Sometimes, we find that folks are using the natural, herbal world to make their nutrition a more complete picture.  Other times they are taking something that helps to correct a disease process that is a result of a deficiency, as with iron, calcium, or vitamin D shortages.

But occasionally, we come across disclosures that raise a flag, as in the cases relating to people who are on serious prescription drugs and also supplementing from nature with highly concentrated herbal supplements or mineral compounds.

Many times, there are no interactions.  In fact, some herbal supplements actually help a drug to be either better absorbed or to be more effective.  An example might be people taking fish oil capsules as well as hormone replacement regimens (whether natural or herbal).

Far too frequently, though, a supplement will have a dangerous interaction with a prescription drug, and this is generally because of “too much of a good thing” or a duplicating effect.

An example here may be taking St. John’s Wort for boosting your mood while you are also taking a prescription serotonin reuptake inhibitor.  Most bottles for both products warn about the interaction, but some medicine-herb packaging might not.

Another place where trouble brews is where prescription blood thinners and supplements or spices meet.  Curry powder and cayenne pepper are natural blood thinners, and when taken as an extract or a super-concentrated capsule, can pose a clotting problem.

This can occur anywhere in the body where blood vessels happen to be…such as the brain, heart, and other vital organs.

Or, you may be taking an herb or other product that renders the prescription drug either completely useless or makes it less available for receptors.

An example here would be the “grapefruit effect” that occurs when people eat grapefruit or take an extract and they are also taking a statin drug for cholesterol. Properties in the grapefruit and extracts destroy an enzyme that is critical for the statin drug to be metabolized.

That is also an example where many times there will be warnings on the labels of the drug and/or the packaging of the extract.

But what about the interactions that aren’t as famous?

Take, for example, the simple, yet effective multivitamin.  The capsules generally include a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, and are in a chemical makeup such that it is easily absorbed.

But if a prescription drug is also being taken that has many of the same properties, this can be a real problem.

Iron in a standard multi-vitamin is great, and in a high enough amount that the general public would really benefit from. But if you are also taking a prescription calcium bicarbonate (or even an over the counter one) the iron will not be absorbed.

Vitamins or drugs not absorbed and used by the cells of their intended tissues will wind up in the filtration system, namely the liver and the kidneys.

Sometimes, this can be such an insult they just shut down.

The point to this is not to say you should stop taking your prescription medicines. It is more a call to action to talk to the doctor and/or pharmacist about everything you are currently taking.  Not just pills he or she doesn’t know another doctor may have prescribed, but also supplements your herbalist recommends for you.

The dynamic that unfolds to create this is not typically forgetfulness.  Usually, it is embarrassment.

Consider this: A person doesn’t want the doctor to know he or she is taking ginko, for example, because he is afraid the doctor will shoot it down as so much quack nonsense, but the person taking it knows the proven benefits.

He also does not tell his herbalist that he is taking Coumadin, a blood thinner, since he doesn’t want her knowing he relies on “big pharma” to get by.

The end result to this made up scenario could possibly be death due to hemorrhagic stroke. This is because of the “too much of a good thing” as it is proven that ginko tends to interfere with the normal clotting of the blood, something which Coumadin is prescribed to do on purpose, anyway.

It might get you a lecture from one or the other (or both) providers, but the lecture and subsequent dosage adjustment might just save your life.

There is nothing wrong with looking at all the layers of comprehensive treatment that goes with treating high cholesterol, problems sleeping, or chronic pain.

The problems arise when you fail to tell your prescriber that not only do you prefer natural treatments, but you are also currently involved in their uses.

Let us know if you have had problems with interactions. The advice you give may help someone and keep him or her from making a mistake in what they ingest, inject, or inhale.

For more information on programs for conditions listed above, click on any of the program links to the right of the page.

Warm regards,

Christian Goodman

El331005

The study –conducted by scientists at the US Department of Agriculture—tested the effects of blueberry peels on blood cholesterol in a group of hamsters. They found that blueberries lowered “bad” LDL cholesterol by an impressive 27 percent. Also, the hamster’s levels of even-worse VLDL cholesterol significantly decreased as well. The scientists guess that blueberry’s high levels of antioxidants are likely responsible for their cholesterol-lowering effects.

