MARCH 24, 2021 GLUCOSAMINE

This is a supplement that has been used for years. It is usually combined with chondroitin sulfate. Through the years glucosamine has been shown to relieve joint pain. Glucosamine is as effective as commonly used drugs as non steroidal like Advil ( or known as ibuprofen)

Glucosamine supports healthy cartilage and joint function. There are studies that show glucosamine eases joint medicines as good as conventional medicine. For me as an integrative cardiologist I want to mention that the regular use of glucosamine is associated with 22 % lower risk of cardiovascular death.

So many will ask what is the dose — I usually use 1,500 mg to 2,000 mg a day which is easily absorbed in the blood stream While most [people think of this supplement for joints, there are studies of a great benefit for the whole body.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 23, 2021 HAIR LOSS AND VITAMIN D

Who wants to start losing their hair ?

An article caught my attention that was published in International Journal of Dermatology. The study found that low or deficient Vitamin D levels and greater severity and premature onset of male pattern hair loss in young men

The study consisted of 50 healthy, controls and 50 men with premature androgenic alopecia. All the participants were 30 years in age or younger.

The results of the study did not surprise me. 86 % of men with hair loss were deficient in Vitamin D ( < 12 ng/ml ) and 14 % of the participants had levels at 12-20 ng/mL levels

The mean levels of Vitamin D were much lower in patients with premature loss of hair

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 22, 2021 L- CARNITINE

I discuss many supplements and herbs on my daily blog through the last 11 years. I like to discuss supplements that have been supplement. One such supplement, L- carnitine, an amino acid has been discussed numerous times. An article was published in Nutrients. It was discussed in relation to Metabolic Syndrome. Another name for this disease is Insulin Resistance, Type 2 diabetes or Syndrome X.

It is usually characterized by high blood pressure, high triglycerides, low good cholesterol ( HDL) and increase abdominal pr waist girth. It can have a normal to high blood sugar level.

The supplement, L carnitine at doses 750 mg to 3,000 mg a day was used. Supplementing with L carnitine was associated with significant reductions in waist circumference and lower systolic blood pressure compared to the placebo group.

I suggest to discuss this supplement with your health care practitioner

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 20-21, 2021 MUSHROOMS

There is so much to write about mushrooms. I have blogged on mushrooms for many years. I love mushrooms Mushrooms have many , no countless health benefits.

A fascnating and exciting film about mushrooms is a must see. It is called Fantastic Fungi: The Magic Beneath Us, a documentary film that was released in the United States in October 2019. At the end of April 2020, the film had a 100% rating on both Rotten Tomatoes and Flixster.

The mushroom maven and college and mentort Paul Stametts was in the film. I did courses with him in Olympia Washington years ago when my son was studying primates in that state. Also Andrew Weil, MD who started me on my journey in the Fellowship of Integrative Medicine appeared int he film

There are many exciting topics discussed in the film. Paul introduced me to helping the bee situation with the loss of bees. The use of fungi to reduce viruses in honeybees, which was covered extensively in HerbalGram issue 125, ( of the American Boanical Council )1 is mentioned briefly I would have liked to see more on this topic.

Regardless this is an important film which you must see.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 19, 2021 PSYCHIATRY AND HERBS

YOU GOT TO LOVE HERBS !! I love when an article gets published of using herbs instead of using conventional drugs. Some of the conventional psychiatric drugs as benzodiazepines. This class of medication has addiction potential.

In HerbalGram an article was published “Effect of the fixed combination of valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, and butterbur extracts (Ze 185) on the prescription pattern of benzodiazepines in hospitalized psychiatric patients “ It was published in Phytother Res. June 2020;34(6):1436–1445. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6618.

I think studies like this are needed. I urge you to read this study .

Limitations of this study include: the different treatment durations and multiple concomitant drugs used by some of the patients; the inclusion of patient data from only one clinic; slightly different characteristics of the cases and controls at baseline; the lack of detailed adverse effect monitoring; and the possible confounding bias due to the patients’ and/or physicians’ preferences for the use of benzodiazepines or herbal drugs that could have influenced the prescription patterns.

The authors conclude that “both treatment modalities had a comparable clinical effectiveness but with significantly [fewer] prescriptions of benzodiazepines in the Ze 185 group.” However, because of the increased use of sedatives and hypnotics in the Ze 185 group, these effects should be further investigated in randomized, controlled clinical trials.

This does NOT mean that herbs do not work for anxiety. I have effectively used herbs for anxiety and eliminated the use of drugs. I use the nervine herbs in tinctures, and teas for this purpose.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 18, 2021 CAMELLIA S

I am not talking about an episode on The Crown or Bridgerton nor Prince Charle’s wife. I am discussing the widely studied herb, Camellia sinensis otherwise known as green tea. Years ago I published a paper in an Integrative Journal with Robert Pastore. It discussed the many uses and clinical research of green tea, Since that time, it continues to be studied and I continue to publish about green tea as well as television segment on tea consumption.

Its active component is a catechin called EGCG, otherwise a polyphenols. These catechins are present in white and black tea as well. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of green tea for many diseases. These include cardiac diseases, auto immune diseaess and even cancer.

Some of the current research has been the neuroprotective benefits, It has shown to improve brain performance, cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s and dementia and in Parkinson’s disease

I used to discuss the consumption of 20 to 24 cups of green tea for these benefits, Studies have now discussed 6-8 cups ( which can be done ). If you do not like green tea then buy a green tea in capsule form with high amounts of EGCG ( greater than 75 % ) The rate of cognitive disorders was 36 % lower in patients that consumed greenb tea versus those that did not.

I am a tea drinker so this is no struggle for me. Be a tea drinker yourself

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 17, 2021 TAURINE

I have beenb discussing supplements and herbs for the cardiovacsular system for many years. I taut d-ribose, co enzyme Q 10, taurine, L- carnitine, magnesium, and herbs , like hawthorn, hibiscus, and globe artrichoke.

I have written many magazine articles on the right cardiac supplements to take. I utilize L-taurine as a cardiac supplement due to its ability to act as a diuretic. Through the years I have used taurine with diuretics as hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide ( lasix) with good results.

I have used L taurine in patients with a history of seizures. New research has found that taurine can promote new cell formation in the area of the brain associated with learning and memory. This is exciting news. More research needs to be done but the studies already published are promising.

Until tomnorrow…

MARCH 16, 2021 MAGNESIUM

What do you think of when an individual tells you he/she takes magnesium? Some think of this mineral as needed when you take calcium. Some think of it as part of their multi vitamin. We know most Americans are deficient in magnesium in their diets/ It has been estimated that about 48 % of Americans from all age groups are below the estimated average requirement. This does not surprise me at all. This is just one of the major nutrients that are missing in the typical American diet.

Many use different forms of Magnesium for constipation. Some use it with an amino acid, theanine for the calmness he /she can achieve. I use magnesium in my practice for high blood pressure ( hypertension) and control of arrhythmias ( palpitations)

Low levels of magnesium have been linked to cardiovascular diseases as stroke, coronary artery disease leading to stroke, arrhythmias, and even death

Consult your health care practitioner if magnesium is right for you

Until tomorrow…