Is thiamine/vitamin deficiency causing your fatigue?

 

What if thiamine deficiency is causing your thyroid fatigue, stressed out adrenals, and low stomach acid? These symptoms can be addressed quickly by simply adding proper nutrients into your diet!

Here is  a nutrition guide to help you along in the process. After reading this Nutrient Guide, you will know how to address thiamine deficiency. Plus, you’ll be able to recognize whether you have any of the EIGHT other nutrient deficiencies that are commonly see with Hashimoto’s. Additionally, Dr. Isabella Wentz shares the safest and most effective dosages to use, so that your body can truly heal itself. (Hint: They are often 100 times more than the “Recommended Daily Allowance”, or RDA — for example, to see benefits with thiamine, you need to take 600 mg per day, while the RDA is only around 1 mg!)

Curious about which nutrients we will cover? Here’s the complete list:

• B12
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Ferritin
• Iodine
• Zinc
• Thiamine

Dr. Isabella Wentz has learned that Hashimoto’s symptoms result from a combination of thyroid hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, an impaired ability to handle stress, an impaired ability to eliminate toxins, intestinal permeability, and one or more chronic infections.

Some of these root causes can be somewhat elusive and may take a lot of digging to uncover, but addressing nutrient depletions is usually pretty straight forward. Best of all, when we address nutrient depletions, we can feel better quickly, even when other underlying root causes are still present!

In this article, you’ll learn more about:

• The top nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto’s
• Which nutrients require lab testing before supplementation, and which ones typically don’t
• Recommended supplements to address nutrient deficiencies
• How to understand your lab tests

Why Do We Have Nutrient Depletions?

While macro-nutrients — carbs, fats and proteins — are the three basic components of our diet, micro-nutrients are the vitamins and minerals that are vital to our well-being. Most people with Hashimoto’s have numerous micro-nutrient deficiencies. In fact, Dr. Isabella Wentz would argue that due to our current farming practices and the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.), micro-nutrient depletions are a factor for most people!

Nutrient deficiencies can occur as a result of eating nutrient-poor foods, following a calorie-restricted diet, having inflammation from infections or food sensitivities, taking certain medications, or having an imbalance of gut bacteria.

Even people who are eating organic, nutrient-dense diets are at risk for micro-nutrient deficiencies, as factors like low stomach acid, fat mal-absorption, and a deficiency in digestive enzymes will result in many of us not being able to properly break down the nutrients from the foods that we’re eating.

A lack of sufficient thyroid hormones can also lead to nutrient deficiencies, as it makes nutrient extraction from food more difficult and less efficient.

These nutrient deficiencies contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s as well as many of its symptoms. Restoring one’s nutrient levels through nutrient-dense foods, supplementation, and optimizing digestion are some of the fastest ways to feel better with Hashimoto’s and begin to restore the body!

The 7 Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Hashimoto’s

The most common nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto’s are selenium, vitamin D, B12, ferritin (the iron storage protein), thiamine, zinc and magnesium (in no particular order).

The Spectracell Micronutrient Test Panel can be used to test for thiamine and magnesium deficiencies; however, selenium levels are not reliably found on blood testing. All three of these supplements can be safely taken within recommended doses without testing. Most people with Hashimoto’s have deficiencies in these nutrients, and I’ve seen very limited adverse reactions with supplementation. I’ve written separate articles for each supplement that summarize all of the related research so you can dig deeper into each one.

The 4 Thyroid Supplements Safe and Helpful for Most

Thiamine

Thiamine, (also known as B1), is a vitamin that is responsible for converting carbohydrates into energy and also helps with the digestion of proteins and fats. Thiamine is necessary for the proper release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is required for proper protein digestion — essential for healing from Hashimoto’s. It has been found to often be deficient in people with Hashimoto’s and Crohn’s disease.

Dr. Isabella Wentz wrote an entire article about thiamine a couple of years ago, and I still get messages from people who have turned their life around with using thiamine. I recently received a letter from a reader who started on disability due to her thyroid fatigue and, with the use of thiamine, was able to return back to work!

Research has shown that a dose of 600 mg per day can turn fatigue around in 3 to 5 days, and 36 percent of Dr. Isabella Wentz’s surveyed readers said B1 supplementation made them feel better.

Clues that you may have a thiamine deficiency include: having Hashimoto’s or another autoimmune condition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fatigue, low blood pressure, low stomach acid, brain fog, or adrenal and blood sugar issues. You may also feel worse after drinking alcohol or after taking L-glutamine.

Recommended Supplement: Benfomax from Pure Encapsulations

Dose: 600 mg per day

Expected benefits: more energy, better brain function, stabilized blood pressure, and improved blood sugar tolerance

When to expect to see benefits: usually 3-5 days

How long to take: 3 months-2 years

Special considerations: If you have an adverse reaction to thiamine (which is rare), I recommend detoxifying the liver with a liver support protocol. Sensitivities to B vitamins are a symptom of “liver congestion,” a condition that can lead to multiple chemical sensitivities and numerous symptoms.

See my full thiamine article for more information on how this nutrient could benefit you.

Selenium

Dr. Isabella Wentz use to have panic attacks… but they stopped after she started taking selenium (and balancing her blood sugar). She has seen this time and time again, and it makes her so happy to see improvements with this one inexpensive nutrient!

Selenium deficiency has been recognized as an environmental trigger for Hashimoto’s, and most people with Hashimoto’s are at risk for this deficiency, which can manifest as increased anxiety, fatigue, and depression. Other populations at high risk include those with IBS, celiac disease, and people who consume grain free diets!

Numerous studies support using selenium in Hashimoto’s, Graves’, and pregnancy. In fact, selenium can prevent postpartum Hashimoto’s.

A dose of 200 mcg per day has been found to reduce TPO antibodies by about 50 percent within 3 months! Additionally, 62 percent of my readers have reported increased energy levels with the same dose.

Recommended Supplement: Selenium Methionine from Pure Encapsulations

Dose: 200-400 mcg per day

Expected benefits: less anxiety, better T4 to T3 conversion, lower thyroid antibodies, more energy, less hair loss, fewer palpitations

When to expect to see benefits: usually 3-5 days for symptoms to start improving; 3 full months to see a reduction in thyroid antibodies

How long to take: 3 months-2 years

Special considerations: If you have an adverse reaction to selenium (which is rare), you may have an iodine deficiency. While iodine can be a trigger for, and can exacerbate Hashimoto’s, some people may be deficient in it and may benefit from a low dose iodine supplement. Up to 250 mcg of iodine has been well tolerated in people with Hashimoto’s, and most multi and prenatal vitamins will contain anywhere from 150-250 mcg. (Read more about this in my article on iodine and Hashimoto’s.)

You can find more information about selenium here.

Magnesium

Magnesium has often been called the “miracle nutrient,” and Dr. Isabella Wentz couldn’t agree more! Magnesium is necessary for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body: it supports the immune system, maintains normal nerve and muscle function, regulates the heartbeat, strengthens bones, keeps blood glucose levels steady, and plays a role in the production of energy.

Magnesium deficiency can cause migraines, headaches, insomnia, menstrual cramps, anxiety, joint pain, and a whole host of other symptoms (including an intolerance to loud noises), while supplementation can resolve them.

Dr. Isabella Wentz has witnessed the miracle of magnesium for herself, personally, in the realm of menstrual cramps. She use to get cramps that were so horrific, she often had to miss school and work on the first day of her menses. She remembers a time during her pharmacy internship where she had to physically lay down in the back of the pharmacy because her menstrual cramps were unbearable! With enough magnesium onboard, her menstrual cramps are thankfully a thing of the past!

Additionally, studies show that long-term use can help with normalizing the appearance of the thyroid gland on ultrasound tests, and magnesium may also help for thyroid and breast nodules.

Recommended Supplement: Magnesium Citrate Powder by Rootcology or Magnesium (glycinate) by Pure Encapsulations. Choose citrate if you tend to be constipated; glycinate if your stools tend to be on the looser side. (Please note that Rootcology supplements only ship to the U.S. at this time. International readers may consider Magnesium (citrate powder) by Pure Encapsulations.)

Dose: 100-400 mg daily, at bedtime (Note: Do not exceed 400 mg per day.)

Expected benefits: reduced anxiety, reduced palpitations, more energy, improvements to the appearance of the thyroid during ultrasound tests (when used long-term), reduced menstrual cramps, relief from constipation, migraines, cramps and pain, better sleep

When to expect to see benefits: This really depends on the symptom(s) you may currently be experiencing. You may see benefits with anxiety, insomnia, and even migraines/headaches, within the first week. With menstrual cramps, they will reduce by 80-90 percent within the first month and will lessen with continued use. With regard to normalizing thyroid appearances on ultrasound tests, this may take a few years of use.

How long to take: 3 months-lifetime

Special considerations: Make sure to space your magnesium by at least 4 hours from thyroid medications, iron supplements, and calcium supplements, as magnesium can block their absorption. I prefer taking magnesium at bedtime because it promotes a restful sleep.

Magnesium citrate can cause loose stools, which may be a good or a bad side effect depending on which direction you tend to swing. Consider magnesium glycinate if you tend to experience diarrhea, or magnesium citrate if you tend to be more constipated. Keep in mind that, for some people, the glycinate version can worsen anxiety symptoms. If you are prone to anxiety, citrate would be a better choice.

For more information about the importance of magnesium, please see my full article.

Zinc

Zinc is involved as a catalyst in many different pathways in the body. It’s also very important for gut health, immune function, tissue healing, the conversion of T4 to T3, and the production of TSH. It can help tighten the intestinal junctions of those with intestinal permeability as well.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include poor wound healing, impaired taste and smell, and thin, brittle, peeling, or white-spotted nails. Those low in zinc may also have a weakened immune system and suffer from allergies, frequent colds or respiratory infections. Low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on a blood test can also provide an indirect indication of zinc deficiency (the optimal range for alkaline phosphatase is 70-90 IU/L).

Depleted zinc levels can also result in diarrhea, hair loss, impotence, loss of appetite, skin issues (acne, rashes, canker sores, foot fungus), depression, impaired vision, low sperm count, ADHD, unexplained weight loss, a lack of alertness, and open sores on the skin.

Over 52 percent of Dr. Isabella Wentz surveyed readers reported feeling better after starting zinc supplementation.

Who is at Risk for Deficiency: Since zinc is needed to form TSH, those who are constantly producing TSH are more likely to develop deficiencies in zinc. If you have celiac disease or any other Mal-absorption syndrome that has caused intestinal damage, you may have an impaired ability to absorb zinc.

Recommended Supplement: Zinc 30 by Pure Encapsulations

Dose: 30 mg per day (larger doses require a doctor’s supervision)

Special considerations: To ensure proper absorption, zinc supplements should be taken with food. Dr. Isabella Wentz has also found that taking 500 mg of evening primrose oil, twice per day, improves the absorption of zinc. (Thanks to Trudy Scott for the tip!) Doses should be no more than 30 mg per day without your doctor’s supervision. This is because doses above 40 mg may cause a depletion in copper levels. Zinc supplementation can also deplete one’s iron levels.

To learn more about zinc and Hashimoto’s, please see Dr. Isabella Wentz full article.

The 3 Most Important Thyroid Nutrient Tests

Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin are very common nutrient deficiencies in those with Hashimoto’s, but unlike the ones mentioned above, require testing before starting supplementation. Most doctors will order these tests for you if you ask, and the tests should be covered by your insurance. If you do not have a doctor that is willing to order the tests for you, or if you have a high-deductible insurance plan, I’ve provided links for self-ordering options for each of the tests below, as well as a guideline for your optimal reference range and my preferred supplement choice.

Please note: the lab interpretation guide I provide below is based on functional labs. In some cases, doctors may consider your numbers “normal” when you are indeed deficient. Make sure to be an educated and empowered patient, and always ask for a copy of your own labs so that you don’t miss out on the life-changing effects of these important nutrients!

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found in people with Hashimoto’s — 68 percent of Dr. Isabella Wentz readers with Hashimoto’s reported also being diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency — and deficiency has been correlated with the presence of antithyroid antibodies. Research done in Turkey found that 92 percent of Hashimoto’s patients were deficient in vitamin D, and another 2013 study found that low vitamin D levels were associated with higher thyroid antibodies and worse disease prognosis.

According to my 2015 survey, 74 percent of my readers felt better after taking a vitamin D supplement! This isn’t surprising, as vitamin D supplements can improve our mood and help us reduce thyroid antibody levels.

Both Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies were reduced in a Polish trial of 18 women who were supplementing with vitamin D to reach a target of 60 ng/mL. I’ve personally found that most of my clients who are in remission from Hashimoto’s keep their levels of vitamin D between 60-80 ng/mL.

Who is at Risk for Deficiency: Anyone who is not a full-time lifeguard in Southern California may be at risk. 🙂 Vitamin D deficiency is rampant, especially in most North Americans, Europeans, and Australians — and affects a large number of people with Hashimoto’s. A low-fat diet or fat Mal-absorption increases the risk.

Recommended Test: Dr. Isabella Wentz recommends testing for vitamin D deficiency with the Vitamin D 25-Hydroxyvitamin or 25(OH)D test, then retesting within 3 months once you start supplementing to make sure that you are getting enough, but not too much. In contrast to most vitamins which are water-soluble and are excreted by the body in excess, vitamin D is fat-soluble and can build up.

Understanding Your Results: Vitamin D levels should be between 60 and 80 ng/mL for optimal thyroid receptor and immune system function.

Recommended Supplement: Vitamin D by Pure Encapsulations

Dose: Dr. Isabella Wentz generally recommend a dose of 2000-5000 IU for my clients, with a recheck in 3 months.

Special Considerations: I also recommend spending time in the sunshine to get more vitamin D if you have Hashimoto’s. If you don’t live in a warm climate, get to one! You have an official prescription for a beach vacation from yours truly! Tanning beds will also do in a bind.

Take a look at my full article on vitamin D for more information on how important it is to thyroid health.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps us with our energy production. Low levels are commonly associated with Hashimoto’s and may lead to fatigue, depression, neurological issues, impaired digestion, brain fog, tingling extremities, nerve damage, seizures, and anemia.

Who is at Risk for Deficiency: Vegans and vegetarians are at greatest risk due to the fact that B12 is only found in animal foods and cannot be synthesized by the human body. Those with pernicious anemia (a type of autoimmune condition), H. pylori, and SIBO may also be susceptible.

In my survey of 2232 people with Hashimoto’s, 33 percent reported that they had tested as deficient in this all important vitamin, and 76 percent said they felt better after taking a B12 supplement.

Recommended Test: You can test your B12 (cobalamin) levels through your healthcare provider or through Ulta Labs. This is not a routine test but is covered by most insurance plans. Levels may be low, even if all other screening tests for iron and anemia come out within the reference range.

Understanding Your Results: Optimal B12 levels should be between 700-900 pg/mL. Please note: most labs will not flag low B12 levels unless they are under 200 pg/mL.

Recommended Supplement: B12 5000 Liquid (methylcobalamin) by Pure Encapsulations

Dose: 5000 mcg, sublingually, daily for 10 days; then 5000 mcg, once per week, for 4 weeks; then 5000 mcg monthly for maintenance

Monitoring: You can’t really overdose on B12, as it’s water-soluble, but Dr. Isabella Wentz always recommends doing the initial test and retesting 3 months later to track and monitor your progress.

Special Considerations: Be sure to use the sublingual version — swallowing B12 may result in inadequate absorption. Injections are also available and are highly effective; however, the sublingual form is just as effective, much less expensive, and is pain free.

If you have pernicious anemia, please note that it’s often caused by H. pylori, which can trigger both Hashimoto’s and pernicious anemia. Treatment can reverse both conditions! Make sure to read my article on H. pylori to learn more about this gut infection.

If you have the COMT V158M gene mutation or mitochondrial issues, the Adenosyl/Hydroxy B12 Liquid supplement from Pure Encapsulations may work better.

Please see my full article on B12 for more information that may benefit you.

Ferritin

Ferritin is our iron storage protein. Low levels are commonly associated with Hashimoto’s and may lead to fatigue, difficulty breathing, and hair loss. According to my 2015 survey of readers, supplementation made 63 percent of them feel better.

Who is at Risk for Deficiency: Women who menstruate and/or are postpartum may be at increased risk due to blood loss. Additionally, SIBO, H. pylori, low stomach acid, vegan/vegetarian diets, manganese deficiency, and heavy metal toxicity (including copper toxicity) can cause low ferritin levels.

Recommended Test: Ferritin levels may be low, even if all other screening tests for iron and anemia come out within the reference range. You need to specifically test for ferritin. Ferritin level tests can be ordered by your doctor, or you can self-order one via Ulta Lab Tests.

Understanding Your Results: Normal ferritin levels for women are between 12-150 ng/mL. According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/mL are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/mL are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/mL.

Recommended Supplement: OptiFerin-C by Pure Encapsulations

Dose: 1-3 capsules per day, in divided doses, with meals

Special Considerations: Ferritin can be deficient due to numerous root causes, including a lack of stomach acid that helps us absorb iron from iron-rich foods; so if supplementing does not address your levels, you will need to do some more digging. Dr. Isabella Wentz has more information in the Advanced Protocols section of my book Hashimoto’s Protocol.

Be sure to retest your levels of ferritin, as ferritin can build up in the body and become toxic. If you have elevated ferritin levels, you may have iron overload and may benefit from blood donations.

