Im a little surprised to see there is not a sticky here that lists some of the more valuable substances for bodybuilding. Sure I know everyone is different and the needs of all wont be the same but still, there are a few things I can think of that I would consider a must have for myself or just about anyone who is into bodybuilding.
First, a good multi vitamin is mandatory.Second, being a slim guy by nature I have to get some extra protein. It is almost (almost) imposible for me to ingest enough protein without a shake or two everyday. Even if you arent slim everyone here knows protein is King.
I also take some glucosamine for my joints and tendons, and although I cant recommend the best one for me and many others I'm sure it is a must have.

I dont use creatine, and dont know if I should. I'm just not sold on it. The same goes for countless other supplements out there I am not convinced will make me heavier. I am convinced however they will make my wallet lighter.
For example I have heard some good stuff about no explode but have read at least two posts here by BIO that makes me feel more research is necessary.

So I guess what I'm saying is if someone came up to me and said "what supplements should I take for body building?" My answer would be something like- "First it should be steak, chicken, fish, good, veggies, whole wheat and grains lots of water etc,.. in other words your diet has to be right. Supplements don't take the place of food, -thats why they call them supplements-" After that was esablished I'd say just what I put up top. A good multi vitamin, some protein, and glucosamine.
Now I may be way off, but with the knowlege here I'm sure we could put together a "must have" for basic supplements, and maybe even categorize muscle building, energy boosters, joint protection, etc,..
Maybe the stuff I have recommended will be on the list along with some other stuff, maybe not. But at any rate it would cut down on repeat questions.
JMO

You answered your own question


So I guess what I'm saying is if someone came up to me and said "what supplements should I take for body building?" My answer would be something like- "First it should be steak, chicken, fish, good, veggies, whole wheat and grains lots of water etc,.. in other words your diet has to be right. Supplements don't take the place of food, -thats why they call them supplements-"

There really are no "must haves" for body building outside of real food. The most highly reccomendes would be a protien shake.

Yeah that and a good multi-vitamin are really the only must haves.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not an advocate of multi-vitamins. They are synthetic = made from chemicals. I did some research on this a while back comparing the real vitamin & the synthetic. In most cases the synthetic had only 1 charicteristic in common with the real thing.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm not an advocate of multi-vitamins. They are synthetic = made from chemicals. I did some research on this a while back comparing the real vitamin & the synthetic. In most cases the synthetic had only 1 charicteristic in common with the real thing.

So what do you suggest for vitamins?

Take a good vitamin with food. Centrum is a very good one and AST makes a good one too. Don't buy the cheapy stuff.

So what do you suggest for vitamins?

Food. Mostly fruits & veggies.

Take a good vitamin with food. Centrum is a very good one and AST makes a good one too. Don't buy the cheapy stuff.

Centrum is actually a poor quality multi. It is wax coated, which makes absorption more difficult. They use synthetic vitamins and minerals, which also brings down the absorption rate. It also reduces antioxidant properties. The RDV's are also only 100%. 100% is crap. RDV's and the 2000 caloric intake was based on sustanance. If you were to be in a coma, you would need 100% + 2000 kcals per day for normal metabolic functions like atp synthesis, body temperature, breathing, heartrate, etc. The RDV's and 2000 kcal diet was made in the 50's or 60's. I cannot remember. They used a test called a Resting Energy Expendature test. It's where you lay on a table in a fasted state for 25 minutes without moving. There is a hard plastic sheild over your face with an oxygen tube. In that tube there is a sensor that measures the rate of CO2. Why CO2? During ATP synthesis, you have two waste products: water and CO2. With calculations, you can figure out how many calories a person were to burn, in a fasted state, just by being themselves. You can find out the calories burned for their metabolic functions. The RDV's were made with this test through other calculations.