Supplementation

Greetings,

I was wondering what supplementation the users of this thread use, if any? At the moment, I am really liking Gamma-O and Puranol. Also, as ephedra has made a comeback, I hear rumors that Adipokinetix, (by Syntrax), is about to hit shelves again. That was a favorite of mine a few years back. So, beyond sound nutrition and protein supplements, what are some of your favorites?

I used to use Muscle Tech Products all the time. Mostly the Cell-Tech. I used the Hydroxycut for a while...but ephedra doesn't work to well with me when I use a lot of intensity. I still use Nitro-Tech for my protein. I used to use a lot of supplements a few years ago when I lifted a lot of weights and ran track. Now I primarily just use protein + vitamins and minerals and fish oil. I have been working on a nice strength training routine that I plan to supplement with Cell-Tech again. I had great results with the stuff so why not?

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"It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right." -Moliere

A.T.S.N.N.

“	Originally Posted By: WuSung I was wondering what supplementation the users of this thread use, if any?	”

Really I just take protein supplements here and there, primarily through a balanced health bar made by PowerBar called a "Pria Bar". I happened across about a years supply of these things for free so I eat 1-2 a day.

Occasionally Ill use creatine and/or glutamine but havent done so in a year or 2.

Overall, I dont much agree with the way that supplements are used. Im not against supplementation, just against the way that many supplements are isolated for use.

“	Originally Posted By: WuSung Also, as ephedra has made a comeback...	”

Interestingly, ephedra (or ma huang) is used often in TCM but has a different "focus" in natural form then the isolated highly concentrated stuff you used to be able to buy as a diet pill.

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

“	Originally Posted By: PlumDragon Overall, I dont much agree with the way that supplements are used.	”

And the advertising is ridiculous.
They also try and make you use way more than your body needs.

“	Originally Posted By: PlumDragon Im not against supplementation, just against the way that many supplements are isolated for use.	”

What do you mean by this?
Are you talking about having to have so many different supplements to get what they call the "full effect"..?

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A.T.S.N.N.

“	Originally Posted By: bulmer191 What do you mean by this? Are you talking about having to have so many different supplements to get what they call the "full effect"..?	”

Im about to get on my TCM soapbox... =)

On a continuum there are two extremes, of course...To one extreme we have eating ONLY things that grow naturally out of the Earth, with no outside influence whatsoever, completely unhindered natural life going about its business; this is the way life has evolved, the way it works best. We eat as a result of picking the banana hanging from the tree and the evolution of us and that banana have gone hand in hand over the millenia.

At the entire other end of the spectrum, we have diets composed entirely of "isolated compounds". For meals, we have 3 shakes: A protein shake, a carbohydrate shake, and a fat shake, each of the energy sources being either synthesized, or isolated from their natural state. Then we have a variety of pills, to supply us with our vitamins, minerals...our potassium to replace the banana...and other substances that we need in our diet, all of which are also isolated from their natural source, or synthesized in a lab.

Which do you think is healthier?

While its obviously not that bad yet, its slowly going in that direction. America, and biomedicine specifically, concerns itself with isolation: Isolate the disease, isolate the cause, isolate element, isolate the compound, isolate isolate isolate, extract extract extract...Without considering that when they isolate something and extract it from a stable system which it operates in, they lose a synergistic effect. We are more than the sum of our parts.

SO....where do we draw the line...? Personally I draw the line at protein, and the very occasional use of SMALL quantities of vitamins. If I feel I need something more, I try to meet that goal by changing my diet, as the change I would make in my diet would, IMO, be ten-fold better than what using the isolated supplement will give me.

So, I suppose, its the "full effect" as you say that is just as unhealthy as it is healthy...

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

Plum Dragon, I agree with most of what you're saying, for sure. The definite is that the people of the west, (AMerica), likes everything right now, not in a few weeks--NOW. It is much easier to pop a pill than buy and eat good food. It is easier to IM someone than get off your butt and walk to the cubicle 8 feet from yours and speak one-on-one. It is just laziness, for the most part.

I eat very well, and health and longevity are tops on my list. But, I do think that some supplements can be beneficial to your diet, as we don't have the time or the stomach space to eat all day. However, supplements like Andro and others can definitely be a detriment to your overall health. I think you just need to listen to your body and try to do the research on anything you put in your body. That goes for the pills at the nearest GNC, to the steak from the nearest grocer. Long ramble short, eat healthy, whole foods, supplement with natural products, excercise, and live well.

“	Originally Posted By: WuSung I do think that some supplements can be beneficial to your diet, as we don't have the time or the stomach space to eat all day. However, supplements like Andro and others can definitely be a detriment to your overall health. I think you just need to listen to your body and try to do the research on anything you put in your body. That goes for the pills at the nearest GNC, to the steak from the nearest grocer. Long ramble short, eat healthy, whole foods, supplement with natural products, excercise, and live well.	”

Well I agree with you, time and money are always motivating factors in peoples eating habits in the here and now. Im guilty on slacking on my diet sometimes too! =) But I think if people would take the time to do their shopping at the health food store instead of at GNC, and get in the habit of buying nutritious non-processed foods, they would realize it doesnt really take any more time, and isnt that much more expensive than spending an hour in GNC every month. For example, a simple romaine lettuce and tomato salad with some dressing once a day can go a long way...And its cheap and easy to make.

