Natural bodybuilding has controversies and myths. Probably you have fallen for one or another. Some bodybuilders think that using natural bodybuilding supplements keeps you off being a natural weight lifter, while others believe that takes supplements like clean carbs, creatine and protein isolate is still natural bodybuilding.

Read on to differentiate between genuine and not, and clear all the myths about natural bodybuilding supplements.

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If you are an aspiring bodybuilder, a competitive one that wants to start natural bodybuilding, or a bodybuilding sport fan, you are in the right place. Below, you will learn what natural bodybuilding is, which supplements are ideal for a natural bodybuilder, which supplements are banned, and much more. Stay tuned.

What is Natural Bodybuilding?

Early in the day, natural bodybuilding meant workout and gaining muscles without using any supplements. However, science has outdated this definition of natural bodybuilding. According to science, supplements like glutamine, and creatine cannot be unnatural because they are naturally found in our diets.

It is vague to argue that taking something found in natural foods or those produced by your body is unnatural. If that would be case, you would say that taking food that has glutamine and creatine, such as red meat, places you out of the natural bodybuilding category.

Some bodybuilders also believe that taking pre-workout protein shakes or creatine is not natural- which is wrong.

The appropriate definition of natural bodybuilding is taking foods and supplements allowed by a bodybuilding sanctioning organisation.

Natural bodybuilding is a complex topic. However, most bodybuilders agree that natural bodybuilding entails not taking performance-enhancing drugs-PEDs, growth hormones, peptides, anabolic steroids, or any other substance that enhances muscle growth or fat loss.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is an internationally recognised agency that regulate which substances an athlete can or cannot take. These agencies test athletes for any banned substances. Natural bodybuilders should consult with the agencies they want to compete for, as the list might differ from WADA-banned supplements. So, avoid taking banned bodybuilding supplements if you’re going to remain in the game for a longer time.

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The 5 Best Supplements for Natural Bodybuilding

The following list consists of recommended natural bodybuilding supplements, which is also available in a natural bodybuilder’s diet plan but in a small percentage.

1. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)

To improve your muscle growth, you need to remain in an anabolic state- It is essential. BCAA is a group of three primary amino acids, which include valine, isoleucine, and leucine.

Branched Chain Amino Acids stimulate muscle mass building by arousing muscle protein synthesis and breaking down muscle protein- the process known as proteolysis. Taking these amino acids all day and during bodybuilding workouts will give you the desired results.

2. Clean Carbs

Any natural bodybuilder needs two main things to remain in the game: Eating right and working out right. Reaching your daily carbs target can be an arduous task, especially when adding weight and gaining muscles.

Many carbs supplements for bodybuilding are dextrose and maltodextrin, which make your body produce an insulin response for swift recovery or short burst energy.

On the other hand, clean carbs are made up of pure complex carbs foods, the same you get from yams, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and oats. Clean carbs help you achieve your daily carbs target, help post-workout recovery, and improve general bodybuilding workout exercises. Normalise talking about 24g of clean carbs daily.

3. Whey Protein Shake

Protein is an essential component of muscle growth. A collection of amino acids makes up protein, which stimulates muscle gain by a process known as muscle protein synthesis. Whey protein is easily absorbable compared to other forms of proteins. As a natural bodybuilder, never lack whey protein shakes in your diet plan.

4. Citrulline Malate

Citrulline is a natural bodybuilding supplement that is derived from plants such as apples and watermelons. Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, while malate comes from malic acid. The combination of these two compounds has enormous ergogenic benefits.

Citrulline malate is well known to be the best nitric oxide booster which helps in oxygen circulation, optimum blood flow, and nutrients essential to muscle growth and muscle strength.

5. Beta-Alanine

To build muscle mass, you need the right workout volume. To achieve the best out of your bodybuilding career, you need to take natural amino acids supplements like beta-alanine. If you combine beta-alanine and l-histidine, you get a dipeptide known as carnosine. Carnosine inhibits the accumulation of lactic, which essentially increases your workout volume.

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Banned Supplements in Natural Bodybuilding in Contests.

The list of banned bodybuilding supplements depends on the contest you want to compete in. Each agency has its own set of rules and regulations.

In this section, let us focus on the list available at WNBF. It has the strictest regulations. So, you abide by their rules, and the high chances are that you will go through other agencies without a hassle.

There are more than 200 substances banned from WNBF contents. But will highlight just a few. Here’s is the list:

• Hallucinogens, cannabinoids, and opioids– Even the legal CBD is banned here. You will not qualify if you have taken CBD oil.
• Anabolic Steroids– Examples include drostanolone, androstenediol, nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin), mesterolone, boldenone, trenbolone, and stanozolol
• Muscle implant– Don’t think of adding any muscles surgically.
• Prohomes and precursor– These kinds of hormones converts to testosterone, and they are prohibited, e.g., DHEA
• Testosterone– all forms of testosterones are banned, including but not limited to injections, gels, creams, and patches.
• Peptides, growth hormones, and growth factors– Examples include human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), growth hormone (HGH), erythropoietin (EPO), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)

Bottom line: Supplements are Allowed in Natural Bodybuilding

As seen, natural bodybuilding is a contradicting topic- it has confused personal trainers, fitness professionals, athletes, and bodybuilders.

Whichever side of the coin you are in, you need to take supplements and substances from plants like BCAAs, Whey protein, and creatine if you want to become a natural bodybuilder. These supplements occur naturally in daily foods that you take. They are as natural as you.

Your safety and health come first- ensure any bodybuilding supplement you take is safe and effective. Go for natural bodybuilding supplements, indulge in extensive bodybuilding workouts, and be the next big thing.