Doctors Oz and Roizen Recommend 4 Herbs

In a recent newspaper article*, Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen (Chief Medicial Officer of the Cleveland Clinic) recommend the use of 4 herbs as scientifically validated. They cite an article on the Cleveland Clinic Wellness website's Supplement Review which reports that the following popular herbs "are generally safe and have some scientific backing as effective remedies":

• Turmeric (Curcumin) for easing inflammation of ulcerative colitis in conjunction with standard medications
• Aloe vera cream "may work better than some prescription preparations" for healing mild skin burns
• Saw palmetto "for benign prostatic hyperplasia" (enlarged prostate gland in men); this herb seems to block the hormones responsible
• Garlic has moderate but good results in helping "control blood pressure and cholesterol, and slow down hardening of the arteries"

* Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/health/supplements+worth+taking/7372531/story.html#ixzz29TnVX0Tg

Metabolic Syndrome and Nutrients

Metabolic Syndrome is not a disease; it is a cluster of symptoms that are considered risk factors for diabetes and heart disease. These include blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar level, triglyceride level, and HDL cholesterol level. If someone has abnormal test results for 3 of these 5 markers, that person may be considered to have metabolic syndrome. It is well established in the medical literature that people with diabetes have higher rates of heart disease and a higher death rate than the general public. Obviously, it is not desirable for any of these metabolic markers to be outside the normal range, and individually they are recognized as risk factors for heart disease and/or diabetes.

Glucose management can be helped by adequate and inhibited by inadequate nutrient intake. Chromium is recognized as essential to managing blood sugar; as is Biotin, which is a B-Complex nutrient that is not one of the essential eight B Vitamins. For herbs, the best evidence is for them helping to maintain insulin sensitivity, control sweet cravings, and perhaps to support healthy pancreatic function: Gymnema sylvestre and Stevia rebaudiana (full spectrum steviosides; not Reb A versions of stevia isolates) appear to help us to manage healthy glucose metabolism; while Banaba leaf extract is a source of corosolic acid, which appears to aid in maintaining healthy insulin sensitivity. Of course, fiber is reported to slow the increase in blood sugar after a meal.

It is far easier to suggest blood sugar supplements and even dietary changes before a drug regimen is started. Afterward, there can be serious interactions, even for fiber. Drastic dietary changes, such as changing to a whole food diet, can be risky if a set dose of medicine is taken because less of the drug may then be needed, opening the door to a real risk of a drug overdose. Patients should always disclose to their physician what supplements they are considering taking to avoid potential interactions. A moderate strength multiple vitamin formula that provides essential levels of chromium is normally allowed by the physician in such circumstances.

Dr. Thomas A. Barringer of Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina reports that his studies show that multiple vitamins benefit our diabetic population. He states that “any population at risk of having marginally inadequate nutrition, such as the elderly in general, might also benefit." Dr Barringer adds: “all obese people might benefit." He pointed out that supplements are safe and relatively inexpensive, so taking a daily multivitamin is "a reasonable option" for people who are overweight, who have any type of diabetes, who may not receive adequate nutrition or whose immune system is weak. (March 4th 2003 Annals of Internal Medicine)

Dietary supplement manufacturers have one thing that they can tell customers who have diabetes: that they should consult their physician before taking any supplements. Beyond that, vitamin companies should stick to careful descriptions as to how certain products may support blood sugar already within the healthy range by various mechanisms. Going into detail about which supplements show benefit for diabetes, or any disease, is illegal under DSHEA, the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant that helps to maintain healthy insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance occurs from swings in blood sugar due to poor diets high in refined carbohydrates (white flour, white sugar, high fructose corn syrup) that eventually lead to the hormone Insulin becoming ineffective at moving carbohydrates out of the bloodstream into the cells. ALA has the additional benefit of protecting cells from oxidative damage, including liver cells.

Chromium is available in several forms. While some of the current evidence is on the form called chromium picolinate, other forms may be more active in controlling cholesterol, such as chromium nicotinate (polynicotinate) that’s bonded to niacin (Vitamin B3). This mineral helps us to properly manage blood sugar and is a component of Glucose Tolerance Factor. Chromium may also help maintain lean body mass (muscle) during calorie-restricted dieting.

