Finding the Right Nutritional Supplements

I recommend a sublingual B-12 supplement for patients over 50 years of age. After age 50 many Americans do not produce adequate amounts of hydrochloric acid, which is required for absorption in the small intestines.

Supplements in a vegetable-based capsule are far less likely to contain toxic components. Make sure the supplement is in a vegetable-based capsule made from herbal and vegetable concentrates.

THE IMPORTANCE OF OMEGA-3 FATS
High-quality fish oils, or omega-3 fats, are vitally important for good health. Realize that many deadly degenerative diseases are inflammatory, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, autoimmune disease and so on.

Fish oil is able to decrease inflammation significantly. I believe omega-3 fats are special fats the body needs as much as it needs vitamins. Much of the research on these powerful fats was done in the 1980s after realizing the Inuit Indians, who are Eskimos, rarely developed heart attacks or rheumatoid arthritis, yet their diet contained an enormous amount of fat from fish, seals and whales, which are all high in omega-3 fats.

By decreasing inflammation, fish oil is able to help treat and prevent conditions such as cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, migraine headaches, allergies, Alzheimer’s disease and even diabetes. Fish oil also helps balance and stabilize neurotransmitters in the brain, which may be helpful in patients with attention deficit disorder, depression and bipolar disorder.

Realize that we change the oil in our cars every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Shouldn’t we also begin to give ourselves an “oil change” regularly so that we can prevent a host of diseases?

PHYTONUTRIENTS
We have seen the importance of these powerful plant pigments in preventing heart disease and cancer. I firmly believe that everyone needs these supplements on a daily basis, and multivitamins simply do not provide them. Unfortunately, most of us, as well as our children, are also falling way short of the USDA-recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and we are falling prey to disease as a result of that shortage. A phytonutrient powder should provide a combination of colorful organic fruits and vegetables such as red, yellow, green, orange and purple, as well as fiber in order to have phytonutrient protection on a daily basis.

DIVINE HEALTH
Opinions will always differ on what vitamins and minerals to take and on the amounts necessary. Before making any dramatic changes in the amount of vitamins or minerals you add to your daily diet, always consult your personal physician.

There are other nutritional supplements that are important, including carnosine, glucosamine sulfate, gingko biloba and supplements for prostate health. However, the ones discussed today are the foundation for good health. Also, natural, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is extremely important for women and men, especially over the age of 50.

As more research is done on nutritional supplements, we will find that some supplements may be healthier than we thought and others may be less healthy. It is impossible to banish all confusion regarding supplements, so we must do the best we can with the information we are given for the moment. This pillar of health represents the latest, most proven research on nutritional supplements to give you a great start to living in divine health.

Don Colbert, M.D., is board-certified in family practice and anti-aging medicine. He is the author of the New York Times best seller The Seven Pillars of Health (Charisma House), from which this article was adapted. His latest book is I Can Do This Diet (Siloam Press). For additional resources and articles by Colbert go to www.drcolbert.com. He and his wife, Mary, live in Longwood, Florida.