Author Topic: Top 9 Supps for Men Article  (Read 1081 times)

Armani

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Top 9 Supps for Men Article
« on: September 29, 2012, 01:29:08 PM »
Article on top supplements for men (most have value for women I note).  Most of these are probably known to Getbiggers but maybe there's a nugget to be found. 

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-table/201209/9-best-supplements-men

9 Best Supplements For Men

The right supplements can help your heart, sharpen your immune system, and even improve your sex life. The wrong ones, however, can be ineffective or even harmful. "You run into problems because most men are 'prescribing' these things themselves," says Tod Cooperman, M.D., president of consumerlab.com, an independent tester of health and nutritional products. "Don't take supplements with abandon. They should be used carefully, because taking in too much of certain nutrients can cause problems."
 


We consulted with top doctors, reviewed the latest research, and waded through marketers' claims to bring you nine of the best supplements for men. We also looked for brands that delivered exactly what's on the label -- no sketchy ingredients.
 
And remember, we're not suggesting you take all of these -- only that you use this information to guide your choices. What's more, always consult your doctor -- many supplements can interact with other medications -- to fine-tune your strategy.
 
Fish Oil

 Problem: Heart disease
 
Loaded with the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, fish oil can reduce triglycerides, boost HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. But your heart isn't the only beneficiary: The healthy fats may also reduce inflammation and improve cognitive performance.
 You don't need a prescription to turn around your cholesterol numbers -- just a fork. Make these 12 Food Swaps to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels.

 Dose: At least 500 mg DHA and 500 mg EPA daily
 
Our pick: Kirkland Signature; nordicnaturals.com ($10/400 soft gels)

 Natural Sources: Salmon, tuna, or other fatty fish

 
Psyllium Husk
 Problem: Diabetes

 This fiber is more than a colon clearer. According to an August 2012 review, the addition of psyllium to your diet reduces blood sugar levels and insulin response. It was also shown to suppress ghrelin, a hormone that makes you hungry. Psyllium is one of five soluble fibers approved by the FDA for lowering LDL cholesterol.
 
Dose: 20 to 35 g/day, divided and taken with at least 8 ounces of liquid

 Our pick: GNC Natural Brand Psyllium Seed Husk; gnc.com ($15)

 Natural Sources: Some fortified cereal grains
 
Quercetin
 Problem: Low endurance
 
Want to extend your cardio session? People who didn't exercise regularly but took 500 mg of this antioxidant twice a day for a week were able to bicycle 13 percent longer than the placebo group, a University of South Carolina study found. Overall, research shows that quercetin can improve your endurance capacity by about 3 percent. Sick of the treadmill? Try one of these 3 New Cardio Workouts You've Never Tried.
 Dose: Up to 500 mg, twice a day 

 Our pick: Jarrow Formulas Quercetin 500; vitaminexpress.com ($24/100 capsules)
 
Natural Sources: Red wine, parsley, grapefruit, onions, apples

 
Glucosamine
 Problem: Joint pain
 
One study found that glucosamine, a building block of cartilage, is more effective than acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol) at relieving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, often caused in younger men by joint injury. Other research suggests that taking glucosamine may play a small role in slowing the progression of osteoarthritis.
 
Dose: 1,500 mg glucosamine/day
 
Our pick: Puritan's Pride Glucosamine 1,500 mg; puritan.com ($48/360 caplets)

 Natural sources: Crustacean shells
 
Vitamin C
 Problem: Injury

 One in 10 men don't get enough vitamin C in their diets, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vitamin C helps protect your cells from the tissue-damaging free radicals produced by exercise. It also helps heal wounds, and it's key to production of the collagen found in ligaments and tendons.
 
Dose: Up to 1,000 mg/day in spaced doses

 Our pick: Ester-C, 500 mg; cvs.com ($11/90 tablets)

 Natural sources: Citrus fruits, sweet peppers, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts

Lycopene
 Problem: Prostate-cancer risk
 
Found in tomatoes, this potent antioxidant may slow the progression of early prostate cancer to a near-halt, according to a paper in Cancer Causes Control reviewing recent research. It may work by altering hormone metabolism and by causing cancer cells to self-destruct.
 
Dose: 15 to 20 mg/day
 
Our pick: Carlson Labs Lycopene (Tomato-Free), 15 mg; carlsonlabs.com ($50/180 tablets)
 
Natural Sources: Fresh or cooked tomatoes, and fruits with red/pink flesh
 
SAMe
 Problem: Depression

 Talk about head-to-toe relief: A synthetic form of a dietary amino acid, SAMe has been found to treat depression as effectively as prescription antidepressants, according to a Harvard Medical School study. It has also been shown to reduce joint pain and inflammation.

 Dose: 600 to 1,600 mg/day depending on the condition

 Our pick: Jarrow Formulas SAM-e 200; gnc.com ($40/60 tablets)

 Natural sources: Made in your body, possibly after eating meats, greens, and oranges
 
Magnesium
 Problem: Anxiety/Stress

 Chalk up your commute stress to a lack of this natural mineral. People with low levels of magnesium are constantly pumping more adrenaline than normal, and having too little of the nutrient in your body can trigger stress, according to a 2012 review in the journal Nutrition Reviews. Low levels of this lightweight mineral are also linked to big problems like depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer, though some of the associations need more research to be understood.
 
Dose: 400 mg/day

 Our pick: Now Magnesium Citrate; gnc.com ($26/180 softgels)

 Natural sources: Cooked black beans, almonds, scallops
 
EGCG
 Problem: Extra body fat
 
Men who took green-tea extract burned 17 percent more fat after moderate exercise than those taking placebos, according to one study. EGCG, the most active antioxidant in green tea, is also thought to help prevent certain types of cancer and can improve heart health. Trying to shed a few pounds? Recognize the 21 Restaurant Menu Terms You Must Avoid.

 Dose: 890 mg/day green tea extract (containing 340 mg of EGCG)
 
Our pick: Green Tea EGCG-200; procapslabs.com ($15/30 capsules)

 Natural sources: Green tea