Holistic Medicine Tip of the Day – supplements for osteoporosis

January 31, 2008

Holistic medicine offers some options to women and men who suffer from early loss of bone density (osteopenia) or who have a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The most interesting possibilities, again used as part of a package of care that includes weight-bearing exercise (as recommended by your physician and/or physical therapist), involve a set of nutrients that cannot necessarily be taken all at the same time during the day (calcium can interfere with absorption of strontium and other things from the GI tract). The nutrients include: calcium, magnesium, vitamin D (especially D3), vitamin K, boron, and strontium. Each plays its unique and interactive role in the regulation of bone metabolism. Keeping homocysteine down by taking a balanced program of folate, B12, and B6 is also important for bone health as well as cardiovascular health.

Holistic Prevention of Colds

January 29, 2008

When you put together the available information, preventing colds even in elderly people or people with chronic health problems is improved by taking a few nutritional supplements regularly: In addition to a good multivitamin/multimineral and vitamin D (preferably as vitamin D3 form), adding vitamin E at 200 units/day to the total program seems to help ward off colds.

As with so many tips that we discuss here, it is important to think holistically and understand the need not to use one vitamin or mineral in isolation from others. The human body involves a biochemical network – and no one nutrient or biochemical is more important than another in that they all work together in an intricate dance.

The safest bet is to take reasonable amounts of a multi-nutrient program. For vitamin E, with available evidence, the upper limit seems to be around 200 IU.

Holistic Treatments for Colds and Flu

January 17, 2008

During the winter cold season, most people who prefer to use natural treatments and holistic approaches to health issues look for options for treating colds and flu. Here is a short list of items to consider:

• vitamin C supplements shorten colds, though may not prevent them
• research on zinc lozenges and nasal products is mixed – but zinc may help reduce severity of colds
• elderberry products can help with some of the symptoms
• common homeopathic remedies for flu include Oscillococcinum (from duck liver, one vector for carrying flu virus), gelsemium, bryonia, and eupatorium. Various over-the-counter products are either single remedies or mixtures of remedies like these
• cat’s claw as an herbal capsule or tea may have immune boosting capabilities against viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents

Thinking holistically – calcium and everything else

January 17, 2008

When you think about holistic medicine, you sometimes forget the implications of the term. It actually implies that you are part of the interconnected web of life (as Fritz Capra discussed in his book the Web of Life), but also that you are comprised of an interconnected set of parts. Along the same lines, holistic nutrition means that any one nutrient that you consume has an effect on other nutrients in your diet – and other meds. Just keep in mind, for example, that calcium supplements often prevent the proper absorption of other nutrients and even medications from your digestive system. Space the intake of calcium-containing supplements and foods at times other than when you need to take other items.

Holistic Medicine Self-Help

January 6, 2008

People often find that other people who carry a diagnosis similar to their own can help them with everyday practical tips and support to get through the long haul of chronic illness.

One site that has formed forums or discussion boards just for patients with certain  diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis is the following:

http://www.patientslikeme.com/

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