Leave Your Comments for Nutralegacy Chief Editor Meredith Van Halen
Hello! I, Meredith Van Halen, welcome you at Nutralegacy.com, an informational web portal to the world of health and nutrition. We are happy to see you here! You can share your comments with me!
Dear Meredith
I have recently received my blood test results and my cholesterol levels are higher than expected. In the past my total cholesterol levels were above 6 which was not ideal and since then I adopted an improved diet, albeit Sunday – Thursday, with Friday and Saturday’s excluded. I also stopped smoking and last year my total level had reduced to 5.25 mmol/L. I was heading in the right direction but my recent results have now reversed. Total Cholesterol = 7 or 270.69 mg/dL.
LDL = 5.2 or 201 mg/dL
HDL = 1.3 or 50.27 mg/dL
TG = 1.1 or 97.43 mg/dL
I would like to avoid statins from my Doctor and looking at the natural products on your website I noticed Cinnechol.
As it is my LDL level which is of most concern would this product be suitable for me?
Do you have any customers who have had similar readings to myself and after having used your product, have normal cholesterol levels.
I would like to be in a position to later advise my Doctor that synthetic treatments are not always necessary or even the best approach!
Anyway, if this product could be of help, I would be grateful for any advise you may offer, including approx timescales or quantities recommended before a follow up blood test is required.
With regards
Barry Harper
Dear Barry,
First of all let me say it is great that you are not smoking anymore, and had taken steps to improve your diet. Please continue these practices as a foundation to health. Also, if you are physically able, exercise can be a great way to balance blood fat levels. Even regular walking can make a big difference.
I believe that there are many people who have lipid profiles like yourself. (Your triglyceride level actually seems better than most people with high cholesterol). It is very important to normalize the HDL and LDL numbers, in fact many consider this more important than the total cholesterol number. And while I cannot give medical advice, I do agree that if your lipid profile can be improved by diet, exercise, and natural supplements, it is a much better way to go than resorting to drugs like statins. Statins are very well known for creating adverse side effects.
I am aware of several people who have used Cinnechol for promoting healthy cholesterol levels and have achieved very good results. More often than not, these people have seen improvments in total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, as demonstrated by lab work they have shared. Because the Cinnechol is a multi-faceted approach, I think it offers more benefits than most other supplements I have seen, especially because cardiovascular health is a muti-faceted process.
Using a supplement like Cinnechol along with proper diet and exercise can absolutely help you, however it would be difficult to say how long you would need on this regimen to see a positive effect. Everyone is different and much is determined by your age, genetics, lifestyle, etc. I think it is safe to say that if you do decide to use Cinnechol, you should give yourself at least 60-90 days to see an improvement. Although the daily dose is 1 capsule with food 3 times daily, some people do take an extra capsule at one of their dosings for the first 4-5 weeks to get a kick start for achieving results.
I hope this helps you,
In Good Health,
Meredith
Hi,
I have a child with moya moya syndrome who has anincredible appetite consisting mainly of four healthy cooked meals a day.She isrestless,cannot concentrate at school,has learning difficulties plus various other symtons. I have had her tested forchrommium defiency inmthe blood andher redults havebeen returned stating that her levels should be between 0- 20 but hers are 31. Can you advise me as towhat i can do to stabalise these levels as i am concerned aboutthe toxins in her body.
thanks
Dear H Yates,
As you and your child are obviously dealing with a very unusual and rare syndrome, it would be impossible for me to give you any specific suggestions in dealing with the Moya Moya. There are very specific procedures that I am sure you have researched and used in conjunction with your doctors. I wish you and your daughter the best of luck in the future.
As to your comment about the Chromium levels, I assume by your statements that your daughter’s level of Chromium is too high, which may be causing other side effects. The first thing you think about with elevation of any mineral levels is that over consumption is occurring, either by food or supplement. Next there would be the assumption that her condition is preventing her from metabolizing Chromium properly, and it is not being excreted completely. If that is the case, often times natural chelators are used to help the body eliminate the excess metal levels. Again, due to the Moya Moya, it would be difficult to suggest anything not knowing the reaction of these supplements with the syndrome, usage would not be recommended.
That being said, one safe method you can discuss with your doctors would be using homeopathic Chromium Sulphate. Homeopathic medications are very safe, and don’t often interact with other medications. In a homeopathic potency, Chromium Sulphate may help stimulate your daughter’s body to better excrete the excess levels of Chromium in her body. This is one of the basic tenets of homeopathy, that minute doses of a compound, that may be in toxic levels in the body, can help the body eliminate excess levels of that same compound. Please do discuss this with her doctors if you do consider trying this approach. There are homeopathic on-line companies where you can purchase Chromium Sulphate.
In Good Health,
Meredith
Meredith,
Good wishes
Age 23
I have very limited blood in my body…………. Now I need to increase my blood and gradually should increase in faster circulation. Because of this problem, My body has very limited stamina and energy. I cant run faster and play for a long time. Could you please tell me what all the steps I need to follow in terms of food & excercise so that I can have a healthy human body
Awaiting reply
Dear Sathish,
If is difficult to tell by your email exactly what you require. It sounds like you may have anemia when you say you may need to increase your blood. However I cannot make any diagnosis as this would have to be done by your doctor. That would certainly account for your lack of energy and stamina. I strongly suggest you try to get a physical exam done with blood work to get an exact idea of your problem. There are different types of anemia in addition to that caused by iron deficiency. Some people simply don’t get enough of a particular nutrient which can lead to blood deficiencies, while others have a problem assimilating the nutrient even if it is plentiful in their diet.
From a food standpoint, you can increase your intake of green leafy vegetables as these are iron rich. Raisins, blackstrap molasses, red meat, dark cherries, and liver are good sources of iron as well as cobalt. (Cobalt is a part of Vitamin B12, another nutrient that can cause anemia when deficient). Other nutrients needed for healthy blood include Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Copper (in very minute doses), and Vitamin E. You can also find specific nutritional supplements that have these nutrients and more specifically made to enrich the blood. Again, before you take anything, check with your doctor so you don’t incorrectly treat yourself. For example, Folic Acid anemia closely resembles B12 anemia, and some people end up taking a supplement for the wrong anemia.
I hope this helps you, if your problem is something other than what I have covered, you are welcome to write back with a more detailed letter.
In Good Health,
Meredith
meredith, i’m really disappointed by your natural skin care selections…
none of them are truly natural!
Dear Kerry,
Thank you for your comment. We are publishing all sorts of health related independent information on our website. If you have a suggestion about which natural skin care solution we can write about next time, feel free to leave us a comment about it. That would be more productive approach than just to say that some products are bad or good. We will be more than happy to write about new trends in natural skin care.
In Good Health,
Meredith
Well, Looks like I shouldn’t get to fond of the Splenda switch. You see, I just started using artificial sweetener Splenda in my morning coffee, 1 1/2 cups a day on average. I guess I was getting a little nervous about the full tablespoon (not the measuring kind!) of sugar I was previously using, 365 days per year! I figured since I am not a purveyor of any other diet products, it might be a good chance for my body to get away from the processed sugar for a while.
hi,
i have pigment skin on most parts (neck,face,an stomach). of my body how can i get rid of it and by the way i have indian skin . is there any remides
thanks
kat
Dear Kat,
There are some topical products that are available for use as skin whiteners. Many of them can’t use that term, so they are called brighteners instead. Most of them provide some help, but must be used consistently over many weeks in order to see some improvement. They must also generally be continued in order to keep the pigment spots from returning.
Natural skin products that contain either Kojic Acid, or Alpha-Arbutin are promoted to help improve uneven skin. They are both effective and safe. There are several brands of whiteners that contain the OTC ingredient, hydroquinone. This works by “bleaching” the skin, and although it can be effective, you may want to avoid it. If you do use it, it is suggested you limit your exposure to sun on treated areas.
You may want to see if you can find a product containing an ingredient called Sabi-White. It is specifically made to help with pigment spots and is a concentrated form of the spice turmeric with the yellow pigment of the spice removed. It is actually made by a company specializing in herbs from India.
I hope this helps you,
In Good Health,
Meredith
I am a power lifter. After some serious workouts I have blood vessels in my face that blow out; they heal in two to three days. Is there any danger to working this hard? Am I putting myself at risk by blowing out my blood vessels?
Dear Tod,
I think the first and most important answer to you is yes, you may be putting yourself at risk with creating enough pressure that you are blowing blood vessels. Even though you have seen them heal in 2-3 days so far, the fact that this is occurring can put more delicate tissue at risk, such as around your eyes or ears. Are you holding your breath during your movement of the weight? If so, this could be one major reason for the build-up of pressure. You have to slowly exhale during the lift of repetition to avoid pressure building in your vessels. If you continue to blow vessels even after you make sure you are breathing properly, it may be time to check with your doctor. I would certainly think you should have your blood pressure checked to make sure you do not have hypertension.. If your blood pressure is elevated and you continue to power lift, you must take steps with diet and proper medical steps to normalize it. Otherwise, you will probably continue to do damage to your vessels.
