HERBAL VS KIDNEY

HERBAL VS KIDNEY SIDE EFFECTS

 Use of Herbal Supplements in 

Chronic Kidney Disease

    As a chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient, you may have considered the use of herbal products to assist you with various health concerns. This fact sheet will give you some information to enable you to make decisions regarding your use of herbs.

Use of herbal supplements may be unsafe for CKD patients, since your body is not able to clear waste products like a healthy person. There are some facts about herbs that every CKD patient should know:

• Very few herbs have been studied in CKD patients. What may be safe for healthy persons may not be safe for someone with CKD, and in fact, could be dangerous. Therefore, you need to be very cautious about your use of these products.
• The government does not regulate herbal supplements, so the exact content of these products is unknown.
• Without regulation, there are no requirements for testing, so the purity, safety and effectiveness of the products are unknown.
• Herbal preparations are subject to contamination (may contain toxic heavy metals such as lead or mercury).
• Products may contain minerals harmful to CKD patients, for example: potassium.

Some herbs that may serve as diuretics may also cause “kidney irritation” or damage. These include bucha leaves and juniper berries. Uva Ursi and parsley capsules may have negative side effects as well.

Many herbs can interact with prescription drugs. A few examples are St. Johns Wort, echinacea, ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, ginger, and blue cohosh. Transplant patients are especially at risk, as any interaction between herbs and medications could potentially put them at risk for rejection or losing the kidney. It is important to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist about any herbs or medicines you want to take to avoid potential problems.

Herbs that may be toxic to the kidneys
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood plant)	Periwinkle
Autumn crocus	Sassafras
Chuifong tuokuwan (Black Pearl)	Tung shueh
Horse chestnut	Vandelia cordifolia

Herbs that may be harmful in chronic kidney disease
Alfalfa	Buckthorn	Ginger	Nettle	Vervain
Aloe	Capsicum	Ginseng	Noni juice
Bayberry	Cascara	Horsetail	Panax
Blue Cohosh	Coltsfoot	Licorice	Rhubarb
Broom	Dandelion	Mate	Senna

Herbs known to be unsafe for all people
Chapparal	Pennyroyal
Comfrey	Pokeroot
Ephedra (Ma Huang)	Sassafras
Lobelia	Senna
Mandrake	Yohimbe

These lists are not necessarily complete. More information regarding the use of herbs will become available over time. You are encouraged to proceed with caution with all herbal preparations and use them only under the direction of your medical team.
With all of these cautions, perhaps you are wondering if use of any herbs is a good idea. The use of common herbs, in normal amounts, when cooking is just fine and typically recommended to enhance the flavor of foods on a low-sodium diet.
So, before you take any herbal supplement, we recommend:

• Checking with your doctor, dietitian, pharmacist and/or product manufacturer regarding safety, dosage, duration of use, interactions with prescription drugs, etc.
• Use only standardized herbal extracts made by reputable companies.
• Never take more than the recommended dosage, or longer than recommended.
• Do not use herbal remedies for serious illness.
• Do not use herbs if considering pregnancy.

Remember … natural does not mean safe, especially for CKD patients. Be smart and ask questions before using any herbal products.
The following references can provide additional information regarding the use of herbal supplements:

American Botanical Council
www.herbalgram.org
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
nccam.nih.gov
National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbalmedicine.html
United States Pharmacopoeial
www.usp.org

PDR for Herbal Medicines . Gruenwald J, Bendler T, Jaenicke C, eds. Montvale NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000
The Honest Herbal . Tyler V. Pharmaceutical Products Press, New York, 1999

More than 20 million Americans—one in nine adults—have chronic kidney disease, and most don't even know it. More than 20 million others are at increased risk. The National Kidney Foundation, a major voluntary health organization, seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation. Through its 50 affiliates nationwide, the foundation conducts programs in research, professional education, patient and community services, public education and organ donation. The work of the National Kidney Foundation is funded by public donations.

The National Kidney Foundation would like to thank the
Council on Renal Nutrition for the development of this fact sheet.

==================================

About Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. To read more about kidney function, see How Your Kidneys Work. CKD is also known as chronic renal disease.

• What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
• The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
• What Causes CKD?
• What Are the Symptoms of CKD?
• Learn about Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. Chronic kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.

The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

• 26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk.
• Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
• Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.
• Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
• Persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) means CKD is present.
• High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.
• African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Seniors are at increased risk.
• Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.

What causes CKD?

The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases. Diabetes happens when your blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in your body, including the kidneys and heart, as well as blood vessels, nerves and eyes. High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the pressure of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels increases. If uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can be a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Also, chronic kidney disease can cause high blood pressure.
Other conditions that affect the kidneys are:

• Glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the kidney's filtering units. These disorders are the third most common type of kidney disease.
• Inherited diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, which causes large cysts to form in the kidneys and damage the surrounding tissue.
• Malformations that occur as a baby develops in its mother's womb. For example, a narrowing may occur that prevents normal outflow of urine and causes urine to flow back up to the kidney. This causes infections and may damage the kidneys.
• Lupus and other diseases that affect the body's immune system.
• Obstructions caused by problems like kidney stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate gland in men.
• Repeated urinary infections.

