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WE SH IP TO ALGERI A VIE W D E TAILS

Supplement Like The Pros, Part 2: A

Complete Analysis

This article is a comprehensive look at all the supplements that

pro natural bodybuilders take, pulled from interviews, talks and
profiles.

When it comes to supplements, you just want the

truth. Everyone under the sun has an opinion on what supplements to take, and nine
times out of ten, these opinions contradict one another.
So just what should you take? Is there a way to know what supplements are effective,
and which are a waste of money? The answer is yes. Have no worries...Muscle &
Strength is here to set the record straight.

One of the best way to know which supplements are worth your time and money is to
study what veteran natural bodybuilders take. But you don't have to do that. I've done the
research for you. This article is a comprehensive look at the supplements plans of
approximately 20 natural male bodybuilders. Sorry women - I didn't analyze the
supplement plans of female bodybuilders for this article.

Every supplement on this page comes straight from the daily regimen of at least one
natural bodybuilder. I've organized the supplements by popularity. There are a total of 28
supplements listed in this article. Of the 28, all but one was listed by multiple
competitors. Only meal replacements was listed by a single lifter, revealing that the
supplements on this list aren't flukes.

The information in this article is raw data. I am not interpreting the information for you. It
is up to you to decide which supplements to spend your money on. Do your research,
and prioritize.

For the sake of simplicity, I have broken down the supplements into 4 categories based
on popularity:

1. Hot! - "Hot" supplements are taken by nearly every natural bodybuilder. If you want
to get big, start here.
2. The Arsenal - Supplements in "the arsenal" are used by at least 50% of the
bodybuilders in this study. They are the main weapons in the battle for more
muscle mass.
3. The Tool Belt - "Tool belt" supplements are used by 25 to 50% of bodybuilders in
this study. Like a quality set of tools, these supplements are good to have on hand.
4. Favorites -  "Favorite" supplements are used by 5 to 25% of natural bodybuilders.
There are many amazing supplements on this list. Don't overlook them!

Hot Supplements
Are you ready for the big reveal? The big shocker? Brace yourself! Nearly all natural
bodybuilders take...protein powder and creatine! I'll give you a moment to gather
yourself, comb your hair and climb back into your chair. Ready? OK! Let's move on.

Naturals use protein powder and creatine because they work. Protein is needed to build
and repair lean muscle tissue. Creatine boosts performance in the gym, and adds
strength and muscle. Before you purchase any other supplements, invest in a quality
protein powder and creatine product. I've included some information on both of these
supplements, as well as a list of some of the best sellers.
 Creatine - To learn more about creatine, including information on the two major
forms of creatine - creatine monohydrate and creatine ethyl ester - please read the
A to Z Creatine Supplement Guide.
Protein Powder - To learn more about protein powder supplementation, and the
various forms of protein powders - including whey protein, casein protein, soy
protein and more - please read the A to Z Protein Supplements Guide.

Top 3 Protein Powder Products:

1. Pure Whey Protein Isolate
2. Premium Protein Blend
3. 100% Whey Gold Standard

Top 3 Creatine Products:

1. Dymatize Creatine Monohydrate
2. Cellmass
3. Universal Creatine Powder

For more top selling supplements from the M&S store, click here.

The Arsenal
The Arsenal consists of four supplements: glutamine, BCAAs, multivitamins and nitric
oxide. Let's take a closer look at each of these.

Glutamine. Glutamine is a popular muscle building supplement that plays a major role
in protein synthesis. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body, and
can speed up recovery, as well as boosting the immune system. Hard and heavy weight
training sessions deplete bodily glutamine levels. Because of this, glutamine is popular
as a post-workout supplement. For more information on glutamine, please read the
Glutamine Supplements Guide.
 BCAAs. BCAAs (branched chain amino acids)
are a special group of essential amino acids, comprised of leucine, isoleucine, and
valine, that help muscles to synthesize other amino acids. BCAAs are essential for
muscle repair and growth. BCAAs may also help to spare muscle tissue during hard
workouts. For more information on BCAAs, please visit the BCAAs page at the M&S
store.

Multivitamin. A good multivitamin is an essential for all hard working athletes. Exercise
depletes the body of vitamins and minerals, and even if you're eating a nutritionally
sound diet, your body may be demanding more vitamins and minerals then you can
supply. For more information on multivitamins, please visit the multivitamin page at the
M&S store.

Nitric Oxide. Nitric oxide is extremely popular as a pre-workout, energy boosting

supplement. Nitric oxide increases blood flow and nutrient delivery, and powers you
both physically and mentally through tough workouts. Nitric Oxide (NO) supplements
also bring about quality muscle pumps. NO products are a must try supplement,
especially for those who feel tired or unmotivated when they hit the gym. For more
information on nitric oxide, please visit the nitric oxide page at the M&S store.

