Monthly Archives: December 2018

Be Your Best with Vitamin B

Vitamin BJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

Per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), nutrition is one of the most important modifiable factors involved in the maintenance of good health and proper function. Adequate levels of all micronutrients are essential for optimal physiological and neurological functioning, providing fundamental preventive care and supporting long-term wellness. B vitamins comprise a group of eight water soluble synergistic nutrients, often referred to as B-Complex vitamins. Although each B vitamin performs a unique essential role, all have closely interrelated cellular functions.

B vitamins act as co-enzymes in a wide array of catabolic and anabolic enzymatic reactions, including brain function, energy production, DNA/RNA synthesis and repair, methylation and the synthesis of numerous neurochemicals and signaling molecules. B vitamins help to promote a healthy metabolism and are key components of certain coenzymes that turn the food we enjoy into energy we can use. B vitamins help to support adrenal function, help calm and maintain a healthy nervous system and support healthy digestion.

The need for B vitamins is increased by stress, smoking, alcohol use, illness, and unhealthy diet. Because B vitamins work synergistically, a deficiency in one often signals a deficiency in another. In general, water soluble vitamins are not stored by the body and should be replaced at least every few days. Since very little B vitamins are stored by the body, even those who enjoy a healthy balanced diet may have inadequate intake of certain B vitamins. Individuals whose diets lack sufficient whole foods or healthy proteins, as well as vegans and vegetarians, seniors and those with gastrointestinal disorders are most likely to be deficient in B vitamins.

Functions of B vitamins

B1 Thiamine – Thiamine acts as a precursor for carbohydrate, fatty acid and branched chain amino acid metabolism. It plays a role in nerve transmission, muscle function, proper digestion, cognitive activity and brain function, and has a positive effect on energy, growth, normal appetite and learning capacity as well. As thiamine works synergistically with magnesium, high coffee and tea consumption, as well as low magnesium intake, can result in thiamine depletion. Thiamine can be found in meat, dairy, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

B2 Riboflavin – Found in most animal and plant tissues, riboflavin supports growth and normal adrenal and cellular function. It helps to calm and maintain a healthy nervous system and facilitates key metabolic processes, such as energy production. Riboflavin acts as an antioxidant helping to control free radical proliferation, thereby supporting healthy aging. Seniors, those who are chronically ill, individuals who take birth control pills or consume alcohol in excess are particularly susceptible to deficiencies. Thiamine can be found in dairy foods, meats, fish, poultry and dark green vegetables.

B3 Niacin – Essential for proper circulation, healthy skin and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, niacin is involved in hormone synthesis and the normal secretion of digestive fluids. Niacin, or nicotinic acid, supports healthy cholesterol levels and healthy circulation, as well as healthy cognitive and memory function. Niacin is found naturally in oily fish, whole grains, leafy vegetables, legumes, mushrooms and nuts.

B5 Pantothenic Acid – Vital for metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, pantothenic acid is known as the “anti-stress” vitamin for the vital role it plays in adrenal function. Required by all bodily cells, pantothenic acid is involved in many necessary metabolic functions, including vitamin utilization, energy production and maintenance of healthy mood. Pantothenic acid is found in small amounts in whole grains, eggs, meats, legumes and avocados.

B6 Pyridoxine – This possibly lesser known but vitally important nutrient affects both physical and mental wellbeing. It is necessary for absorption of fats and proteins, red blood cell formation and fluid balance. Pyridoxine is required for proper brain and nervous system function, normal cellular growth, enzyme activation and DNA/RNA synthesis. Good sources of pyridoxine can be found in brewer’s yeast, legumes, dairy, sunflower seeds and spinach.

B7 Biotin – A necessary cofactor for enzymatic processes, biotin aids in the utilization of other B vitamins and supports a healthy intestinal tract and proper blood glucose levels, as well as healthy nerve tissue, bone marrow, skin, hair and nails. Biotin aids cell growth and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and may be helpful in decreasing insulin resistance and improving glucose tolerance. Foods rich in biotin include organ meats, diary, egg yolks, soy, wheat bran, mushrooms, nuts and potatoes.

