Most of my patients know that I very strongly advise the use of vitamin supplementation. Our polluted environment has robbed our nutritional supply (food) of truly effective and sorely needed vitamins. Sometimes we may as well be eating cardboard!
One of the most common and very essential vitamins I check by blood testing is B-12. It is usually low as it is easily processed “OUT” of our natural food sources. Technically, Vitamin B12, vitamin B12 or vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. It is the largest and most structurally complicated vitamin, and quite obviously from the above description, very important. But what is the MIC part of this almost painless injection?
Methionine, Inositol, and Choline are “lipotropic” substances that play important roles in fat metabolism, liver function, and fat excretion.
Methionine is an amino acid that reduces fat, aids in lowering cholesterol, and helps synthesize other amino acids needed by the body. It is also one of the nutrients required for the body to produce choline. A deficiency of methionine will adversely affect fat metabolism by limiting choline production. The body cannot produce methionine-it must be supplied through diet and supplementation.
Inositol metabolizes fats and cholesterol and helps transport fats in the blood system. Thus, inositol can aid in the redistribution of body fat and can help to lower cholesterol levels by moving cholesterol to the liver where it can be excreted. A deficiency of inositol produces an accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, which impairs normal liver function and can lead to weight gain. The body is able to manufacture its own supply of inositol.
Choline works in combination with inositol and emulsifies cholesterol so that it does not settle on arterial walls. It also works with methionine to detoxify the by-products of protein metabolism. Without choline, fats can become trapped in the liver and block metabolic functions. The body can produce choline, with the help of vitamin B-12, folic acid and methionine. However, the rate your body produces choline may not be adequate to meet daily metabolic needs, particularly during weight loss when a lot of body fat must be broken down.
In summary, the MIC ingredients all burn fat, reduce cholesterol, and clear fats out of the liver. The injection is a good source of methionine, which cannot be made by the body and is necessary for the production of choline. It is also a good source of inositol and choline, which the body does not make in sufficient quantities for weight loss. Together with B-12 this “combo” gives an energy boost, fights cholesterol and plaque buildup, and also helps target weight loss that is hard to lose.
USE IT TO LOSE IT!
Terry R. Leder B.A.
Clinical Manager & Research
Pointe Medical Services/Live Well MD
What about D3? I’ve been told, even in sunny Florida, that there seems to be a deficiency of this vitamin in many of us. Granted, I work inside all day and the older I get (50), the more I’m told to stay out of the sun.
That is an excellent question.
Vitamin D has recently, over the last couple of years, been the subject of intense research and study.
Vitamin D and one of its metabolites D3, has always been known to help with prevention of bone thinning, osteoporosis.
Our bodies do not produce Vitamin D in any form, it has to be obtained from outside sources such as foods and primarily the sun.
The main areas of study recently is the finding that most Americans are Vitamin D deficient, regardless of how much sun they are exposed to, or how much is
taken in as additives to milk and other food sources.
The reason is our constant enemy – the pollution of our environment. All the thousands of pollutants our bodies absorb have disrupted our ability to get Vitamin D and more specifically, break it down to the needed form of Vitamin D, that is primarily D3. Research has shown that upwards to 80% of the population are deficient in Vitamin D.
Therefore a good vitamin supplementation plan would include a sufficient amount of Vitamin D.
The old recommendation was 400 International Units ( I.U.) per day. Now, there are many studies are saying that upwards to 5,000 IU’s per day is best.
The reason for the drastic increase? In all the current research, the once nearly forgotten Vitamin D, is being connected to prevention of various acquired disease states.
Adequate Vitamin D is being shown to help prevent cancers, cardiovascular problems, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Fibromyalgia; a continual growing list.
By all means supplement with D. I encourage anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 IU’s per day.
One other interesting fact: Vitamin D is not really a Vitamin, it is a hormone!
It is what is classed as a “prohormone” or “prehormone”! Back to the importance of hormones!