Alternative Health - Witchcraft or Science?

Obviously we are addressing a complex question, so I shall try to simplify it as follows. I shall search for alternative health online and see what these quacks are peddling, and see if I can find any scientific studies to verify the health benefits of these nutritional supplements. Here goes! Hang onto your seat!

Note: Sometimes alternative health supplements have been used for hundreds of years, and produce no results in studies because the recommended dose on the bottle is less that what is found to be effective in practice. Also some manufacturers have been accused of claiming benefits which can only be realized with much higher concentrations of active ingredients than found in their products. For that reason what is found to work or not work in a properly conducted study may not be the same in real life. I have also removed herbal mixtures from the list for simplicity.

Oxygen Therapies

According to the Medical Journal of Australia "Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a stable daytime Pao2 of ≤ 55 mmHg (7.3kPa) live longer and have a better quality of life if provided with long-term continuous oxygen therapy."

Brahmi - Bacopa Monnieri

Steven Roodenrys et al. Neuropsychopharmacology (2002) 27 279-281.10.1038/S0893-133X(01)00419-5 summarized their findings on the effects of brahmi on long term memory of difficult tasks as follows:

"The only measure to show a significant effect was the delayed recall of word pairs task, F1,74 = 4.932, p < .05. Follow-up analyses using ANOVA showed significant reduction in performance between the last learning trial and the delayed recall test in all three testing sessions (F1,74 = 6.035, p < .05, F1,74 = 12.256, p < .01, and F1,74 = 18.830, p < .01, repectively) however, only in the end of trial session did this effect differ significantly between groups, F1,74 = 4.394, p < .05. As can be seen in Table 1, the group who received the brahmi retained more word pairs over the delay than the placebo group."

Horny Goat Weed

Let's hope that this study sponsored by Bodyonics was unbiased. Some of the subjects were taking Viagra, and others weren't. It was found that 65 percent of the non-Viagra men had a positive response to horny goat weed, and 46 percent of the Viagra-supplemented men also had a positive response.

Lactoferrin

50 consecutive patients who presented for treatment at The Wound Care Center in Lubbock, Texas were offered enrollment into the lactoferrin Study. The study concludes: "The chi-square analysis using all wounds suggests lactoferrin has a significant therapeutic effect."

Ginger

Ginger has the potential to relieve pain for two out of three patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to Ray Altman, MD, a professor at the University of Miami. Dr. Altman’s recent study followed 247 patients. The study was published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, November 2001. “Ginger may help reduce the pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee,” says Dr. Altman.

Tribulus

A study conducted by Neychev VK and Mitev VI at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Medical University, 2 Zdrave str., Sofia-1431, Bulgaria. neychev@dir.bg found that tribulus did not increase testosterone levels in young men. Of course tribulus is a Chinese herb, and has been proven to have other medicinal uses including the ability to reduce blood pressure.

Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol has been studied a lot, and can heal leaky blood vessels and varicose veins, reduce blood clotting, reduce swelling, may help with attention deficiency syndrome, and prevents the damage caused by inflammation.

Grapeseed Extract

This is supposed to be the same procyanidolic oligomers (OPC) as in pycnogenol, except more concentrated and cheaper.

DHEA

KETAN K. DHATARIYA, MBBS, MRCP(UK), MSC; K. SREEKUMARAN NAIR, MD, PHD did a survey of the studies, asking the question; is there a role for DHEA replacement?

Studies of rodent models have shown that these hormones have beneficial effects on a wide variety of conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, immune function, atherosclerosis, and many of the disorders associated with normal aging. However, rodents are not the best models to study the actions of these hormones because they have very little endogenous DHEA; thus, the doses given to these animals are usually suprapharmacological. Human studies have been performed to determine the potential beneficial effects of DHEA replacement in persons with low DHEA levels. Results have been conflicting. Human studies suggest a potential role for DHEA replacement in persons who have undergone adrenalectomy (removal of one of the adrenal glands) and possibly in the aging population. However, long-term studies assessing the benefits vs adverse effects must be done before DHEA replacement can be recommended.

DHEA levels decrease with age, but then do many hormone levels. Is DHEA supplementation effective and cost efficient? I guess it's the consumer's choice, as there is enough scientific evidence that it may help with a number of conditions.

HGH

Dr. Daniel Rudman and his associates at the Medical College of Wisconsin, demonstated the effect of HGH supplementation in their landmark study published in The New England Journal of Medicine. That study was entitled "Effects of Human Growth Hormone in Men Over Sixty Years Old." The results can be summarized by the observation that they appeared and behaved 20 years younger, which was confirmed by many measurements like skin thickness.

It needs to be pointed out that there is a difference between the growth hormone injections used in these studies, and the growth hormone products similar to what are sold in our store. When large quantities of certain amino acids like arginine, orthithine, glycine, glutamine or lysine are taken on an empty stomach, growth hormone is released from the anterior arginine in this way - or let's say 5 - 30g. Very noticeable is the new hair growth. Manufacturers use smaller quantities of various mixes of amino acids, which are claimed to work in even smaller doses. We know that this is true of arginine pyroglutamate, and also that a mix of two parts arginine to one part ornithine is three times more effective. Also 5g of glutamine has increased growth hormone release by 400% in some studies. It is claimed that much of the glutamine is destroyed by the stomach acid, so you take a teaspoon of glutamine with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Yea you're brave! I have done it. Growth hormone secretagogues are youth in a bottle, and worth the inconvenience.

Melatonin

Melatonin is another hormone found naturally in the body, and yes it does make you sleep.

Kombucha

The study "Determination and characterization of the anti-microbial activity of the fermented tea Kombucha" by C.J. Greenwalt, R.A. Ledford, and K.H. Steinkraus Department of Food Science Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 demonstrated that kombucha showed antibacterial action but not against Candida Albicans, due to the presence of organic acids. However this effect was due to the presence of vinegar. ;)

Wild Yam

The study "Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women." by Komesaroff PA, Black CV, Cable V, Sudhir K. conducted at the Baker Medical Research Institute, PO Box 6492, St Kilda Central, Melbourne 8008, Victoria, Australia concluded that wild yam supplementation was safe for menopausal women, but there was no evidence that it was effective.

Note that this is not an example of traditional herbal medicine proved wrong. It is a misconception based on the fact that diosgenin found in wild yam was used to make contraceptive pills. However the body doesn't have enzymes that can convert diosgenin to progesterone. It is however believed to have other health benefits. Examining the wild yam products sold here, it appears that progesterone has been added to compensate for this nonsense. Read the blurb.

Ginkgo Biloba

Quoting an article from the University of Maryland Medical Center:

"Emerging evidence suggests that ginkgo biloba extract may be particularly effective in treating ailments associated with decreased blood flow to the brain, particularly in elderly individuals. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo biloba extract improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets.

Ginkgo biloba leaves also contain two types of chemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) believed to have potent antioxidant properties."

So ginkgo biloba may well be effective for anti aging. Some studies claim that ginkgo biloba shows no improvements in mental function. However, there appears to be a pattern, that anything that improve circulation to the brain will help with memory and cognitive function, and most likely stimulate the activity of the ductless glands which release hormones which keep you young. Also problems like balding, wrinkles, gray hair and spider veins are likely to be alleviated by the improved blood flow. It has been argued that a higher concentration of ginkgo is needed than recommended on the bottle in order to show results.

Coezyme Q10

A study, conducted under the direction of Dr. Clifford W. Shults, of the University of California, San Diego, was reported in the October issue of the Archives of Neurology (www.archneurol.com). Eighty subjects with early Parkinson’s who were not taking any treatment for the disease were randomly assigned placebo or Coenzyme Q10 at dosages of 300, 600, or 1200 mg/d.

The conclusions reported were that Coenzyme Q10 was safe and well tolerated at dosages of up to 1200 mg/d and that less disability developed in those who were assigned Coenzyme Q10 than in those assigned the placebo. The benefits were highest for those receiving the highest dosage.

Coenzyme Q10 speeds up energy production in cells, and is used in beauty creams, for heart health, and has even been suggested for periodentitis (loss of jaw bone). Notice how the medical profession who are always admonishing us for exceeding vitamin doses demonstrated how "the more the better". My bottle I have here says takes 50mg-150mg a day, which would be really expensive at more than 20 pills a day.

Sheep Sorrel

It is possible to find studies containing this herb which suggest it has the potential to be effective against cancer, but very few studies have been done. Other studies on the same formulations showed little effect. I could not find a study on sheep sorrel alone. As someone pointed out long ago, science discovers what it is looking for. It would seem unfair to ridicule this herb because it hasn't been studied, but I'm sure that some doctors would.

Omega 3

It was proven many decades ago that omega 3 essential fatty acid is required for good health. It prevents inflammation and is effective against eczema and behavioural problems. We as a society are deficient. So take fish, walnuts, flaxseed oil or cod liver oil or the whole lot.

Fish Oils

Fish Oils contain omega 3 as mentioned above. Also enormous doses of vitamin A and D. The Inuits eat a pound of fish a day, and some diseases like heart disease are almost unknown.

Maca powder

This study "Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice" by Ana C Ruiz-Luna , Stephanie Salazar , Norma J Aspajo , Julio Rubio , Manuel Gasco and Gustavo F Gonzales, Concluded:

"Administration of aqueous extract of Yellow Maca to adult female mice increases the litter size. Moreover, this treatment increases the uterine weight in ovariectomized animals. Our study confirms for the first time some of the traditional uses of Maca to enhance female fertility."

MSM

Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. published "Efficacy of methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial." Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2006;14:286–94. Southwest College Research Institute, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ, USA.

In 2004, Kim et al conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of distilled MSM on mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Participants received 3,000 mg twice daily of either placebo or MSM (OptiMSM, Cardinal Nutrition, Vancouver, WA)) for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated using standardized clinical efficacy scales as well as for several secondary endpoints, adverse events, and clinical laboratory markers. Compared to placebo, those taking MSM had statistically significant reductions in pain and in difficulty performing activities of daily living. Statistically significant reductions in serum homocysteine (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease) and urinary malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress) were also observed. There were no significant adverse events in the study.

Homoeopathics

I'm not sure that I wish to enter into this one. It is such a hotbed of controversy. Certainly there appears to be a lack placebo controlled double blind studies which stand in it's favour. On the other hand there are numerous claims that homeopathics have been effective for allergies and the like.

Coral Calcium

My opinion is that coral calcium is just a source of calcium. I was able to locate a properly conducted study which demonstrated that calcium absorbtion from coral calcium was higher than for chalk. Even so the the increase was not statistically significant. So why not buy chalk?

Acidophilus

A study "Effect of Fermented Milk (Yogurt) Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus L1 on Serum Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Humans" by James W. Anderson, MD and Stanley E. Gilliland, PhD concluded:

"Since every 1% reduction in serum Cholesterol concentration is associated with an estimated 2% to 3% reduction in risk for coronary heart disease, regular intake of FM containing an appropriate strain of L. Acidophilus has the potential of reducing risk for coronary heart disease by 6 to 10%.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

The GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial) study funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH)) evaluates the use of glucosamine and chondroitin in treating and preventing osteoarthritis. (nccam.nih.gov/news/19972000/121100/qa.htm#12)

Published study results indicate that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate might be most effective in osteoarthritis patients who had moderate to severe knee pain.

Gotu Kola

"Evaluation of treatment of diabetic microangiopathy with total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica: a clinical prospective randomized trial with a microcirculatory model."

Cesarone MR, Incandela L, De Sanctis MT, Belcaro G, Bavera P, Bucci M, Ippolito E.

Irvine Vascular Laboratory, St Mary's Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK.

According to these data, TTFCA is useful in diabetic microangiopathy by improving microcirculation and decreasing capillary permeability. Also TTFCA protects against the deterioration of microcirculation due to diabetic microangiopathy.

Conclusion

There is as always some contradiction between various studies, but as you can see, even when there is an element of hype, almost every alternative health remedy has a proven benefit. Of course most have several benefits. It appears that there is no evidence of more than a mild increase in luteinising hormone from tribulus, and homeopathy as usual is very hard to track down. I tried to be as unbiased as possible here without being thorough, but it would appear that modern science should see alternative remedies in a favourable light. Should alternative medicine look favourably upon the pharmaceutical industry?