Supplements: What’s in your cabinet?
Spirulina ballerina,
People always ask me what kind of supplements I take. To be honest, it changes and my personal supplements are tailored to my blood work. Meaning, I get a comprehensive analysis twice a year and my doctors design a nutraceutical program around my needs. My super smart functional medicine doctors are Keith Block, Ken Bock and Mark Hyman. Wowza do I love my men! But here are a list of what I call “The Foundationals” – basic, everyday, everyone products that can boost your health. To tailor a plan specific to you, it would be a good idea to see a functional medicine doctor or naturopath. Check out my blog on integrative MDs.
Green Powders
As much as possible I try to get my vitamins, minerals, enzymes, oxygen, antioxidants and phytonutrients from my food. I juice daily, make smoothies and eat a high-raw, organic (when possible), vegan diet. But these days, our food isn’t really enough, even when it’s organic! Enter the boosters. Hands down I love the Amazing Grass products. It is one of the tastiest and most nutritious superfood products on the market. One stop shopping loaded with tons of greens, spirulina, chlorella grasses and probiotics!
Multi-vitamin
If your diet isn’t what you’d like it to be, you may want to consider a multi. Vita Synergy and Mega Food are good brands.
Enzymes
Without enzymes, life could not exist. They are needed for every biochemical reaction in the body. As we age, our bodies’ natural production of enzymes decreases. Supplementation with enzymes along with proper diet and exercise will help to maintain normal enzyme levels, balancing your body’s own repair mechanisms. Take them with your meals. Here are some brands I heart: Theramedix DGX, Enzymetica Digest Gold and Hippocrates Enzymes (digestive AND systemic). I take the systemic enzymes in between meals. They help with repair while the digestive enzymes help break down food.
Probiotics
It is said that up to 80 percent of our immune system is located in the digestive system. When good bacteria are destroyed by stress, poor diet and antibiotics, birth control pills, drugs etc – probiotics help the digestive system by replenishing the good bacteria and balancing out the bad. Dr. Ohirra’s is my hands down FAVORITE! Theramedix PBC is a good brand too. So is PB8.
B12
For all you vegs and vegans out there, B12 is an important supplement to add to your diet. We need it and it’s hard to get unless you eat dead tush. B12 plays a key role in the body. It is required for energy production, red blood cell formation and proper nervous system development. B12 has also been shown to improve memory and promote heart health. Lack of sufficient amounts of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia. Research has shown that vitamin B12 levels decline as we age. This may be due to bad food choices, reduced intake of B12 or poor absorption. Check out: MegaFood, Nu Chapter and Innate brands.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It neutralizes free radicals and helps boost our immune system. High doses of IV Vitamin C can have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cancer. Pure Radiance C is a good oral supplement.
Vitamin D3
The sunshine vitamin is naturally produced in the skin with adequate sunlight exposure. Who gets that? Not me! Vitamin D3 plays an important role in bone health and calcium utilization. It’s also REALLY important for your immune system. This vitamin has been associated with preventing cancer and reducing heart problems. Pure Encapsulations makes terrific products.
What’s in my water?
Aloe & cell food! Aloe helps to soothe the colon and assist with bowel movements. Cell food give ya more oxygen. Cancer HATES oxygen.
What’s in my smoothie? Mostly veggies and a little bit of fruit but when I want an extra kick I add protein powder (Brendan Braziers Vega products are tasty!) or hemp powder, sometimes a dash of maca (terrific for your adrenals) and or a plot of cacao (wakes me up in a flash) Navitas makes them both these powders. E3 live is another terrific booster. Oh, and who can forget spirulina.
Problems with your pooper?
Try Natural Calm and/or use aloe. Hippocrates makes a great bowel cleanser and so does Hippocrates. Check them out and let it out! Don’t forget to hydrate and eat lots of fiber. If you need more help, give enemas and colonics a whirl. Get curious and look into wheat grass implants. Zing! Your liver will thank you.
Peace & pills,
Kris
Updated: September 2, 2011
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