Supplements: ALA and ALC

ALA: alpha-lipoic acid
ALC: acetyl-L-carnitine

Professor Bruce N Ames, PhD, believes that ALA and ALC, taken daily, will boost your energy output of mitochondria. Mitochondria power our cells. He also says that he thinks that mitochondrial decay is a major factor in aging. Mitochondrial decay is linked to Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
In his studies he found that rats fed with alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine had more energy and were more active. Clinical trials are conducted currently.
These supplements are very safe. The worst side effect documented in humans is a rash.
Ames takes 800mg of ALA and 2 000mg of ALC daily. Remember to ask your doctor’s opinion before taking the supplements.

Supplements and your Doctor

A poll by the Council for Responsible Nutrition found that 72% of US physicians take vitamins, herbs or other supplements. What percentage of those advice their patients to do the same? Yes, it would have been great if it was 100%, but 85% is still very good.

How to use Beta-Carotene safely.

How to use Beta-Carotene safely.
Eat beta-carotene-rich foods. Supplements should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. You will find this substance plentiful in vegetables and fruits (three or more servings a day). This can reduce heart disease and many forms of cancer significantly.
Good food sources are Spinach, Dark green leafy vegetables, carrots, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes.

Supplements: Beta-Carotene. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Supplements: Beta-Carotene. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Eating beta-carotene-rich fruit and vegetables three times a day lowers the risk of heart disease and many cancer types.
During the early nineties scientists sang the praises of beta-carotene-rich foods and their ability to lower the risk of cancer and other diseases. Doctors started to subscribe beta-carotene supplements because of the successes of the food.
Boy, were they wrong. In 1994 a study of 29 000 male Finnish smokers on 20 milligrams of beta-carotene supplements a day had an increased incidence of lung cancer and heart disease.
It seems that alcohol and smoking put you at a higher risk when you take the supplements.
During 2000 another study, CARET (Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial), were stopped when patients receiving 30 milligrams of beta-carotene supplement a day, had an almost 50% higher risk of dying from lung cancer.
A lot more tests were done throughout the years and the conclusion is that beta-carotene supplements increased the risk of mortality.
Beta-Carotene-Rich foods also contain other members of the carotenoid family like alpha-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein and lycopene. Some scientists suspect that the credit should go to these substances instead of beta-carotene.