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For most of us, the daily requirements of our modern lives—the foods available to us, the relentless pace, the constant stimulation—have resulted in depletion of essential nutrients. There are a few supplemental nutrients I think everyone, regardless of their health status, can benefit from.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the new super-nutrient.  Studies have shown deficiencies across a broad spectrum of disease including breast, colon and other cancers, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, dementia, Parkinson’s, and many others.  The recommended daily allowance has been increased from 200 units to 800 units—and soon-to-be 1000 units—daily.  I have most of my patients on 2000 to 5000 units daily.  30 minutes a day of full-body sunshine can alleviate a vitamin D deficiency, but the sun doesn’t always shine, and our indoor lifestyle and regular use of sunscreen have led to widespread vitamin D deficiency.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)

Essential Fatty acids promote healthy cell membranes, which allows for the efficient exchange of nutrients, as well as the repair and growth of healthy tissue. An imbalance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 leads to an inflammatory state and poor cellular health. With the shift from grass fed to grain fed, our meat supply has become disproportionately low in Omega 3 and high in Omega 6 because agricultural feed—from cattle, chickens, and pigs to fish—primarily consists of corn. Cows have not evolved to eat corn; they have evolved to eat grass. In addition to fostering deadly bacteria like e. coli 157-H7, feeding corn to cattle has been shown to alter the normal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids in cattle’s systems, depleting the soothing Omega 3 in favor of Omega 6. Supplementing with a supplement called Y.E.S. Essential Fatty Acids provides the basic amino acids, linoleic and alpha linoleic, and provides the body with the basic building blocks it needs to correct an imbalance in EFA.

Minerals

Minerals are essential to normal and healthy cellular function and I recommend a multivitamin with a healthy mineral component. The liquid vitamins I generally recommend, Intramin or Intramax, are engineered to allow optimum absorption of essential minerals.    www.druckerlabs.com

B Vitamins

Because of compromised gastrointestinal function and the overuse of pharmaceuticals, many people poorly absorb B vitamins. B vitamins are absorbed as the body breaks down and absorbs proteins. We all need acid to break down protein, and many of us simply do not make enough of it (or are on an acid-reducing medication). Our stressful lives also contribute to a decline in B vitamins. Stress results in high cortisol levels and high cortisol levels result in increased utilization, and depletion, of B vitamins. These nutrients are essential for adequate neurological function including cognition, balance, and proprioception. Many pharmaceuticals, such as oral contraceptives and hormonal therapies, interfere with the absorption and function of B vitamins.

Multivitamins

A quality multivitamin can be a preventive measure to help you maintain your health, but a multivitamin alone—even a good one like Intramax—will not restore a lifetime of poor nutrition.

Probiotics

Healthy bacteria play an essential role in gut function. Again, our depleted diets and pharmaceutical onslaught, as well as chemical toxicities omnipresent in daily life, wreak havoc on the complex and delicate environment inside your body.  Eating yogurt can be helpful, but frequently a probiotic supplement is needed. Dr. Ohirra’s is available online, and at many health stores. A good probiotic has multiple strains of bacteria and adequate numbers to assure passage into the small intestine such as Xymogen’s ProBio Max DF or ProBio Max Daily DF.