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DG094: When are dietary supplements useful? - Interview with Roman Gruber

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In this episode I talk to my husband Roman Gruber, CEO of ArktisBioPharma Schweiz GmbH.
We talk about:
  • Which food supplements are useful and when
  • How to determine what you need and in what quantity
  • Under what circumstances deficiencies are likely or there is an exceptional need
  • How some of the most important micronutrients work and why our body needs them


Are dietary supplements useful?


My first question to him is one that I am often asked by my listeners: Should you take certain supplements?

Roman says that thisisnot so easy to answer as itis a complex topic. You can't simply say whether supplementation in itself is good or bad, as it depends on individual needs and thereare big differences between supplements. It is best to adjust supplementation on the basis of analysis results. Exceptions could be vitamin C and vitamin D, which can be used preventively, especially in the fall and winter.
It is important to ensure that the products are of good quality. It is best to choose a European product instead of buying cheap preparations from China or India, for example. If you buy a European product or anon-Europeanproductthat has been tested for the European market, you canruleout the possibilitythat it contains toxic substances such as heavy metals.
In principle, supplementation is certainly recommended for many people, as our diet no longer necessarily provides sufficient nutrients and, above all, because we are constantly exposed to stress today, which results in an increased need for certain nutrients.


Food supplements for a damaged intestine


In my opinion, it is important to start with the gut, because if the gut is damaged, the absorption of nutrients is compromised. Supplementation may not help much if the gut is not healthy. I ask Roman what he thinks about this.

Roman confirms that this is indeed the case to a certain extent and for certain nutrients. On the other hand, a damaged gut needs certain nutrients to repair itself, which can be supplied in the form of supplements.In addition,some nutrients arewell absorbed via the oral mucosa, including vitamin D and many minerals. This is why it is sufficient for competitive athletes, for example, to rinse their mouth with an isotonic drink instead of swallowing it, which can be an advisable strategy for some sports (e.g. boxing).

My next question is which micronutrients Roman would recommend for the gut.

He says there are quite a few, and the choice depends on what you want to achieve. Here too, an analysis helps to find out where the problem lies: Is there inflammation? Is thehistamine level elevated? Is the intestine permeable? Depending on the findings,the appropriate food supplements arethen selected.
For inflammation, Roman would recommend micronutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc,as well as herbal active ingredients such as curcumin, frankincense and CBD (cannabidiol).
Roman recommends a two-step approach to intestinal cleansing: Pre- and probiotics in the first step, and vitamins and minerals in the second. You should be careful not to overdo it and end upswallowingalarge number of tablets and capsulesevery day.


The right dosage


As this all sounds highly complex, my next question is whether a layperson can work out for themselves what and how much to take or whether specialist advice is necessary

In Roman's opinion, it is not easy to know what is right and how to dose without a blood analysis.Too much of a good thing or the wrong preparation can be counterproductive. If you have an ordinary blood count done by your GP, micronutrients are often not included or at best perhaps vitamin B12, vitamin D orferritin (an iron value). It is worth asking for an extended blood count that includes as many micronutrient values as possible. If If you know where you stand ss, you can compensate for any deficiency through supplementation.
If you have a really healthy diet, you are feeling well and you also want to support your immune system - for example in the fall and winter - then adding vitamin D makes sense. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist, or find out more on a reputable website, such as the website of Prof. Dr. Jörg Spitz, who provides a lot of useful information and YouTube videos.You canalsoask the manufacturer, for example ArktisBioPharma.
Vitamin D is one of our most important micronutrients. It is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Without the sun, without UV radiation, there is no vitamin D and without it there is no human life. Depending on where you live, sunlight is not always sufficient for the production of vitamin D. In Germany and Switzerland, there is not enough sun in the fall and winter.From March to October, the sun is sufficient as long as you expose your skin to the sun at the right time of day.
For optimum vitamin D production, the sun should be as high above us as possible. There is a good rule of thumb that you can follow:If your own shadow is as long as you are or shorter, the sun exposure is sufficient. If the shadow is longer than you, it is not enough to produce vitamin D.
Due to the warnings, especially about the midday sun or solariums, many people do not get enough sunlighteven in summer. There is no need to be afraid of modern sunbeds. To protect the skin, they have sensors that switch off the device if the radiation becomes too much. There is no longer any risk of cancer with modern devices. Just 7 to 10 minutes is enough, as you are not going in to get a tan. In the fall and winter, tanning beds are not only recommended for the production of vitamin D, they can also help to brighten your mood. Alternatively,you can supplement vitamin D in winter and use a special daylight lamp to boost your mood.

My next question is about the correct dosage of vitamin D. You often hear that people who have been measured as having low vitamin D levels are sometimes given a mega-dose of vitamin Dadministered is given. Is this better than supplementing a little vitamin D every day?supplement?

