Most people have no clue what supplements they should take in order to help reach their desired goals. Here is a list of supplements (some common, some not so common) and a brief description of their function(s).

Intended To Build Muscle

1. Creatine- increase power & strength; increase bodyweight
2. Glutamine - prevent muscle breakdown; immune support
3. Branched-chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) - prevent muscle breakdown
4. Alpha Ketoglutarate (AKG) - prevent muscle breakdown; improve exercise tolerance; enhance oxygen delivery
5. Arginine Ketoisocaproate (AKIC) - prevent muscle breakdown; support brain activity; intestine repair
6. Beta-hydroxy-Beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) - increase lean body mass; prevent muscle breakdown
7. Ornithine-alpha-ketoglutarate - prevent muscle breakdown; growth hormone precursor
8. Taurine - insulinlike activities; cell volumizer; anticatabolic
9. Alanine - facilitate glucose production; prevent muscle breakdown; balance blood sugar
10. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) - increase lean body mass; decrease bodyfat; anticarcinogen
11. Ketoisocaproate (KIC) - prevent muscle breakdown
12. Androstenedione - increase levels of testosterone; improve athletic performance
13. Arginine - promote growth-hormone release; improve immune function; facilitate erection
14. Ornithine - prevent muscle breakdown; promote growth-hormone release
15. Chrysin (Flavone X) - increase plasma testosterone
16. Medium-chain Triglycerides (MCT) - caloric supplementation; source of energy
17. Phosphatidylersine - decrease cortisol levels; mental acuity
18. Chromium - aid glucose metabolism; increase lean body mass
19. Glycerol - maintain plasma volume
20. Vanadium Compounds - increase muscle-insulin sensitivity
21. Pregnenoione - increase testosterone levels
22. Beta-ecdysterone - improve nitrogen levels
23. Choline - needed for normal muscle contraction; burn fat
24. Ginseng - adaptogen; improve exercise performance; recovery agent
25. Smilax - increase plasma testosterone

Intended For Fat Loss

1. Caffeine - promote fat utilization; increase aerobic performance
2. Ephedrine - improve alertness; raise metabolism; increase fat mobilization
3. Pyruvate - decrease bodyfat; energy production
4. L-Carnitine - increase fat metabolism; improve aerobic performance
5. Acetyl L-Carnitine - prevent reduction in testosterone; lower cholesterol; mental acuity
6. Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA) - prevent fat accumulation; decrease appetite
7. Chitosan - block fat absorption

Intended For Improved Immune Function, Pain Management, & Joint Health

1. Vitamin C - antioxidant; decrease upper respiratory infections
2. GLA - anti-inflammatory
3. DL-Phenylalanine - pain reduction
4. N Acetylcystine (NAC) - antioxidant; improve immune performance
5. Chondroitin Sulfate - anti-inflammatory
6. Echinacea - improve immune function
7. Glucosamine - anti-inflammatory; benefit connective-tissue injuries
8. Saw Palmetto - prostate health
9. White Willow- reduce pain; potentiate thermogenic compounds
10. Goldenseal - improve immune function

Intended For Improved Mental Function

1. Tyrosine - improve mood; decrease perceived exertion
2. Saint John's Wort - improve mood; decrease depression
3. Ginkgo Biloba - improve mental concentration
4. Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) - mental acuity


Misc. Supplements

1. Antioxidents - preserve cell integrity
2. Melatonin - sleep aid; improve immune function
3. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - improve vigor and increase testosterone levels; greatest results found in men over 50
4. Alpha-lipoic acid - antioxidant; insulinlike effect; improves LDL:HDL ratio
5. Co-enzyme Q10 - improve aerobic performance
6. Yohimbe - enhance sex drive
7. Zinc - a deficiency can negatively affect testosterone levels and the production of certain enzyme

this is fucking awesome.

Nice list, man. Here are some additions:

Cinnamon is a great complement to vanadyl sulfate for increasing insulin sensitivity.

Caffeine + ephedra + white willow gives exponential increases in fat loss over the use of one of those components alone.

Beta alanine is an amino acid that is a great complement to creatine, and promotes the production of ATP. IT also gives you a pretty badass rush, similar to that of niacin (though for people with a niacin sensitivity, it's not nearly as soul-crushing/brutal).

Omega 3 fatty acids aid fat loss and promote joint health and increased mental function.

Originally posted by: xBrutalizerx

Omega 3 fatty acids aid fat loss and promote joint health and increased mental function.

this is why i eat tuna 6 times a week

Try to mix some salmon in as well. The fattier the fish, the better.

I detest fish. Couldn't hate it more than I do.

i fuckin hate salmon. too fishy for me. i like tuna though, out of the packet it doesn't taste fishy at all.

I feel you on that. I can't even make myself eat Tuna- I retch when I smell the shit.

hah man i hated tuna when i was younger but it has grown on me.

I used to eat tuna 2/3 times a day for a month, the can tuna that is. After a while you don't want to see, smell, taste, or hear the word tuna for quite sometime. I eat those grilled chicken packets that bumble bee(I believe) make. I also throw in salmon & turkey into the mix.

i tend to stack my protein too- tuna chicken fresh fish... its the way to go

fresh/ground/lean turkey is pretty good too. you can make chili/burgers/meatloaf/ meatballs etc. makes for an easy meal.

Great list... Add this to it - click here for link

Yo, the Wholefoods brand tuna is very not-fishy tasting or smelling and isnt very expensive for what you get.

Where'd this info come from, Wren?

most of its from an article i read with a nutritionist that works with bodybuilders.

its been so long that i don't know if i can find the article again.