Vitamins & Supplements Galore

9:29 AM | Posted by Christine | Edit Post



This is a view inside my top desk drawer at work. Seriously, this it what it looks like. Forget about paper clips, envelopes, extra pens and paper, this drawer is gladly and quite messily devoted to my daily vitamin routine.  I try to keep it hidden from most of my coworkers, but for those that work closely with me, they have gotten used to it and they know that I am a health freak.  I have been caught in the act many times - organizing, sorting and swallowing - my vitamins everyday after lunch.  It is a process and a habit that I am glad I keep.  Oh, and yes, that is a spare REESE'S Peanut Butter Cup in the drawer buried under my vitamins.  You never know when you're going to need it!  I am saving it for a bad, bad day.  
The story of my vitamin intake begins many years ago when I stumbled across a copy of The Perricone Perscription by Dr. Nicholas Perricone.  This book is devoted to saving your skin and body through the foods you eat and the supplements you take.  I devoured the book, walking away with a grocery store list of vitamins and supplements.  Thankfully, shortly after I decided it was too pricey and too unrealistic for a 20-something to be taking so many vitamins, so I whittled it down to about three of Dr. Perricone's recommendations: DMAE, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q.  
A few years later, I thought it would be good practice to start taking some healthy fats in a capsule, so I added an Omega 3-6-9 complex (which when I finish my current bottle I plan to switch strictly to Omega-3 fish oil).  And most recently, upon becoming an upper-twenty-something-year-old in my childbearing years (yes, I just said that), I decided I must make sure that I am getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals (especially folic acid).  To achieve this, I incorporated a women's multi-vitamin called Simply One by Super Nutrition.  I feel much better now knowing that if I were to become pregnant my body can properly support and nourish the baby.  In the meantime, I might as well be nourishing myself, right?  RIGHT!


1) DMAE (Dimethylaminoethenol) -- acts as an antioxidant in the body by neutralizing toxins, increases energy levels and cognitive capacity, supports immune system


2) Alpha Lipoic Acid --found naturally in the body and helps convert glucose into energy, supports immune function, an antioxidant that rids body of free radicals


3) Coenzyme Q10 -- found naturally in the body and is a strong antioxidant that helps convert the food we eat into energy that is used by the body. CoQ10 is useful in maintaining a healthy metabolism, promotes cell division and tissue repair, supports heart health and immune function.


4) Omega 3-6-9 -- a blend of fatty acids that the body needs to function properly. They support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels. Also good for skin tone and nourishing the body at a cellular level. 
Omega 3s - fish oil, walnuts, flaxseed oil.  Omega 6s - vegetable oils (soybean, safflower, canola). Omega 9s (oleic acid)- olive oil, olives, peanuts oil and avocados.  ** Omega 6 and 9 are readily available in the foods we eat, unlike Omega 3, which is why I plan on switching to an Omega 3 fish oil supplement. 


5) Simply One Women's Multi-Vitamin -- a good mix of vitamins and minerals, plus organic green foods and herbs


You may have also noticed a container of spirulina in my desk drawer. This supplement upsets my stomach so I have stopped taking it.  Spirulina is a blue-green algae that has been called a superfood. It contains a number of essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals including a wide range of B-vitamins.  The spirulina link above makes a call out to possible dangers associated with bacteria that can be found in this algae...so needless to say I am glad I stopped taking this supplement, especially since supplements of any kind are not regulated by the FDA!


What are your crazy vitamin and supplement habits?  What do you take and why? I'd love to know!
Labels:

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

About Me

Christine
New York City
Welcome! My name is Christine and I have landed here to share my love of healthy living and eating. I live in NYC where I am currently enrolled in the School of Integrative Nutrition. I am already certified as a holistic health coach and I have started seeing clients to help them reach their wellness goals. I started hot mama health to share the idea that it is fun to be healthy! Health is an adventure with endless foods to taste, exercises to explore, and challenges to meet! If you do not already feel this way, I hope that I can bring you into the light or at least stir a little inspiration here and there.
View my complete profile
Foodbuzz

Followers

Designed by Elaine B.