Day Eighteen - Are you taking enough Vitamins?

Vitamins are essential building blocks to the human body.  They help us maintain good immunity, make our brains work better and give us energy.  The question is, are we eating enough vitamins in our diet to NOT take supplements?

Because we are not eating dairy, calcium and probiotics are harder to get through diet.  Leafy green vegetables will get you the calcium, but not a well as say, a cup of yogurt or glass of milk might. And probiotics  you need to supplement if you are not eating yogurt regularly.  Frank recently told me about a product called Bio-K+. They carry it at whole foods and it comes in formats that are dairy free.  I tried the fermented rice probiotic - and I love it!


Here is the website so you can find it at your local store:  Bio-K+

A friend of mine just told me she is also low in vitamin D, this is very common.  I would dare to say that most of the US population has a vitamin D deficency.  Especially the one's who work or go to school indoors.  Vitamin D is naturally synthesized in our bodies.  We don't get it from foods that we eat.  In order for humans to get extra vitamin D - we need to either spend 5-10 min in the sun without sunblock (preferably on a large surface of the body like the chest) daily OR we need to take supplements.  I opt for the supplement because the sun scares me, but what you choose is up to you!  Both vitamin D and Probiotics will boost your immune system - and I'm sure after this past flu season, we could all use that!

Eating foods packet with vitamins is the best way to get your daily needs. If you are not sure, do a little research on what you are eating.  Josh has been loving pistachio nuts lately and discovered that they have almost a full daily serving of you vitamin B6!  Pretty awesome.  If you don't want to take the time to figure out if you have gotten enough vitamins in your day - take a supplement.  It won't kill you to have a few extra vitamins in your system.  I take them every day with my dinner, for better absorption. 

Here is a list of what I take:

Vitamin C 500mg chewable tab
High Potency B "100" sustained release
Vitamin D 1000 IU
Vitamin E 400 IU
Acidophilus and Probiotic complex
Calcium, magnesium and zinc combo
Co enzyme Q10 50mg
Oil of evening primrose 1000mg (this is a supplement for women)
Glucosamine and chondrotin 900 mg (I have arthritis, this is for joint health)
Fish oil 1200mg

Now this is based on what I feel I need added into my diet  - what you choose is up to you! 

Stay Strong!
Emily