Archive for February, 2010

I’d like everyone, who buys the popular brands of vitamins, herbs, etc. in your pharmacy’s and supermarkets, to look at the ingredients.  Did you know the FDA approves of putting disodium phosphate, methylparabens, sodium phosphate, nitrous oxide, benzaldehyde, sodium benzoate, sodium starch, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, sodium acetate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate and sodium pyrophosphate, tetra and many more additives in supplements, lotions, etc.

Where do I begin to tell you the side effects of these additives.  Let’s start with sodium — too much sodium in any form can cause high blood pressure, especially people suffering from hypertension.  How much salt is too much?  Most people consume more than 3,000 mgs. per day or more.  It’s wise to keep sodium intake below 3,000 a day.  Keep in mind high blood pressure can lead to a stroke.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, nonflammable gas used as an anesthetic and in aerosols.  This, of course, is toxic.  Talc is a foliated mineral used to make talcum powder, which is a carcinogenic (National Toxicology Program 1993).  Parabens were thought to be fairly safe, however, now, researchers from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, have found that alkyl hydroxy benzoate preservatives, otherwise known as parabens are weakly estrogenic.  Parabens have many prefixes, namely ethyl-, methyl-, propyl- and butyl, which are used in some supplements that we ingest; as well as in creams, lotions, shampoos and conditioners that many people use daily.

Phosphate salts containing sodium, potassium, aluminum, or calcium appear to be safe for most people when used occasionally or short term.  Regular-long-term use can upset the balance of phosphates and other chemicals in the body and should be monitored by a healthcare professional to avoid serious side effects.

Another thing that upsets me is when customers tell me they buy Fish Oils from discount stores.  I have warned them for several years of the poisonous bi-products (pcb’s) and mercury that some brands  contain, however, they rather save money instead of nourishing their bodies properly.  They might listen if they here it on the NEWS.

The next time a skeptic  comes into your health food store and says — you know natural medicine isn’t approved by the FDA, answer I know –but the  FDA approves of toxins in Pharmaceutical supplements, foods and cosmetics.

People are concerned that products will go rancid, however, natural preservatives like grapefruit seed oil, other citrus seed oils, vitamin A, C & E are beneficial.  I recommend beauty products by Avalon & Mega Foods, New Chapter or Rainbow Light vitamins.

Recently, I spoke to a friend of mine, who told me his daughter has an eating disorder.  She binges several times a week but doesn’t purge.   I told him I studied behavioral problems/addictions in my nutrition courses.

Most people have eating disorders due to underlying problems that have manifested over the years.  The only thing in their life that they can control is food intake.  They feel powerless and empty inside, therefore, they either binge eat or don’t eat at all.  Others become addicted to drugs and/or acohol.  Naturally it becomes a vicious cycle and an out-of-control one.

I recommended Food Science (DaVinci Labs.) Relora/Bacopa, which works for many of our customers.  I use it myself to help me sleep after losing my mother and other family member that I took care of.  It helps me with the flashbacks of the trauma.  I also, give it to people that no longer want to take their anxiety drugs because of the side effects they were getting.

Relora works to help  support normal levels of the cortisol and DHEA hormones produced by the body to promote the management of stress.  According to Davinci Labs. it works by binding to stress receptors in the nervous system to promote relaxation and feelings of well being while ignoring the receptors associated with sedation.

Bacopa has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for centuries.  Used as a brain tonic to enhance memory development, learning and concentration.  Active ingredients are bacosides A & B.  These bacosides aid in repair of neurons by enhancing kinase activity, neuronal synthesis, restoration of synaptic activity and nerve impulse transmission.  They also have antioxidant activity, which are free radical scavengers.

Relora with Bacopa is excellent for stress-related eating.  Like any supplement use with  a good diet and exercise program.  Excessive stress can lead to food cravings and increased fat, especially belly fat associated with increased cortisol levels.

I was listening to a morning show yesterday morning and they were talking about putting petroleum, with onion in it, on your baby for congestion. I would think the baby’s eyes would starting tearing.  I guess it’s still better than Vicks Vapor Rub or any other name vapor rub.

I strongly urge the importance of not using Vicks Vapor Rub on babies and/or young children. According to Dr. Bruce Rubin, the lead author of a study on the ointment, from the department of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston Salem, N.C., and his colleagues became interested in the effects of Vicks VapoRub on young children when they cared for an 18 month old girl who developed severe respiratory distress after the salve was put directly under her nose.

“The ingredients in Vicks can be irritants, causing the body to produce more mucus to protect the airway,” said Rubin. “Infants and young children have airways that are much narrower than those of adults, so any increase in mucus or inflammation can narrow them more severely.

“This may be of little physiologic consequence in older children and adults, but in infants and small children, this can potentially can lead to respiratory distress,” the study’s authors concluded.

For babies one (1) year old to three (3) years old, I recommend  Herbs for Kids’ Super Kids Salve &/or Hyland’s C-Plus Cold Tablets. You can put two (2) pin drops of Olbas Oil on a cotton ball and put it under the mattress cover at foot of bed.

Many times congestion is due to allergies from dust, mold and/or mildew.  In this case I suggest investing in a good air purifier.

As always check with your doctor first.

by:  Carol Lombardo

There are so many benefits in taking inositol. In Italy inositol has been used for years for depression. Inositol is part of your B vitamins and combines with choline to form lecithin. It is found in many different foods, e.g., brown rice, citrus fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains. Helps to lower cholesterol, aids in metabolizing body fat and may aid in preventing hair loss. It has calming benefits as well which makes it a great supplement to take before bedtime.

