Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules into simple ones; often to release energy. Large molecules such as lipids, amino acids and proteins. For body builders and athletes this can sometimes be a ‘bad’ thing. If muscle is not worked and/or supplied with adequate nutrition the body will catabolize it within 72 hours. Muscle is very taxing to the body in terms of energy so it breaks it down when its not needed (that’s why muscle breaks down faster than fat). The body does this because it’s integral to our evolutionary survival. For Hardgainers this is no exception.
However, there are a few solutions to combat this:
- Your diet can play a big role in how our bodies store and use energy. By calculation your caloric needs based on your levels of fitness you should be able to supply your body with adequate and balanced nutrition. http://www.mypyramid.gov is great way to help people calculate, tailor and educate their dietary needs. Another thing you should look into is eating smaller amounts to about 6 to 7 times a day. Not only does this help with portion control and help maintain a healthy weight but it also ‘tricks’ the body to metabolize what its given instead of catabolizing itself (i.e. muscle breakdown).
- Water is also important. It helps regulate and provide proper support to all of your bodily functions.
- Vitamins and amino acid supplements may be important if your exercise is using more of these than what you consume. These supplements can support your immune system, recovery time, overall muscle growth and quality. Be sure to check the label on the bottle if the vitamin supplements are lab tested to dissolve because some products may pass right through your colon without being absorbed.
- Protein is a biggie here. There are three different kinds of proteins available on the market that are widely used: Soy, Casein and Whey. Soy is a potein often used to help loose weight and research shows that it promotes growth hormone levels; Casein is a slow digesting protein which is great for pre-workouts; and Whey is a fast digesting protein which is great for post-workouts (it helps by sending the nutrients fast to recovering muscle tissues within 60 minutes of your workout). Most protein products now come in a powder form that can be added or made into a shake for easy consumption. Protein powders such as MuscleMilk or ProNos are a good choice (they can be a bit pricey [a great investment though] so if you cannot afford them right away, some grocery stores and even walmart offer some cheap selections).
- Lastly, you may want to look into a NO supplement. Nitric Oxide has very important functions in human muscle tissue: it supports muscle contraction, hemodilation (increase nutrient and oxygen uptake to muscle tissue), promote muscle mass, prevents muscle breakdown (whoo hoo!) and prevents inflammation. Now, your body already has certain levels of NO present and is increased with light forms of exercise. However, in more intensifying workouts NO levels drop. These supplements are generally safe to use but if you are thinking about using them in training for a sport make sure to check if the product is NSF certified to ensure quality and that they can be used during the sports season. NO products (i.e. NO2, NO-explode, NO2 Black Powder, etc.) can be found at any GNC or other nutritional store.
All bodies are different and respond differently in the efforts to grow muscle and maintain a healthy weight.
Live happy and thrive!!
**Remember to always check with your doctor and nutritionist before changing or starting any diet and/or supplements. Do your own research and be responsible.
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