April 30, 2008

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin with four major functions in the body: (1) It helps cells reproduce normally a process called differentiation (cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes). (2) It is required for vision; vitamin A maintains healthy cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. (3) It is required for normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, influencing genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. (4) It may be required for normal reproductive function, with influences on the function and development of sperm, ovaries and placenta.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Vitamin A

Treatments: 
Anemia (for deficiency) Childhood diseases Cystic fibrosis Infection Leukoplakia Measles (for deficiency) Night blindness Bronchitis Celiac disease (for deficiency only) Heart attack Immune function Iron-deficiency anemia (as an adjunct to supplemental iron) Measles (for severe cases) Menorrhagia (heavy menstruation) Peptic ulcer Retinitis pigmentosa Sprains and strains (for deficiency only) Wound healing Acne Alcohol withdrawal support Conjunctivitis/blepharitis Crohn’s disease Diarrhea Gastritis Goiter HIV support Hypothyroidism Lung cancer Pap smear (abnormal) Pre- and post-surgery health Premenstrual syndrome (see dosage warnings) Retinopathy (in combination with selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E) Sickle cell anemia Urinary tract infection Vaginitis

Common Symptoms:
People who limit their consumption of liver, dairy foods, and beta-carotene-containing vegetables can develop a vitamin A deficiency. Extremely low birth weight babies (2.2 pounds or less) are at high risk of being born with a deficiency, and vitamin A shots given to these infants have been reported in double-blind research to reduce the risk of lung disease. The earliest deficiency sign is poor night vision. Deficiency symptoms can also include dry skin, increased risk of infections, and metaplasia (a precancerous condition). Severe deficiencies causing blindness are extremely rare in Western societies. Less severe deficiencies are more likely to occur with a variety of conditions causing malabsorption. A high incidence of vitamin A deficiency in people infected with HIV has also been reported. People with hypothyroidism have an impaired ability to convert beta-carotene to vitamin A. For this reason, some doctors suggest taking supplemental vitamin A (perhaps 5,000–10,000 IU per day) if they are not consuming adequate amounts in their diet. Very old people with type 2 diabetes have shown a significant age-related decline in blood levels of vitamin A, irrespective of their dietary intake.

Dosages:
For most people, up to 25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) of vitamin A per day is considered safe. However, people over age 65 and those with liver disease should probably not supplement with more than 15,000 IU per day, unless supervised by a doctor. In women who could become pregnant, the maximum safe intake is being re-evaluated. However, less than 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day is generally accepted as safe. There is concern that larger intakes could cause birth defects. Whether the average person would benefit from vitamin A supplementation remains unclear.