B9 Folate – Folate is essential for human growth and development, healthy cell division, and normal nerve and brain functioning. It is also vital for DNA/RNA synthesis, energy production, red and white blood cell formation and proper immune function. Folate is important for the regulation of healthy homocysteine levels, embryonic and fetal nerve cell development, and may also aid healthy mood, address anxiety and slow memory decline associated with aging. Fortified foods, legumes, melons, asparagus, spinach, green vegetables and bananas are good sources of folate.

B12 Methylcobalamin – B12 is a complex of essential biological compounds known as cobalamins. Highly absorbable methylcobalamin is active in the growth and protection of the nervous system and the neurological deterioration associated with aging. It is essential for protein synthesis necessary for healthy cardiovascular function, the development and maintenance of red blood cells, iron utilization, healthy sleep, and the production of neurotransmitters involved in memory and learning. B12 is required for proper digestion and absorption of foods, and aids in cell formation, cellular longevity, the production of DNA and RNA as well as the protection of normal myelination (covering) of nerve cells.

B vitamins work individually, as a group and in concert with other vitamins, minerals and micronutrients. When supplementing,  most individuals should consider the full range of B vitamins found in a complex. B vitamins play a vital role in the maintenance of good physical and mental health and wellbeing. As the building blocks of a healthy body, B vitamins directly impact energy levels, brain, cardiac, cellular, muscle and nerve function, hormone production, digestion and absorption of nutrients and healthy cell metabolism.

Professional Supplement Center has developed a highly effective B vitamin complex.  In fact, we believe it’s the only B vitamin you’ll ever need.

B SpectrumB Spectrum by Professional Supplement Center®:  ON SALE  This non-GMO synergistic formulation provides the full complement of activated B vitamins in support of adrenal, neurological, cardiovascular and stress-related functions as well as healthy mood. Free of wheat, gluten, corn, yeast, soy, animal and dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.

 

References:
B Vitamins, Homocysteine and Bone Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425139/
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Fifth Edition 2010. Penguin Group
Thomas G. Guilliams, Ph.D. Supplementing Dietary Nutrients.2014
Dietary B Vitamins and a 10-Year Risk of Dementia in Older Persons. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5188416/

A Quest for Optimal Health and Wellness

WellnessJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

Have you ever really taken note of how you feel when you wake up in the morning? Do you feel rested and ready for an active day? Or do your energy levels droop mid-day, once your morning jolt of caffeine has worn off? Perhaps you experience insatiable cravings for sugar or unhealthy food, sabotaging your good intentions. Maybe excessive worry and chronic stress is preventing deep restful sleep. How would you rate your overall physical, mental and emotional health? If you are exercising regularly, eating nutritiously and getting sufficient sleep, you might feel you are in good health. However, if you are managing a chronic illness or are taking a host of medications to feel well, your health is less than optimal. A health conscious lifestyle that can be adhered to for the balance of one’s life can lead to a longer healthier lifespan and a happier outlook as well.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental  and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Achievement and maintenance of optimal health is a lifelong endeavor that requires commitment as well as action. Making positive nutrition and exercise choices each day can help to maintain energy and activity levels and prevent bone and muscle loss, supporting balance and strength throughout the senior years. Emphasizing adequate sleep and reduced stress levels can have a positive impact on overall mental and physical health, as well as proper weight maintenance. A healthy lifestyle can help to ward off many age-related chronic diseases and help one maintain independence with aging. Per Robert Crayon, author of Nutrition Made Simple: A Comprehensive Guide to the Latest Findings in Optimal Nutrition, there are basic principles to follow to attain optimal health:

  • A positive self-image
  • A diet free of toxic foods
  • Optimal intake of beneficial nutrients
  • Clean air, water and living environment
  • Adequate sunshine
  • Sufficient exercise and rest

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Yet, most Americans currently have or are developing one or more progressive degenerative diseases. Baring unmodifiable risk factors of age and genetics, many chronic conditions are considered largely preventable with the elimination of three modifiable risk factors, notably: inactivity, smoking and poor diet with excessive energy intake. These causes are expressed through intermediate risk factors of obesity, elevated blood pressure, high glucose levels and abnormal lipids, such as high LDL cholesterol. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that elimination of these three risk factors would prevent 80 percent of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and 40 percent of cancers.

  • Common modifiable risk factors, excessive alcohol use and environmental pollution all contribute to a range of chronic ailments that can lead to poor physical health and a shortened lifespan.
  • Physical inactivity can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and depression. While inactivity tends to increase with age, older adults who are physically active significantly reduce their risk of falls and improve or maintain normal daily functions.
  • Our day to day dietary choices can prove to be one of the primary ways to either sustain healthy cellular function or burden our systems into dysfunction. Optimal intake of macro and micronutrients supports the bodily structures and functions that build metabolic reserve.
  • An optimal diet nourishes the microbiome to control inflammation and support brain health and a healthy immune response. A diet rich in fibrous foods, such as low sugar fruits and vegetables, feeds the beneficial gut bacteria.
  • A healthy diet should include diversity, seasonality, natural colors and freshness. Choose whole foods free of toxic ingredients and antibiotics, and whenever possible opt for organic pasture raised meat, wild caught fish and high quality healthy fats.
  • The wide ranging benefits of micronutrient supplementation include: filling nutrient gaps in individuals with mostly healthy diets, extra insurance for those with unhealthy diets, and therapeutic support for specific metabolic functions. Data shows that over one hundred million Americans over the age of two are not consuming guideline levels of vitamins A, D, E, and C, as well as calcium, magnesium, thiamine and folate.
  • The clinical goal of micronutrient supplementation is not necessarily to reduce the risk of a particular outcome, but to diminish the likelihood of a limited metabolic capacity due to inadequate availability of a necessary nutrient. Micronutrients are critical to basic cellular functions that build the metabolic reserve needed to support optimal wellness throughout one’s lifetime.

Per Thomas G. Guilliams, Ph.D. founder of the Point Institute, an independent research organization, lifestyle factors that influence long term health and wellness include healthy diet and nutrition, sufficient hydration, physical activity, healthy stress response, adequate sleep, a healthy gut ecology, good hygiene and daily habits, and a sense of purpose and belonging.

Professional Supplement Center offers these and many other high quality nutritional supplements in support of long-term optimal health and wellness:

Vitamin A 10,000 IUVitamin A 10,000 IU by Pure Encapsulations®: From growth and development to vision, reproductive and immune health, vitamin A is essential to the healthy function of a wide range of biological processes. This product provides vitamin A sourced from Norwegian cod liver oil and readily absorbable vitamin A palmitate. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO formulation. If pregnant, lactating or taking medications, please consult a healthcare provider before supplementing with higher doses of vitamin A.

Buffered Vitamin CBuffered Vitamin C by Integrative Therapeutics®: This pure form of vitamin C is buffered with calcium and magnesium, supporting proper muscle function and allowing for higher dosing without stomach upset. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C supports heathy skin, collagen, connective tissues, and a healthy immune response. Free of gluten, soy, sugar, wheat, yeast, dairy, preservatives, and artificial coloring and flavoring. Vegetarian formulation.

Vitamin d3 5,000 IUVitamin D3 5,000 IU by Professional Supplement Center®: ON SALE!  This highly absorbable form of vitamin D3 is essential for calcium absorption and numerous biological processes. Vitamin D3 supports bone, teeth, immune, brain, lung, cardiovascular, nervous system and overall health. Gluten free, Non-GMO formulation.

