Coimbra vitamins-best choices, discusses the role of vitamins in the Coimbra protocol. Most of the Coimbra protocol doctors have preferences when prescribing vitamins and supplements. On the whole, we have to take a hefty dose of vitamins each day. Thus it is good to know where the best deals exist, along with the pros and cons of which ones to take and why. For that reason, I have put together this list of where I have found the best prices and the best quality options. I have limited it to E Vitamins because I honestly believe you cannot beat the prices, and Amazon, not only for convenience and fast delivery, but also because it often delivers the best price! Just click on the product if you are interested in purchasing it.
Coimbra vitamins – best choices – Healthy Origins Vitamin D3
My protocol doctor, Miguel Damas, who is based in Porto, Portugal is a big fan of the brand ‘Healthy Origins’ and I have other friends doing the protocol whose Doctors have validated this brand. The main reason it is so popular is that you get a high-quality product for a very inexpensive price. Healthy Origins has high ethical standards and their products are Soy free. Non-GMO. Free of sugar, salt, starch, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, barley, fish, shellfish, nuts, tree nuts, egg and dairy products.
No preservatives, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. This means that most humans can consume them without suffering allergies. Another consideration is that the vitamin D3 is in pure cold-pressed olive oil. This is a very clean ingredient. Many cheaper brands use sunflower oil instead. which can cause inflammation in the body. My choice for the best price is e vitamins. They also ship to the UK.
COIMBRA VITAMINS: VITAMIN B2
Vitamin B2 is an essential vitamin on the Coimbra Protocol as it is instrumental in facilitating the absorption of the Vitamin D3.
Natures Plus is the brand that I use. Most B2 supplements come in 100mg capsules and because I am taking so much more Vitamin D3 than your average user, I like that this offers a larger dose. I prefer to use allergy-free products. This is Yeast Free. Wheat Free. Corn Free. Soy Free. Milk Free. Artificial Colors Free. Artificial Preservatives Free. GMP Certified. NSF Certified.
Once again I buy this from E Vitamins, who offer it at a great price.
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is extremely important while on the Coimbra Vitamin D protocol. If you go onto the Coimbra forums, you will find many discussions about exactly how much Magnesium you should be taking. Most people take larger doses than standard recommendations.
Good State makes excellent Ionic Magnesium which has a larger bioavailability than most brands.
I have been taking this for several years and I swear by it. It is more expensive than your average capsules, but it really is powerful stuff. Prior to taking this, I found it difficult to work out what type of Magnesium I was supposed to be taking and how much! With this, I get everything I need, and it can be easily absorbed. I take 2 teaspoons per day. One with breakfast and one before supper.
I have always found the best deals on Amazon for this product.
COIMBRA VITAMINS – BORON
Boron appears to affect the way the body handles other minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It has also been shown to increase estrogen levels in older women who are in danger of Osteoporosis, and also in older healthy men. Estrogen is thought to help in maintaining healthy bones and mental clarity. Equally, it is thought that Boron may have antioxidant effects. Boron supports bone strength and structure in animals but its importance in humans is less certain.
It is prescribed by Coimbra Doctors for all of these reasons and is an important Vitamin on the protocol. Life Extension is the brand I have been using for some time. This product contains no milk, egg, fish, peanuts, crustacean shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp), soybeans, tree nuts, wheat, yeast, or gluten. Contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives. It does however contain small amounts of rice and corn. See below for another brand that I use when this is not available. If you have allergies to corn or rice, check out the brand below.
I use E Vitamins for this product because the price is almost a third less than competing Companies.
My second choice and one I have also used for years is the NOW Brand. Once again this company is known for its high standards and quality products. It is more expensive than the Life Extension brand but reliable and you get 250 capsules as opposed to 100. Buying quality vitamins would be my best piece of advice. It contains no sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives.
CHROMIUM PICOLINATE
All of the Coimbra Protocol Doctors advise using Chromium Picolinate. It is interesting in that the benefits of taking this supplement are not widely acknowledged. Chromium picolinate is a popular supplement for those trying to build muscle and lose weight. Many bodybuilders and athletes use it to increase energy and improve performance. On the other hand, other results have shown that Chromium might help keep blood sugar levels normal. It improves the way our bodies use insulin. This is the brand that I have used since I began the protocol and the brand my protocol Doctor recommends.
OMEGA 3
The benefits of taking Omega 3 are well documented.
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help to:
- Reduce triglycerides in the body. It can lower triglycerides by approx 15–30%
- Lessen the likelihood of sudden onset cardiac death in people with heart disease. In people who are at risk, it may reduce fatal arrhythmia events considerably
- Reduce the possibility of abnormal heart rhythm
- Reduce the occurrence of heart attack and stroke
- Lower the blood pressure
- Slow the development of plaque in the arteries
- It may help treat some people with mental issues or disorders
- Some studies indicate that fish oil supplements, together with diet and exercise, can promote weight loss!
