Amino Acid Supplements - Benefits & Hazards
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | Leave a Comment
Amino acids (AA’s) are compounds which can be linked together in the body to form different kinds of protein. Without AA’s, the body becomes deficient in hormones, antibodies, enzymes, nutrient carriers, neurotransmitters (chemical messengers between brain cells and other parts of the nervous system) and many other substances essential to life. The best dietary source of AA’s is the much maligned egg. When high doses of individual AA’s are supplemented, they can have powerful effects that imitate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. The main advantage of using AA supplements as drug alternatives is their relative safety.
THERAPEUTIC ACTION OF AMINO ACIDS
(avg. therapeutic dose 1 - 3 grams daily)
- Anabolic (muscle builder) branched chain AA’s (valine, leucine, isoleucine), alanine, carnitine
- Appetite curber arginine, phenylalanine, carnitine, tryptophan, GABA
- Anticonvulsant taurine, GABA, glycine, alanine, tryptophan
- Antidepressant tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine
- Antiviral lysine
- Heart muscle strengthener (i.e. inotropic agent) tyrosine, taurine, carnitine
- Sperm count and motility booster arginine
- Stamina promoter carnitine, dimethylglycine (DMG)
AMINO ACIDS HAZARDS
Excess AA’s can either enhance or antagonize the therapeutic effects of prescription drugs or hormones (e.g. arginine can inhibit effects of pain killers and antibiotics). Some AA’s can worsen existing diseases (e.g. schizophrenic symptoms can increase with tyrosine). Single AA therapies should be used with caution in people with kidney, liver or heart disease. Most therapeutic dose single AA?s require a prescription from a medical doctor and careful monitoring.
Dr. Rona
Cataract Prevention
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Cataracts are the result of a process of clouding or opacification caused by free radical (molecular) damage to the sulphur-containing proteins in the lens of the eye. They are the leading cause of impaired vision and blindness in North America affecting approximately 4 million people. Over 40,000 cases of blindness are directly attributed to cataracts and cataract surgery is the most frequent major surgery performed on Medicare patients. Cataracts may have some relationship to a variety of eye diseases, diabetes, ultraviolet light or radiation exposure, injury or surgery, viral infections, toxic heavy metal excess in the body (especially cadmium, bromine, cobalt, iridium and nickel), heredity, galactosemia (milk sugar toxemia) and advancing age.
The lens protects itself from free radical damage with antioxidants (free radical scavengers) like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione, methionine, vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), E, C, bioflavonoids, zinc and selenium. Studies show that cataract formation may be retarded by increasing the intake of antioxidants. To prevent cataracts, avoid sugar, white flour products, milk, high fat foods and processed foods, all of which create free radicals. Eat more legumes, garlic and onions - high sources of sulphur-containing amino acids, yellow vegetables (for carotenes) and fresh fruits and raw vegetables for their vitamin C content. Other cataract preventive foods are spinach, cloves, water chestnuts, yams, lycium, black beans, and endive. Fresh juices that are recommended are combinations of carrot, spinach, beet, cucumber, endive and parsley. Cataract sufferers should avoid direct sunlight, bright lights of other types and wear protective sunglasses when outdoors.
Vitamin C is a very important antioxidant for the eye, concentrated in amounts 30 - 50 times greater in the aqueous humor of the eye than in the blood. Studies show that vitamin C levels are greatly reduced or absent in the lens with a cataract and that supplementation (1000 mgs. or more daily) can halt cataract progression. If you are already taking vitamin C, the advice is to take more, provided the higher dosages are well tolerated by the intestines. Bioflavonoids, especially bilberry extract, pycnogenol (from pine bark or grape seed extract) and quercetin also provide strong antioxidant protection.
Glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine are the three amino acids that make up the antioxidant, glutathione (also referred to as GSH) found in very high concentrations in a healthy lens. GSH levels are found to be low in all cases of cataracts and can be increased by supplementing the amino acid precursors, glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine. Supplementation of whey protein (e.g. Immunocal®) is a proven way of increasing GSH blood levels. An ancient Chinese herbal formula called “Hachimijiogan” also helps raise the levels of GSH.
The amino acid, L-carnosine prevents the formation of advanced glycated end products (protein crosslinks) in the lens and can therefore prevent cataracts. Dosages required are 1000 mg, 3 times daily. N-acetyl-L-carnosine eye drops show some promise in being able to dissolve existing cataracts but more evidence is needed before this becomes a reliable alternative to surgery.
Other nutrients of importance for cataract prevention are zinc, copper and manganese which are all co-factors in the production of SOD (superoxide dismutase), a powerful antioxidant. The amino acid, lysine, important in collagen formation, may be helpful in lens repair as well. A natural health care practitioner can help with prescribing a personalized regime of vitamin, mineral and herb supplements designed for both cataract prevention and optimum eye health.
