Michael Friedman, ND
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 Micronutrient deficiencies (such as calcium, magnesium, chromium, vanadium, zinc, carotenoids, and vitamin a) <* Low intake of vegetables -e> Lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
High stress
Use of nicotine-containing products body fat and reverses the loss of muscle mass associated with insulin resistance, providing the single most important intervention for changes in body composition.85-87 Exercise improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles and fat tissue, reducing both fasting blood sugar and insulin levels. |
Antoinette Saville and Antony J. Haynes
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 To make things worse, zinc is required to release vitamin a from your liver - so if you're not getting enough of both, you could be compromising your intestinal health.
Digestive Tract Infections
Unwanted, unfriendly bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as the more famous yet less common Salmonella and E. coli, can all disrupt normal intestinal ecology and alter intestinal permeability. |
| The Pill also depletes vitamins (B vitamins, vitamin a) and minerals (zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron) and tends to increase copper levels.
There is also statistical evidence that the Pill increases the chance of a yeast overgrowth.
Combine antibiotics and the Pill and there may be a synergistic negative effect within the intestine, thereby increasing the risk not only of food intolerance but also of yeast overgrowth. |
Michael Friedman, ND
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| Increase In general, evidence suggests high blood levels of carotenoids inversely associated with fasting insulin Increase Diets higher in vitamin a have shown an inverse relationship with insulin resistance.
Low-Moderate Salt avoidance and high salt intake might worsen insulin resistance. Decrease Use of nicotine-containing products associated with worsening of insulin resistance.
Increase Exercise is critical for preventing and reversing insulin resistance.
Decrease Acute stress associated with insulin resistance. Chronic psychosocial stress probable association with insulin resistance. |
Elson M. Haas, M.D.
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 The antioxidant nutrients include vitamins C and E, beta-carotene or mixed carotenoids, vitamin a, zinc, and selenium. Some authorities believe that higher amounts of vitamin a (10,000 IU), mixed carotenoids (25,000 to 50,000 IU), vitamin C (8 to 12 g), selenium (300 to 400 meg), and vitamin E (1,000 to 1,200 IU) are helpful during detoxification to neutralize the free radicals.
The liver is our most important detoxification organ. |
Michael Friedman, ND
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| Diets higher in vitamin a have shown an inverse relationship with insulin resistance.
Extremes of salt intake (low or high) appear to worsen insulin resistance.
Use of nicotine-containing products associated with worsening of insulin resistance.
Exercise is critical for preventing and reversing insulin resistance.
Acute stress associated with insulin resistance. Chronic psychosocial stress probable association with insulin resistance. Deficiency likely.
Diet inducing potassium depletion results in a resistance to insulin action.
Association between low zinc levels and insulin resistance. |
Ben-Erik van Wyk
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 Nutritional value The fruit pulp yields about 60 kcal and contains fair amounts of vitamin C (20-30 mg), carotenes, vitamin a, niacin, riboflavin, phosphorus and potassium.
Passiflora mollissima curuba • banana passion fruit
Curuba flowers and fruits
Wingstem passion fruit (P. alata)
Description This species is similar to the common passion fruit but the flowers and fruits are very distinctive. The flowers are tubular and pendulous, with pink petals and the soft-walled fruits that are narrowly oblong, smooth and yellow (rarely green) when ripe. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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 It would appear that beta-carotene has specific actions upon fertility, which is separate from its role as a precursor to vitamin a. Of all the organs, the corpus luteum (part of the ovarian follicle) has the highest concentration of beta-carotene. The carotene cleavage activity changes with each ovulation cycle, the highest activity occurring during the mid-ovulation stage. The proper ratio of carotene-to-retinol must be maintained to ensure proper corpus luteum function. |
Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN
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 A product known as Soy Butter, introduced in 1942, consisted of liquid and hydrogenated soy oils, soy milk, soy lecithin, salt, carotene, vitamin a and
APPROPRIATE USES OF SOY: LUBE JOBS
Afraid to eat up that soy oil in your cupboard? You needn't throw it out even though it's sure to be rancid. Joseph Mazzela, an eighth grader at Maris Academy who exhibited at the 2002 California State Science Fair, proved that old vegetable oils can shine as lubricants for skateboards, bikes, boats, cars or door hinges. |
| The soymilk companies usually add vitamin a and vitamin D. However, soy-containing infant formulas contain many supplemental items including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and more."
"May want to"? Soy milk is so dangerous to infants that commercial manufacturers such as WestSoy and others carry strong warnings on their cartons. Indeed, news headlines about babies severely damaged by soy milk used as a substitute for infant formula sent ripples through the health-food industry in 1990. |
| In 1990, Loma Linda Foods considered ditching its infant formula division because of "legal liability" problems, watchdogging by the FDA and the fear that there could be future expensive recalls of improperly supplemented cans of soy formula, based on one incident involving a "small shortage of vitamin a."72
Another fat-soluble vitamin—vitamin K—has also come up short. In 1968, a seven-week old infant developed a bleeding disorder known as hypothrombinemia while being fed a new soy formula (Isomil). |
Paula Begoun
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 Natural vitamin a, C & E Conditioner ($6.50 for 16 ounces) is similar to the Natural Sea Kelp Conditioner above, and the same comments apply.
© Swimmers & Sports Hair and Scalp Reconditioning Conditioner ($7-35 for 8 ounces) lists two sunscreens as active ingredients, but wisely does not list an SPF rating. That's because no such standards for figuring this number have been set for hair-care products, so even if the ingredients are present they can't be relied on for sun protection. This is otherwise a standard conditioner that can remove chlorine and mineral deposits from hair. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
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 Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin a but may have a separate role in human health. Controlled research has shown that beta-carotene supplements can increase the numbers of some white blood cells and enhance cancer-fighting immune functions in healthy people who take 25,000 to 100,000 IU per day.11'12 However, some studies of smokers have reported that supplements of synthetic beta-carotene increased the risk of both heart disease13,14 and lung cancer. |
| At present, the level at which birth defects might be caused by vitamin a supplementation is not known, though it may well be higher than 10,000 IU per day. Nevertheless, women who ate pregnant should talk with a doctor before supplementing with more than 10,000 IU per day.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions. |
| The effect of lower amounts of vitamin a has not been studied in people with peptic ulcer.
Zinc (page 614) is also needed for the repair of damaged tissue and has protected against stomach ulceration in animal studies.23 In Europe, zinc combined with acexamic acid, an anti-inflammatory substance, is used as a drug in the treatment of peptic ulcers.24 In a small controlled trial, high amounts of zinc accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers compared with placebo. |
| Vitamin A used this way can be irritating to local tissue, so it should not be used more than once per day for up to seven consecutive days.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
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 An excellent source of both vitamin C and beta-carotene, which your body may convert to vitamin a, these nutrients in spinach work together to prevent oxidized cholesterol from building up in blood vessel walls. A cup of fresh spinach leaves can provide you with a substantial amount of your daily requirement of vitamin a (via beta-carotene) and 11 percent of the adult female requirement for vitamin C, and 9 percent of the RDA for males.
Leafy Greens and Your Blood Pressure
An easy way to boost your intake of antihypertensive nutrients is to eat leafy greens. |
Dan Buettner
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 A, potassium, vitamin jasmine tea and eat my breakfast?
C, and folic acid, sweets are usually miso soup with vegetables. also easy to prepare Pnck Then," she pointed toward her door, one with a fork, microwave it «T gQ tQ the sacre(l grove to pray fof for about five minutes, and just ^ heakh Qf ^ vilkge and thank season with salt and pepper. ^ gods fof making it safe ?J later learned that this sacred grove was a clearing in the forest about 650 feet (200 meters) from the house with a gazebo-like structure. Craig leaned over to me. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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 Too much vitamin a is bad for your bones.
St. John's Wort
The medical community has had a very hard time grappling with research suggesting that an herb might be as good as an antidepressant like fluoxetine (Prozac) for relieving depression. Nevertheless, there have been dozens of clinical trials demonstrating that St. John's wort can be effective in treating mild to moderate depression.200 In some studies, St. John's wort works as well as prescription antidepressants, and it usually has fewer troublesome side effects.
St. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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| Heart Disease: There is a similar relationship between vitamin a and heart disease. A School of Public Health study showed that women who consumed more than 15 to 20 mg (25,000 IU) daily had a 40% less chance of having a heart attack.
Cataracts: Cataracts also are found more frequently in people with lower beta-carotene levels. The low beta-carotene group had five to seven times the risk of getting cataracts. Being an antioxidant, it should share with ascorbic acid and vitamin E the ability to be therapeutic for any disease characterized by an excess formation of free radicals. |
Paula Begoun
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| Natural vitamin a, C & E Shampoo ($6.50 for 16 ounces) is nearly identical to the Natural Aloe Vera 84% Shampoo above, and the same comments apply.
© Swimmers & Sports Hair and Scalp Reconditioning Shampoo ($7.95 for 17.5 ounces) is similar to the Natural Apricot Keratin Shampoo above, except this contains a chelating agent to help remove chlorine and mineral deposits from hair. Otherwise, the same basic comments apply.
© Tall Grass Hi-Protein Shampoo ($7.95 for 17. |
Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH
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| Men's Conditions: vitamin a can combat male infertility and prostate cancer. Lycopene is a carotenoid with interesting clinical uses. It provides twice the antioxidant effects of beta-carotene, and 10 times the antioxidant effects of vitamin E. Idiopathic male infertility is a significant problem that appears to be caused by an excessive amount of free radicals. |
| Vitamin A also promotes protective sheathing around the nerve fibers, tissues, and organs internally and promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.
Optimum Dose
All of these studies indicate that one should consume high amounts of carotene-containing foods each day. They also point to a need of tissue-specific carotenes for the treatment or prevention of specific health conditions.
For optimal health and longevity, it is recommended to supplement with 15,000 to 25,000 IU of mixed carotenoids (includes beta-carotene and other carotenoids) daily. |
Paula Begoun
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| The smattering of plant extracts and vitamins thrown in (carrot extract, vitamin a) are for the sake of making an impression on consumers and have no benefit for hair. Fekkai's claims about using naturally derived cleansing ingredients can be made for all cleansing agents in shampoos because they are all derived primarily from coconut. But they are far removed from the natural state—you wouldn't want to use them in your pina colada! |
| It contains mostly silicone (a decidedly unnatural ingredient), emollient, plant extracts, conditioning agents, and vitamin a. The price for this product makes it a very good bargain.
© All Natural Hi-Shine Plus, Instantly Tame and Control Fly-Aways ($7.50 for 4 ounces) is a lighter, spray-on version of the All Natural Frizz Control, for Smooth, Soft Hair above. It can add shine and smoothness to all hair types, though it should be used sparingly by those with fine or thin hair. Again, the price is excellent for what you get. |
| Answer: Popular theory has long suggested that vitamin a, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, vitamin C, copper, iron, and zinc are hair-healthy vitamins and minerals, but there is little research showing that to be fact. One study {ClinicalExperimental Dermatology, July 2002, pages 396^04) stated that "little is known about nutritional factors and hair loss. What we do know emanates from studies in protein-energy malnutrition, starvation, and eating disorders. There is no evidence to support the popular view that low serum zinc concentrations cause hair loss. |
Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. and Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
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 Other Nutrients
Other nutrients that play a role in reproduction include vitamin E, vitamin a, selenium, folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, and coenzyme Q10. Various human and animal studies show that supplementing with each of these nutrients improves fertility.
The Role of the Thyroid Hormone
Infertility is a recognized consequence of hypothyroidism in both sexes. However, as we have argued in chapter 4, blood tests for thyroid function are often unreliable, and hypothyroidism is underdiagnosed by conventional doctors. |
| Note: Because of their vitamin a and D content, doses of cod-liver oil greater than 1 tablespoon per day should be supervised by a doctor.) Black-currant-seed oil, 5 to 10 grams per day.
• Vitamin E, 400 IU per day, to balance essential fatty acids or to support selenium.
Other Recommendations:
• Fresh ginger root (5 grams per day) or ginger-root powder (0.5 to 1.0 gram per day), or as directed by a physician.
• Niacinamide, 500 mg, 3 times per day. Reduce dose if nausea occurs. Monitor blood test for liver enzymes periodically.
• Selenium, 200 meg per day. |
| In severe cases, the drug Accutane (another vitamin a derivative) is sometimes used. However, this drug can cause birth defects (if taken by pregnant women), as well as other significant side effects.
DR. WRIGHT'S CASE STUDY
Jason Jeffries didn't look happy, and didn't say much, so his mother spoke first.
"You can see Jason has a bad case of acne," she said. "It started when he was 12, and he's 15 now. We've been the antibiotic route—he's been using that antibiotic cream and taking oral antibiotics, and they just barely controlled it. And I know continuous antibiotics aren't good for anyone. |
| Since you're planning a pregnancy, make sure there are no more than 10,000 IU of vitamin a in any multiple."
"We're already doing that, plus vitamin E, 400 IU per day, and 1 gram of vitamin C twice daily," Diana said. "Mothers."
"Not just your mothers," I said. "Look what you're doing for your own baby before it's even here."
"I'm sure it's worth it," John said.
"Once you're pregnant, Diana will need to add extra calcium and magnesium, and possibly iron."
"That's on Mom's list, too!"
DR. |
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