The Benefits of D-Aspartic Acid and Vitamin D for Bodybuilders

Almost everyone who works-out has an understanding of the basics of bodybuilding supplementation, like taking Creatine and Protein to promote muscle growth. However, there are also other supplements that will provide equal, if not greater benefits than that of its counterparts. Have you ever heard of D-Aspartic Acid and/or Vitamin D? These are both excellent supplements and they are also highly under-rated in the bodybuilding world…that is, until recently.

D-Aspartic Acid & Vitamin D: A Match Made In Bodybuilding Heaven!

Bodybuilders are starting to understand the benefits of taking a supplement such as D-Aspartic Acid, which include increasing the body’s testosterone levels and increased muscle growth. Testosterone is a hormone within the body that is responsible for a healthy mood & sex drive, as well as promoting hair, muscle and tissue growth. Although men and women both have testosterone, the testosterone levels in women are usually so low that they do not cause any male masculine features. Estrogen is the women’s equivalent to testosterone.

and now back to D-Aspartic Acid…

D-Aspartic Acid works primarily by increasing the testosterone levels in your body. D-Aspartic Acid sends signals to the pituitary gland to release more luteinizing hormone, which in turn travels to the Leydig cells and thus more testosterone is created.

Although more research is required, many scientists agree that this hormone plays a big role in the production of testosterone (which is responsible for muscle growth). In 2006, D-Aspartic Acid was first theorized to increase testosterone production. Bodybuilders need as much testosterone as they can get, because it is an integral part of the muscle building process.

It is also worth noting that you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to benefit from D-Aspartic Acid. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of D-Aspartic Acid, which include:

1. Improved Mental Health – D-Aspartic Acid increases the production of Testosterone, which in turn will improve your mood. A scientific study in 2012 indicated that testosterone supplementation stimulates the Amygdala, which promotes confidence, improves overall drive as well as ambition characteristics.
2. Increased Energy – Naturally, higher levels of testosterone result in higher energy levels.  You will also get better sleep, because testosterone promotes peaceful sleep. Your muscles will receive more oxygen, and your blood will be enriched with red blood cells.
3. Enhanced Heart Health – This is not usually a reason to start taking D-Aspartic Acid, but it is an amazing added benefit. Since heart disease is the number one killer of men in the U.S., this benefit should not be taken lightly. Higher levels of testosterone have been said to widen the blood vessels and allow better circulation.
4. Muscle Building & Strength – This is the main reason that D-Aspartic Acid is used in workout regimens. D-Aspartic Acid will increase the amount of muscle protein production, which has an end result of toned muscle growth. Testosterone also reduces the amount of Cortisol levels in your body, which is great because high levels of cortisol will lead to muscle tissue breakdown and the formation of fat cells.

Vitamin D For Larger Muscles

The other highly under-rated bodybuilding supplement that I wanted to speak about today is Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a role in many different processes throughout your body, and can be found in food like:

1. Fish Oil
2. Eggs
3. Dairy Products

Although Vitamin D is commonly found in the various foods that we eat, it is extremely hard to get the recommended amount per meal. This is why taking a Vitamin D supplement can become very important to your health.

Vitamin D is actually classified as a hormone that will increase testosterone in men, and reduce estrogen in women. We all know what happens when we have higher levels of testosterone…larger muscles and a higher sex drive!

Don’t Take Chemicals…Go All Natural!

As you can see, there are plenty of natural supplements that can be used to gain muscle mass. You don’t need to subject your body to harmful steroids that may prove to do more harm than good. D-Aspartic Acid and Vitamin D have one major component in common…they both increase your body’s natural level of testosterone.

If you have read my writings in the past, you will see that I am an avid supporter of substituting prescriptions and chemicals for all natural alternatives. D-Aspartic Acid and Vitamin D are great ways to naturally increase your body’s Testosterone levels, which will in turn promote muscle growth and heart health.

Why Is Vitamin D So Important For Muscle Health?

Low levels of Vitamin D are directly related to the fat cells that form around the muscle tissue. Researchers have recently concluded that people with higher levels of Vitamin D also have a higher percent of lean muscle, whereas those with lower levels of Vitamin D had a higher percent of fat infiltration.

Taking Vitamin D as a supplement will benefit your body in many ways, including:

1. Muscle Growth – Even though Vitamin D is named as a vitamin, it acts as a hormone. Our muscles (as well as other parts of our body) have receptors that absorb Vitamin D, which then results in growth.
2. Increased Bone Density – Vitamin D has long been used to strengthen bones as well as muscles. Vitamin D is often used by the elderly to keep their bones strong.
3. Positive Effects On Fertility – An increase in testosterone levels is said to have an effect on the positive development of sperm cells, and fertility. Some doctors have advocated for the use of testosterone supplementation as a way to treat infertility in men.

Often times bodybuilders are deficient in Vitamin D and don’t even know it. A Vitamin D deficiency will show several symptoms, including:

1. Bone Pain
2. Muscle Cramping
3. Skeletal Malformations

Studies have also indicated that low levels of Vitamin D can lead to Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is very common in the elderly and often shows itself as frequent bone breaks and/or fractures. Vitamin D is also said to treat brain diseases, such as Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Whether you are a beginner to the gym scene or an expert, if you are currently on medications or have allergies, you should speak with your doctor before adding anything to your diet. Even though Vitamin D and D-Aspartic Acid are all natural, it is possible for them to have interactions with other chemicals in your body. If you are allergy and medication free, you can start feeling the benefits of these two amazing supplements right now!

References:

1. D’Aniello, Antimo. 2006. D-Aspartic acid: An endogenous amino acid with an important neuroendocrine role. Brain Research Review: Vol. 53, 215-234.
2. The Heart Foundation. 2013. Heart Disease: Scope and Impact.
3. Shalender, Bhasin, Robert Parker, Fred Sattler, Richard Haubrich, Beverly Alston, Triin Umbleja, and Cecilia M. Shikuma. 2007. Effects of testosterone supplementation on whole body and regional fat mass and distribution in human immunodeficiency and virus-infected men with abdominal obesity. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: Vol. 92, Issue 3.
4. Ceglia L.Mol Aspects Med 2008;29(6):407-14
5. Ceglia L.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2009;12(6):628-33 Osteop Int 2002;13: 1433-2965.
6. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80: 1717S-1720S.
7. The FASEB Journal 2001;15:2579-2585.
8. Vitamin D Benefits For Bodybuilders: http://whatsteroids.com/bodybuilding/vitamin-d-benefits-for-bodybuilders

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