What are the symptoms of CKD?

Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:

• feel more tired and have less energy
• have trouble concentrating
• have a poor appetite
• have trouble sleeping
• have muscle cramping at night
• have swollen feet and ankles
• have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
• have dry, itchy skin
• need to urinate more often, especially at night.

Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:

• have diabetes
• have high blood pressure
• have a family history of chronic kidney disease
• are older
• belong to a population group that has a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.

Learn more About Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

GFR—glomerular filtration rate is the best test to measure your level of kidney function and determine your stage of kidney disease. Your doctor can calculate it from the results of your blood creatinine test, your age, race, gender and other factors.
The earlier kidney disease is detected, the better the chance of slowing or stopping its progression.

What happens if my test results show I may have chronic kidney disease?

Your doctor will want to pinpoint your diagnosis and check your kidney function to help plan your treatment. The doctor may do the following:

• Calculate your Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), which is the best way to tell how much kidney function you have. You do not need to have another test to know your GFR. Your doctor can calculate it from your blood creatinine, your age, race, gender and other factors. Your GFR tells your doctor your stage of kidney disease and helps the doctor plan your treatment.
• Perform an ultrasound or CT scan to get a picture of your kidneys and urinary tract. This tells your doctor whether your kidneys are too large or too small, whether you have a problem like a kidney stone or tumor and whether there are any problems in the structure of your kidneys and urinary tract.
• Perform a kidney biopsy, which is done in some cases to check for a specific type of kidney disease, see how much kidney damage has occurred and help plan treatment. To do a biopsy, the doctor removes small pieces of kidney tissue and looks at them under a microscope.

Your doctor may also ask you to see a kidney specialist who will consult on your case and help manage your care.
 =================

  

HERBALIFE VS PREGNANT WOMEN

HERBALIFE SIDE EFFECT

Herbalife Diet While Pregnant
Nov 8, 2011 | By Theresa Rosenthal

During pregnancy, the average woman should consume about 2,500 calories a day instead of the approximately 2,100 calories necessary before pregnancy. Consumption of any health or supplement product during pregnancy should contribute to these caloric needs, rather than restrict them. Diet shakes in general may safely be consumed during pregnancy when taken as a snack and not a meal-replacement. Herbalife products have some health and financial concerns that should be taken into consideration, especially during your pregnancy. Please consult with your physician about what supplements are appropriate for your pregnancy diet.

Dieting While Pregnant

Herbalife produces many different products for various needs, though many people use the protein shakes for weight management or fitness goals. The most important thing to remember during your pregnancy is that dieting is not recommended. Extra calories are needed each day for your body and your developing baby. Restricting these calories could cause problems for you and your baby’s growth due to malnutrition. Diet products, such as Herbalife weight management supplements and protein shakes, are not prohibited during pregnancy unless you’re using them to diet, or relying on them every day for your nutritional needs. Please consult your physician before adding supplements to your pregnancy diet.
 
Herbalife While Pregnant
 
Herbalife offers an entire line of products to support weight management, digestive health, personal care, energy, fitness, immune system and heart health. Each product solution offers a variety of herbal formulas, beverages, shampoos and skin care. While you may opt for the protein shakes under the fitness category or a nutritional shake from the weight management product line, make sure you are using them only in addition to healthy meals, not as a replacement. Since there are several Herbalife products, each one should be considered separately for their respective ingredients. Remember to consult your physician before making supplemental changes to your pregnancy diet.

Herbalife Dangers

There may be potential dangers when taking Herbalife products, which should be considered especially during pregnancy. Between 1998 and 2004, 10 cases of liver toxicity caused by Herbalife products were reported, as explained in the October 2007 issue of "Journal of Hepatology." Another study published in "Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety" in July 2011 revealed 20 cases of liver damage in 2003 leading to concerns about the liver safety of Herbalife products. Such concerns should be taken into consideration in regard to your pregnancy.
 

Cost of Herbalife

According to the Herbalife website, Herbalife is a multilevel marketing program and the products can only be purchased through independent distributors. Nextag.com compares the prices of products across the Internet and reveals the cost of Herbalife products to be fairly expensive. For example, two shake mix containers are $58. Depending on how often you will be consuming the products, this may be an expensive investment. While money may not be a concern to some pregnant mothers, others should take note that these expensive Herbalife products are not needed nor necessarily recommended for a healthy pregnancy.
References
   

HERBALIFE VS HEART

HERBAL VS HEART SIDE EFFECT

Herbal supplements may not mix with heart medicines

 

Some herbal supplements can have dangerous interactions with heart medications.

By Mayo Clinic staff Herbal supplements are natural, so they must be safe, right? Not necessarily. Herbal supplements can have strong effects in the body, and some can interact with prescription medications used to treat heart and circulatory problems, such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Some of these interactions can even be dangerous.

Herbal supplements and prescription medications

At least a quarter of adults who take prescription medications also take dietary supplements, including herbal supplements. That number is even higher among adults older than age 70 — three-quarters report using both prescription medications and dietary supplements.
Yet many herbal supplements interact with medications for cardiovascular disease — which are widely prescribed for older adults. The chances of herbs and drugs interacting are high. Indeed, 8 of the 10 most widely used supplements interact with the blood-thinning medication warfarin (Coumadin). Here are just a few of the herbal supplements that can affect warfarin:

• Danshen
• Dong quai
• Evening primrose oil
• Garlic
• Ginkgo
• Ginseng
• St. John's wort

That's why it's so important to talk with your doctor before taking herbal supplements if you take prescription medications. Your doctor and pharmacist can help you avoid risky interactions. 

Herbal supplements may not mix with heart medicines

Herbal supplements and drug interactions

This table shows popular herbal supplements and interactions with common heart medications. It's not a complete list, however, so be sure to discuss with your doctor the medications and supplements you take.

Herbal supplement	Medication	Potential effect
Garlic	Aspirin Clopidogrel (Plavix) Warfarin (Coumadin)	Increases risk of bleeding
Ginkgo	Aspirin Warfarin	Increases risk of bleeding
Ginseng	Warfarin	Decreases effectiveness of warfarin
Hawthorn	Beta blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin), nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL)	Increases blood pressure and heart rate
	Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, others), nifedipine (Procardia) and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS,Verelan) Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid, Nitrostat,others) and isosorbide (Monoket, Isordil)	Decreases blood pressure
	Digoxin (Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin)	Increases effects of digoxin
Licorice	Warfarin	Decreases levels of warfarin
St. John's wort	Calcium channel blockers Digoxin Warfarin Dabigatran (Pradaxa) Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) Statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor)	Reduces effectiveness of drugs

Playing it safe with herbal supplements

If your doctor tells you it's OK to use an herbal supplement combined with a medication, make sure you follow dosing instructions carefully. Watch for any unusual signs or symptoms that you could be having a drug interaction, such as rapid heartbeat, low blood sugar or changes in blood pressure. 

Medicines That Make Heart Failure Worse

There are many medicines that you'll need to avoid when you have heart failure. Some are over-the-counter drugs that you can buy without a prescription. Others are drugs that a doctor may prescribe.
Do not start taking any of the medicines listed in the table below unless your doctor says it is okay and he or she knows that you have heart failure. If your heart failure is mild, you may be able to use some of the medicines for a short time, but it's very important to ask your doctor first.
If you are already taking a medicine on the list below, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is okay to take it.

Medicines you may need to avoid

Over-the-counter medicines you may need to avoid (talk to your doctor or pharmacist)	Prescription medicines you may need to avoid (talk to your doctor or pharmacist)
Pain relievers called NSAIDs Ibuprofen, such as Advil and Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve Aspirin, such as Bayer If your doctor has told you to take a low-dose aspirin every day for your heart problems, it's probably okay to take it. Low-dose aspirin can help prevent blood clots and may prevent a stroke or a heart attack. Higher doses of aspirin may make your heart failure worse. Do not take aspirin for pain, such as from headaches or arthritis. Use acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, instead.	Pain relievers Celecoxib Etodolac Indomethacin Ibuprofen Ketoprofen Nabumetone Naproxen Piroxicam Sulindac
Cold, cough, flu, or sinus medicines Be sure to check the label. Do not take medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, or oxymetazoline, such as: Sudafed. Nose sprays (decongestants), such as Afrin and Dristan. Herbal remedies, such as ma huang and Herbalife. Make sure your cough and cold medicines don't contain aspirin or ibuprofen.	Antiarrhythmics These are drugs used to treat a fast or uneven heart rhythm. You may need to avoid the following: Disopyramide Dofetilide Flecainide Procainamide Propafenone Quinidine Sotalol
Antacids or laxatives that contain sodium Check the label for sodium or saline. Examples include: Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer. Laxatives, such as Fleet Phospho-Soda.	Calcium channel blockers People with a certain kind of heart failure may need to avoid the following medicines: Diltiazem Verapamil If you need to take a calcium channel blocker for another health problem, such as high blood pressure, your doctor will watch your health carefully.
	Certain diabetes medicines Most diabetes drugs are safe to take, but avoid the following: Metformin Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone1
	Certain antibiotics Some antibiotics may interfere with how your body uses the medicine digoxin. If you take digoxin, talk with your doctor before taking antibiotics.

Citations

1. Kaul S, et al. (2010). Thiazolidinedione drugs and cardiovascular risks: A science advisory from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation. Circulation, 121(16): 1868–1877.

Last Revised: April 26, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Margaret Hetherington, PHM, BsC - Pharmacy

Herbal Supplements, Warfarin Can Be Hazardous Mix

Garlic, ginkgo, St John's Wort could all upset bleeding/clotting balance, study found

HealthDay ON May 13, 2010 at 5:00PM

THURSDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- People taking the prescription blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) may up their risk for health complications if they also take herbal or non-herbal supplements, new research reveals.
In fact, eight out of the 10 most popular supplements in the United States could spark safety concerns with respect to warfarin, while also impacting the drug's effectiveness.
"I specifically looked at warfarin use, but the real issue is that even though herbal supplements fall under the category of food, and they're not regulated like prescription drugs, they still have the effects of a drug in the body," cautioned study author Jennifer L. Strohecker, a clinical pharmacist at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
"Warfarin is a very high-risk medication, which can be associated with severe consequences when it's not managed properly," she added. "However, warfarin is derived from a plant, sweet clover. In fact, many of our prescription drugs came from plants. So, it's very important for patients to recognize that just because an herb is marketed not like a prescription drug [that] doesn't mean it doesn't have similar effects in the body."
Strohecker and her colleagues are slated to present their findings Thursday at the Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting in Denver.
The authors note that almost 20 percent of Americans currently take some type of herbal or non-herbal supplement.
To gauge how these products might interact with warfarin, the researchers ranked the 20 most popular herbals and 20 most popular non-herbal supplements based on 2008 sales data, and then looked at how their use affected both clotting tendency and bleeding.
More than half of the herbal and non-herbal supplements were found to have either an indirect or direct impact on warfarin. Nearly two-thirds of all the supplements were found to raise the risk for bleeding among patients taking the blood thinner, while more than one-third hampered the effectiveness of the medication.
An increase in bleeding risk was specifically linked to the use of cranberry, garlic, ginkgo and saw palmetto supplements, the team said.
Glucosamine/chondroitin, essential fatty acids, multi-herb products, evening primrose oil, co-enzyme Q10, soy, melatonin, ginseng and St. John's wort all affected warfarin's effectiveness so much so that they prompted a need for adjustments in the drug's prescribed dosage.
"I'm not against herbal supplement use at all," Strohecker stressed. "But physicians need to proactively discuss this issue with their patients because of the consequences that can occur."
Dr. Richard L. Page, a cardiologist and chair of medicine at University of Wisconsin, Madison, and president of the Heart Rhythm Society, believes the larger problem here is poor patient-doctor communication.
"Doctors don't always know what their patients are taking," he said. "Supplements may perform a very good service. Or they may not be providing the sort of care that patients are looking for when they're essentially self-medicating. And where this becomes especially important is that these supplements can interact with the prescription drugs that your doctor may be giving you."
"This report is important," Page said, "because they look at a very common drug, warfarin, which has a narrow therapeutic window. Which means too much is bad cause you bleed, and too little is bad because it won't do the job of thinning the blood that you want. So the bottom line is, be careful of adding new supplements if you are on existing prescription medications, and talk to your doctor if you do."
A representative of the supplements industry took a slightly different view.
Duffy MacKay, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for the D.C.-based Council for Responsible Nutrition, the leading dietary supplement industry trade association, said that, "the issue here is really more with warfarin."
"It's just a very sensitive medication," he said. "Warfarin itself has a huge list of drugs, foods and over-the-counters that it interacts with. If you take too much or too little, it can become dangerous."
"So it's sort of a form of sensationalism to suggest that here you have this situation with dietary supplements specifically," MacKay added.
More information
There's more on warfarin at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
 =====================

Herbal Remedies May Be Risky 

With Heart Drugs

       Researchers Say Some Supplements Should be Avoided by Patients Taking Heart Drugs

 By Salynn Boyles WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Feb. 1, 2010 -- Patients taking heart drugs are at risk for potentially dangerous interactions when they also take herbal supplements such as ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort, and garlic, an analysis shows.
Investigators with the Mayo Clinic identified herbal and alternative products that they say should be avoided by patients with heart disease.
They claim the products could cause problems when taken with drugs commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure, control cholesterol, stabilize heart rhythms, or prevent blood clots.
The research analysis appears in the Feb. 9 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Researcher Arshad Jahangir, MD, tells WebMD that heart patients often fail to tell their doctors about the alternative remedies they take because they don't recognize the potential for harm.
"Many people think that natural is synonymous with safe," he says. "Many of these herbal remedies have been used for centuries, but they may not be safe in the current era when used by patients taking many other medications."

Older Patients Most at Risk

Jahangir says the danger is especially great in elderly heart patients, who are often also taking drugs for other chronic conditions and who may already have an increased risk for bleeding.
Bleeding was one of the most frequently cited interaction risks identified by the Mayo researchers, along with reducing or increasing the potency of the prescribed medications.
Some specific examples they cited included:

• St. John's wort, which is typically used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep problems, has been shown in some studies to decrease the effectiveness of the arrhythmia drug digoxin, as well as blood-pressure-lowering medications and cholesterol-regulating statins. 
• The herbal remedies alfalfa, dong quai, bilberry, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba were all identified by the researchers as increasing bleeding risk when combined with the widely prescribed anti-clotting drug Coumadin (warfarin). Ginseng and green tea were identified as decreasing Coumadin's effects. 
• The banned herbal product ephedra (ma-huang) has been linked to stroke, heart attack, seizures, and death from cardiac arrhythmia in otherwise healthy adults who used the product to boost energy or lose weight.
•  

Not all interactions identified by the researchers involved herbal or alternative remedies.
Jahangir says taking heart medications with grapefruit juice is a common cause of drug toxicity.
For almost two decades, researchers have known that grapefruit juice can increase dosages of some drugs to toxic levels by inhibiting a key enzyme in the intestine that breaks down medications.
He says patients on cholesterol-lowering statins who take the drugs with grapefruit juice may end up with blood statin levels that are three to four times higher than intended.
"I think it is a good idea for anyone taking medication to avoid grapefruit juice because the effects can last as long as 24 hours," he says.
The Mayo researchers conclude that there is a clear need for increased regulation to protect the public from herbal and alternative supplements that can harm them.

Supplement Industry Reaction

A spokesman for the dietary supplement industry's leading trade group was highly critical of the claim and the research analysis in general in a written statement released today.
Council for Responsible Nutrition Vice President for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Douglas MacKay, ND, writes that the analysis represents a "biased, poorly written and contrived attack on herbal supplements," which contained "sweeping generalizations, often not backed by relevant citations, and copious factual errors."
He faults the researchers for not acknowledging recent changes in federal law that require dietary supplement manufacturers to report serious adverse events to the FDA.
According to MacKay, in the first full year the law was in effect, the FDA reported 1,080 adverse events linked to the use of vitamins and minerals, as well as herbal, sports, and weight loss supplements. A total of 672 adverse events were considered serious.
"For the same year, FDA received over 526,000 adverse event reports related to drugs and biologic products, overn 300,000 of which were considered serious, including close to 50,000 deaths," he writes.

HERBALIFE Prolessa Duo Proprietary Blend
Prolessa Duo is a revolutionary product with three key
ingredients:

• Palm Oil – one of the edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm
  trees. It’s extracted from the pulp of
  the fruit of the oil palm, is naturally reddish in color because it is just
  loaded with beta-carotene. It’s one of
  the few saturated vegetable fats that
  has no cholesterol and is known for its ability to suppress appetite.
• Oat Oil – is extracted from oat in a manner that leaves its biological
  value intact. It’s rich in oxidation resistance agent such as vitamin E
  and sterols which can remove the active oxygen free radical resided in the skin
  cell, defer the aging process, depress the formation of age pigment and protect
  skin cell from damage. It’s very well
  known for its use in lotions because of its natural emollients.
• Conjugated Linoleic Acid – perhaps the most unique of the three products in the proprietary blend. CLA
  for short has been beneficial in human health for a very long time. It’s been known to hinder the growth of
  tumors and is a well known anti-cancer agent.
  CLA is mostly found in grass fed beef and it’s important to understand
  it’s capabilities in firming and toning.
  It firms belly fat, firms the carcass fat and increases lean body mass
  and reduces body fat.

• CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID Side Effects & Safety

  Conjugated linoleic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods and is POSSIBLY SAFE for use in medicinal amounts (larger amounts than those found in food). It might cause side effects such as stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.
  

  Special Precautions & Warnings:

  Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of conjugated linoleic acid in medicinal mounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes : There are concerns that taking conjugated linoleic acid can worsen diabetes. Avoid use.
  
  Metabolic syndrome : There are concerns that taking conjugated linoleic acid might increase the risk of getting diabetes if you have metabolic syndrome. Avoid use.

 

Weight loss supplement - conjugated linoleic acid - shows nasty side effects

A supplement some people turn to in hopes of losing a few pounds may have some previously unknown, unsavory side effects, suggest two new studies.

