Supplements

Here are two supplements which I take daily as I consider them necessities in my diet:

Glutamine - In human blood it is the most abundant free amino acid. The most glutamine producing tissue is muscle mass. Glutamine is also being tested as an anti-cancer drug. It is also known for reducing healing time after surgery. Glutamine is the most abundant natural amino acid in the human body. It is found in blood and also stored in skeletal muscles. The Liquicap I take delivers glutamine in a PH altered AKG form that bypasses the stomach and goes directly into the bloodstream for 7 times the potency. Glutamine is depleted by heavy training and stress.

Recovery AKG (Glutamine) - by Body Fuel. There are 180 capsules which is good for a month and a half (45 days). These you take 2 in the morning and 2 at night before going to bed.

Vitamins - Vitamins are essential to good health. It is important to take a daily supplement which contains: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, trace minerals, and other micronutrients. I take Liquicaps because they are convenient to take and offer superior absorption. Good vitamins will increase energy levels, maintain lean mass, and increase muscle recovery and regeneration.

FYI, with the vitamins there really is no such thing as a men and woman vitamin. Both require the same amino acids, nutrients, vitamins...etc. Man and woman vitamins from my research has been more of a marketing angle used.

Natural Selection - by Body Fuel. There is a 180 capsules which is a one month supply. It seems like a lot of pills but that is because you have to take 3 pills in the morning and 3 at night before bed. All the research I have done, I found that it is impossible to get all the essentials via one pill. Dry pills break down the potency of some crucial amino acids and nutrients and the same goes for water based vitamins. These pills are Liquicaps which combine a powder base and Flax Seed Oil which is able to suspend the nutrients without breaking down those vital nutrients.

It's amazing what these two pills alone have done for me. I noticed my recovery time after work-outs is near zero. I am able to build muscle faster and get stronger with less effort. I don't tire as much during my work-outs. I also have lots more energy and much more alert to get me through my days.

Angelina started taking my pills also and she too says that she isn't sore anymore after work-outs and she has been able to lift almost 2x as much weight as before taking supplements.

Here are two optional supplements I take only when working out and trying to build muscle:

Creatine - It is obviously the most talked about supplement out there. Creatine Monohydrate helps you get stronger when combined with lifting weights and improves endurance. Creatine Monohydrate is naturally unstable when it comes into contact with water. It actually creates a byproduct called creatinine, this is what causes stomach cramps during the middle of an intense workout. Scientists discovered that this is due to a low PH level. Once they raised the PH level to 12 the breakdown into creatinine is virtually non-existent. A good creatine product will not cause you to bloat either.

Protein - I use a protein which is low in calories and uses a multi-source blend of protein to release a steady supply of protein to your body.

There is a local place I buy all my products from which cost half as much as your would pay at GNC and have far superior products. Here are the prices I pay so you have an idea of what I spend:

Glutamine (180 capsules - 1.5 month supply) - $44
Vitamins (180 capsules - 1 month supply) - $32
Creatine (120 capsules - 60-120 workouts) - $34
Protein (2lbs - 30 workouts) - $34

I buy all my supplements from Nutrition Zone. The guys there are all nutritionists and know their stuff! Their prices are the lowest that I have been able to find since they don't advertise. All their sales are made online and word of mouth. They are also not bound by any contracts to push certain products. Here is their website:

http://nutritionzoneonline.com

She actually got me back into taking Fatty Acids. These are your Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 (Fish Oil). The one she takes is called EFA Complete, also by Body Fuel. She takes this because she is concerned about her skin, eyes, nails etc. These are basically the good fatty acids in your diet. I remember at SDSU they referred to these as similar to oil in your car. It keeps things lubricated and functioning properly.

There is one supplement that Angelina takes that I don't:

She cycles on and off from time to time with a supplement called Purify. I haven't ever found a need to "detox" my body but they say it is good to do once in a while. Females are more likely to "purify" because it reduces bloating, reduces water retention and gets rid of some of the "soft" around the stomach area because it cleans out your small intestine, large intestine and colon.

Hope all this stuff helps and doesn't confuse.