As sugars and starches are eaten, they cause a burst of inflammation throughout the body. As a proponent of anti-inflammatory diet, need I say more.
Tag Archives: anti-inflammatory
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #1 – Omega 3 Fish Oil
Super Supplement # 1: Omega-3 Fish Oil
The incredible anti-inflammatory power of Omega-3 essential fatty acids found in the high fat fish and in fish oil can accomplish the following:
Reduce inflammation in all organ systems
Accelerate the loss of body fat
Elevate mood
Improve attention span
Stabilize blood sugar levels
Lower insulin levels
Create and maintain healthy serotonin levels
Stop the roller coaster effects of the carbohydrate highs and lows
Decrease appetite
Increase radiance to skin
Increase health of immune system
Increase energy levels
Decrease symptoms and severity of rheumatoid arthritis
Reduced symptoms and severity of chronic skin conditions such as eczema
Decreased cardiovascular risk
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 3,000 mg per day of fish oil—however for those who need to lose significant weight I recommend three 1000 mg capsules 3 times per day with meals for a total of 9 capsules per day—this higher doses need to be approved by your physician.
Omega 3 Fish Oil Tips:
To avoid any dietary side effects from the omega 3 fish oils, (such as belching or stomach upset) divide the dose into three—for example, if you are taking 3,000 mg per day of fish oil, take one 1000 mg capsule with a meal three times per day.
Even though fish oil is basically a “food,” always check with your primary healthcare professional before embarking on any new supplement. Any therapeutic intervention, even nutritional supplements, can be contraindicated in certain health conditions.
Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com)
Perricone MD Omega 3
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #2 – Alpha Lipoic Acid
Super Supplement #2: Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Alpha lipoic acid is a superior anti-inflammatory, that penetrates all portions of the cell because it is both fat and water soluble. On a cellular level alpha lipoic acid exerts a wide variety of positive actions, all of them anti-inflammatory. In addition to its function as a powerful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory, alpha lipoic acid increases the body’s ability to take glucose into the cells. This increased sensitivity to insulin results in decreased blood sugar levels and accelerated weight loss.
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Because alpha lipoic acid is found only in trace amounts in food, it must be taken as a supplement. Twenty-five to thirty milligrams is adequate for a young healthy person. I recommend anywhere from two to four hundred milligrams of alpha lipoic acid per day to my patients with specific health problems, or who are trying to lose body fat.
Alpha Lipoic Tips:
In the metabolic cycle, Alpha Lipoic Acid acts as a coenzyme in the production of energy by converting carbohydrates into energy (ATP).
ALA is the only antioxidant that can boost cellular levels of glutathione, the body’s most important antioxidant to overall health and longevity.
Take with meals.
Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com)
Perricone MD Alpha Lipoic Acid
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management
Perricone MD Super Antioxidant
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #5 – Acetyl L-Carnitine
Super Supplement #5: Acetyl L-Carnitine
Like carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine improves mitochondrial function, but to an even greater degree – because it can pass through the mitochondrial membrane. And like carnitine, acetyl-l-carnitine functions best when there is adequate dietary intake of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Both forms of carnitine are important in a weight loss regimen because they act as natural anti-inflammatories, they aid in transportation of fats into the mitochondria to be burned. They also enhance the sensitivity of insulin receptors, helping to decrease blood sugar and circulating levels of insulin. As we have learned, high levels of insulin are inflammatory and ‘lock’ our body fat in place.
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 500 milligrams per day; however, individuals on a weight loss program may take up to 1500 milligrams of acetyl-carnitine daily.
Acetyl-l-Carnitine tips:
Carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine are not to be used by people with bipolar disease (manic depression) or those who are susceptible to seizures (epilepsy) unless recommended by their physician.
Do not take acetyl-l-carnitine after 3 PM to prevent any difficulties with sleeping.
Exercise naturally increases our levels of acetyl-l-carnitine, however, if we are obese, over thirty, or have other health problems, it will not raise them to therapeutic levels; therefore supplementation is necessary.
Acetyl-l-carnitine may be taken with or without food.
For better utilization of fat for energy take omega 3 fish oil with carnitine.
Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com):
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #6 – Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Super Supplement #6: Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
CLA is a fatty acid that is found in many of the foods we eat. At one time, beef and lamb were exceptional sources; however when their diet was changed from grass to grain, levels of CLA dramatically decreased in meat and dairy products. CLA is also a powerful aid in prevention and treatment of obesity. When taken in effective doses, CLA decreases body fat, especially in the area of the abdomen.
In addition to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing actions of CLA, many studies show that CLA helps prevent muscle loss and weakness associated with aging and disease. This is one of the reasons CLA has long been a favorite supplement of athletes and body builders.
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 1,000 mg, up to a maximum of 4,000 mg per day, taken in 1 or 2 doses.
CLA Tips:
When take with sesame seeds, the effects of CLA are enhanced.
The average diet provides no more than a gram (1000 mg) of CLA per day.
CLA may be taken with meals.
Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com):
Perricone MD Health & Weight Management
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #9 – Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
Super Supplement #9: Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
GLA is an important omega-6 essential fatty acid. GLA can increase the metabolic rate, an effect that causes the body to burn fat, resulting in weight loss. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, the average American diet causes a deficiency of GLA because of the large amounts of trans fatty acids, sugar, grain-fed red meats and dairy products that are consumed. GLA is very difficult to find in the diet, but is found in high amounts in borage, black current, and evening primrose oils.
