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Information on food supplements

Food additives or food supplements by no means should be considered a substitute of adequate nourishment. They should enrich your diet with special substances in order to support particular metabolic functions such as muscle building, fat burning, etc.

Below you will find a description of some of the most important body processes and information on the food supplements, which, along with the appropriate diet, could guarantee achievement of high results.

Nitrogen balance
This is the balance between the amount of nitrogen taken with food and the amount of nitrogen excreted from the body along with faeces.

Amino acids
These are carboxylic acids containing an amino group in their molecules. They are divided into replaceable (non-basic) and irreplaceable (basic).

Anabolic processes
These are processes of building and accumulation of organic substances in the body. Androstenedione
This is the basic material for the production of testosterone after a metabolic reaction. It greatly increases muscle mass and strength.

Antioxidants
Due to metabolism free radicals are produced in our body. They are dangerous substances causing a great number of diseases. Antioxidants are especially important when the amount of produced free radicals is more than the amount which the body can overcome.

Vitamins
These are organic substances, which are of special importance for the body. They cannot be synthesized from other substances, so it is necessary to supply them through food. They strengthen the immune resistance and have an impact on a number of vital processes, as well as on processes of the central nervous system and many others. Insufficient quantity of vitamins may lead to a number of diseases. Vitamins can be fat-soluble or water-soluble. Vitamins A, D, Е, К, etc. pertain to the group of fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins include all vitamins from Group B and vitamin C. Intensive loads definitely increase the necessity of vitamins, which requires their additional take-up in the form of effervescent vitamins and preparations.

Carbohydrates
They are major energy source for muscle loading. Gainer
It is a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids in precise proportions. This is a supplement for anyone who wishes to increase their muscle mass.

Glycemic index
It is known as an index of fast or slow burning of carbohydrates. The fast-resorbing carbohydrates with high glycemic index (GI) are most suitable for faster restoration of muscle glycogen after exhaustive training. Slow-burning carbohydrates with low glycemic index (GI) are recommended for continuous energy discharge. GI varies when different foods are combined.

Glycogen
This is a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide), a product of the binding of a large number of glucose molecules. During the digestion process the carbohydrate turns into glucose. The glucose, which is not absorbed by body, is transported and stored in the liver and in the muscles, where it transforms into glycogen, used for energy when necessary.

Glutamine
Glutamine represents more than a half of the amino-acid content in the muscles. Since muscles always tends to burn their amino acids there is always a risk of potential loss of these most valuable ingredients. We shall take glutamine supplements in order to guarantee the maintaining of the necessary glutamine level. Glutamine influences most strongly the anabolic process by contributing to the hydrating of muscle cells.

Dehydrating
This means body dehydration. It is necessary to drink water even during the training session.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
It is an exceptionally powerful hormone. It is a basic material for testosterone production. It is synthesized in the adrenal gland through cholesterol. Androstenedione, produced from this reaction, directly leads to the production of testosterone. Reduced DHEA levels are symptoms of decreased vitality, immune deficiency and decreased libido.

Enzymes
These are proteins produced in the amino-acid cells. They are “the main protagonists” in all processes, as each protein has its own specific task to perform. The proteins are easily destroyed during training, which requires their continuous taking. During the ageing process the amount of energy in the body decreases and the restoration of the protein levels should be achieved by means of the food supplements. Food is the richest source of enzymes.

Creatine monohydrate
This is the pure form of Creatine, which is used by athletes. It must be transformed into creatine phosphate in order to be able to produce energy.

Creatine phosphate
This is a form of Creatine, which directly increases ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) levels by ADP (Adenosine diphosphate) load, with one phosphate bond for high amount of energy.

L-Carnitine
This is the basic amino acid for metabolism of fats.
Continuous training sessions may lead to drastic reduction in L-Carnitine levels in the muscles. Carnitine “transfers” fat acids to mitochondria, where they are burnt and energy is produced as a result. The mitochondria need oxygen in order to “do this job”. When the body is charged by Carnitine, the muscles obtain the necessary amount of oxygen, so, when your goal is to eliminate the unpleasant fat depots, you shall maintain high levels of Carnitine. It has a tonic effect on liver and heart. Recent research studies prove that L-Carnitine significantly increases sperm cell vitality. It should be taken 30-60 minutes before training, and when it is used as a means for prevention and treatment of heart diseases – it shall be taken before going to bed.

Lactose
This is the other name of milk sugar. Under the influence of lactase enzyme, lactose decomposes to monosaccharides – galactose and glucose.

Metabolism
It is also known as metabolic function or metabolic activity. It represents a combination of anabolic and catabolic processes. Metabolite is any substance participating in metabolism. All types of food contain exact amount of energy. This energy is measured in calories. In terms of energy, food is divided into 3 parts: proteins, sugars and fats having the following caloric value:

• Proteins- 4 calories per gram (17 kJ/g)
• Sugars- 4 calories per gram (17 kJ/g)
• Fats- 9 calories per gram (37 kJ/g).

Fats give twice more energy than proteins and sugars. Any of these 3 components is stored in the body and can be transformed into energy in the following way:

• Proteins – muscle tissue can be divided into amino acid groups
• Sugars - glycogen stored in the muscles and in the liver can be transformed into glucose.
• Fats – stored as triglycerides in the fat cells; they can be transformed into fat acids and glycerol.

Digestion decomposes proteins in the stomach to small amino acid groups by means of enzymes. Amino acids are absorbed through the blood flow and are used as energy or they take part in specific functions (feeding the muscle cells and helping muscle tissue formation). When sugars are absorbed and solved into glucose and absorbed by the blood flow, they are used as energy or they are stored in the muscles and in the liver in the form of glycogen. The fats consumed are decomposed by blood to free and absorbed fat acids. Fat acids can be used as energy or can be stored in the fat cells in the form of triglycerides.

You should know that with ageing metabolism slows down.

Minerals
These are inorganic substances, which activate metabolic processes. They are extremely important for efficient body functioning. They participate in all important processes – energy production, protein metabolism, muscle contractions, etc.

Muscles
They perform locomotory functions and represent approximately 40% of the body weight. Muscle fibres are white, red and mixed.

Food transformation into energy
There are two energy levels, which allow the body to perform aerobic and anaerobic actions. Anaerobic actions are based on our ability to perform exercises in the conditions of lack of oxygen (100 m sprint, weightlifting of maximum weight with minimum repetitiveness). With this type of activities the percentage of oxygen cannot meet the energy needs; the ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) reserves shall be ready. Aerobic activity is based on the ability to perform exercises in the presence of oxygen (long distance running, crosses, ski, etc.). This type of activities may take a long time because there is no lactic acid in muscles. Aerobics uses sugars (glucose) and fats as a source of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) production during the Krebs cycle.

Peptides
These are substances composed of amino acids. There are a lot of peptides contained in the body, which influence the immune and endocrine system.

Pyruvate
It easily burns fats. It also prevents accumulation of fat reserves.

Whey
This is a waste by-product generated during cheese production. Nowadays whey protein is considered to be one of the best protein sources. It is a mixture of low-molecular protein - alpha lactalbumin, beta lactoglobulin, immunoglobulins, etc. The whey protein’s ability to quickly recover the body shape makes it an irreplaceable supplement to take after training.

Whey isolate
Over 90% of whey protein.

Whey concentrate
Up to 80% of whey protein.

Tribulus terrestris
This is a natural herb accelerating testosterone secretion by increasing the percentage of LH-hormone - luteinizing (sexual) hormone.

Fibres
They are the indigestible part of plants - the cellulose. A fibre-rich diet may help prevent problems, such as constipation, haemorrhoids, hernia, varicose veins and heart problems. A diet containing 37 g fibres per day plays a preventive role and helps fighting intestinal problems.

Fructose
This is a monosaccharide, which is mostly contained in fruit. Hormones
Biochemical compounds, which are produced in the endocrine glands and which perform regulatory functions on metabolism.

Growth hormone (GH)
This is a protein, which is synthesized by the pituitary gland. It is also called somatotropin. Its anabolic (muscle-building) and anticatabolic (muscle preservation) effects include the increase of the protein synthesis and nitrogen retention and reduced protein catabolism. It is the major factor stimulating the muscle mass increase and body fat reduction.

It is scientifically proved that the continuous taking of precise daily doses leads to visible rejuvenation. That is why many of the ageing stars started taking it.

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