Your Guide To The Best Natural Bodybuilding Supplements
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Bodybuilding seems to be growing ever more popular these days. People seem to be drifting away from synthetic supplements and searching for the best in natural bodybuilding supplements.
It’s a well-known fact that steroids are extremely dangerous to your health and have many negative side effects.
There are also so many supplements to choose from and it’s very easy to become confused and not know which ones are safe. The FDA has warned that some bodybuilding products illegally contain steroids or steroid-like substances linked to serious liver injury.
It would only seem logical, then, that building muscle the healthy way with a bit of help from mother nature is the best path to take.
I’ve narrowed it down to my top five natural bodybuilding supplement picks, with what the evidence actually shows for each. So let’s get right into it!
BRI Nutrition L-Carnitine
The first natural bodybuilding supplement that I’ve chosen is BRI Nutrition L-Carnitine. Carnitine is a nutrient your body makes on its own, and it helps move fatty acids into cells to be burned for energy.
That said, evidence that carnitine supplements build muscle, boost endurance or cause meaningful fat loss in healthy people is weak and inconsistent, so keep your expectations modest.
Check with your doctor first if you take any prescription medicines.
RARI Nutrition Creation 100% Natural Creatine HCL Capsules
Creatine is one of the best-studied sports supplements. An International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand concludes that creatine monohydrate is the most effective supplement for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean mass during training, and that it is safe for healthy people.
This product uses creatine HCl, which has not been studied as extensively as monohydrate. The most consistent side effect seen in research is weight gain, and anyone with kidney disease should talk with a doctor first.
Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Pro Fiber Protein Supplement
The third natural bodybuilding supplements I’ve discovered is the Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Pro Fiber Protein Supplement.
It’s a hemp protein powder with a high fiber content; check the label for the exact protein and fiber per serving.
Plant proteins can support muscle growth when your overall diet has enough total protein and calories and you do regular resistance training. Protein powder is a convenience, not a requirement.
Viva Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil Soft Gel Capsules
Fourth on my list, I’ve chosen Viva Naturals Omega-3 fish oil soft gel capsules.
Despite marketing claims, fish oil isn’t a proven fat burner or muscle builder. NCCIH reports that EPA and DHA lower triglycerides, a blood fat measured alongside cholesterol levels, by about 15% but do not affect body fat.
Talk with your doctor before taking fish oil if you use a blood thinner. Eating fatty fish such as salmon is another way to get omega-3s.
Garden of Life Organic Multivitamin Supplement
The reason why I chose a multivitamin is that I cannot stress how important it is to make sure your body has all the minerals and vitamins it needs to be able to perform.
If your body is lacking in a certain element then you’ll never be able to reach top performance.
This is a multivitamin marketed as made from whole foods.
Think of taking this as your foundation to building muscle and strength. A multivitamin can help fill gaps if your diet is limited, but most people who eat a varied diet don’t need one, and it can’t make up for poor eating habits.
That’s All Folks…
I hope you enjoyed my top 5 picks of natural body building supplements. There are so many different choices out there so hopefully this article can help you narrow it down a bit.
I think keeping it organic and simple is the best route.
Remember that “natural” on a label doesn’t guarantee a product is safe or effective. Look for third-party testing seals such as NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified, and avoid anything promising steroid-like results.
Training, enough protein and calories, and good sleep do most of the work in natural bodybuilding. Supplements play a small supporting role at best.
Sources
- ISSN position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (via PubMed Central)
- Omega-3 Supplements: What You Need To Know, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Caution: Bodybuilding Products Can Be Risky, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
