Gainer (supplement)
Encyclopedia
A gainer is a bodybuilding supplement
usually composed of both high and low glycemic carbohydrates and protein
(usually in the form of calcium caseinate, milk and whey protein
) and often other nutrient
s such as certain vitamin
s and mineral
s.
and strength athletes, both amateur and professional alike, as a weight gain supplement or recovery supplement. Gainers are designed(especially) for use after workout.
Pre and post workout supplements are probably the most important supplements to take, after vitamins and minerals.
When performing intensive exercise the stress can cause the release of hormone
s such as cortisol
in order to quickly make available energy to the body. Cortisol forces breakdown of glycogen
, protein (muscle) and fat deposits which are used in gluconeogenesis
. Gainers seek to combat this effect after (and sometimes during) an exercise routine.
Most gainers use protein powders(whey protein extracts) and carbohydrates(dextrose, maltodextrine). More advanced gainers add to their recipes ingredients like: creatine, l-arginine, long chain amino-acids, :enzymes(for better digestion), vitamins, minerals and plant extracts for :adaptogen effect.
Higher glycemic carbohydrates will prompt a steep rise in blood glucose, forcing an equal release of insulin
by the body to counter the long-term negative effects of high blood sugar
, inhibiting the effects of cortisol. Some of the carbohydrates are immediately absorbed by the muscles without insulin. The rest is stored as glycogen
in the liver and muscles.The insulin spike, given by carbohydrates, help other supplements(ex.: :creatine, protein) to by absorbed better and faster.
Bodybuilding supplement
Bodybuilding supplements are dietary supplements commonly used by those involved in bodybuilding and athletics. Bodybuilding supplements may be used to replace meals, enhance weight gain, promote weight loss or improve athletic performance...
usually composed of both high and low glycemic carbohydrates and protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
(usually in the form of calcium caseinate, milk and whey protein
Whey protein
Whey protein is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. Some preclinical studies in rodents have suggested that whey protein may possess anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties; however, human data is lacking...
) and often other nutrient
Nutrient
A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...
s such as certain vitamin
Vitamin
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. In other words, an organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on...
s and mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
s.
Description and Use
Gainers(after workout supplements) are used by bodybuildingBodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and strength athletes, both amateur and professional alike, as a weight gain supplement or recovery supplement. Gainers are designed(especially) for use after workout.
Pre and post workout supplements are probably the most important supplements to take, after vitamins and minerals.
When performing intensive exercise the stress can cause the release of hormone
Hormone
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
s such as cortisol
Cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress and a low level of blood glucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat,...
in order to quickly make available energy to the body. Cortisol forces breakdown of glycogen
Glycogenolysis
Glycogenolysis is the conversion of glycogen polymers to glucose monomers. Glycogen is catabolized by removal of a glucose monomer through cleavage with inorganic phosphate to produce glucose-1-phosphate...
, protein (muscle) and fat deposits which are used in gluconeogenesis
Gluconeogenesis
Gluconeogenesis is a metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates such as lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids....
. Gainers seek to combat this effect after (and sometimes during) an exercise routine.
Most gainers use protein powders(whey protein extracts) and carbohydrates(dextrose, maltodextrine). More advanced gainers add to their recipes ingredients like: creatine, l-arginine, long chain amino-acids, :enzymes(for better digestion), vitamins, minerals and plant extracts for :adaptogen effect.
Higher glycemic carbohydrates will prompt a steep rise in blood glucose, forcing an equal release of insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
by the body to counter the long-term negative effects of high blood sugar
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia or Hyperglycæmia, or high blood sugar, is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma. This is generally a glucose level higher than 13.5mmol/l , but symptoms may not start to become noticeable until even higher values such as 15-20 mmol/l...
, inhibiting the effects of cortisol. Some of the carbohydrates are immediately absorbed by the muscles without insulin. The rest is stored as glycogen
Glycogen
Glycogen is a molecule that serves as the secondary long-term energy storage in animal and fungal cells, with the primary energy stores being held in adipose tissue...
in the liver and muscles.The insulin spike, given by carbohydrates, help other supplements(ex.: :creatine, protein) to by absorbed better and faster.