PreNatal Vitamins – A Review

You’re pregnant – Congratulations!

You have been careful to do everything just right and your hard work and attention to detail has paid off. Now you need to be sure that you are just as careful during this pre-natal period as you were in your pre-pregnancy period so that you can have an uneventful pregnancy and a happy, healthy baby.

The old saying “you are eating now for two” has a lot of truth to it (though it’s not an excuse to go overboard!) and it holds true for all essential nutrients. If your diet is lacking in any nutrient, that can be reflected in the development and health of your baby-to-be.

Let’s look at some of the nutrients that are essential for baby’s healthy development in the womb.

The Big Three:

Folic Acid / Folate

Folic acid is one of the best known of the prenatal essentials, since it is needed for proper development of brain and spinal cord. Neural Tube Defects such as Spina Bifida can result from folic acid deficiency. Low folate status has also been linked to recurrent pregnancy loss, low birth weight and a variety of age-related high risk complications of pregnancy.

One of the B Vitamins, folic acid is a synthetic form of folate found in many nutritional supplements. Synthetic folic acid is metabolized in the body into the useable form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Approximately 10% of the general population lack the enzymes needed to receive any benefit from folic acid and another 40% of the population may convert only a limited amount of folic acid into 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and cannot fully process supplemental folic acid at higher doses or even RDA levels The remaining 50% of the population do metabolize folic acid more efficiently, but obtaining folate in its 5-methyltetrahydrofolate form avoids any concerns about effective metabolization. Conventional medicine recommends a daily intake of 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) daily.

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D are vital especially during the third trimester, when baby’s bones are growing and strengthening. Conventional medicine recommends 250 milligrams (mg) of calcium and 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily.

The usual recommendation is to obtain calcium through diet – from “fortified foods” and milk and dairy products. Unfortunately, milk and many dairy products contain casein which can be very problematic for many people. Further, calcium taken without an appropriate amount of magnesium to balance it will have only very minor bone-building effects. Magnesium must be a part of any formula that contains calcium.

Calcium also tends to contain an unwanted substance, lead. This includes natural sources of calcium, like milk and dairy, leafy green vegetables as well as almost all calcium supplements.

While the lead that may be present in supplements is undesirable, this must be balanced with the need for calcium for fetal development. Some forms of calcium supplements such as calcium citrate and calcium malate are better absorbed and tend to have lower levels of lead. And, according to The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group of Australia, “Lead is released from the bone through resorption (the recycling of calcium and other minerals including lead from the bone to the bloodstream) during pregnancy, and there is strong evidence that calcium supplements reduce blood lead during this crucial period, in turn reducing lead levels in the newborn child.”

Vitamin D and calcium work hand-in-hand for bone creation and health, and vitamin D is perhaps best obtained in the form that Mother Nature intended – that is, from sunlight on skin. Our skin can produce approximately 10,000 IU of Vitamin D in response to as little as 30 minutes of unprotected summer sun exposure – but obviously this is neither practical nor even possible for many people and so vitamin D deficiency is very common. Supplementation becomes essential, but should be done carefully at higher doses. Vitamin D testing is available inexpensively and can remove the element of guesswork.

Recent research is suggesting that very high doses of vitamin D, once thought to possibly cause birth defects, are not only safe, but even beneficial. Neonatologist Carol L. Wagner, of the Medical University of South Carolina reports that in her study women who took 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily in their second and third trimesters not only showed no evidence of harm, they had half the rate of pregnancy-related complications like gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or preeclampsia, as women who took 400 IU of vitamin D every day and they were also less likely to give birth prematurely.

Learn more about Vitamin D here.

Iron

Iron is almost universally recommended for prenatal vitamins by conventional medicine in doses of around 30 to 60 mg daily

During pregnancy, more iron is needed to supply the growing baby and placenta, and iron supports normal brain development in the fetus. In the third trimester baby builds up iron stores for the first six months of life. Iron deficiency can lead to maternal anemia, premature delivery, low birth weight, and an increased risk of perinatal infant mortality.

However necessary iron is, it is neither benign nor free of problems and side effects. The most common form of supplemental iron, iron sulfate or ferrous fumarate, is about as absorbable as swallowing nails, and frequently causes either diarrhea or (more often) constipation and nausea – not something that is desirable for a mom in the first trimester especially! Iron-containing supplements can also be highly toxic to children.

A more bioavailable form of iron called heme iron is not only better absorbed but also causes far less side effects. One clinical study demonstrated that heme iron increased serum iron levels 23 times better than ferrous fumarate on a milligram-per-milligram basis.

Excessive iron levels, while not common during pregnancy, can be problematic and iron supplementation should be guided by the information obtained with regular, routine lab studies – especially serum ferritin. Thus, it may be wise to use a separate iron supplement instead of a prenatal containing iron as this allows fine-tuning instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all dose of this important nutrient.

Important Supplement Interaction Note: Calcium, taken at the same time or within an hour or two of taking iron can interfere with the absorption of iron – another very good reason to not include iron in a multiple vitamin that contains calcium!

Those are the “Big Three” of supplements almost universally recommended by conventional medicine.

Many conventional doctors are now recognizing the value of Omega 3 fatty acids to both mother and baby-to-be.

Omega 3 fatty acids, in the form of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) each have unique benefits. EPA is important to the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response and DHA supports development of the brain, eyes, and central nervous system.

While many people think that flaxseed and flaxseed oil contain omega-3s. That is true, but flaxseed contains a short chain omega-3, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is different from the longer-chain EPA and DHA. It was once thought that we could convert ALA to EPA and DHA, but current research shows that this conversion rarely occurs and only very inefficiently when it does happen.

Fish oil is the most reliable source of EPA and DHA but because of concerns with contamination of fish by mercury and other pollutants it is important to choose a fish oil supplement that is highly purified and certified free of contaminants. Further, these oils are easily damaged by heat, so low-temperature processing such as molecular distillation is essential to prevent oxidation.

Liquid oils may be preferred by those who dislike swallowing capsules, but can be hard to tolerate due to their taste and many are artificially flavored and colored in an attempt to make them more palatable. Capsules can likewise cause “fishy burps” for some, especially if their digestion is poor. Some premium quality fish oil supplements are supplied in enteric coated capsules which avoid the “fishy burps” problem by passing through the stomach intact before dissolving in the small intestine for absorption.

Other conventional recommendations for inclusion in a prenatal vitamin usually include:

Vitamin A. Most sources recommend between 4000 and 5000 IU per day, and warn about the potential for “large doses” to be teratogenic (causing birth defects). The World Health says that “During pregnancy, a daily supplement should not exceed 10,000 IU.”

All vitamin A is not the same however. Retinyl palmitate which preformed vitamin A is the most common form and comes from animal sources. Beta carotene, a provitamin, is derived from vegetable sources – carrots being a good example. Retinyl palmitate is the form that is acknowledged to be a possible teratogen in very high doses. Beta carotene has never been associated with any teratogenic risk.

Vitamin C is usually included in prenatal vitamins since it is necessary for collagen synthesis which is important to your baby’s normal development of connective tissues. The RDA for pregnant women as stated by the USDA is a comically low 85 mg per day – just about enough to prevent scurvy. Having a low intake of vitamin C may be associated with complications in pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, anemia and having a small baby.

Unlike most other animals, humans do not make vitamin C – we have lost that ability and must obtain it from diet or supplements. It is very important to remember this when reading research that details ill effects caused by high doses of vitamin C given to lab rats. Vitamin C is water soluble and is not retained to any degree in the body – any excess is quickly flushed out in the urine.

In the experience of Dr. Frederick R. Klenner who published his findings in the Journal of Applied Nutrition in 1971, doses of from 4 grams to 15 grams per day of vitamin C given to pregnant women conferred significant benefits to both baby and mother.

In Dr. Kenners words: “Observations made on over 300 consecutive obstetrical cases using supplemental ascorbic acid, by mouth, convinced me that failure to use this agent in sufficient amounts in pregnancy borders on malpractice.”

There are anecdotal reports on the internet and other places of vitamin C being used as an abortificant. This may be related to the lab rat studies mentioned above. The dosages usually quoted for this purpose are in the region of from 6 to 12 grams per day for 5 to 10 days, and most sources are very specific that only pure ascorbic acid may be used because any bioflavonoids will “work to prevent miscarriage.”

Finally, for vitamin C, there is a recent study showing that vitamin C has a protective effect on the lungs of all babies, and especially those born to mothers who smoke:

“Vitamin C is a simple, safe and inexpensive treatment that may decrease the impact of smoking during pregnancy on childhood respiratory health,” said lead author Cynthia McEvoy, associate professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “Though the lung function of all babies born to smokers in our study was improved by supplemental vitamin C,” she said, “our preliminary data suggest that vitamin C appeared to help those babies at the greatest risk of harm during their development from their mother’s smoking in pregnancy.”

The B vitamins group includes folate – which is widely recognized as necessary to prevent Neural Tube Defects in baby. This group also includes a number of other related vitamins with a wide variety of positive effects on both mother and baby.

Vitamin B-6 is well-known to be useful in combatting nausea during pregnancy (though the reason for this is not yet known), and vitamin B-12 is strongly linked to neural (brain and nervous system) development in baby. Inadequate B-12 levels may also contribute to pre-term delivery.

Vitamin E is best known for its importance to fertility, but it is also important during pregnancy. According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006: “In summary, our results suggest that α-tocopherol is positively associated with fetal growth. It is plausible that circulating concentrations of α-tocopherol could be associated with some increase in fetal growth by greater blood flow and nutrient supply to the fetus.”

Maternal vitamin E deficiency may be associated with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension.

Vitamin K – most commonly known as “clotting factor” – is not normally considered to be essential for baby’s development by conventional medicine. However, developing teeth and bones contain two proteins that need vitamin K to function: matrix gla protein is necessary to keep growing cartilage from calcifying prematurely and bone gla protein is important for tooth mineralisation.

Vitamin K deficiencies can cause severe developmental defects as was demonstrated by an unfortunate baby born to a mother who had been on warfarin therapy during pregnancy. The warfarin drug essentially creates a vitamin K deficient state and the child was born with facial and spinal deformity and calcifications and was quadriplegic by 20 months. Clearly, adequate to generous vitamin K status during pregnancy is critical for normal fetal development. There are 2 natural forms of vitamin K: K1- phytonadione and K2 menaquinone. K1 is converted in the body to K2 and for this reason Dr. Myatt prefers the K2 form for supplementation.

Biotin deficiencies have been linked in rat studies to limb and palate defects – but there has been little research in humans except for studies that show biotin deficiencies are common during pregnancy.

The minerals: Iodine, magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper and others.

Conventional medicine thinks little about minerals other than iron in pregnancy, however these trace minerals are all highly important to your growing baby as they participate in many enzyme and transcription factors that are critical to the correct functioning of developing DNA and RNA. With actions closely inter-related, deficiencies in one mineral can also affect the function and availability of other minerals.

Copper deficiencies can result in skin, neuronal and hair abnormalities and possibly to breathing problems such as persistent respiratory distress syndrome and to an increased risk of aortic aneurysm in early life because of reduced elasticity of these structures.

Zinc is essential to hundreds of enzymes and proteins and deficiencies can cause birth defects and post-natal problems for baby. Zinc is vital to immunity and deficiency can result in permanently compromised immunity for baby. Deficiency can also cause complications of labor including premature rupture of membranes and an increased risk of pre-term delivery.

Maternal iodine requirements increase during pregnancy, mostly due to increased thyroid activity. Iodine deficiency can lead to cretinism.

Selenium is essential to the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and to the function of glutathione – a vital antioxidant in our bodies and also important for metabolic and biochemical processes such as DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport, and enzyme activation. It is also thought that selenium and iodine work together to prevent cretinism.

What’s important in a prenatal multivitamin?

Cost?
Price can be an important factor in the decision to purchase and take a multivitamin. Bargain prices are attractive, but these may come with suboptimal potency, substandard quality, inappropriate forms of ingredients, poor bio-availability or unwanted contaminants. A half-price vitamin is no bargain if one has to take twice as much of it to achieve the same effect!

Quality?
The world of vitamins, minerals, and supplements is still “the wild west” – largely unregulated, with few consequences for those sellers who put more effort into their sales copy than their quality control. Wild claims and glowing “patient testimonials” are often a tip-off to this sort of seller. A conscientious formulator or seller will also be able to provide a very important document, the Certificate of Analysis or CofA for a product to attest to its purity and potency.

Number of pills per day?
There is no such thing as an optimal dose “one-a-day” vitamin. It is simply not possible to put meaningful doses of vitamins, minerals and nutrients into a single pill or capsule of any reasonable size. Those multivitamins that claim to do so end up having “pixie dust” doses of ingredients in them. Read the product label, and be sure that you are receiving meaningful, optimal doses of nutrients. Experience has shown us that optimal doses cannot be achieved in less than 6 to 9 capsules of a reasonable size. These should be taken divided into three times per day since many vitamins are water-soluble and do not remain in the body for long.

Chewable? Liquid? Tablet? Capsule?
Let’s face it – taking pills is no fun. Even less if they are large. Candy-like chewable or “gummy” formulations have become popular, as have liquid preparations since they are easier to swallow. Unfortunately, many vitamins and most minerals taste terrible, and so it takes a lot of flavoring, sweetening, and coloring to make them palatable. Do you really want to be eating artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial food colorings, and preservatives when you are carrying your new baby-to-? Tablets have a different problem, in that they often don’t dissolve well especially if digestion is weak and almost any nurse can tell stories of seeing vitamin tablets passed out into a bedpan looking virtually unchanged. Capsules tend to dissolve more easily.

One pill with everything in it?
As we have seen, there are good reasons to keep some nutrients separate from others. For example, calcium interferes with the absorption of iron and prenatal formulations that contain both these minerals make little sense. On the other hand, some nutrients are synergistic – calcium should always be accompanied by magnesium and copper should always accompany zinc to avoid deficiencies. A well-designed multiple accounts for these factors, providing maximum benefit with a minimum of separate products.

A good formulation would include plant enzymes to ensure absorption of nutrients since many people have deficient digestion. Also, a formula must be hypoallergenic, ultra-pure and suitable for even highly sensitive individuals. Some potential problems to look for are artificial flavors, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, corn, gluten, casein, soy, yeast, lactose, sugar or high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and fillers. Some fillers and flow agents may be needed to allow a product to be packed into capsules, but these should be natural, functional, and the minimum possible consistent with good manufacturing practice.

