How does one take saw palmetto?

The dose of saw palmetto is about 1-2 g of dried powder. There are also solutions, tinctures and whole berries available for sale and the dose is quite variable.  There are even tea formulas prepared from berries but these formulas do not work well. There is not enough data to recommend saw palmetto for use in children.

What is the big deal with saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata) is a popular herb in North America and Europe. For decades, this herb has been used by Europeans to treat symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate or BPH). In the USA, saw palmetto is quickly gaining fame for BPH partly because it is safe and has much fewer side effects compared to the conventional drugs. However, all consumers should understand that saw palmetto is not a replacement for traditional medical therapy for prostate hypertrophy but a complimentary therapy.


Centuries ago saw palmetto was used by the Mayans to treat a variety of infections. Even the berries of the plant were widely consumed to relieve cough and fever.


At the moment saw palmetto is an accepted licensed product in many European countries but in North America it is classified as a health supplement. Its use in America is empirical and one does not need a prescription.


There is some evidence that saw palmetto does inhibit enzymes that make the hormone, testosterone, and there are other reports which indicate that the herb may also have a direct action of androgen receptors. 

Can I use honey instead of sugar in my coffee? I am a diabetic.

Sure, you can.


There is a lot of hype about honey and its miraculous healing properties. If you are a diabetic you can certainly use honey but you should know a few facts. 
Honey is very high in calories and can also raise your blood sugar. If you decide to use honey, use it sparingly.


As far as its medical benefits are concerned, there are only isolated reports which have never been verified in blind randomized trials.


There are reports that applying honey on diabetic wounds can lead to rapid healing. Unfortunately, none of these studies from the Middle East have ever been reproduced and the results have been inconsistent.  

Can cinnamon lower blood sugars?

Cinnamon is a decent food flavoring agent and recently there has been a lot of hype about its ability to lower blood sugars. There are many reports indicating that cinnamon has many other medial benefits. However, all these are anecdotal reports and have never been proven in properly conducted clinical studies. 


There has been one study from Asia which showed that cinnamon taken daily for more than 3 months can help lower blood sugars in type 2 diabetics. However, the results were not sustained and the benefit was only seen in a few patients.


What the consumer should under stand is that cinnamon is a spice that has been used in every day cooking by millions of Orientals and Indians. And yet there people have some of the highest levels of diabetes of all ethnic groups. While cinnamon is not a bad flavoring agent, its anti diabetic properties are simply exaggerated. 


All diabetics should know that cinnamon is not a substitute for the conventional diabetic medications or insulin. If you  are a diabetic and want to live a hassle free life free of complications, better speak to your doctor before you start mucking around with cinnamon as your treatment for blood sugars.

Can you tell me what herb/supplement I can take to control my blood sugars?

Unfortunately, outside of insulin and the oral hypoglycemic drugs, there is nothing that can help lower your blood sugars. The majority of health supplements marketed for blood sugar control are junk, untested and do not serve any real medical benefit. Moreover, these supplements contain contaminants, many are even fakes and all of them are expensive.

The one thing you can is to exercise. There is a lot of evidence that regular exercise can help you lower your blood sugar, reduce your weight and even lower your cholesterol. It really does not matter what exercise you do, as long as you do something that is physical. There is no easy way out. Popping supplements/herbs has become an easy solution for everyone wanting to cure their medical problems. The problem with the health supplement market is that it is unregulated with no quality control. 

So if you want to leave a hassle free life with diabetes, start walking today. Walking is free, allows you to enjoy nature and does work-if you remain motivated.

Can I take L-tryptophan (5 HTP) for my depression?

5-HTP is a well-known dietary supplement also known as l tryptophan. The amino acid is available in many health food stores and sold for the treatment of depression, pain disorders, sleep difficulties, obesity, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. 

The problem is that l tryptophan has never been fully assessed clinically in randomized clinical trials and so all reports about its efficacy are anecdotal. In the last few years the quality and quantity of l tryptophan sold has also come under question. Moreover, no two same products of L-tryptophan contain the same dose. 

Alternative health care practitioners recommend anywhere from 50- 1,500 mg per day of L tryptophan. As to whether it really works for any disorder is anyone’s guess. Few reports indicate that l-tryptophan may work but the anti depressant effects are mild and usually do not start to occur for about 4-6 weeks. 

If you do decide to use L-tryptophan, a word of warning. Many health supplements come from the Orient and are often spiked with real pharmaceutical drugs- so knowing where to buy your health supplements is also very important.  

Can I use herbs or natural supplements to treat diabetes?

Sure, you can use anything but you will die sooner than expected.

First the facts- if you have type 1 diabetes, then there is only one treatment and that is insulin. There is no other substitute. There is no herb, lotion, potion, paste, cream enema or a pill that can replace this very vital hormone. All people who have type 1 diabetes should know that there is no substitute for insulin. The consequences of mucking around with herbs for type 1 diabetes usually leads to one quick conclusion-death.

On the other hand, if you have type 2 diabetes, then you have a lot more options. All individuals who have type 2 diabete should exercise regularly and avoid too many sugary foods. Exercise and weight loss can lead to significantly better control of blood sugar. There are also a variety of oral medications that can be used to control blood sugars.

The role of herbs to control type 2 diabetes has not been established. Every single week, there is a new herb that is claimed to lower blood sugar. Some of the common herbs that have been touted to lower blood sugar include stevia, bilberry gymnome, and jambul. Many other herbs including Konjac mannan, American ginseng, Ipomoea batatas, Momordica charantia, nopal, aloe Vera, and fenugreek. However, the results of these herbs are neither consistent nor always reproducible. For most of these herbs, there is no scientific evidence that they actually work in diabetes. Most of the reported “medical benefits” of these herbs are only offered by dealers and vendors of health supplements who have a vested financial interest in the product.

While most herbs are safe and can be taken as supplements, one should not substitute them for the standard conventional anti diabetic medications without first discussing the issue with a doctor.

At present, the American Diabetes Association has argued against the use of herbs because the industry is not regulated and the quality of herbs is not controlled. One cannot even be sure if the same supplement bought in different stores will have the same quality or quantity. In the last few years, numerous Chinese herbs products have been found to contain actual prescription anti diabetic drugs that were banned more than 20 years ago. Given these uncertainties and problems with fake supplements, the consumers should be cautious when it comes to use of herbs for diabetes.

For a type 2 diabetic, the best medical advice is to exercise and reduce weight. These measures alone have been shown to significantly reduce blood sugars, lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. This approach is not only cheap and safe but the results are guaranteed if one is dedicated and motivated.