Supplements in Korea

[jih]

Diet drugs are the biggest scam and cash cow for health companies.

Outside of a few prescribed drugs that affect carbohydrate absorption/ingestion there is no magic pill that rids one of fat.  And it is fat that people want reduced not weight.  Otherwise you simply look like a smaller version of your current fat self.  Supplements are good for the last 10% of the journey but they don't take you the bulk of the way.  It's like saying a remote control IS the television. 

Investing in a food scale, counting calories, exercise, and time are the time tested ways to get leaner and healthier.  Every fit man or woman I've ever met whose had problems with weight in the past has these things in common, not drugs or supplements.

[Morticae]

Why don't you order from outside of Korea?

I bought this: http://ephedraoutlet.com/product/5-Ephedra-Ma-Huang-27mg/99-Schwartz-Pharmaceuticals-Green-Stinger-Diet-Pills-by-Schwartz-Pharmaceuticals-Green-Stingers-Extreme-Fat-Burners-120-Caps.html

It's pretty great, gives me a nice boost of energy and eliminates my appetite.

@mize11: I agree SOME diet drugs are a scam, but you can't classify every diet drug as a scam. That's ludicrous.

[chester]

3 meals a day/ limited western food/ no snacks/ a lot of water and don't eat after 10pm ...  I went from 93kg to 80 kg. 

It takes some discipline but it worked well for me. 

With a little bit of exercise everyone can be skinny like a Korean person!!!

gLuck

Discipline?
That word is somewhat foreign to us Westerners. So many of us are unwilling to deny ourselves pleasure and subject ourselves to discomfort, or in other words, to eat less and exercise. Popping a pill before eating your fried chicken is quick and easy, even if it's ultimately ineffective and risks serious adverse effects.

You offer excellent advice, but I don't think people who are looking for diet drugs are in a place where they'll take it to heart- they already know what they need to do, it's just very, very difficult to do it. Especially when it's 33 degrees and there's ice cream on every corner... I know I don't have the discipline for that kind of temptation!

[madison79]

I'm just going to put this out here.  All drugs have side effects.  Those fat burners have add products that might increase heart rate over time.  People have died taking these products and for the most part it's an unregulated area. 

[cdwyer07]

It's always nice to shed off those extra pounds and have a nice toned tummy ^_^  However I really think you should stay away from diet pills and just eat a balanced diet.  It's a little difficult here in South Korea since the food is different and we can't find what we used to eat back home, but it can be done.  I try to go to the gym 2 to 3 times (I have a trainer..so the work outs are pretty intense) a week and a session of hot yoga.  I've been going for a while and I never felt better.  I don't have that toned tummy yet, but I know I'll get there eventually.   I also have a friend who goes at least 8 times during the week, which also includes spinning classes.  She looks amazing now!

Another friend of mine used to see the oriental doctor to get some sort of special acupuncture done.  Maybe you could look into that?

good luck!  Taking any form of medication for a long time can shut your body down from time to time (I know this from experience), so take it easy... go to the gym, eat normally, and you'll get to your ideal weight. ^_^

[Morticae]

This thread isn't about your opinion of diet pills. If you want to discuss that, start a new one.

[Davey]

Yes, please stick to the topic.

[UKsimon]

Does anyone know where I can pick up some whey protein?

I've seen some at my gym, but its very expensive. I haven't got the balls to ask where I can get some for less 

[Davey]

Does anyone know where I can pick up some whey protein?

I've seen some at my gym, but its very expensive. I haven't got the balls to ask where I can get some for less 

Please do a search next time.

Iherb.com is the easiest if your Korean is limited or non-existent. I use www.healthkoreaus.com and you can actually e-mail them to ask them to guide you through the ordering process (they operate in the US, but cater to Korea).  I like www.healthkoreaus.com because it's a bit faster (takes about three business days vs iherb.com which is five or six) and shipping is 10,000 KRW flat regardless of the weight of the shipment.

