Ask me anything about Dietary Supplements!!!

[poedua]

Hi, I'm trying to bulk up. Started from 120 pounds, now up to 134 after 2 months at a gym going 3x a week for weight exercises. Currently not taking any supplements except for the occasional protein bar once every two weeks. I was thinking about buying a gainer like mutant mass to up my calories intake by 1000 per shake since I can barely get to 2000 calories on a daily basis.

Why's that ?

Cause for most folks, it shouldn't be that hard to hit around 3,000+ calories a day without the need of supplements IMO.

[BDSL]

Hi, I'm trying to bulk up. Started from 120 pounds, now up to 134 after 2 months at a gym going 3x a week for weight exercises. Currently not taking any supplements except for the occasional protein bar once every two weeks. I was thinking about buying a gainer like mutant mass to up my calories intake by 1000 per shake since I can barely get to 2000 calories on a daily basis.

You have time to work out 3x a week but don't have time to eat more than 2000 calories on a daily basis?
Eating, say a cup of yogurt, would only take 1-2 mins and would give you 150-200 calories. Can you give yourself 10 minutes a day to eat?

[aznhakkaboi]

Been stuck at the 134 weight mark for a few weeks now. I think it's more so of the lack of desire to eat, so I'm thinking about shakes as shortcuts.

[Sibica]

Hi, I'm trying to bulk up. Started from 120 pounds, now up to 134 after 2 months at a gym going 3x a week for weight exercises. Currently not taking any supplements except for the occasional protein bar once every two weeks. I was thinking about buying a gainer like mutant mass to up my calories intake by 1000 per shake since I can barely get to 2000 calories on a daily basis.

You know very well what people here are going to say about a post like this.

I can eat 2000 calories in one meal without breaking a sweat.

[johncarter02457]

I just love the bodybuilding and i know that dietary plays a vital role if one want to be fit and get lean muscle fit body. So, i have some question regarding the dietary supplements:-

How can I get more information about a particular dietary supplement such as whether it is safe and effective?

Where can I find information about the use of dietary supplements for a particular health condition or disease?

How do I know if the supplement that I purchased contains the ingredients that it claims on the label or if it is contaminated?

[Tijuana]

I just love the bodybuilding and i know that dietary plays a vital role if one want to be fit and get lean muscle fit body. So, i have some question regarding the dietary supplements:-

How can I get more information about a particular dietary supplement such as whether it is safe and effective?

Look up the ingredients and see what dosages are toxic or potentially toxic.

Where can I find information about the use of dietary supplements for a particular health condition or disease?

I don't know of a database but you can check accredited institutions like the American Colletge of Sports medicine, May

How do I know if the supplement that I purchased contains the ingredients that it claims on the label or if it is contaminated?

You don't.... unless you're rich and don't mind spending a few hundred to test each product you use. If you do though... send me a PM

[PR0BLEMZ]

Does anyone know any good whey protein I can use to replace a meal? I have iso burst whey, but I only use it after workouts.

Also, has anyone here tried Shakeology? I want to try it, but the price is just over my budget. Does anyone know anything similar to shakeology that I can buy at GNC or any retail stores?

[burnt_toast]

sorry, thread is too long. so i'll just ask - what are the benefits of ZMA?
thanks

[Cytosol]

Hi Tijuana, I have been scouring the internet for a while without any luck finding an answer to this, so I am hoping maybe you can help out.

I have been going to the gym for the last couple months and not making great gains. I believe my issue is that I haven't been eating enough protein, which brings me to my next problem...

Almost every time I drink a whey protein shake (either mixing in water with a spoon or in a shaker) I end up with brutal heart burn / indigestion. It is often quite excruciating. It waxes and wanes over the course of at least an hour, and virtually no amount of Maalox or pepto-bismol does much to help it. I will often have to go sit in my car at work until it passes, and it's hard to convince myself i'm not having a heart attack!

I've tried 5 or 6 different brands; a few cheapo costco ones as well as more expensive ON nutrition and one or two more I borrowed from friends. They all seem to do the same thing to me. However, when I blend up protein in a shake (with bananas, berries, yogurt, etc.) it doesn't always give me heartburn, but still sometimes does.

I am not lactose intollerant and I almost never get heartburn from any other foods. Have you heard of anything like this, and have any suggestions on what could be done?

I went to GNC and the person there suggested trying a plant-based protein supplement called Vega. I almost crapped myself when I saw the $90 price-tag of a 1lb tub.

Thanks a lot for any advice you or anyone could offer!

[Sibica]

Hi Tijuana, I have been scouring the internet for a while without any luck finding an answer to this, so I am hoping maybe you can help out.

I have been going to the gym for the last couple months and not making great gains. I believe my issue is that I haven't been eating enough protein, which brings me to my next problem...

Almost every time I drink a whey protein shake (either mixing in water with a spoon or in a shaker) I end up with brutal heart burn / indigestion. It is often quite excruciating. It waxes and wanes over the course of at least an hour, and virtually no amount of Maalox or pepto-bismol does much to help it. I will often have to go sit in my car at work until it passes, and it's hard to convince myself i'm not having a heart attack!

I've tried 5 or 6 different brands; a few cheapo costco ones as well as more expensive ON nutrition and one or two more I borrowed from friends. They all seem to do the same thing to me. However, when I blend up protein in a shake (with bananas, berries, yogurt, etc.) it doesn't always give me heartburn, but still sometimes does.

I am not lactose intollerant and I almost never get heartburn from any other foods. Have you heard of anything like this, and have any suggestions on what could be done?

I went to GNC and the person there suggested trying a plant-based protein supplement called Vega. I almost crapped myself when I saw the $90 price-tag of a 1lb tub.

Thanks a lot for any advice you or anyone could offer!

You sound exactly like one of my best friends. He was put on PPI's (proton-pump inhibitors) for nearly 2 years (incidentally, these drugs were only meant to be taken short term yet they are routinely prescribed for long term/life-long use ) and he had to take one tablet a day to keep his reflux at bay. After we got to talking more about it, I convinced him to consider going on a gluten free diet just to see what would happen. I knew exactly what would happen BTW, but trying to convince someone that they are gluten intolerant when they don't necessarily get heartburn from bread for example, is next to impossible. Anyway, long story short, he has been gluten free now for one month, and has taken maybe 3 tablets in that time. To say that he is ecstatic is an understatement.

What happened here? Well, gluten intolerance lead to lack of acid release from cells in the stomach to digest food (the inflammation from the ingestion of gluten causes an immune reaction that affects the body - in his case, it directly affected his stomach), led to the reflux. Notice that his physician did not address the CAUSE, only the SYMPTOM.

The catch here was that he used to get heartburn from certain foods, but not necessarily gluten containing ones, like bread. But now, he doesn't get it from those foods any longer. You getting heart burn from whey protein is not necessarily the cause. I suspect it "may" be gluten. You having nothing to lose if you try the diet, but so much to gain. But be aware. This isn't going to cure you overnight. It can take a very long time to be symptom free.

Something to ponder.

[glover78]

hey can any of you tell me 1) where's the cheapest place to get protein supplements? 2) what's the best weight gainer - yea i know majority are loaded with sugar but im looking for one with low sugar and fat, it's the heightened calories and proteins I care about most. I know a multitude of threads have been created for this topic, but I've been somewhat out of the loop so I missed the consensus as to what's the best shopping spot and best weight gainer.

Also earlier in the year I was a glorious 10% body fat, now I'm 16% lolz
Yea I abused my diet a bit too much hehehe

[chenwaa123]

What supplements should I be taking?

I'm currently 34, 5'9" 164lb. Last March I stopped eating bad food (Sugar, excess Carbs & Booze). Since March I've lost 28lbs and I'm now trim and in the best shape I've been in since my teens. I started running 4 months ago (now running about 16-18km week over 4 days) and on off days I've started to work on my arms, chest and back.

I've somehow developed an intolerance for eggs which I was eating often for protein. I currently take a Centrum Multi-Vitamin (now I know these suck) and Glucosamine. What else should I be taking?

[Sibica]

What supplements should I be taking?

I'm currently 34, 5'9" 164lb. Last March I stopped eating bad food (Sugar, excess Carbs & Booze). Since March I've lost 28lbs and I'm now trim and in the best shape I've been in since my teens. I started running 4 months ago (now running about 16-18km week over 4 days) and on off days I've started to work on my arms, chest and back.

I've somehow developed an intolerance for eggs which I was eating often for protein. I currently take a Centrum Multi-Vitamin (now I know these suck) and Glucosamine. What else should I be taking?

The only supplements I would come close to suggesting are from Chris Kresser's site:

http://chriskresser.com/beyond-paleo-5

Check out his site in general, lots of good info.

BTW, congrats on the body transformation!!! Good work

[Sibica]

hey can any of you tell me 1) where's the cheapest place to get protein supplements? 2) what's the best weight gainer - yea i know majority are loaded with sugar but im looking for one with low sugar and fat, it's the heightened calories and proteins I care about most. I know a multitude of threads have been created for this topic, but I've been somewhat out of the loop so I missed the consensus as to what's the best shopping spot and best weight gainer.

Also earlier in the year I was a glorious 10% body fat, now I'm 16% lolz
Yea I abused my diet a bit too much hehehe

If your BF has jumped that much, why the need for weight gainers? Seriously, forget them all together. There are no low carb versions and if you want low fat (1) why? and (2) that just sounds like a whey protein powder?

Think about it: low fat and low sugar = very high protein. That sounds like whey protein to me? Just my thoughts.

[glover78]

If your BF has jumped that much, why the need for weight gainers? Seriously, forget them all together. There are no low carb versions and if you want low fat (1) why? and (2) that just sounds like a whey protein powder?

Think about it: low fat and low sugar = very high protein. That sounds like whey protein to me? Just my thoughts.

I've actually seen and used weight gainers low in both sugar and fat, but high in carbs (which is good) and more importantly high in calories. I mainly want ones high in calories since I'll need it bulk up. As in the past when I bulk up (get more muscular) my BF actually drops. The reason why I'm inquiring is because it's been a while since I've indulged in weight gainers so I don't know which ones are the 'best' at the moment. I remember taking N-Large some years ago and found it to be amazing, but I'm pretty sure in today's times that product is now inferior.