5 AUMazing Supplements to Help You Look and Feel Your Best
Knowing which nutritional supplements are right for your health, fitness, and weight-loss goals can be challenging. There are endless amounts of information available, and much of it is conflicting which makes things confusing and overwhelming.
I was fortunate to work in the supplement industry for nearly five years where I learned how to filter through all the research to provide science-based, field-tested recommendations that you can trust.
After leaving the supplement industry and entering the fitness field as a full-time personal trainer a few years ago, I became increasingly frustrated at the poor quality of supplements being offered at most gyms.
My Boston personal trainer team and I set out to find a solution. We’ve created an apothecary at our holistic fitness and wellness center where we offer my hand-chosen arsenal of the best supplements for optimizing your health, fitness, and longevity. I’ve researched everything at our private Boston personal training studio as being the very best stuff available. These are things I personally use and recommend to our weight loss clients.
Here, I've reduced years of research into 5 simple supplement recommendations for combating the signs of aging, boosting your energy, and supporting your weight loss goals. They are safe to use, and they will help you look and feel AUMazing.
1. Digestive Enzymes
Over 20 million people suffer from some form of maldigestion, which is one of the leading contributors to weight gain. Processing, microwaving, and over-cooking are destroying the natural enzymes that exist in whole foods. This makes them more difficult to digest and absorb. As a result, your body isn’t able to properly assimilate essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals which, in turn, can contribute to fatigue, constipation, reduced metabolic rate, and excess body fat. Taking a digestive enzyme supplement is like gifting your digestive system an army of soldiers wielding swords that chop nutrients up into smaller pieces that are easier to absorb. I highly recommend Integrative Therapeutics' digestive enzymes if you’re struggling to lose weight and you often experience gas, bloating, stomach upset, low energy, or indigestion after meals, to help address these issues.
2. Liquid Minerals
As you’ve likely heard, the standard American diet often leads to deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies can slow your metabolism and impair your ability to burn fat, among other things. A good mineral supplement helps bridge the gap, fuel your body, and aid your weight loss efforts. As part of my daily routine, I take a cap full of Sunwarrior's Liquid Light Fulvic Acid to start my day! This great liquid mineral complex contains over 72 trace minerals and is the boost of energy my body needs to stay active, while also aiding in proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
3. Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina)
Did you know that algae are the most nutrient dense plants on the face of the earth? Algae contain over 40 vitamins and minerals, has more antioxidants than berries, more calcium than milk, more iron than liver, and more chlorophyll than kale. It has been shown to improve your physical stamina and mental focus, strengthen your immune system, reduce hunger, and aid weight loss. I take one full serving of Energybits in the morning with my daily super-smoothie to give me a steady source of energy and satisfy my appetite. It's like having several salads for breakfast. Without question, Energybits is one of the best supplements I’ve ever taken.
4. Collagen Protein
Because our bodies’ collagen production slows as we age, our need for it grows to maintain an active, fit lifestyle. Plus, our modern diet is severely lacking in this crucial protein. Supplementing with collagen provides your body with the vital building blocks for healthy skin, hair, joints, and nails. By helping to support healthy digestion, collagen is critical for maintaining how you look, feel, and build a healthier body from the inside out. Adding 2 scoops to a smoothie is a great way to easily incorporate more collagen into your diet and boost your overall health, fitness, and vitality. I recommend Vital Proteins' high-quality collagen protein — odorless, flavorless, easy to mix and 20grams per serving.
5. Vitamin D
Did you know that more than 40 percent of the population in the United States is deficient in vitamin D? Now being referred to as "an ignored epidemic," it is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide have inadequate levels. Although it’s been long-reported that low vitamin D status can adversely affect bone health and your immune system, we’re now learning that the implications are even more wide-reaching. According to data presented in Barcelona at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, ECE 2018, higher levels of belly fat are associated with lower vitamin D levels in obese individuals. The study suggests that individuals, particularly the overweight with larger waistlines, should have their vitamin D levels checked, to avoid any potential health-damaging effects. The importance of having your vitamin D levels tested and supplementing appropriately with the correct supplement is essential to your overall health. I highly recommend Metagenics — they offer a wide range of nutritional products that provide a variety of nutritional support including Vitamin D.
So there you have it, our 5 top supplements for combating the signs of aging, boosting energy, and supporting your weight loss goals. A lot of thought and a lot of research have gone into these recommendations. All these products are available at our wellness center.
If you have a question about a supplement that we didn’t talk about in this guide, we’ll be happy to answer it. We’re excited to be your trusted resource, and we look forward to guiding you towards achieving your health, fitness, and weight loss goals!