Your health questions answered by Healthspan’s leading nutritionists

“I would like to take positive steps to maintain a healthy heart, particularly as I am in my 60’s. How will garlic and omega 3 help? Should I take one or both and in what amounts?”
Mr Colin Harris, Lancashire

Garlic reduces levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol that cause narrowing of the blood vessels found in heart disease. It can also lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation around the body. The current recommendation is to take between 600-900mg a day, which is around one fresh clove. Taking a concentrated 4mg garlic capsule is often easier and is equivalent to 800mg of fresh garlic.
Omega 3 fatty acids make blood less likely to clot by reducing its ‘stickiness’. They protect the arteries from damage and can also help to reduce high levels of triglycerides in the blood that are often associated with coronary heart disease. Eating two portions of oily fish, such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon, a week will provide the amount you need. In supplement form a minimum of 200mg of omega 3 (DHA and EPA content) a day is needed for heart health protection.
Dr Rob Hicks

“I would like to start my children on multivitamins; they are already taking cod liver oil. They are three and six years old. What is the recommended age to add these supplements and in what dose?”
Mrs Tyndall, Wiltshire

A healthy balanced diet, which includes plenty of whole foods, should provide all the vitamins that children need. But small children can be very fussy and many don’t eat a healthy diet. So a multivitamin supplement is a good way to make sure that they don’t miss out. Choose a supplement specifically formulated for the age of your child. Always check the manufacturer’s advice regarding dosage as different brands contain different amounts of vitamins. However, most children’s multivitamin supplements are given as one tablet a day. Never give more than the recommended amount.
Dr Trish Macnair

"I have heard it is inadvisable to take both ginkgo biloba and aspirin at the same time. Can one of your experts please explain if this is so?”
Mr G. Davies, Essex

One of the actions of aspirin is to make blood less likely to clot, by reducing the stickiness of platelets. It’s for this reason that aspirin is prescribed for people with cardiovascular disease to reduce the risk of them suffering further problems. One of the actions of ginkgo biloba is also to reduce platelet stickiness. If aspirin and gingko biloba are taken together the blood-thinning effect of aspirin may be intensified such that unwanted and potentially dangerous spontaneous bleeding within the body may occur. This is why it is not advisable to take them both without first consulting your doctor.
Dr Rob Hicks

“I am in my early 80’s and have very happily been taking glucosamine for the last seven years. I am also taking cod liver oil and my joints are now even move comfortable. Given my advancing years, are there any other supplements that you consider advantageous for me to take, if so what would you advise?”
Mr Roy Hutton, Poole

Most people benefit from a multivitamin and mineral formula to act as a nutritional safety net. Those aimed at the over-50s have higher amounts of some ingredients (eg B vitamins, antioxidants) as your need for these increases with age. Antioxidants have a useful anti-ageing effect, especially alpha-lipoic acid, which is often combined with acetyl-l-carnitine. To support and improve memory, ginkgo biloba extracts are beneficial (but check for interactions if you are taking any regular prescribed medications). A probiotic plus psyllium husks help to maintain bowel health.
Dr Sarah Brewer

If you have a question about the use of vitamins and supplements, please write to us at: Ask the Expert, PO Box 64, Park Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3BT or email info@healthspan.co.uk
We regret none of our experts can answer your letters personally. While our panel of medical and nutritional advisers offer their professional opinion in answer to your questions, the advice should not be used as a substitute for visiting a qualified practitioner.

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