Stuff We Like – Supplements 2

Vital Proteins Beef Liver Capsules

From Amazon

Grass-fed, pasture-raised New Zealand desiccated beef liver.

When a wild animal kills his prey, he eats the liver first. Why? Because it's the most nutrient-dense morsel. Beasties instinctively know about this superfood, and most progressive nutrition experts are advising us to return to our predatory ways and eat more organ meats, especially liver.

The only drawback? Liver tastes like liver. Mmm, chewy cooked blood! Doesn't that sound delectable? No. No it does not. And I'm not gonna eat it, dammit, even if you make airplane noises and fly the fork into my mouth.

But I'll take these capsules. There's one ingredient: grass-fed beef liver. And it's chock-full of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids you need to be an alpha male or female. – Chris Shugart

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Host Defense Turkey Tail Mushroom Capsules

From Amazon

Natural immune and digestive support. Activated, freeze-dried mushroom mycelium. USDA organic, gluten free, 60 vegetarian capsules.

A few months ago I began using different mushrooms for various purposes and discovered that when I use turkey tail, my morning bathroom routine gets pretty regular... and often quite impressive.

Turkey tail has been studied extensively. According to researchers, it has immune-boosting qualities, it may offer protection against certain forms of cancer (in dogs too), it may reduce inflammation, and it may lower blood sugar.

While these studies make it sound like a wonder drug, I just like things that help me poop better. So do your own investigating to determine whether those other claims are valid. – Dani Shugart

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Vital Proteins Cartilage Collagen

From Amazon

Type II collagen peptides and glycosaminoglycans from grass-fed, pasture-raised sources.

Sometimes I don't feel pretty. So I take this stuff for more luxurious hair, strong nails, and youthful-looking skin. Okay, not really, but the naturally-occurring glycosaminoglycans found in this supplement do provide those benefits.

No, I take collagen – bovine tracheal cartilage in this case (yummy) – because it makes my barbell-abused joints, tendons, and ligaments feel better. There's even some evidence that it helps with post-exercise recovery and immune system regulation. – Chris Shugart

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Bulk Supplements Pine Bark Extract Powder

From Amazon

French maritime pine bark extract, 95% OPCs.

This stuff, also known as pycnogenol, will give you an unstoppable boner. There ya go. What else do you need to know? I'm done here.

Yeah yeah, it's really good for your prostate too. That's why I started using it. It can also help treat high blood pressure, control glucose levels, reduce DHT, improve skin elasticity, and make your joints feel better. But let's talk about those boners.

An enlarged prostate can affect erection health, and pine bark extract keeps that persnickety gland in check. It also increases nitric oxide levels, which is likewise good for stiffer stiffies. Put them both together and you have something that feels a bit like taking a light dose of Viagra.

But I take it for prostate health. No, really. – Chris Shugart

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Bragg Seasoning Sprinkle, Herb & Spice

From Amazon

Mix of 24 herbs and spices, salt free, certified organic, non-GMO.

Okay, most people wouldn't call this a "supplement," but here's the thing: Herbs and spices, like the ones in this mix, are among the most nutrient-dense foods there are, ranking right up there with organ meats like liver.

They're bursting with bioactive compounds like tannins, alkaloids, phenolic terpenes, and vitamins, especially flavonoids and polyphenols, so damn right this stuff is actually a supplement.

I was in the process of putting together something like this for my own use when I found Bragg's version. Aside from organic ingredients like rosemary, thyme, carrot, and black pepper among its 24 ingredients, it contains some surprising ones like organic apple cider vinegar, organic extra virgin olive oil, and turmeric, from which curcumin is extracted. Sprinkle it on vegetables, meat, or fish to give yourself a nutritional booster shot. Oh yeah, it also tastes so good you could actually skip the salt, or at least use less of it. – TC Luoma

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