In the world of supplementation I have to ask the question:
Is all this really necessary? A multi-billion dollar industry. I often hear student-athletes complain of not having any money to buy food, but don't think for a minute about buying the latest supplement with promises of "more energy", "bigger muscles", and the latest "veins that pop out like garden hoses", ooh sexy.
Walking the aisles of your local supplement store is more confusing than navigating the corn maze at your local fair... even for nutrition experts such as Registered Dietitians Emily Edison and Monica Van Winkle from Momentum Nutrition.
So what is a person to do?
On a recent visit the following product surfaced (weird supplement of the week):
Argentinian Bull Testes- Specially formulated to "increase testosterone in the body." Does it work? Well...Testicles produce testosterone; they do not store it, so there won't be any more testosterone in that part of the bull than other parts. The jury is out on the effectiveness.
I don't know about you, but I have not seen a bull (Argentinian or not) whose testes I would want in my body.
Simply put, we believe that supplementation is only necessary when you are not able to get the nutrients you need from your food. This doesn't mean you can choose not to eat veggies and take a multi-instead. Remember vitamins and minerals need food and each other to be transported around and to function in the body.
Situations that might warrant a supplement:
Lactose Intolerance (calcium)
Strict Vegetarians (b12, iron, calcium?)
"Picky Eaters" (Multi Vitamin)
People who are on Low-Calorie Diets (multi)
Non-Meat Eaters (Iron)
Non-Fish Eaters (Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplement)
Your mother was right...eat your veggies! (but you don't need to clean your plate)
Emily Edison, MS.RD.
Momentum Nutrition and Fitness
http://www.momentum4health.com/
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