In 1999 I was introduced to a liquid vitamin drink called Body Balance by Life Force International. We used it for over 10 years.
At the time there weren’t the same resources available to research all the ingredients and I wasn’t the research freak that I am now.
I took the vitamin drink for granted and didn’t think much about it.
I gave it to my daughters as their first vitamin. In fact, it was the only thing they drank other than water for years.
I weaned them to this drink after having their doctor look at it. We skipped milk altogether.
We quit taking it in 2013.
Fast-forward to 2017 and I’ve been reintroduced to this liquid vitamin and decided it’s time for a second look.
Why Body Balance Deserved A Second Look
I recently started looking at the nutrients and vitamins my daughters were getting and realized there was a gap especially since we drink reverse osmosis water.
My business partner reminded me of how much the girls loved the Life Force Body Balance and how I raved about it.
He was right. They did and I did, too.
Why did I switch from a liquid vitamin drink that I loved and go to a pill form?
Well, I’ll be honest with you. I thought I found something better.
I switched over to purchasing many of my supplements from Isagenix and since I hadn’t thoroughly researched Body Balance in the past I didn’t really think it was a big deal to switch out vitamins.
Also, at the time I didn’t factor in what nutrients my daughters might miss out on.
Liquid Vitamins vs Pill Form
As I said above, Body Balance is in liquid form.
The most obvious advantage of liquid vitamins over pill form for my youngest daughter is that liquid vitamins are easier for her to swallow.
In fact, she can’t even swallow pills and she’s almost 10.
The Vitamins-Nutrition website says, “research shows that liquid vitamins have an absorption rate of up to 95%” and that, unlike pills, they are absorbed directly into your body’s bloodstream because they bypass the digestive system.
Liquid vitamins are also easier on a child’s immature digestive systems.
I imagine they are probably better for adults, too.
Isagenix offers great products for weight loss and cleansing but not a nutrient-dense vitamin for my daughters.
The more I investigate Body Balance the more I realize I can use some of the nutrients too.
What Makes Body Balance Different
The main source of nutrients in Body Balance is seaweed or sea vegetation.
When you think of seaweed, is the first thing that comes to mind sushi? It is mine and I don’t even eat sushi!
I discovered the seaweed known as nori is used in sushi, but there are many other types of seaweed and there are so many benefits to it.
Here’s What I Found Out
According to bodyecology.com, seaweed has the following benefits:
- Prevents aging and chronic disease
- Lowers cholesterol
- Solves mineral deficiencies
- Detoxifies your body from heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and carcinogens
- Helps control the growth of pathogenic viruses, candida, and pathogenic bacteria
- Balance thyroid function
- Fight constipation
Different Types Of Seaweed
Other than sushi the only other experience I’ve had with seaweed is what I get tangled in at the beach.
As it turns out the groups of seaweed that people commonly consume are broken down by colors:
Green algae – such as sea lettuce or ulva, and sea grapes
Brown algae – such as kombu, arame, kelp, and wakame (the miso soup seaweed)
Red algae – such as dulce, laver, and nori (the sushi seaweed)
Blue-green algae – such as spirulina and chlorella
What Nutrients Are In Seaweed
Like most land vegetables, seaweed contains vitamins A (beta carotene) and C. It is one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B-12.
It also has magnesium and potassium, which protect your blood vessels and it even helps you cope with stress because it contains nutrients that support the health of your adrenal glands (which have to do with your body’s response to stress).
It is rich in protein and amino acids that help your body fight infections.
The fiber it contains encourages the growth of good bacteria in your gut and removes toxins and fats from your body.
Seaweed is also a good source of iodine, which is essential for your body’s metabolism.
I’m liking the sound of this, aren’t you?
What Types Of Sea Vegetation Is In Body Balance
Body Balance includes its own proprietary SeaNine® blend of nine wild, sustainably harvested sea vegetables.
The SeaNine blend utilizes all three varieties of red, green, and brown sea vegetables.
- Sea Lettuce
- Norwegian Kelp
- Nori
- Kombu
- Irish Moss
- Gigartina Camissoi
- Dulse
- Dabber Locks
- Bladder Wrack
Where Is The Body Balance Sea Vegetation Harvested
As you know I’m very concerned about the toxins in our food.
So if I plan to eat or take a vitamin that has seaweed and give it to my daughters it better be toxic-free.
So, other than learning about the benefits of seaweed I had to find out where Life Force harvests theirs.
As you know there was a nuclear disaster in the Pacific Ocean and reports that radiation could be in the water.
I actually talked to the owner of the company about my concerns and this is what is published on their website.
Since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, concerns have been raised over the levels of radioactive contamination present in and around the coastal waters of Japan. Life Force International’s SeaNine® blend contains a unique combination of nine sea vegetables harvested primarily off the east coast of Canada.
As part of our rigorous quality control program, every incoming lot of raw material is tested to ensure the material’s identity, strength, quality, and purity are in line with Life Force International’s standard of excellence. In this regard, since 2011 every incoming lot of SeaNine® blend has undergone a full gamma radiation test.
We will continue to incorporate this testing on all incoming lots, and will immediately reject all material which does not conform to our strict guidelines.
What Else I Learned About Body Balance
Body Balance proprietary blend of nine wild, sustainably harvested sea vegetables blended with certified organically grown and processed Aloe vera.
I researched Aloe Vera (read my post here) and I know it’s powerful all by itself!
Body Balance is nutrient-dense, providing over 120 naturally occurring nutrients including vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and enzymes, in synergy with a broad spectrum of phytonutrients.
It is cold-processed to keep nutrients in their natural state and is good for all people over the age of one.
Since it contains honey it’s not recommended for children under one year of age.
So That’s Why
After researching the ingredient list and comparing it to other vitamins I decided to go back to Body Balance.
The sea vegetation makes it unique and the fact that it is liquid ensures my youngest daughter will get the minerals and vitamins she needs.
It’s sort of a no-brainer since my girls already like it. In fact, they nicked named it “Belly Buttons” when they were little.
Should You Take Body Balance?
If you or your children have trouble swallowing pills then Body Balance is a vitamin to consider.
If you don’t know if you are getting adequate nutrients from the vitamins you are taking now then you should try it.
If you drink reverse osmosis water consistently as we do then you may be missing important minerals and vitamins that your typical vitamin doesn’t contain.
It’s worth checking out.
Learn more about Body Balance from my friends at WholesaleLiquidVitamins.com.