SARMs are among the most exciting compounds to enter bodybuilding in many years. These substances enhance muscle growth and performance to a high degree, allowing even regular people to build significant muscle and boost their results.
SARMs are effective because they bind to androgen receptors in the body to promote muscle growth and repair. However, they don’t work alone; they should be combined with food.
But what do bodybuilders using SARMs eat alongside their medications? What is their protocol?
We discuss that here. We explore how nutrition and SARMs combine to produce explosive results and how pros leverage this synergy.
High-Protein Foods
High-protein foods are the first items to combine with SARMs. While every bodybuilder focuses on protein, this food component is particularly critical when using selective androgen receptor modulators because of the rate of new muscle formation. SARMs increase the body’s protein demands by overcoming conventional limits on new tissue breakdown and synthesis.
Protein-containing foods (fish, turkey, and chicken) top this list. These complement SARMs by activating anabolic pathways like IGF-1, which promote growth throughout the body and provide the hormonal environment required for improved performance.
Next comes eggs, which contain micronutrients, protein, and healthy fats. Like dairy, eggs signal to the body to grow and become stronger.
Plant-based proteins are also options. However, the more refined these are, the better. Look for pea and hemp isolates as these contain high levels of BCAAs (like leucine and isoleucine) and the amino acid methionine, also associated with rapid growth. These components can synergize with SARMs to enable muscle formation by tamping down on catabolic pathways while enhancing those that lead to additional muscle development.
Whole Grains
You also want to hit the whole grains while using SARMs. These are superior to white rice and pasta because they are unrefined and less likely to lead to unwanted liver, visceral, and subcutaneous fat.
The best “whole grains” are pseudo-grains, like quinoa and amaranth. These are high in protein and fiber and won’t spike your blood sugar levels. They have a nutty aroma and provide relatively high satiety, especially when combined with nuts, seeds, and other healthy fat sources.
Brown or red rice are also options falling into this category. These foods are gentle on the stomach and are ideal if you’re on a SARMs bulking cycle.
Tapioca is another option if you have a sensitive gut. This food isn’t well-known, but it can be a life-saver if eating several thousand calories a day on a bulk. Hardly anyone has adverse reactions to it.
Finally, oats are an option and helpful if consuming lots of meat. The beta-glucans bind to unwanted fats and cholesterol, flushing them out of your system and allowing you to maintain a healthier heart and blood vessels.
Carbs are critical while using SARMs because they replenish glycogen stores and spike insulin. This process ensures that amino acids from proteins get into cells, supporting the repair processes that SARMs start.
Furthermore, adding carbohydrates prevents excessive muscle breakdown. Low-carb diets can force the body to destroy muscle through gluconeogenesis, which counteracts SARMs’ effects. However, adding more carbs prevents this, allowing SARMs to remain anabolic while inside the body.
Even testosterone can be boosted when carb consumption increases on SARMs. Adding sufficient glucose during the post-workout and recovery window maintains optimal hormone levels for muscle building and development.
Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables also play a supporting role during SARMs cycles. These food groups offer a combination of essential micronutrients and antioxidants to support recovery.
For example, research shows that berries can blunt post-exercise delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) without inhibiting exercise response (which contrasts with drugs like metformin). Meanwhile, spinach and kale provide a high level of magnesium, a mineral that enables better physiological rest post-exercise.
The quantity of fruits and vegetables you can eat while maintaining higher calorie levels on a SARMs bulking cycle is finite for satiety reasons. (Fruits and vegetables are filling). Therefore, focus on those offering the most bang for your caloric buck. Concentrating on items like berries, greens, and citrus can provide most of the benefits without reducing calorie levels too much.
Furthermore, fruits and vegetables come into their own during cutting cycles. These keep you well-nourished while allowing you to drop unwanted fat quickly.
Creatine
Most bodybuilders take creatine as a supplement, but you can take it in food form (beef, lamb, herring, and salmon all provide small quantities). This substance interacts with SARMs in several ways, enhancing their effects.
Creatine works by enhancing energy availability to muscle cells, enabling more intense workouts, while SARMs increase muscle protein synthesis. Creatine can also support recovery by replenishing glycogen stores, leading to strength gains.
Specific SARMs like MK677, SR9009 and RAD140 are sometimes combined with 5g/day of creatine. This combination may change the ratio of DHT to testosterone, which may complement SARMs’ mechanism.
Omega-3s
Finally, healthy omega-3 fats can synergize with SARMs to help you improve results in the gym. You can find these most abundantly in fatty fish, like mackerel or sardines.
Omega-3 fats help with muscle recovery and contribute to overall health, making SARM-induced hypertrophy more sustainable. They can also improve cardiovascular health and correct harmful omega-3 deficiencies, which can stop gains in their tracks.
What Have We Learned?
SARMs are still undergoing research, but evidence suggests that combining them with the right foods is critical for bodybuilders looking to pack on mass. Diet is still the central building block, even if SARMs unlock greater gains, so it is critical to focus on protein and getting carbohydrates from healthy sources. While bulking and consuming whole foods is challenging, it should be the aim of anyone who is looking to make the leanest gains through their training. It could be the ticket to breaking through your current plateau and getting on the road to success.
Disclaimer
The information provided below is a general disclaimer and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Sarms are not approved by the FDA for human consumption. The content of this communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for the use of any specific product, including SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators). The use of SARMs without proper medical supervision can pose serious health risks and may lead to adverse side effects, including but not limited to hormonal imbalances, liver toxicity, and cardiovascular complications. Individuals considering the use of SARMs should consult a qualified healthcare professional and fully understand the potential risks associated with their usage. This communication does not endorse, promote, or encourage the use of SARMs for any purpose and shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from the misuse, abuse, or misinterpretation of the information provided herein. It is imperative to prioritize one’s health and well-being by making informed decisions and seeking professional guidance when contemplating the use of any performance-enhancing substances.