Legal Anabolics known as prohormones – were removed from the shelves in 2005 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to health concerns. In response to this, manufacturers began creating natural products that would help boost the body’s natural production of testosterone. So what’s left that’s natural but still very effective at boosting muscle growth?
Tribulus Terrestris
This compound stems from a fruit-producing Mediterranean plant that’s covered with spines. It’s often referred to as a puncture vine. People often use the fruit, leaf, or root of the tribulus plant as medicine, according to WebMD.
Over the past decade, people have used tribulus as a way to enhance athletic performance and to improve certain health issues like heart and circulatory conditions.
Tribulus supplements claim to help increase the natural production of testosterone, which in turn, will help increase muscle size and strength. However, according to a study conducted in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 21 healthy young men were given tribulus for four weeks.
The study reported that the men failed to show any notable differences in testosterone levels between those taking the supplement and those taking a placebo pill [1].
Furthermore, it’s recommended that you save your hard earned cash and avoid purchasing this herbal supplement, says Mark Moyad, M.D., director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center.
Possible side effects of tribulus terrestris include trouble sleeping and irregular periods in women.
Creatine Monohydrate
One of the most widely used muscle building supplements on the market is creatine monohydrate. Creatine is most commonly used to enhance exercise performance and increase muscle mass in athletes and older adults.
Creatine is a chemical that is naturally produced in the body, and is found mostly in muscle tissue, according to MedicineNet.com. Creatine can also be found in certain foods: fish and red meats are two of the highest sources of creatine.
Athletes find creatine especially useful during high intensity workouts because the supplement allows for an increase in energy and blood flow to the muscles, while supporting a faster recovery time following strenuous workouts.
Possible side effects of creatine include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramping.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a professional bodybuilder or a novice weight lifter looking to build up your physique, you’ll find a plethora of supplements that will help you achieve your goals.
The best way to find out which supplements work best – while saving you money – is to research various products and see what consumers have said regarding results.
However, keep in mind that everybody’s body is different, so what works for one person may not deliver the same results to you.
Happy hunting.
References:
[1]. “Tribulus.” 2005. October 3. Journal of Ethnophamacology. [2]. “DHEA in Elderly Women and DHEA or Testosterone in Elderly Men.”2006. October 19. New England Journal of Medicine.
