There’s A Pill For That

I kid you not when I say…..”There’s a pill for that.” Think about it…..practically every other commercial on television talks about this pill…or that pill…it is “off the chain!” It seems that in this day in age….there is a “cure-all” pill for just about everything…to the point where it is not only confusing…..but….ridiculous.

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Supplements…This Pill…Or That Pill

It’s completely confusing at the amount of medications that are available……at your fingertips…for whatever ails you. This pill or that pill…..really…..what’s a person to do. There are pills to make you sleep…..keep you awake…..give you energy…. and even give you the nutrients that are right in your produce section at the grocery store.

There are supplements out the “ying-yang” that you can easily access from any pharmacy or grocery store. But it is so much more fun getting all of this from foods like your fruits and vegetables.

Did you know that there are 7 nutrient deficiencies that are incredibly common? You would be surprised that you just might be deficient in one or more of these and not even know it. We all need many different nutrients for essential good health.

1. Iron deficiency. This is an essential mineral. This is a large component of red blood cells, that binds with hemoglobin and will transport oxygen to your cells. There are two types of dietary iron. Heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is very well absorbed in the system and is only found in animal foods, with red meat containing high amounts. Non-heme is found in both animal and plant foods. It is not absorbed as easily as heme iron. Iron deficiency affects 25% of people worldwide.
2. Iodine deficiency. Iodine is an essential mineral for normal thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones involve many bodily processes, such as growth, brain development, and bone maintenance. This also regulates your metabolic rate.
3. Vitamin D deficiency Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions like a steroid hormone in your body. In the US, about 42% of people may be deficient in this vitamin.
4. Vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin B12 is essential for blood formation as much as brain and nerve function. Every cell in our body needs B12 to function normally, but our body is unable to produce it. Therefore we must get it from food or supplements.
5. Calcium deficiency Calcium… is essential for every single cell in your body. It mineralizes bones and teeth, especially during times of rapid growth. Plus it is extremely important for bone maintenance. The most common symptom of calcium deficiency is osteoporosis, characterized by softer and more fragile bones.
6. Vitamin A deficiency Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, bones, and cell membranes. In addition, it produces eye pigments, which are necessary for vision.
7. Magnesium deficiency Did you know that magnesium is a key mineral in our body. It’s true….it’s essential for bone and teeth structure…it’s also involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions. Almost half of the U.S. population consumes less than the required amount of magnesium.

So What Does This Mean?

What this means…is that it’s possible to be deficient in almost every nutrient. With that being said…the deficiencies that I have listed above are the most common. Children, young women, older adults, vegans and vegetarians seem to be at the highest risk of several of these deficiencies.

Just remember that the best way to prevent deficiency is to eat a balanced diet that includes whole nutrient-dense foods. However, supplements may be necessary for those who cannot obtain enough from their diet alone.

But just as anything that involves your health…..it is extremely important to be sure to have your physician check your levels for any vitamin deficiency.

A Doctor In Us All

We all know our own bodies…and we know how we feel. We all have a doctor within us all….and we all have a natural ability and healing force within us all. One must also really remember to eat when we are sick is merely feeding the illness…..at that particular point…fasting is key.

The Pill Trap

For me….losing thirty-five pounds on Keto has allowed me to cut back and even stop my medications. I have cut my blood pressure down to almost nothing….my physician is gradually weaning me off of it. I no longer take statins. I have also cut back on taking Tylenol when I get a headache. Did you know that if you get a headache, you can ease it away with pressure-point? Try it the next time you get a headache. Take your index finger and thumb from your right hand and squeeze the fatty part between the index finger and thumb of your left hand. You will immediately feel your headache ease away. Try it before taking a pill….you will be pleasantly surprised.

A NightCap

Let’s face it…we are all under a lot of stress for one reason or another…whether it be financially….personally….work and more recently health-related. With that being said….falling asleep can be a chore all on its own. So my advice is before grabbing that bottle of Melatonin….try a couple of other tricks of the trade….like taking a long hot bath…or a warm glass of milk…try turning all of the lights off in the bedroom and play some slow…..comforting music. But most of all…turn off and put down all electronic devices…..sweet dreams.

With all of that being said….it is a true and absolute fact that there are more medications out there that one can hold a candle to. So many medications with so very few cures. Life and the world we live in is full of pills galore….with everyone thinking that the answer to what ails them is at their fingertips. Well…I say that it really is to a degree…that if you eat right….watch your weight…”kick” the smoking habit and limit your alcohol intake. Yes…..I know what you’re thinking….that…I’m taking away all of the fun in life…on the contrary…..being healthy is what it’s all about. Always remember…there is only one you….and you are in charge of taking care of yourself.

Stay healthy my friend.

–Brenda

xo