A general health or dietary supplement is a preparation, usually in the form of a tablet, powder or shake, developed in order to provide nutrition specific to that which your body is lacking, whether due to insufficient dietary nourishment, or a natural deficiency. Supplements can provide nutrients like minerals, vitamins, fatty acids or amino acids.
Whether these supplements fall under the food category or the drugs category is something that has been internationally disputed. However, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is the UNs highest authority of food standards, agrees that any supplements containing dietary vitamins or minerals comes under the category of food.
Protein supplements are probably the most common, but there are many different types of protein supplement. Whey isolates for example are a type of protein that will usually contain L-Glutamine for recovery, amino peptides for muscle growth & recovery and, Taurine for improved energy output.
Powdered proteins are often used by bodybuilders. These proteins will normally be consumed immediately before and after a workout, or in place of a meal. The reason this type of protein supplement is so popular is because a regular intake of protein into the body means healthy muscle growth and repair.
The most common type of protein is whey protein (mentioned above), its absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly and contains all essential amino acids in high levels. Whey itself is a by-product of cheese making, and whey proteins are comprised of a mixture of globular proteins, which have been extracted from the whey.
Another variety of protein is Casein (milk protein) and contains high levels of Glutamine, which helps recovery. Another substance Casein contains is casomorphin, which aids the body in soaking up amino acids over a longer period of time.
Soy Protein can also be concentrated into a supplement. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is a vegetarian alternative protein. Soybeans also contain isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen, which have a weak estrogenic activity, to enhance testosterone levels.
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