Optimal Health

New Years Resolution - Start Taking Your Supplements

Summary:  Everyone needs the most basic supplements, which include:

*Omega 3, 6, 9 Oils

*Probiotics

*Magnesium

*Multi Vitamin/Mineral Fromula for your age and gender

*CoQ10 for your cardio-vascular system

*Individualized program based on symptoms and blood analysis 

We all need vitamin and mineral supplements — Right?  With our higher levels of awareness for our body’s health and healing process, who could logically say:  “No—-not me, I don’t need vitamins?”  

One might say that medical doctors and many scientific investigators don’t believe in the need for supplements, but this is no longer true.  In recent classes I’ve taught to medical doctors throughout the Los Angeles area, I’ve seen an incredible interest among many physicians  and an honest desire to learn what’s best for their patients.   Many of these docs are taking vitamins, herbs and other supplements themselves and seeing firsthand that they really work!

Some of the most common reasons for taking vitamin and mineral supplements are:

1.  Large-scale commercial agra-business has depleted our soils of nutrients.  Soil has been scientifically researched and found to be deficient in many necessary minerals.  Organically grown food is much better, and richer in vitamins and nutrients, but is more costly and still hard to obtain for our everyday needs.

2.  Pesticides are used around our homes, are found in most of the foods we eat, and are hidden in the form of ant and roach “hotels”, moth balls, mildew removers, fungicides, termite eradication and others.  These pesticides inevitably get into our body.

3.  Other environmental pollutants also claim a toll on the body, creating a need for more anti-oxidants and other minerals and vitamins.

4.  Smog:  Living in Los Angeles, we are all subject to the effects of poor air quality.  Breathing smog on a daily basis depletes the body of anti-oxidants.

5.  Smoking, prescription medications, recreational drugs and alcohol deplete the body of valuable nutrients and electrolytes.  This is why most people who smoke have a lot of dental and bone density problems:  The minerals needed to build healthy teeth and bones have been leached out of the system.

6.  Electromagnetic Field Pollution is everywhere.  From airports, cell phones, X-Rays, MRI’s, radio waves, microwaves, television and computer screens, we are constantly bombarded by radiation in every direction we turn.  If you own an electro-magnetic field detector as I do, you’d be amazed by measuring the amount of daily radiation you are subjected to.   Radiation alters your electro-magnetic field, your chi/energy, and personal gravitational center, thus causing stress-induced depletion of minerals and vitamins.

7.  We all live under tremendous stress.  Unless you live in the desert  and are on retreat 100% of the time, it’s likely that your endocrine system, including your adrenal glands and thyroid, are functioning on overdrive much of the time.  Stress depletes the body of its essential nutrients, including vital antioxidants and electrolytes.

8.  The “Quickening” — Few could argue that we perceive time as speeding up.  The physical body is dealing with a constant onslaught of energy, the mental body is constantly overwhelmed by too much data and information, and the emotional body is being called upon to integrate and make sense of all this additional information.  All of this contributes to stress, which depletes the body by sending it into “overdrive” much of the time.

But which supplements are the best ones for your particular body and mind?  Although we are all mostly exposed to the same common environmental problems,  not everyone needs the same products. 

Our bodies vary tremendously, and so do our physiological needs.  

In 1996, Dr. Roger Williams, the scientist who discovered Pantothenic Acid, wrote a book called Biochemical Individuality.   In this book, he discusses various research studies demonstrating people’s unique needs. 

This is why  the best way to determine your individual needs is through individualized testing and analysis.   And the most reliable form of testing uses the blood.

Health is relative, and a person who doesn’t have a known disease is not necessarily healthy.  So the best way to analyze blood chemistry is in terms of “optimum” rather than “normal.”

Your blood is alive!   By that I mean that your blood is electrically charged.  Each mineral molecule in the blood carries either a positive or negative electrical charge.   Each negative charge is attracted to a positive charge and each positive charge is attracted to a negative charge.

