Question

I have an issue with vitamin B6. I have been suffering from muscle weakness for 5 months and I have been sort of ill for eight years with Lyme’s disease but seem to be doing okay.

I’m seeing a chronic illness doctor, a specialist and 2 neurologists. My problem is this: the chronic illness doctor wants me on 150mg of vitamin b6 a day combined with some other supplements. My vitamin b6 levels in my blood are so high they cant measure it. My chronic illness doctor says blood tests are meaningless and only give an indications about what is in the blood and not what the body is actually using.

Both my neurologists are demanding I stop taking such high levels of the vitamin b6 and tell me that the high supplements are damaging my nerves. I’m caught in the middle. Do you have any thoughts and knowledge on this?

Answer

Thank you for your email.

Your chronic illness doctor has a point in stating that blood levels don’t necessarily reflect what the body is utilising. Often in cancer patients the blood levels of sodium are low yet the cell contents are high in sodium. This state is adverse to health as we need higher sodium levels relative to potassium in our blood levels. In our cells we need more potassium relative to sodium. Measurement of blood contents is not necessarily an accurate measurement of cellular contents and what the body is using.

However scientific studies point caution in supplementing mega vitamin B6 intake as 100 – 200mg daily may cause neurological damage. Our nerve cells can be damaged by continuously high vitamin B6 exposure.

It may be advisable to ask your chronic illness doctor to measure the enzyme levels that use vitamin B6 to operate. The level of those active enzymes will be a clearer indication of what your body is using. However all the ‘free’ vitamin B6 in your blood is of potential damage to nerve cells.

The above is my knowledge and these are more thoughts – that you speak to another chronic illness doctor. A second opinion will never be of harm. You need to make the ultimate decision and it would be worthy to watch supplementary intakes. There is a risk with high vitamin B6 supplements yet the chronic illness doctor must have sound scientific or past experience to verify his recommendations. Ask your doctor what his past success rate and results have been with such high vitamin B6 supplements in a case similar to yours.

You have a right to use your own judgement after hearing all the recommendations yet do ensure that scientific studies or relevant proof justifies those recommendations. From that you can decide.

Do feel more than welcome to email anytime.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

As a trial, I am eliminating dairy products from my diet to assess the impact on my skin (acne) and stomach bloating.

As a substitute, I enjoy soy milk however am aware that this prevents the absorption of zinc (also vital to skin health). Another alternative is rice milk (however this contains a very high amount of kilojoules which I would rather avoid).My third option is almond milk, however this product is very expensive!

Is there anything you can recommend for me as an alternative to dairy milk?

Answer

Thank you for your email.

You could try potato milk. There are a great deal of advancements in food technology and thus other alternative milk varieties may be on the market. Try and enquire at your local heath shop what is easily available for use.

Indeed soya milk reduces the absorption of zinc due to its content of phytates. These are also known as phytic acid and they bind to various minerals and create an insoluble substance. All whole foods generally contain phytates. They are there to prevent mineral excess absorption. Yet in our lifestyles we need to prevent mineral deficiency, which seems to be rife. The degree of inhibiting zinc is relative to the amount of phytates, level of zinc intake and times perhaps of zinc supplementation. In your case do try and take at least 20 – 30mg of zinc daily.

It is worth trying your experiment and all foods have advantages and disadvantages. It is a matter of balance. Rice milk may be of calorie concern but it is a light protein and even has beneficial phyto-oestrogens.

Try the potato milk or alternate between the non-dairy milk formulas and it rests on experimentation. The extra calories from rice milk may encourage you to take up some moderate physical exercise periodically and that will boost overall immunity and well-being.

Do email should you have any other enquiries any time.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

I want to take both California Poppy Extract and Saffron Satiereal Extract together. Are there any negative side effects to either alone or when taken together? Thank you for taking the time to answer as I’m kind of sensitive to some things

Answer

Thank you for the email.

With any natural supplement generally they are safe yet a minor amount of the population can experience side effects. Sometimes someone may be allergic to an active ingredient and no one will know unless the user has had a past experience of that side effect. It would be safe to say that by all means trying a low dose initially will allow you to feel any possible effect and increase gradually. This is sometimes precisely relevant for herbal remedies.

