209 healthy living - issue 9

209 Healthy Living 09 JAN-FEB 2016.indd 1 12/23/2015 4:21:18 PM

(BPT) - Key nutrients are corner-stones of good health, yet de�ciency among Americans is skyrocketing. Are you unknowingly su�ering from a nutrient shortage?

Dr. Ronald Ho�man, medical direc-tor of the Ho�man Center in New York City and host of the radio program "Intelligent Medicine," points to three major vitamin de�ciencies a�ect-ing people today. He o�ers his expert insight on each and what you can do to �x the problem.

Omega-3s"Many North Americans are omega-3

de�cient because we eat highly pro-cessed foods that lack essential fatty acids and not enough oily �sh," says Ho�man. "�e problem is particularly acute for vegetarians, those who prefer not to eat �sh or are allergic, and young people who are picky eaters."

In the U.S. up to 91 percent of Ameri-cans are omega-3 de�cient and a Har-vard study ranked omega-3 de�ciency as the eighth leading cause of prevent-able death. Omega-3s are considered "essential" because the body cannot make them and must ingest them from external sources.

Omega-3s bene�t the body in countless ways, including the optimal functioning of cell membranes. "�e cell membrane is responsible for trans-lating messages from adjacent cells and organs into chemical work inside the cell," Ho�man explains.

�ere are more than 27,000 pub-lished studies on omega-3s showing the bene�t of omega-3s, from brain and heart health to boosting mood and skin health. Omega-3s are particularly notable for cardiovascular health. �e American Heart Association recom-mends at least 1 gram of omega-3 EPA and DHA a day for those with estab-

lished coronary artery disease."Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel

and sardines provide the most omega-3s," says Ho�man. "I also recommend supplements in so� gels or liquid form, or gummies and emulsions for kids."

He notes when selecting a supple-ment, freshness and dosage is crucial.

"Processing, packaging, quality con-trol, proper inventory management and distribution make a di�erence. I recom-mend Nordic Naturals because they are vertically integrated from boat to bottle, ensuring the absolute freshest and pur-est omega-3 products in a wide variety of delivery systems," Ho�man says. "I recommend that the average person take a dosage of 1 to 2 grams daily."

Vitamin D Because people can produce natural

vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) with sun-light, many assume they get enough. In reality, vitamin D de�ciency is wide-spread. Up to 36 percent of Americans are vitamin D de�cient and up to 91 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. aren't getting enough of the sunshine vitamin.

"Vitamin D is actually more than a vitamin," Ho�man explains. "It's a 'pro-hormone' and modi�es the expression of many genes. �is means it plays a powerful role, not just in building bone, but in the body's immunity, muscle strength and even mood and cogni-tion."

Many factors a�ect a person's ability to make enough vitamin D, includ-ing age and location. During sunny seasons, 10 to 45 minutes of direct sun exposure daily can help maintain ad-equate vitamin D, but for many people this is not possible all year long and supplementation is necessary.

"Current recommendations for vitamin D are 600 IU for ages 1-70; for

20 209HEALTHYLIVING

SMARTEATS

Many North Americans

are omega-3 deficient

because we eat highly processed

foods that lack essential fatty acids and not

enough oily fish

—Dr. Ronald Hoffman


209 healthy living - issue 9

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