There are many ideas surrounding diet and nutrition that have been taken as gospel for quite some time that have been backfiring on men and women looking to transform their physiques. As a recent college graduate, I have observed many young men and women eating and using supplementation a certain way that they wrongly believed to be necessary in the pursuit of their goals. Below are some of the most common miscues and myths associated with nutrition and supplements.
Carbs Build Muscle: Myth
It is a common belief of many that carbs are a necessary component of muscle building. Carbohydrates are no more than a fuel source for the body as gas is a fuel source to a vehicle. Muscle tissue is composed of protein and fat. The process of repairing protein is stimulated by and carried out by protein. Carbs are implemented in a diet for the purpose of replenishing muscle glycogen stores that carry out the purpose of providing the body with energy, which is required during training, This energy source also spares muscle tissue and protein consumed by an individual as it is used up first before any other source of energy. Because of the ability of carbohydrates to serve as a reliable energy source during intense activity, athletes looking to perform certain activities such as training for longer periods of time or with heavier amounts of weight are able to do so with less likelihood of sacrificing muscle tissue or tapping into protein content consumed prior to training,
BCAA's are a Necessary Supplement: Myth
BCAA's (Branch Chain Amino Acids) have dominated sales in the supplement market since they came into existence. While this supplement is a key component of activating the muscle repair process, BCAA's do not possess the ability to carry out the act of actually repairing muscle after it has been torn down. Protein is the main ingredient in the muscle repair process and is absent from a BCAA supplement. BCAA's are also commonly believed to aid the fat burning process, an idea that can easily be debunked with basic logic of the fat burning process. In the event that one consumes BCAA's prior to fasted cardio, the individual has now introduced to the body another fuel source to be burned ahead of body fat, the fuel source that is supposed to be used to power the cardio session (resulting in the burning of fat cells). The fat burning process is now stalled significantly due to the implementation of BCAA's. While BCAA's do have a place in performance over time, this particular supplement does not perform the duties in the muscle building or fat burning processes that many believe they do.
