My views on supplements have evolved as I no longer take any supplements beyond Doctor’s Best Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM with Opti MSM, Mountain Rose ground organic turmeric, testosterone, and protein shakes. The third on the list is a loaded topic, so let me start with the one-two punch of joint lubrication and natural anti-inflammatory properties that support my active lifestyle. With beach running, paddle surfing, and everything else, I know my joints feel better when they get the added treatment of Doctor’s Best and Mountain Rose.
This is a far cry from all the supplements I took in my playing days. I downed fists full of capsules multiple times daily upon the recommendation of well-intended colleagues and friends. These were not illegal drugs, just their suggestions.
Now for the stigmatized good stuff, testosterone. Over the last ten years, I benefited from using prescription testosterone cream with semi-annual blood tests to check my Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels. I like to hover on the higher end of the testosterone range for my age group. As a result, I recover faster, have more energy, and feel confident whatever the hour. What isn’t to love? I think this hormone supplementation gets a bad rap because of those who abuse it. Like all good things, too much is never a wise idea. But, with measured use, I offer my body this much-needed hormone proven to wane as we age.
Protein shakes are another story. I love them so much that I would request one as my last meal on death row. I’ve tried countless brands and eventually migrated from whey to plant protein sources. My meal replacement shake goes down the hatch each morning. Most days, I also have one additional shake two hours after my last meal to keep me satiated and achieve my daily goal of consuming at least 150 grams of protein. These shakes ensure I get the highest quality, most nutritionally dense meal to complement my food consumption. Cue the most asked question of vegans: is plant protein as good as animal protein? Take a look at a gorilla or buffalo; they subsist on plants and still appear quite beastly.
More on this topic and others in my forthcoming memoir, Aggressively Human, to be released on all platforms in November 2023.
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