|
|
« October 2009 |
Main
| January 2010 »
I saw the article below and thought it was such great news! I highly recommend a product called ProBerry that contains Elderberry. I put a teaspoon in my shake every morning. You can order it by emailing drwilsonoffice@gmail.com or directly from Emerson Ecologics as my patient.
Enjoy!
Elderberry Extract and Influenza Virus
By Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
As published online by Emerson Ecologics 2009
According to a recent study, an extract of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) inhibited human influenza virus A (H1N1) infection in vitro. The IC50 value (i.e., the concentration at which the infection was inhibited by 50%) was 252 µg/ml. Two flavonoids isolated from the elderberry extract were found to bind to H1N1 virions and to block the ability of the virus to infect host cells: these flavonoids were 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-methylquercetin (Compound 1) and 5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)chroman-3-yl-3,4,5-trihydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate (Compound 2). Compound 1 and dihydromyricetin (the 3-hydroxyflavonone of Compound 2) were synthesized and shown to inhibit H1N1 infectivity in vitro by binding to H1N1 virions. Compound 1 had an IC50 of 0.13 µg/ml (0.36 µM) for H1N1 infection inhibition, while Compound 3 had an IC50 of 2.8 µg/ml (8.7 µM). The IC50 of the elderberry flavonoids compared favorably with those of oseltamivir (Tamiflu; 0.32 µM) and amantadine (27 µM), which are prescription drugs used to treat influenza.[1]
The results of in vitro studies do not necessarily translate into clinical efficacy. In order for a compound to have an antiviral effect in vivo, it must be absorbed intact in amounts sufficient to achieve a virucidal concentration at the site of the infection. No data are available regarding the absorption of the antiviral flavonoids in elderberry, and the capacity of the human body to absorb other naturally occurring flavonoids has been found to be limited. However, in clinical trials, administration of an elderberry extract produced encouraging results in people with influenza-like illness.
Forty patients suffering from influenza-like symptoms during an outbreak of influenza B/Panama in 1993 were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, a proprietary preparation (Sambucol) containing extracts of Sambucus nigra L. and raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) or placebo. The dosage was 30 ml per day for children and 60 ml per day for adults, and the treatment was given for three days. Twenty-seven patients completed the trial. After two days of treatment, a higher proportion of patients in the active-treatment group than in the placebo group had experienced significant improvement in symptoms (93% vs. 25%; p value not stated). Symptoms resolved completely after three days in 87% of patients receiving active treatment and in 33% of those receiving placebo.[2]
Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years; mean, 30 years) who were suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 hours or less were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, Sambucol (15 ml 4 times per day during meals) or placebo for five days. The mean time until complete or almost-complete resolution of symptoms occurred was significantly less in the active-treatment group than in the placebo group (3.1 days vs. 7.1 days; 56.3% decrease; p < 0.001). No side effects were reported.[3]
Further research with larger numbers of patients in whom the diagnosis of influenza is confirmed by laboratory studies is needed to confirm the results of these preliminary trials. The availability of natural substances should not deter people from taking appropriate precautions for preventing influenza (such as washing hands, keeping family members at home when they are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, and receiving vaccinations when clinically indicated). Nor should the availability of natural substances deter people from seeking medical care and taking medications such as Tamiflu when necessary.
[1] Roschek B Jr, Fink RC, McMichael MD, Li D, Alberte RS. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry2009;70:1255-1261.
[2] Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, Manor O, Regev L, Schlesinger M, et al. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med 1995;1:361-369.
[3] Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res 2004;32:132-140.
By Danielle Rose
Originally published in The Suburban Trends
Experts agree that across the board breast milk is the single most nutritious and beneficial food for a newborn baby. The mechanics of it aside, many mothers find that the tricky part to breastfeeding is knowing what they, themselves should eat.
Naturopathic doctor and certified professional midwife Donielle Wilson points out that, “Anything the mom ingests will end up in the breast milk.”
