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Health Columns for Let's Live Magazine |
by Richard P. Huemer, M.D.
From 1983 onward, Dr. Huemer wrote a monthly question-and-answer column for Let's Live. Many of these items are included here, in reverse chronological order. These are Dr. Huemer's original manuscripts, not necessarily as published in the magazine, and their dates are when the manuscripts were transmitted, not when they were published. We have agreed not to put items on this site until 3 months following publication.
HERBAL HELP FOR VARICOSE VEINS (2/1/98)
Q: Is there anything that will rejuvenate or restore the valves in the veins? Thanks to taking birth control pills and aspirin I have varicose veins in my arms and legs. --A.N., Metairie, LA
A: A number of herbal remedies have been proposed for varicose veins, including calendula, ginkgo, marjoram, milk thistle, sweet clover, witch hazel, and wood bentony. Before trying any of these, I'd start with 150 mg of bilberry three times a day, along with 500 mg of quercetin three times a day. I've have good results with these two in strengthening veins.
If the one-way valves in your veins are seriously damaged, is it realistic to expect a full reversal of that anatomical change? Probably not. However, I don't recommend vein-stripping surgery. That will merely remove the more visible unsightly superficial veins, leaving the deep veins with their own damaged valves to carry more of the circulatory load.
(Memo: I am currently also recommending horse chestnut. --RH 9/99)
SOURCE: Christopher Hobbs, "Herbal Prescriber", op. cit.
MAGNESIUM VS. DRUG FOR M.V.P. (2/1/98)
Q: I'm a physically active 33 year-old woman whose only known medical condition is mitral valve prolapse (M.V.P). I take a number of nutritional supplements, including niacin 500 mg, vitamin B1 300 mg, and magnesium 500 mg. I also take a beta-blocker and another drug for my M.V.P. My cardiologist recommended that I take magnesium for my M.V.P., and discontinue the beta-blocker, but I just feel psychologically more secure on the drug. Also, I'm wondering whether I could damage my liver with too much niacin, which I'm taking because I don't want my good HDL level to drop. --B.C., Mt. Olive, Alabama
A: First, listen to your cardiologist. He's telling you what's right. I personally don't believe in using drugs when there is no demonstrable need for them, and I hope you'll get off the beta-blocker. If you need a little more cardiac security, add about 100 mg of CoQ10 and 500 mg acetyl-L-carnitine daily to your supplement regimen.
You seem to be taking the niacin for security, too, inasmuch as your HDL is normal without it. Yes, you could hurt your liver with too much niacin, but it is unlikely at that dose. I would worry more about the 300 mg of vitamin B1. As Adelle Davis pointed out a number of years ago, one can get a B-complex deficiency by taking too much of one B-vitamin without the other members of the complex.
I would suggest continuing the niacin at about half your present intake, discontinuing the B1, and adding a B-complex vitamin of the 50-mg type.
DIABETES AND VITAMINS (2/1/98)
Q: Are there any new findings relating nutrition to prevention of diabetic complications, including eye disease? --J.S., Huntington Beach, CA
A: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population, being responsible for 12% of new cases of blindness. It also causes cerebral, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, and microvascular disease of the kidneys and nervous system, as well as of the retina.
Recent advances in the understanding of the lipoproteins in the blood (fatty-protein particles) reveal that a particular subfraction of the LDL (so called "bad cholesterol" particle) is highly risky for vascular disease, and even more risky (perhaps 20-fold) when high blood sugar is present. In order to convert this subfraction to a less harmful form, researchers at the University of California at Irvine are now employing large doses of niacin.
The doses of niacin being used clinically are 3000 mg daily, which is a very large dose that should be used only under medical supervision and with adequate B-complex intake. Timed-release niacin does not seem to work here. To minimize free-radical reactions, a healthy dose of vitamin E is being used along with the niacin therapy in this major medical school.
SOURCE: Lecture notes of M.K. Michelis, M.D.--Diabetes and the Eye (course)--Long Beach Memorial Medical Center--2/1/98 --especially, lecture by M. Arthur Charles, M.D., Ph.D., Director, UCI Diabetes Research Program and Professor of Medicine, "Modern Diabetes Care & Future Therapies for the Most Important Issue Facing America Today: Diabetes"
(Memo: I also spoke by phone with Dr. Charles about his work. --RH 9/99)
