What's the Truth Behind Supplements?

Recently I started my first "grown up" full time job as a college grad! It is quite the transition, let me tell you. And what more is that I am having an opportunity to learn a lot of in depth material about vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements. Something that has hardly been covered with my degree.

Day one, I was very nervous. Coming in skeptical of many of the supplements and products, I have been very happy to learn the science and chemistry behind the products. I know a lot of it works, and also a lot of it doesn't. As part of my in depth training I am reading from a textbook and studying different body systems and what helps and what doesn't help each system.

As an aspiring health coach and wellness blogger, I have decided that it would be a good idea to share with you what I am learning! Please follow along as I share with you what I am learning. This information is free, accurate, and helpful. If you are interested in having a consultation with me for health coaching, please send me an email at blessinginthecurse@gmail.com.

Here are the straight facts. I believe and have experienced for myself as I am taking care of my Crohn's Disease that there is a time and place for BOTH modern medicine as well as nutritional and holistic healing. I take medication and I give the medication the best chance of working by taking care of myself in a well-rounded way. For me, it is working out pretty well. My hope is to share this with you, so that you too can feel as healthy as possible. Life is waiting to be lived to the fullest!

Vitamins, Minerals, and Enzymes. (Unit One)

Vitamins: Vitamins are essential to life and by definition are something that the body cannot make on its own. We need small amounts of each vitamin for optimal health and function of the body. Macronutrients consist of protein, fat, and carb. Micronutrients consist of all the necessary vitamins. The following is a list of each vitamin with a brief description of the use and source.
Vitamin A: Necessary for eye health, skin, maintains of epithelia tissues, formation of bones, and serves as a protection against health ailments. Too much Vitamin A  (100,000 i.u.) can be toxic and is safest when consumed in the form of beta-carotene.
Vitamin B Complex: Important to maintain the health of nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver mouth, go, brain and energy.  B Vitamins serves as coenzymes, thus helping the body to react with other substances and thus creating energy.
B1 (Thiamine): Enhances circulation and assists in blood formation carbohydrate metabolism, and production of hydrochloric acid (aids in digestion). Beriberi is the deficiency.
B2 (Riboflavin): Necessary for red blood cell formation, antibody production, cell respiration, and growth. May help with eye fatigue. Eating enough riboflavin is of particular importance during pregnancy.
B3 (Niacin): Needed for proper circulation and healthy skin. Pellagra is the deficiency.
B5 (Pantothenic Acid):  Deemed as the anti stress vitamin helps with the adrenal hormones, and formation of antibodies, aids in vitamin utilization, and helps convert fats, carbs, and proteins into energy.
B6 (Pyridoxine): Is involved in more bodily functions than almost any other nutrient. Provides help for those with water retention and helps to produce stomach acid and absorb protein and fat.
B12 (Methylcobalamin): This is a very chemically complex vitamin. For vegetarians it is crucial to supplement this in the diet because it is virtually impossible to find in plant sources. There are several forms of this vitamin, some cheaper than others. The Methylcobalamin and adenosyl B12 are the types that the body can absorb best and will provide energy. The cyanocobalamin is the cheapest form to produce but virtually every body has a difficult time converting this to a usable form. Those with GI distress will also benefit from supplementing this in the diet.
Biotin: Aids in cell growth, fatty acid production, using macronutrients, and using the B-complex vitamins. Biotin is often taken for healthy hair and skin.
Choline: Needed for transmission of nerve impulses, gallbladder and liver health, and cardiovascular health.
Folate: Needed for brain function, formation of red blood cells, and strengthens immunity. Is vital during pregnancy and preventing spina bifida and may even prevent premature birth.
Insotiol: Helps with hair growth and is calming and reduces cholesterol levels.
para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA): A basic constituent of folate and helps in the assimilation of pantothenic acid. Helps prevent skin cancer and is a coenzyme for the breakdown of protein.
Vitamin C: Is a powerful antioxidant and has multiple functions in the body. Helps with tissue growth and repair, adrenal function, and healthy gums. Is also helpful for the immune system. I personally take lots of vitamin C to help with my tissue healing of my gut and to keep a healthy immune system.
Vitamin D: Is fat soluble and is needed for the utilization of calcium and phosphorus. The usable form of vitamin D is D3 and D2 and this is what you will typically see in a health food store. Is commonly needed in supplementation in many individuals.
Vitamin E: Is essential and most individuals do not get enough of it in their typical diet. Nuts are a great source of Vitamin E. This is another supplement that I take to help with my gut health. Be careful when taking this because it acts as a blood thinner and cannot be taken before surgery or with other blood thinning medication.
Vitamin K: Necessary for blood clotting. Also healthy for bone formation and repair. May also help the vascular system by producing protection against calcification of the arteries.
Bioflavonoids: Are essential for the uptake of Vitamin C.
Coenzyme Q10: This is found in all parts of the body and resembles the actions of Vitamin E. Serves as a powerful antioxidant and helps produce energy, circulation , and helps the immune system. Shows promise for mental health treatment as well as cardiovascular health.
***Disclaimer: Not all vitamins need to be supplemented. All are needed in their proper amounts in the body, but many are included from our food alone. Find out what your health care needs are and supplementation can help where there is a deficiency or extra healing and support is needed. Most individuals would greatly benefit from taking a quality multi-vitamin.

