Choosing Healthy Solutions over Pharmaceutical Intervention

The prescription pad all-too-often replaces a thorough evaluation of symptoms, personal history, diet, and lifestyle. An in-depth evaluation, with natural intervention, should be the first line of defense. Nature is still the best pharmacy, providing our bodies with the raw materials we need to produce feel-good chemicals, or neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Medications like Prozac, on the other hand, simply fool the brain into thinking there is more serotonin, so the effect eventually wears off, with a high price to pay in the form of side effects, such as nausea, headaches, digestive upset, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, loss of libido and even, suicidal and homicidal behavior.

It is possible to wean off medications far more easily when you take supplements as part of the program, as we can see in this letter I received recently.

My “Mood Favorites” include Metabolic Balance, a high potency multivitamin with blood sugar regulating nutrients, amino acids such as 5-HTP, Omega-3 fatty acids and a variety of other nutrients, including herbs. After feedback from my readers that they were having trouble handling the various individual products, I formulated my own combination products that I’ve made available to patients and readers alike. I get daily emails thanking me for helping people transform their lives.

Another woman, Jill J., reports that “I take your Energy and Focus religiously! They get me going in the morning, and I don’t run out of steam half way through the day. I no longer need coffee to keep me going—I feel energized, sharp and motivated all day long!

You can find your best combination here.

Antioxidants and The Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA)

I recently appeared on national television news to discuss a current article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). (Click here to view segment).The article suggested that antioxidants are not only not helpful, but that they can actually be harmful to your health. I couldn’t let this go by; hundreds of studies have demonstrated antioxidants to be essential to our health.

The JAMA article took a variety of unrelated studies that were using far less than effective doses of the antioxidants. In addition, antioxidants operate in complex systems in nature, work together synergistically. Thus, testing isolated and inadequate doses proves nothing in terms of antioxidant need and efficacy. The fact that some very ill and often elderly people died despite taking small amounts of isolated antioxidants and in the wrong forms (eg alpha tocopherol instead of mixed tocopherols, or beta carotene instead of vitamin A), is no surprise.

There is overwhelming evidence that appropriate doses of the right forms of antioxidants are effective in maintaining health and in fact, in our increasingly toxic environment, essential to our well-being and even, survival. On a more personal note, I take a variety of antioxidants daily and prescribe them to my patients, with positive results. Metabolic Balance is a great start—potent multivitamin with high levels of antioxidants, and you can add in Extension Antioxidant from VRP.

For a more complete discussion, see the response of the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

Now, saving the best for last: I recently discovered OsteoPhase, a unique proprietary blend of herbal extracts and peptides that supports healthy bone structure and calcium homeostasis. It's designed to aid in supporting healthy bone mass, not simply by increasing calcium intake, but by restoring calcium balance (read more below about how OsteoPhase supports healthy bones while reversing bone decay).

For my women patients concerned about their bone health, I prescribe it all: a calcium/magnesium/vit D/boron formula, plus separate strontium and OsteoPhase. Order OsteoPhase Now…

Spring is here and for 50 million Americans that means allergy season is back. And those living in areas inundated with unusually heavy rainstorms face what some allergy researchers predict will be “one of the most horrific allergy seasons in history.”

On the West coast allergy doctors and pharmacists already report a sharp increase in the number of patients complaining of weed and grass allergies -- which typically don't show up until summer or fall -- and it's only going to get worse as more people head outdoors after being cooped up. According to Tom Male, a pharmacy consultant in San Francisco, "As it gets gradually warmer we're going to see a lot of folks in here. Just today we're already seeing folks coming in and getting eye drops and nasal sprays."

For those looking for safe and effective allergy relief, AllerPhase® is the natural choice. This unique herbal formula has been especially designed for individuals sensitive to seasonal and perennial pollens, house dust, molds, pet dander, foods and chemical pollutants. And while AllerPhase promotes and supports healthy respiratory function it also supports the immune system to resolve seasonal imbalances and reduce the potential for allergic reactions.

Order AllerPhase Now…

Since 2001, more than 2,400 patients taking Fosamax and other bone-building medications like it have reported bone death in their jaws, mostly after a minor trauma such as getting a tooth extracted. Most were taking especially potent, intravenously delivered versions of these drugs, which are known as bisphosphonates.

An additional 120 people who were taking bisphosphonates in pill form to prevent bone thinning have been stricken with such incapacitating bone, joint or muscle pain that some were bedridden and others required walkers, crutches or wheelchairs.

The incidence of both these complications is minuscule in comparison with the millions of people taking these medications. More than 36 million prescriptions for oral bisphosphonates, such as Actonel, Fosamax and Boniva, were dispensed in 2005, according to IMS Health, a pharmaceutical information and consulting company. Nearly 3 million cancer patients have been treated with intravenous versions of the medications.

But because at least 90% of drug side effects
aren't reported to the Food and Drug Administration,
the real number of people stricken with jaw necrosis
and other side effects could be higher.

"We've uncovered about 1,000 patients [with jaw necrosis] in the past six to nine months alone, so the magnitude of the problem is just starting to be recognized," says Kenneth M. Hargreaves, chair of the endodontics department at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

The rare side effect, called osteonecrosis of the jaw, causes severe infections, swelling and the loosening of teeth. Patients often require long-term antibiotic therapy or surgery to remove the dying bone tissue.

With concern growing over the possible side effect, the American Assn. of Endodontists released a position statement on the problem. "Until further information is available, it would appear prudent to consider all patients taking bisphosphonates to be at some risk," the group said.

OsteoPhase Safely Supports Bone Health,
Reverses Bone Decay

OsteoPhase® is a unique nutritional formula containing a proprietary blend of herbal extracts and peptides that have been studied for their role in supporting healthy bone structure and calcium homeostasis. OsteoPhase was designed to aid in supporting healthy bone mass by restoring calcium balance, not by increasing calcium intake

Additionally, the herbs contained in OsteoPhase are widely used in Chinese hospitals to treat Avascular Necrosis, a severe disorder related to osteoporosis. Avascular Necrosis disrupts circulation to the head of the femur, causing tissue death and the eventual collapse of the hip bone structure. Researchers in Beijing treated 1,286 Avascular Necrosis patients, of which chronic steroid use was a predisposing factor for 669 (52%) of the patients. In clinical reports of treatment of the disorder with the herbs contained in OsteoPhase, 90% of patients showed improvement in alleviating symptoms of pain and stiffness, and partial reversal of bone deterioration was observed by x-ray.

Order OsteoPhase Now…

Dear Tango,

I’ve had to endure live blood cell analysis every month to monitor a serious long-term problem with rouleaux formations (sticking together of blood cells). Regardless of what I tried, nutritionally and emotionally, this problem refused to go away ­ until I started taking Vital Cell.

After one month on Vital Cell my live blood cell analysis showed tremendous signs of improvement, and results continued into my second month. Finally, after three months on Vital Cell my live blood cell analysis was near perfect, with no further signs of rouleaux formations. I’m 70 years of age and very grateful to the Chinese doctor who developed this formula (and to you for making it available).

Thank you again,
Ruth K. Bowdon GA

[Note: Rouleaux formations occur when red blood cells form stacks or rolls. This is an unhealthy state because the cells are not free to absorb and carry oxygen. Rouleaux formation may be due to the presence of high concentrations of abnormal globulins or fibrinogen. This formation of the red blood cells is a precursor to many serious conditions, including infections, inflammatory and connective tissue disorders.]

Order Vital Cell now…

Dear Tango,

The friend told me about Vital Cell after she was literally was brought back to life after 2-3 weeks of using your product. She lives in the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas, and a group of us from our church at a state meeting held in Austin in January sent her a “get well card” (she could not attend because she was so very ill.). We all thought we were truly saying “good-bye” to a wonderful friend in this card. Then she heard of your product from a friend of hers in Canada; she used the product and now is full of “zip” again, very truly given “new life.” So I tried the Vital Cell, and I love it.

And what’s most amazing is that it has completely quieted all my heart palpitations! I just recently went to a very well-informed, well-educated health practitioner in Austin (I live in San Antonio) who reviewed ALL of my MANY supplements. Of all the labels of the supplement bottles he read and evaluated, he identified Vital Cell as “the very best.” He only identified four others in the grouping of “acceptable” ones to him; he said that the Vital Cell far outshines any of those he “approved.” He was very impressed with the formula of Vital Cell. He is NOT easily impressed—trust me!

Thanks! R.D., San Antonio

Order Vital Cell now…

Dear Tango,

I’m writing to let you know that I discovered some serious "side effects" to your products ­ they work!! And man do they work!!

As an herbalist I believe there are natural treatments for most illnesses, and I have spent countless hours researching various products. You have no idea how nice it is to discover a product such as AllerPhase, since most over the counter products don't do much of anything for me anymore. And just when I thought that AllerPhase worked great your ImmunoPhase absolutely astonished me!

I originally ordered ImmunoPhase as a cold and flu fighter. After the first day my cold symptoms were gone, and by the third day my coughing and chest congestion had cleared up, my runny nose was gone and my wheezing had stopped. And whereas I used to go through an inhaler every 20 days or so, the one I have now is well over a month old and still practically full. After taking ImmunoPhase I now realize that my immune system has been severely compromised, malfunctioning, shot, etc., for many years.

Now this is where it gets real interesting. After the fourth day I began to notice that I was feeling physically stronger. I was also sleeping right through the whole night instead of waking up five or six times like I normally do. I even noticed that my appetite has decreased. In short, I haven't felt this good in the last 20 years, and I'm not even sure I felt this good 20 years ago!

Most people don't like going to the doctor, but I can't wait till I see him again, as I'm sure he will tell me that my health has improved greatly. Personally I think Dr. Yan should be awarded a Nobel Prize for this product! Please don't change a thing in your formulas! And in all my years of dealing with various businesses I've never found a company like yours. In my books you're #1. You and your partner can be very proud that you have an efficient and fair company, with a knowledgeable staff.

Thanks, Bryan Gibson C.H.

Read More about ImmunoPhase…

Dear Tango,

Have any of your products, such as AllerPhase or ImmunoPhase, ever been used on animals? And what dose would you use? The reason I ask is a lot of people are asking me if it would help their pets, as they get people illnesses too.

Dennis.

Dear Dennis,

Several veterinarians have recently sent us reports of their success in using AllerPhase and ImmunoPhase in their pet clinics. This makes a lot of sense, as dogs and cats suffer from a wide variety of infections and animal doctors are often limited in their treatment options. And while the viruses and bacteria that infect our pets may be different from the ones that infect us, they cause similar symptoms ­ cough, runny nose, fatigue, lack of appetite and fever. In vulnerable pets, particularly those that are young and old, even common infections can be deadly.

One of our vets reports excellent results for two very difficult infections ­ parvovirus, which infects dogs, and feline peritonitis, a dangerous cat inflammation. Both disorders can be fatal for the infected pet.

The good doctor diagnosed parvovirus for a dog that had been sick for ten days and had a temperature over 104 degrees. He gave the owner antibiotics and ImmunoPhase with the instructions to give his dog the herbal remedy every three hours. In a follow-up call at the end of the day, the dog had returned to drinking water, a good sign of improvement. The next morning the owner reported the dog was back to normal with healthy appetite and activity.

Our vet also treated a case of feline infectious peritonitis [FIP] with ImmunoPhase. FIP is caused by a coronavirus and is difficult to diagnose and to treat. It is probably the most common cause of unexplained fevers in cats. The illness can cause lethargy, weight loss, eye disease, and swelling of the abdomen or fluid in the chest. Most cats with FIP will die within 2 to 11 months from the damage caused by the virus, the immune system and secondary problems such as kidney or liver failure.

The cat treated by the vet with ImmunoPhase had been ill for 20 days. Nothing had worked to lessen or stop the illness and they were waiting for the pet to die. As a last resort, they gave the cat ImmunoPhase and she quickly recovered her health within a few days.

Since ImmunoPhase worked so well in these and other cases of pet infections it would be helpful to have the remedy on hand to use at the first sign of illness.

Since dogs and cats are much smaller than humans, they should be given smaller doses of the remedy. Mid-sized and larger dogs can be provided with one capsule of ImmunoPhase from 3-5 times per day. Smaller dogs and cats can take 1/2 capsule 3-5 times per day. The best way to give your pet the formula is to open the capsule and stir it in with wet pet food. The main precaution in giving the formula to your animal is to watch out for diarrhea as your pet’s digestive system may be weakened by its illness. Discontinue the remedy if this occurs. And, as with humans, be sure to consult with your veterinarian as needed for the health of your pet.

Other remedies from Tango are also proving valuable for pets, including AllerPhase for skin itching and Vital Cell for long-term cardiovascular and immune system health. Both formulas come in capsules that can be opened for convenient mixing with wet pet foods for your favorite friends.

John Steinke, L.Ac.