Keep this supplement out of reach from children and pets!

You can read more about ferritin and Hashimoto’s here.

Lab Testing

All of the above labs can be ordered by your primary care doctor or endocrinologist and are covered by most insurance plans. Research supports that they should be the standard of care for everyone that has Hashimoto’s, but oftentimes, you will need to request these tests from your doctor.

Please note: if you don’t have a doctor that can order the labs for you, you can order each of the labs separately, or you can order the full Root Cause Nutrition panel from Ulta Lab Tests. This is the first company that not just lets patients order their own labs (and receive the results), but also allows you to submit your receipts to your insurance for billing! Please be sure to check with your insurance, as each company has different rules.

Action Steps

In summary, the most important nutrient depletions to address in those with Hashimoto’s include thiamine, selenium, magnesium (citrate or glycinate), ferritin, B12, vitamin D, and zinc.

Thiamine, selenium and magnesium are safe and helpful for most people with Hashimoto’s, and most people will see a significant benefit from these supplements.

Dr. Isabella Wentz

 

6 Nutrients To Naturally Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a painful condition affecting the joints and is primarily caused by inflammation. Common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include joint pain and tenderness, fatigue, swelling and tenderness, joint warmth and a loss of motion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect various parts of the body, and may have knock-on effects that affect moods, emotions, happiness and productivity. The causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis may vary but is believed to be a result of a resident virus from previous infections. This results in inflammation within the body

Thankfully, there are natural methods that can be used to provide relief from the painful symptoms that Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause. Here are just five of the best…

1. Vitamin D. This is a critical nutrient that plays a massive role in improving general health. The body’s primary source of Vitamin D is from sunlight and this promotes synthesis within the body. It is technically a vitamin rather than a hormone, and while it can be derived from certain foods, such as fatty fish and dairy products which are Vitamin D fortified…a deficiency in this vitamin has been linked with rickets, weakening of the bones, etc. One of the best possible ways to get Vitamin D is to supplement, taking it with your most fatty food of the day. Studies in India have shown that patients who received 60,000IU of Vitamin D per week for 6 weeks, experienced significantly improved symptoms.
2. Omega-3’s. These are most commonly found in fish oils and are considered essential fatty acids. These are necessary for human health, yet unfortunately the body isn’t capable of making them. Omega-3’s have to be derived from fish like salmon and tuna, although it is available in certain foods such as algae, krill, some plants and nuts. Fish oil supplements in particular have been marketed as good for improving joint health and many studies have shown that it can improve arthritis in people who were undergoing treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients who took the fish oils also described a decrease in their use of NSAIDs by up to 59%.
3. Probiotics. Chinese researchers have found there’s a link between imbalanced gut bacteria and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients who had the condition were found to have low levels of the gut bacteria heaemophilius. They also found that certain minerals had trouble metabolizing. While other studies also showed the effectiveness of supplementing with a probiotic on people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients who were given six weeks of supplements with the Bacillus Coagulans bacteria to determine if they saw any improvements in their symptoms, when compared with a control group. They discovered that the patients who took a probiotic experienced improved mobility and reduced levels of the C-reative protein that is produced by the liver in response to inflammation.
4. L-Glutamine is an amino acid that’s important for preventing muscle catabolism and increasing energy. This amino acid can support healthy joints and muscles, along with relieving muscle pain in the process. Glutamine is the most common amino acid found in muscles as over 61% of the skeletal muscles is Glutamine. This amino acid can be easily depleted however and it’s therefore essential that this amino acid be taken regularly to minimize muscle breakdown.
5. Serrapeptase. A proteolytic enzyme originally derived from silkworms but now manufactured within a laboratory, the Serra Enzyme can safely dissolve inflammation and dead tissue from within the body. Once dissolved, it is naturally eliminated from within the bloodstream and excreted via the kidneys and other organs. Serrapeptase is highly effective at relieving inflammation and symptoms of arthritic pain, so that once this is dissolved, the body can naturally begin to heal itself.
6. Curcumin. This is a powerful antioxidant that contains many natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to relieve many common every day painful health conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis according to studies. Curcumin derived from the ancient Indian spice turmeric has been used for thousands of years for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.

Robert Redfern

Six Nutrients to Help Control Blood Sugar

Here are six nutrients that can help you control your blood sugar levels

Cinnamon

I’ve been recommending the routine use of cinnamon for years now. Recent studies have added so much support to this idea that you could now call cinnamon “the poor man’s insulin.” And with the full-blown epidemic of diabetes that we’ll continue to see for years to come, the world will need a form of insulin for the poor.

One gram (slightly less than a half-teaspoon) of cinnamon per day was given to 60 volunteers with type 2 diabetes. In just 40 days, this small amount of cinnamon reduced fasting glucose levels anywhere from 18 to 29 percent, triglyceride levels 23 to 30 percent, LDL cholesterol levels 7 to 27 percent, and total cholesterol 12 to 26 percent. No advantages or greater improvements were found when larger doses were given. Also, when the participants stopped taking the cinnamon, their blood sugar levels and other readings began to return to former levels. (J Agri Food Chem 04;52:65–70) (Diabetes Care 03;26:3215–3218)

Vitamin D

A series of studies have shown that vitamin D levels are connected to insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels. In a recent study, researchers at the University of California found that low vitamin D levels resulted in insulin resistance and improper function of the pancreatic cells that help produce insulin.

If you, or your family, have a history of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), then adequate amounts of vitamin D are even more important. At least 30 minutes a day in the sunshine (without a sunscreen) would be helpful, and a daily multivitamin  that includes a minimum of 400 IU of vitamin D would be highly recommended. (Am J Clin Nutr 04;79:820–825)

Chromium

This element may very well be the single most important supplement for heading off diabetes at the pass. Many authorities now feel that dietary chromium deficiencies may be directly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, the type that accounts for approximately 95 percent of all diabetes cases.

Chromium is required by your body to metabolize sugar (and fat). Without it, tissue cells become insensitive to insulin. With it, insulin becomes up to 100 times more efficient at getting glucose converted into energy. Chromium will help, though, only if your pancreas still secretes insulin. Chromium also doesn’t seem to improve the efficiency of insulin given therapeutically.

With today’s highly processed foods and high sugar diets, it’s difficult to get adequate chromium through your diet alone. In addition, white sugar depletes the mineral. (Around 100 micrograms [mcg] of chromium are required to metabolize every 100 grams of white sugar.) Physical trauma and strenuous exercise also deplete chromium.

Most nutritional authorities now feel that we should be getting at least 200 mcg daily, and even this may not be enough for those with diabetes. One study out of South Africa showed that when diabetics were given a 600 mcg chromium supplement for four months, their fasting glucose levels fell by more than half! Almost half of those were able to significantly decrease their daily medication requirements.

Chromium is available as part of a variety of compounds, but I’ve had the best results with the form known as chromium polynicotinate.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Studies have shown that 200 mg daily of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can help reduce the kidney and nerve damage often seen in diabetes. One study found that 600 mg taken twice daily can significantly reduce the need for insulin. After a month of treatment, the ALA also reduced the fasting levels of lactate and pyruvate, and increased insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness. (Diabetes Care 99;22:280–287)

Gymnema sylvestre

For hundreds of years, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in India have recommended using the leaves of the plant Gymnema sylvestre to treat adult-onset diabetes. Through the use of this herb alone, at a dosage of 400 mg daily, many individuals have been able to discontinue their use of oral diabetic medications. Research also indicates that extracts of this tropical plant decreased fasting blood sugar levels, normalized blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), lowered insulin requirements, and enhanced production of insulin by pancreatic cells.

It appears that many of these feats resulted from the repair and/or regeneration of the actual insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. In one study performed on rats, researchers had the added advantage of utilizing autopsies. Their findings were remarkable. In the diabetic rats pancreas weight increased almost 30 percent! The number of islets and beta cells (the structures responsible for producing and delivering insulin) more than doubled! To add even more icing to the cake, gymnema, unlike conventional medications didn’t alter hormone release in those rats with normal blood sugar. (J Ethnopharm 90;30:265–279, 281–305)

In studies involving human subjects, the results were positive not only for adult onset diabetes but for juvenile diabetes as well.

Ginseng

Doctors at the University of Toronto have reported that American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) can be used to reduce blood sugar levels by individuals with type 2 diabetes.

American ginseng capsules were given 40 minutes before diabetic individuals were given an oral glucose challenge. Those who took the ginseng were found to have a 20 percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the results obtained with placebo capsules.

This study was particularly interesting for several reasons. It revealed that when ginseng was taken with a meal, no change in blood sugar levels occurred. The timing of the ginseng consumption seemed to be crucial, requiring a period of at least 40 minutes to pass before consuming a meal.

Additionally, the researchers found that there was no drop in blood sugar levels when the ginseng was taken alone and not followed by a meal. This characteristic is particularly beneficial in therapies used to lower blood sugar levels. Drugs used to treat high blood sugar can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemic conditions) if food is not eaten immediately after they are taken. Ginseng, on the other hand, doesn’t appear to work this way. Instead of directly lowering blood sugar levels, ginseng either increases the production or secretion of insulin, which in turn lowers the blood sugar, or it increases the effectiveness of the existing insulin. All of these factors make ginseng a potentially safe, natural, and effective tool for both treating and preventing type 2 diabetes.

I would suggest starting with 500–1,000 mg 40 minutes before meals and working the dosage up or down from there depending on what your blood sugar tests reveal.

Type 2 diabetes can almost always be controlled through proper diet, supplement use, weight loss, and exercise. When these factors aren’t properly addressed, however, the use of insulin or other medication becomes necessary. Before you go down that road, however, try giving these natural therapies a shot.

Dr. Williams

Vitamin D Could Heal A Damaged Heart, Says Study

 

Vitamin D supplements could heal damaged hearts, according to a recent study. The trial involving 163 heart failure patients found that supplements containing Vitamin D improved the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body. The results have been considered as ‘stunning’ by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Team.

Vitamin D is made in the skin via sunlight and is considered vital for teeth and bone health along with various other biological processes. The average age of those involved in the study was 70 and as with many people that age, they had low levels of Vitamin D, even during the summer months. It’s believed that people over 70 spend less time outdoors and that with age, the body’s ability to manufacture Vitamin D also becomes less effective.

During the study, participants were given a 100 microgram Vitamin D tablet or a sugar placebo pill to take every day during the year. Their impact on heart failure was measured – this is a condition where the heart becomes too weak to pump the blood properly around the body. The ejection fraction was the key measure, or the amount of blood that was pumped out of the heart’s chambers with each beat. The figure is usually 60-70% in a healthy adult, but only 1/4 of the blood can be pumped out in heart failure patients.

When the vitamin pills were taken however, the ejection fraction was shown to increase from 26% to 34%. The study also indicated that the patients’ hearts became smaller, suggesting they were more powerful and efficient.

While doctors aren’t clear that the vitamin should be routinely prescribed due to not being completely certain as to how it improves heart function, they acknowledge that every cell in the body responds to Vitamin D. The study data shows that patients who took Vitamin D saw improvements in their symptoms, so a larger study is needed.

This exciting development brings good news for anyone suffering from a heart problem as it indicates that taking Vitamin D could be a highly effective, convenient and relatively cheap solution to dealing with heart problems, as opposed to prescription medications and other intrusive means such as surgery.

Robert Redfern

11 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

The immune system is incredibly complex, but supporting it doesn’t have to be!

A lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise goes a long way in supporting this intricate system. To compliment those, here are 12 more ways to boost your immune system.

1. Reduce simple sugars

Simple sugars (think sweets/desserts), including table sugar, jam, jelly, syrup, molasses, corn syrup and artificial sugars impair the immune system for 5 hours after consumption. If you eat sugary breakfast cereal in the morning, drink soda or juice at lunch and eat a dessert after dinner, your immune system will be impaired most of the day.

“Oral 100-g portions of carbohydrate from glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey, or orange juice all significantly decreased the capacity of neutrophils to engulf bacteria as measured by the slide technique. Starch ingestion did not have this effect. The decrease in phagocytic index was rapid following the ingestion of simple carbohydrates. The greatest effects occurred between 1 and 2 hr postprandial, but the values were still significantly below the fasting control values 5 hr after feeding (P < 0.001). ” (source)

2. Get more magnesium in your diet

Magnesium plays an important role in a healthy immune sytstem. Magnesium can be found in pumpkin seeds, swiss chard, spinach, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds and cashews. Here’s a recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Seeds and Nuts. You can also take a magnesium supplement. Find it here.

“Mg participates in immune responses in numerous ways…Mg deficiency in rodents impairs IgG synthesis and cell-mediated immunity; complications include thymus atrophy, elevated IgE, hypereosinophilia, histaminosis and lymphoma.” (source)

“A few days of experimental magnesium deficiency produces a clinical inflammatory syndrome characterized by leukocyte and macrophage activation, release of inflammatory cytokines, appearance of the acute phase proteins and excessive production of free radicals.” (source)

3. Cut down on caffeine

Caffeine can elevate cortisol in the body. Elevated cortisol levels impair the immune system. Instead of coffee or tea, try hot water with lemon instead (this helps flush the liver too!).

“Caffeine elevates cortisol secretion. (source)”

“Cortisol’s ability to prevent the promulgation of the immune response can render individuals suffering from chronic stress highly vulnerable to infection.” (source)

4. Avoid synthetic perfumes and fragrances

Perfumes and fragrances are found in soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, cosmetics, perfumes, household cleaning products, air fresheners and more. Use products that are fragrance-free or make your own. DIY Natural Beauty: Non-Toxic Recipes That Really Work Click here to view more details and also DIY: Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes Click here to view more details

“One in every 50 people may suffer immune system damage from fragrance and become sensitized, according to the EU’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products.” (source)

5. Eat LOTS of colorful vegetables every day

Vegetables provide the body with the nutrients needed to produce healthy cells. Healthy cells are able to perform the jobs they were designed to do. This includes disease-fighting white blood cells! My Fire Cider: A DIY Cold and Flu tonic is full of healthy veggies and boosts the immune system.

“Epidemiologic data support the association between high intake of vegetables and fruits and low risk of chronic disease. There are several biologically plausible reasons why consumption of vegetables and fruit might slow or prevent the onset of chronic diseases. Vegetables and fruit are rich sources of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins, trace minerals, and dietary fiber, and many other classes of biologically active compounds. These phytochemicals can have complementary and overlapping mechanisms of action, including modulation of detoxification enzymes and stimulation of the immune system…” (source)

6. Get Vitamins A & D

Vitamins A&D are both vitally important to the immune system. Vitamin A is found in two basic forms, retenoids and carotenoids. High amounts of retenoids (the form found in animal products) are found in cow’s milk, eggs, liver and salmon. Good sources of carotenoids, found in plants, include sweet potato, carrots and dark leafy greens. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, sardines, wild salmon, lard, and egg yolks (from pastured chickens). A great source of both A&D is Fermented Cod Liver Oil. You can find it here.

“Vitamins A and D have received particular attention in recent years as these vitamins have been shown to have an unexpected and crucial effect on the immune response.” (source)

7. Consume probiotic-rich foods and/or a probiotic supplement

“All disease begins in the gut”. Another way to put this is health starts in the gut! Having a healthy digestive system is important for a healthy immune system. Probiotics help promote good intestinal bacteria that play an essential role in the immune system. Probiotic foods include fermented vegetables like sauerkraut. Here is a recipe, or you can buy raw, fermented sauerkraut here. Also, find probiotics here.

“Gut bacteria play an essential role in the development and homeostasis of the immune system. It is important to underscore that the specialized lymphoid follicles of the gut mucosa are the major sites for induction and regulation of the immune system.” (source)

8. Consume high-quality protein

Studies have found an association of diets lacking in protein with impaired immunity. It’s important to consume protein from animals fed their natural diet and raised in their natural habitat (doing so decreases the animal’s exposure to toxins, making it healthier for you).

“Protein-energy malnutrition is associated with a significant impairment of cell-mediated immunity, phagocyte function, complement system, secretory immunoglobulin A antibody concentrations, and cytokine production.” (source)

9. Get plenty of sleep

Sleep and a healthy immune system go hand in hand. It is vital to get enough sleep required by your body. A typical range is 7-9 hours. If you have trouble sleeping, I suggest The Sleep Solution: End Insomnia Naturally. Click here to view more details

“There is increasing evidence that sleep deprivation has detrimental effects on the immune response, indicating that sleep should be considered a vital part of the immune system and that there is a reciprocal relationship between sleep and immunity.” (source)

 10. Reduce stress

In our fast-paced culture, it is very important to find time to rest and relax. Doing so enables your body to slow down and decreases the need for stress-induced hormones. Meditation, yoga, prayer, keeping a thankfulness journal (write down what you are thankful for), being in nature, and being in community with friends/loved ones are all proven stress-reducers.

“Cortisol is the primary hormone responsible for the stress response. Expressed at the highest levels in the early morning, cortisol’s main function is to restore homeostasis following exposure to stress.” (source)

“Cortisol’s ability to prevent the promulgation of the immune response can render individuals suffering from chronic stress highly vulnerable to infection.” (source)

 

11. Enjoy Simple Pleasures, Reduce Interpersonal Conflicts

One study found work stressors like being criticized by one’s boss impairs the immune system for an entire day. Pleasures like jogging, hobbies, and being surrounded by loved ones improved immune function for two days. Another study from Stanford found succeeding in a hobby and being surrounded by supportive people as the most effective antidote to stress and depressed immune function.