Researchers studied how mice and rats responded to the supplement conjugated linoleic acid, an essential amino acid found in trace amounts primarily in beef, lamb and milk. Synthetic forms of conjugated linoleic acid are marketed as supplements that help reduce body fat, and some manufacturers also tout conjugated linoleic acid for reducing the risk of diabetes and certain types of cancer.
The mice and rats responded in very different ways to conjugated linoleic acid, said Martha Belury, the lead author of both studies and an associate professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University.
Mice fed a conjugated linoleic acid-supplemented diet lost weight very fast, but also accumulated excessive amounts of fat in their livers – a common side effect of rapid weight loss. Excessive fat accumulation in the liver is linked to insulin resistance, a hallmark of Type 2 diabetes.
Yet conjugated linoleic acid didn't help rats lose weight they had gained prior to taking the supplement. But it effectively decreased the amount of fat that had accumulated in the animals' livers due to the weight gain. In turn, the rats were less resistant to insulin.
“Many people take conjugated linoleic acid as a supplement in hopes of trimming body fat, and it seems to work,” Belury said. “But we're not sure what else it does to the body. Studying conjugated linoleic acid's effects in two different animal models may help us to better understand any additional effects in humans.
“It seems that these mice and rats represent a continuum of possible side effects induced by conjugated linoleic acid,” she continued. “The question is, are humans more like mice or rats? We're probably somewhere in between.”
The current mouse study appears in a recent issue of the Journal of Lipid Research, while the rat study will appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
In a study from 2003, Belury found that conjugated linoleic acid supplements lowered body mass and blood sugar levels of diabetics. The study participants took conjugated linoleic acid supplements for two months.
Researchers fed two groups of mice different diets. The first group ate a diet containing conjugated linoleic acid for four weeks, followed by four weeks of a diet without conjugated linoleic acid.
The second group of animals ate a conjugated linoleic acid-free diet for two weeks followed by two weeks of a diet that included conjugated linoleic acid. During the latter two weeks, some of the mice received daily injections of the anti-diabetes drug rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone makes the body more sensitive to insulin. Mice serving as controls for both groups did not consume conjugated linoleic acid.
The researchers monitored insulin sensitivity in all mice throughout the study. They also monitored levels of adiponectin, a hormone secreted by fat tissue and thought to play a role in insulin resistance.
“Adiponectin helps regulate insulin levels,” Belury said. “Lowered levels are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.”
The researchers found that conjugated linoleic acid supplementation significantly decreased body fat in the first group of mice, but at the same time excessive amounts of fat accumulated in the animals' livers. Belury and her colleagues linked this accumulation of fat in the liver to increased insulin resistance.
When conjugated linoleic acid was removed from the diet, the animals gained weight but lost fat in the liver. The mice also became less resistant to insulin.
“When we took conjugated linoleic acid away, we lost that suppressive effect on body fat, but we were actually able to restore insulin sensitivity,” Belury said.
But the group of mice given rosiglitazone injections while on a conjugated linoleic acid-rich diet neither lost weight nor became insulin resistant.

“The drug kept adiponectin levels steady during the weeks the mice consumed conjugated linoleic acid,” Belury said. “We think that's what kept the animals from becoming resistant to insulin.
“While this is an interesting finding, it doesn't mean that someone taking conjugated linoleic acid should also take an anti-diabetic drug,” she continued. “It's too soon to tell if that would be the case in humans.”
In the rat study, Belury and her colleagues studied a special kind of rat model bred to gain weight quickly. These rats were also less susceptible to conjugated linoleic acid-induced weight loss. All rats ate a high-fat diet for four weeks. For the remaining four weeks of the study, half of the rats ate a low-fat diet supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid, while the rest of the animals ate a low-fat diet without conjugated linoleic acid.
The supplement didn't help the rats lose weight. But it seemed to keep fat from accumulating in the animals' livers, compared to the rats eating the diet without conjugated linoleic acid.
Belury pointed out that up to 75 percent of people with obesity and diabetes develop an illness called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in which fat accumulates in the liver and can ultimately make a person insulin resistant.
conjugated linoleic acid may or may not have a similar effect on humans, and it will take time to determine how the human body responds to the supplement. But clinical trials are underway – Belury is currently working with researchers from Ohio State's medical center who are conducting a clinical trial of the effects of conjugated linoleic acid on women with diabetes.
Belury conducted the studies with Aparna Purushotham and Angela Wendel, both graduate fellows in human nutrition; and Li-Fen Liu and Gayle Shrode, both graduate research associates in human nutrition.
Support for the work was provided by Cognis North America, a manufacturer of synthetic conjugated linoleic acid headquartered in Cincinnati. Support also came from the Carol S. Kennedy research award and the Anita R. McCormick fellowship.
http://www.osu.edu

The Side Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Jun 3, 2011 | By A.M. Tacon

 Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images

Conjugated linolenic acid or CLA is a naturally occurring derivative of the essential fatty acid known as linoleic acid. Specifically, CLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found primarily in meat and dairy foods, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In recent years, it has gained prominence as a weight loss aid with body fat-reducing properties; also, marketing claims include other benefits such as reducing cholesterol, and protecting against certain types of cancer, yet more research is needed. Unwanted side effects are possible with CLA.
Gastrointestinal Distress

Gastrointestinal upset may occur if you start taking CLA supplements, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Gastrointestinal symptoms include upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea; however, such effects are temporary and should subside as the body gets used to the CLA supplementation. If you experience diarrhea, you need to drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of becoming dehydrated. Notify your physician if gastrointestinal symptoms persist or worsen.
Fatigue

A potentially adverse reaction to supplementing your diet with CLA involves severe fatigue. This side effect may impact your daily routine and performance of required duties. If you experience this degree of fatigue, you may need to initially reduce your daily activities temporarily and get more sleep as your body adjusts to the supplement.
Macular Degeneration

Linoleic acid may seriously affect your vision, as indicated by the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. CLA may increase an individual's risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, or ARMD. ARMD is an eye disease associated with progressive deterioration of vision that ultimately results in blindness. It is imperative that you speak with your doctor when considering CLA if you have a family history of eye disease.

