Newsletter for 2006 by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Health Newsletter - Free Email
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Emails from subscribers
Dr. Sahelian is always interesting to read. I always learn something new
each time I read his articles. Thanks for his comments.
I received a copy of your Feb 15, 2006 newsletter about the dietary study
of fats done recently (the one that cost us taxpayers 450 million or so,
and got no results). I am impressed with your analysis of that study, and
also with your food recommendations. I heartily agree: Stupid is the only
word to describe the researchers' analyses of their results!
I have just read your latest newsletter (Vol.3, issue 13-- July 24, 06 )
and I felt compelled to let you know that I strongly agree with all that
you have said here. I also wanted you to know that I read most of your
newsletters and really appreciate the excellent information that you talk
about. Thank you for your excellent advice and also, thank you for the
kind, considerate, and respectful way that you present these things. I
have a great deal of experience in having tried many of these herbs in
many combinations and I know that you speak the truth on all these
matters. I am well acquainted with several health problems many of which
you have addressed very nicely and frequently, quite timely. I am type two
diabetic, and have all the typical associated health problems that go
along with diabetes. ED is one of those problems, and being 54 years of
age adds to those problems. I have used herbs for several years now, and
have found that they help with most of my health problems. Your kindly
advice has reaffirmed what I have found to be true over the years. I hope
that you will continue to pass on the rich wealth of knowledge and wisdom
that you obviously have, to others who may be in need. I view you as a
kind, and benevolent person. And, if you aren't already, please come and
be a Christian. You have a good heart from what I can see, and it would be
a real tragedy for you to miss out on becoming a member of the Christian
family. Do you know the best vitamin for a Christian? B1 May God bless
you.
Dr. Sahelian, I would like to first of all thank you and your associates /
staff, for the incredible web site put together with much time and effort.
Like a previous letter writer said, it's important to find someone who one
can trust somewhat, because doctors, pharma companies, supplement
companies, and celebrity spokespersons along with the advertisers they
"shill" for, all have their own reasons and agenda - usually financially
motivated, for endorsing products. I wish more doctors would bother to
keep current with information available from sites like yours. Here in
Canada, most doctors are foils for the big pharma conglomerates, because
the mindset is all drug related with nary a thought to natural
alternatives or treatments.
For 2005 prior issues, see Supplement Research Update 2005
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 20 -- December 4, 2006
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How is it possible that hundreds of thousands of medical doctors in this
country who prescribe statin drugs are misguided, while I may turn out to
have made an accurate prediction? Those of you who are regular readers of
my newsletter have heard me repeatedly say that, even though statin drugs
such as Lipitor and Zocor reduce cholesterol levels, there is no proof
that statin drugs help people live longer. A recent medical journal
article appears to validate my viewpoint. Fortunately, this journal
article from Archives of Internal Medicine, November 27, 2006 got picked
up by the news media. The CNN.com headline said, " Study doubts benefits
of universal statin drug use." The CNN article begins,
"Cholesterol-regulating statin drugs slightly lower the risk of heart
attack and stroke in people with no history of cardiovascular disease but
may do little to reduce their risk of death."
I have had many emails from doctors criticizing me for not
endorsing the wide use of stating drugs. Well, I think they judged too
soon. The medical establishment needs to apologize to the public for
pushing these expensive and potentially dangerous statin drugs for so many
years when there has been no proof that they help patients live longer.
Would you rather have a high cholesterol level and live longer, or have a
lower cholesterol level but die sooner? Never mind the decreased quality
of life from repeated doctor visits for cholesterol checks, muscle aches
and liver damage from the drugs, let alone the high drug expense of up to
two thousand dollars a year that could be well spent on something else.
The discussion follows below. In this issue I also review the benefit of
lipoic acid for diabetic neuropathy and the cancer reducing potential of
garlic and onion.
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1. Could Half a Million Doctors be Misguided?
Statins are currently the most widely prescribed drugs in many countries.
There are hundreds of thousands of doctors in the USA, and many more in
the rest of the world, who prescribe statin drugs to their patients and
have been doing so for the past decade or so. Most of these doctors are
well meaning and do think they are helping their patients. But,
unfortunately, they have been misguided by the drug companies and by the
medical journals they read and trust. These medical journals have
repeatedly reinforced the notion that lowering cholesterol is a good
thing. I don't dispute the fact that studies show those with high
cholesterol levels have a higher rate of cardiovascular conditions.
However, I do dispute the fact that lowering cholesterol with statin drugs
is a good thing.
This is what the CNN article says: Statins are prescribed to lower
excessive levels of artery-clogging "bad" cholesterol and to lessen
inflammation in blood vessels. But the latest study casts doubt on the
benefits of prescribing statins to prevent cardiovascular disease in
individuals with healthy cholesterol levels. While statins lessen the risk
of heart attacks and strokes in people already at risk because of heart
disease or high cholesterol, routine use of such drugs by otherwise
healthy adults produces such limited benefits that it may not be
cost-effective. For example, an analysis of seven previous trials
involving nearly 43,000 adults aged 55 to 75 found that the average adult
had a nearly 6 percent chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke over a
4 1/3-year period, compared with a 4 percent risk among those who took
statins. Therefore, 60 patients would need to be treated for an average of
4.3 years to prevent one major coronary event," the study's author, Dr.
Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan of the University of Toronto, wrote in the
article. To prevent a single stroke, 268 people would need to undergo
statin treatment, and to prevent one nonfatal heart attack 61 would have
to take the drugs, he added. Moreover, statin use did not improve the
overall risk of dying from cardiovascular disease or from other causes.
My comments: Most of you realize by now that doctors and the
medical establishment do not know it all and are fallible. (Just to be
clear, I don't claim to know it all, either, but I do my best to keep an
open mind and accept the use of drugs or supplements if they work.) For
decades doctors prescribed hormone replacement therapy for women in high
doses and a few years ago we found out that this treatment increased
breast cancer rates. It is quite possible that we may in the next few
years discover that the widespread use of statin therapy was not such a
good idea after all. I do not deny the possibility that there are certain
patients that may be helped by statins. However, statins are overused and
misused. Too many people are focusing too heavily on blood cholesterol
levels as opposed to looking at the effects of these drugs on the whole
body. If you have an extremely high cholesterol level, then a statin drug
could lower it, but would this result in you living longer? I don't know
if anyone can promise this to you in great confidence. If you have a mild
to moderate cholesterol elevation, and your doctor has you on a statin
drug, then it is legitimate to question your doctor. Ask your doctor to
show you studies or prove to you that the use of statin drugs for mild to
moderate cholesterol elevation leads to a longer lifespan. If he or she
can't, then why is the statin drug being prescribed? There are a number of
steps one can take to improve cardiovascular health without drugs, and I
list some of them at this site. See
http://www.raysahelian.com/heartdisease.html
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Bad Breath or Less Cancer?
Using data from a network of Italian and Swiss case-control studies,
researchers analyzed the relation between frequency of onion and garlic
use and cancer at several sites. They found that those who ate the most
garlic and onion had a lesser risk for several cancers include cancer of
the oral cavity, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and
other cancers. For an abstract of the study, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/allium.html
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3. Alpha Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy
An alpha lipoic acid supplement improves nerve pain or "polyneuropathy" in
patients with diabetes. Dr. Dan Ziegler from Heinrich Heine University,
Duesseldorf, Germany and colleagues gave lipoic acid to patients with
diabetic neuropathy. Symptom scores and stabbing and burning pain
subscores were significantly reduced after 5 weeks. Symptoms improved
significantly as early as 1 week with the highest alpha lipoic acid dose
(1800 mg daily) and within 2 weeks with the other doses (600 mg and 1200
mg daily), and there were no significant differences among the three alpha
lipoic acid groups for changes in mean total symptom score at any time
point. Side effects of high dose lipoic acid were nausea, vomiting, and
dizziness. Researchers say, "Whether the observed favorable short-term
effect of alpha lipoic acid on nerve pain and deficits can be translated
into slowing the progression of diabetic polyneuropathy in the long term
is unknown."
My comments: The authors suggest using 600 mg a day of lipoic acid
for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. I suggest using a lower amount.
Most of the time when researchers are doing a study, they only have a
limited time since it is expensive to do a long term study. So, they end
up using a very high dose of a supplement to elicit a response. However
this does not mean that the dosages they used are appropriate for long
term supplementation. I suggest using 50 mg of r lipoic acid a day for 2
months and then determine the dosage to go up or down based on response
and side effects. Ask your doctor to read the study abstract at
http://www.raysahelian.com/diabeticneuropathy.html
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Emails from Newsletter Subscribers
Q. I am a medical doctor who takes statin drugs for high cholesterol. I
decided to stop the Lipitor and instead take 3 fish oil capsules a day. I
took the fish oil for 6 weeks and saw no beneficial effect of the fish oil
on my cholesterol level. I think fish oil is another example of a hyped up
natural product that has not been well tested. I'm going back to my statin
drug since I know for sure it lowers my cholesterol.
A. Sometimes we tend to look at absolute numbers on lab studies
rather than other important matters. For instance, fish and fish oil are
full of EPA and DHA. These fatty acids get incorporated in many tissues in
the body, including eye, brain, skin, various organs, heart, etc., and
could lead to improved microcirculation in blood vessels and capillaries,
and decreased blood viscosity. By just looking at total cholesterol level,
without taking into account the fatty acid composition of your cells, and
without taking into account the beneficial aspects of these fatty acids
from fish oil on other parts of the body does not give us the full picture
of the benefits. Doctors and drug companies make the mistake of looking at
cholesterol levels as if it that is the most important thing in
cardiovascular health. Who knows, maybe by taking a statin you could lower
your cholesterol but then die sooner? Whereas taking fish oil may not
reduce cholesterol to any significant extent, but because of all the other
potential benefits that fish oils provide, you may live longer. This is
all still theoretical of course, but the main point I want to make is that
looking at cholesterol numbers as if that is the be all and the end all is
not being holistic or scientifically comprehensive.
Q. I just wanted to let you know how well Good Night Rx works for me. It
gives me sound sleep with no side effects. I take it 2 hours before bed on
an empty stomach. One time I took it right after dinner and it didn't work
at all.
A. Yes, it seems just about everyone who has given us feedback has
mentioned that empty stomach is working better.
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 19 -- November 13, 2006
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With all the news channels focused on the elections and the post election
results, an anti-aging study with a wine extract didn't get as much media
attention as it would have otherwise. The title of the study done at
Harvard University in Boston, was, "Resveratrol improves health and
survival of mice on a high-calorie diet." Now, you can see why this would
perk up everyone's attention. Based on the result of this study, should
everyone be taking a resveratrol supplement, eating more red grapes, or
drinking more red wine?
Another interesting recent finding was that turmeric, which
contains curcumin, was found in a rodent study to be beneficial in
rheumatoid arthritis.
I want to occasionally remind users of supplements that when trying
a new product, it is preferable that you take it alone for one, two or
three days so that you notice its benefits and side effects without
interference from other supplements or medicines. I realize this is not
always possible since many of you may need to be taking medicines on a
daily basis. Just keep in mind that certain herbs and nutrients are quite
potent and unexpected reactions may occur when combining supplements and
medicines. If you plan to take a supplement for prolonged periods, it is a
good idea to know how it influences your body and how it makes you feel.
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1. Resveratrol, an Anti-Aging Supplement?
I find it quite interesting that resveratrol, found in red wine, extends
survival in mice. How do we make practical use of this finding?
Harvard researchers tested the wine extract resveratrol on middle
aged mice. Resveratrol supplementation shifted the physiology of
middle-aged mice on a high-calorie diet towards that of mice on a standard
diet and significantly increased their survival. The news media took a
hold of this finding and one headline said, "Compound found in red wine
and grapes extends lifespan of mice." What makes this interesting is that
in previous studies over the past few years, resveratrol was found to have
a similar benefit on yeast, flies and worms. This was the first evaluation
of resveratrol on survival extension in mammals. One group of mice ate a
normal diet. The second was fed a high-calorie diet and the third had the
same high calorie diet but was given resveratrol supplements. By the time
the mice were 114 weeks old, about 60 percent in the high-calorie group
had died, compared to about 40 percent in the low calorie diet group and
the group with the high calorie diet supplemented with resveratrol. The
mice taking resveratrol had healthier heart and liver tissue, decreased
blood sugar levels, better insulin sensitivity and were more active than
the other rodents.
My thoughts: Will a resveratrol supplement help you live longer? We
won't know until resveratrol, in varying dosages, is given to hundreds or
thousands of people for at least 10 to 20 years, and I am not aware of any
large scale resveratrol human studies testing for lifespan extension that
have started. Do we wait a couple of decades for more research or do we
start taking a resveratrol supplement now? I don't think anyone knows for
sure, and there can be a legitimate number of opinions on this topic. I
can only tell you what I plan to do. I will take a 10 mg resveratrol
supplement once or twice a week and drink an ounce or two of red wine some
evenings with dinner. Wine has several additional beneficial polyphenolic
substances with antioxidant properties. For more info on resveratrol,
including the amount found in red wine, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/resveratrol.html
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1. Curry. Curcumin, Turmeric for Rheumatoid
Arthritis and Alzheimer's
Curry, curcumin, and turmeric may be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis and
Alzheimer's disease. But first, let me explain the difference between
them. Turmeric is a yellow spice which has many beneficial compounds, some
of them are called curcuminoids, the best known being curcumin. Curry is
mix of several spices (most often turmeric combined with coriander and
fenugreek).
Dr. Tze-Pin Ng from National University of Singapore and colleagues
compared test results on mental health for three categories of regular
curry consumption in 1,010 elderly Asians who did not have dementia.
People who consumed curry "occasionally" and "often or very often" had
significantly better scores than did those who "never or rarely" consumed
curry. These results, they say, provide "the first epidemiologic evidence
supporting a link between curry consumption and cognitive performance that
has been suggested by a large volume of earlier experimental evidence."
See
http://www.raysahelian.com/curry.html for details of the study.
In experiments with rats, scientists at the University of Arizona
in Tucson found that turmeric extract was able to prevent rheumatoid
arthritis-like joint inflammation and destruction in the animals. The
findings, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, are the first
to show that a turmeric extract like those currently sold as dietary
supplements has anti-arthritis powers. Rheumatoid arthritis arises when
the immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the joints, leading to
inflammation, pain and progressive joint damage. Turmeric inhibited a key
protein called NF-kappa B, which controls the activity of a number of
inflammatory substances harmful to the joints in RA. In fact, NF-kappa B
is the target of certain drugs now under development for RA.
My thoughts: If you have rheumatoid arthritis, should you take a
curcumin and turmeric supplement? I don't see any harm in trying it as
long as your doctor is aware and approves. A cautious way would be to
start with one capsule of a 500 mg curcumin / turmeric combination with
breakfast. So many dangerous drugs are prescribed by doctors to their
patients with RA that giving a natural supplement a trial should be so
much safer in comparison. After a month or so the dosage could be
increased to 2 capsules and then adjusted up or down. It is impossible to
predict whether curcumin and turmeric will be found to be helpful in
humans with RA until actual studies are done. It is difficult to predict
how this natural supplement would interact with the drugs commonly used
for RA. Perhaps the dosages of the drugs could be slightly reduced? Hard
to say. There are more questions than answers, therefore have a frank
discussion with your rheumatologist and have him or her read the
information on these web pages
http://www.raysahelian.com/rheumatoidarthritis.html and
http://www.raysahelian.com/curcumin.html then decide whether
natural supplements are appropriate for your condition. For an abstract of
the turmeric and rheumatoid arthritis studies, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/turmeric.html
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Emails from Newsletter Subscribers
Q. I came across an article on Pycnogenol mentioned in Newsweek - Nov. 6,
2006 issue - "A French maritime pine bark extract called Pycnogenol — a
mix of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds — is a fast-growing
supplement on the U.S. market, with sales up 25 percent this year to date.
Unlike most supplements, which have very little research behind them,
Pycnogenol has 36 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The strongest
evidence relates to heart health—helping to reduce unwanted clotting,
lower "bad" cholesterol and bring down mild hypertension. But the latest
studies suggest benefits for diabetes, too. Diabetic patients eventually
tend to develop leaky capillaries, which can lead to vision loss, leg
ulcers and even amputation of toes or feet. A small study in September
found that 150mg of Pycnogenol a day for four weeks helped repair blood
vessels and improve capillary blood flow by 34 percent—versus 5 percent
for those receiving a placebo. For general health, 25mg to 50mg a day will
do. But it won't come cheap (think $30 to $50 a bottle)." Do you think it
is safe to take 25 or 50 mg of Pycnogenol daily?
A. Pycnogenol seems to have good research supporting its benefits,
but then again there are hundreds or thousands of beneficial substances in
various fruits, vegetables, roots, barks, herbs, etc. I just discussed the
benefits of resveratrol and curcumin, and last week talked about EGCG from
green tea. We certainly can't take all of these supplements every day! For
the time being, I think it is safe to take Pycnogenol 25 mg or 50 one or
two a week with breakfast. I prefer alternating several supplements rather
than taking the same ones every day. For more info, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/pycnogenol.html
Q. I am a graduate student at MIT. I have been assigned to write about a
recent Mayo Clinic study that suggests the popular antiaging supplement
DHEA has no beneficial effects. The two-year study appeared in the October
19, 2006 issue of New England Journal of Medicine. I was wondering if you
think elderly people should stop taking DHEA in light of the findings? Do
you think more research is necessary to evaluate the potential long-term
health risks associated with DHEA?
A. Two years is not long enough to determine if a supplement has
anti-aging benefits. I am not a big proponent of DHEA. In my opinion,
hormone supplementation is very risky. DHEA side effects could occur with
high dose use. These include hair loss and potential tumor formation. DHEA
may be appropriate in some people who have very low DHEA or testosterone
levels. Low dosages of 1 to 5 mg, with a week off each month, may be
appropriate for some people who may notice an increase in vitality and
libido. The whole topic of hormone supplement use is very controversial
and there is a variety of opinions among physicians and scientists. For
more info, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/dhea.html
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 18 -- October 26, 2006
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EGCG - In the future you're going to see these initials quite often. EGCG
(epigallocatechin gallate) is a potent antioxidant found in green tea,
which has shown promise as a cancer fighter and to speed up metabolism,
hence its potential popularity as a weight loss supplement. Many
laboratory studies in cultured cells, and some rodent studies have shown
that EGCG prevents fat formation. The Coca Cola company has come out with
a green tea product with the promise that consumers will lose weight. So,
does green tea lead to weight loss? I will discuss this matter, along with
some disturbing news that drugs used to control agitation in Alzheimer's
disease may actually be causing more harm than good. Are there better
alternatives? Also, would you really benefit from a lycopene supplement?
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1. Green Tea for Weight Loss?
"Enviga increases calorie burning. It represents the perfect partnership
of science and nature," says Dr. Rhona Applebaum, chief scientist, The
Coca- Cola Company. "Enviga contains the optimum blend of green tea
extracts (EGCG), caffeine and naturally active plant micronutrients
designed to work with your body to increase calorie burning, thus creating
a negative calorie effect." The press release continues: "The accumulated
body of scientific research shows the ability of green tea's powerful
antioxidant EGCG to speed up metabolism and increase energy use,
especially when combined with caffeine," adds Nestle researcher Dr. Hilary
Green. Nestle is cooperating with Coca-Cola Company to promote this
product.
Enviga will be available to the consumer in a few weeks. However,
in many newspaper articles that followed the press release, health experts
dismissed claims that Enviga would burn calories by speeding up the
drinker's metabolic rate, and cast doubt on the chances it would help
people lose weight.
My thoughts: Now that one of the largest companies in the US
is heavily promoting green tea and EGCG, it is time to seriously evaluate
the potential benefit and harm of overconsumption of green tea. I think it
is premature to make the claim that ingesting Enviga leads to weight loss.
The Coca Cola Company has not provided any direct research that indicates
drinking several cans of this green tea and caffeine product is safe and
effective, yet their press release makes quite promising statements. I am
concerned about the overstimulation of heart muscle when so much green tea
and caffeine are ingested, and the potential for irritability, anxiety,
and insomnia. It is possible that many people will continue drinking their
coffee throughout the day while ingesting one or more cans of Enviga,
hence potentially increasing their blood pressure and causing heart
problems. EGCG, one of the beneficial substances in green tea, shows a lot
of promise. In lab studies, the potential health benefits ascribed to
green tea and EGCG include antioxidant effects, cancer chemoprevention,
improving cardiovascular health, preventing fat formation, protecting the
skin from the damage caused by ionizing radiation, and others. The
compound EGCG has been shown to regulate dozens of disease-specific
molecular targets. However, at this time, it is too early to say whether
consuming large amounts of EGCG will provide more benefit than harm. There
are countless beneficial substances in herbs and plant products that have
been shown to have similar benefits. For instance, lycopene from tomatoes,
curcumin from turmeric, resveratrol from grapes, genistein from soy, etc.
How do we know whether taking a very high dose of a single substance is
safe in the long run? Logic tells us that ingesting smaller amounts of
many substances is healthier than taking a large dose of just one. Oranges
are a healthy fruit. But, does it make sense to only eat several oranges a
day and no other fruits? One would think that eating a variety of fruits
would be a healthier option. Same with green tea and EGCG. I would
recommend you avoid the temptation of taking too much of this beneficial
substance until we have long term studies to indicate its safety. You may
be better off just drinking an old fashioned cup of regular green tea or
taking a green tea extract capsule.
For more info on EGCG and green tea, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/greentea.html
For suggestions on weight loss, see http://www.raysahelian.com/weightloss.html
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2. Safer Alternatives to Alzheimer's Disease Drugs
"Alzheimer’s Drugs Offer No Help, Study Finds" was an article in the
October 12 issue of New York Times written by Benedict Carey. According to
this interesting article, the medicines most commonly prescribed for
agitation and delusions in Alzheimer’s disease are no more effective than
placebos, and put them at risk of serious side effects, including
confusion, sleepiness and Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. The drugs
tested in the study — Zyprexa from Eli Lilly; Seroquel from AstraZeneca;
and Risperdal from Janssen Pharmaceutical — belong to a class of
medications known as atypical antipsychotics. These drugs are used to
treat schizophrenia and other psychoses, and are commonly prescribed for
elderly patients in long-term care facilities. About a third of the
estimated 2.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in nursing homes in the
United States have taken the medications. Within the past two weeks, two
new studies became available that show the untapped potential of natural
supplements in the prevention or treatment of AD. In the first study, 200
patients with AD were given DHA and EPA, the fatty acids found in fish
oils, for a period of 6 months. Improvement was noted in patients who had
a mild case of AD. A study by researchers at the David Geffen School of
Medicine at UCLA and the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System show
that curcumin, a compound occurring in the spice turmeric, assists the
immune system in the clearance of amyloid beta in the brain. Amyloid beta
is a substance that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients to
form the plaques that are characteristic of the disease.