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: 200 to 400 mg of GLA per day—one to two 1000 mg of Borage Oil.
GLA Tips:
Take GLA with meals to increase absorption.
GLA improves cell sensitivity to insulin, reducing our chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and excess body fat.
Borage oil is the richest supplemental source of GLA.
As with Omega-3 fish oil supplementation, results do not happen overnight and may take up to six months. Don’t let this dissuade you from adding this vital essential fatty acid to your diet as soon as possible.
Perricone MD products with this super supplement (click below to shop PerriconeMD.com):
Perricone MD Health and Weight Management
Dr. Perricone’s Top 10 Super Supplements – #10 – DMAE
Counting down my top 10 super supplements:
Super Supplement #10: Dimethlaminoethanol (DMAE)
DMAE is a naturally occurring nutritional substance with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. DMAE is important in the production of neurotransmitters, especially acetylcholine, which is essential in the communication from one nerve to another and between nerves and muscles. In order for your muscles to contract, the message must be sent from your nerves to your muscles via acetylcholine. DMAE also has membrane stabilizing effects and can also help reduce body fat, most likely from its activity as a precursor to acetylcholine as well as its anti-inflammatory activity. Taking DMAE as a supplement will not only improve your cognitive function, it will help increase skin firmness and muscle tone.
DOSAGE RECOMMENDATION: My recommended dose is 50 to 100 milligrams per day. For certain therapeutic uses, such as lowering cholesterol, larger doses may be recommended. As always consult your physician.
DMAE Tips:
DMAE is a naturally occurring nutritional substance with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
DMAE also has membrane stabilizing effects and can also help reduce body fat, most likely from its activity as a precursor to acetylcholine as well as its anti-inflammatory activity.
Taking DMAE as a supplement will not only improve your cognitive function, it will help increase skin firmness, muscle tone, and is a wrinkle cure.
For optimum health, beauty and weight loss benefits, I recommend eating fish rich in DMAE, taking DMAE supplements as well as applying a topical lotion containing DMAE to face, neck and body.
It is thought that DMAE can make epilepsy and bipolar depression worse; thus, it is advised that those with these health problems avoid DMAE.
DMAE can also be over-stimulating for some people, perhaps causing muscle tension or insomnia, so individuals experiencing such difficulties are advised to discontinue use of DMAE.
Take with meals for optimum effect.
Dr. Perricone Q&A – Complex Skin Types
Q: I’ve been told that my face is a “complex skin type.” That is, while my cheeks are often oily, my chin and the area around my nose are usually dry. Please tell me the best way to take care of my dual-personality skin, and what products are best for me.
A: Always use a gentle cleanser that has anti-inflammatory properties and is not harsh or drying the way soap can be. Try a tinted moisturizer or toner pads that contain DMAE on the oilier portions of your face, and use an oil-free moisturizer on the dry areas. Take body supplements to help your skin from the inside-out!
Dr. Perricone Q&A – Hyperpigmentation Treatment
Q: Last year I changed my skin care regimen to include a retinol product. This
caused some damage to my skin, leaving spots of pigmentation on my checks, as well as a brownish scar. What can I do?
A: It sounds as if this product may have caused a condition known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Try a skin care regimen that includes products containing natural anti-inflammatories, such as alpha lipoic acid or pycnogenol. Further, toner pads containing the powerful anti-inflammatory DMAE should help relieve this condition. Alpha hydroxy acid creams can also help to even out skin tone.
The Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Power Of Olive Oil Polyphenols
Olive oil polyphenols are important antioxidants (natural anti-inflammatories) found in highest concentrations in extra virgin olive oil. They are essential to an anti-inflammatory diet.
One of the most important components of olive oil is hydroxytyrosol, an extremely rare, highly potent polyphenol. Hydroxytyrosol can actually slow the aging process in the skin by stabilizing the part of the cell known as the cell plasma membrane.
Researchers worldwide find that diets rich in olive oil polyphenols are associated with healthier breast tissue, colon function, and cardiovascular function, and offer significant extra protection from secondary smoke and sun-related skin damage.
Extra virgin olive oil is unique when it comes to foods that have a direct impact on beautiful skin and is a critical part of the Perricone Prescription Diet.
A few of the benefits of a diet rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidant extra virgin olive oil include:
• Increases the skins ability to maintain moisture;
• decreases “bad cholesterol”;
• increases “good cholesterol”;
• helps intestinal absorption;
• helps gall bladder activity;
• lowers probability of gallstones;
• lowers blood pressure;
• decreases gastric acid secretion in ulcers;
• stimulates pancreas secretion;
• aids developing bone in children;
• prevents osteoporosis;
• lowers glucose levels in diabetics;
• reduces risk of prostate cancer; and
• reduces the risk of breast cancer
Olive oil polyphenols offer additional benefits when incorporated into topical formulations, including the following:
• The delivery of the polyphenol anti-oxidant benefits directly to the skin
• Provides an all-natural approach to the prevention of free-radical damage
• Minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles while it brightens and evens skin tone.
• Extremely gentle and non-irritating; safe for even the most sensitive skin
• Guards against signs of premature aging