Supplements

I had at least 3 pages of this blog typed and ready to publish earlier-- Google supposedly saved it, but when I went to publish it nothing happened. Leaving the page erased everything. Now I start over, briefly...

Food is the foundation. Supplements are supports as the house gets bigger. Easy enough?
Supplements are the concentrates of substances in food that research (sometimes) can back up to have a certain effect on us. The problem is in finding what you might need, and if the source is reliable.
I have been down this road so often. I don't ever find a magic bullet, but I do get better at shopping. Unfortunately, the companies get better at marketing.

I don't want to be taking a tackle box full of pills every day along with multiple cups of powders. I don't want to be ruled by my supplements-- I want them to do something for me for an immediate goal (or a long one if they can). People use energy drinks for immediate energy (like coffee has always been good for)-- they can be thought of as supplements-- and pricey ones at that. They are only to supplement the food that I eat, and the food I don't eat (some I can't get or afford).

Here are the supplements I currently take, and yet I may change soon.
Be advised that this has been an ongoing process to find what works for me. I am still not finished, and I don't by any means feel that I have reached the ultimate lineup. When I can have a company easily test me and cater a supplement concoction to my biology, then I will be in nirvana. Until then, this is what my research has done for me.

I also want to mention that I take supplements at times based upon my research and trial and error. I occasionally hear differently, but for the most part I am spot on with my scheduling.

A.M.

Legion Whey +
Bronsons Krill Oil

Dr. Langer's 16 strain probiotic
Ginger/Turmeric

Preworkout

Legion Pulse (1/2 serving)

Postworkout

Legion Whey +,
Muscletech Platinum Creatine,
Swanson Ajipure L-Glutamine,
Now Foods Buffered Vit. C

PM

Amazing Grass Drink Mix
Bronson Vit. D


Misc. supplements I sometimes add in:

All Day You May BCAAs
Now Foods ZMA

Supplements I have on order that will sub out some above:

MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate
                  L-Glutamine
                  Vit. C
Labrada Fermented BCAAs



Yes, I am a fan of the post workout protein shake. I am a fan of probiotics and digestive aids as well. I have digestive enzymes for larger meals, and I may be adding more probiotics to my diet (although I have yogurt everyday as well as take my Langers pill).

I was told to take more L-Glutamine --upwards of 20 grams, as well as to take creatine preworkout. I don't want to push it with the supplements-- I still eat quite a bit of food (at least 3000 calories a day). As I push beyond 180lbs, I will be adding another meal and possibly double up my doses of certain things. My fear is to become someone who "has" to have certain substances to remain at a certain size. I understand the food, but the "full" feeling is something that drives many lifters to take blood volumizers throughout the day (as well as many illegal substances). I want to give my body a break now and then, and as I mentioned previously, some of the things I take will lose efficacy once my body gets accustomed to it. Such is the game of supplements...do they work and our bodies change, or are we tricking ourselves into a placebo effect?

If I can recover for the next workout and still increase weight (improve), then I will keep doing what I am doing.

The questioning Highlander.