I love documentaries. I recently was suggested a great documentary by my friend Jason called ''Food Matters.'' It talks about the struggle between medical doctors and nutritionists. Medical doctors are not taught nutrition in medical school and therefore will usually prescribe a drug to fix a health issue without considering if vitamins will correct the issue. The problem with drugs is that they are designed to fix a specific issue and not other aspects of the body that also effect that issue. Vitamins on the other hand are used to help the body correct most issues on their own. Now, I am not advocating that people should shun medical doctors and prescription drugs. Instead I want people to be aware that drugs are not the only choice and should not be the first choice to correct a health issue. Drugs are very powerful and effect the body in drastic ways and should only be a last resort if nutrition and mega-dose vitamins are not affective.
When I had the Gastric Bypass surgery my doctor told me that I will need to take a mega vitamin at least once a day because I am not able to get enough vitamins through food alone, since I cannot eat very much. While I was looking for a good mega vitamin I found out that there are many vitamins that are mainly chemical vitamins created in a lab and the body has trouble absorbing them. A ''Food Matrix" vitamin are vitamins extracted from actual food and the body absorbs more of the vitamins and at a faster rate. There are many articles and books written on the subject. Check out this link Here for more information.
For the past 2 weeks I have increased my mega vitamin from one per day to three per day and I have to say that I have seen a huge change in the past week because of it. My last depression was small compared to previous ones and my last manic also was diminished to where I was still a bit crazy, but the hypersexuality was a lot easier to handle. Everyone around me is getting sick with cold's, flu's, and stomach bugs. I however have not gotten sick yet and I don't think I am that lucky, so I am attributing that to the higher amount of vitamins I have been taking.
The vitamins I take are Glucosamine HCL with MSM for my knee and 'Alive!' muli-vitamins. The bottle shows you the amount (g-grams, mg-miligrams, mcg-micrograms, IU-international unit of potentcy) and the percent of Daily Value (%DV) for each vitamin. Here is a list of the vitamins in it and a description of how that vitamin helps you. All of the descriptions come from the reference of www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide and other sites, you can click the vitamin name more information.
(Amount / %DV) If you take the recommended dose of 3 tablets per day.
15,000 IU / 300%
Vitamin A (contains both Retinol and Beta Carotene) is key for good vision, a healthy immune system, and cell growth.
1 g / 1667%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) helps tissue and bone grow and repair itself. While vitamin C supplements are extremely popular, research has yet to establish solid health benefits.
400 IU / 100%
Vitamin D plays several key roles in your body. Most importantly, vitamin D helps your body absorb the minerals calcium and phosphorus from the food you eat.
200 IU / 667%
Vitamin E is key for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. In recent years, vitamin E supplements have become popular as antioxidants. These are substances that protect cells from damage.
80 mcg / 100%
Vitamin K plays a key role in helping the blood clot, preventing excessive bleeding. Unlike many other vitamins, vitamin K is not typically used as a dietary supplement.
25 mg / 1667%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) helps fuel your body by converting blood sugar into energy. It keeps your mucous membranes healthy and is essential for nervous system, cardiovascular and muscular function.
25 mg / 1471%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) supports energy production by aiding in the metabolising of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Vitamin B2 is also required for red blood cell formation and respiration, antibody production, and for regulating human growth and reproduction. It is essential for healthy skin, nails, hair growth and general good health, including regulating thyroid activity.
125 mg / 625%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin), in the body is important for general good health. As a treatment, higher amounts of niacin can improve cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular risks.
50 mg / 2500%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), is often called the “mood vitamin” because it’s very important for helping our brains and metabolism.
400 mcg / 100%
Folic acid is a type of B vitamin that's key for cell growth and metabolism. Studies show that many people in the U.S. don't get enough folic acid.
200 mg / 3333%
Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) plays a role in making DNA. Vitamin B-12 also helps keep nerve cells and red blood cells healthy.
300 mcg / 100%
Biotin is a coenzyme and a B vitamin, also known as vitamin H. As a supplement, biotin is sometimes used for diabetes, brittle nails, and other conditions.
125 mg / 1250%
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is needed by the body in order to from coenzyme A and is also crucial in metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates and fats inside the body.
250 mg / 25%
Calcium is a mineral well-known for its key role in bone health. Calcium also helps maintain heart rhythm, muscle function, and more. Because of its health benefits, calcium is one of the best-selling supplements in the U.S.
800 mcg / 4%
Iron is a mineral that's necessary for life. Iron plays a key role in the making of red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body.
150 mcg / 100%
Iodine is an essential trace element that is essential for the normal growth and development. Around 60% of the iodine in the body is stored in the thyroid gland. The health benefits of iodine play a very important role in the normal functioning of the thyroid glands, which secretes thyroid hormones that control the basic metabolic rate of the body.
125 mg / 31%
Magnesium is a mineral that's crucial to the body's function. Magnesium helps keep blood pressure normal, bones strong, and the heart rhythm steady.
