In Spring of 2015 I went on tour with Disney. That meant exploring the world with amazing friends, nights spent dancing on the beach and endless excitement for my free spirit! That ALSO meant a new city every week, a lot of time on an airplane, sporadic meals and no kitchen to cook from. For the next year, although I had the most amazing adventures, I’d face being sick at least every other week if not more.
Since the dawn of my time, someone could cough a mile away and I’d catch their cold. This was nothing new for me. However, after being sick for 28 weeks out of the calendar year, I was fed up with dealing with the annoying side effects of a constant, common cold: headache, congestion, fever, cough and the all around crappy feeling.
I’ve always taken an interest in my health but after being introduced to a health and “bio-hacking” podcast by the name of Bulletproof Radio I learned some new habits that elevate everyday health, like vitamins!
SAY ‘NO’ TO MULTIVITAMINS
Although the idea behind a multi vitamin is great, there aren’t many worthwhile or promising options. The balance of nutrients is askew and most of the time you get very little of the vital (expensive) nutrients. The worst part is that the materials they use in a multivitamin are low quality, full of fillers and might be doing your body more harm than good. It’s impossible to fit a complete spectrum of nutrients into one pill and in the end you get what you pay for when it comes to supplements.
WATCH YOUR BRANDS
Unfortunately, vitamins are not properly regulated. As I said before, they can be full of low quality ingredients and additives that won’t be doing you any favors. Always check the sourcing and quality testing of your supplement providers. Below are a few brands that I use and trust after doing a little research.
- Jarrow Formulas
- Life Extension
- Solaray
- Bulletproof
WHAT SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD I TAKE?
VITAMIN D
One of the MOST important supplements, vitamin D is important for moderating and utilizing calcium, immune system function, reproductive function and healthy neurotransmitter and mental health. Vitamin D also plays an important role in the activity of reproductive hormones. Basically, you’ve gotta get this one in people.
I take Jarrow Formulas D3.
MAGNESIUM
I’m fairly certain this supplement saved my teeth. After dealing with years of dental issues, I learned that a magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorus and calcium in saliva, which can severely damage your chompers. After taking magnesium for several months I went to the dentist for a cleaning and no joke, I had no cavities for the first time in nearly a decade.
Magnesium is also important for energy production, muscle and nerve function, gene maintenance, detoxification and basically all the other things that keep you in top running order. Everyone should be supplementing magnesium.
I use the Life Extension brand.
VITAMIN K2
Vitamin K2 assists in metabolizing calcium. Excess calcium is deposited in arteries which leads to clarification and decreased vascular function. This is why K2 plays an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin K2 is found in grass-fed animal products, so unless you eat only grass-fed meat then you’re probably deficient in this supplement!
I use the Life Extension brand.
SELENIUM
Selenium is an antioxidant that helps fight damaging particles in the body known as free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells and may contribute to aging and health conditions associated with aging. It also increases the quality of blood flow, fertility and reproduction as well as reduces the risk of autoimmune and thyroid disease.
VITAMIN C
Wow, where to start… So many good things! Vitamin C is used to create glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in the body. Therefore, can enhance immune function and trap free-radical damage. It’s also necessary for the growth and repair of body tissues like collagen. We wanna stay young forever am I right ladies?!
I use the Solaray brand.
IODINE
The most important role Iodine plays is aiding in proper thyroid function and metabolism. It also helps with food absorption and it’s conversion into energy, which, in the right circumstance, can enable weight loss! Now we’re talking’ right?! Iodine will also lend to strengthening the immune system and sustaining cognitive abilities. If you can think and perceive correctly, you can thank Iodine for helping you do so!
KRILL OIL
Listen carefully friends… High-quality fish oil can help with numerous bodily functions but poor quality or too high of a dose can do more harm than good. Most of the brands you’ll find in the grocery store are contaminated, oxidized and low quality. Be sure to do some investigating before hand.
Krill oil is generally a better option that fish oil because it is more stable and easier for your brain to use. A small dose of high quality krill oil can reduce inflammation, improve brain function, enhance muscle growth and protect heart health.
I use Jarrow Formulas krill oil.
METHYL B-12 & METHYL FOLATE
I’ve listed these two beauties together because they are a master team! They are both required for mental function and a deficiency in one causes a deficiency in another. It’s important to pair these two together because incorrectly taking one without the other can cause brain damage or neurological conditions. So think of these two as a married couple 🙂
On it’s own B-12 can protect against dementia, help immune function, maintain nerves and regenerate cells. Folate supports a healthy heart and nervous system. All good things!
GLUTATHIONE
This master antioxidant is key to our health because it is produced in every cell in our body. It has powerful detoxification and immune support properties as well as supports optimal cellular function. Researchers believe that it is so pivotal to our health that the level of glutathione found in our cells is becoming a predictor of how long we will live.
I use the Bulletproof Glutathione Force
COCONUT CHARCOAL
For over 10,000 years activated charcoal has been used in Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Western Medicine to detoxify the body. This little miracle substance uses a process called “adsorption” to essentially soak up the harmful poisons in your body and dispose of them. I’ll take a coconut charcoal pill when I know I’m going to eat low quality, processed food to assist my body in eliminating those toxins! In addition, coconut charcoal relieves digestive issues, promotes heart health, has a ton of anti- aging properties and removes teeth stains if you brush with it!
I use the Bulletproof Activate Coconut Charcoal.
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Just to clarify, I’m NOT a doctor! This is not professional medical advice. I simply care a lot about what goes into my body and how it makes me feel. All of the supplements above have been taken by yours truly for over a year now and I have noticed significant change!
These supplements are what I have found to help me feel most optimal and promote a healthy immune system especially when traveling. Everyone is different so YOU are going to need to be your own detective! Listen to your body and honor what it’s telling you.
Do your research, get on the “vitamin train” and travel healthy!