Vitamin Supplements 101: What I Take and Why

When I give presentations at corporations and organizations on a variety of topics, one question that inevitably pops up is, “What supplements do you take?” Fair question, and I’m happy to share that information with you.

First, we need to understand why we get sick and the role that supplements play in lives. Americans are getting sick and dying because of chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases. These conditions are most commonly caused by a poor diet, inadequate exercise and stress.

Drugs don’t cure these conditions. Neither do supplements. The first step to treating conditions caused by an unhealthy lifestyle is to understand the true definition of wellness.

Wellness is a state of physical, nutritional and psychological balance. Wellness can only be achieved by adopting and following a “Wellness Lifestyle” that incorporates all three of these components.

The role of supplements is to support this effort and help prevent illness and disease, not cure them. Here is a list of supplements I take and my reasons for taking them.

Multivitamins/Minerals: Researchers and toxicologists recommend them because they’re thought to help prevent the development of degenerative disease. Multivitamin/mineral supplements contain key nutrients found in food.

Magnesium: Research suggests that magnesium deficiency destabilizes the immune and nervous systems, which can lead to inflammation and nervous system hyper-excitability, and contribute to heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and migraines. I take 400-1000 mg of magnesium, in addition to the magnesium included in my multivitamin.

EPA/DHA: Found in fish oil, this supplement reduces inflammation. EPA/DHA is believed to help prevent a wide range of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and inflammatory joint disease, while reducing levels of inflammatory mediators. I take 1-3 grams per day.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Nearly every disease studied has been associated with a reduction in ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and an increase in free radicals. The primary function of CoQ10 is to produce ATP, reduce free radicals, and regulate skeletal muscle gene expression. I take at least 100 mg per day.

Ginger, turmeric and other botanicals, herbs and spices: These supplements reduce inflammation, functioning like a natural version of drugs like Advil and Celebrex, but without the side effects. I take 1-2 grams per day.

Garlic: Garlic is most well-known for its heart benefits, which are the result of its anti-inflammatory activities. I supplement with garlic to achieve at least 5 mg of allicin per day.

Vitamin D: Diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer, as well as musculoskeletal pain, are thought to be promoted by a deficiency in vitamin D. I take 1000-4000 IU of vitamin D per day.

Probiotic supplements: These typically include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium, which have been shown to improve gut health and function. Remember that about 70% of our immune function is in our gut and healthy bacteria are essential for immune strength.

In addition to taking these supplements, I try to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. The key to anti-inflammatory supplementation and eating is to take the same approach whether you’re symptom-free or sick. We were designed to eat anti-inflammatory meals.

My goal is to live into my 90s and beyond while maintaining the personal and professional lifestyle that I enjoy for as long as possible. Obviously, I’m not naïve. I understand that tragedy and unexpected trauma is out there, but if I am blessed to avoid it, then optimal health is my goal.

To help you take back your health with the help of quality, doctor-recommended supplements, Proodian Healthcare has launched Put Back What You Lack, an online store that provides high quality products by Metagenics that can only be sold by physicians and healthcare providers. We offer supplements for everything from blood sugar levels and detoxification to stress and gastrointestinal health.

It’s always important to consult with a physician before you put anything into your body, so I encourage you to visit us at Natural Healthcare Center for a complimentary consultation and physical examination.

If you have questions about supplements you are already taking, we offer a free program called “the good, the bad and the ugly.” Let us go through your supplements and sort out the good from the bad. 47 bottles is the winner so far.  What’s in your cabinet?