What Supplements Are in My Cupboard?

Being in the industry and having the pick of the litter of what vitamins and supplements to take, I'm often asked what products I personally consume. Having spent many years in the nutrition supplement industry and a guy who exercises daily, it's important for me to feel my best. Here is a list of what products you can see me taking daily and why:

Multi-vitamin – recommended by Health Canada and pretty much every health organization in the world, a daily multi helps with overall health and well-being. Consider taking an “active” formula if you are constantly on the go or involved in sports, working out, etc.

Vitamin D – a significant amount of research has recently been published on the importance of taking a daily D vitamin, especially if you are not exposed to sun (i.e. Vancouver winter months) or are non-Caucasion. Vitamin D can help prevent cancer and can strengthen the immune system.

Chlorella – a green superfood which also helps repair RNA and DNA. As much as I love eating salads and greens, I can't say that I'm eating 7-10 servings everyday day, as suggested by Health Canada.

Reishi Mushroom – considered the number one herb in Chinese medicine, this highly prized adaptogen has been used for centuries by royalty and high-ranking politicians in Asia. It has recently been commercialized and is more readily available so that commoners like you and I can afford to take it! Each capsule of Mikei reishi equals 500 grams of reishi mushroom! Since I've been on this, I've had the sniffles on one occasion in the past three years. And for the record, every member of my family is on this and boy are they ever healthy.

LiverCare – the #1 selling liver support product in the world that's been around for over 60 years. Organic ingredients sourced from Himalaya's own farms in India, LiverCare has been well-researched with close to 200 clinical studies that prove its efficacy in assisting with optimal liver health. As a social drinker (hockey or patio season, long weekends, holidays, etc, etc) I find it extremely important to protect this vital organ. I noticed a difference after about two weeks and my liver is very, very happy that I'm on this.

Resveratrol – studies show that this powerful antioxidant, which is found in red wine, can help with the effects of aging and stress on the body. Many pharmaceutical companies are looking at commercializing a synthetic resveratrol within the next 5 years with the belief that this antioxidant will allow us to live a quality life well beyond 100. I'm on this now because I still want to be up and at 'em at 120!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – I take this only on days that I haven't consumed a large amount of flax, hemp seeds or fish. Essential for brain and cardiovascular health, essential fatty acids are also important for any weight loss program.

I also take the following sport supplements that I believe help with energy, recovery, strength and cardiovascular support.

Amino Vital – used by the US Olympic athletes, this blend of amino acids and electrolytes will help restore lost electrolytes when going through a high-intensity, sweaty workout. Also really good if you're hungover. Hey, if it's good enough for an Olympic athlete, it's good enough for me.

Beta-Alanine – an amino acid that neutralizes your PH and lactic acid buildup thus negating the effects of muscle fatigue. Research on a group of seniors show that endurance and strength increased by over 28%!

ZMA – I take this bedtime supplement, which consists of Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B-6, if I've had a really heavy workout and need to give the muscle some extra TLC. Probably one of the best recovery products available.

Glutamine – given to hospital patients recovering from surgery and illness, this amino acid helps rebuild muscle tissue quickly. Highly researched, extremely safe with no side effects, this will take your training to the next level.

Protein – there are many protein options available, from whey to vegetable proteins. A basic product that helps keep me lean on ready for the next kick ass workout.

This is pretty much it folks. It's quite the exhaustive list but significantly less than when I was bodybuilding and taking everything that I thought would give me an edge. My belief is that with a healthy diet, exercise and proper supplementation, we will be able to eliminate disease, slow down aging and live at our peak for a long, long time. I hope that you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing about it. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: chester@astronutrition.com

In health, Chester Ku-Lea
director