Category: Health Concerns

Ginseng


The “Herb of Emperors” Improves Resistance and Stamina

Ginseng (Panax spp.)

Panax ginseng was considered the “Herb of Emperors” in ancient China, and only the emperor was allowed to use ginseng. This was because the potent effects of ginseng were felt to be “too precious” for the common man.

Modern research has confirmed ginseng’s amazing powers. Ginseng improves immunity through a wide variety of mechanisms. It stimulates DNA synthesis and is useful for anti-aging and chronic disease. Studies have shown that ginseng improves both physical and mental stamina. “It’s not just for the emperor any more!”

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticoccus)

Siberian ginseng  has active substances similar to Panax ginseng. Its stimulating action is milder than the Panax variety, however, so Eleuthero can be taken for immune and energy tonic purposes over a longer period of time.

Panax Ginseng (Panax ginseng) “Emperors Choice”

Panax Ginseng - The Emperor's ChoicePanax or “true” ginseng is an immune stimulant, adaptogenic and male tonic.

Panax ginseng is used for immune enhancement, stress adaptogen, impotence and low libido (especially in males).

 

 

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Siberian GinsengActions: Adaptogenic (helps the body adapt to physical and mental stress); tonic; mild stimulant; stimulates immune system

Uses: Stress adaptation; depression; rejuvenation; immune enhancement; athletic performance.

Suggested dose: 1 cap, 2 times per day, for 4 weeks.
Maintenance: 1 capsule per day thereafter.

 

 

Dr. Myatt’s Guide to Good Health

Natural Support Strategies

Basic Principals of Health:

Nutritious diet, pure water, regular exercise, NO smoking, moderation of alcohol and caffeine, daily multiple vitamin/mineral supplement with antioxidants (Such as Maxi Multi or Once Daily MyPacks), stress reduction, sufficient sleep and relaxation, spiritual practices (see the video Remembering Who You Are), enjoy life! (Be sure to read 10 RULES OF GOOD HEALTH. All other recommendations build on these basics…..

For Healthy Brain and Nervous System:

Nutritious diet with limited saturated fats; additional essential fatty acids (Flax seed oil); extra antioxidants (found in Once Daily MyPacks or Maxi Multi); herbs (Maxi Greens or ginkgo, bilberry, tumeric.).

For a Healthy Cardiovascular System (Heart and Circulation):

High fiber, low fat diet; NO smoking; regular exercise; achieve ideal body weight; Limit coffee (regular OR decaf.); Multiple vitamin/mineral supplement with bioflavonoids and antioxidants (such as Maxi Multi or Once Daily MyPacks); Extra B vitamins, especially B6, B12, and folic acid (such as in B-complex 50); extra fiber supplements (such as Fiber Formula); CoQ10; Omega-3 fatty acids or fish oils (Flax Seed Oil) herbs (hawthorne, ginkgo, garlic); stress reduction (watch Dr. Myatt’s video The Body/Mind Connection).

For a Healthy Colon:

High fiber diet; fiber supplementation (such as Fiber Formula); intestinal bacterial replacement (such as Suprema-Dophilus); see also Healthy Digestion, below.

For Healthy Digestion:

Chew food thoroughly; don’t eat when upset or rushed; take digestive enzymes (such as Similase or Bromelain).

For Healthy Eyes and Vision:

Multivitamin with antioxidants (such as Maxi Multi or Once Daily MyPacks), herbs (Bilberry Plus, Ginkgo); wear sunglasses in bright light.

For a Healthy Immune System:

Nutritious diet; regular exercise; multiple vitamin/mineral supplement with extra antioxidants (such as Maxi Multi or Once Daily MyPacks); immune-enhancing herbs (Immune Support, Astragalus, bromelain, echinacea, garlic, goldenseal, turmeric, hypericum); stress reduction; visualization and affirmation; meditation or other spiritual practices (see Dr. Myatts video Remembering Who You Are).

Rejuvenation & Longevity

Many of the practices that make for a healthier life also increase life expectancy. In addition, some herbs and nutritional substances may increase life expectancy, although this is less well-proven than the health practices described below.

Factors which have definitely been shown to increase life expectancy, demonstrated in decades-long research in animals and also in human population studies: Maintaining a lean body mass index (being at the lean end of your desirable weight range) while maintaining a high level of nutrition. (Staying slim through nutrient deprivation doesn’t extend life. Staying slim by eating a high quality, low calorie diet does). [See Weight Loss if you are overweight]. No other physical means (not even exercise) is proven to increase life expectancy. (Exercise is known to increase health span, meaning the number of years that a person stays healthy. We have no proof that it increases total lifespan, however).

SUPPLEMENTS: (less well-proven than caloric restriction, but there is a strong consensus among longevity experts that the following nutrients may help extend expected life-span).:
I.) Multiple vitamin/mineral, antioxidants: see Supplements for dosage recommendations.
II.) Maxi Greens antioxidants. Flavonoid herbs
III.) CoQ10: 20-100mg per day

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Powerful Antioxidant Protection and Herbal Energizer

Green tea (Camelia sinensis) is a rich source of catechins, substances which have been found to neutralize cancer-causing agents and prevent cellular mutations leading to cancer.

In addition to cancer-prevention, green tea prevents abnormal blood clotting, reduces total cholesterol, aids high blood pressure and protects arterioles.

Green tea has also been shown to increase energy expenditure and may therefore be useful in weight loss programs. Although green tea contains caffeine, several studies have shown that subjects who took green tea capsules had higher energy expenditures than those who took caffeine alone. It appears that there may be an additional fat-oxidizing effect that is not due to the caffeine content.

The polyphenols in green tea have been shown to stimulate production of certain immune cells. Topically, green tea has antibacterial properties and is effective against plaque-causing bacteria.

Bottom line: Green tea may help prevent both cancer and heart disease and is a useful adjuvant to weight loss programs. Green tea is also an immune-stimulant and antibacterial.

Dr. Myatt recommends Maxi Flavone for all the benefits of Green Tea and more!

References

 1.) Suganuma M, Okabe S, Sueoka N, et al. Green tea and cancer chemoprevention. Mutat Res 1999;428:339–44.
2.) Weisberger JH, Rivenson A, Garr K, et al. Tea, or tea and milk, inhibit mammary gland and colon carcinogenesis in rats. Cancer Lett 1997;114:323–7.
3.) Yang CS, Lee MJ, Chen L, Yang GY. Polyphenols as inhibitors of carcinogenesis. Environ Health Perspect 1997;105(Suppl 4):971–6 [review].
4.) Menon LG, Kuttan R, Kuttan G. Anti-metastatic activity of curcumin and catechin. Cancer Lett 1999;141:159–65.
5.) Mukhtar H, Ahmad N. Green tea in chemoprevention of cancer. Toxicol Sci 1999;52(2 Suppl):111–7.
6.) Katiyar SK, Mukhtar H. Tea consumption and cancer. World Rev Nutr Diet 1996;79:154–84 [review].
7.) Kohlmeier L, Weterings KG, Steck S, Kok FJ. Tea and cancer prevention: an evaluation of the epidemiologic literature. Nutr Cancer 1997;27:1–13 [review].
8.) Kono S, Shinchi K, Ikeda N, et al. Green tea consumption and serum lipid profiles: A cross-sectional study in Northern Kyushu, Japan. Prev Med 1992;21:526–31.
9.) Yamaguchi Y, Hayashi M, Yamazoe H, et al. Preventive effects of green tea extract on lipid abnormalities in serum, liver and aorta of mice fed an atherogenic diet. Nip Yak Zas 1991;97:329–37.
10.) Sagesaka-Mitane Y, Milwa M, Okada S. Platelet aggregation inhibitors in hot water extract of green tea. Chem Pharm Bull 1990;38:790–3.
11.) Stensvold I, Tverdal A, Solvoll K, et al. Tea consumption. Relationship to cholesterol, blood pressure, and coronary and total mortality. Prev Med 1992;21:546–53.
12.) Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:1040–5.
13.) Chantre P, Lairon D. Recent findings of green tea extract AR25 (Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity. Phytomedicine 2002;9:3–8.
14.) Stoner GD, Mukhtar H. Polyphenols as cancer chemopreventive agents. J Cell Bioch 1995;22:169–80.
15.) You SQ. Study on feasibility of Chinese green tea polyphenols (CTP) for preventing dental caries. Chin J Stom 1993;28:197–9.
16.) Hamilton-Miller JM. Antimicrobial properties of tea (Camellia sinensis L.). Antimicro Agents Chemother 1995;39:2375–7.

Gymnema(Gymnema sylvestre)

Improves Insulin Production

Gymnema has been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels and regenerate pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This is an incredibly important herb for diabetes, both type I and II.

Gymnema enhances insulin action, reduces fasting blood sugar levels (only in diabetics) and may stimulate islet cell regeneration. Gymnema is indicated in:

  • Type I, I.5 & II diabetes
  • Weight loss programs
  • Insulin resistance

Suggested dose: 2 caps (1,000+mg), 2-3 times per day between meals.

REFERENCES

1.) Mhasker KS, Caius JF. A study of Indian medicinal plants. II. Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. Indian J Med Res Memoirs 1930;16:2–75.
2.) Shimizu K, Iino A, Nakajima J, et al. Suppression of glucose absorption by some fractions extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves. J Vet Med Sci 1997;59:245–51.
3.) Shanmugasundaram KR, Panneerselvam C, Sumudram P, Shanmugasundaram ERB. Insulinotropic activity of G. sylvestre, R.Br. and Indian medicinal herb used in controlling diabetes mellitus. Pharmacol Res Commun 1981;13:475–86.
4.) Shanmugasundaram ER, Gopinath KL, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, Rajendran VM. Possible regeneration of the islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin diabetic rats given Gymnema sylvestre leaf extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:265–79.
5.) Prakash AO, Mather S, Mather R. Effect of feeding Gymnema sylvestre leaves on blood glucose in beryllium nitrate treated rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;18:143–4.
6.) Persaud SJ, Al-Majed H, Raman A, Jones PM. Gymnema sylvestre stimulates insulin release in vitro by increased membrane permeability. J Endocrinol 1999;163:207–12.

Fungus, Yeasts and Molds: Hidden Cause of Many “Unexplained” Diseases

Every day, thousands of microscopic, decay-eating organisms find their way into our bodies in the food we eat and the air we breathe.

These organisms are part of The Fungi Kingdom and include yeasts, molds, mildew, mushrooms, fungi and others.

Although most fungi feed on dead and decaying organisms, a number of them also feed on living organisms. Athlete’s foot is a common fungus which feeds on a living host.

The entire class of Fungi are “opportunistic,” and the ones which feed on humans can establish themselves in a human body during a time of weakness, such as during an infection or when the immune system is suppressed with drugs. There are also many fungi that do not require a weak immune system in order to establish themselves in a host. In addition to the direct effects of the fungi, which act like parasites in a human host, many also manufacture highly toxic substances called “mycotoxins.”

Who Cares About Fungi and Mycotoxins?

Fungi produce toxins called mycotoxins (“Myco” from the Greek “Mykes”, means “fungus”). Mycotoxins cannot be destroyed by heat, are known to suppress the immune system, and have a wide range of effects in both animals and humans. A number of these mycotoxins are quite poisonous.

Aflatoxin, a common toxin found in peanuts and some grains and a result of Aspergillus flavus fungus, is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. Because of this, peanuts and grains must be constantly “screened” for aflatoxin. Even with this government-mandated screening, a person eating according to the US Food-pyramid is eating between 0.15-0.5 grams per day. (A lethal dose is considered to be 10-20mg). But at these everyday, low-grade exposures, negative health effects can still be experienced.

Symptoms and Diseases Associated with Mycotoxins and the Fungi Kingdom

When the World Health Organization recently convened, Dr. A.V. Costantini, head of the organization, an internist who modestly claims to be a “just a country doctor,” listed fourteen diseases wherein fungal (mold & Candida Albicans) forms of microorganisms have been found include the following: atherosclerosis, cancer, AIDS, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, systemic lupus , erythematosus, gout, Crohn’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, hyperactivity syndrome, Infertility, psoriasis, cirrhosis of the liver, Alzheimer’s disease, Scleroderma, Raynaud’s Disease, sarcoidosis, kidney stones, amyloidosis, vasculitis, and Cushing’s disease.

Other conditions known to be caused by fungi, yeasts and their mycotoxins include: postpartum depression, immune system weakness, bladder disease (especially non-bacterial interstitial cystitis in women and chronic non-bacterial prostatitis in men), pneumonitis and lung infections, endometriosis and weight gain.

A person suffering from yeast of fungal overgrowth may have any of these symptoms:
In the intestinal tract: bloating, excessive feeling of fullness, diarrhea, constipation, alternating diarrhea and constipation, “rolling gas,” abdominal cramping, heartburn, indigestion, gas or belching, mucous in the stool, hemorrhoids.

In the female genital tract: recurrent yeast vaginitis, persistent vaginal itching or burning, persistent vaginal discharge, endometriosis, PMS.

In the male genital tract: prostatitis, impotence, loss of sexual desire.

In the urinary tract: urgency or urinary frequency, recurrent urinary tract “infections” but bacteria are NOT found to be the cause.

In the nervous system: numbness, burning, or tingling, spots in front of the eyes, erratic vision, impaired coordination, irritability or jitteriness, dizziness or loss of balance, failing vision, ear pain or deafness.

In the immune system: rashes, post nasal drip, sore or dry throat, wheezing or shortness of breath, recurrent infections, burning or tearing of eyes, cough.

In the skin and mucous membranes: recurrent skin fungal infections, nail-bed fungus, “jock itch,” thrush (yeast overgrowth in the mouth and esophagus)
In general: fatigue, mental “cloudiness,” joint aches and pains, obesity, depression, memory loss.

There are quite probably many other medical conditions associated with fungi, yeasts and mycotoxins in the human body. Because this is a largely overlooked topic in conventional medicine, our understanding of the disease-fungi connection is weak at best.

Your conventional doctor is unlikely to be aware of or to tell you about these mycotoxin-induced problems. You can learn more about candidiasis here:

If you believe that you may be experiencing any of these symptoms or problems a Candida stool test is a good place to start your investigation.

References:

Mycotoxins in the food chain: human health implications. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16 Suppl 1:95-101.
Contamination of food with mycotoxins and human health. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2001 Mar;52(1):23-35.
Limits and regulations for mycotoxins in food and feed.
Toxic effects of mycotoxins in humans. Bull World Health Organ. 1999;77(9):754-66
Toxins of filamentous fungi. Food Addit Contam. 2005 Feb;22(2):150-7
Mycotoxins in infant cereal foods from the Canadian retail market. Food Addit Contam. 2003 May;20(5):494-504.

Female MENOPAUSE

Natural Strategies to Manage Female Menopausal Symptoms

See Menopause:”The Climacteric” for a full discussion of what occurs during menopause.

Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which uses unnatural doses of the most potent female hormone, estradiol, has been known for over a decade to be unsafe. However, it was just this past year that several large-scale human studies had to be stopped because the harm caused by such HRT was undeniable. Finally, conventional medicine has acknowledged that HRT is unsafe.

Natural hormone replacement therapy (nHRT), which seeks to duplicate the hormone profile of a younger woman using natural hormones (not horse estrogens or synthetic estrogens or progesterones), has a long track record and a solid safety profile. In fact, it appears that maintaining a youthful hormone delays the aging process AND helps protect women from hormone-related cancers, heart disease and bone loss.

How is this accomplished? First a female hormone profile should be performed. Based on the results of this test, some combination of DHEA, estriol, estrone, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone will be prescribed. This is no “one size fits all” prescription! Your hormone prescription can then be customized to you, depending on which hormones are deficient or excess. Contrary to what one might think, “menopause” is not “just” a simple across-the-board decline in sex hormones! Again, please refer to Menopause:”The Climacteric” for a full discussion of what occurs during menopause.

While a hormone profile is a highly advisable “first step” for hormone balancing, there are safe and effective self-care measures which can be used to improve hormone balance.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Diet: eat a nutritious diet high in nutrient-rich foods. Increase consumption of soy products (both sexes) if tolerated.
  • Achieve and maintain a normal weight.
  • Exercise regularly. 30 minutes, 3 times per week minimum.
  • Don’t smoke! The climacteric occurs sooner in people who smoke.

PRIMARY SUPPORT

  • Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, boron, and vanadium are particularly important for peri or post-menopausal women.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids:
     Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
    OR
    Flax seed capsules    : 2-4 caps, 3 times per day [target dose range: 6-12 caps per day]
    OR
    Flax seed oil    : 1 tablespoon per day
    OR
    Max EPA     (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals [target dose: 3-6 caps per day].

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

  • Black Cohosh Plus+ 1-2 caps, 2-3 times daily between meals. [Target dose: 2 to 6 caps per day. Adjust dose according to symptoms].
  • DHEA: 25 mg taken in the morning. Do not use higher doses without the results of a hormone profile. (A typical dose for post-menopausal females is 10-50mg per day).
  • Mega Soy: 1 capsule, once per day with breakfast. [Target dose: 100mg or more of isoflavones; 50-100mg or more of genisteins].
  • Melatonin: 3 mg at bedtime.

For hot flashes

  • Female hormone profile highly recommended.
  • Black Cohosh Plus+ 1-2 caps, 2-3 times daily between meals. [Target dose: 2 to 6 caps per day. Adjust dose according to symptoms. When symptoms improve, decrease dose].
  • Vitamin E: 400IU with a meal. [Target dose: 800IU per day. Maxi Multi contains 400IU].

For Depression

For vaginal dryness/lack of lubrication

TESTS

Hormone replacement creams or natural prescriptions as recommended by your holistic physician AFTER a sex hormone profile has been performed. I am available for consultations by telephone to help you achieve optimal hormone balance.

The Flu Can Be a Brutal Enemy.

Are You Relying on a Flu Shot Alone to Protect You?

The flu is expected to strike 24,700,000 people in the US alone this year according to CDC predictions (which are usually accurate because they are based on previous years’ statistics). An estimated 41,4000 will die from complications of their infection.

If you are you relying on a flu shot alone to protect you from colds and flu this winter, the odds are not in your favor. With 200+ strains of flu viruses and over 700 different strains of cold viruses waiting to have their way with you, a flu shot aimed at protecting you from only three of these 900+ viruses can still leave you wide-open to life-threatening infection. Even the majority of flu victims who recover still suffer from low energy, immune weakness and respiratory symptoms for weeks or months afterward. As “simple” and old-fashioned as the flu may sound, it is still a deadly disease.

A Healthy Immune System Is Your Best Safeguard Against The Flu

Your body has a built-in safeguard against viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungus and even cancer. This shield, called the Immune System, is far more effective than any vaccination or modern-day drug against a wide range of diseases. Unfortunately, many factors “inherent to modern life,” such as nutrient deficiencies, smoking, stress, environmental pollutants, overweight, sleep deprivation, excess sugar and carbohydrates in the diet and even aging, all weaken this incredible defense system. Renewing the Immune System to a youthful level of performance can do more for immunity than all the drugs of modern medicine combined.

Meet Your Mighty Immune System

Your body has an entire “army” to protect you from foreign invasion. It is called the Immune System. Like any good military, each “division” of this army has a specific duty to perform — far beyond just the white blood cells you learned about in biology class.

The immune system is one of the most complex and crucial systems in the body. It is composed of organs, cells and immune factors. Your body’s cellular army includes:

  • Natural Killer (NK) cells,
  • T-cells,
  • B-cells,
  • macrophages,
  • Polymorphonuclear Cells (PMN’s),
  • dendritic cells

The body also produces a variety of “immune factors” that direct the activity of the immune cells. These immune factors include:

  • antibodies
  • cytokines
  • interferon
  • interleukin
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).

The bone marrow, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes are also part of the immune system.

