Vitamin C may be the most widely recognized and well known vitamin for a healthy life and holistic nutrition. When Vitamin C is derived naturally from Acerola Berry or Camu Camu Berry the Vitamin C levels are at least 65% higher than the levels of Vitamin C derived from an orange.
Studies have show that Vitamin C derived from these natural sources can be helpful in the following areas: preventing hair loss; promoting healthy teeth and gums; protecting your skin and organs against premature aging as well as: being a key factor in a strong immune system; preventing frequent colds and infections; and alleviating pain and swelling in joints.
In addition to these healthy benefits, the Vitamin C derived from Acerola Berry or Camu Camu Berry also contains amino acids valine, leucine and serine, and is also rich in flavonoids. It also plays a major role in holistic nutrition because of the formation of collagen; amino acid metabolism and hormone synthesis, and the utilization of many nutrients such as folic acid and iron.
This type of Vitamin C is available in a processed powder form or capsule. The powder and capsule are derived from the fruit’s pulp so that it is easy to use and portable for convenience.
Another supplement to your diet that will assist you in your quest for holistic nutrition and that is also available in tablet or powder form is methylsulfonylmethane (METH-al-sul-FON-il-METH-ane) known as MSM. MSM provides sulfur to your body which is vital for healthy joints, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails. Studies have shown the use of MSM to be instrumental particularly in the treatment of osteoarthritis and in same cases is combined with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin. It has also been shown to help in alleviating some allergy symptoms, interstitial cystitis, and snoring.
Although many foods contain minute amounts of sulfur, supplementing this mineral to your diet can help you achieve your holistic nutrition needs as well as provide you with glowing skin, strong nails, greater flexibility and muscle. To achieve the best results for holistic nutrition by supplementing with MSM it is important to do a little research. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that users of MSM make sure that your powder or tablet supplement is made by a “name brand” as dollar or discount store brands may not be of the best quality or provide reliable results.
Another product available towards helping to achieve holistic nutrition is a greens supplement—Nature’s First Food or Green Vibrance. This is not a supplement, but a food. It consists of powdered food and over 40 probiotics (friendly bacteria). Probiotics are important for achieving your holistic nutrition goals as they support the immune system and create an environment which is antagonistic to Candida, and other harmful molds and fungi; as well as improve digestion. It is also high in silicon, making it helpful in building strong bones. This food is to be used daily. It contains 100% raw, organic and/or wildcrafted super foods. It is designed as a neutral-tasting, whole-food, green powder which contains no fillers. One suggestion for using this product is to mix it with smoothies or juices.
The most recognized certified organic ingredients used in this formula include; Ginger, Whole Leaf Wheat and Barley Grass, Alfalfa, Dandelion. Kale, Spinach, and Parsley Juice as well as five Wildcrafted ingredients.
The next supplement helps to achieve holistic nutrition by being a natural blood circulation booster. It can replace the aspirin a day that is advocated by some to reduce your risk of heart attack. It is Kyolic Aged Garlic, which in studies has been proven to reduce cholesterol by an average of 9 percent, significantly thin the blood, reduce the risk of cancer, remove iron and other toxic heavy metals from the body, boost immunity, reduce LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
Of course, a healthy heart and circulatory system begins with healthy eating habits and exercise, but a little help never hurts. Kyolic Aged Garlic is an excellent, natural alternative to aspirin, as well as a natural supplement that you can use to achieve holistic nutrition by reducing your risk of heart disease or attack, cholesterol levels as well as improving your circulatory functions. By using higher quality Kyolic Aged Garlic you can eliminate some of the more displeasing attributes of using garlic as a supplement, such as the odor.
Just like with good Italian food, no meal is complete with just the use of garlic and oil. Oregano Oil is an additional supplement that is basically nature’s own holistic nutrition antibiotic and antiseptic while containing antifungal properties.
Oregano essential oil may also be used externally as an analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-rheumatic agent. It can even be used to relieve the pain of a toothache, or to reduce the discomfort associated with insect bites. It has also been used to treat skin fungi such as athlete’s foot as well as to eliminate lice infestations and intestinal worms. Proponents of using this supplement also advocate its use especially during cold and flu season to assist your body in fighting off these nasty and sometimes debilitating illnesses. Oregano oil may also be used in the treatment of digestive problems, migraine headaches, and sore throats, breathing problems, dandruff and other skin problems.
There are two very important things to remember when using supplements, vitamins or minerals to achieve your holistic nutritional needs. First, it is important to avail yourself of the highest quality products. Not only can inexpensive imitations be ineffective, they could also possibly cause more harm than good. Poor quality supplements can give holistic nutrition a bad rap.
Be sure to do your research, and determine what products are the highest quality and a great value (You can find a bunch of these at www.AwesomeSuperfoods.com). Determine which products are produced in a healthy manner. Secondly, before starting your supplements, be sure to start a healthy nutritional and exercise lifestyle. You can’t depend on supplements alone to do all the work, the first step to good holistic nutrition starts with you.
11:47 am on January 5th, 2008
Thanks for the heads up on these invaluable supplements. So many folks are so overwhelmed with the myriad of choices out there. This list of essential helpers is well explained and will provide good guidance.
Best wishes for a super 2008! Keep up the good work.
6:51 am on January 6th, 2008
A bit surprised, I’ll confess. I had you down as a bit different to most of those in the raw/health internet arena, but was wrong.
Nearly everyone seems motivated by making as many bucks as they can, using all the clever psychological tricks to get people to buy … ‘buy now, price goes up next week’ … then doing the affiliate linking to products, after writing up an ‘impartial’ report on supplements.
Supplements are totally unneccessary and in fact can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb the very thing they’re meant to provide. Yet virtually all raw/health ‘gurus’ talk them up and purely by chance happen to sell them. Check out someone like Tim on runningraw.com who demonstrates just what a load of snake oil supplements are!
6:11 pm on January 6th, 2008
I tried MSM because it was recommended to me and I had lots of headaches while taking it. I did a little research and it said that in some people, it can cause headaches. So just wanted to put that out there. Sounds like it could be very helpful but not if it hurts my head!
7:38 am on January 8th, 2008
I have to agree with the selling of products comment. Every person that starts out is so “pure” in their intent. But eventually it comes down to the “bottom line”. I stopped reading your site a long time ago for just that reason.
8:16 pm on January 9th, 2008
I totally disagree with the people who say that supplements are not necessary. I the whole today when our food is depleted of the very nutrients due to poisions sprayed on them and grown out of season. In addition most of the people in the organic information business that give you information on supplements DO NOT get gain from the sell of the products. They are trying to help so that you don’t waste your money on poor products. If you don’t want to pay for information on his website then don’t but that doesn’t make his information false. I have used many of the products prior to Kevin putting this information out and I know for my body they have been very useful. Keep up the good work Kevin some of us appreciate it.
7:50 pm on October 22nd, 2009
Hello, I have been taking Green Vibrance daily (I don’t think I have missed even 1 day) for almost 2 years now, mainly for the probiotics as a natural way to subdue my many allergies. I have been reading some scary stuff about spirulina and blue green algae and have begun to worry about any toxic effects from long-term use of this product. Do you have any information on the source of their ingredients? Is there any way to get information about their safety? Do people generally take this product on a daily basis for extended periods of time? Thank you, any input will be appreciated, DC
10:54 am on April 29th, 2010
I do believe in some supplements… MSM for example to me is a gift… I realise if I do miss a dosage, because I can’t move my back as freely. The Fresh fruit and veg available where I am isn’t all it should be, I guess!