QUALITY OF OMEGA 3 FISH OIL IS IMPORTANT
Using a good quality source of Omega 3 fish oil is of paramount importance. Where the fish come from makes all the difference. There are myriad types of different omega-3 supplements on the market and not all of them have the same health benefits. Over processed fish oils which are cheaper can also contain pollutants. Some fish oils that are more processed can also contain omega-3 ethyl esters. These don’t seem to be absorbed as well by the body.
The key is to choose natural fish oils that are as close to the composition of the natural fish as possible.
This is the best Omega 3 fish oil that I have come across. It has rave reviews and e vitamins offer it at on average a 10% lower price than most other companies. It is more expensive than a lot of other Omega 3 fish oils that are on the market, but remember you get 250 capsules and you only need 1 a day, so on the whole it is well worth it! This product is regularly tested (using AOAC international protocols) for freshness, potency and purity by an independent, FDA-registered laboratory and has been determined to be fresh, fully-potent and free of detectable levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, PCB’s and 28 other contaminants. Preservative-free. Cholesterol-free. Gluten-free.
ZINC
Zinc has a substantial role in body health. It is essential for cell growth and division, immune function, enzyme reactions, DNA synthesis as well as protein production. Although a relatively inexpensive supplement, it is still worth looking for good quality products. There are two that I use and I alternate them. I love the Good State products, but they are a little more expensive for us in the UK. Ionic Zinc from zinc sulfate, Ultra Pure Water. Guaranteed to contain no sugars, starch, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or animal by-products and is hypoallergenic. Suitable for vegetarians.
My second option is: DOUGLAS LABORATORIES OPTI-ZINC. This is another great product.
Contains no yeast, wheat, gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring.
COIMBRA VITAMINS: B12
B12 is very high on the list when it comes down to B Vitamins. It plays an important role in many body functions. It is essential in the production of your red blood cells ( hemoglobin production) and DNA. Equally, it is instrumental in proper functioning of your nervous system. As people get older the ability to absorb vitamin B12 from foods decreases. Ultimately, I find that using a liposomal version of this vitamin means that I get optimal absorption and I love this product. It is available at a good price from e vitamins and I could not recommend it more. As soon as I added this to my vitamin regimen, I swear I could notice a difference.
Each .33 mL of Liposomal Methyl B12 delivers 1000 mcg of methylcobalamin. A serving is 2 pumps. Each bottle contains 90 servings. Because age, low stomach acid, and genetic variation can impair absorption of B complex vitamins, Dr. Chris Shade developed our Liposomal Methyl B12. The liposomal formulation allows the bioactive methylcobalamin to be delivered into the cells and across the blood-brain barrier and into the brain where it is needed.
CHOLINE
Choline is a nutrient that helps with a multitude of bodily functions. These include cellular growth and support of the metabolism.
Contains no milk, egg, fish, peanuts, crustacean shellfish (lobster, crab or shrimp), soybeans, tree nuts, wheat, yeast, gluten, corn, sugar, and no artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors or preservatives.
FOLIC ACID AND METHYL FOLATE
Folic Acid is prescribed by most Protocol Doctors. However is you have an MTHFR Gene mutation (which is actually very common), you should not take folic acid, in fact, you should avoid it like the plague. Please take the time to read the link above, as it is very important to know whether you are affected by this gene.
I do not take Folic Acid as I have been tested for the MTHFR gene mutation and I am positive. That said, I do like the Douglas lab brand and E Vitamins offer great prices. If you can take folic acid, this is a very clean product. Contains no yeast, wheat, gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavorings.
IF YOU HAVE AN MTHFR GENE MUTATION TAKE THIS:
Generally speaking, this is another great Douglas Lab product. It is very clean. Contains no yeast, wheat, gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavorings. Great price from E Vitamins.
SELENIUM
- Stimulation of the bodies immune function
- Correct function of the thyroid gland
- Selenium aids cellular growth.
- It acts as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase
I have been using the Megafood brand for some time which is a good price from E Vitamins. This brand is ethical and produces a good quality product at a decent price. E and Selenium from MegaFood contain powerful nutrients from foods including broccoli, beet and spinach, parsley, as well as carrot, as well as other nutrients.
Free of gluten, dairy, soy, pesticides herbicides, corn and wheat.
COIMBRA VITAMINS: COENZYME Q10
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, a chemical that occurs naturally in almost every cell of the human body. It carries out numerous vital roles within the body. By and large, these include promoting energy production as well as neutralizing harmful particles known as free radicals.
A deficiency in CoQ10 can adversely affect a person’s health. People can get CoQ10 through foods and supplements. As we get older we absorb less Q 10 from food, and supplementing with additional sources is common. On the Coimbra Protocol, Coenzyme Q10 is prescribed by most doctors, as it is a very valuable anti-oxidant.
Coenzyme Q10 is an expensive supplement, and you want to ensure that you are using a quality product to ensure you are getting your monies worth!
My choice of brand for Coenzyme Q10 choice is Kirkman Labs. They make a solid reliable product, that is clean and bioavailable. It has a great price from E vitamins and is free of sugar, starch, soy, wheat, casein, gluten, milk, corn, egg, preservatives, yeast, gelatin, flavorings, colorings, peanuts, tree nuts or fish.
