What's New
April 26, 2003
Can you take too much Calcium? Apparently Dr. Toohey thinks so. For what it is worth, we present her recent published dissertation without comment.
CALCIUM—Too much?
By Dr. Lynn Toohey, Ph.D
The fact that we need daily calcium, and the fact that many people are low in calcium, are givens, but there are many misconceptions about how to add calcium to our diets. Supplements can be helpful in supplying extra calcium, with the operative word being “extra.” It is highly important to derive the majority of our calcium from our diet, and it is wise to boost that intake with quality, highly absorbable calcium when intake is falling short of needs. Thinking that supplements can take the place of the calcium we need from our diet can cause a problem. For instance, “Absorption of calcium is a little bit tricky. If a body overdoes calcium intact, perhaps by overdosing on calcium supplements, the body will absorb less calcium from the food it eats” (The Calcium Information Center, 1997 from “Non-Dairy: Something to Moo About, Inc.”). There appears to be good evidence that “Too much of a good things” is not ideal.
For instance: Too much calcium, especially from a non-soluble/non-absorbable source, can be responsible for kidney stones, bone spurs, urinary calculi, suppressed bone remodeling and mineral imbalances. In a study conducted in a group of men and women (aged 21-69 years), researchers measured the acute effect of a 600 mg calcium supplement on zinc absorption from a single test meal supplying 7.3 mg zinc. Zinc absorption was reduced significantly by 50% when the calcium supplement was given with the meal (Wood RI, Zheng JJ., High dietary calcium intakes reduce zinc absorption and balance in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 Jun; 65(6):1803-1809). High intakes of calcium can inhibit iron absorption if both are present in the same meal (Whiting SJ. The inhibitory effect of dietary calcium on iron bioavailability: a cause for concern? Nutr Rev 1995 Mar; 53(3):77-80).
Good advice for calcium intake: Derive the majority of calcium requirements from the diet. There are many dietary sources of calcium, especially dark green vegetables. Collards (one cup) contain 289 mg. calcium, broccoli (one cup) contains 138 mg. calcium, and mackerel (3 ounces canned/bones) contains 263 mg. calcium. Almonds and sesame seeds also contain calcium.
Reduce the intake of substances that deplete or offset calcium ratios, i.e. salt, soda pop, caffeine, chronic oxalate ingestion, etc.
The average intake of calcium is around 800-900 mg. a day, and a supplement would supply up to another 400 mg or so, depending on individuality, gender, age, pregnancy, etc. Researchers have correlated results of the nutritional surveys with results of the bone density readings and concluded that “a difference in teenage calcium intake of 400 mg./day (from 800 to 1,200mg.) can increase adult bone density by six percent” (Nieves, J Ph.D. et al., Helen Hayes Hospital Regional Bone Center, Havenstraw, New York-1995).
Choose a high quality source of absorbable calcium, guaranteed to be free of metals, toxins, residues, etc. that has been formulated with synergistic ingredients to facilitate utilization. Some of these ingredients include: vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and HCL.
Upper limits: Calcium intake should not exceed 2500 mg a day, even when the calcium is derived from diet alone.
March 14, 2003
A patient of ours recently sent a request to one of the makers of 7-Keto for a explanation of the difference between it and DHEA. We thought all our friends would like to read this explanation so we have included it here.
Here’s that email I received (from PhytoPharmica).
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding PhytoPharmica(r) products.
Although we can't comment on the potency differences between a competitor DHEA and our 7-keto DHEA product, we can discuss the difference between the two chemicals in our body.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a major adrenal hormone whose mechanism is subjected to investigation. In both animals and humans, low DHEA levels occur with the development of a number of the problem of aging:
increased incidence of several cancers, loss of sleep, decreased feeling of well-being, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis.(1) In human body, DHEA is converted into testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, oestrone, oestradiol,(2) and 7-keto DHEA.(3,4) The amount of DHEA that is converted into the above hormones or 7-keto DHEA varies with a person's medical condition, age and gender.(5)
7-keto DHEA is irreversibly metabolized from DHEA, and it will not convert to DHEA. Therefore, 7-Keto(tm) does not raise blood levels of DHEA in the body. Research has indicated that in healthy men, 7-keto DHEA did not increase levels of DHEA, estradiol, cortisol, total
testosterone and free testosterone.(1) As 7 Keto(tm) does not raise blood levels of DHEA, decreasing blood levels of DHEA after stopping supplementation would not be an expected result.
Research has shown that 7-Keto(tm) is more potent than DHEA in strengthening the immune system, enhancing memory, and inducing the activity of various thermogenic enzymes.(6-13) Therefore, it is beneficial
for individuals desiring the benefits of DHEA without the associated problem of DHEA conversion into other hormones.
Again, thank you for your interest in our products. We wish both you and your wife continued good health.
Sincerely,
Brenda Van Goethem
PhytoPharmica (r) Medical Writer
1. Watson RR, Huls A, Araghinikuam M, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone and disease of aging. Drugs Aging. 1996;9:274-291. Abstract.
2. Nippoldt TB, Nair KS. Is there a case for DHEA replacement? Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;12:507-520. Abstract.
3. Parker LN. Adrenal androgens in clinical medicine. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press, Inc. 1989:15.
4. Marenich LP. Excretion of testosterone, epitestosterone, androstenedione and 7-ketodehydroepiandrosterone in healthy men of
different ages. Probl Endokrinol. 1979;25:28-31.
5. Sahelian R. DHEA: a practical guide. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group; 1996:3-6.
6. DHEA (7-keto-DHEA). The FASEB J. 1998;12:764. Abstract.
7. Nelson R, Herron M, Weeks C, et al. Dehydroepiandrosterone and 7-keto-DHEA augment interleukin 2 (IL 2) production by human lymphocytes
in vitro. Presented at the 5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; February 1-5, 1998; Chicago, Illinois. Abstract (596):49.
8. Lardy H, Treatment of Alzheimer's disease and modulation of immune system with D5-androsternes. 1998. United States Patent: 5707983.
9. Shi J, Lardy H. 3b-hydroxyandrost-5-ene-7,17-dione (7-keto-DHEA) improves memory in mice. The FASEB J. 1998;12:764. Abstract.
10. Davison MH, Weeks C, Lardy H, et al. Safety and endocrine effects of 3-acetyl-7-oxo- Lardy H, Partridge B, Kneer N et al. Ergosteroids:
induction of thermogenic enzymes in liver of rats treated with steroids derived from dehydroepiandrosterone. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1995;92:6617-6619.
Abstract.
11. Su CY. Lardy H. Induction of hepatic mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in rats by dehydroepiandrosterone. J Biochem.
1991;110:207-213.
12. Bobyleva V, Bellei M, Kneer N et al. The effects of ergosteroid 7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone on mitochondrial membrane potential:
possible relationship to thermogenesis. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1997:341:122-128.
13. Lardy H, Reich IL. 5-androsternes useful for promoting weight maintenance or weight loss and treatment process. 1996. United States Patent: 5506223.
March 8, 2003
We have recently added many new pictures of our facilities both classic facilities as well as our newly expanded therapy and diagnostic areas. Click on the limks below to view all these new additions designed to offer you better service and quicker healing.
Inside views of our Sanctuaries
February 27, 2003
A patient of ours on Baschetti (a special licorice compound developed by Riccardo Baschetti M.D. of Padua, Italy to help Chronic Fatigue Patients …CMAJ 1998;159(5):537-41. Baschetti, R. Etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome [letter]. Am J Med 1997;102:422.) sent us the following item about licorice and the Pill. Our comments follow the article.
Licorice Caution for Women on the Pill
By Jane Burgermeister BERLIN (Reuters Health) Jan 31
Women who take oral contraceptives should avoid eating too much licorice, the German National Chemists Association has advised. Dr. Ursula Sellerberg from the chemists association recommends that women who take the pill limit their consumption of the black confectionery to 10 grams a day because it can trigger oedema.
