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how come i need supplements?

How come I need supplements? This question comes up all the time.

Because people can have a high demand for nutrients, they can have a low supply of nutrients. Demand minus Supply equals Life Experience. This can be small, or it can be dramatic. The difference between the demand and the supply can really set us up for the nutrient gap.

Stress, genetics, lifestyle choices and toxicity are some of the examples that set up a high demand. Nutrient poor food, maldigestion, malabsorption, topsoil erosion, modern high-intensity farming, drug depletion are some of the examples that can create a low supply of nutrients.

Research shows that more than 90% of Americans fall short in providing the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or Adequate Intake (AI) for nutrients.

Many follow RDA recommendations. However RDA is not the optimal health promoting baseline. It’s actually the bare minimum that the US government recommends in order to avoid certain deficiency diseases like scurvy or Ricketts.

Even with that low obstacle for nutrients, we’re still falling short.

There is a big difference between deficiency, insufficiency, and missed opportunity. We need ample amount of nutrients to run our biochemistry and to optimally function.

A 2003 USDA study showed that:

  • 37% of Americans don’t get enough of vitamin C
  • 75% of Americans are insufficient in Zinc
  • 40% don’t get enough of Iron
  • At least 2/3 of Americans are truly deficient in Magnesium and many more have insufficiency

Even those who eat whole, natural foods increasingly in our culture are struggling with nutrient sufficiency, because the natural foods that we eat, unfortunately, have less and less nutrition. Here is a statistical comparison between nowaday nutrient values to year 1975:

  • apples have 41% less vitamin A
  • bell peppers have 31% less vitamin C
  • watercress has 81% less iron
  • Broccoli has 50% less Vitamin C and 50% less Calcium
  • Collard greens have 60% less Potassium and 85% less Magnesium
  • Cauliflower has 48% less Vitamin B1 and 47% less Vitamin B2

Food was extremely nutritious back then. We are losing nutrition in our food. This is one of the most powerful reasons to consider supplementation, even when we’re eating whole, natural food.

There are different dynamics that come into play as we age

We naturally have greater levels of oxidative stress which doesn’t even have to be from major inflammatory concerns. But just the process of living, day to day cellular metabolism generates oxidative stress, which builds up as we age and becomes a major source of aging. And because of that our glands’ reserves, capabilities tend to fall off.

As we get older our thyroids don’t work as well, we don’t have as much stomach acid, our brains don’t work as well. All of the body’s cells start to struggle a bit because of free radical damage. As a result, on many levels unfortunately, we need more nutrition, not less as we age, and yet our body is less and less able to bring it on board. And this is yet another reason why there is a dramatic difference between a sufficient level and optimal levels and why supplements can be a powerful bridge to a better health and healing.

Not all Supplements are made equal

Now when we have reviewed as to why supplements maybe beneficial, I would like to share some tips on how to choose a great quality supplements that are going to make a difference, that are safe and bioavailable.

First of all I would recommend to look for the following official quality verification standards on the supplement labels:

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – this is a guideline that provides a system of processes, procedures and documentation to assure a product has the identity, strength, composition, quality and purity that appear on its label.

Non-GMO Verified – Ensure no GMOs included in product ingredients.

Biovailability

Look for the supplements that do not contain fillers, binders, and additives like sugar alcohols, or citric acid. Last two can promote gas and bloating on some sensitive individuals. Avoid tablets. Many supplements on the market are made from inexpensive nutrient forms that we cannot absorb well. Many people don’t realize that most of the supplement lines are owned by megacorporations. Do you think that they care about quality? So far, they have always cared about profit.

 

High quality supplements come in a capsule. They contain bioavailable ingredients that enhance and maximize absorption. For example, minerals naturally come into the body via food chelated (meaning attached) to amino acids. Hence high quality mineral supplements are made in the chelated form, for example zinc bisglycinate or magnesium lysine glycerinate chelate.

High quality supplements also should contain bioactive forms of the ingredients. When we ingest nutrients via food, they are broken down in the body. The form of a specific nutrient may be different than the form that the body actually is going to convert it to down the stream and actually use. For example B6, pyrodoxine has to be converted to Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate or B12 to methylcobalamin to have a biochemical effect. There are different circumstances (which is a different topic) as to why some people may not be able to convert the nutrient into the final, active form. If someone struggles with the conversion, that can set that person up for imbalances and dysfunctions. Therefore bioactive supplements help to supply the body with the final, active forms of the ingredients.

High quality supplement manufacturers guarantee strict temperature and humidity control during manufacturing, storage and handling.

As a Functional Medicine coach I have an access to a high quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements.

They have helped me to overcome my personal health problems. I only recommend the products that I have tried to assure efficacy and safety as I naturally want the best for myself and my clients.

They are bioavailable, bioactive, free of fillers, binders, additives and toxic ingredients.

All of our formulas meet or exceed cGMP Quality Standards and are manufactured and stored in the temperature and humidity regulated facility. Made in the USA.

THEY DO NOT CONTAIN:

Wheat, gluten, soy, animal or dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or artificial preservatives.

My passion is to get to the root causes of imbalances. I love investigative work. As a kid I used to love to read Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle and I wanted to become a detective. I guess my dream came true in some sense:)

If you are experiencing fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, bloating, GI symptoms, low thyroid function, skin problems that you can not resolve or any other dysfunctions, I would be honored to be your guide in helping to optimize your health through functional medicine lens and revealing as well as getting to the root causes of your unique body’s imbalances.

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WELLNESS/ LABWORK TESTS:

At my own will, I give a permission to request Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc to order wellness test(s) through Vibrant America.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that the test(s) need to be pre-paid in full. I understand and agree that the test(s) is/are not refundable.

I give Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc a permission to receive and review ordered test results which will be e-mailed to me through a HIPAA compliant website.

I do not hold Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc and Vibrant America accountable for ordering the test(s) and receiving test results.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that the Vibrant America test(s) ordered/purchased through Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is/are designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

The Client is encouraged to continue to visit and to be treated by his/her healthcare professionals, including, without limitation, a physician. The Client understands that the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko is not acting in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietitian-nutritionist, therapist, psychologist or other licensed or registered healthcare professional. Accordingly, the client understands that Natalie Maibenko is not providing health care, medical or nutrition therapy services and will not diagnose, treat or cure any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body. Rather, the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko serves as a mentor and guide who helps a client to reach her/his own health and wellness goals through implementing incremental, positive, healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that help the client to live and thrive using simple methods.

Nutritional, supplemental, fitness, and wellness information provided by the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. If the Client has any concerns or questions about her/his health, the Client should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from the healthcare professional.

Any claims made with respect to dietary supplements, including those made with respect to supplements available at Unique Verve, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent medical conditions or disease. You should consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any dietary supplement program.

The Client understands that any therapies that the client undertakes at Unique Verve, Inc are undertaken of the client’s own free will. The Client accept that the ultimate responsibility for her/his health care is her/his own and that Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is here to support the client in this. The client hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for any manner of loss, injury, claim or damage whatsoever, known or unknown, incurred as a result of same and the Client, her/his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns for any loss, injury, claim or damage sustained as a result of the Client’s attendance and/or participation.

The Client have read the above release and waiver of liability, and fully understands its contents and voluntarily agrees to the terms and conditions stated.

