How many if any of you guys take supplements to help reach your goals? Anyone take ZMA, either the product or the individual components (zinc, magnesium and Vitamin B6) or take any Testosterone boosters? I know that some of the older guys I know(including my dad) are going to start taking it because of numerous factors, sleep and energy being the biggest two. I am awaiting Animal’s Test stak to force gains and growth because I cannot seem to grow muscle because of my current job (mover). I also take Animal’s Pak and whey protein. I work out and have seen strength gains but want to add a little more lean mass but stay dense. There was a point where I tried to go the all natural way but it was difficult to get the calories I needed and frankly taking things like the Pak or other multivitamins provides you with more than enough BCAA’s and Omega’s, and someone would be hard pressed to eat enough food to get the same amount. Also, there are test supps that do not need to be taken with Milk Thistle to negate the side effects on ones liver like other Anabolics give. So who takes what?
I’ve been taking vitamin C and D, multivitamin, and fish oil for a while now and it’s quite good for my goals of increasing energy, alertness, and memory.
I too take the above combo. Greens with every meal and Metamucil@ 31 for the win.
Really reluctant to start anything else. Not for awhile anyway.
I take over the counter pro-hormones. The ones available today have effects that rival injectable steroids and are safe if used properly.
What are they if I may ask, I was thinking of going with some Pro-hormones but decided on the Test stak first.
Metamucil
multi vitamin
garlic oil
fish oil
whey protein
NO shotgun, but will start rolling my own pre work outs with caffeine and creatine.
thats it.
I see quite a bit here take Metamucil, how do you guys like it? I’ve taken advocare fiber before but only for a cleanse.
Right now I take Anabolic Technologies “Xtreme Mass” and intend to follow that up with their “Xtreme DMZ”. Goofy names I know, but they work. If your a newcomer, the first of the two will put about 10 pounds on you in 2 weeks if you lift regularly and eat half decent. The person I buy from is a trusted friend who is an ex-bodybuilder that owns his own supplement store. He is also a fanatic about having the best new product on his shelves and researches everything. Plus I’ve been doing this myself for quite a while.
As far as the specifics, pro-hormones are supplements that convert to testosterone in the body. This article is over 3 years old but still a good read. Keep in mind that even better products, such as the above, are available today.
I work as a mail-handler + lifting with the 5-3-1 program + muay thai and a little BJJ so I’m always trying to maintain weight and preserve my joints (knees especially) at the same time.
Daily:
Universal “Real Gains”- basically a protein shake with a bunch of calories
Glucosamine chondroitin
Fish oil capsule
Sometimes:
Zinc
Iron
Melatonin for when I need to fix my sleeping schedule (work grave yard so…)
Creatine
Glutamine
This is of course in addition to eating about 5-6 meals a day consisting of chicken most of the time. If anyone has good skinless chicken thigh recipes, let me know. 
Unfortunately I wish I was still a newbie because I could benefit from the new gains! Also unfortunately I eat about as clean as possible, if you can kill it or grow it you can eat it is my mantra. I’m going to look into those pro-h’s after my test stak.
Jack3d before the gym, Cellmass immediately afterwards and Monster Milk before bed. I’m changing the Cellmass to regular creatine monohydrate.
I use it for cholesterol. Taste good and keeps you regular.
This is the combination that I started taking after reading an article in Muscular Development magazine. I researched the effects of each prior to their use.
ISA-TEST or similar
BCAAs
Omega 3
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
L-Arginine
Methyl 1-Test
Creatine
Whey protein
Cassien protein
Milk thistle
Good multi vitamin
These were staged through the day. I was taking quite a few pills a day with this routine but I did notice that I had great strength gains, some lean muscle gain, plenty of energy and felt great everyday (after taking them!).
I was going to the ‘gunshop’ everyday and running 5 days a week. I started at a weight of around 190 and ended up at 205.
I knew that with my aerobic training I was eating into my muscle gains but it was a necessity at the time.
I wish I still had the article.
Jason,
Once you stopped taking this supplement stack did you keep your gains? Did you notice that you “crashed” and lost some energy, etc?
As long as one uses a proper Post Cycle Therapy, continues working out hard and eats properly there is no reason that the majority of the gains from a prohormone cycle cannot be kept.
ZMA-I like the stuff but is a PITA to avoid dairy before bedtime. Wild dreams on it though.
Current Supps:
Whey
Casien
Multi vit
caffeine free NOS/creatine type product
Anabolic Extreme “Rampage” when stim needed
Daily I use the following:
NOW Adam multi-vite
Fish oil- spread out through the day with meals
Whey protein
casein protein
Scivation Xtend during and after a workout. Really helps with soreness and recovery for me.
I’ll mix in some extra Ester-C now and then depending on what i’ve been eating.
[ul]
[li]Multivitamin
[/li][li]Creatine monohydrate (micronized)
[/li][li]Fish oil capsules
[/li][li]Whey
[/li][/ul]
“Raw One” daily multivitamin, and half dose of Glucosamine. I am not trying to get jacked, just fit, so I stay away from those types of supplements since my diet has more than enough protein.
I found out a short while ago, I was lactose intolerant. Cutting out all milk and cheese, and whey protein, noticed a big (actually HUGE) difference in my bowel movements.
Do those, who listed Metamucil, take it to counterbalance the effect that whey protein has on the digestive system?
I’ve been trying to add some bulk lately and went back to eating a tuna sandwich as a mid-afternoon snack each day. I started researching how much tuna is safe to eat (two cans a week of light tuna, for my body weight) due to high levels of mercury. Since I was eating a can a day, this got me a little concerned. I’ve also read some reports of protein powders containing heavy metals.
I starting looking for ways to flush heavy metals, particularly mercury, out of my body. I came across Kyolic aged garlic extract, and was impressed by what I read. It is supposedly a great supplement that not only detoxes your body, but lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increases your immune system. KAGE, unlike most supplements, has been studied extensively by the scientific community. Anyway, I’ve added both it and Chlorella to help flush out heavy metals.
DYODD before taking KAGE, as I’m not sure it’s for everyone. Also, I have not actually read any of these studies, so it could just be hype. However, garlic has a rich history of being used for its healing properties. I figure it’s all natural and won’t hurt me, so why not.
P.S. - Between the GOM leak, and all the Corexit they dumped in the gulf, Fukushima Daiichi dumping radiactive water, and high levels of mercury in large fish, I think I’m done eating most fish and seafood.