I walk into Vitamin World and the walls close in. My head starts to spin as if on a swivel. The lights go dim. “Find your happy place,” I whisper to myself before my panic has a chance to kick in. But it’s too late, I am overwhelmed. I mean really, could there be more choices? If variety is the spice of life then this place is a 35 pound habanero.
All the research I’ve done has led me to believe that adding the right supplements to my daily routine will increase the quality of my longevity. I’m convinced that employing the right antioxidants and the right anti-inflammatory will make me look younger longer so I’m ready for the routine. I promise to be faithful and take my vitamins on a daily basis. Bring on the fountain of youth, baby! But, where to start?
Simple is NOT so simple
The secret to great skin is simple: Nourish from the inside out. The whole system needs to be considered when formulating a routine for success. We are fortunate to have the technology to formulate amazing topical products that defy the aging process. Amino acids, peptide chains, AHA, BHA, Vitamin A, enzymes, to name a few ingredients. However, just as Laverne needs Shirley, your fabulous skin care products need dietary supplements to round them out.
The Problem
Would you flush Andrew Jackson down the Loo?
Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, quality and efficacy are all over the board. With the lack of a purity standard, vitamins can consist of fillers and binders that cause digestive disturbances and weaken the immune system. If the product is not formulated properly, the important nutrients will not be absorbed by the body and will literally be flushed down the drain. Wave goodbye not only to your $20 bill as it swirls away, but to your effort and discipline it took to remember your supplements everyday. You are a Modern Mom- there is no time to be wasted. We must become efficient machines.
What’s a Girl To Do?
Enter the pharmaceutical grade supplement. The secret to these substances is that they are formulated to yield a much higher degree of bioavailability. Nutrients ingested but not released during the digestive process are of no nutritional value (and cause us to literally flush our money down the tube). A pharmaceutical grade supplement will have a coating to protect enzymes from being destroyed by stomach acids and allow the body to absorb nutrients more readily. They are only available through prescription from a health care professional and must be in excess of 99% pure. A pure supplement is lacking binders, fillers, dyes or other unknown substances. Look for products that have a USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) symbol on the label. The USP is a non-government, not-for-profit entity that regulates the industry. Its function is to provide a quality assurance and guarantee a certain standard of excellence.
Specific Supplements
Like everything in our expedient world, you can find these “prescription only” supplements on the web. Some of them on amazon.com. While this is helpful, it is important to realize that even with pharmaceutical grade, “all supplements are not created equal.” In addition, many supplements cannot be properly absorbed without the aid of a sister supplement. For example, iron cannot reach cells without the complement of folic acid and B12.
Keeping in mind that I am an esthetician and not a nutritionist, I always defer to the experts to get the inside scoop. Marc Sklar, board certified Acupuncturist and Herbologist suggests you consult your Natural Health Care Practitioner to get you started. Various nutrients and dietary components interfere with the bioavailibilty of vitamins and may be contraindicated with certain medications. Your Natropath can discuss this in detail as it pertains to your specific situation.
As a bonus, Dr. Marc gave us a few suggestions,
Dr. Marc’s Anti-Aging Cocktail includes:
Fish oils 2000mg/day by Pharmax
Co-enzyme Q10 100 mg/day by Orthomolecular
OPC/Pycnogenol 200mg/day Primary Source
Green Tea 2 cups/day
msklar@reproductivewellness.com
Get The Kids Involved
The Orthomolecular brand has an amazing line of vitamins for kids. My son loves the “Supernutes” which is not only a multi-vitamin but is formulated with minerals that are critical for a child’s diet. Give your little ones the head start they need with the “Orthomega Pearls.” This strawberry flavored caplet of Omega 3 is a fun way to ensure important components of brain function and development along with increased immunity.
Take a few minutes to review the status of your current supplements and make the most of your efforts to strive for the healthiest, most beautiful you!
Kimberly is the owner of “Thrive! Body and Skin” and single mom to Corbin in San Diego. kimrockskincare@gmail.com
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