Minerals: Are also necessary for every living thing and help the body to function properly. Some minerals are needed in larger amounts (such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) and some are needed in much smaller amounts such as boron, chromium, copper, germanium, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, silicon, surfer, vanadium, and zinc. Be careful when supplementing and consuming minerals and do not exceed the dosing on the bottle unless recommended by a health care professional. Listed below are some of the most common minerals that are frequently supplemented.
Calcium: Is vital for strong bones, teeth, and healthy gums. Also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and transmission of nerve imposes. Can help lower cholesterol, heart health, muscle cramps, and increase bone density. Commonly known is that calcium is found in dairy foods. It is also founds in salmon, dark green vegetables, almonds, and other healthy food sources. Female athletes and older women need greater amounts of calcium.
Iodine: Is needed in only very small amounts, and helps metabolize excess fat and is good for mental development. Also prevents goiter and is healthy for the thyroid. Salt is typically iodize, meaning that iodine has been added to it. There are also other food sources such as seafood, and dairy that contain iodine.

Magnesium: One of the most commonly supplemented minerals. Is a vital mineral and assists in calcium and potassium uptake. Supplementing this can help with depression, dizziness, muscle weakness, and PMS. Be very careful to not intake too much especially during pregnancy and certain forms may have a laxative effect if taken in excess or the body is not used to it yet.
Sodium: Necessary for water balance and stomach, nerve, and muscle function. Sodium deficiencies are rare but can happen. It is important to not intake too much sodium as it can raise blood pressure, among other things.
Potassium: This is a mineral needed in larger amounts and is healthy for the nervous system, regular heart rhythm and muscle contraction. Takes place in the sodium-potassium channels of the body and helps chemical reactions to take place within cells. Individuals with high blood pressure will benefit from taking potassium.
Zinc: Healthy for reproductive organs, protein synthesis, and keeping a healthy immune system. As a kid I was always taught that this gives me energy. May help with healing processes
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*** Always consult a physician before taking a mineral and make sure to never exceed the recommended dosing.

Enzymes: Enzymes are so fascinating and so crucial to the body! All enzymes react with a substrate, meaning that they act as the "key" to make something else happen within the body. And because every enzyme has a different substrate, there are numerous enzymes within the body. When consuming an enzyme, make sure to choose the correct one because they are not all created the same. For example, if you are having difficulty digesting milk or lactose, choose and enzyme with the lactase enzyme that has the substrate that is found in milk. Within food enzymes look for ones that digest protein, fat, and carb. (Protease, lactase, and amylase). Another type of enzyme includes proteolytic enzymes. Instead of dealing with food, they help a function to take place in the body. These enzymes have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and are helpful in treating many conditions related to inflammation. In summary, there are many types of enzymes out there. So make sure you choose the right one!

Throughout my units that I am learning, I am going to share with you what I am learning! Feel free to follow along it it is of interest to you. I am here to "debunk" the myths behind supplements and to share with you science of what I am learning. By no means does this mean to not consult a physician, this is just in addition to what you are already doing to increase your health in the most optimum way. I love sharing my passion for health and wellness with you and I hope that what I am learning will also benefit you.