by Kirsten Chesney | Mar 3, 2021 | Gut Health, Supplements
We already know that eating nutritious food is essential for our health. But eating food is no guarantee that our body will digest and absorb its nutrients. There are hundreds of steps our body takes before we can reap the benefits of our green smoothie in the morning. One of these steps involves digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are needed to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in our meal. Only then can they be absorbed into our cells for healthy functioning. With all the chemical processes to keep track of, it is not uncommon to have something go awry. Although our body can make its own digestive enzymes, when things go awry, people may need to take supplemental enzymes to help themselves along.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Believe it or not, we begin digesting our food as soon as we start chewing! The first enzymes that begin breaking down our food are found in our saliva. As our food travels through our digestive system, dozens more enzymes enter the scene at various points along the way. Digestive enzymes are produced in the mouth, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, and liver. Our bodies are also aided by other enzymes that are found in the food we eat.
Each enzyme has a singular task for breaking down one aspect of our food. Collectively, enzymes break down macronutrients (carbs, fats, and proteins) into smaller compounds. These compounds are then further broken down by specialized enzymes into progressively smaller units until individual micronutrients, like vitamins and minerals, are extracted. Once extracted, these nutrients can then be absorbed and utilized by our body. There are three classes of digestive enzymes, each one containing specialized enzymes:
Amylase breaks down carbs into simple sugars. Specifically, amylase breaks down starches found in all plants, grains, and dairy products. Lactase, sucrase, maltase, and many other enzymes help to further break down specific types of sugars.
Protease, with the help of peptidase, break down proteins into amino acids. There are several types of protease enzymes that may be found in supplements, such as bromelain, chymotrypsin, papain, and trypsin.
Lipase, along with bile, work to break down triglycerides and fats (lipids) into fatty acids and cholesterol. Lipase is needed to properly digest dairy products, oils, nuts, eggs, and meat. Lipase is also crucial for extracting fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K from food.
Why Take Digestive Enzyme Supplements?
There are a number of reasons why people have to supplement with digestive enzymes, but the most common reason is due to digestive issues. Symptoms such as gas, bloating, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea, may feel like a normal Friday night, but when these symptoms persist it’s wise to take a look at what you’re eating and how your body responds to certain foods. Let’s take a look at what could be going on:
- People may lack a particular digestive enzyme and therefore have trouble breaking down the foods that require that enzymes’ help. For example, pectinase breaks down the pectin found in fruits. A person who doesn’t make enough pectinase will have trouble digesting certain fruits.
- Other times, a person may be quite low in certain nutrients whose enzyme is not freeing it up to be absorbed. For example, if any of the protease enzymes aren’t working properly, a person will have trouble absorbing amino acids from the protein in their meal.
- Still others may be low in those certain enzymes which are produced by our gut bacteria. For example, humans cannot digest the cellulose fiber found in certain plants. Instead, cellulose is broken down by some of our gut bacteria. These helpful bacteria produce cellulase, the enzyme needed to break down cellulose. If a person has an imbalance of gut bacteria, however, it can affect how well they break down fibrous plant foods, causing digestive discomfort.
Symptoms of Low Enzyme Production
All body systems are interconnected. If something is not working properly in one area, it will affect the function of other areas. The same goes for insufficient enzyme production. If we aren’t digesting properly, that means undigested food goes where it shouldn’t; namely, the small intestine. Once there, these undigested food particles can cause a host of symptoms, many of which seem entirely unrelated to digestion. Here are some symptoms related to insufficient enzyme production:
- Acid reflux
- Stool that floats or looks “greasy”
- Cravings for certain foods
- Thyroid problems
- Heartburn, indigestion or burping
- Hair that is thinning or falling out
- Dry or lackluster skin
- Trouble concentrating or brain fog
- Morning fatigue
- Trouble sleeping well
- Arthritis or joint pain
- Muscle weakness or feeling too tired to exercise
- Mood swings, depression or irritability
- Headaches or migraines
- Worsened PMS
Health Conditions That Affect Enzyme Production
Lastly, there are those who have certain health conditions which affect the production and utilization of digestive enzymes. Taking digestive enzymes as a supplement would be beneficial for those with the following conditions. This is not an exhaustive list.
Digestive disorders or symptoms: Digestive issues can result from insufficient digestive enzyme production (among other reasons). Symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, abdominal pain, and gas, can be helped by increasing your enzymes. Enzymes also help with various digestive disorders such as leaky gut, food sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), SIBO, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis.
Age-Related Enzyme Insufficiency: We produce less stomach acid as we age. Stomach acid, or hydrochloric acid, is critical to triggering the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. If a person does not produce enough stomach acid, they consequently do not produce enough digestive enzymes. Taking digestive enzyme supplements is often needed for older people with low stomach acid levels.
Hypochlorhydria: Low stomach acid (or hypochlorhydria) can also affect people of any age. Insufficient stomach acid makes it difficult to extract the minerals, vitamins and nutrients from food. Ordinarily, when food enters the stomach, many micronutrients are released, but having hypochlorhydria can prevent this release from happening. When this occurs, it can result in insufficient enzyme production.
Low Bile Production: Bile is produced by our liver and stored in our gallbladder. Its purpose is to emulsify fats into smaller droplets so that lipase (the enzyme that helps digest fats) can break them down easier. If bile production is low (or non-existent), the lipase enzyme will not be efficient at its job and a person will have a hard time digesting fat in their food. Any condition affecting the liver or gallbladder would thus affect our digestion of fats. Such conditions include, various liver diseases, gallstones, bile duct disorders, having the gallbladder removed, or following a low fat diet for several years.
Pancreatic Insufficiency: Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is when the pancreas fails to secrete digestive enzymes, thus causing maldigestion and malabsorption. This is commonly experienced by those with pancreatic cancer. EPI can also be caused by cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, IBD, celiac disease, and anybody who has undergone surgery on the pancreas or stomach.
Food and Supplement Sources of Digestive Enzymes
As we’ve learned, there are many reasons why people may need to increase their digestive enzymes. Furthermore, we know that enzymes each have specific tasks to break down specific nutrients. This means that enzymes are condition-specific. For example, a person’s health condition may necessitate taking one type of enzyme to help digest one type of food. Other times, a person may require a broad array of enzymes to address the digestion of all foods. When a person needs digestive enzymes, There are a couple ways to accomplish this: through supplements and through certain foods.
Enzymes From Supplements:
Given that enzymes are condition-specific, many people may need to supplement with particular enzymes depending on their health condition or symptoms. It is best to refer to our team at CustomCare Nutrition to determine which digestive enzymes are best for you, as many conditions overlap each other and have underlying causes that require a different approach.
- Those with gallbladder issues or liver disease would benefit from taking bile salts and lipase enzymes.
- Hypochlorhydria and GERD can be addressed by taking pepsin enzymes along with betaine HCL. These are usually combined together into one supplement.
- Those who have trouble digesting fiber in plant foods may benefit from taking pectinase or cellulase enzymes.
- Lactose intolerance can be helped by taking lactase enzymes.
- Glucose intolerance can include symptoms such as low blood sugar, cortisol imbalance, and issues with mental and emotional health. People can benefit from taking amylase and maltase enzymes, which work to break down starch into glucose.
- Symptoms related to the digestion of beans and other legumes can be helped by taking the enzyme, alpha-galactosidase. This is the enzyme found in the brand name, Beano.
- Those with trouble digesting protein, including the casein from dairy products, can benefit from protease enzymes.
- If you have pancreatic issues, IBD, or celiac disease, it is best to supplement with all three pancreatic enzymes (amylase, protease, and lipase). This blend is found in pancreatin supplements.
Other times it is appropriate to supplement with a full-spectrum enzyme blend to help digest all food components. Complete digestion and absorption of nutrients has a positive cascading effect on the health of our entire body. Furthermore, it is well established that all chronic diseases begin in the gut. Therefore, maximizing our overall gut health should be of top priority, and digestive enzymes are one way to get us there. Those with hypothyroid, digestive disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms, autoimmune disease, inflammation, and other conditions often need such an all-encompassing blend of enzymes.
Make sure that the supplement you select is free of cheap fillers and additives and includes a diversity of enzymes meant for digesting carbs, proteins, and fats. Each enzyme listed on the label should include a measure of potency. Instead of seeing units listed as grams or milligrams, you’ll see units such as DU, LU, CU, HUT, DP, and more. These units indicate which lab test was run to determine potency, but are not important to consumers. Rather, the important thing is to choose enzyme supplements that have these units listed, as this indicates a high-quality supplement. Low-quality supplements will not list potency on the label. It is best to take enzyme supplements with every meal, either with your first bite of food or about 10 minutes before eating.
