Which supplements are right for YOU?

Supplements and more supplements, they are everywhere you turn!  In grocery stores, health food stores, drug stores, gyms, some hair salons, discount stores, etc., etc.  How does one decide?  What do I need?  What is a waste of my hard earned money? In a previous post...I asked "can you afford to NOT take supplements"? The answer is...nearly all people need some type of vitamin/mineral supplements because our diets have as many holes in them as swiss cheese. We don't eat like we should and many of our foods have the nutrition sucked right out of them...between processing or the way we prepare them. Adding to the confusion:  The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the supplement industry. (Not that their regulation would necessarily clear up much of the confusion!)

So what's a person to do?  We have to do our homework.  We have to talk with people we trust.  In addition...you want a "tour guide not a travel agent"!  By that I mean...a tour guide has been there and will show you the way.  A travel agent sells you...but may not have a clue as to the details!  AND...if someone thinks they have all the answers and wants you on a set regime...RUN!!! All of our bodies and all of our needs are different!

So....because the subject of supplements is HUGE, I am just going to do an overview in this blog post.  Details will follow regarding specific supplements.

MOST folks should be on a good Multivitamin.  This is "Swiss cheese" insurance.  And...as I've shared in previous posts...there is a vast difference in multivitamins.  You want one that is easily absorbed and won't wind up in your toilet. Look for well absorbed chelated minerals vs. simple (ionic) forms. They should have a high number of nutrients. We must be sure that we are getting enough vitamin D as this vitamin helps to incorporate calcium into the bones and slows the aging of arteries.  Most of us are not getting enough Vitamin D.  If your multivitamin does not contain enough...be sure your Calcium tablet contains enough when you combine them. (ex. 1.000 IU daily if you're younger than 60 or 1,200 daily if you're 60 or older.)


Omega-3's are the next supplement I would highly recommend. These are polyunsaturated fats vital for normal life functions like proper brain and nerve development, strengthened immune and cardiovascular systems, healthier skin, hair, joints, muscles and bones.  Since they cannot be made in the body, they must be supplied through diet.  Unless you have a diet loaded with salmon and other coldwater fish...Omega's are essential. These must contain the right balance of EPA and DHA (the right omega's in the right proportion).  Flaxseed oil, for instance, must be converted in the body before use and this is a very inefficient process.  The omega's need to be in a pure form (refrigerate your capsules...if they become cloudy...they are not pure).

That's quite enough "science" for me in one day!  I'll share more next time.  We'll talk about calcium and probiotics!


And of course, I can't close without telling you that I am a tour guide!  If you want to check out the supplements my family and I use...go to www.advocare.com/09094089. You can click on any one product and get facts, ingredients, uses, and testimonies.  Either way...do your homework and be a good steward of your hard earned money!!
 

Can I choose my rate of aging?

As I contemplate this topic, I really just want to do a little giggling!  What initially comes to mind is how we tend to view how old our mothers' were at specific times in their lives.  Have you ever noticed they seemed older to us than we are...even though they were the same age as us, say...when they married, or had children, or became grandparents! Now...why is that?  Is it denial? Could it be fashion?  OR...is it lifestyle?  My hunch is that it is most of these. And, because we all had  parents (well, I'm doing a little educated assuming here), we have been highly influenced by them.  I would like to make some observations from my own life experiences.

The Medical field has been changing constantly.  If your parents have been anything like mine...what the Doctor says, goes....no questions asked.  They are the experts and we are the...well, "dummies".  That was one extreme.  The other extreme was to avoid the Doctors office all together, at all costs. Now...I don't want to pass judgment on our elders.  Accessing information was more of a challenge without computers.  The Food and Drug Administration had much more respect (as did most of our Government agencies). Most seemed to really trust or not trust.  My...how times have changed and the grey area has taken over!

Without being overly historical or sociological (because I know I would lose most of you)...our lifestyles and culture can vastly affect our rate of aging! No doubt! We have a wild dichotomy going on in our culture right now. On the one hand...the obesity rate has been steadily climbing in our country (the US of A) and is now a huge problem, even among our youth.  On the other hand, the fitness industry (along with nutrition) is also huge.  Go figure.  We seem to be one extreme or the other, don't we?!  I believe that is called the human condition.  These extremes have gone on for the longest of times, haven't they?  Think about it...Moses brings the Ten Commandments.  There were those that fooled themselves into thinking they kept the law by outward appearances and those that really didn't give a hoot because there was no fear of God. Either way...we tend to swing from one extreme to the other.

Affecting our rate of aging is really about that "balance " thing again.  There have been endless diets through the years.  We've eventually discovered that some of them were downright dangerous or ineffective or just plain stupid. There have been those who fanatically exercised to the detriment of their relationships...not to mention their bodies.  We all know sun worshipers that look like they need to visit the leather shop to get a treatment. Oh, and what about those "hard living" folks?  You know...the party never stops no matter how old they get or how many lives,  including their own, they trash? Sometimes it's hard to distinguish these guys from the leather shop crowd.  The illusive balance! 

I believe firmly that the balance is possible.  It takes growing, learning, tweaking, and sometimes major adjustments.  But, the balance IS a possibility for us all. Let's learn to listen to our Creator, listen to our bodies, and listen to the people in our lives that love us and have our best interest in mind. If someone you love suggests a Doctors visit...perhaps you should take heed.  If your heart is beating out of your chest and you sense something is not right...DO something about it.  Don't ignore it. "Master your choices or become the slave of their consequences".  Not original with me, but I sure believe Michael Rawls on this one. Every choice we make has a result.  You know the saying...insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.  Let's come out of bondage and slavery and denial.  Let's do some living!

Next blog...I'm going to talk about specific supplements and their benefits.  Now mind you (and I'll remind you again and again)...I'm NOT a Doctor.  But I can tell you what I have learned and what I have experienced.  I can share with you what has helped me and those I love. I can point you to more information so you can do your own research (and you should!).  When it comes to supplements, ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL!!  Never forget it.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  The same holds true when you visit the Doctor and he determines what meds to prescribe. So...come back and visit.  Let's learn something together.  Questions and comments are always welcome.  If I don't know the answer...I'll help you find it!

OH...I almost forgot.  My Mom was not much older than I am now when I had my first son 20 and 1/2 years ago.  I could swear she was older than me!!! 

Making the Necessary Adjustments

This is my son Cody.  He was diagnosed with an Auto Immune Disease at the age of 14.  We battled this condition quite ineffectively for a number of years.  I especially recall the the struggles during his High School basketball career.  He was quite competitive on the court and it took quite a toll on his body. After working with a great G.I. Doctor and making adjustments with medicine, we made a little headway.  Well, at least he was not losing any more weight.  But, as you can imagine, that was not enough for a young man that wanted more.  So...we looked for more necessary adjustments! After doing some research...we finally decided to invest in some AdvoCare products. I wanted products that were backed by Doctors and Nutritionists.  I also wanted to hear and see some success stories.  AdvoCare met these criteria in addition to the added credibility of  non-paid endorsements by many top notch athletes. I was sold...but I had to sell Cody.  After all, he was the one that had to stick with the regime.  He liked what he read and saw, but he especially liked the way the products made him feel.  After a bit, he began to see that they were making a difference in how he looked!  He was finally able to develop the muscle and gain some weight...which in turn, motivated him to continue and the momentum still  continues!

I began using the products with a completely different set of needs and expectations.  I needed energy and a boost to my aging and sluggish metabolism.  Everything that I had been successful doing to maintain my fitness and energy levels at a younger age was no longer "cutting it' as I hit mid-life.I found that AdvoCare had products that helped me, as well.

Now, mind you, AdvoCare never promised to cure any of our diseases.  For crying out loud...neither has any Doctor! But my son is prospering as he is followed by an excellent G.I. Doctor and taking care of his health with the help of selected AdvoCare products. And, talking about making necessary adjustments...I was caught by surprise recently as I began to experience some of my own medical issues.  Now...this is a gal that had not visited a Doctor for over 4 years for anything other than annual "female" check-ups.   I was proud of how I took care of myself and exercised.  I was never sick, qualified for discounted Health Insurance rates, and was the "picture of health".  So...to say that I was knocked off of my feet was an understatement!  The jury is still out on my brand of  an auto-immune diagnosis as I wait for a Pathologist to review labs and biopsy results.  But, one thing is for certain...I'll follow my son's lead as I battle anyway I can to live a life that is full despite any setbacks!  I have had to make some adjustment in my product usage but am so grateful for quality core products:  Mufti-vitamins, Omega's, Probiotics, Calcium, etc.I have found that I need to get plenty of rest, manage my stress, and continue to exercise.  I'll keep you posted as to the other necessary adjustments!  One thing is for certain in this life...change!!  We must adapt to our new seasons and continue to press on as overcomers!  If you have a story to share about how you have adapted and overcome...it would be such a blessing! Feel free to comment!