Supplement Skeptic

I have always been skeptical of supplements.

As a nurse I think I have become disillusioned with people poppin' pills, drinking powders, and mixing magic potions (whose benefits are often exaggerated) all in an attempt to attain better health.

Also I have a general distrust for anything that's not FDA regulated and approved. Because there could be some shady ingredients and additives involved. Things like... I dunno... lead, arsenic, mercury (all of which have been found in trace amounts in some popular supplement brands - always read labels!)

And some of them have these seriously cheese ball names. Like XXXplosive Mega Massive Muscle Madness Milk. (Ok I made that up but it's close enough to some of the real names)

I will readily admit I am not an expert on this supplement thing. I still have a lot to learn and there is an enormous amount of information, mis-information and opinions on the subject. So I'm just going to share what I have learned, what I'm taking now and the products I believe are safe, effective, and beneficial.

1. A multi-vitamin: regardless of your fitness goals, this is a supplement everyone should be taking every day. Our bodies require certain essential vitamins and minerals on a daily basis to keep us in good health and functioning at our best. And this little pill has them all!
(Costco sells adult gummy ones that I love - they are my sweet little daily treat!)

2. Fish oil: another supplement everyone should be taking daily for their bodies and minds whether your goals are to gain muscle or lose weight. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids - healthy fats that your body can't synthesize on it's own but are necessary for it to function properly. It's benefits are numerous and include heart health (protecting against heart attack & stroke), promoting healthy joints, supporting mental focus and emotional well-being, promoting eye health and optimizing fat metabolism, among others.
-But beware of the fish oil burps (a very short lived but unpleasant side effect that happens if you're not used to consuming fish daily. Your body in time will develop the enzyme needed to digest it properly and this bad breath issue will eventually go away)

3. Whey Protein: since I began hitting the gym hard and fully committed to my weight training work out program I have been taking whey protein. You probably learned in biology class (and if you hated biology now is the time to zone out) that proteins are the building blocks of body cells, including muscles cells. Which makes protein necessary for muscle growth and vital to the repair and rebuilding of your muscles after they have been strenuously used. The recommended amount is 1 gram of protein per body weight per day through both diet and supplement sources. I drink a whey protein shake immediately after a work out (your body quickly absorbs whey protein and the faster the process of repair/rebuild/recover begins the better). I love the ON 100% whey in extreme milk chocolate. It mixes easily in water or milk and tastes just like a yummy chocolate shake. I also take a slow acting protein at bedtime called ON 100% casein in chocolate peanut butter. This one does not mix as well (there are always little powder chunks floating around despite vigorous shaking) but has a really good flavor.

4. N.O.-xplode is an energy and performance enhancement supplement. I only take this on heavy lifting days when I'm going to be working out large muscle groups. Since I began taking it, I have noticed an extra boost in my work outs, that I am able to lift heavier and have longer endurance at the gym. I love the fruit punch flavor (it's sweet but sour), Ryan likes watermelon (tastes like bubble gum!) I am still in the process of researching this product but I do know it has a high dose of caffeine and contains creatine which can be hard on your kidneys and liver. I would not recommend it for cardio days (unless you want some serious heart palpitations) or taking it on a daily basis. Also be sure to increase your water intake so your body is able to flush the creatine out.

Since I began incorporating these supplements I have noticed a difference in my energy, work out results and overall well being. I'm no longer a supplement skeptic, but a scholar trying to learn all I can about the benefits of these to my health and fitness.

Here is a great link for beginners to start gaining information on supplements:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5_beginner_supplements.htm