This can be daunting when one is contemplating the best options for not only baby’s health, but mom’s health, too. The good news is that although breastfeeding mothers may want to avoid exposing baby to certain foods like caffeine or alcohol, the nutrients in healthy foods will also pass through into their milk. According to Wilson, this also applies to supplements, so if baby has a cold, taking Vitamin C will help you both!
In general, however, a breastfeeding mother’s diet should remain similar to her diet during pregnancy. Healthy and nutritious foods are just as important now, and not just for baby’s health, but for mom’s health, too.
According to “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” (by Simkin, Whalley, Keppler), the recommended number of calories for a non pregnant woman is 2,200 per day, a pregnant woman is 2,500 per day and a lactating mother is 2,700 calories per day.
Wilson recommends eating small meals or snacks every three hours or less to spread out the additional calories. Including protein when you eat will prevent a drop in blood sugar – good health advice for anyone, but especially for lactating mothers whose blood sugar is more prone to fluctuation.
According to Wilson the most important factor in a lactating diet is water. “Your body needs water to make all that extra liquid.”
When it comes to supplements, Wilson recommends a daily multivitamin, calcium magnesium and fish oil, especially those which contain DHA. She says fish oil is not only good for baby’s brain development but it also helps prevent post partum depression.
Wilson also recommends a daily dose of acidophilus. “Research shows when moms take acidophilus babies have fewer allergies,” she says.
Trickier sometimes than figuring out what foods to eat, are foods to avoid. The best advice is to avoid those things which you would not want to give a young child – caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and unnecessary drugs and medication.
Nursing mothers also want to avoid undercooked and raw foods, unpasteurized cheeses and fish with high levels of mercury.
On the other hand, there are certain foods – some of which are healthy – to which baby might be sensitive.
Colic, rashes and digestive disturbances are indicators that baby might be sensitive to something mom is eating, says Wilson. The biggest offenders are usually dairy, gluten and certain vegetables such as broccoli or garlic.
When baby acts up or is uncomfortable Wilson advises to keep in mind what mom ate. If baby isn’t sleeping well is it because of mom’s evening cup of coffee? Is baby’s digestion of kilter only after mom splurged on a large bowl of ice cream?
Unfortunately, the solution may not be as simple as removing the offending foods. For example, a baby may be sensitive to dairy, but mom’s own need for calcium and magnesium are the highest they’ll ever be. If a mother believes certain foods are affecting baby’s health, Wilson recommends contacting a professional who can create a plan to ensure the best nutrition possible.
Breastfeeding.com, warns that a sudden drop in weight can decrease milk supply and be damaging to mom’s health. In addition, according to www.kellymom.com, any sudden drop in weight results in a rapid release of stored toxins, which will end up in breast milk.
For those who aren’t losing the weight, Wilson recommends that they decrease serving sizes and eat more frequently.
“If you eat big servings,” she says, “then your body will use a quarter to a half of it and store the rest as weight.”
Wilson also advises all of her mothers to get enough exercise. “For a mom to chose to spend a half hour away from the baby and do something for herself is a big decision,” she admits. “Then if you finally have a half hour you are so tired all you want to do is sleep.”
But finding that hour to catch up on sleep and fit in some exercise can really help improve not only mom’s body, but her sense of wellbeing. Using a stroller to walk with baby or doing mom and baby yoga is a good way to include the little one, too. Wilson also recommends abdominal strengthening to tighten the muscles that were weakened during pregnancy and to help build the muscle tone needed to burn calories.
Most importantly, however, Wilson encourages moms to take care of their own wellbeing.
“Nutrition of the soul,” she calls it. “Making sure that mom gets that down time and sleep time. That’s really key. Start with five minutes to yourself. You have to have that food for your soul or you completely lose yourself in baby land.”
Donielle Wilson is president of the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians and member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She practices in Manhattan, Stamford, CT and Port Jefferson, NY, but consults with many patients exclusively via telephone. She can be reached at 631.682.9190 or by visiting www.doctordoni.com.
|
|
|
