Simple Supplementation For Your Health Problems

I am a big fan of supplementation.

Note that I say supplementation and not ‘meal replacements’ or ‘drug taking’. There is a huge difference.

And to answer the inevitable question of “Do I need supplements because they didn’t use to exist when we were healthy?”….

If you live in a cave away from all the pollutants (chemical and electromagnetic), spend most of your day active as opposed to sat on your backside in a low oxygen environment, have access to a clean, natural source of fresh drinking water, have all the energy you want along with a lean, muscular physique, have no stress and sleep like a baby AND you eat nothing but lean, organic game meat your just caught along with some organic fruit and vegetables which have travelled no more than a few miles if that….

….then you probably don’t need anything to support your physical function.

I’m guessing that’s not you or you probably wouldn’t be reading this whilst chomping a sandwich, bored at the desk you’ve been chained to for 4 hours.

So where the hell do you start in choosing the right supplements given that if you walk into the average health shop you will have a choice of 1000 different products, most with names you couldn’t spell without looking?

These arguments could rage all day, but here are the combinations we have found to work VERY well for personal training clients and fitness camp members here in Guernsey based on ‘condition’ or ‘requirements’ rather than bright, shiny colours and an advert they just saw in a magazine.

Some overlap as most are down to some kind of hormone imbalance in a giant web, and I would always advise talking to us first before just going out and buying stuff as there may be other underlying factors which often appear in conversation.

You should also note that if you are highly stressed due to finances, relationships, people or your job, supplements will have limited effects but may help at least keep you ‘stable’!

There are many touted herbs for each issue as well but too many to mention here so I’m sticking with what I know helps – just because something isn’t written doesn’t mean I would discount it.

So this list certainly isn’t exhaustive but I’ve found these to be the 90%’ers.

In other words, 90% of the time they’ll do the job while the other 10% of the time you might need something more.

I’ll tell you the 100%’er at the end…

You should also accept the fact that the following actions are more important than anything else:

– Do the right training at the right intensity and regularly
– Train well, rest well. Sleep lots.
– Eat clean and keep toxins out of your system whenever possible (but don’t be afraid to have a meal off a week)
– Learn to manage stress
– Don’t look to those around you for guidance – most of them are in just as bad a way as you, they just like to cover it up with bravado and mocking of your efforts.

Finally, any brand names mentioned are simply the brands we sell and trust based on results – other similar alternatives may be available but we can’t vouch for the effect or results!

LOW ENERGY

– A good Greens drink full of vitamins and minerals – twice per day
– Alkalizing Salts (sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium) – twice per day
– Vitamin C to help adrenal glands whilst under stress – 5-10g per day at first.
– Vitamin D particular if you live in a high latitude location or live in a sunny place but live in your office!

GUYS: A zinc-magnesium complex may also make a difference to your energy especially as you head over 30 towards 40 and beyond. Testosterone levels are a key consideration for many reasons but again, that’s a whole new topic!

LOW ENERGY / EXCESSIVE SORENESS THE DAY AFTER TRAINING

Training tires you out and can make muscles sore – no science needed to work that one out.

But if you are always shattered the day after training, you need to work on your post-workout recovery.

– Anabolic Drive or a well balanced combination of carbohydrates and protein (and creatine if you engage in a lot of strength training)

You should also make this the biggest meal of your day when your body is open to absorbing many more nutrients rather than storing excesses as fat.

POOR SLEEP

– Amino Relax an amino acid complex designed to reset your brain waves and ‘slow your brain down’ – before sleep
– Magnesium Relax – a complex based on nature’s relaxant which promotes overall wellbeing and relaxes the muscles – before sleep
– Tulsi Tea also helps (not so much supplement but something few people drink so it can help!)

TOO MUCH FAT

Can be due to a variety of hormonal issues but generally…

– Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition based on low carbs
– Post-workout protein shake to improve recovery and maintain high metabolic rate
– High dose fish oil – 6-10g per day spread out with meals. We use the Fundamental Fish Oil as a great source of Essential Fatty Acids which tastes nice and orangey instead of like swallowing a live cod.
– Possibly a natural thyroid complex such as our Iodine Forte if this has been found to be the issue but you should seek clearance from your GP first especially if already on thyroid medication.

NB PART 1 I do not recommend thermogenics because of their adverse affects as high potency stimulants on the adrenal glands. If you are already stressed, this can make your overall situation much, much worse in the long run.

NB PART 2 If you are engaging in 60 mins or less of gym training, no matter how intense of how often, you don’t need energy drinks and this will simply blunt any effort to lose noticeable amounts of body fat. Learn to eat good meals and you’ll be good to go.

CELLULITE

– Follow the above fat loss advice
– Supplement with more heavy leg workouts as well (I know…nobody likes them but they’re less distressing than wobbly legs right?)
– Add high dose Vitamin C to the mix to help with collagen reformation. This will prevent the skin ‘collapsing’ causing the infamous dimples!
– Magnesium should also be added to help with circulation and toxin removal.

POOR IMMUNE SYSTEM

– Greens drink
– Alkalizing Salts
– High dose fish oil
– High dose Vitamin C

DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

– Greens drink due to powerful inflammatory effect in the bowel area
– Probiotics
– Psyllium husk to ‘push things through’
– Possibly HCL to aid breakdown of food. Alternatively a good ‘Digestive Enzyme’ complex will help ‘mash things up’ also making more energy and nutrients available for absorption

DEPRESSION

Mindset coaching is more important here but anything that supports the brain is going to help get over depression or anxiety.

– High quality fish oils to get you thinking more clearly
– Vitamin D may also help is you suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder

PMT

– A good magnesium complex, especially if you experience increased chocolate cravings around your period

SPORTS SUPPLEMENTATION

This is a huge subject and largely depends on duration, intensity and volume of training but again, you won’t go wrong with these guidelines:

– Before 60+ minute sessions, take 1 scoops of Heart Fuel (opens up the cardiovascular pathways) and 1 scoop of Amino Work Capacity (amino acid complex) 45 minutes before you start and 15-20 minutes in. If you’re in a game situation, do it before your warm up and then just before you go out on the pitch to make it simple

– 10 minutes before the start of your race or match, take 20g of maltodextrin in water.

– At half time, instead of chugging sweetener filled drinks, just take 1g of maltodextrin in water (dirt cheap) for every 1kg of bodyweight. For racing, generally 1g of maltodextrin per 1kg of bodyweight per hour is about right, ideally sipped gradually.

– If you don’t drink coffee usually, a double black coffee hit 15 minutes before the start can get your fired up nicely. If you’re already a caffeine fiend, this probably won’t make much difference!

SUMMARY

Supplements make a big difference, but remember, the cleaner your base nutrition, the bigger the impact the supplements have.

The worse your diet, the less effect they will have in taking you up another level in terms of energy, strength, stamina or body composition.

If you live in Guernsey, come and see us and we’ll sort you out with our very ‘clean’ ranges of supplements for your goals and if you live in the UK post below and we’ll point you in the right direction!

Oh and you know that 100%’er…

WATER.

Drinking a good 2-3 litres per day of good, clean water will do wonders for all of the above conditions provided you aren’t totally out of balance in any other areas.

It controls the function of every cell in your body which controls everything else!

 

About The Author
tnardozza

tnardozza

tnardozza

tnardozza

Related Posts

Could Your Chronic Headaches be the Effect of a Spine Problem?

If you experience frequent headaches that are mostly one-sided (without switching), seem to hit at the base of your head or your neck, and worsen with neck movement, it may not be your average stress-induced headache or migraine. These are symptoms of a cervicogenic headache, which results from an injury in the cervical spine. Learn more about how to spot a cervicogenic headache and a non-surgical treatment option that can address the underlying cervical spine issue for these headaches.

Read More »

Follow Us

Recent Posts

Are You a Regenexx Candidate?

About Regenexx Pittsburgh COVID-19 Protection Zone

At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger