Supplements and the Body

Supplements+and+the+Body

Picture by Howard Tran

   Controversy regarding supplements and their effects on the body has been a heated topic, especially for aspiring bodybuilders in high school. The most popular supplement at the center of the controversy is protein and its effect on muscle growth.

   High schoolers mainly use protein because their adolescent minds think that drinking a powder will magically give them muscles. It takes more than supplements to condition the body into peak physical perfection. That is why they are called “supplements” and not “replacements.”

   Proteins in your body are used to manufacture hormones, enzymes, nucleic acids, and cellular messengers. Protein helps with the structure of the cell, tissue, and organs. It also generates the biochemical substances that is needed for growth, muscle contraction, and healing.

   According to studies, the most popular brand of protein is whey protein. Many purchasers determine the quality of the product by measuring the Biological Value (BV) – the amount of nitrogen. Protein with the highest amount of BV is considered the best for promoting muscle growth.

   The amount of protein a person should take for building muscle is roughly 1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight he or she has. Anything less will not give the muscle enough protein to promote muscle growth and anything more will promote a faster healing process.

   I asked fellow student Daniel Franco, who also happens to be an avid bodybuilder, what kind of supplements he takes. He said, “ Well, currently I take about two scoops of whey protein in order to reach my daily goal of 220 grams of protein per day. I personally get about 50 grams from the whey and the rest from my natural everyday diet. I feel like the excess of protein really helps with stimulating further muscle growth and speeding up the healing process. Or at least that is what the boys in the forum posts told me.”

   Optimal times to take protein are usually right after workouts because it will give the body the necessary fuel that it needs to heal and grow. Following this, many suggest that small meals containing high protein in hourly intervals will also promote growth by giving the muscle a steady flow of protein.

   Regardless of one’s goal, drinking protein can increase their muscle growth and healing. It is a helpful supplement to increase protein intake and reach goals; however, it is crucial to never forget it is only a supplement and not a replacement.