What should a good formulation look like?

Opinions vary wildly. Much of conventional medicine is vitamin-phobic and will recommend that vitamins are best obtained “from a healthy diet.” Others are fond of mega-doses of vitamins or minerals for a variety of usually unproven reasons. The internet is full of theories, advice, conjecture and fantasy from scientists, laypeople and salespeople. Who to believe?

Dr. Myatt has applied over 23 years of clinical experience and a lot of scientific research to the formulation of her Maxi Multi. She believes that it is a perfect multivitamin for pre-conception, pre-natal, and post-natal use. Is it a complete, one product solution? Of course not! As we have seen, there are some nutrients that must be taken separately from a multiple vitamin, like iron and Omega-3 fish oil. These and other nutrients will be needed in different doses at different stages and so should be taken as needed.

With this consideration, her Maxi Multi is the most complete optimal dose multiple vitamin, mineral, and trace nutrient formula available and we always suggest that comparison shoppers use the Maxi Multi ingredient list as a standard that they can compare other formulations to.

Here is the Maxi Multi ingredient list:

Nine (9) Capsules (the recommended daily dose) contain:

Vitamin A (as natural beta-carotene) from D. salina

15,000 IU

Vitamin A (from palmitate)

2500 IU

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate)

1200 mg

Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol)

800 IU

Vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols)

400 IU

Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone)

150 mcg

Vitamin B-1 (as thiamin hydrochloride)

100 mg

Vitamin B-2 as Riboflavin

60 mg

Niacin (as niacinamide and inositol hexanicotinate)

200 mg

Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal-5-phosphate)

100 mg

Folate – 5-methyltetrahydrofolate

800 mcg

Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin)

400 mcg

Biotin

300 mcg

Pantothenic acid (as d-calcium pantothenate)

400 mg

Calcium (as carbonate, citrate, malate)

1000 mg

Iodine (from kelp)

150 mcg

Magnesium (as mg oxide, aspartate, citrate)

500 mg

Zinc (as zinc monomethionine)

20 mg

Selenium (as l-selenomethionine)

200 mcg

Copper (as copper amino acid chelate)

2 mg

Manganese (as amino acid chelate, gluconate, aspartate)

5 mg

Chromium (as picolinate and polynicotinate )

200 mcg

Molybdenum (as molybdenum amino acid chelate)

150 mcg

Potassium (as aspartate, chloride and succinate)

99 mg

Choline (as choline citrate and bitartrate)

350 mg

Inositol (Inositol, Inositol hexanicotinate)

200 mg

Vanadium (as vanadyl sulfate)

20 mcg

Boron (amino acid chelate)

2 mg

para-aminobenzoic acid

50 mg

Citrus bioflavonoids

100 mg

Lipase (8,000 USP u /g)

27.5 mg

Amylase (1,000,000 FCC u /g)

19 mg

Protease (5,000,000 FCC u /g)

5 mg

Other ingredients:  Gelatin, water (capsule), Arabinogalactan from Western Larch leaf, magnesium stearate and silica.

Dr. Myatt encourages her patients and customers to “comparison shop” to be sure that they are getting exactly what they need, and nothing that they don’t need – and to make sure they are getting the best quality and value for their money. The best way to do that is to compare actualingredients lists – not just advertising claims. The claim “Everything you need in one easy-to-swallow pill” sounds great, but a look at the label shows that claim to be misleading – such a formula is almost certain to be lacking in meaningful doses.

We have compared a few popular pre-natal formulas with Dr. Myatt’s Maxi Multi for you:

Daily intake of nutrients from recommended daily serving:

Nature’s Way Completia Prenatal:
2 tabs twice daily

Rainbow Light Prenatal:
One tab once daily

Thorne Research Basic Prenatal:
one cap 3 times daily

Vital Nutrients Prenatal: 6 caps daily

Dr. Myatt’s
Maxi Multi Optimal Dose:
3 caps three times daily

Vitamin A (as natural beta-carotene) from D. salina

8000 IU

4000IU

3000 IU

7500 IU
beta carotene, mixed carotenoids, vit. A acetate

15,000 IU

Vitamin A (from palmitate)

2000 IU

2500 IU

Vitamin C

120 mg
calcium ascorbate

100 mg
ascorbic acid

150 mg
ascorbic acid

500 mg

1200 mg
ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbate and calcium ascorbate

Vitamin D3

400 IU

400 IU
D2 Ergocalciferol

1000 IU

800 IU

800 IU

Vitamin E

30 IU
as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate

30 IU
as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate

50 IU
as d-alpha tocopheryl

400 IU
as d-alpha tocopheryl

400 IU
as mixed tocopherols

Vitamin K

90 mcg
K1:
phytonadione

65 mcg
K1:
phytonadione

100 mcg
K1:
phytonadione

100 mcg
K1

150 mcg
K2: menaquinone

Vitamin B-1

1700 mcg
thiamin mononitrate

10 mg
thiamin mononitrate

4 mg
thiamin hydrochloride

50 mg

100 mg
thiamin hydrochloride

Vitamin B-2 as Riboflavin

2 mg

10 mg

3.6 mg

10 mg

60 mg

Niacin

20 mg
niacinamide

20 mg
niacinamide

30 mg
niacinamide

50 mg
niacinamide

200 mg
niacinamide and inositol hexanicotinate

Vitamin B6

2.5 mg
pyridoxine hydrochloride

15 mg
pyridoxine hydrochloride

10 mg
pyridoxal-5-phosphate

50 mg
pyridoxine hydrochloride

100 mg
pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal-5-phosphate

Folate

800 mcg
folic acid

800 mcg
folic acid

1000 mcg:
500 mcg as Calcium Folinate and 500 mcg as 5-mthf

400 mcg
L-5-mthf

800 mcg
L-5-mthf

Vitamin B12

8 mcg
cyanocobalamin

25 mcg
cyanocobalamin

200 mcg:
100 mcg as adenosylcobalamin and 100 mcg as methylcobalamin

200 mcg
methylcobalamin

400 mcg
methylcobalamin

Biotin

300 mcg

300 mcg

50 mcg

300 mcg

300 mcg

Pantothenic acid (as d-calcium pantothenate)

10 mg

15 mg

16 mg

100 mg

400 mg

Calcium (as carbonate, citrate, malate)

720 mg

200 mg

200 mg

400 mg

1000 mg

Iron

45 mg

30 mg

45 mg

30 mg

0

Iodine (from kelp)

150 mcg

150 mcg

150 mcg as Potassium Iodide

225 mcg as Potassium Iodide

150 mcg

Magnesium

300 mg
oxide, citrate

100 mg
oxide

100 mg
citrate, malate

200 mg
malate

500 mg
oxide, aspartate, citrate

Zinc

15 mg
chelate

15 mg
citrate

25 mg
picolinate

25 mg

20 mg
monomethionine

Selenium (as l-selenomethionine)

25 mcg

100 mcg

50 mcg

200 mcg

200 mcg

Copper (as copper amino acid chelate)

2 mg

2 mg

2 mg
picolinate

2 mg
glycinate

2 mg

Manganese

2 mg
chelate

2 mg
citrate

5 mg
picolinate

5 mg
citrate

5 mg
chelate, gluconate, aspartate

Chromium

50 mcg
polynicotinate

120 mcg
nicotinate

100 mcg
picolinate

200 mcg
polynicotinate

200 mcg
picolinate and polynicotinate

Molybdenum (as molybdenum amino acid chelate)

75 mcg

50 mcg
picolinate

50 mcg
citrate

150 mcg

Potassium

50 mg
chelate

10 mg

90 mg
chloride

99 mg
aspartate, chloride and succinate

Choline

4 mg
bitartrate

10 mg

350 mg
choline citrate and bitartrate

Inositol

10 mg

10 mg

200 mg
Inositol, Inositol hexanicotinate

Vanadium (as vanadyl sulfate)

50 mcg

20 mcg

Boron (amino acid chelate)

1 mg

1 mg
picolinate

1 mg

2 mg

para-aminobenzoic acid

2 mg

50 mg

Citrus bioflavonoids

200 mg
raspberry leaf, dandelion root, nettle leaf, peppermint leaf

90 mg
“Gentle Prenatal Blend” Flavonoids

100 mg

DHA

50 mg
from tuna

0

Lipase (8,000 USP u /g)

“Complete Digestive Support“
24 mg, Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase

27.5 mg

Amylase (1,000,000 FCC u /g)

19 mg

Protease (5,000,000 FCC u /g)

5 mg

References and Additional Information:

Fernández-Ballart J.D: Iron Metabolism during Pregnancy. Clinical Drug Investigation, Volume 19, Supplement 1, 2000 , pp. 9-19(11)
On average, about 4.6mg of absorbed iron per day is needed during the second and third trimesters, or about 3.3mg per day more than in the nonpregnant state, to complete a full pregnancy cycle without iron deficit.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/adis/cdi/2000/00000019/a00100s1/art00002

A clinical study demonstrated that HIP increased serum iron levels 23 times greater than ferrous fumarate on a milligram-per-milligram basis.
http://www.proferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/HIP.pdf

The LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group
Lead is released from the bone through resorption (the recycling of calcium and other minerals including lead from the bone to the bloodstream) during pregnancy, and there is strong evidence that calcium supplements reduce blood lead during this crucial period, in turn reducing lead levels in the newborn child.
and
Unfortunately calcium interferes with the absorption of iron and should not be consumed in significant quantities (more than one glass of milk or 2 slices of cheese) in conjunction with iron rich meals. Calcium can also interfere with phosphorus absorption.
http://www.lead.org.au/lanv10n2/lanv10n2-11.html

Ministry of Health Canada, Prenatal Nutrition Guidelines for Health Professionals – Iron Contributes to a Healthy Pregnancy, 2009
During pregnancy, women need more iron to support the increased maternal red blood cell mass. This supplies the growing fetus and placenta, and supports normal brain development in the fetus. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the fetus builds iron stores for the first six months of life (Fernández-Ballart, 2000).
and,
There are three main inhibitors of non-heme iron absorption in the diet: polyphenols from tea and coffee, phytate in legumes and some vegetables, unrefined rice and grains, and calcium at levels greater than 300 mg (Hallberg and Huthen, 2000).
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/nutrition/iron-fer-eng.php

Leif Hallberg: Does calcium interfere with iron absorption? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998
The balance of evidence thus clearly indicates that calcium in amounts present in many meals inhibits the absorption of both heme and nonheme iron.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/68/1/3.full.pdf

Véronique Azaïs-Braesco and Gérard Pascal: Vitamin A in pregnancy: requirements and safety limits. American Society for Clinical Nutrition 2000
The recommendations of the World Health Organization can be summarized as follows:
During pregnancy, a daily supplement should not exceed 10 000 IU (3000 RE) and a weekly supplement should not exceed 25 000 IU (7500 RE).

and
Today, vitamin A supplementation is the most efficient way of correcting vitamin A deficiency. Its only drawback is the potential risk of teratogenesis. Interesting attempts have been made to replace vitamin A with the provitamin β-carotene, which has never been associated with any teratogenic risk.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/71/5/1325s.full

Linda Houtkooper, Vanessa A. Farrell: Calcium Supplement Guidelines, University of Arizona
Dolomite, Oyster shell, and Bone Meal are naturally occuring calcium carbonate sources which may contain heavy metals, including lead. Minimizing lead intake is important for pregnant and nursing women, and children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set an upper limit for the amount of lead a calcium supplement can contain (7.5 micrograms per 1000 milligrams of calcium).
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1042.pdf

C Carlier et.al. A randomised controlled trial to test equivalence between retinyl palmitate and beta carotene for vitamin A deficiency. BMJ 1993;307:1106
beta carotene is therapeutically equivalent to retinyl palmitate
http://www.bmj.com/content/307/6912/1106

americanpregnancy.org
Omega-3s have been found to be essential for both neurological and early visual development of the baby. However, the standard western diet is severely deficient in these critical nutrients. This omega-3 dietary deficiency is compounded by the fact that pregnant women become depleted in omega-3s, when the fetus uses omega-3s for its nervous system development. Omega-3s are also used after birth to make breast milk. With each subsequent pregnancy, mothers are further depleted. Research has confirmed that adding EPA and DHA to the diet of pregnant women has a positive effect on visual and cognitive development of the baby. Studies have also shown that higher consumption of omega-3s may reduce the risk of allergies in infants.
Omega-3 fatty acids have positive effects on the pregnancy itself. Increased intake of EPA and DHA has been shown to prevent pre-term labor and delivery, lower the risk of pre-eclampsia and may increase birth weight. Omega-3 deficiency also increases the mother’s risk for depression. This may explain why postpartum mood disorders may become worse and begin earlier with subsequent pregnancies.

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/omega3fishoil.html

High Doses of Vitamin D May Cut Pregnancy Risks: Study Shows 4,000 IU a Day of Vitamin D May Reduce Preterm Birth and Other Risks. WebMD Health News, May 4, 2010
Women who take high doses of vitamin D during pregnancy have a greatly reduced risk of complications, including gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and infection, new research suggests. Based on the findings, study researchers are recommending that pregnant women take 4,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D every day — at least 10 times the amount recommended by various health groups.
http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20100504/high-doses-of-vitamin-d-may-cut-pregnancy-risk

Cleveland Clinic Prenatal Vitamin Recommendations
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2800/2801.asp?index=9754

Javert CT, Stander HJ (1943). “Plasma Vitamin C and Prothrombin Concentration in Pregnancy and in Threatened, Spontaneous, and Habitual Abortion”. Surgery, Gynecology, and Obstetrics 76: 115–122.
However, in a previous study of 79 women with threatened, previous spontaneous, or habitual abortion, Javert and Stander (1943) had 91% success with 33 patients who received vitamin C together with bioflavonoids and vitamin K (only three abortions), whereas all of the 46 patients who did not receive the vitamins aborted.

