Santa’s Secret to Never Getting Old 
Hello Everyone!
Last week, we talked about Santa’s endless energy. But here’s the real mystery: How does he look exactly the same, year after year, century after century? (And no, he doesn’t use filters or Photoshop—we checked.)
Turns out, Mrs. Claus really is a good cook. Let’s unwrap Santa’s anti-aging secrets!
What Science Tells Us
Recent research looked at how vitamins help prevent disease and keep us healthy longer. The secret? Getting the right nutrients in the right amounts. Mrs. Claus clearly knows her stuff.
Secret #1: Protecting Your Arteries
The Problem: Your body produces something called homocysteine. Think of it like sandpaper in your blood vessels—when there’s too much, it scratches and damages your arteries. This can lead to heart problems and memory issues.
The Solution: Three B vitamins (B6, B12, and Folate) work together to lower homocysteine and keep your arteries smooth and healthy.
Here’s the catch… Most doctors say you’re fine if your homocysteine is under 12. But here’s what we’ve learned: you want it at 8 or below to really prevent damage.
It’s like Santa’s naughty list—you don’t want to be anywhere near the cutoff!
What to do: Get your homocysteine tested once a year. If it’s above 8, those B vitamins can help bring it down.
Secret #2: Keeping Cholesterol Safe
You’ve probably heard about “bad cholesterol.” But here’s something most people don’t know: cholesterol isn’t actually bad for you… unless it gets damaged.
Think of it like butter. Fresh butter is fine. Rancid butter? That’s a problem. The same thing happens with cholesterol—when it gets “oxidized” (damaged), that’s when it causes trouble in your arteries.
The Solution: Vitamin E acts like a protective shield, preventing your cholesterol from getting damaged in the first place.
What to do: Instead of just checking regular cholesterol, ask your doctor to test for “oxidized LDL”—that’s the stuff that actually causes problems.
Secret #3: The Sunshine Vitamin
Vitamin D does so much more than you’d think:
- Makes your bones stronger
- Keeps your heart healthy
- Helps your body use sugar properly
- Supports your immune system
But here’s the important part: Most labs say you’re “fine” if your Vitamin D is 30 or above. But to get all these amazing benefits, you really want it between 60 and 80.
It’s like the difference between a car that runs and a car that runs great.
Santa’s Simple Health Plan
Here’s what Santa does (and what you can do too):
- Get blood work done once a year to check these important numbers
- Make sure homocysteine is 8 or lower (B vitamins help with this)
- Get Vitamin D between 60-80 (not just “good enough”)
- Check oxidized cholesterol, not just regular cholesterol
- Take a good quality multivitamin to fill in the gaps
That’s it! No magic, just smart choices and knowing your numbers.
One Mystery Left…
We figured out Santa’s secret. But what do the reindeer eat to fly around the world in one night? 🦌
For that answer, you’ll need to ask the real experts: ask the 5 or 6-year-olds. They know everything about Christmas Eve logistics!
The Bottom Line
Santa stays young and healthy because he:
- Knows his numbers (and keeps them in the optimal range, not just “normal”)
- Takes the right vitamins
- Gets tested regularly to make sure everything’s working
You can do the same thing! Whether you’re delivering presents around the world or just trying to keep up with your grandkids, these simple steps make a huge difference.
Happy Holidays!
Dr. McGuckin
P.S. — Ready to check your numbers and see where you stand? It might be the best gift you give yourself this year! 🎅