Herbal Health

‘A’ vitamins consist of two main groupings, retinol which is fat soluble and therefore stored in the body, so some caution in dosage must be acknowledged (thought not as much as was originally thought), and beta carotene, research into which was mentioned previously (see page 101). This wonder vitamin does not hold the overdose dangers of retinol, as the body only converts it as needed and research has shown that it has considerable protective benefits to offer from all forms of degenerative disease. Make sure it is taken in its natural form – often produced from the algae Dunaliella.

‘B’ vitamins are a special case. They help with stress and three of them, in particular Bl, B3, and B6, have positive effects on the circulation. Since 1984, Dr Stephen Davies, a medical nutritional expert, has assessed the nutritional status of some thousands of his patients. His measurements have included vitamin levels, trace and toxic metal levels. More than seven out of every 10 people tested were borderline or severely deficient in B vitamins. Since toxicity is known to accumulate with age it affords an added reason for taking antioxidants to minimize this damage.

B6 is a mind diuretic and can be used to supplement (or hopefully replace after treatment with EDTA) the use of chemical diuretics. B3 lowers blood cholesterol levels and Bl helps mood, as well as facilitating the processing of alcohol in the liver.

Vitamin ‘C is possibly the most important antioxidant vitamin of all. Linus Pauling has been largely responsible for making the scientific world aware that vitamin C taken in sufficient quantities is a superb free-radical mopper. It fights infection and combats degeneration.

Recent research by the UCLA in California has demonstrated that men taking more than 400mg of vitamin C a day cut their risk of heart disease almost in half, compared to men taking only 100mg or less. This is of great interest in respect to contentions by health authorities that RDAs are sufficient to maintain health.

Comparative studies with animals who can make their own vitamin C (a facility man has lost) reveal that they make the equivalent of 1,000 to 20,000 mg per day for their uses. The average diet is lucky to contain 100-200 mg of this precious vitamin. (NB: drinkers of orange juice, who believe they are getting enough vitamin C, should know that research has shown that commercially grown oranges can, and often do, contain none of this vitamin by the time they are eaten.)

Suffice it to say that this vitamin should be taken on a regular daily basis in far greater quantities than is normally practised. Most people above middle age can safely and sensibly take 3-5g throughout the day – if the bowel becomes loose ease back the dosage until it has stabilized.

Vitamin E is so important in the protection of the cardiovascular system that blood tests usually list its value. This is no doubt a reflection of the fact that low serum E levels are strongly related to heart disease. Ideally the blood level should be over 19. Any lower and supplementation is vital. Most heart sufferers are advised to take therapeutic dosages of at least 400 iu a day, working up slowly to 600-800 iu. NB: vitamin E has an anti-coagulant effect so this must be taken into account if anticoagulants are being taken, otherwise blood-clotting time can be delayed beyond levels that are safe. However vitamin E is a much better anticoagulant to take than drugs. Vitamin E works in conjunction with vitamin C to provide protection against free radical activity.

‘Co-Q-10′ or Co-enzyme-Q-10, was isolated in the mid-1950s and since then has shot to nutritional ‘fame’ for its key role in the production of energy in the cells. Unfortunately, like so many vital body secretions and enzymes, production slows down in middle age and we suffer progressively from its deficit. Metabolic studies have demonstrated that CoQl0 plays a vital role in the utilization of oxygen by the cells and is, therefore, essential for the health of all human tissues and organs. But its effects have been seen to relate particularly to the heart. When 60mg a day of CoQ10 were given to 25 hypertensive patients for eight weeks, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure. Fifty-four per cent of the patients had a mean blood pressure fall greater than 10 per cent.

In Japan more than 14 million people take CoQ10, which is hardly surprising when it is noted that it also helps with diseases such as diabetes, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and peridontal disease.

It is of grave import to note that some are known to inhibit the production and action of CoQ10 in the tissues. If this medication is taken it should at least be combated by taking additional CoQ10 as well.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

Did you ever see a rigid, inflexible cat? Of course not. That’s because they do lots and lots of stretching, and so should you. This is one of the easiest and most pleasant of all aspects of your exercise program, yet the most likely to be ignored, especially by those just beginning to exercise regularly.

Stretching exercises can improve and maintain body flexibility, prevent injury sustained during exercise, and provide a great deal of relaxation and stress reduction. Many of the commonly performed stretches are variations on classic yoga postures which have been performed for centuries.

Here’s a simple rule never to be broken: never exercise without accompanying stretches. Don’t be tempted to say that you’re running late and that “just once” won’t hurt. It just might. And always stretch both before and after your exercise sessions.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol