The Best Supplement for Lean Muscle Mass | QA

The Best Supplement for Lean Muscle Mass | QA

by | Jul 30, 2019 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

Hi, what would be the best supplement to become leaner and cut muscle?

– Lito J.

Answer:

The leanest, most cut people are generally considered bodybuilders. They most commonly use arginine, beta-alanine, branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), caffeine, citrulline malate, creatine monohydrate, glutamine, and beta-hydroxy-methylbutyrate (HMB). Among these, creatine has been shown to be effective for muscle size and strength when added to a weight training program.1,2 The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) states that “creatine monohydrate is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes in terms of increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training.”2 Beta-alanine further improves lean mass gains and body fat loss in conjunction with creatine supplementation.1  

Arginine and citrulline malate may have ergogenic effects but do not conclusively alter body composition. The BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine and valine) decrease muscle protein breakdown and increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis though these have not translated to increased lean mass. The stimulant caffeine, taken pre-workout, increases strength training performance which allows you to do more muscle-building work.

Read about related topics on our Living Healthy blog – overall supplements and nitric oxide boosters.

Resources:

  • Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: nutrition and supplementation. Helms ER, Aragon AA, Fitschen PJ. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. May 2014; 11:20. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-11-20
  • International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport and Medicine. RB Kreider, et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. June 2017; 14:18. doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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How to Gain Healthy Weight – Podcast Ep. 25

How to Gain Healthy Weight – Podcast Ep. 25

by | Jun 3, 2019 | All, Fitness, Home, Podcast

Welcome to the 25th episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness.

On this episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, we speak with LAF Personal Training Director, Tristen Alleman, and LAF Registered Dietitian, Debbie James, as they share their expert advice on how to gain weight the healthy way. This episode is for anyone that’s ever been curious about how they can add lean muscle, and increase body mass, without adding the unhealthy type of body weight. We approach this from both the fitness side of things and nutritional side, to help those struggling with weight gain, find a healthy and balanced way to do so with their training and nutritional routines.

How Are We Doing? 

This podcast should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Timecard Markers – How to Gain Healthy Weight – Podcast Ep. 25

Introduction  

Begins at 0:01    

Introduction of LAF Personal Training Director, Tristen Alleman, and LAF Registered Dietitian, Debbie James 

0:22 

What Would Someone Want to Add on Weight or Muscle? 

0:32 

Do You Have to Increase Your Caloric Intake to Gain Weight? 

2:36 

How Does Strength Training Help Build Muscles? 

4:50 

What Foods Are Good to Eat on Cardio-Focused Work Out Days?  

4:16  

How Many Days Per Week Should You Strength Train? 

7:02 

Austin, Our Skinny Colleague, Joins the Show (and Talks Food and Lack of Weight Gain) 

8:43 

Can Everyone Benefit from Adding Muscle onto Their Body? Or Only Bodybuilders? 

14:42 

Are Supplements Good or Bad When It Comes to Bulking? 

16:36 

How Much Protein is Too Much Protein? 

19:00 

Can You Gain Weight and Bulk as a Vegetarian or Vegan?  

20:01 

Are Full-Fat Products Always the Best Option for Weight Gain and Bulking? 

20:40 

Why Are Women Afraid of Gaining Muscle? 

22:23 

Actionable Advice   

24:38 

Outro 

26:06 

Recommended Podcast Episodes 

Are Protein Supplements Necessary?

Are Protein Supplements Necessary?

by | Dec 13, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

Are protein supplements necessary if you already consume a lot of protein naturally?

Answer:

Supplements are intended to fill the gaps missing from dietary intake, whether from food choices or impaired digestion/absorption. If your protein consumption is already high (> 1 gm/kg per body weight) then protein supplements are generally unnecessary. Many people still choose to include supplements instead of real food due to time, cooking or refrigeration restraints. The protein in certain supplements may be concentrated or isolated, but most supplemental protein is part of a bar or meal replacement shake with significant carbohydrates, fat or other nutrients. Consider the whole product when choosing a protein supplement.

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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When Bulking Up Isn’t Working

When Bulking Up Isn’t Working

by | Sep 25, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

I’m trying to bulk up, but I keep losing weight. I’m down to 142 lbs. I mostly eat turkey sandwiches and chicken breast.

– Donald M.

Answer:

First and foremost, Donald, please visit your healthcare provider as unexplained weight loss could be the result of an underlying medical condition. If you have any GI problems or trouble chewing, there are interventions to assist with breaking down your food.

That said, here are my tips for bulking up…  Eating more volume is an obvious plan. Adding calories to what you already eat is important. Your turkey sandwiches need to be laden with avocado, full-fat mayonnaise, pesto or cheese to maximize calories. Chicken breast can be breaded, fried, or served with sauces and creams to increase energy density.

Get the most out of every bite by making sure starches are dressed with heavier condiments – baked potato with butter and cream cheese, pasta with alfredo or pesto, risotto with cream sauce, etc. Opt for the densest version of food items like dried fruit vs fresh, granola vs cereal, and tortillas vs bread. Choose energy-rich produce (e.g. bananas, cherries, peas, sweet potato) over watery varieties. Use nut butters on crackers, rolls and in shakes.

Power-pack your beverages by adding a couple spoonsful of the concentrated version to your fluid. For example, pour some evaporated milk into your glass of milk or thawed juice concentrate into your OJ. Use leftover drinks to make ice cubes to use later instead of regular ice (water has no calories).

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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Recommended Reading - Q+A

Let’s Talk: Liquid Whey Protein

Let’s Talk: Liquid Whey Protein

by | Jul 24, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

Hello, I have a question about whey protein. I’ve been using a powdered whey protein. However, I also make my own cheese at home. A byproduct of cheese production is whey after separating the proteins with heat and a mild catalyst like lemon juice or vinegar. I’m generally wary of processed foods. My thinking is a less processed protein will be of a higher quality and a drastically low cost. It is in liquid form and kept refrigerated.  What should I consider from a spoilage and nutritional standpoint? My thinking is whey protein that is less processed.

– Eric D.

Answer:

So glad to hear you’re not washing your whey down the drain! Nutritionally, homemade whey protein is fully intact and not denatured like high-heat pasteurized powdered products. The liquid contains fewer chemicals and acid byproducts than commercially produced whey powder. It is also a source of vitamins A and several B vitamins and minerals original to the source milk/yogurt. In addition, there would be some vitamin C from the lemon juice used.  One cup of fluid acid whey contains about 2 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbohydrate and less than 1 gram of fat, providing a total of nearly 60 calories.*

If you’re going for protein though, liquid whey isn’t that concentrated, which necessitates quite a volume of it to make an impact. Since it keeps well (lasting several months in the refrigerator) you can use the tart liquid in cooking various foods and recipes over time. Clarity or cloudiness doesn’t matter – cloudiness indicates that some of the residual casein protein may have passed through the cheesecloth. For supplementing your diet to support exercise, convenient alternatives to powdered whey protein include hard-cooked egg whites and canned tuna in water.

*National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release April, 2018

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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Recommended Reading - Q+A

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