Archive for the ‘Nutritional Supplements’ Category

Seeing Past Cataracts

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Cataracts Quiz

What are the most effective supplements in treating cataracts?
 
1)       Vitamin C
2)       Vitamin E
3)       Beta carotene
4)       All of the above
 
The answer is 4: All of the above.

It’s easy to take your eyes for granted. After all, most of us have been blessed with the gift of sight since birth. Our eyes don’t require much maintenance, and even if you don’t have 20/20 vision, corrective lenses are an easy fix.

But things do go wrong. My patients are frequently asking for solutions to various eye problems, cataracts in particular. Here is a brief overview of this common condition and natural remedies that can help.

Cataracts Are Not Inevitable
Cataracts, or opacities of the lens of the eye, are another common problem associated with aging. More than half of all Americans in their 80s either have cataracts or have had surgery to replace the clouded lens. I’m not going to knock cataract surgery because people see much, much better afterward. But isn’t prevention a better idea?

Lifestyle Changes make a Huge Difference
Smoking, abdominal obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and a whole list of drugs are linked with increased risk of developing cataracts and other vision problems. Nutrition is also important. We’ve known for years that taking a daily supplement containing relatively high doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper lowers risk of cataracts and related vision loss, but nutritional research has gone far beyond these basic vitamins and minerals.

A recent study found that older women who had the highest levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were about a third less likely to have cataracts. And in a recent nine year placebo-controlled clinical trial, people who took a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement were much less likely to have developed the most common type of cataracts than those who took a placebo.

Another therapy worth trying is N-acetyl-carnosine. Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), caused by the crosslinking of proteins, is another degenerative process that damages the lens. Carnosine is a natural amino acid combo that inhibits AGE formation. Several studies show that when carnosine eye drops are used twice a day in eyes affected by cataracts, improvements are often noted in both vision and lens opacity.

The common thread running throughout is nutrition. Therefore, my number-one recommendation for both treating and staving off cataracts and other vision problems is to improve your diet and take a comprehensive supplement aimed at vision health. It’s never too early to start. Don’t wait until you’re having problems to take action—by then it may be too late.

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Is Gluten Getting You Down?

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Gluten intolerance is an inherited autoimmune disorder characterized by a sensitivity to gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat, rye, and barley. (Oats used to be considered a culprit, but no longer are.) When people with this condition eat gluten, their immune systems are activated and the resulting inflammatory response damages or destroys the villi that line the small intestines and allow nutrients to be absorbed.

A Chameleon of a Disease. Incidence of gluten intolerance is widespread. Upwards of 15 percent of Americans suffer with this condition. And, as I learned at a medical conference I recently attended, only about five percent of these people have been diagnosed and treated. According to experts at the University of Chicago Medical Center, it takes an average of 11 years to identify gluten intolerance, and the typical child sees eight pediatricians before getting an accurate diagnosis.

Although many patients, especially children, have bloating, abdominal pain, canker sores, diarrhea, or constipation, others have no gastrointestinal (GI) issues. Instead, they may experience seemingly unrelated weight loss, stunted growth, iron-deficiency anemia, bone pain, fatigue, thinning hair, or itchy skin. Affected individuals may also have neurological problems such as numbness, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, even seizures, dementia, and psychotic episodes. But all of these are signs of nutritional deficiencies brought on by malabsorption due to damaged villi.

A Sure Cure. The good news is that gluten intolerance is one of the few medical conditions for which we have a cure that is 100 percent effective for 100 percent of affected patients. All you have to do is eliminate gluten from your life. This is the only thing that will allow the villi to recover and regenerate.

Wheat, in particular, can be challenging for most Americans because breads, cereals, crackers, and the like have become dietary staples. Beyond the obvious sources, gluten is also present in many sauces, flavorings, and prepared foods, including soy sauce, beer, and frozen French fries.

You Do Have Options. You can buy flour and baked goods made of brown rice, almonds, potatoes, quinoa, and other gluten-free grains. And thanks to increasing awareness, many products are now carrying gluten-free labels. Furthermore, this way of eating is healthier overall.

Because this condition is a recipe for nutritional deficiency, it’s imperative that you also take a good daily multivitamin and mineral supplement, along with extra vitamin D, B-complex vitamins, and probiotics.

At Whitaker Wellness, we test our patients with suspicious symptoms and, if indicated, counsel them in appropriate diet changes. Sure, a gluten-free diet can be inconvenient and a challenge to stick with, but it’s absolutely worth it. Studies show that affected people who eliminate this protein eventually recover completely.

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Berberine for Diabetes

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Diabetes is a serious condition, and it’s also one that can cause many other severe health problems. Diabetes increases your risk of death by heart attack and is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. That’s why you need to know about a nutritional supplement that could save your sight, your kidneys, your legs, your nerves, prevent you from having a premature heart attack, and may help you get off your prescription drugs.

Try Berberine Not Metformin. When I hear about nutritional supplements that work as well or better than prescription drugs, I take notice. That’s why research on berberine, an alkaloid found in goldenseal and other plants, caught my eye. Several clinical trials have shown the positive effects of berberine on blood sugar and lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes. And one of these studies, published in Metabolism, tested it head-to-head against metformin (Glucophage), the most popular diabetes drug in the world.

The Proof is in the Studies. In this pilot study, patients with newly diagnosed diabetes were given 500 mg of either metformin or berberine three times a day for three months. Guess which therapy came out on top? Berberine! It lowered average fasting blood sugar from 190.8 to 124.2, hemoglobin A1C from 9.5 to 7.5 percent, and postprandial (after meals) blood sugar from 356.4 to 199.8. Modest positive effects were also noted on triglycerides. Berberine is safe and well-tolerated, but it may cause transient gastrointestinal upset in some people. The suggested dose is 500 mg, three times a day. Berberine is sold in health food stores and online, or it can be ordered by calling (800) 810-6655.

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Diabetes Treatment, Nutritional Supplements, Wellness | No Comments »

Bountiful Benefits of Fish Oil

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Fish oil is making headlines yet again. Study results published in the journal Cancer revealed that people who took fish oil while undergoing chemotherapy treatment were able to stave off weight loss and muscle deterioration.

Folks, this is a big deal. Muscle wasting and weight loss during chronic illnesses, called cachexia, is a huge problem for people dealing with cancer. And in this particular study, nearly 70 percent of the participants who took fish oil either gained or maintained their muscle mass.

This is wonderful news. Whenever a nutritional supplement shows benefits like these, I’m even more excited about getting the word out. The dose used in the study was around 2 g daily; however, I recommend that everyone—regardless of health status—take 2-8 g of high quality fish oil each and every day.

Total-Body Protection
The reason I recommend fish oil so wholeheartedly is because the essential fatty acids it contains, particularly DHA and EPA, have many profoundly positive effects throughout the body. Fish oil:

• Protects against heart disease
• Reduces inflammation throughout the body
• Ameliorates symptoms of depression
• Staves off sudden cardiac death and arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Alleviates arthritis and joint pain
• Supports normal cognitive function and memory

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s really no reason why fish oil shouldn’t be part of your daily supplement regimen.

Eat Plenty of Fish Too
In addition to 2-8 g of supplemental fish oil daily, you should also eat a few servings of cold-water, low-mercury fish per week. Safe species include (but are not limited to) flounder, herring, salmon, sole, and trout. To keep your fish dishes healthy, the best preparation methods are baking, sautéing, or grilling.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Depression, Diet, Foods That Heal, Heart Disease, Nutritional Supplements, Prevention, Vitamins, Wellness | No Comments »

Staying Healthy for the Holidays

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy for the holidays.

Stress Less
With shopping lists a mile long, errands to run, parties to host and attend, and the other stressors of the season, it’s not surprising that anxiety and stress often come into the picture during this time of year. When you’re feeling frazzled, slow down and take a moment to reflect on the many blessings in your life. If that doesn’t work, try a soothing cup of green tea or take 200-400 mg of the anxiety-reducing amino acid theanine.

Other effective stress-busting activities include meditation, yoga, and tai chi. And when all else fails, remember that laughter truly is the best medicine. In addition to boosting immune function, it increases circulation, reduces muscular tension, and just plain feels good. So spice up your life with funny videos, books, and people who make you laugh—and practice “smile therapy” whenever you get the chance.

Eat Healthy
It’s temping to go hog wild during the holidays. After all, there are sweets and treats everywhere you turn. But overindulging is bad for your health in a number of ways. First, there’s the guilt. Next, there’s the weight gain. Finally, there’s the sluggish feeling you get from overeating rich, fatty foods. Fortunately, with a little willpower and a few dietary swaps you can stick with a healthy diet, not just during the holidays but all year long.

Stay away from or severely limit your intake of starches and sugars. These high-glycemic carbohydrates wreak havoc on blood sugar and waistlines. Try steamed and pureed cauliflower with a little garlic in place of mashed potatoes, eat savory steamed veggies instead of loading your plate with stuffing, and bake with xylitol, stevia, or another natural, low-calorie sweetener in order to cut back on sugars. Take the skin off of your turkey to slash fat content, say no to seconds, and try to eat sensible portions. Moderation in tandem with good food choices goes a long way toward improving health. 

Exercise More
I realize this is a busy time of year, but that’s no excuse to put exercise on the back burner. In fact, staying physically active will actually give you more energy to tackle all of your holiday tasks. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, simply incorporate these calorie burners into your daily activities.

Park in the far corners of the lot at the mall or grocery store, use the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, pick up the pace as you do housework and chores, do jumping jacks, push-ups, or sit-ups for a few minutes when you have some idle time—just get moving!

Bolster Your Immune System
You know what they say: The best defense is a good offense. The upcoming weeks are bound to be busy and stressful, and that combo can really take a toll on your immune system. Don’t end up on the sidelines. Protect yourself by giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off infection and keep you in the pink.

Start by taking 2,000-5,000 IU of vitamin D daily. Your goal is to get your blood level in the 50-80 ng/mL range. Next, load up on vitamin C, a minimum of 1,000 mg per day. Other immune boosting supplements to consider are echinacea (use as directed), colostrum (4,500 mg twice daily on an empty stomach with water), and a fermented bakers yeast product such as EpiCor (500 mg daily). You can purchase these supplements in health food stores or online from various retailers.

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What to Do About Incontinence

Monday, November 15th, 2010

If jogging, jumping, sneezing, or even laughing leads to “accidents,” you’re not alone. Urinary incontinence is a common complaint, especially among older women, who often have to resort to using drugs, pads—or worse. Kegel exercises are always a good idea for strengthening the muscles involved in bladder control, but I also want to tell you about an unusual remedy that has provided relief for thousands.

Bell Bladder Control Tea contains several herbs such as cranberry, uva ursi, nettle, goldenrod, and marshmallow that have proven benefits for the urinary tract. In addition to reducing stress, urge, and other types of incontinence, this tea also helps prevent bladder and urinary tract infections. This company also makes an herbal tea for male urinary problems called Bell Prostate Ezee Flow Tea that gets rave reviews. Both teas, which cost about $20 for a month’s supply and come with a money-back guarantee, are available in thousands of health food stores in the US and Canada.

Another product worth mentioning is BetterWOMAN, a blend of Chinese herbs that modulates hormones, boosts neuromuscular function, and increases circulation in the muscles involved in bladder support, resulting in better urinary control.  One study looked at 38 women, ages 35 to 78, who suffered from stress incontinence (brought on by laughing, sneezing, etc.), frequent urination, or urgency (the immediate and urgent need to urinate). After using BetterWOMAN for two months, 76 percent of the women suffering from stress incontinence noticed marked improvement, as did 70 percent of those with urgency problems. And frequent bathroom trips were reduced in 73 percent of the study participants. Look for BetterWOMAN in health food stores or online.

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Restore Lost Hearing

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Several supplements have been shown to slow down, even potentially reverse, hearing loss. One is coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). After supplementing with 160 mg of CoQ10 daily for a month, a group of study participants aged 56-74 reported marked improvements in hearing.

Another supplement worth looking into is folic acid. Dutch researchers enrolled 728 older men and women who had some hearing loss and high homocysteine levels and gave them either 800 mcg of folic acid or a placebo every day for three years. The researchers then retested the participants’ hearing and found that although there was some deterioration in both groups, those who had taken folic acid had significantly less hearing loss in the lower frequencies. (High frequencies were not affected.) An accompanying editorial suggested that the degree of decrease in age-related hearing loss demonstrated in this study could lead to a significant reduction in the need for hearing aids.

Zinc, magnesium, and vitamins E and C also have protective effects on hearing, so your best bet is to take a high-end daily multivitamin supplement. But check nutrient levels carefully, and try to find a product that contains 800 mcg of folic acid and above-RDA dosages of other vitamins and minerals.

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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Hearing Loss, Nutritional Supplements, Prevention, Vitamins | No Comments »

Say No to Surgery, Say Yes to Health

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

When I tell people about the successes we have at the Whitaker Wellness Institute using natural therapies and nutritional supplements to treat disease, sometimes they are hesitant to believe me. That’s why patient testimonials are so important to what we do. Skepticism can often be overturned by real stories from real people. One of these testimonials comes from Bob. Here’s what he had to say:

“Back in 1989, I went to Scripps Hospital in San Diego, had a treadmill stress test and an angiogram, and was told they would need to do a bypass operation in the morning. I was feeling pretty good so I declined the surgery, got out of that place, and never went back. I started looking into my options and who did I find but Dr. Julian Whitaker.

“After a hands-on examination, he said he thought he could fix me up. He gave me a list of supplements to take, told me to exercise 30 minutes every day, and prescribed chelation therapy. I’ve had a relationship with Dr. Whitaker now for 20 years. I still take the supplements he suggests and exercise regularly. And to think, those folks down at Scripps gave me 30 days to live without the bypass operation!

“I’ve been working steadily in the title business without missing hardly a day of work for 55 years—and I plan to keep on working for another 20 years. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for Dr. Whitaker I wouldn’t be here today.” — Bob Duff, Whitaker Wellness patient

As remarkable as Bob’s story is, he’s actually the rule rather than the exception. Instead of operations and side-effect-riddled drugs, we offer our patients innovative therapies and targeted nutrients. And you know what? They respond better, regain their health, and are better off with this noninvasive approach.

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Avoiding Invasive or Dangerous Procedures, Diet, Exercise, Heart Disease, Innovative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, Wellness | No Comments »

Practical Tips for Preventing Colds and Flu

Monday, September 13th, 2010

Fall is fast approaching, and with it cold and flu season. Here are a few practical tips for staying healthy this autumn and year-round.

1. Wash Your Hands
Microbes can enter your system when an infected person in the vicinity coughs or sneezes. More commonly, however, you bring them in yourself by touching the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose, or eyes after coming into contact with a contaminated person or item such as a glass or towel. That’s why it’s important to wash your hands regularly.

It sounds like a no-brainer but you’d be amazed at how many people are just plain lousy at hand-washing. In a study by the American Society for Microbiology, almost everyone—92 percent—claimed to wash their hands in public restrooms, but only 77 percent actually did. And it’s often a haphazard rinse. You really need to lather up and scrub for a full 20 seconds. Use good old bar or liquid soap and avoid antibacterial products. Antibacterials contain triclosan, an agent known to increase risk of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” More than three-quarters of liquid hand soaps contain triclosan, so read labels carefully. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are another viable option.

2. Flush Microbes Out
Another method of staving off infection is to wash germs out of the eyes and nostrils before they have a chance to enter your body. One way to do this is with facial dips. You simply fill a basin with warm water, add a special solution, and submerge your face in the water for a few seconds. (Clenzology makes a line of reputable products; however, an alternative is to use only warm water.) Another option is to cleanse the nostrils with salt water with either a saline nasal spray or a neti pot, a small container with a spout that allows you to gently pour water into your nostrils. Neti pots have been used for centuries, and saline nasal sprays were shown in a study of college students to reduce colds.

3. Boost Your Immunity
It goes without saying that living a healthy lifestyle boosts immune function. This includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, stress management, and a good daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. But there are additional supplements you should take during flu and cold season to strengthen your defenses. Vitamin C is indispensable. It increases the number and function of microbe-fighting white blood cells as well as the production of interferon, which helps prevent viral infections. I recommend taking a minimum of 1,500 mg a day, in divided doses, at this time of year.

Though vitamin C is a must-have, there is another supplement that you shouldn’t be without this season: vitamin D. Ensuring that you have an adequate blood level of vitamin D may be your best protection against all types of “bugs” this winter. That’s why you need to beef up your intake now. The most predictable way to do this is to take vitamin D3 supplements—enough to bring your blood level up into the optimal range of 50–80 ng/mL. (For most adults, this requires about 5,000 IU per day.) To make certain your levels are in the proper range, ask your doctor for a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) test.

I hope you are able to put these tips to good use. Feel free to share this information with your friends and family. You know what they say—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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Why Children Need Nutritional Supplements

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Growth during childhood occurs at a dizzying pace. The average child’s weight quintuples, height doubles, and brain size quadruples in just the first five years of life. Deficiencies in key nutrients during this short window of growth can have lifelong consequences. This is why optimal nutrition is so important during the early years.

As a parent, I know that getting kids to eat right is no small task. Many of the foods marketed to children are highly processed, loaded with sugar, fat, and calories, and devoid of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Consequently, far too many of our youngsters are on shaky nutritional footing.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), only a very small percentage of American children eat a good diet (20 percent of 2- to 6-year-olds, 8 percent of 7- to 12-year-olds, and 4 percent of 13- to 18-year-olds). Other surveys show that 69 percent of toddlers under age 2 eat candy or dessert and 44 percent drink sweetened beverages on a daily basis. No wonder so many boys and girls have inadequate intake of several essential nutrients.

I firmly believe that all children should take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. While nutritional supplements are no replacement for a good diet, they do a heck of a job of filling dietary “gaps” and ensuring adequate intake of iron, iodine, zinc, B-complex vitamins, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, and other nutrients that play crucial roles in optimal growth and development.

In addition to a daily multi, I also recommend docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that comprises a quarter of the total fat in the brain. A vital constituent of robust cellular membranes and myelin (which insulates and protects neurons and speeds up electrical transmissions), DHA also turns on genes that signal the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth factor that plays a key role in learning and memory.

Breast milk is an excellent source of DHA, which is one reason why children who are breastfed score higher on IQ tests than their bottle-fed peers. (The FDA finally got smart a few years ago and approved the addition of DHA-supplemented formula.) But toddlers and older kids often shy away from DHA-rich fish. The only surefire way to make certain they get enough is to supplement with DHA.

Look in your health food store for a children’s daily supplement that contains a broad range of essential vitamins and minerals and take as directed, based on your child’s age. The suggested dose of DHA is 100 mg a day from age six months to four years, 150 mg from four to six years, and 300 mg for children seven and older. (It is available in liquid and capsule form.)

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