Are Vitamins Really Worth the Money?

Can I just say how hard it is to be healthy?

It’s hard. 

I make a valiant effort to eat organic, whole foods that are traditionally prepared at home. We stay away from gluten, caffeine, MSG, processed milk, and white sugar. We make our own yogurt and eat plenty of healthy fats. We even buy local, pastured beef and pork. But after watching the documentary Back to Eden, I’m starting to think that even “organic” fruits and veggies from the store are still seriously lacking in nutrient value.

It’s the dirt!

All nutrition in food comes from the soil it’s grown in. But our soils are over-farmed and sprayed with chemicals. They are depleted. Fruits are often picked well before peak ripeness and then shipped across the world to a grocery store near you. Add GMOs to the mix and not only are we eating food that is void of all vitamins and nutrition but we’re eating food that is destroying our bodies.

Delicious fruits and veggies come from rich, dark, healthy soil. It’s soft and moist and full of living organisms. And the best soils around are often found in backyard gardens and by farmers who truly take care of (and rest) their dirt.

This is the exact reason why we made a compost bin and keep chickens and rabbits. We want to create life-giving soil ourselves.

BUT in reality, we are novice gardeners. Actually, we are pretty bad gardeners. Our compost bin is neglected and we’ve been too busy with the new house to even attempt growing food.

Vitamins fill our nutrient gap

Until we eat food that comes from our own rich black soil (or some place like a CSA or organic farm), we take quality vitamins to give our bodies what it’s missing. Do I wish we got all our minerals and vitamins from real food? Yes, of course but realistically it’s not happening and we feel it.

When I  run out of my supplements I feel crappy within a couple of days. My energy level goes to zero and bad things start happening. Then again, I am recovering from adrenal burnout, impaired digestion, and have two amalgam fillings in my mouth (I hope to get them removed early next year).

But I’m not the only one. Brian is also realizing that for better or worse, we are dependent on vitamins:

It was last week and the kitchen was getting pretty bare. I had been on backyard eggs, meat, and organic potatoes for two or three days.  And man was I grumpy.  I was irritable and hard to live with. I hated the world, hated my job, and was fed up about life in general.  This was strange for me because I’m usually quite comfortable in life. I feel blessed with what I have, always reminding myself and thanking God for a home, kids, food to eat, and a beautiful wife.  But, something was wrong.

Stephanie, being wiser than me when it comes to nutrition came over and shoved a fist full of pills in my face; she knew I was in a funk. They were two organic men’s multi-complex, a probiotic and a B-complex.  They are the premium variety and aren’t cheap compared to the lesser synthetic stuff.  I cringe every time she buys them.

But, after taking them that evening, the next morning I woke up and felt great! I had a good attitude and I was ready to conquer the world.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so. Stephanie knew the vitamins would help, but I always forget about them.

People can harp on vitamins all they want but if I have the choice to feel crappy or like a happy, energetic individual, I’m gonna chose happy every time.

That said, good supplements can be expensive so we have to be selective with what we buy. I’m changing our regime a bit and the following is a list is what I have determined will give us the most bang for our buck.

 Our selective vitamin regime

THORNE%20RESEARCH – Vitamin D (D3) Liquid – 1 oz. [Health and Beauty]Vitamin D $11.50/60 ct.

Vitamin D is the most important vitamin people are missing these days. It suppresses cancer, guys! We live in Florida but still have  reason to believe that we are deficient. It’s best to get your levels checked but Dr. Mercola sells a Vitamin D Test Kit that you can use at home. We may experiment with this kit but for now we are taking THORNE%20RESEARCH – Vitamin D (D3) Liquid – 1 oz. [Health and Beauty]Vitamin D3 in liquid form by Thorne Research. We’ve used supplements from this company before and trust the safety and effectiveness of them. Learn more about the importance of Vitamin D here: Vitamin D Resource

Nordic%20Naturals Omega-3 Formula,1000mg 180-Count (lemon)Omega 3 Fats $16/130 softgels
These are uber important fats and the best food sources to safely get them from would be wild-caught Alaskan salmon or sardines. Do not eat farmed-raised fish. Regarding supplements, there’s debate whether fish oil,  Fermented Cod Liver Oil, or krill oil is the best but my thoughts are that any one of these is better than nothing. Fermented Cod Liver Oil is all the rage these days but I’m a little leery of it. Nordic%20Naturals Omega-3 Formula,1000mg 180-Count (lemon)Nordic Naturals, Carlsons, and Barlean’s are all good fish oils. I’m also seriously looking into Rosita Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil. Coming from the pristine waters of Norway, it’s sustainable, unrefined, and completely pure.

Magnesium $24/16 oz.

Magnesium is a macro mineral that has kinda changed my life. I take it every night. I sleep better and have more energy the next day. It is a super calming and is the sole reason I had NO morning sickness during my last pregnancy. Magnesium Citrate is the best form to take and Natural Calm makes an amazeballs product. Get it.

Celtic%20Sea Salt®, Light Grey, By The Grain & Salt Society, Coarse Ground, 1 lbMinerals $8/16 oz.

Just like your soil, you’re probably deficient in minerals too. We’re getting plenty of magnesium as stated above but what about all the other macro and micro minerals? In Adrenal%20Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress SyndromeCeltic%20Sea Salt®, Light Grey, By The Grain & Salt Society, Coarse Ground, 1 lbCeltic Grey Sea Salt comes in second. Both are produced by Selina Naturally but the Makai is $25 per lb. while the Celtic Grey is $8 per lb. Next time I’m purchasing the Celtic Grey for obvious reasons.

 Probiotics $38/120 caps

I’m hoping to offset the cost of probiotics by making homemade yogurt and sauerkraut at home but if you have taken antibiotics then you need a probiotic supplement ASAP. The mac daddy of them all is Bio-Kult and is prescribed in the GAPS Diet. It’s pharmaceutical grade and contains 14 different probiotic strains. Jarrow Dophilus and Garden of Life are good brands too.

NOW Foods Super Enzymes, 180 CapsulesDigestive Aids $17/180 caps for NOW%20Foods Super Enzymes, 180 CapsulesSuper Enzymes and $8 for Betaine HCI

You’re not what you eat, you’re what your body can actually digest. And it’s my opinion that most people have impaired digestion. These pills are effective and not too costly. Or, if you can stand the gag factor, try taking a 1/2 to 1 tsp. of raw apple cider vinegar in a 1/2 cup of warm water before meals. I have been doing this and am surprised how well it works. I notice it gives me a nice energy boost too.

Are you lucky enough to feel great without supplementing your diet? Or, do you need some special extras? What do you take?

Do I really have to say this? Okay, I’m not a doctor though I pretend to play one on the internet. These are my own personal opinions. Do your own research and find a qualified holistic doctor to consult.

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