Let's talk supplements you take & how much you spent?

[QuarterMillionMan]

I bought a $5.99 bar of Ghiradelli 100% unsweetened cacao chocolate bar the type used for baking from my local grocery store. I broke off a small piece and eat it plain.Pure cacao is rich in flavonoids, which help improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, and enhance nitric oxide production, relaxing blood vessels and supporting heart health. Regular consumption of high-flavanol cacao has been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved blood vessel function, and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

[pacerob]

Magnesium, creatine, D3, fish oil, and taurine support cramps, recovery, mood, and workouts. BetterMe shows corporate wellness boosts fitness, nutrition, and mental health at work, offering personalized plans and tools to make healthy routines easier, reduce stress, and improve overall well‑being.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Natural vitamin D from sunlight I get on average 3 to 5 days a week from going to the beach. I take a magnesium supplement. I take a pinch of Celtic sea salt daily. I plan to take an Omega 3 fish oil pill but I'm allergic to seafood and don't want to risk an allergic reaction. I used to take a lactobacillus probiotic supplement but it didn't seem to do much for me.

[Chevelle72]

You wasted money on a cabinet full of random supplements. I was doing something similar, trying to combine B-vitamins and adaptogens.

I cut out all those separate pills and switched to a single, high-quality nootropic blend instead. I use Mind Lab Pro because it’s caffeine-free, so you skip the energy rushes and crashes, and it keeps my focus smooth all day.

It’s definitely not cheap, but paying for one product that works was better than throwing money away on five that didn't.

[anhtuvp]

I stopped guessing doses after realizing I was double-dosing zinc from different bottles. I’ve been using Menalam to build a plan, get timing reminders, and tweak recs monthly based on how I’m feeling and the labs I upload.

[anhtuvp]

I keep it pretty lean, magnesium glycinate 300 mg at night, fish oil with about 2 g, vitamin D3 2000 IU in winter, creatine monohydrate 5 g daily, and taurine 1 g around workouts. That runs me roughly 50 bucks a month with mid-range brands. Magnesium killed my calf cramps and helped sleep, creatine helps recovery, and D3 keeps my mood steadier when the sun disappears.

[anhtuvp]

I keep it pretty lean, magnesium glycinate 300 mg at night, fish oil with about 2 g, vitamin D3 2000 IU in winter, creatine monohydrate 5 g daily, and taurine 1 g around workouts. That runs me roughly 50 bucks a month with mid-range brands. Magnesium killed my calf cramps and helped sleep, creatine helps recovery, and D3 keeps my mood steadier when the sun disappears.

[pacerob]

I like how you balance meals and helping others, that’s real support. I also try to keep active even when busy, and I found some simple desk exercises that help with energy and posture during the day on BetterMe, they show stretches and moves you can do without leaving your chair.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Cardiac ketone body metabolism

3.2.1 Medium chain triglycerides


Medium chain triglyceride (MCTs) are a family of triacylglycerols containing medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), 6–12 carbon length aliphatic chains, including C6:0 (caproic), C8:0 (caprylic), C10:0 (capric), and C12:0 (lauric) fatty acids. Dietary sources include coconut oil and palm kernel oil. They are absorbed in the portal blood and are freely oxidised for hepatic ketogenesis [166,167]. MCT diets (MCTD) can effectively increase blood ketones levels to 1 to 2 mM in humans [168,169],

Related to the fasting thread, my next supplemental intake may include MCT pills which is made from pure coconut oils which can increase blood ketones levels and promote better mitochondria functioning.

[JoeP]

My take on multivitamins is a one/daily can't really hurt if your doctor doesn't see any harm either. I also don't understand the people who take handfuls of supplements unless they've identified a specific deficiency which can't be helped through a nutritious diet. Other than my vitamin, I don't want to be on any pills. When I get put on a pill for something, the goal is to fix whatever is wrong and get off that pill as quickly as possible.

Same here. If you have a deficiency or condition where your body cannot extract or synthesize critical nutrients, then a doctor would be the one to address this through diet, supplement, or medication. When I go down the supplement aisle at a supermarket, I'm blown away by the quantity and price of choices. Without exaggeration, I'd estimate my local Wegmans has well over 700 different supplements to choose from.

[ua_guy]

My take on multivitamins is a one/daily can't really hurt if your doctor doesn't see any harm either. I also don't understand the people who take handfuls of supplements unless they've identified a specific deficiency which can't be helped through a nutritious diet. Other than my vitamin, I don't want to be on any pills. When I get put on a pill for something, the goal is to fix whatever is wrong and get off that pill as quickly as possible.

[myrdale]

I hesitate to think how much of this is real and how much is psychosomatic.

I think alot of it is.

I've given the example of my cousin who I watched her vitamin routine years ago. She takes on the order of twenty different pills every day. Seventy five percent of those could be eliminated with a single good multi vitamin.

I think Omega 3 vitamins are great for you. But do I want to take a handful every day or make it a point to eat salmon at least once a week instead.

[JoeP]

The only supplement I take is a multivitamin every morning. I trust my annual bloodwork provides my doctor with the data needed for him to make recommendations. I honestly feel less than half my age, and ache only after extended physical activity.

A friend of mine (very active retired with aches and pains) is on a kick to try pretty much anything anyone recommends. He even showed me a product he gets through a guy through another guy, supposed to be some sort of miracle supplement that cures all kinds of issues: inflammation, sore joints, back pain, etc. It came in a sophisticated box that looked medical and important. He said it worked great and that even his doctor said it was ok to take. My guess is that it is mostly OTC pain reliever mixed with a few herbs. I hesitate to think how much of this is real and how much is psychosomatic.

[myrdale]

I'm grateful to still be able to answer no, not an issue.

My understanding was it is strikingly proportional to age. 20% of men in their 20's, 50% of men in their 50's, 70% of men in their 70's.

Diet, lifestyle, and overall activeness are the best to reduce / reverse effects. Walking and jogging being high on the list.

[myrdale]

You probably have to have a Zoom call with a licensed prescriber. They can't just sell prescription meds outright.

Then again he could just pick them up from a corner store in TJ.