Supplements - To take or not to take?
Hi guys,
Before you begin reading I want to make it clear to you that this particular article is written with the everyday warrior in mind. Elite athletes or people with special needs are a different kettle of fish.
These days we are bombarded with new products and the promises that come with them. Whether it be to ‘blast fat’,’ build muscle’ or ‘get a 6 pack in 6 weeks’. It’s important to be sceptical when it comes to the supplement industry because in all honesty there is a lot of crap out there!
Do we need to be taking supplements to lead a healthy life? No, not in an ideal world . Is the world always ideal? Not in my experience. I don’t know about you but my life keeps getting busier and busier. I work 80+ hours a week, am training for a marathon and starting back at uni next week. Am I going to sacrifice my sleep in order to have a sit down breakfast? HELL NO, not when I’m waking up at 4:15 as it is! So instead I’ll have a meal replacement shake. It takes me two seconds to make and around the same time to consume. Do I need to take it? No, but it’s convenient and works in with my lifestyle. Similarly I personally find it hard to eat enough fruit and vegetables consistently every day so I take a multi-vitamin. Is a multi-vitamin essential to good health? Not if you eat a wide range of fresh healthy foods consistently every day, but if like me your life gets in the way sometimes, then go for it. Does this mean you give up on fruit and veggies completely? No, but it will help you on the days that aren’t so good.
The problem with most people and their use of supplements is that we tend to take them because they promise an easier way. An easier option that unfortunately modern day society has moulded us into believing and often accepting. I see it every day, people come to me saying they’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. When they say everything, really they’ve tried the easiest options such as pills or fad diets and have come to the realisation that maybe it’s not that easy. Maybe you can relate to this. At the end of the day nothing replaces good nutrition, a wide range of fresh foods, consumed regularly throughout the day. Unfortunately our lives don’t always allow for this and in those circumstances supplementation is often a good alternative. Just remember to be sceptical next time you see that big promise on the bottle of funny coloured pills.
This article is general in nature so if you have any more specific questions feel free to post them in the comments. Also if you have any ideas for another article put it in the comment as well!
Dedicated to your health and fitness,
Jacob Mcluskie
