POTENT Combo Fights Frailty

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted February 25, 2023

If you live long enough, you will eventually become frail.

When you’re frail, you’re vulnerable. You’ve lost your built-in reserves, so even minor changes, such as an infection, can trigger major declines in your health.

You’re more likely to fall, experience medication side effects, have difficulty moving around safely on your own, and you may lose control of urination and bowel movements.

It’s every bit as bad as it sounds.

So as you age, your goal should be to AVOID frailty for as long as possible. And new research has revealed a combination that can get the job done.

Researchers recruited healthy adult volunteers aged 70 or over for a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Frailty and Aging.

Participants received…

• a vitamin D3 supplement
• an omega-3 supplement
• an exercise program
• or a combination of all three

The researchers found that any of the interventions alone wasn’t enough to significantly reduce the risk of pre-frailty.

But when D3, omega-3s, and exercise were combined, the odds of becoming pre-frail plummeted by 39 percent.

It’s exactly the approach I’ve been advocating for all along. There’s no one magic pill for staying healthy. Instead, it’s a COMBINATION of diet, exercise, and supplements that lead to better health and longevity.

If you want to replicate the study’s success and drive your own frailty risk down, check with your doc about taking vitamin D3 and fish oil supplements. And start a regular exercise program.

The volunteers’ at-home exercise program included strength training for 30 minutes three times a week and stretching for 30 minutes three times a week.

But don’t stop there. Following are a few more steps you can take to fight off frailty for many years to come.

• Eat well. This means ensuring you’re getting enough nutrients from the food you eat. Typically, folks need to eat more vegetables, which are loaded with healthy vitamins and other nutrients. And seniors sometimes fall short on proteins too. Avoid processed foods, too much sugar, and too much alcohol.
• Fill in the gaps. Chances are slim to none that you’ll get all the nutrients you need from the food you’re eating alone (not in our modern world). That means you need to fill those nutritional gaps with supplements to ensure your body has what it needs to thrive.
• More sleep and less stress. Two things will destroy your body quicker than anything else: a lack of sleep and too much stress. If you’re battling this debilitating combo, you must find a fix. Great natural solutions like L-theanine and melatonin can help you reduce stress and sleep through the night. Use them if you need them.
• Stay connected. Find a way to connect with others. Stay in touch with family and friends. And look for opportunities to link up with others through church, social events, and volunteer programs. People who stay connected live longer.

P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your question and get featured in the weekly mailbag!

Source:

“Effects of Vitamin D, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and a Home Exercise Program on Prevention of Pre-Frailty in Older Adults: The DO-HEALTH Randomized Clinical Trial.” J Frailty Aging. 2023;12(1):71-77. doi: 10.14283/jfa.2022.48. PMID: 36629088.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND