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What Visitors Are Saying:

Thank you the work you do and share with everyone. It's a fantastic resource.

I am an absolute fan of your work and literature - it is a treasure trove of information.

Let me say how impressed I am that there's someone like you doing such a deep analysis of supplements.

I love (and I mean love!) your site! In fact, I spent my afternoon yesterday combing through your posts. I am a huge fan.

Thank you so much for your site. It is the most intelligent one so far and the only one I trust and respect.

As an individual with respect for allopathic medicine and a passion for holistic medicine, I've come to enjoy Dr. Sahelian's online writings. I appreciate the comprehensive, accurate and up to date information he provides.

Dr. Sahelian, thanks so much for your forthright, empirically oriented, common sense approach to the information you provide. Your reviews and assessments of supplements are most informative and useful. I always read them before trying anything new. For example, I found your insights on the potential insomnia effects of Coq10 and tyrosine to perfectly align with my own experience; yet no one else seems to write about this, even recommending 300 mg or more of Coq10 per day. If I took this I wouldn�t sleep for days.

Thank you for such an informative, and most importantly, honest resource on supplements. You provide research with every review and list side effects many others don't care to.

Thank you for changing my life and many of my loved ones. You are my favorite Dr. to seek answers online about supplements. My doctor now knows that whatever prescription she suggests, I will be researching supplements that have the same action in the body, and I seek your advice first. I tell others that your advice has done me more good than 30 years of doctors who are not willing to look anything up that is not in the 12 (or so) most common causes of fatigue.

I am very grateful to you for the wealth of nutritional information you provide to the public. I also appreciate your honest analysis on dietary supplement topics you discuss.

Your website is the official site for our family and for all of our research and orders and it is because of your honesty and integrity.

Thank you for your many years of research and product development, and for your cautious, conservative and informed approach to supplementation. You have my admiration and respect.

I always rely on Ray Sahelian, M.D. for accurate and honest opinions. He is a professional in every way and that is why he is valued in our family and others who seek what he has to share.

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Index of Herbs, Supplements, Alternative Remedies, and Natural Therapies

The following information has been gathered over many years and is frequently updated based on the very latest scientific studies. It is not meant to replace your doctor's advice. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not complete and is likely to change as more research is published.
   There are more than 2000 pages on this site and only a few hundred are listed here. If you don't find an herb, supplement, or topic you are looking for, use a search engine: google, yahoo or bing. For instance you can google my last name followed by the keyword you are searching.

5-HTP serotonin precursor involved in mood, appetite, impulse control, sleep, and relaxation. Is it an alternative to Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and other SSRI antidepressant medications?
Acai berry mentioned on Oprah - do not believe the weight loss scam promotions. It does have many healthy substances and is a healthy addition to one's diet, just like other berries.
Acetylcholine memory neurotransmitter, levels can be increased with the use of choline and cdp-choline pills.
Acetyl l-carnitine is involved in brain energy  metabolism and improves mental function. Does it have anti-aging properties? This brain booster is found in Mind Power Rx mind enhancing formula.
Acetylcysteine antioxidant protects the liver from toxins and drugs, for instance acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.
Acne a blemish on dermatologists... diet advice may have been wrong for decades. Are there foods that can reduce inflammation of the skin?
ADHD are there natural stimulants that can replace Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin?
AHCC immune-support mushroom extract used in cancer treatment.
Allergy practical and natural suggestions provided for symptom reduction, do herbal remedies help reduce allergy symptoms?
Alpha lipoic acid powerful antioxidant and useful for a person with diabetes. Find out about the important R form of lipoic acid.
Alzheimer's disease are some supplements as helpful as pharmaceutical drugs?
Amazon herbs from the rainforest, undiscovered healing plants await hidden in the deep jungle.
Amino acids -- are individual amino acid supplements useful, and which conditions can they benefit?
Amla Ayurvedic herb used for blood sugar and cholesterol management.
Andrographis immune herb for the common cold and viruses.
Antioxidants should you take any?Wwill they slow aging? What is the right dosage and how often?
Anxiety don't worry... mother nature has an herb for you to help you relax and ease tension.
Aphrodisiac natural herbs and nutrients that really work! These aphrodisiac herbs may take a couple of days to start being effective, unlike Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra which work the same day but have more side effects.
Arginine nitric oxide producing amino acid, does it reduce blood pressure or benefit heart disease? Is it effective as a treatment for erectile dysfunction?
Arjuna ancient heart helper used in India.
Arrhythmia heart palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia, there are ways to reduce your risk and thus avoiding the use of dangerous prescription medications.
Arthritis natural alternatives to Motrin, Aleve, and other medications. What about the benefits of glucosamine, chondroitin, CMO, curcumin, boswellia, or a combination formula such as Joint Power Rx?
Artichoke leaf extract health benefit for cholesterol.
Ashwagandha laid-back Ayurvedic lovemaking, found in Passion Rx, also a good antioxidant and it helps with relaxation.
Asparagus extract supplement is being studied as a liver protector against alcohol and toxins.
Astaxanthin one of the important carotenoid antioxidants, what is the right dosage? Some claim it helps with vision, eyesight improvement, joint aches, skin health, preventing sunburn... are these claims true?
Asthma breathe a clear sigh of relief with natural remedies, ways to decrease inflammation so you can improve your lung function.
Astragalus immune system support herbal pills.
Athlete's foot there's hope and a possible cure, if you are patient and continue the treatment for a prolonged period.
Autism some dietary options are worth a try although this is a very difficult condition to treat and I do not have a miracle cure.
Ayurvedic herbs used for hundreds or thousands of years by Ayurvedic doctors who have gathered enormous herbal medical knowledge and still use these herbs today to treat various medical conditions.

More pages that start with the letter A include: 5 alpha-reductase, abuta, acacia gum, acamprosate, Accutane, ace inhibitor, acerola, acetaminophen, achiote, acromegaly, acrylamide, actinic keratosis, Actonel, acupuncture...

Safety of natural supplements: Sometimes people assume because a product is natural, it is also safe. Some of these natural compounds can have potential side effects and they can interact with prescription medications.

Bacopa monnieri, Ayurvedic brain support herb for mental enhancement and memory improvement.
Banaba plant from the Philippines for blood sugar management.
Benfotiamine supplement health benefit.
Beta glucan for immune system support.
Bilberry has powerful anthocyanins.
Bipolar disorder balancing the ups and downs.
Black cohosh for menopause.
Boswellia for arthritis and inflammation reduction... some think it helps with asthma.
Breast cancer natural ways to prevent or treat, plus a discussion of mammography testing and frequency of mammograms.
Butterbur has been studied in allergy, asthma, and migraine headache.
B vitamins the Bs get an A, a review of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and others.

Q. Why do you recommend taking a "vitamin supplement holiday"? After all, we continue to take in vitamins daily from our food without apparent harm?
    A. We ingest quite a variety of vitamins and minerals through our diet, often in small, well balanced proportions. Many multivitamin supplements have high amounts of certain vitamins and minerals and not necessarily in the same balance the body is used to through foods. Hence, to be cautious, I find a reasonable approach is to take breaks. Other doctors or scientists certainly have different opinions.

Calcium how much do you need? High dosages, such as 800 to 1,500 mg were recommended by doctors for many decades to women with osteoporosis, but it is possible that high amounts could lead to damage to blood vessels or increase the risk for heart attack. Limit daily intake from supplements to no more than 400 to 600 mg a day.
Cancer natural steps to reduce the severity of this serious disease or perhaps reduce the incidence.
Caralluma extract appetite suppressant, does this succulent supplement help you lose weight?
Carnitine energy booster, helps fight fatigue
Carnosine anti-aging nutrient?
Cataract an ounce of prevention is worth a lens of cure
Cat's claw anti-inflammatory herb used in arthritis
Catuaba coitus catalyst found in Passion Rx
CDP-Choline / citicoline, sharpen your mind
Chaste berry for PMS in women... and relief for men :)
Chinese herbs and their potential as treatment for various medical conditions
Chlorella health benefit
Cholesterol Natural ways to lower cholesterol levels with dietary supplements and the possible avoidance of statin medications which can cause muscle damage.
Choline memory nutrient
Chondroitin cartilage extract for arthritis, often used together with glucosamine
Chromium helpful mineral in diabetes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome mystery gradually being understood better
Chrysin is a flavonoid
Cinnamon, does it help with blood sugar control?
Colostrum immune enhancer
CMO for joint pain, short for cetyl myristoleate
Common Cold practical tips to reduce the severity and frequency of winter misery
Constipation is there an "empty colon" to "happy brain" connection?
Co Q10 for heart, energy, antioxidant
Coral Calcium do scientists approve? Shall we hail... OK Coral?!
Cordyceps famous fungus
Creatine for big muscles; look good in the mirror, impress your friends, partner... and yourself
Crohn's disease alternative treatment
Curcumin cure-all curry compound

An updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans singled out 10 nutrients that Americans may be missing. They include calcium, vitamin D, potassium, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, along with choline and magnesium.

Damiana Mexican passion plant?
Deer antler velvet Lapp dance enhancer?
Depression move aside, Prozac...mood lifters without a prescription
DHEA and 7-Keto-DHEA educate yourself before use, these natural hormones have many side effects.
Diabetes it's not healthy to be too sweet
Diet do you have the will power? Diet Rx may help you decrease your appetite.
Digestive enzymes and their health benefits
Diindolylmethane appears to have anti cancer potential
DMAE focus your brain, a well-known mind/memory booster
DMG mind and sex booster
Dopamine the libido neurotransmitter

Email received - As a student graduating with a degree in human nutritional sciences and entering the field of naturopathic medicine, I am only further motivated to pursue my education because of individuals such as yourself. It is always wonderful to see medical doctors who have an amazing understanding of natural, alternative, complementary medicine and who have dedicated their life to helping others and provide them with valid information on natural health care/supplements. It is nice to read information from a website that has such honest thoughts, opinions as well as actual facts.

Echinacea common cold helper? jury hasn't made the decision: they're out sick
EGCG the green tea extract, known as epigallocatechin gallate
Eggplant extract, what does the research say regarding the benefits?
Enzymes and their benefits
Epimedium is an herb that can improve sexual function
Estrogen alternative using natural hormones or herbal supplements
Eurycoma Asian aphrodisiac in Passion Rx
Evening primrose I still prefer fish oils
Eye disorders and natural treatment.

With the discovery of bioactive components beyond the essential nutrients of foods, a new era of nutritional, medical, and botanical sciences has unfolded. The ability to identify, isolate, purify, and deliver single components has expanded the dietary supplement business and health opportunity for consumers.

Fatigue don't give up, energy is a renewable resource and there are natural ways to improve stamina.
Female Libido surpass your boyfriend's or husband's libido within a few days
Fenugreek may help with sugar balance
Feverfew for migraine
Fibromyalgia natural options could relieve pain
Fish oils for heart, blood vessels, eyes, inflammation, and....
Flavonoids good news: there's plenty in dark chocolate!!
Flaxseed sprinkle some on your favorite vegetable soup
Forskolin smooth muscle operator
Fo-ti herb, does it help with hair growth?
Fruit supplements, extracts and juice health benefit

Some herbal and dietary supplements contain ingredients that differ from the list on their labels. Bodybuilding and weight-loss supplements, in particular, tend to contain ingredients not listed on their packaging. Some bodybuilding supplements have undeclared anabolic steroids which can cause liver damage.

GABA -- does it cross the blood brain barrier and help reduce anxiety?
Galantamine for Alzheimer's disease, also available as a prescription medication
Genistein soy phytoestrogen
Ginger more than a sushi garnish
Ginkgo biloba respected mind booster known in China for millennia
Ginseng one billion Chinese can't be wrong!
Glaucoma eye condition, are there alternative treatment methods?
Glucomannan fiber for constipation and maybe weight control
Glucosamine for arthritis... to begin, lob your Tylenol bottle in the trash can... and the Vioxx
Glutamine may be helpful in those with cancer and HIV
Glutathione learn how to make more of your own body's antioxidant
Glyconutrients sweet talk has not yet convinced me
Goji berry a rising berry superstar
Good Night relax in the evening and have a deeper sleep.
Gout it's the beef, pork, lamb, and seafood
Graviola Amazonian fruit cancer fighter?
Grape seed immune enhancer, may help venous insufficiency and lower blood pressure
Green tea a cup a day keeps the doctor away
Guggul for cholesterol... but controversial.

Diet and lifestyle factors have an enormous influence on health, but no matter how perfectly we follow healthy lifestyle habits we cannot escape the influence of genetics and environmental factors that cause cancer and other diseases.

Hair why can't men be more like women? Are there any herbal hair growth stimulants?
Happiness take a One-Minute Happiness Quiz and find out how happy you are
Headache get to the source
Heart disease prevention and treatment with vitamins, herbs, and supplements
Heart failure  beyond drugs -- coQ10, carnitine, hawthorn
Hepatitis A, B and C a few natural options and ways to reduce symptoms of liver dysfunction
Herb information and natural herbal treatments and remedies
HGH human growth hormone -- Honey, I shrunk my wallet!
HIV human immunodeficiency virus -- hopeful anti-viral herbs
Homocysteine unpopular words: high cholesterol, high homocysteine, high blood pressure, highjack
Hoodia skinny Kalahari Bushmen may be on to something
Hormones benefits and risks, a list of natural hormones and their physiological functions and role in metabolism
Horny goat weed herb, will it make you horny, too?
Huperzine A Chinese club moss for memory and Alzheimer's disease treatment
Hyaluronic acid joint helper -- but does it also work by the oral route?
Hypertension deflate the pressure

Immune system more complicated than you can imagine--nutrients and herbs to the rescue
Inositol may be helpful in some psychiatric conditions
Inulin prebiotic fiber has numerous health benefits
IP-6 anti-cancer properties look good in lab studies
Irritable bowel syndrome and natural ways to treat this condition

Kava palm trees and coconuts on the beach... South Pacific style
Krill oil as beneficial as fish oils?
Kudzu old Chinese remedy for excessive enjoyment of alcohol

Libido enhancement bring back your "teenage" passion.... within 48 hours...
LJ100 is a highly concentrated tongkat ali extract. that can be effective as a sexual enhancer within a few days or sooner
Longevity suggestions for a longer life, role of diet and food selection
Lupus fish oils may be helpful and review of additional natural therapy options
Lutein is found is Eyesight Rx, a potent vision enhancer, this carotenoid, along with zeaxanthin, is found in the retina of the eye and helps with visual acuity
Lycopene tomato antioxidant

Maca erotic Incan herb from the high Andes which has become quite popular as a treatment for sexual dysfunction and is being studied to determine if it can be of benefit in women during or after menopause.
Macular degeneration save your eyesight with antioxidants, review of the role of omega-3 oils, lutein, and other natural dietary pills
Magnesium mineral supplement has benefit in the treatment of certain heart rhythm disturbances
Mangosteen has potent xanthones that have in vitro anti-cancer activity
Melatonin dreams like you've never dreamed!
Menopause herbal alternatives... the controversy continues ad infinitum
Milk thistle is often prescribed to those with liver problems since it has a substances, such as silymarin, that has benefits to the hepatic system
MSM so much said when so little is known, this applies to a number of natural supplements
Mucuna Pruriens the dopamine dealer, improves mood, libido, and has been used as a treatment for Parkinson's disease
Muira puama Brazilian jungle passion
Mushroom extracts have interesting medicinal uses, common medicinal mushrooms include agaricus, cordyceps, maitake, and reishi.

Nattokinase blood clot dissolver. Does it have adverse effects when combined with aspirin, Coumadin, or natural blood thinners?
Natural Sex Boosters self-explanatory, a book that reviews aphrodisiac plants and supplements that can improve your overall sexual pleasure and performance
NADH the dopamine connection: mind and sex booster
Nitric oxide neurotransmitter and blood vessel dilator
Noni blend a healthy Tahitian smoothie

Would it be of benefit to open capsules and crush all tablets to maximize absorption of supplements or is this overkill?
   As a general rule this is not necessary but each capsule or tablet from different manufacturers is different and each person has a different absorption ability. Some people take several supplements or combinations that are excessive, or high dosages may interact negatively with certain prescription medications they are taking, so even if a little less is absorbed by not opening certain capsules or crushing certain tablets, perhaps the resulting potential lesser absorption is desirable. Overall though, for practical purposes, it is not necessary to open capsules or crush tablets unless the supplement is required in high dosages to treat a particular medical condition and the patient has difficulty with stomach acid production or has a history of intestinal malabsorption.