The weekend is here and I have a day off!! Wahoo it really has been too long. I thoroughly took advantage of the day by going to the gym, enjoying a brunch with the hubby, taking a long walk in the beautiful sunshine, and chilling at Oso Negro. Ahh so refreshing! I didn't spend any time in the 
kitchie today so nothing interesting on the food front. Did you get up to anything fun today? What are your plans for Sunday? Unfortunately I have to work but I will be tuning into the BIG game somehow tomorrow. What big game am I talking about? Well, the Canada Vs. USA gold medal (bragging rights) match, of course. The spirit here is off the rails and everyone is talking about the game. It will be a nail-biter for sure!
So, now for today's topic! I saw a post by Bitt and I wanted to write about what I take for supplements. I know there are a variety of people out there who don't want to supplement or don't think it's needed. Hey, if its working for them, then so be it! For myself, I have to say that I need to supplement due to various reasons.
I don't live in a climate with adequate sunshine and so I supplement with a non-vegan Vitamin D product. I know, I know please don't think bad of me:( I take the D3 form as it is most
effective. I know the D2 (vegan) form is available but people take this product and they still test low. Unfortunately, I think I will continue to take it as there are no products ( that I have seen at least) that can provide me with the sufficient amount of vitamin D that my body needs. According to Dr.Weil, he suggests that we take 2000 IU of vitamin D3 a day. Also, if you live north of Atlanta the sun is not high enough in the sky for half the year to promote vitamin D production in the skin. If you are using a vegan product that have given you results let me know so that I can switch!
Another supplement I take is Vitamin B12. I think this a common one among those in the veggie community! I know there are foods that are fortified with these vitamins but I don't eat enough of them to keep up my B12 levels. I take methylcobalamin B12 as this is the form that that is active in the central nervous system. The liver cannot convert cyanocobalamin (the other form of B12) into adequate amounts of methylcobalamin. The product I take is also a sublingual. This means that I place it under my tongue and let it dissolve versus swallowing it. The benefit of this is that it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream instead of having to pass through the digestive system. Fast action, baby! The product I use is made by a local company called Natural Factors. Do have any favorite companies?
I also use a product that supplies me with my Omegas. I use Udo's DHA Oil blend as it is strictly a vegetarian formula. I use it in my smoothies, salads, and pates. It is a really great product and I highly recommend it. I really try to keep these fats in balance and in adequate amounts. I know the Omega 3's are involved in so many processes in the body including weight loss and the menstrual cycle. The only downside to this product is the price:( But I think its worth it.
I also use other products like Spirulina and Dong Quai. I take these as I believe they of
fer some benefit to my health. Yet, I feel like I could stop and it wouldn't be detrimental to my health. So, these are "bonuses", for the lack of a better word. I use the Spirulina for its multitude of supports. I take half of what the bottle recommends and that still provides me with nearly 100% of my daily Vitamin A needs. It also provides some B vitamins ( not enough to avoid a B12 supplement). Plus all that chlorophyll and antioxidants has to do a body good:) I take Dong Quai which is a medicinally active herb
that is related to the celery family. The root is commonly used in Chinese Medicine and they use it for a variety of ailments such as high blood pressure or menstrual problems. I use it for the latter when I have more intense cramps.
So, that's it! Let me know what you take for supplements (if you take any) and what you think of my protocol.
Have a great Sunday!!!
kitchie today so nothing interesting on the food front. Did you get up to anything fun today? What are your plans for Sunday? Unfortunately I have to work but I will be tuning into the BIG game somehow tomorrow. What big game am I talking about? Well, the Canada Vs. USA gold medal (bragging rights) match, of course. The spirit here is off the rails and everyone is talking about the game. It will be a nail-biter for sure!So, now for today's topic! I saw a post by Bitt and I wanted to write about what I take for supplements. I know there are a variety of people out there who don't want to supplement or don't think it's needed. Hey, if its working for them, then so be it! For myself, I have to say that I need to supplement due to various reasons.
I don't live in a climate with adequate sunshine and so I supplement with a non-vegan Vitamin D product. I know, I know please don't think bad of me:( I take the D3 form as it is most
effective. I know the D2 (vegan) form is available but people take this product and they still test low. Unfortunately, I think I will continue to take it as there are no products ( that I have seen at least) that can provide me with the sufficient amount of vitamin D that my body needs. According to Dr.Weil, he suggests that we take 2000 IU of vitamin D3 a day. Also, if you live north of Atlanta the sun is not high enough in the sky for half the year to promote vitamin D production in the skin. If you are using a vegan product that have given you results let me know so that I can switch!Another supplement I take is Vitamin B12. I think this a common one among those in the veggie community! I know there are foods that are fortified with these vitamins but I don't eat enough of them to keep up my B12 levels. I take methylcobalamin B12 as this is the form that that is active in the central nervous system. The liver cannot convert cyanocobalamin (the other form of B12) into adequate amounts of methylcobalamin. The product I take is also a sublingual. This means that I place it under my tongue and let it dissolve versus swallowing it. The benefit of this is that it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream instead of having to pass through the digestive system. Fast action, baby! The product I use is made by a local company called Natural Factors. Do have any favorite companies?
I also use a product that supplies me with my Omegas. I use Udo's DHA Oil blend as it is strictly a vegetarian formula. I use it in my smoothies, salads, and pates. It is a really great product and I highly recommend it. I really try to keep these fats in balance and in adequate amounts. I know the Omega 3's are involved in so many processes in the body including weight loss and the menstrual cycle. The only downside to this product is the price:( But I think its worth it.
I also use other products like Spirulina and Dong Quai. I take these as I believe they of
fer some benefit to my health. Yet, I feel like I could stop and it wouldn't be detrimental to my health. So, these are "bonuses", for the lack of a better word. I use the Spirulina for its multitude of supports. I take half of what the bottle recommends and that still provides me with nearly 100% of my daily Vitamin A needs. It also provides some B vitamins ( not enough to avoid a B12 supplement). Plus all that chlorophyll and antioxidants has to do a body good:) I take Dong Quai which is a medicinally active herb
that is related to the celery family. The root is commonly used in Chinese Medicine and they use it for a variety of ailments such as high blood pressure or menstrual problems. I use it for the latter when I have more intense cramps.So, that's it! Let me know what you take for supplements (if you take any) and what you think of my protocol.
Have a great Sunday!!!
4 comments:
Thanks for writing this post. I've thought about supplements a lot and know that I would benefit from a D3 and B12. Especially since I live in the not-so-sunny Northwest, too! I've been looking at Vitamin Code's D3 http://www.thevitamincode.com/Formulas/TargetedNutrientFormulas/RawD3/tabid/1897/Default.aspx. Bitt told me about this. I'm pretty sure it's raw & vegan. They also have a B12. I use a raw greens powder to enhance my smoothies, too. And Maca for adrenal support.
Glad you're enjoying your day off!
Hey Nikki! Thanks for your support of this post. I was a little hesitant to put myself out there but now I'm glad I did it! I've recently come across that Raw D3 product in some posts too but I couldn't find it here. I'll check in Vancouver if they have it but I might have to order it. Thanks for your recommendations about Maca and green powders. I would love to use food instead of pills any day.
thanks for the contest entries and Udo's is great stuff. super quality brand!
here's a post about some of the things i take
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/01/calm-yourself-with-natural-supplements.html
Hey Averie!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Udo's is great! Thanks for the link..I'll be sure to check it out:)
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