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your question! Each month Dr. Washington will answer a selection
of those received. Q. Is Soothing Comfort Tea safe for those with gluten intolerance or celiac? Q. I am very interested in using herbal teas to see if my menopausal symptoms can be controlled more naturally. Since St. John's Wort is in The Cup of Sunshine Tea, Women's Balance Tea, and Tension Release Tea, could I take all three? What is your advice as to which teas to try and how to wean myself off of my prescription drugs? Q. I recently completed a 3 week cleanse under your supervision. Now that I am through with the cleanse I would like to go back to having diet sodas. I don’t see what could be wrong with them since they don’t have any calories or sugar. Is it O.K. to go back to drinking them at this point? Q. I was told by my doctor that my cholesterol was high and that I should decrease my intake of foods high in cholesterol. In addition to avoiding foods high in cholesterol I am also interested in knowing if certain foods actually help reduce cholesterol? Q. I have a pattern of getting bad headaches the week before my period. I've been told that phytoestrogen can help but the natural food stores have so many to choose from -- drops, pills, and combinations with other supplements. Do you have any recommendations of what to look for in a phytoestrogen supplement? Q. Is it true that lysine is good for clearing cold sores?
A. I can understand being tired of swallowing pills. There advantages and disadvantages to each form (pills or tea). Drinking teas certainly can be a much more pleasurable experience than taking pills. In addition, liquids are likely to be better absorbed since they do not need to be broken down mechanically by the body. Disadvantages are dosing is not as specific with a tea as it can be with capsules or tablets. On the other hand, the herbs in tea can be very effective even in small doses, not only the larger doses that tend to be used in studies with capsules and tablets. Pills can be more convenient to take, and so are preferred by some for travel or even daily use on the run. A typical therapeutic dose of my teas is 3-4 cups/day. There are of course exceptions to this, and each person is different. An exception would be the Soothing Comfort tea. If this is being taken to ease bloating or to help prepare for sleep, then a single cup in the evening is enough. The Alterative Tea typically requires 3-4 cups/day over several weeks to bring about changes in bowel habits or hormonal balance - but for some people one cup will do the trick. So there is some experimentation required on your part to discover what is right for you. Q. I have a friend who is 7 weeks pregnant and is suffering because she is no longer taking any medications (drugs or herbs) to relieve her allergy symptoms. She was taking a pill of various herbs that she bought at Wild Oats and it really helped her, but it stated to not take during pregnancy. Do you have in information or advice about what can help her out during her pregnancy? A. Your friend's situation is a tough one as so many herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy, including one of the best herbs for relieving allergy symptoms, Eyebright. Probably her best option is to do a nasal lavage. This will bring temporary relief, giving her a chance to breathe without having to take something internally. For more treatments like this see my book Herbal Medicine for Health and Well-being in the chapter "Breathing Freely". Her other option (and yes she can do both) would be to take herbs that are both cleansing (this will diminish her reactivity) and useful in pregnancy. Nettles is one such herb. I have combined Nettles with several herbs that support pregnancy and lactation in my Deep Nourishment tea. Q. Is Soothing Comfort Tea safe for those with gluten intolerance or celiac? A. Soothing Comfort Tea contains whole oats in their "milky" stage. At one time oats were thought to contain gluten. Recent research shows that perhaps they do not. However, many who are intolerant to gluten or have Celiac disease do find oats to worsen their symptoms. Perhaps this is because oats can become contaminated by other grains during harvesting, transporting, milling and processing. Here is a link to several research papers discussing the safety of those with Celiac consuming oats http://www.celiac.com/st_main.html?p_catid=14&sid=91hH9H1FYHeR9Gb-20105211856.38 In my office, when questions like this arise, I address it by testing the individual with a neuromuscular testing technique called Nutritional Response Testing. This will show me how that particular individual responds to the substance. As a more general response to your question, I would say that since there are so many different types of herbal teas available, perhaps one with oats is not the best choice for someone with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Q. I am currently taking Lexapro [an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication] and Premphase [a form of synthetic hormone replacement therapy] for the symptoms I am experiencing with peri-menopause. I began taking these medications because my periods started coming every two weeks, I suffered from fatigue and hot flashes, and I began to have panic attacks. The hormone therapy and Lexapro are helping and I have more good days than bad, but I am very interested in using herbal teas to see if my menopausal symptoms (especially the frequent periods, fatigue, and anxiety) can be controlled more naturally. Since St. John's Wort is in The Cup of Sunshine Tea, Women's Balance Tea, and Tension Release Tea, could I take all three? What is your advice as to which teas to try and how to wean myself off of my prescription drugs? A. The teas that you mention can absolutely be a support to you. I would recommend the Women's Balance tea which can help with regulating your menses, hot flashes, and the feelings of anxiety. Three cups/day is a typical therapeutic dose. You might also consider using the Tension Release tea in the evenings to help steady your nervous system. However, medicinal teas are unlikely to be enough to bring about the degree of change you are looking for. My recommendation is that you seek out a naturopathic physician in your area for personal consultation. You should be able to work through these complications naturally, but the support of a qualified healthcare professional is needed. If you are near Portland, Oregon, I would be happy to work with you on this. If you live elsewhere, you can find a practitioner near you. Information for both of these approaches can be found on our "About Us" page. Weaning yourself off of the prescription medications must be done under the supervision of the physician who prescribed them. I generally have my clients on supportive treatment for six weeks before they and their physician begin to decrease the dosage of their medication. This allows time for the natural therapies to build the body up to the place where a worsening or return of symptoms will not be experienced when the medications are removed. Q. I recently completed a 3 week cleanse under your supervision. The cleanse was definitely a catalyst to getting my body back. I feel like myself again. I feel like losing weight isn't hard anymore and I don't feel blocked or stuck by the enormity of weight I have/had to lose. During the cleanse I completely abstained from all caffeinated beverages including coffee, tea and sodas. Now that I am through with the cleanse I would like to go back to having diet sodas. I don’t see what could be wrong with them since they don’t have any calories or sugar. Is it O.K. to go back to drinking them at this point? A.There are many reasons not to drink diet or regular sodas on a regular basis that include maintaining the weight loss you have achieved as well as good bone density, strong teeth, and a high level of mental function now and as you age. To begin talking about “What is wrong with diet sodas?” lets look at a list of the ingredients of two of the most popular diet sodas:
Perhaps the most dangerous ingredient of diet sodas is the artificial sweetener they contain. Aspartame, which also goes by names such as Equal, NutraSweet, and Spoonful, has been correlated with headaches, memory loss, skin rashes, vision problems, and seizures. The ironic element of aspartame use is that most people who use diet products regularly do so to facilitate weight loss or at least to prevent weight gain. Actually, the use of aspartame sabotages the efforts to lose weight due to its complex affects on brain chemicals and hormonal balance that in turn lead to a slowing of metabolism and other hormonal shifts that can lead to weight gain. Another problem with drinking sodas is they may replace other beverages that are hydrating such as water. Caffeine is a diuretic which means that it dehydrates the body. Sodas are therefore not a replacement for drinking pure water which keeps the body well hydrated. Filling yourself up on sodas may decrease you appetite for a healthy snack or meal. Over time this contributes significantly to a diet deficient in nutrients vital for good health and well-being. Another serious problem with soft drinks is that many of them come in aluminum cans and contain citric acid. This is a very dangerous combination. The citric acid promotes a leaching of the aluminum from the can into the soda that you drink. High levels of aluminum in the body is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, so on the occasion that you do decide to have a soda, have one that comes in a glass bottle rather than an aluminum can. There are several aspects of sodas that decrease the strength of your bones. Caffeine and phosphoric acid can create low levels of calcium in the blood. In order to maintain the correct amount of calcium available in the bloodstream, the body will draw it out of the bones. Over time this leaching of calcium from the bones leads to osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases. Drinking sodas also weakens your teeth. The acid nature of sodas eats away the protective enamel coating on your teeth. Some of the soda stays in your mouth after you have swallowed and continues to erode your tooth enamel. If you are going to drink a soda it is best to brush your teeth when finished or at the very least rinse your mouth with water. To put this discussion in a positive light, let's look at all the benefits to eliminating or minimizing your consumption of sodas. The benefits to your health include increased bone density, stronger teeth, increased hydration, healthy brain function, mental clarity, and possible weight loss. What to drink instead? Make most of your fluid intake every day pure water. If your tap water doesn’t taste good, even after being filtered, consider buying bottled water. You may also consider adding a little lemon or lime juice to your water to enhance its flavor. Another refreshing alternative, and useful in breaking an addiction to sodas, is sparkling water beverages with a fruit essence, or a combination of sparkling water and fruit juice – just make sure that it does not contain any added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. A brand that consists of only fruit juice and sparkling water is Izze™, which is now available in Starbucks nationwide as well as at many whole food grocery stores. Q. I was told by my doctor that my cholesterol was high and that I should decrease my intake of foods high in cholesterol. When I evaluated my diet for major contributors to my cholesterol, I considered red meat, eggs, cheese, and butter. Since red meat was not a significant part of my diet, I focused on reducing the other three and virtually eliminated them from my own cooking. In addition to avoiding foods high in cholesterol I am also interested in knowing if certain foods actually help reduce cholesterol? A. I will begin by addressing your last question asking if there are certain foods that will help reduce cholesterol levels in the body. Yes, there are. There is significant scientific evidence that foods high in soluble fiber will help reduce cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber is primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables specifically: apples, citrus, berries, carrots, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Beans and legumes such as black beans, kidney beans, and lima beans are also excellent sources of soluble fiber. Because beans are also a quality source of protein, and provide sustained energy over several hours, they could take the place of meat, eggs, dairy, or at least one meal each day. What about some of those “taboo foods”? Eggs were once the food to avoid to lower cholesterol as they contain 215 mg of cholesterol each. However, dietary intake of cholesterol only mildly influences blood levels of cholesterol. One major Harvard study found no association between the consumption of one egg per day and an increased risk for coronary artery disease or stroke. Eggs are a highly nutritious food providing protein, B vitamins, anti-oxidants, and important fats. Nuts are another high fat food that some people are afraid to eat due to their high fat content. Several studies have shown positive associations between nut consumption and cardiovascular health and reduced risk of coronary artery disease. Nuts are wonderful sources of good fats, minerals, the whole vitamin E complex, and protein. Cholesterol, unfortunately, has been given a bad rap. The general idea promoted is that cholesterol is a bad thing to have in our body and the less of it the better. The result of this way of thinking is people go on strict low fat diets to decrease their cholesterol levels and take cholesterol lowering drugs. Unfortunately these protocols can actually lead to serious deterioration of health over time and do not provide the promised benefits for heart health. Coronary artery disease is more strongly correlated with smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure, stress, altered or damaged dietary fats, and refined sugars, rather than with cholesterol levels. Problems that can be associated with low cholesterol can include decreased libido, impotence, dry skin, fatigue, loss of energy and motivation, premature aging and wrinkling, nervousness, irritability, and depression. For more information on misconceptions about cholesterol and heart disease see The Art of Health February 2005 Bulletin on heart health. In terms of what to eat and what not to eat, I encourage you to think about avoiding foods that are known to damage, irritate and weaken vessels, and emphasize foods that contain nutrients known to strengthen the vessels and keep them pliable. Consumption of trans fats (fats cooked at high temperatures or heavily processed fats) can produce atherosclerosis. On the other hand, omega-3 fats (found in fish, fish oil supplements, and flaxseed oil) lower the incidence of coronary artery disease. Whole vitamin E (wheat germ oil, almonds and many leafy greens) is important for blood vessel integrity, flexibility and ability to dilate properly, heart function and rhythym, and adequate oxygen transport. The processing of foods, including the refining of flour, depletes them of vitamin E as well as many other essential nutrients that support a healthy heart. More information of nutrients essential to heart health can be found in The Art of Health February 2005 Bulletin on heart health. Q. I just heard a researcher on the radio talking about a study that was done on tofu and how it can lead to low brain functioning. I guess it includes all kinds of soy products. What do you know about this? I can’t afford to get any dumber. A. Unfortunately soy may not be the perfect food that it has been promoted as being. There are two strong and opposing points of view on the consumption of soy. Each group provides plenty of scientific research and historical evidence to support their point of view. The pro-soy camp promotes it as a complete protein that is cholesterol free and full of important vitamins and minerals. They also boast about soy’s isoflavones which are similar to our body’s estrogen molecules meaning it can act like estrogen in the body relieving symptoms associated with menopause. There is another side to the story. Soy is difficult for humans to digest. The processing which makes it somewhat digestible involves several steps including exposure to very high temperatures which in turn denatures the proteins making them useless as a source of protein and potentially harmful. Because of the indigestibility of the soy bean many people experience gas, bloating and weight gain from consuming soy regularly. I see this when individuals start using soy milk in their coffee beverages instead of cow’s milk because they are allergic to dairy or they have heard that soy is good for them. I see these symptoms go away once soy consumption is discontinued. Soy isoflavones can also interfere with the production of thyroid hormones contributing to low thyroid function which can result in weight gain, chronic fatigue, constipation, and many other symptoms. These isoflavones which are touted as a remedy for conditions of hormonal imbalance, such as menopausal issues, may actually contribute to problems of reproductive hormones such as infertility and gynecomastia (an excessive development of breast tissue in males that can include milk production). Your question specifically asks about soy affecting brain function. Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system as well as the kidneys. This can interfere with proper nervous system development in children, can contribute to learning disabilities such as ADD and ADHD, and is strongly correlated with Alzheimer’s disease. Another potent toxin to the nervous system, free glutamic acid or MSG, is formed during soy food processing and additional amounts of MSG are added to many soy foods. People on both sides of this issue can present convincing arguments. I give you more information here on the negative aspects of human consumption of soy because these are not as widely reported (because there is no large industry to benefit from such reports) and because these correspond to my own personal experience and that of many of my clients. Q. I have a pattern of getting bad headaches the week before my period. I've been told that phytoestrogen can help but the natural food stores have so many to choose from -- drops, pills, and combinations with other supplements. Do you have any recommendations of what to look for in a phytoestrogen supplement? A. I want to say upfront that phytoestrogens would not be the first therapy I would recommend for premenstrual headaches. I would suggest beginning by adjusting the lifestyle choices that may be causing the problem. Consumption of excessive sugar and caffeine are primary factors in menstrual disorders. An imbalance in the types of fatty acids consumed can be a contributing factor. An overburdened liver and/or poor elimination through the digestive tract will lead to an overabundance of estrogen contributing to difficulties with the menstrual cycle. Correcting the above issues addresses the underlying cause of the problem, and should be tried before considering the use of a phytoestrogen, or any type supplement. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that can influence the activity of estrogen in the body. You'll find many choices of phytoestrogen supplements in your natural food store or pharmacy because there are different kinds of phytoestrogens, each with different effects on the body. Many of the supplements (usually capsules or tablets) contain soy isoflavones touted as a remedy for menopausal symptoms. The use of isolated soy isoflavones such as these has not been well studied. I do not recommend them to my clients (see the response to the question above on soy). Lignans, yet another phytoestrogen are mainly found in oilseeds, such as flaxseed. Flaxseed oil is supportive of proper hormonal function in the body, and is a phytoestrogen that I do recommend to my clients. Flaxseed oil could definitely help with your premenstrual headaches. Flaxseed oil is found in liquid or capsules in the refrigerator section of the store. I recommend up to one (1) tablespoon of oil daily. You also mentioned phytoestrogens in drop form. These are liquid herbs which are a very effective form of herbal therapy. A common phytoestrogen used in this form is Red clover. This could be useful to treat premenstrual headaches as it is excellent support for the liver. But as I said earlier, I would try looking at lifestyle choices first. When a woman with menstrual issues comes to see me, we often address the problem comprehensively, beginning with a detoxification or cleansing program. Q. Is it true that lysine is good for clearing cold sores? |
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