Forums/

Nutrition

Tom L.
Tom L. Sendmail

Supplements

posted over 3 years ago | Report

I know some people prefer doing things au natural while others like using supplements to aid with training.

I have been trying a supplement that contains glucosamine, chrondrioton, and MSM. It's supposed to help with joints and cartilage. I used to have a sore shoulder when working out and since taking this supplement the soreness has gone away.

What supplements do you take?

Respond

18 posts

scroll to bottom
  • Lane J.
    Lane J. Sendmail

    I also take glucosamine. Bad knees run in my family, my mom and grandmother both. This past year i started having knee issues. Doctor suggested starting taking it and it works great.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Pam L.
    Pam L. Sendmail

    Interesting topic. I'm anxious to see the feedback. I certainly could use some help w/ my joint health. Knees mostly.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Cari H.
    Cari H. Sendmail

    I was just reading an article about the benefits of ginger and some other foods on joints due to their anti inflammatory properties. I have not had joint issues and was looking to be proactive. I think I like the idea of food sources best. Anyone else ever try this? I guess the study used ginger extract. Interesting...

    www.realage.com/ct/tips/8027

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Tom L.
    Tom L. Sendmail

    I think using natural sources to aid with training is the best way to go. A great glucosamine, chrondroiton, and MSM product is made by NOW and can be found in health food stores. It uses all natural products and works really well.

    As far as ginger goes, I had no idea. I will check out the link you provided.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Lisa L.
    Lisa L. Sendmail

    I take a lot of natural supplements.
    The ones I feel are most important for me are my minerals both macro (calcium, magnesium, etc) and trace minerals. I take oils, which I generally take either primrose oil and or 3-6-9- Udos oil mixture. I take pro-biotics for the digestive system, a multi liquid B-vitamin supplement. These I would consider my most important ones for training and my general health!
    I looked Ginger up in "The Energetics of Western Herbs" book. I didn't see anything about anti inflammatory properties. I will have to ask "the herbal expert" on this one. I'll get back to you!

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Carter R.
    Carter R. Sendmail

    Glucosamine, chrondrioton, and MSM. Remember that it takes about a month for it to build up in your body so be diligent in taking the pills and then give it time to work. It is worth it.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Mike P.
    Mike P. Sendmail

    After I had spinal surgery in 2004 I started to take glucosamine & chrondroiton and never felt it was doing anything. I've been taking a GNC vitapak (energy) for 6 months and feel that it really helps, along with properly balanced diet.

    When I moved from outdoor cycling to indoor in the fall, I started to take Lipo-6, a fat burner with no real "go fast" in it, as I'm still dieting and didn't want to hit a roadblock from the tuffer outdoor cycling to indoor. I took that twice a day for 6-7 weeks and it worked great, when I stopped I didn't taper off and I didn't bonk out. Also did a 3 month sting of chromium, but haven't picked up a second bottle.

    Sunday I picked up a low calorie whey protien to start using. Tried a shake about 90 minutes prior to my run last night but it didn't sit so well, and from reading / talking with people, it's better to take it after a work out and before bed, so I'll be using it as a recovery shake this month. My reason for doing it is because during the week I don't consume much chicken, meat or fish, or eggs for that matter. I get nearly all my fruits / veggies / carbs but as I'm leaning out more and more and cutting the body fat, I don't have nearly as much bulk to lose and don't want to lose muscle while I am trying to build lean muscle. I opted to try a 17gram, 100 calorie, 1gram of fat powder from GNC, not nearly as agressive as some of the weight gainers and I only plan on one shake per day.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Cari H.
    Cari H. Sendmail
    in reply to what Lisa L. said:I take a lot of natural supplements. The ones I feel are most important for me are my minerals both macro (calcium, magnesium, etc) and trace minerals. I take oils, which I generally take either primrose oil and or 3-6-9- Udos oil mixture. ... read more

    This is news to me, but found it in this RW article too. Worth adding to a few recipes I guess.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-305--12561-0,00.html

    posted over 3 years ago

  • David O.
    David O. Sendmail
    in reply to what Cari H. said:I was just reading an article about the benefits of ginger and some other foods on joints due to their anti inflammatory properties. I have not had joint issues and was looking to be proactive. I think I like the idea of food sources best. Anyo... read more

    Ginger is not an anti-inflammatory substance. By nature, ginger's property is considered warm. Inflammation, according to natural medicine is "trapped heat." Taking ginger would be adding gas to the fire. In this case, cooling substances would be the treatment(s) of choice.

    Ginger is great for those suffering from cold based digestive problems in particular.

    In my experience with patients and self, pharmaceutical grade fish oil is the ideal anti inflammatory substance. Can be used for both treatment and prevention by adjusting the dosage.

    NOTE: Be SURE it is pharmaceutical grade. Otherwise, this substance can add unwanted toxins into you system. The easiest way to determine if it is pure is put a gel cap in the freezer. If it is pliable after about 20 minutes, you are safe. If it is hard, there are toxins.

    Hope this helps.

    posted over 3 years ago | edited over 3 years ago

  • David O.
    David O. Sendmail
    in reply to what Lisa L. said:I take a lot of natural supplements. The ones I feel are most important for me are my minerals both macro (calcium, magnesium, etc) and trace minerals. I take oils, which I generally take either primrose oil and or 3-6-9- Udos oil mixture. ... read more

    You nailed this. Ginger enters the stomach and spleen meridians and is considered warm in nature. You want cooling things in this instance. Herbs such as eucommia would be appropriate, but oils in my opinion are the best.

    The enzyme formula Wobenzyme is also excellent. This is an all around anti-inflammatory substance.

    Simple green drinks will also go a long way to flush out trapped heat. By changing the pH, you can also aid the body to heal itself more quickly. It is also a wonderful post-run, treatment, so to speak. High in trace minerals, greens will build the blood and negate the acidity due to long runs.

    posted over 3 years ago | edited over 3 years ago

  • Jane D.
    Jane D. Sendmail

    I also agree with Lisa-mineralization is critical and with David-promoting a more alkaline pH in the body helps to reduce all inflammation and makes you more resistant to disease/colds/flus which so many endurance athletes succomb to, especially after big and/or long races.

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Cari H.
    Cari H. Sendmail

    Thanks for all the info - sounds like sticking with my fish oil is a good idea - putting one in the freezer to test now....

    posted over 3 years ago

  • David N.
    David N. Sendmail

    Just FYI - Glucosamine and Chondroitin, by themselves, do not seem to be very effective for joint health. It appears that they must be taken together, over quite a period of time (a month or longer) before any change is noted.

    And, I am a believer in natural supplements. But, I also understand there's a lot of claims for products that just don't live up to the hype. If some product sounds too good to be true it probably is.

    And, just because something states it is natural, it doesn't mean it is necessarily good for you. Arsenic is a completely natural substance. Likewise, all medications are not bad, and may actually be safer then most over the counter substances because they undergo more rigid scientific testing.

    Just my $.02...

    David, RN MSN

    posted over 3 years ago

  • Rio
    Rio Sendmail

    Here's my list:

    Animal Pak :http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169842&d=1108517037

    omega 3s

    Flax seed

    CLA

    Another multivitamin

    Fat Burners

    posted about 3 years ago

  • Nursedude
    Nursedude Sendmail
    in reply to what said:Ginger is not an anti-inflammatory substance. By nature, ginger's property is considered warm. Inflammation, according to natural medicine is "trapped heat." Taking ginger would be adding gas to the fire. In this case, cooling substances... read more

    Actually Ginger has known broad anti inflammatory properties. In a study done in the Journal of Medicinal Food shows that Ginger shares many pharmacological properties with NSAIDS such as inhibiting the effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis.

    One reputable company that has many pharmaceutical grade anti inflammatory products is New Chapter, specifically their custom blend called Zyflamend.

    http://www.newchapter.com/products/zyflamend

    posted about 3 years ago

  • Mcg
    Mcg Sendmail

    I am all for eating well and using natural supplements, but I think that if you are very active you needs an extra boost. I don't see anything wrong with taking vitamin supplements or any other type of supplement that can help your body function better and recover faster.

    posted 8 months ago | edited 8 months ago

  • Mark O.
    Mark O. Sendmail

    I take the normal glucosamine, chrondroiton, and MSM product. You might try Curcumin as an anti-inflamatory. Its derivative of turmeric (like in curry).

    posted 8 months ago

  • Molly F.
    Molly F. Sendmail

    I use Reliv. I was having a lot of foot pain and plantar fascitis. I started taking their Sports formula called Provantage for soft tissue and was feeling better in a week. No more pain. I recommend it a lot. Using it for Marathon Training post workout and no muscle soreness especially after long runs.

    posted 6 months ago

Similar Discussions in Health & Fitness - Nutrition