Perspectives for Better Neurological Care
C. Robert Adams, M.D.
Board Certified Neurologist
109 N. 15th St., Ste 14, Norfolk Ne. 68701 Phone: 402-371-0226 Toll Free: 888-516-2398
3900 Dakota Ave, Sioux Sioux City, NE . 68776
HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS
1.
Fiber is extremely important in preventing obstipation and
constipation. Fiber decreases symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping and
bloating. Fiber lessens the appetite by keeping your stomach full if you take
before meals. Extra fiber also decreases problems with diverticulosis and
probably decreases tendency toward colon cancer.
DOSE: 2 fiber caps three times a day before meals or 2 Tablespoons of Citrucel
or generic equivalent methylcellulose twice a day before meals. The
methylcellulose causes less gas and other types of fiber products.
2.
Chondrotin glucosamine – The journal of American Medical
Association clarified that multiple research trials on this supplement have
“moderate to large effects” in benefit as regards to symptoms of degenerative
arthritis.
On a practical basis, chondroitin glucosamine lessens stiffness and aching in
the hips and knees but also in the shoulders, neck and back. It won’t give you
“new joints” but will help preserve what joint function you have left.
3. Calcium plus magnesium is a better way to maintain your bones than calcium alone. In particular, tropical punch or cherry Rolaids, or equivalent, provide several benefits that calcium alone does not.
a. This combination is less constipating.
b. This coats your stomach to help keep from getting ulcers and lessening tendency towards gastritis.
c. Magnesium is beneficial as regards to muscle function and even helps as regards to some problems of migraine, etc.
DOSE: 2 tablets twice a day or
more if desired.
4.
Triple Omega 3 Oils or the combination of essential oils
including fish oil, flax seed oil and borrage oils pretty
much keep you covered in lessening progression of atherosclerosis and coronary
artery disease and cerebral vascular disease.
DOSE: 1 cap twice a day.
5.
Iron Replacement is an important either by itself or a
multiple vitamin.
Iron deficiency is one of the most under recognized, under treated, and
symptomatic vitamin or supplement deficiencies commonly seen.
Iron deficiency occurs because of dietary deficit as with lack of red meat, with
menstrual bleeding, with GI tract bleeding, etc. Identification of iron
deficiency can be deceptive. You can be drastically iron deficient with
an essentially normal blood count or hemoglobin. Your serum iron can be
“normal”. The only absolute way to identify iron deficiency is to check a serum
ferritin. A low serum ferritin absolutely indicates significant iron
deficiency. Serum ferritin ideally should be above 50 for ideal health. A
serum ferritin of around 20 suggest almost no iron stores in the body and no
iron reserves with severe iron deficiency.
DOSE: Ferrous gluconate or ferrous sulfate 1 tablet daily, or with gastric
intolerance, Slo-fe, or other less irritating generic equivalent.
Severe iron deficiency and intolerance of oral iron replacement may prompt need
for the physician to order IV Venofer (iron).
6.
B12 (cyanocobalamin) – This is the one vitamin that
is commonly mal-absorbed or poorly absorbed in the GI tract requiring IM or
parenteral administration.
Lack of B12 can cause problems of peripheral neuropathy; imbalance
and mental slowing, even dementia. Dissolvable tablets or “oral” B12
can not take the place of B12 shots. These neurologic symptoms can
occur even in the absence of B12 related anemia or blood dyscrasia.
7.
Vitamin D – is almost universally deficient in individuals
living in colder climates. To prevent osteoporosis and in fact provide optimal
bone health for your joints, supplemental daily vitamin D can often be very
helpful.
DOSE: 1000 units daily for supplement as long as there is adequate calcium and
magnesium in the diet and as long as someone does not already have a problem
with hypercalcemia or some other hormonal contraindication.
8.
Gingko Biloba – absolutely positively proven in
multiple studies to improve peripheral blood supply (lessen intermittent
claudication). It has minor and probably insignificant blood thinning effects.
Drug related bleeding complications can occur in the setting of other blood
thinning agents such as aspirin, Plavix and Coumadin. However, ginkgo does not
tend to cause bleeding complications by itself.
Avoid ginkgo in uncontrolled or labile hypertension as is can sometimes affect
the blood pressure. However, someone with hypertension on ginkgo would likely
need the hypertension treated with medical management irregardless of the ginkgo
use.
Ginkgo can sometimes be helpful in stimulating the brain and facilitating
concentration and mental focus.
9.
Melatonin – The simplest and often best OTC substance to
facilitate natural sleep. The use of melatonin merely supplements the body’s
natural production of melatonin. The brain produces melatonin to help regulate
natural circadian rhythm.
Melatonin is known as the “jet lag” drug as it can be helpful when taken by
individuals who have shifting schedules or that work at night.
DOSE: 3 mg at bedtime though, this can be doubled if insomnia persists.
This is a non-addicting approach to sleep regulation and can be used on a
regular basis.
10.
St. John’s Wort – probably some beneficial anxiolytic and
antidepressant effects can be obtained in some individuals with this drug.
Medication interactions are always to be watched for but are usually not a
practical problem.
DOSE: Usually is 300 mg once or twice a day. It should be noted this is
sometimes better tolerated in the elderly than other potent psychoactive
medications.
11.
Coenzyme Q10 – May very well help to slow progression of
Parkinson’s disease or other neurologic conditions and possibly help as regards
to optimal health of peripheral vascular and peripheral nervous system.
DOSE: Usually is 100 mg twice a day (or even much higher doses are often
taken).
12.
Vitamin C – Is probably not helpful or useful or worth the
expense particularly if someone gets even a minimal amount of fruit or juice in
their diet or if they take a multivitamin.
13.
Vitamin E –Studies have absolutely been mixed but the
bottom line is that it is not helpful and could be deleterious.
14.
Vitamin A – Amount in excess of that in a multiple vitamin
are absolutely harmful. It can cause pseudotumor cerebri or increased
intracranial hypertension.
15.
Pyridoxin B6 – is absolutely harmful in doses
higher than that found in a multiple vitamin. It can bring out peripheral
neuropathy.
16.
Echinacea – In repeated and multiple studies is not shown
to be definitively helpful as regards to “boosting the immune system”.
17.
“Eye Vitamins” – may help maintain vision and lessen
macular degeneration. These supplements are worth trying as long as the
systemic problems of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are addressed.
18.
Folic Acid – taken alone this has been shown not to
be any more helpful than taking a multiple vitamin with folic acid in it
(Centrum).
Rev. 4/20/07