15 mg / 100%
Zinc is a mineral that's important to the body in many ways. Zinc keeps the immune system strong, helps heal wounds, and supports normal growth.
70 mcg / 100%
Selenium is a mineral found in the soil. Selenium naturally appears in water and some foods. While people only need a very small amount, selenium plays a key role in the metabolism.
2 mg / 100%
Copper include proper growth, utilization of iron, enzymatic reactions, connective tissues, hair, eyes, ageing and energy production. Apart from these, heart rhythm, thyroid glands, arthritis, wound healing.
4 mcg / 200%
Manganese ensure healthy bone structure, bone metabolism, helping in building essential enzymes for building bones. It acts as a coenzyme to assist metabolic progression in the human body. Apart from these, there are other health benefits of manganese actively involved in forming connective tissues, absorption of calcium, proper functioning of thyroid, sex hormones, regulating blood sugar level, and metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
120 mcg / 100%
Chromium -- specifically, trivalent chromium -- is an essential trace element that's used by some people as a supplement. Perhaps most importantly, chromium forms a compound in the body that seems to enhance the effects of insulin and lower glucose levels.
75 mcg / 100%
Molybdenum is a trace mineral found in most plant and animal tissues. Molybdenum is an essential co-factor for many of the enzymes involved in protein synthesis and the mobilization or iron use in the body.
15 mcg / 1%
Sodium functions with chloride and bicarbonate to maintain a balance of positive and negative ions (electrically charged particles) in our body fluids and tissues. The body receives sodium primarily in the form of table salt (sodium chloride). Sodium, the principal extracellular ion, has the property of holding water in body tissues.
50 mcg / 1%
Potassium is a mineral that's crucial for life. Potassium is necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally.
The Alive! multi-vitamin also has many micro-nutrients such as Spirulina, Amino acids, Omega acid, Enzyme's, and more that help out in many ways to help move the vitamins and increase the speed and amount of absorption.
Hey Matt,
ReplyDeleteI too, got into this pill-popping/orthomolecular idea about two years ago, and I'm still into it today. Similarly, about a year ago, I finally threw in the towel and changed over to the Abs diet. Now here I am, healthier and skinnier than I was when I was twenty-five.
One thing is apparent, the vitamins and supplements do have an effect, at the very least, on energy and immunity. I'm hardly ever sick, even when others are, and I'm no longer incredibly groggy in the morning. However, I freely admit that much of the pills I am taking may be having little to no effect. One has to account for potency and absorbtion in these cases, not to mention the idea that there is a plateau of a mineral that one can take before any excess becomes useless. Most importantly, too much of anything can become poisonous, even purified water.
Like you, I was shocked to learn that M.D.s learn next to nothing about nutrition and are literally trained to concentrate on one or two body parts at a time. But let me say something else in regards to this: we must be careful not to tell anybody to shun doctors and modern medicine. The skyrocketing increase of the average human lifespan speaks volumes to the effectiveness of modern medicine. Nutrition should simply be seen as preventative medicine, and not be used as cure-all.
If I can make a couple of suggestions: Try looking for a "USP" potency verified Fish Oil. I think King Soopers sells a few selections. I've also become a huge fan of "Smart Balance" peanut butter. It has omega 3's, flax, less sugar than other PB's, and tastes great.
I've become very interested, as of late, in the effects of diet and nutrition. What angers me, about policy, agribusiness and marketers, is that these high-rollers know exactly what is causing this obesity epidemic and increase in diabetes cases, yet they remain tight-lipped about it. I try to spead the word to as many people as I can.
Yeah I was very specific in saying that I am NOT advocating that people shun medical doctors and drugs. I just want people to be aware that drugs are not the ONLY answer, there are alternatives.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Abs Diet, I like it mainly because I eat those foods already. I prefer chicken and turkey to beef, so I usually eat the leaner meats. I have to try to stay away from the processed sugar foods, they are like crack to me. I'm getting better though.
I actually have Fish Oil I just didn't mention it in the blog. I also take Glucosamine for joint health and help build Cartilage because I of my right knee. I haven't tried the "Smart Balance" peanut butter, but I will have to take a look at it. I need to get a food processor again, because I make some awesome homemade peanut butter, mmmmm peanut butter *drool*
I feel your anger bro, I am annoyed that the subject is flooded with scams, snake oil salesmen, and false information. So, many people avoid the whole subject. It took me a while and some determination to find out what the truths are and what the bullshit is.
Its great that your healthy again, I know what you mean about the lack of grogginess, like right now I just woke up from a 2 hour nap and feel great. Tired, but great.
Dude, I used to LIVE off of sugar, and it seemed that once I cut my consumption down by about 90%, the weight literally fell off me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your doing all of this.
Yeah, now I just need to get my laszy ass off the couch and exercise more...well, one thing at a time ;p
ReplyDelete