|
|
· ·
|
Daily Core Nutritional Supplement Program
What follows is what I consider to be an excellent daily core
supplement program
that provides excellent nutritional support to complement a natural
foods diet for those over 40:
Extend Core Multivitamins/minerals: This is a three capsule a
day multinutrient formula from VRP that provides substantial, but not
megadose, levels of all vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. I simply
take one capsule with each meal. Free of all additives and binders,
Extend Core is the best and most practical
multinutrient formula I know of, and it is affordably priced.
Grape Seed Extract: This is the best source of the powerful
nutrient
commonly known as Pycnogenol. The active ingredient is a naturally
occurring antioxidant known as proanthocyanidin, and this grape seed
extract from VRP contains a higher concentration of proanthocyanidin
than Pycnogenol (95% vs. 85%). Proanthocyanidin is about 50 times
more powerful as an antioxidant than Vitamins C or E. Grape seed
extract has been used clinically in Europe for decades to improve
circulation, strengthen tissue elasticity, and prevent
macular degeneration. I take 100 mg. per day.
R-Lipoic Acid: This is the most versatile antioxidant in the
human body.
It can neutralize free radicals in both fat and water soluble tissues.
It also recharges other antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and
glutathione. R-lipoic acid is more effective against a broader range of
free radicals than any other antioxidant. It has proven to have
preventive and therapeutic value in diabetes, heart disease, nerve
degeneration, liver disease, and ocular
degeneration. It is produced by the body but often in sub-optimal
amounts. I take 100 mg. per day.
Coenzyme Q 10: This is a major energy nutrient with proven
anti-aging
benefits. It assists in oxygen utilization and energy production
within every cell of the body. It helps to prevent heart disease and
strengthen the heart, improves endurance, prevents periodontal disease
and enhances the immune system. In Japan, Sweden, Italy, and Denmark,
CoQ10 is commonly prescribed to patients by
doctors to improve heart function.
Although sold as a drug in those countries, it is available over-the-counter in the United States. I personally take the new Ubiquinol form of Coenzyme 10, which is called CoQ10-H2. This is the best and most advanced form of Coenzyme Q10 in the world. I take two 50 mg capsules daily, but those with known heart problems should take twice that.
ProOmega Fish Oil:
The Omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are vitally important to cardiovascular health, as well as to the health of brain and the immune system. Fish oil has been shown to effectively inhibit harmful inflammations in the body, including within the arteries, as evidenced by the lessening of C-Reactive Protein. Fish oil also helps to keep blood platelets from sticking together to form blood clots. DHA and EPA are not contained in any plant food, and fish is by far the richest source of these "fats that heal." Eating fish occasionally is fine, but for daily consumption, I prefer to take Nordic Naturals ProOmega 120 softgels because surely there is no better fish oil supplement in the world. Made in Norway from fish caught high in the Arctic, it is very potent and absolutely pure and free of all contaminants, including mercury, PCBs, etc. And it is also very pleasant to take with a fresh lemon flavor and no fishy smell at all. No fish oil supplement meets a higher standard than this. I take 2 ProOmega softgels per day.
Vitamin E: This is the one vitamin that I believe is worth taking
in somewhat larger amounts. VRP uses a natural-source alpha tocopherol
(which is 2-5 times more bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E) in a
non-oil, powdered form. (The common oil form of Vitamin E goes rancid
very quickly). Also, VRP Vitamin E contains mixed tocopherols as well
as alpha tocopherol, which makes it more balanced and complete.
I take E-Team from VRP which contains the full spectrum of
tocopherols and tocotrienols.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: ALC is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-Carnitine. Like L-Carnitine, ALC helps transfer fatty acids into the cellular mitochondria to increase fat-burning and energy production. However, ALC enters the brain much more readily than L-Carnitine, and ALC has been found to be the most important brain antioxidant, protecting brain cells from age-related degeneration. In Europe, ALC is used as both a preventive and treatment for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other degenerative diseases of the brain. I take 500 mg. ALC every morning.
Carnosine: This dipeptide quenches the most destructive free radical of all- the hydroxyl radical. In aging, protein degradation occurs as a result of cross-linking, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). An example of this process can be seen in wrinkling of the skin. Carnosine is the safest and most effective supplement against cross-linking and AGE. In fact, it is the most effective anti-glycating agent known. Carnosine has protective effects that are measureble throughout the body, including the brain, and it appears to be perfectly safe. I take 500 mg. of Carnosine every morning.
Benfotiamine:
This is the fat-soluble form of Thiamine, Vitamin B1, and it has the specific effect to prevent damage to proteins from exposure to sugar. Hence, benfotiamine is especially valuable for diabetics and pre-diabetics. I am neither one of those, but I expend a lot of calories exercising, and a lot of my replacement calories are carbohydrates. Note that I take two supplements to inhibit glycations in my body: Carnosine and Benfotiamine. I take 150 mg capsule of Benfotiamine daily.
Green Tea Extract:
Green Tea is, without a doubt, the highest in antioxidants of any plant consumed by humans, and it has widespread health benefits affecting weight, metabolism, immunity, and also towards preventing cancer by protecting DNA and by other mechanisms. The only downside to green tea is its caffeine content, but VRP's Green Tea Extract contains only 1 mg of caffeine per capsule (which is negligible). Yet, the polyphenol content is still sky-high. If I liked the taste of green tea, I would drink it. But I don't like it, so I am glad to have this option. Each tiny (180 mg) capsule is equivalent to two cups of green tea, and I take two capsules daily.
Resveratrol:
Resveratrol is the polyphenol that is derived from the skins of red grapes. Besides being a proven cardiovascular protector, resveratrol has been shown to inhibit mutations in cells which could otherwise lead to cancer. And remarkably, resveratrol has been shown to have life-extending effects in animals. VRP's resveratrol contains an industry-high 20 mg of active transveratrol per capsule, and I take one capsule a day.
Turmeric 500 mgs:
The yellow Indian spice, turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and specifically, it has been shown to inhibit the over-expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkB) which is suspected of playing a role in Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases. Turmeric binds iron and copper in the brain, which helps prevent damage from these oxidant metals. Turmeric also has ample cardiovascular benefits, and it may have anti-cancer effects as well. I take one 500 mg capsule of turmeric daily.
|
|
