Now back to why you are reading this page.  If you are looking for some latest nutrition articles, read on.  In the interest of time, instead of lengthy articles, I will share briefs from the 2009 clinical nutrition symposium.

When I attend scientific symposiums, I look for health and nutrition facts to share with my patients, and readers of my nutrition articles, blog and newsletter.  In particular, I look for health and nutriton info that empowers people to make well-informed healthy choices.  Here are briefs from the 2009 International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN) Symposium.  Each section begins with the name of the doctor the statements are attributed to.

Mitchell Ghen, DO, PhD

• Here’s a simple at home test to check if your stomach is producing too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria):  First thing in the morning, mix 1 egg, 4 oz beet juice and a glass of water in a blender and drink.  If after 4 hours there is any pinkness in the stool, you have hypochlorhydria.  Why is adequate stomach acid important?  Read my nutrition article on low stomach acid.
• Due to sprayed pesticides being recirculated in the air inside airplanes and exposure to ionizing radiation from thinner atmosphere at high altitudes, in an 8-hour flight, your body gets the equivalent DNA damage of smoking 200 cigarettes.  It would be impractical to never again get on an airplane for a trip for family, business or leisure reasons.  However, this should serve as another reason why having antioxidants in our diet and nutrition supplements is very important.
• The adequate blood vitamin D levels are 40 to 80 ng/ml.
• 50,000 to 70,000 deaths per year could be prevented if everyone has adequate blood vitamin D levels.
• The maintenance dose of supplemental essential fatty acids (found in fish and krill oil) for a healthy person is 2500 mg/day.  For anyone with heart rhythm abnormalities (arrythmia), it is 5000 mg/day.  For those with neurologic disorders (Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s), it is 10,000 mg/day.
• Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is a measurement of how well a food absorbs damaging free-radicals.  The average person gets 1200 ORAC units/day.  3000-5000 are needed to raise tissue antioxidant levels.  Some products contain 21,000 ORAC units.  People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) should not take extremely high ORAC unit products because they will often feel more fatigued.

Thomas O’Bryan, DC, DACBN, CCN

• Vitamin D controls a molecule made in our body (called “zonulin”) that allows potential immune-damaging substances in getting through our gut lining into our bloodstream.
• Gluten, found in many grains, signals our gut lining to activate zonulin.  If our vitamin D intake is too low, or our blood vitamin D levels are inadequte, too much zonulin is produced.   Therefore, adequate vitamin D is necessary to prevent damage from gluten-containing grains
• A recent study showed that elevated blood zonulin levels measured prior to the development of type 1 diabetes, were found in 70% of those who eventually developed type 1 diabetes (childhood onset diabetes); the study also showed the elevated zonulin levels preceeded the onset of type 1 diabetes by 3 1/2 years.  ¹
• Markers for elevated zonulin can also be found using special urine tests.  Measuring urine indicators for elevated zonulin provides early detection of potentially developing type 1 diabetes.  If detected, you can then decrease dietary gluten and increase vitamin D to prevent type 1 diabetes.  This could save many families from the discomfort, inconvenience and expense of childhood onset diabetes.

Steve Haltiwanger, MD, CCN

• Free-radical damage to the brain and a decline in the energy production of nerve cells preceeds symptoms of dementia by years.  Antioxidant protection is necessary to prevent and treat free-radical brain damage.  Therapeutic doses of lipoic acid, vitamin E, vitamin D, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and Ginkgo biloba are helpful for this purpose.
• All cells have energy producing structures called “mitochondria”.  Nerve and brain cells should normally have about 4000 mitochondria in each cell.  Deginerative brain diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzhiemer’s, etc.) have low energy produced by nerve cells and a decreased number of mitochondria.  To increase the energy produced by brain cells and restore mitochondria to prevent or treat deginerative brain diseases, supplemental Coenzyme Q10, NADH, phosphatidylserine, acetyl-L-carnitine in therapeutic doses are very helpful.

More nutrition articles that you can apply right away will be posted in this blog.  Stay tuned for part 2.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging / Nutrition Articles Update: Briefs From the 2009 IAACN Symposium

Your genes do not predetermine your health, epigenetics play a bigger role in determining your health.  In other words, your lifestyle, diet, nutrition program, habits, daily health choices and environment influence your health much more so than your genetic make-up. These factors actually change what genes are turned on and off.  On top of that, not only do they influence your health, but also the health of your children and grandchildren!

Epigentics is the topic in the featured article in the recent Time magazine issue, (dated January 18, 2010).  This was a compelling article.

It reminded me of the series of articles I wrote in 2005.  If you’d like to know how you can practically apply principles of epigenetics to your advantage, read these articles:

• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 1
• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 2
• Fitting Into Your Genes: How Nutrition Can Alter Your Future – Part 3

With 66% of Americans overweight and 33% obese, the dietary, lifestyle and environmental influences are the controllable variables which can modify genetic predispositions towards obesity.  Of particular interest in the current scientific community is the role of detoxification of environmental toxins in weight loss.

In my 20 years of clinical experience, with patients successfully achieving weight loss and maintenance, I can attest to the power of the application of Functional Medicine principles for turning off bad genes and turning on good genes.

Use factors of epigenetics such as lifestyle changes, diet, nutrition program or exercise to improve your health and appearance.  If your genes are keeping you from fitting into your jeans or your desired lifestyle and appearance, then join us at one of our Detox Group Classes!  A new class will be starting in February.   Contact us if you are interested.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging Health / Epigenetics: You Can Make Your Genes Fit You

Not all weight loss programs cause primarily fat loss, and not all fat loss programs enhance detoxification.  For long-term and effective weight loss, you have to have a fat loss program that enhances detoxification.

Weight Loss Programs With Detoxification Results in Significant Fat Loss

Most toxins are lipophilic compounds, meaning, they are literally “fat loving” compounds.  They love to hang out in fat cells.  They also promote fat gain.  The more fat present on a person’s body, the more room for toxins to be stored.  In addition, the more stored toxins, the more they can promote more fat stored.  Thus, a vicious cycle goes on, unless you remove the toxins from the stored fat.

Why Detoxification Is Important in Weight Loss Programs

Research data implies that the obesity epidemic in the U.S. is due to toxic overload. An article in the April 2002 issue of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine¹ concluded that: “The commonly held causes of obesity -overeating and inactivity- do not explain the current obesity epidemic.  Because the obesity epidemic occured rather quickly, it has been suggested that environmental causes instead of genetic factors may be largely responsible”.  In other words, they are saying that environmental toxins created in large amounts over the last 50 to 100 years could explain the widespread obesity epidemic.

We All Have Toxins In Our Bodies

In our current environment, we have toxins everywhere: from chemicals used in cleaning products, to outgassing of newly installed flooring and newly painted rooms, and from exposure to pesticides and plastic food containers.  Many of these toxins have estrogen-like activity.  As Harry Eidenier, PhD stated: “We are swimming in a sea of estrogens”.  So what?  Excess estrogens in the body cause fat storage.

It is not a question of whether or not we are exposed to toxins, we are all exposed.  The questions should be what is the extent of exposure and how many of these toxins are stored in our fat cells. Toxins are even found in babies in their mothers’ wombs!  In a study overseen by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), researchers at two major laboratories found an average of 200 industrial compounds, pollutants and other chemicals in 10 newborn babies, with a total of 287 chemicals found in the group. Of the 287 chemicals found in newborn umbilical cord blood, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause developmental problems.  EWG detected 287 chemicals of 413 tested (69 percent) in umbilical cord blood samples from 10 newborn babies, with a range of between 154 and 231 for each child. They found 101 chemicals in all babies tested. You can go to the Humane Toxome Project homepage to find toxic exposure results in your area.

What Happens During Detoxification?

Technically speaking, detoxification occurs in all the cells of the body, not just the liver.  Cellular detoxification is a two-phase process.  A simplified explanation in a multi-step process is being provided for the scope of this article.  Phase 1 detoxification essentially pulls toxins stored in fat cells and converts them to a form so they can be circulated in the bloodstream.  Phase 2 detoxification essentially converts the toxins circulating in the bloodstream to a form where they can be excreted from the body via urine, feces and sweat.  Balanced phase 1 and 2 detoxification is crucial.

For the beginning of the year, we are having a detoxification program designed to pull toxins from fat stores and decrease stored fat as described above.  On Saturday, January 9th from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, we are having our introductory session for the “Post Holiday Group Detox/Weight Loss Program“.  Complimentary lunch is being provided by CookSF.com.

