A Guide to Supplements. by Corey Doggett

A Guide to Supplements.

by Corey Doggett

A supplement is meant to supplement something you are not getting enough of (or at all). There are tons out there and consumers that get too carried away end up burning lots of money on them each month. Somewhere between being dizzy from spinning around GNC and scrolling through Facebook articles claiming that coconut oil cures all cancers and turmeric will make you live to 110 years-old, you probably asked yourself, “what should I be taking?”

When it comes to vitamins and minerals you need to seek out advice from a physician or dietitian. Vitamin D and iron are great for you… but not everyone needs those supplements. Let’s say you take vitamin C daily but also drink orange juice, each citrus fruits, and have broccoli throughout the week… this means those vitamin C pills are unnecessary and only make your urine more expensive (for the most part your body ditches what it already has plenty of). I myself, for example, don’t take any supplements such as turmeric and garlic pills because my wife and I do lots of cooking at home, and we go through tons of garlic and various spices.

When it comes to exercise supplements such as protein powder, pre-workout, and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids, AKA intra-workout), I always recommend you keep it simple and budget-friendly. Those seeking to gain muscle mass can benefit from protein powder, but it’s not meant to be a meal replacement. Not to mention there is no FDA regulation of supplements, so these supplement companies can put just about anything into a pill and sell it to you with claims of wonderful results. In the end some supplements can really compliment your active lifestyle and the types of exercises you perform (especially as you age), but they should never be a financial burden or be overused/abused.

My advice is this: Seek out professional advice before you spend any money. Meet with your physician, or dietitian, to discuss possible supplements that you’ve been considering. Additionally, a personal trainer or nutritionist can provide guidance for those supplements pertaining to your exercise regimen. And don’t waste any money on “fat burner” pills… those are a billion dollar lie. In the end if you keep eating whole, natural foods, you’ll get those vitamins and minerals that the body needs.