Do you need to supplement?

Let's cut to the chase, are supplements necessary? In short, no, they are not required to achieve your fitness goals if your diet is on point. This means that if you eat a varied diet with at least 5+ servings of vegetables and high-quality protein at every meal, you may not need supplements. However, most people are deficient in one or more areas of their daily diet.  So the right high-quality supplements can provide additional benefits and may help you reach your goals faster and improve your quality of life. This raises the question of which supplements are worthwhile. This is largely determined by your objectives and what you hope to accomplish. But, as a general guideline, here are my top three supplements for general use that I have greatly benefited from and recommend to all of my clients. 

1. Multivitamin 

Now, I don't mean just any old multivitamin from the grocery store, which are either extremely weak or have no bioavailability and pass right through you. I'm referring to a high-quality multivitamin from a reputable company. My personal favourite, which I have recently begun using, is USANA's CellSentials or USANA's health pack. Both are great products, and I have noticed amazing energy level improvements and improved sleep quality when compared to other products. 

2. Fish Oil 

So, if there was ever a challenge for the king of all superfoods, Omega 3 fish oils would win. To begin, the majority of the population is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, which the body cannot produce and must therefore obtain from the diet, making them essential. What makes Omega 3s so important is their potential health benefits, which include decreased inflammation, a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, improved fat metabolism, joint and skin health, hair and eye health, and so on. But, once again, quality is important. You want a fish oil that has been tested for mercury, is derived from cold-water fish and contains high levels of DHA and EPA per gramme (which is an important part of fish oil). USANA's BiOmega Fish Oil is my favourite. 

3. Greens Powder 

Greens powder is also great for muscle mass building, especially if you struggle to get all of your veggies in for the day. It is fantastic to use it first thing in the morning, 15 minutes before your first meal, and in your post-workout shake because it helps to alkaline the body, which is necessary for muscle building because the body cannot build muscle in acidic conditions. Living fuels super greens (tastes great) is my personal favourite; Good Green Vitality by Nuzest is another good one.