Each of these organs, cells and immune factors work in together to protect the host (that’s you!) from infection by viruses, bacteria, parasites, protozoans, funguses and cancerous cells. Because each part of this system works as part of the whole, when even a single “platoon” of this complex army goes AWOL, the entire immune “military” is compromised, along with the health of the body it is designed to protect.

Beyond Vaccines and Antibiotics: Boosting Immunity Naturally

Vaccines like the “flu shot” activate only a small part of the immune system and only against a few viruses, leaving the door wide-open for hundreds of other viruses, bacteria, funguses, and parasites to infect the host. Antibiotics are only effective against certain bacteria; they do nothing to prevent or cure viral or fungal infections. And neither vaccines nor antibiotics improve overall immunity. In fact, overuse of antibiotics can cause “Super Bugs,” deadly bacteria that are resistant to all known antibiotics. In certain instances, these drugs can be life-saving, but for overall protection from viruses and bacteria, they pale compared to the body’s own immune system.

Fortunately, many herbs and nutrients are proven to stimulate immune function. Not only do a number of these nutrients and herbs have a direct “kill” effect like antibiotics, many of them also increase various aspects of immune response in general, a feat that vaccines and antibiotics just can’t do.

Here’s the Good News: Proven Nutrients and Herbs to Boost Immunity

  • Vitamin A. One of the most highly documented nutrients necessary for normal immune function, vitamin A increases neutrophil phagocytosis, cell- mediated immunity, humoral response and interleukin-2 production. Recent research has found a strong link between vitamin A deficiency and upper respiratory infections.
  • Vitamin C. Like vitamin A, vitamin C has been the subjects of hundreds of scientific studies. Vitamin C is antiviral and antibacterial, but its most potent effect is to enhance immunity. It increases white blood cell activity, interferon production, and thymic hormone secretion. Levels of vitamin C are quickly depleted during infection. Other studies have shown that people who take higher doses of vitamin C are less likely to contract colds and flu, and if they do get sick, their illnesses are less severe and of shorter duration.
  • Zinc The essential mineral zinc is an enzyme activator that is necessary for normal immune function. Unfortunately, it is a mineral that is often lacking in the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.). Optimal zinc intake helps boost immunity and also serves as an antioxidant.
  • Echinacea (Echniacea angustifolia) With over 400 scientific studies to its credit, Echinacea is one of the most widely studied medicinal herbs. It’s value in enhancing immunity well-proven. Echinacea activates NK, T-lymphocyte and neutrophil activity, and stimulates interferon production. It also increases non specific defense mechanisms including alternate complement pathways. In animal studies, Echinacea is anti-tumerogenic.
  • Astragalus (A. membranaceus) Human and animal studies have shown that Astragalus is a potent antiviral, able to provide protection from the viruses that cause influenza and the common cold by increasing T-cell activity and stimulating interferon, interleukin-2, and IgA and IgG antibodies.
  • Medicinal Mushrooms (Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi) act as immune stimulants and anti-tumorogenic agents. They have been used by the Chinese for this purpose for thousands of years and modern research has verified their immune-stimulating benefits. Beta 1,3 Glucan, a constituent of medicinal mushrooms, actives T-cells and stimulates cytokine production.Studies conducted in Japan with lentinan (a beta-1,3-1,6-glucan from the shiitake mushroom) have shown an increase in immune Natural Killer (NK) cells and an increased survival time in cancer patients, sometimes by more than five years. In fact, Lentinan is considered a drug in Japan and is approved for clinical use.

    Although medicinal mushrooms (and their active ingredient, beta-glucan) have been most widely studied as immune-stimulating anti-cancer agents, they have also been shown to be effective immune stimulants in a variety of infectious diseases (including anthrax) as well.

  • Ligustrum (ligustrum lucidum) Ligustrum has been used in combination with astragalus in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Studies conducted in China show that ligustrum stimulates the immune system, decreases inflammation and protects the liver.
  • Goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis) Goldenseal has both antibiotic AND immune-stimulating properties. The active ingredient in Goldenseal, berberine, is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is effective against variety of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. Bacteria that are vulnerable to berberine are Staph, Strep, and Enterococcal species. Berberine also inhibits the growth of yeasts (such as Candida) which often overgrow as a response to antibiotic treatment. Berberine further boosts immunity by increasing the blood supply to the spleen and activating macrophages.
  • Quercetin is a flavonoid found in many plants including apples, onions, green and black tea. Small amounts are also found in green leafy vegetables. Flavonoids occur in nature in combination with vitamin C, and appear to protect and enhance vitamin C’s action.
  • Garlic (Allium sativum) As a food and a medicine, garlic comes close to being a true panacea. Research has proved garlic’s immune-stimulating ability, including activation of NK and T-cells. Garlic has potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against alpha and beta Strep, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella, Staph aureus, Mycobacteriaum and Proteus spp. Unlike drug antibiotics, there is no evidence that bacteria cen become “immune” to garlic’s effects.

Safeguard Your Health Before It’s Too Late

By the time you feel the first symptoms of a cold or the flu, the virus is already active in your body. Even at this stage, immune-boosting nutrients and herbs can help shorten the duration and severity of infection. But why risk even a mild infection when you can safeguard your health all season long?

Adding a variety of immune-stimulating nutrients and herbs to your supplement program can help you increase your body’s immune response by up to 200% or more — and protect yourself from ALL the season’s “bad bugs” and viruses — not just a few.

Will You Make This Dangerous Mistake?

I don’t know why some people do this, but I’ve seen it many times. They learn about immune-boosting herbs and nutrients. They decide it would be wise to add them to their supplement program in order to protect their health, especially during the height of cold and flu season. But they don’t follow through.

Instead, they wait until the fever and chills begin — and by then, they’re often too sick to run around town trying to find these healing nutrients. Even those who manage to crawl to a local health food store can’t be sure of what they are getting, and are often too miserable at this point to do good research on the available products.

Do your “due diligence” NOW — while you’re feeling fine — then lay in a supply of immune-boosting nutrients and herbs and take them all Winter long. You’ll be glad to spend the season infection-free, even when those around you are laid up with colds, flu and other seasonal maladies.

Are These Proven Immune-Boosting Nutrients  in YOUR Healing Arsenal?

I’m called “The Dragon Lady” in the nutritional foods industry. Why? Because my standard for herbs and supplements is uncompromising. I believe that “the most expensive supplement is the one that doesn’t work.” You can buy a cheap formula that you know nothing about and hope for the best. Personally, I don’t trust my own health to any nutritional formula unless I am convinced of it’s potency, purity and scientific formulation. That’s why I felt compelled to make my own immune formula — so I could be confident of it’s effectiveness.

I’ve taken the most well-researched immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and herbs and put them into a single, easy-to-take formula called Immune System Support. Just two capsules a day delivers the therapeutic doses of the herbs and nutrients documented to improve immune system function. When added to a daily program of nutritious diet, moderate exercise and optimal vitamin/mineral supplementation, Immune System Support will do more to protect you from infection than any vaccination or antibiotic could ever do. Although Nurse Mark and I are exposed to sick people are year long, we rarely ever “catch” anything because we keep our immune systems in shape with the simple, natural strategy outline above.

If you want to do more to keep yourself infection-free all year long, and especially during the “flu season,” you should be taking a proven immune formula that looks a lot like my Immune System Support. Better yet, just take Immune System Support. I’ve already done all the “heavy lifting” of research, formulation and quality control for you. Here’s what I’ve come up with:

Immune System Support

Each (two) capsules contain

Echinacea angustifolia root (4% echinacoside) 100 mg

Astragalus membranaceus root extract 250 mg

Maitake mushroom TD-fraction extract 25 mg

Maitake mushroom powder 100 mg

Shiitake mushroom powder 200 mg

Reishi mushroom powder 100 mg

Ligustrum lucidum fruit extract 100 mg

Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis) 10 mg

Quercetin 50 mg

Garlic (Allium sativum) bulb powder 50 mg

Vitamin A (as beta carotene) 2,500 IU

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) 100 mg

Vitamin B-6 5 mg

Folic acid 400 mcg

Vitamin B-12 5 mcg

Pantothenic acid 5 mg

Zinc 10 mg

Suggested dose: 2 capsules per day for general immune enhancement. May be increased to 2 caps, 3 times per day for acute infections or additional immune support.

 

The Money Back Guarantee
My Accountant Says I’m Nuts to Offer

Nobody — I mean NOBODY — guarantees that you won’t get the flu. Did your doctor promise you a money-back guarantee if you get the flu in spite of having a flu shot? Hahahaha. When it comes to seasonal viruses, nothing is a sure bet. But I’ve scoured the medical literature with a fine-toothed comb. I’ve put the highest quality nutrients into my Immune System Support formula. And I’ve used this power-house of herbs and nutrients for years in my clinical practice, so I know what results to expect. I might be crazy, but I’m not stupid. I want you to stay infection-free this Winter, especially from a life-threatening case of the flu. So here’s how I’m going to entice you to take Immune System Support all Winter long.

If you promise to faithfully take just two capsules per day of Immune System Support, plus the daily multiple vitamin/mineral supplement equivalent of my Maxi Multi formula*, I’m confident the flu won’t be able to touch you. If you get the flu while you are taking Immune System Support and Maxi Multi’s, I’ll refund your entire season’s cost of both products. (I can’t guarantee the effectiveness of someone else’s multiple formula). All you have to do is promise to take your Maxi Multi’s and Immune System Support faithfully. I don’t think you’d try and fool me about having the flu — it’s far too serious a matter.

Now you have access to the most powerful immune-boosting herbs and nutrients on the planet – all in one place. These are the nutrients and herbs that will activate your immune system and make you “bullet proof” to colds, flu and other “seasonal maladies.”

* studies show that a ‘once-per-day” (one pill per day) vitamin supplement is worthless for increasing immunity, but that an optimal daily dose of vitamins and minerals (such as found in Maxi Multi), significantly increases immune function. These immune-enhancing effects are most pronounced in seniors over age 65, although they apply to all age groups.

I’ve taken all the risk. You don’t have anything to lose except your susceptibility to colds, flu, bacterial infections and a whole host of other nasty infectious diseases. How can you lose?

Please Order Today: Supplies Are Limited

I don’t want you to be disappointed, so please order today to avoid missing out on this offer. Our supply of Immune System Support is limited because we use only the highest quality raw materials in this formula. Inferior herbs are easy to come by, but herbs of the highest quality are like vintage wines — there’s only so much available each year and when it’s gone, it’s gone. I won’t compromise my standards in order to keep pumping out an inferior formula. I’ll just have to tell you that we are “backordered” until more becomes available. But that won’t help keep you safe through flu season, will it?

Rather than selling junk, I’ve chosen instead to limit the number of people I can make my “all winter long” guarantee to — which includes making the formula available continuously. My private practice patients who already take this formula get “first dibs,” of course. Wellness Club Members also have priority. After everyone in these two groups is locked in to their winter supply (I recommend taking this at least through the end of April), I’ll make the rest available to those few folks who see the wisdom in taking charge of their own immune health. Those who sign up for “auto-order” will have their supply shipped every month and will be guaranteed to “get the goods.”

Don’t wait a minute longer…start boosting your immune system NOW before the flu season hits.

In Health,
Dr. Dana Myatt
Dana Myatt, N.M.D.

Click Here to find and order MaxiMulti

Click Here to find and order Immune System Support

FOOD ALLERGIES

Hidden Cause of Many Health Problems

Food allergies are inappropriate physical reactions to food. These may range from life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to subtle sensitivities that chronically challenge the immune system. Symptoms may include dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, diarrhea or irritable bowels, chronic infections, inflammation, and any of the diseases or symptoms listed below. These negative reactions to food are also called “food intolerance,” “food sensitivities,” or “toxic food reactions.”

Even some foods that are considered “good foods” may be a source of symptoms or disease if one has a personal allergy to same. The expression “One man’s meat is another man’s poison” accurately describes this phenomenon.

Diseases associated with food allergies include:

Acne, anxiety, arthritis, arrhythmia, asthma, autoimmune diseases, bedwetting, chronic and recurrent bladder infections, chronic bronchitis, canker sores, celiac disease, colitis, chronic diarrhea, depression, chronic ear infections (especially in children), eczema, edema, fatigue, gallbladder disease, gastritis, glaucoma, hay fever, headaches, hives, childhood hyperactivity, hypoglycemia, irritable bowel syndrome, irritability, insomnia, itching, kidney disease, malabsorption, mental confusion, migraines, mood disorder, overweight, personality changes, seizures, sinusitis, skin rash, chronic nasal congestion, chronic sinusitis, chronic infections in general, and others.

Symptoms associated with food allergies include:

Body Weight

  • Fluctuations in body weight
  • Weight loss (unintended)
  • weight gain (unintended)
  • Food cravings

Gastro-Intestinal

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Bowel disorders
  • Colitis
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Flatulence (Gas)
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Indigestion
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Nausea
  • Stomach cramping

Immune system

  • Chronic and/or recurrent infections
  • Yeast infection
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Mouth/lip swelling
  • Tissue swelling (edema)

Mental / Emotional

  • Anxiety, panic attacks
  • Autism
  • Behavioral problems
  • Concentration difficulty
  • Depression
  • Hyperactivity
  • Irritability
  • Learning disability
  • Lethargy
  • Mental confusion

Musculo-skeletal

  • Arthritis
  • Bone density loss (osteoporosis)
  • Joint pain/swelling
  • Muscular aches
  • Neck pain
  • Rheumatic pain

Nervous system

  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness, poor co-ordination
  • Headache
  • Migraine
  • Poor memory
  • Sleeplessness

Nutritional deficiencies

  • Anemia
  • Failure to thrive (in children)
  • Iron deficiency
  • Mineral deficiency

Respiratory Tract

  • Asthma
  • Breathlessness
  • Bronchitis (chronic)
  • Cough (persistent)
  • Ear infections
  • Itchy nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Post-nasal drip
  • Rhinitis
  • Runny nose
  • Sensitivity to chemicals
  • Sinusitis
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Throat infections
  • Watering eyes
  • Wheezing

Reproductive Tract

  • Infertility
  • Menstrual disorders
  • Miscarriage
  • Vaginal itching, discharge
  • Thrush
  • Vaginal infection

Skin

  • Acne
  • Athlete’s Foot
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis
  • Eczema
  • Fungal nail infection
  • Fungal skin infection
  • Hives (Urticaria)
  • Itchy flaking skin
  • Itchy watery blisters
  • Jock itch
  • Psoriasis
  • Rashes
  • Tinea

Urinary Tract

  • Urinary tract infection (chronic or recurrent)

If you suffer from any of the above-listed diseases or symptoms and have not yet found a cure for your complaint, food allergy testing will certainly be worth your while.

The immune system has many different mechanisms that can cause a reaction to food. Food allergy symptoms may come on immediately OR up to four days after eating an offending food, so allergies are difficult to pinpoint by merely “observing” food reactions. A food allergy blood test can determine food allergies, sensitivities and “intolerances” and recommend a rotation diet to prevent these reactions.

Diet And Lifestyle Recommendations

An “elimination/challenge diet” can help determine food allergies, but such an avoidance diet is difficult for most people to do AND many offending foods can be “missed” through this method.

Food allergy testing using blood (a finger-stick which you can collect yourself) is accurate and can quickly pinpoint difficult-to-detect food allergies.

Primary Support

  • Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. This daily “multiple” contains high potency antioxidants. If you use another formula, be sure to use only those that are hypoallergenic, since additives in vitamin supplements can cause reactions.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids:
    Flax seed meal    , 2 teaspoons per day with food
    OR
     Flax seed capsules: 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
    OR
     Flax seed oil: 1 tablespoon per day
    OR
     Max EPA (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day).

An imbalance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acid ratios, common in the American diet, leads to hypersensitivity and excess inflammation. Increasing Omega-3 fatty acid intake decreases the tendency to inflammation and “hyper” immune reactions.

  • Similase: 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals. This digestive enzyme formula improves digestion and absorption of foods. It is known that incomplete protein digestion can trigger allergies, especially those that appear food-related.
  • Since a decrease of gastric acid production is a leading cause of food allergy in adults, a Gastric Acid Function Self-Test should be performed.

Additional Support

  • Vitamin C: 3,000 – 9,000 mg per day in divided doses (buffered vitamins C is best when taking higher doses). High dose vitamin C decreases histamine levels when taken over time.
  • Grape Seed Extract: 1 cap, 3 times per day with meals. (Target dose: 150-300mg daily). Grape seed extract acts as a natural anti-histamine with a more immediate effect than vitamin C. It is also a potent antioxidant.

FertilityRestoration

Supplements and Medical Testing in Support of Fertility Restoration and Enhancement

Dietary Supplements

A deficiency in any one nutrient can result in impaired fertility for both women and men. These Vitamins, Antioxidants, Flavonoids, and other dietary supplements are intended to address and correct any deficiencies that may be affecting your ability to conceive.

Medical Testing

Medical testing can quickly reveal physical imbalances or deficiencies, allowing your fertility specialist to quickly and accurately target specific areas of concern.

Dietary Supplements

Click here for a printable copy of Dr. Myatt’s Natural Supplementation Recommendations

Maxi-Multi Pre-Conception Multiple Vitamin (270 caps – a 30 day supply for 1 person) $39.95

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Maxi-Flavone Broad-spectrum herbal antioxidant formula (60 Caps) $46.95

Due to strong interest in this formula we may occasionally become backordered, with shipping delayed by up to a week.

Because of this we recommend that our Maxi Flavone customers consider ordering two bottles, re-order when they have completed the first bottle and never worry about running out of this important flavonoid / antioxidant / TNF-inhibiting formula.

NOW IN STOCK AND SHIPPING!

For our fertility patients and customers, Dr. Myatt recommends that this formula be continued through conception and for the duration of pregnancy.

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Maxi-Greens (270 Caps) Complete Green Food / Flavonoid / Phytonutrient-Rich Daily Herb Formula (a 30 day supply for 1 person) $56.00 Temporarily Out Of Stock!

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Maxi Marine O-3(120 softgels) Extra High Potency Enteric Coated Ultra-Pure Essential Fatty Acids $54.95

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Melatonin 3 mg 60 tabs $10.95

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Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer 120 caps $70.50

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Myo-Inositol powder 250 grams $35.20

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N-Acetyl Cystein (NAC) 60 caps $16.97 When used in Infertility treatment as an adjuvant to clomiphene citrate in infertile patients with PCOS, NAC treatment results in higher ovulation and pregnancy rates, lower miscarriage rates and higher live birth rates.

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Vitamin D 5000 iu 250 Capsules $21.95

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Grape Seed Extract W/Grape Skin 100mg (90 Caps) $32.95

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Lycopene 15mg (30 Softgel Capsules) $15.95

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Acetyl L-Carnitine 500mg (30 Caps) $24.95

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Alpha Lipoic Acid – 100 mg (60 Caps) $19.95

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Bromelain 400 mg of 2,400 mcu-strength (120 Caps) $32.00

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CoEnzyme Q 10 100 Mg (60 Softgel Capsules) $62.95

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DHEA Sublingual 25 Mg (60 Tabs) $15.95

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Vitamin K2 – Super K – 90 softgel capsules -$25.97

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Energizing Iron – $21.50

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Similase GFCF 120 caps – $24.97

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Medical Testing

Female Hormone Profile $329.00

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Male Hormone Profile $154.00

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FULL DISCLOSURE:

Why Dr. Braverman Recommends Dr. Myatt’s Supplements and Herbal Formulas

Dr. Braverman has no financial ties with Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club. He does not receive any financial remuneration from the sale of any nutritional supplements on this website nor does he receive any remuneration for research or other purposes from Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club. In other words, Dr. Braverman doesn’t make a nickel when his patients purchase products from this website!

So why does he specifically recommend Dr. Myatt’s brand of nutritional supplements and herbal formulas for his patients? Three words: potency, purity and formulation.

