Supplement Essentials For Greater Health!

As structural and family chiropractors we are often asked about certain topics which tend to resurface periodically due to the ever evolving world of nutritional research. Each week we learn about the health benefits of certain vitamins, foods and other nutritional supplements. Some weeks the news tells us foods or products are good for us and other weeks it tells us that those same products may not be as good for us as we thought. Having been guiding patients for over 8 years now, we have been able to narrow down a list of nutrition absolute do's and don'ts for health and disease. Researchers have studied the following suggestions thoroughly over the years, and it is an unchanging fact that they are basic for the optimal health of you and your family. In addition to a good quality Whole-Food Based Multivitamin, here is our personal list of additional and, often, essential nutritional supplements (in no order of importance):

Vitamin D3.

D3 is the wonder vitamin of the new millennium. Shown to enhance immunity and strengthen bones by helping calcium become more absorbable, vitamin D3 has shown promise in preventing cancers, cardiovascular disease, regulating blood sugar and working as an anti-inflammatory aid. D3 has also shown itself to be helpful in improving cognitive function. Experts in Vitamin D research believe the ideal dosage is 35 units per pound of bodyweight, depending on sun exposure. If you are outside a lot in the spring, summer and fall, you need less Vitamin D3 due to your body's ability to manufacture D3 from the sun. 

Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Omega 3 fats are the essential fats found in fish, krill and flax seed oil. These fats have extreme anti-inflammatory properties. It is important to realize that inflammation is an important marker in all disease, from cancer and heart disease to arthritis and muscular skeletal issues. Omega 3 fats are also essential for brain function and healthy nerves. Daily dosages have been shown to reduce neuropathy symptoms and calm children with ADHD. Experts agree that liquid oil is the best source of Omega 3 fats due to its absorbability. 

Probiotics.

Probiotic supplementation has shown indisputable promise in helping the body to be healthy. The human digestive tract contains millions of normal, healthy bacterial cells, which it uses to maintain the health of the body. Today's average diet, stressful lifestyles and drug usage destroys the intestinal bacteria. When this degradation happens, the immune system doesn't function normally and frequent illnesses and sicknesses can occur. Recent research has even shown that probiotics can positively influence our DNA and have an effect on genetic markers that influence disease. Probiotics are the bacteria that are present in yogurt, keiffer and other fermented foods, such as sauerkraut.

As far as essential health ingredients go, the bottom line is that an effort to include these three supplements (in cojunction with your multi) in your daily diet will give you an outcome for greater health in the lives of you and your family.