Physician Formulas

Ray Sahelian, M.D. is the bestselling author of Mind Boosters, He is also an expert herbal product formulator with such popular formulas as Mind Power Rx, Passion Rx, Eyesight Rx, Prostate Power Rx, Joint Power Rx, and others.

[physicianformulas]

Too Many Tests Done In This Country That Don't Improve Overall Health Or Longevity

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Our medical costs are too high and we do too many unnecessary medical tests and treatments in the USA. Recently a panel of several organizations warned the public of tests and procedures that are overdone. Many doctors may not follow this advice since they worry about getting sued by their patients if they do not order these tests and something is missed. However, as a patient, you can be informed and make a better judgment on which tests to avoid or do so less frequently. Here are two good articles that summarize their recommendations. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46950533/ns/health-cancer/#.T3xu8NnheJs and http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/health/doctor-panels-urge-fewer-routine-tests.html?_r=1&hp

[physicianformulas]

Alzheimer's Disease Risk Can Be Reduced

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

It is possible that eating more fish or consuming flax seeds (both of which contain healthy omega-3 acids) could reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to Nikolaos Scarmeas, MD, of New York's Columbia University Medical Center. It appears that people whose diets have the most omega-3 have the lowest blood levels of a protein known as beta-amyloid. This protein deposits are common in the brains of people with AD. Dr Scarmeas says, "This adds to the evidence that diet may play a role in memory decline." See http://www.raysahelian.com/alzheimer.html for additional dietary and natural options to reduce the risk for this neurological condition.

[physicianformulas]

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

One of my patients who I had not seen for quite a while recently told me he had been taking 5-HTP, the dietary supplement that converts in the body and brain to the mood elevating chemical serotonin, for a period of five years. His dose has been consistent at 50 mg each and every evening. When I asked him if he had noticed any adverse effects, he said not that he was aware of. This man in his 50s happens to be the longest continuous user (without a break) of this dietary supplement that I know of. His reason for taking it was to naturally deal with a mild case of depression. It seems to have worked for him. Personally, I prefer users of this serotonin enhancer to take breaks from use since long term effects have not been studied, but it is encouraging to know that at least one person has taken it for this extended period without obvious problems. When I asked him if he had ever tried other natural antidepressants such as St. John's wort and SAM-e, he said he had but they had not worked for him. I know many people who have had great benefits from SAM-e as a mood enhancer. I find it interesting that some supplements work for some individuals and not for others. Often it is difficult to predict which product will work. The most reliable way is by trial and error. See http://www.raysahelian.com/depression.html for a review of natural ways to lift mood and perhaps avoid the need (or at least reduce the dosage) of prescription antidepressants. I personally have tried all three. 5-HTP gives me a balanced mood and reduces my appetite, often within hours or a day. SAM-e gives me a quick pickup and energy boost within an hour or two and I certainly notice the mood elevation the same day or the next day. It also makes the day seem special, a little more magical. So does St. John's wort. I like all three of them. If you do wish to try these natural mood lifters do so one at a time for a week or two, take a break for a few days, and then start on another one. Of course consult with your physician if you have health issues or are currently taking medications. Sometimes it is difficult to predict interactions between pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. At times I have found the combination of one 300 mg pill of St. John's wort in the morning followed by a 50 mg 5HTP pill in mid afternoon to be a wonderful mood enhancing combination.

[physicianformulas]

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Feedback: I have now taken the recommended regimen of Passion Rx, one capsule before eating in the morning 2 days on, 1 day off, and there is no question that I am being lifted sexually, both in multi-orgasmic recharge capability and in desire to bring myself to ejaculation. And my orgasms are getting longer. At least on the first orgasm of the day I am definitely shooting an increased amount of semen! I'm a retired man, 62, in great health and on no medications. I live alone, finally in a home I own, and I long ago decided that when I got to this stage of life, the sexual pleasure that I have enjoyed during my life would, uh, become my life (I do fish a lot, lol). I don't have the dreaded four hour erections-- no priapism-- but I'm certainly erect and masturbating four hours or more a day. Was even before Passion Rx, but there's no question that sex, my passion in life, has been enhanced by this product. I have never wanted to try Viagra or any of that stuff because I do not have erectile dysfunction. Thank you for making something that dovetails so well with my own needs available!

www.raysahelian.com

[physicianformulas]

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Q. I have enjoyed the information you provide for quite some time. Sometimes I have been surprised by your low vitamin B recommendations, but every time I take a B50 complex or even B25, I get at fast heart rate, feel over stimulated and such, and no doctor have ever understood that, but from reading your information it makes sense, is it really possible to get anxiety from high B vitamins?

       A. Yes. They do influence levels of brain chemicals and too much can cause adverse effects that you mention.

www.raysahelian.com

[physicianformulas]

Coffee And Blood Pressure

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

A review on the sudden and longer-term effects of caffeine and coffee intake on blood pressure and on the association between habitual coffee consumption and risk of heart disease in individuals with hypertension was conducted. The administration of 200 to 300 mg caffeine produced an average increase of 8 mm Hg in systolic BP and of 6 mm Hg in diastolic BP. The increase in BP was observed in the first hour after caffeine intake and lasted greater than 3 hours. However, there was no change in BP with longer-term drinking. Current evidence does not support an association between longer-term coffee consumption and increased BP or between habitual coffee consumption and an increased risk of heart disease in hypertensive subjects. http://www.raysahelian.com/coffee.html. It appears that drinking a cup of coffee in the morning is safe, unless in those who are extremely sensitive to caffeine and have trouble sleeping at night. 

[physicianformulas]

Still Drinking Sodas? Perhaps It’s Time To Do So Even Less

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Lab tests commissioned by a consumer group found that popular colas carry a caramel-coloring chemical ( 4-methylimidazole or 4-MI) that causes cancer in lab animals. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) commissioned tests detected 4-MI in regular and diet Coca-Cola and Pepsi products -- in millionths of a gram per 12-ounce can. CSPI notes that these quantities are several times higher than a controversial benchmark set by the state of California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. CSPI petitioned the FDA to ban this kind of caramel coloring. It also wanted the cosmetic additive renamed "chemically modified caramel coloring" or "ammonia-sulfite process caramel coloring."

www.raysahelian.com

[physicianformulas]

Magnesium Mineral Reduces Stroke Risk

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the evidence regarding the association between magnesium intake and stroke risk. It was found that dietary magnesium intake was inversely associated with risk of stroke, specifically ischemic stroke. In other words, those with higher levels of this mineral in their bloodstream had a lower incidence of sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate brain cells .

  See http://www.raysahelian.com/magnesium.html

[physicianformulas]

Legumes Help Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

      Adding beans and other legumes to the diet helps those with type 2 diabetes improve their blood sugar control and lower their risk of heart disease, according to researcher David J.A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and nutrition at the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Archives of Internal Medicine, Oct., 2012. See http://www.raysahelian.com/bean.html

[physicianformulas]

Statin Drug Adverse Reaction Report * Comment

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

I was prescribed and started taking the cholesterol lowering medication Lipitor without knowing of any side effects. Being a young male, I liked to have alcohol often enough. After 6 months on 5mg Lipitor per day, I started having itchy skin. Was so bad that I continuously scratched myself to relieve the itchiness. Spent hours at night just scratching. Then another symptom appeared. I would wake up every night and my bed was soaking wet. I would twist the blankets and a lot of water would drip out. Yet another symptom then appeared. My skin would start getting red rashes that would appear anywhere on my body and then disappear within 4-5 minutes time. My skin was dry and I would also burn in the sun very quickly. Last and most dangerous symptom was I had problems breathing and my throat was enflamed / blocking. I read up on all of these symptoms and found your amazing web site which confirmed my fears that Lipitor was to blame. I quit the drug immediately. It's been a year now and most symptoms have disappeared or are much less frequent. Thank you for helping me.

http://www.raysahelian.com/

[physicianformulas]

Lose Weight By Sleeping More

Dr. Ray sahelian, M.D.

     Researchers at the New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, St Luke's�Roosevelt Hospital, had normal-weight men and women participate in a 2-phase inpatient crossover study in which they spent either 4 hours/night (restricted sleep) or 9 hours/night (habitual sleep) in bed. Each phase lasted 6 days, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the fasted state on day 6. Overall neuronal activity in response to food stimuli was greater after restricted sleep than after habitual sleep. The findings of this study are consistent with the notion that reduced sleep may lead to greater propensity to overeat. See natural ways to lose weight, http://www.raysahelian.com/weightloss.html

[physicianformulas]

Garlic Does Help With The Common Cold

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Supplements of an aged garlic extract may reduce the days that a person suffers from cold and flu. The supplement was also found to enhance immune cells, particularly natural killer cells and gamma delta cells. Garlic also contains compounds with potential to modulate the immune system such as lectins, fructooligosaccharide, and apigenin. Researchers recruited 120 healthy subjects and randomly assigned them to receive a daily supplement of the aged garlic extract (2.5 grams) or placebo for 90 days. Results showed that the number of both types of immune cells increased more in the garlic group compared with the placebo group. Significant improvements were also reported for the number of symptoms, the number of days and incidences that people felt under the weather, as well as a decrease in days missed at work.

  See http://www.raysahelian.com/garlic.html. Fresh garlic works better but the downside to fresh garlic is that the breath odor can stay as long as 2 days, so it is not appropriate to those who are in close contact with others.

[physicianformulas]

I Wish Cardiologists Knew More About Natural Treatment For Heart Problems

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

     Results published in the journal Circulation indicates that individuals with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA (mostly found in fish oils) have a lower risk of atrial fibrillation, a type of heart rhythm disturbance that often requires medication. Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, from the Harvard School of Public Health, says. "Given the aging of the population, the significant and growing public health burden of atrial fibrillation, and the limited treatment options once this heart condition develops, our results highlight the need to investigate atrial physiological and arrhythmic mechanisms affected by total and individual omega-3 fatty acids and to test their efficacy for preventing new onset of atrial fibrillation among older adults."

  See http://www.raysahelian.com/omega3.html.

[physicianformulas]

Heart Rhythm Problems With Lipoic Acid

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Question. I tried a 300 mg capsule of NaRLA (a stabilized form of r lipoic acid, newest form to hit the shelves), the bottle directions stating take 1 or 2 daily as tolerated, and had heart palpitations with shortness of breath thru the night (I took the pill with dinner). The next day my thinking was quite sharp and clear and energy level quite good. I laid off the stuff for a few days and thought maybe I'd try a much smaller dose next time. No noticeable problem on the lower dose and within minutes of taking had sharper thinking and articulation. Then tried a 300 mg capsule again thinking maybe it was something else that triggered the initial bad side effects. Well, I had an even worse reaction this time and felt like I might have to go to an ER. I'm on day 4 now since this happened, each day progressively better, last night slept well. Probably not completely out of the woods yet, seems like mild anxiety about anything gets magnified autonomically and heart/shortness of breath starts but not too bad. I'm generally a pretty laid back person, this is not the norm. Manufacturers of this product boast it's rapid assimilation as a selling point. Definitely a potent substance - not something to trifle with, a tiny bit goes a long way.

     A. Side effects of heart rhythm disturbances can occur with high dosages of any form alpha lipoic acid.http://www.raysahelian.com/lipoic.html

[physicianformulas]

Do You Really Need All These Tests?

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

According to current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, routine screening for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer are not advised once patients reach age 75 years, and routine screening for cervical cancer is not advised once patients reach age 65 years. See

  http://www.raysahelian.com/annualphysical.html

[physicianformulas]

Melatonin Sleep Hormone Safety

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Question:  I just read on the WebMD website that melatonin should only be taken if there is a circadian rhythm problem and only under close Dr. supervision. And you shouldn’t take it if you are on other medications. What is Dr. Sahelian’s opinion on this?

     A. I have been studying this topic since melatonin first came on the market in 1995 and I have seen no problems when people use 0.3 to 1 mg once or twice a week as long as they wish. I am not aware of any untoward reactions with medications at these dosages and frequencies.http://www.raysahelian.com/melatonin.html

[physicianformulas]

Uterine Fibroids, Does Diet Play A Role?

Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D.

       In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables had a reduced incidence of fibroids 

  http://www.raysahelian.com/fibroids.html