FREE Supplements! By James FitzGerald
sup ple ment noun ˈsəpləmənt/ Something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Walking lunges are supplementation for lower body muscle endurance. Books are supplementation for humans looking to improve mental capacity and creativity. Vitamins, herbs, minerals are supplementation to food for humans for changes required in health and fitness.
Over the past 20 years I have discussed food supplementation less and less in our CCP Nutrition Course. The course itself is designed to teach fitness coaches the basics on food consultations for their clients. These coaches' clients are most often 30-50 years of age, can afford exercise instruction and have goals of living fully as long as they can. (decrease pain, look good naked, increase energy) To create perspective on where I come from; I am 42 years of age, an active male who participates in fitness as a sport and continuing to learn about being a father and husband. I have sold many supplements (most times knowing why). I have created a line of supplements (Peak Bio) with the help of my doctor. With the trials that I have personally done dating back to my first bottle of creatine in 1994, I have seen the affects of various supplements. I can tell you as sure as the sun will shine tomorrow that 95% of the time, most of the clients coaches work with have the ability to enjoy FREE supplementation before they investigate any of the current supplements sold on the market. If you ask someone who sells supplements what they think of supplements, what do you think the answer will be? I know that when I sold them (in OPT in Calgary I had a 15K inventory in its own room), I knew in some cases that people would benefit, but in some cases I knew it was merely providing marginal profits to the business on top of client s training. It was thought of as being "without harm" to the client but in addition to the bill. (i.e. why not leave with a protein bottle?) I currently promote food based supplements that I know work effectively to an audience that needs it. I also currently instruct coaches in CCP on what is out there for supplements and how their choices affect outcomes. More and more I refer clients to my doctor, Jeoff Drobot, for more information and education on supplementation.
I listened to all the podcasts, did all the supplement reviews (think EAS supplement review circa 2000 - yup, those too), read all the examine.com reviews, read the isolated specific reviews and books on supplements, attended conferences from the Institute of Functional Medicine and Boulderfest, flew to see the leading authorities on antiaging medicine, practiced FDN with other coaches and in the end, you know what, I knew a LOT more about supplementation. BUT, this did not give me the knowledge and education required when it came to supplements that are more than whey protein, food bars, green mixes and other similar food style supplements. Everyone is looking for an edge. That is fair and admirable. But this edge must ALSO work alongside the basics. OPEX calls it the BLG s. (Basic Lifestyle Guidelines) For those who are coaching in and are a part of fitness, these basics must be adhered to for your clients FAR BEFORE getting into discussions on supplementation. 1st - move blood, adhere to the sun and moon cycle, drink water, live purposely 2nd - get educated on food quality, choosing proteins, and listening to how food makes you feel 3rd - get educated on fats and carbohydrates and learn about food sensitivities and aversions 4th - get educated on food and longevity, fasting and detoxifying, and supplementation IF there comes a time where one feels that someone would supplement to get them out of the hole this is where the doctor should come in. AND this is where the line is blurred. Its gray. I agree. Most participants in fitness have now been marketed to A LOT on what is right and wrong for foods and supplements. These athletes and even clients are frustrated and overwhelmed and in most cases just say, ah @#% it, I ll just do this, or I ll take that. And we all know everyone who writes a blog now with nice hair and a six pack is an expert.
Let me give you an example of the grey ; You have an over fat male reporting into your fitness setup for help. He had previously been active in university through sports but now he simply is NOT. Based on what you know, your gut instinct is that he might do fairly well with a broad based multi-vitamin for insurance, a probiotic as everyone should have one, some fish oil for that assumed inflammation, an adrenal complex as everyone is stressed, Vit D as he does not get any sun.etc etc You ask more questions though. He drinks a diet coke a day He works 3 nights a week overnight, but not the other 3 He often chooses M&M s at the movies once per week He has coffee and creamer for breakfast and eats out for 90% of his meals in the week (should we go on?) As you can see its grey.
Do you believe that these supplements are the ones for him? Remember that Vit E and CoQ10 were answers in 99. Do you believe he could be better off following some basic FREE supplementation of oxygen, sleep, and water? How do you think he would fair overall in 6 months, 3 years and more importantly 15 years, if he was to create behavioral changes that allowed him to find alternatives to coke and M&M s? What if he got more water and exercise in there? The exercise prescription might not be free but movement is. When you move, you breathe. When you move and breathe somewhat hard you move blood in the body. You CAN remove shitty things inside of you. Our body is set up to do this if you give it time and patience along with some good digestive habits. So, I DO understand as I have been there. I have been there with full care and support KNOWING what the total invoice would be. AND I can tell you when I offered advice on digestion, lifestyle and exercise for these people, MOST CASES were successful in adherence and consistency - LONG TERM. When I went back to review what was MOST appropriate in the prescription - it was NOT supplements.
In the case where supplements were applied to clients they were given to: - other coaches who were REALLY interested in knowing about that supplement really works - clients willing to pay whatever was necessary as part of the package - clients searching for answers to their issues without adhering to the BLG s - athletes looking for that extra 1% (AFTER they had all the BLG s covered - very few athletes have them covered BTW) - clients who were working with my nutritional advisors or doctors and had specific prescriptions from them So again here we are. I will reiterate the same statement as I do so many times each month Exercise and Food are Simple. Don t make them complex. For those who are almost at ZERO; OR have a great lifestyle and need an extra 1% in performance; OR are experimenting, then speak to a naturopath or medical professional who can give you advice on supplementation. For everyone else, keep moving and chew slowly!