Any time I do any talks or consultations (or even just sitting around with friends), I am inevitably asked about supplements. Do you really need to take them? Which ones? For what?
I have always advocated that everyone needs to take a foundation consisting of a multivitamin, fish oil, and probiotics. And, lately, due to mounting research, Ive added vitamin D3. As it turns out, Im far from alone on this subject.
In a July 10th posting to huffingtonpost.com, Dr. Mark Hyman reported on research from the Lewin Group which found that taking key supplements could save the U.S. $24 billion over five years.
Specifically, they looked at calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis, folic acid for birth defects, omega-3 fatty acids for heart disease, and lutein and zeaxanthin for macular degeneration. In each case, taking these supplements in the right amounts for five years would save the U.S. billions of dollars in prevented fractures, heart conditions, vision loss, and neural tube defects in babies.
Moreover, Dr. Hyman goes on to reference studies from the Journal of the American Medical Association and the New England Journal of Medicine that supports the use of supplements.
Given this, I am glad to see my recommendations are on the right track! If you have specific concerns (i.e. osteoporosis or vision concerns both age-related), then you need to augment your foundation with calcium/magnesium and lutein/zeaxanthin. Dr. Lark recommends taking 1,0001,500 mg of calcium carbonate, 500750 mg magnesium, 78 mg of lutein, and 12 mg of zeaxanthin daily.
For more supplementation recommendations, especially those for menopause symptoms or appetite control, visit Dr. Larks Web site. While there, you can also sign up for Dr. Larks FREE eLetter or subscribe to her monthly newsletter.