I dont believe stomach space is an issue. It never was before supplements were around.

Today, this country (and possibly the world in general) has all-time highs of obese citizens, people with kidney problems (gee I wonder why) and heart attacks, people on medications for diseases and disorders, some that were unheard of 100 years ago, ad infinitum. Now as I said above, Im not saying that supplements are *necessarily* bad...But they arent the best option. And when it comes to your health and longevity, choosing the best option is serious business.

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

True, true... Perhaps the stomach space statement was not correct. I find that for me, the eating 5 meals a day theory is hard, with hinderances coming from both time and money. And, I tend not to be hungry at all during the lunch hours, so forcing myself to eat something is a drag. I eat mostly meats, fish, vegetables, and grains. I usually shop in Austin at the Whole Foods for the meats and bulk grains. I go to the HEB for the produce. If you do all your shopping at the WF, you will go broke. I have been through AL a few times. Is Whole Foods up there, as well, PlumDragon?

The obesity epidemic is serious, in America especially. The western diet has carried over to Asia in the past decade or so, and now childhood obesity is a problem there. My lady is from Japan, she recently went back after a 5 year hiatus, (sp?), and she says the number of large Japanese people amazes her.
All thanks to the corporate cheeseburger.

“	Originally Posted By: WuSung I find that for me, the eating 5 meals a day theory is hard, with hinderances coming from both time and money. And, I tend not to be hungry at all during the lunch hours, so forcing myself to eat something is a drag. I eat mostly meats, fish, vegetables, and grains. I usually shop in Austin at the Whole Foods for the meats and bulk grains. I go to the HEB for the produce. If you do all your shopping at the WF, you will go broke. I have been through AL a few times. Is Whole Foods up there, as well, PlumDragon?	”

Personally I tend to ALWAYS be hungry and could eat all day long...but my philosophy is that if youre hungry eat, if not then dont. Your body is the best indicator of how many meals you should eat a day. And as long as your meals are all balanced well, then I think your body will come to a natural steady-state plan of its own. =)

Yea, true, some health stores can really break the wallet. No, there is no Whole Foods here. I find that many of the basic things that I buy (like milk and meat and fruit, bread, etc) are perfectly fine to get at places like WalMart where its dirt cheap. I admittedly do most of my shopping there and consider my personal diet to be better than most.

“	Originally Posted By: WuSung The obesity epidemic is serious, in America especially. The western diet has carried over to Asia in the past decade or so, and now childhood obesity is a problem there. My lady is from Japan, she recently went back after a 5 year hiatus, (sp?), and she says the number of large Japanese people amazes her. All thanks to the corporate cheeseburger.	”

Wow, thats too bad. Were infecting the world...how embarrasing! =\

Has been a good discussion thus far!

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PlumDragon Herbs: Dit Da Jow and Iron Palm Liniments

"When a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes Judo."

I too have used Muscle Tech Products. Works well but very costly. I prefer to mix my own drinks using creatine.

Jeff(fuzzy30)

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I haven't tried Muscltech...I don't think, anyway. As I said in another forum about protein, I like the stuff from www.ironmind.com
It is pure protein, and it doesn't taste too bad mixed with water. I, too, like to mix in my own creatine, Fuzzy. When I first started using creatine, I would chunk a scoop of the granular stuff into my mouth, and try to wash it down with some water. The bad thing is not having enough water in your bottle/glass to get the job done. Then, it is like having a mouth full of river mud.

Plum, We have plenty of the "Super" Wal-Marts here, and I use them for all my boxed and canned items. The ones here in the Austin area tend to have a poor meat selection. However, price is a huge object in my grocery shopping, as well. I eat plenty of canned tuna, which I am sure is full o' mercury. I also try to do a 2-3 day fast twice a year. I have tried many different tonics to drink while I am fasting. My lady got me into one that she learned about when she lived in India with some friends, who are Tibetan Monks, (great guys), don't remember the name, though. I will ask her when she gets home.

-WuSung

Wusung
I have done the same thing when in a hurry (put scoop(5gr) in mouth and drink water or juice. I used to get the micro creatine and it was more of a white powder. It is made that way for better and quicker absorbtion. One time I was in hurry and dumped a dose in my mouth andbefore I could get liquid in my mouth,I inhaled through mouth. Needless to say I choked pretty hard for a while after that.

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Yeah, that kind of thing is putrid. I never spring for the micronized variety, just the sandly loam type of monohydrate...I think you can grout your kitchen floor with that stuff.

lol. mind over matter...=)

Before too long all meals around here ("the west"...and some other areas...) will be in pill form.....or in cheeseburger form it seems. Why can't some people get it through their heads that being healthy and eating right makes you FEEL good not only physically but mentally as well.

I dont think you have to shop at the natural foods store all the time to eat right. Although they do have some products you cant get other places. I do know that the local natural market here is expensive.

Just pay attention to what you buy before you buy it.

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"It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right." -Moliere

A.T.S.N.N.

Aaah, yes...coming soon the Centrum Cheeseburger....