Dr. Braverman recognizes the powerful impact that supplemental nutrition has on fertility. He wants his patients to enjoy the results that are possible from the use of quality nutritional supplements. But it is a known fact in the supplement industry that many brands of supplements do NOT contain what the label says they do. Others have contaminants not listed on the label. And most products are not specifically formulated for pre-conception fertility enhancement.

Dr. Myatt, known as “The Dragon Lady” of the nutritional industry because of her uncompromising standards, produces the purest and most potent supplements available. Her products get results.

As to “formulation,” it isn’t enough to have the right nutrients; they must be present in the right doses, combined in the right way, and delivered in the best form to insure assimilation. Again, Dr. Myatt’s careful attention to detail in this area has resulted in perfectly balanced, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements that achieve the desired results.

Dr. Braverman and Dr. Myatt have come together in a powerful synergy of cutting edge medical knowledge to bring you natural supplement products tailored specifically to target the unique needs of pre and peri-conceptual couples who are dealing with fertility issues.

Fertility Supplements Questions and Answers

There is a lot of misinformation out there and it can cause a lot of distress and worry to women trying to conceive.

On this page Dr. Myatt will address some of these concerns regarding natural supplementation, vitamins, herbs, and more.

Using Flavones to Lower IL-6: Which is better – Luteolin / Diosmin or Maxi Flavone?

Milk Thistle – is it safe?

Green Tea – Causes Inflammation?

Myo-inositol in the Treatment of PCOS and Non-PCOS Infertility

What’s So Special About Maxi Greens?

Using Flavones to Lower IL-6: Which is better – Luteolin / Diosmin or Maxi Flavone?

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. (1-3)

As a class, flavones lower inflammation and inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6,
IL-18 and TNF-a. (4) Flavone-containing herbs have a synergistic effect when used in combination.(5-6)

The flavones contained in Maxi Flavone all have IL-6 lowering properties.

These IL-6 lowering herbs include Pycnogenol (pine bark) (7-8), red grape seed extract (resveretrol) (9-17), bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) (18-19), green tea (Camellia sinensis) polyphenols (20-23), ginkgo (24-26), milk thistle (27) and citrus bioflavonoids (4,28)

Further, the IL-6 lowering properties of the herbs in Maxi Flavone have been studied in humans. (8,12-14,16-19,25,27)

Luteolin and its semi-synthetic structural analog diosmin have been studied only in rodents for their IL-6-lowering properties. (29)

Maxi Flavone Or Luteolin/Diosmin for IL-6?

Maxi Flavone contains a combination of flavonoid herbs. Benefits of Maxi Flavone include:

  • Each herb in this formula has demonstrated IL-6 lowering properties (4,7-28)
  • The IL-6 lowering properties of these flavones have been studied in humans (8,12-14,16-19, 25, 27)
  • Safety of these flavones has been documented in humans (8,12-14,16-19, 25, 27)
  • Flavones work synergistically so that a combination of flavones may be more effective than an isolated flavone. (5,6)

Luteolin / Diosmin:

  • Has been studied only in rodents for IL-6 lowering properties and in only one study (29)
  • Has strong estrogenic properties that may not be desirable for many infertile women (30)
  • Isolated flavones may not be as effective as an array of flavones for lowering inflammatory cytokines.(5,6)

Until more research is available on luteolin/diosmin, Maxi Flavone multi-flavone formula would appear a superior choice for addressing elevated IL-6 than any single flavonoid including luteolin or its semi-synthetic analogue diosmin.

References

1.) Scheller J, Chalaris A, Schmidt-Arras D, Rose-John S.
The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-6.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 May;1813(5):878-88.
2.) Z Xing, J Gauldie, G Cox, H Baumann, M Jordana, X F Lei, and M K Achong
IL-6 is an antiinflammatory cytokine required for controlling local or systemic acute
inflammatory responses. J Clin Invest. 1998 January 15; 101(2): 311320.
3.) Rose-John S, Scheller J, Elson G, Jones SA. Interleukin-6 biology is coordinated by membrane-bound
and soluble receptors: role in inflammation and cancer. J Leukoc Biol. 2006 Aug;80(2):227-36. Epub 2006 May 17.
4.) Landberg R, Sun Q, Rimm EB, Cassidy A, Scalbert A, Mantzoros CS, Hu FB, van Dam RM. Selected dietary
flavonoids are associated with markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in U.S. women. J Nutr. 2011 Apr 1;141(4):618-25.
5.) Rahman MM, Ichiyanagi T, Komiyama T, Hatano Y, Konishi T. Superoxide radical- and peroxynitrite-scavenging activity of anthocyanins; structure-activity relationship and their synergism. Free Radic Res. 2006 Sep;40(9):993-1002.
6.) Sagar SM, Yance D, Wong RK. Natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis: a potential source for investigational new agents to treat cancer-Part 1. Curr Oncol. 2006 Feb;13(1):14-26.
7.) Ozer Sehirli A, Sener G, Ercan F. Protective effects of pycnogenol against ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative renal injury in rats.Ren Fail. 2009;31(8):690-7.
8.) Scheff SW, Ansari MA, Roberts KN.Neuroprotective effect of Pycnogenol® following traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol. 2013 Jan;239:183-91.
9.) Cullberg KB, Olholm J, Paulsen SK, Foldager CB, Lind M, Richelsen B, Pedersen SB. Resveratrol has inhibitory effects on the hypoxia-induced inflammation and angiogenesis in human adipose tissue in vitro.
Eur J Pharm Sci. 2013 May 13;49(2):251-7.
10.) Gatson JW, Liu MM, Abdelfattah K, Wigginton JG, Smith S, Wolf S, Minei JP. Resveratrol decreases inflammation in the brain of mice with mild traumatic brain injury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013 Feb;74(2):470-4; discussion 474-5.
11.) Marier JF, Chen K, Prince P, Scott G, del Castillo JR, Vachon P.
Production of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 is suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner. Can J Vet Res. 2005 Apr;69(2):151-4.
12.) Rizzo A, Bevilacqua N, Guida L, Annunziata M, Romano Carratelli C, Paolillo R. Effect of resveratrol and modulation of cytokine production on human periodontal ligament cells. Cytokine. 2012 Oct;60(1):197-204.
13.) Su YC, Li SC, Wu YC, Wang LM, Chao KS, Liao HF.
Resveratrol downregulates interleukin-6-stimulated sonic hedgehog signaling in human acute myeloid leukemia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:547430.
14.) Tomé-Carneiro J, Gonzálvez M, Larrosa M, Yáñez-Gascón MJ, García-Almagro FJ, Ruiz-Ros JA, García-Conesa MT, Tomás-Barberán FA, Espín JC. One-year consumption of a grape nutraceutical containing resveratrol improves the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2012 Aug 1;110(3):356-63.
15.) Wight RD, Tull CA, Deel MW, Stroope BL, Eubanks AG, Chavis JA, Drew PD, Hensley LL.Resveratrol effects on astrocyte function: relevance to neurodegenerative diseases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012 Sep 14;426(1):112-5.
16.) Wuertz K, Quero L, Sekiguchi M, Klawitter M, Nerlich A, Konno S, Kikuchi S, Boos N. The red wine polyphenol resveratrol shows promising potential for the treatment of nucleus pulposus-mediated pain in vitro and in vivo.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Oct 1;36(21):E1373-84.
17.) Xie XH, Zang N, Li SM, Wang LJ, Deng Y, He Y, Yang XQ, Liu EM.
Resveratrol Inhibits respiratory syncytial virus-induced IL-6 production, decreases viral replication, and downregulates TRIF expression in airway epithelial cells. Inflammation. 2012 Aug;35(4):1392-401.
18.) Karlsen A, Paur I, Bøhn SK, Sakhi AK, Borge GI, Serafini M, Erlund I, Laake P, Tonstad S, Blomhoff R. Bilberry juice modulates plasma concentration of NF-kappaB related inflammatory markers in subjects at increased risk of CVD. Eur J Nutr. 2010 Sep;49(6):345-55.
19.) Kolehmainen M, Mykkänen O, Kirjavainen PV, Leppänen T, Moilanen E, Adriaens M, Laaksonen DE, Hallikainen M, Puupponen-Pimiä R, Pulkkinen L, Mykkänen H, Gylling H, Poutanen K, Törrönen R. Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Oct;56(10):1501-10.
20.) Ahmed S, Marotte H, Kwan K, Ruth JH, Campbell PL, Rabquer BJ, Pakozdi A, Koch AE. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits IL-6 synthesis and suppresses transsignaling by enhancing soluble gp130 production. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 23;105(38):14692-7.
21.) Cavet ME, Harrington KL, Vollmer TR, Ward KW, Zhang JZ. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate in human corneal epithelial cells. Mol Vis. 2011 Feb 18;17:533-42.
22.) Hosokawa Y, Hosokawa I, Ozaki K, Nakanishi T, Nakae H, Matsuo T.
Tea polyphenols inhibit IL-6 production in tumor necrosis factor superfamily 14-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. Mol Nutr Food Res. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010 Jul;54 Suppl 2:S151-8.
23.) Katiyar SK, Raman C. Green tea: a new option for the prevention or control of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Aug 10;13(4):121.
24.) Chen JS, Chen YH, Huang PH, Tsai HY, Chen YL, Lin SJ, Chen JW.
Ginkgo biloba extract reduces high-glucose-induced endothelial adhesion by inhibiting the redox-dependent interleukin-6 pathways. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2012 May 3;11:49.
25.) Ching-Hsiang L, Chiao-Wen H, Nan-Fu C, Wen-Sheng L, Ya-Fen H, Wen-Tung W. In vivo effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on interleukin-6 cytokine levels in patients with neurological disorders. Indian J Pharmacol. 2012 Jan;44(1):118-21.
26.) Zhou YH, Yu JP, Liu YF, Teng XJ, Ming M, Lv P, An P, Liu SQ, Yu HG.
Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on inflammatory mediators (SOD, MDA, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaBp65, IL-6) in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Mediators Inflamm. 2006;2006(5):92642.
27.) Täger M, Dietzmann J, Thiel U, Hinrich Neumann K, Ansorge S.
Restoration of the cellular thiol status of peritoneal macrophages from CAPD patients by the flavonoids silibinin and silymarin.
Free Radic Res. 2001 Feb;34(2):137-51.
28.) Kim JA, Park HS, Kang SR, Park KI, Lee DH, Nagappan A, Shin SC, Lee WS, Kim EH, Kim GS. Suppressive effect of flavonoids from Korean Citrus aurantium L. on the expression of inflammatory mediators in L6 skeletal muscle cells. Phytother Res. 2012 Dec;26(12):1904-12.
29.) Parker-Athill E, Luo D, Bailey A, Giunta B, Tian J, Shytle RD, Murphy T, Legradi G, Tan J. Flavonoids, a prenatal prophylaxis via targeting JAK2/STAT3 signaling to oppose IL-6/MIA associated autism. J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Dec 10;217(1-2):20-7.
30.) Zand RS, Jenkins DJ, Diamandis EP. Steroid hormone activity of flavonoids and related compounds.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2000 Jul;62(1):35-49.

