Supplements That Reduce Stress
NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS THAT REDUCE AND HELP CONTROL MENTAL STRESS A number of nonprescription supplements have been shown to reduce mild to moderate anxiety. If you are taking any prescription medication for stress or depression, check with your doctor. If you do not have access to a physician, then refer to our <a href=”"drugdigest.html”" DRUG DIGEST that lists all known contraindications between drugs and herbs. Experiment with one remedy at a time. Reason: If you start taking several supplements and develop side effects, you won’t know which one is responsible.
Take the herbs listed below daily for three months and then take a two-week break. This strategy will minimize the potential for adverse effects and the risk of becoming psychologically dependent on them. Natural treatments to ease anxiety B vitamins The B vitamins - especially B6 and B12 - help regulate the body’s response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system. What I recommend to my patients: Twice a day, take a vitamin B complex formula that contains at least 25mg of B6…and also contains 1mg of B12. Because these vitamins work best in combination with other nutrients, also take a multivitamin-mineral supplement twice a day.
Look for B12 in the form of hydroxocobalamin or methylcobalamin. They are better absorbed than the more commonly available cyanocobalamin.
Kava kava This herb is approved as an anxiety and insomnia treatment in many European countries. It can help relieve acute and chronic anxiety without making you feel drowsy or ‘fuzzy.’ Kava is as effective as serax - the benzodiazepine tranquilizer - for quelling anxiety but with no addictive potential.
Warning: Avoid kava if you drink alcohol or are taking benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax…sleeping pills, such as Seconal or Halcion…or anti-depressants, such as Prozac or Zoloft. Do not take kava if you have Parkinson’s disease - it may worsen tremors. Saint-John’s-wort This herb works as an antidepressant. It also relieves chronic anxiety. You must take it for several weeks before you feel its effects. Research shows it lowers anxiety levels as well as Vallium does without fogging thinking. It decreases the uptake (rate of removal) of serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing serotonin levels, which induces calm feelings. It is not addictive and has few side effects.
Warnings: Don’t take Saint-John’s-wort if you’re on an antidepressant, particularly Nardil or Parnate. And - because Saint-John’s-wort may make you more sensitive to the sun, wear sunscreen when you are outdoors. Valerian This is a natural sedative - the most popular one used in Europe. It contains ingredients similar to those found in Vallium. It is useful for relieving anxiety because it helps you sleep. It isn’t addictive, nor does it make you feel groggy the next morning as sleeping pills can.
Warning: Don’t use valerian if you’re taking sedatives, such as phenobarbital or benzodiazepines.
PC SPES and SPES Recalled by FDA
Consumers Told to Stop Using Two Herbal Products Fri Feb 8, 3:37 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumers should immediately stop taking two herbal supplements promoting prostate and immune system health that were found to contain prescription drug ingredients and may cause serious health problems, U.S. health officials said on Friday. BotanicLab, based in Brea, California, has issued a nationwide recall of the products, called PC SPES and SPES. Both capsules contain drug ingredients that should be used only under medical supervision, U.S. and California health officials said. Tests by the California Department of Health Services found that PC SPES, marketed to help “”prostate health,”" contained warfarin, a prescription anti-clotting medicine sold under the brand name Coumadin. Warfarin can cause serious bleeding, particularly when combined with other medicines such as aspirin, antibiotics, antidepressants and cholesterol-lowering drugs. BotanicLab, in a statement on its Web site, said further testing was needed to determine whether the ingredient was warfarin or a natural compound that may mimic warfarin in laboratory tests. SPES was promoted as strengthening the immune system. It contains alprazolam, an anti-anxiety drug known by the brand name Xanax, health officials said. Alprazolam exacerbates effects of alcohol and other depressants and may be addictive. BotanicLab said its tests verified the presence of alprazolam in some samples of SPES. The company said the contamination may have occurred in China, where the company obtains raw materials. Consumers should stop taking the products and seek medical advice, especially if they are using other prescription medications, health officials said. Unused capsules can be returned to BotanicLab for a refund.
Green Tea Fights The Flu
Green Tea Helps Fight The Flu Roman Bystrianyk, “”Green tea helps fight the flu”", Health Sentinel, November 29, 2005 Each year there is a mounting fear as the flu season approaches. With much of the attention given to the avian flu this year, the level of anxiety has increased in many people. With these concerns there is an interest in finding alternatives that can help fight the flu.
Several studies show that green tea
“SAMe, Health Benefits
Food Sources Deficiency Signs and Symptoms Beneficial Effects Available Forms Principal Uses Depression Fibromyalgia Migraine Dosage Ranges Safety Issues and InteractionsS-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) is an important physiological agent formed in the body by combining the essential amino acid methionine with adenosyl-triphosphate (ATP). SAM was discovered in Italy in 1952– not surprisingly, most of the research on SAM has been conducted in the country of its discovery.Food Sources Because SAM is manufactured from methionine, you might think that dietary sources of methionine provide the same benefits as SAM. However, high doses of methionine do not increase levels of SAM, nor do they provide the same pharmacological activity as SAM. On the contrary, high dosages of methionine are associated with some degree of toxicity.Deficiency Signs and Symptoms Normally the body manufactures all the SAM it needs from the amino acid methionine. However, a deficiency of methionine, vitamin B12, or folic acid can result in decreased SAM synthesis. In addition, tissue levels of SAM are typically low in the elderly and in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, depression, and various liver disorders.Beneficial Effects SAM is involved in over 40 biochemical reactions in the body. It functions closely with folic acid and vitamin B12 in “”methylation”" reactions–the process of adding a single carbon unit (a metyl group) to another molecule. SAM is many times more effective in transferring methyl groups than other methyl donors. Methylation reactions are critical in the manufacture of many body components— especially brain chemical –and in detoxification reactions.SAM is also required in the manufacture of all sulfur-containing compounds in the human body, including glutathione and various sulfur-containing cartilage components. The beneficial effects of SAM supplementation are far-reaching because of its central role in so many metabolic processes.Available Forms Principal Uses There are five principal conditions where SAM is used: depression, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, liver disorders, and migraine headaches.Depression SAM is necessary in the manufacture of important brain compounds such as neurotransmitters and phospholipids like phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine. Supplementing the diet with SAM in depressed patients results in increased levels of serotonin, dopamine, and phosphatidylserine. It improves binding of neurotransmitters to receptor sites, which causes increased serotonin and dopamine activity and improved brain cell membrane fluidity, all resulting in significant clinical improvement.The antidepressive effects of folic acid (Vitamin B6) are mild compared to the effects noted in clinical trials using SAM. Based on results from a number of clinical studies, it appears that SAM is perhaps the most effective natural antidepressant (although a strong argument could be made for the extract of St. John’s Wort standardized to contain 0.3 percent hypericin) Tables 45.1 and 45.2 [ following tables ] summarize double-blind studies comparing SAM to either a placebo or an antidepressant drug.Most of the studies cited in Table 45.1 and 45.2 used injectable SAM. However, more recent studies using a new oral preparation at a dosage of 400 milligrams four times daily (1600 mg total) demonstrate that SAM is just as effective orally as it is intravenously. SAMis better tolerated and has a quicker onset of antidepressant action than tricyclic antidepressants.The most recent study compared SAM to the tricyclic desipramine. In addition to clinical response, the blood level of SAM was determined in both groups. At the end of the 4-week trial, 62 percent of the patients treated with SAM and 50 percent of the patients treated with desipramine had significantly improved. Regardless of the type of treatment, patients with a 50 percent decrease in their Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) score showed a significant increase in plasma SAM concentration. These results suggests that one of the ways tricyclic drugs exert antidepressive effects is by raising SAM levels.In addition to generalized depression, there are two conditions associated with depression where SAM produces significant effects: the postpartum (after pregnancy) period and drug rehabilitation. SAM’s benefits in these conditions probably stem from a combination of its effects on brain chemistry and liver function. In the study in postpartum depression (after-pregnancy “”blues”"), the administration of SAM (1,600 milligrams per day) produced significantly better mood scores than a placebo group. As for the use of SAM in drug detoxification, SAM (1,200 milligrams daily) significantly reduced psychological distress (chiefly anxiety and depression) in the detoxification and rehabilitation of opiate abusers.Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a recently recognized disorder which is regarded as a common cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia shares many common features with another recently termed syndrome, the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The only difference in diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and CFS is the requirement of musculoskeletal pain in fibromyalgia and fatigue in CFS. The likelihood of being diagnosed as having fibromyalgia or CFS depends on the type of physician consulted. Specifically, if the patient consults a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist, he or she is much more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia than CFSs. Depression is often an underlying finding in both fibromyalgia and CFS.Diagnosis requires fulfillment of all the following major criteria and four or more minor criteria. The major criteria are: Generalized aches or stiffness of at least three anatomic sites for at least three months Six or more typical, reproducible tender points Exclusion of other disorders that can cause similar symptoms The minor criteria are: Generalized fatigue Chronic headache Sleep disturbance Neurological and psychological complaints Joint swelling numbing or tingling sensations Irritable bowel syndrome Variation of symptoms in relation to activity, stress, and weather changes Three clinical studies show SAM produces excellent benefits in patients suffering from fibromyalgia. The first study was a double-blind, crossover study of 17 patients with fibromyalgia. During treatment with SAM (200 milligrams daily by injection for 21 days), subjects demonstrated significant reduction in the number of trigger points and painful areas and improvements in mood.In another double-blind study, orally administered SAM (800 milligrams daily) was compared to a placebo for 6 weeks in 44 patients with fibromyalgia. Researchers evaluated tender point score, muscle strength, disease activity, subjective symptoms, mood parameters, and side effects. Patients given SAM demonstrated improvements in clinical disease activity, pain experienced during the last week, fatigue, morning stiffness, and mood; however, the tender point score and muscle strength did not differ in the two treatment groups. SAM was without side effects.The most recent study compared SAM to transutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)– a popular treatment for fibromyalgia– in 30 patients with fibromyalgia. Patients receiving SAM (200 milligrams by injection and 400 milligrams orally daily) demonstrated significantly greater clinical benefits—decreased number of tender points, subjective feelings of pain and fatigue, and improved mood. TENS offered little benefit on most symptoms while SAM was deemed “”effective in relieving the signs and symptoms of primary fibromyalgia.”" Migraine SAM is beneficial in the treatment of migraine headaches. The benefits manifest gradually and require long-term treatment for therapeutic effectiveness. Dosage Ranges In general, the longer SAM is used, the more beneficial the results. It is perfectly suited for long-term use because of its excellent safety profile. Here are the dosage ranges for the various clinical indications. Depression Four hundred milligrams three to four times daily. Because SAM can cause nausea and gastrointestinal disturbances in some people, it should be started at a dosage of 200 milligrams twice daily for the first day, increased to 400 milligrams twice daily on day three, 400 milligrams three times daily on day ten, and finally to the full dosage of 400 milligrams four times daily after 20 days if needed. Fibromyalgia Two hundred milligrams to 400 milligrams two times daily. Safety Issues No significant side effects have been reported with oral SAM other than the occasional nausea and gastrointestinal disturbances. However, individuals with bipolar (manic) depression should not take SAM unless under strict medical supervision. SAM’s antidepressant activity may lead to the manic phase in these individuals. This effect is exclusive to some individuals with bipolar depression.Interactions SAM functions very closely with vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6, and choline in methylation reactions. Because of SAM’s effects on the liver, it may enhance the elimination of various drugs from the body. The clinical significance of this particular effect has not been fully determined.
Anti-Depressants, Narcotics Increase Fracture Risk In Older Women
Women’s Bones Alert
Older women who take a narcotic or an antidepressant have an increased risk of a bone fracture. This is according to a 5-year study of more than 8,000 women over 65. For example, women taking an antidepressant have a 70% greater risk for a hip fracture.
The increase in fractures was not due to more osteoporosis. There was no difference in bone density between those using these medications and nonusers. Instead, a bone fracture correlated with the diminished ability of a woman on a narcotic or antidepressant to avoid falling or to catch herself safely. This is not surprising since these drugs can cause dizziness, sedation and impair muscles and nerves.
Our Comment: Many women are stopping hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and their doctors are prescribing antidepressants instead to help them cope with hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Women taking antidepressants should be aware of the common side effects of antidepressants such as headache, nausea, insomnia and sleepiness. Now, older women on antidepressants need also to know that they are at an increased risk for hip and other bone fractures.
Alternatives toanti-depessants areavailable.Themost effective is SAM-e,whcih has been found to be as effective as prescribed anti-depressants but without the side-effects. The study on SAM-e was published by the U.S.Department of Health in 2002 and can be accessed at <a href=”"same.html”" SAM-e GUIDE Narcotics, antidepressants up women’s fracture risk
May 8, 2003-05-08
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older women who take narcotic or antidepressant medications may be at increased risk of bone fractures, a new study has found.
The findings bolster previous research suggesting that some drugs that act on the central nervous system might hinder a women’s physical or mental ability to avert a fall. For example, such medications may cause dizziness or sedation, or impair muscle and nerve function. Many earlier studies that found a link between certain drugs and fracture risk have been criticized for not taking into account potential confounding factors — including whether the illness, rather than the drug used to treat it, is behind patients’ bone breaks, according to the authors of the new study.
To investigate, they looked at four different types of medications and whether the drugs upped a women’s risk of non-spine fractures. The drugs included antidepressants, benzodiazepines — sedatives used for conditions like insomnia and anxiety — narcotics (pain killers) and anti-convulsant drugs.
More than 8,000 women older than 65 were followed for nearly five years, on average. During that time, 15 percent had at least one bone fracture outside the spine, including 288 who suffered their first hip fracture. Compared with non-users, women taking narcotics had a 40 percent higher risk of non-spine bone breaks, while those taking antidepressants had a 25 percent higher risk, according to findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Kristine E. Ensrud of the University of Minnesota and the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis led the study. Ensrud’s team also found that women taking antidepressants, but not any of the other types of medications, had a 70 percent increase in the risk of hip fracture, specifically.
The researchers note that depression itself has been associated with lower bone density in prior studies. However, their study found that the average bone density among antidepressant users was similar to that of non-users.
The investigators found no evidence that benzodiazepine or anticonvulsant use increased the risk of non-spine fractures.
FDA List of Dangerous Supplements
Illnesses and Injuries Associated With the Use of Selected Dietary Supplements.
This list of selected dietary supplements associated with serious safety problems is found in the section entitled “Illnesses and Injuries Associated With the Use of Selected Dietary Supplements” of an out-of-print 1993 FDA document “Unsubstantiated Claims and Documented Health Hazards in the Dietary Supplement Marketplace.”
Products marketed as “dietary supplements” include a diverse range of products, from traditional nutrients, such as vitamins or minerals, to such substances as high-potency free amino acids, botanicals, enzymes, animal extracts, and bioflavanoids that often have no scientifically recognized role in nutrition.
There is currently no systematic evaluation of the safety of products marketed as dietary supplements. Dietary supplements routinely enter the marketplace without undergoing a safety review by FDA. Published studies on the safety of these products are extremely sparse. There is no systematic collection and review of adverse reaction reports for dietary supplements, as there is for drugs, and physicians rarely seek information about their patients’ use of dietary supplements. Despite the lack of any system for gaining information about the risks of dietary supplements, an increased number of reports of adverse reactions to dietary supplement products has recently been recognized. Because of concern about these products, FDA has, in the last year, initiated an effort to collect and evaluate existing studies and case reports on safety problems associated with dietary supplements. As a result of that effort, FDA has begun to identify dietary supplements for which serious adverse reactions have been documented. A list of selected dietary supplements associated with serious safety problems follows. This list is not intended to include all hazardous ingredients in dietary supplements.
I. Herbals
Herbal and other botanical ingredients of dietary supplements include processed or unprocessed plant parts (bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems), as well as extracts and essential oils. They are available in a variety of forms, including water infusions (teas), powders, tablets, capsules, and elixirs, and may be marketed as single substances or in combination with other materials, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and non-nutrient ingredients. Although data on the availability, consumer use, and health effects of herbals are very limited, some herbal ingredients have been associated with serious adverse health effects.
A. Chaparral (Larrea tridentata)
Chaparral, commonly called the creosote bush, is a desert shrub with a long history of use as a traditional medicine by Native Americans. Chaparral is marketed as a tea, as well as in tablet, capsule, and concentrated extract form, and has been promoted as a natural antioxidant “blood purifier,” cancer cure, and acne treatment. At least six cases (five in the United States and one in Canada) of acute non-viral hepatitis (rapidly developing liver damage) have been associated with the consumption of chaparral as a dietary supplement. Additional cases have been reported and are under investigation. In the majority of the cases reported thus far, the injury to the liver resolves over time, after discontinuation of the product. In at least two patients, however, there is evidence that chaparral consumption caused irreversible liver damage. One patient suffered terminal liver failure requiring liver transplant.
Most of these cases are associated with the consumption of single ingredient chaparral capsules or tablets; however, a few of the more recent cases appear to be associated with consumption of multi-ingredient products (capsules, tablets or teas) that contain chaparral as one ingredient. Chemical analyses have identified no contaminants in the products associated with the cases of hepatitis. Products from at least four different distributors and from at least two different sources have been implicated thus far.
After FDA’s health warning, many distributors of chaparral products voluntarily removed the products from the market in December of 1992. Some chaparral products remain on the market, however, and other distributors who removed their products from the market are seeking to clarify the status of these products.
B. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale (common comfrey), S. asperum (prickly comfrey), S. X uplandicum (Russian comfrey))
Preparations of comfrey, a fast-growing leafy plant, are widely sold in the United States as teas, tablets, capsules, tinctures, medicinal poultices, and lotions. Since 1985, at least seven cases of hepatic veno-occlusive disease–obstruction of blood flow from the liver with potential scarring (cirrhosis)–including one death, have been associated with the use of commercially available oral comfrey products.
Comfrey, like a number of other plants (e.g., Senecio species), contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids to humans is well-documented. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease following ingestion of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing products, has been documented repeatedly throughout the world. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease is usually acute and may result in fatal liver failure. In less severe cases, liver disease may progress to a subacute form. Even after apparent recovery, chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, has been noted. Individuals who ingest small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids for a prolonged period may also be at risk for development of hepatic cirrhosis. The diagnosis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-induced hepatic veno-occlusive disease is complex, and the condition is probably underdiagnosed.
The degree of injury caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants, like comfrey, is probably influenced by such factors as the age of the user, body mass, gender, and hepatic function, as well the total cumulative dose ingested and the type of exposure (i.e., whether exposure was to leaves or roots, infusions or capsules). Infants in general appear to be particularly susceptible to adverse effects of exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids; there are reports of infants developing hepatic veno-occlusive disease following acute exposure of less than one week. Transplacental pyrrolizidine poisoning has been suggested by the occurrence of hepatic disease in the newborn infant of a woman who consumed herbal tea during pregnancy.
Although liver damage is the major documented form of injury to humans from pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing herbals, animal studies suggest that their toxicity is much broader. Animals exposed to pyrrolizidine alkaloids have developed a wide range of pulmonary, kidney and gastro-intestinal pathologies. Pyrrolizidine alkaloid-containing plants, including comfrey, have also been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Four countries (the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany) have recently restricted the availability of products containing comfrey, and other countries permit use of comfrey only under a physician’s prescription.
C. Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe)
Yohimbe is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building and “enchanced male performance.” Serious adverse effects, including renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.
The major identified alkaloid in yohimbe is yohimbine, a chemical that causes vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure. Yohimbine is also a prescription drug in the United States. Side effects are well recognized and may include central nervous system stimulation that causes anxiety attacks. At high doses, yohimbine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. MAO inhibitors can cause serious adverse effects when taken concomitantly with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) or with over-the-counter (OTC) products containing phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants and diet aids. Individuals taking yohimbe should be warned to rigorously avoid these foods and OTC products because of the increased likelihood of adverse effects.
Yohimbe should also be avoided by individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure), diabetes, and heart, liver or kidney disease. Symptoms of overdosage include weakness and nervous stimulation followed by paralysis, fatigue, stomach disorders, and ultimately death.
D. Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
Lobelia, also known as Indian tobacco, contains pyridine-derived alkaloids, primarily lobeline. These alkaloids have pharmacological actions similar to, although less potent than, nicotine. There have been several reported cases of adverse reactions associated with consumption of dietary supplements containing lobelia.
Depending on the dose, lobeline can cause either autonomic nervous system stimulation or depression. At low doses, it produces bronchial dilation and increased respiratory rate. Higher doses result in respiratory depression, as well as sweating, rapid heart rate, hypotension, and even coma and death. As little as 50 milligrams of dried herb or a single milliliter of lobelia tincture has caused these reactions.
Because of its similarity to nicotine, lobelia may be dangerous to susceptible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with cardiac disease. Lobelia is nevertheless found in dietary supplement products that are marketed for use by children and infants, pregnant women, and smokers.
E. Germander (Teucrium genus)
Germander is the common name for a group of plants that are contained in medicinal teas, elixirs and capsules or tablets, either singly or in combination with other herbs, and marketed for the treatment of obesity and to facilitate weight loss.
Since 1986, at least 27 cases of acute nonviral hepatitis (liver disease), including one death, have been associated with the use of commercially available germander products in France. These cases show a clear temporal relationship between ingestion of germander and onset of hepatitis, as well as the resolution of symptoms when the use of germander was stopped. In 12 cases, re-administration of germander was followed by prompt recurrence of hepatitis. Recovery occurred gradually in most cases, approximately two of six months after withdrawal of germander. Analyses of these cases does not indicate a strong relationship between the dosage or duration of ingestion and the occurrence of hepatitis.
Although the constituent in germander responsible for its hepatic toxicity has not been identified, germander contains several chemicals, including polyphenols, tannins, diterpenoids, and flavonoids.
On the basis of the 27 French hepatitis cases, the French Ministry of Health has forbidden the use of germander in drugs. Its use has been restricted in other countries.
F. Willow Bark (Salix species)
Willow bark has long been used for its analgesic (pain killing), antirheumatic, and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties. Willow bark is widely promoted as an “aspirin-free” analgesic, including in dietary supplement products for children. Because it shares the same chemical properties and the same adverse effects as aspirin, this claim is highly misleading. The “aspirin-free” claim is particularly dangerous on products marketed, without warning labels, for use by children and other aspirin-sensitive individuals.
The pharmacologically active component in willow bark is “salicin,” a compound that is converted to salicylic acid by the body after ingestion. Both willow bark and aspirin are salicylates, a class of compounds that work by virtue of their salicylic acid content. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is also converted to salicylic acid after ingestion.
All salicylates share substantially the same side effects. The major adverse effects include irritation of the gastric mucosa (a particular hazard to individuals with ulcer disease), adverse effects when used during pregnancy (including stillbirth, bleeding, prolonged gestation and labor, and low-birth-weight infants), stroke, and adverse effects in children with fever and dehydration. Children with influenza or chickenpox should avoid salicylates because their use, even in small doses, is associated with development of Reye syndrome, which is characterized by severe, sometimes fatal, liver injury. Salicylate intoxication (headache, dizziness, ringing in ears, difficulty hearing, dimness of vision, confusion, lassitude, drowsiness, sweating, hyperventilation, nausea, vomiting, and central nervous system disturbances in severe cases) may occur as the result of over-medication, or kidney or liver insufficiency. Hypersensitivity, manifested by itching, broncho-spasm and localized swelling (which may be life-threatening), can occur with very small doses of salicylates, and may occur even in those without a prior history of sensitivity to salicylates. Approximately 5 percent of the population is hypersensitive to salicylates.
G. Jin Bu Huan
Jin Bu Huan is a Chinese herbal product whose label claims that it is good for “insomnia due to pain,” ulcer, “stomachic sic| neuralgia, pain in shrunken womb after childbirth, nervous insomnia, spasmodic cough, and etc.” Jin Bu Huan has been recently reported to be responsible for the poisoning of at least three young children (ages 13 months to 2 2 years), who accidentally ingested this product. The children were hospitalized with rapid-onset, life-threatening bradycardia (very low heart rate), and central nervous system and respiratory depression. One child required intubation (assisted breathing). All three utlimately recovered following intensive medical care.
Although the product label identified the plant source for Jin Bu Huan as Polygala chinensis, this appears to be incorrect since preliminary analyses indicate the presence of tetrahydropalmatine (THP), a chemical not found in Polygala. THP is found, however, in high concentrations in plants of certain Stephania species. In animals, exposure to THP results in sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade (paralysis). The symptoms of the three children are consistent with these effects.
An additional case of THP toxicity, reported in the Netherlands, appears to be associated with the same product, and is being investigated.
H. Herbal products containing Stephania and Magnolia species
A Chinese herbal preparation containing Stephania and Magnolia species that was sold as a weight-loss treatment in Belgium has been implicated recently as a cause of severe kidney injury in at least 48 women. These cases were only discovered by diligent investigations by physicians treating two young women who presented with similar cases of rapidly progressing kidney disease that required renal dialysis. Once it was determined that both these women had used the herbal diet treatment, further investigation of kidney dialysis centers in Belgium found a total of 48 individuals with kidney injury who had used the herbal product.
At the time that a report of these adverse effects was published in February 1993, 18 of the 48 women had terminal kidney failure that will require either kidney transplantation or life-long renal dialysis.
I. Ma huang
Ma huang is one of several names for herbal products containing members of the genus Ephedra. There are many common names for these evergreen plants, including squaw tea and Mormon tea. Serious adverse effects, including hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitation (rapid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, and memory loss, have been reported to FDA with products containing Ma huang as ingredients and are currently under investigation.
The Ephedras have been shown to contain various chemical stimulants, including the alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine, as well as various tannins and related chemicals. The concentrations of these alkaloids depends upon the particular species of Ephedra used. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are amphetamine-like chemicals used in OTC and prescription drugs. Many of these stimulants have known serious side effects.
Ma huang is sold in products for weight control, as well as in products that boost energy levels. These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse effects.
II. Amino Acids
Amino acids are the individual constituent parts of proteins. Consumption of foods containing intact proteins ordinarily provides sufficient amounts of the nine amino acids needed for growth and development in children and for maintenance of health of adults. The safety of amino acids in this form is generally not a concern. When marketed as dietary supplements, amino acids are sold as single compounds, in combinations of two or more amino acids, as components of protein powders, as chelated single compounds, or in chelated mixtures. Amino acids are promoted for a variety of uses, including body-building. Some are promoted for claimed pharmacologic effects.
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) recently conducted an exhaustive search of available data on amino acids and concluded that there was insufficient information to establish a safe intake level for any amino acids in dietary supplements, and that their safety should not be assumed. FASEB warned that consuming amino acids in dietary supplement form posed potential risks for several subgroups of the general population, including women of childbearing age (especially if pregnant or nursing), infants, children, adolescents, the elderly, individuals with inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism, and individuals with certain diseases.
At least two of the amino acids consumed in dietary supplements have also been associated with serious injuries in healthy adults.
A. L-tryptophan
L-tryptophan is associated with the most serious recent outbreak of illness and death known to be due to consumption of dietary supplements. In 1989, public health officials realized that an epidemic of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) was associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan in a dietary supplement. EMS is a systemic connective tissue disease characterized by severe muscle pain, an increase in white blood cells, and certain skin and neuromuscular manifestations.
More than 1,500 cases of L-tryptophan-related EMS have been reported to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 38 patients are known to have died. The true incidence of L-tryptophan-related EMS is thought to be much higher. Some of the individuals suffering from L-tryptophan-related EMS have recovered, while other individuals’ illnesses have persisted or worsened over time.
Although initial epidemiologic studies suggested that the illnesses might be due to impurities in an L-tryptophan product from a single Japanese manufacturer, this hypothesis has not been verified, and additional evidence suggests that L-tryptophan itself may cause or contribute to development of EMS. Cases of EMS and related disorders have been found to be associated with ingestion of L-tryptophan from other batches or sources of L-tryptophan. These illnesses have also been associated with the use of L-5-hydroxytryptophan, a compound that is closely related to L-tryptophan, but is not produced using the manufacturing process that created the impurities in the particular Japanese product.
B. Phenylalanine
A number of illnesses, including those similar to the eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) associated with L-tryptophan consumption, have been reported to FDA in individuals using dietary supplements containing phenylalanine. There are also published reports of scleroderma/scleroderma-like illnesses, which have symptoms similar to EMS, occurring in children with poorly controlled blood phenylalanine levels, as well as in those with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder characterized by the inability to metabolize phenylalanine.
III. Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin and mineral dietary supplements have a long history of use at levels consistent with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA’s) or at low multiples of the RDA’s, and are generally considered safe at these levels for the general population. Intakes above the RDA, however, vary widely in their potential for adverse effects. Certain vitamins and minerals that are safe when consumed at low levels are toxic at higher doses. The difference between a safe low dose and a toxic higher dose is quite large for some vitamins and minerals and quite small for others.
A. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is found in several forms in dietary supplements. Preformed vitamin A (vitamin A acetate and vitamin A palmitate) has well-recognized toxicity when consumed at levels of 25,000 International Units (IU) per day, or higher. (Beta-carotene does not have the potential for adverse effects that the other forms of vitamin A do, because high intakes of beta-carotene are converted to vitamin A in the body at much lower levels). The RDA for vitamin A is 1,000 retinol equivalents (RE) for men, which is equivalent to 3,300 IU of preformed vitamin A, and 80 percent of these amounts for women.
The adverse effects associated with consumption of vitamin A at 25,000+ IU include severe liver injury (including cirrhosis), bone and cartilage pathologies, elevated intracranial pressure, and birth defects in infants whose mothers consumed vitamin A during pregnancy. Groups especially vulnerable to vitamin A toxicity are children, pregnant women, and those with liver disease caused by a variety of factors, including alcohol, viral hepatitis, and severe protein-energy malnutrition.
There are some studies that suggest vitamin A toxicity has occurred at levels of ingestion below 25,000 IU. In addition, the severity of the injuries that occur at 25,000 IU suggests that substantial, but less severe and less readily recognized, injuries probably occur at somewhat lower intakes. Most experts recommend that vitamin A intake not exceed 10,000 IU for most adults or 8,000 IU for pregnant and nursing women.
B. Vitamin B6
Neurologic toxicity, including ataxia (alteration in balance) and sensory neuropathy (changes in sensations due to nerve injury), is associated with intake of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements at levels above 100 milligrams per day. As little as 50 milligrams per day has caused resumption of symptoms in an individual previously injured by higher intakes. The RDA for vitamin B6 is 2 milligrams. Vitamin B6 is marketed in capsules containing dosages in the 100-, 200-, and 500-milligrams range.
C. Niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide)
Niacin taken in high doses is known to cause a wide range of adverse effects. The RDA for niacin is 20 milligrams. Niacin is marketed in dietary supplements at potencies of 250 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg, in both immediate and slow-release formulations. Daily doses of 500 mg from slow-release formulations, and 750 mg of immediate-release niacin, have been associated with severe adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal distress (burning pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea) and mild to severe liver damage. Less common, but more serious (in some cases life-threatening), reactions include liver injury, myopathy (muscle disease), maculopathy of the eyes (injury to the eyes resulting in decreased vision), coagulopathy (increased bleeding problems), cytopenia (decreases in cell types in the blood), hypotensive myocardial ischemia (heart injury caused by too low blood pressure), and metabolic acidosis (increases in the acidity of the blood and urine).
Niacin (nicotinic acid) is approved as a prescription drug to lower cholesterol. Many of the observed adverse reactions have occurred when patients have switched to OTC formulations of niacin, and particularly when they have switched from immediate-release formulations to dietary supplements containing slow-release niacin formulations without the knowledge of their physicians.
D. Selenium
Selenium is a mineral found in dietary supplement products. At high doses (approximately 800 to 1,000 micrograms per day), selenium can cause tissue damage, especially in tissues or organs that concentrate the element. The toxicity of selenium depends upon the chemical form of selenium in the ingested supplement and upon the selenium levels in the foods consumed. Human injuries have occurred following ingestion of high doses over a few weeks.
IV. Other Products Marked as Dietary Supplements
A. Germanium
Germanium is a nonessential element. Recently, germanium has been marketed in the form of inorganic germanium salts and novel organogermanium compounds, as a “dietary supplement.” These products are promoted for their claimed immunomodulatory effects or as “health-promoting” elixirs. Germanium supplements, when used chronically, have caused nephrotoxicity (kidney injury) and death. Since 1982, there have been 20 reported cases of acute renal failure, including two deaths, attributed to oral intakes of germanium elixirs. In surviving patients, kidney function has improved after discontinuation of germanium, but none of the patients have recovered normal kidney function.
One particular organogermanium compound, an azaspiran organogermanium, has been studied for its potential use as an anticancer drug. Forty percent of the patients in this study experienced transient neurotoxicity (nerve damage), and two patients developed pulmonary toxicity. Because of these side effects, medically supervised administration of this drug with monitoring for toxicity has been recommended for those using germanium chronically.
Mayo Clinic Urges Natural Progesterone Use
Mayo Clinic study finds natural progesterone offers more health benefits to post-menopausal women ROCHESTER, MINN. A new type of natural progesterone improves the quality of life for post-menopausal women, according to a new Mayo Clinic study published in the May issue of the Journal of Women’s Health. The study reports that women who include naturally occurring progesterone in their hormone replacement therapy are more satisfied with their overall quality of life. The natural hormone, called micronized progesterone, does not negate the positive effect of estrogen on cholesterol levels, like synthetic progesterone does.
Investigators interviewed 176 women whose prescribed hormone replacement therapy combined the natural progesterone with estrogens. In the study, 80 percent of the participants reported increased satisfaction with the new, natural progesterone as compared to previous therapies that used synthetic progesterone. Subjects indicated a significant improvement in bleeding patterns and in control of symptoms when the micronized progesterone was compared with previous therapy.
The results of our study indicate that natural progesterone may offer a wider range of benefits to women taking hormone replacement therapy,”" says Lorraine Fitzpatrick, M.D., Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and the lead investigator of the study. “”We already know that progesterone decreases some of the risks of estrogen replacement therapy such as increased risk of endometrial cancers. Now it seems that naturally occurring progesterone can reduce the occurrence of sleep disorders, hot flashes, anxiety and symptoms of depression.”"
Half of the study participants reported an improvement in vasomotor symptoms such as “”hot flashes.”" Of the participants, 45 percent felt that psychological symptoms such as feelings of depression and anxiety improved, and 32 percent saw a decrease in sleep disorders. Other areas of improvement included menstrual problems, cognitive difficulties and sexual functioning.
The natural hormone, micronized progesterone, is made from yams and is chemically identical to the naturally occurring progesterone found in the body. Micronized progesterone also is more finely ground for better absorption.
In a large study of menopausal women published in 1998, micronized progesterone also had the most favorable effect on LDL and HDL cholesterol levels associated with cardiovascular risk.
Public release date: 31-Oct-2002
To learn more about SupplementSpot’s selection of micronized natural progesterone click on the following links:
SALIVA HORMONE HOME TESTS: test your own hormones at home using saliva
HORMONE HOME TESTS using Saliva:Estrogen (Estradiol, Estrone, and Estriol), Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Cortisol, Androstendione testing Test Your Own Hormones at Home Using Saliva SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: SupplementSpot Now Offers Tests for Melatonin. See Details Below. Blood Draw Tests Now Offered: SupplementSpot has made arrangements with LabCore and OneLab to allow our clients to obtain blood draw tests at reduced rates.
No doctor’s prescription is necessary and you receive the same cost reductions available to insurance companies and HMOs. Go to SupplementSpot Labs for complete information and to order. This service is only available in the USA.
Test Your Own Hormones At Home Using Saliva! We have two versions available:
2-Hormone Test Kit — Allows to test 2 hormone levels of your choice. 5-Hormone Test Kit — Allows to test 5 hormone levels of your choice. Thyroid Profile — Assesses pituitary stimulation and thyroid function. This panel specifically tests your fT4, fT3 and TSH levels. This is a blood draw test. Melatonin Rhythm (3 point) — Identifies disturbances which may affect sleep patterns. Should be used by anyone who is engaged in shift work.
Inexpensive, Non-invasiveConvenient and easy, no prescription or doctors visitNo blood or needlesRepresentatives are available to discuss resultsHome collection with prepaid mailer
Only $33 per hormone, 2 minimumThyroid, pregnenolone, melatonin are priced separately. See description below.
The Best, Most Economical Hormone Test Available Anywhere
Depending on which test kit, NeuroScience or ZRT Laboratories analyzes your saliva — these are the best laboratories in America. The test will measure the available free hormones you actually use. You will receive an Interpretation Guide explaining the results and the implication for your health.
You can test the following hormones: PROGESTERONE ESTRADIOL ESTRONE, ESTRIOL TESTOSTERONE ANDROSTENEDIONE DHEA CORTISOL THYROID PANEL — Assesses Level of T3, T4, and TSH MELATONIN — Individual Test Has your doctor ever tested your hormone levels?
Doctors charge as much as $200 per hormone plus the cost of the office visit and time off from work. Saliva testing is the scientific, state-of-the-art way to test hormone levels. The World Health Organization has endorsed this method for their testing. The test only requires that one fill a small test tube with spit, seal the tube and return to Laboratory indicated with the test kit. A few days later you receive your results back in the mail. If you have a fax, the lab will fax your results followed by a mailed copy.
All of the above hormones are important for both men and women. A primary age marker for both men and women is falling hormone levels, which is largely responsible for disorders in:
Sleep disturbances Fertility Energy and muscle strength Libido Menopause symptoms Impotence Aging Bone loss or osteoporosis Depression, fatigue, anxiety are usually an indication of cortisol imbalance Abnormal Pulse Rate Especially think or thin skin Uncomfortable at room temperatures, too warm or too cold Memory Loss, short or long-term
Dr. David Zava, director of ZRT labs is a well-known endocrinologist and expert on hormones. Here is an excellent overview of the importance of hormone testing in preventing and curing many chronic health and mental problems. Maintaining proper hormone levels is the first step in any anti-aging program HORMONE OVERVIEW.
How Are the Hormones Tested?
Saliva collection is a simple, non-invasive, and is performed in the privacy of your home. There is no need to go to a doctor’s office where the test would probably cost you in excess of $200.00 plus the cost of the visit and the loss of time. The sample is sent by prepaid U.S. Mail to the indicated lab (NeuroScience or ZRT Laboratory). You will receive your results within 10 working days following receipt of the sample. The hormones are stable at room temperature for at least a month so there is no need for special shipping.
We normally only accept payment for 2 or 5 hormone tests. The 5 hormone tests are usually ordered by medical professionals or clients who are testing their hormone levels to determine if they changed since a previous test. For new clients it is best to test 2 hormones, and then make a decision based on test results if additional tests should be ordered. If so, they can be ordered directly from the Lab using the same sample.
Why Is Saliva Used?
Saliva hormones are identical with the hormone level measured in blood and are considered biologically more important than total blood levels. Using saliva for your test is simple, without stress, and will accurately determine if your hormone levels are within the expected normal range for your age and gender. It will also guide you in the proper use of hormone supplements, herbal therapy, diet, exercise, and hormone replacement therapies.
More detailed information is found on this page: SALIVA TESTING FAQ.
Who Should Be Tested?
Hormone levels decrease with age and their restoration to normal levels is essential with all anti-aging therapies. Many women experience pre and postmenopausal symptoms that are directly related to hormonal imbalance, especially estrogen dominance. This, in turn, leads to the over 100 identified symptoms of PMS. Many men, as well as women, experience a loss in muscle mass and tone, decreasing energy and libido, even impotence, as they age. It is essential to good health that male as well as female hormone levels be regularly monitored.
You will learn which hormone you are deficient in as well as monitor your progress with supplementation.
So, please, don’t wait, discover your vital hormone levels today: TWO HORMONE TEST KIT $66 FIVE HORMONE TEST KIT $165 NEW: THYROID PANEL TEST KIT $125 NEW: MELATONIN TEST KIT $60
The Amazing Facts About Ginseng
A Short History of Panax Ginseng Ginseng has been shown in human studies to have a long-term anti-stress effect and to Improve physical and mental performance, memory, and reaction time.
This herb is well known, yet shrouded in myth. In Asia, ginseng is taken daily by millions of people, and is widely revered as a superior herbal medicine. Ginseng is a confusing topic, yet we can make sense out of the chaos
True ginseng is in the genus Panax, which comes from the Latin word panacea. The type of ginseng typically used is of the species ginseng. Ginseng is used to treat a host of conditions, and, when it is taken daily, to maintain general good health. Because ginseng has such a wide variety of uses in Asia, it has been viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism by scientists in the West. Herbs, including ginseng, with such broad-spectrum action, are termed adaptogens. The herbs in this category, also called tonics, are, by definition: NontoxicCapable of creating a nonspecific action. They increase resistance to a wide range of stresses.Normalizing. They bring balance to the body, no matter what the problem. This ability to bring the body to balance and to support a wide variety of functions is what makes ginseng so valuable as a remedy for just about any condition. Adaptogens, including ginseng, work best after long-term moderate use by regulating biological functions, including hormone function, to defend us against the destructive effects of chronic stress. In the spirit of this wide- ranging action, ginseng has been shown in human studies to: Have a long-term anti-stress effectImprove physical and mental performance, memory, and reaction timeEnhance moodTreat Chronic Fatigue SyndromeRelieve hangover symptoms and improve alcohol clearanceImprove congestive heart failure, blood circulation to the heart, and lower cholesterolTreat anxiety when due to stressStabilize diabetesLessen symptoms of menopause, including vaginal atrophy Ginseng is used in Asia to support sexual energy in older people, but the scientific evidence for this use is scanty. From what we know about adaptogens, it seems reasonable that long-term use would enhance all the body’s functions, and a healthier body is likely to behave better sexually. Even so, there is some scientific evidence that ginseng does treat impotence, and clinical trial have shown that it increases sperm production and sperm motility. Clinicians, though, do report that ginseng increases sexual desire (libido). The same argument applies to the purported longevity effects. However, though these claims have yet to be proven scientifically, ginseng has been used by millions of people for 5,000 years, and is the most important herb for men in one of the most well developed and extensively practiced medical systems in the world. True ginsengs, in the Panax genus, include Panax ginseng, from East Asia, the plant we usually think of as "ginseng," and Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng. Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), comes from many areas in East Asia, and is often identified by the region of its origin. Like tea, coffee, or wines, with their varietal classifications, ginseng can be Korean, Chinese, or Manchurian, for example. All ginseng roots, when peeled, are white. Asian ginseng can be processed by steaming, which turns the root red. This process makes he root more stimulating. So, Asian ginseng is available as red or white. Thus, we could have "red Chinese ginseng," or "white Manchurian ginseng." Ginseng is a connoisseur herb, and different aficionados have their favorite preparations. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which grows only in North America, is prized in Asia. Considered to be a little "cooler" and less stimulating than Asian ginseng, its uses are similar. American ginseng is not available steamed, so is only "white." Several other herbs in the Panax genus, relatives of ginseng, are used as medicine. They have their own characteristic uses. Most are somewhat stamina enhancing, similar to ginseng, as well: "Tienchi Ginseng" (San qi)( Panax pseudoginseng)- not used as a general energy tonic, moves blood and reduces pain"Zhu Ze Ginseng" (Zhujieshen) (Panax japonicus)- a ginseng substitute, also used for digestion and heart diseaseOther valuable Asian herbs with similar properties are used along with, or as substitutes for ginseng:"Prince’s Ginseng" (Tai zi shen) (Pseudostellaria heterophylla)- a root from the carnation family that is botanically unrelated to ginseng, used as an energy tonic"False Ginseng" (Dang Shen) (Codonopsis pilosula)- used as a substitute for the more expensive ginseng, milder, less stimulating"Dong Quai" (Tang Kwei) (Angelica sinensis)- probably the most widely used herb in the world, taken by about 1 billion women daily in Asia, the main general tonic for women Ginseng is generally indicated for daily, consistent use in moderate doses by men over 40 years of age. It is not used in Asia by young people, unless there is a clear stamina deficiency. Do not use ginseng as a short-term stimulant. A dose that will feel temporarily energizing can cause uneasiness, irritability, headache, and heart palpitations. Ginseng is not generally used by premenopausal women in Asia. This is not an absolute prohibition, but there are better tonics for a woman’s body. Ginseng is a "hot" herb, in the Chinese herbal system, and considered less suitable for the woman’s metabolism. Women in our culture sometimes receive benefit at menopause, but ginseng will cause breast tenderness in some, a hint about the wisdom of the Chinese herbalists. A typical dose of moderate quality ginseng would be 4,000-6,000mg per day. Remember that the effects are slow and gradual, and extend over a period of years. By becoming informed and following a few selected guidelines, you can unravel the myths and mysteries surrounding this precious herb. Probably the most respected, and definitely the most researched long-term tonic herb in the world, ginseng has something to offer just about everyone. If it’s right for you, make it a part of your life.
Cinnamon Boosts Brain Activity
Cinnamon Boosts Brain Activity March 6, 2004 The commonly used spice cinnamon could see new applications in functional foods as findings from the US suggest that chewing cinnamon-flavoured gum could help the memory, reports Lindsey Partos.
Participants at the annual meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences later this month will learn that cinnamon — as a flavour or fragrance — could boost the brain as scientists at Wheeling Jesuit University in the US, led by Dr P. Zoladz, report on their findings. “”Cinnamon, administered retronasally or orthonasally, improved participants’ scores on tasks related to attentional processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor response speed,”" report the researchers.
They examined the different effects that odourants administered through the nose or mouth had on cognitive performance in adults.
During phase one, participants completed cognitive tasks on a computer-based programme under five ‘chewing gum’ conditions — no gum, flavourless gum, peppermint gum, cinnamon gum, and cherry gum. For phase two they completed cognitive tasks under four odorant conditions - no odour, peppermint odour, jasmine odour, and cinnamon odour.
“”Results revealed a task-dependent relationship between odours and the enhancement of cognitive processing,”" said the researchers, with cinnamon boasting the strongest link for both fragrance and flavour.
Although further research is required, the findings have implications for the food industry through the eventual development of functional food products for memory development. Research reported last week also noted the properties of an ingredient used in chewing gum and this application area has strong potential for development as a format for functional foods.
“”Findings from the present study are most promising in providing a non-pharmacological adjunct to enhancing cognition in the elderly, individuals with test-anxiety, and perhaps even patients with diseases that lead to cognitive decline,”" concluded the US researchers who will present their study in Sarasota, Florida at the Association for Chemoreception Sciences meeting that runs from 21-25 April.
Cinnamon has previously been shown to significantly reduce the risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes.