My position Statment about Nutrition Supplments

'Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food' Hippocrates 400 BC

“The treatment was a success; but the patient died”

A man or woman suffers a heart attack and undergoes surgery to open the blockage of a coronary artery. When discharged he/she will take home several medicines – one to reduce cholesterol, another two to control blood pressure and another to thin the blood. Several more medicines may be prescribed later on to counter depressed feelings and the other unpleasant side effects of the earlier medicines like indigestion, constipation, confusion and light-headedness. In the US, the average elderly person (>65yrs) takes a dozen prescription pills per day and we (NZ) are not far behind. While these medications may afford good protection from further heart attack, there are many possible downsides, like persistent brain fog, increased accident risk, the eventual need for a colostomy, increased risk of liver cancer and renal failure; muscle wasting and premature dementia.

“The treatment was a success; but the patient died”

The alternative for this person is to commence a heart-healthy diet like that which is typical of the Centenarians of Okinawa and to take additional “functional” foods to do what the prescription medicines do badly (over the long term). Some of the active ingredients of these foods may be refined and delivered in pill or capsule form to give extra punch.

For example; daily fish oil capsules with natural Vitamin E that thin the blood and keep the blood vessels clean and flexible; additional calcium and minerals like magnesium for the heart muscle and circulation; and Vitamin D in the form of cod liver oil on the days there is no exposure to sunlight.

The Vitamin D from sunlight will help guard against all manner of ailments, including heart failure. (Vitamin D deficiency reaches epidemic proportions among people over 50. Only about 5 percent of these men and 1 to 3 percent of the women get their RDI for this nutrient from diet alone). Our fictional person might take supplementary B group vitamins to help with energy levels, to help calm the nerves and contribute to a healthy heart. We might add a daily dollop of folate fortified Vegemite/Marmite yeast extract to give further protection to the heart and arteries.

In addition, there will be muscle toning exercise and cardiovascular exercise such as brisk walking. This exercise will include relaxation and breathing techniques that help keep blood pressure within healthy ranges. Morning Tai Chi in the park, if there is such a thing nearby, is a great way to deepen and slow the breathing – a natural and effective way to calm the blood pressure.

Side effects: increased energy and feelings of well-being among many; zest for life – hardly likely to warrant an international recall or million dollar law suits!

I recommend the Okinawa Food Pyramid that is well suited to New Zealand. This is particularly suited to our Polynesian and Asian people.

Approximately 70% of elderly in NZ institutional care have overt malnutrition. Up to 50% of young women in NZ may have low iron levels and most NZ women have insufficient dietary calcium intakes. The staple diet for teenagers now seems to be instant noodles which are devoid of any nutritional value – this at a stage of life when nutritional requirements are at a premium. You will see from my web site and E-Publications that that I advocate healthy eating first and foremost – then nutritional supplementation.

Unfortunately, by the time a person develops signs of nutrition-related health problems, such as being anaemic, arthritic, osteoporotic; pre-diabetic or with early signs of coronary heart disease; it can take years to complete a catch up - and reversal of a disease process by diet alone may be impossible. This very much applies to preventing mild wear of joints progressing to full-blown, disabling arthritis. Most people will follow the pharmaceutical and surgical tracks as first measures which is dismaying. It is the easy path that may deliver poor long term results for short term relief. I would much prefer they take a few carefully chosen supplementary food-based measures to bolster dietary changes, while reserving the drugs and surgical options when all else fails, or these non-invasive measures have run their natural course. You will see that the nutritional products on my web site are few, carefully selected, usually for a specific purpose, are from natural sources and each has good scientific validation. All are discounted to be as affordable as possible to my supporters.

