Yohimbe

Yohimbe is an extract from the bark of a West African evergreen tea (Pausinystaslia yohimbe). Yohimbe has long been used as a sexual stimulant. Traditional healers used the brewed tea from the bark to reduce prostate inflammation, treat menstrual pain and anesthetize skin when undergoing minor surgical procedures. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, European researchers were able to isolate a compound that helps enhance sexual performance. Thus, giving support to the traditional use of yohimbe as a sexual stimulant. The isolated alkaloid was called yohimbine which was found to increase blood flow to the penis. It can be done by increasing adrenal output of norepinephrine which is a hormone necessary for erections. The well-known impotence pill Viagra works similarly this way.

The FDA requires that a doctor should write prescription for this concentrated extract because the enhanced levels of norepinephrine can raise the blood pressure and heart rate. A number of yohimbine products are widely circulated over the internet (illegally). But these products do not contain enough yohimbine to be able to get the results desired. Aside from that, products that contain yohimbe bark and/or yohimbine are sold in health-food stores but they may contain little of the vital substances to be really effective. To avoid this scam and to get the results, men who suffer from impotence, also called erectile dysfunction (ED), should get prescription from their doctor.

To avoid general drug or nutrient interaction associated with yohimbe use, do the following:

§ Consult your doctor before combining yohimbe with anti-depressants or mood-altering drugs. Possible negative reactions may result.

§ Yohimbe falls under the monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibitor classification. This type of medication should not be taken with tyramine-containing foods such as types of red wine, aged cheese or dark chocolate.

§ Do not take yohimbe with diet aids or nasal decongestants containing the ingredient phenylpropanolamine. It can result to serious adverse reactions.

Clinical studies conducted revealed that a commonly used dose to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) is 6 mg. of yohimbine taken three times a day. All of the studies were conducted in a span of ten weeks. Using yohimbe and yohimbine beyond that period or for extended period of time is not known to be effective or could cause side effects. Low doses of yohimbe and yohimbine (less than 20 mg per day) may result in mild nervous stimulation and increased breathing capacity. Yohimbe taken in higher does (50 mg or more per day) can block both enzyme called MOA or monoamine oxidase and neurotransmitters specifically dopamine and serotonin.

As precautionary measures, you should consult your doctor for a prescription formula before taking yohimbe. Mention to your physician any medications you are currently taking to avoid harmful interactions. Follow the prescription religiously. Serious side effects are linked with yohimbe bark and its alkaloid yohimbine even it taken in small recommended doses. Reactions include: anxiety, nervousness, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat and tremors. Do not take yohimbe or yohimbine if you have heart disease, liver or kidney problems, low blood pressure or prostate inflammation.

Shark Liver Oil

Shark liver oil is as its name implicates derived from the livers of deep-water sharks. Shark liver oil is used to fight cancer and boosts the immune system. The shark liver oil is a by-product of the fishing industry. Sharks are not hunted for their oil alone. The practice of using shark liver oil as a medicine for wounds and to fight flu spans for centuries already. Japanese seamen called shark liver oil as samedawa or ‘cure all’. In the 1950s, it was discovered that a natural immune-boosting compound called alkylglycerols are found in high concentration in the shark liver oil.

Other less concentrated sources of alkylglycerols are found in the bone marrow, liver, spleen and breast milk of both mature cows and humans. This compound is the focus on medical interest on shark liver oil as a possible accompaniment to cancer treatment and an immune booster. It also contains squalamine which is a substance that fight breast, lung, brain and skin cancer by choking off the tumor’s blood supply. Shark live oil also contains squalene in large amounts which is an anti-oxidant and bacteria-fighter. It also has omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A.

There are several health benefits one can derive from using shark liver oil. These benefits include:

* It adds to the conventional cancer treatment. In Europe, this is widely practiced. Research shows that alkylglyerols in shark liver oil may boost the immune system and prevent the spread of disease. The shark liver oil also strengthens healthy cells to ease the side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

* It fights infections, inflammations and heal wounds. Its immune boosting properties help speed up the healing of colds, flu and various skin infections.

* It is also believe to be a remedy for asthma, arthritis, skin inflammations of psoriasis. But these claims remain to be proven.

In order to get the most out of shark liver oil, you should purchase shark liver oil products that contain ‘alkylglycerols’ which is a disease-fighting ingredient. 1000 mg capsule could provide at least 200 mg of alkylglycerols. Other healing compounds found in shark liver oil are squalamine and squalene. Do not take more than the recommended dietary allowance or dosages of shark liver oil. More does not necessarily mean better. See your doctor if you take the product more than 30 days. You may require a blood test and a dosage change because long-term use might alter blood consistency.

To accompany cancer treatments, take 1 to 2 capsules, three times a day with meals.
To fight infections, take 1 to 2 capsules a day for 7 days with meals. Food will increase the absorption of the product’s active ingredients. Pregnant women are cautioned not to use this supplement. Consult a doctor first. There are no known drugs or nutrients interaction linked with shark liver oil. Possible side effects when taking shark liver oil include: mild stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, indigestion. These rarely occur however if oil is taken at recommended doses.

Biotin: Vitamin H

Biotin is a water soluble vitamin that is specifically a member of the B-complex group of vitamins commonly known as vitamin H. It is only for nearly forty years of research, after the introduction of biotin that it is being considered as a form of vitamin. From then on, biotin is highly required by all organisms but can only be synthesized by bacteria, yeast, molds, some plant species, and algae.

The biotin is a B-complex vitamin that is essential for both metabolism and growth in humans. This vitamin acts as that specifically with reference to the creation of fatty acids, digestive enzymes, antibodies, as well as in niacin or vitamin B-3 metabolism.

In addition, biotin is considered useful for curing baldness, alleviating the muscle pain and depression, and it also functions as a treatment for dermatitis. Although there is still no clear evidence to support for such claims, many experts greatly expect such effects of the biotin. The deficiency for such vitamin is then given to result in fatigue, depression, nausea, muscle pains, hair loss, and anemia.

Biotin is helpful for treating diabetes mellitus. This claim is supported by the findings that biotin as a cofactor of enzymes that are required for fatty acid synthesis is said to enhance the utilization of the glucose to synthesize fats. It is in fact found out that the biotin has the capability to rouse glucokinase, which is an enzyme found in the liver, that results in an enhanced synthesis of the glycogen, which is then a storage form of glucose. Aside from that, biotin stimulates that secretion of insulin in the pancreas of rats, which most of the studies considered to give an effect of lowering the blood glucose.

There are also some findings which show that biotin supplements are effective in treating hoof abnormalities in horses as well as swine which later in led to the proposition that biotin supplements might be beneficial in strengthening the brittle fingernails in humans. In fact, it has been found out that with the use of the biotin supplements, the fingernails thickness increased by 25 percent and the splitting reduced after the treatment.

As it is mentioned earlier, biotin is also used for treating hair loss. However, even though hair loss is a symptom of acute biotin deficiency, there are still no scientific studies that are published to support such stand.

In terms of its sources, biotin is generally found in many foods. But more specifically, it is mostly found in lower amounts than other water soluble vitamins. A few food sources that are rich in such vitamin include egg yolk, liver, and yeast.

Perhaps one of the best qualities of biotin is its being known as nontoxic. In fact, there are some reports that oral supplementation of this vitamin has been well-tolerated in doses up to 200 mg per day especially in those people who have hereditary disorders of biotin metabolism. And in those who have no disorders of biotin metabolism, doses of up to 5 mg per day of oral biotin supplementation for two years were not connected with any adverse effects. However, even though such report is made, many experts still recommend the proper consultation with doctors before taking such vitamin.