Dan's Papers - October 26, 2007

I know a man who credits herbal supplements to saving his life. He is in his 70s, has had multiple heart attacks and is a diabetic. With all that he has been through, he is healthy and going strong. If you open his medicine cabinet you will find dozens of natural supplements from fish oil to ginger pills, each one serving its own purpose when needed. He has a plethora of knowledge about the herbs from his personal experience and research. He stays up-to-date by reading Life Extensions magazine, to which he is a subscriber. The natural substance that he is known to swear by is the controversial, Dimethyl Sulfoxide , known as DMSO. This is a natural substance derived from wood pulp. It is FDA approved only for the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis, the inflammation of the bladder, and it is controversial because many people use it for many different things. My friend puts it anywhere on his body that pain occurs and has even been known to drink it. It should not be consumed and can be tasted without going near your mouth. When it hits the skin DMSO penetrates into the blood stream instantly, causing a metallic taste sort of like salmon. This polar aprotic solvent is often used for chemical reactions involving salt and burns. My friend credits it to his longevity along with other alternative medicines. DMSO and all the supplements mentioned should be used only when your doctor has been consulted.

Today, many people are turning to herbal nutritional supplements as a healthy alternative. It is quite easy to educate yourself on the benefits of specific herbs with an abundance of information out there. However, one must be careful because these medicines are not strictly regulated in the United States therefore, some dietary supplements do not contain the herbs that they claim to. It is important to know exactly which herb you are looking to benefit from to ensure knowledge of what you are buying.

An herb that many people are interested in is ginkgo biloba. This is a large tree indigenous to the mountains of China and sparks our interest because it has been known to aid in the treatment of ADD and ADHD. Ginkgo Biloba improves circulation to the brain, therefore stimulating the brain. It also improves circulation throughout the body helping to lower blood pressure. When purchased try to make sure that it is manufactured at a facility that follows strict GMP compliance and is a supplement with standardized herbal extract of pure ginkgo biloba.

Young people today often use herbal supplements for beauty. In the United States we struggle with finding an easier way to lose weight. This becomes complicated because all of our bodies are so different and different things work for each person. Green tea has been popular the last few years as a dietary supplement. It has many health benefits. The caffeine that it contains speeds up metabolism but does not suffice in weight loss management. Chromium picolinate is an herb that works with insulin to transport glucose to the body's cells to produce energy that improves metabolism. This is a weight loss supplement but is controversial because it caused cancer in hamsters. Just like Nutra Sweet, using this product is a risk. A recommended weight loss pill is Hoodia Gordonii. Make sure the product is made from pure South African Hoodia Gordonii and is certified by C.I.T.E.S. and the Analytical report.

Grapefruit extract serves multiple benefits to our bodies. It contains a high content of vitamin C and is a powerful antioxidant. It can neutralize highly unstable and extremely reactive molecules that attack your cells and contribute to skin aging. It is high in limonene and serves as an anti-inflammatory. Not only keeping the skin youthful, grapefruit seed extract will kill any infection in the body. It can be bought in liquid form in a dropper but it tastes horrible so be sure to mix it with juice. My friend with the herbal supplements has been known to drop it in his ear to cure an ear infection but experts do not recommend this.

Also beneficial to the skin are omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in fish oil pills and can help perpetually dry skin. Omega-3 is said to improve mood disorders and cognitive function.

There is a natural alternative to almost everything. If you need a laxative take flax seed oil, if you have a stomachache take some ginger pills. There are natural herbs found all over the world to aid in different areas of our well-being. We need only to educate ourselves on these healthy alternatives.