Side Effects:
Since a 1995 report from the New England Journal of Medicine, women who are or could become pregnant have been told by doctors to take less than 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day of vitamin A to avoid the risk of birth defect. A recent report studied several hundred women exposed to 10,000–300,000 IU (median exposure of 50,000 IU) per day. Three major malformations occurred in this study, but all could have happened in the absence of vitamin A supplementation. Surprisingly, no congenital malformations happened in any of the 120 infants exposed to maternal intakes of vitamin A that exceeded 50,000 IU per day. In fact, the high-exposure group had a 50% decreased risk for malformations compared with infants not exposed to vitamin A. The authors noted that some previous studies found no link between vitamin A and birth defects, and argued the studies that did find such a link suffered from various weaknesses. A closer look at the recent study reveals a 32% higher than expected risk of birth defects in infants exposed to 10,000–40,000 IU of vitamin A per day, but paradoxically a 37% decreased risk for those exposed to even higher levels. This suggests that both “higher” and “lower” risks may have been due to chance. Excessive dietary intake of vitamin A has been associated with birth defects in humans in fewer than 20 reported cases over the past 30 years. Presently, the level at which vitamin A supplementation may cause birth defects is not known, though combined human and animal data suggest that 30,000 IU per day should be considered safe. Women who are or who could become pregnant should consult with a doctor before supplementing with more than 10,000 IU per day. Vitamin A supplements can both help and hurt children. Many people have heard that vitamin A supplements support immune function and prevent infections. This is true under some circumstances. However, vitamin A can also increase the risk of infections, according to the findings of a double-blind trial. In a study of African children between six months and five years old, a 44% reduction in the risk of severe diarrhea was seen in those children given four 100,000–200,000 IU applications of vitamin A (the lower amount for those less than a year old) during an eight-month period. On further investigation, the researchers discovered that the reduction in diarrhea occurred only in children who were very malnourished. For children who were not starving, vitamin A supplementation actually increased the risk of diarrhea compared with the placebo group. The vitamin A-supplemented children also had a 67% increased risk of coughing and rapid breathing, signs of further lung infection, although this problem did not appear in children infected with AIDS. These findings should be of concern to American parents, whose children are not usually infected with AIDS or severely malnourished. Such relatively healthy children fared poorly in the African trial in terms of both the risk of diarrhea and the risk of continued lung problems. Vitamin A provided no benefit to the well-nourished kids. Therefore, it makes sense to not give vitamin A supplements to children unless there is a special reason to do so, such as the presence of a condition causing malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease). In a study of people with retinitis pigmentosa (a degenerative condition of the eye), participants received 15,000 IU of vitamin A per day for 12 years with no signs of adverse effects or toxicity. For other adults, intake above 25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) per day can in rare cases cause headaches, dry skin, hair loss, fatigue, bone problems, and liver damage. At higher levels (for example 100,000 IU per day) these problems become more common. A controlled clinical trial showed that people who took 25,000 IU of vitamin A per day for a median of 3.8 years had an 11% increase in triglycerides, a 3% increase in total cholesterol and a 1% decrease in HDL cholesterol compared to those who did not take vitamin A. Although the significance of these findings is not clear, people at risk for cardiovascular disease should use caution when considering long-term vitamin A supplementation. One study found that increasing the intake of vitamin A in the diet was associated with bone loss and risk of hip fracture, possibly due to a vitamin A-induced stimulation of cells that break down bone. In this study, a vitamin A intake greater than 5,000 IU per day, when compared to a lower intake, was associated with a reduction in bone mineral density that approximately doubles the risk of hip fracture. Beta-carotene (which can be used by the body to make vitamin A) has not been linked to reduced bone mass. Until more is known, people concerned about osteoporosis may consider taking beta-carotene supplements rather than supplementing with vitamin A. Data from test tube, animal, and human studies show that excessive vitamin A intake can accelerate bone loss and inhibit formation of new bone, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. In humans, small studies have found these effects at about 85,000–125,000 IU per day. Taking vitamin A and iron together helps overcome iron deficiency more effectively than iron supplementation alone. Supplementation with zinc, iron, or the combination has been found to improve vitamin A status among children at high risk for deficiency of the three nutrients. Certain medicines
may interact with vitamin A. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

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April 30, 2008

Methoxyisoflavone is a member of the family of flavonoids (isoflavones). In a U.S. patent, the developers of this substance claim, based on preliminary animal research, that it possesses muscle-building and bone-building (anabolic) effects without the side effects seen with either androgenic (male) hormones or estrogenic (female) hormones.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Methoxyisoflavone

Treatments: 
Athletic performance

Common Symptoms:
Methoxyisoflavone is not an essential nutrient, so no deficiencies are possible.

Dosages:
Manufacturers of methoxyisoflavone recommend 200 to 400 mg twice a day.

Side Effects:
Hormones with anabolic effects on muscle often have side effects that include acne, male-pattern baldness, prostate enlargement, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL; “good”) cholesterol. Whether methoxyisoflavone can cause these side effects has not been investigated. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with methoxyisoflavone .

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April 30, 2008

Glucosamine is an important building block needed by the body to manufacture specialized molecules called glycosaminoglycans, found in cartilage.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Glucosamine

Treatments: 
Osteoarthritis (glucosamine sulfate) Autism Knee pain (glucosamine HCI) Minor injuries Osteoarthritis (glucosamine HCl) Sprains and strains Wound healing (oral)

Common Symptoms:
A glucosamine deficiency in humans has not been reported.

Dosages:
Healthy people do not need to routinely supplement with glucosamine. Most research with people who have osteoarthritis, uses 500 mg three times per day of GS. Appropriate amounts for other conditions are not known.