Dr. Rona
Alternatives For Middle Ear Tubes
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Conventional treatment for fluid buildup problems in the middle ear caused by eustachian tube dysfunction is the surgical implantation of tubes to help drain the fluid. Allergies to milk and other common foods and the frequent or indiscriminate use of prescription antibiotics are at the bottom of most cases of recurrent infections or eustachian tube dysfunction. The mechanism by which food allergies are thought to increase fluid in the ear have to do with the fact that food allergies create nasal congestion and the fluid from the back of the nose moves easily to the ear through the eustachian tube, the passageway that connects the middle ear with the nose. When there is enough congestion in the tube, it gets blocked and the fluid sits in the ear. Bacteria then start to multiply and ear pain with fever eventually occurs.
Fungal infections can occur secondary to repeated rounds of broad spectrum antibiotics. Fungi, through the production of mycotoxins may act as immunosuppressants, especially with respect to cellular immunity (i.e. the impairment of white cell defence against bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.). This then leads to more ear infections, more antibiotic prescriptions, etc. Antibiotics wipe out the friendly microbial flora in the gut allowing candida and other bugs to multiply and this can damage the lining of the gut leading to inflammation and more serious food reactions.
The best way to break the vicious cycle is to treat the fungus, revise the diet by eliminating sugar, refined carbohydrates and the hidden food allergies. If you have been skin tested for food allergies, get more accurate testing done. Skin tests will misdiagnose food and chemical allergies in over 90% of the cases. I usually recommend people do an elimination/provocation type of test (described by Dr. William Crook in “Tracking Down Hidden Food Allergies”) combined with the ELISA/Act blood test which can check antibody levels against over 300 foods and chemicals. The top food allergies associated with recurrent infections and eustachian tube problems are cow’s milk, wheat, egg whites, peanut products, soy, corn and oranges. The allergic foods should be eliminated for 6 months or longer to achieve stable results. Both the frequency of the infections and the amount of fluid in the ears should go down significantly as early as 3 weeks after the offending foods are removed from the diet.
There are also quite a few natural remedies that can be supplemented to boost immunity. Cod liver oil in liquid or capsule form is still a very popular preventive supplement. Vitamin C crystals mixed with cranberry juice has an antihistaminic, decongestant effect in higher than RDA doses. If bowel movements become too loose, reduce vitamin C to a better tolerated level. Bioflavonoids like pycnogenol and quercetin make vitamin C even more effective. Studies show that taking zinc gluconate lozenges reduces the length of recovery from the common cold from an average of 10.8 days to 3.9 days. Other immune boosters include beta carotene, vitamin B6, spirulina, chlorella and bee pollen.
A long list of herbal antibiotics can also be used either alone or in combination: echinacea, goldenseal, cat’s claw, hypericum, propolis, garlic, astragalus, burdock, slippery elm, sheep sorrel, Turkish rhubarb, capsicum, chaparral, red clover, ma huang, salix alba, sea kelp, elderberry, pau d’arco (taheebo) and calendula. The amino acid, N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is another natural antibiotic. It can dissolve mucous build-up anywhere in the respiratory tract and is particularly effective with sinusitis and bronchitis. Colloidal silver and licorice root are yet two more safe and effective natural antibiotics which can help the body clear many stubborn viral infections.
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, it is important to supplement with lactobacillus acidophilus. These friendly bowel bacteria which are killed off by prescriptions are important to help prevent yeast (Candida) and other infections. For a personalized program, see a natural health care practitioner.
Dr. Rona
Erythritol: The New Kid on the Block
Filed Under Naturopathy | 5 Comments
Just when we thought scientists were done messing around with our sugar substitutes, another one pops onto the market. Erythritol, not really new, as it is found in our diets, is now available as an artificial sweetener. I know that I probably shouldn’t refer to it as artificial but I don’t have much faith in the powers that be.
First there was saccharine, A gift for our parent’s generation (until the scare in the 1970’s that it caused cancer in rats). Then there was acetoacetamide, circa 1988, found in everything from drinks to chewing gum, and then it was linked to thyroid cancer. And then there was aspartame, it tasted better than saccharine and was touted to be healthier, until we found out it was possibly linked to brain tumors and may contribute to the formation of formaldehyde. Isn’t formaldehyde used as an embalming agent?
Remember sorbitol? It is produced naturally in the body, yet it is poorly digested. Too much sorbitol has been linked to cellular damage. I bet you didn’t know that sorbitol is an ingredient in some cosmetics and hair gels as a thickening agent, and as a humectant in some cigarettes. When sorbitol is combined with potassium nitrate it becomes a crude form of rocket fuel!
Other sugar substitutes have come along and although less harmful they still have been known to cause considerable havoc on the gastric system. I am referring to sugar substitutes such as manitol, maltitol, and xylitol. If you have a history of gastric problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut syndrome, and others you may want to avoid ingesting these substitutes, as they can worsen your already aggravated condition. I was really disappointed when independent research showed that my favorite sugar substitute, sucralose (Splenda) may have caused thymus shrinkage, damage to the kidneys and liver, decreased red blood cell production, and was linked to pelvic hyperplasia, among other problems.
Indeed new products are constantly being added. The latest group advertised as coming straight from plant sources, aid in digestion, and taste very sweet are Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, and Stevia. Let’s talk about FOS first. FOS is indigestible in our bodies and is therefore a good bulking agent. It gets transported to the large intestine where it feeds on microbes. At first glance, this sounds good as it keeps the bad microbes in check. But upon further investigation, FOS also destroys the good microbes in our gut. Inulin, an oligosaccharides, is found in the roots of plants such as burdock and dandelion, both of which are common herbal remedies. It produces fructose and so is supposed to make our foods taste sweeter. Stevia is a plant found in parts of South America and Japan. It is sold as a dietary supplement and not as a sugar substitute.
I started this blog introducing Erythritol and so find it fitting to finish it the same way. It is about 75% as sweet as sucrose and has virtually no calories. It doesn’t affect blood sugar so it is safe for diabetics, and it doesn’t cause tooth decay and so we will soon find it in gum and dietary candy bars. Erythritol is processed in the kidneys and therefore bypasses the large intestine. But, yes you knew it was coming, excessive amounts of erythritol can spill over and be transported to the large intestine where it can cause severe diarrhea. I tried it and it tastes very good. It doesn’t have the funny after taste that many of the sugar substitutes on the market have.
Still I can’t help wonder and worry if Eythritol is just another on the evolutionary chain of sugar substitutes that will be found to cause harm. Our diets are bombarded with chemical – chemicals to process the food, to preserve and extend shelf live, chemicals to help with digestion, to add flavoring, color, and over-all enhance the appearance of the food. What ever happened to getting back to nature? Why do we have to enhance the flavor of fruits and vegetables? My children have always eaten their vegetables. Vegetables were always (and still are) a primary component of our meals. They know and appreciate the fact that snacks and desserts are secondary and a treat. But vegetables are a given and not to be passed over for ice cream and the like.
I will always advocate for a natural sugar alternative. I will always stress that anything 100% natural is better - as long as its taken in moderation. I have one cup of coffee a day and in that coffee I have one teaspoon of pure sugar. After the scare with splenda I threw my hands up in the air and gave in taking regular sugar. I don’t abuse it, and that is the key to my success. But don’t get me wrong, I’ll always keep looking for that great, all-natural sugar alternative that awaits me around the corner.
Take control of your health, go natural. You will be glad you did!
In health and wellness!
Dr. Mundorff
Health Inventory
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The health inventory provides baseline information that can assist your health care provider in determining potential risk factors. You can develop your own health inventory by incorporating data such as demographics (age, height, weight); lifestyle (physical activities, alcohol and smoking consumption, eating habits, and stress-relieving activities), hospitalizations (outpatient procedures and surgeries), medical history (past and current medical problems); and medication history (including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and homeopathic remedies). The health inventory can be adjusted to include whatever data you feel is important for your health care provider to know about you and your family. Keep the health inventory current and make copies for all of your health care providers.
Once the health inventory is completed, each family member then develops their individual health goal table. The health goal table is a plan of health. What is it that I want for my body? For example, if you have chronic back pain, one of your health goals might be to reduce or eliminate that back pain. Make the goal and the action plan reasonable and feasible or else you won’t implement it. Health goals need to be reviewed and updated regularly. You can best determine the frequency of those reviews with your health care practitioner. Be health wise and take control. You’ll be glad you did.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Mundorff
The Natural Home Remedy Chest - PART 2
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 1 Comment
Here are more safe and effective natural alternatives to replace or complement drugs in any home remedy chest:
Eucalyptus oil - for inhalation for nasal and sinus congestion; add to vaporisers for respiratory tract infections; natural insect repellent.
Garlic (cloves or capsules) - natural antifungal and antibiotic with anti-cancer and cardiovascular and immune system enhancing effects.
Ginger root herb tea or capsules - anti-nauseant (morning sickness and motion sickness), indigestion and gastrointestinal inflammation.
Honey (Manuka) - effective against H. pylori infections (gastritis, ulcers), respiratory tract infections, coughs and insomnia.
Licorice root tincture, capsules or tea - respiratory tract infections, chronic fatigue, ulcers, sugar cravings and stress.
Olbas oil (Olium basilicum) - inhaled to relieve bronchial, nasal and sinus congestion, coughs and headaches.
Oregano oil extract (liquid or capsules) - effective anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic.
Peppermint tea - relieves stomach pain, nausea, intestinal cramps, gas and headaches.
St. John’s wort - natural anti-depressant; also useful for anxiety, insomnia, viral infections; externally helps heal bruises, muscles strains and cramps.
Tea tree oil - effective antiseptic mouthwash and for external relief of cold sores, warts, fungal infections, insect bites, head lice and acne.
White willow bark - nature’s aspirin for pain, inflammation and fever.
Dr. Rona
The Natural Home Remedy Chest - PART 1
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Many inexpensive natural substances can be used as alternatives to conventional drugs to deal safely and effectively with common health ailments.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE CHEST
Your natural home remedy chest should contain at least the following items grown from your garden or purchased from a health food store:
Aloe vera gel - external relief of sunburns and other burns, dry skin, acne, dandruff and minor skin infections; internal help for heartburn, gas, constipation and indigestion.
Arnica cream or oil - external benefit for injuries: bruises, joint inflammation (arthritis), muscle soreness or injury; homeopathic version only can be taken internally for the same reasons.
Calendula cream or oil - external relief of minor skin irritations, diaper rashes, skin inflammations, cuts or abrasions; calendula herbal tincture can be used internally as a natural antibiotic.
Cayenne pepper capsules (or tobasco sauce) - internal antiseptic and pain reliever, decongestant, circulation enhancer, appetite stimulant and stomach cramp reliever.
Chamomile tea - helps insomnia, anxiety, flus, colds, indigestion, skin and joint inflammations.
Charcoal (activated) capsules - antidote for flatulence, stomach upsets, diarrhea and food poisoning.
Colloidal silver - infections of any kind; use both topically and internally.
Cranberry juice or extract - effective against bladder infections.
Echinacea tincture or capsules - antiseptic, anti-viral, immune stimulating; effective cold and flu remedy.
Epsom salts - bath remedy for fatigue, muscle soreness, stiffness and pain.
Dr. Rona
Law of Allowing
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Some people think that for the Law of Attraction to work, you have to be in constant action. If you believe you need to be in action on your dreams, then take some action, and if you believe you can allow the Universe to take care of the details, then just allow.
Could it really be that easy? Well, yes and no. Here’s the thing: Law of Attraction says what you put your attention on expands, BUT HERE’S THE RUB: YOU WON’T EVER SEE WHAT YOU PUT YOUR ATTENTION ON, UNLESS YOU KNOW ABOUT LAW OF ALLOWING. In my estimation, this is far more important.
Jennifer Hough
Men Are Not Mind Readers – Woman Are
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If women asked for what they needed, it would really help any relationship. But first they have to feel worthy enough to want something. Men are not mind readers; women are.
Jennifer Hough
Natural Healing for Hepatitis C
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 1 Comment
Question: I’m looking for help coping with hepatitis C. The medical profession has very little to offer in dealing with the fatigue, headaches and indigestion symptoms of this disease. In the past you discussed rectal EDTA suppositories. Would this benefit people with hepatitis C?
Answer: Hepatitis C is a serious inflammatory liver disease caused by a virus acquired from infected blood.
Conventional medical treatment of chronic hepatitis C involves frequent injections of interferon. Unfortunately, only 25 per cent of people benefit over the long term.
There are no reports as yet of EDTA therapy benefiting this disease. However, any liver problem can be helped by periodic juice fasting and a diet high in raw fruits and vegetables. Limit fats, sugar, processed foods and animal proteins, especially fish, shellfish, beef, pork and dairy.
Avoid megadoses of vitamin A or niacin supplements as these may cause abnormal liver function tests. Instead, supplement with carotenoids found in greens, carrots and other raw produce. Eat artichokes liberally because they offer natural factors that protect the liver.
Certain herbs have either anti-viral effects or can cleanse the liver and bloodstream: licorice, burdock, dandelion, black radish, goldenseal, green tea, red clover, and yellow dock. Silymarin, a flavonoid found in milk thistle, can help heal and regenerate a damaged liver. Curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory yellow pigment found in the herb turmeric, is equally important in reversing any liver disease. Alpha lipoic acid and intravenous glutathione are also potent fighters of any liver damage, regardless of cause.
Since the 1950s, several reports have revealed the benefits of vitamin B12, folic acid, raw liver extract and vitamin C. These nutrients can reduce the mean duration of hepatitis. (Many other natural supplements may also help, but there isn’t space to discuss them.)
Dosages for all these remedies depend on individual tolerance and disease severity. I strongly recommend that you consult a natural health care practitioner for guidance.
Dr. Rona
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