Supplements...trying to figure this out

[NOSUPERMODEL]

I am a subscriber to Flex magazine and I find the section on Nutrition/Supplements very interesting to read. But, as I was reading the section last night I started thinking to myself, every time I pick up an issue they are telling me this will help this, or this supp will do this. So I was wondering what do you actually need. Obviously I know, Whey protein, multivitamin, BCAA. But I mean is Arginine, Leucine, Glucosamine, Lysine, the list could keep going on forever. So I was just wanting to see what you guys think are the bare essential supplements to take on a regular basis. By the way I am one of those guys that for the past year or so anytime I read an article and it said this supp would do this, I would give it a try. So I am just trying to simplify my daily supplements. Seeing how its time to buy again as I am getting low.

[ThatAthlete82]

You will get varying answers from every poster. I am a minimalist in this sense and try not believe all the hype the supplement industry makes about their products(and trust me there's 100 new ones each week).

I supplement with: protein powder(has BCAA in it), multi-vitamin, mono creatine, glutamine.

A lot of the other obscure supplements I see out there can be made up for with a proper, balanced diet.

For my upcoming cycle I'll be taking: flax seed oil and policanasol to try and lessen the harsh effects on my lipids/blood pressure.

[NOSUPERMODEL]

Thanks for the response.

[cchaser]

I have found the Sport Supplement Reference Guide to be of great value. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Suppleme...227747&sr=1-14

For the most part I just use a pre-work drink and protein powder. Sometimes I'll take some ALCAR if I'm mentally foggy, that's about it.

[Little1]

Protein and Vitamins. All you need

[ottomaddox]

Multi vitamin, fish oil, pre workout supplement, Whey.

[Little1]

Also, if you are lactose intolerant, like me, switch to beef protein

[Nismo]

In my opinion it goes a bit like this:
1. Genetics
2. Food (not junk food, hitting up McDonalds isn't going to get you bigger)
3. Lots of water (Muscles are mostly made up of water)
4. Multi-Vitamins (Don't go all crazy and get the most expensive one, read the label, most have the same stuff in it)
5. Sleep (Muscle fibers heal when you're asleep. 6 hours isn't going to cut it)
6. Determination (Be realistic, take baby steps if you just started working out. In the gym especially your friends, everyone is a personal trainer. Start off slow and light and just keep going. Don't start thinking you're going to get huge in 4 weeks. It takes time and never give up).

That's pretty much the basics. The only thing you have no control over is genetics, but you can still have some gains by following the basics. The mind is a powerful tool, use it to your advantage. Be confident in yourself and you will strive to your goals.