10 BEST supplements for Every Budget | Dr. Steven Gundry

The Dr. Gundry Podcast
16 Jan 202422:50

Summary

TLDRDr. Gundry discusses his top daily supplements, highlighting the importance of vitamin C, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fats. He emphasizes the need for continuous vitamin C intake, the critical role of magnesium in heart and brain health, and the benefits of B vitamins, particularly methylfolate and methyl B12. He also covers the significance of vitamin D3 for longevity, vitamin K2 for calcium distribution, and DHA for brain health. Additionally, Dr. Gundry introduces newer supplements like Carbon 15, Urolithin A, and NAD+ boosters, advocating for their potential in promoting long-term health and vitality.

Takeaways

  • 🍊 Vitamin C is essential for humans as we do not manufacture it naturally and a continuous supply is crucial for health, not just a daily dose.
  • πŸ’Š Time-release vitamin C is recommended for maintaining levels over time, as opposed to regular vitamin C that is water-soluble and quickly depleted.
  • πŸ₯› Magnesium is vital for heart, gut, and brain health, and most people are deficient in it, needing supplementation to maintain intracellular levels.
  • πŸ›‘ Milk of magnesia is a concentrated form of magnesium, highlighting its importance for bowel movements and overall health.
  • πŸ’€ Magnesium supplementation can help with sleep and mood, but individuals should find their bowel tolerance to avoid excessive doses.
  • 🚰 There are various forms of magnesium supplements available, and the choice depends on individual needs and preferences.
  • πŸ‡ Methylfolate and methyl B12 are the active forms of folic acid and B12, which are important for those with MTHFR gene mutations.
  • 🌞 Vitamin D3 is a critical hormone for longevity and gut integrity, with most people being deficient and requiring higher doses than commonly recommended.
  • 🦴 Vitamin K2 works alongside vitamin D to ensure calcium is directed into bones rather than blood vessels, supporting bone health.
  • 🐟 Long-chain Omega-3 fats, particularly DHA, are crucial for brain health, and a daily intake of 1000mg of DHA is suggested for optimal brain function.
  • πŸ›’ For those avoiding fish oil, algae-based sources of DHA and EPA are available, ensuring adequate intake of these essential fats.

Q & A

  • Why does Dr. Gundry consider vitamin C essential despite previously calling it a waste of time?

    -Dr. Gundry explains that humans, like guinea pigs and most great apes, lack the ability to manufacture their own vitamin C due to a 'ghost gene'. This makes a continuous supply of vitamin C crucial for health, as demonstrated by studies on genetically engineered rats.

  • What is the issue with taking vitamin C in a single daily dose according to the script?

    -Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that leaves the body within three to four hours after consumption. Therefore, taking it once a day is not sufficient; a time-released form or multiple doses throughout the day are recommended.

  • What is the significance of magnesium for health as mentioned in the script?

    -Magnesium is essential for heart, gut, and brain health, as well as mood regulation. It helps control the movement and stability of cell membranes, particularly in muscles, including the heart and gut.

  • Why might intracellular magnesium levels be low even if blood magnesium levels appear normal?

    -The body maintains normal blood levels of magnesium at the expense of intracellular levels. This can lead to deficiencies that affect heart function and irritability, even if blood tests show normal levels.

  • How does Dr. Gundry suggest taking magnesium supplements?

    -Dr. Gundry suggests taking three 400-milligram magnesium supplements daily, choosing from various forms such as magnesium aspartate, citrate, or chelates. He also mentions alternatives like magnesium oil spray or Epsom salts for those sensitive to oral magnesium.

  • What is the difference between methylfolate and folic acid, and why is it important?

    -Methylfolate is the active form of folic acid. About 50% of people have mutations in their MTHFR genes that prevent them from converting folic acid to its active form, methylfolate, making it essential to take the active form as a supplement.

  • Why is vitamin B12 important, and how should it be taken according to the script?

    -Vitamin B12 is crucial for various bodily functions, but many people lack the intrinsic factor needed to absorb it from the intestines. Dr. Gundry recommends taking methyl B12 sublingually to ensure absorption.

  • What is the recommended daily intake of vitamin D3 according to the University of California San Diego?

    -The University of California San Diego suggests an average American should take 9,600 international units, or 10,000 IU, of vitamin D3 per day.

  • How does vitamin K2 work with vitamin D in the body?

    -Vitamin K2 helps vitamin D move calcium from the blood vessels into the bones, which is important for preventing conditions like coronary calcification.

  • What is the significance of long-chain Omega-3 fats, particularly DHA, for brain health?

    -Long-chain Omega-3 fats, especially DHA, are crucial for brain health. A higher Omega-3 index correlates with a larger brain size and better memory function.

  • What are some alternative sources of DHA for those who do not want to take fish oil?

    -For those avoiding fish oil, algae-based sources of DHA, EPA, and DPA are available and are important for ensuring adequate DHA intake.

  • What is Carbon 15 (C15), and why is it important for health?

    -Carbon 15 is an essential fatty acid important for mitochondrial and cell membrane health. It is difficult to obtain from the diet but is available as a supplement.

  • What is Urolithin A, and how does it benefit health according to the script?

    -Urolithin A is a postbiotic that helps keep mitochondria in good condition. Human studies have shown it can increase muscle mass by up to 20%.

  • Why are compounds based on vitamin B3, such as niacin, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (MNN), considered important for longevity?

    -These compounds have been shown to improve NAD+ levels, which are associated with longevity and overall health.

Outlines

00:00

🍊 The Importance of Time-Released Vitamin C

This paragraph discusses the necessity of vitamin C supplementation due to humans lacking the ability to produce it naturally. It highlights the role of vitamin C in longevity and heart health, as demonstrated by studies on genetically modified rats. The paragraph emphasizes the ineffectiveness of regular vitamin C tablets due to their short-term benefits and suggests time-released vitamin C as a better alternative. It also mentions the famous proponent of vitamin C, Dr. Linus Pauling, and his belief in its extensive health benefits. Lastly, it advises on the consumption of vitamin C tablets spread throughout the day and cautions against sugary or artificially sweetened chewable tablets.

05:01

πŸ’Š Magnesium: A Crucial Mineral for Health

The second paragraph underscores the significance of magnesium for heart, gut, brain, and mood health. It explains how magnesium, along with potassium, is vital for cell membrane stability, particularly in muscles and the heart. The discussion includes the common deficiency of magnesium in patients even when blood tests show normal levels, and the importance of intracellular magnesium for preventing postoperative arrhythmias. The paragraph also covers the benefits of magnesium for sleep and mood, the need for bowel tolerance, and the various forms of magnesium supplements available. It advises on the supplementation of magnesium, especially during low calorie or ketogenic diets, and mentions alternative methods of magnesium absorption, such as magnesium oil spray and Epsom salts.

10:04

πŸŒ€ B Vitamins: Key for Cellular and Genetic Health

This paragraph delves into the importance of B vitamins, focusing on methylfolate and methyl B12, which are the active forms of folic acid and B12, respectively. It discusses the prevalence of genetic mutations that prevent the conversion of folic acid and B12 into their active forms, and the necessity of sublingual administration for B12 absorption. The paragraph also touches on the importance of other B vitamins like niacin, biotin, and thiamine, suggesting B50 or B100 supplements for those concerned about deficiencies. It concludes with a brief mention of the significance of B vitamins in overall health.

15:07

🌞 Vitamin D3 and K2: Essential for Longevity and Bone Health

The fourth paragraph emphasizes the importance of vitamin D3 and K2 for overall health. It describes vitamin D3 as a longevity hormone critical for gut integrity and suggests aiming for a specific blood test range. The paragraph also discusses the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and recommends a daily intake much higher than the average recommendation. Vitamin K2 is highlighted for its role in directing calcium to bones instead of blood vessels, with the potential to reduce coronary calcification. The recommended daily intake of vitamin K2 and the availability of different forms, MK4 and MK7, are also mentioned.

20:11

🐟 Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Crucial for Brain Health

This paragraph discusses the significance of long-chain Omega-3 fats, particularly DHA, for brain health. It explains the process of obtaining an optimal Omega-3 index through sufficient DHA intake and the correlation between a higher index and larger brain size and memory capacity. The paragraph advises on the daily intake needed for a normal Omega-3 index and mentions the availability of algae-based alternatives for vegans and vegetarians. It also introduces three additional supplementsβ€”carbon 15, Urolithin A, and compounds based on vitamin B3β€”that have been shown to improve health and longevity, with a focus on their mechanisms of action and benefits.

