A Look into Dr. Bissell’s Micronutrient Supplementation Recommendations
Micronutrient supplementation is an important component of a healthy and fulfilling diet. Whether you’re interested in addressing pain, improving your sleep, or looking for supplements for preventative health, we are here to help you navigate the process of incorporating the appropriate micronutrients. It’s important to consider the quality, dosage, form, and efficacy of your supplements as well as your current health circumstances.
Each person is unique and for this reason, we recommend that you consult with a healthcare provider about appropriate supplements. Dr. Bissell is a well-informed expert in micronutrient supplementation and would be happy to discuss your goals for your health and wellness.
Below are some of his favorite recommendations for preventative and symptomatic needs alike.
Green Tea Extract
When your body is injured, the body responds by increasing immune cell flow to the injured area. This influx of cells causes swelling and inflammation as the body brings in immune cells to heal the injured area. While this is helpful and important, inflammation is not comfortable and may lead to pain, among other health concerns. When looking to reduce inflammation, green tea extract is an effective and safe option. Green tea’s anti-inflammatory effects are derived from EGCG. EGCG is a catechin, which is defined as a natural antioxidant. EGCG fights inflammatory factors and decreases the cell’s oxidative stress levels as an antioxidant.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid
Another great option for fighting inflammation, omega-3 fatty acid works to relieve pain by decreasing inflammation, especially in patients with joint pain. Omega-3s operate along a very similar biomechanical pathway to many painkillers like NSAIDs, for example, Advil. Of note, it’s important to ensure that you are taking the proper amount of Omega-3s to yield results. Traditional capsules do not generally yield enough product to see decreased pain by the recommended amount. For this reason, it’s recommended that one take liquid Omega-3s for the best results.
SAMe
SAMe is short for S-adenosyl-L-methionine, a compound that naturally occurs in our bodies. In many studies, the difference in efficacy of NSAIDs and SAM-e in targeting arthritic pain has been determined as virtually none. Supplementation is achieved by a synthetic version of SAMe that achieves the same outcomes as our body’s stores, namely hormone regulation and integrity of cellular structure. SAMe supplementation has also been shown to be effective in patients with liver disease and depression, among other conditions. SAMe is a great alternative to traditional pain relief pharmaceuticals as to decrease biochemical stress on the body and to eliminate side effects.
Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate is a popular supplement for joint health and restoration. This is because glucosamine is an essential component of tissue regeneration,especially for ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Glucosamine also boosts the production of synovial fluid, which surrounds and lubricates joints for optimal function. Supplementation of glucosamine sulfate has proven effective in studies investigating the efficacy of the compound for joint health, specifically in achieving pain relief and increased joint utility.
Collagen
Collagen is the most plentiful protein in the body and is a primary building block of connective tissues such as bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, among others. Collagen has been proven to relieve joint pain, especially in patients with a history of osteoarthritis. Collagen not only addresses symptoms of osteoarthritis, but also helps to prevent joint damage as it’s been proven to protect articular cartilage. Additionally, collagen can help improve body composition in conjunction with resistance training. A 2015 study linked below investigated the link between collagen supplementation and resistance training and its impact on body composition. This showed that patients who supplemented collagen and engaged in resistance training saw a significant increase in muscle mass and fat-free mass as well as a reduction in fat mass. Bone density is also positively affected by collagen. Because collagen makes up a notable percentage of our bone tissue, studies have found that supplementing collagen can help prevent or complement the treatment of osteoporosis.
CBD
Canabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is an organic compound extracted from non-hemp and hemp botanical sources such as marijuana that is commonly used for pain relief and sleep improvement. CBD does not cause temporary mind-altering changes in users unlike traditional marijuana consumption because CBD lacks THC, the primary mind-altering chemical in marijuana. CBD has been proven effective in the control of chronic pain, in increasing hours of sleep per night, and in improving patients’ quality of life. It is important to understand, however, that CBD’s applicability is context-dependent so we recommended consulting with your healthcare providers before trying CBD. It is also important to purchase CBD products from a reputable source, as it is with all supplements.
Boswellia
A derivative of the boswellia serrata tree, this supplement has proven to help relieve a variety of headaches. Studies have shown efficacy with patients with medication-resistant cluster headaches, migraines, and indomethacin responsive headache syndrome. These conditions are considered some of the most painful headache syndromes and have proven to respond well, both in the short term and the long term, to Boswellia.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27634207/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30368550/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594048/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16531187/
https://www.scielo.br/j/rbgg/a/fk95TfhxB7mPsmqYRDdHH8K/?format=pdf&lang=en
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/807.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-same/art-20364924
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3620238/
https://www.nyheadache.com/blog/boswellia-an-herbal-remedy-for-headaches/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309643/