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Good, simple advice re: Supplements

post #1 of 31
Thread Starter 
Here is some good and simple advice for those looking at supplements. Most of them do very little to help you. Eat healthy and balanced meals and you have little need for supplements.

The supplements that work best are either illegal (steriods, etc.) or mess up your body (NO-Xplode).

Very few people actually eat properly, and for those who do, many don't eat properly on a consistent basis. You will gain fair more in health, muscle, etc. by improving your diet and exercise routine than you will from any legal and safe supplement.

I know you, reader, probably don't want to hear this, but it is the truth. Everyone wants that "supplement," that one (or more) thing that boosts their energy or strength. Trust me, you are largely wasting your time and money and possibly your health.

The few things that people should consider are the following. First, if you have a difficult time eating properly, then consider a multi-vitamin. However, if you do eat properly, then a multi does little good for you.

Second, it is helpful to supplement your protein intake with a protein supplement. However, don't overdo it. Anything more than one gram of protein per pound of bodyweight is a waste. Also, don't consume more than 40 grams in a two hour period -- your body won't process the extra.

Third, if you really must use a "supplement" (as most people think of it), you can give creatine a shot. It does work, but only marginally. Make sure you don't overdo it, drink lots of water (and don't drink alcohol), and cycle it properly. And, don't use it when you are within the first 6 months of starting a workout regime or already making good gains. It works best to help your body break through plateaus.

I hope this helps you all.

Crucial Stats:
6'4"
240 lbs
47" Chest
36" Waist
19.25 Biceps (okay, okay, that is my right arm, my left is 18.75)
Max Bench -- 435 lbs (well, right now its probably only 425)
post #2 of 31
post #3 of 31
out of curiosity, how exactly does NO-Xplode "mess up" your body?
post #4 of 31
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by js4design View Post
out of curiosity, how exactly does NO-Xplode "mess up" your body?

It can seriously mess up your liver. A number of people have reported this, and it did it to me as well. I was actually getting really good results with it. So, I was thinking, "wow, I've found something that actually works." After finishing a cycle, I decided to research it more to make sure it was safe (like Creatine for example). Well, I found a number of people who reported liver problems while on it. Concerned, I had a liver test and sure enough my liver was all out of whack. Once I had been off of it for about a month, then my liver test came back normal. Of course, this may not happen to everyone. But, as I've said before, it seems, unfortunately, that the supplements that actually work are the ones most likely to harm your body.
post #5 of 31
wow, i had not heard that. thatnks for the quick response though. i did some research on it before i started using it but admittedly i did more investigating into whether it worked or not. i'm actually taking it right now but once i finish what i bought i think i'll switch to something else. it hasn't worked all that well, i haven't gotten the rush people have described, but part of that is i'm relatively unaffected by caffeine. i had good results in college stacking NO2 and basic creatine, perhaps i'll go back to that...
post #6 of 31
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by js4design View Post
wow, i had not heard that. thatnks for the quick response though. i did some research on it before i started using it but admittedly i did more investigating into whether it worked or not. i'm actually taking it right now but once i finish what i bought i think i'll switch to something else. it hasn't worked all that well, i haven't gotten the rush people have described, but part of that is i'm relatively unaffected by caffeine. i had good results in college stacking NO2 and basic creatine, perhaps i'll go back to that...

Yah, granted though, it may not affect everyone the same way. But, once I found out my liver results, I never went back -- despite the fact it worked well for me.
post #7 of 31
Thanks for the tips, I've seen many examples of people that don't take any supplements, not even whey and make impressive gains just by having a constant good diet.
post #8 of 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by oxide View Post
Couldn't help it:

Single?

I hope he crushes you like a bug for making that scurrilous remark.
post #9 of 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by magogian12345 View Post
Third, if you really must use a "supplement" (as most people think of it), you can give creatine a shot. It does work, but only marginally. Make sure you don't overdo it, drink lots of water (and don't drink alcohol), and cycle it properly. And, don't use it when you are within the first 6 months of starting a workout regime or already making good gains. It works best to help your body break through plateaus.

I would add avoid diuretics like coffee or tea too.
Not sure about cycling. I thought that myth was gone together with loading.
post #10 of 31
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by beasty View Post
I would add avoid diuretics like coffee or tea too.
Not sure about cycling. I thought that myth was gone together with loading.

Cycling is useful to give your body a break, in particular your liver. Many supplements such as creatine strain your liver, and cycling the creatine permits safer long use term.
post #11 of 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by magogian12345 View Post
Cycling is useful to give your body a break, in particular your liver. Many supplements such as creatine strain your liver, and cycling the creatine permits safer long use term.
No it doesn't. It could strain the kidneys if anything, and cycling creatine is retarded. Go back to the gym.
post #12 of 31
ah, the inevitable beasty and why thread highjack. i'm just surprised it almost took 17 hours.
post #13 of 31
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by js4design View Post
ah, the inevitable beasty and why thread highjack. i'm just surprised it almost took 17 hours.

Ah, thanks, I wasn't aware of their rep. I'll just ignore them.

If anyone else has any legitimate questions or comments, I'd be happy to discuss them with you.
post #14 of 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by magogian12345 View Post
Ah, thanks, I wasn't aware of their rep. I'll just ignore them. If anyone else has any legitimate questions or comments, I'd be happy to discuss them with you.
So how does creatine 'mess up' the liver? I'd consider that a legitimate comment. Likewise, how does NO-Xplode 'mess up' the liver?
post #15 of 31
Quote:
Originally Posted by magogian12345 View Post
First, if you have a difficult time eating properly, then consider a multi-vitamin. However, if you do eat properly, then a multi does little good for you.

If your an intensive athlete, no matter how great your eating habits are, you will never be able to take in enough full-range of vitamins. EVERYONE needs to take multi-vitamins. Your body will never be able to take in the sufficient amount that it needs just from the food you eat.
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