Side Effects:
At the amount most frequently taken by adults 500 mg three times per day of GS adverse effects have been limited to mild reversible gastrointestinal side effects. In one trial, people with peptic ulcers and those taking diuretic drugs were more likely to experience side effects. Animal research has raised the possibility that glucosamine could contribute to insulin resistance. This effect might theoretically result from the ability of glucosamine to interfere with an enzyme needed to regulate blood sugar levels. However, available evidence does not suggest that taking glucosamine supplements will trigger or aggravate insulin resistance or high blood sugar. Two large, 3-year controlled trials found that people taking GS had either slightly lower blood glucose levels or no change in blood sugar levels, compared with people taking placebo. Until more is known, people taking glucosamine supplements for long periods may wish to have their blood sugar levels checked; people with diabetes should consult with a doctor before taking glucosamine and should have blood sugar levels monitored if they are taking glucosamine. In 1999 the first case of an allergic reaction to oral GS was reported. Allergic reactions to this supplement appear to be rare. Some GS is processed with sodium chloride (table salt), which is restricted in some diets (particularly for people with high blood pressure). The theory that GS and chondroitin sulfate work synergistically in the treatment of osteoarthritis remains unproven. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with glucosamine.

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April 30, 2008

Digestive enzymes are complex proteins involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances. They work optimally at specific temperature and pH. Digestive enzymes include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes. There are three classes of digestive enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Digestive Enzymes

Treatments: 
Low back pain (chymotrypsin, trypsin) Pancreatic insufficiency (including pancreatitis) Sprains and strains (chymotrypsin, trypsin) Celiac disease Indigestion (Lipase) Osteoarthritis (bromelain, trypsin, rutosid combination) Tendinitis (proteolytic enzymes) Acne Rosacea Chronic candidiasis Crohn’s disease Food allergies Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Low back pain (papain) Sprains and strains (papain)

Common Symptoms:
People with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis frequently require supplemental pancreatic enzymes (which include proteolytic enzymes, lipases, and amylases). In addition, those with celiac disease or Crohn’s disease and perhaps some people suffering from indigestion may be deficient in pancreatic enzymes. As bromelain and papain are not essential, deficiencies do not exist.

Dosages:
The digestive enzymes—proteolytic enzymes, lipases, and amylases—are generally taken together. Pancreatin, which contains all three digestive enzymes, is rated against a standard established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). For example, “4X pancreatin” is four times stronger than the USP standard. Each “X” contains 25 USP units of amylase, 2 USP units of lipase, and 25 USP units of protease (or proteolytic enzymes). Three to four grams of 4X pancreatin (or a lower amount at higher potency) with each meal is likely to help digest food in some people with pancreatic insufficiency. Those with chronic pancreatitis need to discuss enzyme intakes with their physician. Under medical supervision, seriously ill people with pancreatic insufficiency caused by pancreatitis are given very high levels of enzymes to improve fat digestion. In one successful trial, enough pancreatin was used with each meal to supply slightly over 1,000,000 USP units of lipase. Because pancreatin is rapidly emptied from the stomach during digestion, people taking these enzymes may obtain better results by spreading out supplementation throughout the meal. Supplemental enzymes that state only product weight, but not activity units, may lack potency.

Side Effects:
The most important digestive enzymes in malabsorption diseases are usually fat-digesting enzymes called lipases. Proteolytic enzymes can digest, as well as destroy, lipases. Therefore, people with enzyme deficiencies may want to avoid proteolytic enzymes in order to spare lipases. If this is not possible (as most enzyme products contain both), people with malabsorption syndromes should talk with their doctor to see if their condition warrants finding products that contain the most lipase and the least protease. In theory, too much enzyme activity could be irritating because it could start to “digest” parts of the body as the enzymes travel through the digestive system. Fortunately, that does not happen with supplemental amounts. Research has not determined the level at which such problems might arise. A serious condition involving damage to the large intestines called fibrosing colonopathy has resulted from the use of pancreatic enzymes in children with cystic fibrosis. In some cases, the problem was linked to the use of high supplemental amounts of enzymes. However, the amount of enzymes used has not been linked to the problem in all reports. In some cases, lower amounts of enzymes have caused fibrosing colonopathy if the enzymes are enteric-coated. Some researchers now believe that some unknown interaction between the enteric coating and the enzymes themselves may cause damage to the intestines of children with cystic fibrosis. Until more is known, children with cystic fibrosis needing to take pancreatic enzymes should only do so under the careful supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare professional. Certain medicines may interact with digestive enzymes. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

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April 30, 2008

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are considered essential amino acids because human beings cannot survive unless these amino acids are present in the diet.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Branched-Chain Amino Acids

Treatments: 
Kidney failure (intravenous BCAAs) Liver cirrhosis Phenylketonuria Athletic performance (for high altitude and extreme temperature only) Hepatic encephalopathy Spinocerebellar degeneration Tardive dyskinesia

Common Symptoms:
Only a person deficient in protein would become deficient in BCAAs, because most foods that are sources of protein supply BCAAs. Few people in Western societies are protein deficient.

