Supplements, combined with healthy lifestyle choices, can support our bodies in reducing our biological age. However, trying to make sense of the overwhelming number of bottles stocked in-store and online can be overwhelming–especially amid increasing skepticism around product effectiveness and convictions for fraud.
When Botanist Steven Newmaster’s published a 2013 paper in BMC Medicine revealing his team found mustard, wheat, radish, and potential allergens in bottles supposed to contain ginkgo biloba, it prompted New York State attorney general’s office to issue a cease and desist to GNC, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and other stores selling suspect items.
Society’s confusion around which supplements support individual health has even become a pop culture punchline: in a memorable episode of The Big Bang Theory, super nerd Sheldon cautions neighbor Penny that the only benefit of her vitamin purchases is expensive urine.
Nobody wants to be Penny. This week in Journal, CANOPY’s resident Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Brittany Kearney shares effective, science-proven supplements she takes daily and recommends for every body.
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® Ultramultivitamin, $46.90
This three-a-day multivitamin and mineral complex supports optimal health with a comprehensive profile of bioavailable vitamins, chelated minerals, and antioxidants. It also targets common genetic polymorphisms, which is when two or more possibilities of a trait are found on one gene: for instance, Metafolin® 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF), the universally metabolized and biologically active form of folate, provides support for individuals with genetic variations in the MTHFR gene. Activated B vitamins and choline target cardiovascular function, cognition, emotional wellness, and cellular protection. Vitamin D is helpful for healthy VDR activity with antioxidants alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10 for additional cellular protection support.
“This is the most comprehensive multivitamin I’ve come across–it eliminates the need for multiple single supplements.” – Brittany Kearney.
Nordic Naturals® ProOmega 2000, only available via health professionals
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that play critical roles in human heart, brain, and immune health, participating in a wide range of biochemical pathways and processes and modulating the expression of genes throughout our lifespan. Evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent or ameliorate symptoms associated with chronic issues such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and rheumatoid arthritis and may be beneficial in combating aging-related diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids include plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), marine-derived eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), among others. Nordic Naturals® ProOmega 2000 provides powerfully concentrated EPA+DHA in a highly absorbable, triglyceride molecular form.
“Taking two soft gels per day offers myriad benefits, mostly related to reducing inflammation, DNA damage, and oxidative stress.”– Brittany Kearney.
Tally Health Daily Vitality Blend, from $129 a month
It’s no secret that people age differently. While some octogenarians dominate the tennis court and climb mountains, others in their fifties struggle to stroll around the block. The difference is biological age–a better measure than counting birthday candles of how slowly or rapidly a body is aging. Tally Health™products are underpinned by breakthroughs by Harvard Medical School Geneticist David A. Sinclair, A.O., Ph.D. (you can read more about Sinclair’s epigenetic work in TIME). Memberships include quarterly at-home TallyAge™ tests, which reveal how an individual is aging, personalized data-informed lifestyle recommendations, and a science-backed Daily Vitality Blend longevity supplement containing calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, resveratrol, quercetin, fisetin, and spermidine to boost cellular defenses and target stem cell exhaustion and other hallmarks of aging.
“I’ve been taking this supplement for the past four months, and my biological age has decreased by two years.” – Brittany Kearney.
Avmacol, from $29.95
During our daily routine, we encounter various toxins and immune system stressors in everything from the food we eat to the air we breathe. The phytochemical sulforaphane, which can only be produced in our bodies with the antioxidant glucoraphanin and the enzyme myrosinase, helps cells to fight off threats and enhance natural immune and detoxification systems. Eating broccoli sprouts and other cruciferous veggies helps the body produce sulforaphane; extracts from both are combined with the synergistic properties of maitake mushroom extract in Avmacol® Extra Strength to elevate this support structure.
“Avmacol offers multiple benefits, including activating detoxification enzymes to eliminate harmful metabolites from the body. You can also get these benefits by eating broccoli sprouts.” – Brittany Kearney.
Member perk: Brittany kindly invites CANOPY members keen to purchase any of the above supplements to contact her directly to receive a 20% wholesale discount: missbrittrd@gmail.com.
About Brittany Kearney
Registered Dietician and Nutritionist
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from UC Davis, Brittany completed a Dietetic Internship through Napa State Hospital and Stanford’s Genetics and Genomics Professional Certificate Program. She received functional medicine training through IFM and is a specialist in nutrigenomics and epigenetics. Brittany offers insights into how we can live better and longer through her Longevity Series talks at CANOPY.