πŸš€ Advanced Supplements for Optimal Health and Longevity

The final paragraph introduces three advanced supplements that have gained attention for their potential health benefits. Carbon 15, or C15, is presented as an essential fatty acid crucial for mitochondrial and cell membrane health, which is difficult to obtain from diet but available as a supplement. Urolithin A is highlighted for its ability to maintain mitochondrial health and increase muscle mass, as demonstrated by human studies. Lastly, the paragraph discusses various forms of vitamin B3, including niacin, niacinamide, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (MNN), which have been shown to improve NAD+ levels, a key factor in longevity. The benefits of these supplements are emphasized, along with a note on their varying costs and potential future research.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is crucial for various bodily functions, including immune system support and collagen synthesis. In the video, it's discussed as essential for humans because we lack the ability to produce it naturally, unlike some other animals. The script emphasizes the importance of a continuous supply of Vitamin C for longevity, as opposed to a single daily dose which is quickly depleted.

πŸ’‘Time-Release Vitamin C

Time-release Vitamin C refers to a form of the supplement that is designed to release the vitamin gradually over time, rather than all at once. This is important as it maintains a steady level of Vitamin C in the body, which is linked to better health outcomes. The video suggests taking a time-release form of Vitamin C to ensure a continuous supply throughout the day.

πŸ’‘Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that plays a key role in many biological processes, including nerve and muscle function, blood sugar control, and blood pressure regulation. The script highlights its importance for heart, gut, and brain health, and mentions that many people are deficient in magnesium, which can lead to issues like arrhythmias and mood disturbances.

πŸ’‘Methylfolate

Methylfolate is the active form of folic acid, which is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, as well as for the production of red blood cells. The video explains that not everyone can convert folic acid to its active form due to genetic variations, making methylfolate supplementation important for those individuals.

πŸ’‘Methyl B12

Methyl B12, or methylcobalamin, is the active form of vitamin B12, which is critical for nerve function and the production of red blood cells. The script discusses the importance of taking this form of B12, especially for those who have difficulty absorbing it from the diet, and suggests sublingual administration as an effective method.

πŸ’‘Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for bone health and immune function. The video emphasizes the high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and the importance of supplementation to achieve optimal levels, which are associated with better health and longevity.

πŸ’‘Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is a form of vitamin K that is important for directing calcium to the bones and teeth, rather than to the blood vessels and soft tissues. The script discusses the role of Vitamin K2 in conjunction with Vitamin D3 for heart and bone health, and mentions the benefits of supplementation for reducing arterial calcification.

πŸ’‘Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, are essential for brain health and cardiovascular function. The video explains the importance of having an adequate intake of DHA to maintain a healthy Omega-3 index, which is associated with larger brain size and better memory.

πŸ’‘Urolithin A

Urolithin A is a compound derived from the breakdown of certain dietary compounds like IAG acid, found in pomegranates and walnuts. The script highlights its role in maintaining mitochondrial health and its potential to increase muscle mass, suggesting it as a supplement for longevity and health.

πŸ’‘NAD+

NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme found in all living cells and is essential for the regulation of cellular redox, which is linked to aging and various diseases. The video discusses the role of certain B3 compounds in improving NAD+ levels, which is suggested as a strategy for promoting longevity.

πŸ’‘Mitochondrial Health

Mitochondrial health refers to the proper functioning of mitochondria, the organelles within cells that produce energy. The script discusses the importance of compounds like Urolithin A and Carbon 15 for maintaining mitochondrial health, which is crucial for overall cellular function and longevity.

Highlights

Vitamin C is essential for humans as we cannot manufacture it naturally and it plays a crucial role in longevity and health.

Time-released vitamin C is recommended for a continuous supply to mimic natural availability in our diet.

Dr. Linus Pauling's advocacy for vitamin C emphasizes its importance for overall health.

Magnesium is vital for heart, gut, and brain health, and its deficiency can cause irritability in the heart.

Milk of magnesia is a concentrated form of magnesium that can significantly impact bowel movements.

Methylfolate and methyl B12 are the active forms of folic acid and B12, crucial for those with MTHFR gene mutations.

Sublingual administration of methyl B12 is effective for those who cannot absorb it through the intestines.

A B-complex supplement can address potential deficiencies in various B vitamins.

Vitamin D3 is a longevity hormone essential for gut integrity and should be supplemented to avoid deficiency.

Vitamin K2 is necessary for proper calcium utilization and preventing calcification in blood vessels.

Omega-3 fats, particularly DHA, are crucial for brain health and memory.

A daily intake of 1000 milligrams of DHA is suggested to maintain a normal Omega-3 index.

Carbon 15 (C15) is an essential fatty acid important for mitochondrial and cell membrane health.

Urolithin A, derived from certain foods, is shown to improve mitochondrial health and increase muscle mass.

Niacin, nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside (NR), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) are B3 compounds that enhance NAD+ levels, promoting longevity.

Niacinamide is an affordable option to boost NAD+ levels for those concerned with longevity.

Supplementation with a variety of vitamins and minerals is crucial for optimal health and can mimic natural dietary intake.

Transcripts

play00:00

(upbeat ambient music)

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- The top 10 supplements I take every day.

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Here's number one, vitamin C.

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Now wait a minute, vitamin C was one of the supplements

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I told you was a waste of time, so come on Dr. Gundry.

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You can't have it both ways, is it a good supplement

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or is it bad supplement?

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Well, as I've talked about before, you and I are one

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of the few animals that do not manufacture

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our own vitamin C.

play00:34

We have five genes that make enzymes that convert glucose

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into vitamin C.

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We unfortunately, the fifth gene is called a ghost gene

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in us, so you do not have the end enzyme that completes

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making vitamin C.

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That's okay, you're in good company.

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Guinea pigs also don't have it and most great apes

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don't have it.

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We think that that gene was silenced because we grew up

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in the jungle where there was plenty of vitamin C

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and we didn't need to waste energy glucose to make

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vitamin C since it was readily available in our food.

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Here's the bad news.

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There's work in rats where we genetically engineer rats

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to carry the human genes and a ghost gene for vitamin C.

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Those rats live only half as long as normal rats.

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In other words, because they don't make vitamin C,

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if you give those rats vitamin C in their drinking water,

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then they will live just as long as a normal rat,

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proving that a continuous supply of vitamin C is what makes

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the difference.

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So the problem with vitamin C, swallowing vitamin C

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is a vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin

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and quite frankly it's gone within three or four hours

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after you swallow it and then you are essentially left

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with nothing and that's why just swallowing a vitamin C

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a day really isn't going to do much for you at all.

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On the other hand, you want a continuous supply

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of vitamin C, and so you want to take time to release

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vitamin C and there's several on the market.

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I personally take a thousand milligrams twice a day of time

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to release vitamin C and it's really one of the

play02:43

cornerstones of vitamin that you should take.

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The famous Nobel Prize laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling,

play02:52

the vitamin C doctor, who believed that vitamin C was

play02:57

essential for just about everything, including treating

play02:59

the common cold.

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Unfortunately didn't know that we could not absorb

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enough vitamin C and mega doses to do what he wanted to do,

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but his point is well taken.

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That vitamin C is really essential for heart health,

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for your overall health, but it's gotta be in

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a continuous form.

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That being said, if that's inconvenient,

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you can get vitamin C tablets and swallow one

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four times a day.

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That'll work, it's bit inconvenient, but that'll work.

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There are some chewable tablets of vitamin C,

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but quite honestly you gotta be a very intelligent consumer,

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'cause a lot of them either have a lot of sugar

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or a lot of artificial sweeteners,

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so read the label carefully.

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It's easier to just buy vitamin C tablets

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and take it with a sip of water four times a day

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and that'll do the trick.

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Number two, magnesium.

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Magnesium is one of two really, really essential vitamins

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for your heart health, for your gut health,

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for your brain health, for your mood.

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Magnesium and potassium basically control the movement

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stability of cell membranes, particularly

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muscle cell membranes, including your heart

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and including your gut and so the right balance

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of magnesium is really critical.

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Milk of magnesia is concentrated magnesium,

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and anyone who's used milk of magnesium knows that

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it really makes your bowels move.

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I became interested in magnesium as a heart surgeon

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when we realized that most of our patients

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were profoundly deficient in magnesium even though

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their magnesium levels on a blood test were normal,

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and that's because we will try to keep our blood level

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of magnesium normal at the expense

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of depleting intracellular magnesium.

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When that happens, and it happens in almost all of us,

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our heart becomes very irritable with lots of skip beats

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and we had to give people two grams of magnesium sulfate

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IV every six hours for 48 hours after heart surgery

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to get their body intracellular magnesium back up to normal.

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And we found and actually published on this,

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that was a really good way of preventing postoperative

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arrhythmias, skipped heartbeats like atrial fibrillation.

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Magnesium helps you sleep, it helps your mood,

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you don't beat your dog anymore.

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Now everybody's got a point where magnesium

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will act as a bowel movement pill, so everybody has

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to balance that.

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In general, most people can take three 400 milligrams

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of magnesium daily.

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Now through the years, I don't really care what form

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of magnesium you choose to buy.

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There's multiple types of magnesium,

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there's a magnesium aspartate, magnesium citrate,

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magnesium chelates, magnesium three and eight.

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These all work.

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Magnesium three and eight is very useful for brain health,

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but it's also very expensive.

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You can work your way up to bowel tolerance

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and I have some men who are on 1600 milligrams

play06:58

of magnesium a day.

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If you are beginning to do a low calorie or ketogenic diet,

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one of the most important things is to supplement

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with magnesium because as you mobilize glycogen,

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which is the sugar storage molecule in our muscles,

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glycogen is stored with potassium and magnesium

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and as it's mobilized, you pee off potassium and magnesium

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and it's removed from your muscles and that's where

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all those often debilitating cramps come from

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when you go on a low calorie or ketogenic diet,

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so supplement with magnesium.

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Now there's other ways to do this.

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As you know, one of my favorites is a electrolyte drink

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called Element, the letters are L-M-N-T.

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My wife I think is addicted to it,

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it comes in lots of flavors.

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I have no relationship with the company.

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Gundry MD makes Vital Recharge also an electrolyte drink,

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but some women in particular are very sensitive

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to magnesium in terms of loose bowels and in that case

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you can use magnesium oil spray on your skin.

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Now, magnesium oil is not an oil, but it feels greasy.

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That's where the name comes from, but you can just spray it

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on your legs, on your abdomen, wherever you wanna spray it,

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particularly before you go to bed and you'll absorb

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the magnesium from your skin, but it won't make you

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move your bowels and it's a great trick to remember.

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Last but not least, Epsom salts is essentially

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magnesium soap, that works really good.

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Alright, number three, we're gonna go into the territory

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of B vitamins, but there's two really essential B vitamins

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that everyone should have in their armamentarium,

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the first is methylfolate.

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Now methylfolate is not the same as folic acid.

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Methylfolate is the active form of folic acid,

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why is that important?

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About 50% of us carry one or more mutations of the M-T-H-F-R

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genes and we laughingly in my office

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call them the mothereffer genes because if you actually

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say M-T-H-F-R out loud, we would bleep you

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from network television because we, most of us have one

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or more of those mutations.

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We don't have the enzymes to connect a methyl group

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to folic acid to turn it into its active form.

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Similarly, B12 needs to be in its active form,

play09:57

which is methyl B12 or methylcobalamin to work.

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And since half of us don't have the enzymes to do

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that, I like all of my patients to take methyl B12

play10:13

with a provisor.

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A large number of people lack a receptor in their

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intestines called intrinsic factor that is capable

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of absorbing B12 from the intestines.

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So you could take, if you lack intrinsic factor,

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which is not unusual, you could take all the methyl B12

play10:38

in the world and you won't absorb it.

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The workaround is that you can put methyl B12

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under your tongue and there are multiple sublingual

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methyl B12 available on the market,

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but the key is you gotta put 'em under your tongue.

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Now, some of these common chewable tablets,

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but don't just chew it, chew it and then stick

play11:04

the pieces under your tongue.

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My most famous patient years ago who had

play11:11

a methyl B12 deficiency, which we can pick up

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with an elevated homocysteine level on a blood test,

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we put him on methyl B12, and when he came back,

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his methyl B12 levels were still quite low

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and his homocysteine level was still quite high.

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And I said, "You are not taking your methyl B12."

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And he says, "Yes I am, I take it every day."

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And I said, "You are not putting it under your tongue."

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And his eyes got wide.

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He said, "Well, no, it's so sweet, I sweetened

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my coffee with it."

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And I said, "Well, you can see that that's not working."

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So he put it under his tongue and we solved the problem.

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So I don't say this just for being silly,

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it really makes a difference in how you

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access these supplements and how they access you.

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Now there are multiple other important B vitamins

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and they run the gamut from vitamin B3,

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which is niacin, vitamin B7, biotin, vitamin B6,

play12:18

vitamin B5, vitamin B2, and vitamin B1 thiamine.

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All of these are important and many of us believe it

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or not, have deficiencies and one or more of these,

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an easy way around that is to take either a B50

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or a B100 supplement, which gives you basically 50

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or a hundred milligrams or micrograms of all the B vitamins.

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And it's an easy way to get all the B vitamins

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in at one time.

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Number five, vitamin D3.

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I've said this so many times, you're probably tired

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of hearing me say this.

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Vitamin D3 is probably next to time release Vitamin C,

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the most important vitamin you're gonna take.

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Most of us are deficient in vitamin D.

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Most of us do not get enough vitamin D

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from sunlight exposure, 80% of my patients

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in Southern California where we got a lot

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of sun are vitamin D deficient when they come into

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my office.

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Vitamin D is a hormone, it is a longevity hormone.

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It's one of the most critical hormones for gut integrity

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there is, I like my patients to aim for a hundred

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to 150 nanograms per deciliter on a blood test.

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I and others have never seen vitamin D toxicity.

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The University of California San Diego says the average

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American should be taking 9,600 international units

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of vitamin D three a day.

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That's basically 10,000 international units a day

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and that's what I take.

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That's in general what I give all of my patients,

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but I have some patients who take considerably more

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to get an adequate vitamin D level, vitamin K2.

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Now vitamin K2 is a very interesting component

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of vitamin K.

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There's vitamin K1, which is present in green

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leafy vegetables, and then there's vitamin K2,

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which is not very present in a lot of things,

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but vitamin K2 is incredibly important for helping

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vitamin D take calcium from your blood vessels

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and put it into your bones.

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In fact, there's a very good human study of giving people

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with calcified coronary arteries, vitamin D

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and vitamin K2 and reducing the level

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of coronary calcification sounds pretty good.

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In general, you need about a hundred micrograms a day

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of vitamin K2 and they come in vitamin MK4

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and MK7 forms.

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I make one at Gundry MD called essential K2,

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which uses both forms, but it's controversial

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whether you need both.

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But because it's controversial, try to find one

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that gives you both.

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Number six, long chain Omega-3 fats, particularly DHA.

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Now most of us know this as fish oil.

play15:47

Now the good news is most fish oil

play15:50

that's commercially available is molecularly distilled.

play15:55

That means that the heavy metals and the pollutants

play15:59

have been removed from the fish oil

play16:02

and it's very unusual to ever find a fish oil

play16:06

that isn't molecularly distilled, so that's not

play16:09

an issue anymore.

play16:10

What is an issue is what's in your fish oil

play16:15

in terms of the amount of DHA.

play16:19

We do a test in our office called the Omega-3 index

play16:24

based on how much DHA and EPA, the two long chain

play16:30

Omega-3 fats that are incredibly important for your brain.

play16:34

And the Omega-3 index basically looks at how much

play16:37

of this is in your body for the two months

play16:41

prior to the test.

play16:42

And as I've written in the longevity paradox

play16:46

and other of my books, the higher your Omega-3 index,

play16:51

the bigger your brain size is and the bigger the areas

play16:56

of memory your hippocampus, the lower your Omega-3 index,

play17:02

the more shrunken your brain is and the smaller

play17:07

the areas of memory.

play17:09

So when mom said fish was brain food, she was right.

