"Essential" Supplements for Fitness

Nowadays, we have tons of products on the market to help with certain things. For instance, we have pre-workout. A formulated product that when consumed it'll give us energy, focus, and the drive to power through a workout session. There are different products that are designed and to help with something. Another example is Protein powders. If you cannot get enough protein from whole foods, then using protein powder is ideal. It's easy, convenient, and reliable if you're needing calories and/or protein (especially if you are reaching your protein goal for the day). It really depends on what your goals are if you're wanting to use supplements. Popular supplements such as protein and green powder are mostly used to fulfill their nutritional needs/expectations. 

TYPES OF SUPPLEMENTS

There are many different types of supplements, including:

• traditional vitamins and minerals, such as “letter” vitamins
• other specific nutrients found in foods, such as omega-3s
• antioxidant compounds like phytonutrients and amino acids
• non-food compounds found in the body, such as melatonin
• herbs and adaptogens, such as ashwagandha

There are no 'essential' supplements. Supplements are supplements; We can get those properties, effects, and elements from foods. Sometimes It can be unrealistic to try to get the effects from foods because you may have to consume a lot to get the right effect. It is much more convenient just to buy supplements that'll give you the effects you're wanting.

However, some supplements should be recommended because people don't focus on macro intake. When focusing on macro intake, you can optimize your performance, strength, and building/maintaining muscle.

Lots of people eat loads of carbs throughout the day, along with fats. Sometimes, people don't get enough protein intake in order to properly nourish the body. Protein is vital - for recovery and building tissue. So, if you're protein deficient, it's recommended to use protein supplements to fulfill your protein needs. This is especially useful for those who bodybuild. We all know how hard it is to eat a lot of food, especially when trying to reach your macro goal. So, using supplements, in this case, is ideal. It'll be beneficial. It's convenient to do so. You can avoid overeating, bloating, etc if you were to use supplements over whole foods.

Now, I'm not saying to avoid and neglect whole foods. Whole foods are the king when it comes to nutrients and overall nutritional value. Sure, supplements are good, but consuming whole foods is better. You get all of the natural vitamins, minerals, and all nutrients. Whole foods are not processed, so it's healthy and organic. Organic fresh foods are the way to go - to help nourish the body properly - to optimize health, strength, performance, and clarity. 

You can simply reach your protein quota by eating protein for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. People who cannot reach their macro/micro-goals for the day; try separating them throughout the day, to efficiently receive protein throughout the day. 

I recommend supplements for those who are athletes and bodybuilders and people who cannot retrieve all of the nutrients they need to become healthy. If you're living in an area that does not have healthy foods, then using supplements can be beneficial. However, supplements can be pricy, so determine whether if it's worth it or not.

Here is why you need to take supplements

Since your diet may lack important micronutrients, the purpose of taking supplements is to better support your health. They can help meet your daily recommendations or provide a more concentrated amount of nutrients than you’re able to get through food alone.

• Filling That Nutritional Gap
• Exercise Increases Nutrient Needs
• Poor Eating Habits
• People Today Don’t Absorb Nutrients Very Well
• YOU HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

In today’s society, taking supplements is an essential step towards optimum wellness!

Nonetheless, If you're still wanting to know, " What Are The Essential Supplements" for those who workout, here it is:

1. Protein Powder

As I mentioned above, protein powder can be ideal if you cannot get enough protein intake. It's convenient and low on calories making it ideal to use on a daily basis. Especially if you don't get enough protein intake throughout the day. There are different forms of protein. Casein and whey for example. Do your research and find what's effective and suitable for you.

2. Vitamin/Mineral Supplement

• A multivitamin and mineral supplement is not purely a bodybuilding supplement in terms of directly targeting muscle growth the way creatine and L-glutamine do. Taking a high potency and high-quality vitamin/mineral product is a fundamental way in which to support the cellular conditions under which performance and muscle growth can occur.
  
  
• Though certain compounds like vitamin-C are thought to be of greater importance for immune function, it is the synergistic effect of all key vitamins and minerals taken in a specific ratio that will support the best results in health and subsequent tissue growth and function.
  
  
• So-called doctors and nutritionists might tell us that the perfect ratio of vitamins and minerals can be achieved through eating a diet rich in certain fruits and vegetables. However, today's soil conditions, various pollutants, and the over-processing of foods make it all but impossible to achieve such a perfect ratio.
  
  
• Even those who eat strictly "organic" do not get what they should as far as nutritional potency and quality is concerned. 

3. Fish Oils

I believe and others do too that many of us people do not consume enough fatty fish (at least in America we don't). (Depends on where you live too). Fish has amazing nutritional properties. They contain omegas, which is important for our health and brain. So, if you aren't eating enough fishes in your diet, you're missing out on lots.

Fish oil is an essential supplement, whether you're trying to build muscle, burn fat, or boost overall health.

Fish oil supports:

• Cognitive function
• Normal, healthy immune system function
• Heart health
• Healthy skin
• Vision
• Joint health
• And more!

4. Creatine?

• Creatine is one of the most well-studied supplements on the market. It has been shown to improve sprint times and boost the performance of athletes engaged in high-intensity activity, such as weightlifting and strength training.
  
  
• Creatine can boost maximal strength and energy output during exercise, allowing you to lift heavier, longer. It also acts as a "cell volumizer," making muscles fuller.
  
  
• Creatine is a by-product of amino acid metabolites found in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Approximately 95 percent of creatine is stored in skeletal muscle, and the remaining five percent in the liver, kidneys, brain and testes.
  
  
• While there are multiple forms of creatine available, creatine monohydrate has been around longest and is the best-tested.

Is creatine worth it? Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that helps supply energy to cells throughout the body, particularly muscle cells. It occurs naturally in red meat and fish, it is made by the body, and it can also be obtained from supplements.

--> The answer: yes and no. If you don't eat enough fish or red meats, then sure, taking creatine would be beneficial, but if you eat enough or loads of fish and/or red meats, you have plenty of creatine circulating throughout your body. So, no, it wouldn't be ideal to take.

5. Greens Supplements?

I believe using green supplements is beneficial for us. For one, it's much easier to get those greens in opposed to eating either cooked or raw veggies, which may not appeal to most people but using greens on the other hand is convenient and tasty because some products have a tasty green supplement.

If you're one of those people who cannot consume any type of veggies, using veggie supplements can do the trick.

Pre-Workout / Fat burners / Intra Workout / Post Workout / BCCA's/EAA's

• They are effective
• They're ideal to use considering you may have to consume a lot of something to get the desired effect
• Some are not worth taking; some products may contain low-grade quality which in return is useless for us.
• Some products give a placebo effect
• Be cautious on Exotic compounds