Dosages:
Most diets provide an adequate amount of BCAAs for most people, which is about 25–65 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight. Athletes involved in intense training often take 5 grams of leucine, 4 grams of valine, and 2 grams of isoleucine per day to prevent muscle loss and increase muscle gain, though most research does not support this use of BCAAs.

Side Effects:
Side effects have not been reported with the use of BCAAs. Until more research is conducted, people with ALS should avoid taking supplemental BCAAs. In one study, supplementation with a large amount of BCAAs (60 grams) caused alterations in the blood levels of tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. The changes in the blood levels of these amino acids could, in theory, cause depression in susceptible individuals. Until more is known, individuals with a history of depression should consult a doctor before supplementing with BCAAs. People with kidney or liver disease should not consume high amounts of amino acids without consulting their doctor. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with branched-chain amino acids.

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April 29, 2008

N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) is a form of glucosamine, one of the building blocks of joint tissue and other connective tissues. NAG differs from glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride; instead of a sulfur or chloride molecule, NAG has a larger, more complex molecule attached to it. As a result, NAG is an entirely different molecule than either glucosamine sulfate or hydrochloride, and it also appears to be handled by the body differently.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

N-Acetyl-Glucosamine

Treatments: 

Common Symptoms:
As NAG is not an essential nutrient, no deficiency states have been reported.

Dosages:
Most manufacturers recommend supplementation with 1,500 mg daily.

Side Effects:
No significant side effects or interactions have yet been reported in studies on NAG. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with N-acetyl-glucosamine.

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April 29, 2008

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Ginkgo biloba

Treatments: 
Age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) Alzheimer’s disease (early-stage) Glaucoma (normal tension glaucoma) Intermittent claudication Altitude sickness (prevention) Depression (for elderly people) Erectile dysfunction (of vascular origin) Macular degeneration Schizophrenia (in combination with haloperidol) Vertigo Vitiligo Asthma Atherosclerosis Deafness, acute cochlear Memory enhancement (in healthy adults) Ménière’s disease Migraine headaches Multiple sclerosis (injections) Premenstrual syndrome Raynaud’s disease Retinopathy Tinnitus Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes

Common Symptoms:

Dosages:
Most clinical trials have used between 120 and 240 mg of ginkgo (standardized to contain 6% terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides) per day, generally divided into two or three portions. The higher amount (240 mg per day) has been used in some people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, age-related cognitive decline, intermittent claudication, and resistant depression. Ginkgo may need to be taken for eight to twelve weeks before desired actions such as cognitive improvement are noticed. Although nonstandardized Ginkgo biloba leaf and tinctures are available, there is no well-established amount or use for these forms.

Side Effects:
Excessive bleeding has been reported in a few individuals taking ginkgo, although a cause/effect relationship was not proven. In addition, two elderly individuals with well-controlled epilepsy developed recurrent seizures within two weeks after starting ginkgo. Mild headaches lasting for a day or two and mild upset stomach have been reported in a small number of people using ginkgo. Ginkgo leaves are known to contain a group of potentially toxic constituents known as alkylphenols. To reduce the potential for adverse effects, the German Commission E Monograph requires that ginkgo products for human consumption contain less than 5 parts per million of alkylphenols. One small clinical trial found that ginkgo supplementation for three months increased secretion of insulin by the pancreas, but did not affect blood glucose levels, in healthy young adults. These results suggest that the participants may have developed an insensitivity to insulin, a potential concern because insulin insensitivity may be a precursor to type 2 diabetes. However, this trial does not prove that ginkgo causes insulin insensitivity, nor does it prove that long-term ginkgo supplementation increases the risk for any disease. In addition, the results of this trial are not consistent with other research on ginkgo. Larger and more rigorously designed clinical trials of ginkgo supplementation have found no significant adverse effects after as many as 12 months of supplementation. People should seek an accurate medical diagnosis prior to self-prescribing ginkgo. This is especially important for the elderly, whose circulatory conditions can involve serious disease, and for people scheduled for surgery, as ginkgo may affect bleeding time. Certain medicines may interact with Ginkgo biloba. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

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April 29, 2008

Lipase is an enzyme that is used by the body to break down dietary fats into an absorbable form.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Lipase

Treatments: 
Cystic fibrosis Indigestion (for pancreatic insufficiency only) Celiac disease Crohn’s disease

Common Symptoms:
People with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis frequently require supplemental lipase and other enzymes. In addition, those with celiac disease or Crohn’s disease and perhaps some people suffering from indigestion may be deficient in pancreatic enzymes including lipase.

