• Four Herbs For Diabetes
• Selenium Reduces Cancer Risk
• New Coenzyme Fights CFS
• Insomnia: Simple Solutions
• Alzheimer's, Dementia, And Ginkgo
• Medicinal Mushrooms

Four Herbs For Diabetes

More than sixteen million people are afflicted with diabetes in the U.S., where it is the fifth leading cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association. Most diabetics can keep the disease in check through proper diet and regular exercise. Research has shown that some substances found in plants can contribute to this care.

Four herbs have been shown to be safe and effective antidiabetics, consistently lowering blood glucose levels and improving the body's ability to use insulin in specific tests.

Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre) has long been used in the Ayurvedic medicine of India as a treatment for diabetes. Gurmar has been shown to enhance the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin in laboratory animals and to rejuvenate dysfunctional pancreatic cells.

In a 1990 study, twenty-two Type II diabetics in India who were taking unspecified oral antidiabetic medications were also given 400 mg of a standardized gurmar extract daily. After eighteen to twenty months, all were able to reduce their dosage of antidiabetic medication, and five participants were able to discontinue using it entirely. The researchers judged the gurmar extract to be superior to the medication for long-term blood sugar stabilization. In another study, 400 mg of the extract given to twenty-seven Type I diabetics lowered their insulin requirements by an average of nearly 50%, on the basis of their reduced fasting glucose levels.

In a 1995 Finnish study, thirty-six Type II diabetics who were receiving no other medication took 200 mg of Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) daily. At the end of eight weeks, the fasting blood glucose measurements of the participants had decreased, and they reported that they felt better and were able to exercise more.

A 1989 review of the research on the antidiabetic effects of onions and garlic revealed that people who take a daily dose of 10 g of onion or garlic extract per kg of body weight showed lower fasting blood glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance tests. The recommended dose of garlic for a healthy person is 4 g, or one medium-sized clove, daily; eating more than five cloves a day may slow blood clotting.

In a double-blind study conduct-ed by the Indian National Institute of Nutrition in 1990, ten Type I diabetics were given either 100 g of ground Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds to take each day with meals or no fenugreek. After ten days, fasting glucose levels of those who took the fenugreek had decreased by 30%, and their glucose tolerance improved. In double-blind studies of Type II diabetics, 15 to 25 g of fenu-greek powder was similarly effective.

The wealth of anecdotal evidence supporting the efficacy of many plants traditionally used for diabetes has prompted their investigation. Studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have shown that extracts of cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and bay leaf help insulin perform more effectively; investigation of cinnamon, the most promising of the four, is continuing.

Reference: Bailey, C.J., and Day, C., "Traditional Plant Medicines as Treatments for Diabetes". Diabetes Care 1989, 12:553-64.

Selenium Reduces Cancer Risk

Selenium supplementation reduces the risk of developing lung cancer in high risk populations, according to a study conducted at the Beijing Food Industrial Institute in Beijing, China.

Healthy miners were randomized into two groups. One group received 300 mcg of selenium, while the other group received a placebo for one year while subjects continued to consume their normal diets. Pre-study tests showed low selenium concentrations in plasma and hair, which reflected poor dietary intake of the mineral.

Results showed a 178% increase in serum and a 194.8% increase in hair selenium concentrations as a result of supplementation. Lymphocyte DNA damage induced by both ultraviolet irradiation and carcinogens was reduced, while liver function was not affected by selenium supplementation.

The researchers conclude selenium supplementation in doses slightly greater than RDA values is safe and effective for the prevention of cancer in people with low selenium status.

Reference: Yu, S., Mao, B., Xiao, P., et al: Intervention trial with selenium for the prevention of lung cancer among tin miners in Yunnan, China: A pilot study. Biol Tr El Res 1990; 24:105-9.

New Coenzyme Fights CFS

A naturally-occurring coenzyme might be beneficial to persons with such devastating diseases as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The coenzyme referred to is "nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide," or NADH, also known as Coenzyme 1.

NADH, an antioxidant, is an enzyme facilitator that occurs in all living cells and plays a central role in the body's energy-producing capacity. It seems that the more NADH a cell has available, the more energy it can produce.

Most of the investigations published in the medical literature on NADH thus far have been led by Georg D. Birkmayer, M.D., Ph.D. These studies have shown NADH to be beneficial for a variety of health problems, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression.

One of Birkmayer's most recent published studies appeared in the Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science. In this study, patients whom were diagnosed as either pre-senile or with senile dementia-Alzheimer's disease, were given 10 mg of NADH daily for eight to 12 weeks. The patients underwent physical, neurological, and psychiatric examination before and after the treatment period. After the NADH treatment, all of the patients showed improvements in comparison with baseline tests prior to supplementation, tests which measured the severity of their cognitive and functional impairments.

NADH has primarily been studied in Europe; however, there are several interesting studies now underway in the U.S. NADH studies are being done at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, and the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY.

Reference: Birkmayer, Jorg G.D., M.D., Ph.D., "Coenzyme Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide - New Therapeutic approach for Improving Dementia of the Alzheimer Type," Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science (26)1, 1996.

Insomnia: Simple Solutions

The causes of insomnia are varied, but psychological factors are present in more than 50% of the cases. Environmental and dietary factors also play a prominent role, and statistics show that, for unknown reasons, insomnia is more common in females than in males. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and herbal medicines can help treat the problem.

