Hey everyone, hope you’re all happy and healthy!
Having been a deputy coroner and death investigator, I’ve worked many cases of polypharmacy- this can involve overdoses (mostly accidental) and mixing the wrong meds- yes, even OTC meds. I’ve never been a fan of having to take meds, but my aversion grew even more after seeing so many sad cases. Plus, I don’t like to “feel funny,” I don’t like the feeling of being “on something.” I prefer to have a sense of control at all times.
The problem with natural supplements is that it can be confusing to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Fortunately, there are a growing number of health care providers who support holistic and natural medicine when possible. It’s also easier than ever to look up peer-reviewed research to ensure effectiveness.
It’s also important to purchase from a reputable seller, so you can be assured you’re getting high quality, safe ingredients. So, I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to try some supplements from SBR Nutrition. The brand takes pride in their liquid formulations as they’re made for optimal absorption. Plus, they’re made in the USA, and many of them are vegan-friendly!
Turmeric Curcumin
I work out with weights, run, jump rope, and do yoga, so it goes without saying that I end up with muscle pain. Delayed onset muscle soreness, unfortunately, is just one of those things that go along with intense workouts. I also have chondromalacia patella and sciatica, along with the beginnings of arthritis in my lower back.
I keep a supply of heat packs, ice packs, and several TENS units, but when I started using turmeric curcumin, it became a rarity that I needed to use anything else. This is one of those supplements that has a plethora of scientific research to back it up, and it’s been shown to be just as effective as ibuprofen on osteoarthritis pain (NCCIH, 2018).
I do wish this Turmeric Curcumin contained piperine to help increase absorption, but the advantage with SBR Nutrition’s product is that it’s liquid, so it’s more easily absorbed anyway. The liquid form also works faster, so I can be in less pain for those workouts I do when I first get up- no having to wait a couple hours.
Ashwagandha
Yet another fave supplement here! I’ve had a stroke, and despite seeing several specialists and having every test possible done, invasive and non-invasive, they were never able to determine the reason. I’ve also dealt with PMDD, which also resulted in debilitating migraines each month. So, I started taking birth control pills, which were a huge help.
Unfortunately, the particular pill I was on had a higher risk of stroke, so my meds were changed. The hormones in the new one keep me from losing fat easily. Fat burners also create a higher risk of stroke, so those are also “out” for me. I have the most fat stored in my belly, so it could likely be a result of cortisol, a stress hormone.
Being a fan of Ayurveda, I recently started using ashwagandha due to its adaptogenic properties having been well-researched and scientically-proven. Research had shown a significant reduction on all stress-assessment scales, as well as substantial reduction of serum cortisol, in those using ashwagandha as opposed to a placebo (Chandraskhar, Kapoor & Anishetty, 2012).
While my results haven’t been extreme, I’ve actually started losing belly fat! I’ve also noticed my mood has leveled out, I’m more calm, and able to handle stress more easily. I also sleep better, and have more energy during waking hours.
SBR Nutrition’s liquid ashwagandha is absorbed more quickly and readily than capsules or tablets, and can be mixed with the beverage of your choice. The best part, though, is that the brand uses KSM-66 Ashwagandha, which is one of the highest full-spectrum extracts available on the market today.
Vitamin B12 as Methylcobalamin
For many years, my blood work has shown a B-12 deficiency, and I used to do regular B-12 injections. Injections have often been necessary because the vitamin isn’t easily absorbed, or very effective, when taken orally. After a trustworthy and knowledgeable physician gave me some nutrition recommendations, and mentioned B-12 as methylcobalamin, I figured I’d give it a shot.
Most OTC oral B-12 supplements are cyanocobalamin, but methylcobalamin is more biologically active, and absorbed better. Research has shown that methylcobalamin can be a suitable alternative for the other forms on the market (Kamath & Pemminati, 2017). After modifying my diet and using B-12 as methylcobalamin, my blood work was significantly improved.
Not only is SBR Nutrition’s Vitamin B-12 available as methylcobalamin, but like the others, the liquid is absorbed quickly, and it’s easy to dispense with the convenient dropper. I also like that it doesn’t taste horrible like so many other brands- it’s got a pleasant, barely discernible fruit flavor, so there’s no aftertaste.
Overall, I’ve been very pleased with the SBR Nutrition liquid supplements. They’re well-formulated and easy to use, and I haven’t had any stomach irritation like I get with capsules. They’re currently having a sale, and domestic shipping is free! Head over to www.sbrnutrition.com or Amazon.
Sources:
Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J. & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(30). Retrieved September 29, 2018, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Kamath, A. & Pemminati, S. (2017). Methylcobalamin in Vitamin B-12 deficiency: To give or not to give? Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 8(1). Retrieved September 29, 2018, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
NCCIH (2018). Turmeric. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved September 29, 2018, from nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric/ataglance.htm.
