December 9, 2011
by @dieselpokers
There are a lot of great supplements on the market that you can take to improve your overall health. While some are good, and some are not as great, today I have complied a list of all the supplements I take on a daily basis.
Supplements can be QUITE beneficial!
Each of the links at the top of each supplement description link to the brand of each supplement that I take. I have done extensive research on each item and believe these are the best brands to purchase for quality and price.
1. Fish Oil
Probably the #1 most important supplement that everyone should take once or twice on a daily basis. Fish oil capsules contain the essential omega-3 fatty acids which are useful for reducing your risk of coronary heart disease and maintaining healthy triglyceride levels.
Fish oil also has the ability to reduce your blood pressure levels and keep your cell membranes flexible and healthy.
Because our amazing human body machines can’t naturally produce omega-3s, it is necessary to supplement fish oil into your diet to receive the benefits that these fatty acids provide us.
Fish oils have absolutely no negative side effects aside from the “fishy burps” some users experience. Good quality fish oil supplements are created to prevent this from occurring so make sure you purchase a reliable product.
2. Acai Berries
Also known as nature’s “superfood.” Acai berries are one of the most powerful anti-oxidants in the world. They help protect against free radicals that can affect cells of the heart, eyes, skin, and the immune system. Free radicals are also responsible for speeding up aging in the human body.
Grown in the Amazon rainforest, these berries have an extremely short life span which means they need to be put into capsule form to harness all the nutrients they contain before they go bad. You can still purchase the actual acai berries but they tend to be very expensive and you can receive the same benefit from taking a few capsules each day anyway.
Taken daily, acai berries can also boost your energy levels and help the digestive process of the body.
Since taking acai berries a few times a day for the last 3 or so years, I can honestly say I haven’t been sick at all. Besides a few run ins with the common cold, I have not been unable to do anything on a certain day because I was sick and bedridden. These little berries are EXTREMELY powerful in my opinion and it would be stupid not to try them if you want to boost your immune system.
3. B-Vitamins
B-Vitamins are essential for energy metabolism. I take an advanced high potency b-complex supplement that contains adequate levels of each of the various b-vitamins.
B-vitamins are interdependent of each other meaning that each of the various types must be taken together to notice any benefit. For this reason, you should purchase a b-vitamin supplement that contains each of the b-vitamins or you are simply wasting your money.
B-vitamins are also known to spark your metabolism levels which decrease in many individuals after the age of 20.
The supplement I take is specially formulated to also replenish nutrients that are lost during high stress times.
Quite a beneficial supplement!
Most multivitamins don’t contain or don’t have enough of all the essential b-vitamins so make sure to take these if you are also taking a multivitamin each day.
4. Multivitamins
There is a lot of controversy over the benefits of taking a multivitamin daily. The argument for the case is that the body will usually not need all the different vitamins and minerals that these pills provide and will excrete them through urination.
While this is true, many of us don’t get the recommended amount of each vitamin and mineral each day to maintain adequate health. For this reason, you should still take a multivitamin each day and let your body filter out what it doesn’t need.
5. L-Tyrosine
This is a new supplement that I have been experimenting with in recent months, and has certainly provided me with some great benefits.
L-tyrosine is a free form amino acid that when taken as a supplement rapidly converts to dopamine, a neurotransmitter in your brain that regulates mood, motivation and concentration.
These should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning to give the body the ability to rapidly digest them and have the ability to cross the brain blood barrier which can be interfered with if you have a full stomach worth of food to digest.
After taking these supplements for a few months I have noticed that my energy levels and motivation have skyrocketed. No longer do I feel tired and drained during the day, and if I do, I take another dose of the supplement right before dinner to re-energize.
6. 5-HTP
5-HTP (L-5-hydroxytryptophan) is an intermediate to the natural conversion of the essential amino acid tryptophan, to serotonin.
Increased brain serotonin levels are said to produce positive effects on emotional well-being, appetite regulation, and a healthy sleep cycle.
I have taken these for a few months and have noticed a great benefit in my sleeping patterns and overall sense of well-being. I feel very refreshed after a good nights sleep and I have noticed reduced stress levels during the day.
I take a few capsules before bed each night and they make me a little drowsy which makes it easier to fall asleep. When taken in combination with melatonin, 5-HTP is a great natural sleeping aid.
7. Melatonin
Melatonin is great for promoting healthy sleep patterns. It is a natural hormone that your body produces when it needs sleep to repair itself.
When taken as a supplement, it can further increase the bodies ability to stay in a healthy circadian cycle of sleep. I take a melatonin supplement with the 5-HTP each night when I know I will able to dedicate at least 6-8 hours to sleep.
Melatonin can leave you feeling very groggy in the morning if you don’t get enough sleep so if you are planning on sleeping for less than 6 hours, don’t bother taking it.
Supplementing Notes:
Supplement Your Way to Good Health!
While all the supplements listed above have amazing benefits, always consult your health care provider before experimenting with each.
Everyone’s body chemistry and genetics are different so talk with your doctor about supplements you might want to try.
I personally have not noticed any negative side-effects from any of the supplements I described above. I try to stay as healthy as possible and make sure that I workout at least 3 times a week to keep my body in top condition.
None of these supplements will work miracles but they will certainly boost your health and overall well-being if taken correctly.You have to make sure to address every aspect of your health if you want to receive the greatest benefits from supplementing.
As far as dosing of each goes, go with the recommended amount on the bottles and if you don’t notice anything, consider increasing your dosage slightly until you are able to notice the benefits.
Do some research on your own and figure out which of each will benefit you the most.
If you are concerned about price, put aside some money to try out a few in your diet.
After all, how valuable is money when you don’t have a healthy body to enjoy all your physical possessions?
