I never realised just how possible it was to be so in-tune with your body until I became a quadriplegic.
After sustaining my spinal cord injury I was quickly put on a ridiculous amount of medications for pain, for muscle spasms, for bladder control, for sleep, for just about anything and every thing you could think of.
Luckily for me I had a nursing background (vet nursing that is) and had a bit of knowledge on some of the medications that were being prescribed to me and because of this I (not so politely) declined a handful of them as I believed they would inhibit what ever natural recovery could happen and the inner hippie in me was screaming at me to fill my body with goodness, not poison.
Now before you read on you must know this – I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND WHAT YOU READ BELOW IS MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE & CHOICES MADE BE ME!
Obviously I have to put that little disclaimer in there before people start filling my inbox with nasty comments about how I shouldn’t be giving said advice but the below are some the things that after much research and many trial and tribulations, have worked for me.
They are not medications, they are vitamins and supplements that will only benefit you, so if you do decide to follow my lead, what I can guarantee is that it won’t hurt. Unless of course you decide to take stupid amounts of these things, in which case if you do so, your a goose!
One of the super powers I have attained along this journey is the power to know when something isn’t right within my body. Having a spinal cord injury affects the autonomic nervous system therefor my body responds to pain and discomfort in a different way to the average person. (Google it, it’s pretty complex) Because of this I have become hypersensitive and can predict an illness before it actually fully hits me, which enables me to start treating it right away.
Allow me to share with you some of the top health supplements I use to keep my body in check that are beneficial for those with and without spinal cord injuries (and other neurological disorders) as well as those wanting to increase their health, well being and energy levels.
Vitamin B12 – 3 Monthly shot
Vitamin B12 benefits the central nervous system in many important ways: It helps maintain the health of nerve cells — including those needed for neurotransmitter signaling — and helps form the protective covering of nerves, called the cell’s myelin sheath. This means that when vitamin B12 levels are low, almost every cognitive function can suffer.
Vitamin B12, sometimes also called cyanocobalamin, also helps with digestion and heart health, so a deficiency can lead to both digestive disorders and an increased risk for heart disease.
Vitamin B12 benefits your mood, energy level, memory, heart, skin, hair, digestion and more. Vitamin B12 is also an essential vitamin for addressing adrenal fatigue, multiple metabolic functions — including enzyme production, DNA synthesis and hormonal balance — and maintaining healthy nervous and cardiovascular systems.
*SCI Fact: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in persons with SCI is reported to be between 5.7% and 19% (Petchkrua et al. 2002). Symptoms may include declining gait, depression or fatigue, upper limb weakness, memory loss and worsening pain (Petchkrua et al. 2002; Petchkrua et al. 2003). Vitamin B12 deficiency usually responds to supplementation.
BioCeuticals ArmaForce
The ultimate immune booster, with a blend of powerful herbs and nutrients to target symptoms of the common cold and mild upper respiratory tract infections.
ArmaForce is a comprehensive formula combining the herbal and nutritional ingredients andrographis, echinacea, olive leaf, vitamin C and zinc. It has been scientifically formulated to provide relief of symptoms and decrease the duration of upper respiratory tract infections and colds. ArmaForce supplies nutritional support for healthy immune function which for those of us living with spinal cord injuries, supporting our immune system is a must!
BioCeuticals D3 Drops Forte
Vitamin D3 plays an intrinsic role in calcium metabolism, the immune and nervous systems, and bone, heart and kidney health. Although thee sun is the best natural source of vitamin D, a significant number of Australians are deficient in vitamin D because of the high levels exposure making it hard to balance the sun exposure with skin cancer risk.
BioCeuticals Ulta Muscleze
Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
This powder is formulated to support healthy muscle contraction and relaxation. Ultra Muscleze may relieve muscle cramps, aches and pains, symptoms associated with premenstrual tension and period cramps, and may help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
To find out more about magnesium deficiencies click here.
Cranberry Max Tablets 20,000
Some research shows that drinking cranberry juice or taking certain cranberry extracts can lower the risk of repeated urinary tract infections in some people, such as women, children, older people, and people who are hospitalised (i.e., people with spinal cord injuries)
Bio-Organics Cranberry 20,000 is an extra-strength cranberry juice concerntrate in a tablet, which can help to maintain urinary tract health. Scientific study has shown that cranberry juice discourages adherence of harmful bacteria to the urinary tract and can reduce the risk of cystitis infection.
By inhibiting the ability of bacteria to stick to the lining of the urinary tract, cranberry may help reduce the frequency of cystitis. Cranberries are also useful for masking urinary odours associated with incontinence and cystitis.
Bio-Organics Cranberry 20,000 is one of the highest potency cranberry supplements available, providing the equivalent of 20 grams of fresh cranberries in each tablet.
Natures Way Restore Daily Probiotic
The idea that bacteria is beneficial can be tough to understand. We take antibiotics to kill harmful bacterial infections and use antibacterial soaps and lotions more than ever. The wrong bacteria in the wrong place can cause problems, but the right bacteria in the right place can have benefits. This is where probiotics come in. Probiotics are live microorganisms that may be able to help prevent and treat some illnesses. Promoting a healthy digestive tract and a healthy immune system are their most widely studied benefits at this time. These are also commonly known as friendly, good, or healthy bacteria. Probiotics can be supplied through foods, beverages, and dietary supplements.
Restore is the perfect everyday probiotic as it contains the researched amount of probiotic cultures, and extensively trialled strains. Restore probiotic bacteria reach your digestive system alive! Restore Probiotics are so robust that they do not require refrigeration and can be taken at your convenience.
Please remember that any supplement is just that – a supplement and works at it’s optimal best when partnered with good foods that will nourish your body and plenty of water that will keep it hydrated!
(Just a side note – none of these products are “sponsored”, they are just products I have found over the last 7 years that are amazing quality and worth the buck!) Please remember to consult your doctor when taking any new supplements!