Oral contraceptives can also contribute to oedema, Dr. Sellerberg noted. "Risk groups such as diabetics, people with high blood pressure, and those with heart or circulatory diseases, as well as pregnant women should avoid all licorice or eat it only occasionally in small quantities," Dr. Sellerberg told Reuters Health.
Dr. Andrea Kistner, an expert in nutrition at the German Society for Nutrition, said that licorice caused oedema because it depleted the body of minerals. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, which gives licorice its distinctive taste. If glycyrrhizic acid is consumed in large quantities, it can deplete the body of minerals such as potassium, zinc and magnesium.
German health ministry guidelines recommend that people consume less than 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid a day. Dr. Kistner said that almost all licorice products contain less than 200 mg glycyrrhizic acid per 100 grams, so that people should be able to eat at least 50 grams a day without any side effects. However, Dr. Sellerberg noted that researchers in Iceland had found that eating even small amounts of licorice every day can lead to a marked increase in blood pressure. "It is better to err on the safe side, and women who are taking the pill should reduce the consumption of licorice still further to 10 grams to offset any fluid retention caused by the pill," she said.
Baschetti is used to help the morning fatigue in CFS patients caused by 11 Beta HSD suppression of cortisol at this time. Licorice is a valuable inhibitor of this suppression. Since most CFS patients have low blood pressure the tendency of Baschetti to raise this is beneficial in these patients. Likewise most CFS patients tend to have elevated Potassium, its tendency to lower these levels may be beneficial as well. We augment our patients on Baschetti with the other needed minerals to offset the effect of Baschetti on them.
Baschetti is one of our most important agent to help CFS patients to return to normal, but it is to be used only where and when it is indicated. No licorice compound should ever be taken until one of our ASI tests shows that is required. As you can see from above, to do so may cause unexpected problems.
February 26, 2003
Patients are sometimes concerned that our adrenal substance therapy may hinder the future functioning of the adrenal gland, especially the production of aldosterone. No matter how many times we tell that this will not happen they still seem to have concerns, sometimes triggered by comments from medical and non-medical sources who do not seem to understand the physiology involved. Recently Dr. Lynn Toohey, Ph.D. of Nutri-West products was asked to address this concern and here is his answer:
Adrenal Response
"Aldosterone is secreted in response to low blood pressure. Specifically, angitensin II is a substance that stimulates the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex to increase its secretion of aldosterone in response to the blood pressure causing release of renin and consequently (and eventually) angitensin II. Aldosterone is also secreted in response to high blood potassium.
"Adrenal supplementation (Miladregen, Isocort, ACF, etc.) works to support the function of the adrenal glands, and to make them more apt to be able to deal with stress (release of catechlamines from the medulla) and to make them more apt to respond to signals for aldosterone secretion from the zona glomerulosa. The nutrition is NOT overworking the adrenal glands, or acting like a drug to shut off a negative feedback mechanism, or somehow making them less apt to respond to these signals in the future. In fact, the nutrition builds up the adrenal glands so they can respond normally."
This statement bears our own experience. We have used adrenal substance therapy for over forty-five years and have yet to discover anything but constructive and beneficial effects on the adrenal glands as well as the entire endocrine system. Occasionally we are asked by a patient who has done well on our program, "When can I stop the remedies you have me on and return to my usual life style?" My answer is succinct but inclusive. "You are free to stop your remedies and return to your old lifestyle whenever you want to return to the problems that brought you to me."
The reason for this is simple. The remedies we use to help CFS, CFIDS and Fibromyalgia. are not drugs that are alien to the body. They are specialized foods for the various organs of the body affected by these conditions. In most instances these organs need these specialized foods on an ongoing basis to maintain their integrity. By our program, we help these organs to function more normally by supplying them with the specialized substances that we have found, by long experience, to be the most beneficial. These foods, like all other foods, need to be supplied to the body if it is to maintain optimum functioning. Once they are discontinued in those who require them in the first place, the organs will gradually return to their pretreatment status and so, eventually, will the patient.