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A QUICK FIX! NOT ADVISED, BUT FOR SOME A PLACE TO START.

By: Clifford Sonnie, M.D., M.P.H.

Today we all live in super society. Everything is super sized or super fast. Likewise, I can’t tell you how many people have asked me to just start them on the needed vitamins to fix this or that. Well folks, it’s just not that easy. First of all everything in your body is interconnected. Second it is never as easy as a quick fix. It took most of us quite a few years to get in the shape that we are in now so it won’t take a week to fix it. The problem is that most pharmaceuticals will “fix” you fast by eliminating the symptoms. It won’t do bupkus to the fix the cause of the problem but it will make you feel better and as a result in order to stay feeling good you have to keep taking the medication. Likewise, many aren’t willing to put in the time and effort to really fix the problem. How do you fix it? Detoxification followed by a good diet, exercise, an attitude adjustment and hard work. So you see it’s not as easy as taking a few nutrients but if that is all I can get some of you to do then God bless and here you go.

If you are going to try to start these by yourself , start with the minimum daily recommended doses as dictated by the FDA. I don’t agree with any of them as they are woefully low but it is a place to start. I am not going to include herbals or hormones as this short article could easily become a couple volumes. As far as where these nutrients are found in foods, check the two part article I wrote a couple months ago. Ready?

Ocular Health: Good eyesight and prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts depend on adequate doses of Vitamin A and Vitamin E as well as taurine.

Cardiovascular Health: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and Vitamin B9(folic acid) are all required to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood and protect arteries and nerve fibers.

Heart Health: Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B9, Vitamin E, CoQ10, Calcium and magnesium are all involved in keeping that big muscle beating in our chest.

Bone Health: Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B9, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc are all important to ward off osteoporosis and remodel bone.

Liver Health: Cysteine, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Selenium, Vitamin B2, and Vitamin B3(niacin) all assist the liver to function properly. They also aid in the production of glutathione which is vital for proper detoxification and as an antioxidant.

Joint Support: Vitamin E, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, glucosamine and literally all of the Vitamin B family supports joint health and limits inflammation.

Metabolic Health: Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B7 (biotin), Vitamin E, CoQ10, Chromium, Magnesium, and Zinc all assist the body to adequately control blood sugar and improve the body’s response to insulin.

There are two other nutrients that I recommend. The first is Omega 3 oils. These are vital for literally every organ system as well as an incredible anti-inflammatory. The second isn’t really a nutrient but maybe it is. That is Water. One half your body weight in ounces a day of water, not tea, not pop, not coffee not beer even if it is ultra ultra light. Come to think of it, I don’t think that even qualifies as beer. Oh well, it still doesn’t count.

Well that’s it for today. It’s a list for a quick fix but without combining it with everything I said above, it may not be a long acting fix. Anyway, a lot of people wanted to see it so here it is.

As I said, this is a place to start but I will always recommend that you start a program including detoxification, diet changes, exercise, and etc. all of which is supervised by a trained medical physician. Just don’t go out and chug a mouthful of this or that and think all will be well. I wish it was that easy but it ain’t! Before starting anything new involving nutritionals, whether you already take medications or not, always check with your family MD or DO or stop in and we can talk and see what may be best for you. Remember the smart health care consumer is informed and aware.

Clifford Sonnie, M.D. is the Medical Director at the Balance of Life Clinic.