Herbs & Supplements as Superfoods!

Dr. James Manos (MD)
July 5, 2019

       Herbs & dietary supplements as superfoods

·       All nutritional supplements and herbs have indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and interactions with other herbs and drugs e.g., Ginkgo Biloba interacts with anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may cause bleeding (there are also cases of spontaneous bleeding from this herb, not associated with concomitant use of blood thinners), while St John's Wort causes skin photosensitivity and interacts with anticonvulsants and many other drugs. Vitamin D, in large amounts, causes damage to the liver. Vitamin A overdose is also harmful. Magnesium Mg overdose affects the heart (bradycardia) and may cause respiratory and cardiac arrest. Potassium and sodium electrolyte deficiency or overdose affects the heart (may cause severe arrhythmia), the muscles, and the nervous system. Avoid potassium and protein if you have kidney failure. Rich sources of potassium are bananas and potatoes.

·         There are herbalists who are specialists in herbs.

·        The indications, contraindications, side effects, and drug interactions of dietary supplements and herbs can also be found in special herbal books and reliable internet sites.

·         The herb feverfew may help patients suffering from headaches.   

·         For benign prostatic hypertrophy, the herb Saw palmetto may help.

·      Echinacea is a herb that enhances immune function and is often used for common cold. Usually, it is combined with vitamin C and zinc, which are also helpful in patients with infections, especially viruses, including the common cold/ flu. Do not take Echinacea for extended periods because it will have adverse effects. Other herbs used for immune stimulation and common cold include Andrographis paniculata, Eleuthero (called wrongly by some as ‘Siberian ginseng’), and black elderberry. A natural treatment for a sore throat is propolis (e.g., as a spray tincture), a bee product.

·     The herbs Ginkgo Biloba, Bacopa monnieri, blueberry, huperzine A, and curcumin, as well as the nootropic dietary supplements Vinpocetine (used in Russia), aniracetam, ALCAR, homotaurine, CDP choline (Citicoline), and phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine (the last 2 are contained in lecithin) enhance brain function and especially memory. They may help patients with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Huperzine A is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, similar to other Alzheimer's drugs! Curcumin decreases beta-amyloid.  Ginkgo biloba is used as a memory booster, seems not very helpful in Alzheimer’s, and is contraindicated if the patient takes blood thinners.

·         Aloe Vera is a herb used for skin problems.

·         Milk Thistle (also as a dietary supplement ‘silymarin’) may help patients with liver problems.

·         Peppermint helps patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

·         Probiotics help patients the irritable bowel syndrome. They ensure proper gut function.

·     Green tea is an excellent antioxidant, especially for the cardiovascular system. However, it does not seem to help with obesity.

·      Grapefruit is the only herb that helps people with obesity. Apple cider vinegar may aid in weight loss because it causes a feeling of satiety.

·     According to the AREDS I study, the dietary supplements beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, Zinc, and copper may help in Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This severe eye disease may cause blindness. Other dietary supplements & herbs that may help include lycopene (from tomato!), bilberry, fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids), blueberry, lutein & zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, Ginkgo biloba, folic acid, Goji berry, etc.  The most important of the above is lutein which is a carotenoid. The optimal dose seems to be 10 mg. Lutein may prevent AMD. It is usually combined with zeaxanthin, another carotenoid.

·         Selenium is a powerful antioxidant.

·       Cranberry is known for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. However, it does not help with their treatment. Instead, an antibiotic should be prescribed. D - mannose does not help on UTIs. To prevent UTIs, women should wipe after defecation from front to back.

·         Herbs that offer energy are Panax (Asian) Ginseng and royal jelly.

·         Krokos Kozanis (red saffron), from Greece, is a herb with many therapeutic properties, e.g., anti-cancer properties, and may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

·         L – carnitine is an amino acid with many benefits for the heart and the kidneys.

·         Curcumin (turmeric) may help in Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, chronic anterior uveitis (an eye disease), cancer (such as in the bile duct that has an ominous prognosis), etc.

·       The mastic from Chios, in Greece, helps in the fight against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with peptic ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcers).

·      Eucalyptus helps patients with nasal congestion; you can find it in nasal sprays. In case of nasal congestion, you can boil Eucalyptus leaves in water and inhale the steam.

·  On knee osteoarthritis, glucosamine sulfate (e.g., from shells or crabs as sources), chondroitin sulfate (it is similar to the blood–thinner heparin!), and MSM (a sulfur product) may help. Other herbs & dietary supplements that may help include celadrine (TM), hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, curcumin (turmeric), Boswellia serrata, devil’s claw (this is also a painkiller), ginger, and tart cherry!

·         Arnica montana is a herb used for muscle problems, sprains & strains.

·      Herbs & dietary supplest that may help the cardiovascular system and protect the heart include Hawthorn (used for chronic heart failure!), lycopene (an antioxidant in tomato juice), the fish oil in fatty fish such as sardines & mackerel (contains omega – 3 fatty acids that decrease the triglycerides), red yeast rice (decreases blood cholesterol similar to the ‘statin’ drugs, however often it may be adulterated with a ‘statin’!), phytosterols & stanol esters (they both decrease cholesterol levels), astaxanthin (an excellent carotenoid antioxidant from the green algae Heamatococcus pluvialis), folic acid & vitamin B12 & B6 (they decrease homocysteine), oat (contains beta-glucans) & soybean – soy protein (contains phytoestrogens) (they both decrease cholesterol), pomegranate & garlic (including the aged garlic extract ‘kyolic (TM)) (both decrease blood pressure), chicory root & chromium (both decrease blood sugar), lecithin (decreased blood cholesterol), etc. 

·     Spirulina is a green alga-rich source of protein and an excellent choice for people on a diet, with medical problems, and for athletes and bodybuilders. It is called the ‘astronauts’ food’ and has a detoxifying effect, helps the body's immune system, and offers stamina. It is rich in amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

·   French maritime pine bark extract (also known as ‘pycnogenol’) is excellent for vein problems of the legs, including varicose veins. It contains the antioxidants OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) that are also contained in grapes.

Thanks for reading!