SKIN WELLNESS AND/OR DETOX PROGRAM:

  1. I hereby request and consent to the performance of all aspects of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program provided by Unique Verve, Inc, Functional Medicine and Skincare Practitioner Natalie Maibenko.
  1. I am consenting to submit to participate in the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program of my own free will, that I will accept any and all responsibility for any undesirable consequences that may occur. I understands that it is my sole responsibility to consult with my physician prior implementing the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program.
  2. I understands that method of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program involves taking nutritional supplements, recommendation for lifestyle and nutritional changes.
  3. I understand that the Detox program is a private outpatient program that is non-refundable.
  4. I certify that I am here on this and on any subsequent visit or contact, whether by mail, telephone, or in person solely on my own behalf and not as an agent or representative of any federal, state, county, or local government or private agency on a mission of entrapment or investigation.
  5. I understand that due to the nature of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program, it might involve cleansing reactions in the form of fatigue, headache, or other symptoms. These symptoms will abate with time. Because all individuals are unique, Unique Verve, Inc and a Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko can not gauge or guess client’s reaction(s) to the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program.
  6. DISCLAIMER and CONDITIONS: Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko encourages the Client to continue to visit and to be treated by his/her healthcare professionals, including, without limitation, a physician. The client understands that Natalie Maibenko is not acting in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietitian-nutritionist, therapist, psychologist or other licensed or registered professional. Accordingly, the client understands that the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko is not providing health care, medical or nutrition therapy services and will not diagnose, treat or cure any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body. Rather, Functional Medicine and Skincare  Therapist Natalie Maibenko serves as a coach, mentor and guide who helps a client to reach her/his own health and wellness goals through implementing incremental, positive, healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that help the client to live and thrive using simple methods. The Client has chosen to work with the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko and understands that the information received should not be seen as a medical or nursing advice and is not meant to take the place of the client seeing licensed health professionals. Nutritional, fitness, and wellness information provided by Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional.
  1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RELEASE OF HEALTH CARE RELATED CLAIMS

The Client acknowledges that the Client takes full responsibility for the Client’s life and well-being, as well as the lives and well-being of the Client’s family and children (where applicable), and all decisions made during and after this program. The Client expressly assumes the risks of the Program, whether or not such risks were created or exacerbated by the provider. The Client releases the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, his/her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, teachers, lecturers, agents, health counselors and staff (collectively, the Releases) from any and all liability, damages, causes of action, allegations, suits, sums of money, claims and demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty or equity, which against the Releases, the Client ever had, now has or will have in the future against the Releases, arising from the Client’s past or future participation in, or otherwise with respect to, the Program. Unique Verve, Inc and the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko is in no way liable for client’s health or safety.

  1. The Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, is not a licensed Dietitian, Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Physician or Doctor and does not diagnose diseases, disorders or conditions.
  2. Nutritional, fitness, and wellness information provided by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional.
  3. Any claims made with respect to dietary supplements, including those made with respect to supplements available at Unique Verve Inc by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent medical conditions or disease. The client should consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any dietary supplement program.
  4. In providing wellness program to the client, the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, is relying upon the truth, accuracy and completeness of all information the client have provided to her. Any recommendations the client follows for changes in diet, including the use of nutritional supplements, are entirely client’s responsibility.
  5. NO GUARANTEES
    The role of the program is to support and assist the client in reaching the goals, but the success depends primarily on the client’s own effort, motivation, dedication, desire commitment and follow-through.
    The Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko does not guarantee that the client will attain a particular result, and the client understands that results differ by each individual. As with any health-related program or service, the results may vary, and will be based on many variables, including but not limited to, client’s individual capacity, life experience, unique health and genetic profile, starting point, expertise and level of commitment.
  6. The client understand that any therapies that she/he undertakes at Unique Verve, Inc are undertaken of her/his own free will.

The client accepts that the ultimate responsibility for her/his health care is the client’s own and that the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is here to support the client in this.

The client hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for any manner of loss, injury, claim or damage whatsoever, known or unknown, incurred as a result of same and the client, her/his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns for any loss, injury, claim or damage sustained as a result of the client’s attendance and/or participation.
The client has read the above release and waiver of liability, and fully understands its contents and voluntarily agrees to the terms and conditions stated.

 I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO THE TERMS OUTLINED ABOVE. I UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT TO BE A FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF ALL COSTS, CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION AND DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE  WELLNESS PROGRAM offered by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc.