ZMA?

GillianLF

Given I've upped the workouts and now that I'm upping the weights I'm using I have been recommended a heap of supplements by fellow fitness friends.

I know people mean well but I try to get all I need from food. However recently I bought Sun Warrior protein powder which, to be honest, I might start taking about 3-4 times a week. I don't see the need for it daily at the moment (although feel free to tell me otherwise).

I am not sleeping great though at all. I'm a very light sleeper, always have been, but I'm really feeling it with this new lifestyle. My recovery times aren't as quick as I'd like and I'm exhausted. I thought I'd be sleeping better but I'm not. It has been suggested I give ZMA a try. I've looked it up and it could be what I need...I get restless let syndrome which magnesium sometimes helps with.

Anyone tried it? More specifically any ladies tried it? What is your honest opinion?

Kalikel

I suggest getting your vitamins and minerals from your diet and taking only the supplements you need. When you need them, get them from a company you trust. Also, ask the doctor for recommendations, because they will generally be able to give you a good one. Some companies don't put enough of things in their pills. It makes no difference to people who pop pills for fun, but makes a whole lot of difference to people who actually need the vitamin or mineral.

Unknown

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janejellyroll

catscats222 wrote: »

are you getting conned into buying supplements from these companies?
a daily multi-vitamin from walmart is all a person really need
my protein powder contains chocolate/caffeine - keeps me awake at night
just eat a bit of protein before and a bit of protein after a workout

We don't really need multi-vitamins at all. Studies have not shown any benefits associated with multi-vitamins. If someone thinks they need to supplement a specific vitamin or mineral, it would probably be better to do that than to take a multi-vitamin.

GillianLF

I eat a very varied diet and generally am not lacking. A doctor suggested the magnesium for the restless legs but I only take that when I really feel that I have to.

It's fellow gym goers, friends who are also into fitness that are saying I should be taking supplements. In general I'm not into supplements (except when I'm not running I'll take vit D in the winter as I do not see the sun - again another doctor recommendation). The protein powder I got is raw vegan organic (no caffeine). I'll use it as a boost but not daily. I've just used it once so far to make pancakes!

I don't believe I need oils or a multivitamin. But the ZMA (zinc, magnesium, B6) is something I'm curious about, especially if it helps recovery and sleep.

RoxieDawn

Supplements? And should a person take them or not take them? Supplements are meant to be just that. If you or your doctor find that you are deficient in something he/she or you may feel you need to supplement your diet, etc.

Do not take anything unless you or your doctor find you need them.

I personally use protein powder daily (except rest day). I have to because I cannot eat enough food for the protein I need based on my fitness level. I workout 6 days a week and need help.

I also take vitamins (not sure if I am deficient or anything, but this makes me sure I am not). Also the sleep, my sleep changed when I started working out. It was like my brain was always in GO mode. There were days when I had to simply lay down for 30 minutes and then I was right back to GO mode.

I do think the older I get, the less I need, but I still need that 5 1/2 at least to perform.

If you are needing sleep (for real), and it is affecting your daily activities and performance, I would say see a sleep doctor and see inf you need to participate in a sleep study. My husband found out he had sleep apnea
.. we sleep in separate bed rooms now... LOL

Kalikel

GillianLF wrote: »

I eat a very varied diet and generally am not lacking. A doctor suggested the magnesium for the restless legs but I only take that when I really feel that I have to.

It's fellow gym goers, friends who are also into fitness that are saying I should be taking supplements. In general I'm not into supplements (except when I'm not running I'll take vit D in the winter as I do not see the sun - again another doctor recommendation). The protein powder I got is raw vegan organic (no caffeine). I'll use it as a boost but not daily. I've just used it once so far to make pancakes!

I don't believe I need oils or a multivitamin. But the ZMA (zinc, magnesium, B6) is something I'm curious about, especially if it helps recovery and sleep.

If you believe that you already get your vitamins and minerals, more won't help. Your body needs X amount of each of the vitamins and minerals. When it gets more, it does not put them to work helping you lose weight, making your muscles bigger or doing whatever it says it will do with/for "recovery." When your body receives an excess, it either eliminates the thing entirely or sticks it into storage for use at a time when you don't give it any.

Excessive doses of vitamins and minerals don't help you because they cannot help you. It's physically not possible.

Get your health info from your doctor and not fitness gurus or fitness fans. If the doctor says you need a supplement, take it. If the kids at the gym say you need one, ignore it.

That's my advice. But if you decide to take it, I support your choice to do so.

Talan79

I take ZMA. I have a coach who recommended it. She is a nutritionist and a certified trainer.

pinggolfer96

I took zma for a while to help with my sleep. It definitely helped but gave me some pretty intense dreams! Lol. I never took it for its supposed benefits on weightlifting and strength, I just needed it for the sleep aid and I felt it helped. Especially when taken with a melatonin....