| We cook fast, eat fast, live fast, and are on the fast track for dying due to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. supplements are not a panacea for a nutritionally deficient diet. They are exactly what their name implies: supplemental. Our advice is to follow the antiglycation eating guidelines that we offer you and to supplement it with selected, scientifically tested micronutrients to best support and maintain your health. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Monographs for some dietary supplements and ingredients appear in a separate section of the USP.
The FDA recognizes the USP and National Formulary (NF) as official standards, and they are now published as a single volume (USP-NF). The USP-NF also has official government recognition in more than forty countries outside the United States.
The USP was first published in 1820 and described botanical, mineral, and animal-derived materials used in drug preparations. Over time, new materials have been added and others deleted. Unfortunately, many of the items dropped were botanicals. |
| These names are required on the labels of commercial dietary supplements. However, some herbalists prefer to use different names based on regional popularity and tradition. The names used throughout this book are primarily in harmony with Herbs of Commerce, with a few exceptions.
ADAPTOGENS AND PHYTOCHEMICALS
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on the human body. A drug is a substance that is given to treat or prevent a disease. The study of the chemical makeup of plants is called phytochemistry, and the study of naturally derived drugs is known as pharmacognosy. |
| Several adaptogens, when used along with dietary changes, exercise, and supplements, can help reduce cholesterol levels.
Adaptogens for Cardiovascular Health
Most adaptogens are not specific cardiovascular tonics, but they do have numerous effects that are beneficial, including normalization of blood pressure, vascular protection, and mild blood thinning qualities, thereby decreasing the likelihood of strokes. Some can lower levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and they protect against damage caused by cardiotoxic drugs. |
| Adaptogens for Stress Management
Adaptogens have a proven ability to combat and resist stress and can be considered antistress supplements. One way they do this is by lowering and normalizing excess Cortisol levels, allowing the body to maintain a healthy stress response. They provide a balancing action that counteracts an active adrenal response to stress and reduces Cortisol secretion back down to normal levels, thus allowing us to maintain an inner balance (homeostasis) for longer periods of time. Adaptogens also lower the stress-induced release of adrenal hormones. |
| Gelcaps are a useful method of ingesting oily nutrients like vitamin E or oil-based supplements such as borage seed oil, flax seed oil, or evening primrose seed oil. Gelcaps are easier to swallow than capsules or tablets, but the ingredients are subjected to considerable heat during processing and the possibility that the oils can become rancid is a substantial problem.
Tablets often are difficult to digest, but greater amounts of herbs and herb extracts can be squeezed into this format. Uncoated tablets are harder to swallow but are more easily digested. |
| These herbs, supplements, and pharmaceutical medications (for example, galantamine) are used to enhance memory, slow or prevent the onset of age or Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive decline, reduce oxidative or ischemic damage to the brain, and improve mood.
The media have dubbed these substances "smart drugs," especially the isolated phytopharmaceuticals such as vinpocetine, huperzine A, and grape seed extract. A better short definition would be "cerebral stimulants. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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 Though a large population study called CAROT showed that smokers who ingest beta-carotene supplements were more prone to lung cancer, a study from the National Cancer Institute found that lung cancer occurrence was higher in men whose diets did not supply a healthy intake of alpha-carotene.
DIABETES: Human research suggests that eating foods rich in carotenoids, like carrots, may aid in making insulin more effective, thus improving blood-glucose control. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
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 When ephedrine was linked to several deaths due mainly to abuse, it ultimately led to the banning of ephedrine-containing supplements by the FDA.
Ephedrine has been replaced in many thermogenic formulas by synephrine, a compound from bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) that possesses similar thermogenic effects to ephedrine. In the body, synephrine is able to bind to the same types of receptor sites on fat cells as ephedrine. The beta-3 receptor is the most important one for weight management. |
Jack Challem
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 These supplements may enhance your ability to be physically active, but they are not substitutes for activity.
• Vitamin D. We have already recommended that you take a daily capsule containing at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for normal glucose tolerance, but it's nearly impossible to get adequate amounts from foods. Your body needs vitamin D to make muscles. It won't turn you into Superman, but combined with physical activity it will help your body to make normal amounts of muscle.
• Leucine. This protein building block is found in fish, meat, and chicken. |
Elaine Magee
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 A similar story cropped up a few years later with vitamin E supplements. "High doses of vitamin E were found to raise the risk of dying," read the headlines in 2004. According to a pooled statistical analysis of 19 studies, people taking 400 IU or more a day had about a 5 percent higher death rate than those who didn't take that much vitamin E. The researchers noted that the higher the dose, the greater the risk.
Then the largest clinical trial to study the effects of vitamin E on the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer—the Women's Health Study?had surprising results. |
| Apparently, alpha-tocopherol supplements decrease levels of another form of vitamin E, gamma-tocopherol, which some researchers suspect may play a big role in many processes in the body. In other words, the magic of vitamin E may arise from the mixture of its various forms (found in food); thus, focusing on one type misses the combined effect. For example, in one recent study, researchers compared two groups to see how vitamin E affected the clumping together of blood particles that can lead to blood clots, a process known as platelet aggregation. |
| In one group, participants took supplements of a mixed tocopherol preparation that more closely resembles the blend of nutrients found in food sources of vitamin E (100 milligrams of gamma-tocopherol, 20 of alpha-tocopherol, and 40 of beta-tocopherol). The other group took alpha-tocopherol only. The group receiving mixed tocopherols experienced less platelet aggregation.
Reviewing these studies, I can't help but think that sometimes in the field of nutrition what seems unconnected at first glance is actually connected. |
Ann N. Martin
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 As with humans, it is far better to derive vitamins and minerals from the foods we eat rather than from supplements. However, this is not always possible, especially if your animal companion eats commercial pet foods.
Commercial pet food manufacturers add vitamins and minerals as a "premix," which I find highly questionable. How do heat and pressure in processing affect the availability of these compounds? I also question if the minerals are chelated or do they pass through the body unused if unchelated? |
| The Nutrition Index describes calcium chloride as irritating to the intestinal tract, and calcium phosphate interferes with the absorption of other nutrients when included with other supplements. Neither calcium chloride nor calcium phosphate is a wise choice as a source of calcium for your pet. The conclusion reached in the Nutrition Index is that "the best sources of calcium are natural, organic food sources."6
In his book, How to Have a Healthier Dog, Wendell Belfield, DVM, advises, "It's roo much, not too little that bothers me most in regard to calcium. |
| Shawn Messonnier, DVM, author of The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, provides in-depth information on vitamins, minerals, and supplements used in the treatment of various ailments in our pets. He warns, "Owners should not diagnose and treat their pets without veterinary supervision. Many medical disorders present similar symptoms. Also, megavitamin therapy can be toxic if not used properly."3
As my dogs age I do include extra vitamins in their diets. My dear animal companion, Charlie, was a Newfoundland who died in September 1997, jusr as my fust book was published. |
| I believe the natural diet for the past four years plus the supplements have kept the discoid lupus under control.
In recenr years, a growing number of concerned pet owners have decided to feed their pers a healthy diet. Most are willing to go that extra step and cook for their pets. However, many have been convinced that if they are going to feed a homemade dier they must add exotic substances, such as kelp, dandelion, fig powder, goldenseal, bee pollen, aloe, and more. This may not be necessary. |
| Sometimes a mix of supplements can be harmful. For instance, excess bee pollen can cause more harm than good.
If you are feeding a commercial food or are concerned that your dogs are not getting all the nutrients they require from a homemade diet you can add a supplement to their diet. One that I found beneficial is K9-Rx, which provides high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Scott Connelly, MD, developed this supplement for dogs to be added to their regular food or as an added treat. |
| DVM, Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, ana supplements, Roseville, California: Prima Publishing, 2001.
Schlosser, E., Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal, New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.
Straw, D., Why Is Cancer Killing Our Pets? Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2000.
Strombeck, D.R., DVM, Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets, Ames, Iowa:
Iowa State University Press, 1999.
Zucker, M., Natural Remedies for Cats, New York, New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.
Zucker, M. |
Paul D. Blanc, M.D.
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 Metal fume fever is not the basis for the widespread use of zinc supplements as an over-the-counter remedy for the flu, but there is a connection.3 Zinc oxide, applied as an ointment, paste, or poultice, is a centuries-old topical remedy for inflammation of various sorts.
The key signs of inflammation form a quartet of redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Recognizing these cardinal signs of disease has been a central catechism of medical teaching for at least as long as zinc oxide has been in the phatmacopoeia. Inflammation can be localized or can spread to multiple parts of the body. |
| Butadiene polymers and neoprene were useful and important supplements. Yet, even together, these natural and synthetic materials could not meet all of the polymer needs of war production. polyvinyl chloride
Once again, as had been the case in World War I, aviation production set the pace for novel materials and applications. In particular, the complicated and vulnerable electrical wiring systems of fightet planes had a desperate key need for a flexible, stable, synthetic insulation of relatively low flammability.
B. F. Goodtich had just the polymet for the job. |
C. W. Randolph, M.D.
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 Six months after her first consultation, Shirley returned and said the following:
When I first came to you complaining that my gut had become a fat magnet, you recommended that I start a regimen that would include bio-identical progesterone cream, foods and supplements to support hormone balance, and a practice of consciously relaxing three times a day. I bought into your approach to eliminating my condition of estrogen dominance, but I thought the whole idea of de-stressing to support hormone balance was hokey, so I just blew that part off.
In two months I lost eight pounds and was excited. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
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| We believe that effective stress management involves three equally important areas: þTechniques to calm the mind and promote a positive mental attitude þFollowing a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical exercise þSupporting your body by eating a healthful diet and utilizing key dietary and botanical supplements.
Calming the Mind and Body
Learning to calm the mind and body is extremely important in relieving stress. Among the easiest methods to learn are relaxation exercises. |
C. W. Randolph, M.D.
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| In addition to the supplements described in Chapter 5, I designed an Adrenal Boost formula to increase overall energy and decrease fatigue. It is helpful for people who are under stress because it supports the glands that are responsible for energy flow. Anyone whose adrenal system is depressed by stress should also take 7-keto DHEA. |
Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
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| Protein supplements can be used to balance out any meal that is low in protein or when you are preparing a smoothie as a meal. The best choice for protein supplementation is whey protein. Whey protein is a natural by-product of the cheesemaking process. Cow's milk has about 6.25 percent protein. Of that protein, 80 percent is casein (another type of protein) and the remaining 20 percent is whey. When cheese is made, it uses the casein molecules, leaving whey. Whey protein is made by filtering off the other components of whey such as lactose, fats, and minerals. |
Jeffrey M. Smith
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 There are still no special safeguards for GM-produced supplements. If that same LT were first introduced today, it could get on the market.
The epidemic took years to identify. It was discovered only because the disease was rare, acute, came on quickly, and had a unique source. If one of these four attributes were not present, the epidemic might have remained undiscovered. Similarly, if common GM food ingredients are creating adverse reactions, the problems and their source may go undetected.
CC ' I ^he products of genetic engineering today JL are still at the level of a dinosaur technology. |
| Or what about handing out vitamin-A supplements to children so severely malnourished their bodies can't metabolize beta-carotene?"36 In fact, organizations are successfully doing these. Several groups have promoted the use of gardens in developing nations and the Vitamin Angel Alliance gives at risk children high potency vitamin A tablets, strong enough so that only two are required per year to prevent blindness. At a cost of only $.05 per tablet, only $25,000 is needed to prevent 500,000 children from going blind per year. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
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 When taking supplements, be sure to drink adequate amounts of liquid to mix with digestive juices and prevent side effects
Reprinted by permission from Jeffrey Bland to eat "complete protein" at any given meal. The body can utilize amino acids consumed at different meals to make proteins. That said, vegetarians who eat a poor diet or only a limited variety of foods should take an amino acid complex supplement.
L-tryptophan is considered the most important amino acid for sleeping problems. L-tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, which is then converted into melatonin. |
| The tests described below can be used to analyze your nutrient status, pinpoint specific deficiencies, and determine the dosages of supplements that will best suit your needs.
Many mainstream physicians assess nutritional status using blood tests. These tests measure nutrient concentrations only in the blood serum (the liquid fraction of blood) and not in the blood cells (the globular or nonliq-uid fraction of blood). The cells are generally separated out and discarded. Unfortunately, a good deal of information about an individual's nutritional status is thrown out along with these cells. |
| We detail strategies for avoiding stimulants in your diet and eliminating food allergies, and also provide recommendations for integrating a whole foods diet into your life and taking appropriate nutritional supplements.
Step 2: Detoxify your colon and liver. In chapter 4, Detoxify Your Body, we detail valuable detoxification therapies for your colon and liver. You will learn the importance of detoxification diets and be introduced to organ-cleansing methods, such as enemas, colonics, and the liver flush. |
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