These are just a few thoughts on training, nutrition, and supplements. Remember, before beginning any training or nutrition program, the individual should undergo a complete physical exam and be in good, general health. As a strength coach as well as an anatomy and physiology instructor, I always tell my students that a combination of heredity plus environment/surrounding factors plus time equals the condition you’re in. This may be a state of wellness or a state of illness.

Heredity equals genes from your parents and your family history.

Environment or surrounding factors include coach-athlete interactions, sleep patterns/recovery, training, nutrition, work, school (if applicable), injury, attitude, social life, active rest, environmental factors, and many others variables not listed.

Time is the process of aging. This means changes in the human body. The only things we have control over are our environment and surrounding factors. Adaptation is when improvement takes place.

Here are some things to remember:

  • Supplementation is a tool, and any tool is only as good as the technician’s expertise in using it.
  • Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good.
  • All businesses exist for one purpose—to make a profit (supplement companies want to sell more of their product).
  • Be an educated consumer (buyer beware).
  • Supplements, when used properly, can help recovery and enhance athletic performance.
  • The body has ranges of various indicators for performance and wellness. They exist in a tension of opposites.
  • More is not necessarily better.
  • Some supplements (even the best quality) will not react favorably for all people. Be aware of your own body.
  • Just as people are allergic to some foods or medications such as peanuts or penicillin, they can have a reaction with supplements.
  • Some supplements, when used together, can interfere with each other and doctor prescribed medications. In some cases, severe reactions can be fatal.

Again, before beginning any training or nutrition program, the individual should have a complete physical exam and be in good, general health.