We all know the importance of eating well for a healthy body and mind.
With my 'Vitality Challenge' underway, I was intrigued to find out if vitamins also help boost your vitality and well-being. So, armed with a cupboard full of new supplements, I'm putting them to a test!
One of the actions from My 30 Day Vitality Challenge was to provide my body with the nutrition it was lacking. Yes, that meant looking at what I was eating. But on a more cellular level, I needed to increase my intake of nutrients and minerals. I knew I wasn’t getting enough from my food choices. So, my plan is to see if vitamins would help boost my vitality.
So, with great excitement and for the first time in years, I went on a shopping spree!
However, I didn’t return home with items to hang up in my wardrobe, boxes of shoes or buyer’s remorse. Instead, I dropped some coin’s in Holland & Barrett on vitamin and mineral supplements!! (With not a regretful bone in my body!)
It’s now seven days since my challenge began. During which, I’ve been taking a cocktail of the supplements that I purchased. I can slowly feel myself getting back to ‘feeling normal’. Many of the cravings and mind distractions that were plaguing me weeks before, are getting less frequent and I can feel myself balancing out.
Well, you know I like sharing! So below I have listed the supplements that I am currently taking. The list may seem long – but don’t be alarmed. I’m not taking them all everyday! I have done my research!!
I’ve paired each supplement with each other on various days so I can get the full benefit. I have also ensured I’m eating more portions of the foods containing the highest dose of each vitamin and mineral.
SO THE QUESTION IS, DO VITAMINS HELP BOOST YOUR VITALITY?
Well, lets take a look at the benefits of some of the supplements I purchased to see how they’re going to help boost my vitality!
VITAMIN A
What it does?
- Needed for healthy skin – inside and out
- Essential for night vision
- Protects against infections
- Antioxidant and immune system booster
- Protects against many forms of cancer
Deficiency signs:
- Mouth ulcers
- Poor night vision
- Acne, dry flaky skin, dandruff
- Frequent colds or infections
- Thrush or cystitis
- diarrhoea
Top 5 food source:
- Beef liver
- Veal liver
- Carrots
- Watercress
- Sweet Potatoe
Vitamin A helpers: Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
Vitamin A Robbers: Heat. Light. Alcohol. Coffee. Smoking.
VITAMIN B12
What it does?
- Needed for making use of protein
- Essential for energy
- Essential for nerves
- Helps body deal with toxins
Deficiency signs:
- Poor hair condition
- Eczema or dermatitis
- Irritability, anxiety or tension
- Lack of energy
- Constipation
- Tender or sore muscles
Top 5 food source:
- Sardines
- Oysters
- Tuna
- Cottage Cheese
- Turkey and chicken
Vitamin B12 helpers: Folic Acid
Vitamin B12 Robbers: Alcohol. Smoking. Lack of stomach acid.
VITAMIN C
What it does?
- Strengthens immune system
- Keeps bones, skin and joints firm
- Antioxidant, detoxifying pollutants
- Protect against cancer & heart disease
- Turns food into energy
- Helps makes anti-stress hormones
Deficiency signs:
- Frequent colds and infections
- Lack of energy
- Bleeding or tender gums
- Slow wound healing
Top 5 food source:
- Peppers
- Watercress
- Broccoli
- Lemons
- Kiwi Fruit
Vitamin C helpers: Vitamin B, Vitamin E
Vitamin C Robbers: Alcohol. Smoking. Pollution. Stress. Fried food.
VITAMIN D
What it does?
- Retains Calcium to help maintain strong and healthy bones.
Deficiency signs:
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Backache
- Tooth decay
- Muscle cramps
- Hair loss
Top 5 food source:
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Oysters
- Cottage cheese
Vitamin D helpers: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E
Vitamin D Robbers: Lack of sunlight. Fried food.
VITAMIN E
What it does?
- Antioxidant, protecting cells from damage
- Prevents blood clots and thrombosis
- Improves would healing
- Improves fertility
- Good for skin cells
Deficiency signs:
- Lack of sex drive
- Exhaustion after light exercise
- Slow would healing
- Varicose veins
- Infertility
- Loss of muscle tone
Top 5 food source:
- Sunflower seeds
- Wheatgerm
- Sesame seeds
- Peanuts
- Tuna
Vitamin E helpers: Vitamin C
Vitamin E Robbers: High temperature cooking. Air pollution. Birth control pills. Excessive intake of unrefined or processed fats and oils.
FOLIC ACID
What it does?
- Critical during pregnancy
- Essential for brain and nerve function
- Utilises protein
- Helps red blood cell formation
Deficiency signs:
- Anaemia
- Eczema, cracked lips
- Anxiety or tension
- Depression
- Poor memory
- Lack of energy
- Poor appetite
- Stomach pains
Top 5 food source:
- Wheatgerm
- Spinach
- Peanuts
- Broccoli
- Sprouts
Folic Acid helpers: Vitamin B12
Folic Acid Robbers: High temperature. Light. Processed food. Birth control pills.
IRON
What it does?
- Transports oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from cells.
- Vital for energy production.
Deficiency signs:
- Anaemia
- Sore tongue
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to cold
Top 5 food source:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Parsley
- Almonds
- Prunes
- Cashew nuts
Iron helpers: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid
Iron Robbers: Tea. Wheat bran. Fizzy drinks. Food additives.
ZINC
What it does?
- Essential for growth
- Controls hormones
- Promotes healthy nervous system and brain
- Helps grow hair
- Essential for constant energy
Deficiency signs:
- Poor sense of taste or smell
- White marks on more than two finger nails
- Frequent infections
- Acne or greasy skin
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
Top 5 food source:
- Oysters
- Ginger root
- Lamb
- Pecan nuts
- Split peas
Zinc helpers: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Calcium
Zinc Robbers: Wheat. Low protein intake. Excess sugar intake. Stress. Alcohol.
Could you identify with any of the deficiency signs?
I sure did!
After one week of taking my cocktail, I could feel certain things changing already. My energy levels have picked up, my hair and skin feels more moisturised and best one of all – I’ve noticed that I’ve worn my glasses less!!
You could argue that it’s because I’m doing all the other things outlined in my 30 Day Challenge – and you could be right!
But for me, this is the first time I have actually made a concerted effort to provide my body with extra vitamins and minerals. I do feel like the vitamins have helped boost my vitality.
I can’t wait to see the results after the full 30 days – both on the inside and out!
4 Comments
Marie Thomas
I am following your Blog for weeks, I am a believer in eating healthy and taking my daily toil of Vitamins and having a glass of smoothies and having a positive attitude and sharing.
Proud of being part of your Blog.
Love you and keep up the kind words and Blog.
Chantelle - I Am Brazen Spirit
Hi Marie, Thank you for your support. I do hope the extra vitamins will give me a boost. I haven’t yet ventured into smoothies but ensure I get a good daily portion of fruits. Keep up the positive attitude. Chantelle x
Polly Mattia
Hey Chantelle,
I go through periods of taking a new wonder vitamin, but to be honest have never felt any different because of them. I did however want to thank you for your last post that had a link to a Mel robbins interview which I found life changing.
I love what you are doing online. It is very brave to put yourself out there like that.
Keep up the good work.
Polly
X
Chantelle - I Am Brazen Spirit
Hi Polly, I hear people say that a lot about vitamins lol! It does seem to be having a positive effect so far – but lets see!!
So, glad that you discovered Mel. Isn’t she amazing! I love listening to her – such insight on human behaviour and why we do what we do. So glad it made an impact.
I love to hear feedback when readers discover a breakthrough. I want you all to start igniting your Brazen Spirit. (It’s the main reason I keep ‘putting myself out there’.)
Thank you. Chantelle x