Support the System. Don’t Replace It.
Supplements are one of the most misunderstood areas of fat loss, metabolic health, and GLP-1 use.
Some people expect supplements to solve stalled weight loss.
Others avoid them entirely, unsure what’s safe or necessary.
Most are left confused by conflicting advice and marketing-driven claims.
HPMR takes a different approach.
Supplements are not required to succeed with HPMR.
But when used intentionally, in the right context, they can support recovery, nutrient sufficiency, cardiovascular health, and metabolic stability especially during fat loss or GLP-1 therapy.
This page exists to educate and inform, not to steer or sell.
The deeper explanations, the why, when, and how live in the HPMR books.
A Quick Note on Responsibility
Everything shared here reflects:
- Lived experience
- Research
- Real-world application
- Ongoing discussions with my own medical team
If you are taking prescription medications, using GLP-1 therapies, or have a history of cardiovascular or metabolic disease, supplements should always be reviewed with your healthcare provider.
HPMR is about informed decisions, not blind protocols.
The HPMR Philosophy on Supplements
HPMR is a system-first framework.
The foundation is always:
- Protein sufficiency
- Resistance training
- Adequate recovery
- Intelligent calorie control
- Long-term consistency
Supplements never replace these fundamentals.
At their best, supplements:
- Fill nutritional gaps
- Support recovery
- Reduce friction during fat loss
- Help manage side effects of medications or reduced intake
At their worst, they:
- Distract from fundamentals
- Create false expectations
- Add cost without benefit
This philosophy is explained in depth in HPMR – High-Protein Metabolic Recomposition (Book 1), which lays the foundation for how metabolism actually adapts with or without supplements.
📘 Covered in: HPMR – High-Protein Metabolic Recomposition
Why Supplements Can Matter During Fat Loss & GLP-1 Use
Fat loss, especially significant or rapid fat loss places stress on the body.
GLP-1 medications further change:
- Appetite
- Food volume
- Digestion
- Micronutrient intake
- Electrolyte balance
This doesn’t make supplements mandatory but it makes awareness essential.
Common challenges during fat loss may include:
- Reduced micronutrient intake
- Fatigue or weakness
- Sleep disruption
- Constipation
- Muscle soreness
- Electrolyte imbalance
How these issues arise and when supplements may or may not help is discussed in detail in GLP-1 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks and reinforced throughout the series.
📘 Covered in:
- GLP-1 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- HPMR – High-Protein Metabolic Recomposition
Foundational Support (Food First)
Protein
Protein is not a supplement it is a non-negotiable nutrient.
Whole food sources should always come first.
Protein shakes can be useful when:
- Appetite is low
- Meals are missed
- Protein targets are difficult to meet consistently
Protein supports:
- Muscle preservation
- Recovery
- Metabolic rate
- Satiety
This is why protein sufficiency is emphasized across every HPMR book because without it, no supplement stack can protect muscle or metabolism.
📘 Covered in:
- HPMR – High-Protein Metabolic Recomposition
- Rebuilt: A GLP-1 Journey
- Metabolism Balance: Learning to Read Your Body
Electrolytes (Context-Dependent)
Electrolytes often become an issue during:
- Reduced food intake
- Rapid weight loss
- Increased sweating
- Appetite suppression from GLP-1 medications
Imbalances can contribute to:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramps
Not everyone needs electrolyte supplementation.
Understanding when it matters is more important than taking it automatically.
📘 Covered in:
- GLP-1 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- Metabolism Balance: Learning to Read Your Body
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Support
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are often discussed in relation to:
- Cardiovascular health
- Inflammation
- Lipid profiles
Food sources are ideal when possible.
Supplementation may be considered when intake is low or medical context supports it.
HPMR does not promote blanket supplementation context always matters.
📘 Covered in:
- Stronger Again: What Medicine Misses About Metabolism
- Metabolism Balance: Learning to Read Your Body
CoQ10 (Statin Context)
CoQ10 is commonly discussed among individuals using statins.
Some report improvements in:
- Energy
- Muscle comfort
Others notice no change.
This is a good example of a supplement that is medication-specific, not universally required.
📘 Covered in:
Recovery, Sleep & Muscle Support
Magnesium (Form Matters)
Magnesium plays a role in:
- Muscle relaxation
- Nervous system regulation
- Sleep quality
- Digestion
Different forms serve different purposes.
This is not a “more is better” supplement.
Reduced calorie intake often means reduced magnesium intake especially during fat loss.
📘 Covered in:
GLP-1-Specific Considerations
GLP-1 medications are powerful tools but they change how the body interacts with food.
Common considerations include:
- Reduced food volume
- Slower digestion
- Constipation
- Lower fiber intake
- Reduced fat intake affecting fat-soluble vitamins
Supplements may support these changes but they never replace:
- Balanced food choices
- Hydration
- Protein intake
- Strength training
📘 Covered in:
- GLP-1 Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- Rebuilt: A GLP-1 Journey
Supplements I Approach Conservatively
HPMR is intentionally cautious with:
- Fat burners
- Appetite suppressors
- “Metabolism boosters”
- Mega-dose stacks
- Trend-driven biohacks
If a supplement promises:
- Effortless fat loss
- Rapid metabolic acceleration
- Hormonal shortcuts
…it conflicts with the long-term metabolic rebuilding HPMR is built on.
📘 Covered in:
Less Is Often More
More supplements do not equal better results.
One of the most common mistakes is stacking too much, too fast without understanding why.
As your body changes, your needs change.
That adaptability is a core HPMR principle.
📘 Covered in:
The HPMR Bottom Line on Supplements
Supplements are optional tools, not requirements.
They should:
- Support the system
- Reduce friction
- Improve recovery or tolerance
- Never replace fundamentals
If a supplement helps you stay consistent and aligns with your medical guidance, it may have a place.
If it creates confusion, dependency, or false hope, it doesn’t belong in HPMR.
The website gives you clarity.
The books give you the full system.
joeregina.com 