Healthy by Nature radio show this week: We have one of those coveted shows wherein a famous doctor just answers your questions. Yay! Dr. Constantine Kotsanis and I may start talking about something particular like How Oxygen and pH Affect Your Health and Athletic Performance, but feel free to call in on other topics at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide.
 
Listener Questions
Q. The key to good health is a heavy dose of Vitamin D and plenty of RadioMartie; that’s what I preach to everyone I know. 🙂 Martie, I have a couple of questions regarding Vitamin D, Magnesium and Depression. I’ve been taking 10,000 IUs of Vitamin D and my energy levels are up because of this. Is this a safe amount to take? I’ve been told high doses of Vitamin D can throw off my Magnesium levels. What type of Magnesium is the best to take and how much is needed to balance out the high amounts of Vitamin D, and perhaps depression, too? I look forward to hearing you comment on this. Thanks for all you do and providing all of your listeners useful and life-changing information.  Michelle

A. Thank you so much, Michelle, for the lovely compliment. (It really helps to know that someone appreciates our hard work.) I take only 5,000 IU and many people can get by with 2,000. The only way to know if 10,000 IU of Vitamin D is an appropriate dose for you is to have your health practitioner run a blood test. Based on that result, adjust the dose aiming for an optimum range of 50-100.

I’ve never heard of vitamin D lowering magnesium. Maybe someone confused the fact that magnesium is required to utilize vitamin D. Therefore, low magnesium might lead to low D and most people are low in the mineral. The vitamin D council site has a good write-up on the relationship between magnesium and D. LINK.

Magnesium plus B vitamins and fish oil are helpful for depression. So are exercise, getting rid of yeast overgrowth and supplementation with SAMe and/or the amino acid l-tryptophan. As for forms of magnesium, that same article said there is little benefit to magnesium oxide and that “taurate, glycinate, citrate, and gluconate have demonstrated higher absorption and bioavailability.” I like Doctor’s Best brand Best Brain Magnesium. It seems a logical choice for a mood issue.

Q. What can I do for arthritus? It seems to help if I use coconut oil as a rub. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TAKING IT BY MOUTH. Is there any evidence or has it helped anyone else? I have just started taking Curcumin. I believe I heard on your show that was good. Maxine

A. Sorry for the delay in answering, Maxine. (It has been kind of a crazy time.) Although I could not find studies supporting the connection, there are anecdotal reports of arthritis benefiting from coconut oil. If the arthritis has its roots in a bacterial or yeast infection, it certainly might make sense that the anti-microbial properties of coconut oil would help. Curcumin, a concentrate from the spice turmeric, has proven anti-inflammatory properties and is a good choice.

Q. I would like to know if there is anything I can do about spider veins besides go to a dermatoligist and have the shots in the veins. And I also wondered how bad are the chemicals they admister are? I love your show I listen every Saturday and I love it when you are on Howard Garrett show I also to listen to his show. Thank you, Maxine

A. Thank you for the kind words. Spider veins are a sign of weakening of the blood vessels and the tiny valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Finding out what foods you are sensitive to and avoiding those foods helps. Vitamin C and its companions, bioflavonoids and Rutin in particular can help. Just as with varicose veins, staying regular and exercising certainly couldn’t hurt. Compression hose help fight the effects of gravity that tend to cause blood to pool in the legs. Many of the basic health practices that we advocate here and on the show might help directly or indirectly. For example, there are signs that vitamin D might help create healthier blood vessels.

As for conventional cosmetic treatments, the injections have been used since the 1930’s with fluids that may just be salt. The injection causes the little veins to clot and close off from a build up of scar tissue. Other treatments such as electrical stimulation and lasers have the same goal–making the vein go away. The process might not be dangerous, but I’m not crazy about the idea of shutting off circulation that was in place for a reason. Even after such treatments, if you haven’t solved the original cause, new varicosities can form. Here is a link to the government page that gives the conventional view. LINK
 
Last Week
LINK to Archive. Mary Ellen Dorey discussed using aromatherapy to help with the effects of weather transitions, detoxification and the immune system. Dr. Andrew Shepherd covered back-to-school, e.g. scoliosis / heavy backpacks; the importance of proper bicycle helmets; school-related immune challenges as well as stress and time management for parents.

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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 2012 Martie Whittekin, CCN