Citrimax® is a fruit extract that helps to limit the liver's production of fat from carbohydrate. Its active compound, HCA (-Hydroxycitric acid), is an extract from the fruit rind of Garcinia cambogia that may help to downregulate the body’s ability to convert carbohydrates into stored fats.

Corosolic acid helps maintain proper insulin sensitivity, allowing sugar to be efficiently moved from the bloodstream into cells.

Gymnema sylvestre improves uptake of glucose into cells, may block ability to taste “sweet” flavors (reducing a sweet tooth), and may be useful for maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Stevia extract is a natural herbal product that is non-caloric; in its full-spectrum form providing several steviosides it may support pancreatic function and promote proper insulin sensitivity.

Mayo doctor errs on dietary supplements

The following Letter to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune was written by Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA Chicago Tribune To the editor In your paper on Sunday January 21 a medical column by the Mayo Clinic made some factual errors. Dr. Textor stated that, regarding supplementation with the amino acid L-arginine to reduce blood pressure and the subsequent risk of stroke, “there is no evidence that either of these outcomes actually occurs in humans”. Not true! The Journal of Nutrition published a review of the scientific literature, done by a researcher at the Evans Department of Medicine, Cardiology Section, and Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, which stated, “Numerous studies, though not uniformly, demonstrate a beneficial effect of acute and chronic L-arginine supplementation on EDNO production and endothelial function, and L-arginine has been shown to reduce systemic blood pressure in some forms of experimental hypertension.” Alternative Medicine Review published another review, reporting that, “Supplementation with L-arginine has been shown to restore vascular function and to improve the clinical symptoms of various diseases associated with vascular dysfunction.” A study published in that journal concluded, “This is the first study showing a moderate dose of sustained-release L-arginine can improve endothelial function and blood pressure.” Regarding strokes, the journal Nitric Oxide reported, “We performed a systematic review of published controlled studies of L-arginine (the precursor for NO) and NO donors in experimental stroke,” and concluded, “L-Arginine and NO donors reduced total cerebral infarct volume in permanent and transient models of ischaemia. Drug administration increased cortical CBF in permanent but not transient models.” This indicates that L-arginine and similar nutrients may reduce the risk of stroke damage. While not conclusive, this is published human clinical data that arginine may be useful to help manage hypertension and reduce the risk of strokes if used under a physician’s care, which is quite different from there being “no evidence” of these possible outcomes. Dr. Textor also erred in giving his opinion that dietary supplements are unregulated, stating that, “Because they are not officially considered drugs, supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so you don’t know what is actually contained in the products you’ve purchased.” As the agency’s name implies, the FDA does regulate foods – including dietary supplements as a specially regulated class of food – as well as regulating drugs and cosmetics. And the FDA has the statutory power to remove any adulterated or mislabeled drug, food or cosmetic from the marketplace. Check the FDA website and get a second opinion direct from the source. It is unfortunate that an otherwise fine medical column offering useful information about health strategies for hypertension was marred by the doctor giving inaccurate opinions about dietary supplements that are contradicted by information from scientific journals and government sources. Unfortunately, many people (including some health professionals and journalists) believe these myths about dietary supplements only because they are ignorant that a large body of evidence exists evidencing their regulation, safety and efficacy. Neil E. Levin, CCN, DANLA Board certified clinical nutritionist St. Charles, IL REFERENCES: Chicago Tribune, 1/21/07, From the Mayo Clinic: Don’t gamble on unproven blood pressure treatments, Section 13, page 8 http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-0701210096jan21,1,4697775.story Gokce N. L-arginine and hypertension. J Nutr. 2004 Oct;134(10 Suppl):2807S-2811S; discussion 2818S-2819S. Review. PMID: 15465790 Boger RH, Ron ES. L-Arginine improves vascular function by overcoming deleterious effects of ADMA, a novel cardiovascular risk factor. Altern Med Rev. 2005 Mar;10(1):14-23. Review. PMID: 15771559 Miller AL. The effects of sustained-release-L-arginine formulation on blood pressure and vascular compliance in 29 healthy individuals. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Mar;11(1):23-9. PMID: 16597191 Willmot M, Gray L, Gibson C, Murphy S, Bath PM. A systematic review of nitric oxide donors and L-arginine in experimental stroke; effects on infarct size and cerebral blood flow. Nitric Oxide. 2005 May;12(3):141-9. Review. PMID: 15797842