We covered all bases for an effective weight loss program:

• Patient program guides and instructions are included.
• Suggested meal plans are included.
• All detox-enhancing supplements are included in the price of the 3 week detox program.
• No time to make your meals?  Can’t cook?  We have chosen CookSF as an optional part of this program because they deliver organic and gluten-free meals at very reasonable prices.  Most of their prepared meal choices are in line with the principles of our detoxification program. You may purchase detox meals during the program at an additional cost.  Get a taste of their food when you attend on Saturday.
• Selected personal exercise trainers will be present this Saturday as an option to help you get correctly started on a sustained exercise program.

Come join us on January 9th to find out more about the weight loss/detoxification program that is unlike the vast majority of weight loss programs out there.  You will end up having sustainable, effective weight loss and fat loss, look and feel better.  Contact us now to reserve your seat with program guides and materials, and of course, your free meal.  For those outside the San Francisco bay area, contact us, too.  If we get enough interest from outside our area, we will do a webinar version of the program.

Copyright © 2010 Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN. All rights reserved.

http://www.drhusbands.com/blog/ Anti-Aging Health / Effective Weight Loss Programs Cause Fat Loss And Detoxification

Incidently, one of the simplest ways to test for oxidative damage of the DNA is to measure urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).  The higher the level of 8-OHdG found, the more DNA damage is present.  Even in people considered “healthy”, when the intake of mixed antioxidant supplements including vitamin E is increased, it reduces 8-OHdG by 22% compared with those not taking the supplements.

Everything I am saying about vitamin E here, refers to vitamin E in the naturally occuring d-alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherol form, including the 4 forms of tocotrienols.

Do you want a clue whether your vitamin supplements are high quality? Check the quality of the vitamin E in them. Lowest quality supplements typically have vitamin E in the form of dl-alpha-tocopherol, which is a synthetic form. The best ones are those with vitamin E in mixed combinations of d-alpha-tocopherol, d-beta-tocopherol, d-gamma-tocopherol, d-delta-tocopherol, and four additional tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta). The ones with combinations of some of these, but not all, are lower quality but better than those containing dl-alpha-tocopherol.

Just remember: the L in DL-Alpha-Tocopherol is for Lousy!

Vitamin E supplements contain varied forms of the vitamin. Not all forms have the same beneficial properties. In fact, from reviewing the research literature, one could come to a reasonable, though erroneous, conclusion that certain forms of vitamin E are associated with a slightly increased risk of all-cause mortality.

When reviewing research studies, the truth can be found in the details of the study.  Some study designs are very flawed.  For instance, a study that came out of the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2004 was widely publicized in popular media.  That study was a meta-analysis of 19 randomized, placebo controlled trials using 400 IU/day of d-alpha-tocopherol and dl-alpha-tocopherol given to the elderly and individuals with chronic diseases.  The study showed that there was a slightly increased risk for all-cause mortality in those taking 400 IU/day of both forms of alpha-tocopherol.  However, those trained in biochemistry and nutrition know that vitamins should not be taken as isolated nutrients, especially antioxidants.   A knowledgeable nutritionist also knows that increased oxidative damage is expected in the elderly and those with chronic disease, therefore, taking an isolated antioxidant would be even more damaging. You need synergistic combinations of nutrients, as they are found in nature from foods.  When you take one isolated antioxidant, it becomes a pro-oxidant.  In other words, it increases oxidative damage.  The oxidative damage is predictably worse with the synthetic form of alpha tocopherol (the dl) because it actually impairs the absorption of the healthy forms of vitamin E, the mixed tocopherols (d-alpha, beta, gamma, and delta).  Many of the mainstream studies are using the dl-form of alpha-tocopherol, because it is cheap and readily available.  These are also the reasons why many vitamin companies use them.  Therefore, when you see headlines such as “Vitamin E Increases Risk of All Cause Mortality”, take that with a significant amount of skepticism.

The bottom line is when using vitamin E, or any type of nutrition supplements, the specific form of the nutrients make all the difference in benefits.  Typically, the vast majority of health information released in popular media are either biased, often favoring “big pharma”, or flawed.  You must check whether the information is based on valid scientific research.  When it comes to nutrition supplements, consult a Certified Cinical Nutritionist (CCN).  CCNs are well-trained in diet, nutrition, and supplements.  Their ability to help people restore and improve their health significantly depends on sound reviews of published research studies on nutrients.

Dr Husbands is a Chiropractor, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.

Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved.

1. What food goes into your mouth, when it goes in, and how much:

    

   1. What: Eat combinations of real, non-processed, fresh foods in following basic categories.

       

      1. Dark green leafy vegetables and bright colored fruits and vegetables – This may include sea vegetables, such as nori, hiziki, wakame, kombu.

       

      2. Lean, clean, moderate “good fat” source proteins – Good fat means high proportion of omega-3 fats, lower proportion of omega-6 and 9 fats, such as wild salmon, grass-fed free range beef and lamb, cage-free chicken and cage-free chicken eggs; nuts and nut butters, legumes and lentils; fermented soy products: natto, miso, tempeh, soy sauce, fermented tofu, fermented soy milk.

       

      3. Starchy carbohydrates such as whole grain products; root vegetables, such as beets, yams and sweet potatoes, potatoes, ginger, jicima, garlic, onions, shallots.
   2. When: Always eat breakfast, and eat every 3 waking hours thereafter. So, you’ll eat 3 healthy meals and 2 to 3 healthy snacks.

    

   3. How Much: You always have your measuring guide with you, that is, your hand!  This works for everyone because the size of our hand is typically proportionate to the size of our body. For instance, a 6′5″, 250 pound football player’s hand is typically bigger than a 5′2″, 110 pound ballerina’s hand.

       

      1. Meals
         1. For fruits and vegetables, put both your open hands in front of you, hands together, palms facing up, fingers extended. What fits in your hand is how much of fruits and vegetables you should have each meal.

          

         2. For lean, good fat proteins, put one hand in front of you, palm facing up, palm open, fingers extended.  What fits in your palm is the amount to eat each meal.  For heavy exercisers, what fits in your palm and extended fingers is the amount you need each meal.

          

         3. For starchy carbs, put one hand in front of you, palm facing up, fingers extended.  Now cup your hand and thumb as if trying to hold water in your cupped hand.  What fits in the cupped hand is the amount of starchy carbs you should have each meal.

       

      2. Snacks
         1. For snacks, any combination of vegetable/fruit and the lean good fat protein category, in equal amounts, that fits in one hand with palm and fingers extended.

2. Use the following for type, timing and frequency of exercise:

    

   1. Type: A combination of resistance exercise and aerobic exercise for a total of about 1 hour per day

    

   2. Timing: Preferably in the mornings so you get it out of the way, and morning exercisers tend to be more consistent.  If you can’t do it in the morning, do what works best for you.

    

   3. Frequency: A minimum of 4 days per week, a maximum of 6 days per week

3. Choice of Health Care Type

   You “vote with your feet” for your type of health care.  This choice affects whether you’ll receive wellness-focused care or symptom-focused sick care.  Wellness-focused care is seeing doctors that provide preventive, holistic or functional medicine services. Symptom-focused sick care includes minimal recognition and emphasis on guidelines A and B, greater reliance on drug therapies for most conditions, or seeing a doctor for emergencies only. The type of health care you choose ultimately determines how healthy you will be and impacts your quality of life. Your choice of health care should not be solely focused on who pays for it, be it a health insurance company, taxpayers through government programs or you.

I recognize there are many variables that apply based on each individuals access to fresh food, water, and economic capabilities.   Nevertheless, these guidelines are the starting points that will influence your health span and potentially your life span. They will influence your quality of life.  I welcome your comments and questions.

Dr Husbands is a Chiropractor, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.

Though this study presents a preliminary finding, it shows promise for an effective treatment for AD. It is estimated that by 2030 close to half the population in this country over 85 years of age will have AD. Therefore, any potentially effective treatment that is devoid of the side effects, typically in current treatments, must be vigorously studied further.

The cost savings for caring for the elderly, and the prevention of pain, suffering, and inconvenience for the patients and their families could be monumental.

So, for prevention of Alzheimer’s should you be taking curcumin and vitamin D3 now? Curcumin is an antioxidant that has been determined to be safe and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Vitamin D3 has been found to have a multitude of health benefits for every cell and system of the body.  Thus, from the anti-aging perspective, these two are beneficial anyway. If you suffer from arthritis or other inflammation, curcumin is a safe and effective solution.

Make sure you consult a doctor who is trained and experienced in the proper use and dosage of nutritional supplements, such as curcumin and vitamin D3.  Although these are both safe to use, a knowledgeable clinician would be able to determine what is appropriate for your particular case based on your medical history and drug interactions, if any. Read my prior post about nutritional supplement use.

Don’t hesitate to contact me, if you have any questions.

Dr Husbands is a Chiropractor, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.

Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved.

For instance, in the recent American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Science Conference (July 20-23, 2009), researchers reported that curcumin (from the herb turmeric) and hesperidin (from orange juice) have beneficial antioxidant effects preventing buildup of plaque on the arterial walls.  Two French research teams have shown there is modification of gene expression of arterial plaque development in mice from curcumin and hesperidin.  In light of the fact that heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the U.S., this is quite remarkable.

Nutrigenomics refers to how nutrients influence genetic expression.  Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of the person.  That is the fixed genes the person was born with.  You can’t change your genotype, but you can change the expression of those genes through nutrient and lifestyle influences.  For example, you have a genotype that predisposes you to heart disease, but by making positive dietary and lifestyle choices, your heart disease would not progress to be fatal.  In other words, while you have a genotypic predisposition to a heart disease, the genes for the heart disease are not expressed because of the good nutritional and lifestyle choices you made.

Genetic predisposition to diseases can be significantly modified by nutritional, lifestyle and environmental factors.  Being aware of specific genetic predispositions to disease enables the patient-physician partnership to make early interventions without waiting for symptoms to appear.

“How do I do that?” It involves two steps:

1. Get genetic tests done.
2. Consult a trained clinical nutritionist and functional medicine doctor for a nutrition and lifestyle program tailored to your genetic test results.

We provide genetic testing and consultation in our office. We can test genetic predispositions for:

1. Likelihood of heart attacks – It measures genes that modulate blood pressure regulation, lipid balance, nutrient metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Impaired detoxification capacity – This is particularly valuable for those susceptible to adverse drug reactions and sensitivity to environmental toxins.
3. Increased risk for breast cancer and pathogenic estrogen metabolism.
4. Immune system imbalances – This is useful in evaluating the likelihood of autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory conditions.
5. Likelihood of neurological impairment in aging – Early intervention for prevention of genetic expression of dementia is invaluable.
6. Bone formation and breakdown, inflammation and impaired calcium/vitamin D metabolism – This is highly beneficial for knowing your propensity to osteoporosis.

Contact us for testing and early nutritional and lifestyle interventions for modifying your genetic risk factors for disease.

Read more about the news on Genetic Activity of Antioxidants in the U.S. News & World Report here.

1. Drink at least 1/2 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight. Research shows that most people are dehydrated but don’t know it.  More water in your body means more moisture.  More moisture means less wrinkling and aging.  According to an American Journal of Public Health article, acute infections, such as urinary tract infections and pneumonia, frequently occurs with elderly people hospitalized for dehydration.  So besides moist skin, you can prevent infections.
2. Get adequate Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps maintain collagen and the connective tissue of the skin, thus, prevents wrinkling.  Sun exposure, in moderation, is a healthy and natural method by which our skin produces vitamin D.  Research shows that healthy blood levels of Vitamin D should be 40 to 60 ng/mL.  Most people are at about 20 or less, and even lower without sun exposure.  If you get your head, arms and legs exposed to mid-day sunlight without sunblock for about 20 minutes 4-5 days a week, you will get adequate Vitamin D.  If not, you need a food supplement of 4000 units of Vitamin D a day.  In addition, with sufficient vitamin D, there is lesser incidence of colds and flu.
3. Take supplemental HCL and digestive enzymes. The primary benefits of HCL and digestive enzymes are improved gastrointestinal function and digestion.  They cause wonderful side-effects: they significantly improve skin tone and texture and reduce acne.  Many of my patients that take HCL and digestive enzymes have had major improvement in their skin.

Dr Husbands is a Chiropractor, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.

Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved

These are the minimum recommendations to maintain optimum health in this day and age. There are others that are helpful in particular conditions, but those are best covered in one-to-one consultation to tailor supplements according to the person’s conditions. If you are taking prescription or non-prescription medications, I recommend consulting a health care provider that is knowledgeable about your condition and nutritional supplements.

