Why Supplement ?
By Dr . Damian Rodriguez , DHSc , MS
Dietary supplementation is one of the most hotly debated topics in nutrition , and that isn ’ t likely to end anytime soon . Depending on the study you are examining or the person you ask , supplements are either absolutely critical for optimum health or are not likely to make a tangible impact on your health . What is not disputable is the fact that the average Western diet promotes nutrient deficiencies , which have a definitive impact on countless markers of health . Whether you are an elite athlete or Joe Average just looking for convenient and cost-effective ways to improve your daily well-being , there are few easier ways to accomplish this than by integrating dōTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack ® ( LLV ) into your daily routine — and dōTERRA scientists have gathered the clinical data that explains why .
Let ’ s examine why people take dietary supplements . According to data collected from the 2007 – 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ), most regular users of supple ments state that they do so to maintain overall health , to sustain bone health , and to support heart health . Interestingly , the use of dietary supplements tends to increase with age , as recent research suggests that approximately 33 % of those aged 20 – 39 take daily supplements while 67 % of U . S . adults over the age of 60 do . The most common daily supplement ? As of 2012 , the National Insti tutes of Health reported that 31 % of American adults take a full spectrum multivitamin / multimineral , with an essential fatty acid supplement ( such as xEO Mega ®) ranking as the most common “ specialty supplement ” at nearly 20 %. This makes sense , as our concerns regarding bone and heart health tend to increase with the natural aging process and recent research suggests that full spectrum multivitamin / multimineral and omega-3 supplemen tation may be of benefit when addressing these issues .
Designed to be the perfect complement to a balanced , whole food diet , LLV is a product that everybody should be familiar with . Consisting of Microplex VMz ® Food Nutrient Complex , xEO Mega ® Essential Oil Omega Complex , and Alpha CRS ® Cellular Vitality Complex , LLV has a number of clinically supported health benefits . Accepted for publication in the Journal of Dietary Supplements , a two-month clinical trial showed that those who supplement their normal diet with LLV may experience significant improvements in several biomarkers of cardiovascular health , antioxidant status , inflammation levels , and blood glucose regulation .* Measured via blood sample , participants in the LLV clinical trial showed improvements in LDL / HDL cholesterol ratio , fasting insulin , and triglycerides .* Furthermore , they reported improved subjective measures of wellbeing , such as mental clarity , energy , motivation , and overall happiness .*
While there is no ignoring that the foundation of health is a healthy , balanced , whole food diet , there are a few reasons we could all benefit by integrating LLV into our daily lives .
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES
According to the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ), as much as 95 % of American adults do not meet recommended dietary allowances ( RDA ) for vitamins D and E , with approximately half of American adults also deficient in magnesium , vitamin A , calcium , and vitamin C . Even more alarming , as a side effect of the contemporary Western diet rich in highly processed foods , omega-6 / omega-3 ratio is typically 16:1 ( or more ) while recommendations suggest , for optimum health , that we aim for closer to 1:1 . The best solution is to change dietary behaviors , but that is often much easier said than done . LLV with breakfast and an evening meal can be a convenient and cost-effective means to address this issue .
CELLULAR HEALTH
Research has shown that daily multivitamin supplementation may improve cellular health in otherwise healthy individuals . The Physician ’ s Health Study II , a random ized , double-blind , placebocontrolled trial involving nearly 15,000 participants over 14 years , found strong data to suggest that those who committed to daily supplementation
26 / FALL 2017 LIVING MAGAZINE