Journaling My Nutritional Supplements Vitamin Log 4 29 2009

I haven’t updated my vitamin log in a while and have finally gotten around to “filing” this one.

Funds have been astringent so I have been particularly keen in getting the best deals while maintaining the highest quality of regimen possible in a minimal funds situation.

First of all, to maximize absorption of my carefully selected vitamins and nutritional supplements, I take digestive enzymes prior to meals and swallowing my standard 12 pills.

Next comes the green tea EGCG, from Costco. Costco used to carry pure green tea extract in 300mg dosages (50% EGCG). Now Costco in my neighbourhood only carries the “FAT BURNER” version, which includes other herbal extracts that contain high levels of natural caffeine. Either way, I am after the EGCG so, it doesn’t matter what the bottle label is marketing the green tea to. 300mg of green tea extract at 50% EGCG is plenty to protect from general oxidative and free radical damage. I take 1200mg daily.

Next, I require myself a very good synergistic blend of all the most powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and plant extracts that come in an easy to take formula. I recently finished a bottle of new antioxidant blend formula that I haven’t tried before aptly named “Enhanced LIFE PRESERVER, Serious Antioxidant Protection,” made by Vibrant Health and purchased at the Berkeley Bowl grocery store. I’ve stuck to my Super Antioxidant blend from Whole Foods (forgot the brand will fill in tomorrow) for more than a half dozen rounds and it was time to change up the formula. The Enhanced LIFE PRESERVER ingredients list is here: http://www.vibranthealth.us/lp.html and the nutrients that got me to favor this formula include: Tocotrienols, multiple versions (water and fat soluble) of Vitamin C, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, a nice, basic nutritional co-factor profile and good plant extracts repertoire.

Prior to this awesome Vibrant Health formula I might have gone with something like this: http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Answer-Antioxidant-Supreme

Or choose one that has low beta carotenes and vitamin A (vitamin A causes complications for me) and instead relies on more phyto chemicals and plant extracts for a wide spectrum and synergistic antioxidant blend.

Next is Omega, the biggie for me. If finance and diet permits, I would be downing Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) all day long. One of the most expensive omega 3 fish oil supplements in the retail market are those by Nordic Naturals, which carries a spectrum of highly concentrated, natural triglyceride form of EPA and DHA (the best kinds of Omega 3 fatty acids you should be taking in abundance!). I was willing to splurge on this one (especially their best formula, “Ultimate Omega”) even in financial limitation not just because the saleslady at the stand in WholeFoods Palo Alto was superbly friendly but was also patient, working through all of my “amateur’s questions” and the saveur’s qualms. I ended up buying a liquid form and a gel capsule form, comparing all the dosages, concentrations and composition of Nordic Natural’s vast spectrum of Omega 3 products. You can see it all here: http://nordicnaturals.com Since discovering this company in 2005 I have been convinced that they carry some of the highest quality omega 3 fatty acids for dietary supplmentation around commercially. They were the first to claim molecular distillation, pharmaceutical grade, and the first to add natural lemon and natural Vitamin E to their omega 3 formulas.