There have been studies on various weight loss aids, even the ones you mentioned. It takes more than a few studies though to validate the effectiveness. Ideally we would prefer a long history of the supplement being used with a fortified scientific backing and reputable large scale clinical studies to back up the validation of the claims. This is not the case always. With the two supplements you mention, the effect may be minor.

The result of dietary regulation and a compatible exercise regime to fit into your lifestyle would be far more powerful. It’s a simple case of calorie intake must be slightly lower than calorie burning daily; to cause weight loss. I do not know your present situation and dietary history.

A nutritionist/dietician can design a diet that you are comfortable with to effect your weight loss.

Supplements and many weight loss programs give quick results or minor results as each of us unique. Yet long term we gain the weight again. Success in any long term and life term weight management is following a lifestyle that is healthy (watch food quality) and that fits in with what you desire.

If at anytime you need further support do email or if you request assistance in weight loss do email.

As I stated in a previous paragraph, no one can guarantee you will not experience a side effect unless you have tried it or have a reaction to a known ingredient that is in that supplement.

I would advise that you do not use a crutch in weight loss but rather work on the cause of your weight issue and then feel more confident in your power to maintain your weight management.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

After a brief bout of unhealthy under-eating I am now a normal weight. However, 6-12 months ago when I was eating less than normal I lost quite a bit of hair. I had thin hair as a child, but my hair hasn’t seemed to grow back very well at all. My hair has remained very thin and, in patches of my scalp, there is little there at all. What methods, foods or other suggestions would you have to grow healthier, thicker hair? Cheers.

Answer

Thank you for the email. Try utilising a herbal based shampoo with thyme, rosemary and chamomile (all common kitchen herbs used) to enhance hair growth and ease hair loss. If that is unavailable, prepare an infusion of these herbs to rinse your hair with after washing your hair with a natural based or simple shampoo. Do avoid shampoos and conditioners with too high artificial expedients. As these may irritate the scalp.

To promote hair growth we need adequate amino acid intakes (our hair is mainly protein) to build protein structures. There are specific amino acids linked to the hair, such as lysine and cysteine. These are often incorporated in hair, skin and nail targeted nutritional supplements.

Zinc is a key essential mineral for cartilage strength and skin quality, among other nutrients such as vitamin A for the skin. A healthy scalp promotes healthy hair quality.

If you have used hair dyes, with artificial ingredients this may also be a factor in hair loss.

Your inadequate diet in the past is a factor yet even though you may have a healthy weight now do ensure that you are eating mostly wholegrain based foods as these are higher in delivering nutrients. Nutrients are our building blocks, we (our physical body) are made from the substance of the food we eat. Eat nuts, whole grain cereals, vegetables, even certain edible seaweeds are high in minerals and common in some cultures, lean meats, moderate dairy product intakes, beans, fruits and many other seeds and legumes. Basically consume whole foods with ample variety and enjoy each food within moderation is beneficial generally.

It will be worth taking any high quality (by a reputable manufacturer) supplement targeted for hair, skin and nails.

It might also be worth allowing the natural oils of your scalp nourish your hair roots. To do this wash the hair every second day or third day depending on degree of oiliness.

The hair is linked to the kidneys, drink ample fluids (namely purified water) to support the kidneys in their elimination of wastes. Also, stress can be a major factor in hair loss or colour. There have been cases, I know of one personally, of a traumatic event leaving a person completely grey at a young age. Genetics play a role but through a healthy lifestyle we may try offset weaknesses and predispositions.

Our lifestyle incorporates exposure to cleaning products, toxic exposure (heavy metal poisoning has been linked to hair loss, which leads to mineral imbalance), diet and other factors.

To eliminate the possible causes permits a focused treatment to hopefully ease the problem naturally, yet a medical history with a personal consultation is needed.

Generally try avoid poor nutrition foods (refined and highly processed) and aim to eat a whole food diet with a suitable nutritional targeted supplement and care of hair products.

Do email should you have any other enquiries any time.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

Unfortunately I haven’t got enough milk of my own to exclusively breast feed my newborn baby. I am trying to find the best organic formula milk to complement. I don’t believe in giving dairy products to children. Is goat’s milk better? I’m also eager to know your opinion on this. Additionally, what would you recommend to make sure my baby gets all the nutrients she needs (vitamins, probiotics, fish oil?) Thanks.

