B12

A Vitamin B12 deficiency is not one you want to experience: it can cause depression, loss of mental acuity, and in severe cases, dementia. European researchers have found that giving B12 to people who are deficient helps protect areas of the brain that are damaged by Alzheimer's disease. Although this vitamin is found in many common food sources (meat, fish, milk, eggs, and cheese), our ability to absorb B12 is entirely dependent upon the presence of stomach acids that can break it down and allow it to be absorbed in the small intestine. However, those stomach acids decline as we age, hindering our ability to absorb this much-needed vitamin. Dr. Randolph's B12 supplement, Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12), is one of the naturally-occuring coenzyme forms of B12 that the body can process. (Note: We recommend that you avoid the synthetic forms of B12 as they are difficult to break down and do not absorb well, especially for those with MTHFR gene mutations.)  Methylcobalamin is the only form of B12 that can cross the blood-brain barrier without assistance or conversion. Its methyl group stimulates serotonin creation, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood support. Researchers have found that large doses of methylcobalamin may offer therapeutic value for those suffering from ALS and multiple sclerosis. Methylcobalamin is the only form of B12 that acts on the nervous system. The benefit you may notice most: improved moods.

Vitamin D3

The "sunshine vitamin" is actually a hormone (see our July issue for more information)!  Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid hormone that is produced in your body when your skin is exposed to the sun. As much as 80-90% of the vitamin D your body needs comes from sun exposure, not from food. (Only a few foods naturally contain vitamin D, including fish, fish oils, and egg yolks, although some foods are fortified with vitamin D, like milk.) Vitamin D receptors are found in nearly every cell in your body, so it is extremely important to keep this hormone in balance. Most people are unaware that vitamin D is essential for optimal health! Vitamin D plays an important role in: promoting energy and healthy weight, boosting the immune system, promoting calcium absorption in the gut, bone growth, reducing inflammation, and more. Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 40% of people in the United States are unknowingly Vitamin D deficient! If left untreated, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to many other serious health conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and cancer. Dr. Randolph's Super D 5000 is highly-absorbable cholecalciferol provided in convenient softgels. The benefit you may notice most: improved immune system.

Melatonin

This important hormone is produced in the pineal gland (located in the brain), and helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin levels are linked to our exposure to light and dark: when the retina in your eye perceives darkness, for example, an area of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) stimulates the pineal gland to produce melatonin, making us feel sleepy. Our melatonin levels typically stay high during the night and drop to nearly undetectable levels during the day. As we age, our ability to produce melatonin decreases; some older adults make very small amounts of it, or none at all. Sleep is one of the "pillars of health"! Without adequate sleep our brains get foggy, our metabolism slows down, our immune systems get weak, and our libido gets low. Dr. Randolph's Melatonin Extended has a  biphasic delivery system that releases melatonin quickly and then steadily through the night to help with sleep onset as well as sleep duration. The benefit you may notice most: restful sleep and more alertness!