These supplements can help balance nutritional deficiencies

When you were a kid, your mother may have told you, “You are what you eat.” As cliché as it may have been, there is a lot of truth to the saying.

Despite what we know through modern science about nutrition, though, many of us still don’t get all the proper nutrients that we need to stay healthy and balanced and keep disease away. This is often due to potential imbalances in our food choices.

In this article, I want to share with you the “Fit 6” most essential, scientifically-backed natural supplements that can help you optimize your nutritional foundation and keep your body running smoothly for life. Here are some of my top daily picks.

Multivitamins

A study published in Nutrition Journal analyzed men and women over the age of 65 and found that the use of a multivitamin reduced the risk of certain micronutrient deficiencies and also aided in improving cognitive functioning in some of the group’s subsets, including those people past the age of 75.

Since multivitamins typically contain ample amounts of B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, studies have shown that daily multivitamin usage can significantly improve energy levels; particularly for those who have vitamins B and C deficiencies.

For most people, Metagenics’ PhytoMulti and Pure Encapsulations’ PureGenomics are great, comprehensive choices.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also important because it does a lot more than build healthy bones and is truly not something in which people should be deficient. It is critical for the immune system and for helping fight an array of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease.

According to the Annuls of Epidemiology, supplementing with vitamin D3 has the potential to reduce cancer deaths in America by 75%. Most Americans have lower vitamin D levels than they should, especially in the winter months, and supplementation is necessary for many.

Thorne Research’s Vitamin D products, D-5000, D-10,000, and D-25,000 are excellent choices depending on whether you are looking just to maintain your vitamin D levels or build them back up through higher doses; as is Thorne’s Vitamin D/K2 Liquid.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

According to the National Institute of Health, omega-3 fatty acids (also known as EPA/DHA or simply “fish oil”) reduce pain and swelling from inflammation caused by arthritis. But that is just a small part of what they can do to strengthen your nutritional foundation.

Countless academic intuitions and researchers have found that supplementing with EPA/DHA can improve brain function, alleviate depression symptoms, normalize and regulate cholesterol triglyceride levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

ProOmega, by Nordic Naturals, and EPA/DHA Essentials, by Pure Encapsulations, are some of the best omega-3 supplements on the market because of the high standards they have regarding the sourcing of the fish they get the oil from.

Probiotics

While “bad” bacteria can cause diseases, an ever-increasing body of scientific research is showing us that regular consumption of “good” bacteria (probiotics) is one the best and most important ways to treat and prevent certain illnesses and conditions. According to Harvard Medical School, probiotics are immensely helpful in overcoming gastrointestinal concerns such as diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Probiotics are also crucial for a healthy, well-functioning digestive tract that is able to effectively and naturally filter out harmful bacteria, toxins, chemicals, and other waste products.

Those looking for high-quality probiotics for general use should consider Metagenics’ UltraFlora IB or Probiotic 50B by Pure Encapsulations.

CoQ10

If you ever feel that you’re lacking the energy you once had, it could be due to a common deficiency in the natural chemical compound Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 plays a key role in energy production.

Research shows that people who exercise excessively are at an increased risk of having low CoQ10 levels, leading to CoQ10 being branded recently as an important athletic performance booster.

In addition to boosting energy and fighting heart disease, CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering compound, making it an essential supplement to maintain a strong nutritional foundation as you age. Look for a supplement that gives you 100mg per capsule of ubiquinol CoQ10 like Douglas Labs’ Ubiquinol-QH or CoQnol by Designs for Health.

Protein (whey)

Whey protein, according to the Mayo Clinic, can be immensely helpful in maintaining skeletal muscle mass, especially in older people. In younger people, whey protein has a positive impact on exercise-related strength gains and can also increase lean body mass while decreasing fat mass.

Whey protein also features numerous antioxidant substances that give it the potential to prevent disease and promote overall health. For example, research published in Alternative Medicine Review found that whey protein has immune system-enhancing properties that make it a possible treatment of the future for cardiovascular diseases and numerous other conditions.

When purchasing a protein supplement, make sure you read the label and pick one that features whey. Ideally, get one that includes some whey protein isolate, such as Metagenics’ UltraBalance Protein, which usually contains a higher amount of protein than other forms and has little to no lactose, fat or carbohydrates, making the protein easier for the body to absorb.

Also, check the amount of protein the product contains based on weight. Some products (sold by less-reputable outlets) contain little protein and use chemicals and other ingredients as fillers.

“Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”

It is never too late to start building the foundation of nutrition on which the rest of your life will depend. As we age, we become more susceptible to nutritional gaps in our diet, and these nutritional weak spots can become more readily apparent without the benefit of youth to conceal them.

Rather than wait until your doctor tells you that you have been chronically deficient in a vitamin or nutrient for years, a preventative, well-balanced, scientifically-backed diet can ensure that you stay ahead of old age and enjoy a longer, healthier life.

I hope this newsletter and the references to my other articles arm you with the knowledge to take positive steps that will extend your longevity and ensure good health from now through your golden years.

If you have any questions regarding the concepts discussed here or anything else, please feel free to fill out our Ask the Doctor form found at the Doctors Corner.

Yours in health,

Dr. Gregg Gittins