Pharmaceutical-Grade Supplements - The BodyLogicMD Difference

An apple a day is no longer enough to keep the doctor away - especially with the overabundance of chronic conditions that creep up on us as we age. In fact, according to a 2002 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, "most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone. It appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

"We are living longer, and as we age, nutritional deficiencies of the past are more likely to affect our quality of life and actually accelerate aging," says Dr. Alicia Stanton, chief medical officer of BodyLogicMD. "The good news is that we can take steps to reverse these deficiencies by incorporating high-quality multivitamins and supplements into a healthy diet."

Multivitamins for Healthier Living
What we take into our bodies has a direct impact on our immune system, organ function, hormonal balance, and cellular metabolism. Unfortunately, not only are we eating less of the foods we should to get the vitamins and minerals we need, but also our food supply is at risk from pollution, pesticides, waste?treated water, and inorganic feeds and fertilizers. In addition, while most of us would agree that an organic diet of unprocessed foods is our best option, the stressors of daily life often make our meal decisions for us.

"Making healthy choices is a good start, but we all fall into the trap of eating convenience foods when time is short. Adding a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin can make all the difference, especially at the onset of perimenopause, menopause or andropause, the male menopause, when hormones levels are decreasing," says Dr. Stanton. "BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians prescribe multivitamins and supplements to our patients regularly with significant benefits across the board, including improvement in those who are fighting hormonal shifts and chronic diseases."

In addition to pharmaceutical multivitamins, Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is essential for overall health. According to research, up to 60 percent of Americans are deficient in this area. Adding pharmaceutical-grade Omega-3 to your diet can help provide relief from minor pain, and support for numerous aspects of health, including cardiovascular health, brain health, pain and inflammatory health, nervous system health, retinal health, gastrointestinal health, and immune function.

"Do I really need a prescription?"
It is certainly easier - and seemingly less expensive - to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) vitamins and supplements. However, that is where the benefits stop. Dosages may be higher, quality is lower, standards and procedures for manufacturing are often less stringent, and purity levels do not come close to those available through a prescription. Besides, how economical are you being if the vitamins you take are not doing their job? Vitamins and supplement are not required to be tested for content or purity - so the source of your vitamins are of major concern to BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians.

"There is no such thing as 100 percent pure supplements but pharmaceutical grade products, at 99 percent pure, are far superior to over-the-counter products," said Dr. Bland, Metagenics' Chief Science Officer. "Their bioavailability, or how well they can be absorbed by the body, is so much higher because they don't contain the binders, fillers and dyes that are in over-the-counter "food-grade" supplements. I recommend physicians only prescribe products that are certified as using Good Manufacturing Processes that deter contamination, mix-ups and errors, while ensuring the highest quality and purity available."

In the end, the real cost for OTC supplements must be calculated in terms of your health. Just as we understand the difference between "fast food" and "health food" and how each may affect your body's overall wellbeing, we can use a similar comparison between pharmaceutical-grade and food-grade OTC supplements. The better the product, the better the results.

"BodyLogicMD patients feel the difference," says Stanton. "We work with each person on an individual basis so there is no question about how much or what to take for the best results. Plus, they also appreciate the fact that they can receive their vitamins through easy and confirmed auto-reordering."

So, a healthy diet plus a prescription multivitamin and Omega-3 supplement are just what the doctor ordered for your continued good health - and a higher quality of life - no matter what your age.

Customized Nutrition

New Blood Test Looks for Food Sensitivity

BodyLogicMD affiliated physicians are now using a blood test to see if patients' sensitivities to certain foods are causing them health and weight problems. A simple method administered through your BodyLogicMD affiliated physician is the ALCAT Food Sensitivity Test. It can pinpoint dietary factors that may be causing problems such as premature aging, weight gain, chronic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.

"People are very happy to learn that many symptoms of aging can actually be reversed with very simple solutions and the one that surprises them most centers on food sensitivities," says Dr. Alicia Stanton, BodyLogicMD chief medical officer.

Unless you have a severe allergic response to a particular food, such as peanuts, you may not even be aware that food sensitivity is causing issues. You should consider requesting ALCAT testing if you are suffering from one or more of the following (many of which are associated with aging):

• Arthritis
• Asthma & Respiratory Problems
• Candida
• Colitis & Diarrhea
• Depression, Fatigue
• Eczema
• Hives/Puffing
• Headaches/Migraines
• Insomnia
• Intestinal Problems
• Mental confusion
• Postnasal Drip
• Sinus Problems
• Ulcers
• Weight gain

"Using a blood sample, this test can identify food triggers that cause reactions," shares Dr. Stanton. "Patients receive a report that outlines a personalized eating program to help eliminate food sensitivities. Working with the patient, we create a rotation diet that not only eliminates sensitivity-provoking foods, but also helps combat sensitivity from too frequent exposure to certain foods. So, patients are not eating the same foods more than once every four to seven days, depending on their level of sensitivity. This also helps ensure a more varied diet and better nutrient balance."

By modifying the diet and properly treating other non-food-related issues, most people feel a return to full health, improved resistance to illnesses and a renewed sense of motivation. A bonus of this method is that the metabolism has a chance to level and patients are able to lose weight more effectively - and keep it off.

For more information about ALCAT testing, ask your BodyLogicMD affiliated physician.

Facts about food sensitivity
What you might not know about undiagnosed intolerance

• Approximately 75 percent of people have some form of food sensitivity
• Left untreated, sensitivities can lead to serious health risks
• Some reactions may take up to 48 hours to present, which can lead to misdiagnosis
• Most people confuse food sensitivity or intolerance with food allergy, which often presents in a more dramatic way - food sensitivity and its importance are not taken seriously enough - Sensitivity and intolerance often become worse with age
• A person's general health can be seriously compromised when symptoms of intolerance are ignored and left to build over time
• Food sensitivity can be triggered by stressful events
• Proper management of food sensitivity or intolerance can be easily remedied through diet

Hormones for Muscle Strength and Endurance

Are you proud to have maintained a healthy weight throughout your life? Take into consideration that despite your gym time, sarcopenia, or "vanishing flesh," may have been your constant companion from the time you were about 30. When hormonal imbalance associated with aging and sarcopenia combine, the process of muscle loss accelerates, say the experts at BodyLogicMD.

"As men and women age, they begin to notice a gradual loss of muscle mass and muscle strength, as well as mobility," say Dr. Eric Honing. "This condition, sarcopenia, even occurs in individuals who continue to exercise. We have found that bioidentical hormone therapy, combined with good nutrition and appropriate fitness programs, goes a long way in countering the disability and frailty associated with sarcopenia."

Studies noted by the experts at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, and The University of Nottingham, UK, show that through a combination of targeted physical activity, the use of safe, natural supplements and the utilization of hormonal supplementation, sarcopenia can be, to a significant degree, prevented.

This is important news when you consider that by 2030, the number of people 65 and over will climb to 70 million in the U.S. - each of whom, if left untreated, will have a potential average muscle loss of 15-20 percent before they reach 80 years old. Add to that increased life spans and scientific developments that will keep us living longer, then consider the impact if muscle loss is not addressed.

So, definitely continue to watch your waistline but be sure to monitor your muscles as well. Aging does not have to mean slowing down and doing less if you are working with your physician to keep your muscles from doing a vanishing act.