Many solutions for insomnia are found in the plant world. Most often, recom-mendations include reishi mush-rooms, hops, valerian, skullcap, passionflower, lemon balm, or kava-kava.

While it's not traditional in Western herbalism, reishi seems to resolve disturbed shen qi, calm a person during the day, reduce anxiety, help overcome environmental distractions, and regulate sugar metabolism. The health benefits of this herb have been demonstrated in many studies, with the suggested dose of three 1 g tablets of the mushroom taken three times per day.

Hops (Humulus lupulus) have been used as a sleeping aid for centuries and can be taken to relieve stress during the day or just before bedtime. The German Commission E recommends a daily dose of ½ g.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is another herb familiar to insomniacs throughout history. Although beneficial in inducing sleep, it can be mildly habit-forming, with stronger doses needed over time. Therefore it is recommended that it be taken only for short periods (up to one month) or occasionally when sleep disturbance is serious.

Nineteenth-century medical practitioners used skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

Herbalists generally use this herb in combination with reishi, hops, and valerian or alone as a tincture of 15 to 40 drops two or three times daily.

Kava-kava (Piper methysticum), will probably become one of the most popular healing herbs in the next few years because of its strong relaxing action without affecting mental clarity. This makes kava very useful for highly active people who need to stay calm and mentally awake during periods of stress.

Reference: Willard, Terry, Herbs and their Clinical Uses. Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Ltd., 1996.

Alzheimer's, Dementia, And Ginkgo

One of the best-known uses of ginkgo leaf extracts (Ginkgo biloba) is to enhance short-term memory. More than 300 scientific studies on the use of ginkgo leaf extracts have now led researchers to speculate that they may be of use in relieving mild to moderate symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.

A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study measured the effect of a ginkgo leaf extract standardized for flavonoid and ginkgolide content on 216 outpatients with pre-senile and senile dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.

After twenty-four weeks, 28% of those in the treatment group responded positively to the ginkgo leaf extract compared with 10% in the placebo group.

This study provides further evidence that supports the use of ginkgo leaf extracts for Alzheimer's patients in early stages of dementia. In Germany, the extract is approved for this purpose.

In a related study it has been shown that Vitamin E, combined with a drug used to treat Alzheimer's called selegiline (Eldepryl), may slow the progression of the disease. According to a study conducted by researcher Mary Sano of Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons and published in the New England Journal of Medicine (April 21, 1997), the mixture of vitamin E and selegiline appeared to delay the onset of milestones of Alzheimer's disease for six to seven months.

The patients were divided into four groups, with one group receiving a placebo, another getting 10 mg of selegiline per day, the third group getting 2,000 IU of vitamin E, and the fourth group receiving a combination of vitamin E and selegiline.

Deterioration in the patients taking the placebo happened more quickly than the other three groups. According to the researchers, the other three groups were statistically similar in slowing the effects of Alzheimer's.

Reference: Kanowski, S., et al: "Proof of Efficacy of the Ginkgo biloba Special Extract Egb761 in Outpatients Suffering from Mild to Moderate Primary Degenerative Dementia of the Alzheimer Type or Multi-infarct Dementia". Pharmacopsychiatry, 1996. 29:47-56.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Shiitake (shee-TAH-kee) mushrooms are a culinary rage in the U.S. today, but have been important in Chinese culture for thousands of years. For the past thirty years, scientists have been investi-gating some uses and have amassed evidence that shiitake can help the body fight heart disease, cancer, and viral diseases. Most of the research has been carried out in Japan.

In a 1974 study involving thirty young women, researchers concluded that shiitake had "completely nullified" the effect of consuming 60 g of butter daily on the cholesterol level of the participants.

In 1969, researchers at Tokyo's National Cancer Center Research Institute isolated a polysaccharide compound from shiitake that they named lentinan. Researchers have since demonstrated that lentinan works by stimulating immune-system cells to rid the body of tumor cells. In Japan, lentinan is approved for use as a drug to prolong the lives of patients undergoing chemotherapy for stomach cancer.

The traditional dose is 1 or 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms daily for preventive care or 6 to 16 g of dried shiitake. Commercial preparations in capsule form are also available.

Reishi and maitake are medicinal mushrooms that have become popular in the U.S.

Laboratory studies have shown that maitake extract can inhibit the growth of tumors and stimulate the immune system of cancerous mice. Human clinical studies of patients with breast and colorectal cancers are under way in the U.S. In China, sixty-three patients with lung, stomach, or liver cancers or leukemia who took four capsules of maitake extract three times daily before meals for one to three months showed an "anticancer" effect.

For 4,000 years the Chinese and Japanese have called upon reishi to treat liver disorders, hypertension, arthritis, and other ailments.

Recent human studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. When more than 2,000 Chinese patients with chronic bronchitis were given reishi syrup in tablet form, 60 to 90% showed a marked improvement in health, including increased appetite, within two weeks.

Reference: Hobbs, Christopher, Medicinal Mushrooms: An Exploration of Tradition, Healing, and Culture, 1995.

According to the National Center for Homeopathy, homeopathy is effective in treating many diseases such as allergies, depression, migraines, sore throats, coughs, and arthritis.

A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients found that 21% of those taking a placebo, while 82% of those taking a homeopathic medicine experienced some relief of their symptoms.

References: Gibson, R.G., Gibson, S.L.M., MacNeil, A.D., et al: "Homeopathic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evaluation by Double-Blind Controlled Trial," British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 9:453-9, 1980.