Most health-conscious people make a concerted effort to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. But that’s not enough.
Few people consider the nutrients that are lost after the produce is harvested.
For example, leafy greens lose almost all of their vitamin C in just a few days of storage at room temperature.
What’s more, cooking them can eliminate up to 50% of various vitamins.
That’s why many doctors now recommend vitamin and mineral supplements to make up for dietary deficiencies and help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, macular degeneration, and osteoarthritis.
Everyone should take a daily multivitamin supplement that provides all essential minerals and B vitamins, along with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
Unfortunately, once-daily supplements provide only minimal levels of some important nutrients.
If you have (or are at risk for) one or more of the following conditions listed below, you may benefit from taking the following essential supplements in addition to your vitamin supplement.
MEMORY LOSS/DEMENTIA
Millions of Americans age 65 or older suffer from Alzheimer’s or age-related memory loss. Many of these older adults are deficient in B vitamins, especially vitamin B-12.
Essential Supplements…
B vitamins, such as B-2, B-6, and B-12, help slow memory decline. These vitamins, especially B-12, are important for brain health because they help develop brain cells.
Alpha lipoic acid improves brain function by slowing or stopping the death of brain cells.
Vitamin E protects the brain from damage caused by disease-causing molecules known as free radicals.
Warning: If you are taking blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin), check with your doctor before taking vitamin E, because it has a blood-thinning effect.
The amino acid L-Arginine improves circulation in the brain, reduces damage caused by free radicals, and reverses age-related memory loss.
Recent studies suggest that L-Arginine may block the development of Alzheimer’s disease and thus reverse the disorder.
HEART DISEASES
Regular medications, such as nitroglycerin to treat angina and statins to lower cholesterol, primarily treat the symptoms of heart disease, not the underlying causes.
Statins reduce harmful levels of LDL cholesterol, but they also remove coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) from heart cells. This natural enzyme is thought to strengthen heart muscles. Essential Supplements…
CoQ10 Ubiquinol. Anyone with heart disease should ask their cardiologist if they can take this supplement.
Several studies have shown that CoQ10 Ubiquinol improves symptoms associated with congestive heart failure, angina, and other heart disorders. In some cases, people taking this enzyme may even reduce their dose of heart medications.
Krill oil reduces levels of C-reactive protein, a “marker” of arterial inflammation that accompanies heart disease. Warning: Krill oil capsules, like Vitamin E, have a blood-thinning effect.
Resveratrol prevents cell damage in arterial walls and reduces inflammation.
Betaine (TMG) helps lower homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine in the blood are a risk factor for serious cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Betaine TMG works best when taken with vitamin B12 and folate.
L-Arginine works as a vasodilator, opening (dilating) blood vessels. Many people take it orally to treat cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and erectile dysfunction.
MACULAR DEGENERATION
Macular degeneration is caused by deterioration of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. It is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people age 50 and older.
Essential Supplements…
Carotenoids, especially beta-carotene and lutein, are used by the eye to generate and repair damaged cells.
Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress in the eye and prevents further damage.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and the leading cause of pain and disability among older Americans. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil), are effective but often cause side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding.
Supplements and Essential…
Krill oil reduces levels of arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that forms inflammatory chemicals known as prostaglandins that damage joints.
Vitamins C and E block the effects of free radicals that have an inflammatory effect on joints. They act in synergy with krill oil to reinforce its effect.
Quercetin, a plant-derived flavonoid, relieves pain as effectively as ibuprofen.
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References
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/mind-and-memory-supplement-scorecard
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplements-heart-healthy#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/dry-macular-degeneration/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350381
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322603.php