THE TOP 10 natural health PRODUCTS REPORT How do you satisfy your curiosity about whether or not natural health products are safe and effective.? Dr. Richard Fischer and Dr. Richard Ogletree, two experts on drugs, simply opened their minds and broadened their horizons.  The result was the book “The TOP 10 Scientifically Proven NATURAL PRODUCTS“. Over the past 60 years, thousands of medical studies have been conducted on hundreds of NATURAL PRODUCTS. Much of the research has been done outside of the United States but still under rigorous controls. The results of many of these studies are published in prestigious foreign medical journals (German, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese, etc.). In recent years, American medical journals have published an ever increasing number of studies on natural products.After many years of research and thousands of years of use, we are only now beginning to understand how natural products exert their effect on our health.  This report is a summary of the great work done by Dr. Fischer and Dr. Ogletree. We hope that you find it useful in determining which natural heath products may be helpful to you.

(1) grape seed EXTRACT Grape seeds contain the most powerful antioxidants known to science. grape seed EXTRACT can protect us against inflammation and inhibits certain proteolytic enzymes. The European medical community makes use of the vascular strengthening ability of grape seed in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders involving the circulatory system such as venous insufficiency, varicose veins and diabetic retinopathy. Grape seed extract provides a treatment option for many disorders where there are few, if any, effective drugs available.

(2) BILBERRY The historical and scientific evidence clearly shows that standardized extracts of BILBERRY (the European blueberry) are safe and effective in the treatment of visual and circulatory problems. These problems include night blindness, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, myopia and even cataracts. Bilberry is also useful in the treament of vascular problems such as easy bruising. Other than bilberry, there are currently few treatment options available for several of these these conditions.

(3) SOY SOY provides not only remarkable nutritional benefits but also important medicinal and disease-preventing properties. Increased intake of soy is helpful in the prevention and treatment of cancer and heart disease (especially related to high cholesterol). Much of soy’s benefits are dependent upon its phytoestrogens. These compounds can help prevent many problems associated with menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats.

(4) GINKGO BILOBA Results from a multitude of clinical trials show that GINKGO BILOBA improves circulation even in the brain. For this reason, we recommend it for cerebrovascular insufficiency and dementias (senile, multi-infarct, Alzheimer’s, etc.) It is also helpful in the treatment of some disorders related to vision, hearing, and equilibrium. Ginkgo is of proven benefit in the treatment of peripheral circulatory problems like intermittent claudication and even circulation-related impotence.

(5) ECHINACEA One of the most useful applications for ECHINACEA is to decrease the duration and severity of colds or flu. It should also be used to help prevent bacterial, viral and fungal infections in people who are prone to these conditions. Since Echinacea is helpful in stimulating the immune system, it is useful in times of acute immunodepression, such as during severe viral infections, cancer or cancer treatment.

(6) SAW PALMETTO Results of clinical trials show that SAW PALMETTO is effective in the treatment of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperphasia), commonly called enlarged prostate. It seems to have some advantages over the treatments commonly used in the United States. It has the ability to decrease prostate size and provide rapid symptomatic relief. Saw Palmetto does this with very few side effects. It does not cause hormonal side effects (such as impotence or gynecomastia) and in studies does not affect serum PSA values. Saw palmetto does not cause the hypotension, dizziness or nasal congestion which are sometimes seen with other common treatments.

(7) VALERIAN VALERIAN, either by itself or in certain combination products, is an effective option in the treatment of sleep disorders and anxiety. As seen in clinical trials it works as well as the most commonly used drugs but with fewer side effects. Valerian is approved by the German Commission E for the treatment of restlessness and sleep disorders caused by nervous conditions.

(8) GINGER nausea and vomiting from a variety of causes can be inhibited by the use of GINGER root extracts. This is particularly useful in the prevention of motion sickness. Ginger seems to have some advantages over the drugs most commonly used for this purpose. It does not cause drowsiness which is a common complaint by users of dimenhydrinate and meclizine. Ginger has not been reported to cause the anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth and blurred vision which are often seen with the use of scopolamine. Since ginger works primarily on the gastrointestinal tract instead of the central nervous system it has another possible advantage – it should be less likely to cause the delay in getting use to motion such as on cruise ships.

(9) MILK THISTLE MILK THISTLE is well recognized in Europe as a liver-protecting agent. The results of many clinical trials confirm its usefulness in such liver problems as alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis (infectious and non-infectious) and exposure to liver toxins (including exposure to chemical toxins). Milk thistle provides a treatment option in disorders where there are few, if any, effective drugs available

(10) ST. JOHN’S WORT St. John’s Wort has a well documented record as an antidepressant. A large number of clinical trials show that it works as well as standard antidepressant drugs but with fewer and milder side effects. It does not impair sleep or cognitive function. Severe depression or depression resulting from a underlying problem (such as improper thyroid function or hypoglycemia) may not respond to St. John’s Wort. However. based on the available studies it is highly recommended for mild to moderate depression.

(Honorable Mention) glucosamine At the time that Dr. Fischer’s and Dr. Ogletree’s TOP 10 book was written, many of the studies on glucosamine Sulfate were underway. Some initial trails had indicated that Glucosamine was effective in the treatment of joint pain even showing results with arthritis patients. Further studies confirmed the initial results but were not available when the doctor‘s book was published. With the additional scientific evidence it is likely that Glucosamine would have been one of the TOP 10 natural health products.