My patients will tell you I don’t spend much time talking to them about the importance of nutrition. The reason for this is simple. I don’t want to confuse people about what a Chiropractor is, and what we do. My job as an Atlanta Chiropractor is to detect and correct Subluxation in order to remove nerve interference.
My experience and research shows that proper nutrition is more important than exercise, but both are limited without a healthy nervous system. That being said, nutrition is definitely a major problem in our country. Its the major cause of the declining health of American citizens. Our food supply is riddled with processed garbage and being attacked by harmful chemicals and GMO’s. Even those fortunate enough to eat an organic based diet may not be getting proper amounts of essential nutrients for their body.
Therefore I do recommend supplementing, as long as they are organic and from trusted sources. After my research I came up with a list of the most important supplements that EVERYONE should be taking. They are all directly related to the nervous system and immune function. Adding these to your regular diet will certainly help you to live longer and happier.
- Vitamin D
Recent studies show that 85% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D! Chances are, you are one of them! Since this one vitamin is responsible for the regulation of over 2000 genes, I consider it to be the most important on the list. Deficiencies in this vital nutrient play a central role in almost ALL auto-immune diseases. We all know Vitamin D is good for the bones, but it’s also imperative for proper immune function. Furthermore, it’s been shown to help with hypertension and weight loss. This is especially helpful in the colder months due to the lack of sun exposure on our skin. If nothing else, go get your Vitamin D level checked. It could be one of the most important things you do for your physical health. - Multivitamin
Like I said before, our food isn’t what it used to be. Our bodies require 90 essential minerals in order to function optimally. Due to factory farming, soil depletion and many other factors, the mineral content of our food is lower than it was for our parents and grandparents. Richness of the soil varies geographically, so a tomato from Georgia will have a different level of minerals than one from California or New York. Of course, for those people who are not getting many fresh organic fruits and vegetables, supplementing with a daily multivitamin is a must. I would recommend finding a brand that has at least 1000 mg of Vitamin C, which would be #6 on my list. - Fish Oil/Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential fatty acids, meaning we can not make them in the body. We HAVE to get them through diet. You can find them in eggs and fish, but you would have to eat quite a bit to keep up with the body’s demands. Think of them as superfood for your brain due to it’s ability to improve it’s function. They also help to lower triglycerides. This makes them crucial for a strong heart and healthy mind. Another important advantage of Omega 3 ‘s is it’s amazing anti-inflammatory properties. It is definitely a worthy supplement to be put on anyone’s top 5. - Probiotics
Probiotics are certain bacteria that are necessary for digestion and a healthy immune system. Yes, there is GOOD bacteria. As a matter of fact, your gut has more bacteria than your body does cells, and most of it is good! They fight off the bad bacteria by eating up all the food and taking up the receptor sites. Since 80% of your immune system is in the gut, keeping it in balance is crucial for your overall health. - CoQ10-Ubiquinol
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a remarkable enzyme that is produced in the liver and provides around 95% of our body’s energy. It is a powerful antioxidant that feeds and repairs the mitochondria in each of our cells. Mitochondria generate and distribute energy throughout our bodies. After the age of 30, our natural production of this important enzyme begins to decrease. For those with a less than healthy lifestyle, the blood levels could be undetectable. Supplementing CoQ10 with a reduced brand of Ubiquinol will not only benefit your energy level, but it will decrease cell death and help with anti-aging. More specifically, it promotes a stronger heart and a sharper mind.
In closing, remember that eating unprocessed, fresh, organic, and hopefully local meat, fruit and vegetables should be the cornerstone to every diet. Supplementing will merely pick up the slack. So, do your own research and find the best products for you and your family. There are many other supplements out there. These five are the ones I found could make the most difference in our daily lives. I hope this information is useful and maybe change someone’s life. It did mine.