I knew health was becoming a big topic around the world today, but I am pleasantly surprised to find there are readers asking me for more information on the topic.  I would love to share more about what I have learned.  I did mention that I found out I was slightly anemic and that was what drove me to supplements.  At the time I wasn’t the healthiest eater - this was before I gave up McDonald’s :p - but I did not want my symptoms to get worse.  Seriously, who likes to be sick, besides getting out of work, it sucks.  Being tired and weak was not fun for me especially when photo shoots went for hours and sometimes all day.  Those were easy though compared to promotional events where I have to stand and walk around all day talking to people!  So I took a nutrition class in college when I found out about my condition.  I wanted to learn the types of food I should try to eat more of (this was before my training with a nutrition coach).  I learned about vitamins and minerals, healthy levels to be digested, what foods they were in, and how they react with each other in terms of absorption in the body.  So let me talk a little bit about them:

• Iron (anemia is an iron deficiency) - trace mineral found in dark greens like spinach, clams, beef steak, navy beans, and enriched cereals.  80% of the iron in the body is in the blood, because of this women need one and half times as much as men do.  Iron helps red blood cells (hemoglobin) hold and carry oxygen.  Iron is also needed to create new cells, amino acids, hormones, and neurotransmitters - referred to as the body’s ‘gold’.  Overdosing on iron is as threatening as having a lack, it is toxic, so absorption is carefully controlled because once inside the body, iron is difficult to excrete.  Be aware that vitamin C enhances iron absorption, and conversely, calcium impairs iron absorption.
• Calcium - major mineral found in dairy (milk, yogurt cheese), almonds, broccoli, kale, collard greens,  mineral water (hard tap water).  This is the most abundant mineral in the body mostly (99%) stored in bones and teeth.  There is a common misconception that once a bone is built it is inert, when in fact the bones release calcium to regulate concentrations in the body fluids.  The minerals of bones are in constant flux.  The tiny amount of calcium in body fluids is so important because it regulates the transportation of ions important in nerve transmission, maintains normal blood pressure, essential for blood clotting and muscle contraction (heartbeat!), and allows secretion of hormones, digestive enzymes, and neurotransmitters.
• Vitamin C - antioxidant vitamin, but in concentrated levels acts as the opposite (pro oxidant). It can be found in broccoli, citrus, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and peppers. Vitamin C helps protect & recycle vitamin E, and supports the immune system functions protecting from infections.  Smoking depletes the body’s vitamin C.  In large doses vitamin C can have negative effects and symptoms, but it is not known to be toxic.

I was probably really lucky I took that nutrition class, otherwise I was on track for making myself sicker in trying to make myself healthier.  When the doctor told me I was anemic I went out and bought iron supplements, not paying attention to the dosage.  I found out that iron supplements are actually the leading cause of fatal accidental poisonings and it turned out I had chosen a pretty high dosage iron pill.  Once I got the right dosage I still wasn’t home free.  I was taking my iron supplements in the morning.  Unfortunately, coffee and tea inhibit the absorption of iron as well as some fiber (phytates) in whole-grain cereals, aside from the calcium in milk.  Now that I had the right dosage, I was basically preventing its absorption due to the food I was eating.  Today, I take my calcium supplements in the morning and my iron supplement at night before I go to bed.  I actually find it helps me wake up refreshed and I am less groggy, but I have no medical backing for that claim

Oh, and one last note, believe it or not, cooking in an iron pan increases the amount of iron in the food - that fact came straight out of my nutrition book so I’m not exaggerating!

Check out the supplements I take at Nutritional Health

I believe health is a most important aspect of living a fulfilling life. I am not a model that starves in order to keep looking good - I love to eat! I get frustrated by the stereotype held in many people’s minds about how models stay skinny.  Granted there may be some that do have poor health and eating habits, but I eat the right things and stay healthy.  Exercise is of course important but I hate to say it, I slack off more than I would like to admit.  Having said that, my success is in my eating habits.

So what is my diet like you ask?  Well, first off I stay away from processed food as much as possible.  I do eat fast food, but not often.  Processed food actually includes store bought pre-made food as well, like the frozen burritos or frozen lunches.  I cook as often as I can and try to stick with fresh organics.  I also supplement my meals with things like antioxidants, essential vitamins, and plant enzymes.

• Antioxidants are substances or nutrients which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals as a by-product which can cause damage.  Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals.  Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore can considerably lower risk of serious health problems.  Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process.  Specifically, the antioxidant resveratrol may have the power to simulate a calorie restricted diet, increase lifespan and more.  Antioxidants also have the health benefits such as helping the digestive process by breaking down proteins, aiding with high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
• Probiotics are helpful bacteria that normally inhabit the human digestive tract. With these beneficial microbes, the digestive process is complete. There is also evidence suggesting that with out probiotics the immune system cannot function properly and lessens your resistance to infection.  Antibiotics generally wipe out this “friendly” intestinal bacteria along with the bugs that cause infection.  Symptoms of low or no probiotics can include diarrhea, cramping, bloating, or other digestive problems. Probiotics also help create a hostile environment for Parasites, Worms & Bad Bacteria. Digestive waste can sit stagnant in your colon for years causing you to feel bloated, tired, fatigued, stressed and can cause more serious health problems. Colon Cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the nation and taking a digestive health supplement with probiotics may be more vital today than ever before with all of the junk our bodies consume and breathe every single day
• B-Vitamin Complex influences several important bodily functions. Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) help the body produce energy and affect enzymes that influence the muscles, nerves, and heart. Vitamin B3 (niacin) has a role in energy production in cells and in maintaining the health of the skin, nervous system, and digestive system. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) influences normal growth and development. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps the body break down protein and helps maintain the health of red blood cells, the nervous system, and parts of the immune system. Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps break down protein and carbohydrates and helps the body make hormones. Vitamin B9 (folic acid) helps the cells in the body make and maintain DNA and is important in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a role in the body’s growth and development. It also has a part in producing blood cells, the functions of the nervous system, and how the body uses folic acid and carbohydrates.  Deficiency of certain B vitamins can cause anemia, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, muscle cramps, respiratory infections, hair loss, eczema, poor growth in children, and birth defects in the fetuses of pregnant women.

I was diagnosed with anemia when I was younger and diabetes runs in my family so I became very conscious of my health even before I began modeling.  In fact, I began to lose weight as a result of healthier eating habits and that is what led me into modeling.  What if you could harness the power of antioxidants, all day energy, essential vitamins, rich anti-aging micro nutrients, weight loss, and internal health?  I hope you use the information I have given you here and have provided you with a link to the supplements I take in the left sidebar under “my favorite links”  In case you are interested in learning more, check out this link: Nutritional Health