Again, the duty limit in Korea is 150,000 KRW (INCLUDING SHIPPING) and you DON'T want to go over it (high fees).

[dvorders]

I have used healthkoreaus multiple times and spent more than 150,000 KRW and there has been no problem.  The biggest problem I have had with them is that they can't check foreigner's ID numbers/passport numbers online so they have to call to confirm.  Also, you can get a boatload of free stuff every time you order in 100,000 KRW increments.  I have ordered over 300,000 KRW worth of stuff before for my friends and I and there was no extra charge or anything.

[Davey]

I have used healthkoreaus multiple times and spent more than 150,000 KRW and there has been no problem.  The biggest problem I have had with them is that they can't check foreigner's ID numbers/passport numbers online so they have to call to confirm.  Also, you can get a boatload of free stuff every time you order in 100,000 KRW increments.  I have ordered over 300,000 KRW worth of stuff before for my friends and I and there was no extra charge or anything.

That's definitely good to know! Perhaps because healthkoreaus is operated by Koreans might have something to do with it.

But I know if you use iherb.com, definitely don't risk going over the limit.

[Fraulion]

iHerb is now horrible.

What alternatives are there to iHerb?

[Davey]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

[Fraulion]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Do you need a Korean's registration number to order products through those four websites, or do they ship without requiring it?

[Davey]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Do you need a Korean's registration number to order products through those four websites, or do they ship without requiring it?

Nope, but you do need to enter your passport number. Contact the customer service if you have any trouble--I use healthkoreaus myself and it's great. Takes like three to four days MAX for shipments to arrive. And shipping is 10,000 KRW flat--no matter what the weight is. Remember the duty-free threshold (150,000 KRW including shipping), but all these sites are aware of that limit so usually they purposely lower the value of the parcel so you avoid duties. I believe, however, there's a new limit on how many products you can order--I believe it's six.

[Fraulion]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Do you need a Korean's registration number to order products through those four websites, or do they ship without requiring it?

Nope, but you do need to enter your passport number. Contact the customer service if you have any trouble--I use healthkoreaus myself and it's great. Takes like three to four days MAX for shipments to arrive. And shipping is 10,000 KRW flat--no matter what the weight is. Remember the duty-free threshold (150,000 KRW including shipping), but all these sites are aware of that limit so usually they purposely lower the value of the parcel so you avoid duties. I believe, however, there's a new limit on how many products you can order--I believe it's six.

I contacted mass119, and they said only Koreans with a National ID number could order from them. Did you use a Koreans ID number when you first ordered from healthkoreaus?

[Davey]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Do you need a Korean's registration number to order products through those four websites, or do they ship without requiring it?

Nope, but you do need to enter your passport number. Contact the customer service if you have any trouble--I use healthkoreaus myself and it's great. Takes like three to four days MAX for shipments to arrive. And shipping is 10,000 KRW flat--no matter what the weight is. Remember the duty-free threshold (150,000 KRW including shipping), but all these sites are aware of that limit so usually they purposely lower the value of the parcel so you avoid duties. I believe, however, there's a new limit on how many products you can order--I believe it's six.

I contacted mass119, and they said only Koreans with a National ID number could order from them. Did you use a Koreans ID number when you first ordered from healthkoreaus?

No--just my passport.

[Captain Corea]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Great list of sites. Thanks, man.

[Davey]

www.healthkoreaus.com
www.speedns.co.kr
www.mass119.com
www.madmass.net

All in Korean; contact them for assistance. They're based in the US so their English should be good enough.

There's always Gmarket.

Great list of sites. Thanks, man.

No problem. I forgot this one, too:

http://anabolic-korea.co.kr/

[dmw]

Hi all....

Am looking to order some whey protein and other sports supplements - I know  speedns.co.kr + iherb.com offer shipping to Korea ... as well as some other sites.

Now I am aware from reading threads that iherb.com requires that you have a credit card - I don't :-(

Is this the case for speedns.co.kr too ??? or is it possible to pay via bank transfer / visa debit card ??

Any suggestions much appreciated...