what supplements do you take & why?

[robbase]

Just curious to hear from the crowd.

I'll go first-

Creatine- I cycle it for 4 weeks and jump off it for 2 weeks and than go back, rinse, wash, repeat...as to why, to increase strength / muscle mass....I usually take it right after I work out along with food and a shit-ton of water. On non-work out days I take it with 2nd meal in AM.

Whey protein powder- I mix it w/ water and take 1.5 scoops (enough to get 30 g protein) each morning when I first wake up----as to why- the books say your body is "starved" while sleeping since you last ate like 8 hours ago and whey powder digests "fastest" to feed your "hungry" muscles---not sure I buy this all the way, but figured I would try it (specifically I am not sure whey powder is better than eat real food instead)

Also I take whey powder immediately after my workout (I workout 3 times a week now) as well to "feed" the muscles quick--again 1.5 scoop and again I am skeptical thsi is better than "real"food but trying some new things

Cassein Protein- 1.5 scoops (30 g protein) w/ water right before bed. It's supposed to be "slow" digesting to help keep your muscles "fed" during sleep (long time without food while sleeping- see above theory)---again not sure this is better than "real" food but trying to do different things

GNC Mega Men energy / Animal Pak multi- vitamins--not sure this counts as "supplement, but I am doing these as well, I rotate a different pack of vitamins each day. I am skeptical of this as well (figure I can get vitamins from "real" food...I eat tons of veggies & fruit)...but if nothing else I think I get a placebo effect

Thoughts on the above? Any recommendations? What do you take and why?

[shandi76]

I don't take any supplements. Mostly because it seems expensive and a hassle, and I'm a bit dubious about the benefits of a lot of them.

I did think about taking creatine after reading Four Hour Body, but have never got round to it.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I take a daily serving of Emergen-C, a B and C mega-vitamin powdered drink mix because my diet is crap and I would probably have scurvy without it.

[weltschmerz]

Vitamin D, Ferrous sulphate, B12 shots, Calcium and Magnesium, Omega3 Fish Oil.

[moxie]

Daily: Multivitamin, extra vitamin C, D, E, B complex, lutein, cinnamon capsules, extra calcium, glucosamine, fiber, fish oil.

[moxie]

Probiotics

I tried a few Flora ones and it was AMAZING!! I am told that if you go to Mexico to be sure to take it with you in case you have stomach issues while there.

[moxie]

I am into greek yogurt too. Try to eat it often.

[moxie]

spirulina

What is it for?

[moxie]

Emergen-C

^I hear it is great when taken at the first sign of a cold coming on.

[Deleted]

I take a supplement that really helps me enjoy life. Beer.

[robbase]

Oct 3, 2011 7:27:02 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

I take a supplement that really helps me enjoy life. Beer.

Archie- that's not a supplement, that is one of the 4 food groups

[darla44]

I take a high-potency Vitamin B complex, C, D, Calcium and Magnesium. Also taking a Turmeric and Bromelain capsule a couple times a day. It's good for inflammation caused by injuries, arthritis, and any other type inflammation. Also good for toothaches.

[resolution]

I bought a bottle of fish oil pills but when I tried to take them I found myself burping up fish smell. I am trying to hide them in the bathroom cabinet long enough for DH to forget about them so I can slip them into the trash.

[JustLurkin]

Ok, I'll try--my son is on supplements to control his autism symptoms...I used to know all this stuff off the top of my head and was able to glance at his medical tests and make adjustments accordingly...now he is under the care of a specialist so I don't always remember as much as I should:

Calcium Magnesium--controls noise sensitivity
TMG, (new, improved DMG)--helps with immune function and focus
Enhansa--controls intestinal yeast
huperizine--helps with focus
L-Theanine--helps with sleep
Phosphatidyl Serine--brain function
Cod Liver Oil--controls visual sensitivity
Pro Biotics--controls intestinal yeast

[mizbear]

lonewolf- I like the Naked Juice Green Machine drinks- They have spirulina in them- but they taste yummy! Most people can't get past the swampy color or texture though.

My supplements vary on the time of year. I always take a multi. I take fish oil, calcium (with additional K and D for absorption), a B complex, and D.
In the winter, the B changes to a stress B complex, the amount of D goes up, and my doctor prefers I take melatonin. I also am supposed to C at the first sign of a cold.

I have tried protein powders to help with trying to lose this weight and have found that I think I would be better off to just make a glass of skim chocolate milk with a scoop of benefiber in it- I think I would stay full longer!

[weltschmerz]

Oct 2, 2011 22:43:22 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

Oct 2, 2011 22:32:08 GMT -5 @moxie said:

spirulina

What is it for?

It's a fresh water algae. Google the benefits of it. So many to list. It's really great stuff, but like I said, it's yucky tasting.
And you have to get the kind that is processed correctly, otherwise you lose the enzymes and other benefits.

Is that the blue-green algae stuff? I bought some, paid a small fortune and found it did absolutely nothing.

[Epiphany]

Sept 29, 2011 10:23:51 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

I mostly take a lot of different Probiotics because I firmly believe that overgrowth of yeast/fungi are at the root of most all ailments.

Interesting you should say this, I just worked through a bout of candida overgrowth that affected me in many ways. I was taking probiotics, anti-fungal, and on a strict diet to get it under control

Right now I'm on Vitamin C, Fish oil, and probiotics

[Epiphany]

Oct 18, 2011 16:33:44 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Supplements are not regulated by the FDA like drug companies. So, i guess i would ask, how do you really know what is in that powder or capsule or pill? And, with all the rip off products and tainted stuff coming from China, how do you know you are drinking arsenic or talcum powder or wood shavings or whatever? I guess i just don't trust those companies enough. If i feel i need to supplement, i do so with my own diet. At least when eating a head of lettuce, i am pretty sure it is a head of lettuce. But, then again, it could have ecoli or pesticides....
Oh heck!

My mom sorta fell into this - she was getting grocery store calcium for years and it did no good as she has the beginnings of osteoperosis. Not all supplements are created equal and you have to do research and stick with reputable brands. I get mine from my chiropractor and they are more expensive than the grocery store but from what I've read online, are more trustworthy

[mizbear]

Everything I buy is labeled USP and is made in the US- mostly Nature Made. I can even get coupons and BOGO deals to bring the cost down for a good quality product,

[fuzzylumpkins]

After workouts I have a shake made up of Nu-Tek Pro 5 Whey Protein (no soy, I have a mild allergy to soy products). I use a half scoop since 1) the scoop is HUGE and 2) I don't really need that much. I blend it with non-fat milk and a banana. I can mix it with water too and it still tastes all right.

I used to make shakes out of it daily, whether I worked out or not, but I started gaining more weight then I wanted so I cut back to simply taking it on days that I work out.

Oct 18, 2011 16:33:44 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

And, with all the rip off products and tainted stuff coming from China, how do you know you are drinking arsenic or talcum powder or wood shavings or whatever?

Too late? There's arsenic in the tap water here.