Dietary Supplements

Multi-Vitamin-Herbal-Mineral
A high-quality multi-vitamin-herbal-mineral product is one of first things I’d put on my list. I use tablets or capsules because of the convenience, but there are excellent powdered or liquid vitamins available as well. The vitamin tablets I prefer are by Megafood. I take them approximately 4 days per week and have yet to find a better product. However, Garden of Life offers ’raw‘ vitamins in capsules called Vitamin Code available at a location near you.

Protein Powders
Most weight-gain powders and drinks I have seen are loaded with synthetic sugars and “empty” calories. However, there have been some recent improvements in the powdered protein products. Take time to look at Designer Protein, American Whey, Raw Power among others. I recommend they not exceed 5% of the total diet for any length of time; which equates to a approximately 5 doses per week. Moreover, they are helpful for muscle-gain diets when used as a supplement ONLY and NOT as a meal replacement. Even at this relatively low dosage, one should be conscientious of the potential negative effects that excessive intake of protein powders can have on the digestive system.

Creatine
Also, I have had very convincing positive reports on the combined use of Sportpharm USA’s VanadylpH™ and EAS™ Phosphagen™ [Creatine]. The persons I spoke to avowed they had experienced significant and rapid gains in strength, weight, and muscle size as a direct result of using these products. I am very confident with the accuracy of their claims. Regardless, I am uncomfortable with the continuous financial expense and health risks that accompany the use of these type exercise and nutritional supplements.

Fat Burners
Fat-burner pills and drinks are a risk. Of course, I cannot say this is true for all these type products as there are probably some out there they may indeed work. However, I can only recommended them to those on a fat-loss campaign who already maintain a proper diet. I have seen too many use these type products thinking the pills will counteract the ingestion of fatty foods. Nonetheless, I do not subscribe to the idea that fat-loss or muscle-gain will be assisted to any great degree by the ingestion of a synthetic pill, powder, or herb without first maintaining a healthy digestive system. Since 1999, UltimateFatBurner.com has been providing reviews of diet, weight loss and sport supplements. If you’re considering a product, take time to see what Paul Crane and his staff at ultimatefatburner.com have uncovered first.

“Energy” Drinks
I am constantly asked about 'energy'-type drinks and if they are good to drink before a workout. I recommend that one read the ingredients on such products and look for words like “crystalline fructose” or “corn syrup” and know that these are refined (heated) white sugars. These sugars can have a disastrous effect on the digestive system and organs of the body; although they do provide a “temporary sugar-energy high.” It’s fairly simple. The ingestion of these type sugars “energize” you and then slam-dunk you into a state where you crave more (sugar). It’s a terrible cycle that might occur 6 or more times a day by which many eventually succumb … permanently. If you wish to obtain pure energy and strength, I recommend:

Fats such as; RAW almond or sesame butter, flax seed oil, and fresh avocado at least a couple of hours prior to the workout

Complex carbohydrates such as; brown or basmati rice over baked squash, high quality pasta, and baked potato at 6-24 hours prior to the workout

Simple carbohydrates such as; raw berries, figs, and fruits at least 30 min. prior to the workout

Re-mineralized-distilled cold water is an excellent beverage to enjoy during the workout.

Oxy-Mag Powder
According to www.live-live.com, Oxy-Mag is the most readily available and easily usable method of complete oxygenation of the gastrointestinal tract. The process of oxidation is the most effective and safest way to break down, detoxify, and eliminate the solidified waste material that has accumulated in the small and large intestines. Oxidation actually breaks down this waste down into gas and water, lots of gas and water. An important thing to keep in balance here is your intake of antioxidant nutrients and enzymes, which should be called oxidation regulating nutrients and enzymes. it is vital to supply your body with these nutrients and all of the nutrients required for your body to be able to produce its own oxidation regulating enzymes. Thus we can enjoy optimum oxygenation without over-oxidation. No other cleansing method can come close to the benefits of oxygenation. I use this product as needed with excellent results!

Amino Acids
For some muscle-gain diets, amino acid pills and other packets of tablets and capsules are desirable if they are of the highest quality. William J. Martin, ND states that powdered Slippery Elm Bark is excellent for connective tissue and muscle repair (growth). Again, these are to be used in moderation and as a supplement only under professional direction.

Herb's, Root's, Barks, and Algae
I highly recommend the ingestion of herb's, root's, barks, and algae as supplements under direction of a knowledgeable practitioner. I found a book entitled, Herbally Yours (1982) by Penny C. Royal to be one of (if not) the best ever written on the use of herbs. Here's what one author/mother wrote about Herbally Yours in 2005:

"One invaluable thing about [Herbally Yours] is the reverse look-ups. In one section you can look up any given herb and see the list of what ailments it can ease. In another section you can look up a health problem and read the list of herbs that are useful for that symptom or illness. This style of reverse reference is a godsend when you're under pressure with a sick child.

Another advantage of this book is that it gave me an almost effortless familiarity of herbs and their uses that has served me well in the long run. It's not the kind of book you "read" per se. It's the kind of book you leaf through for answers whenever there's a health problem in your family. Over time, simply by repeated exposure to the herbs and symptoms lists, it all begins to stick in your mind and you become more adept without really noticing.

This book was a solid gold asset to me all through my daughter's childhood. Rather than rely on doctors to feed her antibiotics and drugs, I raised her on dietary adjustments for allergies and fed her herbs and raw honey for illness. (She was a lamb about taking what to me were horrible concoctions - as long as I opened the capsules and mixed the contents in honey. I used raw honey for its antibiotic properties.)

While this might not be the book you'd use to deepen an existing knowledge of herbs, it's the one you'll call a true friend when it comes to quickly prescribing herbal remedies for yourself and your family. The nurse who monitored our slow but steady progress as I painstakingly healed my daughter of chronic ear infection told me that most parents just let the doctors do the operation to install the grommet - sometimes repeatedly. She was impressed at what natural remedies can do for the stereotypical childhood illness. I told her I owed my powers of healing to this book."

To my knowledge, Herbally Yours is only available in hard copy.

The Ultimate Supplement (When I can get it, I add it to my protein shakes!)

Balanced Life Food
(keep refrigerated)
Formulated by William J. Martin, N.D.

Ingredients:

• Spinach juice powder from organically grown spinach
• Kona Hawaiian^TM Spirulina powder (salt water)
• Blue-green algae [inland lake] (fresh water)
• Chorella - cracked cell wall
• Wheatgrass juice powder
• Barley grass juice powder
• Royal Jelly [High CO-Q-10] (amino acids, heart, enzymes)
• Papaya powder [raw, green] (proteolytic [protein digesting] enzyme)
• 10P-N-Zymes - concentrated - vegetarian (Dr. Edward Howell formula)
• Beet juice crystals [organically grown] (liver cleanser/blood builder)
• Lecithin granules [de-oiled] (arteries, brain, & heart food)
• Apple fiber [raw, organic] (19% pectin-assists bowel bacterium)
• Sesame seeds [ground] (natures great calcium source)
• Chia seeds [whole] (natures energy food)
• Pycnoginol [from pine bark] (antioxidant properties)
• Vitamin C-Complex with minerals [balanced] (immune strengthener)
• Vitamin E [powdered] (heart; oxygen carrier, anti oxidant)
• Magnet (colour and homeopathic frequencies)
• Wheat sprouts [powdered, organic]
• Herbs [powdered, organically grown] (oatstraw, echinacea angustifolia, licorice root,
  slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, and comfrey root)

Dr. Martin has been a bit difficult to catch up with lately. He once told me he feared mass marketing the product because he felt doing so might compromise the unique integrity of this truly special powdered supplement. He personally and "lovingly" prepares each batch. Consequently, it is only available through the Bio Health Centre at 19211 Beech Daly Road in Redford Township, Michigan 48240, or www.traditionalhealing.com/front_products.htm

Perspective on Supplements
Remember: Many marketing and advertising experts are highly skilled at selling just about anything. The general American public is not necessarily a hard sell and the reps know it. Please, don't fall victim to these highly-paid sales representatives who could care less about your well-being.

Use this simple two-pronged test:
1. If it was not recommended by your herbalist, holistic practitioner or physician for preventive maintenance or for a specific ailment (you may have complained about or been diagnosed with), why buy it?

2. If it is wrapped or enclosed in a fancy (seemingly) overpriced un-ecological package surrounded by exorbitant promotional material ask yourself; is this typical of a long-term truly beneficial product?

Keep supplementation simple. Knowledge and perspective is the best defense.

No Advertising or Selling Intended
The author does not profit financially from the sale or use of any of the products or services mentioned in this website.