Enzymes From Food:
As mentioned earlier, not only do our bodies produce digestive enzymes but we also obtain them from the very foods we’re digesting. Plant foods and fermented foods naturally contain their own enzymes that, when eaten, aid in breaking down that food.
When it comes to plant foods, be aware that when fruits and vegetables are highly processed or were grown in nutrient-depleted soil, many of their enzymes are lacking or even destroyed. To increase your enzymes from plant foods, it’s best to eat them raw and ensure they were grown in nutrient-rich soil (choosing organic produce is your best bet to ensure this).
Regarding fermented foods, digestive enzymes are not the only digestive aid they contain. Fermented foods also contain probiotics, which work synergistically with digestive enzymes. Probiotics restore the balance of our gut bacteria, aid in digestion, and improve our absorption of nutrients.
Digestive enzymes are found in:
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Mango
- Bananas
- Kiwi
- Avocado
- Raw honey
- Bee pollen
- Kefir and yogurt
- Fermented soy products (miso, tempeh, soy sauce, and natto)
- Sauerkraut and kimchi
Digestive enzymes are critical to gut health. They break down our food into smaller compounds, thus allowing individual nutrients to be absorbed and utilized by our body. Several health conditions and symptoms can lower our production of digestive enzymes and exacerbate these issues. Digestive disorders in particular are a common sign of insufficient enzyme production. Low production is also related to a variety of other health issues. Taking digestive enzymes as a supplement can greatly reduce various symptoms as well as improve health conditions. Digestive enzymes are also found in various foods that can be incorporated into the diet. Talk with our team at CustomCare Nutrition to determine whether digestive enzymes would be helpful for you.
by Kirsten Chesney | Feb 10, 2021 | Gut Health, Supplements
At CustomCare Nutrition, we are glad that gut health has had increased public interest over the years. It is much easier today to find natural ways to heal your gut than it was 20 years ago. Perhaps this has come in the nick of time, too, when over 70% of Americans have a digestive disorder, and another 62 million Americans join the club each year. While there are several different types of gut disorders, each of them have at least one thing in common: inflammation and/or dysbiosis. The supplement, glutamine, is a common gut healing agent used as a treatment for a myriad of digestive disorders. Like most nutrients in the body, glutamine has additional far-reaching benefits.
The Conditionally Essential Amino Acid
Glutamine is an amino acid, properly called L-glutamine, and is involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. Glutamine is considered “conditionally essential” for humans. Of the 21 amino acids, nine of them are considered essential and must be obtained through our diet (because we cannot synthesize them ourselves). Six other amino acids are considered non-essential since we can produce them in our own body. The six remaining amino acids are kind of in between and include glutamine. These are the conditionally essential amino acids, meaning that they are produced by our bodies but under certain circumstances our bodies cannot keep up with demand. When this happens, these six amino acids become essential and must be obtained through our diet.
Why The High Demand?
What causes the higher demand of conditionally essential amino acids? Disease, muscle loss (including age-related), physical trauma, mental stress, infections, or any catabolic distress (breaking down the components of metabolism faster than they can be built up). Catabolic distress can occur when a person is malnourished, sleep deprived, or when they perform high-intensity exercise. When discussing glutamine in particular, there are associations between a leaky gut (intestinal permeability), a weakened immune system, and low glutamine levels. When any number of these factors are present, the body requires greater amounts of glutamine to repair health and function. This higher demand for glutamine exceeds our ability to produce sufficient amounts, making them conditionally essential for those people.
It must be said that many of these factors are integrally related to one another. For example, chronic stress is known to contribute to leaky gut as well as impact our immune system. These, in turn, can further lead to infection, disease, and a catabolic state. This downward cascading effect emphasizes how easily a glutamine deficit can occur.
Glutamine and The Gut
Glutamine serves as the main energy source for our cells that line our intestine (called enterocytes). As glutamine nourishes these cells, they are able to repair and rebuild the intestinal lining and seal tight junctions. Having properly functioning tight junctions provides a defense against harmful bacteria and other pathogenic compounds. This makes glutamine very helpful for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), SIBO, candida overgrowth, and leaky gut. This vital amino acid also helps the conditions associated with leaky gut such as, eczema, joint pain, or autoimmune disease.
