In today’s world, the importance of supplements cannot be overstated. Unlike the past, where a good diet and lifestyle were enough to take care of oneself, the world is now polluted, and chronic illness is at an all-time high. Maintaining good health has become increasingly difficult due to pollutants, deficiencies, and misinformation that can cause pain and suffering.
In the past, taking care of oneself was simple: eat well, sleep well, work hard, and be an upstanding member of society. However, this is no longer enough. To combat the negative effects of the modern world, supplements can play a crucial role in maintaining good health.
My own experiences with ill health, pain, and suffering have led me to discover the benefits of supplements, and I believe they can help others too. By sharing what works for me and why I think it could benefit others, hopefully, my experiences can be used to their advantage. Therefore, it is important to recognize the importance of supplements in today’s world.
Supplements – what I take and why you should too!
Choosing the Right Probiotic Supplement
Fermented foods have been a part of every culture in the world. Europeans, both western and eastern, and Asians all consume some form of fermented food such as sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, and natto. Unfortunately, modern versions of these foods are likely pasteurized, and preserves are often made with vinegar, resulting in a loss of beneficial bacteria that were traditionally present. Therefore, recognizing the importance of supplements is essential.
In a separate post, I explained the importance of probiotics for good health. They are beneficial not only for your gut health, but also for your mental health. For instance, the GAPS (gut and psychology syndrome) diet emphasizes restoring gastrointestinal symbiosis to treat severe psychiatric conditions such as Schizophrenia and Autism[1].
Read this article too: Probiotics: Boosting Gut Health and Immunity
If you have time, it’s great to look for good quality fermented food. Unpasteurized fermented dairy can be found in some shops, especially specialist ethnic shops (think Russian or Polish). Kefir can also be delivered to your door with websites like Abel and Cole. If you’re not a fan of food approach, or need something stronger, we can turn to probiotic supplements. However, finding a good brand can be challenging because it requires the right strains and species, the right dosage, the right environment, and proper storage during transit.
I recommend one more probiotic, which is the most cost-effective per CFU count I’ve ever found. It’s stable enough to be unrefrigerated during delivery and contains no fillers or binders that could cause problems for sensitive guts.
Vitamin D Supplements: When to Take Them
It’s important to note that while getting vitamin D from the sun is best, it’s not always feasible. Living in higher latitudes, such as England and Canada, means the UV index may not be high enough to produce the required amount of vitamin D even in summer. Some days you may get enough from the sun, but on other days, it’s important to supplement your vitamin D intake.
I have a funny anecdote to share. While traveling between appointments, I had a 15-minute break at home. I noticed the sun was out, so I spent 10 minutes in my underwear in the garden. However, the official RDA for vitamin D is only 400iu, which is not enough according to scientists. The recommended dose is actually in the range of 7000-10000IU, which is much higher.[2].
I am very in tune with my body. Currently, I find that taking 25000IU of vitamin D per day, along with extra sun exposure when possible, boosts my energy and enhances productivity and motivation. However, everyone’s needs are different depending on factors such as stress, environment, and diet. For most people, a safe dose is 10000IU. Look for a supplement with cholecalciferol and a carrier oil such as MCT oil, coconut oil, or olive oil as the only ingredients. A good supplement should contain over 1000IU per drop or over 10000IU per capsule.
Read this article too: Common Myths about The Sun
The Role of Digestive Enzymes in Gut Health
The importance of supplements cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to digestive enzymes. These supplements can benefit everyone, but they are particularly beneficial if you have a medical condition that affects your digestion or energy levels. Enzymes are catalysts that accelerate reactions, and they are naturally produced in the liver and pancreas for normal cellular function and good digestion.
If you have a medical condition affecting your digestion or energy levels, you may struggle to produce enough enzymes. Digestive enzymes can increase your digestive capability and free up your own organs from having to produce as many enzymes for digestion, so they can focus on creating the other enzymes that will help you with energy.
A good enzyme should contain no fillers or binders and should contain the enzymes that your body would secrete naturally. Lypo Gold™ by Enzymedica is a good enzyme that I personally use and recommend. It contains amylase, protease, and lipase. Lypo Gold™ is formulated for fat digestion, which is ideal for me because I consume a lot of fat and a good amount of protein. Enzymes are heat sensitive, so it’s important to keep that in mind.
The Healing Benefits of Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt, also called Magnesium Sulphate, is famous for its muscle-soothing and relaxing effects. The credit for these qualities goes to magnesium, which is often overlooked. Magnesium is crucial for muscle relaxation, and during stress, the body uses up magnesium at an alarming rate (it’s actually flammable[3]).
The sulphur in Epsom Salts doesn’t receive enough recognition. You might be familiar with glutathione, the body’s primary antioxidant, which is generated endogenously. However, you may not know that glycine, glutamine, and cysteine make up glutathione. Cysteine is an amino acid that contains sulphur[4]. Glutamine and glycine can be obtained easily from the diet, but cysteine can be challenging to come by. Epsom Salts can provide cysteine, particularly if you have digestive problems with sulphurous foods.
PatchMD Multivitamin Patches: Convenient and Effective
I’m trying out PatchMD patches, and while I can’t guarantee their effectiveness yet, I’ve already noticed some benefits. The concept is intriguing, so I want to share it.
Ensuring sufficient micronutrient intake is essential for good health. When the body lacks an essential nutrient, it can have difficulty performing necessary functions. Despite my belief in the importance of supplements, I have not been able to tolerate traditional multivitamins due to food sensitivities. However, PatchMD has an innovative technology that allows for transdermal absorption of nutrients through a patch, such as methyl folate and methyl cobalamin. Though carotenoids in vitamin A are an exception, this new method is intriguing and may be beneficial for those with gut issues like myself.
Not Daily Supplements, but Key to My Recovery
While not daily supplements, these two are integral to my recovery program, and I owe them due credit.
Chiropractic is the first one. In brief, every organ in the body communicates with each other through the nervous system. If there is a communication problem, it affects overall health. Regular check-ups are essential due to the stress of daily life taking its toll. The second one is some form of therapy.
I see a qualified psychotherapist specializing in Somatic Experiencing, and it’s been extremely helpful. I wouldn’t be writing this without her assistance. You can release stored trauma without even realizing it. Subconscious and self-limiting beliefs prevent you from acting in your best interest, and getting rid of this baggage has a profound impact on what appears in your life. Check out my other in-depth post on this topic in my post about Emotional Trauma.
Read this article too: Emotional Trauma: Strategies for Recovery
Hey, let's be Pen Pals!
Hey, let's be
Pen Pals!
Forget about the spam, we are delivering the “real deal” straight to your inbox. Expect to receive valuable information on gut health, emotional and energy healing, and expert insights that will equip you to take charge of your well-being. Are you ready to join us?
Pingback:Vegetables: They Fight Back | William Dickinson.
Pingback:Common Myths about The Sun | William Dickinson.