When you think of supplements, does your mind immediately think of that multivitamin you take in the morning or do you think of the protein supplement you’re taking to boost your muscle development. One of the biggest dangers of taking supplements is thinking they substitute for a healthy diet. They don’t. There are a lot of different types of supplements. Some are made from ordinary ingredients, like fruits and vegetables that are freeze-dried, ground and capsulized. Some are exotic herbs, which may not be as healthy as you think or protein supplements that may cause other problems.
Sometimes bodybuilders are caught in a supplement trap with protein supplements.
Everyone wants that edge that will help them reach their fitness goals faster, but for bodybuilders, it may not be soy isolates or creatine. Both of these supplements provide the building blocks for muscles, but can cause problems. Creatine may help add bulk, but too much can have side effects, which include heart and kidney problems, dehydration, diarrhea and cramps. Soy isolates, contain amino acid. The older you get, the more you should avoid them. They have an effect similar to estrogen that gets more pronounced the older you get, since the body produces less testosterone. It can cause older men to develop enlarged breasts. Older men are better off eating soy products like edamame or tofu to avoid the cleavage.
Beta carotene or vitamin A seems so harmless.
No matter who you are, taking too much vitamin A can be dangerous. Even overdoing beta carotene supplements can be dangerous. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and overdoing it can create many of the same symptoms as vitamin A deficiency, cracked lips, weakness, thinning hair, headache and dry skin. It can cause problems with the central nervous system, birth defects if you’re pregnant and if you smoke, too much vitamin A may lead to lung cancer.
Calcium supplements may not be beneficial, particularly for seniors.
Seniors, particularly women, often take calcium supplements to avoid osteoporosis. Most diets have an adequate amount and additional calcium, may actually be hazardous, particularly if you’re older. Once you pass approximately 50, it becomes more and more difficult to absorb the calcium by the bones and it ends up being absorbed by the artery walls. That can lead to a multitude of problems, which include hardening of the arteries, heart disease and stroke. Calcium citrate taken with magnesium is easier for the bones to absorb. Avoid calcium carbonate. Even better, eat healthy and exercise regularly to strengthen the bones.
- Ginkgo is an herb that boosts memory and often sold to treat glaucoma, macular degeneration, dementia and anxiety. If you’re diabetic, it can cause problems with blood sugar levels. It can interact with medicine and lower blood pressure too much or increase bleeding.
- Not all vitamins are bioavailable. This is particularly true of many inexpensive multivitamins. You end up paying a high price just to have expensive urine and may actually cause problems. You’re better off getting your vitamins from a well-balanced diet.
- Glutamine, which the body produces naturally, plays a role in immune health, digestion, brain functioning and removing waste. While it can improve recovery and help muscle growth, it also has side effects, such as confusion, blood in the urine, fast heartbeat and weakness.
- Supplementing your diet with nutrients may give you a false sense of security. Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients that aren’t normally in supplements that all work together to play an instrumental role in your health.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness