WHAT SUPPLEMENTS ARE BENEFICIAL TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DIET?
The market is over saturated with a great number of different supplements, each one promising results and making you feel that you may be missing the secret ingredient for success and health if you are not taking them.
How do you know which ones are good and not waste your hard earned money on the not so important ones?
First of all, we need to understand that every individual is different and as such may have different needs for different supplements. A simple blood test will show you if you are deficient of any vitamins or minerals in your body and therefore you can implement those supplements in your diet.
Because of the vast variety of supplements on the market l will outline three supplements that l regularly use on a daily basis and are definitely worth including them in your diet if you are into exercising.
MULTIVITAMIN - Taking all of your vitamins and minerals through consumption of food would be an ideal option, however it is impractical since this would mean consuming a huge quantities of food in order to obtain the necessary daily dosage of certain vitamins and minerals. If you are on a low calorie diet because your goal is to lose body fat it would be impossible to get all your nutrients through food so a daily dose of multivitamin would be helpful.
One multivitamin per day taken with breakfast would be sufficient.
FISH OIL - Fish oil contains Omega 3 fatty acids. For a person going to a gym these fats have numerous benefits. They aid in prevention of cardiovascular disease. Omega 3 fatty acids also help with formation of the membranes of the cells in the body, stimulate hormonal production, help with speeding up the metabolic process and aid in fat loss. Another benefit is that they help with inflammation of the joints and ligaments. Something that many people that go to the gym suffer from.
I normally use 4 fish oil tablets daily, taking two with breakfast and two with dinner.
GLUCOSAMINE - Glucosamine helps with rebuilding the cartilage within the body. The cartilage is connective tissue found in many areas of the body like the joints of the elbows, knees and ankles. It acts as a cushion between two joints. Weightlifting puts greater stress on the joints and therefore over period of time the cartilage between the bones gets worn out. Supplementing with Glucosamine helps with quicker rebuilding of the cartilage and stronger and healthier joints.
One dose of 1500mg of Glucosamine taken with dinner should be sufficient.
It is important to consult with your GP before taking any supplements.