JANUARY 28, 2021 HEART SUPPLEMENTS

Despite the fact that we try to eat right, exercise and watch our weight, heart disease is still the number-one killer in America.

HOW THE HEART HELPERS WORK

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the energy generator of all cells, enhances the heart’s pumping ability. Caution: CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin.

Folic acid, a B vitamin, helps prevent the formation of homocysteine, an amino acid that damages artery linings. Caution: Avoid folic acid supplementation if you have a history of cancer.

Hawthorn, an herb, may strengthen heart contractions and reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Caution: Don’t use hawthorn if you have low blood pressure or take a beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker medication.

L-carnitine, an amino acid, increases the heart’s pumping action... and may facilitate weight loss by increasing metabolism. Caution: Don’t use L-carnitine if you have kidney disease.

L-taurine, another amino acid, dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow and helps reduce blood pressure. Caution: L-taurine may not be appropriate if you take diuretic medication or have stomach ulcers.

Magnesium regulates blood pressure and heart rate. Caution: Don’t take magnesium if your blood pressure is already low.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, increase HDL (good) cholesterol... decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides... slow plaque buildup in arteries... reduce the risk for arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)... and reduce blood pressure.

Vitamin B-12 inhibits harmful homocysteine formation.

Vitamin D-3 helps prevent inflammation... reduces heart attack and stroke risk in people with high blood pressure... and may protect against heart failure.

Next step: To make use of the information above, you need to know which specific nutrients are most beneficial for you -- and that depends on your personal health status.

TO PREVENT HEART PROBLEMS...

Below is Dr. Fratellone’s heart-protecting supplement protocol (to be taken daily, continuing indefinitely) for the typical perimenopausal or postmenopausal woman who has not been diagnosed with any condition that increases cardiovascular risk. Ask your doctor if you should take any or all of these five supplements. If you take a multivitamin, check which of the nutrients below your multi already provides.

Preventive protocol...

CoQ10 -- 100 mg daily.
Magnesium -- 350 mg daily.
Omega-3s (in the form of fish oil) -- 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily of combined EPA and DHA, the most beneficial components.
Vitamin B-12 -- 1,000 micrograms (mcg) daily.
Vitamin D-3 -- 1,000 international units (IU) daily.
L-carnitine -- 1,000 mg three times daily.
L-taurine -- 500 mg three time daily.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 27, 2021 TONGKAT ALI

Tongkat Ali ( Euurycoma longifolia Jack) is also called Longjack. In Malaysia it has been used for years to increase libido ( sexual energy) and to treat erectile dysfunction.

How does it do this? Tongkat appears to work by increasing testosterone levels. Many men want to use testosterone topically or by injection. Both will work, but testosterone levels must be monitored. Also you should realize that testosterone has been abused in certain populations so every state has different regulations on testosterone prescriptions. Before I prescribe testosterone I measure the amount of estrogen, progesterone and LH in the male patient. As men ago we increase the activity of aromatase enzyme. This enzyme allows the conversion of testosterone to the female hormones to occur quickly. Sometimes I will prescribe a natural aromatase inhibitor as chrysin or quercitin.

Normal healthy testosterone levels maintain a better energy level, better mood, and increased sex drive and libido.

The side effects Tongkat can include insomnia, anxiety and restlessness. I have seen this root decrease sugar levels. You must be cautious if the patient is taking any diabetic agent to lower his blood sugar. I would not use Tongkat on any patient with diabetes, prostate Ca or breast cancer. Since a low testosterone is a risk factor for heart disease, it is controversial if Tongkat should be used in men with heart disease.

It is not an easy root to dig up. It cannot be harvested in its country of origin, Malaysia as it is protected. In Indonesia it can be harvested and the only place where it grows wild and can be used.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 26, 2021 PROSTATE HEALTH

Prostate health is of concern of every male patient, particular over the age of 50. The standard test is the PSA ( probably over utilized) followed up by a trans rectal ultrasound of the prostate. The three basic prostate conditions are prostatitis, benign prostate hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
One point to remember is that PSA screening results in little or no reduction in prostate cancer specific mortality and may be associated with problems related to subsequent evaluation and treatments

There are excellent supplements, minerals and herbs for prostate support. Some of the herbs as saw palmetto has been studied by the National Institute of Health ( NIH) There are also excellent food sources for prostate health. Other than saw palmetto the two herbs I utilize are stinging nettles ( Urtica dioica) and Pygeum africanum. I do make an herbak tincture called ProstaTone sold by Botanical Bounty. www.botanicalbounty.org

