Xtreme Formulations ICE (BCAA)
Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are leucine, isoleucine and valine. They are important for athletes and active individuals, especially in their “free form”, as they are metabolized in the muscles rather than by the liver. They can there provide a source of energy and are often shown to increase both endurance during exercise, lean muscle mass and better post workout recovery. There are many BCAA supplements out there, but one of the best is Xtreme Formulations ICE.
The basis of my view begins with XF using the highest quality free form amino acids that have been sourced from Ajinomoto and packaged in a GMP compliant facility. They are found in a roughly 2:1:1 ratio that has been studied extensively. ICE also contains free form glutamine, which is an very popular amino acid that is supposed to enhance recovery, gut and immune health.
Gaspari Myofusion Protein
Protein powders are a convenient and often a very cost effective way, of getting easily digestible protein into your diet. This is especially relevant to athletes, bodybuilders and active individuals. Gaspari Nutrition’s MyoFusion protein is a great tasting blend of four different types of proteins along with some healthy fats. It makes a great breakfast protein shake, to go along with oats or other cereals.
Myofusion’s Athlete’s Edge Complete Protein Blend includes Cross-Flow, Cold Infused Whey Protein Concentrate, Cross-Flow, Cold Infused, Microfiltered Whey Protein Isolate, Egg Albumin, Milk Protein Isolate. These are all high quality protein sources, in that cross flow, cold infused filtration is a gentle process that keeps a lot of the beneficial whey microfractions intact. The healthy fats in Myofusion’s Pro-Compliance Lipid Complex are in the form of Cold-Processed Sunflower Oil Powder, Micro-Encapsulated Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Cold-Processed Flax Seed Oil Powder. With the lipids (fats), cold processing should prevent them from oxidizing and going rancid.
VPX NO Shotgun
VPX NO Shotgun has been a popular pre-workout supplement for the last few years. Vital Pharmaceuticals has not disappointed with the most recent (version 3) of Shotgun. Unlike many other pre-workout supplements, VPX NO Shotgun combines easily digestible protein and free form amino acids with various forms of creatine, glutamine, arginine, beta alanine and a potent stimulant blend. This supplement has a lot of ingredients and I will briefly look at a few of the important sub-blends.
AEN IntrAbolic
When it comes to workout nutrition, pre and post workout supplements tend to get the most attention. What many atheletes tend to ignore is how nutrition and supplements can help during a weight training workout. For the last couple of years, I had been a regular user of Purple Wraath from Controlled Labs that combined essential amino acids (EAA), beta alanine and citrulline malate. I have also used a couple of tubs of SizeOn. For the last six week or so, I have been using a product that has been making waves in the intra-workout supplement category - Intrabolic from Athletic Edge Nutrition.
Fusion Bodybuilding FUBAR
Pre-workout energy supplements can be a great help when you need that extra push to get through a workout or when you are just feeling too sluggish to get through a tough day at work. One of my favourite such supplements is FUBAR by Fusion Bodybuilding. This Canadian company has put together a no-nonsense energy supplement that is available in convenient capsule form. FUBAR utilizes caffeine from multiple sources, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and theobromine extract to provide a nice even energy and focus without a significant crash.
Natrol FeelAnew Joint Support
An active lifestyle that involves working out or sports (and getting older) often leads to sore joints. Its a trade off that many people live with - better overall health and the enjoyment of physical activity for some pain and discomfort. But this does not have to be the case - it is possible to alleviate the pain while continuing to work out and be active. My joints have started giving me problems over the last few years - gym workouts, softball, biking and some hockey are the likely culprits. So I started trying out many of the joint support supplements before finding Natrol’s FeelAnew, which has worked very well for me.
Chia Seeds
Chia, the tiny seed of the Salvia Hispanica plant, originated in Central Mexico. The ancient Aztecs prized the chia seed as a complete high endurance food, and there are numerous stories of Aztec armies surviving on nothing but chia seeds and water during many of their campaigns. Chia seeds are probably best known to North Americans from “Chia pets” but the seeds are now realizing the numerous health benefits of this “super food”. They are one of nature’s most nutrient rich whole food. I have been consuming chia seeds for the last few years.
NOW Digestive Enzymes
Our bodies produce numerous enzymes to help properly break down and digest the food we eat. Even though we may be spending a lot of money on food and supplements, we are likely not getting the maximum benefit from them. These enzymes play a critical role to ensure we actually absorb the nutrients from our food. Unfortunately many of us have digestive problems like bloating, gas, indigestion and cramping. These are symptoms that enough digestive enzymes are not being produced by the pancreas and that a plant based digestive enzyme supplement can be helpful. NOW Plant Enzymes, can help break down the various foods better and enhance absorption.
NOW Ultra Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are often neglected in our diets and supplementation, but are extremely important for good health. They have a myriad of benefits that include improving cardiovascular health, helping relieve pain by lowering inflammation, increasing cognitive functions, weight loss, promoting emotional and mental health. Even with all these numerous benefits, the typical North American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acid. Ocean fish oils are gaining popularity with hundreds of these omega-3 supplements available at health food stores. My favourite omega-3 fish oil supplement has to be Ultra Omega-3 by NOW Foods.
Clearshot
There are a lot of pre-workout and energy supplements on the market, but few were as unique and effective as Ergopharm’s Clearshot. I say “were” because the original Clearshot has been discontinued. This product came in 4 ounce ready to drink bottles (RTDs) with each bottle yielding two servings. The most unique thing about Clearshot was the taste - in my opinion it tasted good, though its different than any other supplement and may have required some getting used to. I felt a nice warm sensation drinking it - a milder version of the burn that one would feel sipping alcohol.
