- Nutrition expert Cynthia Thomson relies on a plant-rich diet for most of her nutritional needs.
- However, as she got older, she started adding some supplements to her daily routine.
- She bases her treatment on her own medical history and unique holes in her diet.
Professor Cynthia Thomson doesn’t rely on supplements to stay healthy.
As a nutritionist, cancer researcher, and colon cancer survivor, she knows that capsules and powders 57% or more of Americans use on a regular basis does not have a significant impact on a person’s overall health.
But over the years, the nutrition expert has been dealing with some specific health issues and looking a little older, so she thought a set of four supplements might help you age a little more gracefully. I came up with a simple recipe. She is well aware that these are not panaceas or magic bullets for longevity. However, her research suggests that they may have a small but positive impact on her health, potentially improving some nutritional issues associated with aging and even preventing some common age-related diseases. It showed that there is a sex.
“Everything is based on signs,” she told Business Insider. “Then I looked at my eating habits and thought, ‘I’ll never reach that level.'”
She shares her current, data-driven, personalized supplement regimen.
vitamin D
Thompson, like many longevity experts, takes vitamin D. the study A paper on the subject published Monday found that thousands of postmenopausal women like her who consistently supplemented with vitamin D could prevent significant numbers of colon and breast cancer deaths. It has been shown that it is helpful. A colon cancer survivor, she takes her research to heart.
She also noticed during a routine blood test about 10 years ago that her vitamin D levels were lower than when she was younger. Taking 400 IU a day seems to have brought her levels back into the “healthy range,” she said.
calcium
Calcium is another nutrient that many scientists, including Thomson, have shown (through decades of long-term research) to help prevent deadly cancers in postmenopausal women. Her latest research suggests that some patients should be cautious about taking calcium because it can worsen heart disease by calcifying coronary arteries. However, Thomson calculates that the benefits of calcium supplementation outweigh the risks for her.
Both her history of colorectal cancer and her diet low in calcium-rich animal foods such as cheese, yogurt, and milk convinced her that this supplement was worth taking in her case. .
“I take calcium because of the epidemiological evidence. [cancer prevention]“And I worry that I’m not getting enough in my diet,” she said.
probiotic capsules
After a course of powerful antibiotics nearly wiped out the garden of diverse and important microorganisms living in her intestines, Thomson began taking probiotic tablets daily. She suspects it helps her maintain a regular routine.
“After that, my irritable bowel got worse, but I just kept at it,” she said. “I felt like it was helpful.”
magnesium
Magnesium is also a popular supplement among longevity enthusiasts. Thomson has found this mineral, like probiotics, to be a useful tool for maintaining “regularity.”
When she reached her 60s, she also started taking common antihypertensive drugs (diuretics), which can deplete magnesium stores. This strengthened her resolve to continue taking her magnesium tablets. But you can also get plenty of magnesium from foods like spinach, avocados, and bananas.
These supplements are simply added to a plant-based diet that provides most of her nutrients.
First and foremost, Thompson prioritizes getting enough of all of the above nutrients (and more!) through your diet.
At home, I like to eat tofu, tempeh, kefir, salmon, nuts and seeds, and lots of vegetables. This is a classic longevity platter.
“I think as you get older, your kidney function declines and your liver function may decline as well. I’m a big believer in plant protein,” she said. “I’m not completely vegan or vegetarian, but I do try to incorporate vegetables into my diet.”
