Supplements? Vitamins?

dougpconnell219
dougpconnell219 Posts: 566 Member
edited November 9 in Food and Nutrition
I am a 35 y.o. Male, 6'4" 290. Looking to lose at least 50lbs.

I am following my mfp diet, and doing strength training and cardio.

My question.... Would I get any benefit from supplements or vitamins? I am a noob here, so I would appreciate advice from someone who isn't trying to sell me something.

Replies

  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    edited January 2015
    If you're eating a varied diet, you probably don't need vitamins/supplements, but it probably won't hurt to have a multivitamin just to hedge your bets. There's a wide range between what we get in food, how much is in a multivitamin, and "too much" of any vitamin.

    If you're addressing a particular problem, it might be beneficial to have more of one vitamin or another, but for most people it's not necessary. (For example, when I was recovering from orthopedic surgery, I took extra calcium & vitamin D to help the bone heal. Also increased vitamin C & protein for overall tissue healing.)

    51637601.png
  • Krueger92
    Krueger92 Posts: 109 Member
    A solid multi vitamin. As well as a creatine monohydrate product. Cheap and work really well. Other supps, probably don't need them. Except for maybe a whey protein powder.
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    Krueger92 wrote:
    As well as a creatine monohydrate product. Cheap and work really well. Other supps, probably don't need them. Except for maybe a whey protein powder.
    It would help if you could explain why you're recommending he buy/use what you're recommending.
    What are those supposed to do for him that eating normal food won't?
    Studies, please, showing their effectiveness.
    (Here's a good place to search for studies: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed)
  • A good helper besides a multivitamin is electrolytes tablets. They dissolve in water and come in many flavores! They are helpful for when you are easily getting tired out during workouts and it is good to take them on a day you know you are going to work hard because they somehow help with muscle repair. They aren't for everyone but they are a nice helper when you do need them because you can drink them the morning of or 15 minutes before.

    Good luck with your goal!!!
  • savvyfantastic
    savvyfantastic Posts: 112 Member
    MKEgal wrote: »
    If you're eating a varied diet, you probably don't need vitamins/supplements, but it probably won't hurt to have a multivitamin just to hedge your bets. There's a wide range between what we get in food, how much is in a multivitamin, and "too much" of any vitamin.

    If you're addressing a particular problem, it might be beneficial to have more of one vitamin or another, but for most people it's not necessary. (For example, when I was recovering from orthopedic surgery, I took extra calcium & vitamin D to help the bone heal. Also increased vitamin C & protein for overall tissue healing.)

    51637601.png

    +1. If you're eating a varied and nutritious diet, a multivitamin is good to fill in any 'gaps.'

    Fish oil can also be useful if you don't eat much fish.

  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    edited January 2015
    MKEgal wrote: »
    It would help if you could explain why you're recommending he buy/use what you're recommending.
    What are those supposed to do for him that eating normal food won't?
    Studies, please, showing their effectiveness.
    (Here's a good place to search for studies: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed)

    Creatine had been studied to death as has whey but these are sports supliments. Whey is just to add quality protien, particularly leucine, and creatine is for muscle building. Creatine is produced in the body and found in red meats and salmon but you have to really eat a lot to get to supplement levels that have shown to add to performance levels.

    I'm on my phone but a quick Google search will lead you to a good independent suppliment fact site with a summary and link to research for all supliments, most of which the site shows to be useless.
  • joshjordan127
    joshjordan127 Posts: 6 Member
    I'll just say that you don't need creatine if you're just trying to lose weight at this point. Whey protein is good if you can't get enough protein through "real" food. But don't bother with creatine.
This discussion has been closed.