Antioxidant drugs are becoming more and more popular. They are used by healthy lifestyle advocates and athletes. Find out if bodybuilders use these drugs for muscle growth. An increasing number of adherents of a healthy lifestyle are turning their attention to antioxidants. At the same time, many athletes underestimate their importance. This is due to a complete lack of understanding of the situation, and after all, we can rightfully say that antioxidants are real bodybuilding drugs.
Exercise cannot target only one muscle, and all body systems are in shock. This contributes to an increase in the number of free radicals, which is a negative factor for any person. It is antioxidants that are the most effective means of fighting free radicals.
The use of antioxidants in bodybuilding
Probably not all athletes know exactly what free radicals are. These are aggressive molecules that attack the tissues of the body. If we use scientific terminology, then free radicals are deprived of a certain number of electrons, which leads to a violation of their stable state.
Not only are these molecules capable of destroying tissues, but they also leave behind powerful toxins. Scientists associate the development of a large number of diseases with a high concentration of free radicals. In the course of scientific research, it has been found that high-intensity sports activities increase the number of free radicals in the body.
Of course, the body is able to protect itself from these aggressive substances, but help in this will not hurt. The way antioxidants work is the same and simple enough. They donate some of their electrons to free radicals, thereby giving them stability. Antioxidants differ in certain ways, such as how they maintain their abilities or where they are located in the body.
For example, the most famous and popular antioxidant, vitamin C, for the most part works in the "watery" structures of the body, as it is readily soluble in water. At the same time, it is able not only to effectively fight free radicals, but also to regenerate the oxidative forms of vitamin E. This substance belongs to the group of fat-soluble vitamins and for this reason it works in adipose tissues, hormonal glands and cell membranes.
An even more effective antioxidant is lipoic acid. This is due to its versatility, since the substance is capable of dissolving not only in water, but also in fat. In addition to this, lipoic acid is able to restore vitamins C and E. There is a special substance in the body - glutathione peroxidase, which is the most powerful antioxidant synthesized by the body. Selenium plays a huge role in maintaining sufficient levels of this substance. In the course of research, it was found that under the influence of physical exertion, the level of glutathione peroxidase drops sharply and only selenium can correct this situation. Some plants also have their own anti-free radical systems, such as green tea or curcumin. Probably, this is inherent in all organisms, but only from some plants it is possible to obtain extracts containing a large amount of antioxidants.
Let's not forget about NAC, a substance that increases the concentration of glutathione peroxidase. Experiments have shown that with a daily intake of 1 gram of NAC, the level of glutathione peroxidase does not decrease, even under the influence of high-intensity training. It has also been previously found to help maintain lean body mass. The subjects consumed 0.4 grams of NAC during the day.
Today, you can easily find a large number of different dietary supplements containing antioxidants. There are many very effective ones among them, but the optimal option for their use has not yet been found. We can advise you to consume the following mixture every day:
- Vitamin C - 3 to 6 grams
- Lipoic acid - 0.2 to 0.6 grams;
- Beta carotene - 0.1 to 0.2 grams;
- NAC - 0.4 to 1.2 grams;
- Vitamin E - 500 to 1000 units.
Thanks to the use of antioxidants, athletes have the opportunity to protect not only muscle tissue, but also the entire body from the stress caused by training. Research on antioxidants is ongoing and it is difficult to say which of these substances are more effective. But the fact that they are necessary for all people, and especially for athletes, can be said with complete confidence.
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