Have I Found the Fountain of Youth Through the Supplements I Take (Part 2)?
Here's my personal experience
Multivitamins
Again, this is another supplement I’m taking for the sake of it
However, one capsule of the version I take consists of:
Vitamin A is good for eye health.
Vitamin B1 promotes brain function and mental health.
Vitamin B2 promotes energy production.
Vitamin B3 is good for energy metabolism.
Vitamin B5 is crucial for converting food into energy.
Vitamin B6 is essential for protein and energy metabolism.
Vitamin B12 is good for red blood cell production, preventing anemia.
Vitamin E promotes skin health.
Biotin promotes hair growth.
Copper helps in the absorption and use of iron.
Beta carotene, a precursor for vitamin A, also promotes eye health.
Lutein: supports eye health.
Folate-important for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation
Iodide: essential for the production of thyroid hormone
Potassium citrate is critical for reducing the risk of high blood pressure and supporting electrical signalling in the heart.
Chromium: promotes insulin sensitivity
Vanadium also promotes insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.
Boron: promotes bone health
Potassium: supports heart health by promoting fluid balance
And some of the few I mentioned already in the last post.
I recall that this is one of the supplements I was religiously taking during my fertility journey.
There’s a pile of evidence that shows taking multivitamins promotes healthy pregnancy.
Since I’m not trying to conceive a baby, this is one supplement I’ll take in alternate days to avoid toxicity.
Why?
Because I get some of its contents in other supplements, I take and in the food I eat.
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
It’s a plant-based derived supplement that’s rich in omega-6 fatty acids.
I must confess, I have a particular favour for this supplement.
When I was younger and lived in England, I would take it for hormonal balance purposes.
But I discovered it had a secondary effect on my skin!
My skin looked flawlessly smooth after taking it for a while.
I recently stumbled upon it on a supplement shelf in a store in Canada, and I bought it!
Let me say I’m taking this supplement to repeat the results of the good old days.
I’ll read your mind on this: Does taking EPO work for my skin?
Absolutely, Yes.
However, remember that I take supplements like collagen for my skin.
Therefore, the results I get may be due to a combination of taking these supplements with EPO.
Probiotics
These live microorganisms in fermented drinks, such as kefir, naturally reside in the belly.
Essentially, probiotics promote gut health, which is critical for digestion and absorption of nutrients.
From my personal experience, taking this supplement enables me to poop every day (by the way, this should be a standard practice in the toilet for any healthy person), and my belly feels flat.
I’m not talking about droplets of hard poops here.
I mean a bulky and shaped, almost like a curvy banana kind of poop, the type that splashes some water when it hits inside the toilet!
Boom! That way, you know you have indeed moved your bowels.
On the other hand, I notice whenever I miss taking the supplement, my belly feels bloated and no poop for that day.
I know I’ve missed taking it for the day based on these symptoms.
Although I regularly drink or add kefir to my smoothies, I’ll stick to taking probiotics supplements.
Fish oil
It supports heart health by lowering blood pressure, lowering triglycerides, and reducing LDL oxidation.
Sardines, mackerel and salmon all contain fish oil. I seldom have access to good quality fish, so this is one of the supplements that remain a staple.
Sea Moss
Also known as Irish Moss, it contains 92 of 102 vital minerals the body needs to function.
It’s touted as a superfood because it contains iodine, amino acids, vitamins, and fiber.
And it promotes thyroid, digestive, heart and reproductive health.
I first stumbled on this superfood during my fertility journey, as it’s known to enhance fertility, given its zinc and iodide contents.
I use it now to promote my thyroid health, so I’ll categorise it as a supplement.
As much as I like making a gel out of it and adding it to my smoothies, I seldom take it.
Therefore, it’s another supplement I’ll review accurately when I take it consistently.
However, it remains one of my staple supplements.
I'd like you to please look for future posts about how I make and store sea moss gel infused with fruits in my wellness kitchen.
Whey Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Concentrate
These are derivatives of milk, and they contain nine essential amino acids.
They promote muscle growth and recovery. Generally, they’re suitable for athletic performance.
People argue that you could get all the protein you need in natural foods.
I agree.
However, if you’re like me, you don’t want to stress over your optimal protein intake.
If you want to make your daily protein intake seamless, taking these supplements will do it for you.
I’ve mellowed down these days because I’ve been off weightlifting for about two months!
In those heydays, when I would weigh all my foods to know my daily protein intake, taking these supplements was a lifesaver.
One scoop of whey protein isolate (the brand I take) contains 34 g of protein, while one scoop of whey protein concentrate contains 24 g of protein.
Typically, I would take half a scoop of whey protein isolate, add it to water with amino acids, and drink it before and during my gym workout.
I would combine whey protein isolate and concentrate post-workout and throughout the day to reach my daily protein target.
Did I build muscles?
Yes!
In addition, I felt full throughout the day, so my weight was under control.
I’m hitting the gym today and gradually returning to these supplements.
Casein Protein
It’s a slow-digesting protein. In that, it releases amino acids for an extended period.
I take it for the same reasons I do for whey protein isolate and concentrate.
However, I take it at night to complete my optimal daily protein intake, and the brand I take contains 24 g of protein.
That way, I’m not deprived of protein for muscle growth and repair at night.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for getting to the end of this post!
Phew! There’s a lot I’ve covered.
From taking supplements for bone, skin, muscle, and digestive health to taking them for vanity reasons. You must have picked one or two things from sharing my supplement intake experience.
Let me shock you!
I’ve barely scratched the surface of my supplement intake adventure. I have a backlog of supplements, such as colostrum, that I’m researching and may add to my repertoire.
Overall, have I found the fountain of youth?
Well, my experience indicates a YES if there’s such a thing as that.
Based on my experience, I wake up early (when I’m off work) and can meet my daily responsibilities.
As a night shift worker, I can stand for an extended time caring for my patients.
Without fretting, I lift heavy weights in the gym.
Most importantly, when I schedule myself to write a post or do any mental work, I have the mental focus, energy and concentration to read, research, write and publish.
In this regard, I can do all I need regularly without limitations. So be it if that’s finding a fountain of youth through taking supplements.