Answer

Thank you for the email. Indeed there is a well formulated goat’s based infant milk formula called Nanny Goat from New Zealand. That product complies with nutritional standards. Do know that slight nutritional guidelines differ from country to country and we try relying on international standards for ease of reference.

It may be a suggestion to try soya based nutritionally fortified infant formula yet there is still contention on the phytoestrogen content causing hormonal imbalance in young ones. I recommend you use the Nanny goat formula as it is internationally recognised. That way you need not worry about additional supplements.

A guideline is to not introduce any other foods until 6 months, least not solids. This is due to the babies digestive system being unable to handle foods and immature digestion can lead to allergy development in later years. This may appear as asthma, eczema or chronic sinus related mucous problems.

There are WHO (world health organisation) guidelines on the exact level of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids an infant needs. Obviously it gets tiresome measuring individual supplements and adding them to any diet hence pre-made infant formulas save us time and perhaps errors. There are special infant nutritional supplements to use if you feel your little one may benefit from additional intakes. These if taken at recommended dosages will not lead to excess, which may cause imbalances and promote ill health. Note pharmacies carry safe infant supplements as may health shops. It is always worth sourcing a reputable company supplier though in the manufacture. Countries tend to stock different products but reputable supplement suppliers tend to be well known locally and meet government or other nationally registered health authority set standards of reliability.

Do email should you have any other enquiries any time.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

Does refrigerated food keep its nutritional value for long?

Do you know at what point that refrigerated food no longer has the nutritional value of fresh food? And how long can food be kept refrigerated before it loses all its nutrients?

Answer

Thank you for your email.

Generally food does not lose any nutrients during freezing and can be frozen indefinitely – the low freezing temperature halts any bacterial organism or other harmful deterioration.

Once we defrost meat it should not be frozen again.

Minerals in foods can not be lost but there can be slight loss in the vitality of fresh foods due to freezing. If you choose between fresh vegetables or frozen the fresh may have more nutrients, as the process of blanching (a way to process vegetables for freezing in the manufacture industry) can lead to lower vitamin levels.

There is usually no time frame for loss of nutritional value, but some foods have expiry dates and this should be adhered to.

Fresh is ideal when it comes to fruit and vegetables.

Frozen fruit and vegetables are still higher in nutrients than tinned fruit or vegetables and depending on the process of freezing preparation the nutrient content may be the same as for the fresh fruit or vegetable.

For meats and fish it does not make much impact whether fresh or frozen in relation to nutrient levels.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.

Question

I am an avid martial artist of many styles and also a bodybuilder. Recently I had to take a long break from my training regime due to a bad flu, which was long lasting. I was prescribed Clarac 250mg (clarithromycin).

I got back in the gym tonight and I have been keeping my old diet up for the 3 weeks that I didn’t train, but I noticed after taking these tablets or possibly the lay off, I have grown about an inch wider, yet my muscle mass seems the same. It’s like my body structure has grown. I am 22 and 1/2 years old so I wouldn’t expect a growth spurt at my age.

Have these antibiotics somehow made me grow? Do they contain some ingredient that could do such a thing or is this just late coincidental growth spurt? Please give your opinion on the matter if this is in your area of expertise

Answer

Thank you for your email.

It is generally known that the ends of our long bones close at about age 21, thus one can not grow taller in height. Of course this is a general age of end of height growth yet perhaps in a rare case you did have a growth spurt yet that seems highly improbable unless a medical professional may verify.

It is a common practice for farmed animals to be fed antibiotics to curb infection and promote growth in size. The antibiotics kill ammonia producing bacteria (of course many other bacteria strains are also killed) and this affects our bowel flora (natural bacteria in the digestive tract). Basically ammonia can slow growth so less ammonia (produced from protein metabolism) enables greater growth in farmed animals. Once again the course of antibiotics may not be the cause of a quick growth spurt but it does place a slight burden on our bowel flora. Perhaps a mixture of not having physical strain, the gym work outs, and rest may also have enabled tissue growth. The antibiotics may be linked but to know for sure would require medical tests for validation.

Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.