Infants Grow Better on Multiple Vitamins

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A new study shows that infants aged 3 – 24 months have better growth when they consistently take a multivitamin every day at the dose of 100% – 150% of the recommended daily allowance (daily value on the supplement facts panel).

This study should come as no surprise, as nutrients are obviously needed to facilitate millions and millions of healthy chemistry reactions on a daily basis.  Any young child is in the rapid growth mode and being short on needed nutrients has an adverse effect on optimizing genetic potential during this crucial growth time.

I formulated Super Mini Multi to meet these levels of nutrients with the finest forms of the nutrients available.  I know of no other multi vitamin for children that uses the superior co-enzyme forms of B vitamins along with natural carotenes, lycopene, lutein, and the best form of iron for health as well as not inducing digestive distress (iron glycinate).*

Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin – Simply the Best

Many years ago the Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin set a standard for quality in the dietary supplement industry that remains unmatched.  I designed this product specifically to offset fatigue, a common thread in many health problems.  My reasoning was simple; if I could get energy systems working better in someone with little energy then the dominoes might start falling in the positive direction and health was likely to improve.  While the product is quite sophisticated, the logic behind it is rather simple – and it has made a great deal of difference to thousands of people over the years.

Most consumers do not understand dietary supplement ingredients and quality differences, and tend to think multiple vitamins are created on an equal basis.  This naïveté plays into the hands of all-hype mass marketers of cheap junk that has little under the hood.  Many tricks are attempted to promote rather meaningless “advantages” such as whole food concentrates, food form nutrients, liquid vitamins, and other nonsense.  This article will help you understand the real story of nutrients in a multiple vitamin.

One misguided premise is that a multiple vitamin need only supply 100% of our government’s concept of how much of a nutrient you need to prevent a flagrant nutrient deficiency disease.  These Stone-Age concepts were often established by observation of prisoners and what disease developed based on a type of diet they were consuming (like a lack of B1 causing beriberi due to eating polished rice).  Such guidelines have little to do with optimal health, offsetting stress, or producing energy.  These latter issues are the basic concerns of just about anyone who lives in the typical high-stress world and is trying not to have their health compromised by all the demands they are under.

Modern science shows that vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrient co-factors participate in millions of chemistry reactions in your body that are required for optimal health.  It is rather obvious that the more stress you are under and the harder you are pushing your body, the greater your need for these vital health-promoting nutrients.*

It is popular for many dieticians, doctors, and public health officials to claim that you can get all your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrient co-factors from your diet.  This argument falls short for a variety of reasons.  The majority of Americans don’t take the time to prepare and eat true high quality food.  Even many seemingly wholesome foods are grown in nutrient-depleted and polluted soils and also contain a dose of pesticide toxins in every bite.  We obviously must eat something, but true quality food is in short supply. 

If you truly eat an organic and wholesome diet, your energy level is great, your fitness is very good, and your stress demands are well under control, then maybe you don’t need any extra help.  However, the majority of people falling in to this category are the very people who also tend to take a variety of nutrients to further bolster their health, not wanting to get any older any faster than they have to.

The core product in any person’s common sense approach to health is the multiple vitamin.  That multiple vitamin needs to energize you and help you feel better.  You should be able to tell a difference when you take it.  When designing a multiple vitamin the core base of the product is the B vitamins.  You can tell a great deal about a company by the amounts and types of B vitamins they put in their products. 

What are B vitamins?

B vitamins are nutrients that cannot be synthesized in adequate amounts by your body to sustain your health – thus you must consume them.  Fresh unprocessed food is an excellent source of B vitamins.  B vitamins are found in many different foods including whole grains, animal meats, beans, vegetables, and fruit.  Eating a varied diet of whole and unprocessed foods is the best way to get these nutrients from your food.  At least half the American population is lacking adequate B vitamins for optimal health.

In dietary supplements the B vitamins are made by microbial fermentation.  This is similar to the idea of friendly flora in your digestive tract fermenting your dietary carbohydrates, protein, and fiber and producing useful metabolic by-products.  After the B vitamins are grown under controlled conditions they are purified, stabilized, and then ready for use in dietary supplements.

Quality variables are one issue with the B vitamins – especially how well they are purified.  The entry of China into the dietary supplement raw material market has caused low-cost B vitamins to be dumped onto the consumer market.  Production standards in China are not dependable at this time. 

Really cheap B vitamins tend to stink a lot.  Any B vitamins have a slight odor that will get stronger with age of the product.  The cheap B vitamins start out in a foul smelling condition.  This is why so many companies put them in tablets and then coat the tablets – trying to cut down on the smell.  Open any box of B vitamin-fortified cereal and take a deep smell of the contents – you’ll see what I mean.

In addition to basic product purification the actual final form of the B vitamin that is produced makes a huge quality difference.  At Wellness Resources I focus on the co-enzyme forms of B vitamins in our products as they are easy to absorb and already in the exact form your cells need – a major metabolic advantage. 

These types of high grade B vitamins cost much more than the inactive forms most often used in supplements, but they make a huge difference to your health.

An inactive form of a B vitamin must have energy (ATP) donated to it so as to make it useful.  This process may not work well in people who are already stressed or short on energy – thus they don’t feel any better from their vitamin.  In my Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin I rely on the co-enzyme forms of B vitamins. 

B12 Tells the Story

The most expensive component in any multiple vitamin is the B12.  Thus, you can immediately tell the quality of any multiple vitamin, regardless of the hype that promotes it, by looking at the form of the B12 in the product and the amount of B12 in each capsule.  Since I have been repeatedly stressing the importance of higher quality forms of B vitamins as a quality standard, many companies are now using them.  The problem is, they often don’t use very much of them, especially the extremely important B12.  Rather, they try to boost up their prices by putting a lot of cheap “whole food herbs” into the product – a silly ploy to cover up a lack of money spent on the ingredients that actually matter most to your health.

The cheapest form of B12 is called cyanacobalamin.  Your body cannot actually use this nutrient in this form, thus you must first strip off the front end molecule which happens to be cyanide and then detoxify it.  Then you must have the energy to turn it into one of the co-enzyme forms (methylcobalamin or adenosylcobalamin).

Why are companies putting cheap B12 in products when it makes you have to detoxify the cyanide?  Answer – it is 1/10th the price of methylcobalamin.  How much cyanide do you want to take?  This issue takes on great importance for those with existing chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia. 

Any company still putting cyanacobalamin in their multiple vitamin, B complex, or homocysteine reduction formula is simply using a cheap ingredient and hopes you don’t care about the quality of what you are taking.  Don’t listen to their hype – realize the simple fact – they will cut similar corners to save money ON EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT THEY MAKE. 

If a company is using methylcobalamin then the next important question is, how much?  Be careful, labels can sometimes deceive you.  The serving size may be as high as 8 capsules/tablets – so it sounds like you are getting a larger amount but each capsule/tablet only contains 1/8 of the amount listed.  Whenever a manufacturer lists the directions on the bottle, such as 1-2 capsules up to three times a day, then the supplement facts panel must list the serving size as 2 capsules – the commonly consumed higher dose. 

I have seen some deceptive companies list the serving size as 8 capsules/tablets, even though you are only expected to take 4 at a time.  Such labels are not in compliance with labeling law, and are done to make the consumer think they are getting more than they really are.  Many people think they are getting that amount in 1 capsule/tablet, simply because they don’t understand the number of capsules/tablets in a serving.

With a little bit of math you can quickly calculate the relative value of one product to another, based on the idea that the B12 is the most expensive component.  Unless you are buying a family size, most multiple vitamin products are a 1 month or 30 day supply.  Thus, figure out how much B12 is in a daily dose and divide the cost of the product by 30, which will give you a relatively accurate estimate of how much you are actually paying for the quality in the bottle. 

In my Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin, there are 90 capsules in a bottle (a one month supply for one person).  In each 3 capsules there are 400 mcg of methylcobalamin and 400 mcg of another form of co-enzyme B12 called adenosylcobalamin.  Our every day WEB price for this product is $22.40 or $0.74 for 400 mcg of daily methylcobalamin.

Once you start comparing this to other products you will quickly see the true value that you are getting in the Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin.  Many companies are charging you $50.00 a month for a multiple vitamin with 100 mcg of daily methylcobalamin, more than 6 times the price of Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin. 

The reason you need extra B12 is because it is the primary nutrient that keeps many brain and liver chemistry reactions going, a need that rises in direct proportion to the stress you are under.  Our government’s B12 level is set for the prevention of a form of anemia related to B12 – which is irrelevant to your daily stress-related needs.  Methylcobalamin sits in the middle of hundreds of vital energy and health-related metabolic reactions – and if you don’t have enough these important health-sustaining activities are not going to happen at an optimal pace.*

You will also notice that the Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin contains the other co-enzyme form of vitamin B12 known as adenosylcobalamin – a form seldom included in most multiple vitamins.  This is in our product because the two co-enzyme forms of B12 form a “pool” of active B12 metabolites.  If that pool is lacking adenosylcobalamin then your body will convert methylcobalamin into adenosylcobalamin rather than use it in ways you would like.  In essence, this is a waste of methylcobalamin. 

Adenosylcobalamin is needed to assemble proteins into your physical structure, and as such is an anti-physical wear and tear nutrient.  By providing both active forms of B12 in a single product a new quality standard is set – one that provides enough of these vital nutrients to support your health.

Compensating for Low Quality

Don’t be deceived by “bells and whistles” that appear as “added value” to a multiple vitamin.  They are generally smokescreens to cover up the lack of money spent on the B12 that actually matters to your health.  All form of consumer manipulation is in play. 

There is the “whole food” marketing scam.  This ploy grinds up a lot of plants of different types and shoves them in the capsule to fill space.  It sounds good but these nutrients are really cheap fillers that have very low levels of actual active ingredients.  It makes it sound like the product is some type of whole food wonder pill, when in fact it is mostly full of cheap ingredients that cover for the lack of B12 and other important nutrients for energy production.

Then there is the “food form” nutrient, made by fermenting vitamins with yeast and making some form of concoction that is then claimed as a food form nutrient.  Many individuals are highly reactive to the yeast components in these products – making them significant allergens for many who take them – especially if the individual has a history of Candida or mold issues. 

And then there are companies that just throw yeast into their multiple vitamins, again producing a lower quality and often allergy provoking product.  Such a company will almost always use a cheap form of the B12 and other B vitamins, hoping you don’t know any better.

Liquid vitamins are for the most part a joke.  Water accelerates chemistry reactions and anyone taking a liquid B vitamin will be lucky to be getting anything.

Of course, stay away from any multiple vitamin in a tablet.  Compressing a bunch of ingredients into a mini-rock reduces their absorption and increases the likelihood they will pass through your system undigested.

At Wellness Resources all of our capsule products use V-caps (vegetarian cellulose capsules).  These capsules readily dissolve in your digestive tract, at which point our fine quality and easy to absorb nutrients are released.  And they contain no animal byproducts.

All Wellness Resources our products have been designed to work in a clinical environment, oftentimes needing to help people who have lost all hope.  This need of many of our customers has forged the quality difference that has become the Wellness Resources brand.  When you are trying to fix your health the last thing you need is taking products with little chance of working.  Of course, fine quality products work the best for healthy people too – and are the first choice for the quality-minded discerning consumer.

It does cost more to put real quality in a product.  We have been in business, as a family business, almost 25 years.  We’ve done it by providing real quality for a fair price – something you won’t find from network marketing companies, hype-oriented health professionals, and corporate cost-cutting giants.  Compare the B12 form, amount, and price – try our product – and form your own conclusions.  Energy is the backbone of health.

Daily Balancer for Natural Detoxification Support

Daily Balancer is one of the Wellness Resources daily formulas, nutrients that I believe are needed by everyone for optimal health and well being.  Daily Balancer is formulated to protect you from toxins and pollution, helping your liver do its daily work that is vital to your health and well being.*

Granted, Daily Balancer wouldn’t be a daily formula if not for the fact that we live in a polluted environment and encounter multiple man-made toxins on a regular basis that we have little genetic experience dealing with.  These toxins can damage your brain, your liver and kidneys, the DNA of your cells, irritate your cardiovascular system, throw a monkey wrench into thyroid function, and generally interfere with metabolism.

I don’t believe that most people understand just how serious the problem is for any person of any age.

Once upon a time our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a program called the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS).  In 1982 and again in 1987 it analyzed human fat samples from cadavers from across the country – looking for the types of toxins that accumulate in human fat.  Four industrial solvents and one dioxin were found in 100% of the fat samples.  Another 9 chemicals, including 3 more dioxins and 1 furan were found in over 90% of the fat samples.  In general, 83% of the fat samples contained PCBs. 

It is important to understand that toxins only sore in fat when your natural detoxification system cannot keep up with demands.  To find over 90% of fat samples with serious amounts of toxic chemicals means that all Americans are being exposed to too much pollution – more than their body’s can readily dispose of.

Tracking this data was mandated by law, the funding for which was conveniently cut from the budget by the Reagan administration (unfortunately that administration, like all since, have been pollution friendly).  The final reports are now mysteriously missing from the above EPA website, but were reported on rather thoroughly in Alternative Medicine Review, and dioxin and furan levels from this data were specifically analyzed by the American Public Health Association.

These chemicals accumulate in the food chain in animal, dairy, and fish – which are then consumed by humans.  We don’t actually know how bad the exposure is right now, but PBCs last hundreds of years and decompose into even more toxic dioxins and furans (dioxins and furans are also produced as part of industrial pollution today).  We do know that a 2007 EPA report shows that farm soil across America is polluted with PCBs and related chemicals. 

Daily Balancer contains truly helpful levels of potent liver-protecting and natural detoxification compounds, and the core of that support is based on chlorella (a natural toxin chelator), milk thistle/silymarin (an herb that protects your liver and brain from toxins), and R-alpha lipoic acid (a potent protector of your liver and nerves).  Other cofactor nutrients are included that help with various aspects of detoxification, including trans-resveratrol, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), taurine, glycine, ornithine Alpha-ketoglutarate, and carnosine.* 

The combination of nutrients in Daily Balancer gives you comprehensive support to help your liver with various detoxification systems (referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2).  There are plenty of stressors in today’s world, and pollution is high on that list for one and all.  The reason I made Daily Balancer a daily formula was because of this pervasive pollution problem in our society.  It is wise to support your natural detoxification systems as part of a basic health program.*

Utilizing Quality Calcium for Health

Calcium is the primary mineral in your bones.  Calcium is also needed for muscle function, blood pressure regulation, nerve function, and cellular health.  The way in which calcium ends up forming bone is of vital concern to your health – and not just for bone density.  Bones are a vital power plant for the formation of red and white blood cells and even act as a regulator of metabolism.  Indeed, bone health is a key sign of overall health associated with longevity.

The quality of calcium you consume is of great importance.  You want to use forms of calcium that are easy for your body to utilize.  Minerals for dietary supplements are typically bound to another substance.  What they are bound to has a profound affect on how they are absorbed and even more importantly – where they go and what they do in your body.  Minerals from the ground are referred to as inorganic, whereas minerals in plants or crops are structured by living cells and thought of as organic (as different from how the word organic describes food that doesn’t contain pesticides).

Understanding Cheap Calcium

The cheapest form of calcium is gym chalk, otherwise known as inorganic calcium carbonate.  Other ground-up rock forms of calcium include bone meal, oyster shell, or dolomite.  Another cheap form is calcium gluconate (9% calcium and 91% sugar glucose).  These forms of calcium require large amounts of hydrochloric acid to make bioavailable, thus they have poor absorption (which is why they are used as over the counter antacids).  Once in your body they are not very biologically useful and run a risk, depending on your underlying health, of calcifying your arteries, causing alarming breast lumps, gall stones, or kidney stones. 

