Home
Contact Us
Testimonials
Philip Borgardt MD
FAQ
Home
Contact Us
FAQ
Botox
        Botox Parties
Mesotherapy
        Facial or Neck Rejuvenation
        Cellulite Treatments
Lipotherapy
        Body Sculpting
Facial Fillers
        Restylane
        Radiesse
Hormone Therapy
        Human Growth Hormone
        Benefits of HGH
        Testosterone Replacement
        Benefits
        Side effects of low testosterone
        Women and Hormone Replacement
        Thyroid
Supplements and Vitamins
In the News

Zone Type Diet
Body Composition Analysis
Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are essential for life but in lesser quantities than macronutrients. The primary source of micronutrients should come from the food you eat. Unfortunately, many of today's foods are not as rich as they once were in vitamins and minerals because of food processing. That is why dietary supplements are an important addition to your diet. The doses recommended are for the average adult patient.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant along with beta-carotene and vitamin E. An antioxidant destroys free radicals (unpaired electrons that stay in the body too long and cause damage) by destroying itself. Antioxidants must be replaced continually because their lifespan is quit short.

Vitamin C helps regulate the release of insulin in the body, helps the healing process and promotes collagen growth. Depletion of vitamin C in the body can cause scurvy (rare today) whose symptoms may include bleeding gums, hemorrhages, dementia, muscle pain, joint pain and bone pain. Vitamin C may be found in many types of berries, oranges, various melons, green and red bell peppers, kiwi fruit, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes. 1000 mg per day of Vitamin C is recommended, to be obtained from the food you eat and from supplementation.
Beta-carotene: Cantaloupe, spinach, various dark green leafy vegetables, romaine lettuce and apricots are all good sources of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, has been known for its antioxidant effects in the prevention of many cancers and heart disease. Recent research has shown that foods rich in beta-carotene are also rich in lycopene, lutein, zeaxantin and alpha carotene which are all strong disease fighting carotenoids. 20,000 IU of beta-carotene per day is recommended

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It may be found in nut and vegetable oils, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and spinach. Vitamin E supplements are recommended because it is difficult to get enough Vitamin E from your diet. It is important, not to take too much Vitamin E because it could interfere with blood coagulation. Vitamins E, taken in the proper dosage, can: help prevent cancer, boost the immune system function, alleviate respiratory problems and help fight heart disease. There is also a body of research that touts the effects of Vitamin E for improving brain function. Vitamin E is fat soluble and therefore stays in the body longer than water soluble vitamins such as the B vitamins and vitamin C. We recommend 400 IU per day of Vitamin E.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A, a naturally occurring group of retinoids from plant sources, is one of the building blocks for a vibrant immune system. Vitamin A, an antioxidant, is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps prevent infection and also prevents macular degeneration. Vitamin A also helps slow the aging process and assists in protein metabolism. Taking too much vitamin A could be toxic, especially for the liver. Therefore, we recommend taking no more than 8000 IU of vitamin A per day, to be obtained from your diet and supplementation. Foods rich in vitamin A are carrots, cantaloupe, beet greens, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and spinach.

The B Vitamins: All of the B vitamins are important for proper metabolism. Vitamin B1, thiamin, helps convert carbohydrates into energy. Thiamin is found in beef, pork, oatmeal, beans and oranges. The disease beriberi can be caused by a lack of thiamin in the diet. Symptoms of thiamin deficiency include difficulty walking, swollen limbs, overall weakness, heart enlargement, depression and various mood changes. Severe thiamin deficiency can destroy brain cells and impair memory. We recommend 100 mg of thiamin daily.

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is crucial for many activities in the body. Vitamin B2 is a powerful antioxidant and also helps convert amino acids into neurotransmitters, which are necessary for proper brain function. Vitamin B2 deficiency can impair vision and also result in severe dermatitis. Good sources of riboflavin are fish, poultry, asparagus, broccoli, yogurt and spinach. It would be difficult to get too much riboflavin since it is secreted in the urine, two hours after ingestion. It causes the urine to have a bright yellow color. Alcohol and birth control pills interfere with riboflavin absorption. We recommend 100 mg of Vitamin B2 daily to be obtained from your diet and from supplementation.

Vitamin B3: (niacin) is found in tuna, chicken breasts, some fortified cereals and veal. Niacin assists in lowering cholesterol levels. Too much Niacin, may cause liver damage. Niacin has also proven useful in certain allergic conditions because it prevents the release of histamine. Since niacin may cause flushing, nervousness, headache, itching, diarrhea and nausea, it should be taken under the supervision of a trained physician. We recommend 50 mg of niacin and 150 mg of niacinamide daily to be obtained from your diet and from supplementation.

Vitamin B5: (Pantothenic Acid), is the anti-stress vitamin. It is crucial for the formation of antibodies, essential for the production of adrenal hormones, assists in the proper utilization of vitamins by the body and helps convert protein, carbohydrates and fat into energy. Vitamin B5 may be found in saltwater fish, pork, nuts, mushrooms, various fresh vegetables, eggs, liver and whole wheat. We recommend 400 mg daily of Vitamin B5.

Vitamin B6: (Pyridoxine) is found in avocados, chicken, beef, soybeans, brown rice, eggs, oats and peanuts. Vitamin B6 is necessary for metabolism, essential fatty acids, and assisting in the creation of necessary neurotransmitters. A shortage of Vitamin B6 can lead to various types of nerve damage and insulin resistance. Too much Vitamin B6 may cause various nerve disorders or photosensitivity. We recommend 100 mg of Vitamin B6 daily to be obtained from you diet and from supplementation.

The fatty covering that protects nerve fibers in your body is called the myelin sheath. Vitamin B12 is necessary in the production of the myelin sheath. Severe deficiencies of Vitamin B12 may cause a deterioration of the myelin sheath, which is evident in patients with multiple sclerosis. Low levels of Vitamin B12 may cause increased homocysteine (a substance that is formed from protein metabolism) levels which, in turn, may cause more clotting in the arterial walls. Vitamin B12 is important in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 can be found in ham, cooked oysters, crab, tuna, salmon, clams and herring. We recommend 400 mcg of Vitamin B12 daily to be obtained primarily from you diet.

Biotin: a B-complex vitamin, is needed to process the protein and fat we consume. Biotin is also found in eggs, cereals and milk. People with elevated blood sugar levels seem to have lower Biotin levels. We recommend 600 mcg of Biotin daily to be obtained primarily from your diet.

Vitamin D: A fat-soluble vitamin, is needed to transport phosphorus and calcium in the body so that bone growth occurs in children and bone remineralization occurs in adults. Vitamin D enhances the immune system, assists in the regulation of a person's heartbeat, is needed for proper thyroid function, helps prevent muscle weakness and helps in normalizing the blood clotting process. Vitamin D is essential for a healthy skeletal system and healthy teeth. Experts say that ten minutes of summer sun provides the body with enough Vitamin D for the day. Other sources of vitamin D may be found in eggs, sardines, halibut, salmon, herring, tuna, sweet potatoes and fortified milk. Rickets, a disease causing bone deformation is caused by vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D must always be taken in conjunction with calcium. We recommend 400 IU of vitamin D daily, to be obtained from your diet and supplementation.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K's primary responsibility is to help blood clot. Your intestinal bacteria makes approximately half of the Vitamin K you need. Since newborns do not have enough Vitamin K in their body at birth, they are usually given a shot of Vitamin K when they are born. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K is needed for the metabolism of osteocalcin, which is the protein in bone tissue. Vitamin K also plays a role in transforming glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver. We recommend 60 mcg daily of Vitamin K. Good sources of Vitamin K are broccoli, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, oatmeal and soybeans.

Folic Acid: Folic acid is involved in many activities in the body. Because folic acid is necessary for nerve formation and regulation and especially, nerve formation in the fetus, women, in their child bearing years, whether pregnant or not, should routinely take supplemental folic acid (400 mcg daily) to help prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida and other neuronal disorders. Folic acid helps in the formation of red blood cells, the production of energy, the formation of white blood cells and is crucial for the synthesis of DNA, which is the genetic code of your body. Adequate intake of folic acid has been shown to be helpful in treating some anxiety disorders and depression. Women with adequate folic acid levels in their bodies had a lesser incidence of cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells in the cervix) which can be a precursor to cervical cancer. Folic acid may be found in many fruits and vegetables. Good sources of folic acid are navy beans, pinto beans, asparagus, broccoli, okra, spinach and brussels sprouts. We recommend 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid daily to be obtained from your diet and from supplementation.

Lecithin (Phosphatidylcholine): Cell membranes are primarily composed of lecithin, a fatty substance found in every cell in the body. Lecithin is composed of the B vitamin choline, linoleic acid and the vitamin inositol, which is needed for hair growth, helps reduce cholesterol levels and assists in preventing hardening of the arteries. Lecithin assists with fat metabolism, improves brain function and helps in the absorption of Vitamin A and Vitamin B1. Lecithin may be found in egg yolks, grains, fish and various legumes. We recommend 700 mg daily of lecithin and 200 mg daily of inositol, to be obtained from your diet and from supplementation.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA): Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) is a primary ingredient in folic acid. It also helps in the metabolism of Vitamin B5. PABA is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent sunburn and skin cancer. PABA helps with red blood cell formation, assists in protein metabolism and is integral in maintaining proper intestinal health. Good sources of PABA are various organ meats such as kidneys and liver, whole grains, spinach, molasses and mushrooms. We recommend 50 mg of PABA daily, to be obtained from your diet and from supplementation.

To read more about supplements click here
NO PRESCRIPTION WILL BE PROVIDED UNLESS A CLINICAL NEED EXIST BASED ON REQUIRED LAB WORK, PHYSICIAN CONSULTATION AND CURRENT MEDICAL HISTORY EITHER THROUGH PATIENT'S PERSONAL PHYSICIAN OR SLO AGING INSTITUTE PHYSICIAN. PLEASE NOTE, AGREEING TO LAB WORK DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY EQUATE TO CLINICAL NECESSITY AND A PRESCRIPTION

No claim or opinion on the SLO Aging Institute web site is intended to be, or should be construed to be, medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any therapeutic program.
628 California Blvd., Suite F   San Luis Obispo, CA 94301   (805)540-5544
2007 Copyright SLO Aging Institute