Nutritionist Advice: The Vitamins You Should Be Supplementing With Right Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Nutritionist Advice: The Vitamins You Should Be Supplementing With Right Now

Looking past the multi-vit.

275
Nutritionist Advice: The Vitamins You Should Be Supplementing With Right Now
WiseGeek

I put a lot of thought into what I put into my body, on my body, and how my body reacts. Because I spend a lot of time indoors, treat myself to sweets a little too regularly, and don’t eat nearly enough whole, vitamin rich foods – do any of us? – I decided recently to look more into supplementing with vitamins.

My boyfriend is a Chiropractor and has a lot of education on nutrition and vitamins specifically and he warned me about the possible dangers of taking the wrong types or dosage of vitamins. I decided to spend a few months researching natural remedies to some of my not-so-concerning ailments – like my constant exhaustion, my frequent breakouts, red skin, brittle nails, and digestive issues. Then, I spoke to a Nutritionist for advice at a local health food store in my area, Nature’s Way. She was extremely helpful and suggested I buy 4 different supplements instead of the ever-popular multivitamin, so I got a Vitamin D3, B12, Marine Collagen Type 1, and freeze dried broccoli sprouts.

Since changing my routine 2 months ago, I’ve noticed my mood improve, fewer breakouts, faster skin repair (on both cuts and breakouts) and an increase in hair growth. All of these improvements might not be directly related to my vitamins and more benefits might come my way after I’ve been taking them for a longer period of time, however, I do feel that my money and time researching and buying vitamins has been beneficial to my overall health and mood thus far.

Please bear in mind, everyone is different. You may not need the same vitamins as me, and the wrong dose of a vitamin can turn a good thing bad, so please do your research and ask your doctor what vitamin dosage is right for your body based on your current numbers. With that in mind, the vitamins I have listed (and pictured) below are the vitamins I am currently taking and think would be beneficial to many of you.

Collagen Type 1

Collagen is the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, widely used in purified form for cosmetic surgical treatments, however, collagen can be taken as a supplement for a multitude of health benefits.

Natural collagen production slows rapidly after we hit age 25, so supplementing with collagen can be extremely beneficial to the way you feel, look, and perform, based on which type of collagen you take. I’ve broken down the 3 different types of collagen in the chart below, as the reason you are taking collagen should determine the type you choose to take.


*Collagen types 1 & 3 are similar and can be taken together, but collagen types 1 & 3 should be taken separately from collagen type 2 for optimal absorption.

Vitamin D3

The body produces its own Vitamin D through the action of sunlight on the skin, but because we don't all have access to sunlight all year long, 50% of adults and children worldwide are Vitamin D deficient, as suggested by recent studies.

Vitamin D:

  • Helps body absorb other vitamins from food and other supplements
  • Improves mood (think of how much happier you are in the summer sun!)
  • Helps you maintain the health of bones and teeth
  • Supports the health of the immune system, brain, and nervous system
  • Regulates insulin levels and aid diabetes management
  • Supports lung function and cardiovascular health
  • Influences the expression of genes involved in cancer development

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually characterized by fatigue, and while so many people are on nutrient robbing medications today like birth control, antibiotics, and NSAIDs, it is no wonder so many of us are yawning more than usual. Strict vegetarians, heavy drinkers and smokers, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly usually require vitamin B12 supplements as well.

Other signs that you might be deficient in B12 include:

  • Constantly feeling tired or chronic fatigue
  • Muscle aches and weakness
  • Joint pain
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Poor memory
  • Inability to concentrate well
  • Mood changes, like increased depression and anxiety
  • Having abnormal heart problems, such as palpitations
  • Poor dental health, including bleeding gums and mouth sores
  • Digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea or cramping
  • A poor appetite

A great tip my nutritionist gave me was that B12 doesn’t absorb well in the stomach, so it is important to take a sublingual “nugget” that you place under your tongue where it will absorb in minutes.

Raw, Freeze-dried Broccoli Sprouts

I have recently become obsessed with broccoli sprouts after listening to Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s podcast, "Sulforaphane and Its Effects on Cancer, Mortality, Aging, Brain and Behavior, Heart Disease & More".

“Cruciferous vegetables are at the top of the list of cancer-fighting foods, yet you would have to eat 10 servings of broccoli every day to get its benefits. Young broccoli sprouts contain up to 50 times more of the antioxidant sulforaphane than broccoli, according to research presented at the Diet, Epigenetic Events, and Cancer Prevention Symposium in 2007” according to Healthy Eating. Yes, hearing that a food as crisp and tasteless as broccoli sprouts did make my ears perk up, but the countless other health benefits associated with eating broccoli sprouts have me fascinated.

According to Dr. Rhonda Patrick, smokers who ate broccoli sprouts lowered their risk of lung cancer by a large percentage and men who ate broccoli sprouts lowered their risk of colon cancer by an even lower percentage! On average, subjects who consume three to five servings of broccoli sprouts per week decreased their risk of cancer by approximately 30%–40%!

For Patrick’s entire podcast, click here, but for some more benefits of eating this delicious salad or sandwich topping, see below:

  • Promotes detoxification
  • Combats cancer
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Combats cardiovascular disease
  • Fights obesity
  • Improves diabetes
  • Boosts immune systems
  • Acts as an antiviral
  • Fights bacterial and fungal infection
  • Protects the skin
  • Combats inflammation
  • May combat depression and anxiety
  • Protects the brain and restores cognitive function
  • May prevent Parkinson’s Disease and/or, Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington’s Disease, seizures, and/or Schizophrenia
  • Improves liver function
  • Can protect the kidneys
  • Prevents inflammation

Broccoli sprouts are extremely easy and cheap to grow yourself, but if you’re like me and don’t have time for that, you can buy raw, freeze-dried broccoli sprouts in capsules.

*The quality of your vitamins plays an extreme part in how your body will react, negatively or positively to supplements. For example, fish oil does incredible things for the body, but most brands are not quality fish oil and have become denatured: meaning the chemical makeup of the fish oil has changed due to temperature change, age, etc. and is now going to act as a poison to your body.

**I am not a Registered Dietician or Nutritionist; all of the information provided is secondary information and is from my own experiences. Please consult your doctor before taking my recommendations.


References:

https://www.energeticnutrition.com/blog/2016/04/collagen-types-1-2-3-knowing-important-differences/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161618.php

http://amino-collagen.com/collagen-supplements-comparison.html

http://theydiffer.com/difference-between-collagen-1-2-and-3/

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/health-benefits-of-vitamin/2015/04/07/id/387945/

https://www.google.com/search?q=collagen+definition&oq=collagen+def&aqs=chrome.0.0l2j69i57j0l3.1864j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz4YVJ4aRfg

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/advantages-broccoli-sprouts-4629.html

https://selfhacked.com/2015/01/13/panacea-benefits-broccoli-sprouts-sulforaphane/

http://hippocratesinst.org/sprouts-the-living-super-food

http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/health-benefits-of-vitamin/2015/04/07/id/387945/

http://www.wellnessresources.com/health/articles/common_medications_that_rob_the_body_of_nutrients/

https://draxe.com/vitamin-b12-benefits/

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

3027
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1828
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201095
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21475
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments