INFORMATION IS ALSO SUPPORTIVE FOR:  HSD & diseases involving bone, joint, tendons, ligaments, autoimmune arthritis types

This is a genetic issue that affects the connective tissue making it more stretchy and relaxed than it should be. When muscle needs to contract and take action, whether it is in the bowel, around joints, or in the digestive tract, it may fail to optimally perform because it involves the autonomic nervous system– which is involuntary. 

The following is a list of supplements you may want to take, not in specific order. Whether you can manage to take all of them or need to pick and choose your priorities, this list is specific. If you need assistance choosing your top 5 or top 3, etc, contact us as these options also would be based on other health considerations you may have.

SUGGESTION: to get started, here is the list of blood tests you will want to get so that you can clearly use a targeted approach with supplementation. This company is an online company and tests are priced lower than going to your local doctor, if you have to pay out of pocket – if insurance covers your doctors visits and blood tests, this is the list you will want to request from your healthcare provider;  If you do not have coverage or your doctor will not order them for you, here is a resource to get them online– GO HERE;

lef.org then go to blood tests– if you cannot find what you need, call them.

Consider these tests and maintain a record. If you get the tests from your doctor, request a copy of the results. If you try to get a copy later, generally they may charge a fee so request this from the start if going that route. Those with hEDS and HSD have both malabsorption and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Testing to identify the vitamin and mineral deficiencies followed by regular testing in the future, is recommended. 

Base Blood Tests to Consider   Results of these blood tests provide a baseline to track your progress, adjust your supplement schedule or retest as needed. In order to know your progress you simply need to know where you are starting from.

1. Iron– Serum Ferritin  this will determine your iron stores or whether you have anemia which is not uncommon
2. Magnesium–  Serum Magnesium test  Mostly all patients are deficient or are having trouble absorbing this mineral. Generally you will have more muscle pain and fatigue if you are low in magnesium
3. Full Chem Panel (for all of your general functions). It may be of benefit to see your vital functions and whether things are in range
4. Folate–  Serum Folate & B12 Levels, especially if you are suspected of having the MTHFR mutations
5. Vitamin D–  25-OH test
6. Optional DHEA level test– this hormone may be low
7. MMA-– methylmalonic acid test; This test measures MMA, a substance that builds up when vitamin B12 is deficient. High MMA levels are a specific indicator of B12 deficiency
8. Folate & B12 Blood Levels— this test can help to confirm and either rule in or out whether a deficiency in these vitamins are an issue.

Supplements

The How-To for taking supplements and how we are coordinating these with foods for the best results. Most people do not really understand supplements and what they are doing– supplements are not like drugs so you cannot take a single supplement to fix a physical problem even though sometimes with drugs, you can. Drugs also will always have side effects because all drugs are synthetic. Many supplements sold today are actually synthetic but the public just doesn’t understand it fully. For example;  the public in general believes that vitamin C, ascorbic acid, it a natural vitamin;  it is not – it is synthetic.  Natural vitamin C is in acerola, camu camu, rosehips, etc but it is not ascorbic acid. Prevagen is another good example;  it is claimed to be from a jellyfish;  the math is from the chemistry of the jellyfish composition but the end result is not from a jellyfish, it is a synthetic copy. It is not feasible to strip the world’s oceans of all of the jellyfish to make a vitamin of course so it is made in a lab. When taking supplements you will be taking a blend of things- some will be all natural (like herbs- these are fully natural) while others will be synthetic, like vitamin C or target B vitamins. 

Below to follow I will be listing a complete list of options to consider. What each person may select will vary from person to person, depending upon individual problems that are occurring along with actual hypermobility and the variable of age. You are not expected to take all of the supplements in this list but rather you will be able to select those which best suit you and your particular health issues as related to hypermobility. You may need certain supplements listed below for seasons of time or intermittently over time because our body changes. What you need today or need to start with will not always be the case. Some nutrients we can try to extract from foods, through the diet as “food is medicine” approach, where others you will need to supplement to bring the system into balance. Genetic problems cannot be “cured” but they can be brought into balance or harmony. We will compensate the body by using a combination of both foods and supplements. Sometimes herbs and supplements are just not enough so we must resort to pharmaceuticals for help. Just because you need to use a specific drug for a while doesn’t mean you will be taking it forever. Think of drugs as possible tools in the toolbox. You have a hammer in the toolbox but you do not use only a hammer for everything, right? Access is what we need. Learning about the nutrients you need and what foods contain them in high amounts is pivotal to this balanced approach. You need potassium for example, this means you need to get both banana and kiwi into your menu as these are especially high in potassium. The beauty of this is that specific fruits have nature’s compounds which will render potassium more effective even in lower doses. Where there is one mineral in food, there are others. The minerals will appear in perfect ratio to help the potassium get to where it needs to go. 

Let’s Discuss Pharmaceuticals

Our focus is on foods and supplements, however, there are cases that no matter how we try to improve things, we are just not able to get the results we are hoping for. When target foods are not enough to move the dial forward, then we can resort to supplements, and if this fails, we move to a pharmaceutical. It goes something like this;

1. Food alone– when dietary changes just plain work successfully
2. Food + Supplements– when the body demands more than just foods to improve the health problem
3. Food + Supplements + Pharmaceutical Drug(s)— because regardless of our efforts, we need more help– even if this is temporary. Some cases it may be permanent while others, it will be a season of time.

There is room for all of these and our goal is to use nature to its fullest potential in order to reduce our need for a drug and hopefully eliminate pharmaceuticals as it is possible. Never feel bad about making a decision to use a pharmaceutical medication. Many natural health professionals tend to demonize the pharmaceutical industry. Although there is plenty of evidence to demonize them, there are cases where, without a specific drug for example, a person would be dead or in a serious disadvantage overall. Keep an open mind and work with what you need to in order to be well or to get well. In this world, nothing is forever although it tends to feel that way. 

The “Go Factor”

The purpose of “food as medicine” is to ensure that the complexity of the compounds found in the target foods listed below, work in tandem with the specific nutrient, the active ingredient, we are trying to capture from a particular food. Compounds that naturally occur along with the nutrients are what I call the “GO FACTOR”. What I mean by this is that the compounds that naturally occur with the nutrient are likely a perfect match to ignite the nutrient to be as effective and bioavailable as it is possible. Without the compounds, let’s say a nutrient taken as an isolate (single item), may require high mg. Doses and the person will experience undesirable “side-effects” BECAUSE it is an isolate and not mixed with its naturally occurring compounds. Example– curcumin; although an excellent supplement, as an active ingredient, it is found in nature in the turmeric rhizome. When it is extracted from the turmeric and sold as a single supplement, an isolate, it is void of its compounds found in the turmeric rhizome. It simply will not work the same in the body by itself as compared to it being with the whole turmeric plant. In these cases I generally recommend that if you want to take curcumin, you also take straight whole turmeric at the same time in order to supply the body with the compounds needed for the body to use it fully. Also a person could take turmeric extract which would then be higher in value or higher in curcumin than just regular turmeric.

1. MTHF-5 take this every day (methylated folate and B12). It is water soluble so you can take it without worrying that it will build-up in your system. If you have to pick one thing to start your program, choose this one. When a methylation problem with folate and B12 is present, it affects all of the supplements performances.
2. Vitamin D3 is actually a hormone; average daily dosage is 5000mg unless the blood tests indicate otherwise. If you are given D2 in a 50,000 weekly dose, this is synthetic D. D3 is the natural version. 
3. Organic Sulfur H202 1 teaspoon 2 x per day, spread out by a minimum of 6 hours + .  This must be taken all by itself and on an empty stomach. Water to take it must be chlorine-free or it deactivates. For more info on this, see POST 28. To inquire on what is the easiest way to take this, call the office.
4. Magnesium Glycinate take this upon rising and before bed. If you experience diarrhea, cut the dose in half and work up to twice per day. Also taking an epsom salt bath is beneficial to absorb magnesium directly into your body- this is especially good for aches and pains, taken in the evening it can also help you sleep better
5. Vitamin C 1000mg per day with a meal. This needs to be a capsule due to malabsorption issues, capsules break down better. Vitamin C is important to collagen synthesis, connective tissue, and wound healing.
6. Iron low iron results in fatigue and a lower immune function. Low iron is common. There are a couple of ways to get iron– one is Slow Iron, an OTC product, and the other is Unsulphured Organic Blackstrap Molasses. This is real molasses and has a slight “tar-like-taste”. It does loosen the stools so if you get diarrhea, you need to cut the dose down and work up gradually. This real molasses is everything sugar is not– all of the minerals and nutrients, closest thing to human blood. Blackstrap is considered to be 85% bioavailable which is excellent for those with malabsorption. It is not recommended if you have diabetes however. 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses per day will not only help prevent anemia but it will supply 20% of the iron you need for the day. 

Summary & Additions for Various Supplement Consideration

• Distilled aloe vera juice or maitake capsules to regenerate the collagen in tendons, ligaments, craniocervical tissues, etc.
• Probiotics to regenerate mast cells and the immune system
• PQQ to regenerate epithelial cells in the digestive system
• L-arginine to regenerate endothelial cells in the venous system
• D-ribose to regenerate nerve and Schwann cells
• Lion’s mane to regenerate the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the central nervous system
• DE (food grade diatomaceous earth) to treat arthritis, get rid of heavy metals, and kill bad bacteria
• Glucosamine Chondroitin to regenerate teeth dentin
• Red Algae Calcium a plant based calcium that can build bone density over time. Other forms of calcium can reduce your risk of bone loss and act as preventatives. Red Algae Calcium is easy to assimilate 
• Calcium Hydroxyapatite can be taken if you are also experiencing oral health issues and problems with your teeth not being strong enough. This calcium form is specific to teeth if needed
• Magnesium Glycinate  calms nerves–  calcium slows the bowel while magnesium loosens it, the two together help to manage a regular heartbeat.
• D3  assists in moving calcium from the blood into the bone
• MTHF-5  methylated form of B12 & Folate- those with Hypermobility may benefit those who are not able to process these B vitamins
• Vitamin C  important to collagen synthesis, connective tissue, and wound healing.
• Iron   deficiency is common in individuals with these conditions due to increased blood loss from gastrointestinal problems, malabsorption, and other factors

MTHF-5 

There is emerging evidence that Hypermobility, although caused by a gene, may be positively affected by supplementing dealt MTHF-5 (humorously known as the mother-f***er gene). In clinics where they have studied both hEDS and HSD, patients show a high serum level of unmetabolized folate. Researchers believe there is a definitive link to MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) – mediated folate metabolism. Do not confuse folate with folic acid;  folic acid is the synthetic form, folate is the natural form, methylated folate is the form needed when you are not breaking down folate correctly. By taking the right supplements including MTHF-5 and the other nutrients that are either deficient or imbalanced, we can expect to improve the condition. Studies show that Hypermobility may be caused by the inability to metabolize folate. Commercial supplements sell the cheap synthetic alternative- You not only need the natural form of folate but you need it in tandem with B12, both in a methylated form so that you will assimilate it. This is MTHF-5 supplement. With cases of toddlers that have low muscle strength, delayed walking, or other symptoms, the results in taking MTHF-5 can be literally seen within a single day. As an adult, it can take considerable time or months, along with a combination of other supplements. There is no single supplement that will support everything a person with hEDS or HSD needs, but some supplements are critical– this is one of them that should be ruled in or out from the beginning. 

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS

A predominant expression of Hypermobility is associated with digestive problems; such as constipation, slow bowel, proper bowel function, peristalsis and the ability to expel waste. The problem is because the digestive tract has considerable connective tissue so it is affected in a more pronounced way. Think of the intestinal tract like a rubber band that has been over-stretched. It may be more lax than it should be so the “support” of a taught organ and tissue may be lacking. The stomach may potentially have problems emptying the contents into the small intestine, leading to what is called gastroparesis. This leads to nausea, vomiting, bloating and digestive pain. Some patients will be diagnosed with IBS-C which is predominantly constipation although it can alternate with diarrhea. Others may be diagnosed with acid-reflux because of heartburn and indigestion. The bowel can become displaced from its normal position within the abdomen which is called Visceroptosis. Constipation and “pushing” can contribute to rectal problems or prolapse, all part of the overall digestive risks. Special attention to the digestive process is required.

Some people experience mast cell activation which is responsible for the release of inflammatory chemicals into the system. Natural anti-inflammatories may be helpful. Mast cell activation and the inflammation this releases is a potential factor to the above health problems. This has not been adequately studied and many of these problems with Hypermobility are not well understood. Hypermobility however, is NOT an autoimmune disease although many believe it is related. Genetics are the cause and passed down from the parents. 

Research has shown however that there is a link between hEDS and a variation of the MTHFR gene. The gene affects how you metabolize folate, not just with hEDS or HSD, but also diseases such as Hashimoto’s, Hyper or Hypotonia in toddlers, various forms of arthritis and others. Because folate is vital in brain development, it can affect development and lead to neurological problems and even damage without early detection. If you have any of these health problems, MTHF-5 is a good place to start since it is water soluble and if you don’t need it, it passes out of the body, just follow the instructions on the product.

Early detection can prevent neurological damage. It can affect development in toddlers. With how serious the ability to methylate folate is, it is better to be safe than sorry. MTHF-5 is water soluble and if you don’t use it, it will not store up in the body and really can’t get too much. So if you suspect any of these issues, try taking it and

Supplements 

1. A & B

MTHF-5  -methylated folate and B12

Note 1: people with a methylation problem will more often than not also be gluten-intolerant

Note 2: people with a methylation problem need to reduce coffee intake because it increases homocysteine levels;  GOOD NEWS– drinking 1 cup of coffee per day increases longevity. People who drink ONE cup of coffee per day live longer than those who drink NONE. Those who drink 3 or more cups per day have the opposite effects and it becomes an anti-nutrient.

Note 3:  if you eat cruciferous vegetables raw, it depresses the thyroid which means it is good for a hyper thyroid but NOT a hypo thyroid. Eating cruciferous vegetables cooked eliminates the problem with the thyroid totally. MTHF is a common issue with Hashimotos so always eat your cruciferous vegetables cooked including kale. Cruciferous vegetables are;  cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, arugula, collard greens, turnips, mustard greens, radish, wasabi, watercress, kohlrabi

Folate

EAT THESE FOLATE-RICH FOODS– 

SOURCE OF l-METHYLFOLATE (folate is not folic acid)

• Avocado
• Citrus fruits
• Berries; especially blueberries and strawberries
• Broccoli
• Beans
• Nuts- peanuts and others
• Seeds- sunflower seeds and others
• Asparagus
• Egg- yolk is high in folate
• Leafy Greens– spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, cabbage, turnip greens, collard greens
• Brussels Sprouts

VITAMIN B12

EAT THESE B12-RICH FOODS

• Salmon- wild caught
• Clams- wild caught
• Oysters -wild caught
• Beef liver- grass fed
• Mackerel -wild caught
• Eggs – pastured organic only
• Trout – wild caught
• Tuna -wild caught

VITAMIN D3- 5000mg

EAT THESE VITAMIN D-RICH FOODS

• Egg yolk- pastured and organic only
• Cod  and cod liver oil – wild caught
• Beef liver- grass fed
• Fatty fish;  salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovy, tuna, trout
• Medicinal mushrooms;  cremini (baby bells), portabella, white button- organic only- otherwise mushrooms tend to be high in heavy metals
• Herring
• Shrimp- wild caught

MAGNESIUM BISGLYCINATE

EAT THESE MAGNESIUM BISGLYCINATE-RICH FOODS

• Avocado 
• Black beans
• Nuts 
• Kiwi
• Banana
• Dark chocolate
• Spinach
• Pumpkin seeds
• Almonds

CHOLINE

NOTE 1:  to assimilate choline more, take it with inositol. The following are foods that contain BOTH which make it most effective

EAT THESE CHOLINE-RICH FOODS

• Eggs- ONLY pastured & organic (not just cagefree- this only means the chicken is in a quonset building roaming around and not outside. Pastured although small outdoor space is still outdoor. The eggs are different
• Meat- beef and chicken, grass fed
• Dairy- organic only
• Shiitake mushrooms
• Nuts & Seeds;  walnuts, flaxseed, chia, almonds
• Legumes; beans & lentils, all kinds of beans- organic
• Fish – fatty fish- wild caught
• Tofu- organic only
• Soy lecithin granules or powder (MUST be organic otherwise it is GMO)

Sunflower Lecithin is good too but not as hormonally good as organic soybean

• Beef liver- grass fed
• Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts

Calcium– because of the Hypermobility, you will want to support bones, tendons, and ligaments with a form of calcium that is best absorbed. Although calcium citrate will be touted as the best form for absorption and assimilation, actually, you’ll be better off with calcium from plants, specifically red algae called Lithothamnion spp. Other forms of calcium help to reduce the rate of loss of bone density whereas the red algae form will actually build bone density over time. This is important for many reasons. If you have Hypermobility and also concerns for your bone density overall, be sure to include a variety of other supplements that improve your use of the mineral so it will get to your bones, ligaments, and tendons rather than into soft tissue. Also as with all calcium, take small doses multiple times per day rather than one big dose. One big dose will deposit calcium into soft tissue and our goal it get it to where we need it. If you need information regarding this subject, see the Post BUILDING BONE DENSITY. If you just need calcium for general support, take this form daily as part of your supplement program. If looking for this on the website, see RED ALGAE CALCIUM.  These are capsules and proportioned to take doses throughout the day for better absorption. Building stronger bones is a complex subject so to understand it better see the Post. Foods with a higer Strontium level can help you to better absorb more calcium into bone, tendons and ligaments, just as D3 & Vitamin K2 help to do the same thing. Foods higher in Strontium are also helping to get calcium where we need it to be.

STRONTIUM

EAT THESE STRONTIUM-RICH FOODS

• Skim milk
• Brazil nuts
• Spinach 
• Garlic
• Beans
• Peas
• Root vegetables
• Sardines
• Beets
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Broccoli
• Whole Grains
• Carrots
• Cheddar cheese, lettuces
• Grain bran such as rice bran, oat bran rather than wheat bran if you need to avoid gluten in wheat.

IRON– Organic Unsulfured Blackstrap molasses- 1 tablespoon per day anytime with or without food- best just taken by mouth and take a sip of water. It tastes like tar but sweet

EAT THESE IRON-RICH FOODS

• Organic Tofu (do not eat non-organic or it is GMO derived)
• Swiss Chard
• Lentils
• Beans, especially dark;  black, kidney beans, triple beans etc
• Meat 
• Spinach and other leafy greens
• Seafood – especially clams and oysters
• Blackstrap molasses (unsulfured organic- liquid)

QUERCETIN– (with bromelain is good for inflammation reduction)

EAT THESE QUERCETIN-RICH FOODS

• Raspberries (3 oz 50mg)
• Apples (3 oz 80mg)
• Capers (one of the highest sources)
• Spinach (3 oz 250mg)
• Kale (3 oz 200mg)
• Black tea
• Green tea
• Broccoli (3 oz 70mg)
• Blueberries (3 oz 60mg)
• Red onion ( 3 oz 300mg)

VITAMIN C

EAT THESE VITAMIN C-RICH FOODS

• Citrus fruits
• Red bell pepper
• Black Currants
• Kiwi
• Strawberries
• Broccoli 
• Guava
• Acerola cherry
• Brussels sprouts
• Kale 

FOODS that mimic prokinetic drugs;  these drugs are prescribed in order to enhance GI motility meaning they promote the muscles (rather than connective tissue which is weaker) to contract and move food more efficiently through the digestive tract. Prokinetic drugs work by;

• Reduces gastrointestinal stasis (gastroparesis is delayed stomach emptying)
• Increases the frequency and strength of contraction in the small intestines and stomach to help move food through
• Increases gastric emptying
• Organizes contractions throughout the GI tract to move food along more effectively
• Used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) & IBS and constipation
• Used for functional dyspepsia (indigestion) and peptic ulcers (always rule out H Pylori) 

NOTE:  if you have developed stomach ulcers, it is important to know that you cannot heal an ulcer without calcium. If it is H Pylori, the Herbal Antibiotic is extremely important. Drugs seem to get rid of the H Pylori but it generally comes back again. If you use the drugs for H Pylori, follow with the Herbal Antibiotic in either 1, 2 or 3 even three runs of 14 days. The Herbal Antibiotic will not kill good bacteria in the gut. Regardless, especially if having used an antibiotic, you must use a probiotic and prebiotic in order to restore the gut balance. If this has happened to you, request information on how to rebalance the gut or the issues with Hypermobility and the gut may worsen.

EAT THESE FOODS TO MIMIC PROKINETIC DRUGS-  benefits gut motility

• Artichoke 
• Jerusalem artichoke inulin
• Ginger root- tea and in cooking- tea with all meals. This improves gastric emptying and gut motility
• Green Tea–  promotes growth of beneficial gut bacteria and overall gut microbiome health

The easiest way to get these into your diet is in tea form– we have a Prokinetic Tea which is a blend of these. The following herbs in the list below can be added to this tea blend for added benefits or to rotate the complexity of this formulation to broaden the spectrum of overall results. 

