Vegetables.

This. Its the boring answer, but its the truth. Don't waste your money on vitamin pills. Worthless.

I shop around every time I buy something, and usually I buy in bulk. I stick with brands that are known rather than whatever is cheapest out there (Optimum Nutrition is my go-to for most "suppliment" stuff). For example, the last few times it has been cheaper for me to get whey protein from Amazon & have it delivered in 2 days free with Prime than it would be for me to go to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe.

For other more specialized things like Base Amino, I look at my local tri shop & usually can get a discount through my club so I get it cheaper there than if I ordered it direct from Base.

Be sure to research your supplements. The smart ass "eat your veggies" replies aren't entirely wrong, but there are certainly cases where a powder or pill is just as good and a lot more convenient than eating a bag of beets.

I love roasted beets with a little balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese.

I have been moving more and more to bulksupplements via Amazon. You can save a fortune buying in raw bulk, but to keep the time it takes to measure the stuff and keep the raw ingredients as fresh as possible I do a big batch of my own personal stuff and put in 2oz Nalgene Containers. If you don't have the time, and you have the money, just buy capsules. Like everything that it is DIY, there is opportunity for huge savings but it takes some time. In addition, it is interesting to see what the raw ingredients look like and actually gives me greater confidence in the product. Instead of some substance being in a capsule you get a feeling for exactly what each raw ingredient is and what it should look like.

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Any nutritionist and all research shows supplements to be a total waste of money for otherwise healthy athletes. So save your $$. Eat real food, fruits, veggies, and you won't need supplements. No pill, no powders, no bars necessary.

Triathletes thinking they need supplements are simply being duped by great marketing.

BrokenSpoke

Same. All I buy is a optimum nutrition recovery drink. 2x containers are on a once a month auto delivery from Amazon.

And I agree with the whole foods approach too, this recovery drink is just so convenient. And delicious.

Save your money and eat meat, fish and vegetables. You will be healthier than ever.

Hello ironmuffin and All,


Taking vitamins is a personal prejudice of mine ... not entirely rationally defensible .....

My mom and dad fed us cod liver oil, vitamins, and fresh vegetables and meat from our land (we had a garden, fowl, rabbits, goats, and a cow).

She lived to be 99+ (in good health) and I have not found any good reason to behave differently.


https://www.amazon.com/...%2Bvitamins&th=1



Fish oil capsules (spit out the capsules after getting the oil) and flax oil capsules from Costco.

I take 3 fish oil capsules daily plus one flax oil capsule. (It should be noted that for me it markedly reduces the clotting effect of my blood.)

Probiotics from Amazon ..... might be wasting my money as stomach acid probably kills most of it ......

Some studies show supplemental vitamins may not be necessary or even harmful:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/...articles/PMC3309636/

and others:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28792457

Excerpt:

"Except for calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, most frequent MVMS use (≥21 days/30 days) virtually eliminated inadequacies of the nutrients examined, and was associated with significantly lower odds ratios of deficiency for the examined nutrient biomarkers except for iron. In conclusion, among U.S. adults, MVMS use is associated with decreased micronutrient inadequacies, intakes slightly exceeding the UL for a few nutrients, and a lower risk of nutrient deficiencies.

So: 'You pays your money and takes your chances'. [apologies to Punch]

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Cheers, Neal

+1 mph Faster

True on the vegetables, however these have been great for me.

https://mushroomscience.com/cordyceps-cs-4/


https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/rhodiola-500-mg-veg-capsules

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Tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do.

I take a fiber gummy because I eat so much shit after I train half the time I cant shit.

I think the better question is "are there supplements/vitamins" worth taking (some replies seem to address that). Then, if they are worth taking, in what form and what are good brands. Then we finally get to the "where".

I'll contribute my answers.

Vitamins:

As other replies suggest, a good diet is the best place to get most vitamins. More importantly a lot of supplements also provide one or more vitamins, so be careful not to overdose or waste your money.

