of digestion into amino acids. There are a total of 20 amino acids. Twelve of the amino acids can be made from carbohydrates, fats and other acids in your body. The other eight amino acids are known as essential amino acids and you MUST get them from the food you eat - your body can't make them! Symptoms of a lack of protein and therefore a lack of essential amino acids can include:

• muscle loss 
• hair loss 
• depressed immune system 
• low energy 
• decreased bone strength

There are two categories of proteins. Complete proteins provide all twenty amino acids. When you eat a complete protein the body can absorb 85-99% of the protein. Examples of complete proteins are beef, poultry, fish, milk cheese and yogurt. Sources for vegetarians include soy, hemp, tempeh and seitah. Incomplete proteins lack a variety of amino acids. These are plant-based proteins. Combining incomplete proteins can give you all twenty amino acids. Unfortunately, not all of it is digestible so the body cannot absorb as much of this type of protein.

How much protein should I eat?

According to Jonathan Bailor of The Calorie Myth: How to Eat More, Exercise Less, Lose Weight, and Live Better, "It's important to aim for a minimum serving of about 30grams of protein at least three times a day. When we eat 30grams or more of protein it provides enough leucine to rebuild our muscle tissue. Without adequate levels of leucine we risk losing muscle tissue. 100 - 200grams of protein a day is needed depending on your body's needs. A smaller sedentary person needs less protein than the person who is actively bodybuilding.

The Best Protein for Weight Loss and Healthy Living?

The following are high quality sources of complete protein:

• Grass-fed, organic beef - grass-fed beef is cleaner, healthier and more flavorful than beef that is grain fed or grain finished.
• Pastured chickens - this meat is rich in essential fatty acids and is a great source of protein. This can include any type of pastured poultry or wild game.
• Pastured eggs - provides Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Omega-3, Vitamin E and Beta Carotene in higher levels than store-bought eggs.
• Wild salmon is rich in Omega-3 and is a nutritious source of fat and protein.
• Other seafood - protein in fish and shellfish is very easy to digest and the amino acids are more bioavailable (easier to absorb and use). Rich dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
• For those that enjoy that sort of thing - reptiles and amphibians are good protein sources and provide vitamins and minerals.
• Greek yogurt - avoid yogurts with added sugars.
• Shellfish - clams, oysters, mussels, snails - rich in iron, zinc, selenium, iodine omega 3, proteins.
• Whey protein isolate - high protein concentration, good if you cannot get enough protein with whole foods.
• Liver (from grass-fed or pastured animals) - a rich source of protein that also provides vitamin A, copper, choline, and B vitamins.

So eat your protein and enjoy eating real food!

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-