Our hospitals are full, if not overwhelmed already with elective surgery being constantly postponed. And we have yet to feel the Tsunami that will accompany Baby-Boomers as they enter old age. Unless the need is urgent, each elective cardiovascular and orthopaedic surgery candidate should be assessed for placement on a positively aggressive three month lifestyle, therapeutic exercise and nutrition based intervention. My medical advisor, at the time I first submitted this as a proposal to Government health authorities commented that ¾ of all those currently on those elective surgical waiting lists would probably end up not needing the surgery or, at least, much less and recovery will be quicker and much more complete.

I resist the saturation promotion of sport by commercial performance enhancement products like caffeine, creatine, carbo gels and over-priced body building and recovery formulations. Some of these products may have a role, but not without careful consideration on a person-by-person basis. I promote products that improve health, that come from “natural” sources and for which there is good scientific evidence of their claimed effectiveness. Wherever I can, a natural food source is recommended and I seek ways people can make your own nutritious mixes for a fraction of the cost of commercial preparations. The Super Smoothie recipe is an example of this. I refer you my many E-Publications that include specific and general nutrition advice as an integral part of health promotion and athletic conditioning.

I detest our young athletes being given the impression that they can get performance gains out of a bottle.

The soaring rate of dementia in Westernised countries is alarming and threatens to overwhelm health and aged care services and exhaust families which also face financial ruin. We are following the US which is very scary and we must act now. The undeniable action, which we get from the study of people like the Okinawa Centenarians, is to stop the widespread drugging of our population; make positive changes to diet, including targeted supplementation; get people outdoors and active; and keep our elderly actively engaged in their families and communities – this is the purpose of this website and I appreciate your support.

Vitamin D supplementation guidelines during winter

Winter is on us in New Zealand and vitamin D levels plummet. As it plummets, so does our resistance to disease, including flu and colds. We become depressed - SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), we gain weight and our heart and circulation begins to faulter.

Wow! the list of health consequences of low vitamin D grows by the day.

In this video I explain how to supplement with vitamin D during winter months to maintain health



To purchase a quality vitamin D supplement go to here.

What is Resveratrol and is it any good?

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a substance found in the skins of certain red grapes, in peanuts, blueberries, some pines (Scots pine, eastern white pine) and the roots and stalks of Japanese knotweed (hu zhang in China) and giant knotweed. It is now being sold as a mass-produced nutritional supplement. The supplement, first sourced as ground dried red grape skins, has shifted somewhat to include certain of the knotweeds as a raw material.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resveratrol
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Gary Moller comments:
This nutrition supplement is promoted as being beneficial for everything from obesity, heart disease, blood pressure, anti-ageing, multiple sclerosis, ovarian cysts, low energy and high cholesterol!

I am naturally cautious of any new nutritional substance that has been mostly tested on mice and which makes sweeping and dramatic health claims. I have seen it all before.

While I have no doubt that this antioxidant is beneficial, it is far too soon to say just how effective it is and working from anecdotal feedback by users and a few mouse studies is dodgy at best. Over-pricing is usually an issue with these new wonder supplements and it may be better value and better nutrition to stick to the more broad spectrum anti oxidant supplements that have been around a while and to concentrate one's efforts on establishing a consistent nutrient dense basic diet and keeping to it.

Antioxidant supplements may raise death risk - study

CHICAGO - Beta carotene and vitamins A and E, antioxidant supplements taken by millions to fight disease, may actually raise the risk of death, a review of 68 studies on nearly a quarter-million people said today.
The finding drew fire from critics who said it was flawed and based largely on studies of people who were already chronically ill before they were treated with the supplements.
Tuesday's report related only to synthetic supplements and not to fruits and vegetables in everyday diets which are natural and contain less concentrated levels of antioxidants, said the study from the Centre for Clinical Intervention Research at Denmark's Copenhagen University Hospital.
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Gary Moller comments:
Over the last year I have shifted away from advocating anything other than supplements that are from natural food sources. This is due to concern that the synthetic copies of naturally occuring vitamins and other nutrients may not improve health and may even have a deleterious effect.