“An IVF Doctor Said Not to Take MilkThistle” and Other Uninformed Medical Advice

From an infertility forum website, where the patient quoted an IVF doc as saying not to take milk thistle because “It makes the liver work better / metabolize things faster so it can metabolize your drugs too and hence shouldn’t be taken during an IVF cycle.”  There are no studies cited.

Unsubstantiated comments like this occur when a doctor steps outside of his/her area of expertise. That’s unfortunate, because it can cause a lot of needless alarm AND potentially drive patients away from helpful treatments. So, let’s set the record straight about this unsupported statement and about the usefulness of milk thistle in infertility.

The dose of milk thistle required to upregulate liver enzymes and therefor increase drug metabolism is of a 10 to 30-fold magnitude higher than anything Dr. Braverman or I use for infertility. A woman would have to take 24 doses of Maxi Flavone daily to achieve this increased drug metabolism effect, if even that would do it.

In the one lab rat study cited, an equivalent human female dose would be 2400mg+ per day.(1) Maxi Flavone contains 100mg per dose, maximum 200mg per day at the highest recommended intake. At this dose, there is not one study which shows that liver enzymes are upregulated enough to alter blood levels of any drug.(2-5)

Dr. Braverman and I are going for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and TNFa inhibitory effect of milk thistle but we are well below any liver-enzyme upregulating (and therefor IVF drug-changing) effect. (16-20)

600mg of milk thistle per day in HUMANS (not just lab rats) did not show any significant effect on drug-metabolizing liver enzymes. (6) Other studies have shown a minimal effect on liver enzymes (P450, CYP’s, etc) even at concentrations much higher than doses found in Maxi Flavone.(7)

Only at very high concentrations has milk thistle been shown to affect liver enzymes. According the the FDA, “In view of the clinically relevant plasma concentration of approx. 0.2 microM measured as silibinin, it is evident that there is no drug-drug interaction problem with silymarin.” (8)

Any by the way, many foods and drugs affect this same liver enzyme system far more than milk thistle. Did you know that many “health foods” such as kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, arugula, watercress, grapefruit, pomegranate, and others can all have a profound effect on this important enzyme system?

http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2006/01/13/dmd.105.007930.full.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables

HOLD THE MAYO

Milk Thistle according to Mayo Clinic’s website:

“Theoretically, because milk thistle plant extract might have estrogenic effects, women with hormone sensitive conditions should avoid milk thistle above ground parts. Some of these conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/silymarin/NS_patient-milkthistle/DSECTION=safety

Mayo clinic has some incredibly poorly referenced, contradictory articles on their site. I would not rely on them for authoritative herbal information. It is outside their area of expertise. (Don’t expect your brain surgeon to be an expert in acupuncture and don’t expect your acupuncturist to be an expert in brain surgery.)

For example, the cited Mayo clinic article on milk thistle actually contradicts itself. In one place it says “silymarin and silibinin in milk thistle reduce the growth of human breast, cervical and prostate cancer cells” and in another place it says “…should avoid milk thistle in… breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer…”  Which is it, Mayo?

Contrary to Mayo’s “theoretical” (read that: “unreferenced”) concerns, milk thistle has actually proven to be beneficial for the hormone-related conditions cited above in numerous studies. (9-15)

Next, someone thought they were revealing a smoking gun by quoting, “Silybin, an extract from seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is known to have hepato-protective, anticarcinogenic, and estrogenic effects.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20183284

Be sure to look at the doses when reading abstracts or medical journal articles. Dose makes a big difference. (I addressed this issue in a recent previous email)

This rat study used 18mg/kg given twice per day. That would equate to 2,454 mg per day for a 150-pound female. Maxi Flavone has 100mg total to be taken once per day. This is less than 1/24th the dose that has demonstrated estrogenic effects. (1)

Let’s Dump In Some Totally Unrelated Studies for Good Measure…

What was said: Reservatol increases Nk cell activity: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20082299

Dr. Myatt’s Comment: Resveretrol has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Resveretrol also suppresses TNF-alpha. Please see the extensive reference list here: Grape Seed Extract. Repeat after me, “preponderance of evidence” and “dose” (see below).

What was said: Grape seed extract and pycnogenol are aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme present in fat tissue and in ovaries that converts testosterone to estrogen. When it is inhibited, there will be more testosterone. Sometimes in short doses this is ok, as femara is works by being an aromatase inhibitor. “But it is not good to take this for longer times as it can inhibit ovulation and lead to high testosterone levels which are toxic to our eggs.”

Dr. Myatt’s comment: Here we have a medical opinion from a layperson. Would this really be the best source of information about improving fertility? Again, dose. The amount of aromatase effect from the doses of grape seed and pycnogenol in Maxi Flavone are insufficient to cause a hormone shift. Besides, your infertility specialist can easily measure hormone levels and would know if such a shift were occurring.

Dr. Myatt’s Caution About “References” and “Experts”

For any question you type into Pub Med (the medical journal article abstract website), you will find references that support both sides of the question. There’s almost never “black and white.” Instead, there are “ten thousand shades of gray.” Here’s what you need to know:

One reference does not make “proof” and an isolated lab rat study does not “prove” anything. The “preponderance of evidence,” including number of studies, how well-conducted the studies were, whether the studies were test-tube or lab rat studies versus human studies, who funded the studies, all must be taken into account.

I see a lot of women quoting single lab-rat or test-tube studies without any knowledge or consideration of the above-mentioned factors. So, when you are reading such “proofs” posted by non-physicians, please keep these factors in mind and “consider the source.”

Also, I believe any statement that has absolutely NO references should be dismissed on its face. References might not constitute “proof,” but at least they need to be there. Otherwise, any one of us can sit in our easy chair and “theorize.”

Theorizing won’t get you pregnant; it will simply waste your time.

Fertility is not individual brush strokes; it is the whole picture taken together. Dr. Braverman takes the “whole picture” view.

He is an expert in IVF, one of the most renown in the world. But when he is out of his area of expertise, he turns to me or another expert for their evaluation. He doesn’t just “make stuff up” like some so-called “experts.” THAT is the mark of a true professional.

References

1.) El-Shitany NA, Hegazy S, El-Desoky K. Evidences for antiosteoporotic and selective estrogen receptor modulator activity of silymarin compared with ethinylestradiol in ovariectomized rats. Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb;17(2):116-25. Epub 2009 Jul 3.
2.) Breinholt V, Lauridsen ST, Dragsted LO. Differential effects of dietary flavonoids on drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes in female rat. Xenobiotica. 1999 Dec;29(12):1227-40.
3.) Doehmer J, Weiss G, McGregor GP, Appel K. Assessment of a dry extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for interference with human liver cytochrome-P450 activities. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Feb;25(1):21-7. Epub 2010 Sep 7.
4.) Gurley B, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Thaden J, Tong Y, Gentry WB, Breen P, Carrier DJ, Cheboyina S. Assessing the clinical significance of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 3A activity: comparison of a milk thistle and black cohosh product to rifampin and clarithromycin. J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;46(2):201-13.
5.) Gurley BJ, Barone GW, Williams DK, Carrier J, Breen P, Yates CR, Song PF, Hubbard MA, Tong Y, Cheboyina S. Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans. Drug Metab Dispos. 2006 Jan;34(1):69-74. Epub 2005 Oct 12.
6.) van Erp NP, Baker SD, Zhao M, Rudek MA, Guchelaar HJ, Nortier JW, Sparreboom A, Gelderblom H. Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Nov 1;11(21):7800-6.
7.) Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Gentry WB, Carrier J, Khan IA, Edwards DJ, Shah A. In vivo assessment of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 phenotypes: Citrus aurantium, Echinacea purpurea, milk thistle, and saw palmetto. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Nov;76(5):428-40.
8.) Doehmer J, Tewes B, Klein KU, Gritzko K, Muschick H, Mengs U.
Assessment of drug-drug interaction for silymarin. Toxicol In Vitro. 2008 Apr;22(3):610-7. Epub 2007 Dec 8.
9.) Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. Anticancer Res. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6B):4457-98.
10.) Kim S, Han J, Kim JS, Kim JH, Choe JH, Yang JH, Nam SJ, Lee JE.
Silibinin suppresses EGFR ligand-induced CD44 expression through inhibition of EGFR activity in breast cancer cells. Anticancer Res. 2011 Nov;31(11):3767-73.
11.) Lu W, Lin C, King TD, Chen H, Reynolds RC, Li Y.
Silibinin inhibits Wnt/ -catenin signaling by suppressing Wnt co-receptor LRP6 expression in human prostate and breast cancer cells. Cell Signal. 2012 Dec;24(12):2291-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.07.009. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
12.) Nejati-Koshki K, Zarghami N, Pourhassan-Moghaddam M, Rahmati-Yamchi M, Mollazade M, Nasiri M, Esfahlan RJ, Barkhordari A, Tayefi-Nasrabadi H. Inhibition of leptin gene expression and secretion by silibinin: possible role of estrogen receptors. Cytotechnology. 2012 Apr 17. [Epub ahead of print]
13.) Noh EM, Yi MS, Youn HJ, Lee BK, Lee YR, Han JH, Yu HN, Kim JS, Jung SH.
Silibinin enhances ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in mcf-7 human breast cancer cells. J Breast Cancer. 2011 Mar;14(1):8-13. Epub 2011 Mar 31.
14.) Scambia G, De Vincenzo R, Ranelletti FO, Panici PB, Ferrandina G, D’Agostino G, Fattorossi A, Bombardelli E, Mancuso S.Antiproliferative effect of silybin on gynaecological malignancies: synergism with cisplatin and doxorubicin. Eur J Cancer. 1996 May;32A(5):877-82.
15.) Yu HC, Chen LJ, Cheng KC, Li YX, Yeh CH, Cheng JT. Silymarin inhibits cervical cancer cell through an increase of phosphatase and tensin homolog. Phytother Res. 2012 May;26(5):709-15. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3618. Epub 2011 Oct 20.
16.) Manna SK, Mukhopadhyay A, Van NT, Aggarwal BB. Silymarin suppresses TNF-induced activation of NF-kappa B, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and apoptosis.J Immunol. 1999 Dec 15;163(12):6800-9.
17.) Johnson VJ, He Q, Osuchowski MF, Sharma RP. Physiological responses of a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c mice: III. Silymarin inhibits T-lymphocyte function at low doses but stimulates inflammatory processes at high doses. Planta Med. 2003 Jan;69(1):44-9.
18.) Polyak SJ, Morishima C, Shuhart MC, Wang CC, Liu Y, Lee DY. Inhibition of T-cell inflammatory cytokines, hepatocyte NF-kappaB signaling, and HCV infection by standardized Silymarin. Gastroenterology. 2007 May;132(5):1925-36. Epub 2007 Feb 21.
19.) Feher J, Lang I, Deak G, et al. Free radicals in tissue damage in liver diseases and therapeutic approach. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 1986;11:121–34.
20.) Toklu HZ, Tunali Akbay T, Velioglu-Ogunc A, Ercan F, Gedik N, Keyer-Uysal M, Sener G. Silymarin, the antioxidant component of Silybum marianum, prevents sepsis-induced acute lung and brain injury. J Surg Res. 2008 Apr;145(2):214-22. Epub 2007 Oct 22.

