Think of Health and Wellness as a three-legged stool. The first leg of the stool consists of exercise, with a level of cardiovascular and weight training appropriate for one's age, fitness goals, and so on. The second leg of the stool would consist of a proper whole foods diet, including generous amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, good quality protein, and the right fats and oils. Health-savvy Americans are by now aware of these first two legs, but the third leg, supplementation, remains a mystery to many people: What sort of supplement regimen might work best?
No single right answer to that question exists. We all differ in our individual needs and wants. Some people, for instance, require extra iron due to anemia, while those with the hereditary disease hemachromatosis must avoid iron supplements. But more and more nutritionally-conscious health practitioners suggest that most--perhaps all--Americans, living as we do in this "fast food nation," might at a minimum benefit from some sort of high-potency multivitamin and extra antioxidants, a "green drink" to ensure a minimum level of plant nutrition from fruits and vegetables, as well as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Beyond these fundamental supplements, our needs depend on such factors as age, sex, activity level, and our individual genetic makeup.
Fortunately, thanks to many recent nutritional discoveries we now have an amazingly broad range of natural supplements to use for our individual Health and Wellness goals. Let’s look at a few of them—and remember, you can obtain the best selling supplements from A1Supplements.com at the lowest prices!
Allergy Relief
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Quercetin: Found in small amounts in such foods as strawberries, apples, and red onions. Anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory. May help block the formation of compounds called leuukotrienes that worsen allergies and asthma.
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Bromelain: Natural enzyme found in pineapples and papaya. Also anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory.
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Stinging nettle, olive leaf, oregano: For symptomatic relief.
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Xylitol: Anti-bacterial sugar alcohol found in kiwi fruit. Excellent as a nasal spray.
Anti-Aging
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DHEA, pregnenolone, Vitality And Longevity: “Master hormones” that begin to decline in our thirties and forties. May be beneficial for brain function, immunity, energy, and muscularity.
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Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha lipoic acid: Powerful antioxidant combination that seems to protect cell mitochondia against age-related deterioration.
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Resveratrol: Found in grapes, peanuts, Japanese knotweed. Free-radical scavenger that appears to mimic the longevity-boosting effects of caloric restriction, but without the hunger.
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DopaBean (mucuna pruriens): Herb that contains naturally-occurring amounts of L-Dopa, an important neurotransmitter that declines with age.
Cardiovascular Support
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Omega-3 fatty acids: Found chiefly in flax and fish oil. Lowers choldesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure. Reduces inflammation.
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Grape seed extract: Seems to promote arterial health and protect against oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Another inflammation-fighter.
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Ribose and Coenzyme Q-10: May boost energy output of muscles—including the heart—by up-regulating the body’s own production of adenosine triphosphate and increasing mitochondrial efficiency.
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Vitamin K: Often overlooked nutrient that seems to prevent calcification of the arteries. Do not take with the prescription blood-thinner Coumadin.
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Niacin, red yeast rice, policosanol, pantethine: Potentially powerful cholesterol-reducing agents.
Digestive Health
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DGL: Special form of licorice that may promote healing of the stomach lining. Many reports suggest that it is excellent for ulcers and acid reflux.
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Aloe vera juice: One of nature’s digestive healers. Another anti-ulcer, anti-heartburn nutrient.
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Digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid: Crucial for the proper absorption of nutrients from food. Assists in the breakdown of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, especially as we get older.
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Probiotics: Friendly bacteria that comprise a surprisingly large percentage of our body mass. Essential for good digestion, proper immunity, regularity. Often depleted by overuse of prescription antibiotics. May help protect against drug-resistant infections such as MRSA. Known to fight candida and yeast infections.
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Ginger: Excellent herb for nausea.
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Enterically-coated peppermint capsules: Seem to provide considerable relief for suffers of IBS.
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Fiber: Not only important for regularity, but reduces cholesterol and fights hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
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Charcoal capsules and chlorophyll: Useful for intestinal detoxification.
Essential Fatty Acids
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Omega-3: As mentioned above, flax oil and fish oil seem to help lower many risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but may also play major roles in fighting arthritis, skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, depression and other brain disorders, and even reduce overall risk of certain cancers.
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Evening primrose,borage oil, and black currant seed oil: Often used by sufferers of PMS and menopause-related hot flashes. May also help with diabetes and various inflammatory conditions.
Learn more about Essential Fatty Acids.
Food Supplements
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Green foods: Sometimes tablets, but usually powdered and freeze-dried forms of nutrient-dense foods such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae. Also, inncreasingly coming to mean powdered berry/fruit/vegetable formulas. Fresh produce is always best, but these products can go a long way toward supplying us with our 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and at a relatively low cost.
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Superjuices: Acai, mangosteen, noni, goji, pomegranate, and others. These antioxidant-rich beverages are loaded with bioflavonoids that may provide a wide array of benefits to the joints, immune system, and digestive tract. Along with green foods, these are “the lazy man’s way” to boost a diet that may otherwise be lacking in plant nutrients.
Hair and Nail
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Biotin, inisitol, PABA: Considered by some to belong to the B-complex family of vitamins. Some reports indicate that these may speed up the growth of hair, thicken the hair shaft, and even—in some instances—reverse the graying of hair.
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Silica: This trace not only plays a role in bone health, it appears to be important for the growth, strength, and thickness of nails.
Immune System Support
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Echinacea: The best-known immune booster, often used to shorten the duration and ease the severity of colds.
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Elderberry, olive leaf extract: Some researchers believe these to be natural anti-viral compounds. Used by many as flu fighters.
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Reishi, shitake, maitake: These medicinal mushrooms have been studied extensively, both here and in Asia, due to their high content of immune-boosting polysaccharides. Some researchers believe that they may play a role not only in the fight against cancer, AIDS, and Hepatitis C.
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Vitamin C: The “grand-daddy” of all nutritional immune boosters. Nobel Prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling advocated this non-toxic substance’s use in large amounts to fight disease and infections. Recent research tends to confirm his position.
Joint Formulas
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Glucasoamine and Chondroitin: These two nutrients are well known to the general public for their ability to increase the body’s own production and repair of cartilage. Many sufferers of osteoarthritis find relief with four to six weeks of use.
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MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): This inexpensive, sulfur-containing compound has little published data behind it, but many anecdotal reports suggest that it may fight pain and inflammation while promoting joint repair. Approximately as non-toxic as water.
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SAM-e (s-adenosylmethionine): Not so well known as glucosamine, but this versatile nutrient that may be the most effective of all osteoarthritis fighting supplements. Derived from the amino acid methionine. Best taken on an empty stomach.
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Ginger, turmeric, boswellia: Often found in anti-inflammatory formulas. These herbs are esteemed by many for their ability to quell pain and swelling in a safe, non-druglike fashion.
Liver Support
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Milk thistle and Dandelion: Herbs well known for their ability to support and protect the liver. Found in virtually every liver formula.
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Alpha lipoic acid: In addition to its role as an antioxidant, ALA helps the liver produce optimal amounts of glutathione, a crucial protective enzyme.
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Selenium: A vital trace mineral for good health. Possibly inhibits the replication of the Hepatitis C virus.
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SAM-e: European studies suggest that this one may also be helpful in cases of cirrhosis of the liver.
Mental Focus
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Ginkgo biloba and vinpocetine: Herbs that seem to promote improved blood flow to the brain, with resultant benefits in improved functioning. Especially beneficial for the elderly and those with poor circulation.
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Phosphatidyl serine (PS): Phospholipid that promotes cell membrane permeability. Clinical research indicates that it may not only be useful against age-related cognitive delicine but that it may even promote better memory in the young.
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Lecithin: Rich natural source of choline, a member of the B-complex family. Studies dating back to MIT in the 1970’s suggest that lecithin may help boost levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter vital for short term memory.
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Omega-3: Studies in Swede and America point to the possibility that fish oil omega-3 may improve IQ in children and stave off mental decline in adults.
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Piracetam: Commonly used in Europe, this substance may fight brain aging on a cellular level, boost cognition and memory, and aid in stroke recovery
Mood Enhancement
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L-theanine: This amino acid, once found only in green tea but now available in supplement form, may induce relaxation without causing drowsiness. Seems to increase alpha wave activity in the brain, a state associated with “relaxed alertness.”
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Holy Basil: An ayurvedic herb, i.e., from the subcontinent of India. Reputed to aid in control of stress by lowering levels of corisol, a hormone believed to interfere with short term memory and cause weight gain.
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Omega-3: Perhaps because the brain contains an unusually high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil may, according to research at Harvard and other places, fight not only depression but bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder.
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Magnesium: Individuals under chronic stress often seem to be short of this key mineral. Supplementation may promote muscular relaxation, much as massage does.
Sexual Health
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Zinc, boron, and the herbs maca and tribulus terrestris: Seem to promote production of testosterone, which is vital for libido in both men and women.
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Saw Palmetto: Believed to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for the production of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that contributes to prostate enlargement and baldness in middle-aged men. Many nutritionally-oriented health care practitioners suggest that men over the age of forty consider taking this herb to prevent prostate trouble.
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L-arginine, ginkgo biloba: May be useful in cases of erectile dysfunction by promoting better blood flow to the sexual organs and by boosting levels of nitric oxide.
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Black cohosh: An herb popular among menopausal women for its reputed ability to reduce hot flashes.
Sleep Aids
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Melatonin: A hormone produced by the pineal gland. Levels of melatonin typically drop with age. A large body of research suggests that many people find that it improves the quantity and quality of sleep.
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Valerian, passionflower, hops: Herbs traditionally used to induce drowsiness and sleep. Safe, non-habit forming.
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Tryptophan, 5-HTP: Precursors to serotonin, a neurotransmitter important for the brain’s ability to “settle down” so that we can sleep. Sometimes useful for mood as well. Best taken on an empty stomach.
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GABA: Amino acid that “plugs into” the same brain cell receptor sites that benzodiazepines such as Valium do, but without the potential for abuse and addiction. Users often report that it has calming and sleep-promoting effects.
Thyroid Boosters
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Kelp: A rich natural source of iodine, a trace mineral absolutely essential for the production of thyroid hormone.
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L-Tyrosine: This amino acid plays an important role in both energy and the maintenance of proper levels of thyroid hormone.
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Ashwaganda: An ayurvedic supplement considered by many herbalists to be an adaptogenic herb, Not only useful for thyroid health but for promoting stamina and resistance to stress. Works well with the two nutrients listed above.
Urinary Tract Support
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Uva ursi and dandelion: Two herbs traditionally used as diuretics. Used to prevent retention of excess fluid.
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Cranberry: As either a juice or a supplement, this herb appears to help fight urinary tract infections. Well known as a folk remedy.
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D-Mannose: This sweet-tasting glyconutrient—it is technically a sugar—reportedly has excellent antibacterial properties that may make it of use for severe and recurrent urinary tract infections.
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Magnesium and vitamin B-6: Believed by a number of researchers to help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.
Vision Support
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Bilberry: May help promote better night vison as well as improve circulation to the eyes.
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Taurine: A non-essential amino acid that is correlated with a reduced risk of cataracts.
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Lutein: High levels of this nutrient appear to be correlated with lessening the severity of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Best taken with a meal that contains a small amount of fat.
The opportunity is yours to take control of your health and improve your daily wellness. By educating yourself and applying prudent practices to your everyday lifestyle including nutrition, exercise and proper supplementation, greater energy and vitality is achievable!
The natural supplementation remedies suggested above are intended to be used under the guidance of a physician. Take care of yourself today for a healthier tomorrow!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