The Tool Belt

The Tool Belt is comprised of four supplements: amino acids, fat burners, CLA and fish
oil.

Amino Acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Amino acids are vital for
muscle repair and new muscle tissue growth. They also aid is recovery. Amino acids are
rapidly digested, and activate much faster in the body then whole protein foods that
contain amino acids, such as chicken, milk or protein powder. It is not uncommon for
bodybuilders to use aminos throughout the day, and especially before, during and after a
workout. For more information on amino acids, please read The Importance Of Amino
Acids.
Fat Burners. Fat burners encompass a wide variety of products aimed in assisting
natural bodybuilders with fat loss. Very few fat burner products contain the same
ingredients. It is not uncommon for a fat loss products to contain 6 to 12 ingredients or
more. For this reason, it's best to stick with top-selling fat burners. For new products,
make sure you do your homework. For more information of fat burners, please read the
Fat Loss Supplement Guide.

CLA. CLA is a somewhat obscure supplement, virtually unknown to the average gym
rat. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a naturally occurring fatty acid found primarily in
dairy foods and meat. Research has revealed that CLA can assist in building muscle and
decreasing body fat levels. It also contributes to good health by creating an optimum cell
environment. For more information on CLA, please visit the CLA page at the M&S store.

Fish Oil. Fish oil is an essential fatty acid (EFA) that is rich in Omega-3. Because of this,
fish oil contributes to better brain and central nervous system health. Fish oil is also
know to be heart friendly, assisting in proper heart function. It is also good for the joints.
For more information on fish oil, please visit the fish oil page at the M&S store.

Favorite Supplements
The are 18 total supplements in this category. Though each individual supplement is
used by less then 25% of natural bodybuilders, on the average, each lifter uses more
then two of the supplements in this list. Take a long, good look at each of these
products, and see if they are right for you.

Carnitine - Carnitine is a non-essential amino acid that is used to improve fat

burning during exercise.
EFAs - EFAs (essential fatty acids) have the ability to improve muscle gains, bolster
sleep, help you recover from injuries, enhance stamina and more!
Waxy Maize - Waxy maize is a unique complete carbohydrate that is absorbed
rapidly by the body. It is very effective at replenishing glycogen stores lost during
hard training.
Vitamin C - Vitamin C is the most popular of all vitamins. It is a powerful
antioxidant, and may help fight cancer.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin - Glucosamine and Chondroitin is taken to
improve joint health. It can protect the joints from damage, and assist in the repair
of joint-related injuries.
Green Tea - Green tea is one of the most popular weight loss supplements in the
world. It assists in metabolizing fat for energy, and also works as an antioxidant.
ZMA - ZMA is a effective testosterone booster that is strongly backed by clinical
evidence. Studies reveal that ZMA supplementation can lead to increases in
strength and muscle, and can also help you get a better night's sleep.
B-Complex -  B-complex vitamins play an important role in cell metabolism. They
also promote cell growth, and assist in immune system and central nervous system
function.
Beta-Alanine - Beta-alanine promotes higher energy levels and better athletic
performance. The combination of beta-alanine with creatine is thought to be
especially effective.
HMB - HMB, beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate, is an essential amino acid that
plays a part in the synthesis of muscle tissue. Research on HMB reveals that it
assists in strength gains and improves endurance, while also increasing fat loss.
Liver Pills - Liver pills are a blast from the past. They were once a bodybuilding
staple. Liver pills are rich in protein and amino acids.
MCT Oil - MCT oil (medium chain triglycerides) is known to encourage the
burning of fat over carbohydrates. It also assists in appetite suppression.
Post-Workout - Post-workout supplements is a generic term that covers a broad
range of products used...post-workout! These products aim to remove the body
from a catabolic state, and aid in recovery.
Pre-Workout - Pre-workout supplements encompass a broad range of products
and supplement combinations. They enhance energy and blood flow, and increase
the quality of your workouts.
Protein Bars - Protein bars are protein rich food products that often contain a
wealth of vitamins and minerals. They serve as a perfect bodybuilding protein meal
"on the go" for busy times of the day.
Testosterone Booster - Testosterone boosters help regulate and increase bodily
testosterone levels, leading to more muscle mass, strength increases, fat loss,
improvements in sexual libido, and much more!
Weight Gainers - Weight gainers are calorie dense protein powder supplements
meant to assist in rapid weight gain.
Meal Replacements -  Meal replacement supplements are all-in-one meals, and
contain all the nutrition that you would expect from a whole foods meal.

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About The Author

Max Riley
Max Riley is a freelance muscle building and nutrition writer who has had his
work appear in numerous print and Internet magazines.
View all by Max Riley »

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