Using plants to build muscle is more effective than using traditional over the counter supplements! That's something you probably thought you would never hear. Well, let me show you why there is truth to that claim and after reading this you will look at plants differently!
Nutrients
The first thing we are going to look at is nutrients. Almost all of the supplements on the market today contain artificial ingredients. These included vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. They can be taken in different forms including: liquid, tablet, powder, and capsule and are made to mimic the way natural nutrients act in our body. In order to tell the difference between natural and synthetic nutrients, look at the label. If the label states the nutrients are sourced from plants then all is well. If the label lists nutrients by chemical names, like ascorbic acid, then the source is almost always synthetic. Synthetic nutrients are made in lab settings or through industrial processes, while natural nutrients come from whole food sources.
It is assumed that synthetic nutrients are almost chemically the same as natural one, but the production processes between the two are very different. The lack of cofactors and enzymes can cause the body to react differently to synthetic nutrients which makes it unclear how well these nutrients are absorbed into the body(1). When you consume whole foods, you consume a wide range of vitamins, minerals, cofactors and enzymes, as opposed to the single nutrients you get from synthetic sources. Without these additional compounds, synthetic nutrients are unlikely to be
used by the body in the same ways as natural nutrients(2)(3).
It's well known that nutrients help the muscle building process, especially: Vitamin B12, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B9, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Omega 3, Calcium , Magnesium, and Amino Acids. It's best to get these from whole food sources as they are used optimally by the body.
Powdered Extracts
Like synthetic nutrients, powdered extracts are in a lot of supplements and, for some companies, they are considered to be the botanical portion of their product. Unfortunately, powdered extracts are isolated portions of a plant that are first separated in solvent then dried and added to a supplement. Here we have the same issues we had with synthetic nutrients. The powdered extracts lack cofactors, enzymes,and other surrounding vitamins and minerals. Again, this means the body doesn’t use the powdered extract optimally.
When using whole food sources, there is no need for powder extracts. Dehydrated plants contain everything needed to enhance your performance and there is no need to separate anything because everything works better together!
Hormones
One thing your dietary supplements don't do, that plants can do, is interact with your hormones. The production of testosterone and growth hormone can be influenced by plants. Testosterone(T) is typically only associated with sex drive in men, but It also affects mental health, bone and muscle mass, fat storage, and red blood cell production. Most supplement products that claim to increase this hormone haven't been tested nor have their claims been verified.. On the botanical side, there are a number of plants that have been proven to raise testosterone levels (4)(5)(6)(16).
Until the synthetic products have been verified, you should reach for whole food plants to increase your testosterone naturally!
Growth hormone (GH) is a protein that is made by the pituitary gland and secreted into the bloodstream. Growth hormone is illegal to use without a prescription and is a banned substance in sports on all levels. Despite these risks, athletes still risk getting caught using this substance, due its ability to build muscle, help prevent injuries, and shorten recovery time. Once again, plants can increase your production of growth hormone legally! Plants contain phytochemicals that encourage the release of growth hormone, for example, *Velvet Beans are a natural source of L-dopa (7). L-dopa is used by the hypothalamus to create growth hormone releasing hormone (8)(9). That hormone is then used by the pituitary gland to secrete growth* hormone(10). Finally, that growth hormone is used throughout the body to build and repair tissue, increase bone density, and enhance performance. Growth Hormone can be released by the presence of serotonin(11)(12). Serotonin interacts with the pituitary gland in almost the same manner as l-dopa. Numerous plants increase these levels including, Ashwagandha (13), Turmeric(14), Green Tea(15) and many more.
Conclusion
Can plants build muscle and enhance performance? YES! Are whole food supplements the same as synthetic supplements? NO! According to the information available, whole food nutrients are used more optimally by your body than synthetic ones. So, what should you do next? I encourage you to further investigate the power of plants and, if you're looking to build muscle, enhance your performance, increase energy, and increase your athletic output naturally! Get Mr. E’s Remedies!
Adaptogens are a special group of plants that help balance, restore, and protect the body. Adaptogens help you respond to stressors and normalize your physical functions. In other words they increase your tolerance to stress both physical and mental.
