Supplements... Who needs them?

You're not getting the same nutrients the way your Grandparent's did! 

Why are Vitamins and Minerals Essential?
 
     Vitamins and minerals are essential because they sustain life!  The human body is not capable of storing most vitamins and minerals.  You need to replenish them daily for optimal health.  Your body prioritizes its health needs and because it does this, you may not feel an immediate difference if you go a few days without these essential nutrients.  However, you are jeopardizing long term benefits.
 
Can I get the Vitamins and Minerals I need from the Foods I Eat? 
 
     Eating healthy foods that fuel your unique body will help increase energy levels and overall health and wellness which is a key factor to living your fullest life.  Yet, according to the Nutrition Security Institute, “U.S. soil is eroding 10 times faster than it can be replenished.”  Researchers who compiled reports from around the world conclude that U.S. agricultural soil has been depleted by 85 percent of its minerals and vitamins during the last 100 years.  Farmers are now using all fields all the time to stay profitable, and rarely alternate what they grow.  This is called monocropping, which results in fewer nutrients in the soil.
     Eating the same fruits and vegetables that your grandparents once ate will not give you the same amount of nutrition they received. Unfortunately, you are not getting the critical nutrients needed to maintain good health and longevity.

  Are all Supplements the Same?
 
    All supplements are not created equal. The body can accept vitamins in any form! The problem is with the minerals.  (Most multi-vitamins include both vitamins and minerals). Many forms of minerals used in today’s supplements have been proven to be less than 10% absorbable by the body.  Traditional minerals crystalize in the small intestine which creates free radicals.  The antioxidants in the vitamins then must help neutralize the free radicals.  This makes the vitamins almost impossible to be absorbed into the bloodstream.  Therefore, you are not receiving the nutrient percent that is on the label.
     In 2002, a study was published in the journal of the American Medical Association. They wanted to see if supplements were benefiting the body.  They found the rate at which free radicals are generated by different forms of copper compared to other forms.  They also looked at the reduction rate of the free radical generation.
-Sulfate, Oxide = 100% free radical generation, 0% reduction rate of free radical generation.
-Gluconate = about 75% free radical generation, about 25% reduction rate of free radical generation.
-Chelate = about 45% free radical generation, about 65% reduction rate of free radical generation.
-Oligofructose Complex = about 25% free radical generation, over 75% reduction rate of free radical generation.
         *You might be asking, why is the Oligofructose Complex so much better than the other forms?
Oligo binds mineral to proteins and fibers (just like fruits and vegetables).  This process helps ensure that the body can more easily absorb and benefit from these critical nutrients.
 
What do I do Now? Do I Take Supplements or Not?
 
     Continue to eat your fruits and veggies and then decide if it would be beneficial to add in supplements.  If you decide its right for you, then do your research to find ones that have been scientifically proven to be effective. (That way you are not throwing your money away😊).
 

We are happy to share more information as well as studies about the supplements that we personally use and recommend! ​