In addition to healing the gut lining, glutamine also reduces intestinal inflammation by calming down the immune response that produces inflammatory cytokines. This makes glutamine great for diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Reducing gut inflammation also helps the recovery from food sensitivities.
Lastly, glutamine can help in healing stomach ulcers by protecting against ongoing damage, as well as treat diarrhea by balancing mucus production.
Other Glutamine Benefits
We want to make a quick shout out to the other benefits of glutamine since it is involved in so many metabolic processes. This amino acid helps with cognitive health, muscle recovery, and diabetes control.
Cognitive Health
Glutamine is a precursor to the production of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in our brain. Glutamate plays an important role in memory and learning by sending chemical signals to nerve cells. It also ensures proper activity from our synapses. An imbalance of glutamate levels or any disruption of the glutamine/glutamate cycle can lead to the dysfunction and death of nerve cells. When this happens, neurological and psychiatric disorders can result, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, seizures, anxiety, depression, and even ALS.
Muscle Recovery
Glutamine supplements have become popular among athletes looking to improve recovery or increase endurance. Glutamine is abundant in muscle tissue but its levels can drop dramatically after intense exercise. In this state, the body begins breaking down muscle for energy. Supplementing with glutamine prevents this breakdown. Not only that, but glutamine also repairs muscle after workouts as well as speeds recovery time for burns and wounds. Lastly, glutamine may be able to prevent muscle atrophy.
Diabetes Control
Glutamine plays a role in diabetes care. It helps decrease blood glucose, specifically fasting blood glucose, as well as lower hemoglobin A1C and reduce waist circumference. Glutamine may help curb sugar and carb cravings as well.
Glutamine Foods
When a person needs more glutamine than their body can produce, they need to look to food and supplements. Glutamine is an amino acid and therefore makes up protein. Top protein foods for glutamine are:
- Grass-fed beef
- Wild-caught fish (specifically salmon and cod)
- Venison
- Turkey
- Bone broth
- Cottage cheese
- Spirulina
- Chinese cabbage
- Asparagus
- Broccoli rabe
For most people it is difficult to get enough glutamine from food alone, as it is usually not enough to promote healing. Those with digestive disorders, a weakened immune system, or who are athletes, require higher daily levels than can be achieved through food alone. Not only that, but the various types of amino acids present in protein-rich foods actually compete with each other for absorption. This means not all of the glutamine present in a food will actually be used by the body.
Supplementing your diet with glutamine is a great way to heal the body and realize its full benefits. Glutamine supplements are available as capsules or a powder. In fact, whey protein powder naturally contains high amounts of glutamine. It is best to speak to our team at CustomCare Nutrition to decide whether to take glutamine and at what dosage. Dosage depends on the severity of your health condition and are usually large, ranging from 2-5 grams per day on the low end, to 20-30 grams per day on the upper end. Glutamine powder contains more glutamine per serving than a capsule, making it easier to reach the higher dosages.
Glutamine is a powerful amino acid, prevalent throughout the body, and involved in more metabolic processes than any other amino acid. It serves several functions throughout the body and is well known to heal the gut lining and decrease intestinal inflammation. Glutamine is therefore an effective agent in the treatment of several digestive disorders. Aside from gut health, glutamine plays a role in cognitive health, muscle recovery, and diabetes control. Those with certain health conditions, stress, infections, or poor nutrition, all increase our body’s demand for glutamine in order to heal. When we cannot produce enough to meet our needs, we are able to get glutamine from protein-rich foods as well as supplements. If you are struggling with digestive issues, talk to our team at CustomCare Nutrition and see whether glutamine can help you towards healing.
by Kirsten Chesney | Jan 26, 2021 | Supplements
CoQ10 supplements are gaining more and more traction in today’s ever-growing health-minded landscape. This is one of those supplements that is found in food as well as made naturally by the body. CoQ10, short for coenzyme Q10, is actually an antioxidant found in nearly every cell of the human body (and often dubbed the “universal antioxidant”). Being an antioxidant, CoQ10 fights off harmful free radicals which cause oxidative stress and damage to our cells. Not only that, but CoQ10 has positive effects on energy production, blood flow, reproduction, cognition, diabetes, and cancer.
Antioxidants and Free Radicals
As mentioned, CoQ10 is an antioxidant, meaning that it fights free radicals in our bodies. But what exactly does this mean? Free radicals are unstable atoms that are byproducts of normal cell processes, such as energy production. They are also created when eating certain foods such as refined sugar, simple carbohydrates, processed meats, red meat, alcohol, and heating certain cooking oils. Lastly, free radicals are created when a person is exposed to X-rays, smoking, chemicals/toxins, air pollutants, and some drugs.
Free radicals build up in our body as we age and as we expose ourselves to the above listed foods and toxins. All of this further accelerates the aging process, perpetuating the cycle.
The more free radicals we have floating around our bodies, the more our cells are damaged. Free radicals damage our mitochondria, alter lipids and proteins, and can even cause mutations in our DNA. These mutations can trigger severe health issues such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, asthma, diabetes, dementia, and even cancer.
This is why antioxidants are so important to our health and longevity. They neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing damage and disease. Antioxidants include the well known vitamins, C and E, as well as several groups of phytonutrients like flavonoids, phenols, and carotenoids. Glutathione, a sulfur compound composed of three amino acids, is perhaps the most potent antioxidant in our body since it increases the levels of all other antioxidants. Increasing our consumption of antioxidant-rich foods is a major key to fighting off free radicals and maximizing our health.
Energy Production
CoQ10 is found inside the mitochondria of our cells. Mitochondria are the parts of the cell that produce energy from the oxygen we breath and the food we eat. ATP is the fuel source we use and CoQ10 helps produce it. Low levels of CoQ10 can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, which result in various levels of physical and mental fatigue as well as muscle weakness. Mitochondrial dysfunction also causes detrimental health effects throughout the body and is a hallmark characteristic of all chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, psychiatric diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and more. Additionally, CoQ10 levels decline as we age, which make it unsurprising that older people experience low energy and are at greater risk for chronic disease. What many consider to be normal symptoms of aging may actually be a deficiency of CoQ10 (among other healthful nutrients).
Heart Disease
Studies have shown that CoQ10 supplements may help prevent recurring heart attacks. Further, people who have had bypass surgery or other heart surgeries may have a quicker recovery time when taking CoQ10 supplements along with other nutrients. One large study found that treating heart disease patients with CoQ10 for two years not only improved their symptoms but also reduced their risk of dying from this disease. Lastly, CoQ10 helps lower high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease.
It is important to note that those with congestive heart failure often have low levels of CoQ10. And this could be from their medications! Heart medications, such as beta blockers and statins, are known to decrease CoQ10 levels, possibly complicating treatment. CoQ10 supplements are often recommended for those taking these medications, and have the added benefit of improving the side effects of these drugs such as muscle weakness and pain.
Reproduction
Recall that CoQ10 helps prevent oxidative damage as well as protect against mitochondrial dysfunction. Eggs and sperm are sensitive to oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, which affects their quantity and quality. Furthermore, healthy mitochondria are essential to the maturing and fertilizing of eggs as well as to the development of embryos. CoQ10 may increase sperm count and the quality of sperm in men with fertility issues. Similarly, for women, supplementing with CoQ10 can help prevent the decline in the number and quality of eggs as a woman ages. Further research is needed to see whether CoQ10 supplements improve the chances of conceiving.
Cognitive Health
CoQ10 is connected to brain health and the prevention of cognitive decline. Our neurons need enough energy to function properly, and as we know CoQ10 helps produce that energy. As it turns out, our brain needs a lot of energy, more than any other organ in our body! Further, our brain is very susceptible to oxidative damage, something that CoQ10 (and other antioxidants) can fight off. This oxidative damage produces compounds that harm our cognition and memory and may lead to cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. Those with cognitive disorders tend to have lower levels of CoQ10 in their system than those without these issues. Reducing oxidative damage with CoQ10 supplements have shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Migraines
Research is still ongoing but several studies show that CoQ10 decreases certain inflammatory markers that are thought to play a role in migraines. Further, lowered energy supply (ATP) increases our sensitivity to getting migraines. But as we have learned, CoQ10 helps produce ATP to supply needed energy, making it a good candidate for migraine relief.
It is thought that CoQ10 can not only help treat migraines but also may prevent them. Supplementing with CoQ10 reduced the number and severity of migraines (as well as headaches) in people who had low levels of CoQ10. Another study showed that CoQ10 supplements were three times more likely to reduce the number of migraines as compared with people who took a placebo for their migraines.
Diabetes
As mentioned in the beginning of this blog, oxidative stress and free radicals harm our body’s cells and can lead to a host of health issues, including diabetes. Being an antioxidant found in nearly every cell in the body, CoQ10 fights off oxidative stress and free radicals. Not only that, but CoQ10 is shown to increase insulin sensitivity and balance our blood sugar, thus helping those with type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who took CoQ10 supplements for 12 weeks had significantly lowered their fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C. This makes CoQ10 a viable supplement to help with the treatment of diabetes.
Cancer Prevention
We discussed earlier how oxidative stress can cause cell damage, cell proliferation, and DNA mutation. If we allow this to persist and are unable to fight off oxidative stress, we could be setting the stage for the development of cancer (which uses each of these damaging processes). As we know, CoQ10 protects us from oxidative stress while also producing ATP for energy. These actions promote cell survival and the protection of cell DNA, both of which are key to preventing cancer and cancer recurrence.
Indeed, those with cancer commonly have lower levels of CoQ10. Furthermore, low CoQ10 is associated with a higher risk of cancer as well as a poor outcome for some types of cancer. More research is needed to determine CoQ10’s ability to protect against cancer.
CoQ10 Found In Foods
CoQ10 is made naturally by the body as well as being found in various foods. These foods also contain other antioxidants, so they are a great way to boost your overall health and protection against sickness and disease. The foods with the highest levels of CoQ10 are found in oily or fatty fish like salmon, trout, sardines, and mackerel. It’s also found in the organ meats of liver and kidney. Besides animal products, CoQ10 is found in peanuts, lentils, and soybeans as well as in several vegetables including broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. Lastly, sesame seeds and pistachios contain some amounts of CoQ10.
Depending on your level of CoQ10 or whether you have a high levels of oxidative stress or mitochondrial dysfunction, you may want to increase your intake of CoQ10 with a supplement. Supplements provide more of a compound than what you’d naturally find in foods and are a good way to increase your intake in conjunction with a whole foods diet.
CoQ10 Supplements and Safety
As with most supplements, CoQ10 is available in different forms. Prioritizing cost when choosing supplements will give you a poorer quality supplement that is less bioavailable for your body to use. Instead, it is always best to purchase the most-absorbable and readily active form of supplements. In the case of CoQ10, there are two forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is the oxidized form and less absorbable by your body (it is also cheaper). Ubiquinol, on the other hand, is the reduced form and thus the most bioavailable and readily used. Be sure to read the ingredients list of CoQ10 supplements to see which form is used.
While looking at the ingredients list, take note of the other ingredients in the supplement. In general it is common to find various fillers, artificial coloring, sweeteners, or dyes as the inactive ingredients in supplements. Be sure your supplements do not contain these unhelpful and counterproductive ingredients. Lastly, choose a supplement that is either certified organic or is non-GMO (this will be labeled on the bottle).
CoQ10 is best taken with food since it is fat-soluble. Taking with food will increase its absorption rate faster than taking without food. It is best to be consistent while taking CoQ10 supplements since our body does not store it and must have a continual supply. Taking CoQ10 at night will help it be better absorbed, however some have reported insomnia if taken too close to bedtime.
Doses for CoQ10 supplements commonly range from 90mg to 200mg with a high safety profile. Ubiquinol doses are lower than ubiquinone doses since ubiquinol is more easily used by the body. Doses over 300mg can affect your liver enzymes and are not recommended, especially for those with liver problems, unless you’re under the care of a knowledgeable provider. Further, due to its effectiveness at lowering blood pressure, CoQ10 supplements should be taken with caution if you also take medications for blood pressure or blood thinning. These supplements can also interact with chemotherapy drugs and antidepressants. It’s always a good idea to talk with your provider before taking CoQ10 supplements.
CoQ10 is an antioxidant compound found in nearly every cell in our body. It also produces ATP, the energy that our body runs on. With these two functions, CoQ10 is very effective at fighting against free radicals and oxidative stress anywhere that it is found: the brain, the heart, in muscles, bones, and blood vessels. CoQ10 is our protector against cell damage and DNA mutation, both of which are involved in the development of various diseases. This makes CoQ10 a vital component in the treatment or prevention of disease. This compound is naturally made by the body, although production decreases with age. It can also be found in a variety of foods as well as available in supplement form. Talk with our team today to see if CoQ10 can help address your health concerns!
by nickkogos115 | Aug 18, 2019 | Supplements
As consumers, we know that quality counts. Most of us have heard the saying that cheap things are made to be sold. What does this say about high-quality items? Usually that they are made to work well and last long. Supplements, whether vitamins, minerals, or enzymes, are categorized no differently. Some are made to be sold and some are made to work. Contrary to common thought, supplement manufacturing is indeed regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturing companies undergo quality control testing that is then submitted to the FDA. The loophole is found in the fact that the companies who supply the manufacturers with the raw material are not regulated. The raw material can thus be contaminated with compounds ranging from heavy metals to industrial solvents, to unwanted bacteria, and the manufacturers would not know to test for these in their finished product. What does this mean?? It means contaminated supplements make their way to store shelves, unbeknownst to the manufacturers or the FDA.
Why would anyone buy supplements then?
There are several supplement companies who are committed to providing pure, high quality products. This is made possible by independent 3rd party testers such as U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF International, and Consumer Labs. Quality supplement companies voluntarily pay thousands of dollars to have their products third party tested and certified. These certifications ensure that the supplement is not contaminated with dangerous substances or chemicals. It also verifies that the supplement contains the amount of ingredients listed on the label. CustomCare Nutrition wants to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your customized nutrition plan. Therefore, we only recommend supplement companies who have undergone rigorous quality testing.
As told by Nick Kogos from Southwest Microadventures.
by Kirsten Chesney | Aug 11, 2019 | Supplements
Berberine is one of very few supplements whose benefits are as effective as a drug. Even more so, the benefits of berberine positively affect numerous body systems and is useful for protection against a myriad of chronic disease. This quality gives berberine a more far-reaching effect than the effect of pharmaceutical drugs.
What is Berberine?
Berberine is a compound that has been extracted from a class of shrubs called Berberis. These shrubs include Oregon grape, goldenseal, and European barberry. Berberine has been used throughout history in traditional Chinese medicine but the western world has only recently confirmed its benefits for several health ailments.
What Are the Health Benefits of Berberine?
Maintains blood sugar levels: even for those within the normal range, berberine helps moderate glucose levels. It slows down the digestion of carbohydrates, thus reducing the release of glucose by the liver. Furthermore, berberine promotes insulin sensitivity to glucose and enhances the ability of glucose to be taken in by body cells. In fact, taking a berberine supplement at the same time as a glucose lowering medication can cause dangerously low levels of glucose in the blood. Berberine’s effectiveness is comparable to Metformin, a popular drug for diabetes.
Promotes weight loss: berberine inhibits the growth of adipocytes (fat cells), as well as activates a compound that jumpstarts metabolism. Increased metabolism leads to the calories being burned as energy rather than stored as fat. Studies have demonstrated the significant weight loss experienced by obese subjects taking berberine for three months.
Maintains heart health: Berberine works by increasing blood flow, thus improving and normalizing blood pressure. It has also been shown to lower elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as raise HDL cholesterol. These effects, along with the aforementioned reduction in body weight and blood sugar, help reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease.
Maintains gut health and microbial balance: damaged mucus membranes which line our intestines can be a precipitating factor in the development of intestinal problems. Berberine protects mucus membranes against damage, thus promoting gut health. Furthermore, berberine helps to minimize the growth of harmful gut bacteria while increasing healthy bacterial strains. Having a balanced microbiome boosts our immune system, protects against chronic inflammation, prevents digestive symptoms and associated digestive disorders, and many other functions.
Boosts cognition and memory: studies have shown that berberine can help improve memory, learning, and overall cognition. Furthermore, berberine may also increase our levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are critical to a healthy brain and in supporting a positive mood.
Berberine has a solid safety profile and many people stand to benefit from its myriad of health boosting effects.
