I must be looking tired or old these days – because I have been bombarded by requests to buy supplements in recent months. I only take vitamins, and no supplements, so I feel a bit uninformed about this market segment. Though I have assumed most supplements are intended to provide energy or stave illness, I decided to do a little research on the topic to validate. This post is not meant to serve as an endorsement for any of these supplements but rather to tell you about a few that have been shared with me – by people I know and trust. My hope is that you’ll add comments below to tell me more about your experience with supplements – why you take them and if they help.
Astaxanthin In a nutshell, astaxanthin is a caratenoid extracted from microalgae grown on the Kona Coast of Hawaii. It is believed to be a powerful antioxidant which may improve our immune system. I first heard about this supplement from a friend who biked across France last fall with his buddies. Entering their forties decade, they were looking for something to help them recover a bit more quickly than in days past (when recovery wasn’t really an issue). He claimed that astaxanthin really helped, and suggested I give it a try. I have not done so yet, but after listening to this video by Suzy Cohen, aka dearpharmacist, I’m going to put astaxanthin to the test. What better timing that this weekend, when I participate in Race to Robie Creek, a 13-mile, 2500 vertical climb race deemed as the “toughest race in the northwest.”
Note that astaxanthin is not a branded product line, it’s the generic name for the nutrient. I actually purchased BioAstin yesterday at my local Co-op, but it’s available online as well.
MaxOne Oxidative stress has been associated with more than 74 major diseases and disorders, and defending cells against oxidative stress is a critical function of antioxidants. One antioxidant said to do this better than others is glutathione. It is produced naturally in the body if the required building blocks are available, and strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body, fights intracellular inflammation, and neutralizes numerous types of free radicals. Scientists have long known of the critical role glutathione plays in protecting cells. Pub Med, maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, has more than 92,000 articles (50,000 more than on vitamin C) substantiating its health benefits. My cousin Keith Hinson is now distributing a product called MaxOne, a glutathione supplement. You can read more about MaxOne and its RiboCeine™ technology on this page, too.
Vemma A friend of mine from graduate school told me about Vemma. Vemma is a liquid nutritional supplement that provides a serious dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This supplement is endorsed by Roizen and Dr. Oz, in the event you value their advice already. Vemma has performed three clinical trials that prove its efficacy — highly unusual for a supplement company. Made from a blend of exotic mangosteen superfruit, organic glyconutrient-rich aloe vera and organic decaffeinated green tea, Vemma is a powerful liquid antioxidant. Vemma comes in a variety of delivery forms as well – a kid’s formula, a health energy drink, a sports drink, a natural sleep aid, etc. If you’d like to check it out go here: www.drinktohealth.vemma.com. P.S. James also runs a company that makes the world’s only Insulated Drybag Backpack Cooler, the IceMule.
Nu Skin ageLOC Vitality Lastly, a coach for Girls on the Run told me about Nu Skin ageLOC Vitality. This product seems to be more about restoring the vitality we enjoyed in our youth – and specifically physical vigor, mental acuity, and sexual health. Through targeting the sources of age-related vitality loss, ageLOC Vitality helps you feel more like you did when you were young. And it’s made by a company that has been making anti-aging products for years. Though I was able to find a number of testimonials, I never managed to uncover much about how the supplement actually works.
