Research taking place at our well know universities and hospitals confirm the science behind the power of supplementation. These studies involve herbs, vitamins and minerals. There is a ton of information and data to back up the consumer’s huge interest towards natural remedies. I personally believe all this research brings to light there has to be a better way to help solve some of our chronic health conditions. Science and research is going to help us find better ways.
In this article I am going to share with you some of the wonderful research taking place. Some of this research is completed on natural remedies and their positive effects. The applications and results are having an outstanding impact on our currant conventional ways of helping people achieve better health.
Here are just a very few examples:
Ohio State University had a 16 week study with safflower oil (herbal form) and CLA(conjugated linolec acid) both reduced fat in the trunk area and reduced total body fat and lowered BMI(weight to height measurements). Also this study proved to help obese post menopausal women with Type 11 diabetes. ( I have clients who are losing weight and toning up muscle taking CLA.)
Stanford University did a study with L-arginine, chasteberry and green tea and found that it did help women who had fertility problems finally conceive.
John Hopkins’s study with a Chinese Herbal Medicine formula concluded it did help patients with nausea when taking chemotherapy.
Mayo Clinic had a research study and found that St. John’s wort did help patience with depression. (Note: certain degrees of depression had different results)
Cornel University nutritional epidemiology department’s research on Vitamin E did conclude that it helped reduce the risk of COPD (chronic obstructive lung disease).
University of California’s research on acetyl-l-carnitine and alph-lipoic-acid did have positive anti-aging effects. Also the university’s study on l-lysine showed that
l-lysine had a 3 to 5 time more effectiveness on cold sores then over the counter and prescription brands.
University of Michigan’s department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, research department found the natural sweetener, xylitol; prove to have positive effects on gum disease.
University of Michigan Health System found that magnesium malate reduced the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia when taken in higher doses then daily recommendations/ ( I personally attest to this product.)
American Academy of Pediatrics research found in two different studies that 58% of newborns and 36% of mothers were deficient in vitamin D, according to blood tests. Although taking prenatal vitamins helped, more than 30% of moms who took them were still deficient. (D3 is the form of D to take)
More than one third of Americans use herbs for health purposes. To make sure physicians are getting accurate information about plant based natural remedies there are more articles then ever appearing in the JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) publications. This is a very good sign the gap may be starting to close between the use of conventional and natural methods to address health issues.
An example a meeting of the minds took place just this past April when more than 10,000 researchers and practicing neurologists from around the world gathered at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Toronto, Canada. Some of their discussions and lectures covered some subjects about the effects of Omega-3, Vitamin D3, and alpha lipoic acid on patients with MS.
There are more lectures and education being offered to people in the medical profession than ever before. The constant exposure to questions from patients about using natural products is creating a new opportunity for these subjects to be offered at conferences and educational events held for health care professional.
If your physician does not jump at the thought that you would like to take a more natural approach for your health issues, understand it takes time for things to change. Since 1928 when Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, we have used a more conventional approach to health care and the use of prescription drugs. Over use of medications and their side effects has caused the pendulum to start to swing back towards safer methods of care and natural remedies.
During a time when conventional medicine has ruled, the fast growing desire for a more natural approach is beginning to change some of our options. A change in thinking by the consumer and a desire for a healthier approach to some health issues is creating a new direction in health care. The insurance industry is even taking a second look at covering some natural remedies and therapies.
Even though there are thousands of studies completed and are underway, the consumer still has to be their best advocate when it comes to natural remedies. Reading articles, understanding our own medical condition, education on how and why a natural product works in the body and making sure there will be no interactions with medications is still the responsibility of the consumer.
A large and increasing number of people use medicinal herbs. If you take medications you should always seek the advice of your physician regarding the addition of herbs and some vitamins to your daily regiment. You could possibly have an interaction if you take medications.
Appling good common sense, education, and communication with your health care provider and also talking with a specialist in supplementation would be a wise approach. This saves you time, gets you on the right track and could even save you money!
Carmela Roush is the owner of Natural Solutions Vitamin and Herb Consultants located on the Blvd. in NewPhiladelphia. Natural Solutions has been a sister company to Shear Design since 1995.
This article appeared in the June issue of Health Matters in the Times Reporter.
