Nancy Onyett, FNP-C

Daily Essential Supplements

Our immune systems are easily weakened by the American diet that is nutrient deficient and high in fat and calories. Furthermore, nutrients are depleted  from foods due to herbicides, pesticides, and poor soil conditions. Most of us are aware of RDA (recommended daily allowance); which, is only the minimum requirements for avoiding diseases related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. So what are the daily supplements to maintain health? When I get asked by patients what supplements should they should take I recommend the following listed in this blog.

A daily multivitamin supports a healthy environment for heart muscles, bones, and skin while enhancing nerve function, digestion, cellular repair, and importantly immune functioning.

Antioxidants are necessary to prevent chronic disease states from the aging process. Their role is to neutralize free radicals that are generated by oxidative stress thereby generating safer molecules through an enzymatic process. Free radicals are damaging to every organ system in the body which leads to chronic diseases.  I recommend the "Detoxidant" from MedQuest as it is a blend of powerful nutritional combinations to protect the body from free radicals, along with eliminating toxins, improving energy, and strengthening the immune system. The essential nutrients in antioxidants are beta carotene, vitamin C & E, Selenium, Zinc and cysteine. The endogenous compounds are glutathione, sulhydryl groups, lipoic acid, CoQ 10 and Bilirubin.This can be confusing for people to find all the ingredients for antioxidants so I usually recommend the Detoxidant formula from Medquest Pharmacy or www.mqrx.com.

CoQ10 prevents oxidation of LDL and prevents endothelial cell injury causing atherosclerosis. It is required for use with a statin due to the statin blocking the production of CoQ10. Vitamin E is essential for it cardioprotective effects as demonstrated in the Nurses Health Study.

Alpha Lipoic Acid neutralizes free radicals from oxidative stress. It protects the heart from oxidative stress, fat accumulation, and inflammation. It also enhances CoQ 10 absorption and it's effects.

Vitamin D3 is important to the formation of strong bones, cellular immunity, cardiovascular function, stable insulin levels and mood balance. Vitamin D deficiency has become a worldwide epidemic partly due to poor GI absorption and lack of sunlight. Vitamin D is very beneficial in helping to stabilize blood sugars in diabetes and stabilize mood disorders in depression; also Vitamin D helps in asthmatics to stabilize airway spasms, and in pain associated with chronic pain disorders. It is a strong support for immune functioning helping to prevent frequent community acquired infections.

Vitamin C is the main defense against oxidative stress protecting the immune system. It slows atherosclerosis and improves endothelial function in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes mellitus. Studies show less coronary artery disease with vitamin C intake at 2000 to 4000mg per day. Lastly, it is protective in collagen production reducing thin skin and bruising; which, is very benefical for aging skin in a topical form.

B50 Complete is a balanced nutrition in a plant base. This contains folic acid, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, niacinamide, biotin, pantothetic acid, choline, inositol, and PABA. Other ingredients are alfalfa, watercress, parsley, lecithin, and rice bran. The combination of B vitamins and minerals helps to fight fatigue and stress. Also, this combination helps with fat burning for those who are active exercising and eating whole foods.

This blog is written as a suggestion. Anyone reading this should check with their primary care provider concerning the supplements especially if on cardiac medications or blood thinners.

Testosterone – Not Just For Men Anymore

Most people associate testosterone with masculinity.  Although it is classified as one of the androgens, it is actually a vital hormone for both men and women.  Men and women produce and utilize testosterone with levels peaking during youth and declining with the aging process. In the past few years research studies focused on men with physiological dosing and the benefits of overall musculskeletal/bone, cardiovascular, genitourinary and sexual health. Recent research  in physiological testosterone dosing for women who are perimenopausal and menopausal shows benefit for sexual, cardiovascular, urinary, and musculoskeletal/bone health with the most current research showing  testosterone is breast protective in both sexes.

 

Testosterone’s most apparent purpose for both men and women is sexual.  Many menopausal and post-menopausal women lose interest in sexual activity, primarily due to diminished testosterone levels.  Studies show  that women who receive testosterone replacement therapy during or after menopause experience an increase in sexual drive and response, frequency of sexual intercourse, number of sexual fantasies, and level of sexual arousal.

 

Accumulating medical evidence reports testosterone in men plays an important role in cardiovascular health, especially in protecting against atherosclerosis and heart disease.  Natural testosterone has been shown to lower blood pressure and it  increases the good HDL cholesterol while reducing total cholesterol.  It improves circulation and slows tissue breakdown typically associated with aging.

 

Recently testosterone studies in both sexes shows increased bone density from the ratio of testosterone to estradiol that is physiological in both sexes when dosed properly. Testosterone contributes to our overall muscle tone.  Prior to menopause many women experience the embarrassment of a leaky bladder.  This problem is related to diminished testosterone levels, because the pelvic muscles are particularly dependent on testosterone.  Many women find that testosterone replacement, combined with Kegel exercises, strengthens and tones pelvic and vaginal musculture.

 

Most women begin to experience symptoms of testosterone deficiency during perimenopause, when their testosterone levels generally declines and at menopause when their levels have declined by 50%.  However, a variety of conditions can cause a decline in testosterone long before menopause.  Some of these conditions include childbirth, endometriosis, birth control pills, ovarectomy, depression, and abuse of alcohol and narcotics.  Additionally, some medications may interfere with the bioavailability of testosterone, such as Provera, Prozac and Zoloft or other antidepressants, and some antipsychotic medications.

Women with low testosterone levels experience decreased libido and other sexual complaints such as lack of orgasm, and decreased vaginal lubrication.  More testosterone deficiency signs include a general lack of energy, loss of muscle tone and diminished overall vitality. Sexual fantasies and masturbation may be significantly decreased or totally absent.

 

 It is important to understand that symptoms of testosterone deficiency may arise even when a laboratory test indicates a “normal” level, which is given for the person's age.  The reason is that most lab tests do not address the amount of “free” testosterone available to deliver the desired benefits.  “Free” testosterone refers to the amount of circulating testosterone that is most biologically available.  In addition, the presence of other hormones can influence the levels of free testosterone.

In the past testosterone replacement  focused on men but with studies showing beneficial effects to both sexes it can be prescribed topically in physiological doses for each sex.  Many physicians still hesitate to prescribe testosterone replacement for women because of the potential virilizing side effects.  While excessive doses of testosterone can lead to “masculine” characteristics, a typical woman’s dose would be so small that these effects are rare.  Additionally, many of the reported side effects from testosterone are those associated with synthetic testosterone-like drugs, not natural bio-identical testosterone.  While side effects are uncommon, they can include acne, fluid retention and hair growth.

Natural, or bio-identical, hormones have a molecular structure identical to the hormones that the body produces.  Even though they may be synthesized in a laboratory they cannot be distinguished from those the body produces, and the body treats them as such.  Synthetic drugs, on the other hand, are similar in molecular structure but are not exactly the same as the natural molecule.  Synthetic drug molecules differ from natural molecules; therefore, the body treats them differently, which can lead to side effects.

Replacement therapy for testosterone include the natural testosterone which many physicians believe from studies that it is safer than the synthetic testosterone.  Natural testosterone replacement for both sexes is available as custom compounded creams, gels, injections, and implanted pellets.  Serum levels are followed closely till the desired range of free testosterone is achieved in both sexes and symptoms have improved. Certainly weight training helps to maintain and increase testosterone in both sexes and combining cardio with weight training gives the benefit of keeping body fat to acceptable levels with muscle toning.