My Top 5 Supplements for Women Over 40

1. Multi-vitamin/multi-mineral combination
2. Fish oil with 2000 mg DHA and 3000 mg EPA
3. Vitamin D3 in the cholecalciferol form, 4000 IU
4. Hydrochloric acid – Important: take at the beginning of your meal
5. Combination capsule(s) of Indole 3-Carbinol, Chrysin, Isoflavones and Resveratrol

Notes:

1. A multi-vitamin/multi-mineral combination is necessary in this day and age due to the depletion of nutrients from poor farming practices.
2. Fish oil contains the foundational essential omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
3. Vitamin D3 should be between 40 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml. To attain this level in the blood, most people must supplement with an additional 4000 to 5000 IU of vitamin D3.
4. The cause of most cases of indigestion, heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the decrease in hydrochloric acid (HCL) the stomach produces as we age. Not only are the symptoms uncomfortable, the result is harmful. With decreased HCL, B-vitamins and proteins are not digested and absorbed well, causing decreased energy, and muscle atrophy seen in aging. This also predisposes you to decreased immune system function, which in turn leads to all sorts of problems in the elderly, including increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections, and predisposition to cancer.
5. Besides the benefits on estrogen metabolism of Indole 3-carbinol, chrysin, isoflavones and resveratrol, these indirectly provide hormonal balancing benefits for elderly women. Resveratrol, found in high amounts in red and purple grapes as well as other dark deeply colored fruits, has very powerful antioxidant properties. These properties protect against the cumulative DNA damage over years of time, as is often seen in cell damage from aging. Chrysin, an extract from the blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea), decreases the conversion of testosterone to estradiol (one of the 3 major estrogens). This is important in elderly women, not only for healthy balanced estrogen metabolism, but also because certain types of breast cancers are sensative to higher levels of estradiol. Isoflavones, derived from soy and other legumes, have shown promising benefits for decreasing the risk of certain cancers due to their effects on estrogen metabolism.

Dr Husbands is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.

Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved.

As a nutritionist and an Anti-Aging Health Practitioner, one of the most frequent questions I get is “What supplements should I take?” So here’s a list of my top 5 recommended daily supplements for men over 40.

These are the minimum recommendations to maintain optimum health in this day and age. There are others that are helpful in particular conditions, but those are best covered in one-to-one consultation to tailor supplements according to the person’s conditions. If you are taking prescription or non-prescription medications, I recommend consulting a health care provider that is knowledgeable about your condition and nutritional supplements.

My Top 5 Supplements for Men Over 40

1. Multi-vitamin/multi-mineral combination
2. Fish oil with 2000 mg DHA and 3000 mg EPA
3. Vitamin D3 in the cholecalciferol form, 4000 IU
4. Hydrochloric acid – Important: take at the beginning of your meal
5. Arginine, ornithine, and glutamine just before bedtime

Notes:

1. A multi-vitamin/multi-mineral combination is necessary in this day and age due to the depletion of nutrients from poor farming practices.

2. Fish oil contains the foundational essential omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.

3. Vitamin D3 should be between 40 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml. To attain this level in the blood, most people must supplement with an additional 4000 to 5000 IU of vitamin D3.

4. The cause of most cases of indigestion, heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the decrease in hydrochloric acid (HCL) the stomach produces as we age. Not only are the symptoms uncomfortable, the result is harmful. With decreased HCL, B-vitamins and proteins are not digested and absorbed well, causing decreased energy, and muscle atrophy seen in aging. This also predisposes you to decreased immune system function, which in turn leads to all sorts of problems in the elderly, including increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections, and predisposition to cancer.

5.The three amino acids, arginine, ornithine and glutamine, taken in therapeutic dosages just before bedtime, help increase the output of our own body’s growth hormone at night during sleep. As we age, our pituitary gland releases less growth hormone. Growth hormone released at night during sleep is essential for repair, regeneration and recovery of tissues and our entire system. Growth hormone output is also associated with testosterone levels. Not only will this help you to sleep better, but will improve your recovery from stress and injury, keep a man virile and help all your systems work at a younger biological age. Your chronological age is your actual age in years. Your biological age is a comparative age your body systems are functioning at. For instance if you are 60 years old, but your skin, muscle tone, energy, heart health, and brain function are comparative to a 40 year old, your biological age is closer to 40.

Dr Husbands is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, an Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner and a Functional Medicine Doctor. For more information, visit http://www.drhusbands.com.
Phone: (650) 593-4447

Copyright © 2009; Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP. All rights reserved