Nutritional Supplements
Like most conventional physicians, my early medical education contained just a few lectures on the role of vitamins and minerals in the body and certainly nothing about vitamin and mineral supplements. The vitamin deficiency diseases of scurvy and rickets were briefly mentioned, but the effects of subclinical nutritional deficiencies were given no attention at all. Although books by nutritionist Adelle Davis were very popular with the public, they were looked down upon by conventional physicians. The notion that vitamin and mineral supplements and other natural substances could be used therapeutically was considered quackery. However, as time has passed and research has increased, we have significantly increased our focus on the role of Nutritional Supplements in treating nutritional deficiencies.
Everyone understands that food is fuel for our bodies. Although it provides energy for our daily activities, it also supplies our bodies with essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy living. Many of the micro-nutrients in quality food may help to prevent cancer, decrease inflammation, strengthen bones, and slow the aging process. The problem is that our food has changed so dramatically over the past one hundred years that we no longer eat whole, unprocessed foods. We rely on “fast food” and processed foods rich in trans-fats and sugar, which has resulted in an epidemic of obesity, diabetes, accelerated aging and poor health.
The typical American diet is high in calories, but low in nutritional quality. Seventy percent (70%) of the food we eat is processed, meaning that it is stripped of essential fiber and nutrients, chemically altered, and loaded with preservatives. We eat few fresh foods and even fewer foods classified as organic, and our intake of the most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables is abysmal. Nutrition surveys have found that, on a typical day, less than twenty-five (25%) of Americans eat any vitamin C rich foods and less than twenty percent (20%) eat broccoli, cabbage or other cruciferous vegetables.
Even when we make an effort to consume fresh fruits and vegetables, we are not reaping the same nutritional benefits our ancestors did. What is the reason? Today’s modern agricultural methods deplete the soil of minerals, which translates to nutrient-depleted produce. Furthermore, nutrients are lost as produce is shipped from farms to grocery stores, during the cooking process, and even by being exposed to air and light. Since our foods are nutritionally lacking, our bodies suffer as well. Studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies are surprisingly common in the United States and even in apparently healthy adults. So, if you are wondering who needs vitamin and mineral supplements in a country where food is so abundant and inexpensive, the answer is almost everyone because……
- “Modern” farming methods have led to significant decreases in the vitamin and mineral content of our food.
- Almost no one eats enough fresh fruits and vegetables to get adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals without supplementation.
- Digestive function decreases with age and we don’t absorb nutrients as well as we should.
Nutritional supplements comprised of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and anti-oxidants are essential for general health and detoxification. Since virtually all chemical reactions in the body require enzymes, many of these enzymes require two co-factors; a vitamin co-factor and a mineral co-factor to enhance these chemical processes that maintain our physical and mental functions. By taking supplemental vitamins and minerals in the form of daily supplements, we ensure that the raw materials are always available to help our youth-sustaining enzymes function optimally at all times. Three basic nutritional supplements essential for general health are…
- A Whole Food Multiple Vitamin/Mineral
- Highly Refined EPA/DHA (Fish Oil)
- Vitamin D3
Two basic nutritional supplements used for detoxification are……
- Silymarin (Milk Thistle)
- N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
An essential component to the safe and effective use of nutritional supplements is professional guidance. Dr. Patel strongly believes in the natural healing power of the body and can help you optimize your health or treat a specific illness through natural remedies by using nutritional supplements. We understand how confusing it is to sift through the myriad of supplements that line the shelves of your local pharmacy, grocery store or health food store and wonder whether they are a high quality. It may also be difficult to understand how to take supplements and how they might interact with your current health regimen. Everyone is different. We vary in our genetic make-up, diet, exercise, medication use, medical diagnosis and activity level. Medication, bowel problems or surgery can interfere with absorption and many available low quality supplements are poorly absorbed.
Dr. Patel can provide a detailed and comprehensive Nutritional Supplement Plan customized to maximize your health and well being. This plan may also include integrative medicine recommendations, such as lifestyle changes, diet and nutritional counseling. In order to get started, you will need to complete a free Nutritional Assessment by simply clicking Request Systems Survey, following the directions and submitting the request. Click “What Is The Systems Survey?” for additional information about the survey. After submitting the request to take the survey, you will receive an email with a “Login” and “Password” that are necessary to access it on-line. When you receive this email, simply click the “Begin Systems Survey” button above to start the survey. Once you have completed all of your answers and submitted the survey, please call the Center to schedule a free 15 minute initial phone consultation with Dr. Patel. During the initial consult, he will review with you the results of the Nutritional Assessment and make recommendations to guide you in the preparation of a personal Nutritional Supplement Plan that will work for you. Dr. Patel will also answer any questions you might have about taking Nutritional Supplements, such as………
- Are supplements safe to take?
- Are there any side effects?
- How do I get started?
- Which supplements can I take to improve my overall health?
- How will I know my supplements are working?
- How are the Center’s recommended supplements different from those at a pharmacy, grocery store, or health food store?
- How would I benefit from the supplements offered by the Center?
Prevention of disease and support of the body’s innate ability to heal using nutritional supplements as natural remedies that are safe and effective are the inherent beliefs of The AG Patel MD Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine Center. Dr. Patel personally evaluates and selects nutritional supplement brands from leading supplement suppliers that are pharmaceutical grade, highly absorbable, and have earned the highest reputation for quality and efficacy. The nutritional supplements, that include vitamins, minerals, amino acids and anti-oxidants, offered by the Center are from quality companies, such as………
Click “Commonly Recommended Supplements” to see some of the supplements offered by The AG Patel MD “ARM” Center. Please contact us Toll Free at 1-855-777-4289 to discuss any questions you might have about any of the high quality nutritional supplements personally evaluated and selected by Dr. Patel and offered by the Center for your health and well being.
