As the joke goes, a man visits his doctor. “Doc,” he says, “I’m feeling kind of blue.”

“Tell me more,” says the doctor.

“Well,” says the man, “just this week I got fired from my job, I found out my wife was cheating on me, my 15-year-old flunked out of school and started selling drugs, my daughter is pregnant, my dog died, my car got wrecked, I’m being sued, and my house burned down.”

“Hmmm…” says the doctor. “This sounds like a classic case of serotonin deficiency to me. I prescribe Prozac.”

There is a running debate as to whether people are depressed due to what’s going on in their lives (“situational depression”), or whether it’s simply a matter of brain chemicals (“endogenous depression”).

Ultimately, it works both ways. Our situations and how we perceive them create certain feelings and emotions, which in turn lead to an imbalance in brain chemicals. And an imbalance in brain chemicals leads to certain feelings and emotions, which in turn effect the situations we put ourselves in. You see the way they feed off each other. You see how it can form a vicious cycle. So while the original trigger for depression may have been either situational or endogenous, depression often evolves into a complex combination of the two, where the one feeds off the other and vice versa. (more…)

Acne is one of those things that doesn’t really hurt and probably won’t kill you, but it can still make your life pretty miserable. But there are some things you can do about it. And you don’t have to be a teenager either.

If you look closely at your skin, you’ll see thousands upon thousands of pores. What you can’t see is that inside these pores there are tiny, little sebaceous glands that produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps keep the skin moist and protected. Acne occurs when the pores get clogged, the sebum can’t get out, and the whole thing swells up like a balloon ready to burst. (Testosterone, produced by both males and females, increases sebum production, which is why teen-agers with those mythical “raging hormones” are usually the hardest hit). On top of that, clogged pores make an ideal home for a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes, which colonizes the pimple and causes the area to become inflamed. (Almost all of us have this bacterium on our skins, but we don’t all have acne: the underlying problem, then, isn’t the bacterium’s existence, but that conditions exist which allow it to overgrow).

Many acne treatments focus on killing this bacterium. That’s what all those Benzoyl Peroxide products (i.e. Oxy, Clearasil, etc.) do. Doctors may also prescribe systemic antibiotics. These are often quite effective, but they have some drawbacks. First of all, systemic antibiotics kill off the “friendly” bacteria that live in our guts. (This is a big deal! The friendly bacteria help us digest and absorb food, lower cancer risk and cholesterol levels, improve immune function, and control the growth of “unfriendly” bacteria and fungi). If you just took antibiotics for a week or two, this wouldn’t be so bad: just tough it out, then take probiotics to replenish the friendly bacteria afterwards. But if you’re taking antibiotics for a couple of years… Secondly, there’s a risk that bacteria will develop resistance to the drugs. Thirdly, there are occasional side effects. And finally, the antibiotics do nothing to change the underlying problem.

Another prescription is Accutane, a synthetic version of vitamin A (natural vitamin A may also work). While this is often the single most effective treatment, it’s dangerous because of the extremely high doses that must be used. First of all, there is the issue of severe birth defects if the user becomes pregnant. Then there are all the other symptoms of Vitamin A toxicity. And finally, Accutane use has been correlated with higher rates of depression and suicide. If you want to use Accutane or high-dose vitamin A, please do so only under the supervision of a doctor.

Zinc and Vitamin B6

I think that the cornerstone of any acne treatment regimen should be the mineral, zinc. Zinc helps the immune system fight off bacteria, is needed to process fats and oils in the body, and helps process testosterone. 13- and 14-year-olds have the lowest zinc levels of any age group, and acne sufferers are even worse off, with less zinc in their blood, hair, nails, and skin compared to others their own age. When you see this, and then remember how important zinc is for normal growth, wound healing, brain chemistry, and liver health, you’d probably want to take zinc even if it weren’t going to help your acne!

The fact is, zinc should help, although, depending on how you look at the research, this is still controversial. On one hand, there are quite a few studies which show zinc to be just as effective as antibiotics in treating acne, with fewer side effects. But on the other hand, there are studies which show zinc not to be effective at all. Why the discrepancy? Well, earlier studies used poorly-absorbed zinc sulfate and showed little or no effect. More recent studies, however, have had much better results using the better-absorbed zinc gluconate or effervescent zinc sulfate (which chemically reacts in the fizzy drink to form zinc citrate and tartrate). Some forms of zinc which are absorbed even better are zinc picolinate and zinc mono-methionine (“Optizinc”). Although they haven’t been researched in terms of acne specifically, it would be reasonable to assume they’d work even better.

