Healthy by Nature radio show this week: Dr. Parris Kidd will tell us what to look for in a multiple vitamin which includes the active forms of B-vitamins. Then we talk with Dr. Bopanna Ballachanda about the annoying hearing condition tinnitus which is persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. Call the live show with questions for Dr. Ballanchanda at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

Nature’s Medicine Plant
Everyone knows that Aloe vera is good for sunburn and helps repair skin damage when applied topically. But, Aloe vera even helps the skin from the inside out. A recent study showed that drinking Aloe for 90 days reduced the appearance of facial wrinkles and improved elasticity of the skin for women over age 45 whose skin had been subjected to photo-aging.

Because the cells that line the digestive tract are very similar to skin cells, it isn’t surprising that so many people also drink Aloe vera to heal stomach irritation, ulcerations and other digestive ills. A new article I wrote for our website discusses many other Aloe benefits. It links to another document that shows some pretty amazing research being done all around the world. As you will see, the investigators are looking at everything from cholesterol and blood sugar to inflammation, cancer and stroke recovery. There is even one study about using aloe to keep apple slices from turning brown!
 
Because of its impressive help with absorption, I recommend taking your daily vitamins with aloe. But, not any product labeled “Aloe vera” will bring the same benefits. So, the article also discusses how to know what you are getting is a good value. Click here to read the article.

Reliable information sources
I occasionally take cracks at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) because I think they get on the wrong side of their conflicting assignments (improving our health and promoting the sale of agricultural products). However, giving credit where it is due, the agency does provide a terrific database where you can look up very detailed nutrition facts on foods. I use the USDA Nutrition Database a lot. On the other hand, health information circulating on the internet is often pure nonsense. Before I rely on those supposed “facts”, I check with a website that debunks urban legends. If you want to know something (like if margarine really was originally used to fatten farm animals), check it out at: Snopes.com. But, forwarded videos about puppies and kittens reacting to mirrors I take at face value, giggle at and feel free to share.

Last Week
LINK to that show in the archives. Leslie Mendoza Temple, MD, is Director of Integrative Medicine at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Glenview, IL, and is an Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Call topics included COPD and PMS. For PMS Dr. Temple suggested magnesium, Chasteberry, and calcium. I asked Dr. Temple about leaky gut and its causes and effects. We discussed the integrative medicine conference in Chicago, October 29-31, 2013. At the end of the show I quizzed a second guest, Emmie Watts (a partner at Xyloburst ) about cooking with the natural sweetener, xylitol. This page has the sweeteners that we discussed.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN