By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Claims regarding so-called sexual vitamins are all over the internet and magazines. The evidence for most of them is pretty shallow. However, there are some vitamins that might help and have evidence to back up their use.
Q: It seems so harmless to try vitamins as a way to improve sexual [...]
Archive for November, 2009
Sexual Vitamins: Truth or Hype?
November 23rd, 2009Gestastional Diabetes Risk
November 22nd, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Gestational diabetes risk is a concern for every pregnant woman. It’s important to control first and foremost with how you eat. Secondly with activity. Finally, your doctor may put you on medications to help control it.
Q: My doctor has been testing my blood sugar and has discussed that I might [...]
Chasteberry for PMS
November 21st, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Chasteberry is actually a fruit from the chaste tree and has a long history of use in many disease states – especially gynecological. There is some good evidence surrounding it’s use for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and it also appears to be safe and well-tolerated.
Q: My periods are very painful. I’ve taken [...]
Acetyl l-Carnitine Benefits
November 20th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Supplement manufacturers claim that acetyl l-carnitine’s benefits range from helping stroke victims to quickly improving mental focus to improving sperm motility. I did find that acetyl l-carnitine can benefit you in certain instances, but evidence supporting it’s use in many disease states is lacking or based on small, animal-based studies and [...]
ADHD Natural Remedies
November 19th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: There are some promising ADHD natural remedies. Prescription ADD medications are potent and, in some cases, close in chemical structure to street drugs. Many people believe ADD is very over-diagnosed.
Q: Are there any reputable and effective ADHD natural remedies? My school has suggested that my son may have ADHD. I [...]
Sublingual Vitamin B12
November 16th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Sublingual Vitamin B12 tablets don’t raise blood levels faster or higher or offer better absorption than regular B12 tablets. A 2003 study clearly proved this.
Q: I may have to end up supplementing with Vitamin B12. Do you think it would be worthwhile to go with sublingual vitamin B12 over [...]
Sources of Vitamin E
November 12th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: The best sources of vitamin E are foods which naturally contain all eight components of vitamin E (alpha-, beta-, delta- and gamma-tocopherols and tocotrienols) which are often times missing in processed and fortified foods.
Q: What are the best sources of vitamin E?
A: It depends on where you look. [...]
Does Vitamin E Help Scars?
November 11th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: From the reports I’ve seen and the patients I’ve talked to I believe that vitamin E can help scars. I would use a mixed tocopherol product which rules out many cheaper, store-bought brands. Some studies I’ve seen (quoted by some dermatologists) had some shortcomings.
Q: I’ve read that vitamin E can [...]
Impetigo Treatment
November 10th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: The most effective impetigo treatment is topical antibiotics like Bactroban® and Altabax®. Oral antibiotics can be used but is rare. If you don’t treat it may take up to two weeks for impetigo to clear.
Q: What is the best impetigo treatment?
A: Impetigo is the scourge of my family. My wife [...]
Fasting Blood Glucose
November 9th, 2009By Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Summary: Fasting blood glucose is a result of your liver making glucose when you aren’t eating. A high level may be an early indicator of possible insulin resistance. You can lower your fasting blood glucose levels through healthy eating.
Q: When I got my recent labs drawn I noticed that my blood [...]
