Nutritional supplements are an integral part of the healthy ageing programme used in this practice. Many people do not have an optimal diet. In my view, intensive farming has also reduced the vitamin and mineral content of food compared with previous decades, contributing to deficiencies such as magnesium and selenium. Chronic stress can further increase nutritional requirements.
My recommendations:
- Multivitamin-mineral supplement as a basis: Vita Multi.
- Vitamin D3: 2000 IU or more (depending on the blood test results; ensure that the vitamin D value is above 40 nanograms per ml of blood).
- Iodine: 0.5 to 1 mg.
- Omega 3 fatty acids: 500 to 1000 mg EPA+DHA.
- Curcumin: 250-500 mg.
- Resveratrol (works synergistically with curcumin and quercetin in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells; occurs naturally in red wine, grapes, peanuts, dark chocolate). High doses are not necessary: 50-100 mg.
- EGCG from green tea, at least 300 mg.
- Broccoli extract in the form of sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS): 25-50 mg.
- Pomegranate extract: 400 mg.
- Coenzyme Q10: 50-100 mg.
- Melatonin: 3-10 mg (25 mg during chemotherapy)
- Vitamin C: at least 500 mg per day.
- Quercetin is a flavonoid, present in red grapefruit and red onion, among others. 400-800 mg.
- Phytoadapt, 3 capsules on an empty stomach (used here to support the immune system and healthy ageing).
Supplement choices can be adjusted to individual risk factors, family history and blood test results.
Comprehensive blood testing helps guide the selection and adjustment of supplements. Testing for Lp-PLA2 is particularly important in this approach.
Lp-PLA2
Lp-PLA2 is a blood test used to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event such as thrombosis or a heart attack. With elevated results, the risk described here is 90% over four years. Lifestyle changes are central to the approach described here, alongside selected supplements (omega-3, tocotrienols, vitamin C, nattokinase, vitamin K2 and others) and chelation therapy.
Galectin-3
Galectin-3 is used in this practice as a marker in healthy ageing assessments. Elevated blood concentrations have been associated with several chronic conditions, including cancer, heart failure, rheumatic disease and diabetes. Galectin-3 is involved in inflammation and fibrosis (tissue scarring). I consider it particularly relevant for patients with a history of cancer or heart disease, alongside cholesterol and vitamin D measurements. Where levels are raised, modified citrus pectin, an extract derived from citrus peel, is used in the approach described here.