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Today has been a great day;
spurred on by the university girls making their way to their morning lectures my
8am run was the quickest yet. Then in the afternoon I caught up with my old
History teacher at the gym. But as expected quickly following the usual niceties
the war fanatical Mr Shorrock began meticulously reminiscing the details of
every British War from the 1800s to the present day. This man really could talk
for Britain so knowing I was in for the long haul I nodded, agreed and said, “oh
really” occasionally in an attempt to appear interested whilst I began planning
my next article on vitamins, minerals and muscle growth in my head.
Vitamin C (Water Soluble)
Recommended Daily Allowance: 90mg for males and 75mg for females
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An anti-oxidant that helps control harmful free
radicals that interfere with muscle growth
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Lowers elevated cortisol levels, the stress
hormone responsible for lowering testosterone and negatively affecting
muscle growth.
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Greatly helps the immune System
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Helps in the synthesis of
hormones and amino acids
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Strengthens the capillaries
Sources
include: Sweet peppers, oranges, papaya, broccoli, strawberries
Inspired by
Mr Shorrocks ramblings I came to realise, Vitamin C is much like the army’s
nurses, fantastic for certain medical tasks however useless at others. So
remember don’t expect platoon 3’s chief nurse Linda to jump into the nearest
tank and breach enemy lines, since (and no disrespect to Linda) she’d be crap.
You see for the army to function efficiently Linda must be left to do her
specific job and others to do there’s, much like this next vitamin.
Vitamin E (Fat Soluble)
Recommended Daily Allowance: 15mg
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An anti-oxidant that helps control harmful free
radicals that interfere with muscle growth
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Prevents the oxidisation of
Vitamin A, polyunsaturated fats and cells
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Prolongs the life of
red blood cells and is necessary for the proper use of oxygen by the body
Sources
Include: Sunflower deeds, almonds, brazil nuts, peanuts, spinach, broccoli,
sweet potatoes
Once again
Vitamin E, like the army’s supply of cutlery, great for certain tasks but not so
good for others. For instance I wouldn’t rate your chances of storming the
enemy’s base when heavily armed with a spoon and fork with a plate serving as
your shield. So know that although Vitamin E is great for certain things needed
within the body, others are needed for optimal muscle growth, such as this next
mineral.
Potassium
Recommended Daily Allowance: (not established) 4.7g
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Necessary for muscle contraction and growth
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Greatly aids in efficient cell function by maintaining fluid volume inside and
outside the cells
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Helps entrap water in the muscle thus supporting an anabolic environment
Sources
Include: Raisins, bananas, red meat, potatoes, cantaloupe
Once more,
a liken the potassium to an army’s priest, obviously great for all religious
matters however don’t expect him to be so good at others. For instance don’t
expect your dear reverend to put on his Speedos and goggles and get stuck into a
naval battle… I wouldn’t rate his chances even if he did get all his swimming
badges at school.
So there
you have it, priests, nurses and even cutlery all contribute to the success of
the army, much like the various vitamins and minerals that contribute to the
success of the body, however no one component is going to win the war for you
and no one vitamin or mineral is going to produce optimal muscle growth and thus
obtain you the perfect six pack. So know that you need all of them in the right
doses.
Anyway
that’s my article all planned in my head and now I must nod, agree and say, “oh
really” for a little longer whilst Mr Shorrock continues his lecture and I plan
what I’m having for tea tonight in my head.
More articles by Ross:
Cardio Training,
Science of Fat Loss,
Getting a 6 Pack,
Thoughts on Fat
Loss Supplements,
Water Retention,
Water for Tight
Abs,
Core Exercises,
Mankinds way of preventing obesity
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