- Dr. Eric Verdin studies the biology of aging and how to get and stay healthy.
- He thinks that lifestyle factors play the biggest role in the duration of our lives, and supplements could also help.
- Verdin explained why he takes vitamin D, vitamin B12, creatine and omega3 fatty acids.
A doctor who researching longevity shared the four supplements he takes daily for healthy aging.
Dr. Eric Verdin, CEO and president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging near San Francisco, told Business Insider It Studies how to extend “Healthspan” or quality of life, maintaining faculties that wanted to decline with age , such as cognitive capacity and mobility.
Verdin said that if genes play a role, he thinks that food, physical activity, sleep, stress management and social relations are the five pillars of longevity and what will determine if we live at 65 to or 85.
If a person has people under control and wants to bring their health from good to large, evidence suggests that certain supplements could help, he said.
Vitamin D
Verdin takes vitamin D and believes that most people should also.
About 35% of American adults have vitamin D deficiency, according to the Cleveland Clinic, so Verdin recommends that people pass a blood test to see if they get enough.
Vitamin D is both a nutrient that we eat and a hormone that the body produces. It is important for bone health because it helps the body absorb its constituent elements: calcium and phosphorus. The study of the possible role of vitamin D in the prevention of diseases is a major area of research, but there is not enough coherent evidence to prove a link.
Certain foods contain vitamin D, but sunlight is the main natural source, which is why many people who live in colder climates have insufficient levels.
“Complete this is very cheap, it’s very sure, and in my opinion is important,” said Verdin.
The British government recommends everyone to take a daily supplement in vitamin D during the fall and winter. Those with darker skin can also find it difficult to get enough vitamin D of the sun.
Vitamin B12
Verdin takes vitamin B12 and advises people to measure their levels because it is common to be deficient, especially if you are older.
About 3.6% of all adults over 19 are deficient, according to an analysis of the data collected by the CDC between 2007 and 2018.
Vitamin B12 is found in animal sources such as dairy products, meat and eggs. It is necessary to form red blood cells and DNA and is also essential for the functioning and development of brain and nervous cells.
It is crucial for many cellular processes, including energy repair and production, said Verdin. Evidence shows that deficiency causes problems such as fatigue, nerve damage and memory loss.
Omega three fatty acids
Verdin takes a supplement of omega three fatty acids for his heart and cerebral health.
Omega three fatty acids are found in fatty fish such as salmon and anchovies, nuts and chia and linen seeds. “Some countries have very high levels of omega acids like Japan where they eat a lot of fish. But most of us in the Western world, we don’t have enough,” said Verdin.
Studies suggest that these healthy fats reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by helping the heart of beating at a regular rate, reducing blood pressure and heart rate and improving the function of blood vessels, according to the Harvard nutritional score Th Chan School of Public Health.
However, it is not clear if the completion of omega three fatty acids is as beneficial as eating fish.
Creatine
Creatine, a compound of body naturally and we also get food rich in protein, is popular among athletes and gym enthusiasts who want to develop muscles. But there is evidence that he also supports cognitive function, said Verdin.
He takes creatine supplements because the compound plays an essential role in the functioning of cells and energy, he said.
Sports nutritionists generally consider safe and effective creatine, as there is a lot of research behind the cognitive and physical advantages improving performance.
