Ask Dr. Cass

Milk Thistle and Prozac

Dear Dr. Cass,

I have been taking milk thistle for a couple of months and I love it. but more recently I was prescribed Prozac for depression and I want to make sure that the milk thistle won't make the Prozac ineffective.

Thank You,

Bonnie

Milk thistle is a great liver support herb and I like to prescribe it whenever anyone who is or has been on a drug that is metabolized by the liver for added support. it's a good combination and the milk thistle should not affect the potency of the Prozac.

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Supplements for Osteopenia, Hypothyroidism and Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Dear Dr. Cass,

I read 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health a couple years ago and just got the new version. I have a lot going on in my personal life right now and am looking for help to move on with my supplements. I have osteopenia and hypothyroidism and fibrocystic breast disease. I want to take supplements that I need, but don't like taking a lot of pills. Can you help me minimize number of pills to take care of myself?

I have been out of exercise for about a year but plan to get back into walking and have signed up for some walks for benefits this year and next! I wish I could come see you. Are there any docs like you in Mississippi or Houston Texas that you would recommend?

I know I should go back to my doctor for my osteopenia but he made me very angry this year. I was diagnosed 1-1/2 years ago and was afraid of taking the Actonel that he recommended. Then 3 months ago I decided that I better do something so I asked for the RX and his comment was "No, it won't do you any good now." That hurt me and made me very against him!

Any advice that you can give me, I would greatly appreciate while I am reading the new version of your book.

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions.

Peggy

P.S. I take synthroid 50 for the thyroid and I suffer with the breast pain but do take vitamin E and avoid caffeine.

I'm glad that 8 Weeks has been a guidebook for you! Many women have also found the 8 weeks Coaching package to be helpful, since you can listen to it as well. Now, I don't think it's so much an issue of lowering your number of pills, as in taking the right ones, based on your knowing your underlying imbalances. You can follow the guidelines in 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, including recommended lab tests, but then you'll need to consult a knowledgable doctor. Check out acam.org or functionalmedicine.org for a doctor near you. You should also check your hormone levels, including estrogen 2:16 ratio (fibrocystic breast disease is due to hormone imbalance).

A product containing Calcium D-Glucarate, Di-Indole Methane, and Indole 3-carbinole will also likely help your fibrocystic breasts, by helping your body to eliminate excess/toxic estrogens. We carry one in the office so just call for info, since it's available only through doctors. A similar but less strong product is Estrosense by Natural Factors, available at my office or at your health food store

Rgarding bones, you're right – Actonel can have serious side effects. Better to build good bone with natural products as I describe in 8 Weeks. One product I like a lot is OsteoPhase, in addition to calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D.

I'd recommend you begin to eat right and exercise, as described in the book, and it sounds like you're starting to do that. This will form the basis for greatly improved overall health!

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Root Canal Question

Dear Dr. Cass,

Any information on affordable ways to remove root canals, or just what to do if they are bothering you. Can they be cleaned?

Hal Huggins says pull the tooth!– i.e. no safe root canal, and then it has to cleaned out very thoroughly by a trained holistic/non-toxic dentist. You can always check with his website/institute here. Where do you live?

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Thank You for Telling Me About B Vitamins

Dear Dr. Cass,

Thank you for telling me about B vitamins (in your book). I am taking stress tabs and as soon as I started taking them my energy increased and instead of 9-10pm as a maximum day, I get up at 8:30 a.m. (approx.) instead of 10-11 a.m. and can stay up until 11 p.m. without that hysterical “I am past my limits “feeling that I have had since 1995.

I am still on a low dose anti-psychotic med and still get symptoms at times, but the increased energy has been such a blessing.

THANK YOU!!!

E.A.

You are so welcome!

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Is “8 Weeks to Vibrant Health” book for women only?

Dear Dr. Cass,

I picked your book, “Natural High’s,” a week ago and haven’t been able to put it down – that is one amazing peice of work!

I was so excited I went online to find more of your books. What I wanted to find was a book like your “8 Weeks to Vibrant Health” but I see it’s written for women – what about us men? Is there another book for us? Can we use “8 Weeks” also, or are the chemicals in men and women so different that this won’t be very effective for me (without more research etc.).

I’m a typical case of having made ridiculous choices and wanting a fast food “quick fix” but after reading your book I definitely want to return to natural and reclaim my life. I hope you’re working on an “8 Weeks to Vibrant Health” for men. *hint hint*

Have a great day Hyla, hope to hear from you soon. Again, you’re a life saver – your “Natural High’s” book is the best thing I ever purchased for myself and I’m passing out copies to everyone I know – just brilliant!

Jerrico

Hi Jerrico,

“8 Weeks” works just as well for men as women; just don’t take the PMs herbs! Other than that, our physiologies are pretty much the same, so feel free to read, enjoy, and apply what you learn. Yes, a “Vibrant Health for Men” would be a great addition, but it’s so much work, I don’t know when I could get to it.

Good idea though!

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Question About Raw Green Juice and Thyroid Suppression

Dr. Cass,

A friend recently wrote the below note, after a friend of her's warned her not to consume raw greens or green juice as it suppresses the thyroid. She asked me to see if his warning is correct. Do you know if it is or not? I am as interested as she is in knowing if his dire warning should be heeded! Here's what she wrote...

"I have not bought green powders in a long long time, over a year. I discovered I was doing harm to my thyroid by all my fresh green juice I made with kale or spinach or cabbage; the dark greens as raw food suppress thyroid. And so I would not buy powders with any of these raw greens."

B.K.

Dear B.K.,

These foods are excellent sources of needed nutrients: the point is moderation – because they may suppress thyroid function – but not abstention, unless specifically told to by your doctor. Called "goitrogens" due to this action, they include the following: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, spinach, peaches and pears. Again, it's moderation here –not excess or abstention. More details in my book 8 "Weeks to Vibrant Health." 

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Question about Parkinson's

Dear Dr. Cass,

Would your Brain Recovery Formula be appropriate for someone who's had Parkinson’s? I look forward to your reply.

Thank you,
Rose

Dear Rose,

I think Brain Recovery formula would be very safe for someone concerned about Parkinson’s. In addition to a great blend of specific brain nutrients, Brain Recovery contains additinal nutrients shown to support the body’s natural detoxification processes while helping to normalize blood sugar levels.

I’d also suggest considering Brain Cell Support (2-4 capsules daily), along with Vitamin D (be sure to test for serum levels), and CoQ10 – between 800-1200 mg daily. You may also want to consider the herbal formula, ArthriPhase, which in addition to other its other benefits, contains herbs that have recently been shown to have a positive effect on Parkinson's. 

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Dealing with Panic Attacks

Dr. Cass,

Hope all is well. I've had a lot of stress in my life in the past couple of years, and \'m experiencing panic attacks on a continous basis. I'd like to treat myself with something natural – can you please tell me what I should be doing or taking?

Thank you,
E.M.

Dear E.M.,

Panic attacks are a combination of fear (psyche) and physiological reaction (adrenal response/fight or flight) and brain chemistry response. To deal with each, and in no particular order you may want to consider the following:

• EFT for fear (e.g. old PTSD can be lurking in your subconscious, coming out when you're more stressed and vulnerable). www.TheTappingSolution.com will give you the tools to do this.
• 5-HTP, 100 mg twice daily, to enhance serotonin and calm your mind.
• GABA promoting nutrients, such as those found in my CALM product, 2 caps twice daily.
• Adrenal support from adaptogens such as those in my Energy Balance formula.
• Super EPA to balance your brain overall.
• Daily Multi vitamin for co-factors required for making brain and adrenal chemicals.
• Eating regularly – perhaps frequent small meals to balance blood sugar; extra chromium if needed.

You may also wish to read about my Brain Recovery Program.

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Coping with "Brain-Body" Disconnect

Dr. Cass,

Recently after having a nasty virus, I had a manifestation of "brain-body diconnect." Real bad – I was not really depressed, but had a very uncomfortable feeling about myself. Wondering if this manifestation could likely be a sign of neurotransmitter depletion?

Thank you.

Jan

Dear Jan,

?Most likely it was the virus affecting your brain directly, causing inflammation. How are you now? I'd suggest you nourish your brain with fish oil, protein and a good multi-vitamin. If the condition persists add in Brain Recovery (which contains a high-quality multivitamin, fish oil, anti-oxidants, and amino acids) plus Brain Cell Support.

You may alsow want take a minute to review my Brain Recovery Program for additional information.

Yours in good health,

Hyla Cass MD

Dr. Cass has a private practice in Pacific Palisades, CA (near Santa Monica, in the Los Angeles area). She uses an integrated approach in her evaluation and treatment of individuals with a wide variety of problems.