More Superfoods that knock out cholesterol…

To Your Health,

Scott Davis

The researchers found that those that regularly took statin drugs had a significantly higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes when compared to a similar group that treated their cholesterol with lifestyle changes. They found that statins upped diabetes risk by approximately 8 percent. Importantly, the individuals taking the highest doses of cholesterol-lowering meds were also at the highest risk of diabetes –a finding that confirms the connection.

Here are simple and natural alternatives to reduce cholesterol…

To Your Health,

Scott Davis

They note that cocoa is unusually high in a special class of antioxidants known as flavanols. The paper author’s note that the flavanols found in cocoa are effective for reducing blood pressure by 5 percent or more. Cocoa flavanols also improve the health of arteries –reducing the risk of dangerous plaque formation.

More tasty ways to lower your blood pressure…

All the Best,

Scott Davis

She asked about alternatives specifically to a procedure whereby a stent is placed in a narrowing artery near the heart to keep it open.

What caught her attention was the specific phrase “stable angina.” This means that the narrowing will cause pain or tightness in the chest with exertion like exercise, although with no acute danger like you’d see in a heart attack.

A family member of hers had it done and apparently it went badly, as there were blood clot and bleeding issues involved that nearly did him in.

This scared her to her core so she started her quest to find an alternative to the knife.

Her doctor’s primary directive, which was echoed in the news article, was to get the cholesterol under control…NOW.

Her arteries were narrowing because of the glue-like sludge that was clogging them up. While a stent may help temporarily to alleviate the short-term problem in one part of the artery, it does nothing to correct the long-term issue. Her lifestyle was killing her.

Add to that the fact that stents used in this way actually don’t decrease the risk of heart attack, anyway. Even with the stent she’d have to make some major changes.

So my advice to her and to anyone who writes in facing dangerous drug therapies or a potential surgical intervention for a condition is to stop for a moment and consider all the facts.

While some surgeries can’t be avoided, a staggering number of them can.

Other examples from the story were fusion of the vertebrae for neck and back problems and knee arthroscopy.

For the fusion example, the more effective and less dangerous alternative is physical therapy combined with inflammation-reducing treatments such as acupuncture or guided neck exercises.

With arthroscopy, all the advice points to looking at less invasive alternatives first such as exercise, dietary supplementation, and other more natural treatments. All of this is outlined in Shelly Manning’s Arthritis Guide.

While not as invasive, prescription drugs are also extremely overused in most treatment plans, and many times patients are willing to accept the horrendous side effects because snapping up a pill seems easier than the work required to naturally correct a chronic condition.

The point of all this is not to tell you to never have surgery or take prescription drugs. Sometimes those are the only realistic treatment options.

However, and more to the actual point, it should always be part of your visits with the care provider to at least look at these treatments with a critical eye and a cautious attitude.

Open a very candid dialogue with your doctor, and also with those who will be caring for you while you recover from the surgeries or would suffer drug side effects right along with you regarding other reasonable options.

Sometimes doctors actually prefer that their patients go the natural route, because it is generally more effective, safer, and more permanent. But they are realists, too, and know that some patients simply just won’t commit to solve problems naturally.

If you are suffering some of conditions mentioned earlier and are ready to turn things around for yourself…naturally…have a look at our guides for beating Cholesterol, Arthritis, and Neck Pain today.

Warm regards,

Christian Goodman

El331005

They found that eating just 2.5 oz per day of nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashews was enough to reduce total cholesterol by 5 percent. Additionally, nuts reduced dangerous LDL cholesterol by an impressive 7 percent.

How do nuts work? The researchers note that nut’s abundance of “good” monounsaturated fats, fiber, antioxidants and vitamin E pool together to form a perfect storm to drop cholesterol.

Here are more simple (and delicious) ways to reduce cholesterol…

To Your Health,

Scott Davis

The researchers found that the one-two punch of exercise and a “prudent” diet defined by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats outperformed cholesterol-lowering medications like Lipitor.

They found that exercising at least four times per week, limiting trans and saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of total calories and consuming at least 25 g of fiber per day reduced total cholesterol by an average of 15 points. They also found that these healthy lifestyle changes reduced triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol significantly.

Have high cholesterol and are sick of taking dangerous meds? Here’s a natural method that works even better…

To Your Health,

Scott Davis

Ginger is one of my all-time favorite foods, because it can be used in SO many ways. It is used in cuisine all over the world in almost every culture where it grows…which is all over the place since it’s so hearty.

