Healthy Q & A: Liver Health and Medications

Q:  I wonder if you can give me some advice.  My dad is in his early seventies and has taken a whole bunch of medications for years for cholesterol, blood pressure, and pain.  I know that he has to be so toxic from taking those medications for so long and that they have to be hurting his liver.  I’d really like to be able to give him something to take to protect his liver, but I’m worried about things interacting with his medications.  Do you have any ideas?

A: I understand your worry.  Often prescription medications are necessary, but they can take a toll on the body- often the most on the liver (which processes everything put into the body).  The best supplement I can recommend is milk thistle.  Milk thistle is probably the very best supplement that exists for supporting, cleansing, and healing the liver.  It’s very safe to take, and no drug interactions have ever been reported from it.  In fact, in the book A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions by Alan Gaby, milk thistle is mentioned quite a few times as an herb to take with medications known to damage the liver.  

Milk thistle has been the subject of numerous clinical trials due to its potent liver protecting qualities.  It’s one of the few herbs that really have no pharmaceutical equivalent, and has been shown useful in treating liver diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver poisoning, vital hepatitis, fatty liver, acne, and more.  Not only can it protect the liver against further damage, studies have documented its ability to regenerate the liver.

The liver performs so many important functions, and keeping the liver clean makes a huge impact in health, so I think it would be a great choice for your dad.

Back to School Health Roundup

Kids are going back to school at the end of the month- I can’t believe summer has flown by so fast!  We have a number of fantastic articles on helpful supplements and recommendations for back to school on our web site; I’ll link a few below.

Back to School Supplements
 

Improving Children’s Concentration in School
 

Keeping Kids Healthy
 

This month, we’re having a back to school sale on Carlson’s Bubblegum Flavored Cod Liver Oil for Kids.  It’ll be on sale for 25% off during the month of August and with its purchase we’ll be offering a free insulated lunch bag (while supplies last- they’re really great).  I particularly like the Carlson’s Cod Liver Oil for Kids because the serving size is so small, just half a teaspoon to get 450mg of omega 3 fatty acids.  My daughter loves the taste of it.  If you'd like to have your kids try their cod liver oil, we will be having our Carlson Representative in the store on Saturday, August 8th from 10-1.

We also will have KAL’s Relax-a-Saurus on sale this month, which is featured in the Back to School Supplements article linked above.  It’s a wonderful supplement to help with reducing children’s anxiety while also improving focus.  It can be used during the day, or before bed to help with sleep (which can be helpful for kids who can’t seem to wind down at night).

Healthy Q & A: Natural Deodorant

Q: My sister has breast cancer and was advised that she may want to stop using antiperspirant deodorant.  I’ve been reading about the aluminum in antiperspirants and how they could be harmful, so I wondered what you thought and if you had any recommendations on a natural deodorant (I know there are a lot of different ones available).
 

A:  Sometimes women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer are advised to discontinue using conventional antiperspirant deodorant due to possible skin reactions or irritation. 

Many women are concerned about the possible dangers of using aluminum-based antiperspirants.  There are a number of arguments against conventional antiperspirants.  One would be the idea that sweating is beneficial and is used by the body to excrete toxins, and by stopping underarm perspiration a person is blocking toxins in the underarm area.  Another thought is that aluminum is a metal and it is harmful to be smearing it in a person’s underarm pores.  Research has found elevated levels of aluminum in the underarm area and surrounding areas of people who used conventional antiperspirants.

I certainly don’t want to be alarmist about antiperspirants, since the research on it is mostly inconclusive.  Nevertheless, I don’t think putting aluminum on your body every day is a great idea, not to mention always having one’s sweat glands plugged up.

No matter how bad conventional antiperspirants may be, no one wants to smell bad. Thankfully there are a number of very effective natural deodorants available.  I wanted to specifically mention one I’ve use called LifeStinks.

I love LifeStinks deodorant for a number of reasons, foremost I guess would be that it is one of the most effective ones I’ve used of the many I’ve tried.  They’re also a local company, and owned and operated by a group of sisters in Beverly.

I used LifeStinks on numerous hot summer days and didn’t have an odor problem- which I thought was really impressive because I’ve used natural deodorants before that would work for a while but then seemed to get lazy on the job.  One recommendation is not to apply LifeStinks deodorant directly after shaving under the arms, to avoid irritation.

Also, be sure to check out our DIY Health & Beauty section this month below for a homemade deodorant recipe made with essential oils!

Supplement Spotlight: Solgar's New Full Spectrum Curcumin (It's pretty much the best thing ever)

We have a new curcumin extract from Solgar that I wanted to feature, since it’s really amazing, almost unbelievably so.  Curcumin is the extract, or beneficial component, of the spice turmeric.  Curcumin has been found to be a fantastic supplement for joint pain and reducing inflammation in the body, but unfortunately, it’s very difficult for the body to absorb.

While curcumin is most well known for it's benefits for joint pain, research has also found the benefits of curcumin supplementation to extend to lower risks for heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease, and is also considered a potent anti-aging supplement. 

Unfortunately, many people found they would need to take rather high doses of curcumin to find joint pain relief.  Occasionally when people would take those high dosages of turmeric extract, they would experience stomach upset or irritation.  In the past, the high dosages of curcumin were necessary, since the body was only able to absorb a small fraction of the herb.

With the popularity of turmeric extracts growing, due to many people finally finding relief from joint problems after taking the supplement, researchers have been working on ways to help curcumin to be better absorbed, with smaller doses.

Previously, all of us at Pass Health Foods would recommend curcumin phytosome as the best form of turmeric extract to take.  Studies showed that curcumin phytosome (also known as the branded name, Meriva), was absorbed twenty times more than standard turmeric extract- a really impressive discovery!

At the store, we always make a point to be on top of the latest supplements being developed and their research.  When I first heard of the brand Solgar coming out with a new water soluble curcumin that was said to be absorbed 185 times more than standard curcumin, I was skeptical, since that number sounded almost unbelievable.  Research has confirmed their claim however (you can read more about the study here)!  They have really discovered a way to make curcumin’s absorption rate to be so much better absorbed!  The researchers even were quoted as saying that this new extract of curcumin was truly “unrivaled” in absorption.  

Because of the science behind it, we really have no reason to ever suggest a different turmeric extract that this new one by Solgar.  Even at a small, one a day dosage, the absorption rate should be significantly better absorbed than any other curcumin supplement on the market.  One other benefit of Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin is that it stays in the body for a full 24 hours from one single pill dose.

Another nice thing is that since Solgar’s Full Spectrum Curcumin is so well absorbed, only a small amount is required, so it should be tolerated well for people with stomach issues who may not have been able to take standard turmeric supplements due to irritation.

For more information on how exactly this new extract is made and absorbed, there's a good article here.

Healthy Q & A: Natural Relief for GERD

Q:

I have GERD and have been dealing with it for years.  I’ve heard there are some natural things that might help with it, so do you have any recommendations for things that can make it easier to live with?
 
 
A:  

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a chronic digestive disease where acids from the stomach flow or reflux back into the esophagus.  Signs of GERD include acid reflux and heartburn.  When acid reflux or heartburn occur more than twice or three times a week, or interferes with daily life, doctors often diagnose it as GERD.  

Unfortunately once GERD begins, it is usually a life-long condition, where a person would work on managing the symptoms rather than trying to cure the problem.  GERD is unable to be cured in most cases since it is caused by a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which keeps acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus.  

Since GERD is a problem that needs lifelong treatment for most people, it’s helpful to find natural products that can help manage the symptoms rather than medications if it all possible.

Digestive enzymes are especially helpful for those suffering from heartburn and GERD.  A major contributing factor of GERD is indigestion or overeating.  A large amount of undigested food sitting in the stomach is a recipe for digestive troubles.  Our bodies naturally produce the enzymes needed for digestion, though as we age the amounts of those enzymes decrease. Cooking and processing foods destroys the enzymes in the foods we eat, so adding an enzyme supplement helps to replace those enzymes.  People taking acid blockers, which are commonly used for GERD, especially need to supplement with digestive enzymes since reducing the amount of acid in the stomach further impairs the body’s ability to digest food properly.

Look for an enzyme that is high in protease, the protein digesting enzyme.  Pancreatin is an especially good choice for people with GERD.

Another supplement that can be very effective in treating GERD is DGL licorice.  DGL stands for deglycyrrhizinated licorice. Licorice naturally contains a substance which can increase blood pressure, but DGL licorice has that substance removed, so it can be taken by people with blood pressure problems.  

DGL licorice comes in chewable tablets, and helps to treat GERD by supporting and stimulating the mucosal lining in the esophagus.  It helps to heal and protect the esophagus from the acid which is refluxed into the esophagus with GERD.  Since it works to protect and heal the esophagus, it also helps to reduce the pain and burning associated with heartburn and GERD.

A chewable licorice supplement might sound gross to some.  I for one cannot stand the taste of black licorice, but DGL is available in delicious flavors which can make it really easy to take. The company Enzymatic Therapy even makes one that tastes just like german chocolate cake. DGL licorice should be taken 20 minutes before a meal, and chewed thoroughly since the enzymes in saliva help it to work more effectively.

There are several other supplements which can be beneficial in addition to enzymes and DGL licorice.  Probiotics or “good bacteria” supplements can help to support and balance the body’s digestive system.  Aloe vera juice is also very soothing to the digestive tract.  

The nice thing about the supplements I’ve listed is that they work by supporting the body’s own ability to heal itself and to work properly instead of simply masking symptoms or being a “quick fix” like an antacid would.

Other suggestions which can help those with GERD would be to make sure to chew food thoroughly which aids digestion.  Smaller, more frequent meals with increased amounts of raw fruits and vegetables can also help with reducing the symptoms of GERD.  

Supplement Spotlight: PQQ for Heart Health and More

I’m very excited to share some information about a brand new supplement that we’ve been lucky enough to find, PQQ.  PQQ is related to CoQ10, but might even be superior in its benefits.

I’ve written about CoQ10 numerous times for its benefit to heart health and so much more.  Here are a couple of our past articles about that amazing supplement:

CoQ10 and Heart Health
 

CoQ10 and Heart Disease
 

CoQ10 helps to support our cell’s mitochondria.  Mitochondria are literally the powerhouses of each cell.  Mitochondria are most present in parts of the body that need the most energy- particularly the heart.

CoQ10 helps to support and preserve mitochondrial function.  The new supplement PQQ is amazing because it has been shown in preliminary studies to not only aid in mitochondrial function, but actually help to generate new mitochondria (there’s a link to one of the studies here).

PQQ has also been found to have neuroprotective effects, and may even be beneficial for Parkinson’s Disease (study here) and as a therapy for recovering from a stroke (study here).

Research on PQQ is still in its very preliminary stages, but I am extremely happy that we are able to offer it as a supplement due to its impressive list of potential benefits.

I wouldn’t suggest that people replace their CoQ10 supplements with PQQ, but I do think it would be a wonderfully beneficial supplement to add to a CoQ10 regimen, particularly for persons with heart, brain, or nerve issues.

Healthy Q & A: Protein Shakes for Weight Loss

Q: I’ve heard protein shakes are good for weight loss, but there are so many choices I don’t know what is the best (or even if protein shakes will help).  Do you have any advice?

A: Protein can be a fantastic aid to weight loss.  Adding additional protein to your diet can help you to feel more satisfied, which can help with dieting.  Protein also helps with muscle recovery after exercise.  For best results for building muscle, a protein shake should be consumed within 45 minutes after a workout.  All of the below protein powders can be mixed with water in a shaker cup, or milk for a creamier shake.  A scoop of protein powder is also wonderful addition to a smoothie.

When it comes to protein shakes for weight loss, not all shakes are created equal.  We have three different protein shakes that I would especially recommend as weight loss aids.  The first is a brand new one we’ve found, Betty Lou’s Low Glycemic Protein Shakes.  I’m particularly fond of it since it is a whey protein shake (whey is a protein from milk which is very easily absorbed), that has fibers added to help increase the feeling of being satisfied.  It also has vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and enzymes added, and is sugar, gluten, and soy free.

Another great protein shake I’d recommend is Jarrow Formulas Greek Yogurtein.  I wrote a feature on it a few months ago, since I was so impressed with it.  It combines quick absorbing whey protein, with a second milk protein, micellular casein, which is very slowly digested.  Since it stays in the stomach a long time, it can help you to feel full for longer period of time.

The final protein shake I’d recommend is Garden of Life’s Raw Fit.  It is different from the previous two in that it is a dairy free, plant based protein shake.  It sets itself apart as a weight loss protein shake since it has additional diet aids like green coffee bean extract, as well as chromium and cinnamon for balancing blood sugar.  It also contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, enzymes, and probiotics.  It’s a fantastic protein shake suitable for dairy free and vegan diets.
 

Our Favorite Things: Psoria Bye Bye Spray for Psoriasis

We have a new product for psoriasis in stock called Psoria Bye Bye by Ojas Naturals.  One of our owners, Joanne has been using it and she loves it.  She says it's been the best thing she's used for psoriasis.  Since she's been using it, she's noticed the patches of psoriasis have lightened in color, and it’s taken away the scaliness and itchiness.  She uses it twice a day.  

If you suffer from psoriasis, I’d really recommend giving it a try!

Healthy Q & A: Saw Palmetto for Prostate Health

Q:  I’ve been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.  My doctor has offered me medication for my symptoms, but I thought I might want to try something natural first to see if it would help. Would you recommend anything?

A:  You’re certainly not alone.  Over 50% of men in their 60’s have an enlarged prostate, and that number increases to 90% with men in their 70’s.  Prostate enlargement, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, is the most common prostate problem for men over 50. There are prescription medications which can help with symptoms, but there are also natural products which work very well for managing BPH without the side effects that often come with pharmaceuticals.

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that encircles the urethra.  Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include difficulty or pain during urination as well as frequent urination and incontinence.  This happens because as the prostate grows, it can squeeze the urethra and cause pain.  Natural products can be very effective in treating symptoms, although it is still important to get regular checkups from a physician.

When it comes to prostate health, the natural product superstar is saw palmetto.  This herb works to help reduce the swelling of the prostate, allowing for easier urine flow, and also helps to strengthen the neck of the bladder.  A British study found that 320 milligrams of saw palmetto per day was four times more effective than a placebo in improving the emptying of the bladder.  In addition, the men didn’t have as much difficulty and pain in urinating as they had before taking the herb.  A recent Swiss study found that men with varying degrees of prostate enlargement found relief after taking saw palmetto, with a 42% improvement in the mild BPH group, 38% in the medium group, and a 30% improvement in those with the most severe prostate enlargement.  

Saw palmetto is so effective that 90 percent of men in Germany with prostate enlargement take it daily for reducing symptoms.  The herb is best taken in capsule form, since handling saw palmetto in tablet form can be harmful to pregnant women.

Many men avoid having a prostate exam.  In fact, a UK survey determined that six out of ten men would wait to see if a problem went away before going to the doctor, and one out of ten would wait until symptoms became unbearable before seeing a doctor.  Some men said they would refuse to seek help no matter what.  These are alarming statistics, because a prostate exam is important to determine if one is experiencing common benign prostate enlargement or a more serious problem like prostate cancer.

The nutrient lycopene, which is found in tomatoes, is probably the most effective supplement in preventing prostate cancer.  A Harvard study of over 40,000 men found that those who ate ten servings of tomato based foods daily had a 35% reduction in prostate cancer.  Ten servings of tomatoes can be a difficult thing to eat in a day, so it’s nice that lycopene is available in capsule form.  In another study, researchers found that increased levels of lycopene in the blood reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially aggressive forms of the disease which are harder to treat.  The study determined that taking 50 mg of a lycopene supplement was able to significantly increase the amount of lycopene in the blood, and thereby reduce prostate cancer risk.

Some other recommendations would be to make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, since dehydration stresses the prostate gland.  Many men reduce their fluid intake when they are dealing with urinary problems, but doing so can cause more harm to the prostate. Adding pumpkin seeds to the diet can also help with restoring normal flow of urine. Unsweetened cranberry juice can also be beneficial, since it helps to prevent urinary tract infections which are common in men with an enlarged prostate.

Supplement Spotlight: Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the body that naturally regulates sleep cycles, signaling the body and brain when it’s time to go to sleep.  Melatonin production is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light.  Natural melatonin production in the body is reduced by changes in schedules as well as late night exposure to artificial light, particularly computers, televisions, and cell phone screens.  Certain medications can further reduce the body’s melatonin levels; aspirin is one that many people take daily to prevent heart attacks, but aspirin also reduces melatonin levels in the body.

Melatonin can be taken as a supplement to help to adjust the body’s internal clock for people traveling and changing time zones, and for shift workers who’s schedule changes.  Melatonin also is useful for people suffering from insomnia.  Research has found that melatonin supplementation helps to reduce restlessness before sleep, and aids in correcting sleep patterns during sleep.

For people having trouble falling asleep, a sublingual form which dissolves in the mouth is best since it is absorbed the fastest.  For those who have trouble staying asleep and experience problems with waking up in the middle of the night, a time release form is superior.  Placebo controlled studies have found that supplementing with melatonin improved sleep quality, reduced the time it took to fall asleep, and also enhanced alertness in the morning.

A new study came out this March which was particularly interesting.  It reported that scientists in China found that supplementing with melatonin could help a person sleep better in a noisy environment.  The researchers found that melatonin provided longer and better sleep than compared to people who wore eye masks and earplugs.  The participants who took melatonin had decreased middle of the night awakenings when compared with the eye mask/earplug group.  The group who took melatonin had a significant improvement in sleep quality and were found to have increased REM sleep.

Melatonin is most effective when taken an hour before sleep.  In addition to being an effective sleep aid, melatonin is also a potent antioxidant, with even a greater range of effectiveness than vitamin C, E, or beta carotene.  For many people, a short time taking melatonin is sufficient to correct sleep dysfunction, though others may find benefit from prolonged supplementation.