As we continue along with the focus on building and strengthening your immune system, the next area I want to focus on is supplements. One of the concerns I have with supplements is that we need to be careful we are not taking supplements in place of making lifestyle changes. Just like in the traditional medicine community, they have a “pill for an ill,” so does the Holistic medical community. Instead of investigating and digging deeper for the cause of a specific medical issue, a “pill” is prescribed or in the Holistic arena a supplement is recommended. Looking at our overall life issues is a more healthful way to begin to approach a medical issue.
Medication and supplements can be a necessary recommendation at times.
But, I believe, lifestyle, primary foods (spiritual life, relationships, career, and physical activity) and secondary foods (what you are putting in your body) should be looked at first. Then as a temporary addition, medications and/or supplements should be added.
I’m not going to address medications here as I am not a pharmacist. What I want to look at are supplements. For me I never purchase a supplement at your local Big Box store or pharmacy. I only purchase my supplements from trusted doctors and health food stores … and I do take supplements daily. But there are a few ingredients you might want to be sure are not in your supplements. What are they?
Be Sure These Ingredients are NOT in Your Supplements
The first one is Titanium Dioxide. Titanium Dioxide is a colorant that is sometimes used and I’m not sure for what reason. Is it to make it look attractive? Well, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified this ingredient as a Group 2B carcinogen: “possibly carcinogen to humans.” (Carcinogen Report)
Two more ingredients to stay away from are Zinc oxide and Magnesium oxide. These two ingredients are a cheap binder that are used as a filler.
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate. Because I have the MTHFR gene, I absolutely cannot take Folic Acid. Having this gene causes me not to methylate B vitamins so I must take only Folate. I also take high doses of B12. I have separate supplements for this.
Food coloring is a given. We absolutely need to stay away from ALL food coloring (as an example FD&C Yellow No. 5). Food coloring is made from petroleum. You know the gas we put in our vehicles.
Lastly, you want to be sure your supplements are free of gluten, dairy, and soy. These ingredients are known as common allergens.
Some of the Brands I trust are:
- Amen
- Mercola
- Myers
- MegaFood
- Garden of Life
- Essentially Whole by Dr. Mariza
There are other brands I have used in the past, but these are my go-to right now.
I hope this information proves helpful as you look at your supplements to determine if they are the healthiest ones to take so as not to harm your immune system.
Your Spiritual Life & Health Coach … believing in you!