Aloe For Diabetes, Butter is Good For You? Vitamin C for Pregnancies

Aloe Helps Diabetes Sufferers

You may think of Aloe Vera as just a cooling gel to use if you get a sunburn.

But this cactus-like plant can do a lot more than just soothe skin. It turns out that it may be a diabetic's best friend!

A just-out study from researchers at an Air Force Medical Center in California has proven that this humble plant can do some amazing things when it comes to insulin and blood glucose. 

And the best part is that the diabetics who may benefit the most from Aloe Vera are the ones who need the most help managing their blood sugar. 

If there ever was a Swiss Army Knife of plants, it would be Aloe Vera!

I'm sure you've used it on many a kitchen burn, maybe even squeezed some of the gel out of a leaf if you have one growing on your windowsill.

But Aloe Vera has quite a long resume in natural healing. It's been used to treat everything from digestive disorders to skin conditions for around 6,000 years. 

And it's loaded with essential vitamins, enzymes, minerals and amino acids. 

So it doesn't come as a big surprise that one of its many benefits would be its ability to lower blood sugar.

The researchers took data from over 280 participants, looking at fasting blood glucose (FBG), A1c numbers and other types of tests that diagnose both diabetes and "pre- diabetes."

And what they found was that the patients who took Aloe Vera capsules were able to lower their FBG by a whopping 46.6 mg/dl. Plus that, they were able to lower that all-important A1c -- which is derived from blood sugar numbers that are averaged out over several months -- by 1.05. 

For some patients, that could make the difference between falling into the diabetic range -- or not. 

But the best news from this research might be that those who had the highest FBG numbers were helped the most. The researchers found that diabetics with a FBG above 200 were able to drop it by an average of 109.9!

Can you imagine if Big Pharma had created a drug that could get these kids of results -- without all the horrifying side effects? 

Along with what we now know about how it can help diabetics, Aloe vera has also been found to:

• ·    Ease dermatitis, psoriasis and even genital herpes when applied topically
• .    Stop bad breath when mixed as a drink with water or apple juice. An anti-inflammatory compound in the plant called B-sitosterol is thought to calm acid indigestion that is often the cause of bad breath
•      Be just as effective as (and less abrasive than) commercial brands of toothpaste. The gel from the plant is also known to contain numerous anti-inflammatory compounds that can benefit the gums.

And that's just the short list of the amazing things that have been discovered about this plant!

For use on the skin, there is no shortage of Aloe vera products to choose from. Just make sure to get one with a high amount of the plant (above 90 percent) rather than a smidgen. You can also easily grow an Aloe vera plant at home and break off a leaf when needed.

There are also numerous supplements on the market containing this remarkable natural healer in both capsule and liquid form. I use a liquid capsule aloe vera from Swanson Vitamins which you can find at: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-superior-herbs-aloe-vera-25-mg-300-sgels?otherSize=SWH161

Comment:

I take a capsule per day of Aloe Vera for digestive health.  But just remember -- taken in larger doses Aloe Vera can have a laxative effect. So start with one a day and see whether one or two per day is best for you.

Butter is Good for You (I told you so)

(Reuters Health) - Despite decades on the list of "bad" fats that harm the heart, butter, on its own, is not linked to increased risk of heart disease after all, according to a recent analysis of existing research.

Eating more butter was even weakly tied to a lower risk of diabetes, the authors found.

Some people hold that butter is a "villain" while others think it is a superfood of sorts, and this review supports neither argument, said senior author Dariush Mozaffarian of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston.

"The findings really suggest butter is neither of those things, whether you eat a lot or none at all, there's not a big difference," he told Reuters Health.

The authors reviewed nine large studies including a total of more than 600,000 people who reported what they ate and were followed over time. Overall, 28,000 people died during the studied periods, almost 10,000 people developed cardiovascular disease and 24,000 were diagnosed with diabetes.

Consumption of butter among people in the studies ranged from none to a tablespoon (14 grams) or more daily.

Researchers found a very small increased risk of dying from any cause based on how much butter people ate. For every additional tablespoon, risk rose by 1 percent compared to people who didn't eat butter. But that difference is so small it could be due to chance.

Risk for heart attacks, strokes and overall cardiovascular disease was similar regardless of butter intake, according to the results in PLoS ONE.

Each additional tablespoon of butter consumed was tied to a 4 percent lower risk of developing diabetes.

"Butter's net health effect is pretty neutral," Mozaffarian said. Other daily dietary choices, like getting enough fruit and vegetables, may be more important for your health, he said.

"These results mean that we should not over-emphasize the role of butter for health, and consider its health effects against the alternative choices," said Dr. Nita Forouhi of the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine in the UK who was not part of the new research.

Other studies have linked habitual butter intake to higher low-density-lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol and potentially with weight gain over time, Forouhi told Reuters Health by email.

"This finding is not a license to eat all the butter one wants, but there is no need to single it out as being particularly unhealthy," Forouhi said.

"The findings for type 2 diabetes may be real, but they may also be limited by the complexity of doing this type of research as some people may selectively under- or over-report or avoid consumption," Forouhi said. "Or there might be alternative explanations such as the other dietary factors that could not be accounted for leading to what is known as residual confounding. For now, it is best to consider butter being neutral for diabetes risk."

Comment:

Organic or grass fed butter is the most beneficial for your health. Both can be found at Costco and Trader Joes. Grass fed butter can be difficult to find. I use Kerrygold Irish grass fed butter which is higher in nutrients and Omega 3's. It is a little more expensive but both Costco and Trader Joes sell it at a lower price.

High-dose Vitamin C for Safer, Healthier Pregnancies

FOX News Goes Orthomolecular
Affirms high-dose vitamin C for safer, healthier pregnancies

Commentary by Andrew W. Saul, Editor

Thousands of milligrams of vitamin C for pregnant women? And it's actually a good idea? Yes to both.

It is only fair that we give kudos to Fox News for having the moxie to run the most positive major-media story on orthomolecular use of vitamin supplements in years called "Nine supplements to ease pregnancy complaints."

Significantly, Fox reported on one of the most important areas in nutritional medicine: the clinical work of Frederick Robert Klenner, MD:

"This high-dose vitamin C therapy pioneered by Dr. Frederick R. Klenner, has been shown to prevent postpartum hemorrhages, cardiac fetal distress, shorten labor and reduce labor pain."

High-dosage details are provided for the interested reader. The fact that in so doing Fox quotes my daughter (you knew there had to be an angle here somewhere, didn't you?) is certainly appreciated. But look at these numbers, in worldwide print at last:

"Vitamin C, which strengthens ligaments and tendons, also eases pain. [Helen] Saul Case recommends 4,000 milligrams a day during the first trimester, 6,000 milligrams during the second trimester and 10,000 to 15,000 milligrams in the third trimester."

Those amounts come straight out of Dr. Klenner's paper, "Observations on the Dose and Administration of Ascorbic Acid when Employed Beyond the Range of a Vitamin."

In his paper, Dr. Klenner wrote:

"Observations made on over 300 consecutive obstetrical cases using supplemental ascorbic acid, by mouth, convinced me that failure to use this agent in sufficient amounts in pregnancy borders on malpractice. The lowest amount of ascorbic acid I used was 4 grams (4,000 mg) the highest amount 15 grams (15,000 mg) each day."

There are the doses, straight from a physician who knew just how well they worked.

Now everyone can know. The word is out.

9 supplements to ease pregnancy complaints

Between “morning” sickness that can last all day, exhaustion and the myriad of aches and pains that can happen during pregnancy, sometimes eating healthy foods, exercise and rest aren’t enough or even doable.

Although prenatal vitamins are necessary, supplements may be just what your body needs to quickly feel better.

Before taking any kind of supplement however, talk to your doctor to make sure it’s compatible with your prenatal vitamin, how much you should take and how to find a reputable brand.

Here are nine of the most common pregnancy complaints and the best vitamin and mineral and supplements to relieve symptoms.

1. Morning sickness
Between 70 to 80 percent of pregnant women will experience nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester when hormones are in full force.

Although you can try things like ginger, bland crackers or acupressure, one of the most effective and safe supplements you can take is vitamin B6. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends between 10 to 25 milligrams taken three or four times a day.

2. Fatigue
Although it’s common to feel tired when you’re pregnant— you’re growing a human after all— certain supplements can give you a boost of energy.

Iron is a good one to start with since many women are already iron deficient when they become pregnant because of menstruation or a lack or iron in the diet, said Dr. Arielle Levitan, a board-certified internal medicine physician in Chicago, Il., co-author of “The Vitamin Solution,” and co-founder of Vous Vitamin.

The deficiency can worsen during pregnancy because your baby depletes your iron stores further, which also lowers your energy.

Ask your doctor to check your iron levels and recommend a type of iron that won’t cause upset stomach and constipation such as carbonyl iron, Levitan said.

Other supplements that can help include B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. Iodine supports the thyroid gland, which regulates energy and metabolism.

3. Acid reflux
Acid reflux is common during pregnancy and up to 45 percent of women complain of heartburn, indigestion and belching. Eating small meals throughout the day, avoiding large meals before bedtime as well as spicy and acidic foods can help. Yet if acid reflux persists, digestive enzymes taken with your meal can also help ease the burn.

4. Constipation
Pregnancy hormones coupled with food aversions to vegetables and cravings for carb-heavy fare can make it hard to go. What’s more, although it’s important to get enough iron during pregnancy it can also make you constipated.

Vitamin C can help improve iron absorption, which may mean you can take less iron.  Higher doses can also work as a stool softener when needed, said Helen Saul Case, the Lockport, NY-based author of “Vitamins & Pregnancy: The Real Story.”  Or consider magnesium citrate because it also acts as a laxative.

5. Hemorrhoids
Constipation, straining and the pressure from your baby on your rectum and perineum can cause hemorrhoids or make them worse. Although the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, high-fiber foods, and drink water, vitamin E applied topically can help reduce the pain, burning and itching.

6. Backache
Pain in your lower back, muscle aches and round ligament pain are all common during pregnancy and one of the best supplements that can alleviate the pain is magnesium.

“Magnesium is such an extremely important mineral for absolutely everybody [but] about half of us aren’t getting half of the recommended dietary allowance of magnesium in our diets,” Saul Case said.

That’s because it’s nearly impossible to get enough through diet alone since only about 50 percent of what you eat is absorbed.

Another way to get your dose of magnesium is to soak in a warm bath with Epsom salt to relax sore, tense muscles.  

Vitamin C, which strengthens ligaments and tendons, also eases pain. Saul Case recommends 4,000 milligrams a day during the first trimester, 6,000 milligrams during the second trimester and 10,000 to 15,000 milligrams in the third trimester.

This high-dose vitamin C therapy pioneered by Dr. Frederick R. Klenner, has been shown to prevent postpartum hemorrhages, cardiac fetal distress, shorten labor and reduce labor pain.

7. Leg cramps
A magnesium supplement is also the best supplement for leg cramps. Other supplements to consider include vitamin C, calcium, selenium and zinc.  Studies show vitamin E may also help ease leg cramps but high doses should be avoided, Levitan said.

8. Migraines
The intense pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound can make migraine headaches during pregnancy downright miserable and they may be due to vitamin deficiencies.

In fact, research recently presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American Headache Society found that people who suffer from frequent migraines were more likely to have low levels of vitamin D, riboflavin (B-2) and CoQ10.

Niacin (vitamin B3), taken at the onset of pain is one of the most effective ways to ward off a migraine, although it can create a “flush,” and make your skin red and itchy.

“I have found that niacin is not only effective at getting rid of the migraine, the side effect is less uncomfortable than getting a full-blown migraine,” Saul Case said.

9. Bleeding gums
Although it’s common for your gums to bleed a bit when you brush or floss, vitamin C can help prevent it altogether.

“If the capillary walls weaken they tend to bleed and vitamin C strengthens the bond and holds cells together,” Saul Case said.

Please pass this information on to anyone who is or may be considering getting pregnant.

Until next time, stay healthy and happy

JD Roma

The information on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician (preferably a Naturopath).