SUPPLEMENTS
The world of supplements is big and often confusing. VividLife limit our recommendations on supplements to those that have proven geroprotective qualities and others that may have geroprotective benefits but where laboratory and field trial information may be more anecdotal. The science behind this is significant and so we don’t go into it in great detail on this page. To understand the rationale behind our recommendations we suggest you listen to the experts. You can read or hear what they have to say on our Resources page.
Below we make our supplement recommendations and briefly why we recommend them. You can purchase our recommended supplements on our Shop page. If you are subscribed to any of our plans that include diet and exercise advice, you will also receive supplement recommendations specifically for you, tailored to your age, sex, lifestyle, and goals.
It is also important to note that not all supplements are the same and the dosage and even the brand that we recommend may not be optimal for you. The following are the guidelines for what we recommend in general terms and some of the reasons why. Try them and if they work for you, keep taking them. If they don’t work for you, drop them out of your regime. Listen to your body.
Finally, before we get into the supplements themselves, a note on dosage. We only recommend taking Supplements a maximum of 4 days a week. Day-on day-off or 2 days in a row then a rest day… anything that gives your body a break between doses. And not the same supplements 2 days in a row (even if you are doing day-on day-off).
When it comes to purchasing the supplements that you chose from the following, VividLife have recommended the products and brands we prefer with links to iHerb below each supplement. VividLife is a member of the iHerb Affiliate programme and so we encourage purchasing from our site. By doing so you are helping us keep the prices of our other services as low as we can.
Treating from the inside out.
EPA/DHA
Omega-3’s are super important. (Carlsons elite or supreme, Nordic Naturals). A good quality fish oil giving around 2000iu per day is essential for neurological health and will go a long way in protecting you against all forms of dementia. You should be aiming for Omega-3 red blood cell membrane saturation of 10-12%. You can measure your progress with an Omega-3 Index blood test. We recommend Carlsons. Their Maximum 2000 is a mega dose and will be one of the most effective options. Dr Peter Attia takes Carlsons Elite which is also excellent. Other good brands are Nordic Naturals, and Source Naturals. The blood index test is not available from any blood testing lab in New Zealand at present but we sell a home test kit in our shop. For some, a plant based approach is more acceptable and so we have included Natures Bounty algae based options here too.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important and it comes in many forms. You might want to take more than 1 form. How many you take will depend on what you are trying to achieve. SlowMag is, as its name suggests, a slow release Magnesium which will generally lift your Magnesium levels and may help with heartburn or other digestive issues. SlowMag as a branded product is not available on iHerb and if you want it you can purchase it from our Shop. Magnesium L-threonate (must contain Magtein) is a little different in that it is taken to support brain/cognitive function and better sleep, and finally Elemental Magnesium (Magnesium Oxide or Magnesium Citrate) is good for muscle and bone health, sleep, and the reduction of nervous tension and stress. We recommend them all.
We recommend taking Methylated B vitamins such as Jarrow Methyl B12 to reduce and stabalise homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine is causally linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disease. We measure Homocysteine levels as part of your blood work and you want it to be below 9.
Theracurmin is an activated curcumin supplement and it has many potential benefits. Particularly though we are recommending it for its cognitive benefits. In an 18 month study of 40 human subjects, half were given Theracurmin and half a placebo. The study results showed improvements in memory and attention scores in the group taking Theracurmin. Theracumin is also very effective at reducing infamation.
Vitamin D
The risk associated with supplementing Vitamin D is insanely low. Research is scant as to the benefits but the downside is insignificant. Vitamin D is responsible for helping the body absorb calcium, and in turn bolstering bone strength, and aids in getting extra phosphorus into our system. It can support muscular strength, and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Dosage can be up to 5000iu but any amount is a good amount.
NMN and NR (including Niacin and Nicotinamide)
The use of all of these supplements is promoted to sustaining the NAD pathways and their value is somewhat controversial. However, like Vitamin D, the downside seems insignificant. VividLife recommends NMN supplements as the body will turn NMN into NAD, NR however needs to be turned into NMN in the body first and then into NAD. Interesting incidental findings from the clinical trials of NMN is that it was found to reduce Basal and Squamous cell Carcinoma’s by up to 60%. This could be because the greatest concentration of NAD is in the skin.
Strong bodies have better futures
VividLife strongly advocates having a strong and flexible body. As you pass 60 years of age muscle volume becomes increasingly difficult to add and muscle tone becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. We recommend the following supplements along with a regime of weight bearing exercise.
Creatine is a great supplement for growth in muscle volume. It is likely you will gain weight taking creatine as water volume in your muscles will increase. As far as muscle volume boosting goes though, creatine should be your first stop. If you are receiving dietary advice as well, you may have additional whey protein recommendations in your diet but creatine should be your first port of call. Supplement up to 5gm daily. Mix it with electrolytes and water. Use it before or during exercise. The only side effect of note is that it can cause GI upsets. If this happens, back the dose off til you find the right dose for you.
Tongkat Ali has been found to regulate sex hormone levels in both men and women. Functional tests seem to suggest that it is more effective in regulating testosterone in men than progesterone and estrogen in women but there have been some tests where it has proven beneficial for hormone regulation in women, especially during menopause.
This is often found combined with Tongkat Ali. Again, great for muscular and athletic performance and hormone balance. An additional benefit of Fadogia Agrestis may be found in a name it is also known by which is ‘black aphrodisiac’. As such ED (Erectile Dysfunction) and general sexual performance.
You need to sleep
A good night sleep is essential for all elements of your health but especially your neurological health.
On top of Magnesium L-threonate we recommend the following supplements to help with getting a good nights sleep.
Glycine is an amino acid and is beneficial in many ways. It is a little gem of a supplement and we definitely recommend you try and add it to your regime. Particularly we are recommending it for sleep support but it also helps build proteins needed for tissue and hormone maintenance. It may also help support heart and liver health, reduce diabetes risk, and reduce muscle loss.
Ashwagandha reduces stress and anxiety and aids sleep, including going back to sleep if you wake in the night. It also assists in reducing inflammation and may support and/or reduce blood pressure.
Redormin
Redormin is Hops and Valerian based sleep fortifying formula. It has been proven beneficial in restoring healthy sleep patterns and generally improving sleep quality.
Flordis ReDormin Forte is not available from iHerb and will need to be purchased through our online shop.