6 Essential Nutrients to Supplement

Studies show that our food today offers lower levels of basic micro nutrients that are essential for our health in general and out Immune System in particular.  And it may be prudent to supplement.

Nevertheless, there are over 90,000 supplements on the market, we need to decipher between the important ones as well as the various quality and efficacy levels. Choosing a brand that has scientifically tested  would be a good guideline.

The major nutrient to supplements with can be grouped in these 6 major categories:

• Probiotics – Healthy gut function keeps us regular and helps us break down the food eat and absorb the nutrients properly.
  In addition, our gut also determines our food cravings, balances the good and bad bacteria, influences our mood, supports healthy hormone production and is in charge of over 70% of immune system, which resides in our gut.

A good probiotic can enhance our gut function.
To learn how to identify a good probiotic watch video: “5 things to look for in a probiotic supplement” (https://youtu.be/ybon24h6et4)

• Glycans– a vital group of nutrients that is in charge of our immune system function. These nutrients help our immune system identify “intruders” such as viruses and bacteria and “tag” them so the “killer cells” can destroy them – hence protecting our bodies.
  Theses nutrients are also indicate and signal which nutrients we need, they regulate our cells, they join our cells together, they help cleanse our cells and much more.Studies have shown that supplementing with a good source of glycans can improve brain function, memory, concentration, attentiveness, cellular communication, mood and digestive function whilst decreasing irritability.
• Phytosterols– are one of the main nutrients our bodies utilise to produce hormones.
  Our hormones control a vast number of functions including energy, mood, sleep, happiness, stress, metabolism, endurance, mental alertness sex drive and general sense of vitality and well-being.

Research show that we need to consume about 50-80mg of phytosterols a day, unfortunately the average western diet only provides 1-3mg a day which may lead to issues with our hormonal system.

To learn more about your hormones watch “Understanding Your Hormones for Men & Women” with Mandakini Foux (https://youtu.be/dHaxTiQhYkU)

• Omega-3’s – are important for heart, brain, joints and together with phytosterols, play a big role in the health of our hormones.A good Omega-3 supplement provides good levels of EPA and DHA.

Remember, we don’t have to supplement with Omega-6 or Omega-9, because we already have plenty of them in our modern diet.

When selecting an Omega-3 supplement it should be clean, fresh (not rancid) and free of heavy metals (ideally molecularly distilled).  Ideally produced from a sustainable fish source such as anchovies and have no “fishy” aftertaste, to prevent “fishy reflux” or “fishy burps”.
Avoid Krill oil as it is a major food source of whales, and krill oil farming depletes their food reserves.

• Vitamins & Minerals– Are essential for various functions such as: eyes, bone, skin, hair, body tissues, nervous system, teeth, metabolism and metabolic rate, energy production and more.

Due to modern framing practices and soil depletion the nutrient value of our food has declined dramatically. For instance: in 1950’s one could get a good amount of Iron from one cup of Spinach- today we would need more than 65 cups to get similar levels. In the 50’s to get our daily recommended amount of vitamin A, we could eat two peaches-today we would need in excess of 53.
To make the most out of your vitamin and mineral supplement, you’d like for the minerals to be chelated and plant based. A good supplement should provide wide range of essential vitamins and minerals.

• Antioxidants– help us protects us from free radical damage.
  Our bodies create free radicals when we are exposed to toxins and stress ( physical, emotional or environmental). These free radicals “attack” our cells and cause disease and premature aging.

Antioxidants can protect our cells from free radical damage, slow the aging process and improve our health.

A good Antioxidant will be both water and fat soluble, be plat sourced, contain mixed tocopherols, and have a high ORAC level tested in humans

Summary
If you decide to supplement, make sure to purchase products that are backed by scientific evidence.Feel free to reach out to learn which supplements we use