Maca is a traditional plant common to the Andes Mountains and has been used for centuries to enhance fertility, improve sexual function, improve energy and more. Maca (aka Lepidium Peruvianum and Lepidium meyenii) belongs to the mustard family and is considered an adaptogen—helping us to adapt to a variety of stressors.
A systematic review was done to assess the clinical evidence for or against the efficacy of maca for sexual dysfunction. The review included only randomized clinical trials comparing maca to a placebo in men or women with sexual dysfunction. Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) met the inclusion criteria. Two of these trials suggested a positive effect of maca on sexual dysfunction or libido in menopausal women or adult. One other RCT did not show effect of maca in cyclists. The fourth study assessed the effects of maca in men with erectile dysfunction and did show significant effects.
While the evidence is limited, there does appear to be some effectiveness of maca in improving sexual function.
For more blogs by Dr Hudson go to http://drtorihudson.com
In addition for more information on maca, men and sexual function go to http://www.naturalhi.com/Products/Macalibrium.aspx
Reference
Shin B, Soo Lee M, Jin Yang E, Lim H, Ernst E. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010;10:44
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan, Radiation and iodine
While we do not think this will be an issue a number of our customers have been ring up and asking about Original Himalayan Crystal Salt's benefit in relation to minerals and iodine due to the threat of possible radiation.
A lot of interest has been focused on iodine and iodine supplementation to prevent harm to thyroid glands and other systemic problems.
To give you a bit more information: Iodine 131 is released with radiation. Where ever a receptor for iodine is needed, there is susceptibility for Iodine 131 to attach and prevent "regular" iodine from binding.
It is important to note that Iodine supplements do not stop other effects of radiation. It only keeps iodine 131 from binding and causing the loss of function (mostly at the thyroid). Also certain people cannot or should not take iodine supplements. The following is from the Food and Drug Administration.
According to the FDA:
Adults – including women who are breastfeeding – should take 130 milligrams of stable iodine. Children aged 3 to 18 should take 65 milligrams. Children who weigh more than 150 pounds should take the adult dose, regardless of age. Nursing and non-nursing infants between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 milligrams. Nursing and non-nursing newborns should take 16 milligrams.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TAKE IODINE TABLETS?
Most often a single dose of iodine – which protects the thyroid gland for 24 hours – is all that is needed. Officials may request that the public take a dose of stable iodine every 24 hours for a few days if radioactive iodine will remain in the environment for a prolonged period of time. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and newborns should avoid taking multiple doses.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
When officials advise the public to take iodine pills following a nuclear event, the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking a higher dose than is recommended will not provide more protection and can cause severe illness or death. People with thyroid disease should take iodine pills only under a doctor’s supervision. General side effects include intestinal upset, rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands.
And that’s where the FDA stops.
Yes Original Himalayan Crystal Salt will be of benefit in relation to iodine but if it does become an issue you would want to look at an iodine supplement like Tri Iodine. Please note you only absorb about 10% of the iodine in iodized salt therefore do not look to that for your source.
But, iodine isn’t the whole story. Toxic metabolic products are generated under conditions of exposure to radiation (whole body reacting to radiation stress). PH Quintessence holds unique properties to purify blood from these unwanted toxins. With a blend of chlorophyll, beta carotene, and xanthophyll and 2.5% total potassium, pH Quintessence purifies the blood and aids in biotransformation or detoxification. http://www.naturalhi.com/Products/Quintessence.aspx
Hydration is also of paramount importance when it comes to radiation. Therefore, many customers have turned to Original Himalayan Crystal Salts for its ability to improve absorption of water into cells especially using Sole http://www.himalayancrystalsalt.com
One of the major side effects of therapeutic radiation is dehydration. Hydrating patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation has a lot of empirical evidence behind it. Patients, doctors and nurses all stress hydration and fluids during treatment. Patients ALWAYS know when they haven't had enough.
Radiation will cause free radical damage, some of which is dealt with at the cellular level, but the creation of toxic metabolites, involving the liver require hydration due to the detoxification pathways are mostly hydrolytic (use up water).
To further the detoxification concept, the kidneys, need adequate hydration to excrete toxic metabolites created by radiation or otherwise. N.B. Therapeutic radiation and nuclear radiation are very different, but beyond proximity to epicenter, hydration and general health status will be best predictors of an individual's outcome.
By Dr Corey Schuler DC, MS, LN
A lot of interest has been focused on iodine and iodine supplementation to prevent harm to thyroid glands and other systemic problems.
To give you a bit more information: Iodine 131 is released with radiation. Where ever a receptor for iodine is needed, there is susceptibility for Iodine 131 to attach and prevent "regular" iodine from binding.
It is important to note that Iodine supplements do not stop other effects of radiation. It only keeps iodine 131 from binding and causing the loss of function (mostly at the thyroid). Also certain people cannot or should not take iodine supplements. The following is from the Food and Drug Administration.
According to the FDA:
Adults – including women who are breastfeeding – should take 130 milligrams of stable iodine. Children aged 3 to 18 should take 65 milligrams. Children who weigh more than 150 pounds should take the adult dose, regardless of age. Nursing and non-nursing infants between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 milligrams. Nursing and non-nursing newborns should take 16 milligrams.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TAKE IODINE TABLETS?
Most often a single dose of iodine – which protects the thyroid gland for 24 hours – is all that is needed. Officials may request that the public take a dose of stable iodine every 24 hours for a few days if radioactive iodine will remain in the environment for a prolonged period of time. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and newborns should avoid taking multiple doses.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
When officials advise the public to take iodine pills following a nuclear event, the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking a higher dose than is recommended will not provide more protection and can cause severe illness or death. People with thyroid disease should take iodine pills only under a doctor’s supervision. General side effects include intestinal upset, rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands.
And that’s where the FDA stops.
Yes Original Himalayan Crystal Salt will be of benefit in relation to iodine but if it does become an issue you would want to look at an iodine supplement like Tri Iodine. Please note you only absorb about 10% of the iodine in iodized salt therefore do not look to that for your source.
But, iodine isn’t the whole story. Toxic metabolic products are generated under conditions of exposure to radiation (whole body reacting to radiation stress). PH Quintessence holds unique properties to purify blood from these unwanted toxins. With a blend of chlorophyll, beta carotene, and xanthophyll and 2.5% total potassium, pH Quintessence purifies the blood and aids in biotransformation or detoxification. http://www.naturalhi.com/Products/Quintessence.aspx
Hydration is also of paramount importance when it comes to radiation. Therefore, many customers have turned to Original Himalayan Crystal Salts for its ability to improve absorption of water into cells especially using Sole http://www.himalayancrystalsalt.com
One of the major side effects of therapeutic radiation is dehydration. Hydrating patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation has a lot of empirical evidence behind it. Patients, doctors and nurses all stress hydration and fluids during treatment. Patients ALWAYS know when they haven't had enough.
Radiation will cause free radical damage, some of which is dealt with at the cellular level, but the creation of toxic metabolites, involving the liver require hydration due to the detoxification pathways are mostly hydrolytic (use up water).
To further the detoxification concept, the kidneys, need adequate hydration to excrete toxic metabolites created by radiation or otherwise. N.B. Therapeutic radiation and nuclear radiation are very different, but beyond proximity to epicenter, hydration and general health status will be best predictors of an individual's outcome.
By Dr Corey Schuler DC, MS, LN
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
St. John's Wort and Menopause
St. John’s wort products and extracts have been used for a wide range of medical conditions, the most common being depressive disorders. The most robust research is in the area of mild to moderate depression, with some additional research in anxiety, severe depression, seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual syndrome, and perimenopause/menopause. St. John’s wort is the most thoroughly researched natural antidepressant, but the majority of these studies have not been conducted on menopausal women.
A study of St John’s wort liquid extract showed a statistically decline in hot flashes severity, duration and frequency in the SJW group compared to placebo at week 8.[1]
Another double blind randomized clinical trial demonstrated that after 3 months of treatment, women in the St. John’s wort group reported significantly better quality of life scores, and significantly fewer sleep problems compared to placebo. [2]
About ten years ago, a non placebo controlled, drug monitoring study was conducted in women with menopause symptoms using 900 mg of St. Johns wort for 12 weeks. About three quarters of the women experienced improvement in both the self-rating scale and the physician rating, and significantly improved in psychological and psychosomatic symptoms as well as a feeling of sexual well-being.[3]
The first of three studies using St. John’s wort and black cohosh was published in 1999. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial used St. John’s wort and black cohosh made by the makers of Remifemin.[4] The Kupperman index for the combination product decreased from 31.4 to 18.7 compared with a decrease in the placebo group from 30.3 to 22.3. Psychological symptoms also improved significantly in the black cohosh/St. John’s wort combination group.
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study was done using a combination trial of black cohosh and St. John’s wort. The mean Menopause Rating Scale score decreased 50% in the treatment group and 19.6% in the placebo group.[5] The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased 41.8% in the treatment group and 12.7% in the placebo group. In both testing measures the St. John’s wort + black cohosh group was significantly superior to the placebo group.
Another black cohosh/St. John’s wort trial was carried out in peri or postmenopausal Korean women, and was published in 2007.[6] Mean Kupperman index scores at 4 and 12 weeks were significantly lower in the treatment group (P < 0.002). At the end of the study, the average decrease in the Kupperman Index was 20 points in the treatment group and only 8.2 points in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Vaginal dryness and low libido were two symptoms that did not improve, but the average hot flash scores were significantly lower in the black cohosh/St. Johns wort group.
Finally, a study was done in which a combination of black cohosh with or without St. John’s wort was used in 6141 women at 1287 outpatient gynecologists in Germany in a prospective, controlled open-label observational study.[7] The greatest changes occurred with the combination therapy for nervousness/irritability and mood swings, but in the area of depression, there was a reduction in both treatment groups.
St. John’s wort is emerging as an important clinical tool in treating perimenopausal/menopausal women—for hot flashes and/or depression and/or mood swings, as a single agent, or in combination with other therapies.
For more blogs and information from Dr Hudson go to http://www.drtorihudson.com
References
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Abdali K, Khajehei M, Tabatabaee R. Effect of St. John’s wort on severity, frequency, and duration of hot flashes in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2010;17(2): 326-331.
[2] Al-Akoum M, Maunsell E, Verreault R, Provencher L, Otis H, Dodin S. Effects of Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) on hot flashes and quality of life in perimenopausal women: a randomized pilot trial. Menopause. 2009 Mar-Apr;16(2):307-14.
[3] Grube B, Walper A, Whatley D. St. John’s wort extract: Efficacy for menopasual symptoms of psychological origin. Adv Ther 1999;16:177.
[4] Boblitz N, Schrader E, Henneicke-Von Zepelin H, et al. Benefit of a fixed drug combination containing St. John’s wort and black cohosh for climacteric patients-results of a randomised clinical trial )poster presentation from 6th Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care, Exeter, England, December 2-4 1999). Focus Alt Comp Ther 2000;5(1):85-86.
[5] Uebelhack R, Jens-Uwe Blohmer, et al. Black cohosh and St. john’s wort for climacteric complaints. Obstet Gynecol 2006;107:247-255.
[6] Chung D, Kim H, Park K, et al. Black cohosh and St. John’s wort (GYNO-Plus) for climacteric symptoms. Yonsei Med J 2007;48(2):289-294.
[7] Briese V, Stammwitz U, Friede M, et al. Black cohosh with or without St. John’s wort for symptom-specific climacteric treatment- Results of a large-scale, controlled, observational study. Maturitas 2007;57:405-414.
