Ray D. Strand See book keywords and concepts |
I encourage all my patients, both women and men, preferably before they reach forty years of age, to begin supplementation with a high-quality antioxidant and mineral tablets along with additional amounts of calcium, magnesium, boron, and silicon. It is critical for adults also to eat a healthy diet and develop a modest exercise program. Weight-bearing exercises need to be part of the program as they are a necessary component in stimulating the body to make more bone. |
Dr. Steve Blake See book keywords and concepts |
FOLATE AND VITAMIN B12
High levels of folic acid supplementation, especially above 1000 meg daily, can mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. The addition of folic acid to food is risky because some people may get enough folic acid to hide the terrible effects of vitamin B12 deficiency on nerves. The addition of folic acid to grains is also controversial because it only helps prevent neural tube defects about half of the time.
FOLATE DEFICIENCY
Folate deficiency signs include anemia and deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract. |
Vitamin C, Infections, and the Common Cold
The idea that vitamin C supplementation might be of benefit against colds achieved wide popularity in the 1970s when Linus Pauling wrote a best-selling book titled Vitamin C and the Common Cold. Linus Pauling was a prominent chemist who won two Nobel prizes. Whether or not vitamin C helps prevent or cure the common cold remains a matter of great controversy. While supplementary vitamin C has not been confirmed to lower the incidence of colds, vitamin C consumed in fruits and vegetables is correlated with a lower incidence of colds. |
There is a potential for serious side effects with higher levels of potassium supplementation. Symptoms of hyperkalemia (excess potassium) include weakness and tingling sensations and can lead to cardiac arrest in extreme cases.
Summary for Potassium
Main functions: maintains the cell membrane potential, is needed for energy production, and is used as an acid buffer. Adequate Intake: 4.7 grams daily for adults. Toxicity: not found with potassium in food. Toxicity from supplement overdose is possible. Maximum potassium potency per tablet has been set at 99 mg for supplements. |
Gerald E. Markle and Frances B. McCrea See book keywords and concepts |
Despite this unexpected finding, the authors of the Women's Health Study do "not support recommending vitamin E supplementation for [the prevention of heart disease] or cancer among healthy women." Rather they promote "therapeutic lifestyle changes including a healthy diet" as the best form of primary prevention.10
How do we explain these disappointing and unexpected results? We might think that supplementary pills cannot substitute for nutrients in natural foods. Common sense would support the notion that taking a pill is not the same as eating. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts |
A thorough analysis from a health-care practitioner, including assessment for nutritional status and heavy toxicity, can determine whether copper detoxification or supplementation is needed.
Symptom Analysis of Patients Who Eliminated Mercury-Containing Dental Fillings
The following represents a summary of 1,569 tion Reports submitted to the Food and Drug patients in six different studies evaluating the Administration by patients and 807 patient health effects of replacing mercury-containing reports from Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and dental fillings with nonmercuryfillings. |
Bill Sardi See book keywords and concepts |
After 1-3 months of supplementation with selenium, the frequency of breaks in chromosomes were significantly reduced to the point they compared to subjects who did not have the BRCA1 mutation! Canadian researchers conclude that "oral selenium is a good candidate for chemoprevention in women who carry a mutation in the BRCA1 gene." [Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention 14: 1302-06, 2005] Will most women with this gene mutation hear about this discovery? |
Dr. Steve Blake See book keywords and concepts |
Lowered blood levels of zinc have been correlated with increased death rates in HIV patients. Zinc supplementation can reduce opportunistic infection in those with HIV. However, the HIV virus also needs zinc. Zinc supplements may in fact backfire to decrease survival time and stimulate the virus. Helping the immune system get adequate zinc without helping the HIV will require further research.
ZINC AND OLDER ADULTS
Older adults have average zinc intakes that tend to be lower than the RDA. |
Tom Bohager See book keywords and concepts |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS: *pH Balancing Formula two times daily
Purpose:To help the body achieve an optimal pH Each serving should contain approximately:
Amylase blend
25,000 DU
Lipase blend
175 FCCFIP
Cellulase blend
6,000 CU
Pectinase/Phytase
200 PU
Mineral blend
Potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium citrate
Herbal blend
Hydrilla, marshmallow, papaya
Protease blend
1,000 HUT
The formula should not exceed 8.0 on the pH scale and the capsule should be enteric coated. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard See book keywords and concepts |
There have been two important Chinese studies showing that chromium supplementation has beneficial effects on glycemic control. Other, larger studies have not gotten similar results. Currently, no formal recommendations for chromium supplementation exist for people with diabetes. However, researchers who have studied chromium in the human diet feel most people are deficient in this mineral and would likely benefit from some supplementation in modest amounts. Chromium is present in nuts, seeds, and whole grains. |
Dr. Steven R. Gundry See book keywords and concepts |
There are two approaches to supplementation. The first is that if you eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, they provide more of every compound than your genes can use. But consider this: foraging humans and our ape ancestors usually ate up to 200 different plants on a rotating basis. Today, the rare individual may actually consume twenty-five plants on a regular basis, but the average American eats about five, and that's counting French fries. Moreover, the vast majority of plants are grown with petrochemical fertilizers, which have existed for only the past fifty years. |
In any debate on supplementation, always remember that most plant compounds are still unnamed, and we don't fully understand how they interact with our genes.
The second viewpoint is just that: we literally have no idea what compounds, in what ratios, in what plants will combine to produce ultimate health and longevity, but we come closer each year to unraveling the riddle. Consider the example of the trace mineral selenium, which is present in nuts (particularly Brazil nuts) and yeast. |
But can you do better? supplementation with cranberry extract, grape skin extract, and grape seed extract seems to me prudent and inexpensive insurance. Want more antioxidant protection? Pycnogenols-combinations of polyphenols from tree bark and alpha lipoic acid-are superb antioxidants, as are mushroom extracts, especially reishi, cordyceps, or maitake. All enhance immune-system function, elevate the level of natural killer cells (another type of white blood cell that protect us), and improve athletic performance. |
Studies of my patients with congestive heart failure and/or cardiomyopathy have often shown dramatic improvement in heart muscle and other muscle function with daily supplementation.6 Two of my patients improved to such an extent that both were removed from the heart transplant list. All of my cardiac surgery patients now receive this supplement postoperatively, which is also available in prescription form under the name Carnitor. |
David Brownstein M.D. See book keywords and concepts |
In older people, supplementation with natural, bioidentical hormones can reverse many of the signs of aging. Synthetic hormones do not provide the same anti-aging benefits as natural, bioidentical hormones.
My patients are familiar with the following question: "If it is found that you are low in a hormone, and you are given a choice of a natural, bioidentical hormone—one that closely mimics your own hormone chemically and structurally, versus a synthetic hormone—a man-made derivative of a hormone that has been structurally altered to become a patentable product, which one would you pick? |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts |
And because they are water-soluble, they aren't stored in the body; therefore, it's important to get enough B vitamins daily, either through diet or supplementation.
Vitamin B± (thiamin) and vitamin B2
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) primarily serve in the maintenance of mucous membranes, formation of red blood cells, and metabolism of carbohydrates. Deficiencies of vitamin B{ may lead to blood sugar imbalances.
Food sources: Brewer's yeast is an excellent source of both of these vitamins.
Supplements: Bj and B2 are commonly found in B complex supplements. |
Tom Bohager See book keywords and concepts |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS
It is best when addressing these issues with enzymes to start with a low dosage one or two times daily. People with autism tend to be more sensitive and do best when the supplemental recommendations are eased into (low and slow). |
Ron Garner See book keywords and concepts |
Deficiencies of enzymes and essential cell nutrients must be corrected through proper diet and supplementation. The body pH must be restored to a healthy balance as a top priority to increase cellular oxygen levels. Friendly bowel bacteria must be replenished. Attention must be given to rest, relaxation, and sleep, to allow the body opportunity to heal. The body's immune system must be strengthened.
The Power of Fresh Juices
When it comes to natural, power-packed nutrition and healing, it is hard to beat freshly made vegetable juices. |
Tom Bohager See book keywords and concepts |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS: *Digestive Formula with every meal
Purpose: To enhance the digestion and assimilation of food while reducing the body's need to produce digestive enzymes
Each serving should contain approximately:
Necessary Ingredients:
Amylase blend
12,000 DU
Alpha-galactosidase
75 GALU
Protease blend
42,000 HUT
Lipase blend
500 FCCFIP
Invertase
10IAU
Lactase
850 LacU
Maltase
200 DP
Phytase
50 PU
Cellulase blend
200 CU
Pectinase
50AJDU
Helpful Ingredients:
Xylanase
L. acidophilus
Beta-glucanase
L. |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS: •Digestive Formula with every meal
Purpose: To enhance the digestion and assimilation of food while reducing the body's need to produce digestive enzymes
Each serving should contain approximately:
Necessary Ingredients:
Amylase blend
12,000 DU
Alpha-galactosidase
75 GALU
Protease blend
42,000 HUT
Lipase blend
500 FCCFIP
Invertase
10IAU
Lactase
850 LacU
Maltase
200 DP
Phytase
50 PU
Cellulase blend
200 CU
Pectinase
50 AJDU
Helpful Ingredients:
Xylanase
L. acidophilus
Beta-glucanase
L. |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS: "Digestive Formula with food
Purpose:To enhance the digestion and assimilation of food while reducing the body's need to produce digestive enzymes
Each serving should contain approximately:
Necessary Ingredients:
Amylase blend
12,000 DU
Alpha-galactosidase
75 GALU
Protease blend
42,000 HUT
Lipase blend
500 FCCFIP
Invertase
10IAU
Lactase
850 LacU
Maltase
200 DP
Phytase
50 PU
Cellulase blend
200 CU
Pectinase
50AJDU
Helpful Ingredients:
Xylanase
L. acidophilus
Beta-glucanase
L. |
Elaine Magee See book keywords and concepts |
The results from large, controlled trials of beta-carotene supplementation provide striking evidence of adverse effects in smokers (more lung cancer than expected, as well as overall mortality). But the harm may be in taking large amounts of beta-carotene all by itself, via supplements; numerous past studies indicated that people who eat the most vegetables and fruit and foods rich in carotenoids have the lowest risk of lung cancer.
A similar story cropped up a few years later with vitamin E supplements. |
Ann N. Martin See book keywords and concepts |
Nancy Scanlan, DVM, states, "While pets require supplementation for optimal health, it is important to remember that animal physiology is very different from humans." Scanlan adds,
"The safest and most effective means to meet the needs of your pet is to find a species-specific supplement or remedy from a trusted manufacturer who uses only human grade ingredients."4 If you are going to supplement your pet's diet with synthetic vitamins and minerals, be sure to consult a holistic veterinarian first. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon See book keywords and concepts |
There have been over twenty clinical studies with chromium supplementation in diabetics. In some of these studies of type 2 diabetes, supplementing the diet with chromium was shown to decrease fasting glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance, lower insulin levels, and decrease total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Although there are also studies that have not shown chromium to exert much effect in improving glucose tolerance in diabetes, there is no argument that chromium is an important mineral in blood sugar metabolism. |
Tom Bohager See book keywords and concepts |
ENZYME supplementation SUGGESTIONS:
*High Cellulase Formula three times daily between meals for two weeks
Purpose:To manage yeast overgrowth
Each capsule should contain approximately:
Cellulase blend
30,000 CU
Protease blend
100,000 HUT
Contraindications: High amounts of cellulase should not be taken with certain timed-release medications that contain cellulose. |
J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts |
Other studies of individuals outside nursing homes found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation had no beneficial effects in terms of hip-fracture prevention.18 One study of patients who had had a fracture and became immobile did not find any benefit from vitamin D and calcium in the prevention of secondary fractures.19 The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) followed 36,282 premenopausal women ages fifty to seventy-nine who were randomly assigned to receive 1,000 mg of calcium with 400 IU of vitamin D3 or placebo daily for seven years to assess bone fracture. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. See book keywords and concepts |
In 2004, the Lutein Antioxidant supplementation Trial (LAST) found that subjects receiving lutein or lutein plus antioxidants showed a significant increase in macular density and in some measures, visual function. Virtually every expert now includes lutein and zeaxanthin (they are usually found together) in any formula for eye health and for the prevention of macular degeneration and adult vision loss.
The Power of Antioxidants
Both antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes and preserve your vision in a variety of ways. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts |
Supplements: The folic acid content in foods can be depleted by cooking, so supplementation may be necessary. Typical therapeutic dose: 400 meg daily.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has been proven effective in treating restless legs syndrome, which may be caused by decreased circulation to the legs. In one study concerning vitamin E and restless legs syndrome, a 78-year-old female with a history of restless and jumpy legs was cured after supplementing with 300IU of vitamin E daily for two months. |
It's important to increase consumption or supplementation of antioxidants prior to any detoxification program; this can help avert or diminish a healing crisis.
Caution: Any detoxification effort should always be planned and executed under professional supervision. Alcoholics, diabetics, people with eating disorders, people recovering from substance abuse, and those who are underweight, physically weak, or have an underactive thyroid or hypoglycemic condition are urged not to detoxify without consulting a licensed healthcare professional. |
Lester A. Mitscher and Victoria Toews See book keywords and concepts |
Kidney function in the green tea group was significantly improved after one and two months of supplementation. The physicians speculated that the ability of green tea to disarm free radicals played a role in the beneficial effects for kidney patients.25
KEEPING THE MIND SHARP
Most people, as they age, experience some decline in memory, learning ability, and concentration. By some estimates, the average person's cognitive abilities can decline by as much as half with the passage of time. |