I’m a Supplement Junkie

There’s no question about it. I am a complete and unapologetic supplement junkie. One room in our large Victorian home is loaded with supplements from the floor to the ceiling. I take various supplements to enhance my health to help deal with several medical problems. I also take various supplements as a part of my anti-aging program. I am certainly no spring chicken, but in my senior years, I am managing the following medical issues mainly with supplements:

1. I have chronic atrial fibrillation. The experts state I must take a blood thinner to prevent a stroke. Instead, I take high doses of omega-3, which has a blood-thinning effect. So far, so good.
2. I have severe kyphoscoliosis in my spine. Experts told me decades ago that if I didn’t undergo surgery, I would end up in a wheelchair. Today, I have no limitations, and I can lift like a 20-year-old because I take a boatload of supplements targeted at joint health, rebuilding cartilage, and suppressing inflammation. Don’t even try to keep up with me!
3. I have incredibly high lipoprotein(a), a decisive risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is no mainstream treatment for this problem, but I take multiple supplements that enhance the vascular system. So far, so good!
4. My dear mother and her mother had advanced Alzheimer’s disease at my age, and with a wonderful 11-year-old daughter, I can’t afford to go there. I take multiple supplements to enhance brain function, and I think my memory is now better than it was 30 years ago.
5. I swim for 60-90 minutes five days per week and lift weights twice weekly. I take a boatload of supplements targeted at endurance and strength. I have more energy and endurance now than I had decades ago.
6. I have had high blood pressure for over 50 years. In the past, I needed to take multiple medications to control my BP. I now take numerous supplements to lower blood pressure, and most days, I don’t need to take any medication.
7. I am an old guy with joints like a 20-year-old. I am very active with no significant osteoarthritis because I take a boatload of joint supplements and supplements to reduce inflammation. This has allowed me to flourish during my senior years, a time when many people find their health slipping away.
8. I have a history of hyperlipidemia, and I once took statin-type medications. Today, my lipid profile has never been better, and it’s all due to the supplements I take that are targeted at improving my lipids.
9. I used to have occasional flare-ups of dermatitis. My skin is now significantly better because I take multiple supplements to promote healthy skin.

There’s only one problem with supplements. It’s tough to get valid information about what various supplements can do. The other main problem is that supplements are mainly unregulated, so finding high-quality supplements is sometimes challenging. I have an easy solution for both issues. Buy the book “Head First” by David Tomen. I consider this book to be the holy grail when it comes to supplements, especially when it comes to my main interest—brain function. I refer to this book almost daily. Tomen has thoroughly researched the relevant literature on all the supplements I find helpful for enhancing one’s health. I highly recommend that you purchase this book and use it to guide your use of supplements. Good luck on your road back to optimal health!