Take 3 Shots

I’m going to make a recommendation about your health again. Of course you should never take any advice from anyone without extensive consultation with your own health care provider. Nonetheless, this article will at least prompt some conversation about your health and that’s probably a good thing. I have been a 2 shot a day man myself, but I’m going to step up to 3 shots based on my most recent readings. By 2 shots I mean a mixture of cod liver oil and olive oil.

Recently I have added a shot of vinegar to the mix. I take the vinegar first then a combo of the cod liver oil and the olive oil. It’s a great idea to just mix them altogether and use the mix as a salad dressing. Ok, it’s not a full shot like in a bar but it’s more than 2 tablespoons of each.

Let’s have a little primer on the ingredients:

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health in part by increasing good cholesterol (HDL). It also contains powerful antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Studies suggest that regular consumption of olive oil can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties can help manage conditions like arthritis. Unfortunately, there is a lot of adulterated olive oil so read the label carefully. Personally, I like the olive oil from the family farm in Turkey that’s available at the regional market. It’s called AYVACO. I first ran into it at the State Fair. (And, no, I don’t get any kind of discount). Of course, any oil you intend to put in your mouth should be kept in a glass container and stored in a cool dark place. Don’t buy a year’s worth at a time as any oil starts to oxidize once it’s exposed to air.

Next let’s go over my favorite…cod liver oil. You can use any fish oil capsules you like but you need to take 4 capsules a day to get any meaningful improvement and why not just slug down some cod liver oil. I only use Carlson labs cod liver oil with lemon in the green bottle. It really tastes nothing like what grandma used to give you.

The essential fatty acids, a vital part of your health, were never really covered in med school and still isn’t and the issue isn’t really discussed in nursing or the PA programs as well. The omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil are essential for brain health, reducing inflammation, and supporting cardiovascular health.

These fatty acids are critical for proper brain and heart health and are a component of every cell membrane in the body. They can be easily measured by your doctor and you can see how far from optimal you really are and trust me you will often be surprised by the poor results. It’s like changing the oil in your car.

You have to put the right oils in your body as well. Some critics say that fish oil increases risk of irregular heart rhythm and it did very minimally in one study.

They also claim it raises bleeding risk. Dr. William Harris is the best known Omega 3 researcher and he points out the fact that people with high levels of fish oil (EPA and DHA) in their blood lived an average 5 years longer than people with the lowest levels in their blood. This included death from any and all causes.

This was shown in multiple large studies so the evidence is solid. What I really like about fish oil and cod liver oil etc. is that you can easily and directly measure the levels in your blood to prove you are doing the right thing. QUEST the lab offers a very simple OMEGA 3/6 check.

Finally, the most recent addition to my morning routine is vinegar. Acetic acid. It’s fine as plain white vinegar but when you make it balsamic vinegar you get the polyphenols as well. Acetic acid is an essential food for the good bugs in your gut. Vinegar can help regulate blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for individuals with diabetes and prediabetes and that’s 80% of us. It may also aid in weight loss by promoting satiety and reducing appetite. Acetic acid is much less acidic than the hydrochloric acid in your stomach and it is often used to help patients with indigestion. Read Dr. Steven Gundry’s book, Gut Check for more info on these postbiotics and the role of fiber and fermentation in your health. So maybe add some pickles to your dietary regimen as you have added pickleball to your exercise regimen.

Remember the blah blah blah, check with your doctor. Until next time…get well and stay well. 

JT BARRY MD

Dr. Barry