Mark's Top 5 Supplements of 2013

With over 5,000 products available at Vitamart.ca and each seemingly better than the next, how can you ever decide where to start? Hopefully this list of my top 5 favorite supplements and why I use them will be a great place to start.

First the “why” of how I came to choose these five products. For starters I needed something that fit with my lifestyle (extremely busy and craves convenience). Next, these products have everything I am looking for as far as results (increase energy, anti-aging, disease prevention, improved performance and improve overall well being).

That said lets get into the list (in no particular order):

1. Progressive Harmonized Protein

Harmonized Protein is a whey protein powder that is sourced from New Zealand (NZ) and in my opinion this is the best protein we sell at Vitamart.ca. I am partial to New Zealand Whey for these reasons

  • NZ cattle is grass fed (not force fed via feed house)
  • NZ cattle are not given hormones or antibiotics
  • NZ is an island which allows them to control their farming as good as any other country in the world.

The result of these benefits of is a healthy cow produces high quality milk. The better the quality the milk the better the protein and ultimately the more therapeutic benefits your protein will offer.

  • Therapeutic benefits of New Zealand Whey can include: 
  • Exceptional immune support
  • Aids in the repair & formation of bone
  • Provides Intestinal support
  • Enhances the fat burning process
  • Reduces blood pressure
  • Improves cardiovascular health
  • Fights free radicals
  • Supports the release of growth hormone
  • Increases energy
  • Balances blood sugar levels & helps moderate appetite
  • Supports healthy digestion
  • Stimulates the production of glutathione, the body's primary antioxidant, detoxifier and anti-aging factor
  • Enhances iron absorption
  • Restores a healthy PH balance
  • Supports Digestion
  • Supports Liver function
  • Supports Kidney function

Plus it tastes great....Nuff said! :)

2. Progressive VegeGreens Multi

While I would like to say I eat a wide variety of veggies every day, I will be honest (and I am sure you are similar to me) I typically eat similar things every day. Yes I eat veggies, but a really large variety of them....no.

So my answer to this is a concentrated whole food based greens powder. This one tastes amazing mixed in my smoothie, provides 6-8 servings of vegetables and to top it off includes 90 different plant based ingredients! How is that for variety? lol

What is really unique about this newly updated version of the original Progressive VegeGreens is that it has a naturopathic formulated multivitamin in it. This means that not only am I getting all the alkalizing and disease fighting phytonutrients, I am getting a blast of essential vitamins and minerals to fill in any gaps the greens might be missing.

3. Progressive Phytoberry Multi

Phytoberry Multi is the second half of my answer to my creature of habit style of eating. It provides 6-8 servings of fresh fruit in the form of berry and fruit concentrates from 70 different sources. I love fruit, but again don’t eat a huge variety and with our short seasons here in Canada, along with my personal policy of buying local I am often limited in my variety. Phytoberry Multi contains goji, mangosteen, indian gooseberry, acai, elderberry and pomegranate just to name a few. How often do you eat those super friends? Exactly....which I why I am so big on this product.

Again like the VegeGreens Multi formula, I am getting my second half of the naturopathic multivitamin formula to fill in the gaps.

So between my VegeGreens and Phytoberry Multi Bundle I am getting 6-8 servings of veggies, 6-8 servings of fruit and everything and more in vitamins and minerals from the naturopathic formulated multivitamin.

NOTE: These two products don’t mean I don’t eat healthy or still eat fruits and veggies. These act as my health insurance policy so if at times my diet isn’t as good as it could be I have an extremely strong nutrition base my body is receiving every single day regardless of my diet.

4. North Coast Naturals Ultimate Daily Cleanse 

While I don’t have any major intolerances, I am extremely conscious of the health of my stomach, intestines, colon and overall digestive system. I eat almost no dairy (with the exception of whey protein and some cheese) and avoid bread (unless I’m treating myself to a burger or Subway). That said I can honestly say my overall well-being has been better while using Ultimate Daily Cleanse. I have more energy, I rarely get stomach distress or upset regardless of what I eat and I am extremely regular.

North Coast Naturals Ultimate Daily Cleanse powder has fibre, healthy fats, is fortified with healthy probiotics and helps flush toxins out of my system. It is dairy free, soy free and wheat gluten free. I think of Ultimate Daily Cleanse as that helpful scrub brush for my entire digestive system. And again I just mix it in with my morning smoothie.

5. Progressive OmegEssential Forte Fish Oil 

Anyone who has heard me talk about health supplements knows how serious I am about fish oil. Inflammation in the body is the cause of pretty much every major disease. The active ingredients in fish oil (EPA and DHA) fight inflammation in the body.

  • Quality fish oil can help to:
  • Support cardiovascular health
  • Reduce serum triglycerides
  • Assist with healthy mood balance
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Ease the pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Improve focus, concentration and mental acuity

There are a few great fish oils out there and the reason I use OmegEssential Forte is it is extremely concentrated. If you are using the pill form this allows you to get max dose with minimal pills and if you use the liquid Omegessential Forte (my personal preference) you can get a ton of EPA and DHA per spoonful. (Note: it doesn’t taste awful at all)

Directions

I use these five products religiously every morning. First a big spoonful of liquid OmegEssential Forte, followed by the first four products blended with 250ml of almond milk, frozen strawberries and a ripened banana. The simplicity and convenience of this supplement program make me smile.

Conclusion

This is an ideal supplement mix as I believe it covers absolutely everything to make someone live longer and look better. If you are someone who has special health concerns that need additional attention or have slightly different lifestyle or preferences than me, then this program can definitely be customized to you.

I love having it all the products in an easy to drink morning smoothie along with one additional spoonful of oil. This fit in with my hectic lifestyle and less than enthusiastic desire to cook in the mornings before going to work.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding my top five please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Thanks again!

Yours in good health,

Mark Holowaychuk
Founder, Vitamart.ca