Supplements, supplements, supplements…
Which ones do you take? Should I take supplements? Do I need supplements? Will this supplement kill me?
Trust me, I’ve been there. I come from a background of taking supplements. In the bodybuilding world (my background long ago) supplements are not really a matter of, should I?, but more of, which ones?.
The real reason I took so many supplements and put terrible things into my body was a.) I was naive and b.) I cared more about results and not really health. A young and dumb direction…and I am extremely happy, and fortunate, that I corrected myself a few years ago.
Always remember why you train. Sure you want to get strong or be able to do cool things, but at the end of the day it really comes down to health. That is why I try my best to stay away from the other side of the fitness world – the vanity only side. The vanity only side will sacrifice life and limb, figuratively speaking of course, just to lose and extra pound of fat or gain an extra pound of muscle.
Nonetheless, I still get a good amount of emails asking me about new and cool supplements, whether or not they should be taken, and some ask what supplements I take.
While I was anti-supplements for a good while, I now know that proper research can lead to a good and healthy supplement list. I call this the “Unorthodox Supplement List” because my selections are primarily health and recovery related. No pre-workouts supplements, no fat loss supplements or muscle milk. I try to stick with food for the most part, and if I am lacking I turn to supplementation.
The Unorthodox Supplement List
***Disclaimer*** I am not a doctor (duh)! This is what I take and the reasoning behind it. If you want to take something based off of this post, maybe you should check with your doc.
Fish Oil
Some reasons why:
- Improved cholesterol balance
- Reduced inflammation
- Increased blood flow
- Reduced rates of heart disease and atherosclerosis
- Better immune system function
- Improved brain function
- Prevention of cancers (particularly breast, colon, and prostate).
Educate yourself further:
My why:
Reduced inflammation and increase blood flow!! I train a lot, 2-3 times a day, 5-6 days a week and at this point I feel like I absolutely could not live without fish oil. Fish oil allows me to train harder and recover more easily. That is the only real reason I take it. However, if you just glance at the list above you will realize there a lot of reasons to take fish oil. It goes far beyond an athlete trying to improve training. Personally, I think everyone should be on some sort of fish oil.
Recommendation:
Carlson The Very Finest Fish Oil Liquid Omega-3
Vitamin C
Vitamin supplementation is controversial for many reasons, but I feel like either side cannot be proven right or wrong and I have done my research and made my decision – you make yours.
Some reasons why:
- Can help with stress, colds, strokes and skin aging
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
- Positive effects on recovery time
Educate yourself further:
My why:
Increased recovery and overall health! I take a multivitamin that has Vitamin C in it, so I do not overdo it with excess Vitamin C supplementation. However, I do take Vitamin C beyond my multivitamin so I that is why I list it here. I don’t like to get sick and I enjoy speedy recovery.
Recommendation:
Vitafusion Power C, Gummy Vitamins For Adults, 150-Count
Blonyx
I have developed a good relationship with the founder of this company, Rowan Minnion, and I truly believe in him and the purity of the product he is offering. This is the only other supplement out there that I will take and you cannot find it at GNC. Also, if interested use code ENDOFTHREE for a 10% discount.
Some reasons why:
- HMB and Creatine are two of the most researched sports supplement ingredients on the market
- Reduces muscle damage
- Quicker recovery
- Improved performance
- Increases both muscle mass and strength
- Clinical studies performed HMB and Creatine are safe
Educate yourself further:
My why:
- HMB works for me – I took Advocare’s version of HMB in the product, Muscle Strength, for over a year (a few years back) so when I ran into Blonyx I did not need any convincing on whether or not HMB worked. It works, for me, extremely well. I have spoken with others who feel HMB does not work for them.
- Canadian supplements – Canadian supplements are not as easily sold in Canada as they are America. In America I could have a supplement company within 24 hours and nobody would need to check my formula or process. Like pharmaceuticals, Blonyx products are proven to be safe and to work in scientific studies. They are even manufactured in facilities accredited by the FDA for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Purity – Blonyx products are sold in the same form that scientists have tested and athletes have used. This is a form without sweeteners or preservatives as they may influence the product’s effectiveness.
That’s it….well…
I also take a multivitamin, but my reasoning is not as fitness related as it is overall health.
What about Protein!?!?
Sometimes protein, and only sometimes, but I covered that in-depth a few months back in “The Quest to a Better Protein Supplement”
