Two nutrients that are particularly deficient in our diets are Omega 3 and Vitamin D (and we have a great special to encourage you to top up your levels!)
Deficiencies in both of these can have a huge impact on health. It is estimated that the average American gets just 150mg per day of Omega 3 per day. To maximise our protection against heart disease we need at least 1000mg Omega 3 per day. Why are our diets so deficient now? Farm raised animals especially those that are fed grains – like hens, contain more omega 6 and less omega 3 than wild animals and birds. We have also shifted from eating wild plants – high in omega 3 – to predominantly grain based carbohydrates (high in Omega 6). In addition the food industry uses cheap, high omega 6 vegetable oils for almost all commercial food manufacture.
You can get Omega 3 from eating fish such as salmon, fresh tuna, sardines and mackerel, however to keep your omega 3 at good levels you need to eat oily fish daily. Most people will need to supplement to get their Omega 3 levels in a therapeutic range.
We have accessed an extremely cost effective Omega 3, which is both high potency and high concentrate (50% Omega 3 per capsule, usual concentration is 30%) and tested to rigorous EPAX standards.
Special while stocks last:
Omega Science: 16.50 per bottle, for 4 bottles or more. (Single bottle price – $19.90, now $18.50) That’s just $66.00 for 240 high quality high concentrate Omega 3.
http://www.zonediet.co.nz/shop/viewsubcategory.aspx?id=8
Vitamin D deficiency, I believe is epidemic in New Zealand.
I have recently requested clients get their levels tested. NOT a single client has their Vitamin D levels in the ideal range for health.
All tested on the low end of the acceptable range, or deficient. The acceptable range in lab tests is 50 – 150nmol/L however the ideal range is 125 – 200nmol/L.
Low Vitamin D levels are associated with a plethora of health issues including:
– Insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes
– Weight gain, especially abdominal
– Low HDL (good cholesterol)
– Auto-immune disease
– Cancer – 17 types, including breast and prostate
– Poor immunity to colds and flu’s.
– Muscle weakness
– Depression
You can get Vitamin D from the sun, but at this time of year it is hard to get the 20 minutes per day sun exposure required.
We have two types of Vitamin D tabs both extremely cost effective:
Nutralife vitamin D plus Selenium and Boron (minerals deficient in NZ soils) just $13.90 per bottle of 60, or $39.00 for 3 bottles
Source Naturals Vitamin D 1000iu, 100tabs – $12.00 and 200 tabs just $22.50
http://www.zonediet.co.nz/shop/viewsubcategory.aspx?id=1
New Product:
Nutralife Oliviral – a high potency herbal formulation providing Olive Leaf Extract, Astragalus, Pau D’Arco, Elder flower, Beta Glucans and Zinc to help the body’s own immune system combat viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections.
Key features
* High potency Olive Leaf Extract for healthy immunity
* Olive Leaf Extract provides oleuropein, a powerful antioxidant that protects against
disease-producing microorganisms
* Helps combat minor infections
* Astragalus, Pau D’Arco and Elderflower assist natural immunity and recovery
* Zinc is needed by the immune system to maintain strong defences
I find this product fantastic in combination with Vitamin D in warding off winter viruses
50 caps $39.50 on special at $37.00
http://www.zonediet.co.nz/shop/viewproduct.aspx?ID=125
MegaBurn Bars, near best by to clear
Bars priced from 3.80 – 4.50 to clear (usual price $4.80 per bar)
Information I came across in mercola.com suggest we receive no vitamin D from the sun in New Zealand during winter as we lie below the 37th parallel, so it is vital we should all be supplementing with vitamin D.
I believe I have obtained great benefit so far this winter stamina and mood wise by taking over the recommended does on the bottles just to get my levels up to acceptable…no tests done just gut feeling.
Barbara, – Interesting, I’ll check that – the info I looked up was local, 20 minutes at midday every day in the winter in the north of the country – but no-one I know does that!
I have found the 1000- 2000iu per day is totally insufficient for people to get their levels up to ideal. People also respond really differently to vitamin D. The only way to know if you are getting enough is to test, take around 5000iu per day and test again and then adjust the dose accordingly. I’ve adjusted my dose up to 6000 iu per day as 4000 iu was not enough to get past 80 nmol/L. I’m trying to get up to 120. I will have a new test soon and see if the higher dose is sufficient.
What dose have you been taking?
Hey Julianne,
I’ve been taking about 10,000UI daily…but not consistently…I usually miss at least one weekend day, although lately it’s been two or three. Have you read Tom Naughton’s Fat Head blog? It’s full of all kinds of info and where I first started seeing the info on Vitamin D…then the Vitamin D Council (American), Mercola and Dr Mark Hyman as well, are all offering information on Vitamin D…seems it’s becoming the ‘next big thing’! 😀
From the info I gleaned off Mercola about the 37th parallel thing, I then found a map to see where NZ sits on the southern 37th…and you’re right, it is just the very northern tip of the country that gets some…but the rest of us get none – although there are plenty of people out there who believe we do! I also take a couple of Magnesium caps and a couple of fish oil as well and so far I’m feeling much better mood wise the longer I’m taking this stuff, which for me is a complete turn around from previous winters. I will get a test done at some stage as well to confirm and make sure I am taking the right amount for me.
Barbara, let me know what your result is if you do get a test. I’d be interested to see if this amount gets your levels high enough.
Yes I have seen those other sites – all good stuff. So many good blogs / books I could spend all day reading!
Magnesium and fish oil – both supplements I’d like to see everyone taking!