Vitamin Supplements for Long-Term Survival: The Essential Guide

In a long-term survival situation, having access to a varied and balanced diet may be challenging. This is where vitamin supplements can come in handy, helping to ensure that you get the nutrients you need to stay healthy. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to know which supplements to choose.

the essential vitamin supplements you should consider storing for long-term survival

Here’s a guide to the essential vitamin supplements you should consider storing for long-term survival:

  1. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in supporting the immune system, collagen production, and the absorption of iron. It’s also a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. In a survival situation, getting enough vitamin C can be challenging, so it’s a good idea to have a supply of vitamin C supplements on hand.
  2. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, which is needed for strong bones and teeth. It’s also important for immune function and the regulation of blood pressure. In a survival situation, getting enough vitamin D can be difficult because it’s primarily synthesized by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. If you’re unable to get enough sunlight, storing a supply of vitamin D supplements can help ensure that you get enough of this essential nutrient.
supplements can help ensure that you get enough essential nutrients
  1. Multivitamins: A multivitamin is a combination of essential vitamins and minerals that can help fill in any gaps in your diet. In a survival situation, a multivitamin can help ensure that you get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Look for a multivitamin that includes vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as the B vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc.
  2. Omega-3 supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good health and are important for brain function, heart health, and immune function. They’re also anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In a survival situation, it may be difficult to get enough omega-3s from your diet, so storing a supply of omega-3 supplements can be a good idea.
  3. Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial for gut health. They help balance the bacteria in the gut and support the immune system. In a survival situation, it may be difficult to get enough probiotics from your diet, so storing a supply of probiotic supplements can be a good idea.
essential vitamin supplements

By storing these essential vitamin supplements, you’ll have a supply of nutrients to help you stay healthy in a long-term survival situation. It’s important to remember that supplements should not be a replacement for a varied and balanced diet, but they can help fill in any gaps and ensure that you get the nutrients you need.

 

Water – Our Liquid Friend

Water is important to any survival situation. We need it in our daily lives and even more so in a disaster scenario. Please enjoy this collection of infographics that highlight all of the wonderful benefits that our liquid friend provides us.

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Water: Nature’s Cure-All?

Water: Nature's Cure All?

Water: Nature’s Cure-All?

Aside from quenching your thirst, drinking the right amount of water can benefit your overall health in countless other ways. From aiding weight loss to boosting productivity, let’s look at how water can improve your health.

We Are Water

… well, we’re mostly water.

60%

Proportion of water in adult human body (1)

How much water is in … (2, 3)

Blood: 92%

Brain: 73%

Heart: 73%

Lungs: 83%

Skin: 64%

Muscles: 79%

Kidneys: 79%

Bones: 31%

Nature’s Wonder Drug

Water’s basic functions include regulating body temperature, flushing waste and moving nutrients through our cells. But what can that mean for some of the most important illnesses and health issues? (4, 5, 6)

Aids digestion

60 million

Americans affected by digestive disorders (7)

Improves circulation

Helps create saliva

Reducing appetite

$60 billion

Annual U.S. consumer spending on weight loss efforts (8)

Providing fuel for muscles

Moisturizing skin

Clears skin of toxins

Facilitating kidney function

1 in 10

U.S. adults with some form of chronic kidney disease (9)

Boosts productivity and ramps up brain power

Preventing muscle cramps and strains

Prevents tiredness

30%

Adults who get less than 6 hours of sleep on the average night (9)

Relieving minor illnesses

Drinking It In

About 20% of our water intake comes from foods like fruits and vegetables. That means the rest comes from the beverages we drink. (4)

Good news, then, that water is the most popular beverage in the U.S., recently eclipsing soda for the top spot.

Average annual consumption in gallons (10)

Soda: 44

Water: 58
It’s not all plain water, though. Many Americans are getting their fill of water thanks in part to the myriad “flavored” waters on the market.

People who reported drinking any flavored water in the past week, in millions (11)

Spring 2010: 8.92

Autumn 2010: 8.57

Spring 2011: 8.69

Autumn 2011: 8.13

Spring 2012: 7.68

Autumn 2012: 8.07

Spring 2013: 8.96

1 in 5

U.S. households that buy bottled water and liquid flavor enhancers (12)

These enhancers often contain additives like salt, dyes and other chemicals. A better option is going natural. Don’t like the taste of water? Consider adding: (13, 14)

A few chunks of frozen fruit

Mint ice cubes

A slice of citrus

Mashed berries

Unsweetened fruit juice

Sliced cucumber

Source: Master-of-Health-Administration.com

Water: Nature's Cure All

Sources:
1. http://www.mayoclinic.org
2. http://water.usgs.gov
3. http://www.waterinfo.org
4. http://www.webmd.com
5. http://www.lhj.com
6. http://science.howstuffworks.com
7. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov
8. http://money.usnews.com
9. http://www.cdc.gov
10. http://www.cbsnews.com
11. http://www.statista.com
12. http://abclocal.go.com
13. http://www.everydayhealth.com
14. http://www.shape.com

Ever Heard Of Hyponatremia?

We all worry about dehydration.

Did you know there are extreme dangers associated with a phenomenon called Hyponatremia?

In simple terms this is over hydration and can actually cause death. Generally this is associated with lack of food, and drinking large amounts of fluid during extreme or endurance physical activity. This can cause the body’s salt levels to drop dramatically and cause body cells to swell and leak into the bloodstream. A person can suddenly collapse. Coma or death are genuine concerns.

Let it be known that the symptoms of over hydration are similar to dehydration. Hydrating with water only worsens the situation. Simply put the easiest way to tell the difference between hyponatremia and dehydration symptoms is to look for swelling of the fingers, joints, wrists. Also watch for ring and watch tightness due to excessive swelling.

In patients with severe hyponatremia (serum sodium <125 mEq/L), central nervous system symptoms predominate and can progress to seizures, coma, or death.

Other neurological symptoms include:
  •       Headache
  •       Muscle cramps
  •       Reversible ataxia
  •       Psychosis
  •       Lethargy
  •       Restlessness
  •       Disorientation
  •       Apathy
  •       Anorexia
  •       Agitation
 
Neurological symptoms are generally less common in patients with chronic or mild hyponatremia (serum sodium >125 mEq/L).
 
Nonneurological symptoms of hyponatremia include:
  •       Fatigue
  •       Thirst
  •       Weakness
  •       Cramping
  •       Nausea
  •       Vomiting
  •       Bloating
  •       Swelling
  •       Tightness of hands and feet

Some simple tips: Try to snack from time to time before and during the activity. It usually only takes small amounts of salt found in most foods to rebalance your system. Sports drinks work well. Try to prehydrate before exercising then continue to drink appx a cup of fluid every 20 to 30 minutes.

 

Authors note: We possess no personal medical expertise. Our intent is only to briefly inform the reader of a possible dangerous situation. Please speak with a medical professional for more detailed information on this potential life threatening situation.