Supplements-Do you use/not use? Why? No rants please.

nsalley99

I used to use a pre-workout supplement and then it was taken off the market because people were taking huge doses and were getting sick. I never used a "magical" fat burning wonder pill. I think a general convo about this could be good.

Jesssamesssa

I do use. Not sure if they really work or not. If its a placbo affect awesome! At least something is working. I will get off them when I run out in about a month. I will continue to eat how I eat and workout how I work out and see if anything changes.

Acg67

Yes

Lasmartchika

No.
Because...

amusedmonkey

Fish oil, because my doctor put me on a high dose for triglycerides. After weight loss my blood work is all perfect, so she only has me at a normal dose now.

Other than that I have not taken or tried any supplements. I've been considering protein powder for months because my protein intake is low, but I have yet to get myself to buy it. Can't justify the cost.

llUndecidedll

I want to get into using a pre-workout. I used to use Jack3d and it seemed to work, but after a while, not really? This was years ago, though, so maybe the formula has changed. But, I guess that's why people keep increasing the dosage of the supplement because it no longer affects them the same way? I've tried caffeine pills in the past, they help, but caffeine/coffee messes up my stomach too much.

I have nothing against them. I'm researching them now.

mustgetmuscles1

Creatine: Bulk from Amazon

Protein: currently liking Wheyology w/ added Leucine by Trunutrition. Tastes amazing. Like melted chocolate ice cream.

Sometimes I take C4 when my energy level and gym schedule dont mesh up. Just got C4 becasue they sell it at Costco. I have tried a lot of samples of preworkouts and have never found anything that was noticeably more effective than anything else.

DjinnMarie

Multivitamin, extra C and B complex, fish oil, bcaas, and protein.

kelly_e_montana

Yes: Creatine on its own. Protein powder. Fish oil. Magnesium.

I don't sell Advocare and I know it's controversial but personally I've had good results with Catalyst and O2 gold. It might just be a placebo but it's a good enough placebo that I'm fooling myself enough to get the results I want, so I'll keep buying them.

TiberiusClaudis

Yes. Quiet a few actually. Which ones actually work..hard to say. But fish oil, multi vit, creatine, & mixed protein mix are pretty solid bets. Beta Alanine, CoQ10, Vit D and LAriginine are my next tier that I think probably work for me.

singingflutelady

yes.. gp3 (creatine/carnitine/alanine) also ammo-8 (bcaas/eaas) and good ole protein.. oh and caffeine pills sometimes

LoneWolfRunner

I think the only they do is give my pee a funky color... would rather spend my money on good running shoes. I know for sure they work.

xcalygrl

Let's see:
I drink a BCAA drink most days.
I take a multi-vitamin, an iron supplement (anemic), a calcium/vit D supplement, and glucosamine for joints.
I have glutamine, but I don't really use it.
I have a pre-workout (pre-jym) that I used for a bit, but I didn't feel it gave me the "edge" I was looking for, so I don't buy it anymore.
I have a protein powder I drink from time to time. I hit my protein number 90% of the time, so I only really need it on days where I'm low.

I'm going to be looking at adding in creatine on my next bulk cycle, but I need to do some research on it first.
I've taken the "fat burners" before (years ago before finding MFP), and I can say they either 1) did nothing for me, 2) made me feel jittery/wired, or 3) made me feel sick. I kick myself now for wasting a good chunk of change on that garbage.

jorge_ta83

Yes.

Creatine
Protein Powder
Oil Fish

Sam_I_Am77

Generally speaking based on what I see on these forums, advertisements, and other general conversations; I think people use far too many supplements and I thought that a long time ago. This summer I had a class on advanced nutrition and one of the first required readings I had was a peer-reviewed meta-analysis on supplements. This review had many of the current supplements that often get discussed on these forums. In most cases the best case scenario is that the supplement might do something but the likely scenario is that it's only effective in rats for whatever reason. Through research I've done through school and listening to other experts on the subject matter I've come to my own consensus on what's effective and what I'm willing to take.

- multi-vitamin (insurance policy more or less)
- Fish Oil
- Whey Protein
- Creatine
- Caffeine
- Vitamin D
- BCAA's
*I'm not saying these are essential either, they just have evidence to support their claims.

Most of the reason why something like a pre-workout works is because of the amount of caffeine in it, that where the energy surge is coming from especially when you get into the realm of 400mg's of caffeine. The amount of BCAA's in pre-workouts is laughable and a true waste of money. For Leucine to promote MPS there must be at least 3grams of it and most pre-workouts only contain about 1 to 2 grams from what I've seen. At that rate, it's encouraging users to consume multiple servings which is really not good and at the very least is very expensive. Users would be better off with a cup of coffee / 200mg caffeine pill and a serving of BCAA's that gives 3gms of Leucine or more.

