A Beginners Guide To Supplements

When I first started taking supplements, I didn’t know where to start. Through a lot of trial and error I found what works best for me. With that said, I am writing this blog post a beginners guide to supplements as a helpful resource. For anyone who might want to start taking supplements, but doesn’t know where to start. Below I am going to break down what a supplement is, when to take them, and share the basic supplements that I think are essential to a supplement regime. If you are just starting out.

What is a Supplement?

A supplement is something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. With that said, supplements are not necessary if you eat a balanced diet. If you do not eat a balance diet, then you can take supplements to help complete your diet. If you do eat a balanced diet, you can take supplements to enhance your diet.

When to take supplements?

Always take your supplements according to the directions on the label.

However, in my opinion if you are going to take supplements. Do not take supplements on an empty stomach. I would recommend taking supplements after eating a meal. You could get an upset stomach, if you take supplements on an empty stomach. Depending on what they are, some supplements can be taken on an empty stomach.

Supplement Recommendations

Below I have listed a beginners guide to supplements. The supplements that I highly recommend and think are essential to a supplement regime. If you are just starting out.

Multivitamin

A multivitamin is a supplement that contains a combination of vitamins and minerals that help our bodies function properly. Taking a multivitamin could help fill any gaps in your diet where you might not be getting the necessary nutrients that your body needs. There are a variety of multivitamins that you can take. I personally like to take a gummy multivitamin, Nature’s Way Alive Women’s Gummy Vitamins. It makes taking my vitamins more enjoyable, curbs my sweet tooth, and tastes great.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 helps support a healthy immune system, strong bones and teeth, not to mention nerve and muscle function. Your body can produce vitamin d when your skin is exposed to sunlight. However, it can be difficult to get outdoors when you are indoors majority of the time and or if you live up north during the winter months. I like to take Solgar’s Vitamin D3 because their vitamins are non GMO, gluten free, and dairy free.

Fish Oil

Fish Oil is a dietary supplement that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help reduce inflammation in the body, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risks of heart attacks and strokes. If you eat a balanced diet, that includes eating fish multiple times a week. Taking a fish oil supplement may not be necessary. Fish oil supplements come in liquid, capsule, and pill form. I like to take Solgar’s Omega 3 Fish Oil. Again, because their vitamins are non GMO, gluten free, and dairy free.

Protein

A protein supplement is one of the most popular and nutritional supplements. Protein supplements help build and repair tissue, aid in weight loss, and lean muscle development. There is a wide variety of protein supplements that you can choose from whey, casein, egg, pea, hemp, brown rice, and mixed plant proteins. If you weight train, I highly recommend you take a protein supplement. I take 1 Up Nutrition’s Vegan Protein. My favorite flavors are Peanut Butter and Caramel Toffee Macchiato.

Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s)

Branch chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine) are essential amino acids. BCAA’s increase muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, and reduce muscle fatigue. Our bodies produce some branch chain amino acids. However, there are some that our bodies can’t produce that have to come from our diet and or supplements. If you exercise regularly, I highly recommend you include BCAA’s in your supplement regime. I take 1 Up Nutrition’s Vegan BCAA’s. Peach guava is my favorite flavor.

I use a shaker bottle to drink both my BCAA’s and Protein supplement. Since I take both in powdered form. I like to use 1 Up Nutrition’s Shaker Bottle that has a storage compartment in the bottom. I use the main compartment for my BCAA’s and I use the storage compartment for my protein powder. During my workout, I will drink my BCAA’s during from the main compartment. Once I have finished drinking the BCAA’s. I will refill the main compartment with water and pour the protein powder from the storage compartment in to drink after my workout.

1 Up Nutrition

1 Up Nutrition is a supplement company based in Miami, Florida. I have been taking their supplements for years. As a 1 Up Nutrition Ambassador you can use my code “Nohemy20” for 20% OFF your entire order at 1upnutrition.com They have a variety of supplements that you can choose from for both men and women.

Disclaimer

Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies that I am either currently using, or have used in the past and the income goes to supporting this blog.

Watch On YouTube

I created a YouTube video to compliment this blog post. It’s linked below for you to watch. The video below is a little outdate because I have since updated this blog post. But I thought that I would keep it linked. Because I do still use some of the products that I shared in it as you will see. Don’t forget to “Like” this video and to “Subscribe” to my YouTube channel, so you can see the next video that I will be posting. I upload new videos every Sunday and Thursday.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post, a beginners guide to supplements, and found it helpful. If you have any questions feel free to comment down below. If you take supplements, what supplements do you take and recommend?

A Beginners Guide To Supplements