I don’t believe in taking lots and lots of supplements. I think a good diet (meaning you eat a large range of foods from fruits and vegetables to whole grain products, meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and good fats like olive oil and avacado is all you really need.
There are 2 supplements that I consider mandatory though. The first of which is fish oil. Not just any cheap fish oil. A GOOD fish oil. How do you know if it’s good? You have to look at the EPA and DHA content of each capsule. Then look at the total amount of fish oil in each capsule. The amount of EPA and DHA should be at least 60% of the total amount of fish oil in each capsule. If the product does not list the amount of EPA and DHA in each capsule, DO NOT buy that product. Also make sure to slice open one capsule when you buy it. If it smells nasty, get your money back. It WILL smell like fish, but it SHOULD NOT smell like rancid fish. Store it in a cool, dry area away from sunlight.
Don’t buy the product that is in the front of the aisle, as it is exposed to too much light. Dig in the back for the ones not exposed to light. Check the expiration label too while you are at it.
The product I take contains 1000 mg of EPA + DHA (in total, not each) out of 1400 mgs of total fish oil in each capsule. So that is well over 60% of EPA and DHA in each capsule. That is what you are looking for. Remember to look at the SERVING SIZE. If it says one capsule, that is good. If it says 2 capsules, then you have to calculate for that.
I take 2,000 mgs of EPA & DHA per day (2800 mgs of total fish oil per day).
The 2nd supplement is Vitamin D3. I take 2,000 IU per day of this vitamin.
The reason I take these 2 supplements is because it is hard, if not impossible, to get enough of those 2 supplements each day from diet alone. If you spend a lot of time in the sun, then you will not need D3. But we are not really supposed to spend much time in the sun without sunscreen. This is why we need the D3 pills. On the rare days where I get some sun tan (I know, it’s not good for you), I will skip taking the Vitamin D3 that day.
Fish oil, unless you are eating a lot of fish each day, you won’t get enough from diet alone.
If you have high cholesterol, your doctor can prescribe Lovaza for you. If you have health insurance then it will be free for you. Otherwise, it is way too expensive. If you don’t want to take Lovaza then a good fish oil supplement can help instead.
I have noticed a lot of benefits from my fish oil and D3 regimen. Increased brain function, clearer thinking, ability to learn and retain information much better, increases in good mood/ decreases in bad mood, much more lubricated joints, good recovery from intense exercise, no more chronic sore back muscles or sore muscles, except for the “good soreness” that comes with muscle work.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR before you engage in exercise or before you try ANY supplements. This is really important. Some people should not take Fish oil or Vitamin D3. It’s pretty rare, but you still want to make sure you are not one of those rare people who would NOT benefit from fish oil or Vitamin D3. You gotta see your doctor and get blood tested. This is mandatory, this is not an option.
There are probably other supplements out there that are good, I just don’t really believe in them for me. Unless something has scientific evidence to be good, I don’t take it. Popular opinion is not enough for me, I need scientific evidence that it helps.
I hear that tumeric is really good for joint health, but I have not tried it and don’t really plan to unless I hear of scientific evidence that it is beneficial.
Saw Palmetto is good for men with an enlarged prostate. Again, see your doc before trying.
Fiber capsules are supposed to be good for cholesterol reduction, but you have to take a lot, it can get expensive, and I don’t like the idea of getting clogged up with too much fiber pills. You also have to time it right because some medications and vitamins don’t go well with fiber pills. Instead I make sure to eat plenty of fiber each day. Fiber is vitally important for proper digestive health.
I do NOT believe in taking Vitamin A, B, C, E, or Beta Carotene. Studies prove that people who take a multivitamin or take the aforementioned antioxidant vitamins are NOT benefitting their lives. In fact there is a higher mortality rate in people who take those vitamins, believe it or not. Unless your doctor says you need to take A,B,C,E, or Beta Carotene, then I would not take it. You get plenty from your food if you eat enough good food.
Most men do NOT need iron supplements. You get more than enough from your food if you eat a broad range of good foods. Don’t supplement with iron unless your doctor specifically says that you need to!
Whatever you do, read up on whatever it is you plan on taking. Go to WebMD and read about each supplement thoroughly. Don’t take anything without being armed with knowledge about why it is that you are taking it.
In closing……..Fish oil and D3 you can not go wrong unless your doctor says that you personally should not take them. Everything else, it’s up to you, but I don’t believe in anything else at this time.
Women are parasites. Each and every last one of them.
Crazy Canuck 4 years, 3 months ago.
