Is There a Case For Nutritional Supplements?
In a lecture I gave in Vancouver B.C. this weekend, I talked about real food as the best way to receive the proper balance of nutrients. In addition, I mentioned that there are a few reasons we may benefit from nutritional supplements:
- Soil depletion
- Inadequate nutrient content of processed foods
- Environmental factors that increase our need for various nutrients beyond what food can give us
Well, I found an article that deals with this topic pretty well; I thought I’d pass it on before I go in to treat patients at my chiropractic, nutrition, hypnosis and functional medicine clinic in Portland, Oregon; Optimum Function. Please, feel free to comment on this entry and others if you have any questions about nutrition, chiropractic, hypnosis or functional medicine; in fact, feel free to ask just about any health-related question, if I can’t answer it…. I’ll find someone who can.
Here’s a link to the article: The case for nutritional supplementation
Yours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum Health
“Citizen’s Petition” to Disallow Weight Loss Claims for Dietary Supplements Was Actually Filed, in Part, by a Large Pharmaceutical Company
First-off, I want to state my position on this. I think many, if not most of the products that claim weight loss benefits are bogus and/or overstated. I also think that attempting to lose weight by using these products without first increasing the amount of calories you burn everyday while simultaneously decreasing the amount of calories you eat is a “recipe” for long-term failure. My patients know that real food and lifestyle changes are always my first line of treatment. Supplements, when needed can help but this is not my primary avenue of nutritional treatment.
That being said, I also think it is ridiculous that a petition entitled the “Citizen’s Petition” was filed, not by concerned citizens but a large pharmaceutical company a gross misrepresentation. The title sounds very grass-roots but this is deceiving.
The “Citizen’s Petition” was filed, on April 17, 2008. But not by a bunch of concerned American citizens; Rather, it was filed in part, by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. The “Citizen’s Petition” requests that the FDA now classify weight loss claims as “disease claims” effectively requiring all nutritional supplements that have any effect on metabolism or weight to be treated as drugs and regulated similarly.
The petition was also filed on behalf of the “wonderful and, altruistic” (sarcasm) American Dietetic Association (ADA), which was given a substantial financial grant as a reward for its participation.
Hmmm, no conflict of interest here; I can’t understand why any association or otherwise would back a petition that they are getting rewarded monetarily to do so…..yes, I am being sarcastic.
GSK is the manufacturer of Alli, a diluted over-the-counter version of the weight loss drug Orlistat (Xenical) which even at full strength did not do what it claimed to. GSK spent over 150 million dollars marketing Alli the first year it came out. Largely due to this marketing campaign, Alli is generating cumulative sales of about 315 million dollars so far.
The GSK/ADA petition claims that dietary supplements are ineffective in treating overweight conditions. The language of the argument is vague and attempts to twist and turn to apparently muddle-up its meaning. For example: “Petitioners are not asking FDA to conclude that the state of being overweight is a disease; petitioners are requesting FDA to restrict weight loss claims because they purport to treat an unhealthy condition that is a risk factor for disease- not the disease itself”. (Crystal clear)
Here’s my opinion: the pharmaceutical companies don’t want any competition from natural products and will use any lobbying they can to influence regulatory agencies to use their collective power to keep the competition off the market. This, in and of itself is not “bad” but it may set a horrible presidence where the pharmaceutical companies now hold the “key” to any substance that can help and disease or risk-factor for disease. Great…..are they going to ban daily exercise….how about vegetables?
The “Citizens Petition” filed by one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in addition to the ADA, disguises itself by making it seem like its primary goal is to protect your health; while in actuality, the primary goal is to protecting their turf.
If you would like to experience one-on-one, personalized nutrition and healthcare, feel free to email me at info@OptFunction.com or call 503-866-9739
Yours in Health,
Dr. Tim Irving DC, LMT
Optimum Function
819 SE Morrison St. Suite 230
Portland, Oregon, USA, 97214
www.OptFunction.com
www.YourOptimumNutrition.com
www.FunctionalDetox.com
Yours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum HealthFolic Acid Supplementation Linked to Fewer Pregnancy Complications
A Canadian study reports that the risk of pre-eclampsia, which affects 2-3% of all pregnancies, may be reduced by 63% by supplementing with a multivitamin formula that contains folic acid.
To find out more about folic acid in your diet and thorugh supplementation, please contact me at info@OptFunction.com or call 503-866-9739
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving Optimum Function 819 SE Morrison St. Suite 230 Portland, Oregon, USA, 97215 www.OptFunction.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.com Source:Wen S, Chen X, et al. “Folic acid supplementationin early second trimester and the risk of pre-eclampsia” Am Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. January 2008, Vol. 198:1. P45.
ALERT: Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Heart Disease
Another study touting the benefits and importance of the proper vitamin D levels was published in the June 9, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The study found that low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25[OH]D) were associated with a higher risk of having a heart attack
The authors note that in most populations studied, the rate of cardiovascular death is elevated at higher latitudes, increases during the winter months, and is lower at high altitudes. All of these conditions would suggest that cardiovascular death is directly related to low vitamin D levels.
While alternative explanations for these observations are possible, they point out that a variety of plausible biological mechanisms support a role for vitamin D in heart disease. For example, vitamin-D affects vascular smooth-muscle-cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification, the renin-angiotensin system, and blood pressure; all of these can have profound affects on cardiovascular health
To look at this issue further, the authors examined Vitamin D levels in relation to risk of heart attack in 18,225 men who were enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The men were aged 40 to 75 years and were free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at baseline.The results showed that men deficient in Vitamin D were found to be at increased risk for heart attack compared with those considered to be sufficient in Vitamin D.What is the range of vitamin D levels that were used? Well, below 30 ng/mL was considered to be deficient. In another blog, I will explain how I came to the range that I use for optimal Vitamin D status; that range is 50-100 ng/mL. Vitamin D staus can be easily measured in the blood as 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, because I am part of a lab co-op, this important blood marker will cost $45 including the lab draw through a Quest Diagnostics draw station. The lab interpretation with subsequent recommendation fee is normally $89 but I am offering it for $49 for Vitamin D only. This makes having your Vitamin D levels both important and affordable as there is no need to run the test more than once every 12 months unless you are very deficient.Call 503-866-9739 or email info@OptFunction.com today to schedule your vitamin D test today.
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving DC, LMT, Nutritionist Optimum Function 819 SE Morrison St. Suite 230 Portland, Oregon, 97214 www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.comYours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum HealthReference:Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men. A prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1174-1180.
Can Insufficient Vitamin D Cause Pain?
It clearly can. One study showed that 93% of persons 10-65 years of age who were admitted to a hospital emergency department with muscle aches and bone pain–and who had a wide variety of diagnoses, including Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression, were deficient in vitamin D.1A second study confirmed a strong correlation between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in the blood and higher rates and longer duration of generalized bone and/or muscle aches and pains.2 A third study looked at chronic pain patients at a tertiary care pain clinic. They documented that those patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels </=20 ng/mL used almost twice as much morphine, were on opioid medications almost twice as long and generally were in more pain then those with higher vitamin D levels.3 Understanding the what led to, what triggered and what’s perpetuating pain is one of the most important things a clinician can do to help their patients. That’s one of the reasons I have put together so many exciting programs.
Click Here to learn about those programs
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving DC, LMT, Nutritionist Optimum Function, Portland, Oregon www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.comYours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum Health1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. Jul 19 2007;357(3):266-281.
2. Erkal MZ, Wilde J, Bilgin Y, et al. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and generalized bone pain in Turkish immigrants in Germany: identification of risk factors. Osteoporos Int. 2006;17(8):1133-1140.
3. Turner MK, Hooten WM, Schmidt JE, Kerkvliet JL, Townsend CO, Bruce BK. Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Vitamin D Inadequacy among Patients with Chronic Pain. Pain Med. Mar 11 2008.
Essential Amino Acid Supplementation is Beneficial to Elderly Muscles
A study in the journal Clinical Nutrition found that supplementing the diet of elderly people with the full set of essential amino acids can boost their lean body mass, strength and physical function.
Although it was a small study, with only 12 volunteers, it did challenge previous conclusions based on the studies use of a well-balanced supplement; it also highlights the potential benefits of amino acid supplements for this growing age group. In general, as we age, we are at risk for a gradual decline in muscle mass, strength and function.
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving Optimum Function Portland, Oregon www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.comReference:
1. Source: E. Borsheim, Q-U.T. Bui, S. Tissier, H. Kobayashi, A.A. Ferrando, R.R. Wolfe. Clinical Nutrition “Effect of amino acid supplementation on muscle mass, strength and physical function in elderly. 4 March 2008, doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.01.001
Yours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum HealthMore Evidence That Vitamin D Helps You Lose Weight
The study referenced below is yet another one touting the benefits of vitamin D. In this study, body weight and other body measurements related specifically to type II diabetes were taken. What was concluded is relevant both to people who want to reduce their risk of developing type II diabetes (this should include anyone reading this), and people trying to lose weight, especially abdominal obesity. The results showed that there was an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D, body weight, BMI, and some of the other body measurements.
To purchase supplements from a reputable, professional company; click here.
If you want to take your health and nutrition to the next level go to www.YourOptimumNutrition.com, call 503-866-9739 or email me at nutrition@OptFunction.com
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving Optimum Function Portland, Oregon www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.comYours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum HealthReference:
Relationships of low serum vitamin D3 with anthropometry and markers of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in overweight and obesity; McGill A, Stewart J, Lithander F, Strik C, Poppitt S; Nutrition Journal, 2008 7:4 ( 28 January 2008 )
What is in a good daily multi-vitamin/mineral complex?
This question is usually on the tip of everyone’s tongue when it comes to supplements. First, I have to say that a daily multi-vitamin/mineral WILL NOT make you healthier by itself. You have to first obtain optimum function with regards to all of your body systems; to do this requires a few important steps. Because I don’t want to spend too much time explaining these steps I will tell you that they involve doing a baseline functional blood chemistry, taking a thorough health and dietary history, performing a complete functional medicine and functional nutrition examination.
Only after all of this information is carefully studied and analyzed can your functional medicine practitioner create a treatment plan to address your unique physiology and prescribe a combination of dietary restrictions and supplements (if needed). This process usually takes 3-5 months, restoring optimum function is NOT a magic pill, a magic pill does not nor will ever exist that will help everyone obtain optimum health.
Once you have followed the treatment plan and have begun to feel and be markedly healthier, maintaining this state requires a healthy diet specifically designed for your physiology, an active lifestyle, the reduction of habits and behaviors that may impede your journey to a healthier you, and the addition of some good supplementation.
To find our how to maximize your health and nutrition, go to www.YourOptimumNutrition.com, call 503-866-9739 or email me at nutrition@OptFunction.com
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving Optimum Function Portland, Oregon www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.com Yours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum HealthVitamin D is one of the most exciting vitamins in Healthcare today….
There has been an overwhelming ammount of evidence linking vitamin D to positive effects in treating a variety of health maladies like:
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Osteoporosis
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Musculoskeletal pain syndromes
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Autoimmune diseases
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Depression
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And more!
Here is an excellent vitamin D resource: The Vitamin D Council
Click Here to read an article I wrote about Vitamin D facts
Yours in Health, Dr. Tim Irving Optimum Function Portland, Oregon www.OptFunction.com www.FunctionalDetox.com www.YourOptimumNutrition.com Yours in Health,Tim Irving DC, MS, LMTOptimum Function: 819 SE Morrison St. ste. 215, Portland, OR, 97215Optimum Function = Optimum Health