Nutrition

Integrative Medicine

Can you explain why selenium is important for everyone and how it benefits our health?

The Essential Role of Selenium: Boosting Immunity, Fighting Cancer

Can I explain why selenium is important for everyone and how it benefits our health? You bet I can. So let's start with this. It's a very powerful antioxidant. It is absolutely necessary for thyroid function. You actually need selenium to convert T4 into T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone. So it's essential for thyroid. Great antioxidant. It may be associated with a slightly reduced rate of cancer and it is fantastic for the immune system. It's definitely one of my immune support nutrients that I use regularly. It's one of the main reasons I recommend a high quality multivitamin so that you don't have to take selenium and zinc separately. So yeah, immunity, antioxidant, thyroid function, possibly reduction in the risk of cancer.

Selenium is an essential nutrient for thyroid function, immunity, and possibly cancer prevention. It's an important part of a healthy diet, and a high quality multivitamin can help you get the recommended daily amount.

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Selenium is incredibly important for everyone, and its health benefits are numerous. Firstly, it acts as a powerful antioxidant. Additionally, selenium is essential for proper thyroid function. It plays a crucial role in converting T4 into T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone. Selenium also supports the immune system and is one of the main nutrients I recommend for immune support. It may even be associated with a slightly reduced risk of cancer. That's why I often suggest a high-quality multivitamin that includes selenium and other essential nutrients like zinc. In summary, selenium contributes to immunity, acts as an antioxidant, supports thyroid function, and may potentially reduce the risk of cancer.

Which essential fatty acids can't humans produce?

Unlocking the Power of Essential Fatty Acids

Which essential fatty acids, can't humans produce will lose to one is an omega-3 and one is an omega-6 to omega-3 is called Alpha linoleic acid. A l.a. it's found in things like flaxseed and the other one is called linoleic acid. Now, there is zero chance that you're not getting enough linoleic acid in your diet, it's in every vegetable oil and seed, oil, soybean oil, and safflower oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil, and every processed food in the world. We get Sons of La, we don't get tons of a la. So that is a very important thing to try to get from the diet. But the way we talk about the word essential in real life means it's really vitally needed. And I would apply that to DHA and EPA which of the two fatty acids that are found naturally in fish. And also to some extent grass-fed beef, those to DHA and EPA are the ones that do all the great stuff you You technically can make them from a la, which is why they say alaa is essential, and you have to get it from the diet, but your body does a lousy job of it. The conversion is awful. So it's really in my opinion essential to get plenty of EPA and DHA directly from the diet and things like fish oil. Again, the conversion is possible which is why they say. You got to get your EST LA because otherwise, you won't get DHA and EPA. But I would argue you should probably Only try to get your EPA and DHA directly. So you don't have to worry about this very inefficient conversion process.

Humans cannot produce two essential fatty acids, Omega-3s called Alpha-Linoleic Acid (ALA) and Omega-6s called Linoleic Acid. ALA is found in flaxseed and other foods, while Linoleic Acid is found in virtually all vegetable oils and processed foods. The most important essential fatty acids for humans to get directly from the diet are DHA and EPA, which can be found in fish and grass-fed beef.

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Humans cannot produce two essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid (LA), which is an omega-6 fatty acid. ALA is found in sources like flaxseed, while LA is present in vegetable oils such as soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, and corn oil.

While LA is abundant in the diet, ALA is more challenging to obtain in sufficient amounts. However, the term essential in this context means that it is vitally needed. In addition to ALA, I would argue that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are also essential. These two fatty acids are naturally found in fish and, to some extent, grass-fed beef.

Although the body can technically convert ALA into DHA and EPA, the conversion process is inefficient. Therefore, it is crucial, in my opinion, to directly consume EPA and DHA from dietary sources like fish oil. This way, you can ensure an adequate intake of these beneficial fatty acids without relying on the inefficient conversion process.

For what time duration  should a 67 year old male take 1500-2000 mg of Niacin daily in order to lower LPa?

Is High-Dose Niacin Worth the Unpleasant Side Effects?

This is a very interesting question. The writer says, for what time duration, for what time period should a 67 year old male take 1500 to 2000 milligrams of niacin daily in order to lower LPa? Well, a lot to unpack here. LPa is a risk factor for heart disease. It's a really nasty kind of lipoprotein. And here's the thing, there's almost nothing you can do about it. The one thing that people have used is high dose niacin, which is what you're talking about. Now, I gotta tell you, pal, I couldn't take 1500 to 2000 milligrams of niacin if my life depended on it. It is really unpleasant. It gives you a terrible flush. First time I took that amount of niacin by accident, I called the doctor saying, what's going on? What's happening to me? And they assured me it was just the niacin. But it's a very unpleasant therapy, and I'm not sure it matters that much. LPa is just one of those factors. You're kind of born with what you got. You can try to lower it, but I would concentrate on lowering your other risk factors rather than going through such an unpleasant therapy, which may or may not help all that much. Look at the risk factors you can control. There are a lot of them. Concentrate on those.

Niacin can be used to lower LPa levels, but it is an unpleasant therapy that may or may not work. It is better to focus on controlling other risk factors for heart disease that are within your control.

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For how long should a 67-year-old male take 1500-2000 mg of niacin daily to lower LPa? LPa is a risk factor for heart disease, and high-dose niacin has been used to address it. However, taking such high doses of niacin can be unpleasant due to the flush it causes. Personally, I couldn't handle that amount of niacin. While it's an option, I'm not convinced it makes a significant difference in lowering LPa. LPa is largely determined by genetics, so focusing on other controllable risk factors may be more beneficial. There are numerous risk factors you can work on managing, so concentrate on those instead of enduring an uncomfortable therapy with uncertain results.

How does magnesium threonate affect the brain?

Unlocking the Power of Magnesium Threonate for a Healthy Brain

How does magnesium three and eight affect the brain. So, magnesium 3, and 8 is a particular form of magnesium. Magnesium is always bound to something. So, if you look at the back of your magnesium supplements, going to say, either magnesium, citrate, magnesium, carbonate, and magnesium glycinate magnesium, oxide or magnesium, three and eight. Now, you need magnesium throughout your body and you need a lot of it. You need it for 80% of the stuff that happens in your body. Depends on magnesium, 300 different biochemical. I need magnesium, so it's needed throughout the body, but not all of it gets into the brain so well, and three, and eight really does. And why does that matter because magnesium circulating magnesium levels in the brain have been associated with less dementia with maybe more cognitive functioning. There's some evidence that magnesium 3 and 8 because it's magnesium that basically gets into the brain. May be neuroprotective. So, it's basically a magnesium. Mmm that you can count on to actually wind up or at least some of it to wind up in the brain. And that seems to be very good thing. So that's that's the story on that. It's a great form of magnesium to take.

Magnesium 3 and 8 is a form of magnesium that gets into the brain better than other forms, and may be associated with less dementia and better cognitive functioning. It is recommended as a great form of magnesium to take.

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Magnesium threonate, also known as magnesium 3 and 8, is a specific form of magnesium that has an impact on the brain. Magnesium is typically bound to other substances in supplements, such as citrate, carbonate, glycinate, oxide, or threonate. While magnesium is essential for various bodily functions, not all forms of magnesium effectively cross the blood-brain barrier.

Magnesium threonate, however, has shown the ability to penetrate the brain more effectively. This is significant because magnesium levels in the brain have been associated with reduced risk of dementia and improved cognitive function. There is evidence suggesting that magnesium threonate may have neuroprotective properties.

In summary, magnesium threonate is a form of magnesium that can effectively reach the brain. This makes it a promising option for supporting brain health.

How are supplements and other products validated to ensure quality?

Supplement Quality: Beware of Unvalidated Products and Trust Reliable Brands

How is supplements and other products validated to ensure quality? That is a great question and I'm going to be honest with you, it's a crap shoot. There's a lot of stuff out there that is only marginally validated by anybody and gets under the radar and and even the validation can be as simple as like, it's safe. It's not going to kill you so it can be on the market but that is no guarantee. It's going to do anything like What you think it's going to do for you? So the answer to this is really some companies are remarkably good at doing their own research, doing their own lab assays. They will show you the assays. There are available essays are lab testing independent lab test to see that supplement has exactly what it says it's supposed to have in the capsule. Which many of them don't and there are Services can not sure of the name of it but it's I think it's Consumers report for, for supplements, you can look it up and see, and subscription service, and they go off and check, you know, 10 or 20 randomly off the shelves and tell you, which ones passed and which ones don't, but for the general public, but I would say, is look, there's a lot of crap out there. There's a lot of stuff that's sold by companies that are LED not by nutrition. Is not by doctors, not by health professionals, but by intrapreneurs who know, how to sell and they know how to make Catchy ads on the internet and they promised all kinds of things. My best advice is to by dr. Brands and by dr. Burns. I mean these companies that have been around forever, that we know that we health professionals actually, recommend and send our clients to met a Genex designs for health Thorn research. Whenever I go to the shows, the supplement shows or the conference's that scripts or any of the conference's, whether exhibitors we meet these people, we talk to them, we We see their assays and the best way to buy that stuff. Is through an authorized, dispensary go to my website, Jonny Bowden.com on the home page, there is an article how and why to buy supplements. It will show you how to register for an account at a dispensary. And you can choose from any brand they carry and know that that stuff, the real deal.

Supplements and other products are validated to ensure quality by companies doing their own research and lab assays, independent lab testing, subscription services like Consumers Report for supplements, and by buying from trusted brands with a long history in the health industry. The best way to buy these is through an authorized dispensary.

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Supplements and other products are validated to ensure quality through various methods, although it can be a challenging process. Unfortunately, there are many products on the market that are only marginally validated and may not deliver the expected results. Some companies take the initiative to conduct their own research and lab assays, providing evidence of the supplement's contents. Independent lab testing is also available to verify if a supplement contains what it claims to have in the capsule.

One resource to consider is a subscription service similar to Consumer Reports for supplements. They randomly test products and provide information on which ones pass or fail. However, for the general public, it's important to be cautious as there is a lot of low-quality products being sold by companies that are not led by nutritionists, doctors, or health professionals. These companies often rely on catchy ads and promises without proper validation.

To ensure quality, it is advisable to purchase supplements from reputable brands that have been around for a long time and are recommended by health professionals. Examples of such brands include Metagenics, Designs for Health, and Thorne Research. It is also recommended to purchase these products through authorized dispensaries. On my website, JonnyBowden.com, you can find an article on how and why to buy supplements, which provides guidance on registering for an account at a dispensary and choosing from a range of trusted brands.

Unlocking the Power of Alpha Lipoic Acid: Benefits and Beyond

So, the question is, what is the alpha lipoic acid alpha? Lipoic acid is compound, it's made in the body and just about every cell. It's found a little bit in food but you can never get enough to make any difference whatsoever but it's big claim to fame. Is it does three major things? One is it helps lower blood sugar too. Is it's an incredibly good liver, support nutrients and helps with detoxification when I was treating my own hepatitis C, which I had until they invented that Miracle eight week. Cure and I had hepatitis C actively for about 20 years. I use 1200 mg of alpha lipoic acid as part of my nutritional protocol for protecting my liver and keeping my liver enzymes from going nuts. But the third thing that alpha lipoic acid is known for is its a powerful antioxidant and it's kind of a specialist antioxidant because what it does is it allows vitamin E and vitamin C to recirculate. It. So it kind of gives you a restart on both of those very important antioxidants, giving you a kind of double duty and turbocharging them and letting them recycle and be used again. Very, very powerful nutrient, not one of the things you can get from food and if your health professional recommends it as a additional supplement to take, I would take that recommendation seriously because alpha lipoic acid can do you a lot of good.

Alpha lipoic acid is a compound made in the body which helps to lower blood sugar, support the liver, and act as an antioxidant by allowing vitamin E and C to recirculate. It is recommended to take alpha lipoic acid as a supplement if advised by a healthcare professional, as it has many health benefits.

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Alpha lipoic acid is a compound that is naturally produced in the body and found in almost every cell. While it is present in some foods, it is difficult to obtain enough through diet alone to make a significant impact. Alpha lipoic acid is known for three main benefits.

Firstly, it helps lower blood sugar levels. Secondly, it is a highly effective nutrient for liver support and detoxification. It has been used in protocols to protect the liver and maintain healthy liver enzyme levels. 

Thirdly, alpha lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant. It has a unique role in allowing vitamin E and vitamin C to recycle and be used again, enhancing their antioxidant effects. This makes it a valuable nutrient for overall antioxidant support.

Since alpha lipoic acid is not easily obtained from food, if a healthcare professional recommends it as an additional supplement, it is worth considering, as it can provide significant benefits to your health.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

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Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS answers your Integrative Medicine questions. See all the advice Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS has and get answers to your own Integrative Medicine questions.

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Jonny Bowden began his career as a jazz musician, studying under Herbie Hancock and at Juilliard before earning degrees in music & psychology from NYU. He found his passion for nutrition while working as a pianist for Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. Bowden changed careers and earned 6 personal training certifications, a psychology masters, and a nutrition PhD. He was the Dean of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute for 4 years and became a board-certified nutritionist. Bowden has penned 15 books, including best-sellers "The Great Cholesterol Myth," "Living Low Carb," and "150 Healthiest Foods on Earth”. He's a worldwide speaker, has appeared on every major network (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, MSNBC), has been interviewed on dozens of podcasts, and featured in The NYT, Men’s Health, Woman’s World, Forbes Online, GQ, Cosmo, Self, Prevention, InStyle, Shape, and O, The Oprah Magazine. Known as The Nutrition Mythbuster™, Bowden is committed to debunking health myths and speaking truth to power.