Frederick R. Klenner, M.D., F.C.C.P. : Observations On the Dose and Administration of Ascorbic Acid When Employed Beyond the Range Of A Vitamin In Human Pathology. Journal of Applied Nutrition Vol. 23, No’s 3 & 4, Winter 1971
Observations made on over 300 consecutive obstetrical cases using supplemental ascorbic acid, by mouth, convinced me that failure to use this agent in sufficient amounts in pregnancy borders on malpractice. The lowest amount of ascorbic acid used was 4 grams and the highest amount 15 grams each day. (Remember the rat-no stress manufactures equivalent “C” up to 4 grams and with stress up to 15.2 grams). Requirements were roughly 4 grams first trimester, 6 grams second trimester and 10 grams third trimester. Approximately 20 percent required 15 grams, each day, during last trimester. Eighty percent of this series received a booster injection of 10 grams, intravenously, on admission to the hospital. Hemoglobin levels were much easier to maintain. Leg cramps were less than three percent and always was associated with “getting out” of Vitamin C tablets. Striae gravidarum was seldom encountered and when it was present there existed an associated problem of too much eating and too little walking. The capacity of the skin to resist the pressure of an expanding uterus will also vary in different individuals. Labor was shorter and less painful. There were no postpartum hemorrhages. The perineum was found to be remarkably elastic and episiotomy was performed electively. Healing was always by first intention and even after 15 and 20 years following the last child the firmness of the perineum is found to be similar to that of a primigravida in those who have continued their daily supplemental vitamin C. No patient required catheterization. No toxic manifestations were demonstrated in this series. There was no cardiac stress even though 22 patients of the series had rheumatic hearts. One patient in particular was carried through two pregnancies without complications. She had been warned by her previous obstetrician that a second pregnancy would terminate with a maternal death. She received no ascorbic acid with her first pregnancy. This lady has been back teaching school for the past 10 years. She still takes 10 grams of ascorbic acid daily. Infants born under massive ascorbic acid therapy were all robust. Not a single case required resuscitation. We experienced no feeding problems. The Fultz quadruplets were in this series. They took milk nourishment on the second day. These babies were started on 50 mg ascorbic acid the first day and, of course, this was increased as time went on. Our only nursery equipment was one hospital bed, an old, used single unit hot plate and an equally old 10 quart kettle. Humidity and ascorbic acid tells this story. They are the only quadruplets that have survived in southeastern United States. Another case of which I am justly proud is one in which we delivered 10 children to one couple. All are healthy and good looking. There were no miscarriages. All are living and well. They are frequently referred to as the vitamin C kids, in fact all of the babies from this series were called “Vitamin C Babies” by the nursing personnel–they were distinctly different.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/klennerpaper.html

HomeSpun – A Women’s Networking Newsletter: Home Abortion Remedy – Vitamin C
I found this recipe in a book called “A Woman’s Book of Choices: Abortion, Menstrual Extraction, RU-486” by Rebecca Chalker and Carol Downer.
The books says to take 6-10 grams of ascorbic acid a day for 5-10 days. It says specifically ascorbic acid. Don’t use vitamin C with bioflaviniods in it, because they work to prevent miscarriage. Read the label and check the ingredients, write down what to look for if you think you won’t remember when you get to the store. Tons of vitamin c products are available, look for the cheap generic brands, they are usually the ones that have pure ascorbic acid. Don’t use anything that has Rose-hips in it, they conntain bio-flaveniods which help to prevent miscarriage.

http://www.sisterzeus.com/Hsp1shlp.htm

American Academy of Pediatrics 4 May 2013
Vitamin C may head off lung problems in babies born to pregnant smokers
“Though the lung function of all babies born to smokers in our study was improved by supplemental vitamin C,” she said, “our preliminary data suggest that vitamin C appeared to help those babies at the greatest risk of harm during their development from their mother’s smoking in pregnancy.”
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-05/aaop-vcm042613.php
http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS13L1_1165.7

Surén P, et al.: Association between maternal use of folic acid supplements and risk of autism spectrum disorders in children. JAMA. 2013 Feb 13;309(6):570-7. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.155925.
” Use of prenatal folic acid supplements around the time of conception was associated with a lower risk of autistic disorder in the MoBa cohort. Although these findings cannot establish causality, they do support prenatal folic acid supplementation.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23403681

Molloy AM, et.al.: Effects of folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies during pregnancy on fetal, infant, and child development. Food Nutr Bull. 2008 Jun;29(2 Suppl):S101-11; discussion S112-5.
The role of folic acid in prevention of neural tube defects (NTD) is now established, and several studies suggest that this protection may extend to some other birth defects.In terms of maternal health, clinical vitamin B12 deficiency may be a cause of infertility or recurrent spontaneous abortion. Starting pregnancy with an inadequate vitamin B12 status may increase risk of birth defects such as NTD, and may contribute to preterm delivery, although this needs further evaluation. Furthermore, inadequate vitamin B12 status in the mother may lead to frank deficiency in the infant if sufficient fetal stores of vitamin B12 are not laid down during pregnancy or are not available in breastmilk.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18709885

Theresa O Scholl, et.al.: Vitamin E: maternal concentrations are associated with fetal growth. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 December; 84(6): 1442–1448.
In summary, our results suggest that α-tocopherol is positively associated with fetal growth. It is plausible that circulating concentrations of α-tocopherol could be associated with some increase in fetal growth by greater blood flow and nutrient supply to the fetus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876684/

Howe AM, et.al.: Severe cervical dysplasia and nasal cartilage calcification following prenatal warfarin exposure. Am J Med Genet. 1997 Sep 5;71(4):391-6.
It supports the hypothesis that warfarin interferes with the prenatal growth of the cartilaginous nasal septum by inhibiting the normal formation of a vitamin K-dependent protein that prevents calcification of cartilage. The child also had severe abnormalities of the cervical vertebrae and secondary damage to the spinal cord.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9286443

Harry J McArdle and Cheryl J Ashworth: Micronutrients in fetal growth and development
-Developing teeth and bone contain two vitamin K dependent proteins; matrix gla protein, necessary to maintain growing cartilage in a noncalcified state and bone gla protein which is important for tooth mineralisation. -Maternal vitamin E deficiency may, however, be associated with pre-eclampsia and accumulation of lipid peroxidase products in vitamin E deficient mothers causes vasoconstriction and consequent pregnancy induced hypertension
http://bmb.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/3/499.full.pdf

Nature’s Way Prenatal
http://www.naturesway.com/products/Vitamins/14903-Completia-Prenatal-Multivitamin.aspx

Vital Nutrients Prenatal
http://www.vitalnutrients.net/Products/Product.aspx?ID=123

Thorne Research Prenatal
http://www.thorne.com/products/womens-health/prd~vmp.jsp

Rainbow Light Prenatal
http://www.rainbowlight.com/prenatal-vitamins-prenatal-one-multivitamin.aspx

PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a tragedy because it affects so many young women who desperately want to have babies of their own – and it affects their partners and other family members as well.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries and, in some cases the adrenal glands, produce more androgens (a type of hormone) than normal.  High levels of these hormones interfere with the development and release of eggs as part of ovulation.  As a result, fluid-filled sacs or cysts can develop on the ovaries.

Because women with PCOS do not release eggs during ovulation, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.

How does PCOS affect fertility?

A woman’s ovaries have follicles, which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs that hold the eggs. When an egg is mature, the follicle breaks open to release the egg so it can travel to the uterus for fertilization.

In women with PCOS, immature follicles bunch together to form large cysts or lumps. The eggs mature within the bunched follicles, but the follicles don’t break open to release them.

Normal and PolyCystic Ovaries

Image courtesy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As a result, women with PCOS often have menstrual irregularities, such as amenorrhea (they don’t get menstrual periods) or oligomenorrhea (they only have periods now and then). Because the eggs are not released, most women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

In addition to infertility, women with PCOS may also have:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Hirsutism, or excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes
  • Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
  • Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
  • Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin

Also, women who are obese are more likely to have PCOS.

Although it is hard for women with PCOS to get pregnant, some do get pregnant, naturally or using assistive reproductive technology.  Women with PCOS are at higher risk for miscarriage if they do become pregnant.

Women with PCOS are also at higher risk for associated conditions, such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Metabolic syndrome—sometimes called a precursor to diabetes, this syndrome indicates that the body has trouble regulating its insulin
  • Cardiovascular disease—including heart disease and high blood pressure

What is the treatment for PCOS?

Conventional medicine says here is no cure for PCOS, but holistic doctors like Dr. Myatt believe that many of the symptoms can often be managed, improved greatly, or even eliminated with carefully targeted natural therapies.

It is important to have PCOS diagnosed and treated early to help prevent associated problems.

Conventional medicine will offer medications that may help control the symptoms, such as birth control pills to regulate menstruation, reduce androgen levels, and clear acne. Other medications can reduce cosmetic problems, such as hair growth, and control blood pressure and cholesterol. Many of these medicines have significant, serious, even dangerous side effects.

Naturopathic physicians like Dr. Myatt can offer more natural solutions including metabolic modification diets, hormone testing and balancing, strategies for the reduction of inflammatory factors, and more.

Lifestyle changes such as corrective diet and regular exercise will aid weight loss and help reduce blood sugar levels and regulate insulin levels more effectively.  Weight loss can help lessen many of the health conditions associated with PCOS and can make symptoms be less severe or even disappear.

Surgical treatment may also be offered as an option, but it is not recommended as the first course of treatment.

Recent research has also examined the effects of the anti-diabetes drug metformin on fertility in women with PCOS. Dr. Myatt can help her patients to understand the mechanisms of this option.

Extensive recent human research also shows that myo-Inositol, a part of the B-complex family, helps to support healthy ovulatory activity, ovarian function, and reproductive system function

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Your health care provider will take a medical history and do a pelvic exam to feel for cysts on your ovaries.  He or she may also do a vaginal ultrasound and recommend blood tests to measure hormone levels.

When examining hormone levels, remember that your conventional doctor will almost always order a blood test. (and it is likely that a blood test is the only hormone test your disease insurance will pay for) This blood test, while technically accurate, is only a “snapshot” – an accurate picture of your hormone levels only at the moment the test was performed.

Sex hormones are made and secreted in “waves” over a 24 hour period and a blood test cannot show the averages of those waves or highs and lows.

A more accurate test is an examination of saliva – this will provide a look at hormone levels over the past few hours. It still runs the risk of catching a “peak” or “trough” of a hormone level and thus providing an erroneous result. Dr. Myatt finds this to be a useful test when performed and interpreted correctly and offers it as an economical alternative to more expensive (and more accurate) 24 hour urine testing – find more information here.

The “Gold Standard” of hormone testing is considered to be the 24 hour urine collection. While it may be a bit time-consuming and awkward for someone who is busy and “on-the-go” it will provide the most accurate possible look at overall hormone health as it will show your body’s hormone production over a full 24 hour period.

Dr. Myatt finds that the 24 hour  COMPREHENSIVE PLUS HORMONE PROFILE is the most accurate and useful of the hormone tests when performed and interpreted correctly. Interpretation of the results of this test, which includes and examination not only of the major sex hormones but of their intermediates and metabolites as well, is time consuming and complicated – this may be one reason most conventional doctors are reluctant to perform it. Dr. Myatt spends a great deal of time analysing the results of this test for her patients and she offers Brief Phone Consultations to non-patients.

Other tests may include measuring levels of insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides. Vitamin D levels, and Iodine levels.

Iodine Testing is especially important to PCOS since so many Americans are Iodine deficient and Iodine Deficiency is a major contributor to cystic conditions of all sorts – especially the breasts, ovaries, and thyroid.  Learn more about Iodine testing here – Dr. Myatt offers two accurate Iodine tests.

Fertility Knowledge Center – Naturally


Fertility-Relarted Medical Conditions

PCOS / PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome

Cytokines: A Simplified Look At Messenger Molecules

Nutrition and Diet

The Mediterranean Diet – Is It All It Claims To Be?

Vegetarian And Fertile – Is It Possible?

Gluten and Casein – The Modern Poisons In Your Diet

Fertility Supplements Questions and Answers



Using Flavones to Lower IL-6: Which is better – Luteolin / Diosmin or Maxi Flavone?

Milk Thistle – is it safe?

Green Tea – Causes Inflammation?

“#Myo”>Myo-inositol in the Treatment of PCOS and Non-PCOS Infertility


What’s So Special About Maxi Greens?

PreNatal Supplements – Questions and Answers

PreNatal Vitamins: A Review and Discussion

Bio-Identical (Natural) Hormone Therapy Under Attack:


The Next Loss of Health Freedom

What is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy (nHRT)?

Although synthetic and horse-urine derived hormones have been the standard in conventional medicine for years, such forms of hormone replacement therapy are unsafe. Higher risk of heart disease and hormones-related cancers are the most worrisome side effects of conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Most holistic physicians prefer to use natural HRT (nHRT), an alternative that actually reduces the risk of heart disease, hormone related cancers, osteoporosis and premature aging.

Natural hormone replacement therapy is conducted by first performing a female hormone profile. Such testing of the entire complement of female hormones including estriol, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA is almost NEVER done in conventional medicine. Instead of using a “generic” prescription, the holistic physician can instead use the results of the female hormone profile to write a custom-tailored hormone prescription for each patient. These customized hormone prescriptions are filled by “compounding pharmacists” who specialize in making custom formulas.

Unlike conventional HRT which uses high doses of estradiol and synthetic progesterone almost exclusively, nHRT typically encompasses all the sex hormones and in doses that attempt to duplicate the hormone pattern that a woman had in her younger years. This is a very different and much safer approach to hormone replacement therapy.

Thousands Helped with nHRT

Thousands if not hundreds of thousands of women and men have been helped with nHRT.
Not only is bio-identical hormone replacement safer than conventional HRT, it also works better for many people.

Women who have not found relief from menopausal symptoms with the unnatural hormones typically prescribed often feel better than they have in years once they are switched to natural hormone replacement. Further, duplicating the hormone pattern of youth has proven to be a potent anti-aging strategy employed by many holistic and longevity physicians.

Why Big Pharmacy Wants nHRT Outlawed

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, makers of Premarin® and Prempro® (the dangerous synthetic and horse urine-derived hormones), recently petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting severe restrictions on the compounding and dispensing of bio-identical hormones. If granted, these restrictions would put an end to all natural hormone replacement therapy.

Although “bio-identical hormones” appear far safer than conventional hormone therapy, Big Pharmacy and their lap dog, the FDA, are trying hard (and will probably win) at making natural, safe, bio-identical hormones illegal. Hey — if the competition cuts into profits, why not just destroy it?

 

MENOPAUSE…. “The Climacteric”


SEX HORMONES: What they are, what they do

Ever stop to wonder what makes a man look “male” and a woman look “female”? (Gender-neutral hairdos and clothing not withstanding!) The answer: sex hormones.

Sex hormones are chemical messengers made and released by the gonads (ovaries in women, testicles in men), and adrenal glands in both sexes.

In both sexes, these hormones are responsible for maintaining fertility. They also give men and women characteristic features of their sex. For example: estrogens cause breasts to develop, while testosterone causes muscles to accumulate more protein.

Sex hormones have other roles in the body, many of which have only recently been discovered. The sex hormones play a role in bone growth and strength. In females, a decline in hormone levels is sometimes associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease. Scientists believe that there are other unknown functions of the sex hormones.

Surprisingly, men and women have the same sex hormones. (Women have testosterone, men have estrogen). It is the relative amounts of these hormones that make a difference in physical characteristics. And while we used to believe that the role of “opposite sex” hormones was minimal, modern medicine has begun to recognize the importance of all hormones to both sexes.

Facts & Myths about “The Climacteric”

Myth: only women go through menopause (a decrease in production of sex hormones).

Fact: Both men and women have decreased hormone outputs with advancing age, but the decrease is not as rapid in men as it is in women. Men may have hot flashes, psychogenic changes, bone mineral loss and other symptoms identical to the female menopause.

Myth: If sex hormones are taken after the climacteric, they will help maintain youthfulness.

Fact: Science doesn’t know. Children are youthful before their sex hormones develop. Once the sex hormones come into play, they mature —- in other words — age.

And there’s much we don’t know about the long-term negative consequences of hormone-replacement therapy.

For example: the total number of years that a female breast is exposed to estrogens, especially the more potent estradiol, is directly related to an increased risk of breast cancer. The more estradiol, the greater the risk.

In males, higher levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone, is associated with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and possibly prostate cancer. Increased levels of estrogens in males also appear to play a role in the development of BPH.

Myth: Conventional hormone replacement is safe and effective for women and men who need hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Fact: Conventional HRT uses a “one size fits all” approach to hormone replacement and often employs high doses of semi-synthetic hormones. (Which are different from the hormones the human body produces).

A presumably safer and more effective approach to hormone replacement therapy is used by holistic physicians. This involves testing the patient’s personal hormone levels and prescribing pharmaceutical or herbal hormones that are custom-tailored to the individual.

Few holistic physicians, whether N.M.D., M.D., or D.O., believe that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is desirable. Most are doing individual testing and custom prescribing, myself included.

The Climacteric is not always a simple hormone decrease

Most people assume that “menopause” (whether in men or women) is caused by a simple decrease in hormone levels. While this is often the case, there are many other changes that cause the “climacteric.”

Changes in liver function cause a shift in the relative amounts of various hormones. That is because the liver processes most sex hormones. I have found many menopausal-aged people, both men and women, who still had normal or even high levels of the circulating sex hormones. Additional mammalian hormones in this instance are inadvisable, because they can create an excess of hormones with the attendant problems.

Safety and Effectiveness of Herbal “Hormones”

Let’s be very clear on this: herbs do not contain significant amounts of human hormones. What many herbs DO have are chemicals that are structurally similar to human hormones — similar enough to bind to human hormone receptors and have an effect on hormone levels. These plant substances are called phytohormones, meaning “plant hormones.”

Phytohormones have a unique effect that prescription hormones (mammalian hormones) do not, in that they are amphoteric. This means that plant hormones can act to balance hormone levels regardless of the direction of imbalance. It’s really an eloquent process.

Plant hormones are much weaker than human hormones, but they will bind to human hormone receptors. In the climacteric, when hormone levels are low, there are “empty” hormone receptors. Plant phytohormones will bind here, and although their effect is weaker (about one-fifth that of human hormones) it is a hormone effect.

Without a laboratory test, it is difficult to know exactly which hormones are out of balance and by how much. But there are still good self help measures that you can take.

First, remember that overall good health is critical to the body’s production of hormones. Inadequate nutrients from diet is a major factor in hormone imbalance. Excesses of certain foodstuffs, especially alcohol, refined carbohydrates (sugars), and fats, can all change hormone levels for the worst.

Faulty liver function, as evidenced by high cholesterol levels, contributes to inadequate transformation of hormones. Improving liver function is a key step in normalizing hormones and the body’s response to hormones. (It is possible to have adequate hormone levels and still have symptoms of deficiency or excess if the liver is not working properly).

Normal weight is crucial to hormone balance. Fat cells manufacture estrogen. This can lead to an excess in both men and women. Ever see a man with a “beer belly” and breast-buds? (Female-like development of breasts)? This is caused by an estrogen excess made by the fat cells. Maintaining normal weight is important for balanced hormones.

When taking hormones without a doctor’s assistance, be sure to take an herb formula that is balancing. (See the following recommendations). It is HIGHLY INADVISABLE to take actual hormone supplements, even if they are sold without a prescription, without the advice and laboratory testing that a doctor can offer. Such “hormones,” available without prescription, include DHEA and progesterone. (Many health food store brands of progesterone creams do not contain the hormone, and the body cannot convert wild yam (dioscorea) into progesterone, no matter how much the lady at the health food store argues otherwise!)

Also remember that other non-sex-hormone factors can create imbalances in the sex hormones. An excess or deficiency of thyroid hormone will change sex hormone levels, and no amount of sex hormone replacement will correct the problem until the thyroid function has been compensated for.

Diet And Lifestyle Recommendations

  • Diet: eat a nutritious diet high in nutrient-rich foods. Increase consumption of soy products (both sexes) if tolerated.
  • Achieve and maintain a normal weight
  • Exercise regularly. 30 minutes, 3 times per week minimum.
  • Don’t smoke! The climacteric occurs sooner in people who smoke

Primary Support for Women

  • Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, boron, and vanadium are particularly important for peri or post-menopausal women.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids:
    Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
    OR
    Flax seed capsules
    : 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
    OR
    Flax seed oil
    : 1 tablespoon per day
    OR
    Max EPA
    (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day).

Primary Support for Men

  • Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid, magnesium, selenium, zinc and bioflavonoids are particularly important for “menopausal” (40+ years) men.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids:
    Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
    OR
    Flax seed capsules
    : 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
    OR
    Flax seed oil
    : 1 tablespoon per day
    OR
    Max EPA
    (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day).
  • Super Saw Palmetto: 1 cap, 2 times per day. May be increased to 3 times per day if symptoms of BPH are present.

Additional Support

See Female Menopause or Male Menopause for additional recommendations.

Dr. Myatt’s Comment

A hormone profile is the first step toward making a good prescription for individualized, natural hormone replacement therapy. Hormone tests can take the guesswork out of this process and make correction surer and safer. If you do not see noticeable improvement in six to eight weeks with self-help measures, consider a telephone consultation with me. You will feel better and delay the aging process by maintaining a youthful hormone profile.

 

IMPOTENCE (ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, ED)


Natural Support For This Distressing Condition

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also called impotence, is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection. The cause may be psychogenic (mental/emotional) or physical. More than 90% of the cases are due to physical causes. In men over age 50, a leading cause of impotence is due to atherosclerosis. Many medications can cause loss of erectile ability.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Exercise regularly. Exercise improves blood flow.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to the penis by constricting arteries.
  • Avoid excess alcohol. Alcohol alters hormone balance in males, tending to increase estrogens.

PRIMARY SUPPORT

  • Maxi Multi: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals. Optimal (not minimal) doses of vitamins A, E, B6, and zinc are particularly important for correcting ERD.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids:
    Flax seed meal, 2 teaspoons per day with food
    OR
    Flax seed capsules: 2-4 caps, 3 times per day (target dose range: 6-12 caps per day)
    OR
    Flax seed oil: 1 tablespoon per day
    OR
    Max EPA (Omega-3 rich fish oil): 1-2 caps, 3 times per day with meals (target dose: 3-6 caps per day).

With arteriole insufficiency (decreased blood supply)

  • Ginkgo: 1 cap, 3 times daily

With decreased libido

  • Korean Panax Ginseng: 1 cap, 2 times per day. (target dose: 15 mg ginsenosides per day)

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

  • If cholesterol is high: see recommendations for High Cholesterol.
  • If diabetic; see recommendations for Diabetes.
  • Support any organ system that scored high on the self-appraisal questionnaire found on pages 6-8 in your Holistic Health Handbook.

TESTS

A cardiovascular evaluation should be performed as part of a complete physical examination. A male hormone profile should be performed so that imbalances can be corrected. Consultation with an alternative medicine physician is highly advisable, since ED is both a health problem AND reflects underlying additional health imbalances. 

 

 

Fertility Supplements Questions and Answers

There is a lot of misinformation out there and it can cause a lot of distress and worry to women trying to conceive.

On this page Dr. Myatt will address some of these concerns regarding natural supplementation, vitamins, herbs, and more.

Using Flavones to Lower IL-6: Which is better – Luteolin / Diosmin or Maxi Flavone?

Milk Thistle – is it safe?

Green Tea – Causes Inflammation?

Myo-inositol in the Treatment of PCOS and Non-PCOS Infertility

What’s So Special About Maxi Greens?


Using Flavones to Lower IL-6: Which is better – Luteolin / Diosmin or Maxi Flavone?

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. (1-3)

As a class, flavones lower inflammation and inflammatory cytokines including IL-1, IL-6,
IL-18 and TNF-a. (4) Flavone-containing herbs have a synergistic effect when used in combination.(5-6)

The flavones contained in Maxi Flavone all have IL-6 lowering properties.

These IL-6 lowering herbs include Pycnogenol (pine bark) (7-8), red grape seed extract (resveretrol) (9-17), bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus) (18-19), green tea (Camellia sinensis) polyphenols (20-23), ginkgo (24-26), milk thistle (27) and citrus bioflavonoids (4,28)

Further, the IL-6 lowering properties of the herbs in Maxi Flavone have been studied in humans. (8,12-14,16-19,25,27)

Luteolin and its semi-synthetic structural analog diosmin have been studied only in rodents for their IL-6-lowering properties. (29)

Maxi Flavone Or Luteolin/Diosmin for IL-6?

Maxi Flavone contains a combination of flavonoid herbs. Benefits of Maxi Flavone include:

  • Each herb in this formula has demonstrated IL-6 lowering properties (4,7-28)
  • The IL-6 lowering properties of these flavones have been studied in humans (8,12-14,16-19, 25, 27)
  • Safety of these flavones has been documented in humans (8,12-14,16-19, 25, 27)
  • Flavones work synergistically so that a combination of flavones may be more effective than an isolated flavone. (5,6)

Luteolin / Diosmin:

  • Has been studied only in rodents for IL-6 lowering properties and in only one study (29)
  • Has strong estrogenic properties that may not be desirable for many infertile women (30)
  • Isolated flavones may not be as effective as an array of flavones for lowering inflammatory cytokines.(5,6)

Until more research is available on luteolin/diosmin, Maxi Flavone multi-flavone formula would appear a superior choice for addressing elevated IL-6 than any single flavonoid including luteolin or its semi-synthetic analogue diosmin.

References

1.) Scheller J, Chalaris A, Schmidt-Arras D, Rose-John S.
The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-6.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 May;1813(5):878-88.
2.) Z Xing, J Gauldie, G Cox, H Baumann, M Jordana, X F Lei, and M K Achong
IL-6 is an antiinflammatory cytokine required for controlling local or systemic acute
inflammatory responses. J Clin Invest. 1998 January 15; 101(2): 311320.
3.) Rose-John S, Scheller J, Elson G, Jones SA. Interleukin-6 biology is coordinated by membrane-bound
and soluble receptors: role in inflammation and cancer. J Leukoc Biol. 2006 Aug;80(2):227-36. Epub 2006 May 17.
4.) Landberg R, Sun Q, Rimm EB, Cassidy A, Scalbert A, Mantzoros CS, Hu FB, van Dam RM. Selected dietary
flavonoids are associated with markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in U.S. women. J Nutr. 2011 Apr 1;141(4):618-25.
5.) Rahman MM, Ichiyanagi T, Komiyama T, Hatano Y, Konishi T. Superoxide radical- and peroxynitrite-scavenging activity of anthocyanins; structure-activity relationship and their synergism. Free Radic Res. 2006 Sep;40(9):993-1002.
6.) Sagar SM, Yance D, Wong RK. Natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis: a potential source for investigational new agents to treat cancer-Part 1. Curr Oncol. 2006 Feb;13(1):14-26.
7.) Ozer Sehirli A, Sener G, Ercan F. Protective effects of pycnogenol against ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative renal injury in rats.Ren Fail. 2009;31(8):690-7.
8.) Scheff SW, Ansari MA, Roberts KN.Neuroprotective effect of Pycnogenol® following traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol. 2013 Jan;239:183-91.
9.) Cullberg KB, Olholm J, Paulsen SK, Foldager CB, Lind M, Richelsen B, Pedersen SB. Resveratrol has inhibitory effects on the hypoxia-induced inflammation and angiogenesis in human adipose tissue in vitro.
Eur J Pharm Sci. 2013 May 13;49(2):251-7.
10.) Gatson JW, Liu MM, Abdelfattah K, Wigginton JG, Smith S, Wolf S, Minei JP. Resveratrol decreases inflammation in the brain of mice with mild traumatic brain injury. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013 Feb;74(2):470-4; discussion 474-5.
11.) Marier JF, Chen K, Prince P, Scott G, del Castillo JR, Vachon P.
Production of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 is suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner. Can J Vet Res. 2005 Apr;69(2):151-4.
12.) Rizzo A, Bevilacqua N, Guida L, Annunziata M, Romano Carratelli C, Paolillo R. Effect of resveratrol and modulation of cytokine production on human periodontal ligament cells. Cytokine. 2012 Oct;60(1):197-204.
13.) Su YC, Li SC, Wu YC, Wang LM, Chao KS, Liao HF.
Resveratrol downregulates interleukin-6-stimulated sonic hedgehog signaling in human acute myeloid leukemia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:547430.
14.) Tomé-Carneiro J, Gonzálvez M, Larrosa M, Yáñez-Gascón MJ, García-Almagro FJ, Ruiz-Ros JA, García-Conesa MT, Tomás-Barberán FA, Espín JC. One-year consumption of a grape nutraceutical containing resveratrol improves the inflammatory and fibrinolytic status of patients in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2012 Aug 1;110(3):356-63.
15.) Wight RD, Tull CA, Deel MW, Stroope BL, Eubanks AG, Chavis JA, Drew PD, Hensley LL.Resveratrol effects on astrocyte function: relevance to neurodegenerative diseases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012 Sep 14;426(1):112-5.
16.) Wuertz K, Quero L, Sekiguchi M, Klawitter M, Nerlich A, Konno S, Kikuchi S, Boos N. The red wine polyphenol resveratrol shows promising potential for the treatment of nucleus pulposus-mediated pain in vitro and in vivo.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Oct 1;36(21):E1373-84.
17.) Xie XH, Zang N, Li SM, Wang LJ, Deng Y, He Y, Yang XQ, Liu EM.
Resveratrol Inhibits respiratory syncytial virus-induced IL-6 production, decreases viral replication, and downregulates TRIF expression in airway epithelial cells. Inflammation. 2012 Aug;35(4):1392-401.
18.) Karlsen A, Paur I, Bøhn SK, Sakhi AK, Borge GI, Serafini M, Erlund I, Laake P, Tonstad S, Blomhoff R. Bilberry juice modulates plasma concentration of NF-kappaB related inflammatory markers in subjects at increased risk of CVD. Eur J Nutr. 2010 Sep;49(6):345-55.
19.) Kolehmainen M, Mykkänen O, Kirjavainen PV, Leppänen T, Moilanen E, Adriaens M, Laaksonen DE, Hallikainen M, Puupponen-Pimiä R, Pulkkinen L, Mykkänen H, Gylling H, Poutanen K, Törrönen R. Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Oct;56(10):1501-10.
20.) Ahmed S, Marotte H, Kwan K, Ruth JH, Campbell PL, Rabquer BJ, Pakozdi A, Koch AE. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits IL-6 synthesis and suppresses transsignaling by enhancing soluble gp130 production. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 23;105(38):14692-7.
21.) Cavet ME, Harrington KL, Vollmer TR, Ward KW, Zhang JZ. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate in human corneal epithelial cells. Mol Vis. 2011 Feb 18;17:533-42.
22.) Hosokawa Y, Hosokawa I, Ozaki K, Nakanishi T, Nakae H, Matsuo T.
Tea polyphenols inhibit IL-6 production in tumor necrosis factor superfamily 14-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts. Mol Nutr Food Res. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010 Jul;54 Suppl 2:S151-8.
23.) Katiyar SK, Raman C. Green tea: a new option for the prevention or control of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Aug 10;13(4):121.
24.) Chen JS, Chen YH, Huang PH, Tsai HY, Chen YL, Lin SJ, Chen JW.
Ginkgo biloba extract reduces high-glucose-induced endothelial adhesion by inhibiting the redox-dependent interleukin-6 pathways. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2012 May 3;11:49.
25.) Ching-Hsiang L, Chiao-Wen H, Nan-Fu C, Wen-Sheng L, Ya-Fen H, Wen-Tung W. In vivo effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on interleukin-6 cytokine levels in patients with neurological disorders. Indian J Pharmacol. 2012 Jan;44(1):118-21.
26.) Zhou YH, Yu JP, Liu YF, Teng XJ, Ming M, Lv P, An P, Liu SQ, Yu HG.
Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on inflammatory mediators (SOD, MDA, TNF-alpha, NF-kappaBp65, IL-6) in TNBS-induced colitis in rats. Mediators Inflamm. 2006;2006(5):92642.
27.) Täger M, Dietzmann J, Thiel U, Hinrich Neumann K, Ansorge S.
Restoration of the cellular thiol status of peritoneal macrophages from CAPD patients by the flavonoids silibinin and silymarin.
Free Radic Res. 2001 Feb;34(2):137-51.
28.) Kim JA, Park HS, Kang SR, Park KI, Lee DH, Nagappan A, Shin SC, Lee WS, Kim EH, Kim GS. Suppressive effect of flavonoids from Korean Citrus aurantium L. on the expression of inflammatory mediators in L6 skeletal muscle cells. Phytother Res. 2012 Dec;26(12):1904-12.
29.) Parker-Athill E, Luo D, Bailey A, Giunta B, Tian J, Shytle RD, Murphy T, Legradi G, Tan J. Flavonoids, a prenatal prophylaxis via targeting JAK2/STAT3 signaling to oppose IL-6/MIA associated autism. J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Dec 10;217(1-2):20-7.
30.) Zand RS, Jenkins DJ, Diamandis EP. Steroid hormone activity of flavonoids and related compounds.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2000 Jul;62(1):35-49.


“An IVF Doctor Said Not to Take MilkThistle” and Other Uninformed Medical Advice

From an infertility forum website, where the patient quoted an IVF doc as saying not to take milk thistle because “It makes the liver work better / metabolize things faster so it can metabolize your drugs too and hence shouldn’t be taken during an IVF cycle.”  There are no studies cited.

Unsubstantiated comments like this occur when a doctor steps outside of his/her area of expertise. That’s unfortunate, because it can cause a lot of needless alarm AND potentially drive patients away from helpful treatments. So, let’s set the record straight about this unsupported statement and about the usefulness of milk thistle in infertility.

The dose of milk thistle required to upregulate liver enzymes and therefor increase drug metabolism is of a 10 to 30-fold magnitude higher than anything Dr. Braverman or I use for infertility. A woman would have to take 24 doses of Maxi Flavone daily to achieve this increased drug metabolism effect, if even that would do it.

In the one lab rat study cited, an equivalent human female dose would be 2400mg+ per day.(1) Maxi Flavone contains 100mg per dose, maximum 200mg per day at the highest recommended intake. At this dose, there is not one study which shows that liver enzymes are upregulated enough to alter blood levels of any drug.(2-5)

Dr. Braverman and I are going for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and TNFa inhibitory effect of milk thistle but we are well below any liver-enzyme upregulating (and therefor IVF drug-changing) effect. (16-20)

600mg of milk thistle per day in HUMANS (not just lab rats) did not show any significant effect on drug-metabolizing liver enzymes. (6) Other studies have shown a minimal effect on liver enzymes (P450, CYP’s, etc) even at concentrations much higher than doses found in Maxi Flavone.(7)

Only at very high concentrations has milk thistle been shown to affect liver enzymes. According the the FDA, “In view of the clinically relevant plasma concentration of approx. 0.2 microM measured as silibinin, it is evident that there is no drug-drug interaction problem with silymarin.” (8)

Any by the way, many foods and drugs affect this same liver enzyme system far more than milk thistle. Did you know that many “health foods” such as kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, arugula, watercress, grapefruit, pomegranate, and others can all have a profound effect on this important enzyme system?

http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2006/01/13/dmd.105.007930.full.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables

HOLD THE MAYO

Milk Thistle according to Mayo Clinic’s website:

“Theoretically, because milk thistle plant extract might have estrogenic effects, women with hormone sensitive conditions should avoid milk thistle above ground parts. Some of these conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/silymarin/NS_patient-milkthistle/DSECTION=safety

Mayo clinic has some incredibly poorly referenced, contradictory articles on their site. I would not rely on them for authoritative herbal information. It is outside their area of expertise. (Don’t expect your brain surgeon to be an expert in acupuncture and don’t expect your acupuncturist to be an expert in brain surgery.)

For example, the cited Mayo clinic article on milk thistle actually contradicts itself. In one place it says “silymarin and silibinin in milk thistle reduce the growth of human breast, cervical and prostate cancer cells” and in another place it says “…should avoid milk thistle in… breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer…”  Which is it, Mayo?

Contrary to Mayo’s “theoretical” (read that: “unreferenced”) concerns, milk thistle has actually proven to be beneficial for the hormone-related conditions cited above in numerous studies. (9-15)

Next, someone thought they were revealing a smoking gun by quoting, “Silybin, an extract from seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is known to have hepato-protective, anticarcinogenic, and estrogenic effects.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20183284

Be sure to look at the doses when reading abstracts or medical journal articles. Dose makes a big difference. (I addressed this issue in a recent previous email)

This rat study used 18mg/kg given twice per day. That would equate to 2,454 mg per day for a 150-pound female. Maxi Flavone has 100mg total to be taken once per day. This is less than 1/24th the dose that has demonstrated estrogenic effects. (1)

Let’s Dump In Some Totally Unrelated Studies for Good Measure…

What was said: Reservatol increases Nk cell activity: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20082299

Dr. Myatt’s Comment: Resveretrol has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Resveretrol also suppresses TNF-alpha. Please see the extensive reference list here: Grape Seed Extract. Repeat after me, “preponderance of evidence” and “dose” (see below).

What was said: Grape seed extract and pycnogenol are aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme present in fat tissue and in ovaries that converts testosterone to estrogen. When it is inhibited, there will be more testosterone. Sometimes in short doses this is ok, as femara is works by being an aromatase inhibitor. “But it is not good to take this for longer times as it can inhibit ovulation and lead to high testosterone levels which are toxic to our eggs.”

Dr. Myatt’s comment: Here we have a medical opinion from a layperson. Would this really be the best source of information about improving fertility? Again, dose. The amount of aromatase effect from the doses of grape seed and pycnogenol in Maxi Flavone are insufficient to cause a hormone shift. Besides, your infertility specialist can easily measure hormone levels and would know if such a shift were occurring.

Dr. Myatt’s Caution About “References” and “Experts”

For any question you type into Pub Med (the medical journal article abstract website), you will find references that support both sides of the question. There’s almost never “black and white.” Instead, there are “ten thousand shades of gray.” Here’s what you need to know:

One reference does not make “proof” and an isolated lab rat study does not “prove” anything. The “preponderance of evidence,” including number of studies, how well-conducted the studies were, whether the studies were test-tube or lab rat studies versus human studies, who funded the studies, all must be taken into account.

I see a lot of women quoting single lab-rat or test-tube studies without any knowledge or consideration of the above-mentioned factors. So, when you are reading such “proofs” posted by non-physicians, please keep these factors in mind and “consider the source.”

Also, I believe any statement that has absolutely NO references should be dismissed on its face. References might not constitute “proof,” but at least they need to be there. Otherwise, any one of us can sit in our easy chair and “theorize.”

Theorizing won’t get you pregnant; it will simply waste your time.

Fertility is not individual brush strokes; it is the whole picture taken together. Dr. Braverman takes the “whole picture” view.

He is an expert in IVF, one of the most renown in the world. But when he is out of his area of expertise, he turns to me or another expert for their evaluation. He doesn’t just “make stuff up” like some so-called “experts.” THAT is the mark of a true professional.

References

1.) El-Shitany NA, Hegazy S, El-Desoky K. Evidences for antiosteoporotic and selective estrogen receptor modulator activity of silymarin compared with ethinylestradiol in ovariectomized rats. Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb;17(2):116-25. Epub 2009 Jul 3.
2.) Breinholt V, Lauridsen ST, Dragsted LO. Differential effects of dietary flavonoids on drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes in female rat. Xenobiotica. 1999 Dec;29(12):1227-40.
3.) Doehmer J, Weiss G, McGregor GP, Appel K. Assessment of a dry extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for interference with human liver cytochrome-P450 activities. Toxicol In Vitro. 2011 Feb;25(1):21-7. Epub 2010 Sep 7.
4.) Gurley B, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Thaden J, Tong Y, Gentry WB, Breen P, Carrier DJ, Cheboyina S. Assessing the clinical significance of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 3A activity: comparison of a milk thistle and black cohosh product to rifampin and clarithromycin. J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;46(2):201-13.
5.) Gurley BJ, Barone GW, Williams DK, Carrier J, Breen P, Yates CR, Song PF, Hubbard MA, Tong Y, Cheboyina S. Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans. Drug Metab Dispos. 2006 Jan;34(1):69-74. Epub 2005 Oct 12.
6.) van Erp NP, Baker SD, Zhao M, Rudek MA, Guchelaar HJ, Nortier JW, Sparreboom A, Gelderblom H. Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan. Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Nov 1;11(21):7800-6.
7.) Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, Williams DK, Gentry WB, Carrier J, Khan IA, Edwards DJ, Shah A. In vivo assessment of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 phenotypes: Citrus aurantium, Echinacea purpurea, milk thistle, and saw palmetto. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Nov;76(5):428-40.
8.) Doehmer J, Tewes B, Klein KU, Gritzko K, Muschick H, Mengs U.
Assessment of drug-drug interaction for silymarin. Toxicol In Vitro. 2008 Apr;22(3):610-7. Epub 2007 Dec 8.
9.) Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. Anticancer Res. 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6B):4457-98.
10.) Kim S, Han J, Kim JS, Kim JH, Choe JH, Yang JH, Nam SJ, Lee JE.
Silibinin suppresses EGFR ligand-induced CD44 expression through inhibition of EGFR activity in breast cancer cells. Anticancer Res. 2011 Nov;31(11):3767-73.
11.) Lu W, Lin C, King TD, Chen H, Reynolds RC, Li Y.
Silibinin inhibits Wnt/ -catenin signaling by suppressing Wnt co-receptor LRP6 expression in human prostate and breast cancer cells. Cell Signal. 2012 Dec;24(12):2291-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2012.07.009. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
12.) Nejati-Koshki K, Zarghami N, Pourhassan-Moghaddam M, Rahmati-Yamchi M, Mollazade M, Nasiri M, Esfahlan RJ, Barkhordari A, Tayefi-Nasrabadi H. Inhibition of leptin gene expression and secretion by silibinin: possible role of estrogen receptors. Cytotechnology. 2012 Apr 17. [Epub ahead of print]
13.) Noh EM, Yi MS, Youn HJ, Lee BK, Lee YR, Han JH, Yu HN, Kim JS, Jung SH.
Silibinin enhances ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in mcf-7 human breast cancer cells. J Breast Cancer. 2011 Mar;14(1):8-13. Epub 2011 Mar 31.
14.) Scambia G, De Vincenzo R, Ranelletti FO, Panici PB, Ferrandina G, D’Agostino G, Fattorossi A, Bombardelli E, Mancuso S.Antiproliferative effect of silybin on gynaecological malignancies: synergism with cisplatin and doxorubicin. Eur J Cancer. 1996 May;32A(5):877-82.
15.) Yu HC, Chen LJ, Cheng KC, Li YX, Yeh CH, Cheng JT. Silymarin inhibits cervical cancer cell through an increase of phosphatase and tensin homolog. Phytother Res. 2012 May;26(5):709-15. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3618. Epub 2011 Oct 20.
16.) Manna SK, Mukhopadhyay A, Van NT, Aggarwal BB. Silymarin suppresses TNF-induced activation of NF-kappa B, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and apoptosis.J Immunol. 1999 Dec 15;163(12):6800-9.
17.) Johnson VJ, He Q, Osuchowski MF, Sharma RP. Physiological responses of a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, silymarin, in BALB/c mice: III. Silymarin inhibits T-lymphocyte function at low doses but stimulates inflammatory processes at high doses. Planta Med. 2003 Jan;69(1):44-9.
18.) Polyak SJ, Morishima C, Shuhart MC, Wang CC, Liu Y, Lee DY. Inhibition of T-cell inflammatory cytokines, hepatocyte NF-kappaB signaling, and HCV infection by standardized Silymarin. Gastroenterology. 2007 May;132(5):1925-36. Epub 2007 Feb 21.
19.) Feher J, Lang I, Deak G, et al. Free radicals in tissue damage in liver diseases and therapeutic approach. Tokai J Exp Clin Med 1986;11:121–34.
20.) Toklu HZ, Tunali Akbay T, Velioglu-Ogunc A, Ercan F, Gedik N, Keyer-Uysal M, Sener G. Silymarin, the antioxidant component of Silybum marianum, prevents sepsis-induced acute lung and brain injury. J Surg Res. 2008 Apr;145(2):214-22. Epub 2007 Oct 22.


Green Tea – Causes Inflammation?

Green Tea (Camillia sinesis) is an antioxidant that suppresses TNF- .(44-48 )
Full references for this can be found on this page

There is one recent lab rat study which says HUGE DOSE of epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an isolate from green tea, promotes inflammation.  This dose was 1% of total food intake. A person would have to be eating GRAMS of pure epigallocatechin-3-gallate per day to achieve this dose. Maxi Flavone contains 180 milligrams of a 50% catechin mix. This is miniscule compared to doses used in this rodent study.

In the same study, as in numerous other studies, smaller doses were anti-inflammatory. (1)

Contrast this to NUMEROUS studies which show that green tea is anti-inflammatory. (2-14)

Bottom line: HUGE doses of isolated epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea may be inflammatory, at least in one lab-rat study.

Smaller doses are well-proven to be anti-inflammatory in numerous studies including human studies.

Dr. Myatt’s Additional Note: People have died from drinking too much water (electrolyte disturbance). Does this “prove” that water-drinking is dangerous? Hardly. All substances and their effects are dose-related.  “The dose makes the poison.” — Paracelsus

References
1.) Pae M, Ren Z, Meydani M, Shang F, Smith D, Meydani SN, Wu D. Dietary supplementation with high dose of epigallocatechin-3-gallate  promotes inflammatory response in mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Jun;23(6):526-31. Epub 2011 Jun 17.
2.) Akhtar N, Haqqi TM. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses the global interleukin-1beta-induced inflammatory response in human chondrocytes.Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Jun 17;13(3):R93.
3.) Babu PV, Si H, Liu D.Epigallocatechin gallate reduces vascular inflammation in db/db mice possibly through an NF-?B-mediated mechanism.Mol Nutr Food Res. 2012 Sep;56(9):1424-32. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201200040. Epub 2012 Jul 2.
4.) Bogdanski P, Suliburska J, Szulinska M, Stepien M, Pupek-Musialik D, Jablecka A.Green tea extract reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese, hypertensive patients. Nutr Res. 2012 Jun;32(6):421-7. Epub 2012 Jun 20.
5.) Bornhoeft J, Castaneda D, Nemoseck T, Wang P, Henning SM, Hong MY.
The protective effects of green tea polyphenols: lipid profile, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity in rats fed an atherogenic diet and dextran sodium sulfate.J Med Food. 2012 Aug;15(8):726-32. Epub 2012 Jun 25.
6.) Cavet ME, Harrington KL, Vollmer TR, Ward KW, Zhang JZ. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate in human corneal epithelial cells. Mol Vis. 2011 Feb 18;17:533-42.
7.) Chatterjee A, Saluja M, Agarwal G, Alam M. Green tea: A boon for periodontal and general health. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2012 Apr;16(2):161-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.99256.
8.) Chen J, Qin S, Xiao J, Tanigawa S, Uto T, Hashimoto F, Fujii M, Hou DX.
A genome-wide microarray highlights the antiinflammatory genes targeted by oolong tea theasinensin A in macrophages. Nutr Cancer. 2011;63(7):1064-73. Epub 2011 Aug 24.
9.) El-Mowafy AM, Al-Gayyar MM, Salem HA, El-Mesery ME, Darweish MM. Novel chemotherapeutic and renal protective effects for the green tea (EGCG): role of oxidative stress and inflammatory-cytokine signaling. Phytomedicine. 2010 Dec 1;17(14):1067-75. Epub 2010 Sep 18.
10.) Li J, Ye L, Wang X, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Ho W. Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits endotoxin-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. J Neuroinflammation. 2012 Jul 6;9:161.
11.) Lee YJ, Choi DY, Yun YP, Han SB, Oh KW, Hong JT. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate prevents systemic inflammation-induced memory deficiency and amyloidogenesis via its anti-neuroinflammatory properties. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Sep 5. [Epub ahead of print]
12.) Park HJ, Lee JY, Chung MY, Park YK, Bower AM, Koo SI, Giardina C, Bruno RS. Green tea extract suppresses NF?B activation and inflammatory responses in diet-induced obese rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Nutr. 2012 Jan;142(1):57-63. Epub 2011 Dec 7.
13.) Ramesh E, Geraldine P, Thomas PA.Regulatory effect of epigallocatechin gallate on the expression of C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. Chem Biol Interact. 2010 Jan 5;183(1):125-32.
14.) Syed DN, Afaq F, Kweon MH, Hadi N, Bhatia N, Spiegelman VS, Mukhtar H.
Green tea polyphenol EGCG suppresses cigarette smoke condensate-induced NF-kappaB activation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Oncogene. 2007 Feb 1;26(5):673-82. Epub 2006 Jul 24.


Myo-inositol in the Treatment of PCOS and Non-PCOS Infertility

Inositol is part of the vitamin B complex. It occurs as 9 different isomers, but only two of these are of interest in fertility: myo-inositol (MYO) and d-chiro-inositol (DCI)

Both MYO and DCI have been studied and found useful in the treatment of PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome). (1-14)

However, only MI has been show to be present in follicular fluid and only MI was able to improve oocyte and embryo quality(1,2,9,12,15), ovulation induction (6-8,10-11) and hormone balance. (3-5,13)

DCI does not have even remotely as much research behind it as MYO. (16)

Therefor, for fertility issues with or without PCOS, I recommend the myo-inositol form.

Please note that some of these studies used melatonin in combination with myo-inositol (2,11-12). Melatonin alone has also been studied and found useful for improving egg quality. (17-18)

Myo-inositol may also improve other associated risks of PCOS (such as high triglycerides and blood sugars) with or without an effect on egg quality. (3,5,7)

Most forms of inositol available in health food stores are probably the myo-inositol form. However, many products do not specify this on the label. I would always want to verify the actual form with the manufacturer before using.

A product called “Pregnitude” is available, containing myo-inositol plus folic acid. Several studies used myo-inositol with folic acid and found improved egg quality in PCOS. (9,11)  All pre-pregnant women should already be getting folic acid from their multiple because of it’s importance in preventing spina bifida. This makes the “magic” in Pregnitude the myo-inositol. Pregnitude is individually packaged by 2 gram serving, which is convenient, but the price is double what what most myo-inositol powders are.

Daily dose of myo-inositol for improving egg quality is 2-4 grams per day. This can be taken as 2 grams, once or twice daily.

Myo-inositol product has a mild sweet taste and can be taken in water, smoothie, Super Shake — whatever makes it easiest.

Egg Quality Protocol, Especially for PCOS Patients (Dr. Myatt’s recommendation based on the studies)

  1. myo-inositol: 2-4 grams per day
  2. melatonin: 3mg per day (take this at bedtime)
  3. folic acid: 400mcg (this amount or more should already be in a good multi-vitamin)

[Nurse Mark comment: Any woman seeking to improve or enhance fertility should be using a good quality Optimal Dose multivitamin – we recommend Maxi Multi of course – but for those who want to shop around for something else, please use the ingredient list on the Maxi Multi page as a reference for what an Optimal Dose multivitamin should contain.]

References
1.) Ciotta L, Stracquadanio M, Pagano I, Carbonaro A, Palumbo M, Gulino F. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation on oocyte’s quality in PCOS patients: a double blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 May;15(5):509-14. [##myo for PCOS##]
2.) Carlomagno G, Nordio M, Chiu TT, Unfer V. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2011 Dec;159(2):267-72. Epub 2011 Aug 10.
Contribution of myo-inositol and melatonin to human reproduction. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21835536 [###myo and melatonin; egg quality##]
3.) Costantino D, Minozzi G, Minozzi E, Guaraldi C. Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009 Mar-Apr;13(2):105-10.  {## myo for PCOS; hormones and metabolic factors##]
4.) Donà G, Sabbadin C, Fiore C, Bragadin M, Giorgino FL, Ragazzi E, Clari G, Bordin L, Armanini D. Inositol administration reduces oxidative stress in erythrocytes of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.Eur J Endocrinol. 2012 Apr;166(4):703-10. Epub 2012 Jan 5. [##MYO improves oxidative stress (decreases oxidative species), improves hormones in PCOS##]
5.) Genazzani AD, Lanzoni C, Ricchieri F, Jasonni VM. Myo-inositol administration positively affects hyperinsulinemia and hormonal parameters in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Mar;24(3):139-44.[##MYO; menstrual cycle improvements; better non-fertility numbers; 2 grams per day##]
6.) Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GC. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Nov-Dec;7(6):151-9. [##myo, PCOS, ovulation induction##]
7.) Gerli S, Papaleo E, Ferrari A, Di Renzo GC. Randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial: effects of myo-inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2007 Sep-Oct;11(5):347-54. [## MYO, PCOS, improved ovulation, improved non-fertility peramiters (including weight loss)}
8.) Morgante G, Orvieto R, Di Sabatino A, Musacchio MC, De Leo V. The role of inositol supplementation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, with insulin resistance, undergoing the low-dose gonadotropin ovulation induction regimen.Fertil Steril. 2011 Jun 30;95(8):2642-4. Epub 2011 Feb 5. [myo, PCOS, ovulation induction##]
9.) Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, Fusi F, Occhi F, De Santis L. Fertil Steril. 2009 May;91(5):1750-4. Epub 2008 May 7. Myo-inositol may improve oocyte quality in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. A prospective, controlled, randomized trial. [##myo+ folic acid for egg quality in PCOS##]
10.) Papaleo E, Unfer V, Baillargeon JP, De Santis L, Fusi F, Brigante C, Marelli G, Cino I, Redaelli A, Ferrari A. Myo-inositol in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel method for ovulation induction.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2007 Dec;23(12):700-3. Epub 2007 Oct 10. [##myo for ovulation in PCOS##]
11.) Rizzo P, Raffone E, Benedetto V. Effect of the treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid plus melatonin in comparison with a treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid on oocyte quality and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles. A prospective, clinical trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jun;14(6):555-61. [##myo+folic acid+melatonin##]
12.) Unfer V, Raffone E, Rizzo P, Buffo S. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Nov;27(11):857-61. Epub 2011 Apr 5. Effect of a supplementation with myo-inositol plus melatonin on oocyte quality in women who failed to conceive in previous in vitro fertilization cycles for poor oocyte quality: a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21463230  [##myo and melatonin##]
13.) Unfer V, Carlomagno G, Dante G, Facchinetti F. Effects of myo-inositol in women with PCOS: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012 Jul;28(7):509-15. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2011.650660. Epub 2012 Feb 1. {##myo and improved ovarian function##]
14.) Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Reamer P, Gunn RD, Allan G. Ovulatory and metabolic effects of D-chiro-inositol in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1999 Apr 29;340(17):1314-20.[##DCI for PCO##]
15.) Galletta M, Grasso S, Vaiarelli A, Roseff SJ. Bye-bye chiro-inositol – myo-inositol: true progress in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation induction. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 Oct;15(10):1212-4. {####myo for egg quality, not dci)
16.) Galazis N, Galazi M, Atiomo W. D-Chiro-inositol and its significance in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011 Apr;27(4):256-62. Epub 2010 Dec 10.[##DCI not much research##]
17.) Batioglu AS, Sahin U, Gürlek B, Oztürk N, Unsal E. The efficacy of melatonin administration on oocyte quality. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012 Feb;28(2):91-3. Epub 2011 Jul 20. [##melatonin##]
18.) Tamura H, Takasaki A, Miwa I, Taniguchi K, Maekawa R, Asada H, Taketani T, Matsuoka A, Yamagata Y, Shimamura K, Morioka H, Ishikawa H, Reiter RJ, Sugino N. Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rate. J Pineal Res. 2008 Apr;44(3):280-7.
[##melatonin##]


What’s So Special About Maxi Greens?

As with Maxi Flavone, Maxi Greens is designed to be a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and nutritional herbal formula. Maxi Greens contains:

1.) Anti-inflammatory herbs (the same ones as in Maxi Flavone): ginkgo biloba, bilberry,green tea, milk thistle, grape seed and pine bark (pycnogenols). See the full references for these herbs in the Maxi Flavone article.

2.) Nutrient-dense “super green foods.”

Maxi Greens includes wheat grass and several additional “green super foods” including: alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass and wheat sprouts. Here is what the scientific literature says about these green food herbs.

I.) Alfalfa: a nutrient-rich herb high in chlorophyll, vitamins and micronutrients. Alfalfa is rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E and K as well as calcium, potassium, iron and zinc.
Alfalfa has anti-inflammatory (1) and antioxidant properties.(2) Alfalfa reduced cytokine levels and ameliorated severity of auto-immune disease in animal models.(3,4)

II.) Wheat grass: contains vitamins A, B12, C and E, as well as amino acids lysine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. Wheat grass is 70% chlorophyll. Because of its high A,C, and E content, wheat grass is considered anti-inflammatory.(5)

III.) Barley grass: Has a high antioxidant activity. (6,7)

IV.) Wheat sprouts: contain meaningful amounts of A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, B17, C, D, E, F, H, K, P, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA, boron, calcium, chlorine, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, sulphur, zinc.(8) Wheat sprouts were shown to have antioxidant activity in bisphenol-induced ROS in young women.(9)

V.) Blue Green Algae contains dietary fiber, fatty acids, essential amino acids, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. (10) Blue green algae and other algal species exhibit immunomodulatory, antitumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities including anti-HIV infection, herpes, and hepatitis viruses. (11-13)
It is likely because of its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties that algal species are anti-allergenic.(14)

VI.) Spirulina is high in proteins, acid, vitamins and minerals. It is anti-inflammatory.(15)

VII.) Chlorella contains 60 percent protein by weight. It is high in chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. It is rich in polysaccharides, nucleic acids, peptides, essential fatty acids and B vitamins. Chlorella is rich in vitamins A, C, E, niacin and folate. Chlorella has the complete vitamin B-complex with more B-12 than beef liver by weight. Chlorella contains more beta carotene than carrots and other green leafy green vegetables. Additional nutritional content of chlorella includes zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, trace minerals and polysaccharides. (16)

Chlorella has anti-inflammatory properties. (17) It is also a biological response modifier. (18)

Because of its unique ability to bind with mercury, lead, and cadmium, chlorella can be used as a heavy metal chelator. Studies have shown that it has a superior ability to safely draw toxic metals that accumulate in the gut and intestinal tract. (19-22)

One study suggests that chlorella can stimulate cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, this study was performed ex vivo and at blood levels significantly higher (10 to 100mcg/ml) than would be expected from the dose contained in Maxi Greens. (23)

In addition to the “green” super-foods, we included flavonoid-rich super foods as well. Flavonoids, as a class of antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory.

Acerola Juice Powder
Acerola is high in vitaminc C, A, B1, B2 and B3, calcium, iron, carotenoids and bioflavonoids. (24)
Aceroal exerts potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (24-27)

Beet Juice Powder:
Beet juice (also known as beetroot juice) is one of the richest sources of dietary antioxidants, with high total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total polyphenol (TP) content. (28)

Beet root juice has been shown to protect against xenobiotic-induced oxidative stress in animal studies. (29,30)

Spinach Powder:
Spinach contains significant amounts if vitamin A, E, K, B2, B3, B6, folate and minerals calcium, magesiun, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, manganese and zinc. Spinach also has significant omega-3 fatty acids as linolenic acid. (24)

Because of its high polyphenol, flavonoid and carotene content, spinach has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (31-34)

Papaya (leaf) Papaya contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, E, K and folate and minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. (24) Papaya leaf suppresses inflammatory cytokines and exerts anti-inflammatory responses in both human and animal models. (35-37)

Dunaliella salina algae is a green algae that is a rich source of beta carotenoids including lycopene and zeaxanthin. (38-41) In studies, the synthetic beta carotene has had adverse effects in smokers while the natural form of beta carotene, as found in Dunaliella salina, has protective effects.(42,43)

Preliminary evidence suggests that natural beta-carotene supplementation results in better antioxidant activity and anticancer activity in humans than does supplementation with synthetic beta-carotene. (44,45)

Broccoli and Cauliflower are vegetables in the “Cruciferous” family. They are high in diindolylmethane (DIM), a metabolite of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, kale, bruseel sprouts and cauliflower. Diindolemethanes (DIM) is one of the major anticancer substances in the class of sulfur-containing chemicals called glucosinolates.(46)

DIMs help decrease estrogen metabolism by upregulating the P450 enzyme system. The net result of this effect is to decrease circulating estrogen levels and correct estrogen dominance. Because many causes of infertility including endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cysts, and anovulation are all characterized by estrogen dominance, the addition of DIM by way of cruciferous vegetables can help balance hormones in favor of fertility.(47-49)

DIM inhibits the inflammatory response.(50-54) and possess antioxidant activity and decrease radical oxygen species (ROS) by acting as an ROS scavenger. (55-59)

Probiotic Cultures (dairy-free) Probiotics exert anti-inflammatory effects (60-61) and down-regulate inflammatory cytokines (62-63) including NF-êB, TNF-á, IL-6, and p-Akt (64-66)

References

1.) Hong YH, Chao WW, Chen ML, Lin BF. Ethyl acetate extracts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sprouts inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. J Biomed Sci. 2009 Jul 14;16:64. doi: 10.1186/1423-0127-16-64.
2.) Yalinkilic O, Enginar H. Effect of X-radiation on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in rats treated with saponin-containing compounds. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Jan-Feb;84(1):236-42.
3.) Hong YH, Huang CJ, Wang SC, Lin BF. The ethyl acetate extract of alfalfa sprout ameliorates disease severity of autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Lupus. 2009 Mar;18(3):206-15.
4.) Apelgren LD, Bailey DL, Fouts RL, Short L, Bryan N, Evans GF, Sandusky GE, Zuckerman SH, Glasebrook A, Bumol TF. The effect of a selective estrogen receptor modulator on the progression of spontaneous autoimmune disease in MRL lpr/lpr mice. Cell Immunol. 1996 Oct 10;173(1):55-63.
5.) Seymour K. Wheat Grass. Illinois State University. http://horticulturecenter.illinoisstate.edu/gardens/documents/grain.pdf
6.) Kamiyama M, Shibamoto T. Flavonoids with potent antioxidant activity found in young green barley leaves. J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Jun 27;60(25):6260-7. doi: 10.1021/jf301700j. Epub 2012 Jun 18.
7.) Benedet JA, Umeda H, Shibamoto T. Antioxidant activity of flavonoids isolated from young green barley leaves toward biological lipid samples. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Jul 11;55(14):5499-504. Epub 2007 Jun 1.
8.) USDA nutrition food table SR-21
9.) Yi B, Kasai H, Lee HS, Kang Y, Park JY, Yang M. Inhibition by wheat sprout (Triticum aestivum) juice of bisphenol A-induced oxidative stress in young women. Mutat Res. 2011 Sep 18;724(1-2):64-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2011.06.007. Epub 2011 Jun 28.
10.) Rajapakse N, Kim SK. Nutritional and digestive health benefits of seaweed.Adv Food Nutr Res. 2011;64:17-28.
11.) Mišurcová L, Škrovánková S, Samek D, Ambrožová J, Machù L. Health benefits of algal polysaccharides in human nutrition.Adv Food Nutr Res. 2012;66:75-145.
12.) Kim SK, Ta QV. Potential beneficial effects of marine algal sterols on human health.Adv Food Nutr Res. 2011;64:191-8.
13.) Jiao G, Yu G, Zhang J, Ewart HS. Chemical structures and bioactivities of sulfated polysaccharides from marine algae. Mar Drugs. 2011 Feb 8;9(2):196-223.
14.) Kim SK, Vo TS, Ngo DH. Antiallergic benefit of marine algae in medicinal foods. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2011;64:267-75.
15.) Joventino IP, Alves HG, Neves LC, Pinheiro-Joventino F, Leal LK, Neves SA, Ferreira FV, Brito GA, Viana GB. The microalga Spirulina platensis presents anti-inflammatory action as well as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties in diabetic rats. J Complement Integr Med. 2012 Aug 10;9:Article 17.
16.) Nutritiondata.com
17.) Namsa ND, Tag H, Mandal M, Kalita P, Das AK. An ethnobotanical study of traditional anti-inflammatory plants used by the Lohit community of Arunachal Pradesh, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Sep 7;125(2):234-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.07.004. Epub 2009 Jul 14.
18.) Miyazawa Y, Murayama T, Ooya N, Wang LF, Tung YC, Yamaguchi N. Immunomodulation by a unicellular green algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) in tumor-bearing mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 1988 Dec;24(2-3):135-46.
19.) Shim, Jae-Young; Shin, Hye-Seoung; Han, Jae-Gab; Park, Hyeung-Suk; Lim, Byung-Lak; Chung, Kyung-Won; Om, Ae-Son (2008). Protective Effects of Chlorella vulgaris on Liver Toxicity in Cadmium-Administered Rats. Journal of Medicinal Food 11 (3): 47985.
20.) Inthorn, Duangrat; Sidtitoon, Nalin; Silapanuntakul, Suthep; Incharoensakdi, Aran (2002). Sorption of mercury, cadmium and lead by microalgae. ScienceAsia 28 (3): 25361.
21.) Blas-Valdivia, Vanessa; Ortiz-Butrón, Rocio; Pineda-Reynoso, Marisol; Hernández-Garcia, Adelaida; Cano-Europa, Edgar (2010). Chlorella vulgaris administration prevents HgCl2-caused oxidative stress and cellular damage in the kidney. Journal of Applied Phycology 23: 538.
22.) Nakano, Shiro; Noguchi, Taketoshi; Takekoshi, Hideo; Suzuki, Go; Nakano, Masuo (2005). Maternal-fetal distribution and transfer of dioxins in pregnant women in Japan, and attempts to reduce maternal transfer with Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) supplements. Chemosphere 61 (9): 124455. 23.) Ewart HS, Bloch O, Girouard GS, Kralovec J, Barrow CJ, Ben-Yehudah G, Suárez ER, Rapoport MJ. Stimulation of cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by an aqueous Chlorella extract. Planta Med. 2007 Jul;73(8):762-8. Epub 2007 Jul 5.
24.) Mezadri T, Villan˜o M, Fernandez-Pachon M, Garcia-Parrilla M, Troncoso A Antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activity in acerola(Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruits and derivatives. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 21 (4): 282290.
25.) Guilhon-Simplicio F, Pinheiro CC, Conrado GG, Barbosa Gdos S, Santos PA, Pereira Mde M, Lima ES. Anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic, antiplatelet and antiulcer activities of Byrsonima japurensis A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae). J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Mar 27;140(2):282-6. Epub 2012 Jan 21.
26.) Orlandi L, Vilela FC, Santa-Cecília FV, Dias DF, Alves-da-Silva G, Giusti-Paiva A.
27.) Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the stem bark of Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Oct 11;137(3):1469-76.
28.) Wootton-Beard P.C., Ryan L .A beetroot juice shot is a significant and convenient source of bioaccessible antioxidants.Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 3, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 329334.
29.) Kujawska M, Ignatowicz E, Murias M, Ewertowska M, Miko³ajczyk K, Jodynis-Liebert J. Protective effect of red beetroot against carbon tetrachloride- and N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced oxidative stress in rats. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Mar 25;57(6):2570-5.
30.) Krajka-KuŸniak V, Szaefer H, Ignatowicz E, Adamska T, Baer-Dubowska W. Beetroot juice protects against N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced liver injury in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Jun;50(6):2027-33. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.03.062. Epub 2012 Mar 24.
31.) Tiveron AP, Melo PS, Bergamaschi KB, Vieira TM, Regitano-d’Arce MA, Alencar SM. Antioxidant activity of brazilian vegetables and its relation with phenolic composition. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13(7):8943-57.
32.) Otari KV, Gaikwad PS, Shete RV, Upasani CD.Protective effect of aqueous extract of Spinacia oleracea leaves in experimental paradigms of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammopharmacology. 2012 Oct;20(5):277-87.
33.) [Proteggente AR, Pannala AS, Paganga G, Van Buren L, Wagner E, Wiseman S, Van De Put F, Dacombe C, Rice-Evans CA.The antioxidant activity of regularly consumed fruit and vegetables reflects their phenolic and vitamin C composition. Free Radic Res. 2002 Feb;36(2):217-33.
34.) Cao G, Russell RM, Lischner N, Prior RL.Serum antioxidant capacity is increased by consumption of strawberries, spinach, red wine or vitamin C in elderly women. J Nutr. 1998 Dec;128(12):2383-90.
35.) Abdullah M, Chai PS, Loh CY, Chong MY, Quay HW, Vidyadaran S, Seman Z, Kandiah M, Seow HF. Carica papaya increases regulatory T cells and reduces IFN-ã+ CD4+ T cells in healthy human subjects. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 May;55(5):803-6.
36.) Owoyele BV, Adebukola OM, Funmilayo AA, Soladoye AO. Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves.Inflammopharmacology. 2008 Aug;16(4):168-73.
37.) Juárez-Rojop IE, Díaz-Zagoya JC, Ble-Castillo JL, Miranda-Osorio PH, Castell-Rodríguez AE, Tovilla-Zárate CA, Rodríguez-Hernández A, Aguilar-Mariscal H, Ramón-Frías T, Bermúdez-Ocaña DY. Hypoglycemic effect of Carica papaya leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012 Nov 28;12:236.
38.)Ye ZW, Jiang JG. Analysis of an Essential Carotenogenic Enzyme: æ-Carotene Desaturase from Unicellular Alga Dunaliella salina. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Oct 13.
39.) Zhu YH, Jiang JG, Chen Q. Characterization of cDNA of lycopene beta-cyclase responsible for a high level of beta-carotene accumulation in Dunaliella salina. Biochem Cell Biol. 2008 Jun;86(3):285-92.
40.) Thaipratum R, Melis A, Svasti J, Yokthongwattana K. Analysis of non-photochemical energy dissipating processes in wild type Dunaliella salina (green algae) and in zea1, a mutant constitutively accumulating zeaxanthin.J Plant Res. 2009 Jul;122(4):465-76. doi: 10.1007/s10265-009-0229-5. Epub 2009 Apr 1.
41.) Zhu YH, Jiang JG, Yan Y, Chen XW. Isolation and characterization of phytoene desaturase cDNA involved in the beta-carotene biosynthetic pathway in Dunaliella salina. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Jul 13;53(14):5593-7.
42.) Omenn GS, Goodman GE, Thornquist MD, et al. Risk factors for lung cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial. J Natl Cancer Inst 1996;88:15509.
43.) The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med 1994;330:102935.
44.) Ben-Amotz A, Levy Y. Bioavailability of a natural isomer mixture compared with synthetic all-transß-carotene in human serum. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;63:72934.
45.) Yeum K-J, Zhu S, Xiao S, et al. ß-carotene intervention trial in premalignant gastric lesions. J Am Coll Nutr 1995;14:536.
46.) Stoewsand GS. Bioactive organosulfur phytochemicals in Brassica oleracea vegetablesa review. Food Chem Toxicol 1995;33:53743.
47.) Auborn KJ, Fan S, Rosen EM, Goodwin L, Chandraskaren A, Williams DE, Chen D, Carter TH. Indole-3-carbinol is a negative regulator of estrogen. J Nutr. 2003 Jul;133(7 Suppl):2470S-2475S.
48.) Rajoria S, Suriano R, Parmar PS, Wilson YL, Megwalu U, Moscatello A, Bradlow HL, Sepkovic DW, Geliebter J, Schantz SP, Tiwari RK. 3,3′-diindolylmethane modulates estrogen metabolism in patients with thyroid proliferative disease: a pilot study.Thyroid. 2011 Mar;21(3):299-304.
49.) Rogan EG. The natural chemopreventive compound indole-3-carbinol: state of the science. In Vivo. 2006 Mar-Apr;20(2):221-8.
50.) Cho HJ, Seon MR, Lee YM, Kim J, Kim JK, Kim SG, Park JH. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane suppresses the inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophages. J Nutr. 2008 Jan;138(1):17-23.
51.) Kim EJ, Park H, Kim J, Park JH. 3,3′-diindolylmethane suppresses 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced inflammation and tumor promotion in mouse skin via the downregulation of inflammatory mediators. Mol Carcinog. 2010 Jul;49(7):672-83.
52.) De Miranda B, Miller J, Hansen R, Lunghofer P, Safe S, Gustafson D, Colagiovanni D, Tjalkens R.Neuroprotective efficacy and pharmacokinetic behavior of novel anti-inflammatory para-phenyl substituted diindolylmethanes in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2013 Jan 14. [Epub ahead of print]
53.) Dong L, Xia S, Gao F, Zhang D, Chen J, Zhang J.3,3′-Diindolylmethane attenuates experimental arthritis and osteoclastogenesis.Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 Mar 1;79(5):715-21.
54.) Kim YH, Kwon HS, Kim DH, Shin EK, Kang YH, Park JH, Shin HK, Kim JK. 3,3′-diindolylmethane attenuates colonic inflammation and tumorigenesis in mice. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2009 Aug;15(8):1164-73.
55.) Yeh CT, Yen GC.Effect of vegetables on human phenolsulfotransferases in relation to their antioxidant activity and total phenolics.Free Radic Res. 2005 Aug;39(8):893-904.
56.) Huang Z, Zuo L, Zhang Z, Liu J, Chen J, Dong L, Zhang J. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane decreases VCAM-1 expression and alleviates experimental colitis via a BRCA1-dependent antioxidant pathway. Free Radic Biol Med. 2011 Jan 15;50(2):228-36.
57.) Arnao MB, Sanchez-Bravo J, Acosta M. Indole-3-carbinol as a scavenger of free radicals.Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1996 Aug;39(6):1125-34.
58.) Zhao F, Liu ZQ.Indole and its alkyl-substituted derivatives protect erythrocyte and DNA against radical-induced oxidation. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2009 Jul-Aug;23(4):273-9.
59.) Soung DY, Choi HR, Kim JY, No JK, Lee JH, Kim MS, Rhee SH, Park JS, Kim MJ, Yang R, Chung HY. Peroxynitrite scavenging activity of indole derivatives: interaction of indoles with peroxynitrite. J Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):84-9.
60.) Grompone G, Martorell P, Llopis S, González N, Genovés S, Mulet AP, Fernández-Calero T, Tiscornia I, Bollati-Fogolín M, Chambaud I, Foligné B, Montserrat A, Ramón D. Anti-Inflammatory Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 Strain Protects against Oxidative Stress and Increases Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52493.
61.) Jones SE, Versalovic J. Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri biofilms produce antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory factors. BMC Microbiol. 2009 Feb 11;9:35.
62.) Chae CS, Kwon HK, Hwang JS, Kim JE, Im SH. Prophylactic effect of probiotics on the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52119.
63.) Yoon HS, Ju JH, Lee JE, Park HJ, Lee JM, Shin HK, Holzapfel W, Park KY, Do MS. The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lactobacillus plantarum NR74 promote cholesterol efflux and suppress inflammation in THP-1 cells. J Sci Food Agric. 2012 Jul 17.
64.) Dai C, Zheng CQ, Meng FJ, Zhou Z, Sang LX, Jiang M. VSL#3 probiotics exerts the anti-inflammatory activity via PI3k/Akt and NF-êB pathway in rat model of DSS-induced colitis. Mol Cell Biochem. 2013 Feb;374(1-2):1-11.
65.) von Schillde MA, Hörmannsperger G, Weiher M, Alpert CA, Hahne H, Bäuerl C, van Huynegem K, Steidler L, Hrncir T, Pérez-Martínez G, Kuster B, Haller D. Lactocepin secreted by Lactobacillus exerts anti-inflammatory effects by selectively degrading proinflammatory chemokines. Cell Host Microbe. 2012 Apr 19;11(4):387-96.
66.) Thomas CM, Hong T, van Pijkeren JP, Hemarajata P, Trinh DV, Hu W, Britton RA, Kalkum M, Versalovic J. Histamine derived from probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri suppresses TNF via modulation of PKA and ERK signaling. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31951.