E-400 Natural with...E-400 Natural with Mixed Tocopherols by Professional Supplement Center®:  ON SALE!  These easy to swallow soft gels provide pure, all natural vitamin E in a synergistic blend of d-alpha, d-gamma, d-delta and d-beta tocopherols in support of a high level of antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging and overall wellness. Gluten free formulation.

MinProMin-Pro by Professional Supplement Center®:   ON SALE!  This highly absorbable, balanced multi-mineral formula is comprised exclusively of Albion’s® patented fully reacted mineral amino acid chelates, malates and mineral complexes in support of mineral repletion and healthy function. Free of gluten, wheat, yeast, soy, dairy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and artificial coloring, sweeteners and preservatives. Non-GMO formulation.

References:
Preventing Chronic Diseases, A Vital Investment. http://www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/contents/part2.pdf
Optimal Nutrition. http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/optimal-nutrition
Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status: Trends and Assessment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218765/
Risks of Physical Inactivity. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/cardiovascular_diseases/risks_of_physical_inactivity_85,p00218
Consequences of Poor Nutrition. http://frac.org/obesity-health/consequences-poor-nutrition
Guilliams, Thomas G. Ph.D., Supplementing Dietary Nutrients, A Guide for Healthcare Professionals, Point Institute. 2014

Jigsaw Health® – Featured Brand

JigsawSusan Brown Health and Wellness EditorLocated in Scottsdale, Arizona, Jigsaw Health® was founded by Pat Sullivan and his son Pat Sullivan, Jr., in response to a desire to piece together solutions to their own chronic health puzzles. Widely recognized as a pioneer and visionary, the Sullivan’s motivation stemmed from a deep seated belief that every effect must have a cause. Jigsaw Health® is devoted to researching the underlying physiologic disturbances that result in chronic illness. The company philosophy remains to develop whole body health solutions rather than take a conventional pharmaceutical approach to chronic conditions. Their premium quality, scientifically formulated, potent supplements are manufactured with bioavailable, highly absorbable nutrients designed to make a noticeable difference in individual health challenges.

All products are manufactured in the U.S. under National Science Foundation (NSF) and current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP) strict guidelines, assuring adherence in all aspects of development, production, testing, bottling and labeling. Each formulation is based on stringent scientific research and is designed, selected and approved by a team of nutritionists, physicians and researchers, all experts in the field of nutritional supplementation. All product ingredients are tested before and after manufacturing to ensure safety and proven efficacy. Products are free of preservatives and non-essential additives, as well as artificial colors and flavorings.

To see more products from Jigsaw Health®, please visit professionalsupplementcenter.com

MagSRT (B-free)MagSRT®: This highly effective, synergistic, clinically tested formula provides high potency, bioavailable premium organic magnesium malate delivered in a proprietary sustained release form to avoid intestinal discomfort. MagSRT® is formulated to achieve healthy magnesium levels in support of energy production, restful sleep, healthy muscle function, digestion and regularity, as well as a healthy stress response. Gluten, soy, and yeast free, Non-GMO vegan formulation.

Essential Blend...Essential Blend Multi Mineral: These easy-to-swallow, fast-acting caplets provide beneficial levels of highly absorbable chelated minerals in support of overall health and function and the maintenance of all bodily systems. Heavy metal tested. Yeast and preservative free.

Electrolyte Supreme...Electrolyte Supreme™ Berry-Licious: This broad spectrum synergistic powdered formula provides electrolytes, minerals and vitamins in active bioavailable forms in support of enhanced hydration, energy production, healthy muscle function, proper fluid balance and more. Gluten free, stevia sweetened, flavored with cranberry and blueberry. Non-GMO formulation. Lemon Lime flavor also available.

Adrenal Cocktail™...Adrenal Cocktail™: This unique supplement is designed to support healthy adrenal function and hormone production. Formulated with whole food vitamin C, potassium bicarbonate and Redmond’s Real Salt®, ingredients that are needed for optimal sodium balance and proper cortisol levels. No additional ingredients. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO vegan formulation.