Archive for February, 2009

Hypothyroidism is more common in women. The balance of estrogen and progesterone can have a big influence on the thyroid glands. This is one of the biggest problems when women approach menopause.

Women on synthetic estrogen therapy are particularly susceptible to decreased thyroid function. Also, the effects of stress and the balance of stress hormones are important factors in thyroid function.

Have your doctor check your TSH levels, as well as your hormone levels.

There are naturals products that you can try that may help alleviate the aforementioned condition, e.g., Natural Factors’ Menosense and Natural Factors’ Thyroid Health Formula.

Either because of injury or degenerative disease caused by aging, disc problems (herniated discs/bulging discs) may occur. The main products that may support and help alleviate pain are the following:

Chondroitin, Glucosamine, MSM, NAG, L-Proline, L-Lysine, Vit. C, Manganese, and Molybdenum – to name a few.

Also, the aforementioned supplements may help repair connective tissues, cartilage and the arteries as well. Some customers have actually had complete improvement in herniated discs to the point where they actually healed — the actual time depends on each individual. I also recommend P/T (physical therapy) and/or exercise.

I like American Biologic’s Ultra Connexin or Jarrow’s Glucosamine + Chondroitin + MSM

RA has a bad reputation because it may cause crippling joint deformities. Other symptoms involve both hands waving with lumps under skin (nodules), swelling, redness (when inflammed) and fatigue (especially after exercise).

The conventional drugs used may cause severe side effects. I prefer alternative supplements, i.e., NORDIC NATRUALS OMEGA 3-6-9, BLACK CHERRY JUICE, ZYFLAMEND, and/or GLUCOSAMINE WITH MSM BY JARROW OR NATURE’S PLUS.

Try to get into a good pool program for gentle exercise — water is very therapeutic and beneficial for RA patients.

Parabens are preservatives used in creams, cosmetics and deodorants. The question is are they dangerous? If you want you can use NOW’s natural oils with total purity and nothing added. I like Almond oil, which is closest to our skin’s balance.

A small study showed traces of parabens in a tiny sample of breast cancer tumors. Study concludes parabens used as preservatives in creams and deodorants have weak estrogen-like properties, but in another study in question makes no cause-and-effect connection between parabens and breast cancer nor did it conclusively identify the source of parabens found in the tumors.

My conclusion is let’s leave them out of any of the aforementioned products to be safe.

For example, I suggest trying the natural crystal deodorants by Sedona Products or The Crystal by F/T Ltd., for creams and lotions try Burt’s Bees, Earth Science, Jarrow, Kiss My Face. Also for progesterone creams use Emerita or LifeFlo.

Men over 40 may start experiencing problems with their prostate (frequency in urinating is one). Of course, one step to take is have your doctor do a prostate exam. There are two factors in determining a healthy prostate — PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy).

Each year about 500,000 men are diagnosed with BPH compared to approximately 180,000 of men who are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (PC). although over 30,000 men die a year from PC very few die from BPH.

One of the major causes of high BPH and PC is increased levels of DHT (Dihydrotesterone). Try to follow guidelines below. If you have a family history of PC, please get checked yearly or as recommended by your physician. If your PSA is below 1.0 mg/ml. test every 2 – 3 years.

Eat plenty of high lignan oils/foods, e.g., flax oil w/lignans and or sesame oil w/lignans, pumpkin oil (for bladder support) cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts), lycopene found in cooked tomatoes (may inhibit tumor cell proliferation), pumpkin seeds, berries and very little meat. Decrease your intake of white flour and white sugar.

Several companies put out very good products in capsules or softgels which contain some of the aforementioned, i.e., Jarrow Prostate Optimizer, Life Extension’s Ultra Natural Prostate, or Solaray Prostate Defense. I highly recommend supplementing if you’re not eating right.

Are you taking the right form of Vitamin E? It should be a mixed tocopherol formula — gamma tocopherol, alpha tocopherol and delta tocopherol. For optimal health benefits you need to make sure it contains Gamma E Tocopherol because it attacks free radicals which play a vital role in age-related decline.

Life Extension adds sesame lignans to their product because they are high in tocotrienols and increase the antioxidant benefits of Vitamin E and help decrease inflammation.

Beware of products adding hydrogenated or fractioned oils to their vitamins.

Are you tense/can’t sleep. BioChem makes two great products; one for nighttime and one for the day.

The nighttime formula called TENSION RX NIGHTTIME contains B6, GABA, L-Theanine, CitiCholine and 5HTP. It calms you down, eases anxiety and increases serotonin while you sleep.

The daytime formula called TENSION RX helps ease tension, reduces mental fatigue, aids in mental focus and attention, while supporting nerve function. It, too may help you sleep better at night.

Follow the directions on box.

Hydrilla verticillata is a rooted fresh water plant which contains high values of calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, B1, B2, B5, B6 and B12 and vitamins C & E. It is more bioavailable (better absorbed) than synthetic mineral products.

It’s ideal for vegans, especially if you don’t eat dairy products. It’s very important to help prevent thinning of the bones (osteoporosis).

I recommend using Mega Food Hydrilla veggie caps or Vibrant Health Green Calcium (Hydrilla Verticillata).

If you’re allergic to shellfish you can try FlexNow Joint Formula by BSP Pharma Inc., which is made with a complex of shea nut triterpenes that helps reduce inflammation and all-over-stiffness.

The shea nut triterpenes are unique in the botanical world for their ability to reduce inflammation (COX 2 inhibitor) in humans. Also, if you are not allergic to shellfish, you can use it in conjunction with your glucosamine formulas because it will work synergistically.

Presently, there are no known side effects while taking the aforementioned with medications — but I always recommend checking with your pharmacist and/or doctor.

Every year over a million people are hospitalized due to fractures (unaware that they have osteoporosis). There are many factors involved besides aging. In the young it is usually due to poor diet (low calcium, magnesium and D3 intake). In most people (men as well as women), it’s due to hormone changes as well as lack of exercise, smoking, not eating enough calcium and magnesium rich foods, use of corticosteroid drugs and not taking the proper supplements.

New studies link hip fractures to fluoridated water. Fluoridated water literally leaches calcium out of the bones.

In women change of life (low hormones levels) and removal of ovaries puts you at a greater risk. Depression in both men and women is another factor, especially when they are extremely underweight.

Many people aren’t aware of what calcium supplements they should be taking. Keep in mind it’s very important not to take more than 600 mgs. at once because you cannot absorb more than that at a given time. The best way to take calcium is two to three times a day with a synergistic blend of B12, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, boron, magnesium, D3, Vitamin C and Vitamin K2 (MK7).

Each vitamin and mineral plays an important role in helping the body to improve bone density. Jarrow Bone-Up is an excellent choice because it contains all of the aforementioned. Follow the instructions on the bottle — they are there for an important reason.

After 35 years of age have a bone density test (which is non-invasive) at least every two years or whatever your doctor recommends.

Fractions in elderly is the start of severe health problems, so you should take the aforementioned suggestion very seriously.