Your Ageing

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

• Beta-earotene is a strong antioxidant that prevents freeradical damage. It is related to vitamin A and has many of the same properties, but it does not become toxic in large doses. Take 10,000 to 25,000 international units of betacarotene daily.
• The essential fatty acids (EFAs), found in black currant seed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed oil, are required by every cell in the body. They have been shown to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. Take 500 to 1,000 milligrams of any of these oils two or three times daily.
• Selenium is an excellent antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage throughout the body, including the eyes. While symptoms are acute, take 100 micrograms twice daily. When symptoms improve, reduce the dosage to 100 micrograms once daily.
• Vitamin A protects against free-radical damage and is especially important to the eyes. Without sufficient vitamin A, the eyes are more susceptible to infection, ulcerations, and even blindness. Take 10,000 international units of vitamin A three times a day for two months. Then cut back to a maintenance dosage of 5,000 international units twice daily.
Note: If you are pregnant, or intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. Pregnant women should not ingest a total of more than 25,000 international units of supplemental vitamin A per week from all sources.
• Combined with vitamins C and E, the B-complex vitamins are especially beneficial to the eyes. While symptoms are acute, take a B-complex supplement that supplies 50 milligrams of each of the primary B vitamins twice daily. When symptoms improve, reduce the dosage to 25 milligrams twice daily.
• Vitamin C helps to prevent and clear up infections. It also helps strengthen capillaries, maintains collagen, and prevents tissue hemorrhaging, and is notable for speeding healing. Select a vitamin-e formula that includes bioflavonoids, especially rutin; these nutrients work best together. While symptoms are acute, take 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of a vitamin-E complex three times daily. When symptoms improve, reduce the dosage to 500 to 1,000 milligrams three times daily.
• Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is essential in cellular respiration. It has been shown to improve eyesight in clinical studies. Choose a product containing mixed tocopherols and begin by taking 200 international units, then gradually increase the dosage until you are taking 400 international units of vitamin E twice daily. Maintain this dosage as long as symptoms are acute. When symptoms improve, cut back to 200 international units twice daily.
Note: If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 international units daily. If you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.
• Zinc supports the immune system and aids in the healing process. While symptoms are acute, take 25 to 50 milligrams of zinc daily. When symptoms improve, reduce the dosage to 15 to 20 milligrams daily.
Note: Take zinc with food to prevent stomach upset. If you take over 30 milligrams of zinc on a daily basis for more than one or two months, you should also take 1 to 2 milligrams of copper each day to maintain a proper mineral balance.