My thoughts: So much time and money has been spent on finding drugs
that treat Alzheimer's disease, but as of now the anticholinesterase drugs
and the antipsychotics have been quite disappointing. What if all these
years, rather than having wasted all this effort on drugs, the focus had
been on finding natural ways to prevent or reduce the occurrence of this
disturbing condition? For research info on natural options to address
Alzheimer's Disease, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/alzheimer.html
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3. Do You Need More Lycopene?
Lycopene, found in many fruits and vegetables -- especially tomatoes and
watermelon -- may play an important role in reducing risks of many
diseases, including prostate cancer and breast cancer. Some
epidemiological studies indicate that high consumption of lycopene may
lower the risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and macular
degeneration. However, would you benefit from taking a lycopene
supplement? It is difficult to say. I think tomatoes and tomato based
products are consumed by Americans in a disproportionate basis compared to
other fruits and vegetables. In other words, we may be consuming enough
lycopene in our diet but perhaps not enough of other healthy substances
found in a number of fruits and vegetables that are eaten infrequently.
Therefore, I am not yet convinced that taking a lycopene supplement will
provide benefits to most people, unless their diet is low on tomato based
products. Perhaps those who consume adequate or large amounts of tomato
based products may be better off taking other types of supplements such as
those found in acai, goji, noni, pomegranate, curcumin, soy extracts,
artichoke, asparagus, barley grass, etc. The point is, if you plan to take
supplements, it may be better to take those that you don't normally
consume in your diet as opposed to something like lycopene where it may
already be abundant in your diet.
For more information on lycopene, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/lycopene.html
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Emails from Newsletter Subscribers
Q. I was skeptical about trying Good Night Rx, and my first night that I
took it it did not seem to work well. So I emailed Physician Formulas and
they asked if I had taken it with a meal or on an empty stomach. I had
actually taken it right after dinner. So the next night I took it an hour
before bed and about 2 to 3 hours after dinner. It worked so well. Within
a half hour I could tell feeling relaxed and shortly thereafter I yawned.
I did not have any side effects except maybe a slightly more vivid dream,
and woke up quite refreshed and in a good mood.
A. The effectiveness of certain supplements has a lot to do whether
they are taken with food or on an empty stomach. Each supplement is
different on how it should be taken, but, as a general rule, if you wish
to feel a mental or physical effect from a supplement, take it on an empty
stomach. If you are just taking a supplement for health reasons, such as
an antioxidant, for instance curcumin or vitamin E, take it with food. We
have had good feedback with Good Night Rx. Most people really like the
sleep inducing effect, but we do suggest to just using it 2 or 3 times a
week. People who seem not to notice the sleep inducing effects as much, at
least initially, are those who happen to be addicted or habituated to
potent pharmaceutical sleep drugs.
Q. Generally speaking, is it safe to give supplements to children?
A. There have been few studies with children and supplements, and, as a
rule, except for low dose multivitamins, whole vegetable and fruit
extract, and fish oils or cod liver oil, it may be best to be cautious in
giving supplements to children for prolonged periods except when necessary
to treat a medical condition. I rather have children get their nutritional
needs from whole foods.
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 17 -- October 5, 2006
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"Millions use alternative medicine for sleep," was a CNN headline last
week Most respondents who used herbal therapies or relaxation techniques
found these methods helpful for managing their insomnia. Some of the
reasons for the high rate of sleeping problems in this country include
physical inactivity (desk work), psychological stress, lack of adequate
sunlight exposure, and bright light exposure late into the night. Below I
discuss the common herbs and nutrients used for sleep and a summary of
their benefits and shortcomings.
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1. Using Alternative Medicine for Sleep
An estimated 1.6 million people, are using complementary and alternative
medicine to help themselves sleep better. People with anxiety, depression,
congestive heart failure, hypertension and obesity are more likely to have
problems sleeping. Keep in mind that taking high doses of certain herbs
and supplements can lead to alertness at bedtime and cause shallow sleep.
Prescription sleep drugs are often effective, but have many side
effects including memory loss, decrease in sexual desire, and morning
grogginess leading to car accidents. The advantage of herbs and
supplements is that they are safer than sleep drugs. The disadvantage of
the supplements is that they are not as consistently effective and are not
as potent as the pharmaceutical sleep medicines. But, a combination of
herbs and nutrients can provide good results in most people. It is best
not to use drugs or supplements every night, but at most 3 nights a week.
Tolerance and dependence may develop if used nightly. I don't have any
objections to the occasional use of a prescription sleep medicine. Which
herbs and nutrients are effective for sleep? Below are the most commonly
used supplements in alphabetical order. Please note that dosage and timing
can vary significantly among people.
5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is a nutrient that converts into serotonin.
Serotonin is involved in relaxation. At night, serotonin is converted in
the pineal gland to melatonin, the sleep hormone. 5-HTP is not consistent
in its sleep effects, but sometimes a smaller amount than the usual 50 mg
capsule can be effective when taken on an empty stomach about an hour or
two before bed. The capsule can be easily opened and perhaps half or 2/3
used. Higher amounts can cause nightmares.
Chamomile may help you relax, but I have not found it to be very effective
for sleep. The effects from chamomile are quite mild.
Good Night Rx is a combination of 5-HTP, melatonin, GABA, taurine, kava,
valerian, hops, chamomile, and several other herbs. I am actually quite
proud of this formula -- which took me years of trial and error to develop
-- and thus far our feedback has been quite positive. One capsule is taken
half an hour to 3 hours before bed on an empty stomach. Good Night Rx,
when taken with or after a meal, will not work as well. Wait at least half
an hour after taking Good Night Rx if you plan to have a late night snack.
Some people say that they notice the sleep inducing effects even better
the second or third night of use. Good Night Rx, in my opinion, is more
effective than any individual herb or nutrient. Our feedback thus far has
an 80 percent satisfaction rate which is quite high for an herbal product.
Hops is the herb that beer is made from. Hops is a
good herb to induce sleep but it is not as good in maintaining sleep
throughout the night. Many people find hops to have a sedating nature. A
dosage of 300 to 600 mg of hops is one option an hour or two before bed.
Kava, a plant from the South Pacific, is better known for relaxation as
opposed to sleep although some formulations or extracts can have more
sedative activity than others. A dose of 300 mg of a 30 percent extract
can be used an hour to 3 hours before bed on an empty stomach.
Melatonin is the sleep hormone made by the pineal gland at night.
Melatonin is perhaps the most consistently effective natural supplement
for sleep, although at least a third or half of users may still not find
it helpful. The dosage varies between a quarter of a milligram to 3 mg.
Higher dosages can cause nightmares and morning grogginess. I suggest
using a third or half
of a mg at first, taken 1 to 3 hours before bed on an empty stomach. The
sustained release form is a good option.
Passion Flower is useful for relaxation, but I have not found it very
potent as a sleep aid.
Tryptophan is an amino acid that converts into 5-HTP which then converts
into serotonin, and then into melatonin. I have been asked which of the 3
supplements is best for sleep: 5-HTP, melatonin, or tryptophan. I think it
is a matter of personal preference. It is difficult to predict which one
you will find best suited for you until you try them. The dose of
tryptophan is 500 mg one to 3 hours before bed on an empty stomach. At
least half of users notice a good sleep inducing effect from tryptophan.
Valerian is perhaps the best known sleep inducing herb. I find that about
half of users like it, while the rest don't feel that it does much for
them as a sleep aid. A dose of 300 mg may be tried one to three hours
before bed
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2. Colostrum Helpful for Athletes
Colostrum is the early milk produced for a few days after delivery. In
cows, it's called bovine colostrum. Athletes may have more energy when
taking a bovine colostrum supplement. A study published in the British
Journal of Sports Medicine, reports that bovine colostrum helped male
cyclists have more energy during a bout of intense training. Cecelia Shing
of the
University of Queensland in Australia followed 29 male distance
cyclists. After taking baseline measurements of the men's performance on a
40-kilometer time trial, the researchers randomly assigned them to drink
either a supplement containing 10 grams of bovine colostrum protein or a
whey protein supplement every day for eight weeks. During week eight, the
men underwent five consecutive days of high-intensity training; their
performance was tested before and after the training bout. There were no
clear differences between the two groups during normal training. However,
volunteers who used bovine colostrum performed at a higher level, with
fewer signs of fatigue, during tests taken after the five-day run of
intense training. See
http://www.raysahelian.com/colostrum.html
My comments: I think there are certain
foods that I would consider superfoods in that they have a high
concentration of beneficial substances useful for wellbeing and overall
health. I believe colostrum falls into this category. You can find bovine
colostrum in the dairy section of a health food store, and it is also
available as a supplement in capsules. Every few weeks I will choose a
superfood as a discussion topic.
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Emails from Newsletter Subscribers
Q. I was watching home shopping network and they were selling CoQ10 in
capsule form as opposed to softgel with oil. CoQ10 is fat soluble, isn't
oil necessary in the softgel for the CoQ10 to be absorbed and won't the
CoQ10 in a capsule not be as effective?
A. I really don't see a problem with the capsule. Since CoQ10 is
taken with breakfast, there's always some form of fat or oil in one's
breakfast and I think the CoQ10 will be absorbed whether taken as a
softgel or a capsule. Some people, in my opinion, are taking too high a
dose of CoQ10, so even if there is a slight reduced absorption (which I
doubt), perhaps that's
for the better.
Q. Should krill oil be refrigerated?...and how long can it be stored in
the refrigerator?
A. Yes, it is better for krill oil and fish oils to be
refrigerated, and hopefully to be used within a few months, preferably a
few weeks, of opening the bottle.
Q. There's been a lot of talk about EGCG lately, the extract from green
tea. I see supplements of EGCG being sold in high dosages. Are these safe
to take?
A. Green tea is hot these days (no pun intended). Consumers are
switching from regular tea to green tea and other herbal teas. I am not a
big fan of taking large doses of isolated substances from herbs, such as a
high amount of EGCG, preferring to take the whole powder or a less
concentrated extract. Many people think the higher the dose of a substance
they supplement, the healthier they will be, but that may not always be
the case, and often is not the case. So, for the time being, I don't see
the need to take a high dose of EGCG unless perhaps under medically
supervised treatment for a health condition.
Q. Within 3 days of stopping Lipitor, the pain in my legs went away. I had
been on Lipitor for 18 months, and the pains started a few months ago. My
doctor did not tell me that the Lipitor could cause muscle aches. I had
not been taking walks for the past few months because of aches in muscles
and joints and I thought it was due to possible onset of arthritis. Now
I'm able to walk around the neighborhood and get some exercise.
A. We've had quite a few people email a similar response, that
their muscle aches stopped soon after stopping a statin drug for
cholesterol. We did have one person who emailed and said he had been
taking Lipitor for ten years without problems.
=========================================================
SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 16 -- Sept 20, 2006
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Will drinking green tea help you live longer? Maybe, maybe not. An
epidemiological study done in Japan showed those who drank the most cups
of green tea lived longer than those who drank fewer cups. An
epidemiological study is a study on a human population which attempts to
find a connection between a cause (exposure to a specific chemical, herb,
medicine dietary choice, etc.) to a health effect (for example longevity,
heart disease, cancer, etc.).
I think we can get some good information from epidemiological studies, but
there are so many factors involved in trying to weed out all other factors
that influence longevity that it is difficult to know for sure whether
drinking more green tea was the factor that made these Japanese live
longer. And even if it did, would this apply to those consuming a western
diet? See my thoughts below.
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1. Does Diet Influence Uterine Fibroids?
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Medicine hints at
the possibility that diet may have an influence on fibroid tumor growth.
Uterine fibroids are hormonally responsive; estrogen and progesterone
stimulate their growth. Lignans can act as weak estrogens or antiestrogens.
Researchers found that women who excreted a higher amount of lignans in
their urine (meaning their diets included foods with a high lignan
content) were less likely to have fibroid tumors. See
http://www.raysahelian.com/lignan.html for a list of foods with
high lignan content.
My thoughts: Have you considered adding flax seeds to your soups?
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2. Vitamin D and Pancreatic Cancer
Taking a Vitamin D supplement may reduce your risk for fatal pancreatic
cancer. Vitamin D has shown strong potential for preventing and treating
several types of cancer. Regions with greater sunlight exposure have lower
incidence and mortality for prostate, breast, and colon cancers. Harvard
University researchers examined data from two large, long-term health
surveys involving 46,771 men between 40 and 75 years old and 75,427 women
between 38 and 65. They found that people who took Vitamin D, 400 IU a day
had a 40 percent lower risk of pancreatic cancer. Those who took doses of
less than 150 IU per day had a 22 percent reduced risk of cancer. Taking
more than 400 IU a day did not reduce the risk further.
My thoughts: Most multivitamins include vitamin D usually at 100 to
400 units. You could consider getting more sun exposure or taking an
additional vitamin D supplement. A supplement of 200 to 400 units a day is
sufficient for most people. For additional info, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/vitamind.html
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Fish OIls better than Cardiac Defibrillators?
Fish oils could potentially save more lives than cardiac defibrillators.
Many studies have already established a link between consumption of EPA
and DHA fatty acids found in oily fish to a lower risk of fatal heart
rhythm abnormalities. This latest study tried to estimate the potential
public health impact of raising omega-3 levels with fish oil supplements.
Using a computer-simulated community of 100,000 Americans and data from
past medical studies, the researchers estimated that raising omega-3
levels would save 58 lives each year. This amounts to a 6 percent total
death reduction -- mostly by preventing sudden cardiac death, according to
the study authors, led by Dr. Thomas E. Kottke of the Heart Center at
Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even if automated external
defibrillators (AEDs) were available in every home and public area, the
devices would lower a community's annual death rate by less than 1
percent. Based on this analysis, it appears that communities where people
eat more fish or supplement with fish oil would have more widespread
benefits than either AEDs or implanted defibrillators. American Journal of
Preventive Medicine, October 2006.
My thoughts: I think most people can benefit from taking one, two
or three fish oil capsules a day unless they consume fish at least 2 times
a week. For fish oil info, see
http://www.raysahelian.com/fishoils.html
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Drink Green Tea so you can live longer to drink more green tea
According to a study done with Japanese adults, those who consumed the
most green tea were less likely to die from cardiovascular disease or any
other cause, except cancer, than were the less-frequent green tea
drinkers. Dr. Kuriyama and colleagues analyzed information on 40,530
Japanese adults, 40 to 79 years old, who participated in the Ohsaki
National Health Insurance Cohort Study. The subjects, who were followed an
11 year period from 1995 to 2005, were from a northeastern region of the
country where most of the adults drink green tea three or more times per
day. Adults who drank the most green tea were the least likely to die from
cardiovascular disease. Men who consumed at least five cups of green tea
each day were 12 percent less likely to die from any cause. Whereas, women
who drank five or more cups of green tea each day were 23 percent less
likely to die from any cause and 31 percent less likely to die from
cardiovascular disease. For more details, see http://www.raysahelian.com/greentea.html
My thoughts: For the time being, if you don't drink green tea, it may be a
good idea to have a cup a day or a few times a week. If you already drink
green tea on a daily basis, you could perhaps add another dup a day. It's
also possible that drinking a variety of teas may provide more benefit
than just drinking additional green tea. Who's to say other herbal teas
(and there are so many to choose from) are not as healthy as green tea?
Another option is to take a green tea extract supplement a few times a
week. Avoid the use of the tea or the supplement after mid afternoon since
the caffeine and stimulants may interfere with sleep. One factor to
consider is that this study was done in Japan. Americans have a different
diet and lifestyle. Will green tea have similar benefits in those on a
Western diet? Probably, but we can't say for sure.
I know many people who like the taste of green tea, but it is not
my favorite, but I drink a cup a few times a week anyway, particularly
when I visit a Japanese restaurant to have wild Alaskan salmon teriyaki.
Sometimes I bring a small bottle of stevia to the restaurant and add a
couple drops of clear stevia liquid to sweeten the green tea.
Email from Newsletter Subscriber
Q. Is there any evidence that the use of statins for cholesterol reduction
prolongs life?
A. Statins do lower cholesterol levels, but I have not come across
convincing evidence yet that the use of statin drugs prolongs lifespan.
Q. From Lou Mancano, M.D. (a doctor friend) - I read your September 5
Newsletter today regarding the atorvastatin (Lipitor) and stroke study.
You might comment in a future edition on the Number Needed to Treat (NNT)
analysis. The NNT is the number of patients who need to be treated in
order to prevent one additional bad outcome. It is the inverse of the
Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR). How to Calculate NNTs.
NNT = 1/ARR
ARR = [CER - EER]
where
CER = control group event rate
EER = experimental group event rate
In the statin and stroke article, the CER was 13% and the EER was 11%.
Therefore the ARR is 2%. One divided by 0.02 = 50. Therefore, one needs to
treat 50 patients to avoid one stroke, meaning 49 out of 50 patients
derive no benefit.
Number Needed to Treat is a quick method I use for determining how many
patients I need to treat in order to (probably) benefit one. However, it
doesn't account for how many people will develop side effects that are not
included in the outcomes statistics. It's interesting to me that NNT
calculations show us that many pharmaceutical treatments don't benefit
most patients who take the medicines. Drug companies often report Relative
Risk Reductions which can easily fool doctors and the public. They find
the statistical method that best suits their purposes.
A. Thanks, Dr. Mancano. If that is the case that only one person
out of 50 may have a reduced chance of stroke from this expensive and
potentially harmful medicine, I think the editors of The New England
Journal of Medicine should have mentioned this to the public and the news
media. I also had another thought. The study went on for about 4 to 7
years. What if the study continues and we find out that the side effects
from Lipitor actually caused premature death after a more extended period
of Lipitor use? It is a possibility to consider.
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 15 -- Sept 1, 2006
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I'm now convinced more than ever that The New England Journal of Medicine,
which at one time was a respected medical journal, cannot be entirely
trusted. It is my sad conclusion that The NEJM, in many cases, is
basically a marketing extension of the pharmaceutical industry. What was
it that finally made me accept this sad fact? It began two weeks ago when
I came across a headline on MSNBC website that said, "Statin Use Lowers
Stroke Risk." "That's interesting," I though to myself. I started reading
the article and what I found is quite disturbing. More details below.
In this issue I will discuss age related macular degeneration, a leading
cause of vision loss and the use of chromium supplements for diabetes;
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1. Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a condition in which there is progressive
deterioration of the central area of the retina of the eye, resulting in
gradual sight loss in the center of the field of vision. There are several
carotenoids in the eye, the predominant ones being lutein and zeaxanthin.
In a study of healthy women younger than 75 years, whose diets were rich
in lutein and zeaxzanthin had a lower rate of age-related macular
degeneration.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in green leafy vegetables, corn, and
squash. Zeazanthin is also found in Goji berries.
My thoughts: Many people limit their vegetable intake to a few of their
favorites, such as carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. It's important to have
a wide variety in order to obtain various types of carotenoids. I had not
eaten corn for quite some time, and recently I ate 2 ears at one time,.
About 10 to 16 hours later I noticed my vision was clearer and colors were
brighter. Corn has a lot of lutein. I am not sure whether my vision
improvement was due to the corn, but if anyone else notices this effect,
do email us. Over many years of experimenting with different herbs and
foods, I have become quite sensitive in noticing minor changes in my body.
As to using a lutein supplement, most of the capsules come in 20 mg
dosage. I don't think this dosage is necessary to take on a daily basis.
Taking a 20 mg lutein capsule 2 or 3 times a week should be fine. Fish
oils could also be helpful at 1 to 3 capsules a day, especially for those
who don't eat much fish. See
www.raysahelian.com/maculardegeneration.html for additional
suggestions. Before you resort to supplements, make sure your diet is the
best that it can be. Supplements are just that, supplemental.
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2. Chromium Picolinate and Diabetes
The mineral chromium picolinate may help people with type 2 diabetes
better control their blood sugar. Chromium supplements are marketed as a
way to improve the body's use of insulin. Previous research has provided
conflicting results on chromium's insulin and blood sugar effects.
Researchers tested whether chromium picolinate supplements were useful in
combination with a sulfonylurea medication -- an older class of diabetes
drugs that often promote weight gain. Diabetic adults took either the
medication plus 1,000 micrograms of chromium picolinate per day or the
drug plus a placebo. After 6 months, those who took the chromium
picolinate supplement showed greater improvements in insulin sensitivity
and long-term blood sugar control. They also gained less weight and body
fat than those on the medication alone. For more info, see www.raysahelian.com/chromium.html
My thoughts: This is encouraging news. I prefer a lower dosage of chromium
picolinate to be used if a diabetic plans to take this supplement for
prolonged periods. Rather than 1,000 mcg, perhaps a 200 mcg pill with
breakfast and lunch might be appropriate.
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Statins and Stroke - Don't Let the Medical Establishment and Drug Pushers
Mislead You
Would you pay 150 dollars a month for a pill that would not help you live
longer, and may cause you to have muscle aches, liver damage and possibly
hurt your body in other ways? That's what the medical establishment wants
you to do. If you have had a stroke, they want you to take high dose
Lipitor because it may slightly reduce your risk for stroke. But, you're
not going to live longer, so what's the point?
Let's look at how the news media promoted a recent study in the August 10,
2006 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
HealthDay News -- A new study supports the use of cholesterol-lowering
statin medications after stroke -- even for patients without a prior
history of heart disease. Patients who took a statin drug -- which include
Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor -- reduced their risk of a second stroke by
16 percent over the next five years. "Doctors now have very clear clinical
trial results to help guide therapy," said co-researcher Dr. Larry B.
Goldstein, director of the Center for Cerebrovascular Disease and the
Stroke Center at Duke University in Durham, N.C. "These results will have
a major effect on how people are treated after a stroke," he added. The
study was funded by drug maker Pfizer, which makes Lipitor.
Reuters Health - Statins helps prevent repeat strokes
Treatment with high doses of Lipitor (also called atorvastatin) reduces
the overall risk of stroke and cardiovascular events in patients who have
experienced a recent stroke or "mini-stroke," new research shows. While
Lipitor was associated with a reduced risk of ischemic strokes -- the type
caused by a blood clot -- it was also associated with an increased risk of
hemorrhagic strokes -- the type caused by bleeding in the brain. After 4
to 7 years of follow-up, the stroke rate in the Lipitor group was 11
percent compared with 13 percent in the control group, a risk reduction of
16 percent. Lipitor use did not affect overall mortality: 216 patients
died in the Lipitor group versus 211 in the placebo group.
My thoughts: Can you believe this? An expensive drug -- Lipitor -- is
given at a cost of 150 dollars a month, and after 4 or more years more
people died who took the drug than those who didn't. Yet, the people at
The NEJM want patients with a history of stroke to take this drug and the
news media emphasizes the meager 16 percent reduction in stroke but does
not headline the fact that those who took the drug did not live longer.
This kind of drug promotion by a medical journal borders on outright
deception. It is misleading, unethical, and irresponsible. The headlines
should have been, "Statin use after stroke found not to influence
mortality." Shame on the news media, and shame on the doctors who wrote
the abstract in a manner that emphasizes the meager benefitsl.
Am I misinterpreting this study or is the news media and The NEJM
misinterpreting it? I called my dear friend and colleague from residency
days, Dr. Louis Mancano, from Reading, PA whose honest opinion I respect.
After reading the abstract, he came to the same conclusion I did.
Is it possible that just taking a simply fiber such as psyllium --
a teaspoon with a glass of water twice daily with a meal -- could decrease
cholesterol levels and have a similar effect to taking the expensive and
dangerous drug, Lipitor? What about eating more omega-3 oils? Increasing
overal vegetable and fiber intake? Learning relaxation and meditation
techniques? There are many natural, simple, and cheap steps that can be
taken to reduce stroke risk than going the dangerous statin direction. For
info on natural ways to prevent stroke, see
www.raysahelian.com/stroke.html On this web page you will find the
full abstract of the study. Notice that several people involved in the
study actually work for the drug company Pfizer, maker of Lipitor.
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SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 14 -- August 10, 2006
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If you are taking statin drugs (such as Lipitor, Zocor, and others) to
lower your cholesterol level, or you know anyone else who is taking a
statin drug, you must be aware about potential serious side effects. I
recently saw an ad on TV for Lipitor. The promoter of this drug was Dr.
Robert Jarvik, the inventor of the first successful permanent artificial
heart. I was surprised that he would be promoting this drug when it is
becoming clear that it can have serious side effects.
The American Diabetes Association has specified a diet to lower
cholesterol and blood sugar. Is there another diet that works better? For
a full discussion, see below.
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1. Statins May Reveal Underlying Neuromuscular Conditions
It has been known for quite a few years that one of the side effects of
statin drugs is damage to muscle tissue. I think this side effect is more
prevalent that patients and doctors realize. In the June 2005 newsletter,
I mentioned that even my mother had muscle aches when on Lipitor. The
muscle aches stopped when she got off the drug. Now, it appears that
patients with a predisposition to a neuromuscular disorders (that they may
not yet be aware of), could have their condition precipitated by statin
use. Greek doctors from the University of Athens Medical School report
four such cases.
Case 1 was a 46-year-old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes
mellitus who was prescribed Pravachol for hypercholesterolemia. Three
months later he mentioned to his doctor that he had fatigue, muscle pain
and stiffness. Genetic testing revealed myotonic dystrophy.
Case 2 was a 62-year-old man with a history of heart attack and diabetes.
His high cholesterol was treated with Zocor. Blood creatine kinase levels
(an indicator of muscle damage) became persistently elevated and did not
return to normal after drug discontinuation. He was diagnosed with McArdle
disease.
Case 3 was a 51-year-old man with hypertension and high cholesterol who
was hospitalized with acute rhabdomyolytis (muscle tissue breakdown) after
taking Lipitor for 18 months. He was diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy.
The last case was a 58-year-old man who began treatment with Pravachol.
Shortly after a dose increase, he developed muscle twitching, muscle
cramps and difficulty walking. He was diagnosed with Kennedy disease.
My thoughts: There's always a tradeoff regarding benefits versus risks
when using a drug or a supplement. Without question there are patients who
have very high levels of cholesterol and have benefited from statin drug
therapy. However, doctors are placing individuals who have mild
cholesterol elevations on these drugs as if they are perfectly safe. My
intention is not to scare everyone from totally abstaining from the use of
statin drugs. I just want to let people (and their doctors) know that they
should be much more cautious about the use of these medicines, to use the
lowest dosages that work, to perhaps take occasional breaks; and to
evaluate thoroughly the need for these drugs before taking them. Also,
natural methods should first be explored before using these medications.
Statin drugs are known to lower CoQ10 levels in the blood. CoQ10 is a
nutrient involved in the formation of energy within mitochondria. I am not
sure if the muscle tissue damage is due to a decrease in CoQ10 levels or
other factors.
For info on natural ways to deal with cholesterol, see
www.raysahelian.com/cholesterol.html
For info on statin drugs, see www.raysahelian.com/statins.html
For info on the above neuromuscular diseases, see www.raysahelian.com/neuromuscular.html
==========================================================
2. Vegan Diet better than ADA diet?
According to a report in Diabetes Care, a journal published by the
American Diabetes Association, those who eat a low-fat vegan diet lower
their blood sugar more, have lower cholesterol levels, and lose more
weight than people on a standard American Diabetes Association diet. The
vegan diet does not have animal products such as meat, fish and dairy and
is low in fat and sugar. Researchers tested 99 people with type 2
diabetes, assigning them randomly to either a low-fat, low-sugar vegan
diet (without meat, fish, or dairy) or the standard American Diabetes
Association diet. After 22 weeks on the diet, 43 percent of those on the
vegan diet and 26 percent of those on the standard diet were either able
to stop taking some of their drugs such as insulin or glucose-control
medications, or lowered the doses. The vegan dieters lost 14 pounds on
average while the diabetes association dieters lost 7 pounds. An important
level of glucose control called hemoglobin a1c fell by 1.2 points in the
vegan group and by 0.38 in the group on the standard diet. In the dieters
who did not change whatever cholesterol drugs they were on during the
study, LDL or "bad" cholesterol fell by 21 percent in the vegan group and
10 percent in the standard diet group. Participants said the vegan diet
was easier to follow because they did not have to measure portions or
count calories.
My thoughts: I give credit to the ADA for admitting that another
type of diet works better than their diet. I appreciate honesty. There is
no doubt that diet has much more to do with blood sugar and cholesterol
control than most doctors realize. However, vegans and vegetarians need to
make sure they are getting adequate amounts of nutrients that could be
lacking in their diet. These include B12, carnitine, the omega3 fatty
acids EPA and DHA, creatine, CoQ10, etc. For more info, see www.raysahelian.com/vegetarian.html
==========================================================
Email from Newsletter Subscriber
Q. I have used Passion Rx every other day for a year and half with good
results. In the last 6 weeks it has been less effective. Actually last
week I took it several days in a row to try to increase the effect but it
didn't happen. Any thoughts?
A. Tolerance can develop to certain sexual herbs or combinations of
herbs. We prefer people using Passion Rx or any sex herbs to take at least
one full week off a month. In your case it may be a good idea to take at
least a month or two completely off from sexual herbs since you have been
using this product regularly for a long time. Sometimes the body may get
used to a particular herb or herbal combination and another herb or
product may provide better results since it could work with a different
mechanism of action. But, the most important factor is to take frequent
breaks to allow the body to readjust hormones and neurotransmitters.
I have been using Passion Rx two days a week with a complete week
off a month for nearly 3 years and it still works great for me. In my case
Passion Rx with yohimbe works quicker, but we have feedback that different
people have different preferences. Some people prefer to take individual
herbs as opposed to combinations.
=========================================================
SUPPLEMENT RESEARCH UPDATE - by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vol. 3, Issue 13 -- July 24, 2006
==========================================================
You may have heard the news that some products touted on the Internet for
sexual enhancement illegally contain the same active ingredients as Viagra
or the other prescription impotence medicines. Recently the FDA sent a
press release warning consumers not to use certain herbal sexual products.
FDA tested many products advertised on the internet and determined these
seven to be laced with the drugs: They are Zimaxx, Nasutra, Libidus,
Neophase, Vigor-25, Actra-Rx and 4Everon. People who take nitrates or
other heart medicines may have not realized they were being exposed to
these drugs. Also, those who have impotence or erectile dysfunction should
have a medical evaluation since in many cases this could be an indication
of heart disease. Just as the arteries in the heart can get
atherosclerosis, so can the arteries to the genital organs. I'll share
more thoughts about herbal sexual enhancement later.
For many years I have been trying to formulate a product that
provides a deeper sleep, not cause morning drowsiness, and not cause
nightmares. Melatonin and 5-HTP can help with sleep, but they can also
induce nightmares. I personally have difficulty sleeping at times since I
have an active mind late into the night and can't always shut it off at
bedtime. I have trouble sleeping also if I have not exercised that day.
After many years of trial and error, I think I have finally developed a
good sleep enhancer. For more than a decade I have experimented with
combinations of several herbs and nutrients such as valerian, hops,
chamomile, sleep inducing Chinese herbs such as jujube and bupleurium,
lemon balm, kava, gaba, 5-HTP and melatonin, etc I have finally found a
combination that seems to be quite helpful. Good Night Rx does not have
the knockout punch as do some pharmaceutical sleep meds such as Ambien or
Lunesta, but it seems to be quite helpful for those who sometimes are
tense in the evening, have occasional sleepless nights, and need something
to help them relax and provide a deeper sleep than normal. This is a new
product, and so far almost everyone who has tried it has noticed a
benefit. As with many herbal products, or even pharmaceutical drugs, Good
Night Rx will not work in everyone. Sometimes the benefits are noticed on
subsequent nights. The capsule is best absorbed on an empty stomach,
generally anywhere between half an hour to 3 hours before bed. My research
staff and I found that taking it after a meal was not as effective. We
suggest not using it more than 3 nights a week, and it is a good idea to
take a week off from it each month. As with any pill, it is impossible to
have one dosage that works for everyone. Some may find 2/3 of a capsule
works better for them whereas others may find taking more than one capsule
works better. Those over the age of 70 may wish to use less than a full
capsule the first night just to see how their body reacts to it. Discuss
with your doctor before use if you have any medical conditions or are
taking medicines.
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1. A Few Thoughts about Sexual Herbs
I have been frustrated for quite a while formulating Passion Rx and
Passion Rx with yohimbe. I had heard that there were products on the
market that gave results in one hour, and it bugged me that I could not
formulate Passion Rx to be effective as quickly. I thought to myself, how
are a few of the other products working so fast? Do the formulators know
something I don't know? I was relieved to hear that the reason these
products worked so quickly was because of the laced drugs, not because the
formulators were so advanced in their herbal knowledge.
For those who wish to have a quick erectile response in an hour or two,
the pharmaceutical drugs are an option. However, Viagra and its cousins do
little to enhance libido, sensation, or overall sexual pleasure, and they
really are not meant for women. These drugs may, in rare cases, have
serious side effects such as blindness. Herbs don't work as quickly as the
drugs (although Passion Rx with yohimbe sometimes works within hours or
even within an hour or two), but once the effects begin, normally within a
day to four days, the overall sexual enhancement with herbs is more
holistic. Yohimbe can work very quickly at a high dose, in less than an
hour, but the side effects are quite unpleasant, hence the amount of
yohimbe in the Passion Rx with yohimbe version is a rather small amount in
order to minimize some of the side effects such as rapid heart beat,
anxiety, and sweating.
If you are not in a rush, the sexual herbs and their combinations are preferable, providing increased arousal, sexual drive, pleasurable sensation of genital organs, better blood flow, and more stamina. Sex herbs are not totally free of side effects. The side effects are dose dependent. That is, the higher the dose, the more likely you will notice overstimulation, increased body temperature, rapid heart beat, alertness, irritability, and insomnia. If you have erectile dysfunction, have a medical evaluation to make sure you don't also have heart disease. Most sex herbs should not be used by those with heart disease and extreme care should be taken if you are currently taking antidepressants, stimulants, or other medicines. If you have a medical condition, always discuss with your doctor before using potent herbs or supplements.
I prefer using lower dosages of sex herbs (even if it involves taking a portion of a capsule) over several days with a day or two off in between rather than to take a high dose at one time. I remember a few years ago speaking with an elderly Chinese doctor familiar with herbal medicine. I asked him if he was aware of Chinese sex herbs that worked very quickly. He responded that Chinese medicine doctors prefer to enhance sexuality gradually over several days than shock the system with a high dose of an herb. Us westerners are quite impatient and want results rather quickly. We can get quick results with Viagra, but we also pay the price with potential serious side effects.
It is nearly impossible to develop a pill that provides a satisfactory
sexual enhancement to every user. Viagra and its cousins improve erectile
function at best in about 60 to 70 percent of users, and the feedback that
I have over the years from users of sexual herbs is that, with patience,
these herbs have a higher rate of providing sexual enhancement, maybe
close to 70 to 75 percent. It is impossible to predict which herbal
product or individual sex herb (tongkat ali powder, tribulus, horny goat
weed, maca, ashwagandha, catuaba, mucuna pruriens, or combination, etc)
will work in any particular person. Sometimes it may take trial and error
over several days or weeks until the right herb or combination is found.
Taking breaks from the use of these herbs actually helps them work better
than taking them every day. Sometimes you may not notice an effect the
first day or two, but then surprisingly a few days later you may notice a
significant sexual arousal, even if you have been off the herbs for a day
or two. Many of these herbs have a delayed effect.
Eating more cold water fish, perhaps taking fish oil capsules, trying to
minimize stress, getting a good night's sleep, doing mild to moderate
physical activity, eating a healthy diet with lots of fresh produce, being
exposed to erotic or sensual stimuli, all help improve sexual desire and
enjoyment.
See
www.raysahelian.com/libido.html
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Vegetable juice - you can drink tomato juice in a bottle or can, and
also the mixed vegetable juices such as V8. If you are ambitious, you can
make your own juice adding carrot, beet, parsley, spinach, ginger, etc. If
you live near a health food store, you can get fresh carrot juice, greens,
and other fresh, mixed vegetable juices. Offer your children vegetables
juices rather than sugared drinks and sodas.
Herbal teas - there are countless herbal teas you can choose from, and
make sure the tea you buy is the actual herb rather than artificially
flavored regular tea. Have you ever tried licorice tea? It is so sweet.
You can buy licorice root from a health food store and soak it in water
and then filter it. You can add ice and make it a delicious cool summer
drink. I have at least a dozen different teas on my kitchen counter and I
alternate them. Some of them can be made into cool summer drinks. You can
sweeten iced tea with stevia.
Lemonade sweetened - you can have delicious lemonade, sugar and calorie
free. Squeeze your own lemons or buy lemon juice from the store, add water
and stevia. Health food stores now carry organic lemon and lime juice.
Stevia goes very well with lemon juice. Once you get used to lemonade with
stevia, you won't miss the sugar. I prefer the clear liquid stevia.
Soy milk, almond milk, rice milk - these are good alternatives to milk. I
am not against milk consumption, I just think many people drink too much.
One glass a day of milk is plenty. Substitute these other drinks instead.
Most of the soy milk in stores has added sugar. You can buy the
unsweetened soy milk and add stevia. Or, sometimes I buy the sweetened
ones and use a small amount of this sweetened soy milk mixed with a larger
amount of the unsweetened.
Coffee - I suggest not more than 2 cups of caffeinated coffee a day, and
preferably in the early part of the day. At times, when I am having
breakfast at at restaurant, I ask them to pour half the cup with regular
coffee, and the other half with decaf. Regular coffee may have more
antioxidants, but the caffeine is not that helpful if used in excess.
Sports Drinks - Most of the sports drinks, energy drinks and enriched
drinks on the market are laden with sugar. I am not against the use of
these sports drinks or soft drinks when used infrequently.
Other types of fluids introduced in recent years include water with added
vitamins and minerals. I really don't think these are necessarily, it is
just a marketing gimmick to charge more for the water. There is no
scientific evidence to support that drinking "super oxygenated" water
enhances athletic performance or wellbeing. So-called super oxygenated
water -- water in which the oxygen content is increased significantly --
are marketed by various companies as a way to improve athletic performance
by feeding extra oxygen to the muscles through the blood stream.