|
Product Categories
Specials
Books
Allergy/Immune/Respiratory
Anti-Inflammatories
Antioxidants
Blood Sugar Support
Bone/Joint Health
Cardiovascular Support
Detox/Liver Support
Digestive/Gastrointestinal
Energy/Performance
Eye Support
Healthy Oils
Hormone Support
Memory/Mood/Stress
Mens Health
Skin Health
Sleep Health
Thyroid Support
Urinary Support
Vitamins/Minerals
Weight Management
Womens Health
Dr. Mona Fahoum
Dr. Patrick Donovan
|
Feature Articles
Please visit this page for regularly updated new and fresh articles and commentary about
naturopathic medicine. Also see our featured products and specially priced products
mentioned in these articles.
Research Review1-4: Orthosalicic Acid
Effects on Skin, Hair, Bone and Nails
By Dr. Patrick Donovan
"How To Look More Beautiful While Slowing The Aging Process."
Choline-stablized orthosilicic acid (available here as Regeno-Vis)
is a water-soluble form of silica present in surface and well water. It is the form predominantly
absorbed by humans and is found in numerous tissues including bone, collagen and connective
tissues, tendons, aorta, liver, and kidney. Although no
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) has been set for silica, commpelling scientific evidence suggests
it is essential for health with a myriad of beneficial effects being discovered. Deficiencies cause bone deformaties;
brittle nails; thin, brittle hair that lacks luster; damaged, early aging of skin with reduced elasticity and
wrinkling; poorly formed joints; reduced levels of collagen and cartilage; and disruption of mineral balance
in the femur and vertebrae.
In randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, oral dosing of choline-stablized orthosilicic acid
in women was shown to have a positive effect on tensile strength and elasticity of hair resulting in thicker
and less brittle hair. Its reguvenating effects on skin were also impressive. Oral dosing of choline-stablized
orthosilicic acid over a 20 week period given to women with photo and/or sun-damaged facial skin was shown
to have a significantly positive effect on skin surface and skin mechanical properties while also reducing
brittleness of both hair and nails.
Of further interest is the effect choline-stablized orthosilicic acid has on bone density. In a one
year randomized, double-blind study of 136 women receiving either daily doses of choline-stablized orthosilicic acid
along with vitamin D3 and calcium or vitamin D3 and calcium alone, the combined therapy of choline-stablized
orthosilicic acid with vitamin D3 and calcium had a beneficial effect on bone collagen (strengthening bone and
making it more resistant to fracture) that was not seen in the vitamin D3 and calcium group alone. The authors
of the study concluded that, "this treatment is of potentail use in osteoporosis."
Commentary from The Dispensary
Collagen makes up approximately 25% to 35% of whole-body protein content in humans and is the main
protein of connective tissue such as bone, tendons, cartilage and muscle. Collagen forms "the webbing"
or "matrix" upon which and by which our bodies are built. Collagen is damaged by aging, prolonged sun
exposure, oxidative stress from environmental chemicals and smoking, and chronic inflammation. The
damage is done via free radical breakdown of its structure. This damage or breakdown in collagen is what
aging and its effects are all about.
It seems to me there is great personal benefit to be realized by adding choline-stablized orthosilicic acid
(Regeno-Vis) to your daily supplement regime. It certainly isn't a fountain of youth but it can help to slow
the aging process and its degenerative effects on skin, hair, bone, cartilage, joints, and tendons. Besides
the resultant healthier more beautiful skin, hair and nails, this sounds like something from which we can
all benefit. Just think what might be possible if we just throw in a colorfull, organic foods diet full of fresh
vegetables and fruit; daily aerobic exercise; pure water; loving relationships; creative endeavors;
daily antioxidants such as green tea and resveratrol; a good daily multivitamin and mineral; and some
good conversation. Heck, we might live to be 100 years old and look good doing it!
One other thought here: This might be a very reasonable therapy to consider in various connective tissue
disorders especially those of autoimmune, inflammatory origins such as systemic lupus, mixed connective
tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibomyalgia, and others. One might also consider this silica compound
useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease. - Dr. Patrick Donovan
Footnote
1Arch Dermatol Res, 2007; 299(10): 499-505. "Effect of Oral Intake of Choline-Stabilized
Orthosilicic Acid on Hair Tensile Strength and Morphology in Women with Fine Hair." Wickett RR, et al.
2Arch Dermatol Res, 2005; 297(4): 147-53. "Effect of Oral Intake of Choline-Stabilized
Orthosilicic Acid on Skin, Nails and Hair in Women with Photodamaged Skin." Barel A, et al.
3BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2008; June 11; 9:85. "Choline-Stabilized Orthosilicic Acid
Supplementation as an Adjunct to Calcium/Vitamin D3 Stimulates Markers of Bone Formation in Osteopenic Females:
A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial." Spectoe TD, et al.
4J Nutr Health Aging, 2007; 11(2): 94-7. "The Chemistry of Silica and Its Potential Health Benefits."
Martin KR.
Overview of Journal of Infectious Diseases Article1on Resveratrol
as an Anti-Influenza Drug
By Dr. Patrick Donovan
"Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication by Resveratrol."
Resveratrol (available
here as Res-Vis-Atrol), a chemical found in grapes and other fruits, is a member of a large group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds
called flavonols or flavonoids. These compounds are some of the strongest antioxidants known and provide much of the color we see
around us in the natural world particularly the blues, reds, purples and violets. New research by Anna T. Palamara and colleagues at
the University of Rome, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, has shown resveratrol to inhibit the reproduction of
influenza viruses in cell culture and in mice by blocking host-cell functions that are essential for viral replication rather than attacking
the virus itself. Quoting the researchers, "Resveratrol acts by inhibiting a cellular, rather than a viral, function" and due to this they went
on to say "resveratrol could be a particularly valuable anti‐influenza drug." Resveratrol was also shown to significantly improve
survival and decrease pulmonary viral titers in influenza virus–infected mice. No toxic effects were observed in either the cell cultures
or with the mice.
In cell-culture experiments, treatment with resveratrol was shown to reduce flu virus replication by
up to 90% without damage to the cells. Treating cell cultures early after infection (3 hours after infection)
resulted in an 87.5% reduction in viral growth. However, if treatment began 9 hours or greater after infection,
resveratrol treatment had no significant benefit. Researchers concluded from these findings that resveratrol
interferes with the manufacture of proteins made late in the viral replication process and limits the transport
of viral ribonucleoproteins from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm. The authors also determined that the molecular
mechanism for resveratrol's effects has to do with the inhibition of protein kinase C activity and its dependent pathways.
In the tests on mice, the researchers found that resveratrol treatment increased survival by 40% in treated mice.
Further, the level of virus found in the lungs of the treated mice 6 days after infection was 98% lower than in the placebo
treated group.
According to Dr. Palamara's team, resveratrol's ability to block host-cell functions needed by flu viruses
to replicate, gives resveratrol an advantage over other existing anti-flu drugs. Resveratrol would be less
likely to induce resistance by flu viruses and would be more likely to be effective for all types and strains
of flu virus. The research team therefore concuded, "For these reasons, resveratrol merits further investigation as a potential weapon for combating
the growing threat of influenza."
Commentary from The Dispensary
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in at least 72 plant species. It is known to help protect the
heart and nervous system and help prevent cancer. It also has strong anti-aging effects on cells via its
antioxidant activity. Its common concentration in red wine is 1.5-3.0 mg/L. The higher concentrations are
found in those wines produced in the traditional or "old world style" where stems and seeds are included
in the press. Although drinking red wine is a wonderful way to get your dose of resveratrol, the alcohol
component can undermine its benefits when trying to fight the flu or prevent some cancers such as breast
cancer. Therefore, we suggest supplementing with a pharmaceutical-grade, standardized concentrate of
resveratrol on a daily basis throughout the flu season at levels that can successfully ward off infection and/or
reduce infective symptoms and pathology. This should be an integral part of your flu treatment and prevention
in concert with standard and conventional therapies prescribed by your health care provider. —Dr. Patrick
Donovan
An additional note:
As a naturopathic physician, I find the most interesting aspect demonstrated by this research article is the
value realized by stimulating host defense mechanisms over just trying to "kill the virus." There are two
aspects to the infection equation: the strength of the infective agent (virility and dose) and the level of
host resistance. If the level of host resistance is greater than the strength of the infective agent, the
morbidity and mortality of the host is significantly reduced and/or prevented. This is the foundation of
naturopathic medicine. It is the typical naturopathic approach to all illness i.e., optimize host resistance and
vitality... optimize your health. —Dr. Patrick Donovan
Footnote
1The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2005;191:1719–1729.
"Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication by Resveratrol." Palamara AT, et al.
Overview of Journal of Nutrition Article1 on Vitamin
D Supplementation
By Dr. Patrick Donovan
"Supplements of 20 ug/d Cholecalciferol Optimized Serum
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in 80% of Premenopausal Women in Winter”.
Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D during winter months is very difficult in some areas of the world.
A new study from the Journal of Nutrition, has shown a daily dose of 20
micrograms (800 IU), four times the current recommended dose, is needed to maintain adequate vitamin D levels
in twenty-something women living in Maine during the winter. “Daily supplementation with 20 micrograms of D3 during winter achieved optimal 25(OH)D
concentrations (at least 75 nmol/L) in 80 per cent of participants, indicating that this dose is
adequate to optimize vitamin D status in most young women in Maine,” concluded the
researchers.
Current recommended daily intakes (RDIs) of vitamin D are 200 IU for people up to 50 years of age,
400 IU for people between 51 and 70, and 600 IU for over the 70s years.
Our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine. However, sufficient levels of sun exposure
are needed to assure adequate levels. In many areas of the world such as the northern latitudes,
adequate exposure to sunlight is so lacking during the winter months that our body makes no vitamin D at all.
We must then rely on dietary supplements and fortified foods to boost intakes of vitamin D.
The scientific, peer-reviewed literature is becoming quite robust with evidence suggesting vitamin D
deficiency may cause or exacerbate osteopenia; osteoporosis; muscle weakness; multiple sclerosis;
fractures; common cancers particularly cancers of the prostate, breast and colon; autoimmune inflammatory
diseases; infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. There is also some evidence that vitamin D
may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer, type-1 diabetes and inflammatory disorders. Evidence
also suggests Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be caused by vitamin D deficiency and it may also
exacerbate depression.
The US and Canadian governments will be sponsoring a review of vitamin D and calcium
that may lead to the establishment of higher recommended daily intakes.
The review, which is to be conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), will involve an examination
of all available science to date.
Commentary from The Dispensary
We doctors in the northwest commonly find many of our patients' vitamin D (25 OH) levels below
the normal range of 32.0 - 100.0 and actively replete these low levels with oral doses of vitamin D3
in the range of 1,000 IU - 5,000 IU daily and then recheck levels in 8 - 12 weeks.
Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2,
also known as ergocalciferol. The former, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to
320 nm), is said to be more bioactive.
Vitamin D3 is the best absorbed and utilized form of oral vitamin D. We STRONGLY suggest
vitamin D supplementation over 1,000 IU daily be done under the guidance of a licensed health care
provider. We also suggest vitamin D levels be checked once or twice yearly depending on what part
of the world you live in (sun exposure) and various disease conditions you may suffer from or be at
risk for (osteopenia or osteoporosis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune inflammatory diseases,
depression, fibromyalgia). —Dr. Patrick Donovan
Footnote
1Journal of Nutrition 2009, Volume 139, Pages 540-546, doi:10.3945/jn.
108.096180. "Supplements of 20 ug/d Cholecalciferol Optimized Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations
in 80% of Premenopausal Women in Winter” M.L. Nelson, J.M. Blum, B.W. Hollis, C. Rosen, S.S. Sullivan
|
|
