Nutrition Building Muscle Mass - Part 2

In part 1 of this three part series I reviewed 5 important nutrition building muscle mass principles. Part 2 of this series will discuss 5 additional pointers or techniques that you may want to incorporate into the nutritional aspect of your bodybuilding routines. These 5 additional tips include pretraining nutrition, post workout nutrition, nitric oxide, branched chain amino acids and growth hormone.

1. Pretraining nutrition: As discussed in the first article in this series a well proportioned pretraining meal is recommended to give your body a constant supply to give your body the appropriate nutrients it needs to help minimize muscle breakdown as well as give you the energy to help you get through your workouts. However, in some cases eating before working out can cause some individuals to become bloated and lethargic no matter how well they proportion their preworkout meal. In these cases it is recommended that you substitute a pretraining workout meal with a nutritional protein shake. This kind of shake can consist of 20 grams of whey protein and 20 to 40 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate or some variation of that combination. Consuming this type of meal before or during training can help minimize muscle fiber breakdown.

2. Post workout nutrition: consuming adequate post workout nutrition gives you the opportunity to jump start the muscle rebuilding and growth process. when you finish a workout that is when your muscles are hungriest for macronutrients. This is the time when your muscles can utilize protein and carbohydrates to begin the muscle repair process and growth. Since your muscles are so hungry for proteins and carbohydrates after a workout it is a good idea to consume a protein shake consisting of 40 to 60 grams of whey protein combined with easy to digest carbohydrates in the area of 40 to 100 grams. When you consume this combination of macronutrients post workout they will assist in minimizing the muscle wasting effect of the hormone cortisol.

3. Nitric Oxide: Nitric oxide is a compound that is facilitated to the use of arginine based products consumed before training. Arginine is an amino acid that facilitates nitric oxide release. Nitric oxide (NO) has an expansionary function which means it facilitates blood flow to the major muscles. Increased blood flow to the muscles promotes muscle recruitment and the repair process thus stimulating growth in muscle mass.

4. Growth Hormone: Growth hormone is naturally occurring in the body. This hormone helps burn bodyfat, build muscle mass as well as increasing insulin like growth factors. These are hormones that help promote the muscle building process. OUr bodies will naturally release growth hormones primarily while we're trainnig and while we are sleeping. You can augment the release of growth hormone by utilizing or consuming 7 to 10 grams of arginine before bed. It is a good idea to avoid carbs before bedtime as increased glucose in our systems can potentially minimize growth hormone output.

5. Branched Chain Amino Acids: These amino acids play an important role as far as supplements go. They have a significant effect in blocking muscle tissue breakdown, increasing protein synthesis and suppressing other hormones that might interfere with the recovery process. The recommended dose to be taken in 5 to 10 grams both before and after your workouts. There is also evidence to suggest branched chained amino acids may help keep testosterone levels from falling.