Other PROKINETIC herbs for improved motility function; more options you may include;  

1. gentian root
2. Peppermint (not recommended for those with GERD)
3. amla fruit
4. licorice root (a natural cortisone)-  There are warnings not to take high doses for extended periods of time. However you can usually safely take even 4 grams every day for up to 4 months, but ongoing, a 500mg capsule every morning with a cup of coffee is often used without any problem or any break needed. Remember, 4 grams would be 8 capsules so most do not have to heed this warning to take a break.
5. angelica root
6. caraway 
7. lemon balm leaf
8. milk thistle leaf
9. chamomile (do not use if you have ragweed allergies)
10. marshmallow Root & Leaf
11. slippery elm bark 

All of these herbs are beneficial to gut motility. Any blend or single of any of the herbs in this section can be combined to make a morning tea. This will help alleviate constipation and work to make the gut more active which also benefits digestion, all without caffeine or laxative. 

Collagen Rx I,II,III  hydrolyzed peptides, no fillers the latest research on supplementing quality collagen peptides is that your body will create a “signaling” response to make more of your own. Previously it was thought that as you diminish your collagen stores, it not only must be replaced or you break down but that you could build it up and store it but never would you be able to force your body to make more! This is exceptional news for all of us. In other words;  supplement 10 grams per day of quality hydrolyzed collagen peptides and your body will signal itself to start producing it again;  not as much as when you were 25 years old but you will start to make it so effects will be compounding in your favor rather than going in the other way. The Collagen Rx here is a blend of Types 1, 2, and 3. Many products are now producing 5 types and so forth, this is unnecessary. Many products include protein from marine sources which have a higher allergy rate in the population. Collagen Rx I,II,III contains a meaningful amount of the Type III hydrolyzed protein which is deficient for those with hypermobility. 

Anti-Inflammatory Protein with Creatine – CONTAINS;  organic blend of Sacha Inchi, Pea, Whey, Creatine, specific for low impact exercise and strength building in the muscles, joints, and soft tissue. Those with hypermobility, do not so much have a protein deficiency, but rather a poorly formed or malformed collagen structural connective tissue problem.  It is most important that it is plant and bovine sourced from range-fed animals and supports a broad range of benefits. This blend supports that. Most patients say they feel better taking a protein supplement and Creatine added is a huge bonus for the ability to strengthen the joints which better protects ankles, knees, wrists, etc. Creatine draws water into the tissue best described as a cushioning. You may have heard things about Creatine and not know specificially why this is a good choice for Hypermobility. 2.

Creatine is natural. It is an occurring substance stored in muscle cells which helps increase muscle strength. Creatine attracts water molecules in a process known as cell volumization. Through this process, creatine leads to an increase in muscle size. The amount of water retention caused by creatine varies depending on the individual and the amount taken. A person may experience a change in weight between 2 to 4 pounds, but this is temporary and may occur in the first few weeks of starting. It is important to understand that this is NOT fat, it is not weight gain as we typically think of. As the body adjusts to this “cushion” and additional levels of creatine is deposited during its strength-building process, the weight change usually disappears. As the body adjusts to the increase in creatine levels and the water being a natural part of the process, this water retention usually goes away entirely after a few weeks, it necessary in order to build muscle strength. Older clients can benefit tremendously in order to gain muscle strength faster than exercise alone. This special protein blend is specifically formulated to aid in muscle strength while retaining the required low impact exercise routine.

Mixing the protein the way we do helps to replenish your ATP stores which supports more energy. The best way to exercise for hypermobility is LOW IMPACT with ISOMETRIC contractions (squeeze and hold for a count), WITHOUT EXCESSIVE STRETCHING; Isometric contractions help to prioritize building strength into the muscles– it boosts energy, builds strength, and supports as an anti-inflammatory.

Omega 3 Fish Oil– wild caught 1000mg to 3000mg per day. This also works as an anti-inflammatory but additionally it helps to protect the eyes. Those with hypermobility, over time, may develop problems with their vision. Fish oil will support delicate eye tissues.

