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There is no doubt that some bodybuilding supplements can help you build your body to a higher level of perfection and peak performance - if you are actively involved in the sport of bodybuilding. If you are a competitive bodybuilder, supplements are an absolute must. Getting the whole truth about what a particular bodybuilding supplement does is not so clear cut.

For any supplement to help build maximum muscle tissue requires that you put out maximum effort. You can down all of energy drinks on the market, gorge yourself on protein and carbohydrates and without a lot of work on your part, you will just get fat! No magic pill or bodybuilding supplement out of a chemical lab will change that.

Some of the muscle magazines and web sites would have you think otherwise, but they are wrong. If you take time to check, you will find that most of the mags and sites giving glowing reviews to a magic pill or formula are owned by the same people who own the pill.

So, with literally hundreds of bodybuilding supplements on the market how do you choose? It can be confusing. Just be sure that the supplements you take help you reach your bodybuilding goals. And stay away from the over-hyped miracle pill that does it all.

There are several supplements that you really do need to help build and tone your body. These are legal and affordable and without harmful side-effects:

Protein
Glutamine
Creatine
Nitric Oxide

Protein

Every bodybuilder needs to supplement with protein. It is an essential building block and helps build muscle mass that is toned and fit. Whey protein, which comes from cows milk, is an ideal source of protein. It contains little if any fat, or lactose and is delivers essential amino acids. Look for whey protein isolate which is the purest form.

Creatine

Creatine helps supply energy to the muscles. It is synthesized in the liver and is found naturally in skeletal muscles. The liver produces adequate amounts for normal activity but studies have shown that ingesting creatine does increase the amount in the muscles. Creatine not only helps in building strength and muscle mass but also increases performance by combating fatigue. If you are a competitive bodybuilder, be aware that while creatine use is not considered 'doping', certain forms are banned from sale in several countries.

Glutamine

L-Glutamine is an amino acid, and like creatine, it is normally produced in sufficient quantities by the body itself. However, when you place your body under stress with hard workouts, your body cannot keep up with the demand. Glutamine helps to restore your energy level and rebuild muscle tissue. It also helps to strengthen the immune system and fuel the brain. Glutamine also encourages the production of Human Growth Hormone. Many suppliers mix it with other supplements to mask the bitterness of pure glutamine.

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide increases the flow of blood throughout your body. This increases the supply of muscle building agents to the skeletal muscles. This can boost your overall performance and your power output. Nitric oxide is produced naturally during hard exercise and is what gives you that "pumped" feeling.

Supplementing with nitric oxide can give you that "pumped" feeling without the effort of exercise, but it is a false feeling. Unless you work your muscles, they will not grow no matter what bodybuilding supplements you take.