Weight loss supplements... Most of the "evidence" surrounding these are based on results found in RATS, not humans. Although we have genetic similarities which is why testing is done on rats there are variations in enzymes (for example) that cause variations between humans and rats. I can't think of one "weight-loss" supplement other than caffeine that has been proven via peer-reviewed research (not magazines) that is effective in humans; last semester I had to read about them all. Ugh..

dbmata

Sam - ECA?

nsalley99

I loved jack3d as a pre-workout until they took it off the market. Now that I'm not at a gym I don't use a pre-workout. I'm pro whey protein in shakes and would probably take up a pre-workout supplement again once I have a gym membership.

Sam_I_Am77

dbmata wrote: »

Sam - ECA?

To be honest, I haven't read all that much about ECAA's in particular. I would say Leucine is the most important for MPS. You probably get plenty of that through your Whey and food that I'm not even sure how important BCAA's are to be honest, but they do their job in the right quantity. I would have to track down some research to give a good answer on ECAA's.

dbmata

Had a discussion with my wife this morning on Nitric Oxide, which is in a few pwos, like NO Xplode. She does research on cellular damage due to oxidative stress. So she mentioned that she uses it, and that it's a needed signalling molecule, but that two much can cause damage.

"How much is too much?"
"That's my research."
LOL. Kinda put that one into perspective for me. Granted, she hasn't looked at NO Xplode, but I just mentioned the NO aspect of it.

VegasFit

I do. BCAAs, creatine, carnitine, protein powder, glutamine, CLA, a pre plus a few other things. They fit my needs and I feel like I benefit from them.

mustgetmuscles1

Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »

dbmata wrote: »

Sam - ECA?

To be honest, I haven't read all that much about ECAA's in particular. I would say Leucine is the most important for MPS. You probably get plenty of that through your Whey and food that I'm not even sure how important BCAA's are to be honest, but they do their job in the right quantity. I would have to track down some research to give a good answer on ECAA's.

might be helpful.
http://examine.com/supplements/ECA/

Lofteren

Before I lift I like to have a meal, a beer and a cup of coffee. It's a little unorthodox but it works well for me. The only "supplements" that I take are protein powder and juice plus (my wife sells it). I think the best place to get everything you need is a healthy and well balanced diet.

dbmata

oof, can't do any sort of liquor before a work out.

annanaidoo

I take cellucor super HD before my workout, fish oil, a multivitamin and a whey protein for post workout.

Danny_Boy13

I use a PWO, Creatine Monohydrate and a Whey Isolate. The PWO I was taking before was also taken off the market with its formula that had the 1,3 Dimethylamylamine in it. Man that was some good stuff but I also heard the same rumor that people were taking huge doses of it and messing them up. I thought it was BS... taking OTC meds can kill you but they are still there for purchase... well off of that soapbox... I like my stack that I am currently on. I could prolly incorp a multi-vit since I do not blend as much these days. Maybe even put in there some BCAA but I dont want to make it that I am taking a whole lot of diff pills.

Sam_I_Am77

mustgetmuscles1 wrote: »

Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »

dbmata wrote: »

Sam - ECA?

To be honest, I haven't read all that much about ECAA's in particular. I would say Leucine is the most important for MPS. You probably get plenty of that through your Whey and food that I'm not even sure how important BCAA's are to be honest, but they do their job in the right quantity. I would have to track down some research to give a good answer on ECAA's.

might be helpful.
http://examine.com/supplements/ECA/

Oh, ha I just assumed he was talking about ECAA's. LOL

xmichaelyx

• I use a protein supplement, because I'm too lazy to eat all the protein I need.
  
• I've tried creatine, and it definitely works. I did have to stretch more before working out though, or I'd occasionally get incapacitating muscle cramps (and no, it wasn't from lack of water).
  
• I know that ECA stack works, but ephedrine is a PITA to find in the US, and makes me too shaky to use anyway.
  
• Fish oil is incredibly popular, but the science behind it (for healthy people, anyway) is totally contradictory. I realize that some doctors prescribe it, but it's one of those "it might do something and probably won't hurt you" things, not unlike glutamine.
  
• I take vitamin D because I live in Las Vegas, and so (ironically) am never in the sun.

50sFit

nsalley99 wrote: »

I used to use a pre-workout supplement and then it was taken off the market because people were taking huge doses and were getting sick. I never used a "magical" fat burning wonder pill. I think a general convo about this could be good.

We don't really know if the product actually matches the label claim on supplements.
For me, I avoid them. If I need a caffeine boost, green tea works as well as any Dr Oz pep pill.
And whole foods beat meal replacement powders or whatever. I think the supplement industry preys on people. Just eat whole foods if you can: lean meats, fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, whole grains and raw dairy.
Just my tiny opinion...

chadya07

when people say no rants please after asking opinions i am never sure what is a rant or what is just an opinion...

dont use. because unless i have a deficiency that has been discovered by my doctor, there is no need. because that is what food is for. also a lot of things are marketed to do things that just cant be done. its all marketing... rant rant rant...

zyxst

Yes.
Vitamin D.
My eczema does away when I take it.

annangelich

I use a whey protein shake if I haven't gotten enough protein in and start feeling woozy. Seems to help I also use it after a particularly rough work out it seems to help ease some of the sore muscles. I don't use it regularly though.