Last week a customer came in with a prescription paper from her doctor for myo-inositol. Myo relates to our  liver and muscles. Inositol works on an intra-cellular level. Most companies don’t put myo-inositol on label, except for Jarrow Formulas Inositol capsules. I prefer their powder form, especially for medicinal purposes. The powder has a sweet taste but doesn’t cause glucose elevation, in fact, it can be used for diabetics.

Customers have asked me where does it come from. Jarrow’s inositol comes from rice bran grown in Japan. Most assume that it’s a sugar and in a way they are right. It’s a glyconutrient — an indirect source of glucose and glucoronic acid. Glyconutrients are imperative for every cell in your body. For example, glycoside is used to heart disease, as in the plant Digitalis purpurea.

According to Michael Murray, ND, you can take inositol supplementation without any side effects. For general liver support — 100 to 500 mgs. daily; for depression or panic disorder — 12 grams (12,000 mgs.) and for the treatment of diabetes — 1 gram to 2 grams per day.

Don’t use if you’re using lithium or have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Also note this product, like any supplement that helps to detoxify the liver it may increase bowel movements (don’t be alarmed).

There are many books written regarding glyconutrients, e.g., Miracle Sugars by Rita Elkins.

Last week, I received a call from a long time customer from years ago (1995). She called to thank me for recommending Jarrow’s Neuro Optimizer and Nordic Natural’s DHA that she purchased for both her brothers that have Alzheimer’s. Neither one of them recognized her or talked to her for over several years and since October 2009 they are both responding to her. One of them calls her on the phone several days a week now. The other brother is going out on his own again.

Another man has been purchasing products for his mother, who also has Alzheimer’s. He tells me finally after six (6) months she is progressing and getting back her memory. Also, she used to keep him up every night and is now sleeping since I gave him Life Extension’s 10 mg. Melatonin. He also gives her Neuro Optimizer along with Jarrow’s Carnosine, Nordic Natural’s DHA, which I recommended.

Stories like these may seem incredulous, however, true. They both attribute this to the aforementioned products. I’m so glad that their continued use of these products and their love & persistence helped their loved ones. The continued positive feedback that I receive makes me happy to be in the health care business.

Also, although the brain isn’t a muscle it works like one –  use it or lose it.  Challenge your brain by doing crossword puzzles, calculating without a calculator & watching game shows about history, etc.  Of course, exercising is very important as well.  If you hate exercising — go for walks and/or take up dancing.

Many people ask me if our bodies make essential fatty acids. The answer is No. This is the reason we must use supplements like fish oils, without these oils we dry out throughout our bodies. These oils nourish us with essential fatty acids, acting as anti-inflammatories; lubricants for our eyes, brains, bones, skin and muscles; increasing our ability to focus, therefore increasing our mental acuity; helping lower our reactions to allergens in the air; increasing HDL, the good cholesterol (imperative for good cardiovascular health) and also helping with conditions, e.g., Asthma, Autoimmune Disease, Diabetes, Inflammatory problems, etc.

Many customers have used Nordic Naturals EFA’s and Renew Life Critical EPA’s (Guaranteed free of PCB’s & Mercury) with excellent results. They are consulting with their doctors to get necessary blood work needed and are doing well. Doctors are recommending the aforementioned oils as well in their practice.

There is substantial evidence that Omega 3, 6 and 9 play a major role in our health. There are clinical studies on how EFA’s may cure many problems.

More and more women have come in the store complaining about being anxious, depressed, feeling tired, gaining weight, etc. Thank God our society has changed enough to realize that these women aren’t crazy. Many years ago women were put away in mental institution if they suffered from these problems accompanied with depression.

Please don’t start on anxiety drugs. I know of several people who were misdiagnosed and ended up more depressed and/or manic. Please be sure you seek a good alternative doctor with a medical background.

The thyroid gland is the body’s metabolism master, which is the catalyst for every cell and organ in the body, affecting our weight, skin, hair, mood, energy level. If too high — hyperthyroid causes anxiety, insomnia and weight loss. Some people’s thyroid fluctuates causing a cycle of weight loss and later weight gain (or the other way around). If thyroid is too low it’s hypothyroid.

Your TSH should be checked by an endocrinologist along with other T levels. I’m not a doctor, however, I know that blood work is sometimes inconclusive. If you suspect that you truly have a thyroid problem seek the help of an alternative doctor.

According to the American Thyroid Association, there are about 20 million Americans (men & women) with thyroid disease. Keep in mind many don’t know what they have. Thyroid disease is hard to detect with normal blood work.

Many Americans who have the aforementioned disease have cardiovascular problems along with other health problems. Usually they’re put on high blood pressure pills and cholesterol lowering meds. Unfortunately, this doesn’t take care of the thyroid problem and meds may cause problems with the liver (check warnings on your prescription printout from your pharmacy).

The products I like make a synergistic blend of herbs, vitamins and/or aminos to balance your thyroid and body. It’s very important to modulate the body rather than over-stimulate. This is especially imperative, if you have Graves or Hishimoto’s, which are autoimmune (over-active immune system).

Many of our customers are taking Natural Factor’s Thyrosense with very good results. This can be taken with thyroid meds as well. If you’re against taking medication, be assertive with your doctor and mention that you wish to try natural supplements.