by Jennifer Palmer, N.D.
Keeping in peak health is
essential this summer; here's
what NEEDS recommends for
the basic five!
1.MULTI-VITAMIN
Many of us would benefit from
supplementation because we concede
that it can be hard to eat ideally most
of the time. However, even if we ate
perfectly, many of these foods are
harvested from nutrient-depleted soils.
A good quality multi-vitamin is an
excellent way to fill in the gaps. In fact,
the Journal of the American Medical
Association reports that people who
take multi-vitamins have less risk of
chronic disease.
There are two main categories of
multi-vitamins:
• Standard USP vitamins
• Whole-food vitamins
USP vitamins are standardized to
provide consistent levels of each
nutrient. There are different varieties
of each vitamin, so watch out for
inexpensive products that may contain
poorly absorbed versions of each
nutrient. "Whole-food" vitamins differ
from USP in that they are cultured or
fermented in a medium which alters the configuration of the nutrient and makes
it more bio-available and absorbable.
2. ESSENTIAL FATTY
ACIDS (EFAS)
One of the most glaring deficiencies in
the American diet is a member of the
essential fatty acid family, Omega-3.
These fats, though crucial for limiting
the production of inflammatory
mediators which have detrimental health
effects, ironically cannot be readily
synthesized by the body. People with
EFA deficiencies commonly experience
dry skin, dry scalp, eczema, psoriasis,
arthritis, or heart disease. Fish oil is one
of the best sources of Omega-3s, and
is the one most efficiently used by the
body to tame inflammation. Fatty fish is
certainly an excellent source of EFAs,
but heavy metals and toxic chemicals
have contaminated a large percentage of
this important food source. High quality
supplemental fish oils are processed to
remove any toxins and are truly a safer
way to keep inflammation in check.
3. PROBIOTICS
Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus
acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus, are the "good" bacteria that reside in the
intestinal tract. These friendly bacteria are necessary for healthy digestion, immune function, and to prevent the
growth of pathogenic, or harmful, bacteria and yeast. Probiotics are easily depleted in our intestines by diets high
in sugar and animal protein, drinking tap
water with chlorine, taking antibiotics,
having hormonal imbalances, stress,
and even the natural process of aging.
Additionally, even if we already have
good "microflora" in our intestines, the
physical act of taking probiotics has
been shown to increase immunity not
just in our GI tract, but also in our entire
bodies. A warning to those who are milk
sensitive: probiotics are often cultured in
a lactose medium so look for a dairy-free
version.
4. GREEN DRINKS
These are highly concentrated forms
of fruits, vegetables, and/or other
foods, such as sprouts, grasses, sea
vegetables, and probiotics, which have
been shown to be extremely beneficial,
yet difficult to incorporate into our
diets on a regular basis. They can have
profound influences on our health, such
as reducing pain and inflammation,
boosting our immune systems, and
helping to increase our energy. Generally,
they are powders that can be mixed into
water, juice, or a protein shake. Their
shelf-life is much longer than that of fruits
and vegetables, making them easy to
keep at the office or for travel.
5. FIBER
Depending on your daily diet, it may
be beneficial to add supplemental
fiber to the diet. Low intake of fiber
is associated with a variety of health
problems, including constipation, colon
cancer, and high cholesterol, just to
name a few.
