Top Supplements for Enhancing Muscle Building: Expert Recommendations
Discover the best supplements for muscle growth based on scientific research. Learn about the benefits of whey protein, creatine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, and other protein sources for maximizing muscle gains and improving exercise performance.
What's the best supplement for muscle building?
To enhance muscle building effectively, several supplements stand out based on scientific research findings. Here are some of the most notable ones:
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Whey Protein:
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Creatine:
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Beta-Alanine:
- This amino acid helps in reducing muscle fatigue by buffering acid in muscles, thus allowing for more extended periods of high-intensity exercise4. It can help improve exercise performance and may lead to an increase in muscle mass over time.
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Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs):
- BCAAs, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are directly involved in muscle protein synthesis and muscle recovery. Supplementation with BCAAs can help reduce muscle breakdown and support growth3.
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Protein Supplements in General:
- In addition to whey, other protein sources such as soy, casein, or mixed plant proteins can also effectively support muscle growth when combined with resistance training5. Ensuring sufficient protein intake is critical for muscle repair and growth.
These supplements are widely recognized for their benefits and are supported by robust scientific evidence.
Footnotes
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Nuno M Duarte, "Intake of whey isolate supplement and muscle mass gains in young healthy adults when combined with resistance training: a blinded randomized clinical trial (pilot study)," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩2
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Shih-Hao Wu, "Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩
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Ryan Burke, "The Effects of Creatine Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Regional Measures of Muscle Hypertrophy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩2
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Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, "Workout Supplements," Nutrition Source, 2024. ↩
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Stefan M Pasiakos, "The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩
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