Your body really has to work hard to use these kinds of calcium to form bones.  However, many people take these because gym chalk is 40% calcium and can be compressed into a 500 mg tablet (making its own little stone).  Uninformed consumers think they are getting their 1000 mg a day of calcium taking two of these pebbles.  Mineral products in tablets are famous for passing through your digestive system without breaking down.  Never take a calcium product in a tablet and avoid ground up rock sources of calcium.

Calcium citrate is another popular calcium supplement that is better absorbed than gym chalk.  It is 20% calcium and 80% citric acid.  While some citric acid is fine as part of your diet, if you try to take 1000 mg of calcium in this form you will also be getting 4000 mg of citric acid, like eating a pound of tomatoes.  This much citric acid can conk out your cell engines (mitochondria) by flooding their citric acid cycle with too much citrate (like flooding a car with gas).  Individuals who are tired or fatigued often respond poorly to high amounts of citric acid, making them even more tired or giving them headaches.  Since your cells have no way to efficiently use so much citric acid, calcium citrate is not a high quality form of the mineral to use on a daily basis.  Small amounts don’t matter – large amounts are a definite energy-related problem for too many people.

Coral calcium can be good or bad depending on the type of coral calcium that is used.  Coral calcium from ocean waters, as used in Wellness Resources products, has a natural ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium, along with many other trace minerals found in the ocean.  It is typically harvested from dead coral reefs in the pristine waters off the coast of Okinawa (it is not an eco-unfriendly harvesting activity).  Reputable companies assay the raw material to ensure its quality for human consumption.  Bone health of the citizens of Okinawa is legendary. *

These forms of calcium and magnesium are in a carbonate structure, but far different than the gym chalk described above.  They exist in highly organized geometric structures, organically formed by the living coral reefs (like a true food form).  They are the only form of minerals that are both fat and water soluble and are better absorbed than citrates.  They rapidly produce mineral ions that your body can easily use in countless metabolic processes.*

Beware of companies selling coral calcium that has been harvested from the land.  This form of the mineral has been “weathered” and has the natural magnesium and trace minerals washed away.  In Japan they use this form to make concrete for their roads.  It is sold as a dietary supplement to unsuspecting customers in the U.S. thinking they are getting real coral calcium.  These companies always add cheap magnesium back into the product and have to list it on their label (typically magnesium oxide).  Thus, if you have a coral calcium product with added magnesium oxide – throw it away.

Beware of any calcium listed as “amino acid chelate.”  This labeling implies that the calcium is bound to protein like a food, and so must be better.  Unfortunately there are a lot of amino acid chelates out there that you have no idea what you are taking, as this form of labeling is a trick to hide quality.  The primary amino acid chelate used in these products is hydrolyzed soy. 

One example is a new branded form of these amino acid chelates Biokey®, which are used in one product line promoted by a well known alternative health physician.  The Biokey website does not disclose the forms of minerals used or the amino acids used.  When I called the company I was stonewalled when I asked what they were.

Biokey® minerals were used in animal nutrition long before human nutrition and it is interesting that the animal website was much more forthcoming with information.  As it turns out all of these minerals are chelated using hydrolyzed soy protein.  Nowhere on any human product label does it say they contain soy (which is not legal according to current FDA allergy rules for labeling).  On top of that, unless soy is specified as non-GMO it is now GMO and contains toxins genetically spliced into the proteins.

The animal website also disclosed the actual nature of the minerals used.  For example, the calcium is in the form of calcium formate.  Calcium formate is an approved food additive, but the formate part does have to be detoxified, is not that easy for human’s to clear, and is implicated in methanol intoxication.  In industry calcium formate is used to accelerate concrete setting.  Thus, someone consuming their calcium thinks they are taking (calcium – Biokey® amino acid chelate), a more absorbable form of calcium.  Yes, it absorbs nicely and delivers a package consisting of GMO-containing soy, calcium, and formate. 

To me, the phrase “amino acid chelate” means “I have something to hide.”  I wouldn’t trust any product made by a company that labels minerals as “amino acid chelates,” as it is quite likely they are hiding something every chance they get.  At Wellness Resources we always tell you what form your calcium is in, because we are proud of the quality we are putting into our products. 

Quality Calcium

At Wellness Resources we focus on using high quality forms of calcium.  In our top bone support formula, Daily Bone Xcel, we use 50% of the calcium from ocean-water coral and 50% from microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (MCHC – small particles of intact bone), as these act as a true bone food and can readily be absorbed, transported to your bones, and easily attached to the existing bone matrix.  Daily Bone Xcel contains a significant amount of synergistic bone-strengthening nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, silica, boron, and strontium.  Five capsules provides 1000 mg of calcium.  We use vegi-capsules as they are easy to dissolve in your digestive tract, thus making our high grade calcium readily available.  We could compress our powder mixture to try to fit more into the capsule by making what is called a “slug,” but doing so would potentially reduce absorption.  Quality minerals take up physical space, thus you are best taking a few more capsules and knowing that you are getting something that actually works.*

My original bone building formula is called Daily Builder.  This product requires 8 capsules to reach 1000 mg of calcium, containing a mix of ocean coral, MCHC, and calcium AEP.  In addition to the synergistic co-factors that Daily Bone Xcel contains it also has glucosamine (for connective tissue), more magnesium (for muscles and nerves), niacinamide (to activate cartilage-building chondrocytes), and proline, lysine, and glycine (collagen-building amino acids).  This is a very comprehensive tissue, cartilage, and bone support formula.  It is an ideal basic calcium supplement for men, as it also provides nutrients for exercise support and muscle function.  Many women also use it, especially if they have aches and pains.*

In our core grouping of important supplements, called the Daily Super Pack, there are 2 Daily Bone Xcel and 1 Daily Builder in each packet of 7 key nutrient products.  Each packet provides 559 mg of calcium – and two packets per day (the typical amount used) provides 1118 mg of fine quality calcium.  In the Daily Super Pack you also get a Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin (energy and mood support), Daily Protector (eye support and antioxidant), Daily Balancer (liver and pollution clearance support), and Daily Super E (superior tocotrienols).  This is a potent array of nutrients for your basic health needs in an easy to use packet.

At Wellness Resources we have a variety of different calcium options to meet specific needs. 

Coral calcium powder – A great way to boost calcium intake for children or anyone who would prefer to mix calcium in water or a beverage and drink it, as ¼ tsp provides 500 mg of ocean coral calcium.  Many adults take this before bed as it is very relaxing and helps sleep, as well as boosting calcium intake into the 1500 mg – 2000 mg per day range when taken with other products.  If this product is being used as the only calcium product then it is a good idea to take some extra vitamin D (small capsules – which could also be mixed in if desired).

CalActive – CalActive is designed to supply calcium for the active person, especially teenagers on the go.  Each capsule provides 200 mg of calcium and 200 IU of vitamin D.  The calcium is bound to malate (anti-fatigue nutrient for muscles), alpha-ketoglutarate (helps oxygen use in cells and liver processing of protein), and Krebs cycle cofactors (cell energizers and toxin binders).  This form of calcium can also be used by any person with tired or aching muscles (goes well with Muscle Mag).

TriCal – TriCal is designed to relax nerves and calm behavior.  It is great for sleep, and it can be taken during the day to help sooth irritating, agitating, or anxious feelings related to stress.  It is a great product for children prone to behavioral outburst.  It capsule contains 150 mg of calcium bound to the amino acids glycine and taurine, which are primary nerve-relaxing nutrients.* 

Calcium AEP – Calcium AEP is unique in that it helps nerves tolerate stress.  It is 100 mg of calcium per capsule and 900 mg of AEP, which helps nourish cell membranes.  It is an ideal form of calcium for individuals with pain, high stress loads, or stress intolerance (too much wear and tear or too many demands for too long).  It helps your nerves hold up better to the wear and tear of the day.  Doses range from 3 -12 capsules per day, depending on how much seems to help.* 

None of these four products has vitamin K in it, making them good options for people on the blood thinner Coumadin who are looking for calcium without vitamin K.  Of these four, only Cal Active has vitamin D.  Thus, if you are using one or more of these products as your primary calcium supplement be sure to take some extra vitamin D. 

