What To Do Before You Start An Anti Aging Supplement Program
February 4, 2008 by GiGi
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My next article will be on specific anti aging supplements, but before you consider taking supplements, a few basic tests are necessary.
Why Should You Test First?
Everyone ages differently. Some people may be more deficient in certain areas than others. Others may be getting enough and extra supplementation may interfere with certain processes.
Taking inappropriate or the wrong amounts of supplements can be the difference between feeling okay or feeling great (or maybe even feeling not-so-good). This also applies to herbal supplements.
What Tests Should You Take?
Although consulting a physician is always recommended, many tests nowadays can be ordered online, done at home, mailed back to the lab and results are viewed online. Many insurance companies may not cover preventative testing and there are less expensive options online.
Organic Acid Testing - will determine what vitamins and minerals you need. You can use it when you are first starting a supplement regime or to “fine tune” what you are already doing. It can reveal a variety of needed nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, carnitine and others. (If you don’t know what these are, I’ll be covering them in my next article.) This test is done with a morning urine sample.
Salivary Hormone Testing -Although there are other methods for testing hormones, using saliva has proven to be very effective. The five hormones generally tested for are testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, cortisol and DHEA.
These hormones generally become imbalanced as we age. Getting these hormone levels in the correct balance can result in:
- increased energy
- memory improvement
- better sleep
- enhanced sexuality
- better weight control
Again, these tests can be performed at home, although some states may require a physician referral.
Food Allergy Testing
Food allergies are more common than you think and can interfere with a nutritional program. Even some of the healthiest foods can be a problem if you have an allergy. A simple finger stick done at home is sent to a lab with the results back in a couple of weeks.
Iodine Sufficiency Test
This is a test for thyroid disorders which are becoming increasingly more common today. If you have symptoms of weight gain, moodiness, or thinning hair, you may have a thyroid disorder and not even know about it. This is a urine test.
Although many tests can be done at home and via the internet, it is always wise to consult a physician, especially if you get any abnormal test results.
There are doctors specializing in anti aging now and can answer the questions you may have about anti aging therapy and supplementation.
ZRT Labs - they have quite an extensive educational program. Check out their audio files on the various testing.
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I think it is very important to know what you are doing when you take a suppliment. What are you supplimenting? You can actually overstep your bodies bounds by taking too many supliments. Can you get it in the food that you eat? It is sad to say, but most of the food we eat, even if it is organic is processed to the hilt and the nutrients are wiped out. So I guess if you are not growing your own food, then you must take a suppliment or dring one, whatever works best for you.
Jennifer Baxt