You like what I did there? >_< (If you’re too young to understand that reference… kindly look it up or ask your elders.)
I wanted to take some time to chat about a way that you can give yourself the upper hand on the trail, in the gym, or just plain in life. I’ve been biohacking for the better part of two decades now, without having necessarily realized it when I began, and it’s the sort of thing that certainly compounds benefits over time.
But “WHAT IS BIOHACKING?”
It’s not as outrageous as it might sound. I’ll focus another, more in-depth post on it later, but simply put, biohacking is the art of utilizing different tools and tricks to enhance your body chemistry, physiology, and ultimately improve performance. Nutrition and supplementation are just a couple of the ways that you can biohack yourself.
As someone with an ethnic background who had a relatively holistic grandmother (always putting plants and natural potions on her face) and a father who was into home remedies, I’m also quite the naturalist myself and have always found assistance and solution through nature. As a fitness professional, my interest in supplementation was piqued and I’ve tried a lot of things through the years.
ANYWAY… Here are some supplements I personally use in my own biohacking adventure.
*NOTE + DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor nor do I make any claims in regards to your own health; I am simply sharing my own supplemental regimen and it’s up to you to do your due diligence and research or speak to your healthcare providers about if they might work for you. If you choose to try any of these supplements without research or professional consultation, you are doing so at your own risk.
ELDERBERRY - The fruit of the Sambucus tree, provides antioxidants for immune support and has been shown to have antiviral properties that can defend against the flu. I just started using these on-the-go shots by Nature’s Answer that I can just throw in my hiking pack. I particularly love that they taste great and don’t use sucralose :)
antioxidant
immune-boosting
antiviral
NAC - I started using N-Acetyl Cysteine over a decade ago in my quest for natural respiratory health solutions and as I was building up my cardiovascular endurance, I’d experience noticeable differences on days that I missed a dose vs every other day I remembered to take it. I’ve been using NOW Foods NAC for nearly a decade now since they were a local brand when I lived in IL and I’ve always been satisfied with the quality and affordability of their products.
aids in detoxification
antioxidant production
prevention of cellular damage
FORSKOLIN - The extract of the root of the Indian coleus forskohlii plant, this is another supplement I came across in researching solutions for natural respiratory support that I found to be beneficial in mitigating asthmatic incidences and I’ve been taking regularly for quite some time. It was popularized at one point for potential weight loss benefits and may have an impact on body fat regulation, lean muscle mass support, and weight management. I’ve been using Cardiovascular Research Ltd Forskolin since I like that they’re a brand trusted by more holisitically inclined physicians.
metabolic regulation
CORDYCEPS - I’m a big fan of adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms (not the special kind, per se) rank near the top of my list. Ask me about the week I felt invincible when the one big difference to note was that I took Cordyceps daily without fail. This is another supplement I trust from NOW Foods, though I’ve also taken mushroom blends from different brands. Another one I like if you want to up your shroom game is Genius brand’s Mushroom blend. While modern Western medical research is still in progress for most of Cordyceps’s health claims, it’s been used for ages in Traditional Chinese Medicine I’ve experienced the health benefits for myself.
increase ATP / cardiovascular improvement
reduce fatigue / boost endurance
anti-inflammatory
ELEUTHERO (Siberian Ginseng) - Though there are a few different forms of ginseng, and I’d used other types in the past for athletic enhancement, Siberian Ginseng caught my attention while in as herbal remedy lecture at Envision Festival last winter. As someone who conscientiously maintains a healthy immune system, I still sometimes fall prey to seasonal allergies, and I was therefore interested to find that many people use eleuthero as a natural antihistamine. I’ve since then been pleased by it’s effects to help me through two allergy seasons so far. I particularly love that it’s even more afforable than your average OTC antihistamine. Unsurprsingly, once again, I’ve trusted NOW Foods’s Eleuthero as well.
immune booster
general stimulant
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? Did you learn anything? Are you fascinated?
Please drop a COMMENT below to let me know, and share any of the supplements you use too!
I’ll be sharing more from my personal supplementation list next week so stay tuned :)
*NOTE : Yes, the blue/underlined texts are affiliate links hyperlinks to Amazon product pages and any purchases made through those links to help support my efforts to create and share content with you are greatly appreciated 🙏