by Julie Poundsign

A health supplement (also known as a dietary supplement) is a preparation that is usually found in the form of a shake, powder or tablet and is made to contain the specific nutrients either that your diet is lacking, or that your body simply has a natural deficiancy of.

There is international disagreement as to whether these supplements fall under the category of food, or drugs. Supplements providing dietary minerals or vitamins are recognised by the UNs highest authority of food standards (the Codex Alimentarius Commission) as a food item.

Probably the most common type of supplement is protein, but there are many, what you might call sub-categories within protein. For example, whey isolates, which usually contain amino peptides for muscle growth & recovery, Taurine for improved energy output and L-Glutamine for recovery.

Bodybuilders often consume a powdered protein supplement, the essential tools for building muscle. Protein powder, generally speaking, is usually taken immediately before and after a workout, or instead of a meal. The theory behind taking this type of supplement is that having a regular intake of protein allows for optimum growth and repair of muscle tissue.

Whey protein (as mentioned above) is most common type of protein. It is very quickly absorbed into the body and contains high levels of all essential amino acids. It is a mixture of globular proteins (soluble globe-like proteins) that have been extracted from whey, which itself is a liquid by-product of cheese production.

Casein (milk protein) is another kind of protein that has very high levels of Glutamine which aids the bodys recovery. It also contains a substance that lets the body absorb amino acids over a longer time period. This substance is called casomorphin.

You can also concentrate soy protein into a supplement as a vegetarian alternative. It contains all the essential amino acids. A substance in soybeans has weak estrogenic activity, which can improve testosterone levels.

About the Author:
Creatine supplements, combined with regular workouts and a healthy lifestyle are an ideal way to gain some bulk, lose some fat, or just to feel healthier and more active.

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