| Taking small amounts of estrogen right around the time of menopause can also help prevent the large drop in bone density seen around that time, so if you are at risk for osteoporosis it might be worth supplementing it for a few years. But it's more important to also use progesterone cream, which will actually build bone. Please don't think of estrogen as a long-term replacement hormone unless you're very thin. Your fat cells and adrenal glands will make what you need, and you're getting dosed with it every time you're exposed to pesticides and plastics, which for most of us is many times daily. |
| According to a study published in the Western Journal of Medicine, some $20 billion could be saved each year in hospital costs simply by supplementing folic acid and vitamin E. This is based on the well-studied fact that folic acid deficiencies contribute to neural tube birth defects and low birth weight premature babies, and that just 100 IU of vitamin E daily dramatically reduces the risk of heart disease. Imagine the billions that could be saved both in drug sales and overall health costs if everyone took a good multivitamin! |
National Women's Health Network
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 Although few data are available, we believe that supplementing your diet with beans, whole grains, and flaxseed and other foods containing phytoestrogens is safe. We see no need for postmenopausal women with breast cancer to actively avoid phytoestrogens. After all, they are an important part of the diet in many countries with low breast cancer rates and are found in many foods with high nutritive value. We also feel, however, that phytoestrogen pills should be avoided.
Should breast cancer patients who are being treated with the hormonal drug tamoxifen take phytoestrogens as a supplement? |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 Whenever supplementing essential fatty acids, such as safflower, flaxseed, or canola oils, it is wise to take additional vitamin E (100-400 IU) to reduce potential oxidation of these polyunsaturated oils.
A general health recommendation is that our diet provide no more than 25-30 percent* of our total calories from fat nutrients, and that is for food intake in an amount just sufficient to maintain optimum weight, not to supply any excess body weight. Climate and body temperature are important factors in determining fat requirements. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| There is evidence to support the contention that supplementing the diet with folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 can increase BH4 levels. In addition, the folic acid supplementation and the promotion of methylation reactions have been shown to increase the serotonin content.50"52 The serotonin-elevating effects are undoubtedly responsible for much of the antidepressive effects of folic acid and vitamin B12. Typically the dosages of folic acid in the antidepressant clinical studies have been very high: 15-50 mg. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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| If there is concern, supplementing magnesium in amounts between half and equaling that of calcium intake (which should be done anyway with calcium supplementation) would reduce that risk, at least for calcium-based stones. I usually suggest using a buffered vitamin C preparation with calcium and magnesium, which alleviates this concern.
As far as deficiency problems go, the once fairly common disease called scurvy is very rare these days. |
| For women who have repeated spontaneous abortions or premature labor, supplementing citrus bioflavonoids—for example, 200 mg. three times daily—may be helpful in remedying these problems. Vitamin P has been used also in asthma, allergies, bursitis and arthritis, and eye problems secondary to diabetes and as protection from the harmful effects of radiation. l/Q
After all that, though, there is not much scientific evidence to support these clinical uses of bioflavonoids. Though they were touted very highly for a while, further research must be done to substantiate these claims. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Changes in the properties of cell membranes throughout the heart are thought to contribute to impaired contraction of the heart muscle and increased susceptibility to irregular beats, and eventual death of heart tissue. supplementing the diet with carnitine increases heart carnitine levels and has been shown to prevent the production of fatty acid metabolites which can damage the heart. In addition to angina, all of these effects make carnitine beneficial in recovery from a heart attack, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Several double-blind clinical trials have demonstrated that supplementing the diet with bulk-forming fibers can significantly reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids (bleeding, pain, pruritus, and prolapse) and improve bowel habits.5,6
A recent randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of fiber supplements in 50 patients with bleeding internal hemorrhoids. Patients in the study group were treated with a commercially available preparation of Plantago ovata and those in the control group were treated with a placebo. |
| For example, a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 24 epileptic children not responding to anti-epileptic drugs found that supplementing with 400IU/day of vitamin E provided a significant reduction of seizures in 10 out of 12 children. The two unresponsive children were non-compliant. All the children continued their normal dosages of anti-epileptic drugs. There was no benefit in the 12 placebo children, and, as expected, no negative side-effects from the vitamin E therapy. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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| Moderate daily exercise as well as supplementing calcium and vitamin D results in reduced to restore a positive calcium balance. The best way to combat osteoporosis is to prevent it with regular exercise, a calcium-rich diet not too high in phosphorus, calcium supplements, and for menopausal women considering estrogen therapy. Exercise can actually stimulate bone renewal by improving bone uptake of calcium and other minerals. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| The only significant treatment effect found was an increase in body weight observed in the females supplementing with chromium.74
The effects of 9 weeks of daily chromium supplementation (200 meg chromium as picolinate) were investigated in a double-blind design in football players during sprint training. Chromium picolinate supplementation was ineffective in bringing about changes in body composition or strength. |
| For this reason, supplementing a patient with sources of LA and ALA will do little good if zinc deficiency is present. The changes in body growth, organ weights and lipid concentrations of plasma and liver produced by zinc deficiency are reversed by the addition of primrose oil, but not safflower oil, showing the role of zinc in the A6 desaturase enzyme.8 The enzyme is also inhibited by high concentrations of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and trans fatty acids, all of which compete for the enzyme binding site and yield products that are of less significance to the cell. |
| Since relatively high protein intake was reported in the study demonstrating HMB's efficacy, and because it is unknown whether the same results will occur while on a low-protein diet, a similar protein intake of between 120 and 175 g/ day for athletes supplementing with HMB might produce best results.
