4 Essential Vitamins for the Summer Heat

During the hot summer months, it is so important to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water, and it’s equally important to make sure you’re getting enough essential vitamins. 

According to a study conducted on 224 heat-exposed men, it was discovered that our bodies tend to excrete large amounts of sweat containing water-soluble vitamins and minerals which affects micronutrient levels in vivo and increases the vitamin and mineral requirements.*†

In a nutshell, anyone exposed to high temperatures should take extra precautions to make sure you’re getting the proper nutrition.

The following vitamins are essential for the summer heat:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin is water soluble and therefore easily excreted through sweat. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also helps to boost the immune system and promote collagen production.*

This antioxidant inhibits the inflammatory response, reduces oxidative stress and enhances endothelial function through effects on nitric oxide (NO) production. Numerous oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of high BP.*†

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function are all associated with hypertension. A randomized trial showed that vitamin C supplementation significantly reduced levels of F2-isoprostane, an oxidative stress biomarker.*†

Vitamin E

This vitamin is fat-soluble and therefore stored in the body’s fatty tissues. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also helps to promote circulation and maintain healthy skin.*†

In addition to taking the above vitamins, it’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough exercise and staying in the shade as much as possible. And of course, drink plenty of water!*

B Vitamins

B vitamins are not stored in the body and must be replaced every day.*†

They are essential for the summer heat as they help to convert food into energy. B vitamins are water-soluble and therefore easily excreted through sweat. They help to promote circulation, maintain a healthy nervous system, and support the immune system.* 

Some good sources of vitamin B include:

  • Organ meats such as liver and kidney*†
  • Fish such as salmon and tuna*†
  • Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale*†
  • Cereal grains*†
  • Legumes*†

The B vitamin family includes thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-12, and folic acid which work together to help the body convert food into energy, aids in red blood cell production, and helps nervous system function.*

Vitamin A

This vitamin is essential for the summer heat as it helps to protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays.* 

It also stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells, takes part in remodeling bone, helps maintain healthy endothelial cells (those lining the body’s interior surfaces), and regulates cell growth and division such as needed for reproduction.*†

Some good sources of vitamin A include:

  • Kale
  • Kiwifruit
  • Squash
  • Strawberries
  • Carrots

Vitamin A is known to help support a healthy immune system, is important for vision health, and helps maintain healthy skin.

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Emerald Labs Dr Mark Stengler NMD

Formulated by Dr. Mark Stengler NMD.

Known as America’s Natural Doctor to his patients, readers and audiences across North America, Mark Stengler is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor. His passion is to combine the best of conventional and natural medicine to achieve optimized health for his patients.  Dr. Stengler has personally formulated each of the Emerald Labs Additive-Free products according to the high standards of his health practice.   Read more about Dr. Stengler…

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR ADVICE REGARDING ANY MEDICAL CONDITION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE OR TREAT ANY MEDICAL CONDITION.

†Selected References

National Library of Medicine

Better Health

Colorado State University

Harvard School of Public Health

Folic Acid: The “Unnatural” Truth About Fortified Foods

Folic Acid is everywhere! You’ll find it in most of your favorite foods, from cereal to pasta and even supplements. But what are you eating?

Folic acid is actually a man-made synthetic version of naturally occurring Folate, commonly found in dark green leafy vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, nuts, beans, peas, seafood, eggs, dairy products, meat, poultry, grains, and other foods. Spinach, liver, asparagus, and brussels sprouts are among the foods with the highest folate levels. To be clear, folic acid is artificial and does not occur naturally in foods.*†

What Is Folic Acid?

The origin of folic acid occurred in 1998 when ​​there was a mandatory folic acid fortification of cereal grain products to reduce neural tube defects in newborns.

Since then dietary folate deficiency has virtually been eliminated thanks to the fortification of certain foods, which also has been shown to reduce the rate of neural tube defects in North America. Many of our common household foods contain folic acid, some of them include:*†

  • enriched bread

  • cereals, flours

  • Cornmeal

  • Pasta

  • Rice

  • and other grain products

Does Consuming Folic Acid Have Risks?

The controversy over folic acid supplementation has been simmering for years and new research is finally shedding light on it. While there’s an agreement that too much of this nutrient can lead to increased cancer risk, the same seems true when you don’t get enough.*

According to an article in WebMD, research has expressed concern that “taking too much folic acid for a long time might cause serious side effects… taking doses of 0.8-1.2 mg daily might increase the risk for cancer or increase the risk of a heart attack in people who have heart problems”.*†

Folate deficiency, on the other hand, can have equally serious consequences and happens when your blood lacks the amount of vitamin B9 (folate) it needs to function properly. Folate is extremely important for the development of the brain and spinal cord in unborn babies, and a lack of this can cause neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly.*†

Other symptoms of folate deficiency may include:

  • Infertility.

  • Certain cancers.

  • Cardiovascular disease.

  • Depression.

  • Dementia.

  • Decreased cognitive function.

  • Alzheimer’s disease.

While folate deficiency is rare, it can cause severe complications such as birth defects and anemia. Below is a chart displaying the Recommended Dietary Allowances for folate (folic acid):

Folic acid is a B vitamin that must be converted into an active form known as tetrahydrofolate (THF).*

The enzyme required for this conversion, known at DHFR has low activity in humans and so there’s an accumulation of unmetabolized folic acid within our bodies which competes with normal folate receptors causing cells to stop dividing properly.*

Folic Acid and Folate Supplementation

Our in-house formulator, Dr. Mark Stengler NMD, has this to say about folic acid supplementation…

“I recommend avoiding supplements that contain folic acid. Many people consume folic acid due to the abundance of enriched foods and sub-quality supplements. Also, many people have genetic variations where they do not metabolize folic acid efficiently. Use supplements that contain folate or methyl folate, the type found in foods that your body can convert into a usable form. Prenatals, multivitamins, children’s vitamins, B complex formulas, and other dietary supplements are available that contain the natural folate form and not folic acid.”

Emerald Labs offers a variety of supplements that contain Coenzymated Methyl Folate, an activated form that is “predigested” and may also be helpful for those who cannot effectively metabolize Folate.

Our Coezymated Folate Formulas

Coenzymated “Activated” Form of B2(R-5-P), B6 (P-5-P) & Methyl Folate ((6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate MTHF).

Studies have shown that over 46% of people cannot effectively metabolize Folic Acid or natural Folate unless it is in the activated coenzymated form ((6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate MTHF).1

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Emerald Labs Dr Mark Stengler NMD

Formulated by Dr. Mark Stengler NMD.

Known as America’s Natural Doctor to his patients, readers and audiences across North America, Mark Stengler is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor. His passion is to combine the best of conventional and natural medicine to achieve optimized health for his patients.  Dr. Stengler has personally formulated each of the Emerald Labs Additive-Free products according to the high standards of his health practice.   Read more about Dr. Stengler…

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR ADVICE REGARDING ANY MEDICAL CONDITION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELF-DIAGNOSE OR TREAT ANY MEDICAL CONDITION.

†Selected References

NIH.gov
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic