Men And Supplements: Are You Overlooking These Options?

Men and supplements? If you’re entering the new year with a resolve to work on your fitness, you’re not alone. Global surveys always reveal that one of the world’s top resolutions is to get in better shape. While dieting and exercise will help you do it, the right top-quality supplements can enhance any fitness journey. Still, while browsing protein shakes and looking at creatine powder, remember these often overlooked supplements. They might help turn you into a lean, mean, fat-burning machine!

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Sure, you’ve heard about that body-toning supplement CLA. But what about ALA? Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful free-radical fighter. It helps your body produce glutathione, possibly the most useful antioxidant. But, as an added bonus, it can also improve insulin sensitivity.

Getting a handle on your body’s insulin sensitivity is essential if you want to lose weight and keep it off. This is because insulin “communicates” with the sugar in your bloodstream. It tells it to get out of your veins and move to your body’s cells, where it’s used for energy. However, your body doesn’t get the message if you’re insulin resistant. Your pancreas then has to pump out more and more insulin, essentially ‘shouting’ at the sugar before it fatigues and begins to slow down.

When this happens, your blood sugar gets stored as stubborn fat instead of being converted into energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ll definitely be insulin resistant. But you don’t have to have the condition to become resistant to the hormone’s effects. In short, if you want those abs, you’ll want to become super sensitive to insulin’s sugar-shifting message. Happily, an ALA supplement can help you do it!

Green Coffee Bean

Nope, we’re not talking about green tea. We’re talking about green coffee bean extract! Coffee beans contain a particular antioxidant compound known as chlorogenic acid. Alas, when you roast coffee, you dramatically reduce its chlorogenic acid content. Green coffee beans, however, haven’t been roasted. Evidence suggests it can help lower your blood pressure as well as help you lose weight.

Just one example? A study was performed by researchers at the University of Medical Sciences in Iran. They found that people taking 400mg of green coffee bean extract for two months, along with a low-calorie diet, lost more weight than their counterparts who were on a low-calorie diet alone. The group who took the extract also enjoyed a reduced total cholesterol as well as LDL (bad) cholesterol. Suddenly, green coffee beans sound like a great way to start the day! 

Cinnamon

It’s true! Cinnamon can help you on your quest to get ripped – provided you’re not putting it on a pile of pancakes. Studies have shown that consuming cinnamon can increase your body’s insulin sensitivity while decreasing your blood sugar. Still, the merits don’t stop there. As your body has to use more energy to digest this flavourful spice, it’s thought to be a good metabolism booster. Next time you wonder how to add a little zing to your protein shake, pop in a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Alternatively, look out for a water-soluble cinnamon extract. Raw cinnamon contains alkaloids that can be toxic in large doses. However, a top-quality water-soluble cinnamon supplement won’t include them, so you’ll get all the benefits without the baddies.

Men and supplements do go hand in hand after all.