6 supplements that really work

As a nutritionist I am very aware that some in my profession have a bad reputation for putting people on a long list of supplements that do little or no good. Whenever feasible, I always look for the smallest number of supplements that will do the job. Here are six supplements that I have found to be particularly effective either on their own or when taken with just a few other products.

If you like this article, post a comment below or email me and next month I’ll cover a few more of these supplements. There are probably a dozen more that could fit in this category.

1. BioEssence: immune system support
This was the first Chinese herbal combination I started to use in my practice based on the recommendation of a friend from Tennessee , Dr. Dan Kalb, who used to head the Family Practice department at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston. It turned out to be incredibly effective for everything connected with the immune system. This includes rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, skin disorders including eczema and psoriasis, not to mention allergies and asthma.

What amazed me the most about this herbal combination is that it does not work by suppressing the immune system, like western drugs for these conditions do, and has few or no side effects. I will not claim that is works in every case, but it does often enough, and when it does the results can be almost miraculous and remarkably fast.

Results I saw with this product gave me the incentive I needed to study Chinese herbal medicine, and I am glad I embarked on this project because it is now enabling me to help many more people in ways I couldn’t do before.

2. Flucomune: cold and flu prevention and treatment
As we approach the cold and flu season this product stands out as the most effective I have ever encountered for these conditions.

It contains a mix of Indian herbs, and India has a tradition of herbal medicine that is in every respect equal to the one from China. Although many people look for Echinacea, which is undoubtedly effective, this product works better based on what I have been able to observe. It can be taken at a low dose throughout the season to effectively prevent colds and flues, or at a much higher dose for a short period of time to shorten the duration and lessen the severity of these conditions.

Here is the recommended dosage:
High-dose treatment for a cold or flu:
Adults and children over 90 Lbs – 3 capsules 3-4 times a day for two days, then reduce to 1-2 capsules three times a day until symptoms are resolved
Children 70-90 Lbs – 2 capsules three times a day for two days, then 1 capsule three times a day
Children 50-70 Lbs – 2 capsules twice a day for two days, then 1 capsule twice a day
Children under 50 Lbs – 1 capsule twice a day for two days, then one capsule per day
Prevention dose:
1 capsule per day or ½ a capsule for children under 50 Lbs

3. MagO7: intestinal regulator
Chronic constipation is not only a cause of discomfort, it also places undue stress on the liver, causes the body to retain toxins and can adversely affect every aspect of health over the years. I became especially aware of this when I read the excellent book Detoxification and Healing by Sidney Baker, MD several years ago. In it, Dr Baker discusses research that links chronic constipation with hormonal dysfunction and increased risk of breast cancer. If you want to be healthy, the first step is to make sure you are not constipated, and that means having at least one bowel movement every day.

For some people, this is easier said than done and many laxatives can be themselves toxic, habit forming, or can cause bloating and discomfort.

MagO7 has been a complete solution to this problem for many of my patients over a number of years now. It contains an oxygenated form of magnesium that is poorly absorbed, so it remains in the intestinal tract where it works to make the stools looser. Because of its oxygen content it is also detoxifying to the intestinal tract. It is not habit forming and is free of irritating fibers or herbs that tend to lose effectiveness over time.

4. Inositol: anxiety, sleep remedy
This supplement comes in a white powder that tastes almost as sweet as sugar. It also comes in capsules, but these never work as well because they do not deliver an effective dose.
Inositol is not a vitamin, but it is nevertheless a completely natural and safe substance that the body itself makes and that is found in every human cell. When taken as a supplement it has a mildly relaxing action that is dose-dependent and can be sleep-inducing at the higher end of the dosing range.

Because of this it has been a godsend for both children and adults suffering from anxiety or difficulty falling asleep at night. It is also effective for compulsive behaviors and helps take the edge off for children who are especially active or impulsive.

In these areas it cannot be considered as a complete solution on its own, but at the same time I rarely hear that it has not been helpful. When it helps a little, it often does even better when combined with other supplements, including GABA, 5HTP, and L-theanine.

5. Seratonin: for depression, sugar cravings, migraines
This supplement is so unique that it was awarded a patent, though I am not sure why the formulator thought it was good idea to name it by misspelling the name of the neurotransmitter serotonin!