Of course it may also be that you are simply lifting too much weight which is causing over straining. You might have to decrease the weight used during your strenuous lifts.
From a nutrition standpoint, there are certain vitamins which may help strengthen blood vessel walls. Compounds called flavonoids are helpful for any vessels which may have weak walls. (this is often seen with people who bruise easily.) Citrus Bioflavonoids, Rutin, and Quercetin, available at most health food stores, can be beneficial. Again, please check with your doctor before you do anything to make sure there is nothing serious happening.
In Good Health,
Meredith
Hello Meredith,
I sincerely hope that you or someone on staff can find information that will be helpful to us. We feel so helpless and desperate! My 11 year-old twin daughters have suffered from what was labeled “eczema” and “skin allergies” since they were very small. Their allopathic pediatricians gave them the usual steroid creams for years. Then, when they worsened, gave them a round of Prednisone. In August 2008, both girl’s received a scratch from a blackberry bush on each of their legs. Within days, red blisters erupted. Within weeks they were both covered with blisters and lesions. The pediatricians put them on rounds of Bacterim and Erythrocin that seemed to supres teh outbreak temporarily, but soon became completely ineffective. We’ve spent thousands on “Eating for Your Blood Type” doctor, who couldn’t figure anything out, so sent us back to allopathic doctors who handed us steroids again! My own research led me to an infection called Sporotrichosis Schnecki. It is a bacteria that invades the body through a scatch from a rose or berry bush. It is ONLY when people have a suppressed immune system (aka Prednisone) that very, very serious complications that this little spore can cause MAJOR damage to the central nervous system and even the brain. We are now seeing a doctor of accupunture and nutrition who has prescribed a bevy of supplements which they take tree times each day. My girls are both using a Deltox machine on their feet every couple of days. They both are on special diets which include LOTS of fresh juice, only hormone free turkey and chicken (they don’t like fish,) and lots of vegies. THey cannot have grain or eggs, only grasses like Quinoa and wild rice. I just found your site and have been looking for solutions to their pain. Their bottoms and thighs are blood-red, swollen and tender. There are re-curring lesions on their legs, stomacj and backs. Each night, my one daughter is in so much pain, that NOTHING we have tried, including Ibuprophen etc. has helped at all. Even their doctor, who is working diligently to help, is able to find anything that stops the pain. Is there anyone there who can suggest something helpful? Oh yes, I have also ordered Hulda Clarks parasite “zapper,” but it hasn’t arrived yet. PLEASE HELP!!!
Appreciatively,
Gail
Dear Gail,
Obviously you and your daughters have been through a lot, and you seem to have been very diligent in trying to get answers to help them. I cannot dispense any medical advice, especially since your girls have a long history with health care professionals, and I would assume there are a lot of details involving their diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the acupuncturist is treating them now with a bevy of supplements, so hopefully that will help. However, I do have a couple of thoughts.
It seems like the problem started as an allergy with the eczema, and the combination of the steroids, hyper sensitive response to allergens, and exposure to the bush, has thrown their systems into overdrive. First, please continue as much as possible with the diet regimen, as this can only help. For the following, please confer with your docotors before doing anything new. There are some natural topical creams that contain White Oak Bark which have traditionally worked on eczema. There are several natural compounds that help with allergy including Quercetin, Nettles, Butterbur and food based antioxidants. Adrenal support is also important as weak adrenals can be a major cause in excessive histamine response. There are several supplement compounds that can help safely boost adrenal health. Please check with you doctor about the possibility of using a supplement with oregano and other spice oils. This type of natural remedy has been shown to help correct problems caused by exposure to plant spores
Because your daughters are not teenagers yet, their allergy sensitivity may change as their hormone levels become more active in the next couple of years.
Finally, I would strongly suggest trying to find a qualified homeopathic practitioner. Your girls need to be carefully evaluated by a good homeopath so he or she can recommend the correct remedy. Homeopathy is excellent for these type of cases. It is well suited for safely and efficiently helping to detox systems, especially from exposure to substances in nature that cause symptoms. Because they reacted so strongly to the rose bush, it tells me that the correct homeopathic remedy might really help correct the problem. Also, homeopathy is very safe and rarely causes any side effects.
Good Luck,
Meredith
Meredith
i would like to know that this stem cells can build up the immune system once again?
can we think of stem cells as future medicine of deadly virus like Hiv/ Aids?
HI,
I’VE SUFFERED FROM A DEGENERATIVE CARTILAGE ILLNESS ( LIKE A ”ERODE”) CERTAINLY, IN MY ”LEFT KNEE”. I’VE GOT KNEEACHES FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS ( IT IS A TERRIBLE DISEASE ). OK ! HOW THE ”MSM” CAN HELP ME IN THIS CASE,PLEASE ?
REGARDS !
Dear Danilo,
Obviously you want to do anything possible to alleviate joint pain caused by erosion. You are correct that MSM, a natural source of sulfur, can be of benefit. MSM is a highly bioavailable sulfur, and sulfur is essential to healthy collagen. Rebuilding healthy collagen is essential to preventing wear and tear of joints. Taking MSM may take several weeks to really make a difference, so be patient. You may also want to consider some other supplements. Glucosamine is available in many forms and is an excellent compliment to MSM. Glucosamine helps to replenish synovial fluid, the cushioning fluid found in between joints. Glucosamine has also been clinically shown to reduce inflammation. Again, it will generally take 4 to 6 weeks to really get into your system. There are other anti-inflammatory herbs that you can take along side MSM and glucosamine. One of note is standardized turmeric which contains 90% curcumin. Curcumin has known anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. It is always best to treat joint pain like you have with a comprehensive approach. One last note, try to avoid over processed foods especially greasy foods and those with hydrogenated oils. They
tend to make joint pain worse.
In good health,
Meredith
Hi,
Greetings of peace! Please i will be so happy if you could help me on a good drugs or natural products to use for the treatment of peptic ulcer. I’ve suffered this sickness for the past one year. Thanks and may God bless you.
Thanks.
Dear Oscar,
A peptic ulcer can be a serious problem. Please be aware that you need to check with your doctor to make sure that the ulcer is not getting worse. Your symptoms may not completely indicate the level of severity of the ulcer. It can be especially dangerous if it starts to bleed. If your doctor says that you can treat it yourself, then there are several things you can do from a natural standpoint. First of course is diet. It will take a good deal of willpower to limit your diet to those things which you know do not worsen the ulcer or your symptoms. There are many books or sources of information on good diets to deal with ulcers. Second, excessive stress will always make ulcers worse, so do your best to either avoid or release tension in your life. From a natural standpoint, consider the homeopathic cell salt sodium phosphate. It is specially indicated for excess acidity and can be taken at any time as it is very safe. I know of many people who keep it on hand to deal with heartburn whenever needed. Aloe Vera drinks found in health food stores are very good at helping heal ulcerated tissue. You may consider a regular regimen of aloe drinks to both help with symptoms and the cause of your problem. Another remedy found in health food stores is something called mastic gum. It is a naturally occuring form of gum that has been shown to heal ulcers. One other product that has become very popular for symptomatic relief is DGL. DGL is a certain form of licorice root that is available as a chewable. In fact, all of these recomendations can be done at the same time to enhance the overall healing benefit. I would still recommend that you still check with your doctor before starting any regimen to treat your ulcer.
Good luck!
Meredith
I like your approach to the question above but i want you to expantiate on the chemical equations coenzyme could undergo.also i want you to describe the types of coenzymes we can have and the classes based on its source
Hello Respected Madam,
I glad to read all of your suggestion. Thank you so much to help online.
I have also such problem, I hope you will give me perfect suggestion.
I am 24 Year old unmarried collegian Boy from Mumbai, India. I am student of final M.E.(IT).
Actually I have not any bad habit like smoking, drinking, tea, meat, tobacco, etc. I don’t like so much sweet meal.
But I think, one of hell lives in my Body, whenever I see or talk with any young girl, I attract towards her so much and instantly I have to go alone in bathroom to fix something sexual attraction. So what is hell in my body?
I don’t know that why my sex power increase so much to watch or talk with any young girl.
Is it any possibility of high sex power if I never take tea or any high calories meal?
My friends talk me that this is reason of your meal because you never take any meal which decrease your sexual power, all friends says that drinking, smoking, meats, tea and so on always decrease sexual power.
I hope you will give me best suggestion regarding diet to set my sex power as normal.
(If you have any problem to reply here on your site, please mail me.)
Regards
Rajesh Gupta
Dear Rajesh,
I understand that you are concerned with your condition and you have a very valid question. However, I do not think that I can properly direct you on what you can take to help correct your urges. I would recommend that you see a natural healer in your area as there are herbs that are available that may help bring more balance to you. Without knowing more about your history and lifestyle, it would be very difficult to give you a proper recommendation via email. However, there is one thing that I might suggest to you specifically to help with your condition. There is a meditative discipline called Taoist Yoga that is designed to teach you how to redirect your physical sexual energies. In time and with practice, the discipline helps you utilize the sexual energy to experience benefits on a mental, emotional and spiritual level. Taoist yoga has been around for centuries and has a long and safe track record. If you cannot find a teacher in your area, there are a number of books on the subject that you can order. I feel strongly that if you were to study this and practice on a daily basis, it would go a long way in helping you to reacquire or bring balance into your life.
