Your Nutrition Questions Answered (cont.)
Dr. Allan Spreen answers your nutrition and supplement questions:
Q: I am 46yr old male, relatively active. I would like to know what would be the optimal vitamin/mineral product to take. I currently take Super Earth® Formula by Bluebonnet.
A: I have several favorites, some of which depend upon where you are.
However, in general, I use supplements much stronger than 100% RDA types(basically useless, in my opinion). I never use time release (made to not give contents to you), and I stay with capsules so you know they'll break down.
One of my favorites right now is Synergy, from www.vitacost.com. It is not the cheapest and it's 6/day, but it's terrific. The absolute best is Life Extension Formula (www.lef.org), but this one's 14 capsules/day and very expensive, so it's for the serious health nut.
No multi's have adequate vitamin C for an active individual (again in my opinion). I add 1000 milligrams twice/day (minimum) of any capsule form C to the multi. A product that contains citrus bioflavonoids is even better.
Good Health,
Allan Spreen, M.D.
Q: What foods and supplements can I use to increase my testoserone level?
A: The most prominent agent for doing such a thing is the herb Serenoa repens, after which the drug Proscar® was formulated (though it's not as good). The herb increases the amount of testosterone compared to dihydrotestosterone — an agent you'd like to minimize in the body. Pygeum africanum helps do the same thing.
In terms of sexual activity, sometimes assisting the presence of nitric oxide is as important as increasing testosterone levels. This is done with other herbs, such as yohimbine, Aveena sativa (green oat extract), Muira puama, and maca root.
In any endeavor such as the above, check with your health care professional first, but seeking one that understands herbal, nutrient, and other natural efforts would be a plus.
Good Health,
Allan Spreen, M.D.
Q: I recently had a small seizure after taking super carnosine and carnitine for two weeks. I am on Proscar® and Synthroid®, and I take saw palmetto. Any connection?
A: There's not enough information here to know for sure, but specifically blaming carnosine and carnitine is doubtful. L-carnitine is required to move fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane for burning as energy, and I'm not aware of any toxicities to carnosine (though anything, even water, can be toxic if you take enough).
Proscar® and saw palmetto do the same thing, though the herb form is far safer. Check with your doc about taking both together. Also, the dose of prescription thyroid is important. Synthroid® has recently (and not so recently) been implicated in multiple problems in humans. I prefer the natural form of thyroid (though still prescription strength), called Armour-type, as it contains all 4 types of thyroid hormone, instead of just one (as in the case of Synthroid®). Check with your doc on that one and make sure you aren't getting too much.
Good Health,
Allan Spreen, M.D.
