Ginkgo Study Flawed

Carol B. Blair, BS, CNC, DiHo

I have often suggested that we should be cautious when we hear about studies in this country because there are so many special interest groups, and unfortunately, most people are unable to get the full story. The recent Ginkgo study is a prime example. Ginkgo has been used for centuries to improve memory and brain function. There have been at least 44 double blind studies on Ginkgo with very few side effects. Until now!

It was recently reported that Ginkgo biloba has potential toxicity in animal studies. However, the doses used in this study were as much as 933 times higher than used for humans. A typical human dose is 120 mg. twice a day but the dose used in the mice would extrapolate to 4,400 mg. in a 155 lb. adult. And that was the low end of the scale! Apparently, they wanted to make sure it was toxic so they also used doses that would equate to 140,000 mg in humans! Let me just say right here, that everything has a toxicity level no matter how good it may be.

However, if that isn’t bad enough, the extracts provided by the Chinese manufacturers were standardized to 31% Ginkgo flavone glycosides compared to the 24% typically used in the United States. Further, the terpenes typically used here are 6% while the ones they used were standardized to 15% thereby making the potency much more powerful.

As you can see, this report by the U.S. National Toxicology Program is very flawed. Enough said. You may draw your own conclusions. As for me, I like to get my studies out of Europe whenever I can.

Oh, yes, although I don’t take Ginkgo, I certainly would if I felt the need for it, and I still highly recommend it for those who are looking for improved circulation and brain function.

Repairing Adrenal Burn-Out

By  CARRIE LOUISE DAENELL, N.D.

What can you do to balance your energy and repair adrenal burn-out? First, consider healthful lifestyle choices: eating right (limiting alcohol and comfort foods, especially those high in sugar and fat), getting plenty of rest, and exercising regularly. Second, the proper use of dietary supplements can help reduce the cortisol levels associated with the over production of stress hormones, enhance your body’s immunity, as well as increase and ground your energy levels. 

Because stress takes such a toll on your immune system, choose nutritional supplements that support both the immune system and the adrenal glands. Vitamins A and C, as well as the mineral, zinc, help boost the immune system, which can be weakened during times of chronic stress. Vitamin C can also help reduce inflammation caused by stress and excess cortisol. 

Other support includes licorice, which extends the life of the cortisol already released, thus giving the adrenal glands a break from having to produce more; and purified adrenal extract, a glandular nutrient containing vitamins, enzymes, and co-factors to help repair adrenal function. Fatigued to Fantastic! Adrenal Stress End, from Enzymatic Therapy, incorporates all these essential nutrients and glandulars in one formula. 

For stress reduction, Rhodiola rosea, an herb native to Russia, has been shown to improve focus and energy while decreasing fatigue and irritability. Sixty-four percent of participants in a clinical trial reported that Rhodiola supplementation helped them gain energy, focus, and improve their mood. Enyzmatic Therapy’s Rhodiola Energy provides the necessary support. 

We know that taking B vitamins can be an important nutritional strategy for managing our stressful lives. The more stress we have, the more B vitamins our bodies use; therefore, we require more to maintain optimal health. Vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, thiamin, pantothenic acid, niacin, and riboflavin are crucial for building energy for they support the conversion of carbohydrates to glucose— the body’s main source of fuel. They also play an important role in the function of the nervous system and in the development of healthy skin and hair. Pantothenic acid specifically is known to activate the adrenals, and a deficiency causes adrenal dysfunction. Being “water soluble,” your body does not store B vitamins so you can take them every day. Your body will use what it needs and discard any excess. A good source is Multi-B Complex from Integrative Therapeutics. 

By making smart choices and using appropriate dietary supplements, you can recharge your adrenals and your life!

Excerpted from Repairing Adrenal Burn-Out .

DGL and Vitamin U for Peptic Ulcers

By Shary Blackard

Gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach, can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, irritations from aspirin or drugs, alcohol, stress or spicy food. Most peptic ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection. Scientists from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, working at the University of Michigan Medical School, conducted two studies with laboratory mice. The mice that were treated with acid blocking prescription drugs (proton pump inhibitors or PPIs), acquired more bacteria and developed more inflammatory changes in their stomach linings than untreated mice (www.altmedicine.com). 

When ulcer patients are prescribed antacids, proton pump inhibitors and histamine blockers (Tagamet®, Zantac®, Prilosec® and Prevacid®), stomach acid is greatly reduced and so is the body’s natural defense mechanism against invading microbes. The UM study found that by inhibiting gastric acid production, greater numbers of bacteria were present in the stomach cell samples of the study animals. 

DGL (deglycrrhizinated licorice) has been used to promote healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers for many years. When compared to antacids (Tagamet® and Zantac®) in 874 patients with chronic duodenal ulcers, the healing rate showed no significant difference, but fewer relapses were noted in the DGL group (Kassir, Z.A., Irish Med. J. 1985, 78:153-56). In another study, one hundred patients with gastric ulcers received either DGL (760 mg 3 times a day between meals) or Tagamet® (200 mg 3 times a day and 400 mg at bedtime). Ulcers healed after 6 weeks and 12 weeks were similar in both groups (Morgan Ag, et al, Gut 23:545-51). 

Cabbage extract factor, also known as vitamin U, has been the focus of numerous studies. In one study, 55 patients were treated with vitamin U, eleven suffered from gastric, forty-two from duodenal and 2 from jejunal ulcers. All but 3 patients were symptomatically relieved in 2 to 5 days. Of the 3 who were not relieved, surgery was required for the chronic type of penetrating ulcer in two instances. The healing time of the craters varied between 8 and 23 days with an average of 11.5 days (Cheney, G. Calif, Med. 77 (4): 248-252. 1952). 

~ Excerpt from GERD and Peptic Ulcers ADJUNCTIVE THERAPIES AND ALTERNATIVES TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS (http://www.needs.com/product/HWC04-DGH-02/l_Heartburn)