Supplements and Supplementation
The definition of a supplement:
a supplement is something that which supplements, or serves to complete or make perfect, that to which it is added or an addition to, something already organized, arranged, or set apart; specifically, a part added to, as a continuation and to make good its deficiencies or correct its errors.
Translation in bodybuilding terms: a supplement is a product that is added onto an already sound diet/training regime, in order to bring up areas that are lagging like protein intake, carb intake etc...
Your diet should be the basis of your supplementation, not the other way round. (is this reading like chinese stereo instructions?)
Too many bodybuilders/lifters basis thier diet on X amount of supplements in order to achieve daily requirments of carbs and protein.
Protein shakes and the likes, are there to help bring up lagging parts of your diet or provide a convenience to where a proper meal is not possible or practical. I.e, a post workout shake in the gym is more ideal to going home and cooking a meal while your body slips into a catabolic state lol.
Cost is a factor as well when your in your teens, the supplement market is rife with products that can cost any where from $10-80...
Keep things simple at this stage of your training, if your not able to get enough protein from your meals each day, then a good whey protein shake can help bring the levels up. In my opinion, the simpler you keep you supplementation now, the better.
Products like ZMA, Tribulus, and other testosterone enhancers are a waste of money at this stage. You natural testosterone levels during your teen years are sky high and the % raise these supplements offer, will go un-noticed in terms of muscle growth and recouperation. Save your money, buy a decent whey protein shake. :wink:
This links onto pro-hormones and steroids, couldnt leave this area out eh?!
You will do your body more harm than good by taking any type of steroid or pro-hormone whilst your body is still growing, as i said before, your natural testosterone levels are already sky high... by increasing you testosterone levels higher, you can incur side effects such as stunted growth. The long bones in the body can be prematurely capped by the body's reaction to the influx of testosterone and therefore stunt potential growth. This is just one of many side effects of steroid usage at an early age. If you are seroius about using these products and substances, wait till your 20's when the natural testosterone levels have levelled off, you have a few good years of training under your belt and you have seriously thought about it and done your research....
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Trample the weak.....hurdle the dead
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