Supplements:

I've mixed and matched tons of supplements, brands etc. over the years as I come from bodybuilding - the very den of supplementation. 99% of blends do not provide the benefits you would seek in that field. No studies ever support a blend to the point where you are sure, and probably never will. You need to figure out what you're after, and target the raw materials that science would suggest could be beneficial. There needs to be a reason why you pick a particular supplement. Then you need to decide if it impacts your performance, because everyone's biology is different. And if it doesn't work for you, then you should fail early. Another important point is that if you provide your body with something it naturally produces, it may slow down its production of said thing, because your body is constantly measuring its chemistry.

My current stack includes the following, focusing on joint health, energy and weight loss. Oh... and I buy everything on Amazon.

1. In liquid form: Glucosamine (with MSM & Chondrotin) because it helps my joints without question. Pill form does nothing. It's also very benign... you basically can't hurt yourself taking it. No observable "stimulation" of the sense is another benefit.

2. In liquid form: Hyaluronic acid because its found in joints, connective tissue and other areas of the body. No observable "stimulation" of the sense is another benefit.

3. In liquid form: L-Carnatine not just for the energy boost for workouts (if you workout...no boost if you don't) but also because of the weight loss benefits. No observable "stimulation" of the sense is another benefit.

4. In liquid form: Acetyl L-Carnatine targets and feeds the brain (acetyl form provide the ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier). mmm...brain loves it. No observable "stimulation" of the sense is another benefit.

5. In liquid form: Forskolin which generally helps with weight loss. In liquid form 15 minutes prior to a meal also curbs appetite. No observable "stimulation" of the sense is another benefit.

6. In power form with milk/coffee: Tumeric. The benefits are endless.

7. In pill form: Omega-3. I'd be surprised if there was an endocrinologist that did not promote Omega 3. Pill form because who wants to drink cod liver oil?

8. In pill form: Cinsulin (basically patented cinnamon extract) with Chromium Picolineat. Weight loss supplement without an observable stimulation.

9. In liquid form: Panang Ginseng (with honey). Amazing qualities all around but I take it to relax the nervous system.

If you are eating turmeric, you should be adding a bit of black pepper to it.

To a certain degree I agree with you. I've tried most multi vitamins and they have done nothing for me. With the exception of when I'm training deep in a training, I need the extra iron and the multi can help with that.


But I do find whey protein powder does wonders for my recovery. I have tried simply having a meal, chocolate milk, etc. but whey protein makes me feel significantly better the next day. I like the flavor as well, and having a sweet tooth, it helps with the sugar cravings. I've found something that actually makes a difference for myself, and I've been tested (on multiple occasions) and passed. So I'll use 2 scoops of whey after a hard ride and it will help me recover for the next day.

If you need some extra iron, eat a ribeye.

It takes more than one meal. I'd rather not eat a rib eye everyday for 10-14 days. I can get prescription drugs to deal with it, but a basic multi with iron works (and is significantly cheaper).

How about a piece of salmon, pork, chicken, shrimp, scallops, or some other animal?

Spinach is also a great source of iron.

Well, it's hard to argue that the bulk of nutrition is best obtain by food. But I do take a multivitamin and just want to point out something about the 'wasting money' part here... Well-known brands of fairly comprehensive multivitamins (you can choose +/- iron, specially designed for geezers like me, etc.) are less than $0.10/day. I agree that if they have *no* value, then a 'waste'. But, c'mon, MFP reports that I don't get enough iron. There are times of year (maybe all year, now that I'm on the trainer so much more than riding outside) when I doubt that I'm getting enough vitamin D. Etc. And the multivitamins provide consistency...my diet isn't the same every day - dairy some days, none other days - animal products some days, none some days - so it makes sense to 'invest' a US dime every day in something that is pretty unlikely to be harmful and probably has some benefit. But am I peeing vitamins into the sewer? Sure.

Just to complete my story - an 81 mg aspirin and a couple of 'tissue rejuvinators' from Hammer, which seem to help a nagging bursitis that ramps up with run intensity/duration. Maybe just placebo, but it seems to help, so I use it during racing and biggish training blocks. That's it.

If you're low on iron then you should see your doctor. And, if he determines you need a supplement he will let you know. More than likely though, he will prescribe eating red meat. Maybe clams and oysters also. You don't need vitamin C to absorb heme iron, and you body will always chose heme over non heme iron if you consume both, because heme is what it wants.

But I agree, there really isn't much wrong with taking a MV especially as we age. Just that there is no way of knowing the ultimate efficacy within our bodies of these supplements.

Ah, doc did not say I'm low iron, but I track intake with My Fitness Pal and am typically 50% of RDA on most days. Fish eating vegetarian, so no prime rib for me!

all of you that eschew multi-vitamins etc in favor of real food, how do you feel about the "powdered greens/superfood" type supplements, that's derived from natural ingredients?
such as this: http://a.co/gdokk4s

What's wrong with just eating green vegetables? Why process it to a powder (often removes natural enzymes), pay more for it and then eat it. It just doesn't make sense but hey, if it floats your boat then go for it.

I either buy from Vitaglo or Amazon, whichever is cheaper.

Often stick with the NOW brand, especially for Whey protein, since I can get the unflavored, which has nothing but protein, no sweeteners or fillers. I just add ovaltine if I want it flavored.

I have seen a doctor and he has prescribed these pills that supplement additional iron. He did say that I could use an iron multi to supplement my daily diet, and if I ever needed to, use my open prescription for the pills.

I'd rather not use the prescribed pills unless need be. The multi seems to get me through most the year.

Booze store. A 6pk or 12 pk helps with recovery.

Gaia Golden Milk

I abhor vegetables, so I mix spirulina, chlorella, and kelp powder all up in some juice and swallow it whole. Also add turmeric and capsaicin and magnesium powders when bothered.

Because they taste nasty, have to be bought often and repeatedly to keep fresh, have to be prepared and cooked, etc., etc.

Ridiculous.

Turmeric needs black pepper for the best effect.

The responses in this thread are typical ST. No one has a clue with the exception of Thomas Gerlach.
A small amount of scientific research can conclude that there are many legal supplements that can give a significant advantage ...bordering on the benefit of many illegal substances. Bulksupplements which Thomas Gerlach mentioned has many of them.
You will need to do the research.

I like a spicy eggplant or maybe some Sweet 100 tomatoes picked from the backyard for a snack.

There is a so-called "Köllner Liste" (in German) which lists brands which have been tested for contamination (with doping relevant residues). It appears that packaging is expensive and this is often done by third parties (who package all kind of drugs) which are not controlled by the manufacturer of the product which is packaged.
Often these products on the "Köllner Liste" are a bit more expensive (like Powerbar) but I think it's worth it.

Yep! Also helps with the taste a bit, in my opinion.

Thanks for this tip and link. First time I have heard of this and a lot of items listed. I see several things that interests me.
I typically purchase from either Amazon using prime free shipping or buy local at the Vitamin Shoppe.

The only one I have been taking regularly is Salt Stick. Prior to starting my swim workouts would end when I started cramping and I got lots of micro twitches in my legs after runs. Since starting the Salt Sticks both issues have gone away. I just down a couple before my workouts since I'm focused on Sprint distance right now so don't need to take them throughout the workout.

I bought my current bottle at the LBS, but will probably look at Amazon in the future.

I find the sweet spot to buy somewhere around 500grams to 1 kg. Obviously I want it to be fresh as well. I'll put it in a Ziplock freezer bag as an extra source of protection. Definitely good prices if you are a DIYer type of person and don't mind scooping things.

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Ah ... the ol' "Booty Lock"

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

A lot of all or nothing replies. From supplements/vitamins are worthless to they are nearly as good as banned substances - neither is true.

Should you try to eat a healthy diet, which will provide you with lots of nutrients? Sure. But supplements can be a practical solution, and are no worse. For example I don't like fish, why force feed myself something I don't enjoy when I can just take a fish oil tablet each morning to get a sufficiently high dose of omega fatty acids?

I use whey protein powder because it's so convenient and a fantastic source of protein.

I use glucose and fructose powders to make my carbohydrate drinks. Of course I could (and do) eat solids too, but liquid carbs are convenient and just as good for performance.

For people living in places with harsh winters vitamin D supplementation is often necessary as they are not getting enough sunlight.

I've taken Athletic Greens for years

All Star Health

I get most of my supplements from a locally sourced guy. He runs an “authentic Mexican food truck”, which coincidentally happens to sell my favorite food: offal burritos from uncastrated boars. They are delicious, smell nice, super appetizing. Sometimes he sells me “Spanish steaks” which have really improved my asthma, strangely enough.