Vitamin for Muscle Growth

Why are you going to the gym? Are gaining size and strength included in your goals? There are several factors that work against us in our quest for size. Many of the people I know lift to get bigger as well as stronger. Not everyone achieves their desired goal. It turns out there is a protein called myostatin that works against growth.

Myostatin is a growth regulator. It actually inhibits the growth rate and growth potential of skeletal muscles. The reason for a growth inhibitor is that the larger the body the more resources are necessary. In famine or times of restricted resources a larger body is going to catabolise itself to protect vital organs. In this, myostatin prevents such need. Over centuries of varied nutrient availability this is something the body developed for survival and optimal health.

Those of us trying to get larger immediately ask questions. First, is there a way to block or inhibit myostatin? Second, is it detrimental to block this protein? 

So far, I’ve not found any information saying that it is dangerous in any way to block myostatin. There are a large number of products available to do this. They likely range from snake oil to a good product. There is a simple and inexpensive way to block the protein. It would appear that inhibiting the protein is not hazardous or harmful. Please, check with your doctor before changing your diet. 

Blocking myostatin is being used in treatment of muscle wasting disorders. Lab studies have shown an increase in survival among test subjects. 

Vitamin D. Vitamin D has been shown to inhibit myostatin.

We make our own vitamin D by being out in the sun. As little as 15 minutes per day outside in sunlight will increase the production of this vitamin. If your schedule does not allow for this or if you have sun sensitivities you can supplement.

A multivitamin twice a day, one at breakfast and one before bed, will be more than enough. There are also many vitamin D supplements available. Personally, I take both the D supplement and a multivitamin. 

Anecdotally, I can say that I have gone from 230 pounds to 280 pounds. I lift weights three to six days a week. This is based on the training program I follow. Currently, I am training three days a week. 

Epicatichen is another compound that inhibits myostatin. A study in which senior mice were injected with this gained muscle mass and strength. How do we, outside the lab, find this compound? According to life.decode.com you can get

• green tea
• chocolate(especially dark chocolate and raw cocoa powder)
• blackberries
• pomegranates
• broad beans

There is a large number of supplements all of which claim to safely inhibit myostatin. The only one which I am familiar with and use personally is creatine. So, I use creatine and take a vitamin D supplement to inhibit my myostatin. To date, I have had no ill effects. I watch my health closely. 

Currently, there is little to no research that highlights negative effects of blocking myostatin. If you are going to do this talk to your physician first. Keep your medical professional up to date on any changes good or bad. 

My caloric and protein intake are higher than most people. This is due to my training. As you grow larger you will find the need to eat more, as well. 

Not much to say on this. Vitamin D supplements and getting outside in the sunlight can help you grow larger and stronger.

Good luck and good training.