HERB “BERBERINE” MAY CONTROL TYPE 2 DIABETES!

Q.    What can you tell me about Berberine?  Believe it or not, my Dr. (endocrinologist) wants me to try this herb before he puts me on meds.  Is it safe?   

Michael T. L.

A.  Its uplifting to see that your Dr. is forward thinking and enlightened towards alternative medications.  From my experience, this is a rarity for the endocrinology branch of medicine.  Hopefully more physicians will take heart and follow this same alternative route.

The herb Berberine can be extracted from several different plant sources such as Oregon Grape, Turmeric or even Coptic Goldenthread.  This bitter tasting, crystalline substance has been used for more than 2500 years in both ayurvedic (Indian) and Chinese medicine to prevent infectious disease such as the plague.   

According to Healthline.com most recent studies have shown that berberine may play a significant role in controlling and treating modern diabetes.  In 2006, studies on diabetic animals using berberine showed surprising results in lowering A1c (insulin blood level marker) levels by over 8 percent.  This same group also had a significant reduction in “fasting insulin” by a whopping 29 percent.  Another 2010 Chinese study had similar results.  It is believed that berberine may help treat type 2 diabetes by decreasing the concentration of free fatty acids in the blood.

According to WebMD.com berberine is safe for most adults.  However, having sold berberine for several years we have found that it can act as a rather strong blood thinner.  If you decide to go the berberine route please keep yourself monitored by your physician.  Berberine capsules and liquid can be purchased from most health food stores and online retailers.

Resources:  Healthline.com, WebMD.com

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

THE DIGESTIVE DOUBLE WHAMMY!

Q.    Hi, I read your AMV posts and blogs all of the time.  I like your insight and relevancy.  Question…I am 38, eat well and work out 3 times per week, but gas and bloating is driving me nuts!  I tried Beano.  It helped for a while but then seemed useless.  Any suggestions?

Chris J.

A.  Your digestive system is getting the double whammy.  As most of us age, our ability to digest the fiber in foods that are usually considered healthy decreases.  These high fiber foods contain a rich source of complex carbohydrates (whole grains, beans, seeds, legumes, fruit etc.) which are also more difficult to digest.  The fiber combined with the complex carbs. is probably causing your persistent gas and bloating.

Beano is inexpensive and easily available but contains a very low potency of enzymes required to break down these foods.  Beano can work but regular usage you can also quickly reach a level of tolerance therefore rendering it less and less effective.  Enzymedica Inc. has recently released a product called BEAN-ASSIST which contains twice the potency of the main ingredient…Alpha-Galactosidase. 

BEAN-ASSIST is a new release but you should be able to purchase it at your health food store or online very soon.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

“Asta-ZAN-thin”…NATURES ANTI-INFLAMMATORY!

Q.    What is astaxanthin and what is the proper amount of astaxanthin to take?

Patrick L.

A.  Astaxanthin is a carotenoid substance.  Like beta carotene (found in carrots) astaxanthin causes its host to turn red.  It can be found it the flesh parts of lobster, shrimp, salmon and crab.  It’s also found in red algae and krill, but in very small (trace) amounts.  Astaxanthin has been dubbed the “king of carotenoids” due to its wide range of nutritional applications. 

The buzz on astaxanthin hit the fan when Dr. Oz featured Dr. Joe Mercola on his hit TV show.  It wasn’t yet widely available at pharmacies so literally within hour’s health food stores across the nation sold out of their shelf stock of astaxanthin.

In our bodies astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant with a broad rang of uses.  Some of the most recent research has shown us that astaxanthin can be used for the following:

1.  PAIN RELIEF & INFLAMATION:  Even though it's 100 percent natural, astaxanthin works like some prescription analgesics, but without the risk of addiction, GI bleeds or heartburn. 

2.  HELPS FIGHT FATIGUE:  Pure, natural astaxanthin is indicated for recovery of muscles, better endurance, and enhanced strength and improved energy levels.

3.  EYE SUPPORT:  Studies have shown it to help diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, eye strain and fatigue and seeing in fine detail. 

4.  OXYGEN QUENCHING ANTIOXIDANT:  2007 study found astaxanthin was 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, 800 times stronger than CoQ10, 550 times stronger than green tea catechins and 75 times stronger than alpha lipoic acid.

5.  SKIN PROTECTION:  Astaxanthin penetrates the skin cells and reduces UVA damage. Think of it as an internal sunscreen. 

To get a decent potency of astaxanthin you would have to eat over 6 oz. of “wild pacific salmon” daily or scarf down 328 lbs. of North Atlantic krill.  Krill oil capsules have naturally occurring astaxanthin but not enough to see the benefits listed above.  Go to your health food store and purchase a 10 or 12 mg. astaxanthin capsule and take it daily.  Consistency is the key.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

KRILL...MINI SHRIMP CONTAIN NUTRITIONAL WALLOP!

Q.    I'm just about to purchase Krill oil, as I've seen and read many good things about it.  My question is this, is it better than the other fish oils?  Any particular brand you suggest?  Thank you so much and continued success to you!

Patrick L.

A.  Krill oil is extracted from the tail region of the tiny (krill) crustacean.  It looks like a miniature shrimp and is found in abundance in the cleanest and most pristine parts of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

It was discovered about twenty years ago that this “whale food” packs a decent wallop of nutrition.  So much so that krill oil has emerged as the nutritional leader in omega-3 supplementation.  As with fish oil, krill oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.  However, unlike most other fish oils krill was found to contain fairly high levels of antioxidants (especially astaxanthin).  For us, the consumer this nutritional aspect is a home run.  For supplement manufacturers this little shrimp was a dream come true.  Fish oil in the capsule can go rancid over time.  These antioxidants in krill act as near perfect and naturally occurring preservatives.  Even the oil based krill in the capsule. 

A 2007 study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that 300 mg daily supplementation of krill oil resulted in significant decreases in inflammation and arthritic symptoms in cardiac and arthritis patients.  Other studies have found that krill oil works as effectively as omega-3s from other sources, yet at a much lower dose.  Furthermore, krill oil has been found to raise our good HDL cholesterol and lower our triglycerides as well.

The majority of the world’s supply of “raw material” krill oil comes from one major Japanese supplier.  All of the supplement manufacturers are buying the same raw material from the same source so brand isn't really a concern.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

VITAMIN PILLS FOR VEGETARIANS?

Q.  I’ve been a vegetarian for over 10 years.  I don’t take vitamins because they are full of animal by products.  Think they will ever make vitamins for vegetarians and vegans?

Gene W.

A.  Actually they do make nutrient tablets and capsules to meet strict vegetarian (vegan) standards.  This has been a huge growth area with supplement manufacturers since 2001.

 Recent supplement manufacturer’s statistics say that 35% of U.S. supplement users say that a vegetarian or non-animal source is important when choosing a supplement.  Missy Lowery, marketing manager of Capsugel Inc. says “consumer buying habits of the booming lifestyle-driven market has spurred endless innovations with our plant-based portfolio of capsules.”

The different capsule manufacturers are using different logos to represent their vegetarian source capsules.  When buying nutritional supplements look for these logos:

V-CAPS...Made of plant-based methylcellulose.

DR-CAPS…Contains plant-based, disintegration substance.

PLANTCAPS….Made from fermented tapioca.

This is a small sampling of the many vegetarian manufacturers’ logos that are currently on the retail shelf.   Read the labels carefully.  You may also see claims such as vegetable–origin, preservative-free, gluten-free, starch-free, allergen-free and non-GMO.

 AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

NATURAL DRUG PREVENTS HANGOVER!

Q.  A bartender was telling me of a product that can counter the bad effects of alcohol consumption.  Have you ever heard of it?  Does it work.

Janet P.

A.  Sounds like you are talking about Dihydromyricetin (DHM).  It has recently been marketed by Blue California Co. as BluCetin.  DHM is a natural compound derived from the Oriental Raisin Tree.  A recent study which was sponsored and funded by Blue California found that DHM was effective in significantly reducing hangover symptoms.  They also found that when taken prior to alcohol consumption (moderate or heavy), DHM seems to prevent the negative side effects. 

Without getting too technical, it seems that DHM manages to accelerate alcohol metabolism while at the same time protecting GABA-a receptors in the brain and your liver from the negative effects of alcohol.  Blue California claims that their DHM product will allow you to maintain a higher level of alertness and control while drinking.  At the same time DHM will protect you against hangover symptoms and reduce alcohol sensitivity.  They claim their BluCetin will do this while “not” reducing feeling of euphoria. 

Does it work….?  This product is brand new on the retail market and I have not personally talked to anybody who has tried it.  So far the only studies I have been able to find were those funded by Blue California Co.   While the studies I have read look good the impartiality factor goes down significantly.  Blue California isn't going to release anything that makes their product look bad.  So far, it looks safe.  I would use it with cautious optimism.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

TOO MUCH PROTEIN CAUSING GAS, BLOATING & KIDNEY ISSUES?

Q.  I am a competition bodybuilder.  I have to consume huge amounts of protein every day in order to see the muscle gains I need for competition.  At my current age (34) it seems like I am having a much harder time digesting all this protein.  My girlfriend is about to kick me out due to the gas and bloating.  Any suggestions?

Manny R.

A.  Back in “the day”…I’m kind of revealing my age…bodybuilders and power lifters had to consume tons of dairy, eggs and tuna fish every day just to meet their body’s protein demand.  Believe me, I know…I was one of them.  Modern sports nutrition protein powders are far and away more efficient than the basic proteins of yesterday.  They now use highly refined, concentrated protein sources mixed with full range nutrients, targeted amino acids and natural anabolics.

All of this sounds great, until you have to digest it.  Remember the old saying “you are what you digest”.  It couldn't be truer than with today’s protein supplements. Dietary protein must be completely digested within 90 min. of consumption to avoid kidney stress, wasted amino acids and the formation of toxic ammonia gas. 

Luckily some of the manufacturers are blending small amounts of digestive enzymes into their protein formulas.  For many of us, this probably isn't enough.  I would suggest you try Arthur Andrew co. AMINOLASE TPA.   The company claims this product to boost protein absorption by over 900%.  Increased Nitric oxide production and more efficient kidney function have also been proven with AMINOLASE TPA.

Aminolase TPA can be purchase at most health food stores, sports nutrition centers and online supplement retailers.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

SUGAR FROM WINE, BEER & MUSHROOMS?

Q.  I have been using stevia as a sweetener for vegetable heavy smoothies for my lunch the last week or so. I found one that has me concerned when I look at the ingredients. Truvia™.  It has a chemical called Erythirtol which adds 3 carbs. per serving.  I'm curious as to your thoughts on it?

Mike M.

A.  As artificial sweeteners go Erythirtol seems to be the lesser of evils.  Erythirtol, which is a sugar alcohol, can be found naturally occurring in small amounts in grapes, melons, mushrooms and fermented foods such as wine, beer, cheese and soy sauce.

Manufacturers derive Erythirtol from plant sources (most likely corn, soy beans and sugar cane) and they claim that its mild, sweet taste balances out the bitterness of other natural sweeteners such as stevia (primary ingredient in Truvia).  They also claim that Erythirtol has nearly no calories, only 0.2 calories per gram and it does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels and has a "zero" gylcemic index.

I always prefer to get my food sweetness from natural (less refined) sources such as fruit, honey, turbinado etc.  However, the manufacturers of Truvia have probably picked one of the best refined, artificial sweeteners to add to their product.  I would use it only with guarded moderation.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.