Is there a way to promote prostate health using foods ? Yes, there is.
1. Eat sardines, salmon mackerel and trout for Omega 3s
2. Consume almonds and walnuts ( good oils) Pumpkin seeds are useful for the prostate
3. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables especially berries, spinach and bell peppers ( all are high in their anti oxidant potential)
4. Obtain resveratrol from red wine and grapes ( use in small doses as both increase blood sugar levels)
5, Lycopene containing foods include tomato juice, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene ( but watermelons have a high glycemic index - or high sugar levels)
6. Ti get selenium eat Brazil nuts, brown rice and fresh fish
7. Eat avocados, nuts , pumpkin seeds and peas for Vitamin E
8. For trace elements as zinc, manganese, and copper eat leafy green vegetables
9. Drink green tea

It is not always necessary to take vitamins and supplements if you eat a well balanced diet

There are some dietary restrictions that are a NO for prostate health
These are animal fats, polyunsaturated fats as corn or canola oil, and of course trans fats. It has been studied that high calcium containing foods, and flax seed oils stimulate prostate cells.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 25, 2021 BOOST YOUR ENERGY

There are very few supplements therapies that have ever shown to increase or boost energy. These few supplements have a profound effect on the tissues they target. One of the most useful supplements is D- ribose with or without carnitine. Ribose is a unique and powerful addition to any regimen. I prefer to use D ribose as a powder or a liquid. There are few companies that combine in liquid D ribose and L carnitine.
There is a great way to dramatically improve your energy production.

You must continue this regimen for at least 8 weeks ( the range is 6 - 12 weeks)
These are:
1. D ribose - 1 scoop is 5 grams - minimal 1 scoop once a day to titrated up to 5 grams 3 times a day

2. L carnitine - 2500mg per day up to 5,000 per day

3. Coenzyme Q 10 - the minimal is 200mg to 400mg. Studies recommend taking with a fatty meal. We use a variety of coenzyme Q10 preparations, Recently we have been using a gel chewable Coenzyme Q10- 300mg/day

4. Magnesium ( I prefer magnesium taurate) 200mg/day

5. B complex- either can be either B50 or B100. I would use a methylated version of B12 and folic acid as there are a percentage of patients who have a mutation and need the methylated form.

6. Some suggest acetyl L carnitine- I use this for the brain rather than l carnitine for heart and muscle.Some use 500mg twice a day for at least 6 weeks. To be honest I rather use L carnitine.

Until tomorrow

JANUARY 22-24, 2021 BITTERSWEET

Another herb which I have personally not used is Bittersweet ( Solanum dulcamara ) It is so uncommonly written about that is difficult to find citations of its use. If it is not in the Mosby's Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements, then I know it is not used commonly. When you go from Bilberry to Blackberry in any book--Bittersweet is overlooked. It is not Bitter Melon nor Bitter Orange. It is Bittersweet. Other names for Bittersweet include Bitter Nightshade, Felonwort, and Violet-bloom. It is a vine like perennial herb that has long trailing or climbing stems reaching up to ten feet in length each.
The species name of the bittersweet herb - dulcamara, is a reference to the taste of the berries. The berries initially have a bitter taste and then become unpleasantly sweet as they ripen. This is why it is called Bittersweet. Bittersweet is a native European species, it has been naturalized in America. It has many uses other than arthritis. The bittersweet is very effective when consumed to treat different kinds of skin problems like long term eczema, persistent itchiness on the skin, disorders such as psoriasis, as well as warts. In addition to the other beneficial properties mentioned above, the bittersweet herb has a mildly narcotic effect; it also possesses a diuretic effect. Small doses of the bittersweet remedy are useful in treating problems like dyspnoea, cough, and pain in the chest produced by exposure to cold weather. Bittersweet remedies are also useful in relieving catarrhal headache induced by acute colds, and this remedy is also helpful in treating nasal catarrh. Bittersweet contains steroidal alkaloids (including solasodine and soldulcamaridine), steroidal saponins, and about 10% tannins.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 21, 2021 LOWER YOUR CHOLESTEROL

There is much talk about red yeast rice in lowering cholesterol. Let's clean up the story a bit. There are many statin type drugs on the market today such as Mevacor, Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor. These reduce two risk factors for cardiovascular disease: inflammation and high cholesterol levels. Statins lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is needed to produce cholesterol in the liver.

It’s less clear how statins reduce inflammation, but research suggests that this once-overlooked property may be as much or more responsible for these drugs’ apparent – if oversold – cardiovascular benefits. Inflammation is the key more than just lowering the number. It is not about a number. It is about particle size of both the LDL (bad) and the HDL (good) choelsterol.

You must realize that statins are simply synthetic, patentable versions of the active compounds in red yeast rice … a traditional Chinese remedy that dates back to the Tang Dynasty, circa 800 A.D. Red yeast rice is not to be confused with yeast. Red yeast rice is a plant. If you are following a yeast-free diet you can take red yeast rice to lower your cholesterol. I have used red yeast rice for years in my practice. I find it very effective with fewer side effects than statins. Remember some of the major statin side effect are increased liver enzymes on a blood test, muscle aches, cramps, fatigue, insomnia and decreased sex drive.

Red yeast rice (RYR) contains several compounds collectively known as monacolins, known to reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver by inhibiting the same enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that statins interfere with. When Japanese scientists discovered that red yeast rice lowers cholesterol very effectively, western drug companies rushed to patent synthetic versions of its monacolins, which became known as “statins”. So again, pharmaceutical companies jumped on the band wagon of natural plant therapies.

Red yeast rice extract has been sold as a natural cholesterol-lowering agent in over the counter supplements, such as Cholestin™. Originally the pharmaceuitcl company that made Mevacor had a legal suit against the red yeast rice companies. Red yeast rice was not sold for some years, but now it is available again. Conventional doctors sometimes recommend it to patients who can't tolerate statin drugs, and some people see red yeast rice extract as a safer natural alternative to statins. Has your doctor recommemded red yeast rice? There has been a battle with the FDA over the legal status of red yeast rice (drug or dietary supplement?), and the producers of pharmaceutical statins have sued to halt sales of red yeast rice supplements. Not all red rice yeast is the same. The American Jounral pf Medicine studied various supplements of RYR

The researchers began their report by affirming that red yeast rice can be an effective alternative to statin drugs, in terms of lowering blood levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol: “Several studies have shown that specific formulations of red yeast rice reduce LDL cholesterol significantly compared with placebo. This is likely related to the effects of monacolin K and the 13 other monacolins in the supplement, which … lower the production of cholesterol in the liver.” (Gordon RY et al. 2010) So why not try red yeast rice (Monecus purpurus)?

There are other herbs/supplements that i have used to lower cholesterol These include the herb, Globe Artichoke and Bergamot I have also used omega 3, guggulipids and policosinol. Order the right supplements at www.botanicalbounty.org

Consider al of these supplements and seek out a natural health care practitioner.

Until tomorrow

JANUARY 20, 2021 FOODS AND ARTHRITIS

We know that foods cannot cure disease, but the right foods can help. This is the case for ARTHRITIS. Better choices of food can make you feel better. As we get older we all have cracks, aches and pops. Sounds like the Snap, Crackle, Pop cereal when I was growing up. But simple small changes in your diet will yield big rewards in how you feel.


A good choice of protein that will make you feel better is fatty fish. I would chose fish that are low in mercury such as Pacific Salmon and Sardines. I prefer to get my fish from www.vitalchoice.com. These fish contain high amounts of omega 3. Omega 3 is also found in Emu. There are emu farms across the United States now. Those who do not east fish can eat emu, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and soy beans (if you are not hypothyroid) for omega 3. What is an emu? LOOK above.

I have been using Vitamin D3 is high doses for many years. It is only recognized today that high dose Vitamin D3 is beneficial. I usually recommend 5,000mg/day and sometimes up to 15,000mg/day but this does depend on the individual patient's blood levels. Olive oil contains oleocanthal, which blocks enzymes involved in inflammation. I prefer olive oil to any oil. Lead, a toxic metal can affect Vita min D metabvolism

Consume foods especially fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C. A Canadian study of 1,317 men found that those who got 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C through food or supplements daily had a 45% lower risk of gout (a painful condition also known as gouty arthritis) than those who consumed less than 250 milligrams a day. But don’t shoot for such high doses if you have osteoarthritis. Duke University researchers found that animals who took high doses of vitamin C – the equivalent of 1,500-2,500 milligrams a day in humans – over eight months suffered worse knee osteoarthritis. So moderation is key. I would rather you get Vitamin C from food than high doses of supplements because unmonitored it can pose a problem.


