You want me to take what now?

I try to have a broad range of sources when it comes to what I watch/read pertaining to fitness and health - guy's/girl's magazines; mainstream shows such as Dr Oz, The Doctors, Biggest Loser, etc; various websites; sources that cover everything from  young - old, sedentary - elite athlete, novice - advanced, and generic to scientific. I like to know not only the intricate details but also I like to know what information the general public is getting. I like to be able to relate the programs I write to my client's lifestyle. I find that it is easier to follow if it isn't demanding huge changes all at once. Small Steps!

But anyway, watching Dr Oz, and the Doctors, I can't help but think you would have a pantry or kitchen simply full of pill bottles (of the vitamin, mineral, herbal kind - not prescriptive). I mean every show there are three new ones that you should "definitely" be on! Really?!? no wonder my clients have so many questions. There is information overload out there and a lot of it is conflicting!

It is also always some quick fix - melt fat fast, lose weight now! Sorry to tell you this but the hard truth is that it is clean diet and daily activity that promote a healthy lifestyle. All these supplements are just too much! An vitamin for that... a mineral for that... this will do this... and some unpronounceable exotic herb will help you live to be a million!

Here are the supplements I advocate as a base: a multi vitamin and a omega supplement. That's it!
Anything else added on to that is specific to individual needs, therefore can't simply be mass prescribed like these shows/magazines like to do.

For instance - is that all I take? no - I also supplement vitamin C and branch chain amino acids because of how much I work out and they can reduce inflammation and aid recovery. (see supplement AND reason for supplement) I take Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc supplement also because of how much I work out and the depletion of these minerals it can cause.

Animal Pak (multi) & Animal Omega in foreground
Background - BSN Syntha-6 Protein (red container) & Scivation Xtend BCAAs (black container)
Green tins - Trader Joe's Green Tea Mints - very tasty haha
The small bottle that is on the tray was a Digestive Supp that I tried - and didn't notice a difference so I no longer use it

My diet is clean protein (chicken, turkey, bison, eggs, quality protein powder) and vegetables (broccoli, green beans) and healthy fats (sunflower seeds, almonds).

I start my day off with a cup of caffeinated coffee and have a preworkout drink with creatine in the offseason - why? to aid MY goals of muscle building in the off season while staying lean and being able to hit the gym hard twice every single day. My specific goals! Not every one needs a supplement regimen like mine because they aren't training like I am (remember I train like it's my job because IT IS my job - I have sponsors to answer to and my own lofty ambitious goals to meet ;)

My point is there is A LOT of information out there - and it can be difficult to sift through it all. Some of it is pure bs and some of it factual. But also some of the factual info is beneficial for some but not everyone. There is no one set formula that works with everyone.