July 21, 2025

 

       

Announcements:
Ray asked for help in finding speakers. Tom said he would take August; Art Thorn took September; Peter Falley took October. Jim Callender said that Vladimir and Peter were up for reelection to the Foundation Board and Vladimir has resigned from the Board. Peter has agreed to join the Foundation Board as Treasurer and the Foundation Board approved, but we now need confirmation from the Club Board, which Ray said would be done after the meeting.

 

Ray then began his presentation on supplements. He invited questions as he went along. Probiotics was the first topic. There are numerous probiotic supplements available for purchase. The main thing is that they have to have live microorganisms in order to be beneficial. We are home to trillions of microorganisms that help support our bodily functions. Probiotics help to control harmful microorganisms that are also present in our bodies In the GI tract where our immune health starts. Like other nutritional supplements, probiotics are not regulated by the FDA. When taking a course of oral antibiotics, the balance in our microorganisms is frequently upset. Taking probiotics during treatment and for 3 to 5 days after can help prevent unpleasant side effects caused by the antibiotics. He personally recommended two: one is Florastor dual action and the other is Yakult. Florastor is especially good if you’re taking antibiotics but can be taken even if not on antibiotics, just take fewer. Yakult is found in the dairy section of the supermarket and is a probiotic drink. Yakult helps prevent diverticulosis from turning into diverticulitis. About 50 percent of the population will have diverticulosis sometime in their lives. 
Vitamin D was the next supplement Ray discussed, which is essential to a number of functions in our body. Among them are bone and teeth health, supporting our immune system and
regulating mental wellbeing/mood. Adequate amounts of vitamin D are necessary for calcium absorption. Our bodies naturally produce vitamin D in our skin when exposed to sunlight. Food sources are fatty fish, fish liver oil, egg yolks and meat liver as well as foods fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, cereal, and orange juice. If you take a multivitamin, you may want to check the multivitamin to see if it contains vitamin D. If it does, you seldom need
to take vitamin D as a supplement. Vitamin A, D, and E are fat soluble vitamins which means they accumulate in the body’s fat tissue. B vitamins and C are water soluble vitamins and they
are naturally excreted through the kidneys. If you take too much of vitamin A, D or E it builds up in the fat tissue and could over time create problems. An estimated 40% of Americans don’t
get enough vitamin D. The recommended daily dose is 600 international units from ages 19-70 and 800 international units from 71 and up. Never exceed taking 4,000 international units a day unless directed by your physician. If you take more than 4,000 units a day, a build up of calcium can occur in the blood. This can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, frequent urination, bone pain and kidney issues. There are two forms of vitamin D; vitamin D3 is the common form and considered more effective than vitamin D2.
Magnesium is an electrolyte vital for almost all cells in our body to function properly. It improves energy, bone health, muscle function, as well as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular functions. Magnesium can help reduce depression, headaches, and anxiety. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency are loss of appetite, muscle weakness, constipation, chest pain and muscle cramps. Deficiency can also affect your mood, personality and cause seizures if you’re
really ill. A well balanced diet should provide all the magnesium your body requires. It can be found in bananas, blackberries, avocados, brown rice, oatmeal, dairy products, lentils, dark
chocolate, and beans. If you feel you need a supplement, you should not take more than 350-400 milligrams a day. To find a deficiency ask your doctor, through a blood test, to see if
your magnesium levels are normal. Too much magnesium can cause low blood pressure, diarrhea, facial flushing, urinary retention, depression, difficulty breathing and irregular
heartbeat. Speak to your physician before adding a new supplement.
Ashwagandha is a herb that has been used for centuries. It may be beneficial for stress, anxiety, insomnia, memory loss. It has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. It may help
the body against physical ailments and vascular function. While considered mostly safe, some side effects are drowsiness, stomach pain, and loose stools. It is not naturally found in foods.
The only way to get it is through a supplement. Doses vary by the condition you are trying to treat. For insomnia and memory the dosage is 600 milligrams a day, for stress and anxiety 225-425 milligrams a day and to enhance physical performance doses up to 1,250 milligrams a day can be use. You shouldn’t take Ashwagandha unless you speak to your physician.

Ray recommended a vendor he has used for years to purchase supplements from: LifeExtension.com.

After a question and answer period, Ray adjourned the meeting.