The human body is a
complex network of different systems, all intricate in their design and
function. What each system has in common is its need for nourishment, mostly in
the form of nutrients, to operate properly.
Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals work synergistically to help the
body reach optimal health. Deficiencies in these nutrients can have serious
consequences. The immune system, bones, vision, mental clarity, blood pressure,
metabolic function and energy are just a few of the health areas influenced by
a deficiency in one or more vitamins and minerals. There is no
substitute for a healthy, well-balanced diet; however, in today’s fast-paced
lifestyles it is important to ensure the body is getting the fuel it needs.
Ideally,
consuming foods such as fruits
and vegetables can provide antioxidant protection to cells from the damaging
free radicals as well as offer other essential vitamins and minerals that help
the body perform optimally. Unfortunately,
many foods today are grown in mass quantities in soil that has been
nutritionally depleted over many years of use. In a landmark study published in
2004, nutritional data of various vegetables and fruits over a 50-year period
were found to have ‘reliable declines’ in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron,
Vitamin B2, and Vitamin C. It was felt this was due to the modern agricultural
practices designed to breed new crops that provide larger yields, pest
resistance, and climate adaptability.[i]
Combine the
nutrient-deficient soil with over-processing and refinement of our foods, then
add chemical preservatives and artificial color and flavor enhancers, and there
is now a great need to supplement the missing vitamins, minerals, and
antioxidants on a daily basis to help combat the inflammation and free radical
production that our modern lifestyle generates. [ii]
Because dietary
supplements are not FDA regulated as prescription and non-prescription drugs
are for standards, safety, and effectiveness, there can be a wide variety of
products on the market to choose from.
These can range from poor quality supplements with high amounts of
fillers and nonessential ingredients to high quality, isotonic forms that have
FDA marketing approval as high quality and easily absorbable.
Vitamins are
divided into two types: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins
(vitamin A, D, E and K) are stored in the fat tissues and liver. They can
remain in the body up to six months. When the body requires these, they are
transported to the area of requirement within the body with help of special
carriers. Water-soluble vitamins (B-vitamins and vitamin C) are not produced
nor stored in the body like the fat soluble ones and need to be replenished
everyday, whether consumed in our foods or supplementation.
Choosing the right multivitamin
supplement is more than just looking at the ingredients. The form in which the
supplement is in can make all the difference in the quality of the supplement
you are receiving. A good multivitamin should be easily absorbed
and have all of the required daily levels that are essential to maintain good
health.
One multivitamin supplement
recommended is ‘isotonic’ which comes as a powdered form to which you add 2
ounces of water to drink. Isotonic, which
means “same pressure,” bears the same chemical resemblance of the body’s blood,
plasma and tears. All fluids in the body have a certain concentration, referred
to as osmotic pressure (which is isotonic) and allow a consistent maintenance
of body tissues. This means that the body has less work to do to in obtaining
maximum absorption. The isotonic state of the suspension allows nutrients to
pass directly into the small intestine and be rapidly absorbed into the
bloodstream. With Isotonix (Nutrametrix) products, little nutritive value is
lost, making the absorption of nutrients highly efficient while delivering
maximum results.
The Nutrametrix
Daily Multivitamin contains all the basic daily dietary needs, and can be with
or without iron as recommended by your healthcare professional. You can then add other Nutrametrix isotonic
dietary supplements according to your own personal needs, for instance, for
arthritis, allergies and joint pains (antioxidants like OPC-3 and vitamin C),
elevated cholesterol (Essential Omega 3 oil with Vitamin E) or nerve
conduction/ nerve pain and stress levels (Activated B-complex). These items can be found online at www.nutrametrix.com/karendoll. There is a free “Nutri-physical” you can
complete online that will help individualize your supplement needs according to
your personal needs. (www.nutrametrix.com/karendoll/nutri-physical). Before considering any supplemental regimen,
be sure to consult your healthcare provider.
Omega 3
fatty acids have been shown to be effective in fighting inflammation
in your body as well as in reducing overall cholesterol
levels and triglycerides, improving blood flow and blood pressure, and may also
help to reduce the occurrence of the more severe outcomes of heart disease.
Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies and mackerel provide essential omega
3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanenoic acid
(DHA). The American Heart Association recommends
1000 mg per day of Omega-3
EPA/DHA for patients with coronary heart disease and 2000 to 4000 mg per day
for patients with high triglycerides. For vegetarians or those who have fish allergies, flax seeds or flax
seed oil provides an acceptable alternative.
To achieve this
level of supplementation, a high quality Omega-3 oil is recommended daily as
you want to know it is tested to be free of fillers and non-essential ingredients,
like the Nutrametrix Heart Health Essential Omega-3 with Vitamin E. NutraMetrix Heart Health Essential Omega III
comes from small anchovies and sardines that have a short lifecycle making them
an ideal source of fish oil because they are less prone to accumulating
environmental toxins that can be found in larger, longer-lived fish. A
good quick way to test any fish oil supplement is to place a capsule in the
freezer overnight. Pure oil will not
freeze solid, but those with mostly added fillers will. If it is firm and inflexible when frozen, it
is likely to be more filler ingredients than omega-3 oil.
Another source of inflammation-fighting healthy fats is nuts—particularly almonds, which are rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin E, and walnuts, which have high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fat. All nuts, though, are packed with antioxidants, which can help your body fight off and repair the damage caused by inflammation.
Antioxidants are another key supplement necessary for
health, especially as we age that will reduce ‘free radical’ formation. Free radicals are unstable molecules or
compounds that react negatively with other molecules creating stress on the
body. This free radical formation is a
natural process that occurs daily when the body breaks down certain substances
in our environment or food, or comes in contact with pollutants. Specifically, antioxidants provide the body
with a defense against the negative effects of the free radicals, then
stabilize and prevent other molecules from turning into unstable free radicals,
thereby promoting good health.
Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response;
without it, we can't heal. But when it's out of control it can damage the body.
Chronic inflammation has been
linked to many cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol gets deposited in the
lining of blood vessels and acts as an insult.
Cytokines respond to these insults in the bloodstream, which leads to
systemic inflammation. Inflamed blood vessels and growing fatty plaque can
cause blockages and blood clots, which then can cause heart attacks. Foods high in sugar, saturated and trans fats,
excess weight, smoking, pollution, chemical preservatives, poor oral health and
unhealthy diets in general cause chronic inflammation. In addition to cardiovascular disease, inflammation
is also associated with diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases,
allergies, asthma, cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Three important antioxidants, OPC-3, Vitamin C, and CoQ10,
have been found to be beneficial for heart health by reducing inflammation as
well as the number of free radicals causing inflammatory damage in our
bodies. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are
bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and
certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human
body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C
and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Supplementing with a high quality isotonic
OPC, like the Nutrametrix (Isotonix) formulation OPC-3 taken with your daily
multivitamin will help fight the free radicals and offer an effective
anti-inflammatory.
Vitamin
C is an essential water-soluble nutrient that must be replenished on a daily
basis. It is important to know that cooking destroys vitamin C activity. Aside from it’s well known antioxidant
properties, vitamin C supports cardiovascular health in a few different ways,
i.e. normalizing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, in addition to
supporting our immune system and pulmonary health. A lack of vitamin C can
cause general fatigue, as it helps moderate healthy iron absorption, transport
and storage. In the typical diet, most
vitamin C comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. Peppers, like sweet green and
red peppers, hot red and green chili peppers, are especially rich in vitamin C.
Other good sources include citrus fruits and juices, brussel sprouts,
cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, mustard greens, broccoli, spinach and
strawberries.
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