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Over the past couple years of my fitness journey, I started incorporating a few supplements into my diet that have become staples in my health and wellness routine.
I thought this quick guide might provide you with some ideas and insight into some supplements that may work for you as well.
I use these supplements on a daily basis and absolutely love them.
Keep in mind, there are always differing opinions around the effectiveness of supplements.
Ultimately, I have found the following supplements to be beneficial for me and wanted to provide you with some ideas for your own health and fitness goals.
My top five supplements at the moment include:
1.GREEN VIBRANCE
This product is a comprehensive plant-based green superfood powder that has led the way in its industry since its launch in 1992.
I absolutely love this product and have been using it on and off for fifteen years.
One tip I would suggest is to mix it with a little bit of juice and mostly water since it is pretty dense and doesn’t have the best taste with water alone.
I typically add a little bit of lemonade and the rest water and that makes it really easy to drink.
Benefits Include:
Supports the four foundations of health and whole-body wellness (nutrition, circulation, digestion, immunity)
Packed with micronutrients, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, antioxidants, organic grass and juice powders to feed each cell what it needs to run at peak efficiency.
RELATED: HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT
2.PROTEIN POWDEr
I have tried countless protein powders over the years, but one of my favorites is this grass-fed whey protein powder by Levels Nutrition.
I love it because it is Non-GMO and doesn’t have any added sugars, artificial flavors, sweeteners or chemical additives.
As a fitness junkie and heavy lifter, protein powder is a must for me because I cannot always get an adequate amount of protein for muscle building through my regular diet.
Keep in mind, all protein powders are not created equal so keep an eye out for artificial dyes, sweeteners, and fillers when purchasing protein powder.
I have also tried plant-based protein powder, but I seem to like the whey better.
Benefits include:
Promotes muscle growth
Helps reduce hunger due to its satiating effects
Aids in weight loss as it boosts metabolism and can be used as a meal replacement
Easily digestible
3.COLLAGEN POWDEr
You may have noticed collagen powders popping up everywhere lately.
I first came across collagen powder a couple years back while I was at an aestheticians office.
A woman was raving about its cosmetic benefits and how it significantly improved her skin’s complexion and reduced the fine lines on her face.
I decided to give it a try and have been using it regularly ever since.
While there is still much debate around its proven effectiveness, and it is very difficult to accurately pinpoint whether or not it has improved my overall complexion, I still find it to be a supplement worth taking.
Why is collagen important?
As you may know, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is one of the major building blocks of bones, skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
You can think of it as the “glue” that holds all these things together.
It is responsible for providing structure to the skin, strengthening bones and many other things.
As we age our bodies naturally produce less collagen, resulting in achy joints, sagging skin, frail bones, muscle loss and a host of other problems.
While the jury is still out on whether or not collagen powders can reverse or prevent these ailments from occurring, there is evidence to suggest it is a worthwhile supplement.
There is a small but growing body of evidence suggesting the following benefits:
Helps slow the process of aging skin
Relieves joint pain
May prevent bone loss
Boosts muscle mass
May alleviate arthritis pain
4.CREATINE
I have done a lot of research on the benefits of creatine, and I am convinced it is a supplement worth taking for many reasons.
Based on everything I have read on the topic, I find it to be the number-one supplement for improving performance in the gym without any proven side effects.
It is a natural substance used to increase athletic performance.
Not only is it safe, but it is also one of the world’s most popular and effective supplements for building muscle and strength.
I find that it helps me lift heavier and gives me more energy while working out.
There is also evidence to suggest it has neurological benefits through increasing dopamine levels and mitochondrial function.
Some benefits include:
Helps muscles produce more energy
Improves exercise performance
Speeds muscle growth
May fight neurological diseases
Can improve brain function
May reduce fatigue
5.BCAA’s
BCAA stands for branched-chain amino acids which are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine that make up approximately 35% of the body’s muscle protein.
They are “essential” because unlike other amino acids our bodies do not produce them on their own and must get them from food or supplements.
They are commonly taken to boost muscle growth and enhance exercise performance.
I always include BCAA’s in my water bottle while working out and find that they not only taste great, but aid in my strength and performance.
I prefer to use the natural version free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and chemical dyes.
Some benefits may include:
Reduce fatigue during exercise
Reduce exercise induced muscle soreness and damage
Protect lean muscle
Promote muscle protein synthesis
Those are my current favorite supplements. I sincerely hope this list was of some benefit to you. Let me know if you have any questions and I would love to hear about any supplements you are taking that you absolutely love. Share in the comments below!
