Each month we pose questions from the Sun Coast Community to our resident health and beauty expert, Dr. Mark Rosenberg.
In this October edition of 'Ask Me Anything', Dr. Rosenberg reveals the #1 cause of bloating in people after age 40...
The most important vitamin to be topping up on right now...
And the real difference between day and night creams, rarely mentioned in the glossy advertising.
Let’s dive in.
Question 1: “Is weak digestion to blame for bloating? If so, how can I improve it?
Bloating affects most people after age 40.
There are many causes.
A slower metabolism… processed food… being less physically active… and hormonal changes are all factors.
But another cause, that rarely gets mentioned by so-called weight loss experts, is weak digestion.
Why is weaker digestion a factor?
Because when your stomach can’t break down food and absorb nutrients properly they get stored as FAT!
And the reason why digestion gets weaker with age?
A lack of digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes are like little factory workers who break down food so it’s easier for your gut to absorb.
When we’re young, our body’s make all the digestive enzymes we need.
But as we age, our natural production plummets.
The good news is that you can replenish these tiny digestion helpers through food.
Digestive enzyme rich foods include pineapple, papaya, kiwi, and fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi.
But I know most people don’t have the time to chop up all the fruits and veggies you need to cover all your digestive enzyme bases.
So what I did was identify the most potent digestive enzymes for peak weight loss.
I then created a recipe that combines them in a breakfast smoothie.
It’s a smoothie that takes less than a minute to prepare. And it floods your gut with all the digestive enzymes it needs to break up food.
Lots of people tell me my breakfast smoothie has helped them lose a ton of weight, and feel less hungry too!
Tap here to get my breakfast smoothie recipe for a healthier gut and effortless weight loss
Question 2: "It seems like a lot of people are feeling lethargic and lousy these days. What can I do to avoid falling victim too?"
In my clinic we've seen a steep rise in people complaining of feeling lousy, brain foggy, and “achy”.
As we head into colder months, I’m expecting those numbers to skyrocket.
So I’ve been recommending to all my patients that they top up on one particular vitamin…
Vitamin D.
It’s not open to debate any longer.
A huge weight of studies PROVES that vitamin D is crucial for a strong, robust immune system.
Here's why vitamin D is vital for your immune health:
- Immune Cell Regulation: Vitamin D helps regulate the production and function of immune cells, including T cells and B cells. It promotes the peak performance of these immune cells for a stronger immune defense.
- Antimicrobial Peptide Production: Vitamin D supports the production of antimicrobial peptides like cathelicidin and defensins. These peptides can wipe out invaders and help reduce the risk of feeling rundown and lousy.
- Cytokine Modulation: Vitamin D helps manage the production of inflammatory cytokines. This can help address an overactive immune response, and promote a calmer, more efficient immune system.
So how much vitamin D should you take?
The recommended daily amount for most adults is 600-800 IU (15-20 mcg).
However, I advise my patients to take 5,000 IU (125 mcg) per day, especially during winter months.
But you can’t just grab a bottle of vitamin D off a store shelf and expect it to be effective.
In fact, many versions aren’t just underdosed but are missing a key ingredient.
Because without this ingredient, your body can’t absorb vitamin D properly. And it can even increase the risk of heart health issues.
So before you go shopping for vitamin D, please watch this short video I created:
Question 3: "What's the difference between a day and night cream?"
It might seem like just clever marketing.
But there are actually a number of differences between day and night creams.
Day creams are formulated to help protect your skin from environmental stressors, and to be more comfortable during the daytime.
The features of day creams include:
- SPF to protect against UV damage
- Lighter in texture to wear well under makeup
- Inclusion of antioxidants to fight free radicals
- A mattifying effect to avoid a shiny skin tone
Night creams, on the other hand, are formulated primarily to support your skin's natural repair process: Cellular Turnover.
Night creams also usually:
- Have a richer, more nourishing texture
- Contain higher concentrations of active ingredients
- Focus on hydration to combat nighttime water loss
- Include ingredients that support Cellular Turnover
Now, the next question I get asked is “Which night cream is best?”
To which I reply that Cellular Turnover takes place over 3 phases.
And it’s essential to apply a night cream that accelerates all three phases, rather than just one or two.
So if you’d love to accelerate all three phases of Cellular Turnover at night… and awake each morning with smooth, glowing skin:
Have Any Health or Beauty Questions Of Your Own?
That wraps up another edition of ‘Ask Me Anything’.
As always, if you have any burning questions about health, beauty, longevity or anything you think Dr. Rosenberg could help with…
Please send us an email and we’ll let him know!
Dr. Rosenberg loves reading your questions and sharing his answers each month.
There are only so many patients he can see in his clinic.
But through this blog he can reach millions…
And help even more people on their path to feeling and looking their best at any age.