It is sensible to be cautious about the small one-per-day capsule that claims to contain every known vitamin, mineral and antioxidant needed by Man. To get all of that into such a small container probably means the contents are from pure synthetic sources. Supplements that are derived from natural sources, like herbs, look and smell like food concentrates and are usually the size of horse pills. Other forms for the Purists among us are elixirs like the Floradix range that are certified organic plant concentrates.
Synthetic vitamin E is not the same as the natural substance, nor is vitamin A. In their natural forms these vitamins actually include hundreds of different compounds (co-factors) that work together to do their healthy work. Pure synthetic Vitamin A, for example, can be highly toxic and is implicated in birth defects and should only be taken in small amounts, if ever. The natural form of vitamin A is derived from sources like egg yolk, butter and cod liver oil are very safe to take, despite the dire warnings that may come on the labels.

Funny isn't it? - Many of the best foods that contain the essential fats, minerals, vitamins and proteins are the ones that are bad for you - eggs, liver and butter! These are the high cholesterol foods that don't get the Heart Foundation tick. Do they really believe that margarine with synthetic vitamin A and cancer-producing trans-fatty acids is really better for you than pure New Zealand butter?

There is also the debate about "more being better". Of course, this is not the case and one should errr on the conservative side with vitamins unless the evidence tells you otherwise.

As an observation, when people with chronic health problems do consult me, there is usually more than a few signs of nutritional deficiency, such as magensium deficiency or low vitamin D. Often supplements are being taken but these may be synthetics that are poorly targetted to need. Another potential pitfall is to be taking too much of a single vitamin which may create an imbalance with others - nutrients need to be in balance with each other to be able to do their work.

So, take vitamins; but ensure they are mostly from natural sources. Take according to established need. Continue to ensure that your diet is your principal source of quality nutrients - quality meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables and whole grains.

Kordel's Omega 3 Fish Oil give-away sale is on right now

Purchase any products worth $50 or more before 11th February from my online store, www.myotec.co.nz and I will include a

Free Pot of Kordel's Omega 3 Fish Oil 1,000mg
(180 capsules) to the value of $25.88.

I am making this great offer from 1 February because we are going "bush" for a real Kiwi holiday. Any orders placed between 2nd and 11th February will not be processed until we get back. I want to keep my customers happy, so this crazy freebie is to make your waiting very worth the while.

Reminder: Purchase NZ$50 or more worth of any product and delivery within New Zealand is free

Poor Athletic Performance Linked To Vitamin Deficiency

Science Daily — Active individuals lacking in B-vitamins -- including college athletes and other elite competitors -- may perform worse during high-intensity exercise and have a decreased ability to repair and build muscle than counterparts with nutrient-rich diets, according to recent Oregon State University research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.

The B-vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, B-12 and folate. These micronutrients are necessary during the body's process for converting proteins and sugars into energy, and are used during the production and repair of cells, including red blood cells.

For active individuals a marginal deficiency in the nutrients may impact the body's ability to repair itself, operate efficiently and fight disease, said Melinda Manore, researcher in the Colleges of Agricultural and Health and Human Sciences. Manore analyzed the athletic performance of several elite and collegiate athletes in her research, as well as less competitive individuals.

The stress on the body's energy producing pathways during exercise, the changes in the body's tissues resulting from training, an increase in the loss of nutrients in sweat, urine and feces during and after strenuous activity and the additional nutrients needed to repair and maintain higher levels of lean tissue mass present in some athletes and individuals may all affect an individuals B-vitamin requirements, said Manore.

"Many athletes, especially young athletes involved in highly competitive sports, do not realize the impact their diets have on their performance," said Manore, who is also an Extension Service nutrition scientist. "By the time they reach adulthood they can have seriously jeopardized their abilities and their long-term health."

Current national B-vitamin recommendations for active individuals may be inadequate, and athletes who follow the recommended daily allowances set by the U.S. government may be receiving lower amounts of nutrients than there bodies need, said Manore.
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Gary Moller comments:
The B group of vitamins is especially important for any person who is under stress, be that physical or emotional - which probably applies to 99% of the population! Stress not only steps up the body's need for these vitamins, it also chews through them at a higher rate. While a wholesome diet will supply the RDA (recommended daily allowance) this is not the case when the body is under constant stress.

Stress also chews through magnesium. Organs, like the adrenals, require ample magnesium, as well as the B vitamins, to function poperly.


Let me tell you about Beriberi. Beriberi is a third World disease, causing paralysis and heart failure. It is unheard of in a well-nourished country like New Zealand (Last seen on the sailing ships that carried explorers to this far-flung land 150+ years ago). Beriberi is caused by chronic thiamine (vit B-1) deficiency. Well, I can tell you that I have seen two severe cases over recent years in older men who have been in ill health which has caused enormous stress and affected their digestion. They have suffered varying degrees of nerve damage, inclusing limb paralysis. Frustratingly, treatment has consisted of powerful medications, including large doses of prednisone. Needless to say, this has been without any benefit.

All they required was a diet rich in B vitamins and a quality B vitamin supplement. Modern medicine can be very frustrating at times. I'll write more about this later.

Are omega-3 products really the good oil?

Consumers buying foods with omega-3 may not be getting the good oil they think they are says Rufus Turner, a lipids scientist with Crop & Food Research. He and colleague, Dr Carlene McLean, have studied commercially available fish oil in New Zealand, that’s been manufactured overseas. They found it contains varying levels of primary and secondary oxidation products
"These oxidised products result in variations in the quality of fish oils and may explain the mixed results in international human clinical trials investigating omega 3 health benefits” Dr McLean said. Recent results from international cellular, animal and human trials indicate that the oxidised products in fish oils may have potential carcinogenic and pro-inflammatory actions. These products have the potential to increase the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis and reduce the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids..
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Gary Moller comments:
While there are undoubted health benefits from consuming fish oil, it is clear that not all fish oils are the same. If the oil is of a poor quality it is possible there will be no health benefits and possible harm. If you are buying fish oil:

• Do not buy product that has been sitting about on a warm, brightly lit shop shelf


• Purchase a known brand that is from a store that you know has high rates of product turnover


• Preferably purchase fish oil that has added vitamin E which stabilises the oil, preventing oxidation and/or


• Take a capsule of natural vitamin E with your fish oil


• Once opened, keep the fish oil capsules sealed tight and stored in a dark cool, dry place and


• Consume the lot in good time, rather than leaving capsules lying about for several weeks

Note: The fish oils that are stocked at www.myotec.co.nz are leading brand New Zealand products. Only small stocks are held and these are turned over quickly. For the industry response to the report above, read this.

How Medication Causes Anaemia in Senior Citizens

Anaemia should be considered a critical health concern for everyone over the age of 50. This is especially so for those who are taking prescription drugs, because many have a side effect that you'll never see mentioned on the label: the impairment of essential vitamin and nutrient absorption.

Red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout the body. Anemia occurs when the red blood cell count becomes depleted, resulting in fatigue, weakness, and hair loss in extreme cases. The two primary causes of anaemia are iron-poor blood (often triggered by menstruation or internal bleeding), and a deficiency in two critical vitamins: folic acid and vitamin B-12. Getting good amounts of these nutrients is very important for seniors because as we age our ability to absorb vitamins from food diminishes. Consequently, our tendency to develop anaemia rises.

Unfortunately this absorption problem is just the first link in a chain of events that adds up to a health issue that's far more serious than simple fatigue.

Many prescription pharmaceuticals interfere with the absorption of nutrients. For instance, drugs that inhibit stomach acids have been shown to significantly decrease absorption of vitamin B-12; one of the primary vitamins needed to prevent anaemia.

Other medications that are known to play a role in nutrient depletion are among the most frequently prescribed medications on the market. Antibiotics, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatories, blood pressure medications, cholesterol- lowering drugs, estrogen, and tranquilizers can all strip valuable vitamins and minerals from the body. When any of these drugs are combined - especially in an older patient - the risk of developing anemia rises.

And now it seems that this chain of events is being rushed along more quickly than ever. Did you know the average American senior receives 25 prescriptions annually - a 100 percent jump in just four years! So as the over-medication of seniors grows at an alarming rate, we see two serious problems becoming even greater health threats:

• The wider variety of drug intake creates conflicting side effects (and as know, many doctors treat drug side effects with other types of drugs), and
• These potent drug mixes rob patients of the very nutrients they need most when fighting an illness.

But the chain of events just keeps getting worse. Many mainstream doctors see so many elderly patients who have anaemia that the condition is widely regarded - somewhat lightly - as a normal part of ageing. As a result, when anaemia is diagnosed it often goes untreated. This is a mistake because anaemia dramatically increases the risk of mortality for those with chronic health problems such as heart disease. At the same time, anaemia can also promote cancer, which thrives in a cellular environment that's starved of oxygen.

Anaemia is easily diagnosed with a blood test, so during your next check up, ask your doctor for a test of your red cell blood count - especially if you're feeling unusually fatigued. If you do have an anaemic condition, the next step is to find out the cause. If your doctor downplays anaemia's importance, or if a prescription drug is recommended to address the problem, you should get a second opinion.

As for treating anaemia, you simply can't go wrong with the right nutrition and supplements. High doses of B group vitamins can be helpful, but not necessarily iron supplements. Take a broad spectrum Natural vitamin B supplement twice daily with iron rich food. The best source of iron is from natural dietary sources, plus a supplement from natural sources that steadily restore levels to normal.

The best dietary sources of iron red meat, fish, pork, and poultry, with beef liver and chicken liver having the highest amounts of iron. An additional intake of high quality vitamin C with iron rich food can also help the body absorb iron. Even an orange juice with your meal will help.

Talk to your doctor about discontinuing the use of any drugs that aren't absolutely necessary.

Feedback from a Happy Camper

"Hi Gary. My husband and myself have been taking your Joint Factors 4500 for several months now, and I wanted to tell you how thrilled we are with the results. I did have just a twinge of pain in my knees when climbing up steps before taking it but now I have no pain at all. I have told lots of friends about it, Its easy to recommend something that you know really works. I would advise anyone to give it a try. We certainly have no regrets and will continue to take it on a regular basis.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year

Kind regards. "
"M"
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Gary Moller comments:
It is always good to get feedback from people and to learn what works and what doesn't. If you go onto any website of the services of private hospitals that do Government contract surgery and look at the specialities of the surgeons, you will see that it is wall-to wall hip and knee replacements.

While many of these operations are undoubtedly necessary, my experience is that the surgical option is exercised far too early in many cases. Furthermore, the non-surgical options for preventing or slowing progression of arthritic conditions through diet, supplements, exercise and modifying lifestyle receives little more than passing reference.



These people are production lined through and there is little post surgical attention beyond restoring basic mobility, aided by a heap of medication in many cases. This is unsatisfactory because incomplete rehabiliation eventually results in further medical interventions being required later on. Once on the medical conveyor belt it is difficult to get off and that conveyor takes you down - not up.

The money is in the surgery - not in the prevention, or the post operation management.

Here is the direct link to joint support products.

New Product added

In the quest to get you the best products at the best prices, I have added Red Seal Cod Liver Oil capsules. This replaces the Kordels Cod Liver Oil.

And, what about the price? $5.91

Cod Liver Oil is a traditional source of Vitamins A and D, two fat-soluble vitamins and is derived from the livers of selected codfish, caught for food. When taken regularly it can help to maintain the integrity of the mucous membrane linings of the respiratory tract and other membranes, increasing the body’s natural resistance to respiratory infections including colds and ‘flu.

Cod Liver Oil’s source of Vitamin A and D also makes it beneficial for the maintenance of healthy teeth, bones and tissue including the eyes, skin and hair.

Why should you take Vitamin E when you take fish oil?

Essential fatty acids, such as fish oil, and flax seed oil tend to oxidise rather quickly. And when they oxidise, they form free radicals and lipid peroxides, both of which are toxic to nearly all of our cells.

Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants (with many health benefits), so taking it along with any sort of essential fatty acid -- including fish oil -- helps prevent this oxidation, which allows you to get the most nutritional benefit from the oil. This is especially the case with fish oil which is most unstable.

When purchasing fish oil capsules, look for the ones with added natural vitamin E. (Stay away from synthetic vitamins which are of questionable benefit). While they may be a little more expensive than the budget fish oils, the added Vit E more than makes up for it.

When taking other oils such as flax seed oil, consider taking a capusule of natural vitamin E with it.

By the way; natural vitamin E helps stabilise all fats in circulation, including cholesterol, thus reducing the possibility of harm to arterial walls by rancid cholesterol.

New Product added- Balance Effervescent Glutamine Powder - Lemon / Lime 500g

I have added this new product to the www.myotec.co.nz store.

Glutamine contributes 80% of the free nitrogen found in the body and is the most abundant amino acid in muscle tissue. During periods of heavy training, an increased demand for glutamine throughout the body results in the depletion of stores from muscle tissue and a consequent loss of muscle mass.

Special Features

• Helps preserve muscle glutamine levels
• Supports new muscle growth and repair
• Reduces muscle catabolism
• Improves endurance and stamina
• Improves absorption of other nutrients
• Helps prevent build up of harmful ammonia
• Reduces recovery time

Low vitamin D levels linked to increased risk of falling in elderly populations

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older men and women with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to fall multiple times in the course of a year than their peers with adequate vitamin D levels, researchers in The Netherlands have found. Vitamin D may be best known for its role, along with calcium, in maintaining bone health. However, vitamin D is also important for muscle mass and strength, and compromised muscle function may explain the fall risk seen in this study, according to the researchers. The findings suggest that older adults should be sure to get adequate vitamin D from food and multivitamins, lead study author Dr. Marieke B. Snijder, of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, told Reuters Health. However, she added, clinical trials are needed to prove that this actually prevents falls. Snijder and her colleagues report their findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. For their study, the researchers measured blood levels of vitamin D in 1,231 adults age 65 and older, then followed them for one year to track any falls they suffered. During that time, 33 percent fell at least once, according to "fall calendars" that each participant kept. Just over 11 percent fell two or more times. Overall, men and women who were deficient in vitamin D at the outset were 78 percent more likely than those with adequate levels to fall at least twice. Their risk of falling three or more times was more than doubled.
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Gary Moller comments:
Notice that the good researcher conveniently omitted to recommend sunlight as a source of vitamin D! Is it because it is not PC to make such recommendations?

I am currently investigating falls prevention programmes in NZ, of which there are a couple. The Otago exercise programme to prevent falls in older adults is a well researched example that reduces falls injuries by about 35% in over 65's.

While I am impressed with the programme's format and content, I am dismayed that none of the programmes I have looked at so far, this one included, seem to pay any attention at all to assessing participants' nutritional status (including vitamin D) and then correcting any identified deficiencies. When up to 90% of some elderly populations are nutritionally deficient in some way, assessing the nutritional status of elderly populations who are at high risk of falling would seem an obvious thing to do. But it isn't. With regards to vitamin D, it is hardly ever tested. When was the last time you had it done?

If an elderly person is, say, vitamin D deficient, low in dietary protein, anaemic or washed out of essential minerals and vitamins, then no amount of exercise therapy is going to work all that well. While there may be initial gains, this is hardly likely to be sustained and the individual will quickly back-slide. Strong bodies are not created out of thin air - they need good food to be built and to then be maintained over the long term.

I have demonstrated many times with elderly people under my care that it is possible to double their physical work capacity in as little as 12 weeks by taking a comprehensive approach to their care, including tidying their nutrition.

Anti-aging Supplements Inquiry

Gary
Can I ask if you have read the above book by Stephen Cherniske?
It is quite fascinating - he talks about taking supplements to assist the body to delay aging, A lot of it really makes sense, but I want to get a 2nd opinion on it as he advised using things like DHEA and other controversial supplements.
I guess I am also suspicious as he works for a company that sells anti aging goodies!
Anyway - any comment will be appreciated!
thanks
JOhn
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Gary Moller comments:
The jury is still out about the supposed anti aging qualities of substances like DHEA, so I can not recommend them at this stage. I also note that Stephen Cherniske is being prosecuted by the regulatory authorities for making excessive claims about his anti-aging products. From the little I have read, he sure does seem to be overstating the claims.

A couple of years ago I attended a lecture by a strikingly young looking professor in gerontology who was supposedly one of the world's experts in aging. He believes that we must die at about 100 years principally because our genetic code becomes too riddled by about that age with errors as an inevitable conseqence of of cell division. He explained that the main reason we die earlier than 100 years (infection and accidents aside) is additional damage to our genetic code that happens mostly from free radicals and radiation that knock it around.

He explained that the best way to prevent premature aging is to ensure that we have plenty of anti oxidants in our bodies and that we minimise exposure to conditions that cause damage to our genetic code. Among other things, this means avoiding old, rancid and burned foods, preventing sunburn, avoiding xrays and not overdoing the exercise. Once our genetic code is damaged beyond a certain point our cells simply cannot do their work and we die and there is nothing we can do about it once the damage is done.

As we get older our bodies change, including our hormones. While we can supplement with artificial hormones, I wonder if this is really necessary in most cases. Surely we should be accepting that our bodies change with time and these changes in hormones are possibly for a reason? Tinkering with one area may adversly affect another. Aging gracefully is a pleasant thought.

Stay young at heart: Smile and laugh with others each day, exercise moderately, have regular sex, eat fresh foods, take some key supplements, have regular medicals, avoid regular drugs use (including prescription ones) unless absolutely needed, get your toes in the dirt or sand, get wet and cold and challenge your brain daily.

Using nutritional supplements to improve health and performance

Using nutritional supplements to improve health and performance“Hi Gary

I have been on the magnesium, calcium, and joint repair for 10 days or so. The difference is very noticeable. I ran 30k's on Sat in 2hrs 31 (a bit sore afterwards) and then out for 45 min Monday night - with no soreness at all and in fact one of the best short runs I have done in ages - fast and comfortable. Jan* and I did the XYZ half two weeks ago with me doing a 1hr 41 and Jan a 1hr 55. It was extremely hot and very still and quite an undulating course so we were quite happy with the times… “
Fred*

* Not their real names
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Gary Moller comments:

Deficiencies may take many years to develop to the point that athletic performance and general health are affected. Any deficiencies may go unnoticed simply because the effects are so subtle, poorly understood and seldom tested for. In the case of an essential mineral like magnesium, a deficiency may express itself as chronic fatigue, erratic blood pressure, or an increasing tendency to cramp when exercising.

Taking doses that are within the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of the substance that is lacking may not be sufficient to restore body stores to healthy levels. This is why a multi vitamin and mineral may show little measurable benefit. This is because body stores within the muscles, liver and bones take time to be replenished. Intake must be well above what is normally consumed and eliminated by the body each day. Exercise, trauma and heavy sweating all increase demand for nutrients. In the case of magnesium, a course of up to 800mg per day may be necessary over several weeks.

In Fred’s case, taking therapeutic amounts of magnesium had an almost immediate benefit on his running performance. When he first approached me for advice, his history raised the possibility of his being deficient in this and related minerals. After a month or so, he can switch to maintenance intakes which he can get via his diet and some modest supplementation.

If you think you might benefit from supplementing your diet, don't waste your money; contact me first by email to discuss your needs.