Dosages:
Products that contain lipase also usually contain other enzymes that help digest carbohydrates and protein. In the U.S., pancreatin, which contains lipase, amylase, and proteases, is rated against a government standard. For example, “9X pancreatin” is nine times stronger than the government standard. Each “X” contains 25 USP units of amylase, 2 USP units of lipase, and 25 USP units of proteolytic enzymes. Taking 1.5 grams of 9X pancreatin (or a higher amount at lower potencies) with each meal can help people with pancreatic insufficiency digest food.

Side Effects:
Lipase does not generally cause any side effects at the amounts listed above. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with lipase.

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April 29, 2008

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is a compound that is an essential nutrient for microorganisms and some animals, but has not been shown to be essential for people. PABA is considered by some to be a member of the vitamin B-complex, though its actions differ widely from other B vitamins.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

PABA

Treatments: 
Dermatitis Herpetiformis Dermatomyositis Infertility (female) Pemphigus Peyronie’s disease Scleroderma Vitiligo

Common Symptoms:
Deficiencies of PABA have not been described in humans, and most nutritionists do not consider it an essential nutrient.

Dosages:
Small amounts of PABA are present in some B-complex vitamins and multivitamin formulas. The amount of PABA used in the studies described above ranged from 300 mg to 12 grams per day. Anyone taking more than 400 mg of PABA per day should consult a physician.

Side Effects:
No serious side effects have been reported with 300–400 mg per day. Larger amounts (such as 8 grams per day or more) may cause low blood sugar, rash, fever, and (on rare occasions) liver damage. One report exists of vitiligo appearing after ingestion of large amounts of PABA and use of amounts over 20 grams per day in small children has resulted in deaths. There is also a report of a death from toxic hepatitis in a person with lupus, who took as much as 48 grams per day for six days, followed by 8 grams per day for seven months. No interactions between PABA and other nutrients have been reported. However, PABA interferes with sulfa drugs (a class of antibiotics) and therefore should not be taken when these medications are being used. Certain medicines may interact with PABA. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

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April 29, 2008

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a slightly altered form of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid.

Author: Daily Vitamins  /  Category: Uncategorized

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Treatments: 
Athletic performance (body composition and strength) Cancer prevention (lung, colon, breast)

Common Symptoms:
No deficiencies of CLA are reported or believed to occur, since it is not an essential nutrient.

Dosages:
Animal research uses very large amounts, equivalent to several grams per day for humans. Until human research is conducted with CLA, the appropriate amount to take of this nutrient remains unclear.

Side Effects:
Overweight volunteers who took 4.5 grams of CLA per day for one year had an increase in their blood levels of lipoprotein(a), a risk factor for heart disease. In a double-blind study of human volunteers, supplementation with 4.2 grams per day of a mixture of cis-9,trans-11 CLA and trans-10,cis-12 CLA for three months increased the concentration of C-reactive protein, another risk factor for heart disease. In a study of healthy volunteers, supplementing with 4.5 grams of CLA per day for 12 weeks caused an impairment of blood vessel function (endothelial dysfunction), which is believed to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Taken together, these findings suggest that long-term use of CLA could increase the risk of developing heart disease. In a double-blind study of people with type 2 diabetes, supplementing with 3 grams of CLA per day for eight weeks significantly increased blood glucose levels by 6.3% and decreased insulin sensitivity. A reduction in insulin sensitivity was also seen in a study of overweight men without diabetes after treatment with 3 grams of CLA per day for three months, although in a study of young sedentary men, 4 grams of CLA per day for eight weeks improved insulin sensitivity. Thus, although the studies are conflicting, CLA may be harmful for some people who have, or are at risk of developing, diabetes. One unpublished human trial reported isolated cases of gastrointestinal upset. At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with conjugated linoleic acid.

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