A dietary supplement is any product taken by mouth that has a “dietary ingredient.” Minerals, herbs, amino acids, and vitamins, as well as substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, metabolites, extracts or concentrates can all be included in the ingredients of dietary supplements. Some people need vitamin-mineral supplements to meet their nutritional needs. It’s important to know that supplements do not require FDA approval to be sold, so you should check with your doctor before purchasing or using them.

If you consume a healthy diet with lots of whole foods and the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, in theory you should be getting all the nutrition your body needs. But let’s face it; the more pizza, French fries, and chilli dogs you eat, the less healthy stuff you’ll have room for. So, you’ll definitely would want to add some vitamins and minerals to your diet. Even if your diet is good, however, there are a number of reasons why you might want to include vitamin and mineral supplements to your everyday health and fitness habit.

You may need to take the following supplements, recommended by Men’s Health Magazine, to ensure your body gets the right amount of nutrients:

• Multivitamin : a must for anyone who doesn’t get enough fruits and vegetables. Look for one pill that supplies 100% of your daily requirements for as many vitamins and minerals as possible, rather than taking mega-doses of nutrients.
• Boron : to safeguard your prostate. Studies prove that men with the highest boron intakes are 65 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than men with lower levels.
• Calcium : to lose weight and strengthen bones. The majority of men don’t get the suggested 1000 mg of calcium per day.
• Chromium : to defend against diabetes. If you’re overweight or diabetes runs in your family, taking chromium is a great way to keep insulin levels under control. Chromium is also well known as a muscle-building supplement.
• Coenzyme Q10 : to increase energy. As you get older, your body’s production of coenzyme Q10 decreases, and the only way to get it back up to youthful levels is to take a supplement.
• Creatine : to increase muscle and memory. Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found that men taking creatine for just 2 to 3 months improved their maximum bench presses by an average of 15 pounds and their squats by 21 pounds.
• Folic Acid : to reduce the possibility of Alzheimer’s. Researchers in Sweden found that Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to have folic acid deficiencies.
• Glucosamine : to lubricate your joints. Take glucosamine, made from the shells of crabs and lobsters, to reverse damage and actually restore cartilage.
• Green Tea : to fight fat. Animals that are given the extract in studies gain less weight and burn fat, substantially more than animals getting a placebo.
• Omega -3’s: to protect your heart. Omega-3 fatty acids keep blood pressure and triglyceride levels low and the heart beating regularly.
• Protein Powder : to speed muscle recovery and increase muscle growth. Protein powder is convenient and generally lower in calories than an entire “high-protein” meal.
• Selenium : to defend against cancer. This nutrient basically forces cancer cells to self-destruct.
• Vitamin E : to slow down the effects of aging. Vitamin E may help to cut down the risk of certain eye diseases, heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer’s.

Look, at Great Guy Life we’re not doctors and we know that every guy is different. So consult your doctor or a certified nutritionist and get the vitamins and supplements you need to support a healthy lifestyle. Most big health food stores like Whole Foods and Wild Oats have nutritionists on staff that can make recommendations.

But remember all the vitamins and supplements in the world can’t overcome a lousy diet and a lazy, fat body. So get outside, move your body and eat something healthy for a change!