Supplements in checked baggage

[bundy_138]

I brought this up several months ago, and after lengthy discussions, finally decided I would buy my supplements in Cali instead of bringing them with me.  Well, that was until I saw the prices for name brand supplements in Cali and the fact that I couldn't find a fraction of the supplements they have here.

I take 12 - 15 different supplements a day and was wondering if I took a 5 day supply with me, packed in my checked bags in a vitamin holder, if customs would give me any s*it about having a bunch of pills.  I saw a granny with a pill case in her purse at the Cali airport and the customs guy didn't say a word.  Assuming they were prescription med's, she would show prescriptions and it would be fine. 

What is your opinion on taking non-prescription, over the counter supplements overseas?

Bundy

[pan de bono]

man thats alot of supplements, do you bodybuild. I take about 5 supplements. i take mine everytime to Colombia in my carry on with no problems.

[Frank Rizzo]

Same here Bundy. I take them down in the luggage last trip i took down 2 kgs of creatine and occasionally ship them down via Miami. It's the only way, the stuff in Cali is not that good and expensive.

[bundy_138]

Yeah, I work out twice a day, 5 days a week.  I am no "genetic freak" or anything and definitely do not "juice".  I am so accustomed to taking supplements and working out that if I skip a day, I feel horrible.  Thats why it is so important that I bring em'.

pan de bono.....so you never had any problems or questioned by customs?

Bundy

[Fuzzyone]

Yeah, I work out twice a day, 5 days a week.  I am no "genetic freak" or anything and definitely do not "juice".  I am so accustomed to taking supplements and working out that if I skip a day, I feel horrible.  Thats why it is so important that I bring em'.

pan de bono.....so you never had any problems or questioned by customs?

Bundy

   I use to bring some stuff with me vitamins ect but I always made sure to keep them in the container I bought them in. If custums wanted them then take them they are all yours. I would not worry to much about it.

[Frank Rizzo]

They opened my suitcase a couple of years ago, powdered creatine in 1gallon freezer bags. Not even a word. Just looked at it with the "sharpie" written creatine. There were another 30 bottles of vitamins there also and they just shrugged and passed me. GNC at the mall in Cali is okay, but ordering online here and taking or shipping is by far the best. You just can't get some of the supplements you need down there like carnosine, acetyl carnitine, etc...AND creatine at GNC cali is like $20USD for 500 grams. We order that wholesale for $15 a kg here.

[pan de bono]

Bundy, no I have never had a problem in Cali or coming back through Miami. One time about 4 years ago a guy at the airport in Cali asked me what are these. I simple told him health supplements, he said "ok".
It is best that you have the supplements in the original bottles/cans so they can see the labels. Same with medications, have them all in original labeled containers.

[papi]

do you guys really believe the stuff does anything? It always made more sense to me to eat an orange rather than swallow a Vitamin C pill.

[Frank Rizzo]

Not sure if it really works. No se, but taking vitamins, probably 100 pills a day, I haven't been sick even once in 10 years. No flu, no cold, nothing. I'm not kidding. As for creatine, you bet it works. Take 5 grams a day for a month when you're working out. You'll feel it. Huge energy, stamina and STRENGTH!! increases.

[doombug]

As for creatine, you bet it works. Take 5 grams a day for a month when you're working out. You'll feel it. Huge energy, stamina and STRENGTH!! increases.

"The supplement is also notorious for creating an unpleasant odour in the vicinity of the taker."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3145223.stm

Dear Joe Weider,

Do complete strangers ever accuse you of busting ass?

Do little children point at you and shriek, "Mommy, that man smells of dead Barney!"

Do flies hesitate landing on you?

Seriously, though, I've had a bottle of this stuff sitting around unused now for something like three years. I could never get over the sense that it's just another overhyped product.

What about creatine makes you think it's not your diet or your natural energy level that's giving you the "pumped up" feel?

In other words, how do you know it's the creatine at work?

RSVP.

"Honestly curious,"
Tulsa, OK

[pan de bono]

Papi, Im sure Bundy can support me on this. Do you have any idea how many orages you need to eat to equal one vitamin C tab? about 10. whey protein is one of the purist forms of protein around, who knows how many steaks you need to eat to equal a protein drink.
Oranges are good for you as is most all foods but the supplements are also very good addition to a diet especially if you are an athelete or bodybuilder.

[Landover]

Fuzzyone has the best advice. I knock it down to a half dozen vitamins/herbs and take them in their original bottle. No way I would trust their judicial system and take them out of their pill bottle.  Same goes with prescriptions.

[Frank Rizzo]

Hi Doombug,

I've never had the odor thing with creatine (that i know of). Now i've taken garlic and NAC (cystine) before and that for sure will drive off the flies. lol. Garlic much worse than cystine.

On the creatine, you've just got to try it to know what i mean. The cardio increase starts on about the 5th day and it's pretty significant. About that same time strength gain and probably more than strength the strength plus endurance. Of anything to take for workout it would be creatine, if i couldn't take any other vitamins. That stuff works, and this is with a few of us that workout togther. I will take it about 6-8 weeks and then stop for that amount of time. As it seems to work better when you stop and start like that. If you do that a few times you'll know if it works for you.

[bundy_138]

Most "healthy" people that eat well can take a multi-vitamin and be fine.  If your diet is poor, supplements may help.  I am on a very specific diet  (eat six times a day) - Atkins style - lots of protein, low carbs and drink about a gallon of water a day.  It also depends on what results you are looking for when working out.  I like the lean, well defined look, so I have to cut the fats out of my diet and do extensive cardio.  Supplements help me get the nutrients I need from lack of certain foods. 

Certain supplements do certain things....I take a multi-vitamin, extra b-12, vitamin c, zinc, ginko, amino's, cinnamon, calcium, protein tablets, and stack aspirin, caffeine, and ephedra for extra fat burning.  I also drink Muscle Milk shakes which helps lean muscle and eat Detour protein bars twice a day as a snack.  I believe in taking supplements and have been for years.  As of today, no ill effects and I NEVER receive negative remarks about my physical appearance!     On top of all that, I work out two hours a day and run 5 miles a day.

Always consult a physician before starting a workout regimen and/or taking multiple supplements.   

Bundy

[fathertime]

I can verify the Creatine stuff.  I took it for 1 month about 5 years ago.  Added 15 pounds of muscle, and maxed out my lifts in that month before discountinuing its use.  The problem was that I was so damn full of gas all the time I could have supplied all of the SUV's in California, and still have enough to float a balloon. Although I may have been a gasbag, I was a highly toned one!   In addition to that, due to the sudden weight gain, I grew about 6 skin tags which I than had to have burned off, except for one, which is in such an embarrassing place that I thought I better just leave it be and hope it magically disappears! Anyhow that was my experience with Creatine, so I think I am better off just being my non-toned self with a slightly better smelling rectal region.  
I still got that damn jug of Creatine.  I should feed it to my pooch so he can lug me and my wagon around to work instead of creating pipe exhaust.  That would make Algore happy.

Fathertime!

[Jeff S]

Just carry Flintstones vitamins, so when the customs agent asks about your pills, you can point out: "Here, ya got yer Wilma, and here's Bam-Bam...."

[Frank Rizzo]

Yeah FT, the gas can be a problem. The bottle says 10 grams per day, if i take 5 grams per day i don't get all the gas. It still works well.

Bundy, have you tried creatine? With your workout schedule 2 hours per day plus 5 miles, i'll bet you definately notice a difference. The cardio is a radical change about 2-3 weeks into it and i've noticed a huge decrease in small injuries. No hamstring pain, shoulder pains, etc. I'm on a similar program of the diet, though eating 4 times per day. Just an idea with all your cardio, try carnosine 4 grams per day it also is one of the newer anti-aging items. You'll want to buy that bulk as it's pretty expensive and just mix the powder into whatever your drinking.

[pan de bono]

Bundys right, if you eat quality food, drink lots of water and exercise regularly, all you really need is a good multi vitamin. However, if you are a bodybuilder or pro athlete you will need other supplements and protein drinks.
I was heavy into Karate for about 8 years then went into bodybuilding for about 5 years hard . I took every kind of supplement there was.
Now i have slowed way down and only take a multi and a few other vitamins like E and C, I also drink a Whey protein drink every day.
All these supplements are just to expensive in Colombia, its best to take them with you in your carry on lugguge.