3 Essential Supplements for Your Summer Shred
For many of us, summer is the best season. Warm weather, barbecues, beach babes (or dudes for the ladies out there) and outdoor activities involving minimal clothing all provide motivation for putting on our A-game when it comes to looking like a bronze god or goddess. A clean diet and a consistent exercise routine will play the biggest roles in the conquest of looking your best but when these two things are not enough a few key supplements can lend a helping hand. In this article, we’ll cover three essential supplements that can help your summer shred.
Supplement #1: Protein
Why? Protein, broken down into amino acids when consumed, provide the building blocks for muscle tissue. Skimp on the protein and your aspirations of having a fab beach body can be washed away like the sand on the beach. What’s more, protein helps muscles repair and recover faster. This means if you destroy your body at the gym or from an intense summer activity, you’ll be able to bounce back quicker.
How Much? 0.72 – 0.9 grams of protein per pound body weight daily through diet and supplementation if needed. Research shows that this amount maximally stimulates muscle protein synthesis, the physiological process responsible for muscle growth and recovery.
What MuscleSport Product Fits the Bill?
MuscleSport Lean Whey Revolution can help you get enough of this mighty macronutrient to help fuel muscle growth while also burning fat. Each scoop contains 23 grams of whey protein isolate (WPI), gram for gram the purest form of protein available. WPI digests and absorbs rapidly where it ignites muscle protein synthesis. Lean Whey Revolution also contains clinically proven fat burners, making it the premium lean muscle builder on the market today.
Supplement #2: BCAAs
Why? The branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, iso-leucine, and valine are the three primary drivers of muscle protein synthesis. BCAAs are especially useful during times of calorie restriction or cutting phases as they can help an individual maintain lean muscle mass while dropping fat. BCAAs may also be better hydrating agents then water or sugar laden sports drinks. When a heat wave hits your locale, BCAAs not only help prevent you from drying out like a prune but can also help keep your body in an anabolic state.
How Much? The exact dosage and ratio of leucine:isoleucine:valine is still debated in the literature, but most agree on a range of 4-20g per day. A recent recommendation for a safe upper limit of leucine intake was 0.53g/kg body weight. That is roughly 35g of leucine per day if you weigh 150 pounds. That’s a lot of leucine! BCAAs can be taken before, during, and after workouts and they may also be taken between meals if you feel your diet is not providing adequate levels of BCAAs in the form of protein from meat, dairy, fish, eggs, etc.
What MuscleSport Product Fits the Bill?
MuscleSport BCAA Revolution. This amino acid powerhouse is a quick absorbing formula that features a 10:1:1 BCAA ratio and electrolyte replenishment matrix that supports lean body mass, hydration, and muscle recovery. When the body is working hard, it is at risk of losing muscle. Taking in some amino acids, specifically BCAAs, near or during exercise prevents and even reverses this effect. Not only is BCAA Revolution functional, but it tastes great!
Supplement #3: Fat Burner
Why? Truth be told, a fat burner by itself is not going to magically give you the Baywatch body of a young David Hasselhoff or Pamela Anderson without first having your exercise routine and diet on point. If these two things are dialed in, a high-quality fat burner may help you shed a few extra pounds of winter fluff. A good fat burner will attack weight/fat loss from multiple angles…mainly through boosting metabolism, increasing thermogenesis, suppressing appetite, using body fat as fuel, and reducing carb absorption/increasing insulin sensitivity.
How Much? The ingredient profiles of various fat burners can differ significantly. Always follow usage directions and choose a fat burner that uses clinically validated ingredients and dosages. Settle for less, and you are flushing money down the toilet.
What MuscleSport Product Fits the Bill?
Thermal Black. This formula contains three three different complexes that provide a multi-faceted approach to weight and fat loss. The Thermal NRG complex contains ingredient proven to induce thermogenesis. These compounds, such as Isopropylnoynephrine and cayenne, amplify body heat production and thereby increase energy expenditure and promote fat/weight loss. The Xanthine NRG complex includes ingredients that act as mild stimulants to increase energy and burn fat. For example, the caffeine found in this complex can not only increase energy, focus, and muscular power, but it also exhibits a thermogenic effect at rest and may enhance the use of fats for fuel during exercise. Appetite suppression is also critical when trying to shed extra pounds. The Appetite Suppression complex in Thermal Black contains compound like alpha lipoic acid and zingerone that help keep insulin levels lower and crush hunger pangs. To top off this complex raspberry ketones were added which increase lipolysis by making the cells more sensitive to the effects of the fat-burning hormone norepinephrine.
While shredding up for summer is a process involving mainly diet and exercise, the three supplements discussed above can help you stay sizzling on the beach all summer long.