|
October 1999 Newsletter
A Natural Approach To
Chronic Disease
Many scientific researchers have come to believe that
dietary supplements can offer traditional medicine a hand in helping
people live longer lives without the day-to-day burden associated with
chronic diseases. There are four chronic conditions—cardiovascular
disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis—where various
dietary supplements have shown promise.
Cardiovascular Disease
The most well-known cardiovascular condition is arteriosclerosis.
The development of atherosclerosis is dependent on the oxidation of
lipoproteins. Antioxidants—such as vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene,
grape seed extract, and pine bark extract—may help slow or stop
this process by scavenging free radicals that cause oxidation.
The most well-known and well-documented antioxidant
for the heart is vitamin E. One study conducted two years ago revealed
that after 18 months, the heart attack risk of the group receiving vitamin
E was reduced 75%.
CoQ10 deficiencies have been confirmed among
patients with congestive heart failure, coronary heart
disease, and hypertension.
Garlic has been indicated to lower blood pressure,
lower blood cholesterol, and act as a general tonic for the cardiovascular
system.
Cancer
Beta carotene has been the subject of a number of clinical
trials in which it has shown anticancer capabilities.
Lutein, found in kale, spinach, broccoli, and marigold
flowers, has been studied in regard to cancer risk.
Lycopene, found in tomatoes, watermelon, and guava,
has been the subject of research related to its role in reducing risk
of certain cancers.
In a recent study, a team of scientists found that
grape seed extract significantly inhibited and even killed human cancer
cells in vitro, while increasing the growth and viability of normal
healthy cells.
A study published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association showed that intake of organic, high-selenium
yeast by a subject group showed a 50% decrease
in cancer deaths, 63% fewer cases of prostate cancer,
58% fewer cases of colon cancer and 46% fewer incidents of lung cancer.
Osteoarthritis
For more than a decade, a number of clinical studies
have been conducted to test the efficacy of glucosamine as a therapeutic
treatment of osteoarthritis.
Supplemental glucosamine works by penetrating joint
cartilage. The recommended dosage for glucosamine is 1,500 mg daily.
Often paired with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate
may protect existing cartilage from premature breakdown by inhibiting
certain enzymes that destroy cartilage or prevent the transport of nutrients.
MSM (methyl-sulfonylmethane) is an important building
block that has been recommended for helping ease inflammation and pain
associated with arthritis and gout.
Osteoporosis
An adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D by Americans
has been reported to possibly reduce the risk of hip fractures by almost
20%.
Significant bone mineral density increases were seen
in studies of more than 400 patients who have been treated with ipriflavone.
Reference: Journal of the American Medical Association,
December 25, 1997.
The Miracle Of Ginger
Ginger, like cayenne, is the preferred warming remedy
in Oriental herbalism, where it is used for cold hands and feet, chills,
weakness, poor digestion, nausea, and weak circulation. Ginger is useful
for colds, mucus, coughs, and bronchial infections. The Chinese use it
when the weather or climate is cold and damp, and to prevent and treat
viral infections.
Ginger does not specifically attack the virusor bacteria.
Nor is it an expectorant that loosens secretions of mucus. Instead, it
brings body fluids to the area, warming it up. This mobilizes the body's
defenses.
The best known use of ginger is on the digestive system.
Herbalists describe ginger as a "stimulating carminative." A
carminative is an herb that calms and supports the digestion. It soothes
the stomach, relieves gas, eases cramps, and generally encourages normal
digestion and absorption.
In 1985, 80 healthy naval cadets sailed off to the seas
of the Skagerrak. Most were seasick. The doctor handed out seasickness
pills. The cadets didn't know that some contained powdered ginger while
others contained a placebo. The ginger cut in half the symptoms of nausea,
vomiting, and cold sweats, compared to the placebo.
This kind of study has been repeated several times and
has put ginger on the map as an effective natural remedy for motion sickness.
Ginger tea, capsules, or tablets are effective for morning
sickness experienced during pregnancy. The European Journal of Obstetrics
and Gynaecology recently reported the results of a clinical trial
involving women with the most severe kind of morning sickness, termed
"hyperemesis gravidarum." Among the women taking one gram of
powdered ginger per day, the symptoms were either greatly reduced or eliminated
altogether.
In a remarkable study of 60 patients as St. Bartholomew's
Hospital in London, ginger was used against post-operative nausea and
vomiting.
One of the reasons why ginger is added to so many prescriptions
in Chinese or Indian traditional medicine is that it helps in the absorption
of other constituents.
Reference: Fulder, Stephen, Ph.D., The Ginger Book
Lycopene: A Powerful Carotenoid
The carotenoids are a large family of vitamin-like pigments
found in fruits and vegetables. Early research focused on the carotenoids,
such as beta-carotene, that were converted in the body to vitamin A. Many
other carotenoids, including lycopene, do not have pro-vitamin A activity
and their potential benefits to health are only recently being uncovered.
Harvard Medical School researcher Steven Clinton, M.D.,
Ph.D., pointed out the importance of understanding lycopene, since it
"is one of the major carotenoids in the diet of North Americans and
Europeans," being found primarily in tomato-based foods.
Lycopene levels are known to decline with advancing age,
which could adversely affect health status. "Current studies suggest
that lycopene is a more potent scavenger of oxygen radicals than other
major dietary carotenoids," said Dr. Clinton.
Several diseases may be influenced by lycopene intake.