Low selenium may also be linked to rheumatoid arthritis. The mineral helps antioxidants clear out cell-damaging free radicals, aids the regulation of the thyroid gland and may prevent cancer. It is found in Brazil nuts. You might have to take a multi-mineral formula to get selnium.


Onions and leeks contain quercetin, an antioxidant that may inhibit inflammatory chemicals, much like aspirin and ibuprofen do. Onions are in the Garlic family- Allium. I recently have been reading a book on Allium, which I have found fascinating.

I love the herb White Willow Bark from the Salix family. This herb is the active ingredient found in aspirin without the salicyclic acid.


I also encourage you to decrease the acidic or high glycemic (high sugars) fruits and replace with berries. The magic ingredient is anthocyanins, the pigments that give cherries – and grapes, black raspberries and eggplant – their vibrancy. They’re also powerful antioxidants that cut inflammation.


I do recommend decaffeinated green tea. It contains a most powerful antioxidant, EGCG. Studies show that certain antioxidant compounds in the brew lessen the incidence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis. One University of Michigan study found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) lowers production of inflammation-causing substances in the body that cause joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. I studied and researched Camilla (green tea) three years ago. The beneficial amount is 24-30 cups. No one I know can consume that much tea. I suggest a high potent green tea. It should be made with 90-05% of the polyphenols. See www.botanicalbounty.org as I personally formulated a tea to help with arthritis “Green tea won’t take all your pain away,” but it can help reduce inflammation.

SUGAR is bad for arthritis and any disease. Some studies suggest that sugar may increase inflammation. Although it offers a quick energy boost, the high doesn’t last, which can be a drag for arthritis sufferers who already suffer from fatigue.

JANUARY 19, 2021 ENERGY

Since we are made of energy, I want to discuss auras and chakras. Your main aura color reflects your personality type and traits. Lets go through all the colors of the aura.

1. Deep Red - physical, hardworking, powerful, vital, grounded, strong
2. Red - excitement, energetic, competitive, winner, will power
3. Orange - productive, physical and creative expression, business, enjoyment
4. Orange-Yellow- analytical, intellectual, detail-oriented, logical, structured
5. Yellow- playful, sunny, easy going, creative, intellectual, curious, active
6. Green - social, natural, content, harmonious, teacher, communicative, quick minded
7. Deep-Green - quick minded, goal oriented, social, material, organizer
8. Blue- caring, sensitive, loving, helpful, loyal, peaceful, desire to of service
9. Indigo-clarity, calm, deep inner feelings, loyal, introverted, artistic
10. Violet- intuitive, artistic, theorist, futuristic, visionary, innovative
11. Lavender- imaginative, mystical, fantasy, soft, fragile, sensitive, often spacey
12. White - transcendent, transformation, imaginative, quiet, higher dimension

The body has energy centers or chakras. There are seven chakras.

1. Base Chakra - located at end of spine which corresponds to life energy, emotional strength will power and sexuality
2. Navel Chakra - below the navel; corresponds to creative, productive and emotional expression
3. Solar Plexus Chakra - located at the solar plexus; corresponds to personal power, creative and intellectual thoughts
4. Heart Chakra - located around the heart and corresponds to communication, speech and social abilities
5. Throat Chakra - located around the throat and corresponds to speech, social , and verbal abilities
6. Third Eye Chakra - located between the eyes and corresponds to intuition, vision, artistic and creative thoughts
7. Crown Chakra - located at the top of the head and corresponds to intuition, spirituality and enlightenment

The body can heal through energy. There are studies, some conventional and some alternative to indicate that energy can heal the body. Most doctors and health professionals do not know about energy medicine and healing. Most do not know about chakras and auras. Every aspect of medicine is important in the healing process. This does include the field of Energy Medicine. This ever growing field is gaining the interest of a wide range of individuals.

Individuals can be Left Dominant or Heart Dominant. The left 'female' side of your body has a higher energy level than your right active masculine side. Some questions that might be asked include: a. are you experiencing physical ailments on your left side? b. is your left side more sensitive?

When your heart dominates you might be asked the following. a. do you have friends and family you can share feelings with? b. do you have strong intense emotions in your heart at that moment.
Energy Medicine can not taught by books. You must experience the work of an energy healing practitioner.
Be opened minded, explore!!

Until tomorrow…