Nutrition Program for Good Health . . . Naturally!

General Supplement Guidelines and Recommendations for Your Foundational Nutrition Program

We are all different. Each of us has different biochemistry and genetics, and this is influenced by our lifestyle and environment, creating what I call biochemical individuality. Therefore, supplement recommendations are not one size fits all, and need to be tailored for each person specifically. Use these guidelines as general information and to help you choose supplements more wisely.

Why is it Necessary to take vitamins as Nutrition Supplements?

The simplest answer is because most people eat a poor diet. Studies show that the average diet in the U.S. consists of too much fat, too much sugar, not enough fiber, and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. We are eating plenty of calories, but they are often "empty" calories, meaning that they have very low levels of the essential vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. Since the majority of meals in the U.S. are currently eaten in restaurants or "on the run" it makes good sense to take a nutrition supplement to fill in the gaps in our diet.

While it is important to remember the value of a nutritional supplement in maintaining health, we should never think that taking a supplement replaces a good diet. In other words, the first and most important step is to improve the quality of the diet, and then take a supplement as a nutritional insurance policy.

Basic Daily Supplementation should include the "Essential Five"

1. Multivitamin/Multimineral (MVM)

• I prefer capsules because they will definitely dissolve and deliver their nutrients. I recommend our Twice Daily Multi because in 2 capsules daily you will get good basic amounts of B's, antioxidants A, C, E, and the minerals Zinc, Selenium, Chromium plus more. It also has 500 IU of Vitamin D.

2. Calcium/Magnesium

• Women post menopause need 1000-1200 mg Calcium per day taken with half that amount magnesium.
• Women pre-menopause and men should take 400-600 mg per day, also with magnesium.
• I recommend Cal Apatite with Magnesium because it is made from Calcium Hydroxyapatite, and has magnesium in the right ratio. I recommend 3 daily, unless you are post menopausal and don't eat dairy, in which case you should take 5-6 daily with food.

3. Vitamin D

• Vitamin D is more important than Calcium in preventing and treating Osteoporosis.
• My general recommendation is 2000 iu in the winter and 1000 iu in the summer for maintenance. Have your doctor check your 25-OH-Vitamin D levels at your annual check up and if ok, follow the maintenance dose.
• For those who are deficient in Vitamin D (less than 30 on the blood test) your doctor will recommend a higher dose to bring your blood levels ideally over 50.

4. EPA/DHA Fish oil

• EPA/DHA in 720 mg capsules
• Routine health supplementation: 1 capsule daily.
• For treatment of medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, autoimmune conditions, inflammation: 2-4 capsules EPA/DHA per day.
• Don't take these high doses if you are taking other blood thinning medications or herbs, as the effects could be additive. This is theoretical only, and hasn't been proven in any studies to be a problem, but would still be cautious with dosing and check with me or your doctor.
• If you are a vegetarian, you can use a combination of flax oil and DHA from Algae.

5. Probiotics

• Lactobacillus and bifidus, at least 5 billion of each per capsule.
• Ultraflora Plus DF Capsules: Take 1 capsule each day.
• Important for immune system and bowel function.
• If you have bowel issues, see Irritable Bowel Program.

Vitamin Essentials 5-Pack

• Essential 5 Package: 2 Month Supply: 1 bottle of each basic supplement at a discounted price.

Are you Ready to Learn More About Healthy Nutrition?

There’s no better time than now to begin your journey toward good health! Contact The Center for Nutritional Medicine about our Foundational Nutrition Program today.