 

FertilityRestoration

Supplements and Medical Testing in Support of Fertility Restoration and Enhancement

Dietary Supplements

A deficiency in any one nutrient can result in impaired fertility for both women and men. These Vitamins, Antioxidants, Flavonoids, and other dietary supplements are intended to address and correct any deficiencies that may be affecting your ability to conceive.

Medical Testing

Medical testing can quickly reveal physical imbalances or deficiencies, allowing your fertility specialist to quickly and accurately target specific areas of concern.

Dietary Supplements

Click here for a printable copy of Dr. Myatt’s Natural Supplementation Recommendations


Maxi-Multi Pre-Conception Multiple Vitamin (270 caps – a 30 day supply for 1 person) $39.95


Qty.

Maxi-Flavone Broad-spectrum herbal antioxidant formula (60 Caps) $46.95

Due to strong interest in this formula we may occasionally become backordered, with shipping delayed by up to a week.

Because of this we recommend that our Maxi Flavone customers consider ordering two bottles, re-order when they have completed the first bottle and never worry about running out of this important flavonoid / antioxidant / TNF-inhibiting formula.

NOW IN STOCK AND SHIPPING!

For our fertility patients and customers, Dr. Myatt recommends that this formula be continued through conception and for the duration of pregnancy.


Qty.

Maxi-Greens (270 Caps) Complete Green Food / Flavonoid / Phytonutrient-Rich Daily Herb Formula (a 30 day supply for 1 person) $56.00 Temporarily Out Of Stock!


Qty.

Maxi Marine O-3(120 softgels) Extra High Potency Enteric Coated Ultra-Pure Essential Fatty Acids $54.95


Qty.

Melatonin 3 mg 60 tabs $10.95


Qty.

Mitochondrial Energy Optimizer 120 caps $70.50


Qty.

Myo-Inositol powder 250 grams $35.20


Qty.

N-Acetyl Cystein (NAC) 60 caps $16.97 When used in Infertility treatment as an adjuvant to clomiphene citrate in infertile patients with PCOS, NAC treatment results in higher ovulation and pregnancy rates, lower miscarriage rates and higher live birth rates.


Qty.

Vitamin D 5000 iu 250 Capsules $21.95


Qty.

Grape Seed Extract W/Grape Skin 100mg (90 Caps) $32.95


Qty.

Lycopene 15mg (30 Softgel Capsules) $15.95


Qty.

Acetyl L-Carnitine 500mg (30 Caps) $24.95


Qty.

Alpha Lipoic Acid – 100 mg (60 Caps) $19.95


Qty.

Bromelain 400 mg of 2,400 mcu-strength (120 Caps) $32.00


Qty.

CoEnzyme Q 10 100 Mg (60 Softgel Capsules) $62.95


Qty.

DHEA Sublingual 25 Mg (60 Tabs) $15.95


Qty.

Vitamin K2 – Super K – 90 softgel capsules -$25.97


Qty.

Energizing Iron – $21.50


Qty.

Similase GFCF 120 caps – $24.97


Qty.

Medical Testing

Female Hormone Profile $329.00

Qty.

Male Hormone Profile $154.00

Qty.

FULL DISCLOSURE:

Why Dr. Braverman Recommends Dr. Myatt’s Supplements and Herbal Formulas

Dr. Braverman has no financial ties with Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club. He does not receive any financial remuneration from the sale of any nutritional supplements on this website nor does he receive any remuneration for research or other purposes from Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club. In other words, Dr. Braverman doesn’t make a nickel when his patients purchase products from this website!

So why does he specifically recommend Dr. Myatt’s brand of nutritional supplements and herbal formulas for his patients? Three words: potency, purity and formulation.

Dr. Braverman recognizes the powerful impact that supplemental nutrition has on fertility. He wants his patients to enjoy the results that are possible from the use of quality nutritional supplements. But it is a known fact in the supplement industry that many brands of supplements do NOT contain what the label says they do. Others have contaminants not listed on the label. And most products are not specifically formulated for pre-conception fertility enhancement.

Dr. Myatt, known as “The Dragon Lady” of the nutritional industry because of her uncompromising standards, produces the purest and most potent supplements available. Her products get results.

As to “formulation,” it isn’t enough to have the right nutrients; they must be present in the right doses, combined in the right way, and delivered in the best form to insure assimilation. Again, Dr. Myatt’s careful attention to detail in this area has resulted in perfectly balanced, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements that achieve the desired results.

Dr. Braverman and Dr. Myatt have come together in a powerful synergy of cutting edge medical knowledge to bring you natural supplement products tailored specifically to target the unique needs of pre and peri-conceptual couples who are dealing with fertility issues.

 The Fertility Project


Bringing You A Synergy Of Conventional and Natural Approaches To Infertility Treatment

Fertility Restore is a collaborative project of Dr. Jeffrey Braverman, Reproductive Immunologist and Medical Director of Braverman Immunologic and Reproductive Medical Services and Dr. Dana Myatt, holistic physician, Chief Medical Officer of Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club, and naturopathic researcher and educator.

With over 20 years of successful infertility treatment experience, Dr. Braverman has personally witnessed the beneficial effects that a naturopathic approach brings to his patients.

With the goal of offering the very best in natural treatment adjuncts to his patients, Dr. Braverman sought out the best minds in naturopathic medicine – and the collaboration between Dr. Braverman and Dr. Myatt was born.

With the experience gained from having overseen thousands of infertility treatment cycles and his knowledge of reproductive immunology combined with a number of successful experiences with vitamins, herbs, diet, and other natural treatments for infertility Dr. Braverman realized that a more exacting, clinical, and even scientific approach to natural treatments would bring greater benefits and increased success to his patients. Dr. Myatt brings that scientific, research-based approach, along with her extensive knowledge of herbs, vitamins, ancient Chinese and Eastern medicine, diet and a holistic, naturopathic approach to endocrinology and immunology to the partnership.

While there are plenty of supplements available to consumers which claim to be formulated to support fertility and pregnancy, none properly addressed the unique needs of men and women with infertility challenges to the satisfaction of either Dr. Braverman or Dr. Myatt, and none satisfied Dr. Myatt’s demanding standards for quality, purity, potency and formulation. Some even contained ingredients that might be harmful to fertility, conception, pregnancy or an unborn child in some cases! Consequently, Braverman and Myatt have worked together to develop a number of natural supplement products tailored specifically to target the unique needs of pre and peri-conceptual couples who are dealing with fertility issues.

These top-quality, specialized formulas bring increased hope to infertile couples, and we invite you to learn more about our specialized fertility supplements.

Please visit our Natural Fertility Knowledge Center for information on fertility related topics – discussed from a natural viewpoint.

You can learn more about Dr. Braverman here.

You can learn more about Dr. Myatt here.

Dr. Jeff Braverman is available to consult and discuss any of your infertility issues. His specialty is immunologic causes of recurrent pregnancy loss as well as the diagnosis and treatment  of previously  failed infertility cycles.

Natural Fertility Treatment

With
Reproductive Immunologist
Dr Jeff Braverman
Dr. Braverman Specializing in the correction of conditions that lead to Recurrent Miscarriages and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) Jeffrey Braverman, MD
Medical Director BIRMS

Dr. Dana Myatt is pleased to welcome the valued addition of Dr. Jeff Braverman to the Wellness Club team of medical experts. Dr. Myatt and Dr. Braverman will be combining the very best of conventional and natural medicine in the treatment of infertility.

About Dr. Braverman

Dr. Braverman is currently the Director of Reproductive Immunology at Wyckoff Hospital in Brooklyn New York (an affiliate hospital of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital System). He is also the Medical Director at Braverman Reproductive Immunology with offices in Long Island and Manhattan. He formerly held the position of Medical Director of SIRM on Long Island.

Dr. Braverman was honored as the youngest graduate at New York University where he was accepted at the age of 14. He went on to attend Medical School at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan and completed his internship and residency at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.

After completing his residency Dr. Braverman established a private medical practice in Long Island, New York. For more than 20 years, Dr. Braverman has been treating patients with all complications related to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and has become one of the nation’s leading authorities in the field of Reproductive Immunology.

A large majority of Dr. Braverman’s patients come to him suffering from Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Failure to Initiate and Successfully Complete a Pregnancy. (RPL and FISCP). He has managed thousands of cycles of IUI and IVF and has consistently maintained one of the highest success rates in New York despite the complexity of his case load.

For the last two years his practice has been voted the Best Infertility Practice on Long Island in an internet poll conducted by the Long Island Press.

Dr. Braverman has published articles in the field of high risk obstetrics related to IUGR, Gestational Diabetes, and Fetal Distress and has gained unequaled experience managing as well as delivering this High Risk group of patients. In fact Dr. Braverman has delivered well over 5000 babies in his career .

He has been featured with his RPL autoimmune patients on Discovery Channel’s Baby Story, local TV news stations, and has hosted numerous radio shows on reproductive immunology and fertility. He assists and consults with patients from around the world with problems related to RPL and FISCP. He has designed the most complete panel for the diagnosis and management of immune related pregnancy complications, as well as one of the most comprehensive thrombophilia (blood clotting) panels available. He is currently assisting in designing a computer chip that will test DNA for most of the hundreds of known genetic defects associated with RPL. He assisted in the Fertility Project for the development of nutritional supplements now used for the treatment of RPL and FISCP.

His current office staff have all been part of his practice for at least 12 years and most longer than that. This has also been one of the most important elements in maintaining the consistency Dr. Braverman’s care. You will always get someone knowledgeable when you call the office. Dr. Braverman performs all his own consults and sonograms. You will never get a “fill in “when you call for a consult or come in for a visit. He manages every case from start to finish. Most patients have his cell phone number and email and feel free to contact him with any questions. Many of Dr. Braverman’s patients from around the country learn about him in numerous immunology and fertility chat rooms on the internet, where he has developed a loyal following.

Dr. Braverman is a member in good standing with the American Society of Reproductive Immunology, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the European Society of Reproductive Immunology, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the New York State Medical Society, the Nassau County Medical Society and is actively Board Certified from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. BravermanHelping Couples Achieve the Gift of ChildrenDr. Jeff Braverman is available to consult and discuss any of your infertility issues. His specialty is immunologic causes of recurrent pregnancy loss as well as the diagnosis and treatment  of previously  failed infertility cycles.
Visit Dr. Braverman’s website here

Dr. Braverman’s offices in Manhattan and Long Island, NY may be reached at (516) 584 8710