Fish Oil, Turmeric/Curcumin, Cal/Mag, Vitamins B, C and D
Now before I begin let me just say that this is by no means a medical guide. Before taking any supplements you should always consult a medical professional. Well that’s the first disclaimer I’ve ever had to write. Basically what you will find below is information on the supplements, vitamins and protein that I take on a regular basis as I try and meet my health goals (and train for Chicago 2017). These seem to have worked or are working…
Vitamin B – So I’ve been taking Vitamin B for a few years now and the benefits of this one are really tangible. Put aside that a Vitamin B (100 Complex) and two Advil are the cure for just about any hangover, this little Vitamin is also what is used by the dreaded Dr. Bernstein to keep the energy level of it’s patients up while they starve themselves. Now while too much of anything is a bad thing, the right levels of the B Vitamins can have the following benefits:
- Boost Immune System
- Lower Cholesterol
- Can Boost Red Blood Cell Production
- Can Increase Brain Neurotransmitters
Now side effects of too much B can include nausea, committing heart and liver complications and vision problem (oh and neon yellow urine).. Now with all that being said, if you watch your intake, you can reap a large amount of benefits from increasing your B intake. You don’t really have to worry about taking too much (as long as you are sensible) because this little miracle is a water soluble vitamin and the body can flush it fairly easily during urination (note the neon yellow from above).
Vitamin C – Good ol’ Vitamin C, the orange juice vitamin. If you want to ward off the pirates worst nightmare (scurvy) then increasing your intake is in your best interest. There are lots of natural sources like oranges (or citrus fruits), but you need to be careful if you are using orange juice as your go to because of the notorious levels of sugar in most store bought varieties. I’ve been using Vitamin C for a number of years in various forms. Usually it’s in pill form, but if I ever feel a cold coming on, I will boost my intake with an effervescent form. The benefits of Vitamin C include:
- Antioxidant That Boosts The Immune System
- Aids in Collagen Formation
Again, don’t get too crazy with the C intake as too much can lead to GI irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, reduced blood pressure and an increase chance of developing kidney stones.
Curcumin/Turmeric – This is a newer one I’ve started taking, mostly because of the drama that has been going on in my knees. Curcumin which is the active ingredient of Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that I’m hoping will take some of the swelling down and make normal day to day a little bit more comfortable. There are lots of conflicting reports on what this one can and can’t do and as of yet there doesn’t seem to be any major study to nail down the benefits. I won’t bore you with the long list as it’s tough without verification. I will say that based on my personal experience, the knee has felt better and mostly pain free. It’s tough to say whether it’s because of this or other factors. Jury’s still out on this one…
MCT Oil – So I’ve already written about MCT Oil here www.bigbrnz.com/2017/03/MCT and as we come to the end of our first bottle, I still have to say that I’m still seeing the benefits. Now the days of absolute clarity (mentally) have been intermittent, but I think that’s more a result of my sleep patterns than anything else. I have had a lot of energy during the day so that still has to be counted as a big win. I think this will become a long term addition to my nutrition plan.
Stay tuned for Part II…
Beez
