**Always consult your personal physician before starting any new medications–even vitamins**
Liposomal Vitamin C
Vit C is an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals. Vit C is water- soluble so approximately only 20% is absorbed into the bloodstream and the rest ends up in digestive tract which can cause diarrhea if taking too much. Liposomal Vit C is “wrapped” in a fatty layer (lipo = fat) improving the absorption to approximately 90%
(Blog on Vit C coming soon)
Vitamin D3/K2
A recent paper in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that doctors in Japan have found suffering from flu can be reduced by 50% if you take vitamin D. Vitamin D is a pro hormone needed in more than 350 enzymatic reactions in the body. (blog on Vit D coming soon)
Vitamin K2 is an essential element in the metallo-matrix proteins that help remove calcified atheromatous plaques out of blood vessels and put the calcium where it belongs, back in your bones.
Coenzyme Q10
CoQ10 is made by the body and stored in mitochondria. CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant and an energy producer by generating ATP. As we age, levels of CoQ10 decrease.
CoQ10 is found in all cells but increased amounts are found in highly energy-dependant organs such as the heart, the liver, and the lungs. Co Q 10 has been found to decrease mortality in patients with heart failure. If you are taking statins, this is an absolute must-have supplement, as statins have been found to interfere with the production of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor in the production of coenzyme Q10.
Host Defense Mushrooms
(my preferred source- organically grown in USA) Lion’s Mane mushrooms have documented neuro-generative properties and can help improve memory, creativity and concentration. (Medicinal Mushrooms Stimulate Neurite Outgrowth in Dissociated Cells of Brain, Spinal Cord, and Retina: An In Vitro Study. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2015;17(11):1047-54. PMID: 26853959) Check out https://hostdefense.com/
Magnesium glycinate
Another underutilized and under appreciated element. Magnesium is crucial for energy production, endothelial function, clear cognition, heart contractility, calcium regulation, and so much more. It is estimated that magnesium is required in over 300 bodily functions. One of the best uses of Magnesium is for sleep– 300-600 mg by mouth nightly will have you sleeping like a baby. Although be cautious with Magnesium, to much can cause diarrhea.
CBD
This is the non-psychoactive property found in cannabis. Cannabis has been used in medicine for over 5000 years. The CBD aspect is thought to decrease pain (I use it topically just about every day after Brazilian jiu jitsu and my shoulder pain disappears in about 20-30 minutes). It is also believed to decrease inflammation as well as anxiety and depression. CBD from Cannabis source is preferred but I use Kush Cream from Washington State and it works fantastically. I also take CBD by mouth most nights for its empiric benefits. Check out .http://www.kushcreams.com/
Protandim NRF2
Nrf2 is a powerful protein found in every cell in the human body, but inactive until it is released by an Nrf2 activator. After activation it goes to the cell nucleus and bonds to the DNA at the location of the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) or also called hARE (Human Antioxidant Response Element). As opposed to anti oxidants taken by mouth, NRF2 makes approximately 1 billion antioxidants per cell. This is vastly more than one can get from exogenous antioxidants which work on a 1:1 ration of antioxidant to free radical. Also Protandim is made from all natural, plant-based products and can be classified as food.
Check out http://www.lifevantage.com/products/protandim/
Oregano oil
Containing carvacrol, thymol and rosmarinic acid, oregano oil is one of nature’s best antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral. I take this whenever I feel a bug or virus coming on and I manage to make it through every flu season without catching a bad case. One should take probiotics after taking oregano oil long term, as it can harm some of the good bacteria in the gut. It is also a known antioxidant and has been shown to lower cholesterol in humans.
Vitamin E
Vit E is a super antioxidant. It helps keep LDL cholesterol from oxidizing into the very harmful “oxidized LDL” which is thought to be the precursor to stroke and heart attack. It also helps increase the vessel relaxing nitric oxide by increasing the activity of nitric oxide synthase which make nitric oxide. Vit E can also beneficial for cataracts, alzheimer’s, immune function and much more.
Zinc
The prostate and eyes are the 2 organs in the body with the largest uptake in zinc respectively. Unlike calcium and iron, there is no cellular storage of zinc so it must be obtained by diet. Zinc is the most prevalent metal in the retina and both deficiencies and excesses of zinc leading to visual impairment have been described. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly and zinc may combat this. The human prostate contains extremely high levels of zinc, and it is postulated that zinc is essential for prostate health possibly even anti-tumorigenic for prostate cancer. Dosing for zinc should not exceed 20-30 mg/day, as unopposed zinc ingestion can lead to copper deficiency.
Turmeric
Turmeric is yet another super antioxidant food. Curcumin is the active ingredient with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. Curcumin is poorly absorbed into blood unless taken with black pepper which increase absorption by 2000%. Curcumin is found in Protandim above. Curcumin has been shown to help brain health, heart health, depression, improved endothelial function, and arthritis.
Aswhaganda
Ashwaganda is found in India, Africa, and the middle East. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years and is thought to keep one young and strong. It is also known as indian ginseng. Thought to help with arthritis, anxiety, cardiovascular health, thyroid function and more, it is also thought to be an adaptogenic herb that can help with stress and depression and anxiety.
Berberine
Berberine is another herb that has been in use in chineses medicine for over 4000 years. It is similar in color to turmeric and usually found in the roots of many different plants including the California poppy, tree turmeric, and the Oregon-grape just to name a few.
Berberine has been proven to be as effective as metformin for controlling blood sugar spikes and lowering hemoglobin A1c. Berberine is also proven to lower cholesterol including triglycerides. Berberine also has antibacterial and anti inflammatory effects as well. Given its short half life it needs to be take 2-3 time per day.
NutraMedix Adrenal Support
Adaptogenic herbal supplement with tremendous fat-burning, energy-enhancing and brain-boosting power. Adaptogens are a group of plants that can help your body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stress. Check out https://www.nutramedix.com/
View our Glossary Of Terms: https://themedicinewheel.org/glossary-of-terms