What supplements should I buy?

[BlondBomber]

I don't really know that much about supplements. I used creatine about 5 years ago, just the powder shit in grape juice. Earlier this year, I used Muscle Milk (it was recommended by a champion powerlifter I met years earlier), but I don't really know if it helped because at the time I was on the kitchen sink diet (everything 'cept).
So, my question is, what should I buy? I'm thinking anything like creatine and amino acid supplements. I am in a clean eating bulking cycle, and I do drink a protein shake after working. If there are any other type of supplements, baring pro-hormones, test, steriods, GH, etc., that I don't know about, and should be taking?
Any input is greatly appreciated. Oh, money is not really an issue, but I want to buy quality, not just a name like MuscleTech. Just nothin that's like $100 an ounce. Later.

 

[philipusmcr]

Micronized creatine, glutamine, and protein. Those are probably the top things I can recomend.

On top of this some good stuff is - GABA, NAC, ALA(really good with creatine), and Tribulus Terrestris (There is a thread on it, it does have to do with test. but it wont mess with your body in any way like steroids or what you might be thinking. Also, this only helps certain people[read the post for more info]. It is an herb)

For vitamins, multivitamins are good, taking extra vitamin C right after lifting and before going to bed around 500 MG each time. Vitamin C lowers your cortisol levels, which is bad to have high levels of when you are building muscle (since its a chemical sending your body into a catabolic state). It also has a lot of other benefits for lifters.

I recomend all lifters to look up the benefits to having a low cortisol level. You will find it very interesting.

 

[BlondBomber]

What are GABA, NAC and ALA?

 

[philipusmcr]

Gama Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), N-Acetyl Crysteine (NAC), and Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA). They are refered to by their abreviation more than by their full name.

GABA- Is a Gh stimulator, not a growth hormone. Before you go to bed take it, and it will relax you, giving you a better nights sleep and as far as what Ive noticed it helps your body use nutrients better while you sleep. It is classified as a Neurotransmitter.

NAC-Increases glutathione levels in the bloodstream. NAC is good so your body doesn't catabolize itself, a lot like having low cortisol levels.

ALA-This is an antioxidant. It is an insulin imitator. Its just cool. If taken with creatine, the creatine works a lot better because of the ALAs insulin effects.

 

[Synpax]

Micronized creatine, glutamine, and protein. Those are probably the top things I can recomend.

There has been a lot of dissing of glutamine around here because apparently by the time it gets to your tummy it has already broken down.

There has been somewhat more positive comments made about glutamine peptides because apparently they are more 'bio-available.'

Want to comment on this?

 

[BlondBomber]

Hey, philipusmcr, any recommendation for brands for the supplements you recommended? stores/sites to get them?

 

[philipusmcr]

http://www.allsportsnutrition.com/ is where you can get everything for cheap. This is the cheapest, legit company I have found. Most of the stuff seams to be about 1/4 - 1/3 off its regular online price.

AST is the brand I support most seeing that they actually have a website with just about anything you need. Another I support is dymatize. Their products are good, but their site isnt so good. The site above sells both ( AST is better, but this is your choice)

BTW- www.ast-ss.com is the AST homesite.

 

[Lanceromance1]

BlondBomber- Since your new to supplements I would really keep it simple and start with the ones that will help you the most. I say this because with all the damn things that are out there now a days to take you can get in over your head pretty easily. Protein is probably the biggest key supplement you can take. It's the foundation of putting on muscle. It's highly debatable right now about how much to take but I personally shoot for 1.5grams per pound of body weight. Try a highend one like Syntrax's Nectar or San's Infusion. I like the Nectar because it mixes up like Kool-Aid in water and doesn't get tedious to take. It's a whey isolate protein so you absorb most of the protein (unlike a whey concentrate which is much less). Now I'm assuming you have a slow to moderate metabolism. If it's fast then you should actually go with a weightgainer because of the higher carb content.
Secondly you might want to try creatine but things have changed a lot in the past few years. You can take straight up monohydrate either by itself or with juice. As mentioned previously you can take it alpha lipoic acid which will give the same effect as taking it with juice but without taking any carbs in. However, I recommend taking V-12 or Swole which has several forms of advanced creatine that don't have to be loaded or cause any water bloat.
The overall cheapest place I have found is SNDnutrition.com which carries everything and ships fast too.

 

[Otis Hurtz]

If you are looking for a good creatine I would suggest taking Satur8 made by ISS Reasearch. Another good place to shop for supps is www.DPSNutrition.com

 

[Otis Hurtz]

I just linked over to check prices on allsportsnutrition.com and compare them to prices to what I pay on DPSNutrition.com and some thing were cheaper and some were more so I guess you just have to check every product if you are looking for the cheapest price. You can also check affordablesupplements.com and if the prices on this site are close then you don't have to pay shipping if you go over 75 dollars.