“Stresses like being criticized at work weakened immune function on the day they occurred. But events like a pleasant family celebration or having friends over enhanced the immune system for the next two days.” (source)

Allison

Cold Remedies

Cold and Flu Remedy #1: Cayenne: Sore Throat Solution

When I get a sore throat, I mix a half-teaspoon of cayenne pepper in six ounces of water and drink it. Does wonders. — Kevin, via Facebook 

Whenever anyone in our family comes down with the flu, a cold, or a sore throat, my wife Connie sprinkles cayenne pepper in chicken soup. The warm liquid helps thin mucus, provide nutrition, and combat inflammation; and the spicy pepper clears sinuses and eases congestion.

Cold and Flu Remedy #2: Stop Colds With Vitamins and Herbs

I can stop a common cold in 24–48 hours with a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, Echinacea, and other herbs. More recently I’ve added vitamin D3 to my supplement program. Perhaps I’ll have less use for my anti-viral cold cocktail in the future. — W.S., Seguin, TX

Supplements to the rescue! Echinacea and vitamin D are both great remedies for colds and flu because they help boost the immune system. Dosages vary with Echinacea so use as directed. For optimal protection this cold and flu season, keep your vitamin D3 blood levels in the 50–80 ng/mL range. For most people that requires 2,000–5,000 IU daily.

Cold and Flu Remedy #3: Honey for Coughs

Instead of pricey and ineffective cough syrup, I use a teaspoon and a half of honey at bedtime. It’s safe, all natural, and it really works! — Sarah K., Bethesda, MD 

Great suggestion! My only caveat is not to give honey to children younger than one.

Cold and Flu Remedy #4: Ginger Tea Eases Cold and Flu Symptoms

When I was younger, my mom used to always give us ginger tea when we came down with cold or flu symptoms. It tasted good and always seemed to “fix” whatever was ailing us. — Louise B., via email

Your mom was on the right track. The reason this ancient Chinese remedy for colds and flu is so satisfying is because ginger improves symptoms by stimulating perspiration and warming the body from the inside. A nice, hot cup of ginger tea will keep your respiratory tract moist and has the added benefit of quelling nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cold and Flu Remedy #5: Oscillococcinum to Ward Off Symptoms

After reading about Oscillococcinum in your newsletter a few years ago, I gave it a try. What a find! Now, whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on, I immediately reach for a vial of this amazing product. Even my very conventional husband can’t deny the effectiveness of this homeopathic remedy, asking me where the “little white bumpy things” are whenever he has a sore throat or runny nose. I don’t know how it works, but it clearly does. I can’t tell you how many colds we’ve fended off over the years. It’s the one therapy that is in my medicine cabinet year round! — K.B., Erie, PA

Oscillococcinum is one of my favorite remedies for colds and flu. Though researchers have yet to identify precisely how this homeopathic remedy works, when taken at the first sign of flu its effects are amazing. In a study of 487 flu patients, recovery within 48 hours was significantly greater among those who took Oscillococcinum, compared to placebo. Packaged in individual doses of little pellets that dissolve under the tongue, it is easy to take, has a pleasant taste, and like all homeopathic remedies, is gentle, safe, and nontoxic. You can find Oscillococcinum in drug stores and health food stores.

Cold and Flu Remedy #6: Eucalyptus Oil for Upper Respiratory Congestion

I have reaped the benefits of cheap, effective eucalyptus oil to prevent upper respiratory infections. I used this oil for five days, and rather than weeks of a lingering cough, I am restored to health. It cost me $5 as opposed to $20 for antibiotics. And I have plenty left over for the next time. — I.H., Canada

Eucalyptus oil has been shown to reduce inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and help loosen mucus due to colds and flu, asthma, and sinusitis. For nasal congestion, sprinkle a few drops onto a damp washcloth and hold it over your nose. For deeper relief, put a few drops in boiling water or a steam humidifier and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes.

Cold and Flu Remedy #7: Halt Coughing With Vicks VapoRub

Have you ever had a cold with a nasty cough? You can’t sleep because of the coughing?  Good old Vicks VapoRub can help! Rub the soles of your feet with a good amount of Vicks. Put some heavy socks on, snuggle up in your bed, the cough will stop and you can rest. My Granny used to do this to us kids when we were little. I am 72 years old and still use this remedy. I have told many people about this and they swear by it. It works much better than cough medicine. — Phyllis W., via email

I can’t offer any scientific reason why this would work, but you’re not the first reader to share this cold and flu remedy. Give it a shot, it’s worth a try!

Cold and Flu Remedy #8: Cool Mist Humidifier for Sore Throats/Coughs

Whenever my kids have a cough that keeps them up at night, I put a cool mist humidifier in their rooms and it really helps. — RSG, via email 

Keeping the air moist helps lubricate dry nasal passages and scratchy throats, so it’s a perfect solution for nighttime coughs for people of all ages.

Tried-and-True Cold and Flu Remedies

I truly appreciate and enjoy reading all of my reader’s remedies for colds and flu. The age-old standbys still apply as well: get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, load up on vitamin C, and you’re sure to be back in the pink in no time.

Now it’s your turn: Which natural cold and flu remedies work for you and your family?

Dr. Whitaker

Can Vitamin D Help With Cancer?

Before, to be diagnosed with the big C seemed to be an implied death sentence. Patients even go through a stage of self-denial. Who can blame them? Conventional medicine paints a rather bleak future for cancer patients and the remedy it offers does nothing to improve their quality of life, nausea and falling hair not to mention.

However, the recent breakthroughs in science have allowed a peek into the true nature of cancer, allowing researchers to consider the concept of nutritional care. They are now faced with the idea that preventing and maybe even reversing cancer may not necessarily involve the development of expensive drugs but something already available in nature: food and sunshine! (http://www.naturalnews.com/034286_cancer_prevention_nutrition.html)

Just the facts
If something so powerful is actually available for everyone, why wouldn’t someone take advantage of it?

The recent discovery that the body, with the help of vitamin D, possesses the capacity to fight many chronic illnesses has spurred the interest of many researchers – especially on the possibilities the sunshine vitamin can offer with regard to the prevention and reversal of diseases like cancer. A brief rundown of some facts, revealed by recent studies, can give us a perspective on how vitamin D can help.

1. Vitamin D slashes cancer risk by 77 percent.

A study was conducted involving 1, 179 healthy Nebraskan women who were divided into a control group and a placebo group. In the four years the study was conducted, the group who was receiving vitamin D and calcium supplements revealed a 60 percent decrease in cancers as compared to the placebo group. (http://www.naturalnews.com/021892.html)

2. Vitamin D can prevent cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, 80 percent of cancer cases can be prevented. Having a healthy and balanced diet can prevent cancer. An example would be a diet that is low in refined sugar and processed meat and high in fruits, leafy vegetables and vitamin D from dietary sources or the sun. Studies have shown that a diet high in animal products and dairy that contain hormones and saturated fat cause breast cancer. (http://www.naturalnews.com/027334_cancer_diet_breast.html)

3. Sunshine offers powerful healing.

In a study conducted by the French in 2011 on 60,000 post menopausal women, it was discovered that women with increased levels of vitamin D obtained through diet and supplement reduced their risk of breast cancer. These vitamin D levels received a great boost when these women were exposed to actual sunshine. (http://www.naturalnews.com/034286_cancer_prevention_nutrition.html)

Which leads us to suspect that…

4. There are private interests involved.

The medical establishment’s dismissive take on vitamin D and its effects on cancer cannot seriously be taken in the light of new research supporting the effect of vitamin D on cancer. One cannot help but be suspicious of this rather cold shoulder treatment, especially when non-profit organizations that supposedly support the active search for a cure have financial ties with pharmaceutical companies, mammography equipment companies and other organizations that profit from cancer. Moreover, research on vitamin D is a threat to the cancer industry because it shows a way of dealing with cancer for free. (http://www.naturalnews.com/021892.html)

5. Chemotherapy does not work.

One of the current remedies offered by conventional medicine when dealing with cancer is chemotherapy. Let it be said once and for all: chemotherapy does not have any positive effect on cancer. There is no scientific evidence that supports such fact. It shrinks tumors, but it doesn’t initiate the healing that needs to take place to reverse cancer and to stay cancer free. What’s more, its side effects are well documented – effects that worsen the patient’s condition instead of improving it. (http://www.naturalnews.com/024536_cancer_women_breast.html)

6. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D does not provide cancer prevention benefits.