Problems like insomnia, low or high blood pressure, weight gain or loss, fluid retention, arthritis, colitis, constipation, allergies or asthma all begin to make sense when we look at the blood in this way.  

 Looking at the typical blood chemistry analysis and CBC, I have an entire picture of exactly which organs are weak, or “under-active,” and strong, or “over-active,” from the point of view of Chinese medicine.   

Taken together, these two methods of blood test analysis give a very clear indication of which supplements and herbs are needed to bring the body into balance for optimal functioning.  

There are two primary categories of Oils Supplements, or Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 6 Series and Omega 3 Series.

Omega 3 Series are found in fish and fish oils.

And the Omega 6 Series are found in the largest amounts in Mother’s Milk, Evening Primrose Seed Oils, Black Currant Seed Oils, and Borage Seed Oils.

Other Omega 6 Series Fatty Acids include Flax Oil, Safflower Oil, Cottonseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Peanut Oil, Olive Oil and Corn Oil. These are all high in Linoleic Acid. Good sources of the third type of Omega 6 Oils are Red Meats, Dairy Products and Shellfish, each containing a wider variety of various fatty acids each.

Omega 6 Series Fatty Acids are the source for the GLA’s (gamma Linolenic Acids,) to be discussed below.

The primary purpose of Omega 3 and 6 oils in the body are as anti-inflammatory, preventing cancer growth, to stimulate the immune system, decrease cholesterol, strengthen the heart, and release neurotransmitters in the brain.

The third category of Fatty Acids are the Omega 9 Series. Omega 9 Series Fatty Acids are less studied and are not considered essential. But Omega 9 oils are very high in Oleic acid. These oils play a protective role in lowering heart attack risk and protecting against cholesterol build up. Omega 9 oils are found in olive oil, avocados, sesame oil and various nuts, like peanuts, almonds and macadamia.

More specifically, here are the various types of oils and their sources:

LA (Linoleic acid) is present in vegetables and vegetable Oils. There is no need to supplement this oil.

GLA (Gamma-linolenic acid) is found in borage & starflower & oils, evening primrose oil, black currant oil and in small amounts in human breast milk. The typical diet provides very little GLA.

AA (Arachidonic acid) is found in eggs, fish, and meat and is abundant in more diets.

ALA (Alpha-linolenic acid) is found in flax seed and flax seed oil and in small amounts in nuts, green leafy vegetables, canola and wheat germ and black currant seeds.

EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) are found in fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna and algae.

There are specific Essential Fatty Acids’s which are very useful in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Below are some of the many examples:

Heart Disease: Research shows that to maintain a healthy heart, we need a diet rich in ALA, EPA and DHA.

Arthritis and Joint Disease: GLA is shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in joint pain.

Skin Disorders, Eczema, Psoriasis: GLA’s have been related to eczema and other skin disorders.

Mental Problems, Depression, Anxiety, Bi-Polar, Shyness: Omega 3 Oils are not only good for the heart, but also for depression and other mental disorders

Other problems that respond well to essential fatty acids are gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS, diabetes, obesity, PMS, breast tenderness, hypertension, MS, lupus, asthma, allergies and insomnia.

The only side effects of taking large amounts of Essential Fatty Acids are burping, diarrhea or stomach upset. Often these side effects will stop after continued use. But if they don’t stop, then cut down on your dosage until you find the amount that is best for you. The oils can also have a blood thinning effect, so you should consult your doctor if you are already on an anti-coagulant. Always discontinue all supplements well before any surgery or dental work as well.

During pregnancy and lactation, women generally should increase their intake of the Essential Fatty Acids. Also, during high periods of stress, and during times when you want to strengthen and support your immune system, it is good to increase your Essential Fatty Acid intake.

Oils Revisited - Essential Fatty Acids - Are You Getting Enough?  By Dr. Randy Martin, OMD, LAc  

Flax Oil - Omega-3 and other EFA’s; Vit E, Lecithin and phytosterols, plant lignins; antioxidants.  Good for autoimmune disorders, arthritis, inflammation; also good for cardiovascular disease; dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, acne, depression, fatigue, allergies, ADD, ADHD, arthritis, chronic viral, bacterial and fungal infections, IBS, kidney stones.  

Pumpkin Seed Oil - plant sterols; high alpha-linolenic acid and phyto sterols, important for sexual gland functions and hormone activity;  Alpha linolenic acid is the precursor of other omega 3 oils such as EPA and DHA.  

Borage Seed Oil - has more GLA (gamma linolenic acid) than Evening Primrose Oil; GLA is important for the production of prostaglandin E1; highest GLA of any plant.  

Fish Oils - high in EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; EPA and DHA are components of nerve cells and cell membranes.   Omega 3 fatty acids from fish are good for cardio vascular function.   The best fish for EPA’s and DHA’s are sardines, mackerel, salmon, bluefish, herring, and tuna.  

Hemp Oil - High in Omega-3’s and some GLA.  57% LA linoleic and % LNA linolenic in a 3 to 1 ratio matching our nutritional needs.   Has more EFA’s than flax oil. Contains GLA which is gamma linolenic acid, and is a controversial one to add.   Has GLA’s and Omega 3’s both.  

GLA Oils – High in primrose oil, black currant seed oil and borage oil.  It stimulates growth of hair and nails, skin, and reduces inflammation.   EPA Oils - The most mood elevating Omega-3 component.  Use EPA’s for depression, manic, bi polar, suicidal feelings — EPA contains DHA, but you need the EPA to affect the neural pathways, so don’t take DHA alone.  Low EPA correlates with depression in many separate research studies.   EPA is also good for inflammatory pain and inflammation of any kind, including Fibromyalgia, IBS, Migraines, joint disease, and to prevent stroke and cardiovascular disease.   EPA’s will also raise serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter.  Also use it in violent behavior (criminals, substance abuse, addictions, and impulsive anger,) ADD and ADHD, and to lower blood pressure, Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, and in Crohns disease.  

Ratio of EFA – The best ratio is 1.5% omega-3 and 2.5% omega-6 totalling 4% of your calorie intake.   

Bad Oils - The worst oils are:  corn, peanut (as in peanut butter), sesame, soybean, cottonseed, canola, safflower and sunflower.  All of these are too high in omega 6 oils.   

Good Cooking Oils - The best is to just use Olive oil for everything including cooking, and also better for you.  

Saturated Fatty Acids – These fatty oils are made from animal products and can be recognized because they are solid at room temperature (i.e. butter, lard).  

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids – These fats are liquid at room temperature and are derived from plant sources; They will help to lower total serum cholesterol by lowering both HDL and LDL.  But remember that the HDL are the “good” cholesterol and you want them higher and not lower.  Some studies show that polyunsaturated fats may increase your risk of cancer because they tend to oxidize easily.  

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids – These fats are liquid at room temperature and are derived from plant sources; They lower serum cholesterol by lowering LDL and leaving HDL unchanged.   They are generally considered “healthy fats.” This type of fat is found in nuts, avocados, tea leaf, olive oil, grapeseed oil and flaxseed oil.  

Omega 6 — Linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid promote the production of the series 1 prostaglandins, which are anti inflammatory and anti atherogenic;  sources are vegetable, nut and seed oils, corn, safflower, soy, canola, sunflower gamma linolenic acid (GLA), breast milk, evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil;  good for auto immune conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, scleroderma, MS, asthma, hayfer, hives and hypertension.  

Omega 3 — Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA’s) - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA’s), and alpha linolenic acid (ALA) promote series 3 prostaglandins, anti inflammatory, anti atherogenic, eicosapentaenoic acid, decrease levels of 4 leukotrienes; found in cold water fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines); cod liver oil; flaxseed oil, soy oil, chloroplasts;  Used for Cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, hyper triglycerides, hypertension, auto immune conditions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, scleroderma, MS, migraines, Diabetes, asthma, allergies, PMS.