The Truth about Supplementation Part II

Alright "Crusty"...I didn't forget you...here you go finally!

About a month ago, back on August 24th, I posted an article to which one of the True Way followers, "Crusty," told me to stop teasing everyone and just say which two supplement companies I use.

I got a chuckle out of that one and still do every time I remember his comment, but in all honesty I wasn't trying to "tease" anyone or keep you in suspense.

Besides trying to spread out my posts over the past several weeks so I can finally polish off my first real "book" (more aptly described as a training program, in e-format so you can instantly download it and use it online), I was actually deep in research during all that time.

Believe it or not, I DON'T have it all figured out and I am constantly growing and learning about everything fitness and martial arts related.

I have been intensely researching and comparing information for this book and program design because so much information is out there and much of it's conflicting.

I even found myself reevaluating several of the basic principles I build my nutrition, exercise and supplementation on as I searched for scientific validation and appropriateness of them in a program.

So to make a long story short(er), my research process has taught me a couple main things:

1. The scientific evidence (I'm talking academic, high-level research that isn't tied to some specific company or product where someone stands to profit from the results) has still not proven much of the information we (fitness professionals and the fitness community) shell out as "gospel truth".

2. The best "evidence" we can have right now is through the results we are able to obtain and sustain through individual experience.

In the case of supplementation, scientifically speaking, there have been no significant differences in effectiveness recorded between most multivitamin supplement products.

Classically stated, "a chemical is a chemical."

If one product has vitamins from a "natural" source and is more expensive than the store-brand that just puts in lab-created forms of the vitamins, there hasn't been enough proof that the natural product is any better than the generic store-brand one.

It might be just as effective to buy the cheap generic stuff as it is to get the high-end expensive product promoted as being "all natural" and better than the rest.

Now, there are differences, however, between companies in their level of ethics and delivering on what they say they actually have in the product.

Since the supplement industry is unregulated, there's no governing body that oversees it. In fact, you or I could easily set up our own supplement company and run it from our garage with a few simple household products.  Not too reassuring when we (the consumers) are paying our hard-earned money and putting chemicals into our bodies with faith that what the product label says is really what's inside it.

That's why there can be concerns of product purity (does it have what it says it has in it), potency (does it have the amount necessary to have an effect), toxicity (does it have too large of quantities of the substance to the point that it could be harmful to you) and effectiveness (does it even work in the first place for what you're taking it for).

This is really why you want to find a quality supplement company that considers all those factors.

With all that being said, there are certainly other brands out there that could fit into this category.  I just have two specific ones that I trust and purchase my supplements from, due to the RESULTS I get (myself and my clients), the companies' adherence to GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), their reputation, their regard for each customer's health and their decision to follow science-based, ethical nutrition rather than just jumping onboard with the latest and hottest supplement trends that have no research behind them.

It would be in your best interest to research it all yourself before you make a decision so that you are well informed and confident in your choices, but below are my two favorites (so far):

• Apex Fitness

This is a big, national-level supplement manufacturer that strictly adheres to the guidelines of the FDA.

Apex only accepts the highest quality (purity and potency) products from its manufacturers.  They strive to keep up with all the latest research and findings, while sticking to the basic fundamentals of supplementation.

I have had several years experience with Apex, and overall they have served my nutrition needs and the needs of my clients very well.  To check out the website, go to www.apexfitness.com.

• Prograde Nutrition

This is a smaller, yet quickly growing supplement company that also adheres to “good manufacturing practices.”

I like Prograde because it targets fitness professionals and the clients they serve.  Its leaders are very intent on educating the public about proper nutrition and the role of supplements in an overall fitness program.  They have a no-frills, stick-to-what-works mentality, and they will even tell you if you shouldn’t get a specific product.

I have only recently learned of Prograde over the last year, but the more I learn about the company the more I like it.  Go check it out at www.progradenutrition.com.

I want you to know that yes, I could promote to have you join either one of these companies through me, earning me money with your purchases.

However, I chose not to do that because the point here is to assist you and give you great information, not to be just another person selling you some supplements so I can make a profit off of it.

Fitness is truly a way of life for me, and I want that for you as well.  Learn from my experience in the industry, but don’t think that I just want to line my pocket.

Now, if you decide you still want to get a discount and be associated with me in either one of these companies, simply submit a comment to this article or email me at truewayfitness@gmail.com for more info.  

Ultimately, I think the right supplements from the right company are a great way to assist your training program and to optimize your results. 

Maybe it's no better chemically than a cheaper generic brand, but if you can be assured that they actually put what they're supposed to in it, it may be worth paying the extra.

However, to keep it real, after all this on choosing a quality supplement product and provider, I think the majority of your results are really going to come from two other components of fitness:  your exercise and your nutrition.

The supplements will help fill the gaps for you and ensure you get enough of the vitamins and minerals needed by your body to function and support your physical activity needs, but they are not magic pills that will solve all your fitness problems.

You need a well-rounded program that addresses everything (mental, physical and spiritual health), and supplements are really only about 10% of the picture.

I don't want you to waste your money or to put substances into your body that might be dangerous for you though, so that's why I went into such depth on this topic.

Overall, you need to decide what works for you with regards to supplementation.

I would be happy to answer more questions about supplements, choosing the right products or brands for your needs and how this all should fit into your fitness program.

Hope this answers your question, Crusty.  Please, continue to prod, challenge and coerce me into more details about everything and anything fitness:)

Anyone can (and should) drop me a question, comment, concern or clarification below and we'll continue to search for the "truth about supplementation" as we each embark on The True Way to Fitness path.

Take care, and remember: 

Train your mind, Challenge your body and Unleash your spirit!

Sincerely,

Chad R. Johnson

truewayfitness@gmail.com

PS--Don't forget to check out the You Tube videos (links to the right) and go subscribe to my page (truewayfitness) so you can be updated each time I throw up a few more exercises or Q&A videos on the site.  Look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks and months to come!