Dr. Adrian Tschanz is a Swiss specialist (FMH) in anaesthesiology and a certified nutritionist who advises patients on nutrition during and after cancer. In this interview, first published in May 2022, he explains why nutrition plays a key role in his life, how he looks after his immune health, why healthier habits should be built slowly, how he handles stress, and the motto he lives by: don't forget to live today, but still think about tomorrow.
Key takeaways from the interview
- Nutrition has mattered to Dr. Tschanz since he was a teenager reading food labels; he later completed an online degree in Nutrition Sciences at Stanford University.
- He eats mostly what he enjoys and aims for a varied, broad-based diet with ever-changing ingredients from around the world.
- For his immune health he names vaccination, positivity and happiness, plus zinc and vitamin C daily, and he sees mental health and stability as a major factor.
- New habits work best when they are introduced slowly, through small behavioural adjustments that people understand and believe in.
- To stay balanced he runs at least 5 km in the woods or by the lake.
- For men of any age, his self-care advice starts with eating more consciously and knowing where food comes from.
Who is Dr. Adrian Tschanz?
Everyone wants to live a healthier life, and with modern living it is not always easy. There are many recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, but not all of them fit a busy life. We sat down with Dr. Adrian Tschanz, specialist FMH in anaesthesiology and certified nutritionist, to talk about his ways of living a healthy and happy life, no matter how busy it gets. His answers are printed in his own words.
Q: Firstly, I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with us today, Dr. Tschanz. Our lovely readers cannot wait to hear about you and your expertise.
Me too! I am pleased to speak with you and share my thoughts about Sanbera and our today's modern lifestyle.
What role does nutrition play for Dr. Tschanz?
Q: What role does nutrition play in your life?
Nutrition has always been important to me. Even as a teenager, I always read the food labels and analyzed all of the ingredients in each product. Of course, I mostly eat what I enjoy and try to have a varied diet. During the lockdown two years ago, I had the time to get an online degree in Nutrition Sciences at Stanford University. This, of course, made me even more critical and concerned about our diet. As well, I advise patients on nutrition during and after cancer when I have the chance. So, as you see, nutrition plays a key role in my life.
His view on Sanbera and his favourite ingredients
Q: How does Sanbera supplements work for you?
Sanbera has an advanced and unique formula. One thing I really value is that the ingredients are of plant origin. To be honest, Sanbera got me through the winter without once catching a cold or suffering from other typical seasonal ailments.
Q: What is your favourite ingredient in Sanbera supplements?
The fact that iron is combined with natural vitamin C from acerola is particularly essential for me. Also, a powerful antioxidant such as vitamin E, selenium, and zinc is what I like about the formula.
For context: both Daily Essential formulas combine iron with vitamin C and contain acerola, a natural source of vitamin C. Vitamin C increases iron absorption, and vitamin E, selenium and zinc contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Per 3 tablets, Daily Essential Men provides iron 3.5 mg (25 % NRV), vitamin C 51.8 mg (65 % NRV), vitamin E 9 mg (75 % NRV), zinc 4 mg (40 % NRV) and selenium 12.5 µg (23 % NRV). Daily Essential Women provides iron 7 mg (50 % NRV), vitamin C 43.1 mg (54 % NRV), vitamin E 6 mg (50 % NRV), zinc 2.5 mg (25 % NRV) and selenium 12.5 µg (23 % NRV). Read more about acerola, a natural source of vitamin C, and about why iron needs differ between women and men. A supplement does not replace a varied, balanced diet.
How does Dr. Tschanz look after his immune health?
Q: How do you personally work on your immune health?
Vaccination, positivity, and happiness! Zinc and vitamin C daily. I think the immune strength enormously depends on mental health and stability. Stress, poor diet, and environmental factors can have a weakening impact on our immunity.
Zinc and vitamin C both contribute to the normal function of the immune system, as do vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, iron and selenium. Our guide to vitamins and minerals for a healthy immune system explains what each nutrient does and where to find it in food. Questions about vaccination belong with your doctor.
How to build healthier habits that last
Q: How do you help your clients build healthier habits?
First and foremost, slowly and with behavioural adjustments. The best way is not to notice it at all. There is no point in forcing a change immediately. The client must be convinced of the sense of the new habits and understand them.
A daily and nightly ritual?
Q: Do you have a daily and nightly ritual?
Not really! I usually listen to a podcast to distract myself and go to sleep. Going for a run, at least 5 KM, somewhere in the woods or by the lake helps me stay balanced and wind down.
How does Dr. Tschanz deal with stress?
Q: Do you have a technique to combat stress and improve your mood?
I still need to work on this! I try not to get too involved with a stressor or negative energy and put them away for now. Of course, they are not as dramatic the second time around. Also, I have learned to eliminate emotional components.
If stress is a topic for you too, our articles on vitamins and minerals for stress and anxiety and on food and mood look at what nutrition can and cannot do.
Self-care for men: eat more consciously
Q: How do you recommend men of any age include self-care rituals in their daily lives?
Eat more consciously and be aware of where our food comes from. Eating is not just about energy but should also be fun and stimulate the senses. It can be a social event or a meditative act. I am a proponent of a broad-based diet with ever-changing ingredients from around the world. So, a meal can then become a little journey.
The motto Dr. Tschanz lives by
Q: Do you have a motto you live by?
Yes. Don't forget to live today, but still think about tomorrow!
Frequently asked questions
Who is Dr. Adrian Tschanz?
Dr. Adrian Tschanz is a Swiss specialist (FMH) in anaesthesiology and a certified nutritionist. Nutrition has interested him since he was a teenager reading food labels, and during the COVID lockdown he completed an online degree in Nutrition Sciences at Stanford University. At the time of this interview (May 2022), he also advised patients on nutrition during and after cancer.
How does Dr. Tschanz look after his immune health?
He names vaccination, positivity and happiness first, and takes zinc and vitamin C daily. In his view, immune health depends enormously on mental health and stability, while stress, a poor diet and environmental factors can weaken it. Zinc and vitamin C contribute to the normal function of the immune system. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement if you take medication.
How can you build healthier habits, according to Dr. Tschanz?
Slowly, and with small behavioural adjustments. Ideally, you hardly notice the change at all, and there is no point in forcing it immediately. He also stresses that people need to understand new habits and be convinced that they make sense, because habits that are understood are more likely to last.
How does Dr. Tschanz deal with stress?
He admits that he is still working on it. His approach is not to get too involved with a stressor or negative energy, but to put it aside for the moment, because it often seems less dramatic the second time around. He has also learned to take the emotional component out of stressful situations. Running in nature helps him stay balanced.
What is Dr. Adrian Tschanz's motto?
His motto is: "Don't forget to live today, but still think about tomorrow!" It fits his wider view of a healthy modern life: enjoying food and the present moment, while making conscious choices, such as a varied diet and regular exercise, that support wellbeing in the long term.
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.