As a weight lifter, you may have heard the term “supplementation” bandied about quite frequently. It’s a very common practice and I’m sure that just hearing it will get your attention. But what exactly are supplements? And why should you be interested in them?
For starters, let me define some terms for you. We’re going to use the word supplementation here to mean any food or supplement that is added to your diet (as opposed to nutrition, which refers to any food or nutrient that’s necessary for optimal health).
When the person will collect this Crazy Bulk review, they will get to know about the working of the supplements. The working of the steroid will start as the person will consume the products. The main focus of the people is to choose the supplements that will give him with the good results. The option will turn out to be favorable.
Also, we’ll refer to these foods as supplements because they’re not really meant to replace anything. They’re simply meant to provide additional nutrients that are lost through poor eating habits. For example, if you eat too little protein, then supplementation with whey protein powder can help you meet your daily protein needs.
In addition, these foods will usually taste better than the ones you’d normally eat, so they’ll probably appeal to you more, making them easier to digest and absorb. Plus, they’re likely to contain a higher concentration of certain vitamins and minerals than those found in most foods.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with getting your nutrients from natural sources like fruits and vegetables. In fact, this is how our bodies were designed to receive their nourishment, and doing so will make you look and feel better. However, when you do choose to add a few supplements to your diet on occasion, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Never take more than the recommended amount. Taking extra amounts of any vitamin or mineral can cause serious health problems down the road, including kidney stones, liver damage, and even cancer. Always follow label directions.
- If you’re taking multivitamins, don’t exceed the maximum dose of each specific vitamin per day. Also remember that most multis aren’t fortified with all of the essential vitamins and minerals. So, if you’re taking a multi that doesn’t have 100% of the recommended daily value (RDV) of folic acid, for example, you could still end up consuming too much of the other B-vitamins.
- Don’t take more than one type of supplement at once. This includes things like iron/folate, calcium/magnesium, and zinc/calcium — especially if you’re also taking a multivitamin. The reason for this is simple: Your body only has so many places where it can store vitamins and minerals, and if you take too much of several different types all at once, you risk depleting them from those storage areas.
- Make sure you rotate your vitamins and minerals throughout the year. There are two reasons for this: First, by cycling your intake, you’re lessening the chances of developing deficiencies over time. Second, you’ll get the greatest benefit from the vitamins and minerals that are naturally present in your food, rather than artificially enriched versions.
- Be aware that some supplements might interact negatively with prescription drugs, such as antibiotics, blood thinners, and anticoagulants. Check with your doctor before adding any new supplements to your regimen.
- Don’t take supplements until your diet is balanced and healthy. Supplementing your diet when you’re undernourished or unhealthy isn’t a good idea. You’ll be giving your body an incomplete set of nutrients, which could lead to nutritional deficiencies and possibly worse.
- Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any kind of exercise program. Certain medications can cause severe side effects, including muscle cramping, nausea, dizziness, and rapid heart rate. Exercising while taking these medications can increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke.
- Do not stop taking your medications without consulting your doctor first. Some medications can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, resulting in possible side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, headache, and fatigue.
- Take your supplements according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Not following the instructions listed on the packaging can result in adverse reactions and other negative consequences that could lead to emergency room visits.
- Keep your supplements stored safely out of reach of children and pets. Many kids and pets are particularly attracted to brightly colored pills, capsules, and powders. They’re also known to swallow them accidentally.
These are just a handful of important guidelines to keep in mind when choosing supplements. By using them wisely, you’ll be able to enjoy better health and a stronger, leaner physique.