TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS
Food is not what it used to be.
Even if you were to eat clean — meaning whole, natural, single-ingredient foods — 100% of the time, you are not likely going to get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body requires. I’ll even go a step further and add certified organic fruits and vegetables and pasture-raised and/or grass-fed — even if you were to eat only those types of foods, you still likely need to supplement because they are nutrient-deficient due to over-farming and mineral-depleted soils, not to mention the tricky nature of food labels, the weak certified organic labeling criteria, the corporate lobby and the FDA.
That said, the best thing you can do for yourself is eat a balanced diet consisting of clean, whole, natural foods — real food — and do this consistently. What we know from experience (yes, even mine) is this is easier said than done. That is when supplements can fill the gap, so to speak.
Some supplements we recommend to support your fitness goals:
- Protein – for muscle growth or maintenance
- BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) – for enhanced muscle growth and recovery
- Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3) – for cardiovascular health (fish oil also supports joint health)
- Vitamins C and D, and Zinc – for immune system support (zinc also supports Testosterone levels)
- Magnesium – for better sleep (magnesium also supports Testosterone levels and a host of other functions)
- Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes – for gut health and more
- Turmeric or Circumin – for inflammation and overall health (these also support joint health)
- Glutamine – for enhanced muscle recovery
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin – for joint health
It is also important that you buy quality supplements, and not the cheap ones. We don’t recommend taking any once per day multivitamins like those you would see advertised on television or in your large department stores. We recommend getting quality supplements online or at a local vitamin shop, Sprouts or Whole Foods. There are a number of high-quality supplement companies that offer third-party, independently reviewed supplements. You can also order them from Saint Fitness — just ask.
In doing your own research — which we suggest you do — you will find a variety of information on nutritional supplements and many differing points of view on the subject. Supplements are meant to supplement (and support) a healthy diet and fitness regimen — not replace it.