Current medical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) leave a lot to be desired. Although the most popular BPH medications, drugs like Proscar (finasteride), alleviate BPH symptoms (lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS), they are apt to produce loss of libido, ejaculatory disorders and impotence as side effects. Meanwhile, surgery doesn’t always work, and its risks—infections, loss of sexual function (up to 30% of the time), and scar tissue, which can make the problem surgery was supposed to correct even worse by further narrowing the urethra—make it a less than inspiring option. Fortunately, BPH is not a new disease. It’s been around for thousands of years, and it’s been treated successfully for just about as long with herbs that alleviate symptoms without the major side effects associated with drugs. Botanist and integrative practitioner, Dr. Andrew Weil explains why herbs are so often superior to drugs. He notes that whole plants contain ma…

. . . let's make the common cold rare! Although viral infections are considered normal, they’re actually quite unusual among cultures where people consume a healthy diet and follow a healthy way of life. Likewise, people I’ve worked with who follow the Beyond Health lifestyle rarely get colds, and I myself have had only two colds in 27 years. How do you eliminate colds and the flu from your life? By building and maintaining a superior level of health and immunity. Your diet should be 80% alkaline, with plenty of fresh, raw vegetables and fruits, as well as beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and healthy oils. Avoid allergens (every allergic reaction weakens your immunity) and omit the Big Four (sugar, wheat, processed oils and dairy/excessive animal protein). Eating sugar alone is enough to knock out your immune defenses for the next 6-8 hours, yet each American now consumes an average of 160 pounds a year (one big reason colds have become “normal”). Get on a high-quali…

The Modern Problem: We Are Oxidizing Faster Than Ever You can’t see oxidative stress.You can’t feel it directly. But it is happening inside your cells every second. And in today’s world it’s happening at an accelerated rate. Pollution.Pesticides.Stress.Radiation.Processed foods.Chronic inflammation. All of these generate free radicals. And free radicals drive aging. To understand why antioxidants matter, we must first understand what we’re up against. What Are Free Radicals? A free radical is an atom or molecule with one or more unpaired electrons. Electrons like stability. They like pairs. An unpaired electron is unstable and instability creates reactivity. Free radicals “steal” electrons from nearby healthy molecules in a process called oxidation. The classic example outside the body? Rust. Inside your body? It’s far more consequential. What Does Oxidation Do to the Body? Unchecked oxidation damages: Cell membranes Mitochondria Pr…

. . . drinking it daily is good for you! Wine, especially red wine, is less problematic than chocolate. You can drink it every day, and it’s actually good for you! . . . as long as it’s in moderation. Alcohol is a toxin, and while we can tolerate small amounts in order to get its benefits, most women should limit their daily wine consumption to one 5-ounce glass; most men two. Actually any alcoholic drink is potentially beneficial. A 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce stein of beer, or a cocktail made with 1-1/4 ounces of 80 proof liquor daily – all have been variously connected with longer life, increased HDL (the “healthy” cholesterol), thinner blood (less clotting), improved insulin sensitivity, beneficial effects on bone mineral density, and significant reductions in the risk for both heart and Alzheimer’s disease, all because of their alcohol content. Wine is particularly healthy because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenols found in grapes. The “French Paradox”…

. . . many heart conditions have been reversed or significantly improved In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re making February “heart health” month at Beyond Health, and there’s no better supplement for heart health than Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10. If you have heart problems, you would do well to take 200-300 mg a day of this wonderful supplement. This is especially true if you’re taking statin drugs, because statins deplete the body of CoQ10. Although our bodies make CoQ10, CoQ10 production drops off more and more with age. By the age of 50, anyone with a chronic disease or experiencing energy problems should start taking at least 100 mg a day. CoQ10’s main function lies in the production of energy, so it’s needed everywhere in the body, but the need is greatest in our most metabolically active tissues, such as heart muscle. What most forms of heart disease have in common is low energy production in the heart muscle cells, leading to a condition called “energy-starved hear…

. . . lowers systolic blood pressure by as much as 17 mm Hg Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has called uncontrolled high blood pressure “public enemy #2” when it comes to threats to our nation’s health. A major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and even kidney disease, high blood pressure affects one-third of our population (two-thirds of those over the age of 65), costs our economy an estimated $131 billion in health care costs annually, and contributes to more than 1,000 deaths each and every day. Medications don’t necessarily control high blood pressure, and they produce side effects that make many loathe to take them. Dizziness, nausea, arrhythmias, sexual problems and many other unpleasant and even dangerous symptoms have plagued those who dutifully take these drugs. Yet in a recent study, taking just two capsules of Kyolic garlic daily for four months reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP --the top number) fr…

