Collagen Part 1

I have a confession to make.

I make it a rule to blog about supplements only if I try them first. My reviews are honest, taking into account not only price, availability, taste (if applicable), and research, but most importantly, efficacy. The confession concerns collagen peptides: I just recently started adding the powder to my coffee and smoothies. Not enough time has gone by to add my own anecdotes.

I am once again falling back on the good people at BulletProof for help. If what they say is true (and I have little reason to doubt them), we should all start supplementing with collagen peptide powder starting at age 30, and/or increasing the consumption of foods high in collagen. From their website:

"Good dietary sources of collagen include:

• Bone broth
• Pork, salmon, and chicken skins
• Non-muscle meats like tendon, tripe, oxtail, and knuckle
• Egg yolk and eggshell membranes

Unless you eat these foods regularly, you're probably not getting enough collagen molecules in your diet --- which means you're missing out on those health benefits. That's where dietary collagen health supplements come in handy."

https://bit.ly/3FRzXTN

BulletProof Serrapeptase

I've been taking the enzyme Serrapeptase about 10 months now in the hope that it will reduce the size of the coronary artery plaque in my Left Anterior Descending artery (the "Widow Maker"). I have apparently been doing it wrong. 

It's not stated in this article but Serrapeptase needs to be taken on an empty stomach 2-4 times per day. Otherwise, it will be wasted on breaking down foods and medicines instead of the target entities.

Since it remodels skin, be sure to supplement with Vitamin C, collagen peptides, and the mineral zinc:

"You can take serrapeptase to help dissolve scar tissue, fight inflammation, improve your immune response, and decrease pain…

...Serrapeptase dissolves fibrin, a particularly tough protein that makes up scar tissue, and emerging research suggests that high doses of serrapeptase may reduce scarring."

https://bit.ly/2ChH8JE

Six Pro-Inflammatory Foods to Avoid

Another great article over at BULLETPROOF. I will list the six for you as a quick guide but you really should read the article which explains how and why. It also lists healthy alternatives.

1. Fried foods. An air fryer is an alternative.

2. Sodas, both sugared and those with artificial sweeteners. They don't mention that stevia (as in the soft drink Zevia) is a healthy substitute.

3. Refined carbs.

4. Processed meats.

5. Margarine and shortening (trans fats).

6. Alcohol

https://bit.ly/3hHcsSm

Alcohol and Your Immune System

"This is a long way of saying, alcohol is hard on your immune system, and over time, it has a harder time showing up to do its job."

https://www.bulletproof.com/diet/alcohol-immune-system/

Zinc and Your Immune System

A decent summary of the benefits of zinc by the folks at Bulletproof. I would add to not wash down your zinc, or any minerals, with tomato juice since it contains lectins that will also impair absorption.

ZINC BENEFITS IMMUNITY, PLUS OTHER REASONS TO TAKE A ZINC SUPPLEMENT

Olive You!

There are a few lessons here:
1. Buy locally
2. Ditch the can and head for the bottle
3. Green vs. Black Olives: just mix it up
4. Don't cook with olive oil
5. It's a fruit, not a vegetable!

https://blog.bulletproof.com/how-olives-fight-inflammation/?utm_source=salesforce&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter042018&utm_content=weekly-recap