A Natural Approach To Gilbert’s Syndrome
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Gilbert’s Syndrome affects 5% of the adult population, is benign and is a congenital/hereditary liver disorder characterized by a mild, fluctuating increase in serum bilirubin, the yellow pigment excreted by the liver into bile. Gilbert’s does not usually require medical treatment and will not interfere with a normal lifestyle.
Small amounts of bilirubin are normally present in the blood. The elevated bilirubin levels seen in Gilbert’s Syndrome usually show up as an incidental laboratory finding while all other liver function tests are normal. Serum bilirubin increases with fasting (reduced caloric intake) or an intercurrent illness such as influenza and the individual might suffer from transient, mild and benign jaundice. Taking large doses of vitamin B3 (niacin) can increase bilirubin formation and can lead to a worsening of the condition.
Liver disease of any kind benefits from dietary changes. Avoidance of animal products (eggs, dairy, beef, pork, raw fish, shellfish, etc.), simple sugar, yeast, alcohol and highly processed foods reduces the load of potential toxins presented to the liver. It is also very important to avoid drugs that need detoxification by the liver, including acetominophen (Tylenol). Avoid any nutritional supplements containing high doses of vitamin A, niacin, cod or halibut liver oil or vitamin D.
The manufacture of bread, beer, wine, cheese, aged and cured meats and tobacco products all involves a fermentation process that produces fungal mycotoxins which can adversely affect the liver. Peanuts are contaminated by fungal mycotoxins and are also best avoided. The consumption of small amounts of these foods may be tolerated by those with healthy immune systems but are potentially dangerous to those suffering from chronic liver disease.
Great benefits may be derived from following a raw vegetable and fruit diet for several weeks and a plant based diet on a long term basis (3 to 6 months). Therapeutic juices include radish and pineapple, black cherry concentrate mixed with liquid chlorophyll and a combination of carrot, beet, celery, green pepper, spinach, papaya and cucumber juices.
Milk thistle extract (Silymarin) helps most liver disorders. So do proteolytic digestive enzymes, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, black radish, artichoke, tumeric, curcumin, red clover, dandelion, B complex vitamins, especially vitamin B1 (thiamine), Liv 52, lactobacillus acidophilus and the amino acids methionine and cysteine. Weekly injections of folic acid, vitamin B12 and other B complex vitamins may be dramatically effective in some cases where energy levels have been severely impaired.
The herbal tea combination of slippery elm, burdock, Turkish rhubarb, and sheep sorrel may be a great help in cleansing the liver (3-6 months). With almost all these natural remedies, healing may be slow over a period of months or years. The key thing is to stick to it, get regular lab tests done for liver function and maintain a positive mental attitude. Supervision by a natural health care practitioner is strongly recommended to assess progress.
Dr. Rona
Randy Boyer’s Comments on Dr. Mist Deodorant
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CATEGORY: DEODORANT
BRAND NAME: DR. MIST
I recently tried an environmentally-friendly natural deodorant that I fell in love with. This product has no aluminum, stinky smell or alcohol and it really works. I have been using it for the past 2 weeks during this crazy 90-100 degree heat wave and it worked like a charm. There was never any odor or sweaty smell on my armpits and I did not have to reapply it at any time. Just once in the morning after my shower did the trick. This product is worth trying and buying!!
Randy
Beware of Breast Enlargement Supplements
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Q: In various health magazines, I’ve noticed ads for natural supplements that claim to increase women’s breast size. One such product contains wheat, barley, hops, rye, malt, wild oats and corn. Do these products actually work? More importantly, are they safe to use?
A: Breast size is determined primarily by heredity and estrogen activity. The herbal/botanical products currently on the market basically boost the effects of estrogen and theoretically could increase breast size.
If they really did that, they would also increase body fat percentage, weight and perhaps the size of existing tumors in the body, whether benign or malignant. When estrogen gets boosted in the body, it does not necessarily only stimulate the breasts but may, in fact, stimulate cells in the uterus, ovaries and fat cells.
Since no effect of such supplements has ever been proven, all I can advise at this time is “buyer beware.” Some studies are definitely needed here. I am sure there are plenty of researchers who would be interested in doing double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on the differences they measure in breast size over a number of months.
Dr. Rona
Natural Treatments For Crohn’s Didease and Colitis
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 1 Comment
The general term, “inflammatory bowel disease? includes two major gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both involve large bowel inflammation and tissues outside the colon. There is some degree of overlap with respect to signs and symptoms in both conditions but the causes of both are poorly understood.
Crohn’s disease is primarily a disease of white adults between the ages of twenty and forty although it can occur in both children and the elderly. Its main signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, rectal bleeding, anal fissures, abscesses and arthritis. In a minority of cases there may be inflammation of the liver, kidney and skin.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that deteriorates the lining of the large bowel. It shows up primarily in the twenty to forty age group and effects predominantly females. Most often, the inflammation begins at the rectum and extends up through the colon. The inflammation can progress until ulcerations and abscesses develop. In some patients, the disease can be mild and localized or excruciatingly painful with perforations of the colon. There is usually diarrhea with blood and mucus in the stool. Sudden attacks followed by periods of remission are typical.
Ulcerative colitis tends to recur in families and there is a high incidence of eczema, hay fever, arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. There is a school of thought which believes that inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis is the result of an allergy or hypersensitivity reaction to certain foods by the colon. Salicylate (e.g. aspirin) sensitivity can be involved in a some cases. Some researchers have shown the existence of circulating antibodies against cow’s milk and other foods, especially gluten from wheat and other grains.
Conventional medical treatments for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis can often ignore the value of diet despite a large amount of published medical literature that stresses its importance. Dietary therapies can be done concurrently with conventional treatments. Studies documented in the book Breaking The Vicious Cycle and Intestinal Health Through Diet (by Elaine Gottschall, Kirkton, Ont.:The Kirkton Press, 1994) indicate that many victims of inflammatory bowel disease can control their symptoms simply by eliminating lactose (milk sugar), starches, grains, yeast and refined carbohydrates from the diet. More difficult cases require help from a natural health care practitioner for treatment of hidden food allergies, candida (yeast) infections, bacterial flora imbalances and parasite infestations. Some patients need only follow the diet for six months while others must follow it for years before being able to eat the disallowed foods without symptoms.
Nutritional imbalances and deficiencies arise in sufferers of Crohn’s because of malabsorption. Zinc deficiency is common as are deficiencies in B vitamins - especially vitamin B12, vitamin A and vitamin D. Most cases require periodic vitamin B 12 injections. A thorough nutritional assessment is well worth doing. Herbs which could benefit inflammatory bowel disease include ginger, comfrey and a combination of slippery elm, Turkish rhubarb, burdock and sheep sorrel (a.k.a. Essiac). Garlic and acidophilus (dairy and grain-free) may be helpful too. None of the natural treatments interfere with conventional medical treatments. In fact, it’s quite possible that diet change alone may help make any medical therapy work better. A naturopath or holistic medical doctor should be consulted for professional supervision.
Dr. Rona
What is Yoga?
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Yoga in Sanskrit means “union”. Yoga is the union between the body, mind and spirit. When all three are working together - the body can begin to be happy, both on a physical and emotional level.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
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Many years ago in India there was a man named Patanjali, who was responsible for organizing a text called the yoga sutras. Patanjali divided the practice of yoga into 8 parts that he called the “Eightfold Path”. There are 8 different aspects of living yoga, which help to incorporate yoga into your life.
Why Practice Yoga?
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People come to practicing yoga for many different reasons. After years of practicing, I believe many of us practice in order to help maximize our true potential. In finding our true goodness, we can then begin to find the goodness in others. This in turn makes us feel happy and calm. Isn’t that what we all want?
Eating More To Reverse Heart Disease
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Scientific research has demonstrated that consuming more of the following common foods can help fight heart and blood vessel disease:
~ Soy protein (soy milk, tofu, soy burgers, soy protein powder) because it lowers LDL (”bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides without decreasing HDL (”good”) cholesterol.
~ Garlic and onions not only lower cholesterol but decrease blood pressure and blood clotting.
~ Carrots. Two carrots every day supply enough carotenoids to cut the risk of stroke in half among men who have signs of heart disease. One study also shows that women who ate five or more servings of carrots a week had a stroke rate 68 percent lower than those who ate no more than one serving.
~ Black and green tea contain a lot of bioflavonoids, antioxidants which also reduce LDL cholesterol and discourage it from sticking to the artery walls.
~ Apples are high in bioflavonoids as well pectin, a soluble fiber with cholesterol reducing effects.
~ Salmon, catfish, trout, cod, halibut, shark and mackerel are high in omega-3 oil fatty acids that lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, raise HDL-cholesterol, and reduce blood clotting. Snake oil has the highest omega-3 content of any animal but snake oil salesmen are difficult to find.
~ Broccoli is rich in fiber, vitamin C and carotenoids, all of which play a major role in reversing heart disease and cancer.
~ Nuts are high in linolenic acid and vitamin E, both of which are important in heart disease prevention.
~ Cantaloupe is a rich source of the antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C and carotenoids.
~ Lima Beans, along with other legumes (navy, kidney, garbanzo), are a good source of folic acid, a deficiency of which could account for 40 percent of heart attacks and strokes. Lima beans are also high in fiber, containing 10 grams per cup.
~ Oat bran (only 2 ounces daily) decreases cholesterol an average of 16 percent.
~ Cayenne and other hot peppers are high in compounds that can dilate arteries and improve circulation anywhere in the body.
Dr. Rona
Alternative Treatments For Alcohol Addiction
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Alcohol addiction can be helped by many vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids. Due to the depleting effects of alcohol on nutrient reserves, alcoholics usually suffer from a long list of deficiencies, especially B complex vitamins. The ideal thing to do is see a natural health care practitioner for a comprehensive nutritional and biochemical assessment before starting on drastic diet changes and food supplements.
To help prevent liver, kidney and brain damage, alcoholics should take a broad spectrum antioxidant combination product. Herbal combinations of milk thistle (silymarin), artichoke and turmeric are excellent for liver support. Alpha lipoic acid and N-acetyl-cysteine are two other nutrient supplements that can reverse liver damage.
For amino acids and B vitamins, I recommend a combination of bee pollen powder, Biostrath elixir, aloe vera juice and beet root powder. These all provide strong nutrient support protection against alcohol without any dangers of vitamin toxicity (especially vitamin A).
The hormone melatonin and amino acids like tryptophan and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) may also be effective therapy since many people drink in order to elevate their levels of these chemicals in the brain.
With alcohol problems, I have found that introducing one healthy thing into the lifestyle leads to further changes for the better. Psychological counselling and 12 step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (minus the free coffee and doughnuts) can be very helpful but biochemical/nutritional imbalances must be attended to at the same time for lasting results.
Dr. Rona
Acne Triggered by Iodine
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | 1 Comment
Q: In one of your previous articles, I was very interested to read about the effectiveness of iodine for helping to prevent breast cancer. I would like to take supplements high in iodine, but they cause my skin to break out. Eating seaweed or using “green products” generally has the same effect. I’m wondering why my skin might be so sensitive to iodine and if there is anything I can do about it. Thanks for your help.
A: Some people are very sensitive to iodine. Iodine is an antiseptic that will kill many different bacteria, including the friendly bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. It is rare for anyone to get acne when taking less than 1,000 mcg (1 mg) of iodine daily unless one also has a low level of friendly bacteria in the gut.
I you decide to proceed with taking iodine, I recommend that you take a broad-spectrum probiotic (friendly flora) product for at least a month before attempting any iodine supplementation. (Probiotic supplements, available at health food stores, should contain at least Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and friendly strains of E. coli.) While continuing to use the probiotic, start supplementing with 100 mcg of iodine daily. Increase the dosage gradually to a maximum of 1,000 mcg per day. If this approach still causes acne, double or triple the recommended dose of the probiotic (usually going from three capsules to six or nine capsules daily).
You could also add a high potency saw palmetto extract (360 mg daily). This herbal extract prevents dihydrotestosterone, the breakdown product of testosterone, from triggering acne. If iodine is still a problem for your skin, see a health practitioner to assess whether you have other metabolic problems.
Dr. Rona
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