|
(These are provided for those interested in a little more information about the Ultimate Foundation ingredients. This will help you understand what we choose to use and why we choose the amounts we do. The ingredients are broken up into 3 categories: Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs, Plus.… More information about each nutrient can be found in the A-Z Index as we add them.)
Vitamin A – beta-carotene: Harvard studies, and many others, show vitamin A to significantly reduce cancer and heart diseases. Proteins, minerals and water-soluble vitamins need A to be properly utilized by the body. It is also known for helping vision, diabetes, child viral infection resistance, bone formation, cell membranes, and healthy skin. Recent studies have indicated that much higher amounts may be needed.
The pre-formed vitamin A (usually called retinal) can build up to toxic levels in your liver in large amounts. This is the form found in most multi’s and it is rightfully warned against taking too much of it. New studies are recommending that there is a much safer way to get vitamin A.
Beta-carotene is a much safer form – even for pregnant women according to Consumer Lab! It is derived from plant sources and the body transforms it into vitamin A only as it is needed. As a bonus, it is also a more potent antioxidant than retinal A. Carrots and spinach are good sources but heavy cooking destroys the beta-carotene. This makes substantial supplementation warranted. Some might like to know that a low fat diet (which we do not recommend – see our reports) makes it much harder for the body to convert beta carotenes to A.
Vitamin C – complex: The human body can’t manufacture vitamin C so it is a required nutrient. It helps the immune system, blood vessels, colds, cataracts, tissues fighting cancer and many other reactions. Most other mammals produce 10-20 times what we take! Taking “Ultimate Foundation” a couple times a day helps keep C in your system. We include the bioflavonoids (vitamin P), quercetin, hesperidin, and rutin complex. They help vitamin C’s overall interaction with other nutrients in the body and in lowering cholesterol levels. The veggie/fruit blend (below) we add also helps these interactions.
Vitamin D-3 – cholecalciferol: Multiple studies recently, including Harvard and German studies, indicate higher vitamin D supplements has a major benefit preventing many diseases. This includes lowering cancer and congestive heart incidents, increasing calcium absorption for bone health, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. This research indicates that we should be getting much more D than the USDA recommended amount. The average person uses about 4,000 IU per day (from all sources) so shortages of D are common.
Vitamin D-2 (ergocalciferol) is the inexpensive form most often added to milk, other foods and supplements. However, it is the D-3 supplement form that is recommended! This is especially true if you use little milk, have little sun exposure or live in the northern half of the US (the angle of the sun decreases D production). The body will make about 10,000 IU out of cholesterol in 30 minutes of full body sunlight - but it only uses what it needs from this. Toxicity is very rare – and only at very high dosages. Harvard School of Public Health says that up to 2,000 IU / day is safe. Some may need up to 4,000 IU a day - especially if they have darker skin that screens the sun’s interaction.
Vitamin E – mixed complex: Vitamin E is considered by some to be the single most important vitamin in delaying the aging process. It is a powerful anti-oxidant that fights arteriosclerosis, heart disease and cancer (especially breast cancer). It reduces LDL oxidation, increases tissue repair and helps the immune response. However, recent studies indicate that (as in many other nutrients) we may need the whole E complex, not just alpha-tocopherol. Most supplements are just the alpha tocopherol form because it is most active.
There are actually 8 forms of vitamin E that we need. There are 4 forms of the more commonly added tocopherols. There are also 4 forms of the much harder to find tocotrienols. (There is an alpha, beta, delta and gamma form of both.) Our formula uses all 8 forms. (Always avoid artificial dl-E.)
Vitamin K-1 – phytonadione: Essential for blood clotting, especially in menstrual time. Also, there is some evidence of helping osteoporosis and bone formation that reduces the possibility of fractures. A person doesn’t need much unless you are taking blood thinning or anticoagulant drugs. If you have significant liver damage or diseases, or fat malabsorption disorders, you may also consider taking more. Otherwise, our K-1 is sufficient. (K-1 is the natural plant form vs K-3, the sythetic form.)
Vitamin B-1 – thiamine: The body uses B-1 as a catalyst to process fats and other nutrients for energy production. It also helps the nervous system. Alcohol and sugar rapidly depletes B-1, so we added extra B-1 since many people have an adult beverage or treat on occasion. The body simply eliminates the rest. Recent studies have also indicated a B-1 deficiency may be the root cause of eating disorders but we are waiting for more studies. (Whole grains are the best source of B vitamins.)
Vitamin B-2 – riboflavin: It is essential for ATP production, our main energy source. It also aids healthy cells skin and vision – some evidence suggests it be especially good, with B3, for cataracts. It may also help migraines but we are waiting for more evidence. Frequent cracks in the lips or corner of the mouth is a sign of deficiency.
Vitamin B-3 – niacin, niacinmide: It is essential in the process of releasing energy from carbohydrates. It also helps the cardiovascular system and is essential for the proper function of over 50 enzymes.
Vitamin B-5 – pantothenic acid: It metabolizes fats and carbohydrates to make proteins. It is especially helpful to your adrenal gland that helps you cope with high-stress situations. By helping hormones, red blood cells, and neurotransmitters, it helps reduce the effects of stress. Because of the potential of B-5 helping prevent rheumatoid arthritis (indicated but not proven yet), we have made the amount a little higher than usual. Since the body eliminates the excess, this seems to be a reasonable choice.
Vitamin B-6 – pyridoxine HCL: It also plays a major role in hormones and your brain’s neurotransmitters. It helps reduce PMS, morning sickness and heart disease (28% in women). It also increases serotonin production that helps mood swings. Inadequate B-6 appears to also raise the levels of homocysteine – recently the focus of being the main culprit of artery plaque buildup (see B-12). We have also given a significant amount to B-6 since deficiencies are common as raw milk (hard to find) is the best source. In addition, the additives to white flour interfere with B-6 functions. There are several good reasons to take extra B-6.
Vitamin B-12 – cobalamin: Deficiencies of B-12 are common! Deficiencies are especially common among total vegetarians and people with low stomach acidity (prilosec and zantac don’t help this situation). It is especially important for people over 55 if cholesterol buildup is a concern. Plaque buildup in arteries might have more to do with homocysteines than cholesterol. Homocysteine is suspected of causing rough edges that cause cholesterol and calcium to catch on to and build up. B-12 helps control homocysteines.
Vitamin B-12 is important for nerves, anemia, and brain health. It is also important for the production of SAMe which helps fight osteoporosis and depression (an early symptom of B-12 deficiency is a tendency to irrational anger.) Some of these conditions are not easily reversed so we wanted to make sure we add plenty of B-12 to our formula.
Biotin – (Vitamin H): The body makes biotin so deficiencies are uncommon. However, there is increasing evidence that optimum health will include biotin supplement. It helps brittle nails and hair and is also important, with the other B vitamins for metabolism of food energy. There is even some preliminary evidence of diabetic type-1 help from biotin. Since the B vitamins need to work together, we have reason to add biotin.
Folic Acid – folicin: There is a common lack of folic acid in people. It is important for cell division and, especially, for pregnant women since it helps prevent several types of birth defects. It also has strong links in helping preventing heart disease and cancer. In part, that may be because, along with B-12 and B-6, it is also important for homocystine artery protection. As an additional bonus, it is also important for those who use alcohol. These are significant reasons to add plenty of folic acid.
Choline - (bitartrate): The lipotropic factors of choline and inositol are important because of the detoxification activity they have within the liver. As such, they are especially important if a person uses alcohol. Working with milk thistle, this provide benefits to the liver. Choline also is important for the nervous system and brain.
Inositol - (B8): Working with choline in the activities above, it also helps the muscle nerves and cells. It also seems to work with B-6,12 and folic in reliving depression. Both are added in case there is a short-term lack in the diet.
If you would like to return to the Articles.
To order, go Here.
| 
