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Healthy Aging - Interview with Dr. Andrew Weil

By Mara Fleishman, September 30, 2008  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Mara Fleishman
We’ve all heard the basics on healthy aging, right? Eat well, stay active, adopt daily stress relief habits… So now it’s time for the specifics. This month we have a special guest, Dr. Andrew Weil, a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. Dr. Weil gives us his personal and professional recommendations on heart health, brain power, and keeping the immune system strong. General Health
  • Adequate intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids every day is a good way to ensure not only heart health, but also general physical and mental health.
  • There aren’t many dietary sources of omega-3s; the best sources are oily fish from cold Northern waters.
  • However, there are concerns about fish, such as sustainability and contaminants.
  • Dr. Weil recommends a fish oil supplement to ensure adequate intake of omega-3s. Fish oil is distilled for purity and easily available.
Healthy Brain Function
  • Supplements do have their place for brain health, but it’s important to be an informed consumer because of widespread misinformation.
  • Fish oil is one of the best supplements for the brain, as are antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. A specialized compound for brain health is PS (Phosphatidylserine) but it’s always a good idea get the advice from a professional.
  • It is best to get antioxidants from foods; supplements are useful as insurance against gaps in the diet, but are not substitutes for the foods that contain them.
Healthy Bones
  • Strength training and calcium are important for building healthy bones.
  • Dr. Weil calls Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin,” the single most important vitamin recommendation for bones.
  • Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium and to build strong bones.
  • The best way to get Vitamin D is careful sun exposure.
  • Many people are deficient in Vitamin D, even in sunny locations, and one reason is that sunscreen blocks Vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
  • Dr. Weil recommends that everyone get tested for Vitamin D blood levels.
Healthy Immune System
  • For immune support, the single most important habit is to wash hands frequently.
  • Regarding supplements that support the immune system, Dr. Weil recommends an effective remedy from Chinese Medicine called astragalus, the root of a plant that is inexpensive and safe.
Category: Whole Body, Whole Body Podcast
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40 Comments

Comments

Ann says ...
Good partnership- Dr W and Whole Foods! Both champions of natural health approaches for a better life.
10/09/2008 9:09:02 AM CDT
Diane W. says ...
Dr. Weil is a strong guiding voice for natural health. I appreciate Whole Foods, bringing him to your site and to us!!!
10/09/2008 10:47:25 AM CDT
Quinn says ...
I enjoy the comments above, about sources for Omega 3's. I've known about fish oil, it is good to know about natural sources as well.
10/07/2008 8:46:25 AM CDT
katie says ...
Thanks for the link to women to women! Great info. I am surprise to hear that vitamin "D" helps with osteoporosis
10/06/2008 10:16:58 AM CDT
Mandy says ...
Fish oil is an excellent source of Omegas as mentioned. It also has an incredible ability to aid with sunburns. Something in the oil really helps the skin cells relieve a burn in the cells.
10/06/2008 10:27:20 AM CDT
Gina C says ...
I listened to another podcast you have which speaks to Omega importance for kids as well. I like this series. I use to not take supplements, that coupled with to much coffee consumption left my body very depleted. I appreciate that Dr. Weil mentions having your blood tested, it can give you a solid idea of your bodies needs and strengths.
10/06/2008 10:36:58 AM CDT
Wendy says ...
Flax and Kiwi are tremendous sources of the n3 Omega. Fish oils are great, but remember there are many other natural sources if you are a vegetarian.
10/06/2008 11:14:36 AM CDT
Hellen says ...
Calcium with vitamin D is vital in fighting osteoporosis. Glad to see Whole Foods and Dr Weil covering this topic.
10/08/2008 5:57:49 PM CDT
Nancy H says ...
Great podcast! Thanks for your continued dedication to bringing us great information, from industry leaders.
10/01/2008 10:24:38 AM CDT
Jacqueline says ...
I was actually just reading that the FDA announced today that starting in 2010, both calcium AND vitamin D will be officially recognized as vital in the fight to combat osteoporosis. So it looks like Dr. Weil's constant drum beat on the importance of vitamin D is finally getting recognized. Here's another article that I've found helpful for preventing vitamin d deficiency (from a holistic/integrative approach): http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/vitamind.aspx
09/30/2008 4:06:18 PM CDT
Cathy says ...
Good to hear there is some hope for me and my horrific memory :) Fish Oil it is then. I wonder if there are any studies on fish oil and Alzheimer's
10/02/2008 2:35:12 PM CDT
Nancy Wills says ...
I tried lifecell and its fine. However, I must recommend a cream I STOPPED using because after 6 months it permenantly improved my face. Its called the “Vitamin enhanced face firming serum” from the Made from Earth product line. You see it firm your face after you put it on and since its organic and chemical free - in the long run - i have now stopped using it because my face has really firmed up!! Chemicals in skincare products will cause your skin to sag in the long run. Thats because those chemicals dont belong there and impact your skins elasticity. I would defiunitely recommend the Face firming serum, from Made from Earth. Im serious, I stopped using it after 6 months of use. . .i went through a bottle a month for 6 months and thats it! i saw a major difference. . .i highly recommend it to anyone who is tired of trying all the different face creams. . .
02/18/2009 11:26:42 AM CST
Ally says ...
When I told my doctor that I was having some issues with constipation, he told me it might be the calcium supplements I was talking because calcium pills out there are actually made from rocks (!) because they're mined from limestone. When I heard that, right away I switched to calcium that's gotten from a plant source - AlgaeCal - and my digestive woes have cleared up. HOWEVER, I have to say that I used to take New Chapter's Bone Strength Take Care product because they used AlgaeCal as their calcium ingredient. But I recently heard that New Chapter actually stopped using AlgaeCal and went for a cheaper calcium that's not even certified organic. New Chapter did not do anything to notify consumers like me about that change, which I consider a BAIT AND SWITCH. Has anyone else heard about this? I think it's an awful thing to do to women like me who are just trying to take the right supplements for our bones!
11/03/2010 12:33:12 PM CDT
Joanie says ...
Where's the products? Phosphatidylserine. Dont see it on your website
07/10/2011 9:35:01 AM CDT
Bobby Hawley says ...
Our product selection varies from store to store. Please check in with your local store directly http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/. Thanks!
08/04/2011 1:14:21 PM CDT

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