Have I Found the Fountain of Youth Through the Supplements I Take?
Here's my personal experience
I agree. I’m one of “those people” who take supplements.
Interestingly, I didn’t know I took this much until I created this post.
Anyway, this is beside the point. I consciously take some of these supplements for specific health maintenance reasons.
On the other hand, I’m taking some of them just for the sake of taking them.
In other words, there are no specific health reasons other than someone telling me it worked for them, so I decided to get them.
Friends, here are some supplements I’ve been consistently taking for over one year, some for less than that.
Vitamin D
Selenium
Calcium
Magnesium
Zinc Citrate
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Amino Acids
Vitamin C
Collagen
Therefore, I can tell you whether I’ve found the fountain of youth taking these supplements. Most importantly, you can make your discoveries, too.
Just make sure you share them.
Vitamin D
It’s known as the sunshine vitamin because you can directly get it from sunlight.
I lived in sub-Saharan Africa until my early twenties, so I used to get this vitamin freely and naturally by being outdoors.
However, I started missing out on this essential vitamin when I lived in Europe.
Now, I’m in my forties and living in North America. I’m taking this supplement because I live in cold weather.
Better still, I take it because it works for many areas of my health, such as:
Bone health: Common; I lift weights
Immune function-I’m a clinician who’s susceptible to getting infected by my patients
Mental health and mood: Some statistics support change in mood during the winter season
Cardiovascular Health: Who wouldn’t want an excellent-functioning heart?
I bet that’s a no-brainer.
Selenium
This trace mineral is essential in preventing oxidative stress, which can lead to ageing and contribute to the development of chronic disease.
Selenium can be found in seafood, Brazilian nuts, and meat.
I take it for its critical role in thyroid health.
I understand that a particular enzyme responsible for converting T4 to T3 needs this mineral.
As you know, during my fertility journey, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
I recall taking selenium as one of the supplements when I was trying to conceive a baby over eight years ago.
Right now, I take it solely for its oxidative stress prevention.
Who wouldn’t?
Calcium
Calcium is a mineral found abundantly in milk and yoghurt.
It plays a critical role in bone health and other health functions. However, to aid its absorption, it should be taken with vitamin D.
I do. Yay!
Joke aside, I take it because I want to have a strong bone even as I age.
In the same vein, I’ve been taking it since I started lifting weights at the gym.
Again, this is another no-brainer for me, given my activities at the gym and work.
Magnesium
This mineral is good for cardiovascular health and prevents hypertension.
I take it specifically to help prevent muscle spasms.
Without sounding like a broken record, taking magnesium helps me avoid leg cramps after lifting or squatting heavy weights at the gym.
Simple!
Zinc Citrate
Seriously, I don’t know why I decided to add zinc to my repertoire of supplements.
However, during my research for this post, I discovered one thing.
Zinc plays a vital role in the production of collagen.
That’s it for me! I’ll keep taking it.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
I started taking this supplement less than six months ago.
I learned about it during a conversation with a colleague who mentioned that their girlfriend took it because they had knee pain from squatting heavy weights at the gym.
Hence, I went to buy it to prevent knee pain when I squat heavy weights.
Does it work for me?
It’s too early to answer accurately because I usually don’t take it.
Recently, I’ve been away from home and the gym. I’ll restart taking it when I go back to the gym this week.
However, there’s compelling evidence out there that shows it works for joint health.
Amino Acids
They play critical roles in protein production, leading to muscle growth. They’re categorised based on their roles in the body.
Of course, this is beyond the scope of this post.
However, the amino acid I take promises “ Peak athletic performance by increasing mental energy for extended focus and concentration.”
Are these promises fulfilled?
Absolutely, correct.
This is one of the supplements I’ve been taking for a year. It works like a magic pill.
However, the brand I take has some caffeine, so I only take it when working out at the gym.
Why?
My body doesn’t do well with caffeine; regardless of when I take it, I’m deprived of sleep.
Now, I’ve been working consistent night shifts 3 times a week, so not getting a night of sleep is not an issue.
Besides, by the time I come off a night shift, the caffeine has weaned itself off my body so that I can get a good sleep.
Vitamin C
This is a water-soluble vitamin that helps in the absorption of iron, energy production, and skin repair.
I’m not going to lie to you; I’m taking it for vanity reasons.
I heard someone mention that it helped prevent the formation of dark circles around their eyes.
I thought, “Oh, wow, I’m going to get it!”
Friends, but after taking it, I discovered something different.
I get tremendous energy from it, so it’s one of my staple supplements. Of course, you could get it from fruits such as oranges.
However, the version I take is powdered, so I can easily add it to my water or smoothies daily.
Collagen
Here we go again. Collagen is readily available in our foods: Chicken skin, meat, and fish bones all contain collagen.
I take it primarily for its effects on skin health. It promotes skin elasticity and hydration, thereby reducing wrinkles.
I don’t mind ageing; it’s cliche to say I want to age gracefully.
Seriously, the knowledge, experience, and boldness I have today come with age.
Most importantly, I’ve taken specific leaps to get to where I am today. I couldn’t have taken those leaps when I was younger because I was full of fear.
So, I’ll NEVER trade my age for a younger age!
Just so you know, I’m taking collagen to promote my skin health.
I’ve been taking this supplement for a while. Its effects on my skin and nails are evident, so it remains one of my staple supplements.
To be continued. I have an additional eight supplements to share with you.