The revised recommended daily intake provided for vitamin D (600 IU for children and adults until 70 years old and 800 IU for adults above 70) has been criticized as below the required levels that provide anti-cancer effects. According to Dr. Cedric Garland, recent studies have shown that daily intakes of vitamin D by adults along the range of 4,000 – 8,000 IU is necessary to maintain the vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce the risk of several diseases including cancer. (http://www.naturalnews.com/031577_vitamin_D_scientific_research.html)

7. Exposure to the sun does not necessarily cause skin cancer.

A study conducted by researchers from Leeds University in 2009 found that increased levels of vitamin D were linked to improved skin cancer survival odds. Since most people are vitamin D deficient, it has left them vulnerable to a host of other diseases including cancer. The advantages of getting enough sun exposure far outweigh the disadvantages that are now being questioned by breakthrough science. (http://www.naturalnews.com/032533_sun_exposure_skin_cancer.html)

8. Cancer can be inherited.

The idea that cancer runs in families is a popular theme in the medical establishment. However, tons of research has now shown that cancer can be avoided through the maintenance of increased vitamin D levels in the blood. If a direct ancestor had cancer, chances are they were exposed to cancer causing agents like cigarette smoke, skin care products or chemical solvents. By identifying and avoiding these agents, you have lowered your chances of getting cancer. (http://www.naturalnews.com/024536_cancer_women_breast.html)

9. Watch what you eat.

Our nutrition actually determines our health. Recent findings have shown that the prevention and treatment of cancer may not necessarily be solved by an expensive drug but something that has always been available to us – good food. According to a new study by researchers from the Harvard School of Public health, men who eat fish five times a week run a 40 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, , and fish is an excellent source of vitamin D. (http://www.naturalnews.com/021136_fish_protein_colorectal_cancer.html)

We are now at a point in time when we can choose our healing process. Having the courage to avail of other methods than what is offered by conventional medicine may spell the difference between a better quality of life and a difficult and questionable recovery. Cancer prevention is now a matter of choice. We can avoid it or we can invite it. It’s all up to us.

Natural News

Modern medicine has a “code of silence” when it comes to preventing and treating cancer. The FDA is more concerned with protecting the cancer industry’s profits than really saving lives.  Often, they try to muzzle doctors, who use cutting-edge strategies every day to cure cancer.

Dr. Sears has spent his entire career breaking the cancer code of silence. And in more than 20 years of practice, I’ve discovered that the most powerful cancer fighter is not a drug at all.  It’s vitamin D.

The studies prove what I’ve seen in my own patients:

• A recent study found low vitamin D significantly increases overall cancer risk.¹

• Anticancer Research reports that the more vitamin D you make from sunshine, the lower your risk of dying from 15 different kinds of cancer.²

• A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found vitamin D can lower the chance you’ll get cancer by 77%.³

Unfortunately, an astounding three out of four Americans don’t get enough vitamin D.⁴

Part of the problem is we don’t get enough sun. Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. But sunscreens block the UV rays that produce vitamin D.

You can get some vitamin D from food. The best sources are salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. One serving a day of those foods will get you between 200 and 360 IUs of vitamin D.  But that’s not enough.

I recommend that everyone get a minimum of 2,000 IUs a day. And if you’ve been tested and your level is low, make sure you’re getting between 5,000 and 10,000 IU a day from a combination of sunshine, food, and supplements.

And make sure you’re taking the right supplement. Vitamin D3 is the bioactive form.

Vitamin D is just one way to beat cancer.  There are hundreds of scientifically proven treatments that really work. But if your doctor keeps the code of silence, you’ll never hear about them.

That’s why I want you to know about a brand new mini-series called “The Quest for The Cures Continues.” In it, 28 doctors, 11 scientists and nine survivors share the TRUTH about cancer.

Dr. Sears

Multivitamins Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Death in Women

 

Despite all the pink ribbons and breast cancer awareness campaigns, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the United States. In fact, women are 10 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer, and cardiovascular disorders kill more women than all types of cancer combined. Yet just one in five American women is aware of this heightened risk of cardiovascular death.

The good news is, as illustrated by a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in early January, there’s a simple way women can reduce their risk of cardiovascular death: take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement.

A research team led by scientists from the Office of Dietary Supplements (a division of the National Institutes of Health) analyzed data on 8,678 adults enrolled in NHANES—a long-term, government-funded study that surveys Americans’ nutritional and lifestyle habits and tracks their health outcomes. Focusing on supplement use and cardiovascular mortality, they found that women who had taken a daily multivitamin for at least three years were 35 percent less likely to die of cardiovascular disease, compared to women who did not take a multivitamin.

A 35 percent reduction in risk of cardiovascular death is significant, folks, and it underscores just one reason I strongly recommend that all of my patients—and everyone else for that matter—take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans fail to get even the paltry recommended daily allowances (RDAs) of key vitamins and minerals; let alone therapeutic levels of magnesium, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, and other nutrients known to play important roles in cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular protection is just one of the many proven benefits of nutritional supplements—including daily multis. In Dr. Whitaker’s opinion, taking a quality multivitamin every day is one of the best forms of health “insurance” you can buy.

Dr. Whitaker

Thyroid Health

 

It’s estimated that as many as 59 million Americans have a thyroid problem, but the majority don’t know it yet. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, is the master gland of metabolism. When your thyroid doesn’t function, it can affect every aspect of your health, and in particular, weight, depression and energy levels.

Since undiagnosed thyroid problems can dramatically increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, depression, anxiety, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, infertility and a host of other symptoms and health problems, it’s important that you don’t go undiagnosed.

The thyroid gland is found in the neck below the Adam’s apple located on the front of the windpipe. It mainly controls how quickly and effectively the body uses energy, i.e. the metabolism and is responsible for secreting thyroid hormones into the body. These control the metabolism along with growth, development and the body’s temperature.

There are a range of problems associated with the thyroid and these include:

• Goiter: Thyroid swelling and is often associated with thyroid inflammation known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland though it does not destroy the tissue, rather it results in an underproduction of thyroxine, the hormone made in the thyroid that regulates metabolism and controls many bodily functions such as digestion. This disease is more common in women than in men. The cause is not fully understood but a family history of thyroid disorders is common in those with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, indicating some kind of genetic link or predisposition.
• Thyroiditis: An inflamed thyroid often caused by a viral infection or that of an autoimmune condition. It can be painful and often there are no symptoms.
• Hyperthyroidism: This is known as excessive thyroid hormone production. This is usually caused by Graves disease or even an overactive thyroid nodule.
• Hypothyroidism: This is caused by low production of thyroid hormones, caused by an autoimmune disease.
• Graves disease: Caused by an overstimulated thyroid, this is an autoimmune condition.
• Thyroid cancer: This is an uncommon form of thyroid cancer, but is mostly curable with radiation, surgery and other forms of hormone treatments.
• Thyroid nodule: These consist of small abnormal lumps or masses in the thyroid gland, they are extremely common and relatively few are cancerous. They usually serete excess hormones and can cause hyperthyroidism.
• Thyroid storm: This is rare and causes thyroid hormone levels to become extremely high, thereby causing severe illness in the body.

Ten Top Signs You have A Thyroid Problem

Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel/Tendonitis Problems

Aches and pains in your muscles and joints, weakness in the arms and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands, tarsal tunnel in the legs, and plantars fasciitis in the feet can all be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid problems. (For more information)

Neck Discomfort/Enlargement

A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties, a hoarse voice or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be signs of a “goiter” — an enlarged thyroid gland that is a symptom of thyroid disease.

To help find out if your thyroid may be enlarged, try a simple “Thyroid Neck Check” test at home.

Hair/Skin Changes

Hair and skin are particularly vulnerable to thyroid conditions, and in particular, hair loss is frequently associated with thyroid problems. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes brittle, coarse and dry, while breaking off and falling out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry, and scaly. In hypothyroidism, there is also often an unusual loss of hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow. With hyperthyroidism, severe hair loss can also occur, and skin can become fragile and thin.

Bowel Problems

Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with hyperthyroidism

Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems

Heavier, more frequent and more painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism, and shorter, lighter or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions. (For More Information)

Family History

If you have a family history of thyroid problems, you are at a higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself. You may not always be aware of thyroid problems in your family, though, because among older people, it is often referred to as “gland trouble” or “goiter.” So pay attention to any discussions of glandular conditions or goiter or weight gain due to “a glandular problem,” as these may be indirect ways of referring to thyroid conditions.

Cholesterol Issues

High cholesterol, especially when it is not responsive to diet, exercise or cholesterol-lowering medication, can be a sign of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Unusually low cholesterol levels may be a sign of hyperthyroidism. (For More Information).