So I thought in honor of Independence Day coning up, and to celebrate a staple of 4th of July picnics, we would look at a great recipe that combines both ginger and watermelon.

I want to note, though, that even if you don’t like yogurt, you’ll still like this smoothie. It’s absolutely yummy and all of the ingredients are packed with nutritive benefits.

You’ll need (amounts listed below in the recipe):

Watermelon- This incredible summer fruit is delicious in its seedless form but if you prefer the seeded, un-tinkered with organic form make sure to take out at least the black seeds.

What are you getting with watermelon? Vitamins A and C (immunity booster), lycopene (great for your heart), and beta-carotene (great for your eyes).

Limes- Move over, lemons. This little sister is not only a tremendous source of Vitamin C, but also has Vitamins A and D, along with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and fiber.

Honey- I prefer the locally grown stuff myself. Not only will this support your local growers, but you will also be receiving the benefit of nature’s antihistamines. This is especially helpful if you have seasonal allergies or asthma.

Yogurt- Greek yogurt is all the rage right now, but if you are watching calories and trying to increase your pro-biotic intake to regulate your digestion, there are a bunch of them out there that will fill all your needs.

Ginger juice- to get this, I peeled and chopped fresh ginger root and ran it through our juicer. This takes out the pulpy part and leaves the smoothie very…smooth!

Ice- To make it easy on your blender, use crushed ice. Or, at least grab the cocktail ice from the local market freezer.

Once you are done whipping up this yummy treat, you can store the leftovers in the freezer and it comes out as a bit of a sherbet later.

Watermelon Ginger Smoothie:

4 Cups ice
½ medium watermelon (no rind)
1 4-oz container of yogurt (I used Activia 70- cal vanilla)
2 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon ginger juice (you can use ginger puree from the spice aisle, just might need to cut back the amount)
Juice of 1 lime (I peeled and chopped up my lime…I like the pulp)

Cut 1 watermelon in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pink fruit from one of the halves into a blender. Add the honey, lime, and ginger juice. Blend until the fruit mixture is pureed and spins freely. Pour the mixture back into the “bowl” you made scooping out the fruit.

This is the part where you can go healthy and make a meal out of it, or go “party” and make summer cocktails.

For summer cocktails, pour 1 cup the puree you just made over a glass of crushed ice and add 1 shot of clear liquor of your choice. Garnish with lime wedge and you’ve made a unique drink.

For a healthy meal replacement, grab that yogurt.

Place 2 cups of the crushed (or small cubed) ice into the blender. Add the yogurt and 1 cup of the watermelon puree combination. Blend till it’s smooth and creamy.

This will make 3, 1C servings. If you use the rest of just the one half watermelon mixture, you should have enough to make 2 more batches. Half a watermelon could make 6 small smoothies.

It won’t take much to fill you up, which is why I recommend a small serving. But even aside from its filling characteristics, it is really refreshing after being outside in the morning watering plants or mowing.

The ginger is tangy and stays with you, but the whole combination of flavors is really mellow yet invigorating at the same time.

This has a little more sugar in it than what we would normally recommend for a diabetic diet, but it’s still coming in at under 15 grams of carbohydrates and 90 calories total (if prepared without alcohol and using the fat free, reduced calorie yogurt.)

For more recipes and recommended foods for Type 2 diabetics, see Shelly Manning’s guide published by Blue Heron Health News. For more information on other ways to naturally treat your Irritable Bowel Syndrome or High Blood Pressure, see our full library on the right side of the page.

Cheers,

Julissa Clay

El331005

They found that taking between 100 and 200 micrograms of daily selenium modestly but significantly reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol and bumped up sagging “good” HDL cholesterol levels. The researchers note that selenium supplements are particularly beneficial to people who don’t typically consume selenium in their diet.

While supplements are good, one can also get over 180 micrograms in just 2 Brazil nuts, which is about 200% of the USRDA.

More little-known methods to combat cholesterol…

To your Health,

Scott Davis

el331005

They note that lycopene is particularly effective at combating “bad” LDL cholesterol. The researchers estimate that lycopene can lower LDL cholesterol by about 10 percent. You can reach your 25 mg daily target of lycopene by eating a half a can of tomato paste, two raw tomatoes or one glass of tomato juice. Processed tomato products like tomato paste contain significantly more lycopene than raw tomatoes, and have more sodium, so fresh is best.

To Your Health,

Scott Davis
el331005

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