To supplement or not to supplement

It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.

~ Upton Sinclair

Monday, I met a woman who told me that her mother-in-law, who had been living independently at the age of 99, had just been moved into an assisted living facility. Her husband, a doctor, had died a while back. 

I asked if there were any notable dietary or lifestyle habits contributing to the older woman's independence and long lifespan. She said she takes a lot of vitamins. Longevity experts do too.

Our conversation was brief, and I am unlikely to learn more, but this experience was quickly followed by another that left me feeling disappointed about what was left unsaid.

Wednesday, in a virtual meeting with a cardiologist, several weeks after a relative had a minimally invasive procedure to implant a valve, a quick review of medications and supplements led the doctor to conclude that the commonly recommended supplements this relative was taking were doing nothing for her. She should stop taking them. He said supplements should only be taken if a blood test demonstrates a deficiency.

I agree partly. In an ideal world, medical professionals would test people for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. What we measure, we can better manage. However, when it comes to nutrient deficiencies or excesses, doctors seldom measure them. In a profit-driven and industry-funded medical model, healthcare professionals aren't trained to understand the medicinal properties of food.

Into her eighties, other than taking vitamin C for vascular and eye health, vitamin D with K2 to prevent osteoporosis, magnesium for relaxation, more recently melatonin for sleep and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) after having higher doses of Tylenol or the occasional drink, this relative took no medication. She taught exercise classes, travelled, managed her finances and her husband's volunteer schedule, enjoyed an active social life, and made informed decisions about their food consumption. 

Her blood work results were impressive, until, feeling subpar a few years back, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. A cardiologist said that now, in her late 80s, she had the arteries of a 35-year-old. However, her heart valve was damaged.

Many medications were prescribed to mitigate symptoms. The valve would be replaced. It was our sincere hope that the procedure would reduce the need for the medications. She had already experienced a severe adverse side effect that left them with no option but to remove one drug that is part of the protocol.

Post-procedure, an ultrasound confirmed that the heart valve replacement was a success. The trouble is our relative’s quality of life has further deteriorated. During this meeting with the cardiologist, when she complained of fatigue, poor sleep quality, inability to drive due to new onset eye problems, including a burst blood vessel in her right eye, swelling of legs and ankles, and generally feeling unwell, the cardiologist dismissed it, expressing that it was not his problem. They had fixed the valve, adding years to her life. Her current problems were likely related to a lack of sleep.

I was left temporarily speechless.

Later, when challenged to help make things better, he added that an arrhythmia and newfound pressure in her heart may be contributing to her feeling generally unwell. He agreed to replace and reduce the dose of one medication associated with fatigue, low mood, and feeling subpar. He would follow up once the old medication cleared from her system and the new one took effect.

I know that there are a lot of great doctors out there, and maybe this seasoned cardiologist, at the end of his workday, may have just been burnt out. But his behaviour was unprofessional.

Closing thought

I propose that an optimal level of many of the known 30 vitamins and essential minerals/elements (V/M), plus that of 11 new putative vitamins described herein, is necessary for promoting healthy aging.

~ Bruce N Ames

Although supplements may not be enough to mitigate all age-related health afflictions, current research concludes they can promote healthy aging.

In an ideal world, vitamin and mineral deficiencies would be measured so that we can better manage them.