Acne (acne vulgaris) is a dermatologic condition characterized by lesions that most often appear on the face and neck, but can also develop on the chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Approximately 80 to 95 percent of adolescents develop some degree of acne, but its prevalence declines through to middle age, when it still affects about 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men. Characterized by pimples, cysts and abscesses, Acne can be a significant source of misery, and is difficult to treat. Although most pimples won’t leave lasting scars, anything that damages the dermis (the layer of skin just underneath the epidermis) can leave a permanent scar.
Nutritional and alternative therapies for acne can help reduce inflammation and infection, and may be used alone or to complement conventional medical treatment, especially in cases of severe or difficult-to-treat acne.
Vitamins A and E
The benefits of
vitamin A and
vitamin E in acne were highlighted in a recent study in which investigators identified plasma vitamin A and E concentrations in 100 untreated patients with acne, compared with 100 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of both vitamins in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of the controls, and a strong relationship between a decline in vitamin A and vitamin E levels and an increase in the severity of acne was noted (El-Akawi Z et al 2006).
Other Natural substances use to assist in the treatment of acne include
Lipoic acid,
Zinc, Niacin,
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, Tea Tree Oil and a range of Herbal Therapies.
Allergies are extremely common.
Seasonal allergies (such as hay fever) alone account for approximately 16.7 million office visits to healthcare professionals each year. In children younger than 11 years old, allergic dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) is the most common skin condition. The leading risk factor for allergies is exposure to an allergen, even though there is a genetic component to allergies, and newer studies have linked them to obesity in women (Vieira VJ et al 2005).
Allergies occur because of an exaggerated immune response to a substance called an allergen. To be effective, the immune system must operate within a narrow balance; a lack of immune response leads to easy infection, while an overactive immune system can lead to autoimmune diseases (in which the body attacks itself) or allergies (in which the body overreacts to otherwise harmless substances).
Common inhaled allergens include pollen, animal dander, dust, mold, and insect parts. Ingested allergens include medications (penicillin, for example) and foods such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, and soy. People can also be allergic to other things.
People who wish to avoid pharmaceuticals or who cannot use
allergy medications will find that several
nutritional therapies help reduce the symptoms of allergies.
Perilla contains many active ingredients, such as rosmarinic acid and luteolin. Oral supplementation with perilla leaves or extracts of
rosmarinic acid has been shown to suppress allergic reactions
Other Natural Therapies known to be helpful in the fight against allergies include Quercetin, Fish Oil (
Omega 3),
Green Tea, Stinging Nettle,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E,
CoQ10 and
Magnesium.
Anemia is a common blood disorder characterized by a decrease in the amount of red blood cells, or a decrease in the capacity of red blood cells to transport oxygen. This results in a lack of oxygen reaching the body’s cells and tissues. Referred to as the “hidden hunger” by the World Health Organization, anemia poses significant health risks worldwide.
Nutritional Support
Some forms of anemia respond well to nutritional therapy, including anemia caused by
iron deficiency or
folic acid deficiency.
One new and novel approach to iron supplementation is the use of ferritin, a protein that is involved in the storage of iron and can be found naturally in foods like beans. Newer studies have shown that ferritin supplementation may be able to boost iron levels without the side effects associated with iron supplementation.
Anemia caused by folic acid deficiency normally responds quickly to oral folic acid and
vitamin B12 supplementation.
Osteoarthritis is a distressingly common joint disease that causes localized inflammation with possibly crippling consequences. By age 70, most people (up to 70 percent) will be affected to some degree by osteoarthritis (Kasper DL et al 2004). In the elderly, osteoarthritis of the knee is the leading cause of disability; it is estimated that 100,000 Americans are unable to walk independently, even from the bedroom to the bathroom, because of osteoarthritis in their knees or hips (Kasper DL et al 2004).
In most cases, the cause of osteoarthritis is not known, although it can be secondary to injury, repetitive joint use, or conditions such as obesity. Contrary to what many people believe, however, osteoarthritis is not a normal part of aging. It is a disease that should be treated aggressively at the earliest symptoms.
The value of nutrients is well known when it comes to arthritis. Even conventional textbooks recommend that people with osteoarthritis consume a diet rich in natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and joint-supporting nutrients, and avoid eating pro-inflammatory foods that are high in sugar, saturated fats, and trans fatty acids.
Nutritional supplements and therapies found beneficial in the treatment of OsteoArthritis include
Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Soy bean and Avocado Oil,
Curcumin,
Ginger, Nobiletin, Nettle Leaf,
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe),
Glucosamine, Chondroitin and
Green Tea Extracts.
It's well known that children with ADHD are at a disadvantage in school and that ADHD can have long-term effects. Traditionally, a number of powerful pharmaceuticals have been used to treat the condition.
Fortunately, newer findings in nutrition and wellness, and newer generations of pharmaceuticals, have been developed that can help children with ADHD gain control over their lives.
ADHD is most likely caused by multiple factors, including nutritional issues. Children with ADHD may have specific nutrient deficiencies that aggravate their condition. As researchers learn more about the intersection between diet and behavioral disorders, the case for nutritional intervention among children with ADHD becomes more compelling.
Natural supplements and therapies that may be helpful in managing ADHD include Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, combination of
Magnesium and
Vitamn B6, Iron, Zinc, Acetyl-L-carnitine and
melatonin.
Several factors lead to hair loss in men and women, most notably androgenic alopecia, an inherited condition. Treatment is available. Early treatment produces better results. Balding is a cosmetic condition, usually resulting from genetic influences, aging, skin conditions, or certain medications. The most common forms of balding are male- and female-pattern baldness
Nutritional Recommendations.
Hair loss has many causes, including aging, genetic pre-disposition, thyroid imbalance, eating disorders, illness, hormonal effects of birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause, and certain medications and medical treatments. Combining traditional treatments with nutritional supplements and natural topical solutions improves chances of inhibiting pattern hair loss.
The first step to managing hair loss is to maintain a healthy diet that is low in fat and rich in whole foods.
Nutritional Supplements of benefit include L-lysine, L-arginine, Saw palmetto, Green tea extract and Grape seed extract.
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