In good health,
Meredith
I had thyroid surgery 4 months ago. I had a large nodule and half my thyroid removed. The problem is scar tissue. Internal and external. My neck feels extremely tight and like I am choking most of the time. I suffer a huge amount of pain from it. And the internal scars feel like a think blanket around my neck. I have been told the scar is hypertrophic. My surgeon has told me it will take about a year to heal. Meanwhile my life is pretty limited to doing nothing as it is so uncomfortable and so painful. The result is 100 times worse than the original problem as far as I can see. I really don’t know what else to do as my doctor just keeps saying come back in 3 months time and offers no solution. My GP is now sending me to a physiotherapist next week. I feel like I have a thick prickly rope pulled really tight around my neck and I can’t get it loose. I am desparate for relief. Any suggestions?
Dear Gail,
I am sorry that you are having so much trouble. I believe that the physical therapy will help. In addition, please check out a product called Talsyn. It is specifically designed to help with topical healing and has been used by many surgeons for patients post-surgery. I believe it will help the overall healing process for you as well as hlep to “loosen” up the skin around your surgical site. Please be patient with it as correcting any type of imbalanced scar formation takes time. That being said, it should help you cut down on the 1 year time you were given for complete healing. Also, please get on a good high potency nutrient regimen as many vitamins and minerals are required for proper healing. Fianlly, check out 2 homepathic cell salts called Calcium Flouride and Silica. They are very safe to take and combined will help your body with healing. Calc. Flour is expecially good at helping with conditions where inelasticity is present.
Good Luck,
Meredith
Thank you so much madam. Now i will find out about Taoist Yoga, anyway here in India, Lots of Yoga books and Gurus also available. If will grant more time behind it after complete my study.
Thanks again. God bless you for free off help to all people.
Hi,
relating to your article on the treatment of decubites . Can I ask you for some tips to avoid bad smell from necrosis?
Thanks in advance
Libor Šimek
I am not sure if this is on your website, but I believe that i might have obssesive compulsive eating disorder or BED. I am a 15 year old female and though i need an abundance of food to grow properly, my mother and I are wondering if its more than my metabalism, but eating because I cannot stop. I eat just about all day and even sneak food into class to eat. I workout excessively, about 3-5 hrs a day, but now that my soccer season is over I am still eating as much as i used to during season. Is this normal or is more complex and deadly than this? Thank you for the time.
Sincerely,
Mireille Olivo
PS I absoloutley in love with your last name for Van Halen is one of the greatest bands on the universe.
hi Dear…..i Am Roger 18 from Pakistan……. Poetry and bodybuilding is my hobbies………..i want to make…..a good bodybuilder…….. i don’t know About food about diet.? i want to know please contact with me and guide me.. Thanks i Am be Very thankful 2 You……………………
I am from India(Mumbai) My dad Age 67 Yrs is having pain in leg below nee to down foot and have done doppler test which shows – “Near total hemodynamically significant block of superficial femoral artery at its origin with distal run off ” Doctors say there is a blood clot in Artery and would need bypass surgery he is diabetic and blood pressure both in control with tablets Formin 500 and Tenocheck, currently is on tablets Trental 400, clopital and Aspirin for Thinning the blood, also had 5 injections(Vitamin)
I have seen ur articles of eating garlic to make blood thinner – would u suggest to take garlic along with this tablets, if yes how many per day and how,
also i want to know is it right if i take him to some one doing NUS Point & Naturopathic Treatment
Hi,
They discover low albumin levels in my husband’s test and his appointment with te physician is thursday, but I was just wondering if you can assist me in a high protein diet that I can try to feed him so long. I don’t think he is malnourished because his length is 1.78m( ±5.8ft) and his weight 82-85kg( ±180-187pounds) .
Do you know anything about low albumin levels. He had hemachromatosis 20yrs ago which affect his liver, heart and some other organs. The heart and liver had the most damage.
Thanks
I am 23 years young man. I am slightly obese. Recently I am loosing my hair. I am not doing any exercise except go to office and come back. Even Saturdays and Sundays I wont move outside and I will take rest at home. Professionally, I am a Software Engineer. Some times I may come late in the night. I am a pure vegetarian. Please suggest me how to avoid my hair loss.
Where can cinnechol be purchased???