Green Tea – Causes Inflammation?

Green Tea (Camillia sinesis) is an antioxidant that suppresses TNF- .(44-48 )
Full references for this can be found on this page

There is one recent lab rat study which says HUGE DOSE of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an isolate from green tea, promotes inflammation.  This dose was 1% of total food intake. A person would have to be eating GRAMS of pure epigallocatechin-3-gallate per day to achieve this dose. Maxi Flavone contains 180 milligrams of a 50% catechin mix. This is miniscule compared to doses used in this rodent study.

In the same study, as in numerous other studies, smaller doses were anti-inflammatory. (1)

Contrast this to NUMEROUS studies which show that green tea is anti-inflammatory. (2-14)

Bottom line: HUGE doses of isolated epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea may be inflammatory, at least in one lab-rat study.

Smaller doses are well-proven to be anti-inflammatory in numerous studies including human studies.

Dr. Myatt’s Additional Note: People have died from drinking too much water (electrolyte disturbance). Does this “prove” that water-drinking is dangerous? Hardly. All substances and their effects are dose-related.  “The dose makes the poison.” — Paracelsus

References
1.) Pae M, Ren Z, Meydani M, Shang F, Smith D, Meydani SN, Wu D. Dietary supplementation with high dose of epigallocatechin-3-gallate  promotes inflammatory response in mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Jun;23(6):526-31. Epub 2011 Jun 17.
2.) Akhtar N, Haqqi TM. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses the global interleukin-1beta-induced inflammatory response in human chondrocytes.Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Jun 17;13(3):R93.
3.) Babu PV, Si H, Liu D.Epigallocatechin gallate reduces vascular inflammation in db/db mice possibly through an NF-?B-mediated mechanism.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Sep;56(9):1424-32. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201200040. Epub 2012 Jul 2.
4.) Bogdanski P, Suliburska J, Szulinska M, Stepien M, Pupek-Musialik D, Jablecka A.Green tea extract reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese, hypertensive patients. Nutr Res. 2012 Jun;32(6):421-7. Epub 2012 Jun 20.
5.) Bornhoeft J, Castaneda D, Nemoseck T, Wang P, Henning SM, Hong MY.
The protective effects of green tea polyphenols: lipid profile, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet and dextran sodium sulfate.J Med Food. 2012 Aug;15(8):726-32. Epub 2012 Jun 25.
6.) Cavet ME, Harrington KL, Vollmer TR, Ward KW, Zhang JZ. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate in human corneal epithelial cells. Mol Vis. 2011 Feb 18;17:533-42.
7.) Chatterjee A, Saluja M, Agarwal G, Alam M. Green tea: A boon for periodontal and general health. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2012 Apr;16(2):161-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.99256.
8.) Chen J, Qin S, Xiao J, Tanigawa S, Uto T, Hashimoto F, Fujii M, Hou DX.
A genome-wide microarray highlights the antiinflammatory genes targeted by oolong tea theasinensin A in macrophages. Nutr Cancer. 2011;63(7):1064-73. Epub 2011 Aug 24.
9.) El-Mowafy AM, Al-Gayyar MM, Salem HA, El-Mesery ME, Darweish MM. Novel chemotherapeutic and renal protective effects for the green tea (EGCG): role of oxidative stress and inflammatory-cytokine signaling. Phytomedicine. 2010 Dec 1;17(14):1067-75. Epub 2010 Sep 18.
10.) Li J, Ye L, Wang X, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Ho W. Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endotoxin-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. J Neuroinflammation. 2012 Jul 6;9:161.
11.) Lee YJ, Choi DY, Yun YP, Han SB, Oh KW, Hong JT. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate prevents systemic inflammation-induced memory deficiency and amyloidogenesis via its anti-neuroinflammatory properties. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Sep 5. [Epub ahead of print]
12.) Park HJ, Lee JY, Chung MY, Park YK, Bower AM, Koo SI, Giardina C, Bruno RS. Green tea extract suppresses NF?B activation and inflammatory responses in diet-induced obese rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Nutr. 2012 Jan;142(1):57-63. Epub 2011 Dec 7.
13.) Ramesh E, Geraldine P, Thomas PA.Regulatory effect of epigallocatechin gallate on the expression of C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. Chem Biol Interact. 2010 Jan 5;183(1):125-32.
14.) Syed DN, Afaq F, Kweon MH, Hadi N, Bhatia N, Spiegelman VS, Mukhtar H.
Green tea polyphenol EGCG suppresses cigarette smoke condensate-induced NF-kappaB activation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Oncogene. 2007 Feb 1;26(5):673-82. Epub 2006 Jul 24.

Myo-inositol in the Treatment of PCOS and Non-PCOS Infertility

Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex. It occurs as 9 different isomers, but only two of these are of interest in fertility: myo-inositol (MYO) and d-chiro-inositol (DCI)

Both MYO and DCI have been studied and found useful in the treatment of PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome). (1-14)

However, only MI has been show to be present in follicular fluid and only MI was able to improve oocyte and embryo quality(1,2,9,12,15), ovulation induction (6-8,10-11) and hormone balance. (3-5,13)

DCI does not have even remotely as much research behind it as MYO. (16)

Therefor, for fertility issues with or without PCOS, I recommend the myo-inositol form.

Please note that some of these studies used melatonin in combination with myo-inositol (2,11-12). Melatonin alone has also been studied and found useful for improving egg quality. (17-18)

Myo-inositol may also improve other associated risks of PCOS (such as high triglycerides and blood sugars) with or without an effect on egg quality. (3,5,7)

Most forms of inositol available in health food stores are probably the myo-inositol form. However, many products do not specify this on the label. I would always want to verify the actual form with the manufacturer before using.

A product called “Pregnitude” is available, containing myo-inositol plus folic acid. Several studies used myo-inositol with folic acid and found improved egg quality in PCOS. (9,11)  All pre-pregnant women should already be getting folic acid from their multiple because of it’s importance in preventing spina bifida. This makes the “magic” in Pregnitude the myo-inositol. Pregnitude is individually packaged by 2 gram serving, which is convenient, but the price is double what what most myo-inositol powders are.

Daily dose of myo-inositol for improving egg quality is 2-4 grams per day. This can be taken as 2 grams, once or twice daily.

Myo-inositol product has a mild sweet taste and can be taken in water, smoothie, Super Shake — whatever makes it easiest.

Egg Quality Protocol, Especially for PCOS Patients (Dr. Myatt’s recommendation based on the studies)

  1. myo-inositol: 2-4 grams per day
  2. melatonin: 3mg per day (take this at bedtime)
  3. folic acid: 400mcg (this amount or more should already be in a good multi-vitamin)

[Nurse Mark comment: Any woman seeking to improve or enhance fertility should be using a good quality Optimal Dose multivitamin – we recommend Maxi Multi of course – but for those who want to shop around for something else, please use the ingredient list on the Maxi Multi page as a reference for what an Optimal Dose multivitamin should contain.]

