Health supplements for exercising

Question
Hi Dan,

First of all, as a fellow expert I must thank you for providing your services on this site. I have a question related to health supplements which I plan to take during exercising.

I'm 29 yrs old and havent done any serious exercising so far but am planning to start. I wanted to know what kind of health supplement can I use during exercising that can help me gain muscle that does not go away when I stop taking the supplement and something that does not affect my body in the long run. I do have a family history of chelestrol problem so thats another consideration.

I was trying to look at GNC's website to find something suitable but was not able to decide among the options. Can you please advise what should I take? A particular brand name/product suggestion would be really helpful.

thanks,
Shivom.

Answer
Hello Shivom,

Where on allexperts do you reside?

A great supplement to start with, and one that can be continued for life, is whey protein. Whey protein can be purchased as a powdered shake mix and GNC offers quality products of this kind. Whey is easily digested, helps your muscles recover and grow, and also gives your immune system a boost. I use it from time to time but it can be used always. Soy is another form of protein that you can find easily however it is not digested and assimilated as easily. For those who are vegetarian/vegan, try hemp protein- it is a quality source and contains omega fatty acids as well (this is the protein powder I use regularly, by Nutiva).

The main consideration should be your diet! Follow a low glycemic plan. You can find several guides on low-glycemic eating such as Dare To Lose by Dr. Shari Leiberman. Focus on low/non-starch vegetables, some fruit, lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats (salmon, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, olives, walnuts and almonds), and low-fat dairy. Really cut back on white flour products, candy, soft drinks, alcohol, and bottled teas. Avoid high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils (found in many, many commercial products, margarine, and shortening).

Cutting sugar, reducing saturated fat, cutting trans fat, exercising, and eating healthier will all help reduce your cholesterol as well. Supplements that are great for cholesterol reduction include EFA (essential fatty acid) and CLA. CLA is also great for reducing body fat if you are on a good exercise program. If you are interested you can check my web-site and click on the Transitions icon for weight loss supplements.

Good luck!

Dan Haley, CNC

www.marketamerica.com/alkalinenutrition

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