I’d take 30 mg of zinc, twice a day. Zinc makes some people nauseous on an empty stomach, so take it with food. Also, zinc can displace copper from the system. If you drink tap water, which is copper-rich, you probably have copper to spare. Still, you might want to take a zinc-copper combo, just to be safe.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can also help acne. A study dating back to 1942(!) gave B6 to 37 acne sufferers, and a placebo to 35. The B6 users started on 25 mg twice daily, but went up to 50 mg 5 times daily if the lower doses weren’t working. 24.3% of the B6 users showed “complete clearing” and 51.5% showed “definite improvement”; versus 0% and 20% respectively in the placebo group. B6 helps balance hormones levels, therefore it might be especially useful for women whose acne flares with monthly cycles.

It is believed that essential fatty acids from flax oil, fish oil, etc. can also help with acne. But while there’s some indirect, circumstantial evidence that sort of points in that direction, there isn’t anything concrete yet. So, should you take them? Well, they’re good for you. There’s evidence they help with ADHD, and a million other things, too. Bearing all that in mind, and considering that they might help, you should probably try them out. (And tune in next month, when fats and oils will be the topic!)

“Blood-purifying” herbs are often recommended for acne.

The term “blood-purifying” means different things to different people but in this context, I’m referring to herbs that “cleanse the blood” by promoting detoxification via the liver and colon. (After all, acne can be exacerbated by toxins in the bloodstream). Herbs on this list include burdock, yellowdock, dandelion (the root more than the leaf), and oregon grape root. Much like the EFA’s, there isn’t a lot of hard evidence here, but I have personally seen them work, and heard from quite a few customers that they work. Instead of picking just one herb, you can take a combination formula: “Dermacomplex” from Rainbow Light is a good one in tablet form; the Milk Thistle/Yellowdock combo from Gaia, and the Dandelion/Milk Thistle from Herbpharm are good liquids.

You should give all these – the zinc, B6, and herbals – three months to work, although they’ll often work sooner than that. The herbals may make acne worse for a few weeks until it starts clearing up. And beware cystic acne, where the pimples grow down into the skin instead of coming to a head. This is the kind of acne which can cause permanent scarring. Certainly no reason not to try nutritional therapies here, but you might also want to go see a good dermatologist.

Creams and Essential Oils

Of course don’t overlook topical treatments. First, gently cleanse the skin twice a day to keep the pores clear. And look for tea tree oil products. Tea tree is an effective disinfectant (active against 27 of 31 strains of P. acnes), but not as drying as benzoyl peroxide. In one study, a solution of 5% tea tree oil was almost as effective as 5% benzoyl peroxide against mild acne. And since tea tree is gentler on the skin, you can usually go stronger than 5%. You can find plain tea tree oil, facial washes, creams, etc. Perhaps my favorite products are the blemish sticks put out by Burt’s Bees, Thursday Plantation, and Arkopharma. They all contain tea tree and other essential oils in little containers the size of tubes of Chap Stick. In addition to tea tree products, people really seem to like the zinc cream we sell. Sulfur-based acne soaps, like the Derma-Klear soap from Enzymatic Therapy, are also quite good.

Food & Nutrition

Finally, food can play a major role. Of course conventional wisdom says to stay away from fatty, oily foods in general, but as we’ve seen, some oils are actually considered beneficial. Certainly, fried and hydrogenated oils should be avoided. They interfere with the body’s ability to use the good oils, and can bog down the intestines. But I’ve never seen any evidence that good, clean, health-promoting oils such as olive oil, sesame, or pumpkinseed oil promote acne.

Perhaps most important to avoid is sugar. Researchers have found more sugar in the skin of acne sufferers versus controls, and trials have shown that insulin injections (like diabetics use to lower their blood sugar) can clear up acne. It has also been reported that the mineral chromium, which helps the body use insulin and thus lowers blood sugar, can treat acne as well. Interestingly, there was a study that showed eating protein helped acne – or at least that’s what the authors of the study said it showed. If you actually look at the study, the people who ate the most protein also ate the least carbohydrates (including sugar!)

The ideal diet for acne would include lots of vegetables, fish, and lean meats. Fruits and whole grains are also okay. Refined carbohydrates (white flour, white sugar, and sweet drinks, including juice), should be avoided when possible. And stay away from those bad fats. Make sure there’s enough fiber and plenty of water. Take a multivitamin, too.

Sugar in foods is dangerous for a number of reasons. First of all, it feeds Candida yeast. As many of us are beginning to learn, the human gut is home to billions and billions of bacteria and yeasts, some good and some bad. Candida is a normal part of the gut flora, and as long as it stays under control, it’s not a problem. But sugar feeds the yeast, allowing it to overrun the good bacteria in the gut. When Candida gets out of control, the overgrowth can lead to a host of symptoms, including fatigue, gas, bloating, various skin conditions, chronic sinus infections, headaches, and recurrent vaginal yeast infections. (more…)

Well, it’s that time of year again, that most intimate of holidays.  After the December hustle and bustle of shopping for gifts and returning gifts, and putting up lights and taking down lights… it’s finally Valentine’s Day, where all you have to do is brush your teeth.  Anyway, this is as good an excuse as any to write about natural sexual enhancers, so here goes.  I truly hope that this topic does not offend anyone.  If it does, I apologize.

I also want to apologize to the women.  I tried, I really did, to research this for both sexes.  But there is so much more out there on the men.  Sure, there are social, economical, and physiological reasons for this bias, but it’s still kind of frustrating.  But wait – I did find a few things, including one very impressive tidbit I’m saving for the end of the article.  As for the men, my problem was keeping it under ten pages.

First, the basics: if your libido or sexual function is flagging, you should look at your general state of health.

Eat a balanced whole-foods diet, get some exercise and a good night’s sleep, quit smoking, and relax.  Check all your medications with a pharmacist, not just the prescribing doctor.  Loss of libido is a common side effect with antidepressants (which kind of defeats the purpose), and birth control pills (which makes them even more effective).  Men: rule out a zinc deficiency.  Women: loss of libido and sexual function is a very common menopausal symptom.   Taking supplements for menopause can be a big help.  There isn’t enough space to go into this whole issue here, but there are supplements that work.  Grace says she’s been getting the best feedback on Progesterone cream.  Some books suggest taking 800-1200 i.u. of vitamin E daily to increase lubrication.  And there’s actual lubricant as well, which we also sell.

Good cardiovascular health is very important for men.  Hardening of the arteries effects all the arteries of the body, including those that feed the penis.  Smoking and uncontrolled diabetes can be especially problematic here.

Since general health is so important, it’s not surprising that the adaptogens can be very effective sexual tonics.  And indeed there are studies showing the effectiveness of Panax Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Reishi mushroom, Suma (“Brazilian ginseng”), Royal Jelly, Antler Velvet and the Chinese herb, Schizandra.  If your loss of libido is secondary to a general fatigue, simply pick any two of these and try them for at least a month.

Beyond the general adaptogens are the herbs that seem to focus more specifically on sexual function.  For example, there was a study on Muira Pauma (a.k.a. “Potency Wood,” Ptychopetalum olacoides), with 262 men complaining of loss of libido and erectile dysfunction (ED).  Within two weeks, 62% of them reported that the treatment had a “dynamic effect,” while 51% of the men with ED reported benefit.

A meta-analysis on the herb Tribulus Terrestris (“puncture vine”) is equally impressive.  There were 212 male patients with various disorders of libido and sexual function in three separate studies.  The analysis authors conclude: “It restored and improved libido in all forms of [sexual dysfunction] after the administration of a mean daily does of 1.5 g for 30-40 days.”  In another study, tribulus was given to healthy male rats.  After 30 days on the herb, female rats were introduced to the cage for 15 minutes, during which time the researchers counted the number of “mating events.”  This was repeated after 45 days, and again at 60 days.  There were 13 “events” (per ten rats!) at 30 days, and 71 “events” after 45 days.

So that’s tribulus and Muira Pauma.  The point is, there are similarly impressive studies on a half-dozen other herbs.  (I think the next big one is going to be the herb Zhallou.  Right now, there a couple of clinical studies out of Lebanon which look very promising).  Perhaps more importantly, there are dozens of herbs out there that haven’t been studied scientifically – yet – but which have been used safely and effectively for thousands of years, and you can bet that they work, too.  Rather than pick just one, I think that the best way to go is with a formula.  And formulas can be divided into two categories: those that contain the herb Yohimbe, and those that don’t.

Yohimbe is probably the closest thing we’ve got to an “herbal Viagra.”

While some studies show that yohimbe needs 2-3 weeks to start working, many men swear by it taken 30-90 minutes before they need an erection.  Yohimbe increases blood flow to the sexual organs and psychological arousal in both men and women.  It has been demonstrated effective against ED with either a physical or a psychological basis.   Our friends at Cambridge Naturals say that straight yohimbe is their best-selling sexual enhancer.  Yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine which has actually been approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction.  Yohimbe is also not an herb to be taken lightly.  If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or a history of psychotic episodes, you should not take yohimbe ever.  For normal, healthy people, it’s probably just fine, but you should still start experimenting with smaller doses.

Some people report that Yohimbe increases aggressive behavior.  That’s why it’s contraindicated in individuals with a history of psychotic episodes.  Even without the history of psychotic episodes, you might be more easily annoyed, more likely to get upset at your partner or have a fight over some little thing.  I’m not trying to imply that yohimbe will turn your Valentine’s Day into an incident of domestic violence, of course.  Millions of people use this herb and enjoy it.  As with any nutrient, herb, or medication, some people are effected more strongly than others.  Just watch yourself and be aware.

Anyway, back to formulas.  Among the yohimbe-based formulas, Male Factors from the Source Naturals company is our most comprehensive.  It has vitamins and minerals, as well as over a dozen herbs and then a medium amount of yohimbe.  Plus, the recommended dose is three pills, so people can take one or two if the want a little less.  For non-yohimbe-based formulas, we carry the Tribulus Complex from Jarrow Formulas, Viramax from Soloray, and something called “Betterman” which can also help with prostate enlargement.

The amino acid, L-Arginine is another supplement that some men use “as needed.”  L-Arginine is a precursor to the neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO), which mediates arousal and, more importantly, erection.  NO dilates the arteries which allow blood to flow into the penis, while at the same time slowing the flow back out.[1]  This is one supplement, then, that acts more mechanically than psychologically.  Linda Rector Page, author of the natural health bible Healthy Healing, recommends 3,000 milligrams 90 minutes before you want it to work.  L-arginine may also increase male fertility.

DHEA is a supplement that both men and women can use.  It’s the raw material from which hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and adrenaline are made.[2]   People laugh about teenagers and their “raging hormones.”  Well, DHEA can put some of that back in your life.   As levels of circulating DHEA decline with age, levels of these other hormones decline along with it.  It’s earning a reputation as a real “fountain of youth” supplement.  The feedback on this product is often tremendous.

Since DHEA raises the levels of certain hormones, there’s some concern that DHEA could raise the risk of certain hormone-related cancers, even though there’s never been a study which shows this.  DHEA should probably not be used by young people.  Older folks would be wise to take only enough DHEA to bring their levels back to young-normal, instead of trying to become superman or woman.  You can have your DHEA levels checked by a doctor.  It’s a quick and easy saliva test – no needles!  Or if you’re getting well into middle age and want to try it, maybe start with a lower dose like 10 mg.

Wild Oats (Avena Sativa) has a strong reputation as a sexual tonic.  Susan Weed writes in Healing Wise: “Avena’s effects are not specifically aphrodisiacal.  Instead, oats and oatstraw nourish the nerves, so you receive more pleasure from touching; the glands, so your juices are on the move; your heart and blood vessels, so blood can circulate freely to the pelvis; and your ability to be intimate with others, so your love-making is deeply satisfying.”  Other herbals refer to wild oats as a “nerve tonic,” “glandular rejuvenative,” and a specific for “nervous debility.”

The Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality conducted a study on wild oats in healthy women.  I wasn’t able to track down the actual study so there are a number of details I can’t give you, like how much wild oats they took, or for how long.  But here’s what I do know: according to the researchers, taking wild oats led to a “dramatic increase in the incidence of multiple orgasms among healthy women.”

Happy Valentine’s Day indeed!

[1]Papers written by separate researchers on proven libido-enhancers Panax Ginseng, Epimidium (a.k.a. “Horny Goat Weed”), and Tribulus Terrestris indicate that at least part of their mechanism of activity is stimulating the release of nitric oxide from epithelial tissue in the penis.  Wouldn’t it make sense to take L-Arginine to make more nitric oxide together with the herbs to help release nitric oxide?  Just a hunch…

[2]To get to testosterone, DHEA is first converted to the intermediate substance Androstenedione, which is in turn converted to Testosterone.   Andro itself is also available as a supplement.  It’s popular with bodybuilders, who claim that it improves “focus” during workouts, muscle gain, and sexual function.  The problem is that when you overload the body with testosterone, some of the excess converts to estrogen.  There are documented cases of male Andro users developing enlarged breasts, etc.  Plus, there’s reason to believe that Andro could raise the risk of prostate cancer.  Andro users would be wise to supplement with prostate-protective herbs like Saw Palmetto and Pygeum, and nutrients like Zinc and Lycopene. There’s also a supplement called Chrysin, derived from the Passion Flower herb, which inhibits the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.  We don’t stock Andro, but we do special-order it for people over 21.