4 Popular Supplements: Pros & Cons

If you are anything like me you are looking for every edge to improve progression in these equipment-lean times. So naturally, supplements are not far down that check list. Let's explore:

None of these opinions are "payed for" they're just honest.

"The Kings" Protein Shakes

Most people interested in fitness have at least once in their life drank a protein shake. Most people in the industry will spout the same rhetoric about inferior products and the fact that whole food is best. This is mostly right, but what most fail to recognise is the positives, mainly - fast digesting (depending on the protein source) and ease of use. Basically, for post workouts, it's better than chicken or replacement proteins, and much better than nothing. The downsides are normally with digestion. Most people will be fine, but like any food/supplement if you experience any gastro-intestinal discomfort then stop using it immediately. This goes for anything you ingest. If you bloat, have acid reflux and digestive pain or feel full/slow/tired afterwards, then the probability is you're not dealing with the food you have just eaten and should probably cut it out, as all of the above lead to inflammation. Gut health is exceptionally important for overall physical and mental health. The next con is quality and this applies to all of the supplements here. Most countries don't scrutinise supplements as they are not classed as food, which in turn allows some less morally obliging companies to "spike" products. Companies like BlueStar and ATP Labs are among the best quality, in our experience, and we are currently on a beef protein kick for ease of digestion: Musclemeds and Scitec have some good products in this area.

"The Jokers" Pre-Shakes

Or as I like to call them, liquid motivation. When you drink a shake, where the tub says "do not use unless you are partaking in extreme exercise".. guess what? you don't sack off the workout! There is a lot to say about caffeine content and pre-existing cardio vascular issues. So DO YOUR RESEARCH. These products are extremely varied, so it's impossible to do pros and cons. They have been used effectively, but things like dosage and loading periods always have to be considered. It's always best to look for established products here. That would normally say a lot about their quality and would imply safety in use. We have used products from METrx and PhD in the past and been happy with the quality.

"The Jacks" Creatine

Creatine is good for recovery, and in some cases, improved strength. 1000s of studies over the years have proved its function and side effects have been vastly overstated for 99% of people. Pros: it's been a long time since it was the "new thing" so prices are very low. Cons: we would suggest drinking extra water, if taken, as an effective dose. Vitamin D might be far better for most people anyway. Any Creapure product from any reputable brand will be a solid choice. Just find the cheapest. MyProtein seems to be that right now.

"The Aces" Multi-Vitamins, Nutrients

This a vague title but basically includes all the unromantic options in the supplement shop; the non-performance base stuff, even though sodium and vitamin D are in our opinion hall of fame performance enhancers. You are probably deficient in something; vitamin D, B vitamins and mirconutrients etc. So if you are not in the habit of getting detailed blood work done (which we would recommend), then using a scorched earth policy isn't a bad way to go. For this reason we would recommend an all-in-one solution like Scitecs Multi Pro Plus. PROTIPS: Research effective doses. It's normally 1-200+ % more than the "RDAs" stated on the packaging.

We have used Dolphin Fitness in the past, when buying multiple products from different they always seem to be among the cheapest and we have never had a problem with shipping.

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Disclaimer: We are not doctors, so please consult one before using in any of the information in this article. The purpose of this blog is to share our considerable experience in fitness. When it comes to your health and fitness, make sure you do your research. Visit sfitnessplans.com for more information specifically our "terms and conditions".