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Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary?

Published on February 3, 2014

by Lu-Jean Feng, M.D.

Are Vitamins and Supplements Necessary? This question is often posed to me by my patients following surgery. All of our patients are given a thirty day supply of all-natural, high potency multi-vitamins to take before and after surgery. They’re also given two very important supplements to help with inflammation, swelling and discomfort; Bromelain and Arnica Montana. These medical-grade vitamins and supplements help to prepare the body for surgery, strengthen the immune system, provide energy and aid in healing. So, do I feel that vitamins and supplements are necessary on an ongoing basis? Absolutely!

If we lived in a perfect world where everyone ate fresh, local, organic, non-genetically altered food that has been grown in virgin, nutrient-rich soil, and has not been transported over long distances and stored before reaching the supermarkets, then maybe we wouldn’t need vitamins and supplements. Moreover, if we all worked outdoors and breathed clean, unpolluted air, only drank pure, clean spring water, slept eight to nine hours everynight, were free from chronic stressors and exposure to toxins, then vitamins and supplements would also not be necessary.

Supplementation is almost always necessary to promote optimal health. As a result of drawing blood and doing lab testing in our clinic, we have first hand knowledge how common it is for adults from the early twenties through the eighties to be seriously deficient in certain key essential vitamins. This information enables me to make recommendations to my patients. The single most important vitamin which many people are deficient in is vitamin D. It is shocking to see how many people have dangerously low levels of this essential vitamin, and even those who live in sunny climates. People who get cancer and Parkinson’s Disease have very low levels of vitamin D in their body so I warn all of my patients about this important vitamin.

I encourage everyone to routinely have your blood drawn and your labs analyzed by a physician. When considering vitamins and supplements, here are my recommendations:

1. Multi-Vitamin – Must be a high quality product which offers split dosing. Your body cannot absorb everything in one pill so avoid One-A-Day as they are almost worthless. The multi-vitamin you choose must have vitamins A,B,C,D and K with morning and evening dosing.

2. Vitamin D – This is becoming the miracle vitamin of our time. It must be a high quality product as some drug store brands are not effective. Be sure to buy D3 not D2 and strive for 2000iu to 6000iu per day. This is necessary to optimize your levels to between 60-100. A multi-vitamin alone typically cannot advance your levels that high, nor can spending extra time in the sun.

3. Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Fish oil contains EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which is very effective for cardiovascular health and brain function. They are necessary for the body to work properly as they reduce inflammation, particularly in blood vessel and joints. Not all omega-3 or fish oil supplements are alike.

4. Co-Enzyme Q10 – This supplement boosts the way your cells use energy, particularly the heart muscle. It is absolutely essential for anyone taking statins, as they deplete the bodies natural production of co-enzyme Q10. It also helps your body to burn fat, improves cholesterol ratios, boosts your physical energy level, and improves thyroid and pancreas functions.

5. Vitamin B-12 – An essential vitamin for vegans, strict vegetarians, heavy drinkers, smokers, pregnant and breast feeding women, and the elderly. It keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy, increases energy production, protects against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers. A deficiency is usually indicated by symptoms of fatigue.

Patient Testimonials

  • “I believe she is the best in the country at what she does. Instantly I noticed my neck and shoulder pain was gone and I could breathe much better” – Crystal Hefner
  • "When it comes to explant surgery I think Dr. Feng is the best doctor in the world. She’s done more studies, she’s testified in trials, the whole spectrum of anything to do with explant surgery she’s done it.”
    - Yolanda Hadid (Foster), Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
  • “Every communication I had with their office was so professional, and they were so kind and accommodating.”
  • "Dr. Feng is not all about cosmetic surgery…she is about getting healthy and giving her patients the tools to stay that way!”
  • "Went from being overweight, to physically fit and ready for a marathon within 7 months of my surgery. You are in the best of care at her surgical center.”
  • "I was thrilled to have NO PAIN from my procedure! Almost 9 hours of surgery and I awoke with NO nausea, no pain. I was afraid after the nerve block wore off I would have pain…but NO!"
  • "She took a good long time talking with me and my husband, so if there was a time when I had to wait, I figured she was giving someone else her undivided attention…I felt totally taken care of"
  • "Dr. Feng is an expert in her field… [attended] Yale at 16… She has perfected the anesthesia so that nausea can be avoided and she uses nerve blocks to make sure that you aren’t in pain after the procedure"
  • "Dr. Feng removed my ruptured breast implants as well as the inflamed capsules and sent them to her pathologist, which was instrumental in getting my health insurer to cover the surgery, which she also appealed on my behalf"
  • "Words cannot begin to capture the gratitude that I would like to express to you right now. Without your talent, vision and perfectionism my breasts, my health and probably my outlook on life would have been very unhealthy"
  • "I am cured! Those were (my doctor’s) exact words…If it wasn’t for your kindness, your tremendous talent and of course your outstanding staff I would have never known what it feels like to have a normal life again"
  • "I get a comment from every doctor I see about my fabulous scar. I almost have nothing to be seen. Everyone thinks it looks awesome!"
  • "She explanted my 7 year old implants for me and gave me a lolipop lift. She is extremely talented. She made my breast look better than they did with implants"
More Testimonials

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