Roman confirms that vitamin D levels can be positively influenced by a high dose once a month. Weknow, that such high doses tend to simply"fizzle out" on the surface. Although they increase blood levels, they cannot be properly utilized by the body. The bones and muscles need small amounts every day, not even alarge one.Thisis understandable, as after millions of years our body is adjusted to small, daily deliveries.This applies to healthy people. People with chronic illnesses may receivelargedailydoses under medical supervision, such as the"CoimbraProtocol". This belongs in the hands of specialists.


Vitamin D


What is vitamin D good for?

Roman explains that every type of body cell has vitamin D receptors. From this we canconcludethat every cell in the body has a use for it. It has functions in all organs and is used, for example, for the bones, the intestines and the immune system. What is important at the moment is that vitamin D blocks certain receptors so that viruses cannot dock there. This has been known for a long time and is why vitamin D is very helpful for prevention during the flu season.
People used to take cod liver oil, which contains both fish oil and vitamin D, in the fall and winter. It was not known why this was protective, only that it worked. Today,cod liver oilhas goneout of fashion, and now everything has to tastesweet. Today, the combination of fish oil and vitamin D supplements has replaced cod liver oil.
Vitamin D isalsoimportantfor the muscles.It plays a role in the signal transmission mechanisms in the transfer of information between muscles and the brain. It was observed years ago, for example, that black athletes in our latitudes experience problems. The pigmentation of the skin hinders the formation of vitamin D to a certain extent.


The right omega-3 fatty acids


Roman mentions fish oil. My question is whether this is a supplement that could be beneficial for everyone.

Roman confirms that fish oilhas many positiveeffects data-contrast="auto">, although there are meta-studies that assess it negatively.For a meta-study, many studies on a topic are compiled and the results compared in order to draw a conclusion at the end. If you take a closer look at the sub-studies of these negative meta-studies, you can see why the results were negative: The dosage is often too low to have a significant effect, and thesupplement inthestudies was oftenadministered in the morning with breakfast. In Western countries, asweetbreakfastispreferred andhinders the absorption of oil. If the fish oil is administered in the evening or with a higher-fat breakfast, better results are achieved.
You often see negative reports about fish oil and vitamin D in the media, interestingly usually at times of the year when they are particularly needed.
Fish oil has anti-inflammatory effects, is good for the eyes and mood and much more. The benefits of fish oil could be the subject of a separate webinar. Many studies have shownthat a certain proportion, the fatty acideicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body.Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) acts primarily across the brain barrier. DHA in particular is difficult to form from plant-based omega-3 fats. If DHA is measured in vegans, it is often too low. The other fatty acids are easier to form,but DHAis not so easy. Roman therefore recommendstaking a fish oil supplement from a sustainable source. With omega-3 supplements, it is important to ensure that the proportion of EPA and DHA is high. Not all omega-3 fats are the same.Roman prefers liquid products to capsules so that he can dose flexibly.

Roman mentions the brain here, so my next question is whether people who work a lot with their brain and for whose work concentration is important - such as schoolchildren and students - could benefit from fish oil.

Roman points out that DHA is already extremely important for the development of the brain in the fetus. DHA makes you more efficient - you can'tcompare it to doping; dhe improvement is more subtle and long-term. You don't notice it as immediately as, for example, after taking glucose, which gives a very short-term increase in performance that is followed a little later by a drop in blood sugar (fatigue), lack of concentration). Fat provides long-term energy, including for the brain. In exam phases, for example, a fat-based diet would be preferable to a carbohydrate-based one.

I am asking about burnout and ADHD.

While fish oil would certainly make sense for these conditions, Roman recommends first having an omega-3 index prepared so that youknow how to dose.He advises the same for use in cardiovascular diseases.
According to his long practical experience, it helps many patients to stick with it when they seetheir values in black andwhite. Otherwise their enthusiasm sometimes wanes andthey don't take the supplement long enough. Those who are more familiar with supplements and have been taking them for longer get a feeling for when they need something and can assess it better.

Vitamins of the B group


B-group vitamins are very important. I ask Roman if he can also say something about this.

Roman confirms that B vitamins are very, very important for various reasons. Unfortunately, we don't have time to go through each one individually, buttheyare all important: for the mitochondria, the nerves, the muscle cells.
The best known are B6, B9 (folic acid) and B12.Doctors recommend B9 for pregnant women to prevent birth defects. If possible, you should take it when you are planning your pregnancy.
The B vitamins - especially B12 - are needed for sulphur-containing amino acids, hormones and more. The three mentioned above (B6, B9, B12) are neededfor homocysteine metabolism.
Homocysteine is a waste product of metabolism. Some produce more, some less. This has to be broken down, and B6, B9 and B12 are needed for this. Romanagain recommends a blood analysis to determine thehomocysteine level. In conventional medicine, homocysteine is only of interest in cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the value is often not determined because it cannot always be measured reliably. Roman regrets that the test is rarely used because doctors are often unaware that there are special collection tubes for homocysteine in which the homocysteine can be measured. homocysteine is stabilized. The laboratories need to do more educational work here. With the right tube, the values are correct and you can decide whether the three B vitamins should be taken.
Unfortunately, thedosagespermittedin food supplementsin Switzerland arevery low and, in Roman's opinion, almost negligible.Roman wonders whether the right supplementation is perhaps too successful for some people. He recommends the addition of B vitamins for everything to do with sports injuries (ligaments and tendons) and urinary tract infections. Concentration also benefits from B vitamins.
Today's diet contains little to no liver or brain - which Roman can well understand - in which these vitamins are contained. There is not really much vitamin B in a red (rare) steak, and this is not normally consumed on a daily basis. Roman recommends checking and thensupplementingaccordingly.

Essential amino acids


In response to my question as to whether there are any other nutrients that we shouldshould be addressed, Roman mentions amino acids.

The eight essential amino acids areessential, especially for athletes and people on aweight loss diet.
Protein shakes are often used to support sport,but too much protein produces too many nitrogen waste products in the body.If you take only the essential amino acids, they are processed almost 100 % and hardly any waste products are produced. The body needs the essential amino acids for the production of hormones, regeneration (ligaments), the psyche and more. They have many uses.
We tend to consumetoo littleprotein. Vegetarians and vegans shouldpay attention to the composition of their proteinsources.Animalprotein has a different composition than plant protein, so they should make sure that their diet contains the eight essential amino acids.
Proteinbreakdown isincreasedduring sport or aweight loss diet.As already mentioned, athletes often take proteinshakes, preferably the cheap ones,but Quality is of great importance.Incorrect use can lead to an increasedrelease of histamine, and in addition to lactate (a by-product of sporting activity), the proteinpowder must now also bemetabolized.The supply of essential amino acids is really important.

My question is whether the proteinsslevel in the blood gives an indication of the supply situation.

Roman confirms that the generalproteinlevelprovides useful information.This is particularly importantfor vegans,people who are losing weight andathletes.If you want to lose weight, you want to reducefat, not muscle. If youdon't want to increase your consumption of meat,fish and eggs, you should take a proteinpowder, research well beforehand and buy a good product.

In my practice, I often see low proteinsslevels. I ask whether I can then assume that the patients need more amino acids.

Roman replies that these patients generally need more protein. Amino acids would help,but if someone'sprotein levels are too low, they are not eating optimally. In these cases, the diet should be changed, unless you belong to a group that does not want to eatanimalprotein. The correction is not necessarily successful with peas and lupins alone, but then you should take amino acids. They don't have to be animal-based. These are essentialamino acid complexes, notproteinsthat the body has to break down first.
In practice,proteinis often helpful for women with menstrual problems. Competitive athletes in particular often have problems. If they consume too littleprotein, their hormone balance is disrupted. It is therefore advisable tosupplement with B vitamins and essential aminoacids data-contrast="auto">.

I always find it very exciting to talk to Roman about nutrients and food supplements. Unfortunately, a podcast episode doesn't leave us time for more. I ask listeners to send me their questions if they would like to know more. You canask in the comments below, leave a voicemail via the website, or send me an e-Mail. If there are enough questions from the audience, we can fill another podcast episode.


ArcticBioPharma Switzerland and the online event "All about antibiotics"


Finally, I would like to ask Roman, from his company"ArcticBioPharma" to tell me about his company.

According to Roman, ArktisBioPharma Switzerland is a little different from ArktisBioPharma Germany, where Arktis Switzerland specializes in gut health. Arktis Switzerland mainly sells pre- and probiotics,plus several trace elements, amino acids, glutamine, anti-inflammatory nutrients etc. that are important to Roman. Arktis does not produce everything.
The main customers are doctors, pharmacies and therapists, butend consumers can alsoorder from Arktis. The Arktis team is on hand to answer questions, and videos of the most important products can be viewed on the website.
Arktis organizes an event once a year. These events are usually attended by top-class doctors or biochemists. This year, the topic is antibiotics. They have both positive and negative sides. There is usually a lot of discussion about the negative side, for example out of fear of resistance.
This year's speakers promise a comprehensive package: there will be a doctor who is a hygienist, i.e. he will inform hospitals about resistance, prevention, etc. Then there will be a surgeon who knows about antibiotics. Then there will be a surgeon who will talk about howpre- and post-operative care is carried out in order to minimize the risk of infection. A speaker talks about the basics of antibiotics and what natural antibiotics, such as essential oils, are available.Finally,a doctor will talk about infections and sepsis (blood poisoning). The event on May 28, 2020 will provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of antibiotics. Antibiotics save lives,but they are usedtoo often and not always correctly. Next year, Arktis is taking a step further and sheds light on alternative forms of therapy.
Under the given circumstances, the event will take place online this year. Anyone who listens to the podcast can register. The event will be streamed live. The speakers will give their presentations live and can take questions from the audience. The event is intended for doctors, pharmacists, therapists and other healthcare professionals, but anyone who is interested in the topic can register. The advantage for healthcare professionals is that the event can count towards their continuing professional development.

I would like to thank Roman for the interesting conversation.

The links to the episode are:
Academy for Human Medicine (Prof. Dr. med. Jörg Spitz):https://spitzen-praevention.com/

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