Supplements For Health and Weight Loss
By: Eric Viskovicz
Where did all the vitamins and minerals in our foods go? As more and more research pours in, we are becoming convinced that we are not eating the same quality of foods that our grandparents ate. Fifty years ago, it was much easier to eat a balanced meal, and be certain we would get adequate nutrition. Today however, it is a different story. Foods are not as nutritious as they used to be simply because the soil is not what it used to be. A study published in the British Food journal took 20 different fruits and vegetables grown in the 1930s and in the 1980s and found significant reductions in minerals like zinc, calcium, and magnesium in many of the foods. Soil depletion can certainly be one reason for the various vitamin and mineral deficiencies many people have. Another contributing factor would be the SAD (standard American diet) which consists of packaged processed foods, fatty meats, cheeses, and soft drinks, which deplete the body of most nutrients. This is why it is more important than ever to add natural supplementation to our nutrition regimen.
It is always important to check with a doctor before beginning any supplement routine, though most “whole food based” supplements are relatively safe. Health food stores are always the best place to purchase these types of supplements as most would not contain synthetic forms of the vitamins and instead carry the extracts from actual whole foods, herbs, or even therapeutic spices.
Multi-vitamins- A good place to start would be a multi-vitamin, containing all the vitamins and minerals as well as a mix of carotenoids. It is important to get a “whole food based” supplement that does not contain artificial colors or preservatives. There are certain vitamins and minerals that are not found in optimum amounts in these supplements, therefore it may be beneficial to purchase them separately in addition to the multi-vitamin. For example, the recommended daily amount for Vitamin D is 400 units, and as a nutritionist at a weight loss camp, I would suggest my clients get 2000 units per day along with extra calcium and magnesium. This can also be achieved by getting adequate natural sunshine, (about 20 minutes a day).
Probiotics- these are part of the trillion bacteria that line our guts every day. Since most illness begins in the gut, we always want the friendly bacteria to outweigh the bad to boost our assimilation of nutrients as well as our digestion. Probiotics are also essential for the overall immune system. We can find them in foods such as yogurt, kefir, and other fermented foods. You can also purchase probiotics in supplement form. Human modified forms of these bacteria are most effective, though most in the refrigerated section of the health food store should work just fine. Strains like lactobacillus acidophilus or bifidus are sufficient on a daily basis.
Fish Oils- these contain EFA’s or essential fatty acids, which the body does not produce on its own, therefore we must obtain them from the diet. One type of these EFA’s are omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, fortified eggs and soy products, but most abundantly in fatty fish. This is why a concentrated fish oil supplement will ensure 3-4 grams a day are consumed. Fish oils are anti-inflammatory and are excellent for brain health as well as cardiovascular. Many people are not aware that inflammation is also a contributing cause for obesity, and when clients switch from starchy, refined foods to anti-inflammatory foods like fish, their weight loss comes much easier. Essential fats like Omega 3′s also help the body conserve carbohydrates and help escort the “bad fats” out of the body. In addition, they help keep you satiated while keeping energy and mood high. I suggest my clients take a molecularly distilled fish oil supplement free of any contaminants like mercury or pcbs every day with a meal. They will experience increased energy, better regularity, absorption of vitamins and minerals, and even sleep.
No supplement should take the place of a nutritious meal, though they can certainly make for efficient insurance. Always consult your doctor before beginning any supplement program.
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For more information about the author Eric Viskovicz please visit http://www.ericviskovicz.com
In the field of weight loss, few take the approach that Eric Viskovicz does. A lifetime in competitive sports, including at the college, coupled with a history of an eating disorder, and a 50 pound weight struggle has given Eric Viskovicz a unique insight into the mind of the person who struggles with weight, as well as the mind of the professional athlete.