Toxicity
At this point, the primary concern regarding HMB is anecdotal evidence which indicates that many individuals have not experienced expected results with this supplement. |
| As an example, supplementing apparently healthy, elderly people (who were consuming an otherwise typical diet), with 60-800 mg vitamin E improved several aspects of cell-mediated immunity within 4 months.151,152 The research also suggested that consumption of 200mg/day may be more effective than 800 mg/day. Overall studies indicate that the RDAs for this nutrient and other antioxidants are inadequate for optimal immune function (see Ch. 108 for an in-depth discussion of optimum nutrient levels). |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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| If we take a lot of zinc, we may absorb more zinc into our body, but then we may not absorb as much copper, manganese, or magnesium out of our food if we are not supplementing them also. Giving all our nutrients a "fair chance" will let the body's natural wisdom work more easily.
My main medical goal is to guide people in developing the skills to become their own best doctor, and thus be able to make more informed, conscious choices.
O THE INDIVIDUAL VITAMINS
Ffollowing is a detailed discussion of each of the currently known vitamins. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| REFERENCES
1. Rromann N, Green A. Epidemiological studies in the Upernavik district, Greenland. Acta Med Scand 1980; 208: 401^06
2. Yamori Y, Nara Y, Iritarri N et al. Comparison of serum phospholipids fatty acids among fishing and farming Japanese populations and American inlanders. I Nutr Sci Vitaminol 1985; 31: 417-422
3. Bulliyya G, Reddy KK, Reddy GPR et al. Lipid profiles among fish-consuming coastal and non-fish-consuming inland populations. Eur J Clin Nutr 1990; 44: 481-185
4. Kang, JX, Leaf, A. Antiarrhythmic effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids. |
Dr. Julian Whitaker
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| Brain
Pregnenolone • dhea
Pineal Gland • Melatonin
Pituitary Gland
• Growth hormone
Thyroid
Thyroid hormones
Adrenals • dhea
Ovaries • Estrogen Progesterone x Testes
' Testosterone
Figure 4.4. Endocrine Glands and the Hormones They Secrete
PREGNENOLONE—THE MEMORY HORMONE
Possibly the most powerful memory-enhancing hormone of all, pregnenolone is a steroid hormone, synthesized in the adrenal glands from cholesterol. It is considered a precursor hormone because from it, DHEA, estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones are made, as illustrated in Figure 4.5. |
The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
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 In addition to helping yout bones, calcium has a good effect on bile acid metabolism," explains Dr. Hofmann. "What has been found is that latge doses of oral calcium form calcium phosphate in the gut." This sets off a chain of chemical events that eventually lowets the amount of cholesterol in the gallbladder, thus reducing the possibility that gallstones will form, he explains.
It also seems to explain why a study of 872 Dutchmen between the ages of 40 and 59 found that the more calcium the men consumed over a 25-year period, the fewet gallstones they wete likely to have. |
Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
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 C prevents this decrease10 and has been linked to a lower risk of developing cataracts."12 Healthy people have been reported to be more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin E supplements than those with cataracts in some" but not all studies.14 Nonetheless, because people who supplement with vitamin C have developed far fewer cataracts in some research,1516 nutritionally oriented doctors often recommend 500-1,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation as part of a cataract prevention program. |
| A (p. 336) lowers the risk of cataracts.24 Synthetic beta-carotene supplementation has not been found to reduce the risk of cataract formation.25 It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely a marker for other protective factors in fruit and vegetables high in beta-carotene.
People who eat a lot of spinach, which is high in lutein (p. 308), a nutrient similar to beta-carotene, have been reported to be at low risk for cataracts. |
| PABA taken 4 times per day for 3 to 7 months.2 The effect of PABA on fertility has not been studied in modern research.
Researchers have attempted to discover whether large amounts of PABA would be helpful in various connective tissue disorders. Although uncontrolled studies have reported that PABA (12 grams per day) was helpful to people with scleroderma,3,4,5 a placebo-controlled trial found supplementation with PABA did not lead to improvement. |
| NAC for extended periods.
NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
NADH is the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3 (p. 339). It plays an essential role in the energy production of every human cell. In the brain, increased NADH concentrations may result in improved production of essential neurotransmitters.1
Large uncontrolled studies using oral or injected NADH to treat Parkinson's disease showed reductions in physical disability and in the need for medication,2,3 but a small, controlled, short-term trial using injections of NADH found no significant effects. |
| Symptoms of pantothenic acid or zinc (p. 346) deficiency have been reported to be lessened with biotin,7 though people with these deficiencies should supplement with the nutrients they are deficient in. Researchers have speculated that biotin and alpha lipoic acid (p. 264) may compete with each other for absorption or uptake into cells; but little is known about the importance of these interactions in humans.8
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a chemical substance with mild antiseptic properties.1 Dilute boric acid is commonly used as a suppository inserted in the vagina to treat yeast infection (p. |
| For the few cases in which B6, B]2, and folic acid fail to normalize homocysteine, adding 6 grams per day of betaine may be effective.25 The form of betaine used to lower homocysteine levels is different from the betaine HC1 supplement used to acidify the stomach. Of these four supplements, folic acid appears to be the most important.26 Attempts to lower homocysteine by simply changing the diet rather than using vitamin supplements have not been successful.27
While several trials have consistently shown that B^, B12, and folic acid lower homocysteine, the amounts used vary from study to study. |
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