What is MCVitamins.com
Do you know what our website is about? After working with some AI, I found a really good overview and liked it. I didn't expect this. . So, here you go.
MCVitamins.com is a health education website focused on helping people understand how the body works and how to build better health through nutrition and functional medicine. Founded in 1999 by Chris Daino, the site aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Here's what it offers:
Educational Articles: Easy to understand content on topics like metabolism, gut health, immune support, and chronic conditions such as neuropathy, diabetes and fatty liver.
Functional Medicine Approach: Emphasizes treating the root causes of health issues rather than just managing symptoms.
Supplement Recommendations: Curated suggestions for vitamins, minerals and herbal formulas based on research and user feedback.
Health Coaching and Tutoring: guidance for those who want personalized help navigating their health journey
Newsletter & Blog: Regular updates with health tips, new findings, and product insights.
It's not a medical site, though - it doesn't offer diagnoses or treatment plans. Instead, it's all about giving you the tools to take control of your health naturally.
The Link Between Abdominal Obesity and Metabolism
You no doubt have heard of metabolism and may even have a vague idea of what it is. But there are a lot of myths related to the impact metabolism has on your health, especially in terms of weight loss.
There has long been the concept that if you lose weight you will be healthy, but the truth is that if you get healthy - especially addressing your metabolism - you'll lose weight.
Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that convert food into energy. If you have a healthy metabolism all these reactions and your organs working together and working well, it will be creating the energy needed for life.
How does metabolism really affect your weight?
Obesity is a symptom. It is a symptom of a dysfunctional metabolism, which also means that the mitochondria in the cell is not performing its job. The mitochondria are actually the powerhouse or “batteries” of the cell. The mitochondria by speeding up metabolism, is making the cells more productive by creating energy for your metabolism.
Do you remember statement that to lose weight you just need to speed up your metabolism. Ever wonder what that means? If you improve the mitochondria in your cells, they will speed up creating energy and healthy cells.
What you want is a healthy metabolism.
The Metabolic Syndrome
Abdominal obesity is a factor in the Metabolic Syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions, that are really symptoms which tell you something isn't right with your metabolism.
The Metabolic Syndrome is characterized by having at least three of the following: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low HD cholesterol levels. All metabolic syndrome conditions are symptoms of metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Obesity is one of these symptoms that tell you that your metabolism has been impaired. Abdominal obesity is characterized by fat around the middle. Obesity then creates more problems for the body such as insulin resistance where the cells do not respond to insulin and creating inflammation which increases many biological problems and also creates even more dysfunctional metabolism.
There seems to be a dangerous trend. People are seeking quick metabolic solutions to weight loss through medications while overlooking the healing potential of whole-body nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Gut hormones aren't just a weight loss mechanism - it’s a complex signaling system that reflects overall metabolic health. The goal isn’t to trick this system but to support and optimize its natural function. You need to build health to lose weight naturally.
Understand that being overweight is a symptom, not a root cause.
True health requires
• Metabolic wellness
• Good nutrition
• Targeted supplements supporting metabolic healing
• Stress reduction and sleep optimization protocols
Recommended
Understanding Nutrition and how to Eat Well
Rebuild Healthy Metabolism with PureLife Care+
The Mitochondria
Hey, It’s Dr. Martin here…
Have you ever looked at someone and thought “Wow… how do they still look so young?” While others feel tired, stiff, and older than they really are?
A recent study from the Antioxidants Journal has the surprising answer.
It all comes down to something tiny but super powerful inside your cells...Your mitochondria.
Think of mitochondria like little batteries. They give your body energy. They help you move… think… feel alive. When they’re working, you feel great.
But as we get older… Those little batteries?? They start to run low and when that happens…
Your energy drops.
Your joints ache.
Your memory slips.
Your skin looks older.
Your whole body just… slows down.
To make things worse…When mitochondria stop working well, they create things called “reactive oxygen species”…You can think of them as little sparks that damage cells from the inside out. These sparks damage your cells, your DNA, even your organs. That’s what really makes you age faster.
Doctors even have a name for it now…They call it “mitochondrial dysfunction.” But here’s the part that really matters…
If your mitochondria aren’t healthy, you’re not going to feel healthy either.
Having bad mitochondria doesn’t just make us tired. It can lead to problems like stiff blood vessels, memory loss, joint pains, and even diseases that affect our heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. It’s like trying to use a flashlight with dead batteries.
No matter how nice the flashlight is… it just won’t shine.
Topical Pain Killers
by David Christopher, MH
I often receive calls from people dealing with sports injuries, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and general body pain. In these cases, I always encourage them to avoid pharmaceuticals when possible and turn to herbal analgesics instead, which are both effective and safe.
When managing pain, I recommend applying topical treatments directly to the affected area, especially for those already using over-the-counter or prescription medications. This localized approach minimizes the exposure of the medication to other parts of the body, particularly the intestinal tract. The side effects of pain-relieving pharmaceuticals, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, are well-documented. These medications, such as Advil and Motrin, not only irritate and damage the stomach lining, leading to ulcers and bleeding, but they also raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The key is to keep the medication local.
Topicals like Asper-creme, Icy Hot, and Bengay may temporarily reduce pain, but they do not offer healing. That’s why I teach my students to turn to healing herbal alternatives, such as Dr. Christopher’s famous Complete Tissue and Bone massage oil. This can be combined with other natural herbal analgesics, like MPR spray, Cayenne Heat ointment or massage oil, and the wonderful Sen Sei all-natural essential balm—which, by the way, is also fantastic for swollen gums and tonsils.
Dr. Christopher’s topical solutions are not only safe and effective, but they also avoid the common side effects associated with over-the-counter options like Lidocaine patches. The healing power of these natural remedies is even more effective when paired with alternating hot and cold-water soaks or castor oil packs.
To speed up recovery from sports injuries or any other painful conditions, it’s important to focus on wholesome, nourishing foods. Avoid processed options like soda, candy, and fast food, and instead prioritize fresh fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, raw nuts, and seeds. Our bodies are designed to heal, and with the right support from nature, they can do so efficiently.
David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing
