Too many Supplements?

Is it possible to take too many supplements? If one is taking a multi-vitamin, a calcium tablet, a chromium tablet, fat burners, CLA and a Venavine tablet daily is that considered too much? Will this one day affect my liver or stomach lining negatively? I keep reading about the benefits of all of the above, but am slightly concerned that it will cause damage later in life. What are your views?
Judy via web

The Pro’s Respond

ulti-vitamin, a calcium tablet, a chromium tablet, fat burners, CLA
Hi Judy,

Thanks for your question. I am sure this is something many supplement consumers often ponder over. I think the real concern should be taking too much of one supplement or particular ingredient rather than too many supplements in general. In other words, as long as you are not over dosing on one particular ingredient (e.g. vitamin A or D), then you can basically take as many different supplements as you want without compromising your health. In fact, provided your daily supplement regimen is well thought out and planned, then each additional supplement you take should provide an additional health or performance benefit.
When you eat a healthy, well balanced, mixed whole-food diet you are consuming literally hundreds of different nutrients. These different nutrients work synergistically to enhance health and build a healthy body, not stress the digestive tract or liver. The same therefore applies to a supplement plan. Each individual supplement should work to enhance body and health in some way and not stress your system.
Personally I supplement daily with a multi-vitamin, vitamin C and E, Chromium Picolinate, ZMA, EFAs, Glutamine, Creatine, BCAAs, protein powders, Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin… and the list goes on. As one of the most health conscious people you’ll ever meet, I can thus assure you that your supplement regimen provides little concern of “over-supplementation”.
I hope that re-assures you.

Active nutrition

I recently started to work out, but I don’t know if my diet is sufficient. I do interval cardio training every morning and weight training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I take the following supplements: a fat burner, CLA, whey protein (after workout), chromium, antioxidants, calcium and multivitamins for active women. An example of my typical daily eating plan:
Breakfast: Two slices of toast, egg and fruit
Lunch: Chicken or fish, veggies or salad, rice/potato or sweet potato
Dinner: Something small like a chicken salad

I also include two snacks, which could be yoghurt with fruit, provitas with cheese, or nuts with fruit. I drink 1.5 – 2 litres of water a day, no coffee or juice. Recently someone told me that I drank too little water. How do I know if I am getting enough water? Could you please advise me where I can improve. Thanks!
Vivienne via info@fitnessmag.co.za

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Supplementing while pregnant

Hi guys, I love your mag! I’ve recently found out that I am pregnant, I am still full of energy and will definitely keep exercising throughout. However, I’d like to know what supplements I can keep taking? I know that protein shakes are okay as long as they don’t contain creatine. Also, I’ve switched to a daily supplement without such a high dosage of Vitamin A. I’m wondering if I can still take my joint support supplement (eg. Arthro-Guard)? I also take extra Omega-3s, Calcium and Chromium. Should I take extra Iron? Perhaps there is some literature or internet resources you can point me to? Would really appreciate it!
Sandra via info@fitnessmag.co.za

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Safety of supplements

Thank you for a great mag! I have been health conscious and training regularly since I was 18 years old, I am now 27. My long term boyfriend unfortunately does not share the same healthy lifestyle or love for training as I do and has always been “very concerned” regarding the supplements I take.

I love training with weights and do so at least 4 times a week, along with cardio every other day. I am currently taking Hydroxycut Max (I recently went overseas to work and put on 12 kilos in the few months I was there, I have since lost all the weight). I also take a protein shake (after each training session) and I take a multivitamin in the morning and calcium in the evenings.

I previously (before I went overseas) used Nitric Oxide and enjoyed the results I got using this supplement, so would like to start using it again, however my boyfriend doesn’t support me taking all these “pills”, as he puts it. I think he is ignorant with regards to this lifestyle, so I would like to hear from you whether taking these supplements could be detrimental to my health in the long term. I need to let him know that there is no real problem, so he won’t have something to say every time I buy or take my supplements. My eating plan is healthy and I have one cheat day a week and drink plenty water. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol, nor do I suffer from any illness/conditions, etc.

Please let me know, so I can put his mind to rest that these supplements are here to help me achieve results without affecting my health.
Bronwyn via info@fitnessmag.co.za

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My body fat is dropping but Im not losing weight

I am 24 years old. I exercise 4 times a week, 2 cardio sessions and the other 2 times with a personal trainer.  I have done this for the last 3 months. My body fat % has dropped, and I have lost centimetres, but I don’t loose weight. Why is that? Now the other thing, I’m on the Depot provera* injection, and I just can’t loose weight. Is that perhaps the problem?
Thanks for a great magazine; it really inspires me to exercise.
Regards
Louizan via info@fitnessmag.co.za

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Is a protein diet healthy?

Dear Nicole, I need your help! I’m on a protein diet and have been for about a year. Is that healthy? I’m also bored with the same eating plan, so can I replace the eggs with jungle oats for breakfast? I have also stopped eating bread, but is it really so bad to eat one slice? Do you have an eating plan example?
I currently train five times a week. What exercises can I do to firm my legs and butt? How many times a week should I train them and how many sets/reps? My butt is really the area I would like to focus on more.

I have also been on diet pills for the last 13 years and decided to stop a few weeks ago. My goal weight is 50kgs and I want to be able to maintain it. I’m 32 years old, 1.6m tall and weigh 53kgs now. I was 52kgs until I stopped with the diet pills.

Thank you, Liza via info@fitnessmag.co.za

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