As a sports chiropractor, I’m frequently asked about the latest and greatest supplements as they hit the market. My patients quiz me all the time, often carrying in a grocery bag full of supplements they’re currently taking and want my advice about.

In a way, supplements are for natural health providers what prescription medications are for medical doctors. When it comes to treating athletes, I often use a race car analogy. Comparing the actively training athlete to the relatively sedentary general population is like comparing a high-performance race car to your every-day vehicle.

Most people who drive around the city and keep their engines running well within tolerable limits tend to change their oil every three months or so. They can even afford to skip an oil change here and there and they don’t worry too much about what they may or may not be missing out on by buying a lower octane gasoline.

If their air filter is a little dirty, no problem! Their concern is not with top-notch performance, since they’re really not pushing their machine to its limits. As long as they get from point A to point B in a reasonable amount of time, they’re happy.

Not so with the dedicated endurance athlete. They train more, eat more, and even breathe more than less active people. Most of them are concerned with ensuring that they are training properly – putting in enough hours for the swim, the bike, and the run, eating properly, staying hydrated and recovering. In short: maximizing their return on investment for their training hours. And if they’re not, they should be.

With this in mind, it makes logical sense that one should have the right nutrients on board to maximize the time spent in training and recovery.

Enter the multivitamin.

Using a high quality multivitamin is an effective step towards ensuring the body has everything it needs to perform efficiently at a high level and to repair itself after each session. The word ‘vitamin’ actually comes from a combination of two words, ‘vital’ and ‘amines’.

In the beginning, vitamins were made of a combination of amine compounds that were considered ‘vital’ for life’s processes. This was based on the fact that a gross deficiency in one of those vitamins resulted in disease. Unlike other supplements and substances that show questionable benefit in many studies the marketers love to use in convincing us to buy their latest wonder product, the vitamins and minerals contained in a high quality multivitamin have been proven to be essential for the body’s everyday processes.

Many multivitamins now include a number of other supplements that are added bonuses. Most of these add-ons target certain body systems: digestive enzymes for the digestive tract, natural anti-inflammatories for musculoskeletal health, and antioxidants for the immune and respiratory system. These substances may not be essential for good health but they certainly don’t have a negative effect on the body.

Antioxidants, for example, help to eliminate free radicals caused by ingested or inspired toxins. Just think – if endurance athletes eat more and breathe more than the average Joe, they are filtering out more toxins and can always benefit from a little boost in the antioxidant department.

If you’re like most athletes, the first thing to go when the going gets tough is your attention to detail with respect to your nutrition. That’s where the multivitamin will pay dividends again, making up for any shortfalls that occur during those off-days when your nutritional intake is less than optimal.

Another argument in favour of a good quality multivitamin is what I call the food-chain argument. Current farming and agriculture techniques have been seen in some cases to deplete our soil of the same quantity and quality of nutrients that was seen in the same soil in years past. Although this may not be true if you’re eating organic or growing your own fruits and vegetables, it’s a good idea to top up your vitamin and mineral stores – just in case.

And, what if you skip a meal or don’t get the necessary number of fruits and vegetables in the proper ratio for optimal nutrition one day? A daily deficiency is created that could be nullified by the addition of a multivitamin. It’s like an insurance policy – sure you can get by without one but why not insure you’re giving your body everything it needs – just in case?

No matter your level of competitiveness, when the big day comes and you’ve trained for months, it stands to reason that you’ll want to have given your body everything it needs to carry you to a personal best. Ensuring your diet has all the essential vitamins and minerals to get the most out of your training is an easy way to give yourself an edge, and may even make the difference over your competition.

Dr. Ryan Iverach – Vancouver, BC

Certified ironguides Method Coach Eric Doehrman is based in Huntsville, Alabama and coaches athletes throughout the southeast United States. Known for his empathic dedication to his athletes and constant encouragement, Eric coaches several local squad throughout the Huntsville region, and is head coach to other ironguides locations in the southeast. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/a-little-multivitamin-insurance-goes-a-long-way-1509395.html

I’ll admit, it is difficult to find a review about Shakeology that isn’t from a Beachbody Coach. Doing a search for the product is probably what landed you on this article. I will clear the air right now by stating that yes, I am also a Beachbody Coach, however, I can honestly say that if I weren’t, I would still continue to use Shakeology on a daily basis. Here’s why:

It’s an Excellent Liquid Multivitamin

I’m not big on taking pills and taking vitamins in pill form was never something I could keep up with every day. What I like about Shakeology is that it is a shake. The chocolate flavor literally tastes like a chocolate milkshake. I can handle drinking a milkshake every day that is good for you. Not only that, it makes it great for those who can’t swallow pills but want to take a multivitamin. This product contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals as well as tons of antioxidants from the super-fruit blend (acai, pomegranate, blueberry, goji berry, and more.)

An Excellent Option as a Meal Replacement

The shake is marketed mainly as a healthy meal replacement. This makes it an excellent option for someone who is seeking to reduce their calorie intake but continue to get the nutrition the body needs. There are 70 ingredients to include the standard vitamins and minerals such as A, B, C, D, E, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and more.

Shakeology Flavors and Taste

It comes in two flavors: chocolate and greenberry. I can vouch for the chocolate flavor as I am still waiting to try out greenberry. You can mix it with water, milk, soy milk, rice milk, etc. It also comes in packets and you can purchase a combination of both flavors.

If you are worried you will not like the taste, I can say that unless you are extremely picky, you probably will. I have let my family and friends sample it and haven’t had one negative reaction.

While there are tons of reviews out there and it is tough to find one that isn’t biased because it’s coming from a Beachbody Coach, the only true review is the one that will come from you. You are already interested so why not try it for yourself. You will either like it or dislike it. Chances are, you will find what you are looking for in one healthy shake.

Interested in saving 10% or 25% off the cost? Learn how by visiting Beachbody products.

Eartha Haines is an Independent Beachbody Coach. She helps others reach their dreams of getting into the best shape of their lives while building a homebased business in the process. Transform your life today by joining her winning team! Visit Beachbody business and contact Eartha today for full details.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/shakeology-reviews-why-so-many-people-use-it-1443586.html