Did you happen to catch the news about Walmart, Walgreens GNC and Target? It seems they have been selling herbal supplements that did not even contain the main ingredient or had ingredients not listed on the label. Walmart's Echinacea contained no echinacea, while GNC's St Johns Wort contained no St Johns wort. One supplement even contained "houseplant", whatever that is. This might be one reason you can buy "standardized" products for so little. Apparently it did not cost much in the first place because the herb wasn't there. For decades my wife and I have been trying to warn consumers about the quality of products and the secondary market. In this case, it is not the fact they sold used product, it was that there was no product.
I have always marvelled at some of these companies that can offer a "buy one get two free." How is that possible that you can give away two thirds of your inventory and still make a profit? That would be like owing one dollar and giving away three dollars. Seriously? How good do you think that first bottle was?
Just some food for thought. Oh, and please do not think I am advocating for some of the garbage sold on the internet at exorbitant prices. We were all raised with the idea that you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, the con men and shysters figured that out and are raking in millions on the trusting souls hoping to find help for their pain or suffering.
Just remember, CAVEAT EMPTOR. Let the buyer beware. If you do not know the company, you had better know someone who can honestly advise you on some of the products.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Monday, November 17, 2014
Magnesium for Back pain, Shingles, Colon cleanse
NATURE’s Rx April 2009
Dear Jonathan, I have had several back surgeries over the years and my pain is getting worse. I have been taking 1800 milligrams of calcium a day as was recommended, but my bone structure is not improving. I can’t sit for very long, and sleep is almost impossible. I am afraid to use a lot of painkillers because I am afraid to get hooked. Is there anything you can suggest? Phyllis
Dear Phyllis, I can sum it up in one word –MAGNESIUM, MAGNESIUM, MAGNESIUM. From your letter and the amount of calcium you are taking I can guess you are taking a carbonate form of calcium, which in your case as proven by your body, is useless. According to Mildred Seelig, MD, a leading magnesium researcher at the University of North Carolina,” many people needlessly suffer pain –including fibromyalgia, migraines, muscle cramps-because they don’t get enough magnesium”.
Lawrence Resnick, MD, Professor of Medicine at Cornell Medical Center says many people worsen the problem by loading up on too much calcium, which flushes magnesium from the cells.
By changing your mineral supplement, you will probably be able to improve your bone health and the magnesium will help to relax your muscles and improve your sleep. We have loads of information available at the HERBARIUM. Depending on your back and the types of surgery you had, there are other nerve tonics such as Dr. Clayton’s NERVE-EASE, or Jamaican Dogwood or California Poppy to help with nerve pain.
Dear Jonathan, I had shingles two years ago and still have a lot of nerve pain. Is that possible? Is there anything that I could use to help get rid of this? Connie
Dear Connie, Yes it is possible. We have had customers who told us they had pain for nearly five years after the shingles went away. For pain relief, we have used Jamican Dogwood for many years with very good results. California Poppy is another herbal that works well, and my wife, Clinical Aromatherapist Kathleen Duffy has recommended a massage oil with Rose Geranium Oil( Pelargonium graveolens).
Studies have shown it to be very effective for post herpetic pain.
Dear Jonathan, I received a brochure in the mail regarding colon cleansing. I also see a lot of TV shows talking about how important it is. Is it really that important to clean your colon? Do we really have all those toxins and build up in our intestines? I would like to try it for my mother, who has lots of constipation issues. Marian
Dear Marian. Let me address your questions slowly. First, throw the brochure away if you did not request the information Second my rule of thumb is “ believe 50% of what they say, and do not buy their product” Third, If you have ever had a colonoscopy, you might have noticed a loss of three to five pounds while you were prepping for the procedure. That would be reasonable, but 22 pounds of “spackle”? Someone is full of it, but it is not you. Fourth, You need to check with your mothers doctor and the pharmacist to see if her constipation is due to her medications, and what might be done from that angle. Fifth, there are some colon cleansing products which are safe and gentle, but you won’t find them on the television infomercials. In some cases, a detoxifying formula would kill two birds with one stone. Something like Milk Thistle could clean the liver and as a side effect, make her bowel movements easier. Lastly, doing a cleanse , like spring and fall house cleaning, is not a bad idea, depending on your situation. Do not fall for the advertising that preys on your fear and anxiety. Moderation is a good approach.
NOTE: For you allergy sufferers, this is the perfect time to begin your allergy supplements. Products such as Dr Claytons SINUS ADE , Buried Treasure ALLEREZE, or HERBARIUM’S ALLER CALM can help prepare you for the coming burst of pollen from trees and grasses. It is a good idea to begin now, and build up your resistance. This approach can really make spring allergy season more comfortable for you.
Dear Jonathan, I have had several back surgeries over the years and my pain is getting worse. I have been taking 1800 milligrams of calcium a day as was recommended, but my bone structure is not improving. I can’t sit for very long, and sleep is almost impossible. I am afraid to use a lot of painkillers because I am afraid to get hooked. Is there anything you can suggest? Phyllis
Dear Phyllis, I can sum it up in one word –MAGNESIUM, MAGNESIUM, MAGNESIUM. From your letter and the amount of calcium you are taking I can guess you are taking a carbonate form of calcium, which in your case as proven by your body, is useless. According to Mildred Seelig, MD, a leading magnesium researcher at the University of North Carolina,” many people needlessly suffer pain –including fibromyalgia, migraines, muscle cramps-because they don’t get enough magnesium”.
Lawrence Resnick, MD, Professor of Medicine at Cornell Medical Center says many people worsen the problem by loading up on too much calcium, which flushes magnesium from the cells.
By changing your mineral supplement, you will probably be able to improve your bone health and the magnesium will help to relax your muscles and improve your sleep. We have loads of information available at the HERBARIUM. Depending on your back and the types of surgery you had, there are other nerve tonics such as Dr. Clayton’s NERVE-EASE, or Jamaican Dogwood or California Poppy to help with nerve pain.
Dear Jonathan, I had shingles two years ago and still have a lot of nerve pain. Is that possible? Is there anything that I could use to help get rid of this? Connie
Dear Connie, Yes it is possible. We have had customers who told us they had pain for nearly five years after the shingles went away. For pain relief, we have used Jamican Dogwood for many years with very good results. California Poppy is another herbal that works well, and my wife, Clinical Aromatherapist Kathleen Duffy has recommended a massage oil with Rose Geranium Oil( Pelargonium graveolens).
Studies have shown it to be very effective for post herpetic pain.
Dear Jonathan, I received a brochure in the mail regarding colon cleansing. I also see a lot of TV shows talking about how important it is. Is it really that important to clean your colon? Do we really have all those toxins and build up in our intestines? I would like to try it for my mother, who has lots of constipation issues. Marian
Dear Marian. Let me address your questions slowly. First, throw the brochure away if you did not request the information Second my rule of thumb is “ believe 50% of what they say, and do not buy their product” Third, If you have ever had a colonoscopy, you might have noticed a loss of three to five pounds while you were prepping for the procedure. That would be reasonable, but 22 pounds of “spackle”? Someone is full of it, but it is not you. Fourth, You need to check with your mothers doctor and the pharmacist to see if her constipation is due to her medications, and what might be done from that angle. Fifth, there are some colon cleansing products which are safe and gentle, but you won’t find them on the television infomercials. In some cases, a detoxifying formula would kill two birds with one stone. Something like Milk Thistle could clean the liver and as a side effect, make her bowel movements easier. Lastly, doing a cleanse , like spring and fall house cleaning, is not a bad idea, depending on your situation. Do not fall for the advertising that preys on your fear and anxiety. Moderation is a good approach.
NOTE: For you allergy sufferers, this is the perfect time to begin your allergy supplements. Products such as Dr Claytons SINUS ADE , Buried Treasure ALLEREZE, or HERBARIUM’S ALLER CALM can help prepare you for the coming burst of pollen from trees and grasses. It is a good idea to begin now, and build up your resistance. This approach can really make spring allergy season more comfortable for you.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Honey, ED help for Diabetics, BugZaway and Hawthorn
**Natures Rx July 2008**
Dear Jonathan, I am taking local honey daily to try and get rid of my allergies. How long should I continue? Arthur
Dear Arthur, The idea of using honey gets mixed reviews. Some folks get results and some do not. The idea is to desensitize yourself to the effects of the pollens. Many people will mix a few grains of local bee pollen with the honey. Needless to say, this is a matter of individual choice. Some people are extremely sensitive and should not try this. There are other approaches to getting through allergy season.
Dear Jonathan, I read your article on Erectile Dysfunction in last months’ PRIME magazine .I am a diabetic and wondered if you could recommend which herb you talked about is best for me. Ron
Dear Ron, Thanks for reading the column and PRIME. Actually the article was meant to shed some light on the “male enhancement “product industry, but as a side issue, most of the herbs have ED uses. In your case, I would try Ginkgo biloba (stay away from the stuff that Larry King advertises) A good Ginkgo in liquid or capsule form helps to promote circulation off the trunk. Basically, anything that protrudes could benefit from using Ginkgo (head hands feet , you get the picture) Because Diabetes affects circulation, Ginkgo could have many other benefits for you , other than working on ED. Most every one of our diabetic customers use Ginkgo and have experienced excellent results, especially for foot problems, of which I am sure you are aware. Before trying any of the Rainforest herbal remedies, I would start with Ginkgo.
Dear Jonathan, We just returned from a vacation in Maine, and I have to say the Bugzaway we bought at the Herbarium really lived up to its claims. Our friends were using regular insect repellant and spent their time swatting the bugs. I sprayed on the Bugzaway and Presto! No bugs! Thanks for a great product. Bill
Dear Bill, I will pass your letter on to my wife. Kathy created the Bugzaway many years ago to protect the children, and just kept tweaking the formula, adding different oils to repel different insects. We have received reports from all over the country and around the world on how well it works. The reason is rather simple, but profound. A chemical spray is going to be the same, time after time. The formula never changes. Bugs can build up an immunity to the compound. Bugzaway uses only pure essential oils from the plants. Every batch of oil is going to be different because of growing conditions, sunlight rain, etc. The chemicals in the essential oils will vary slightly each time, and the insects cannot develop an immunity to them. Isn’t Mother Nature grand?
Dear Jonathan, I use Hawthorn berry for my heart, and I just read that I should stop using it after three months. Is there a danger to using it for a long time? David
Dear David, I do not know where you read this information, but do not even worry about it. Perhaps the writer was using an old rule that says herbs should be discontinued after certain times because the body may become to accustomed to it. My Mother used Hawthorn for many years and her heart doctors had no problem with her using it even when she was in hospital. One of our customers has been using Hawthorn daily for more than twenty three years and would not dream of being without it. I can’t tell you the details of his case, but even his doctors can’t explain why he is still with us considering his condition, without paying proper respect to the eff3ects of Hawthorn berry. Hawthorn berry is one of the most benign remedies you can use. There is no known toxic level, and it is the first cardio tonic anyone should consider. Noted cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra uses Hawthorn in his practice. The only problem related to using Hawthorn is in conjunction with Digitalis. Always consult your Cardiologist before using herbal products.
Hey fishermen! One of my customers has a great use for garlic. He told us he melts down a jar of Vaseline, adds a garlic tincture and mixes it up and lets it solidify. He slathers it onto his lure and fishing line and the bass go crazy! He says it works better than any commercial preparation he has ever used.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Pre-Surgical Prep, Toe Fungus
Nature’s Rx August, 2008
Dear Jonathan, I am going in for some minor surgery next month. My doctor says to stop all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before the operation. I do not understand the reasoning for this. I take a multivitamin and mineral each day and really need it to feel right. What is your opinion? David
Dear David,
Most doctors will tell you to stop taking supplements about 4-7 days before an operation. They do not want any surprises. Some vitamins have a blood thinning effect, as do some herbs. The doctor is trying to avoid any unnecessary bleeding during the surgery, or perhaps any contraindication related to anesthesia, if it is being used. We always recommend you follow your doctors’ advice. If two weeks is too much for you ask about the one week time frame. The more you talk to the doctor and explain your situation, the more he can explain to you the reason for his timetable. You can also find out how familiar he/she is with nutritional supplements or herbs. Do not be afraid to ask. We have several customers who have physicians who are familiar with the supplements and have worked with their patients to incorporate their herbal use into the doctor’s prescription. One lady comes to mind. Recently she developed “tennis elbow” and needed to take a supplement containing turmeric. She was taking Coumadin which is a blood thinner. Turmeric has a slight thinning effect also. She called her doctor, he researched the turmeric and found it would not complicate matters. He even went so far as to reduce her amount of Coumadin, so as to allow her to use the herbal product. Please, it is very important to tell your doctor everything you are taking. Talk with them. You may find the doctor more understanding than you thought.
Dear Jonathan, I know this is gross, but I have a bad case of toe fungus. The doctor gave me a prescription, but I read about the side effects and possible damage to the liver and I am frightened. Is there any natural remedy that I could use? Susan.
Dear Susan,
There are a variety of items you can try both topically and internally that will not be so frightening to you. You can try Tea Tree essential oil. Tea tree is a very good anti fungal which can be used topically, but make sure you get a low cineole content oil. If the fungus is relatively new, this should do the trick. If it is really imbedded, you may have to use something both internal and external. In that case we carry a product called Spilanthes-Usnea compound. It contains Spilanthes (anti bacterial, antifungal, immune enhancing) Usnea (anti infection on a variety of issues) Oregano (a powerful anti fungal, antimicrobial antibacterial) Tea tree, and Pau d’arco (antifungal, tonic) This combination is excellent for candidiasis, thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot. If liquids are not to your liking, Twinlab offers a capsule form called “Yeast Fighters”, Solaray features “ Yeast Fighters, and Renew Life has “Candi-gone.” No matter which product you choose, it is also very important to add probiotics to your diet. Yeast overgrowth is very common, and poor diet, stress, medicines, antibiotic use all contribute to the lowering of good bacteria in your gut and to allowing the yeast to get out of hand.
Warning: avoid the internet and television products for candidiasis, and for heaven’s sake forget the footbath or detox pads. Those will have very little effect on your condition, but they will lighten your wallet. Go to your local health food/ supplement retailer and talk to someone. Get a feel for the products, ask questions and let the sales person explain the products.
Recently we have had a number of people coming in asking about “burning tongue syndrome. This surprised me, since it is now called a syndrome. Apparently it is on the rise and no one is sure why. It has been linked to possible side effects of certain medications. Check with your Pharmacist for any potential problems with your medicines. Nutritionally, extra B complex has been recommended, with good results, and some people tell us the doctors have suggested increasing their zinc levels. While I was researching other topics, I came upon information that suggests yeast overgrowth may be linked to burning tongue. If you are experiencing this condition, it may be worthwhile to try a yeast cleanse product. You really have nothing to lose, and you will benefit one way or the other.
Dear Jonathan, I am going in for some minor surgery next month. My doctor says to stop all vitamins and herbal supplements two weeks before the operation. I do not understand the reasoning for this. I take a multivitamin and mineral each day and really need it to feel right. What is your opinion? David
Dear David,
Most doctors will tell you to stop taking supplements about 4-7 days before an operation. They do not want any surprises. Some vitamins have a blood thinning effect, as do some herbs. The doctor is trying to avoid any unnecessary bleeding during the surgery, or perhaps any contraindication related to anesthesia, if it is being used. We always recommend you follow your doctors’ advice. If two weeks is too much for you ask about the one week time frame. The more you talk to the doctor and explain your situation, the more he can explain to you the reason for his timetable. You can also find out how familiar he/she is with nutritional supplements or herbs. Do not be afraid to ask. We have several customers who have physicians who are familiar with the supplements and have worked with their patients to incorporate their herbal use into the doctor’s prescription. One lady comes to mind. Recently she developed “tennis elbow” and needed to take a supplement containing turmeric. She was taking Coumadin which is a blood thinner. Turmeric has a slight thinning effect also. She called her doctor, he researched the turmeric and found it would not complicate matters. He even went so far as to reduce her amount of Coumadin, so as to allow her to use the herbal product. Please, it is very important to tell your doctor everything you are taking. Talk with them. You may find the doctor more understanding than you thought.
Dear Jonathan, I know this is gross, but I have a bad case of toe fungus. The doctor gave me a prescription, but I read about the side effects and possible damage to the liver and I am frightened. Is there any natural remedy that I could use? Susan.
Dear Susan,
There are a variety of items you can try both topically and internally that will not be so frightening to you. You can try Tea Tree essential oil. Tea tree is a very good anti fungal which can be used topically, but make sure you get a low cineole content oil. If the fungus is relatively new, this should do the trick. If it is really imbedded, you may have to use something both internal and external. In that case we carry a product called Spilanthes-Usnea compound. It contains Spilanthes (anti bacterial, antifungal, immune enhancing) Usnea (anti infection on a variety of issues) Oregano (a powerful anti fungal, antimicrobial antibacterial) Tea tree, and Pau d’arco (antifungal, tonic) This combination is excellent for candidiasis, thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot. If liquids are not to your liking, Twinlab offers a capsule form called “Yeast Fighters”, Solaray features “ Yeast Fighters, and Renew Life has “Candi-gone.” No matter which product you choose, it is also very important to add probiotics to your diet. Yeast overgrowth is very common, and poor diet, stress, medicines, antibiotic use all contribute to the lowering of good bacteria in your gut and to allowing the yeast to get out of hand.
Warning: avoid the internet and television products for candidiasis, and for heaven’s sake forget the footbath or detox pads. Those will have very little effect on your condition, but they will lighten your wallet. Go to your local health food/ supplement retailer and talk to someone. Get a feel for the products, ask questions and let the sales person explain the products.
Recently we have had a number of people coming in asking about “burning tongue syndrome. This surprised me, since it is now called a syndrome. Apparently it is on the rise and no one is sure why. It has been linked to possible side effects of certain medications. Check with your Pharmacist for any potential problems with your medicines. Nutritionally, extra B complex has been recommended, with good results, and some people tell us the doctors have suggested increasing their zinc levels. While I was researching other topics, I came upon information that suggests yeast overgrowth may be linked to burning tongue. If you are experiencing this condition, it may be worthwhile to try a yeast cleanse product. You really have nothing to lose, and you will benefit one way or the other.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Opinion Piece - Simple & Effective vs Expensive
A news story the other day just fried me to no end. It seems Gilead Sciences, an american pharmaceutical company is licensing their hepatitis C drug, Sovaldi, to 7 Indian companies, to make it more available to 91 developing nations. The usual cost is $1000. per pill. A 12 week regimen would cost $84,000.! Gilead is also going to introduce their own product at only $300. per pill. What a great company huh? What galls me is the simple fact that milk thistle ( Silybum marianum) is probably the best natural product on earth to treat any liver problem, including all the forms of hepatitis. In the american market, a guaranteed potency product with 85 % sllymarin is only about $ 20.00 a month. Are you kidding me? Over the years we have had two of our customers taken off the liver transplant list simply by using milk thistle seed extract! We even have doctors who hand out our informational literature to their patients because they have seen the results of using milk thistle by their own patients.
The pharmaceutical industry must be responsible to its investors, so instead of looking at an alternative, which could probably be grown in the countries targeted, become a cash crop to help the developing nations, and maybe cut american health costs, the big guys will just keep gouging us and putting out press releases to make everyone think they are responsible corporations. Unbelievable...
Monday, October 27, 2014
MRSA, Oxycontin/Oxycodone substitutes, False claims
NATURES Rx May 2009
Lots of notes this month.
Recently my wife, Kathy Duffy, spent our entire radio program covering the topic of MRSA(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Many of you have heard of MRSA, and have heard you must wash your hands or use anti bacterial hand cleaners frequently. The problem arises when people over use the hand cleaners and the germs continue to become more resistant. Fortunately, several studies are showing Tea Tree oil( Melaleuca alternafolia) in strong (5%or more) concentrations are destroying MRSA colonies. Kathy explained how mixing several essential oils in combination was effective in controlling the MRSA. The oils discussed included Tea tree, True Lavender( Lavandula angustifolia), Oregano(Origanum vulgaris),Eucalyptus( Eucalyptus globulus), Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon motia), and Bergamot (Citrus bergamia). Recipes were given and concentrations were discussed during the program. I am a bit reluctant to go into detail in the column, for fear people will go to the bath shops or perfume counter and buy cheap and mislabeled fragrances. The show is available on cassette or CD for a nominal fee. The show notes are available at HERBARIUM free of charge. Kathy stressed repeatedly you must use pure therapeutic grade oils and change the ratios frequently.
I read in the morning paper there is a shortage of Oxycodone and Oxycontin in Western Mass and indeed the whole country but the pharmaceutical companies say they wil have enough to go around by May. Why am I mentioning it? In the story it stated people are using Oxycontin and its generic form for bursitis, and arthritis and lower back pain. Wow! The article also stated abuse of this drug can lead to addiction. Folks, I know people who used this stuff for a few days and got hooked! Oxy is a great drug for severe pain, but for heavens sake try something safe and effective and non-addicting for arthritis bursitis and lower back pain. How about a chiropractor? Massage? How about Tumeric, California poppy, Jamaican Dogwood, Scullcap, Mineral tea(HERBARIUM blend) mineral supplements such as magnesium? It seems to me people are using a cannon to kill a fruit fly here.
Two more articles appeared recently. One reported fish oil did not offer much help for heart attack patients. Of course when the subjects are all using blood thinners, a cholesterol medication and aspirin, the addition of ONE fish oil capsule probably would not help. How could you tell? Wouldn’t having a control group using only the fish oil have been a better test? How about using a therapeutic dose? One tablespoon of fish oil is usually recommended, (for those of you in Rio Linda, that would be about nine capsules).
The other story was a column from Jane Brody of the New York Times. Ironically enough the story appeared on April Fools Day. She stated that vitamin E was bad for you. Unfortunately, Ms Brodie did not check her facts. There was no study, it was in fact a meta- analysiswhich is very different. I was interviewed by TV22 the day this story first appeared and read the American Heart Association press release. It was four paragraphs long, three of which talked about the safety and efficacy of Vitamin E for a variety of problems,at the normal dose of 400iu’s. The Heart Association said doses of 1200-2000 iu’s of vitamin E should not be taken without a doctors’ supervision. This was a non story and still is. This woman had the gall to pull up a story that was FIVE YEARS OLD and had been discredited by several publications and organizations since then. Why? Journalistic integrity indeed….
If you want real information and need to check facts try websites such as Medline plus, Pub Med, National Institute of Health or the National Library of Medicine just to name a few.
Lots of notes this month.
Recently my wife, Kathy Duffy, spent our entire radio program covering the topic of MRSA(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Many of you have heard of MRSA, and have heard you must wash your hands or use anti bacterial hand cleaners frequently. The problem arises when people over use the hand cleaners and the germs continue to become more resistant. Fortunately, several studies are showing Tea Tree oil( Melaleuca alternafolia) in strong (5%or more) concentrations are destroying MRSA colonies. Kathy explained how mixing several essential oils in combination was effective in controlling the MRSA. The oils discussed included Tea tree, True Lavender( Lavandula angustifolia), Oregano(Origanum vulgaris),Eucalyptus( Eucalyptus globulus), Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica), Palmarosa (Cymbopogon motia), and Bergamot (Citrus bergamia). Recipes were given and concentrations were discussed during the program. I am a bit reluctant to go into detail in the column, for fear people will go to the bath shops or perfume counter and buy cheap and mislabeled fragrances. The show is available on cassette or CD for a nominal fee. The show notes are available at HERBARIUM free of charge. Kathy stressed repeatedly you must use pure therapeutic grade oils and change the ratios frequently.
I read in the morning paper there is a shortage of Oxycodone and Oxycontin in Western Mass and indeed the whole country but the pharmaceutical companies say they wil have enough to go around by May. Why am I mentioning it? In the story it stated people are using Oxycontin and its generic form for bursitis, and arthritis and lower back pain. Wow! The article also stated abuse of this drug can lead to addiction. Folks, I know people who used this stuff for a few days and got hooked! Oxy is a great drug for severe pain, but for heavens sake try something safe and effective and non-addicting for arthritis bursitis and lower back pain. How about a chiropractor? Massage? How about Tumeric, California poppy, Jamaican Dogwood, Scullcap, Mineral tea(HERBARIUM blend) mineral supplements such as magnesium? It seems to me people are using a cannon to kill a fruit fly here.
Two more articles appeared recently. One reported fish oil did not offer much help for heart attack patients. Of course when the subjects are all using blood thinners, a cholesterol medication and aspirin, the addition of ONE fish oil capsule probably would not help. How could you tell? Wouldn’t having a control group using only the fish oil have been a better test? How about using a therapeutic dose? One tablespoon of fish oil is usually recommended, (for those of you in Rio Linda, that would be about nine capsules).
The other story was a column from Jane Brody of the New York Times. Ironically enough the story appeared on April Fools Day. She stated that vitamin E was bad for you. Unfortunately, Ms Brodie did not check her facts. There was no study, it was in fact a meta- analysiswhich is very different. I was interviewed by TV22 the day this story first appeared and read the American Heart Association press release. It was four paragraphs long, three of which talked about the safety and efficacy of Vitamin E for a variety of problems,at the normal dose of 400iu’s. The Heart Association said doses of 1200-2000 iu’s of vitamin E should not be taken without a doctors’ supervision. This was a non story and still is. This woman had the gall to pull up a story that was FIVE YEARS OLD and had been discredited by several publications and organizations since then. Why? Journalistic integrity indeed….
If you want real information and need to check facts try websites such as Medline plus, Pub Med, National Institute of Health or the National Library of Medicine just to name a few.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Homeopathy, Vitamin D
Natures Rx Feb.2010
In the November 2009 issue, I addressed a question on homeopathy. I recently heard my old buddy Dr. Dean Edell make disparaging remarks about it, going so far as to say that Congress won’t do anything about this hocus pocus because they are afraid of our powerful lobby. Folks, in a weird way he is right. We do have the most powerful lobby in the country, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Congress should be damned afraid of us. Check for yourself, the natural products industry in total can’t come up with the lobbying money of even one pharmaceutical company agri-business or food processor. But we have the vote.
Check out the DVD ”Food Inc.” or Michael Moore’s films about the health industry. Then you tell me who has the power in Washington. We, the PEOPLE actually have the last word, unfortunately our”representatives” like to push us up against the wall before we act. Act we have and act we will.
Back to the main issue of homeopathy. I admit it is hard to fathom how a greatly diluted ingredient can have such an effect on the body, but to say it is all in our head is ludicrous. Answer me this, then. When homeopathic remedies are administered to animals and they respond and recover how did the person convince the dog or horse that it would work? Hmmmmmm.
Dear Jonathan, I recently was told by my doctor that I am deficient in Vitamin D. He prescribed 50,000 units. Isn’t that a high dose? Anita, Springfield
Dear Anita, it does seem high compared to what used to be recommended, but that is a question for your doctor. I am sure he knows what he is doing for your situation. In general, everyones vitamin D levels are low. The government raised the level a couple of years ago. People who live in the northern part of the country do not get the sunlight which helps your body to produce vitamin D. Women especially are at a disadvantage because many of their skin products contain sunscreen products to protect against wrinkles and skin cancer. Many of our customers are taking a supplemental 1-2,000 units of vitamin D-3 to help normalize their amounts. There was a big push for the vitamin to help with your calcium absorption ( we have discussed this in past columns) What has been taking center stage is the latest studies showing low levels of vitamin D being associated with increased incidence of colds and flu and other studies showing definite anti cancer activity. I am sure your high dose prescription is only for a short time to get your blood levels up to par, then you will probably be able to use a supplemental amount as I described earlier.
Dear Jonathan, I am taking a cholesterol medicine and the doctor noted my liver enzymes were not normal. I have to take the medicine, but I am worried about possible damage to my liver. Do you have any suggestions. Beth, West Springfield
Dear Beth, I will do another column on cholesterol in the near future. In the meantime, try Milk Thistle.
It is the best liver tonic available. It can lower cholesterol, help normalize liver function, and even help regenerate liver tissue. It is an amazing gift of nature.
In the November 2009 issue, I addressed a question on homeopathy. I recently heard my old buddy Dr. Dean Edell make disparaging remarks about it, going so far as to say that Congress won’t do anything about this hocus pocus because they are afraid of our powerful lobby. Folks, in a weird way he is right. We do have the most powerful lobby in the country, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. Congress should be damned afraid of us. Check for yourself, the natural products industry in total can’t come up with the lobbying money of even one pharmaceutical company agri-business or food processor. But we have the vote.
Check out the DVD ”Food Inc.” or Michael Moore’s films about the health industry. Then you tell me who has the power in Washington. We, the PEOPLE actually have the last word, unfortunately our”representatives” like to push us up against the wall before we act. Act we have and act we will.
Back to the main issue of homeopathy. I admit it is hard to fathom how a greatly diluted ingredient can have such an effect on the body, but to say it is all in our head is ludicrous. Answer me this, then. When homeopathic remedies are administered to animals and they respond and recover how did the person convince the dog or horse that it would work? Hmmmmmm.
Dear Jonathan, I recently was told by my doctor that I am deficient in Vitamin D. He prescribed 50,000 units. Isn’t that a high dose? Anita, Springfield
Dear Anita, it does seem high compared to what used to be recommended, but that is a question for your doctor. I am sure he knows what he is doing for your situation. In general, everyones vitamin D levels are low. The government raised the level a couple of years ago. People who live in the northern part of the country do not get the sunlight which helps your body to produce vitamin D. Women especially are at a disadvantage because many of their skin products contain sunscreen products to protect against wrinkles and skin cancer. Many of our customers are taking a supplemental 1-2,000 units of vitamin D-3 to help normalize their amounts. There was a big push for the vitamin to help with your calcium absorption ( we have discussed this in past columns) What has been taking center stage is the latest studies showing low levels of vitamin D being associated with increased incidence of colds and flu and other studies showing definite anti cancer activity. I am sure your high dose prescription is only for a short time to get your blood levels up to par, then you will probably be able to use a supplemental amount as I described earlier.
Dear Jonathan, I am taking a cholesterol medicine and the doctor noted my liver enzymes were not normal. I have to take the medicine, but I am worried about possible damage to my liver. Do you have any suggestions. Beth, West Springfield
Dear Beth, I will do another column on cholesterol in the near future. In the meantime, try Milk Thistle.
It is the best liver tonic available. It can lower cholesterol, help normalize liver function, and even help regenerate liver tissue. It is an amazing gift of nature.
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