Are supplements and Protein shakes THAT important to build muscle?

Question

I started working out a couple of months ago (cardio) and started lifting a couple of weeks ago, I have 0 knowledge when it comes to this kind of stuff, all I know is starving myself lol.

cavmanier · Accepted Answer

I'm not really sure about supplements. I know creatine can help muscles recover a little fast (our bodies already make it) so some like to take more of it. It would also cause you to gain water weight (in the muscle I think). Other supplements, I've stayed away from.

Protein is obviously necessary for building muscle and other cells. I think the importance of taking actual protein powder is heavily biased with marketing though. Protein powder will work for building muscle, but whey protein powder is just the fast digesting part milk that's refined. By refined I'll emphasize that there's little nutritional value other than the protein (which is usually ironically marketed as extremely healthy or a health food).

What I'm trying to say is a person can get all of the protein they need to build muscle with whole foods. I use protein powder sparingly as a substitute when I don't have protein in a meal.

Also it may help you to know whey protein powder is a 'complete' protein (which means our bodies can't synthesize the essential amino acids in the protein). Our bodies need different types of protein (amino acids) and not all foods have the essential ones (that just means our bodies can't convert other amino acids into those certain 'essential' types). Most meats and animal based foods like milk have the those while most other foods don't (like fruits, veggies or grains)

Fearless_banana · Accepted Answer

No.. not at all. Supplement companies will typically scam you out of money. They advertise fitness models.. male & female that are using anabolic steroids to maintain their look. Whey protein has it's benefits but nothing will ever replace real food. People should stop buying artificial protein powders and just eat a good steak or some chicken breast post workout. If anything a lot of these protein powders/bars have a lot of sugar and artificial preservatives that will cause you to retain water which is not a good look.

GingerBear · Accepted Answer

No, they're not necessary, but they can be useful. Like everything else, protein supplements have their place. I use them when I'm working out, or even as a meal replacement on the go, because I struggle to get enough protein through my food.
If you're trying to get fit, starving yourself is not the way to go. You need to calculate your required macro nutrients, and plan out your meals based on those.

Mustachekitteh · Accepted Answer

Nope, just eating the correct foods, letting the muscles rest enough, etc can do it just as good.  Egg's are a good source of protein and it doesn't take long to cook them. :)

BertMacklinFBI · Answer

depends on your body goals.

if you want to put on muscle you'll need protein after workouts.

if you just want to lift for the sake of lifting, you'll still gain something out of it, you will develop muscle and you will notice it in the mirror, but it won't be as much as if you were providing your body with the nutrition to build more efficiently.

BubbleBoy69 · Answer

What kind of physique you want? You want something like this?

Phoenix98 · Answer

You want to get most of your nutrients and protein from clean foods but if you can't then supplements are a good way to give you a boost especially when you need that protein right after you workout because your body is damaged and needs it to repair itself. Though do be careful what supplements and what brands you get because some of them actually are not that good and some are really fantastic like ( legion ).

Also do not starve yourself please do not, you can eat just meet your bodies dietary needs, starving yourself will have the opposite effect you want it to.

If you really need help when it comes to this kind of stuff you can PM me I'm studying personal training, fitness, the human body and nutrition so I can help you out with this kind of stuff.

TheAngryBanana · Answer

Nope suppliments are only an extra way in gaining protein you can gain the same from of animo acids and celular repair from a healthy well balanced diet ensuring that you are eating enough protein based foods to helo you fully repair the microtears in the muscle fibres.

The only time you NEED to take suppliments if you are on an intesnive diet that requires extra protein intake, you are an athlete that requires the extra protein for helping with physical nutritional demands of a sport or activity or if you for some reason cannot gain the needed protein from your diet then it is reccomended.

anything minus those reasons then its optional :)

ConsultantIsBack · Answer

They can supplement your diet, hence the name. For your typical person, they are not necessary. Some brands are pure shit too (Six Star, Body Fortress, Musclepharma, etc.). I'd encourage you to focus on wholesome, clean foods and diet for your nutrients. It's all about diet. Focus on protein-rich foods like lean meats, eggs, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, etc.

Hans222 · Answer

I don't think so, I've been working out for years and never taken any supplements.
I think professional athletes use shakes to control exactly how much of which ingredients they consume.
They adapt it to planned training sessions or competitions, to avoid building up fat while having exactly the energy on board they need.
But we're no professionals, are we? If you eat a diet including a wide mix of ingredients and work out, you'll be okay :D

anonman32 · Answer

no, you can do without. but sometimes your diet is not on point and supplements can help you out really well. protein and bacteria dont go together, so factories take protein out of food because it is more profitable due to longer shelf life, this can make it difficult to get all proteins in your body. protein powder is dry and can be preserved for long durations (given that it is in a dry and cool place).

Lilmaninthewoods · Answer

A good diet is all you need to build muscle, and dont starve yourself. starving yourself will only make your body retain fat. Get a good book on that explains everything you need to know that way you can get the whole picture because their is a lot that gos into it.

WeaponZero · Answer

They're not really important at all. What is important is eating at a calorie surplus in general with a good amount of your calories coming from protein sources while training for hypertrophy.

Transigence · Answer

Not really. Protein is important, but you can get that from your normal diet. Start your day with some fats (buttered coffee), and make sure you get some steak, tuna, and eggs in your diet. Don't forget some veggies are good in protein, too!

Polocrew · Answer

Supplements are sub proteins, try to hit ur protein macro through just diet and then supplement it and if u can't. Just use supplements anyway twice a day

Decentguy · Answer

i use whey protein for post workout. its not bad its quite good actually

Omar5881 · Answer

Question about fitness , I summon @ConsultantIsBack

Anonymous · Answer

if you want steroid like symptoms than yes you will get results quicker but each person is different cause when my brother takes it  he doesn't shut up  and now that he is off it  he is quiet

MaLifeBeLikeOooAaah · Answer

I'm not using them, just all natural but they really do help a lot! :)

Fingold · Answer

Don't starve! Just eat a lot of lean meat and veggies you like. Have a protein shake after a workout for recovery!

Anonymous · Answer

i don't think you're that kind of a girl who would be keen on workouts and stuff.

EllieLexis513 · Answer

Nope, just eat clean and exercise.

Iron_Man · Answer

Yes they are big time

orphan · Answer

sushi can get expensive.

jesusnicolas768 · Answer

Yeah because it helps build muscle mass

ikissedtheskyonce · Answer

Honestly no

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