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just ask terry

Just Ask Terry - February 26, 2010

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry.  “I’ve been hearing a lot about the use of vitamin D.  It seems like the dosage that is being recommended is far greater than what my multi vitamin and mineral supplement contains, which is 400 IU.  Do you think I should take extra amounts of vitamin D?”  Jill A, Marquette, MI

A. Dear Jill: I really think it’s worth your while to increase your dosage of vitamin D. The research that we’re relying on for our nutritional RDA’s is 70 years old, and originally was conducted on 25 healthy males.  The research did not take women, the elderly or children into consideration. I don’t know anyone today who is driving a car or using an appliance that was manufactured 70 years ago. Our nutritional research is antiquated and may never be updated, as no one has a vested interest. Seventy years ago, vitamin D was incorrectly claimed to be a vitamin and today we know it is one of the most important pro-hormones in the body. This means that Vitamin D converts in the body to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, or 1,25-D, and this is a very active hormone in the body, impacting everything from bone health to brain function to immune system strength, to name just a few. Some of the world’s experts on vitamin D claim that 77% of 17 different kinds of cancer, and breast cancer in particular, could be eliminated with a higher dosage of vitamin D.  Most experts believe our dosage should be between 2,000 and 10,000 IUs per day. The optimal dosage for a woman should be 3,000 IUs per day and a man 2,000 IUs per day. A recent report of a new medical study on vitamin D highlighted its critical role, in which it has benefits for obesity, diabetes, heart function and cancer. I personally try to get 5,000 to 8,000 IUs per day. Just think, a few years ago 400 IUs was considered to be highly toxic. Can we really rely on the RDA’s for optimal recommendations? I’m not so sure. I try to get at least five times the RDA for all my vitamins on a daily basis.  

Q. Terry. “My doctor has me on Synthroid, but I’ve heard an alternative physician speak recommending iodine for proper thyroid function. Would you recommend taking iodine along with my Synthroid?”  Nancy G, Newark, NJ

A. Dear Nancy: There are lots of reasons why a person might be on thyroid hormone. If your thyroid gland is absent or completely non-functional, you need to supplement this hormone in your body. I look forward to the day when there are natural thyroid hormones on the market instead of the very common synthetics. However, sometimes people are on thyroid hormone because their thyroid gland is sluggish and not working efficiently.

I am not a physician. It may be very worthwhile to talk with your doctor about the potential to add iodine to your health program, and get his/her opinion. I would share the same information with your physician, if you have not already done so. From what I understand about iodine, when it is combined with L-tyrosine it produces thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. Adding iodine makes it easier for the thyroid gland to do its job.

I would think that if the thyroid is not functioning up to par, iodine would be the first mineral to be recommended or prescribed. Since you’re on Synthroid, adding iodine may change the prescription level needed, so you need to have your doctor in the loop. I would highly recommend you read Dr. David Brownstein’s book called Iodine, Why You Need it, Why You Can’t Live Without it, and also present it to your physician. When the thyroid is not functioning properly, doctors may automatically think “Synthroid,” instead of trying clinically-proven natural substances like iodine to increase healthy thyroid function first. The American diet does not supply iodine in sufficient quantities to support proper thyroid function. 

Q. Terry.  “I’ve heard saw palmetto berry extract is good for prostate function. I am 60 and I think my plumbing needs repair. What are your views or is it just a waste of money?”  Harry D, Boise, ID

A. Dear Harry: Saw palmetto berry extract has been clinically studied by doctors in Europe for support of the prostate. I believe there is sufficient evidence to justify its use to support proper prostate function.  If you are having symptoms such as frequent urination through the night, a small caliber of stream, delayed emptying and excessive dribbling, saw palmetto berry has been effective for eliminating or reducing many of these symptoms. I would visit your physician for a physical check up to rule out prostate cancer. Usually taking 160 mg of saw palmetto twice a day has been very beneficial for most men.  Give yourself 30 to 60 days before you determine how effective it is. 

Q. Dear Terry. “I seem to have several colds every year and they hang on for a number of weeks. I even have a cold or two through the summer. Can you recommend something that would either build up my immune system or help me through the cold episodes?”  Lillian J, Hartford, WI

A. Dear Lillian: What I would do to support your overall health and immune system is to take a combination of ingredients such as blackcurrant, elderberry, probiotics, lactoferrin and zinc since they are immune building and also have some antiviral activity. For a cold, my two favorite herbs are pelargonium and andographis. I have seen clinical studies on both herbs which prove they reduce the severity of the cold and shorten the duration. While most people who have colds usually struggle 5-10 days before they are completely free of the cold symptoms, using a combination of these two herbs will significantly reduce the severity and duration to whereas most colds can be eliminated in 24-72 hours. 

Q. Dear Terry. “My kids drink a lot of milk, which leaves them congested with excess mucus. I want them to get the extra protein and calcium since they are such picky eaters. Do you have any suggestions for what I can do for them?” Donna D, Lancaster, PA

A. Dear Donna. I can think of several things.  First, I would make sure they are not eating any sugar, sweets and refined grains and flour. I would even like to recommend they eat no grains containing gluten. They may have buckwheat, millet, quinoa, rice and in some cases, rolled oats. I assume they are drinking cows’ milk so I would switch them to goats’ milk which is much easier to digest and does not leave them with excess mucus.  If it’s possible, look for a farmer that might be able to sell you raw goats’ milk.  It’s one of the best foods I know.  You also might be able to find goats’ milk powder and goats’ milk protein in your health food store to boost the protein and calcium in their diet.  If they continue to have a lot of mucus such as sinusitis, colds, cough, bronchitis or even asthma, I would recommend two herbs that have been highly researched in Europe for these specific indications, ivy and thyme.  When used together they make a very excellent combination for adults and children. You may possibly find tablets and/or chewable tablets in your local health food store.  Also, with ivy, look for standardization on Hederacoside-C, because that is the kind of ivy supplement that has been used in clinical studies with adults and children.

Q. Dear Terry. “I have very hard and rough calluses on my feet, especially on the heel and outer side of the foot. I try rubbing oils and creams to soften them but nothing seems to work. Do you have any suggestions?”  Betty L, Bismarck, ND

A. Dear Betty: I have seen some research that your condition may be caused by less than optimal thyroid function, or even hypothyroidism. I am not a doctor, and you should consult with your health care practitioner to see if this might be a problem for you. In some medical textbooks, the symptoms associated with sluggish thyroid function are calluses and very rough skin.  In fact, very rough skin on any part of their body can be a sign of this. It may even be that people who have psoriasis, which often exhibits as hard, scaly skin on the knees, elbows, and the hairline are affected by less than optimal thyroid function. In today’s society, we believe that we are well nourished, but in fact, the American diet is the leading reason that Americans are ranked 37th in the world overall in measures of health. Very rough, scaly skin is one of the symptoms associated with niacin deficiency, too. Severe niacin deficiency is called pellagra. So, you can experiment with nutrients and see if this helps your problem. Taking 100-250 mg of niacinamide three times a day should help reduce your calluses and rough skin. I would also recommend 12.5 mg of iodine once a day to support healthy thyroid function.

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