Its main ingredient is the amino acid 5HTP, which is converted to serotonin in the brain and helps relieve depression. While 5HTP can be found at any health food store and can certainly be helpful, the supplement Seratonin works better than any 5HTP I ever tried. The reason is that it delivers an effective dose of 5HTP in combination with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that boost its effectiveness.

This product often helps clear depression, even if severe, and sometimes does so within days. It also moderates – or sometimes eliminates completely – sugar and carbohydrate cravings, which is a great side benefit for people struggling to stay on a diet. It was originally formulated to prevent migraines and still works very well for this application, though it needs to be taken consistently and will not work to stop a headache after it has started.

6. NooRacetam: focus and circulation
This supplement contains piracetam,a product with somewhat of a troubled history because at different times the FDA classified it as an unapproved drug and banned it, though at present its status as a dietary supplement seems secure.

Research on piracetam comes entirely from Europe where it has been used since the 1970’s. It is completely nontoxic and has been shown to improve both nervous system and circulatory function, so that it can help in conditions as different as poor circulation to the hands and ADD or dyslexia.

I started to recommend it for children with focus problems and received positive reports from many of the parents who tried it. Occasionally it didn’t seem to help much, but more often than not it helped either a little or quite a bit. Then in one instance after a mother started giving it to her child she stopped bringing him back to see me, but months later made an appointment to see me herself.

I was surprised and told her I hoped I had not given her child something that hurt him or that was completely ineffective. She told me that was not the case at all, and in fact he had improved so much she had not seen any reason to bring him in. While some of the other supplements had also been helpful, the one that really made a difference was NooRacetam!
Now you know as much as I do about this product. It can help a little, sometimes quite a bit, and other times dramatically. Unfortunately I am not able to tell what makes the difference, but what I can say is that parents report no side effects with it, and even when it helps a lot it never affects children like stimulant medications.

10 Responses to “6 supplements that really work”

  1. I REALLY enjoyed this article! I hope to see more in next month’s newsletter! Thank you for all the great information!

  2. I am glad you enjoyed it. I’ll make sure to have brief updates on supplements as a regular feature of future newsletters.
    Arturo Volpe

  3. Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, I bookmarked it.

  4. I am glad you liked my site. Please visit often as I add new information every month and do not hesitate to send comments or questions.

  5. I just accidently found your web site and found it very informative. I am 65 years old and had paralitic polio as a child. I have Post Polio Syndrome which means I have major motor neuron loss in my legs, but I’m still able to walk but not long distances because I get tendonitis very easily due to them being overworked due to muscle loss. What can I do that will help me to increase my energy and help with muscle spasms in my hips and lower back. Thank you, Mrs. Tavarez

  6. There defnitely are natural treatments that can help in your situation but this tends to be complex and should be targeted to your individual needs. I would recommend that you contact my office and set up an appointment. Long-distance appointments by phone and email can be quick and inexpensive and help me gather the information I need to generate a targeted program.

  7. I was just diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and this has also resulted in Tinnitus. It all started with a head infection and high stress that would not go away for two months. I had 20 days of antibiotics and then everything came to a head when prescribed prednisone by my ENT to get the hearing back. That is when the Tinnitus started. I keep being told that there is a chemical imbalance in the inner ear causing this. What is your familiarity with this type of problem?

  8. I am definitely familiar with this type of problem. However, there isn’t a cookbook solution that is going to work for everybody. The challenge in similar cases is to identify possible causes and find ways to address them and the best outcomes can be expected when each case is analyzed individually and a targeted plan is developed. With Meniere’s two things that can be at play are hypoglycemia and food allergies/sensitivities. In addition, systemic enzymes that are taken between meals (product names are VitalzymX or Inflamase on my website) as well as Ginkgo are often helpful.

  9. I am looking for someone who will help me investigate how to help my 8 year old son. He has had numerous “labels” :Sensory Processing disorder, Dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia. I would like to investigate nutritional resources to help his mind and brain come together. Your comments on NooRacetam were interesting.

  10. Thank you for your comment. NooRacetam is one of the supplements that can help with the issues you list. However, I recommend that you get a comprehensive plan that is targeted to your child’s needs. If you’d like to make an appointment with me I also work long-distance with families and that is often just as effective as meeting face to face. For more information feel free to call my office.