Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Vitamin assessment by biochemical evaluation (plasma and red cell folate; serum beta-carotene, vitamin A, B12, and C; erythrocyte transketolase for thiamin determination; erythrocyte glutathione reductase for riboflavin determination; and erythrocyte aspartate transaminase for pyridoxine determination) in patients with untreated cervical cancer shows that at least one abnormal vitamin level was present in 67% of patients, while 38% display multiple abnormal parameters. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 Vitamin E is a common antioxidant; beta-carotene and the chemicals BHA and BHT are others.
Hydrogenation is another way of dealing with the spoilage problem of unsaturated oils. With chemically induced hydrogen saturation of the carbon bonds, the structure of the unsaturated oils is changed. This alters the way the body metabolizes these fats and often changes the physical form, as with margarines. Many manufacturers hydrog-enate oils to make margarine and other spreads. |
| Vitamin E and beta-carotene are two antioxidants which protect against the peroxidation process.) Because of this, I suggest using polyunsaturates moderately, along with some monosaturates, such as olive oil, which are more stable, while cutting down on the saturated fats.
CANCER PREVENTION
The specific cancer preventive diet put out in 1984 by the American Cancer Society's Medical and Scientific Committee includes the following suggestions:
1
A
Avoid Obesity. Obese people have higher incidences of many cancers, particularly of the breast, colon, stomach, gallbladder, and uterus. |
| A balanced diet and a supplement program including the B vitamins, beta-carotene, and minerals can give a little insurance against the effects of alcohol abuse. Extra minerals and fluids can help counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol, and may reduce the morning-after doldrums.
Of course, if we all created our own healthy, balanced lifestyle and were not the victims of a busy, high-tech society, we would likely be able to obtain our needed nutrients completely from our fresh, homegrown vital foods. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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 The truth is that all studies of beta-carotene in foods have shown it to have pronounced cancer-protective and immune-enhancing characteristics. This suggests that we need to unlock the potential of the carotenoids and other phy-tonutrients. New efforts are under way to reformulate supplements with broad-spectrum carotenoids and individual phytonutrients with daunting names like lycopene and zeazanthine.
DOSAGE: Mixed carotenoids, 5,000-20,000 I.U.; Vitamin A, 5,000 I.U. As little as 30-60 I.U. a day of vitamin A supplement has been shown to enhance immune response, though the RDA is 5,000. |
| Some people don't easily convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, so it's important to have both in the diet or as supplements.
• The B vitamins are essential cofactors in cell metabolism, and they may regulate the activity and rapid proliferation of the white blood cells of the immune system. Folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and vitamin B12 all play an important role in sustaining immune function. Of all the B vitamins, pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, has the most profound effect
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UN 1 CLUOCIN 1 IVltLUl^IlNll on the immune system. |
Gary Null
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 Peterman found, "Fifteen human subjects received daily oral dosages of beta-carotene equivalent to 100,000 units daily of vitamin A for three months. Serum carotene values rose from an initial 128 to 308 after one month, but did not rise above this level during the remainder of the observation period." Dr. Peterman reported these test results in the Journal of the American Medical Association.32
What the report says is that vitamin A, as it is found naturally in foods, rarely presents any cause for alarm over possible toxicity. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| It quenches singlet oxygen species non-chemically and is essential for a normal estrogen cycle. beta-carotene also protects against singlet oxygen-induced damage.
Deficiency of vitamin A is associated with increased binding of benzo(a)pyrene to tracheal epithelia. Organo-phosphates, DDT and PCBs will decrease the vitamin A content in the liver which increases their toxic effect on the body. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 If you go the supplement route, however, you should be aware that this type of fiber interferes with the uptake of certain important nutrients, including beta-carotene, boron, calcium, copper, iron and zinc. This is less of a problem when you consume the whole plant, because the plant itself supplies extra nutrients. But if you take pectin capsules, remember to eat your fruits and vegetables at a later meal to make sure you don't trigger any deficiencies.
VV Avocado (Persea americana). Avocado is one of the highest-fat fruits, so people with heart disease often avoid it. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
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 In addition, beta-carotene is recommended at 15 mg or 25,000 IUs, vitamin E at 400 IUs, selenium at 200 meg, vitamin C at 500-1,000 mg, folic acid at 800 meg, vitamin B12 at 500 meg, zinc at 15-30 mg and copper at 1.5-3 mg.
3) Megadose folic acid and vitamin B12. Folic acid at 10 mg daily and vitamin B12 at 500 meg daily have been shown to reverse precancerous bronchiole (airway) lesions in smokers. This regimen should only be used with your physician's consent and supervision. |
| Low blood levels of vitamin E (as well as beta-carotene) have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. That vitamin E might be a tumor preventive in humans has been suggested by researchers who showed that the vitamin could completely prevent tumor development in hamsters exposed to a potent cancer-causing substance. Hamsters not given vitamin E and exposed to the same carcinogen all developed tumors.
Vitamin E has also been shown to protect against the adverse side effects of radiation therapy and to reduce the toxicity of some cancer chemotherapies in additional animal studies. |
| It's the beta-carotene that makes carrots and many other plant foods yellow/orange.
Vitamin A is essential for, among other things, vision (especially night vision), regulation of cell development, reproduction and immunity. Deficiencies often result in alterations in skin and mucous membranes that resemble precancerous conditions. This finding has led to increased research into vitamin A as a possible anti-cancer agent or cancer preventive.
All vitamin A substances seem to protect against cancer-causing agents. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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| It may be, too, that the trials evaluating synthetic beta-carotene as a solo nutrient were just too short or tackled excessively high-risk populations like long-term smokers.
The suggestion from the ongoing research is that the antioxidant hypothesis, far from being dead, remains promising. Current research suggests that a combination of nutrients working together synergistically may be much more effective than isolated antioxidants and may eventually be found to confer protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a variety of degenerative conditions. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Antioxidants are especially recommended, including vitamins C and E, the vitamin A-like nutrients beta-carotene and lycopene and the mineral selenium. Selenium is plentiful in Brazil nuts, and the others can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Personally, I prefer foods to supplements, but these nutrients are certainly available in supplements. If I had HIV, I would definitely consult a clinical nutritionist.
Hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism in every cell of your body. |
| Broccoli and carrots are also high in beta-carotene, the powerful antioxidant that the body transforms into vitamin A. Celery is high in apigenin, a chemical that expands (dilates) the blood vessels and may help prevent high blood pressure.
Drink a fruit smoothie every day. Take any fruits that appeal to you— apples, oranges, bananas, grapefruit, melons or berries—and run them through a blender. Don't use a juicer, which extracts just the juice by separating it from the fiber. Leave the fiber in there; it's great for the digestive tract. If you like, add some nonfat yogurt and cinnamon. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Supplements
Vitamin A: 5,000 IU/day; or beta-carotene: 50,000 IU/ day
Vitamin C: 500-1000 mg every 4 hours
B complex: a good balanced B complex averaging
20-50 mg of each of the major components Zinc: 10-15 mg/day (picolinate is best; 30-50 mg if using other forms) Vitamin E: 200 IU/day of D-alpha-tocopherol Lactobacillus sp.: 0.5 tsp twice daily.
Botanical medicines
• Hydrastis + Echinacea + Phytolacca (2:2:1) —tincture: 20-60 drops every 2-4 hours —tea: 1 tsp/cup every 2-4 hours.
Topical treatment
Douches and saturated tampons. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Among the best antioxidants is vitamin A, which we get from food in the form of carotenoids like beta-carotene. Other antioxidants include vitamins C and E, the vitamin-like flavonoids, and the mineral selenium.
Several studies have shown that diets rich in vitamins C and E help prevent cataracts. For example, one study showed that taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day can slow the development of cataracts. Which brings me back to my magazine article about catnip. |
Bill Gottlieb
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 She says that these nutrients include beta-carotene (found in parsley, broccoli and spinach) and copper (found in carrots, apples and ginger). Calborn has also seen rheumatoid arthritis improve with a glass or two a day of pineapple juice. "It's the only known source of the enzyme bromelain, which has strong antiinflammatory properties," she says.
Calbom also cautions that certain juices may cause adverse reactions in people with osteoarthritis. "Avoid citrus fruits, and be careful with vegetables from the nightshade family, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant," says Calbom. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Vitamins A (and beta-carotene), C and E are my personal "ACE in the hole" for supporting the immune system. You definitely want to give the immune system help when it's fighting a yeast infection of any kind. Purslane is the best food source of all of these nutrients. I suggest enjoying young shoots of this tasty vegetable in a salad or steaming the leaves like spinach.
V Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea). |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
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 According to a National Cancer Institute publication:
A large-scale study of lung cancer among white men in New Jersey showed a protective effect of vegetables and fruits, especially those high in beta-carotene. In Louisiana, a study of lung cancer showed fruit intake to be protective, while a small study of mesothelioma suggested that vegetable and carotenoid intake lowers the risk (NCI, 1988). |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Supplementation with vitamin E, but not beta-carotene, in vivo effects low density lipoprotein from lipid peroxidation in vitro. Effect of cigarette smoking. Arterioscler Thromb 1992; 12: 554-562
54. Gey KF, Puska P, Jordan P. Inverse correlation between plasma vitamin E and mortality from ischemic heart disease in cross-cultural epidemiology. Am J Clin Nutr 1991; 53: 326S-334S
55. Stampfer MJ, Hennekens CH, Manson JE. Vitamin E consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. New Engl J Med 1993; 328: 1444-1449
56. Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Ascherio A. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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| Nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E; beta-carotene; zinc; selenium; and primrose oil will help reestablish normal immune defenses.
In a patient with a mild Candida infection, herbal medicines usually cure it. These include:
• Grapefruit seed extract. Recommended dosage: 125 to 250 milligrams three times daily
• Pau d'arco. Recommended dosage: Three glasses of freshly brewed tea from tea bags three times daily
• Garlic. Recommended dosage: concentrated garlic capsules, 400 milligrams three times daily
• Caprylic acid. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Deficient dietary beta-carotene (<5,000 IU/day) 2.814
Deficient dietary vitamin C (<30 mg/day) 6.717
*The actual values for the absolute risk of the various risk factors are as yet somewhat controversial. The numbers listed here represent the authors' summarization of the literature. These risks are not linearly additive, since they are usually closely related, and more involved multivariant analysis is necessary to determine the actual relative risk of each. |
| Use mixed carotenoids rather than synthetic beta-carotene.
B vitamins
One or more of the B vitamins is used in virtually every metabolic activity of the body. B vitamins are needed for carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism and synthesis, cell replication, and immune function. B2 and B6 have been shown to have estrogen-like effects and to act synergistically with estradiol. Bl and pantothenic acid enhance the action of estradiol, although they have no estrogenic activity themselves. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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| Fenugreek greens are also a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that might also help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's.
W Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Hundreds of European studies have confirmed the use of standardized ginkgo leaf extract for a wide variety of conditions associated with aging, including memory loss and poor circulation. There's not much data on using ginkgo to treat Alzheimer's, but I wouldn't be surprised if it helped. It's probably worth trying. You can take 60 to 240 milligrams of standardized extract a day, but don't go any higher than that. |
Earl Mindell
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 Beta-carotene, 10,000 IU 1-3 times daily (take for 5 days and stop for 2) Water, 6-8 glasses daily
3 acidophilus capsules 3 times daily, or 1-2 tbsp. liquid 3 times daily
Zinc lozenge (let dissolve in mouth) 3-4 times daily Echinacea and American feverfew extract, 3-5 daily at onset of symptoms, for 2-3 days.
263. Colitis
As a rule this illness is more common in women than men and often is triggered by emotional upset. Alternating diarrhea and constipation, as well as abdominal pain, are its distressing hallmarks. Diet is of prime importance and vitamins are recommended. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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| Likewise, a deficiency ofvitamin A, beta-carotene, or both, increase the risk of cancers.
Pollution protection. The antioxidant function of vitamin A helps to protect the body tissues from the irritating effects of stress, smoke, air pollution, and chemical exposure.
Other uses. Vitamin A has also been tried with some success in treating a variety of other problems, including asthma, fibrocystic breast disease, plantar warts, sebaceous cysts, ulcers, and premenstrual syndrome. |
Michael Castleman
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 That group had taken a combination of vitamin E, beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A) and the trace mineral selenium—all antioxidants.
The other two studies, both by Harvard researchers, tested vitamin E for prevention of heart disease. One study tracked 39,000 male health professionals for four years. Those whose diets included the most vitamin E developed the least heart disease—36 percent less than those who consumed the least vitamin E. |
| I take a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement containing 5,000 international units of vitamin A, 50,000 international units of beta-carotene, 50 milligrams of the B vitamins (except for 1,000 milligrams of niacin), 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamins D and E, 1,000 milligrams of calcium, 150 micrograms of iodine, 25 milligrams of iron, 500 milligrams of magnesium, 25 milligrams of manganese, 200 micrograms of selenium and 50 milligrams of zinc." diseases we're dying of today. The research is there, and it's compelling. |
| In addition to standard chemotherapy, Finnish researchers gave people with lung cancer a daily supplement containing vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacinamide, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, chromium and potassium. Nutritional therapy significantly reduced the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, and compared with those who took no supplements, those who did survived significantly longer. |
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