Cancer—particularly prostate, esophageal, stomach, and cervical cancers—appears
to be less prevalent in those with higher lycopene consumption. Lycopene
has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and protect against oxidative
damage to LDL cholesterol. Preliminary work has also been conducted in
the areas of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Reference: Clinton, S.K. Lycopene: Chemistry, biology,
and implications for human health and disease. Nutr. Rev. 1998;56:35-51.
Natural Antidepressants: Safe And Effective
Affecting millions of Americans each day, depression can
strike anyone at any time. For years, Prozac has been the treatment of
choice in treating the illness. However, vitamins, amino acids, and herbs
are being utilized in the fight against the "blues."
The American Psychiatric Association bases its definition
of clinical depression upon the following criteria: 1) marked change in
appetite; 2) insomnia or hypersomnia; 3) loss of interest or pleasure
in usual activities, or decrease in sexual drive; 4) fatigue; 5) feelings
of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or self-reproach; 6) physical hyperactivity
or inactivity; 7) diminished ability to concentrate or think; 8) anxiety;
9) feeling sad, empty, or despondent; and 10) recurrent thoughts of death
and suicide. The presence of four or more of these traits for a period
of at least one month indicates clinical depression.
Many people become depressed only during the winter months.
Environmental, psychological, genetic, and physiological factors all can
cause depression.
Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and smoking increase the likelihood
of depression.
Strong evidence, supported by hundreds of studies, indicates
that exercise eases some mild cases of depression by raising levels of
endorphins in the brain. Exercise also has been shown to reduce tension
and improve mental outlook and self esteem. The B vitamins are of particular
importance in preventing depression. A deficiency of vitamin B3, or niacin,
has been shown to lead to a number of psychological problems, including
depression, apathy, anxiety, mania, dementia, and delirium. Deficiencies
of vitamin B12 and folic acid may lead to depression. Deficiency of vitamin
C also can produce symptoms of depression.
Mood is affected by the body's levels of amino acids,
which function as neurotransmitters. Specific neurotransmitters that function
asantidepressants include tryptophan, taurine, tyrosine, S-adenosyl-methionine
(SAM), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the herbal category, the
most well-known and well-studied natural choice for depression is St.
John's wort.
Many of the studies were conducted in Germany where the
herb is far more popular than Prozac and other antidepressants.
The October 1994 issue of the Journal of Geriatric
Psychiatry and Neurology contains 16 articles on St. John's wort.
The most common preparations of St. John's wort are standardized
extracts. The recommended daily dosage is 300 mg of St. John's wort containing
0.3% hypericin. While Prozac costs approximately $80 per month, St. John's
wort is only about $10 per month.
Although supplements may effectively relieve feelings
of depression, they are not cures. Amino acids, drugs, and herbs are symptomatic
treatments and generally only work for as long as they are taken.
Reference: Upton, R., et al. St. John's Wort Monograph.
American Herbal Pharmacopeia. July, 1997.
Low Omega-3 Levels Linked To Depression
British research suggests that there is a link between
the rise in depression and the fact that people have been eating much
less omega-3 fatty acids.
The cell membranes surrounding red blood cells were analyzed
in depressed and non-depressed individuals to determine fatty acid composition.
The depressed group showed a significant depletion of omega-3 fatty acids,
particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
The researchers suggested that the low levels of omega-3
fatty acids may be related to greater oxidative damage to cell membranes
in the depressed individuals, which in turn may be associated with inadequate
antioxidant defenses.
A related study confirmed the depletion of omega-3 fatty
acids in the cell membranes of depressed people. In addition, those suffering
from more severe depression had lower levels of fatty acids and less dietary
intakes of omega-3 fatty acids.
According to the researchers, "the findings raise
the possibility that, for some people, depressive symptoms may be alleviated
by omega-3 supplementation."
Reference: Peet, M., Murphy, B., Shay, J., et al. Depletion
of omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive
patients. Bio. Psych. 1998;43:315-9.
The Antiinflammatory Effects Of Nettle Leaves
Urtica dioica, or Stinging nettles, has been found
to contain several anti- inflammatory compounds that affect cartilage
degradation, bone resorption, and acute rheumatic arthritis.
Previous research had established that 1340 mg of powdered
extract of nettle leaves allows a 50% reduction in the dose of nonsteroidal
anti-inflationary analgesics (NSAID) used to treat arthritis. In a German
study, 40 subjects participated in an open randomized study comparing
the effectiveness of a combination of stinging nettles and 50 mg of diclofenac
to the standard 200 mg dosage of diclofenac. Diclofenac is an NSAID commonly
prescribed in dosages of 150 to 200 mg per day for the treatment of rheumatoid
and osteoarthritis. The subjects were randomly assigned to the nettle
and 50 mg of diclofenac group or the 200 mg diclofenac group.
Gastric bleeding is a common side effect of NSAID use.
Both groups received the same nutrition over the study period of 14 days.
The study concluded that 50 mg of Urtica dioica
plus 50 mg of diclofenac is as effective as 200 mg of diclofenac at reducing
the clinical symptoms of acute arthritis. This could be great news for
those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs because of ulcers or other gastric problems.
Reference: Chrubasik, S., W. Enderlein, R., Bauer, and
W. Grabner, Evidence for Antirheumatic Effectiveness of Herba Urticae
dioicae in acute arthritis: A Pilot Study Phytomedicine, 1997;
4(2):105-8.
Health Tip
Diabetes often leads to complications related to circulatory health.
A study of 10 diabetics and 10 healthy controls found that vitamin C restored
healthy blood vessel function in the diabetic group. The benefit seen
from vitamin C implicates free radical damage to blood vessels as the
likely culprit in diabetic circulatory problems.
Journal Am. Coll. Cardiol., 1998;31:552-7.
|
