HEALTHY HOLLYWOOD
Gwyneth Paltrow might be in the midst of a “conscious uncoupling” with husband Chris Martin, but you can bet the self-described wellness nut is taking good care of her health.
The actress is super conscious about her diet and knows a healthy mind & body are key to dealing with stress. Healthy Hollywood is a huge fan of Gwyneth’s wise words on wellness.
So, when I wanted to get the lowdown on supplements, who better to ask than one of Paltrow’s favorite wellness gurus, Dr. Frank Lipman. The integrative & functional medicine doctor founded the esteemed Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City and also counts health-conscious celebs like Kyra Sedgwick and Maggie Gyyllenhaal as his clients.
Healthy Hollywood is constantly bombarded with varying theories on whether folks need to take vitamins to better their health. Some researchers believe if we eat a clean diet, all of the necessary nutrients are in our food and supplements are a waste of money. While others claim supplements are a necessary addition to anyone’s regimen, no matter how healthy their diet is. I am so confused!
Dr. Lipman believes supplements are key to overall good health, adding, “Supplements can fill some important gaps and make a big difference in your health, energy and well-being. The key supplements I recommend people take every day are a multi-vitamin, fish oil, vitamin D and a good probiotic,” suggests Dr. Lipman to Healthy Hollywood.
Counter to those who believe our food should supply all the necessary nutrition, Dr. Lipman tells me that is impossible, even if your diet is packed with organic fruits and vegetables.
“Most of us don’t obtain sufficient amounts of essential nutrients from food for two reasons: most Americans are making bad nutritional choices; and much of our food is nutritionally dead. The effect of bad eating habits combined with soil that’s largely depleted of nutrients makes it difficult to get enough of the necessary nutrients from just food alone. If most of your dinner has been genetically modified, grown in nutrient-depleted soil, sprayed with pesticides, processed, packed and trucked to your neighborhood – by the time it hits your plate, your meal is almost devoid of nutritional value.”
Yet, Dr. Lipman warns that supplements cannot protect your body against a bad diet. “Supplements do not make up for a bad diet, but as the name says, supplement a good diet,” he adds.
Also, just like the season changes, so should the supplements our bodies need during the year. Now that spring has sprung and our bodies need certain nutrients to help us heal from the long, cold winter.
Dr. Lipman shares with Healthy Hollywood his top 4 spring supplements.
Cleanse: Spring is a great time of year to support your liver and shed some excess weight with a gentle 2 week detox. The Cleanse protein shakes provide a variety of herbs to support your liver with detoxification, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber from fruits, vegetables, roots, seeds and tree extracts to support your digestion. The Cleanse also has herbal anti-microbials to combat bad gut bacteria. The two week program is a great way to hit the reset button, and spring is the perfect time to do so.
Glutathione: Glutathione is another important liver support that aids detoxification and reduces free radicals in the body. Glutathione is the single most powerful antioxidant produced naturally in the body. It protects DNA from damage and is crucial for proper mitochondrial function and energy production.
MCT Oil: MCT’s (Medium-chain triglycerides) are a unique form of fat that require less energy and enzymes to be digested. As a result, they are a readily available source of energy, leading to an increase in metabolism and providing quick energy replenishment. Unlike other dietary fats, MCTs don’t get stored as fat in the body, they get burned for energy. I’m a big fan of adding a tablespoon of MCT Oil to your protein shakes.
Alpha Lipoic Acid: Alpha lipoic acid is another good liver support. It’s a potent, versatile antioxidant that helps to fend off inflammation, balance blood sugar and protect skin collagen. It boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants in your body, promotes nerve health, helps remove heavy metals from the body and purify the liver.
For more information on supplements and wellness tips, check out www.drfranklipman.com.
-- Terri MacLeod
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