Supplements, my list

As I hovered over my Arrowhead Distilled Spring Water Dispenser a few moments ago, I glanced at my “Stockpile” of Supplements, which has grown over the years. I couldn’t help at this moment but recall what little I knew about “Micronutrients”, and how I was confused why it even mattered.

Ok, so I have accumulated a lot of knowledge over the years about supplements, nutrition, doses, benefits, and what type of people need extra supplementation, etc. However, in this post, my goal is not to give complete medical, and scientific research on each supplement from A to Z. I will however try my best to provide the “skinny” as how I see it. First I will show a quick list of the supplements that I take regularly. Second, I will provide some detail as to the "what’s and why’s".

My Daily Supplements

Multi-Vitamin (natural, raw, cold processed),  - (I take “Alive” by Natures Way) 

Vitamin D3 2000 IU 

Fish-Oil (High Omega 3, Cod Liver - Ultra Concentrated - Liquid Form) 

B-Complex 50 mg 

CoQ10 100mg

Alpha-Lipoic Acid 300 mg

Resveratrol

Bee Pollen (Organic, granulated, eaten or sprinkled over yogurt)

Digestive Enzymes (“Life Extension” Super Digestive Enzymes)

Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM 

Pro-Biotics "Natren’s Health Trinity”

Nitric Oxide Boost  (L-Argininge, L-Citrulline & Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Huma-Pro Amino Acids

If you’re bored enough to read on, please know that I’m not in any way a Dr. nor am I a licensed nutritionist of any kind. This entire post is not to suggest medical advice for anyone. I will however share some of my thoughts on particular supplements that I take.

Multi-Vitamin - Most of our natural micronutrient rich sources are not providing us the quality that nature intended. Vegetables in general, are typically meant to be "picked to eat”. When I go to the store to buy my vegetables, they’ve been carted around, stored, shipped, stocked, and in my fridge for an additional week before I eat them. Due date? Perhaps 2-3 weeks of a “dead” plant. Many Digestive enzymes and micronutrients my body needs lose potency. Also, Being that I cook all of my vegetables, the heating process itself destroys most of the “vitamins” that I was eating the darn things in the first place for :) I recommend taking a natural brand, one that’s raw and cold processed. A lot of the multivitamins on the market are processed w/ heat. Being that the nutrients contained in these vitamins are heat sensitive, many, if not most of the nutrients can be lost in such heating process. The FDA doesn’t require the testing of such potency after production, to be on the safe side, pick a brand that has high standards and integrity in their product.

Vitamin D3 2000 IU - Vitamin D3 is one of the most common nutrients that we, as Americans, do not get enough of. It’s ironic actually, that the foods most rich in Vitamin D3, egg yolks, sardines, fortified whole milk, mackerel and beef liver are unpopular or demonized by popular diet plans. Vitamin D3 is fat soluble, which means, if you have very little fat in your diet, you will have problems absorbing any Vitamin D3 (no matter how much you take). Supports Bone, Join, Heart, Colon, Breast and Immune Health

Fish-Oil (High Omega 3, Cod Liver - Ultra Concentrated - Liquid Form) - I recommend you choose only a brand high in omega 3, and cold processed (fish oil is light and heat sensitive). The Omega Complex, and American “imbalance” of Omega’s is a whole different subject. Feel free to research “Omega 3 Deficiency”.. It’s suggested to be the 6th Largest Cause of Death in our Country (linking many illnesses to Poor Omega Diets”.  Because of this new information on the average diet consisting on a poor balance of Omega 3 - Omega 6 ratio... taking Omega 3 supplementation, is a pretty important choice for most nearly all Americans.

B-Complex 50 mg - Supports Energy, Stress, and Cardiovascular Health

CoQ10 100mg - Supports Heart Health, and Cellular Energy

Alpha-Lipoic Acid 300 mg - A powerful Antioxidant that helps fight off free radicals.   ---> Free Radicals running freely, means “No Bueno” :)

Resveratrol - Loaded w/ Grape Seed Extract, Grape Skin Extract, Knotweed Extract, and more. --> Helps maintain the structural integrity of capillaries and connective tissue. Poor structural integrity could mean plaque and heart attacks. You don’t want heart attacks :) In the past, I’m sure you heard about drinking a glass of wine a day is good for you? How about taking this supplement, it’s more powerful, effective, and you don’t have to get drunk :)

Bee Pollen (Organic, granulated, eaten or sprinkled over yogurt) - Said to be the world’s most complete food. It’s the world’s only “pre-digested” supplement. Think about it, the bee has done all the work for you :) lol. I refer to it as “God Particles”. It’s a granulated, colorful, flowery tasting supplement, but since I have been taking it, I have noticed huge strides and changes in my strength and athletic progression. It’s loaded w/ carotenoids, digestive enzymes, amino acids, micronutrients, minerals, and believe it or not, there is even gold found in 2 parts per million in the stuff, crazy. 

Digestive Enzymes (“Life Extension” Super Digestive Enzymes) - I recommend eating a wide variety of Vegetables (some I don’t - different subject) The problem is that most of the vegetables we eat, if not for most of us, all of the vegetables we eat, are low in enzymes necessary to break these “plants” down in our stomach. This is due to the fact that when we buy our vegetables from the store, they are essentially dead. They’ve been “dead” or “picked”, typically, weeks beforehand. Most vegetables were intended to be eaten as picked. A lot of the enzymes are lost in this process. Another huge loss is from cooking. Cooking vegetables destroys a large portion of Enzymes and “micronutrients”. If you’ve ever eaten a lot of Broccoli, w/o taking Enzymes, chances are you’ve had “gas” like I have in the past, lol.

Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM - I always begin taking this supplement when I’m beginning an intense, “high-impact” workout routine. It helps support my joint health. Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are actually components of normal cartilage. MSM has shown benefits for a range of health problems including arthritis, muscle and joint pain. MSM has shown promise in the inhibition of pain impulses along nerve fibers, (analgesia), lessening of inflammation, increasing blood supply, reducing muscle spasms, and softening of scar tissue. http://www.biosynergy.com/GCMSM.htm

Pro-Biotics "Natren’s Health Trinity” Probiotics help keep intestinal linings healthy and assist in breaking down food. This, pro-biotic, is supposed to be the #1 product on the market. Natren is a company with upmost integrity towards their products. Being that Pro-Biotic cultures are fragile little “beasts”, knowing that Natren hand delivers there products to stores in a “Freezer Box”, gives some peace of mind. "Natren’s Healthy Trinity” is a pro-biotic like no other on the market. It’s comes from an actual human-strain. Natren’s pro-biotic contains 30 Billion Cultures. They are the best, hands down, they are however, very expensive. I gladly pay it. Check their website out http://store.natren.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=N

Nitric Oxide Boost  (L-Argininge, L-Citrulline & Alpha-Lipoic Acid) - I’m a huge fan of L-Arginine, and this Nitric Oxide supplement. L-Arginine, is completely natural, in fact, our own body produces it. It’s a great vasodilator, and not only gives me incredible stamina, but an awesome pump.

Huma-Pro Amino Acids - This product is great. This is an “Amino Acid” supplement, in there free form. I take this in place of a protein shake. In a protein-shake, I can never find a good brand - nearly all brands are loaded w/ fillers and “crap”. Taking this is the same, and my opinion, better. 

Indeed I do not know everything about nutrition in general, but I’ve learned a lot (the hard way) over the years. Hopefully a reader will gain some knowledge or insight from some of my points mentioned.

Stay Motivated!