Which Supplements Actually Work?

Out of all the fitness books I have read, most of them tell you not to waste your money on expensive and overrated fat burning and muscle building supplements, and to instead buy lots of whole nutritious food, which is the natural way to get lean, increase testosterone and build muscle. I tend to agree. Although if you wave something shinny in pretty packaging in front of my face and tell me it's going to make me look huge and ripped like Gerard Butler in 300 with minimal effort I will stupidly still part with my cash. This has seen me easily spend way too much money over the last 10 years and try every possible product under the sun. But there are a few products out there that do work and are recommended by fitness experts and personal trainers, so let's cut through the crap to identify the ones that do and don't work.

Creatine

What is it? A compound that is found naturally in the body in skeletal muscle, but also in red meats and fish, and as a supplement in pwder or capsule form, predominately in the form of creatine monohydrate.
What does it do? It increases the production of ATP, which is an energy source for musclular contraction within the body.
Does it work? Yes. The is the one supplement that nearly all professional bodybuilders and personal trainers recommend for increases in muscle mass and strength
Where to buy? You can buy creatine just about at any health or vitamin store. You can also buy it online here at Bodybuilding . com Optimum Micronized Creatine Powder, 150 Grams



Fat Burners

What are they? There are so many on the market these days for people looking for quick fixes that it's difficult to summarize what they all are. However generally they are pills or liquids that use various chemicals, both natural and artifical that are reported to aid in fat loss
What do they do? They claim to either raise your metabolism, burn calories, or supress your appetite.
Do they work? Yes and No depending on your goals.  I've tried fat burners like hydroxycut and Lipo 6 but all they did was crack me out like Ramona from The Real Housewives of New York with her crazy saucepan eyes. I may have chewed my mouth apart, however but my social life was never better. There are so many available that some are nothing other than snake oil that promise to delieve but rarely do. Also, they have a tendancy to eat into any of your muscle gains, so if you are trying to build some lean muscle I would advise against purchasing fat burners.
Where to Buy? Don't. Save your money.

Protein Powder

What is it? A form of protein, most commonly in the form of whey protein, that is concentrated into a powder and used pre and post workout
What does it do? When you workout you break down your muscle fibers and tissue, and your body needs protein to repair them. A whey protein powder, particularly whey protein isolate, provides your body with a fast absorbing form of protein to quench your muscle's thirst as quickly as possible.
Does it work? Yes. Just make sure you are getting a good quality protein with minimal fillers or sugar.
Where to buy? Once again at any health or vitamin store. My favorite is Optimum Nutrition Extreme Milk Chocolate which you can buy at bodybuilding . com

Fish Oil

What is it? The majority of fish oil supplements on the market surprisingly do not come from big water fish. They come predominately from smaller mackerel and sardines, which has bee reported to be better because of a lower mercury content in the smaller fish variety.
What does it do? Provides your body with essential Omega 3 fatty acids
Does it work? Yes and No, depending on your goals. The jury is still out on whether it is going to help you gain any substancial muscle mass, but it has been reported that the consumption of Omega 3s does help in fat loss. They do however provide you with a long list of health benefits, so I definitely recommend taking them. I go through about 2 containers a month.
Where to Buy? Practically anywhere or try this product:
Source Naturals Ultra Potency Omega-3 Fish Oil, 120 Softgels

Multivitamin

What is it? Generally a pill or capsule that contain dietary minerals and vitamins.
What does it do? It can help provide the necessary vitamins to individuals who may not be able to obtain their vitamins from food sources.
Do they work? Yes. If you do have a balanced diet, nutritionists say you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. But a good multivitamin will bridge any gaps you may have in your diet.
Where to buy? Once again practically anywhere or you can buy it here online
Millennium Sport MVP-365, 120 Capsules

N02

What is it? It's Nitrogen dioxide and is used by bodybuilders and people wanting to increase their muscle size and pumps at the gym
What does it do? It works by dilating your blood vessels, allowing more blood and oxygen to flow to your muscles and cells.
Does it work? Not sure. There are many supplement companies out there who release articles and advertising saying it will jelp you get bigger, but this has yet to be proven. It will indeed give you an extra pump at the gym, but the long term effects on muscle size or strength have yet to be proven.
Where to buy? I think you should save your money...

L-Glutamine

What is it? It's an amino acid that is most abdundantly found in human muscle and plasma, and is found in supplement form in the way of powder or capsules.
What does it do? It provides a range of health benefits such as supporting a healthy immune system and gastrointestinal tract, but more relevant to you is it's ability to decrease muscle wasting by decreasing cortisol.
Does it work? Depends who you ask, but a lot of fitness professionals and body builders swear by it, and it has been shown in some studies to improve muscle mass, but there is still not enough compelling evidence to give it an absolute "yes" at this stage.
Where to buy?
Optimum Glutamine Powder, 600 Grams

CLA

What is it? Conjugated Linoleic Acid is a fat that is naturally found in the meat and dairy of grass-fed animals, and in capsules in supplement form
What does it do? This is another product with various health benefits, and has even been researched to help fight cancer, but from a fitness perspective has been reported to aid in fat loss and to a lesser degree support muscle mass.
Does it work? Research says yes, however the CLA from natural sources such as  grass fed meat and dairy are apparently more effective.
Where to Buy? Grab yourself a grass fed fillet mignon instead...

Healthy Boy x