Our resident Vitamin Guy has the info you need for healthy skin, hair, body and mind. 

Fish oil and other essential fats such as flax oil are very important for wrinkles because they enhance the overall hydration of the body. Hydration doen’t just mean water. Hydration also means minerals and electrolytes. Essential fats lock in those electrolytes so you don’t lose all of them due to urination, perspiration, and stress. Essential fats also enhance the skin’s elasticity. L-proline is an amino acid that is important to enhance collagen levels in the skin and other areas of the body. The higher the levels of collagen, the more supple and firm the skin will be. Some take l-proline with hyaluronic acid which is the most popular natural source of collagen.

Hair, skin, and nails are best maintained through the use of B-complex vitamins, particularly biotin, pantothenic acid (B-5), B-6, and inostitol (B-8). L-cysteine is also important to facilitate hair growth along with biotin and the B vitamins. Msm, silica, calcium, and iron are also helpful. Fortunately, Great Earth Vitamins has products that are multi-propertied so a person looking to improve their hair, skin, and nails doesn’t have to buy a multitude of products. Saw palmetto is also useful for men because most men who have hair loss, including myself, have high levels of dehydrotestosterone. Saw palmetto helps by inhibiting the absorption of dehydrotestosterone.

The best products to take for joint health are glucosamine/chondroitin/msm supplements. These supplements serve to act as anti-inflammatories, reduce arthritic conditions, and help to restore cartilage. L-proline and hyaluronic acid, as discussed above, are also very good for joint health by enhancing collagen levels which will strengthen joints, tendons, and connective tissues.

Phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl choline are very important to enhance mental focus by raising acetyl choline levels in the brain. The higher levels acetyl choline also mean greater “circuitry” within the brain.

GABA, an essential amino acid, is helpful for anyone looking to improve their sleep. GABA helps by calming the brain’s neurotransmitters so the person can relax better so they can fall asleep. Melatonin, passionflower, and valerian help to improve sleep as well.

The two most important supplements to take for cardiovascular health are coenzyme q10 and, believe it or not, vitamin c with bioflavonoids. Co q10 is the most common nutritional deficiency in persons who have compromised heart strength. Vitamin c with bioflavonoids is the second most common deficiency. The studies done on these two supplements and their remarkable results  on cardiovascular function can be readily accessed by anyone online.

Check out Dave’s website at www.earthwisevitamins.com