Thursday, April 23, 2020

Benefits of Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals, and Other Supplements

Consider taking the following as daily supplements. (Always consult with your health provider before adding any new supplement to your regimen.)

Calcium

Calcium is crucial in growing new bone and maintaining bone strength. Calcium supplements are standard for treating and preventing osteoporosis -- weak and easily broken bones -- and its precursor, osteopenia.

Calcium is used for many other conditions. It's an ingredient in many antacids. Doctors also use calcium to control high levels of magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium in the blood. There's good evidence that calcium can help prevent or control high blood pressure. It also may reduce PMS symptoms as well as play a role in preventing certain cancers. According to some research, calcium with vitamin D, for instance, may help protect against breast cancer in premenopausal women. Other research, however, has not come to this conclusion. Calcium also has been looked at for other uses, for example, aiding weight loss. But so far, these studies have been inconclusive.

The people at highest risk of a calcium deficiency are postmenopausal women. Since dairy products are one of the most common sources of calcium, people who are lactose intolerant or vegan are also at increased risk of calcium deficiency. (WebMD, November 13, 2018).

Copper

CoQ10 - Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease. CoQ10 is found in meat, fish and whole grains. The amount of CoQ10 found in these dietary sources, however, isn't enough to significantly increase CoQ10 levels in your body. As a supplement, CoQ10 supplement is available as capsules, tablets and by IV. CoQ10 might help treat certain heart conditions, as well as migraines and Parkinson's disease. (MayoClinic, October 13, 2017).

D3 vitamin

Vitamin D (ergocalciferol-D2, cholecalciferol-D3, alfacalcidol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amount of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones. Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia). Vitamin D is made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. Sunscreen, protective clothing, limited exposure to sunlight, dark skin, and age may prevent getting enough vitamin D from the sun.

Vitamin D with calcium is used to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). Vitamin D is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia). It may be used in kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth. Vitamin D drops (or other supplements) are given to breast-fed infants because breast milk usually has low levels of vitamin D  (WebMD).

Magnesium

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulate diverse biochemical reactions in the body, including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is required for energy production, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. It contributes to the structural development of bone and is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and the antioxidant glutathione. Magnesium also plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions across cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm (National Institute of Health).

Omegas

  • Omega-3 fats are essential fats that you must get from your diet. They have important benefits for your heart, brain and metabolism.
  • Omega-6 fats are essential fats that are an important source of energy for the body. However, the Western diet contains too many.
  • Omega-9 fats are non-essential fats, since they can be produced by the body. Diets that replace some saturated fats with omega-9 fats may have benefits for metabolic health.
  • The best sources of omega-3s are oily fish, whereas omega-6s and omega-9s are found in plant oils, nuts and seeds.
  • Combined omega-3-6-9 supplements provide optimal ratios of fatty acids, but likely provide no additional benefits compared to omega-3 supplement (Healthline, January 15, 2017).

Probiotics

Probiotics balance friendly bacteria, reduce the symptons of digestive orders, and improve the immune system. They may help some mental health issues, improve heart health, reduce severity of some allergies and eczema, help lose weight and reduce belly fat, and prevent and treat diarrhea  (Healthline, Aug. 23, 2016).

Stronium

Tumeric

Zinc

Increase your male strength and stamina without drugs

Catuaba Bark

Catuaba is also used for agitation, trouble sleeping related to high blood pressure, nervousness, ongoing mental and physical fatigue (neurasthenia), poor memory or forgetfulness, skin cancer; and as a tonic. It is also used to heighten sexual arousal and treat male sexual performance problems (RXList, Sep 17, 2019).

Eurycoma Longifolia Jack root  

The root and bark of Eurycoma longifolia are used for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), increasing interest in sex, male infertility, boosting athletic performance, body building, and reducing body fat (RXList, Sep 17, 2019).





































Monday, April 20, 2020

Copper, Zinc, Magnesium supplements for use with Light Therapy Patches

Light therapy patches, like those from LifeWave, require you have enough copper, zinc, and magnesium in your body to work effectively. In addition, you need to be drinking water enough water, so that you are fully hydrated. 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men. About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women (Mayo Clinic, Sep 6, 2017).

For use with patches, the recommended daily amounts of copper are 2 mg and zinc 15 mg. I get enough zinc in my doTerra multi-vitamins but I buy chelated copper supplement. 

Copper is an essential nutrient for the body. Together with iron, it enables the body to form red blood cells. It helps maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves, and immune function, and it contributes to iron absorption. Sufficient copper in the diet may help prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis (Medical News Today, Oct 23, 2017).

Zinc is a trace element that is necessary for a healthy immune system. A lack of zinc can make a person more susceptible to disease and illness. It is responsible for a number of functions in the human body, and it helps stimulate the activity of at least 100 different enzymes. Only a small intake of zinc is necessary to reap the benefits. Currently, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc in the United States is 8 milligrams (mg) a day for women and 11 mg a day for men (Medical News Today, December 5, 2017).

Magnesium Chloride Flakes 
Magnesium spray is recommended rather than magnesium supplement. The most common side effects of magnesium supplements are stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (as nearly all forms of magnesium have a laxative effect). Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) and magnesium citrate, for example, are commonly found in over-the-counter products to treat constipation (ConsumerLab,Apr 28, 2018).

According to most findings, taking magnesium internally as a supplement is the most effective way to counter a magnesium deficiency. However, some evidence shows that for individuals with challenged digestive systems, applying magnesium externally on the skin may help to bypass the digestive tract, allowing them to absorb the magnesium more quickly and completely (The Herbal Academy, November 29, 2019)

Magnesium chloride flakes are readily available in many pharmacies or online at Amazon or Swansons for making magnesium spray. The container suggests amounts for foot soaks or bathing. As a spray, I recommend 1:1 (4 ounces of magnesium flakes mixed into 4 ounces of hot distilled water). I put the solution into a glass spray bottle, although that is probably not necessary. 

Spray the magnesium solution on your fore arms and thighs after showering. When it dries, it may leave a white powder on the skin. Dust it off with your hand.