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What we found in my clinics is you need a thousand

play17:17

milligrams of DHA per day to get an Omega-3 index

play17:23

in the normal range.

play17:24

So I'm not particularly worried about which fish oil you

play17:29

decide to buy.

play17:31

What I am worried about is that that fish oil

play17:35

you take enough to give you a thousand milligrams

play17:40

or more of DHA.

play17:42

And if you do that, I can virtually guarantee you

play17:46

that you'll have a normal Omega-3 index and you'll have

play17:49

a nice big brain and some pretty good memory.

play17:52

Now what if you're a vegan or even a vegetarian

play17:57

and you don't want fish oil?

play18:00

There are numerous algae-based DHA, EPA, DPA,

play18:07

but you gotta get adequate DHA into your system.

play18:12

Now, if money was no object, and probably for our health,

play18:19

if we spent as much money on our health as we did

play18:24

on our car, on our home, on our vacations,

play18:28

this would not be an object.

play18:30

But if money is no object, let me tell you about three more.

play18:35

I think very important supplements, two of which

play18:37

are actually relatively new.

play18:39

Number one is carbon 15 or C15.

play18:45

Carbon 15 is a recently discovered essential fatty acid

play18:52

that quite frankly no one even knew existed or how important

play18:56

was until work with dolphin pods that the Navy keeps.

play19:01

And I won't bore you, but it turns out that

play19:05

carbon 15 is essential for mitochondrial health

play19:11

for cell membrane health and it's actually ridiculously hard

play19:17

to obtain from your diet.

play19:19

It is available in cheeses, it is available in

play19:24

only certain species of fish like red mullet,

play19:30

but it's also easily obtained as a supplement.

play19:34

Relatively new post biotic is Urolithin A.

play19:41

I am so impressed with Urolithin A that I've had

play19:45

the chief science officer of timeline nutrition

play19:49

on my podcast.

play19:51

Urolithin A is one of the best products that I have found

play19:57

that keeps your mitochondria in tip top shape.

play20:02

There are human studies showing that supplementation

play20:05

with Urolithin A increases muscle mass in humans up to 20%.

play20:10

Pretty impressive and if you go, well,

play20:13

I've heard about this, it's in pomegranates and walnuts

play20:16

and raspberries.

play20:18

Well, no, it isn't.

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The precursor of Urolithin A is IAG acid,

play20:24

which is present in these compounds.

play20:26

But unfortunately, only about 14 to 20%

play20:30

of us have the correct types of bacteria that can convert

play20:34

these compounds into your Urolithin A.

play20:38

And as you'll learn in gut, check my new book, 50 to 70%

play20:42

of super old people super (indistinct) actually have

play20:47

the right bacteria to make Urolithin A.

play20:51

So if you're looking for the fountain of youth,

play20:53

you might have just found it in Urolithin A,

play20:57

is it a bit pricey?

play20:59

Yes, it is.

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But do I think it's worth it?

play21:01

Yes, I do.

play21:02

Now a third group that has gotten a lot of attention

play21:07

recently are various compounds based on vitamin B3,

play21:14

B as in boy, and they range from plain old

play21:21

niacin, nicotinic acid, niacinamide,

play21:24

which is the milder form of niacin,

play21:29

and then the new darlings of the longevity community,

play21:35

nicotinamide riboside or NR or nicotinamide mono nucleotide

play21:42

with MNN and all of these compounds have been shown

play21:49

to improve NAD plus levels and I won't bore you

play21:55

with why NAD plus levels are important.

play21:59

Please read my book, the Energy Paradox

play22:02

or Unlocking the Keto Code.

play22:04

But all three of these compounds have been shown in humans

play22:07

to dramatically improve levels of NAD plus.

play22:12

And if you wanna live a long time, that's a really

play22:14

good idea.

play22:15

Niacinamide is cheap, the other two are quite expensive.

play22:21

Is there a benefit of one over the other that's perhaps

play22:26

to be determined in future studies,

play22:28

but if money is an object, just get yourself

play22:31

some niacinamide.

play22:33

More amazing episodes just like this one watch now.

play22:39

So that healthy Impossible Burger you ordered

play22:43

through the Drive-through may be just as bad as the

play22:48

meat burger you were replacing.

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Related Tags
SupplementsHealthVitamin CMagnesiumB VitaminsVitamin D3Omega-3MitochondriaLongevityNAD+Health Tips