A study of St John’s wort liquid extract showed a statistically decline in hot flashes severity, duration and frequency in the SJW group compared to placebo at week 8.[1]
Another double blind randomized clinical trial demonstrated that after 3 months of treatment, women in the St. John’s wort group reported significantly better quality of life scores, and significantly fewer sleep problems compared to placebo. [2]
About ten years ago, a non placebo controlled, drug monitoring study was conducted in women with menopause symptoms using 900 mg of St. Johns wort for 12 weeks. About three quarters of the women experienced improvement in both the self-rating scale and the physician rating, and significantly improved in psychological and psychosomatic symptoms as well as a feeling of sexual well-being.[3]
The first of three studies using St. John’s wort and black cohosh was published in 1999. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial used St. John’s wort and black cohosh made by the makers of Remifemin.[4] The Kupperman index for the combination product decreased from 31.4 to 18.7 compared with a decrease in the placebo group from 30.3 to 22.3. Psychological symptoms also improved significantly in the black cohosh/St. John’s wort combination group.
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study was done using a combination trial of black cohosh and St. John’s wort. The mean Menopause Rating Scale score decreased 50% in the treatment group and 19.6% in the placebo group.[5] The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased 41.8% in the treatment group and 12.7% in the placebo group. In both testing measures the St. John’s wort + black cohosh group was significantly superior to the placebo group.
Another black cohosh/St. John’s wort trial was carried out in peri or postmenopausal Korean women, and was published in 2007.[6] Mean Kupperman index scores at 4 and 12 weeks were significantly lower in the treatment group (P < 0.002). At the end of the study, the average decrease in the Kupperman Index was 20 points in the treatment group and only 8.2 points in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Vaginal dryness and low libido were two symptoms that did not improve, but the average hot flash scores were significantly lower in the black cohosh/St. Johns wort group.
Finally, a study was done in which a combination of black cohosh with or without St. John’s wort was used in 6141 women at 1287 outpatient gynecologists in Germany in a prospective, controlled open-label observational study.[7] The greatest changes occurred with the combination therapy for nervousness/irritability and mood swings, but in the area of depression, there was a reduction in both treatment groups.
St. John’s wort is emerging as an important clinical tool in treating perimenopausal/menopausal women—for hot flashes and/or depression and/or mood swings, as a single agent, or in combination with other therapies.
For more blogs and information from Dr Hudson go to http://www.drtorihudson.com
References
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Abdali K, Khajehei M, Tabatabaee R. Effect of St. John’s wort on severity, frequency, and duration of hot flashes in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2010;17(2): 326-331.
[2] Al-Akoum M, Maunsell E, Verreault R, Provencher L, Otis H, Dodin S. Effects of Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) on hot flashes and quality of life in perimenopausal women: a randomized pilot trial. Menopause. 2009 Mar-Apr;16(2):307-14.
[3] Grube B, Walper A, Whatley D. St. John’s wort extract: Efficacy for menopasual symptoms of psychological origin. Adv Ther 1999;16:177.
[4] Boblitz N, Schrader E, Henneicke-Von Zepelin H, et al. Benefit of a fixed drug combination containing St. John’s wort and black cohosh for climacteric patients-results of a randomised clinical trial )poster presentation from 6th Annual Symposium on Complementary Health Care, Exeter, England, December 2-4 1999). Focus Alt Comp Ther 2000;5(1):85-86.
[5] Uebelhack R, Jens-Uwe Blohmer, et al. Black cohosh and St. john’s wort for climacteric complaints. Obstet Gynecol 2006;107:247-255.
[6] Chung D, Kim H, Park K, et al. Black cohosh and St. John’s wort (GYNO-Plus) for climacteric symptoms. Yonsei Med J 2007;48(2):289-294.
[7] Briese V, Stammwitz U, Friede M, et al. Black cohosh with or without St. John’s wort for symptom-specific climacteric treatment- Results of a large-scale, controlled, observational study. Maturitas 2007;57:405-414.
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