. . . an apple a day keeps the cardiologist away It turns out that eating an apple daily really is a valuable health practice! A recent study at Ohio State University found that it reduced LDL oxidation by 40% in just four weeks! Why is this important? Well, as you may have read in this month’s Beyond Health EZine, cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease . . . unless it’s oxidized. The first step in developing atherosclerosis is the oxidation of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol). Although we are a nation obsessed with lowering our cholesterol numbers, half of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels, and there are as many heart attacks in people with cholesterol over 300 as there are under 200. What we should become obsessed with is reducing oxidation and inflammation . . . in managing oxidative stress by getting plenty of antioxidant nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables and in supplements, and by adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.…

 ...more than 3/4 of the population suffers from hidden inflammationMost people don't know or care about inflammation. Should you? YES! Unless you're in a fortunate minority, you're suffering from chronic inflammation right now, and it's aging you and undermining your health.There's a big difference between acute inflammation -- the pain, redness and swelling that follow an injury -- and chronic inflammation that smolders outside of your awareness, causing internal damage day in and day out.  Chronic inflammation causes or contributes to all the chronic diseases -- allergies, Alzheimer's, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, overweight, skin rashes -- you name it. And even in the absence of overt disease, chronic inflammation generates a steady stream of free radicals, disturbing your cell chemistry and keeping you feeling sub-par.What causes inflammation? In large part our diets, which lack nutrients that help to prevent and cont…

Question:   I have been taking a beta carotene supplement and I just read that a study showed that people who take beta carotene have a higher incidence of cancer.  Is this true?  I'd like to know what you think. K. E. – Macon, GA Answer:  There were actually two studies, in 1994 and 1996, which I am aware of that demonstrated a higher incidence of cancer in those taking beta carotene supplements.  I think the studies were well done, but there are lots of ifs, ands, and buts that muddy the water so that the conclusions can confuse people. Beta carotene is one of a family of compounds known as carotenoids.  Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments that are abundant in plants and fruits.  For example, the orange pigment in carrots is from beta carotene.  Carotenoids are known for their anti-oxidant properties, and they are known as the dietary source of Pro Vitamin A.  Vitamin A is necessary for normal metabolism and growth and it is important for vision and immune syste…

Would you like a solution to the problem of aging and its associated diseases? Well, we have one! Age Defense Formula (ADF) is Beyond Health’s newest product. ADF is a powerful antioxidant formula that even works at the genetic level.  Most chronic diseases and signs of aging are due in part to cell damage from free radical activity in the body. By suppressing free radical activity, ADF helps to slow and even reverse the aging process.  I am really excited about this product and proud of what we have accomplished—it’s a technological breakthrough. Highly protective against the effects of cancercausing chemicals, ADF helps to prevent and suppress cancer, as well as all other inflammation-driven diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Inflammation drives the aging process; it is the foundation of every chronic, degenerative disease. Inflammation generates free radicals, causing what is called oxidative damage. Oxidative damage to genes, cells, tissues, and organs is d…

. . . only two are recommended There are only two forms of B12 we recommend: methylcobalamin is the form used by the body; hydroxocobalamin is a storage form from which methylcobalamin is made. Our B12/Folate formula combines fast-acting methylcobalamin with long-lasting hydroxocobalamin for maximum coverage. The most common form of B12 is cyanocobalamin. Used in low-quality supplements, cyanocobalamin is not a good source of B12 and can even break down into toxic cyanide in the body. The biggest danger of taking B12 in the form of cyanocobalamin is you may think you are getting the B12 you need, but you aren't because of its low biological activity. In addition, our B12/Folate comes in a sublingual tablet. This allows the B12 to be absorbed directly through the mucous membranes of the mouth and avoids various absorption problems caused by low stomach acid, lack of intrinsic factor, leaky gut and gut inflammation. Our sublingual can be used in place of painful shots as it is j…

. . . PLP, the bioactive form of vitamin B6, can make a world of difference If all it did was support methylation, vitamin B6 would be a very valuable nutrient. But it does a lot more. It’s a “neuronutrient” that feeds the brain and nervous system and is used to make important neurotransmitters. It is needed in blood sugar regulation and protects against glycation reactions. It’s an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that supports immunity. It’s used in the synthesis of CoQ10. It’s helpful in preventing and treating allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease, edema, food cravings, PMS, ADHD, carpal tunnel syndrome and kidney disease. A recent review of 9 different studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that having high levels of vitamin B6’s active form, PLP, in your blood (130-140 pmol/ml) could reduce your risk of colon cancer by 49%. However vitamin B6 can’t do any of these good things unless it’s converted into its bioactive form, pyridox…

. . .  a unique garlic supplement higher in antioxidants than fresh, raw garlic If you have heart disease, or are worried about developing heart disease, there are a number of factors you may be monitoring: cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure, and abnormal blood clotting. Did you know that AGE has been shown to have a powerful positive impact on each of these factors? If your doctor takes a more sophisticated approach, you may also be looking at inflammation, heavy metal chelation, stress levels, homocysteine, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress. AGE has also been shown to powerfully impact all of these factors as well! Many of these same factors are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and play a role in age-related cognitive decline (memory problems and slowed thinking). AGE is a unique garlic supplement developed and sold by Kyolic, a division of Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Company in Japan. It is produced by extraction and…

. . . it’s absolutely critical to bone health Many people, including many doctors, believe all you need to build bones is calcium and vitamin D — and more recently vitamin K. But you need all the nutrients working together as a team to produce the health that supports healthy bones, and none is more important than vitamin C. One of the symptoms of scurvy (caused by extreme vitamin C deficiency) is deteriorating bones and teeth. Most animals produce their own vitamin C (humans, along with apes, guinea pigs and fruit bats have lost this ability), but animals who through some genetic defect can’t, develop severe osteoporosis. Vitamin C is critical to building healthy bone because it is needed in forming collagen. The most abundant protein in the body, collagen is a stiff, jelly-like substance found in all body tissues, including bone (yes, bone is considered a tissue). Collagen is, in a sense, what holds us together. It is what forms the matrix in bone where minerals are embedded…

Question:  There has been a lot in the news lately about Vitamin E and its link to prostate cancer. However, you recommend it for individuals with cancer. Why is this? C. K. – Ashland, OR Answer: Rest assured that the vitamin E you get from Beyond Health will help to prevent cancer, not cause it. The news items about vitamin E causing prostate cancer referred to a particular study using a synthetic form of vitamin E. This study, conducted under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2011, was looking at the potential benefits of vitamin E and selenium for preventing prostate cancer. It was terminated when researchers found 400 IU of vitamin E daily was actually increasing the risk of prostate cancer. But what form of vitamin E were these scientists using? The wrong kind! Synthetic alpha tocopherol acetate! Gazillions of taxpayer dollars are spent on meaningless studies like this that u…

Vitamin C and Viral Illness: A History Worth Understanding For decades, physicians practicing orthomolecular and integrative medicine have explored the use of high-dose vitamin C in severe viral illnesses—particularly in situations where conventional therapies offered limited benefit. This work often involved much higher doses than those used in studies intended to evaluate vitamin C for everyday immune support. In some historical reports, clinicians administered very large intravenous (IV) doses, sometimes recording outcomes in medical journals. Despite this documentation, much of the work remained outside mainstream clinical practice and was largely dismissed by conventional medicine. Renewed Scientific Interest During COVID-19 During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians worldwide urgently sought supportive strategies to reduce complications associated with severe respiratory illness. In China, physicians explored intravenous vitamin C as supportive care in ho…

Curcumin: A Powerful Ally for Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention If heart disease runs in your family—or if you’ve already been diagnosed—you’re likely living with the constant concern of a sudden heart attack or stroke. That concern is understandable. But it’s also important to know this: Heart attacks and strokes are largely preventable. Prevention requires attention and commitment, but the rewards are profound—and the consequences of inaction can be severe. One natural compound that deserves special attention for cardiovascular protection is curcumin, the primary active component in turmeric. Research shows curcumin supports heart health by addressing multiple major risk factors simultaneously, something no single drug can do. How Curcumin Protects the Cardiovascular System 1. High Blood Pressure Curcumin lowers blood pressure through multiple complementary mechanisms: Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant protectionReduces oxidative and inflamma…

Olive oil is good for us. Studies have shown that olive oil is an especially healthy food that is good for the heart, protects against cancer, reduces pain, lowers blood pressure, protects against oxidative damage, prevents gallstones, protects against ulcer development, controls cholesterol and protects against cognitive decline. The road to getting healthier includes incorporating natural olive oil into your diet. So you probably have some “extra virgin” olive oil in your cupboard that you use to make “healthy” salads. But what if you found out that your olive oil was a sham—a fake food designed to fool both regulators and the public, made from a mixture of olive oil and processed sunflower, soy or hazelnut oil? That it wasn’t healthy at all; in fact it wasn’t any better or less toxic than the processed supermarket oils you must avoid. You’d probably be pretty angry about it. Well, if you don’t already know about the olive oil scandal, be prepared to be outraged. One of the…