My New Anti-Aging Pill Popping Regimen

Sunday January 9, 2011

Cold, Sunny and Breezy

Malibu, California

I take pills from all of these bottles every day. 

Why?  Well it started in Japan, where strange things were happening to me physically.  I've developed allergies that affected my sinuses and breathing, rashes which appear suddenly and disappear just as suddenly, some female related issues that I only share with girlfriends, and the worst – insomnia.  There are a couple of days a week that I only get 2-3 hrs of sleep which is not good when you are a working professional. Thank god for my friend Monika, who I met in Japan and went through a similar phase.  Before leaving Japan, she strongly recommended I see a doctor specializing in integrative medicine that combines Eastern philosphy with Western medicine.  Well, Dr. Jessica Cho who I've seen before leaving for Japan is one such doctor.  However, as she has become pretty well known and is completing her fellowship on integrative medicine, it took me 9 months to get an appointment with her.  I finally got my appointment in December and it was worth the wait. 

The diagnosis.., I am aging, which means I am being subject to chronic systemic inflammation which can cause autoimmune diseases and other age related diseases.  In addition, as I am female, I'm at the age where hormonal inbalances are creating havoc to mental health (yes mental health she said!) and body chemistry. 

So what to do?  Well, this is her specialty – Anti-Aging.  I told her I wanted to grow young by one year until I stabilize at the "real age"  as opposed to "calendar age" of 45.  (Calendar Age is calculated based on when you are born.  Real Age is based on the chemical and physical state of your body/mind). She laughed but said that she will help me get there. 

Her first prescription was monthly accupuncture for the insomnia and chinese herbs that the accupunturist prescribed:  7tablets, 2x per day of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan and 6 tablets, 2x per day of Gui Pi Pian.  Both are from the Guang Ci Tang Herb Company.  After my first accupuncture treatment, I had uninterrupted sleep for 10 hours or so for the first time in a long, long time. 

Her second prescription was Prescription Vitamin D, as the blood tests showed I had a severe deficiency.  So I had to take prescription Vitamin D for three weeks.

Now, she wants me to take the basic Anti-Aging cocktail of pills which I need to take daily for at least a few years.  I will share it with you as it is the basic cocktail that all women should take starting in the mid 40s according to Dr. Cho.  Here is is:

Dr. Jessica Cho's Basic Anti-Aging Pill Regime

• EPA-DHA 720 from Metagenics:  2 pills a day for muscular, cardiovascular and nervous system health
• Homocysteine Formula from PhysioLogics:  1 pill a day.  Dr. Cho was very insistent on taking this at it helps with osteoporoiss, heart disease, stroke and vision/memory problems
• Vitamin D3 5000 from Metagenics:  1 pill a day.  For those who don't have a vitamin D deficiency 1000 IUs will suffice.  I need 5000 cuz of my deficiency and history of colon cancer in the family
• Vitamin K2 from Physiologics: 1 pill a day.  Must be Vitamin K2.  Helps Vitamin D absorption and promotes healthy bones
• Methylcobalamin(B-12) 5000mcg from PhysioLogics:  1 pill a day.  Promotes energy metabolism and nervous system health. 
• Estrovera by Metagenics:  1 tablet a day.  For women only.  Reduces peri,menopause and post menopause systems.  A must for women over 45. 
• Mag Citrate from Metagenics: 2 Tablets a day to prevent muscle and bone loss

Now, because we also found that I have gallstones (which is again something that women my age are susceptible too) so she asked me to make a shake with Complimentary Prescriptions Detox complex once a day for 21 days.  It is a liver cleanser.  After finishing the detox, I'm to take the Metagenics Wellness Essentials Vitamins for women in addition to the Anti-Aging cocktail.  So LOTS of PILLS!  And after the 21 days, I'm to go back for another blood test to see how I'm doing.  She will prescribe additional herbs/vitamins based on the blood tests.

I decided to share this regimen on my blog  as I believe there are many women like me go through a similar phase.  I'll periodically report on progress.  Its only been a week since I've been on the Anti-Aging Regimen, so we shall see if how I feel and sleep as pop those pills!