Heart Disease

Research data indicate that CLA supplementation can affect your blood vessel function; consequently, this effect may increase your risk of developing heart disease, as reported by the University of Michigan Health System. In the cited study that consisted of healthy volunteers, participants took 4.5 g of CLA daily for 12 weeks. This time period of taking CLA produced an impairment of blood vessels associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. In sum, these findings suggest that long-term use of CLA may lead to heart disease.
Precautions

Research data show that taking CLA supplements also may produce insulin resistance and increase your blood glucose or sugar levels, states Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Therefore, if you are diabetic, caution is warranted since CLA supplementation may exacerbate diabetic symptoms.
References

    Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Conjugated Linoleic Acid
    Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Linoleic Acid
    University of Michigan Health System: Conjugated Linoleic Acid 

HERBALIFE ENERGY DRINK VS SIDE EFFECT

 HERBALIFE SIDE EFFECTS

The Side Effects of a LiftOFF HERBALIFE Energy Drink
Jun 30, 2011 | By Tomas Linnaeus 

 

Energy drinks have exploded in popularity during the past 10 years. Most of these products include a proprietary blend of ingredients. Some drinks come in a beverage can, whereas others such as Liftoff come in a tablet form. According to the Herbalife website, Liftoff contains substances known to enhance mental performance and boost energy. While often effective, these ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some people. Speak with a licensed physician before consuming a large quantity of energy drinks.
 

Caffeine
Most energy drinks contain caffeine -- a substance known to increase performance and alertness. Ingesting this stimulant provides benefits to athletes in both individual and team sports, according to a December 2010 review in "Sports Medicine." Yet, caffeine can also cause side effects. An article published in the 2011 volume of the "Polish Heart Journal" describes some of these effects. Large doses can elevate blood pressure and cholesterol count. Pregnant women should also avoid the stimulant. It can have adverse effects on the growth and heart of the fetus.
 

Guarana
The Paullinia cupana plant -- better known as guarana -- remains popular despite safety concerns. Guarana has a protective effect on your body as habitual users appear less likely to develop diabetic symptoms, according to a February 2011 report in "Phytotherapy Research." Many over-the-counter supplements adversely affect the kidneys. A case report presented in the March 2007 issue of "Orvosi Hetilap" suggests that long-term use of guarana leads to organ damage. Years of supplementation caused kidney failure in a 30-year-old female patient. This damage disappeared when the women stopped taking guarana.

Ginseng
Ginseng can slow the aging process and improve thinking, according to a December 2009 review in the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine." These benefits may come at a price as ginseng can also cause allergic reactions. A clinical trial described in the July 2004 edition of the "Annals of Medicine" discovered a potential drug interaction associated with ginseng use. Participants taking warfarin, a blood-thinning drug, also received ginseng for three weeks. Relative to baseline, ginseng significantly reduced the effectiveness of warfarin. This change could prove fatal in some cases.
 

Taurine
Beverage makers often add the organic acid taurine to their energy drinks. This substance reduces fatigue and enhances performance, according to a February 2004 article in "Amino Acids." Taurine also helps the body process sugar. A study published in the 2011 volume of "Biomedical Research" showed that its antioxidant effects protect the body from diabetic damage. Yet, these beneficial effects can cause problems as well. A February 2002 report in "Platelets" indicates that taurine reduces blood coagulation by about 10 percent. This change could prevent wound healing in susceptible people.
 

Ginkgo
The Ginkgo biloba tree provided traditional societies several medicines. Modern researchers have obtained documentation for some of these alleged effects. Ginkgo improves symptoms of dementia, according to a 2011 paper in "Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment." It might also relieve ear ringing in patients with hearing loss. Effective in the short-term, the long-term safety of ginkgo remains unknown. A review published in the January 2008 issue of the "Journal of Food Science" described several possible side effects of ginkgo. Most reactions are mild, but some can be severe. Doctors, for example, have observed near fatal cases of internal bleeding following extended ginkgo use.

References

• Herbalife; Liftoff: Product Details
• "Sports Medicine"; Dietary Supplements and Team-Sport Performance; David Bishop; December 2010
• "Polish Heart Journal"; Coffee and Caffeine -- Enemies or Alliantes of a Cardiologist?; Wojciech Dworzanski, et al.; 2011
• "Phytotherapy Research"; Habitual Intake of Guarana and Metabolic Morbidities: An Epidemiological Study of an Elderly Amazonian Population; C. Costa Krewer, et al.; February 2011
• "Orvosi Hetilap"; Acute Renal Failure Caused by Plant Extract; Katalin Vagasi, et al.; March 2007
• "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine"; New Achievements in Ginseng Research and Its Future Prospects; Shi-Feng Chu and Jun-Tian Zhang; December 2009

Article reviewed by Tina Boyle Last updated on: Jun 30, 2011 
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Side Effects of Herbal Life Products

Jul 20, 2010 | By Brian Willett


Herbal Life is a company that produces a wide range of nutrition products, from vitamin supplements and diet pills to protein snacks and digestive health supplements. While these supplements may be beneficial to your health, you should research the ingredients in each supplement to avoid possible side effects. Even if a product has positive reviews, your results may vary. Consult your doctor before using any Herbal Life supplements to discuss their safety and efficacy.

Hypotension: Cell-U-Loss
Cell-U-Loss is a supplement marketed by Herbal Life to help you decrease bodily fluid retention. This product contains a number of ingredients, most of them herbs. One herb in the Cell-U-Loss formula is hydrangea, which may cause hypotension, or low blood pressure, according to the Silberg Center for Dental Science. Hypotension is a condition that may cause fainting, shock and dizziness. The Silberg Center notes that hydrangea may be especially dangerous when used in conjunction with high blood pressure medication.

Cancer Risk: Total Control

Total Control is a weight management supplement that is intended to increase your metabolism, increase your energy levels, and promote healthy weight loss. Total Control is similar to many other weight loss supplements because it contains stimulants such as caffeine and yerba mate. According to Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., yerba mate may promote weight loss, but it also has a number of side effects--including increased cancer risk. According to Zeratsky, regular intake of yerba mate may increase your risk of cancers such as those of the lungs, mouth and esophagus. Zeratsky does note that the risk is probably small, however.

Difficulty Sleeping: LiftOff

LiftOff is an energy supplement produced by Herbal Life. This product comes in the form of a tablet that dissolves in water. LiftOff contains a number of stimulants to increase energy, but these ingredients may also cause side effects, including difficulty sleeping, or insomnia. Herbal Life LiftOff contains caffeine, a common stimulant that may cause sleeping problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Clinic. In addition, LiftOff contains guarana, which the website Drugs.com explains may cause anxiety, nervousness and trouble sleeping. Due to these side effects, you should not take LiftOff within several hours of bed time.

References

    The Silberg Center for Dental Science: Herbal Medications
    Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.: Yerba Mate: Is It Safe To Drink?
    University of Maryland Medical Center: Caffeine In The Diet
    Drugs.com: Guarana Side Effects
Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jul 20, 2010
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 Guarana Tea & Headaches 

Guarana tea is made from the berries of the guarana plant, a bush native to the Amazon river basin. Indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest have used guarana as an herbal medicine to treat many ailments, including headache. Like any health supplement, consult your doctor before taking guarana.
Headache
Guarana may be an effective short-term treatment for headaches, according to the University of Colorado Denver College of Pharmacy. However, guarana is not recommended for treatment of chronic headache, and should not be taken for more than seven days in a row, in order to reduce the risk of side effects such as nausea, anxiety, irritability and increased heart rate.
Tea
Guarana tea is often made by dissolving powered guarana berries in hot water. For optimal results, combine a half to 1 tsp. of powdered guarana with 8 oz. of hot water, recommends CrazyForTea.com. Alternatively, purified guarana supplements can be taken, at a dose of 200 to 800 mg, reports A Nurse's Guide to Herbal Remedies.
Active Ingredient 
The likely active ingredient in guarana tea responsible for the effect on headache is caffeine, explains the New York University Langone Medical Center. Although other related stimulants, including theobromine and theophylline, may also play a role. Caffeine is often an effective treatment for headaches for people who do not regularly consume caffeine, according to an article published in the May 2007 issue of the medical journal "Neurological Sciences."
Too Much Caffeine 
While occasional consumption of caffeine, in guarana tea or other forms, may be beneficial for headaches, frequent consumption of guarana tea may actual result in more headaches, warns the article in "Neurological Sciences." Long-term consumption of caffeine can lead to physical dependence, which causes withdrawal in the absence of caffeine. One of the common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal is headache, sometimes chronic headaches.
ReferencesArticle reviewed by Tina Boyle Last updated on: Sep 1, 2011  | By Matthew Busse

References

• A Nurse's Guide to Herbal Remedies: Guarana
• New York University Langone Medical Center: Guarana
• University of Colorado, Denver College of Pharmacy: Guarana; Kelvin Anderson; May 2003
• "Neurological Sciences"; Caffeine and Headaches; R.E. Shapiro; May 2007
• CrazyForTea.com: Guarana Herb - Herbal Tea 
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