Vitamins
I generally recommend supplementing with a natural good quality multivitamin, rather than individual vitamins in order to get the broad spectrum of B vitamins (and the synergistic effects of them working together and enhancing absorption), as well as providing many of the minerals needed for the vitamins to function as coenzymes for the enzyme systems in the body to work correctly.
If there is a specific deficiency of any other vitamins not found in high enough dose in a multivitamin, then additional supplementation can be useful in those cases.
The most useful extra vitamin supplements I find are:
Vitamin A (Retinol, From fish liver oil) - Unless you are eating liver or high fat dairy products daily (such as butter, cream etc) it is likely that vitamin A levels are depleted. Beta Carotene (the plant form of vitamin A) MUST be converted in the the liver into the active form of the vitamin found only in animal foods. The conversion rate varies person to person but is often very innefective due to extra stress on the liver, such as alcohol consumption, food and digestion issues and environmental factors. Taking pre-formed vitamin A as Retinol from fish liver oil is useful for a number of health issues, including, stimulating immune function, restoring lung health, stimulating fertility, skin, hair and nails.
Vitamin D - Unless you are outside in the Sun between the hours of 10am and 2pm with full sun exposure for up to 20 minutes it is likely that a deficiency of this vitamin develops. Darker skin prevents absorption of Vitamin D in cold climates, so those who have migrated to Northern and Southern Hemispheres where people are indoors for a large part of the year due to climate, of Asian, Islander or African descent are particularly vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiencies. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins known to man and underpins all other cellular functions.
Vitamin B3 (as the Coenzymated form NADH) This is very useful for Chronic fatigue as it is used in energy production pathways)
CoQ10 - If A person has been eating vegetarian or vegan for a long time this can be quite depleted, also due to statin use, which blocks the production of CoQ10.
Folate (Natural forms) - Can be useful if there is a MTHF gene problem preventing the proper conversion of Folates in the body.
Vitamin K2 - Useful for anyone on a vegan diet as vegan diets do not contain K2.
Vitamin B12 - Again useful for anyone on a vegan diet, or those with low energy production (However, most multivitamins now contain quite high levels of B12, so the need for separate supplementation is not needed in most cases)
If there is a specific deficiency of any other vitamins not found in high enough dose in a multivitamin, then additional supplementation can be useful in those cases.
The most useful extra vitamin supplements I find are:
Vitamin A (Retinol, From fish liver oil) - Unless you are eating liver or high fat dairy products daily (such as butter, cream etc) it is likely that vitamin A levels are depleted. Beta Carotene (the plant form of vitamin A) MUST be converted in the the liver into the active form of the vitamin found only in animal foods. The conversion rate varies person to person but is often very innefective due to extra stress on the liver, such as alcohol consumption, food and digestion issues and environmental factors. Taking pre-formed vitamin A as Retinol from fish liver oil is useful for a number of health issues, including, stimulating immune function, restoring lung health, stimulating fertility, skin, hair and nails.
Vitamin D - Unless you are outside in the Sun between the hours of 10am and 2pm with full sun exposure for up to 20 minutes it is likely that a deficiency of this vitamin develops. Darker skin prevents absorption of Vitamin D in cold climates, so those who have migrated to Northern and Southern Hemispheres where people are indoors for a large part of the year due to climate, of Asian, Islander or African descent are particularly vulnerable to Vitamin D deficiencies. Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins known to man and underpins all other cellular functions.
Vitamin B3 (as the Coenzymated form NADH) This is very useful for Chronic fatigue as it is used in energy production pathways)
CoQ10 - If A person has been eating vegetarian or vegan for a long time this can be quite depleted, also due to statin use, which blocks the production of CoQ10.
Folate (Natural forms) - Can be useful if there is a MTHF gene problem preventing the proper conversion of Folates in the body.
Vitamin K2 - Useful for anyone on a vegan diet as vegan diets do not contain K2.
Vitamin B12 - Again useful for anyone on a vegan diet, or those with low energy production (However, most multivitamins now contain quite high levels of B12, so the need for separate supplementation is not needed in most cases)
Vitamin A is particularly useful to supplement if fat intake from fish, liver or dairy products is not particularly high.
Vitamin A deficiency is very common and is a significant problem as it affects eyesight, immune function, liver issues, detoxification and skin issues. When choosing a Vitamin A supplement it is important to only use one from fish liver oil - as that is the safest and best vitamin A to use. Choline & Inositol
Now Foods, Choline & Inositol, 500mg, 100 Capsules Very effective at providing liver support for processing fats. They are also very important for proper nervous system and mental health. CoQ10 - Antioxidant
Doctor's Best, High Absorption CoQ10, 10mg, 120 Softgels CoQ10 is particularly important for circulatory health as well as being a powerful anti-oxidant. For anyone who has ever taken statins it is vitally important to supplement their diet with Coq10 as statins specifically block the body's ability to produce CoQ10, leading to many side effects. |
Vitamin D has been shown to be deficient in most of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres due to a lack of adequate exposure to the Sun and long cold winters.
Supplementing with a base line of Vitamin D throughout the year prevents Vitamin D deficiency in the winter which can lead to lower immune function and the development of seasonal flu and colds throughout the winter. In addition, vitamin D has been discovered to be vital in every cell in the body - having an effect particularly on the hormonal system, mental function and immune function. SAD - Seasonal Affected Disorder has been linked to lower Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D - Softgels
Healthy Origins, Vitamin D3, 5.000 IU, 360 Softgels Vitamin D has been shown to be subclinically deficient in most of the North and Southern Hemispheres due to lack of adequate exposure to the Sun and long cold winters. Supplementing with a base line of Vitamin D throughout the year prevents Vitamin D deficiency in the winter which leads to lower immune function over the winter months, possibly leading to development of seasonal flu and colds throughout the winter. In addition, vitamin D has been discovered to be vital in every cell in the body - having an effect particularly on the hormonal system, mental function and immune function. SAD - Seasonal Affected Disorder has been linked to lower Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D - High Potency Softgels
Healthy Origins, Vitamin D3, 10.000 IU, 120 Softgels Excellent potency product for those needing to take Vitamin D therapeutically to resolve any long standing deficiency. This is excellent as it is in a pure base of Extra virgin olive oil. Vitamin D - Liquid drops
Nature's Answer, Vitamin D-3 Drops, 15ml This is an easy form of Vitamin D that can be given to babies and young children or those who don't like to swallow tablets or capsules. 1 drop every 2-3 days for babies and 1 drop every other day for children as a maintenance dose, adults 2 drops per day. |
Vitamin C plays a critical role in Immune function, among other things.
Many people are deficient not directly as a result of lower vitamin C intake, but due to very high blood sugar, which binds glucose to immune cells preventing vitamin C from being used properly. |