Depression and Anxiety

Depression or anxiety – including sudden onset of panic disorder – can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not respond to antidepressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. (For More Information)

Weight Changes

You may be on a low-fat, low-calorie diet with a rigorous exercise program, but are failing to lose or gain any weight. Or you may have joined a diet program or support group, such as Weight Watchers, and you are the only one who isn’t losing any weight. Difficulty losing weight can be a sign of hypothyroidism. You may be losing weight while eating the same amount of food as usual – or even losing while eating more than normal. Unexplained weight changes and issues can be signs of both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. (For More Information)

Fatigue

Feeling exhausted when you wake up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night is insufficient or being unable to function all day without a nap can all be signs of thyroid problems. (With hyperthyroidism, you may also have nighttime insomnia that leaves you exhausted during the day.) (For More Information)

There is also a relationship between an increased incidence of sleep apnea (brief periods when you stop breathing while sleeping) and hypothyroidism. Frequent apnea can also cause unrelieved exhaustion. Apnea is often also seen in conjunction with snoring. For more information on apnea and other sleep disorders , and how they can be treated, see What is Sleep Apnea? .

The Most Important Nutrients for Thyroid Problems

Be sure to take a strong multivitamin with minerals along with a couple of grams of Vitamin C each day. This has to be high-quality, such as can be purchased from reputable health food stores.

• Iodine
• Selenium
• Zinc
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Antioxidants
• Essential Fats
• Amino Acids
• How Can You Meet the Shames’ Recommendations?

The first, of course, is iodine, which – as we have described in our book Thyroid Power: 10 Steps to Total Health, is very much a double-edged sword for thyroid sufferers. You absolutely need it, but not too much of it. The latest study, to look at this more carefully, was a 1999 report in Nutritional Review, by Lee, Bradley, Dwyer. These researchers tell us that the size of the population with iodine deficiency is now close to 10% of men, and 20% of women. However, the other 80-90% do not need extra iodine, and for many of this majority, additional iodine can become a thyroid problem.

What to do? If you are a person who never consumes fast food, avoids salt like the plague, doesn’t eat much seafood, and feels that sea vegetables are for fish, and especially if you live more than 100 miles from any coast, then you might well consider supplementation with iodine, the key mineral in thyroid hormone production.

If you are not in this category, you would probably do well to not take extra iodine, as you’re likely to be getting more than enough from other sources, such as iodized salt and the natural sources of fish and sea vegetables.

This iodine dilemma is the major nutritional problem facing everyone. World wise, iodine deficiency diseases account for incalculable suffering in the form of goiter, miscarriage, infertility, and terrible sickness affecting over one billion people on the planet. This is a significant percentage of the human race. However, in the US, the problem has been thought eliminated by the widespread distribution of iodine, first in bread dough, and in salt. Recently however, there has been resurgence of iodine deficiency, even in our country. It is a problem for specific people.

Researchers are presently working to develop a reliable and effective test for iodine, but at this point, we are not convinced that the available tests are up for the task. In light of all this, some thyroid specialists are suggesting that you hedge your bets and simply ingest each day an amount of iodine that will help if you are too low, but won’t hurt if you are already sufficient. This amount appears to be about 100 mcg (micro-grams) per day. However, if you find that you feel sick after eating iodized foods, you may want to avoid this nutrient.

As you can see, the minerals may be more important for thyroid production than the vitamins, because the next two items on the list are the minerals selenium and zinc. Selenium is crucial in both the production of T-4 thyroid hormone (thyroxine) in the thyroid gland, as well as in the conversion of T-4 to T-3 thyroid hormone, the active form (thyronine). Zinc is needed both before and after these production and conversion processes. Zinc is necessary for the TRH hypothalamus hormone to stimulate the pituitary gland, which signals the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.

Moreover, zinc is needed at the intracellular level to help the thyroid nuclear receptors attach and drive the reading of the DNA genetic code. Keep in mind that the main function of thyroid hormone is to help put the genetic code into action.

Regarding selenium, we suggest 200 mcg (micro-grams) per day. This is, again, more than is contained in the common multiple mineral products. For zinc, we believe you can take at least 10 mg per day; please keep in mind that when taking 10-25 mg. of zinc, you need to balance that with one mg copper for the zinc-copper ration so useful for thyroid patients. Therefore a good product would contain 1-2 mg of copper in addition to the zinc.

 

In addition to these minerals, vitamin D is necessary for thyroid hormone production in the pituitary gland, and possibly in the early stages of T-3 (thyronine) binding to its receptor. Vitamin E is part of the necessary supporting apparatus that enables the deiodinase enzyme to convert T-4 (inactive thyroid hormone) into T-3 (the active type).

It now appears that the amount of vitamin D people need has been grossly under-estimated, nor is it as toxic as first was thought. We recommend at least 800 IU of Vitamin D daily.

The amount of vitamin E needed has likewise been undersold; we recommend 400-800 IU daily. This turns out to be more than is provided in most multiple vitamins, yet it allows for excellent antioxidant protection as well as helping menopausal women avoid hot flashes without resorting to estrogen.

There you have it – the 5 most essential nutrients for feeding the thyroid gland. Keep in mind, however, that these researchers based their studies, for the most part, on fairly healthy individuals. If you have had a thyroid problem of some duration, or if you have some other illness, in addition to your thyroid problem, then other recommendations apply to you. These include:

• full-symphony antioxidant, not just the C and E, but especially 5000 – 10,000 IU of Vitamin A, which is usually present in most multiple products. The other antioxidants, such as lipoic acid, pygnogenol, etc. are often omitted in a multiple vitamin with minerals, but are indeed present in an antioxidant combo. We suggest, for people in this category, very strong anti-oxidant supplementation.
• Moreover, to have your thyroid get to where it needs to go, you are likely to need high doses of the essential fatty acids (EFA) in a 2:1 mix of Omega 3 and Omega 6. This can best be obtained in a separate gel capsule or as refrigerated liquids from the health food store.
• Finally, long-time sufferers would do well to take extra amino acids. Recall that thyroid hormone is basically the amino acid tyrosine with some iodine attached. Amino acid metabolism is crucial for thyroid function, but it is not just tyrosine that is needed. In fact, far better if full-symphony, free-form amino acids, a couple of grams per day.

It may sound complicated to meet all of the Shames’ recommendations regarding supplements, but it’s actually not, because I’ve worked it all out for you! (Note: These are my own recommendations regarding what I take. The Shames did not specify any brands.)

Are You Being Treated by the Right Doctor?

Endocrinologists are physicians whose specialization is in diseases of the endocrine system, including diabetes, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs), and thyroid disease.

Endocrinologists are, however, in extremely short supply in the US and worldwide, and many of them focus their practice primarily on diabetes diagnosis and treatment. For suspected or confirmed thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, nodules, and goiter, it’s important to see an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid issues.

But for diagnosing and treating Hashimoto’s disease, or diagnosing and managing sex hormone, thyroid, or adrenal imbalances, an endocrinologist may not be the best choice. Many patients find they are better served by an integrative physician (a physician who combines conventional as well as holistic medicine). Other physicians that specialize in managing hormone imbalances can include primary care doctors, GPs, internists, gynecologists, osteopathic physicians, naturopathic physicians, and nurse practitioners who specialize in women’s health issues.

Are Your Adrenals Imbalanced?

Did you start on thyroid treatment, feel better, and then a few weeks later, find that you’ve regressed or even crashed, symptom-wise? Do you find that you can’t tolerate even small increases in thyroid medication without feeling jittery and anxious? You may have some sort of imbalance in your adrenal glands – that glands that produce stress hormones and help the body manage stress. Imbalances or insufficiency in the adrenals can cause a backslide in thyroid symptoms after you’ve started treatment, or make you intolerant to thyroid medication.

Integrative physicians typically recommend that you have adrenals tested with the 24-hour saliva cortisol/DHEA test, and imbalances can sometimes be corrected with supplements along with nutritional and lifestyle changes.

Are Your Ferritin and Vitamin D Levels Too Low?

Ferritin – the stored form of iron — is crucial to proper thyroid function. On a reference range of 20 to 100, many integrative doctors recommend that ferritin levels be at least 50 for proper hormonal function. If you are experiencing hair loss, the recommendation is that the level be at least 80. You can have a blood test for ferritin performed, and discuss iron supplementation with your physician if necessary. Remember, though, that if you supplement with iron, you should take it at least three to four hours apart from your thyroid hormone replacement medication.

Vitamin D is now known to be more than just a vitamin, it’s a prohormone. And it has an important role in immune health, and weight loss. On a reference range of 20-100, many integrative doctors recommend that Vitamin D levels be at least 50 or higher.

Am You Getting Enough Sleep?

You may find, even with optimal thyroid treatment, that you still feel fatigued. The most common cause is the most obvious one – lack of sufficient, good quality sleep. If you are experiencing fatigue, make sure you work with your practitioner, and practice good sleep hygiene, to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

This is even more essential if you are trying to lose weight, or are have been diagnosed with adrenal imbalances.

In addition to getting more sleep, here are some other fatigue-fighting secrets.