Most of our customers use a baseline amount of Daily Bone Xcel and/or Daily Builder as the foundation for their bone support program.  If bone health is a significant concern then doses of 1500 mg – 2000 mg of high quality calcium are suggested.  Mixing in some of these other calcium products, to boost calcium to higher levels as needed, is a great way to go.  I like the idea of getting calcium in different high quality forms, as what the calcium is bound to helps it go different places in your body and can help you with a variety of health needs.

Bone Building

While calcium is the fundamental mineral that that helps build bone, you must also have adequate dietary protein that supports collagen formation, as bone is mineralized collagen.  You also need the cofactor nutrients that help build bone, especially adequate vitamin D (up to 2000 IU per day in the winter). 
You also must take into account the stress demands you are under.  If your body is in a state of wear and tear you will struggle to maintain bone no matter how much calcium you take.  This is because once your front line systems for managing stress are taxed too long, your blood pH turns to acid.  Your body’s natural back up system is to leech calcium out of your bones to help buffer the acid pH in your blood.  To prevent this you must have balance in your life.  This means adequate sleep, good stress management skills, anti-stress nutrition as needed or helpful, regular refreshing exercise, and a good diet.  There is no shortcut or magic remedy for bones. 

It is now quite clear that if your bones are too inflamed from all the wear and tear then your body will make more osteoclasts (the demo crew) and not enough osteoblasts (the bone remodeling crew).  This is all modulated by gene switches that are responding to the inflammatory state of your body.  In addition to a healthy lifestyle, you can also take nutrients that help tilt the balance of power in your favor so as to protect and benefit your bones.

Our top product to support this concept is called Bone Helper, which contains a variety of bone-modulating nutrients.  Other choices include Repair Plus and DHA fish oil.  All can be used if you want to be really comprehensive.  The strategy is too cool off wear and tear so that your bones are able to stay on a health bone building pattern and so that you do not donate your bone mass to the stressors in your life.

These type of strategies are in addition to the total amount of calcium you need to help promote bone growth.  Think of calcium, protein, magnesium, and many trace minerals as the raw materials for bone building (like plywood, 2 x 4s, nails, and screws).  Think of inflammation-modulating nutrients as instructions to the carpenters, telling them to build healthy bones and not to get carried away with any demo projects. 

Remember, longevity is marked by healthy bones.

Happy Mother’s Day

We all have our mom to thank for being alive today – and for so many of the lessons we have learned in life.  The many responsibilities and challenges of motherhood often go unnoticed or appreciated, often giving selflessly for years and years.  Lucky is the child who basks in the love of his/her mother and is taught the important life lessons that only a mother can teach.

The great gift of mothers is of course the future of our race.  Along with this gift also comes responsibility, as the health of several generations is influenced by the health habits of mom during the childbearing years.

It is a mother’s natural place to be the healer of the family.  Throughout history, mothers have protected and nurtured the young, while fathers went out hunting.  Mothers learned the herbs and plants – and the medicines they provided.  It is part of the innate mother’s wisdom to know how to heal.

Mary and I, as cofounders of Wellness Resources, place a very high priority on helping mothers have healthy children and raise them in the healthiest possible way.  This includes preparation for motherhood as well as tips for pregnancy. 

It is also a top priority that estrogen stay a friendly hormone throughout the course of a mother’s life.  After all, it is the higher estrogen of women that makes motherhood possible. 

This month we celebrate women’s health at all ages – with plenty of tips and an upcoming class on Saturday May, 30 (available on podcast the following Wednesday).