Lutein-Zeaxanthin– protects the eyes and helps to preserve vision. Those with hypermobility often develop problems with vision over time so taking this supplement every day along with zinc can be very helpful to protect the tissues. Average dosage is Lutein up to 10 or 20mg per day and Zeaxanthin 1 to 4 per day. Products usually have both together in one supplement. This product needs a fat to assimilate well so even if the label says with water, take it with a meal with fat.

Zinc Gluconate–  this mineral is very important to connective tissue and is recommended appropriate for anyone with hypermobility, EDS, HDS

SPECIAL NOTE: While zinc is important for connective tissue health, it’s important to note that hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are complex conditions, and zinc supplementation may not be appropriate for all individuals with either one. Mutations in a zinc transporter gene called SLC39A13 can result in causing spondylo cheiro dysplastic, a form of EDS. This specific form of EDS is called SCD-EDS. If you have had this test and been diagnosed with this gene, it is a specific connective tissue disorder defined or characterized by hypermobility and you may have specific additional requirements from your health care professional, such as to take or not to take zinc. If you don’t have this gene, zinc can be very beneficial for your connective tissue.

Supergreens Supports the immune system, hypermobility is not an autoimmune disease and it taxes the immune system. Taking greens will be beneficial to the whole system and is considered to be highly bioavailable. Take this every morning with any liquid on an empty stomach and don’t eat for 20 minutes. We make two blends-

Organic 8 OR  100Foods  

Organic 8  contains all greens;  certified organic blend of land & sea plants;  wheatgrass, barley greens, alfalfa leaf, broccoli or broccoli sprouts (availability), kelp, blue spirulina, chlorella (cracked cell wall). 

100Foods has the Organic 8 as the green base; blended with herbs and all food colors including reds, blues, purples, orange, yellow, white which provides for maximum antioxidants along with medicinal mushrooms and probiotics. Either of these products are ideal. The Organic 8 product is the original product which we’ve been producing since around 2008. 

Ozempic yes you are reading this correctly;  the latest research has found that the true way to take this drug or an DPL-1 drug is in small amounts. They are calling this microdosing. The shots are too high in dosage and there is no way to monitor this in a shot form. You have to have a doctor’s script to get it. The best one of these two for THIS specific health problem is to microdose Ozempic. If you want to watch a podcast regarding this new class of drugs and what it can do for your, go to YouTube and watch Steven Bartlett’s video interview with Dr. Tyna Moore. She is a licensed MD Naturopath. The video is called “Ozempic Expert:  Ozempic Transforms You”. It is worth the watch

Protein:  blend of organic Sacha Inchi, Pea Protein, & Creatine  these are both anti-inflammatory proteins that are low in lectins blended with creatine for better muscle strength.

NOTE:  There is so much variable information regarding lectins that it is really not possible to be certain how to manage lectin volumes in our diet. It is my view that if lectins naturally are occurring in a food, we will likely have a near discovery that this same food has nutrients which either bind, eliminate some biofunction or complement a lectin to make it useful and healthy as part of the food. The reason I say this is because so many great anti-cancer foods also happen to contain higher lectins. There just is something we are missing in the data. For now, and for the sake of argument, we will assume limiting lectins as a positive, until studies show us otherwise. We will suggest the use of these two proteins Sacha Inchi & Pea Protein blended with. Creatine in our product. Most studies indicate they believe it makes no difference in effectiveness whether Creatine is in the protein or not. However, there are studies that DO say, taking creatine with a protein AND a carbohydrate may improve the creatine retention in the muscles. Adding Creatine to our blend might be helpful AND it is certainly more convenient. 

DETAILED SUPPLEMENT INFORMATION 

It is difficult to pick between so many options because so many supplements are valuable to this condition. The following details about each of these will help you to specify what you may need more in regards to your individual variables. There is no one-size-fits-all, this is just impossible. Supplements are not drugs. They are not only natural (drugs are synthetic) but they are regenerative by nature. For example, certain drugs will reduce or control inflammation. What they aren’t doing is changing the body chemistry to produce LESS inflammation. Supplements will directly affect the body chemistry and while reducing inflammation, they are also aiding the body to produce less. As stated already, compounds in natural products are essential to making the active ingredient most effective. Drugs are isolates which mean they act alone. They are designed to a specific task