Should You Change Your Diet?

Some thyroid patients find it difficult to stay regulated on their dosage of thyroid hormone replacement medication. Others can’t lose weight. Some people have joint and muscle aches and pains that continue despite treatment. And still others experience constant bloating and skin irritations. Even if your treatment is optimized, if you continue to have these kinds of symptoms, your diet may be to blame.

Goitrogens are naturally-occurring substances found in various foods, and they have the ability to cause a goiter — an enlargement of the thyroid gland.

In addition to promoting goiter formation, goitrogenic foods can act like antithyroid drugs, slowing down the thyroid, and ultimately causing hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid.

Goitrogens are able to disrupt normal thyroid function by inhibiting the body’s ability to use iodine, block the process by which iodine becomes the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), inhibit the actual secretion of thyroid hormone, and disrupt the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.

The key goitrogen-rich foods are the vegetables in the cruciferous category. In addition, there are a number of other foods that contain significant amounts of goitrogens.

Interestingly, some people appear to carry a genetic predisposition to avoid goitrogenic foods.

Some of the more common and potent goitrogens include the following vegetables, fruits and other foods:

• African cassava
• Babassu (a palm-tree coconut fruit found in Brazil and Africa)
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Chinese Broccol
• Broccolini
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collards
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Mustard greens
• Rutabaga
• Turnip
• Daikon
• Red radish
• Watercress

Dr. Richard Shames

Other treatments offered from DigestaCure

By addressing the root-disease, Autoimmunity, the following results below are attained. If you do not see your exact autoimmune symptoms or conditions here, that may be a moot point, for in no case do we address symptoms or conditions, only the root-disease, Autoimmunity. Then, and only then do Autoimmune symptoms and conditions dissipate.
What does this mean? It means that it is a minor issue Where the Autoimmune attack is striking, or what symptoms and abnormalities it is causing, for we are addressing the root-cause, Autoimmunity, not the conditions or symptoms. The conditions and symptoms dissipate as Autoimmunity is eliminated.

 

Autoimmune Conditions: Ulcerative Colitis and Hyperactive Thyroid (Hashimoto’s Disease).

Glad I got this email from you. I am 100% symptom free: Here’s what this means:
I had both Ulcerative Colitis and Hyperactive Thyroid (Hashimoto’s Disease). Thyroid was out of range about 3 to 4 times higher than normal.
With UC, I had bloody stools, diarrhea, lost 32 pounds – felt terrible – and I thought I might die. Different blood tests were all terribly out-of-range: sed rate, C-reactive Protein, CBC.
Over a month ago, everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – was totally normal and in-range.
Everyone I meet with any kind of auto-immune problem, I tell them about Digestacure! Thank you so much for this product. My Doctor says I should eat a gluten-free diet – and I am working on that.
I attribute my miraculous and fast heal to Digestacure!

Ned McCrink

https://digestaqure.com

The Guarantee of Vitamin D

 

Numerous studies and the epidemiological trends over recent years support the theory that people need significantly more vitamin D than has been commonly accepted. A University of Toronto study involving 796 women between the ages of 18 and 35 showed that the generally recommended amounts of vitamin D for women are too low to offer any benefit. According to Reinhold Vieth and his colleagues, any amount of daily vitamin D intake under 800 IU wasn’t enough to prevent a vitamin D deficiency.

Despite this information and more, the US Food and Nutrition board for osteoporosis-related matters still recommends only 400 IU per day for women under the age of 50.

The evidence for increased Vitamin D continues to grow, but, for some reason, it also continues to be ignored. You already know the important role it plays in building and maintaining a strong immune system, and vitamin D levels also are linked to more than just proper bone growth and strength. Some of the most common health ailments today can be directly linked to inadequate vitamin D levels.

Heart Disease and Diabetes

Heart disease continues to reign as the number-one killer in this country. Although dozens of factors are involved in developing heart disease, excess sugar consumption and the inability to regulate blood sugar levels properly are undoubtedly two of the major contributing factors. Studies have now shown that low vitamin D levels decrease insulin levels and increase insulin resistance, both of which are associated with diabetes and subsequent cardiovascular problems.

I’ve also reported how the incidence of diabetes in children has been skyrocketing over the last couple of decades. Lower vitamin D levels have now been found to be one of the contributing factors.

Cancer

Numerous studies have found a direct association between low vitamin D levels and cancers of the breast, prostate, colon, and the skin.

Arthritis

Studies have now shown that a lower-than-optimal level of vitamin D contributes to degenerative arthritis (the “wear and tear” form of arthritis) in the hip and the knee.

Since you know adequate levels of vitamin D are also essential for proper immune system response, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that vitamin D deficiencies are also associated with such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and even multiple sclerosis.

Depression

Sunlight exposure is a necessary requirement for vitamin D production in the body, and is also necessary for proper mood health. However, with the fear of skin cancer and wrinkling, tanning or even getting sun exposure has become taboo. The result is that depression is becoming more and more commonplace.

The problem is that, even under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for many people to get enough sun exposure to avoid depression in most of the Northern and Northeastern US cities. Only during a few summer months are there enough UV-B rays reaching those areas to allow for proper vitamin D production. (The three main forms of UV, or ultraviolet, radiation from the sun are UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-B rays are the ones we need to produce vitamin D naturally, but they are also the ones that can produce sunburn and tanning.)

Even when UV-B rays are adequate, most people now either slather on the sunscreen or avoid the sun altogether. Any sunscreen with a protective factor of 8 or more will block almost all of the UV-B rays from reaching the skin.

The ironic thing about all of this is that the incidence of skin cancer has more to do with consuming the wrong fats (too many omega-6 fatty acids and not enough omega-3s) than it does with exposure to the sun. Until the general public understands this fact, skin cancer problems will continue to increase, which will in turn cause even more fear of sunlight exposure and more depression. This whole situation has gotten way out of control. Because of the fats we’re now eating and our fear of sunlight, it’s becoming necessary to supplement our diets with vitamin D. But in the natural scheme of things, our bodies can manufacture enough vitamin D when given regular exposure to sunlight.

Obesity

Decreased vitamin D levels result in less production and secretion of the hormone leptin. Leptin is one of the primary hormones involved in fat storage and weight loss. Millions of dollars are now being spent on trying to duplicate these effects by artificially increasing levels of leptin in the body or turning it into a weight-loss drug. The simple answer, of course, is to ensure you’re producing and/or receiving adequate amounts of vitamin D.

On a very interesting, related note, researchers appear to have found a connection between bulimic dieting behavior, binge-eating, and light. Individuals with these characteristics apparently prefer to eat in dim or more subdued light compared to individuals without such problems.

Obviously, this information is still being researched and analyzed, but, based on what we know about vitamin D and leptin levels, it certainly may be more than just a simple coincidence. If you’re concerned about losing weight or have the above problems, there would certainly be no harm in opening the shades and turning up the lights at mealtime. The connection between light, our body’s biological clock (or circadian rhythm), and our health is one that has always been a big interest of mine. Our relationship with light may seem primitive, but it is one of our most basic connections to our environment. Vitamin D is only one of the links in this connection. The essential fatty acids (EFAs) from fish oils, flax, and other grains, along with our ability to assimilate EFAs from our diet, provide another link.

You Don’t Need the Government’s Permission to Increase Your Vitamin D

When you look at the increasing incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, et cetera, it becomes obvious that most government agencies and health organizations are far too slow in changing or modifying their recommendations. I think much of the problem stems from bureaucracy and, oftentimes, politics.

For example, there’s now a huge market for drugs to treat osteoporosis, and I seriously doubt that anyone developing or selling these drugs would really want the problem to be solved through diet. Even though osteoporosis and associated hip fractures have become a major problem in this country, the regulating authorities continue to recommend a daily dose of 400 IU of vitamin D. They are way behind the times. Just don’t let your supplement be behind the times. Make sure you’re getting 2,000 to 5,000 IU a day. Don’t get worried about that much causing an overdose. Although various foods do contain vitamin D, unless you’re taking something like cod-liver oil, you won’t be getting much vitamin D. Milk is fortified with 10 micrograms per quart, which works out to about 400 IU per quart or 100 IU per each eight-ounce glass.

Make a point to get outside regularly and enjoy the sunshine, without the sunscreen. There’s no need to overdo it and get sunburned. Once your skin turns red, vitamin D production will stop anyway. Twenty minutes a day is all someone with fair skin needs to get enough vitamin D during the summertime. If your skin is darker, you’ll need more sunlight exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D. And always keep in mind that, in addition to helping produce vitamin D, sunlight exposure can help regulate your biological clock, fight depression, and possibly even help you to control your appetite and lose weight. As time goes on, we’ll undoubtedly learn dozens more reasons why people weren’t made to live underground, in a cave, or in a dark house or office.

Dr. Williams.