References
1.) Ciotta L, Stracquadanio M, Pagano I, Carbonaro A, Palumbo M, Gulino F. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte’s quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 May;15(5):509-14. [##myo for PCOS##]
2.) Carlomagno G, Nordio M, Chiu TT, Unfer V. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2011 Dec;159(2):267-72. Epub 2011 Aug 10.
Contribution of myo-inositol and melatonin to human reproduction. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21835536 [###myo and melatonin; egg quality##]
3.) Costantino D, Minozzi G, Minozzi E, Guaraldi C. Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009 Mar-Apr;13(2):105-10.  {## myo for PCOS; hormones and metabolic factors##]
4.) Donà G, Sabbadin C, Fiore C, Bragadin M, Giorgino FL, Ragazzi E, Clari G, Bordin L, Armanini D. Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2012 Apr;166(4):703-10. Epub 2012 Jan 5. [##MYO improves oxidative stress (decreases oxidative species), improves hormones in PCOS##]
5.) Genazzani AD, Lanzoni C, Ricchieri F, Jasonni VM. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Mar;24(3):139-44.[##MYO; menstrual cycle improvements; better non-fertility numbers; 2 grams per day##]
6.) Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GC. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Nov-Dec;7(6):151-9. [##myo, PCOS, ovulation induction##]
7.) Gerli S, Papaleo E, Ferrari A, Di Renzo GC. Randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial: effects of myo-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2007 Sep-Oct;11(5):347-54. [## MYO, PCOS, improved ovulation, improved non-fertility peramiters (including weight loss)}
8.) Morgante G, Orvieto R, Di Sabatino A, Musacchio MC, De Leo V. The role of inositol supplementation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, with insulin resistance, undergoing the low-dose gonadotropin ovulation induction regimen.Fertil Steril. 2011 Jun 30;95(8):2642-4. Epub 2011 Feb 5. [myo, PCOS, ovulation induction##]
9.) Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, Fusi F, Occhi F, De Santis L. Fertil Steril. 2009 May;91(5):1750-4. Epub 2008 May 7. Myo-inositol may improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trial. [##myo+ folic acid for egg quality in PCOS##]
10.) Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, De Santis L, Fusi F, Brigante C, Marelli G, Cino I, Redaelli A, Ferrari A. Myo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel method for ovulation induction.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2007 Dec;23(12):700-3. Epub 2007 Oct 10. [##myo for ovulation in PCOS##]
11.) Rizzo P, Raffone E, Benedetto V. Effect of the treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid plus melatonin in comparison with a treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid on oocyte quality and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles. A prospective, clinical trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jun;14(6):555-61. [##myo+folic acid+melatonin##]
12.) Unfer V, Raffone E, Rizzo P, Buffo S. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Nov;27(11):857-61. Epub 2011 Apr 5. Effect of a supplementation with myo-inositol plus melatonin on oocyte quality in women who failed to conceive in previous in vitro fertilization cycles for poor oocyte quality: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21463230  [##myo and melatonin##]
13.) Unfer V, Carlomagno G, Dante G, Facchinetti F. Effects of myo-inositol in women with PCOS: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012 Jul;28(7):509-15. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2011.650660. Epub 2012 Feb 1. {##myo and improved ovarian function##]
14.) Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Reamer P, Gunn RD, Allan G. Ovulatory and metabolic effects of D-chiro-inositol in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1999 Apr 29;340(17):1314-20.[##DCI for PCO##]
15.) Galletta M, Grasso S, Vaiarelli A, Roseff SJ. Bye-bye chiro-inositol – myo-inositol: true progress in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation induction. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 Oct;15(10):1212-4. {####myo for egg quality, not dci)
16.) Galazis N, Galazi M, Atiomo W. D-Chiro-inositol and its significance in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Apr;27(4):256-62. Epub 2010 Dec 10.[##DCI not much research##]
17.) Batioglu AS, Sahin U, Gürlek B, Oztürk N, Unsal E. The efficacy of melatonin administration on oocyte quality. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012 Feb;28(2):91-3. Epub 2011 Jul 20. [##melatonin##]
18.) Tamura H, Takasaki A, Miwa I, Taniguchi K, Maekawa R, Asada H, Taketani T, Matsuoka A, Yamagata Y, Shimamura K, Morioka H, Ishikawa H, Reiter RJ, Sugino N. Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rate. J Pineal Res. 2008 Apr;44(3):280-7.
[##melatonin##]

What’s So Special About Maxi Greens?

As with Maxi Flavone, Maxi Greens is designed to be a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and nutritional herbal formula. Maxi Greens contains:

1.) Anti-inflammatory herbs (the same ones as in Maxi Flavone): ginkgo biloba, bilberry,green tea, milk thistle, grape seed and pine bark (pycnogenols). See the full references for these herbs in the Maxi Flavone article.

2.) Nutrient-dense “super green foods.”

Maxi Greens includes wheat grass and several additional “green super foods” including: alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass and wheat sprouts. Here is what the scientific literature says about these green food herbs.

I.) Alfalfa: a nutrient-rich herb high in chlorophyll, vitamins and micronutrients. Alfalfa is rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E and K as well as calcium, potassium, iron and zinc.
Alfalfa has anti-inflammatory (1) and antioxidant properties.(2) Alfalfa reduced cytokine levels and ameliorated severity of auto-immune disease in animal models.(3,4)

II.) Wheat grass: contains vitamins A, B12, C and E, as well as amino acids lysine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. Wheat grass is 70% chlorophyll. Because of its high A,C, and E content, wheat grass is considered anti-inflammatory.(5)

III.) Barley grass: Has a high antioxidant activity. (6,7)

IV.) Wheat sprouts: contain meaningful amounts of A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, B17, C, D, E, F, H, K, P, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA, boron, calcium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulphur, zinc.(8) Wheat sprouts were shown to have antioxidant activity in bisphenol-induced ROS in young women.(9)

V.) Blue Green Algae contains dietary fiber, fatty acids, essential amino acids, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. (10) Blue green algae and other algal species exhibit immunomodulatory, antitumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities including anti-HIV infection, herpes, and hepatitis viruses. (11-13)
It is likely because of its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties that algal species are anti-allergenic.(14)

VI.) Spirulina is high in proteins, acid, vitamins and minerals. It is anti-inflammatory.(15)

VII.) Chlorella contains 60 percent protein by weight. It is high in chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. It is rich in polysaccharides, nucleic acids, peptides, essential fatty acids and B vitamins. Chlorella is rich in vitamins A, C, E, niacin and folate. Chlorella has the complete vitamin B-complex with more B-12 than beef liver by weight. Chlorella contains more beta carotene than carrots and other green leafy green vegetables. Additional nutritional content of chlorella includes zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, trace minerals and polysaccharides. (16)

Chlorella has anti-inflammatory properties. (17) It is also a biological response modifier. (18)

Because of its unique ability to bind with mercury, lead, and cadmium, chlorella can be used as a heavy metal chelator. Studies have shown that it has a superior ability to safely draw toxic metals that accumulate in the gut and intestinal tract. (19-22)

One study suggests that chlorella can stimulate cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, this study was performed ex vivo and at blood levels significantly higher (10 to 100mcg/ml) than would be expected from the dose contained in Maxi Greens. (23)

In addition to the “green” super-foods, we included flavonoid-rich super foods as well. Flavonoids, as a class of antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory.

Acerola Juice Powder
Acerola is high in vitaminc C, A, B1, B2 and B3, calcium, iron, carotenoids and bioflavonoids. (24)
Aceroal exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (24-27)

Beet Juice Powder:
Beet juice (also known as beetroot juice) is one of the richest sources of dietary antioxidants, with high total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total polyphenol (TP) content. (28)

Beet root juice has been shown to protect against xenobiotic-induced oxidative stress in animal studies. (29,30)

Spinach Powder:
Spinach contains significant amounts if vitamin A, E, K, B2, B3, B6, folate and minerals calcium, magesiun, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, manganese and zinc. Spinach also has significant omega-3 fatty acids as linolenic acid. (24)

Because of its high polyphenol, flavonoid and carotene content, spinach has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (31-34)

Papaya (leaf) Papaya contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, E, K and folate and minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. (24) Papaya leaf suppresses inflammatory cytokines and exerts anti-inflammatory responses in both human and animal models. (35-37)

Dunaliella salina algae is a green algae that is a rich source of beta carotenoids including lycopene and zeaxanthin. (38-41) In studies, the synthetic beta carotene has had adverse effects in smokers while the natural form of beta carotene, as found in Dunaliella salina, has protective effects.(42,43)

Preliminary evidence suggests that natural beta-carotene supplementation results in better antioxidant activity and anticancer activity in humans than does supplementation with synthetic beta-carotene. (44,45)

Broccoli and Cauliflower are vegetables in the “Cruciferous” family. They are high in diindolylmethane (DIM), a metabolite of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, kale, bruseel sprouts and cauliflower. Diindolemethanes (DIM) is one of the major anticancer substances in the class of sulfur-containing chemicals called glucosinolates.(46)

DIMs help decrease estrogen metabolism by upregulating the P450 enzyme system. The net result of this effect is to decrease circulating estrogen levels and correct estrogen dominance. Because many causes of infertility including endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cysts, and anovulation are all characterized by estrogen dominance, the addition of DIM by way of cruciferous vegetables can help balance hormones in favor of fertility.(47-49)

DIM inhibits the inflammatory response.(50-54) and possess antioxidant activity and decrease radical oxygen species (ROS) by acting as an ROS scavenger. (55-59)

Probiotic Cultures (dairy-free) Probiotics exert anti-inflammatory effects (60-61) and down-regulate inflammatory cytokines (62-63) including NF-êB, TNF-á, IL-6, and p-Akt (64-66)

References

1.) Hong YH, Chao WW, Chen ML, Lin BF. Ethyl acetate extracts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sprouts inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. J Biomed Sci. 2009 Jul 14;16:64. doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-16-64.
2.) Yalinkilic O, Enginar H. Effect of X-radiation on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in rats treated with saponin-containing compounds. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Jan-Feb;84(1):236-42.
3.) Hong YH, Huang CJ, Wang SC, Lin BF. The ethyl acetate extract of alfalfa sprout ameliorates disease severity of autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Lupus. 2009 Mar;18(3):206-15.
4.) Apelgren LD, Bailey DL, Fouts RL, Short L, Bryan N, Evans GF, Sandusky GE, Zuckerman SH, Glasebrook A, Bumol TF. The effect of a selective estrogen receptor modulator on the progression of spontaneous autoimmune disease in MRL lpr/lpr mice. Cell Immunol. 1996 Oct 10;173(1):55-63.
5.) Seymour K. Wheat Grass. Illinois State University. http://horticulturecenter.illinoisstate.edu/gardens/documents/grain.pdf
6.) Kamiyama M, Shibamoto T. Flavonoids with potent antioxidant activity found in young green barley leaves. J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jun 27;60(25):6260-7. doi: 10.1021/jf301700j. Epub 2012 Jun 18.
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