Dr. Ryan Cole at Clinical Nutrition Meeting

 Clinical Nutrition Conference

   The International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists met in Dallas in September with a conference focus on covid, viral infections, and immunization. This newsletter will share a few highlights on nutrients important for immune health and good outcomes from covid infection shared by Dr. Ryan Cole with the attendees.

.Dr. Ryan Cole Lecture on Vitamin D

There is no such thing as ‘flu and cold season”, only low vitamin D season !!!!" Every cell in our body has a vitamin D receptor in the nucleus. Approximately 2,000 genes in our body (5% of our genome) are controlled by vitamin D. Vitamin D is the master key to our immune health! If one has a D level of 50ng/ml (range 20-100) one cannot develop a “cytokine storm” (that which often killed in covid). 

70-80% of All Americans are vitamin D deficient or insufficient. The presence of vitamin D helps shift the body from an inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. Vitamin D deficiency season is October-March in northern latitudes for those who spend time outdoors, and the rest of the year for those who work indoors. Obesity drastically decreases bioavailable vitamin D. Normal vitamin D levels decrease the risk of many cancers. 

Normal D levels decrease COVID symptom severity and risk for hospitalization by up to 80-90%!!!! Normal D levels decrease clotting (covid is a clotting disease). “I take 6,000 per day…” Fauci interview November 2020 and in his FOIA emails.

The Endocrine Society of America states that one can safely take 4,000 IU daily without checking levels. Children age 1-3 no more than 1,000-2,000 IU, children 4-8 no more than 2,000-3,000 IU.

Those at greatest risk of most serious deficiency: the obese, those with dark skin, the elderly. Oral vitamin D dosing does not become active and bioavailable for 10-14 days after supplementing.

 

 Dr. Ryan Cole on Magnesium

 

Up to half of the U.S. population is magnesium deficient. Vitamin D remains stored and inactive if magnesium is deficient. High intake of calcium without sufficient magnesium can lead to calcification of soft tissues. Magnesium deficiency is associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Higher dietary intake of magnesium is associated with decreased severity and symptoms of those in the hospital with covid.

Dr. Ryan Cole on Zinc

 

Up to as many as 40% of the elderly in the U.S. are zinc deficient. A small amount of copper should be supplemented if one is taking a high dose of zinc. This is usually found in a good multiple. Phytate in grains and legumes inhibits zinc absorption. Vitamin D can not penetrate our tissues when we are zinc deficient. The mineral in involved in 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. When zinc intake is above 30 mg a small amount of copper should be added to the supplement program. Zinc decreases inflammatory compounds resulting from immune activity. Patients low in zinc have poor outcomes when they develop covid;

CoQ10

 CoQ10, Magnesium and Energy

CoQ10 is a nutrient produced within the body which protects the heart. This nutrient is a primary antioxidant in the production of energy by the cells in the mitochondria, the cellular energy factory. Unfortunately, the ability to produce CoQ10 declines with age and is notably deficient in cardiac failure. In a study in the European Heart Journal in 2006 CoQ10 was shown to dramatically benefit those with chronic heart failure when 100 mg was taken twice a day. When patients exercised, the benefit was even greater.

CoQ10 plays a key role in energy production. It is not surprising that this nutrient has been suggested as a possible treatment for Alzheimers and migraine. Brain function, along with the beating of the heart and the production of digestive substances (hydrochloric acid) are three of the most energy draining body functions. It would not be surprising if we were to find that this nutrient also benefits digestion.

Magnesium plays a key role in energy production as well. Some studies combine the two nutrients for optimal benefit.

References:

Belardinelli R, Mucaj A, et al, Coenzyme Q10 and exercise training in chronic heart failure, Eur Heart J, 2006 Aug 1; [Epub ahead of print].

Dumont M, Kipiani K, et al, Coenzyme Q10 Decreases Amyloid Pathology and Improves Behavior in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease, J Alzheimers Dis, 2011 July 28; [Epub ahead of print]. 

Islam J, Uretsky BF, Sierpina VS, Heart failure improvement with CoQ10, Hawthorn, and magnesium in a patient scheduled for cardiac resynchronization-defibrillator therapy: a case study," Exlore (NY), 2006; 2(4): 339-41. 

Modi S, Lowder DM, Medications for migraine prophylaxis, Am Fam Physician, 2006; 73(1): 72-8. 

Carotenuto M, Esposito M, Nutraceuticals safety and efficacy in migraine without aura in a population of children affected by neurofibromatosis type I, Neurol Sci, 2013 March 27; [Epub ahead of print]. 

Aluminum and Alzheimer's

    A number of lines of evidence suggest that aluminum may contribute to dementia. Aluminum has been shown t impair the functioning of the brains of animals. The disease progression has also been slowed by the administration of agents which remove aluminum from the body. Aluminum displaces magnesium at a key DNA binding site. Aluminum holds onto the binding site a million times longer than magnesium shutting down the site. (Magnesium can counteract the effects of aluminum toxicity.)The authors of this article suggest consuming no more than 3 milligrams of aluminum a day.
     Sources of aluminum exposure include aluminum cookware, aluminum foil, aluminum cans, antacids containing aluminum and pain relievers buffered with aluminum. Deodorants often contain aluminum. Some baking powders contain aluminum. Aluminum was used as an anticaking agent in salt until recently.
References:
Crapper McLachlan, Donald R., M.D., et al, Would Decreased Aluminum Ingestion Reduce the Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1991;145(7):793-803.

Male Issues

       One of th frequent questions athletes and older men have is how to increase testosterone levels naturally. A recent study found that supplementation with 10 mg of magnesium for every 2.2 pounds of body weight increased testosterone levels in men who were both sedentary and exercising. The increases were higher in men who exercised.
      GNLD produces masculine and feminine herbal formulas. These are designed to support optimal hormone production and functioning. Saw Palmetto, found in the masculine herbal formula, has been shown in scientific studies to benefit prostatic hypertrophy. Dr. Jonathan Wright suggests that the benefits result from a number of actions including increasing testosterone and inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which creates problems. The herb also inhibits the growth stimulating effects of estrogen on the prostate. Clinical trials comparing saw palmetto and the drug Proscar found "that both treatments were equally effective in reducing symptoms of BPH."
     There was one difference, however. Proscar-treated men complained substantially more about decreased libido, impotence, and ejaculatory disorders.
References:
Cinar, Vedat, et al., Effects o magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion, Biological Trace Element Research, April 2011; 140(1): 18-23.
Wright, Jonathan, Maximize Your Vitality & Potency, Petaluma, CA.: Smart Publications, 1999, 180.