The health and medical communities have long acknowledged the benefits of a daily multi-vitamin, particularly for those over the age of 50. Even Medicare has noted decreased costs in caring for patients who take daily multi-vitamins.
As we grow older, the absorption and digestion of proteins and minerals becomes more difficult leading to a variety of ailments such as osteoporosis, fatigue, and chronic illness. We can go a long way towards addressing these concerns by seeking out a few basic nutrients and nutritional supplements.
Five that are essential for anyone over 50 include betaine hydrochloride, B-12, magnesium, Vitamin D, and adequate protein.
Betaine Hydrochloride: Our bodies digest foods less efficiently as we age, yet nutrients from our foods are a critical component to good health. Reasons for poor absorption include the side affects of acid blocking medications such as Prilosec and Prevacid. Another reason for poor absorption is that older people often do not secrete enough stomach acid in their gastrointestinal tract.
Stomach acid is required for absorption. Ironically, many people take medications such as Prilosec for reducing stomach acid, but in reality, stomach acid declines as we age. People think they have stomach acid problems, because their stomach acid backs up in the esophagus due to poor digestion caused by a lack of stomach acid!
In my practice, I have seen patients clear their perceived stomach acid problems by taking betaine hydrochloride, and stopping their intake of acid blocking medications. This may seem paradoxical but the key is to do everything possible to improve your digestive function, and adding stomach acid (betaine hydrochloride) is a very good place to start.
Betaine hydrochloride can support digestion when taken with meals. A betaine hydrochloride supplement can be purchased at health food stores and may be taken in conjunction with digestive enzymes, such as pancreatic enzymes or vegetable enzymes. If you develop warmth or burning in your upper abdomen, then your dose is too high.
Vitamin B-12: Insufficient Vitamin B-12 levels can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and a higher risk of heart disease. Vitamin B-12 is particularly hard to absorb as we age, because we lack the biochemical called intrinsic factor.
Because Vitamin B-12 is difficult for the stomach to absorb, I recommend taking it sublingually (as a lozenge, or as drops under the tongue) so that it can be absorbed through the mouth. A reasonable daily dose for Vitamin B-12 is 500-1000 micrograms (not milligrams). Vitamin B-12 is water soluble, so it is extremely unlikely that you will overdose on this vitamin.
Magnesium: Magnesium is often overlooked and is essential to your cellular health. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables! Kelp provides a rich source of Magnesium. Look for a supplemental green drink that contains seaweed, especially kelp, at your local health food store.
If you are taking calcium, then you need to take magnesium, because calcium competes with magnesium in the body. Your dose of magnesium should be at least as much as your calcium dose. Magnesium malate, glycinate or citrate are more absorbable than magnesium oxide. A reasonable dose is 100-300 mg 2x per day.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is another essential nutritional supplement. Not only is Vitamin D critical for bone health, but women who have optimal levels of Vitamin D have approximately 50% decreased chance of breast cancer. Studies have shown that most of the population living north of San Francisco is Vitamin D deficient.
Taking 2000 IU's of Vitamin D 3 per day is a reasonable dose particularly in winter. Vitamin D toxicity has been a concern because it is a fat soluble vitamin. However in reality, Vitamin D toxicity is extremely rare. No cases have been documented of Vitamin D toxicity from a daily dosage of 2000 IU's.
Alternatively, you may take cod liver oil daily. Be sure to find quality oil free of toxins. Highly recommended brands are Carlsons and Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil.
Protein: The final component for basic nutritional health is simply to include adequate protein in your diet. Choose foods that are rich in high-quality protein, such as organic eggs, free-range chicken and lamb, and ocean wild-caught fish.
Protein deficiency can cause muscle mass to decrease. Also, our brains need protein because the neurotransmitters in our brains are made out of the amino acids from protein. Nuts and legumes contain protein as well, but are not as concentrated as the protein found in meat and animal products.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=57555&catid=708
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We had many family members and friends with a variety of chronic pain stemming from their leg joints to arthritis in their hands so bad they could not open and close their fingers. My mother-in-law's hands were so gnarled she could not put on or take off rings. We had heard about an all fruit juice called Monavie that was helping people with joint pains. We purchased a bottle and gave it to her. When I tell you within 4 days that woman could wiggle her fingers and make a fist like I couldnt believe. We then bought a case and gave it to other family members. Soon we were getting phone calls from them about how they were able to walk without pain, how their backs felt great, their knees were bending pain free. It was just amazing. The juice is made up of 19 fruits including the Acai Berry. Dr. Nicholas Perricone calls the acai the #1 superfood in the world in his book and on his appearance on Oprah. The Acai berry contains everything your body can possibly need. It provides Vitamin B1, B2, B3, C, E, Potassium, Fiber, Proteins, Phosphorus, Calcium, ideal fatty acids like Omega 9, Omega 6 to help in reducing high cholesterol level. The acai berry also has the highest level of antioxidant, 10 times the amount of a glass of wine. The juice also contains Celadrin,a natural anti-inflammatory compound of fatty acids that is derived from bovine tallow oil, has been known to promote healthy joint function by lubricating the membranes that cushions joints and bones and Glucosomine, a substance that works well with celadrin and is also found in acai, helps to build healthy cartilage in the body and helps to build healthy cartilage in the body
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With 10 times the antioxidants of grapes and twice the antioxidants of blueberries, the Brazilian Acai berry(AH-sci-EE) is considered to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth. The health benefits are simply amazing. With the symmetry of a grape and the size of a giant blueberry, the Acai fruit tastes a bit like wild raspberry with a hint of grape. Most people have trouble putting their finger on the taste because it's so different. Acai Berries grow on an Amazon Palm Tree and have been prized for hundreds of years by Brazilian natives for their ability to provide a sense of strength, energy, and a high nutritional content. Acai Berries are high in essential fatty acids & omegas -- 60% Oleic (omega 9) - a monounsaturated essential fatty acid which helps to lower LDL (harmful cholesterol), while maintaining HDL ( beneficial cholesterol). 12% Linoleic (omega 6) - a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid which has also been found to lower LDL, while maintaining HDL. Acai also contains many valuable Phytosterols. Sterols are compounds of plant cell membranes providing numerous benefits to the Human body, namely the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol. The Acai Berry is a dense source of a particular class of flavonoids called anthocyanins. Acai Berry's ORAC value (a measure of its antioxidant properties), is higher than any other edible berry on the planet. The remarkable concentration of antioxidants also helps combat premature aging and the Acai Berry is also an excellent source of dietary fiber! http://www.mymonavie.com/richardfamily or Garmonavie@aol.com
I too have received the benefits of Acai". I drink 1 ounce of Genesis Today's ACAI' 100. It is 100% wild harvested, Not from concentrate. It cost Much less than Monavie which is a plus.
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