OCTOBER, 2007 NEWS

HERB DAY 2008

is our

 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY

Sat., October 13

All regularly-priced merchandise will be

10% OFF! 

No coupons or other offers available that day. Not applicable to consultations or massages.

VITAMIN LESSON - VITAMIN C 

For years, many prominent researchers have promoted the benefits of large doses or vitamin C. In fact, Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D., a board certified cardiologist, has just written a book about vitamin C (Stop America's #1 Killer) and how important it is to preventing heart disease. His premise is that atherosclerosis (narrowed and blocked arteries) can be prevented and even reversed when enough vitamin C continually bathes the inner lining of the arteries. In a recent interview, Dr. Levy states, "To recommend a daily intake of less than 100 mg of vitamin C is incredibly irresponsible at best." He feels vitamin C is "the most important nutrient that one can take on a daily basis" and people cannot take too much vitamin C.

Other important benefits of vitamin C include strengthening immunity and since vitamin C is one of the anti-oxidant vitamins, it fights free radicals that damage our cells. It is critical to the formation of collagens, the substances that form fibers which connect tendons, ligaments, bones, and cartilage. It helps us maintain healthy gums, teeth, bones, red blood cells, and blood vessels and can help speed the healing of bone factures. High doses of vitamin C act like an antihistamine which can reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu and since vitamin C concentrates in our adrenal glands, it's crucial for our energy levels. Vitamin C is also believed to help prevent cancer.

Vitamin C is water soluble, which means our bodies don't store any extra in our fat cells, so we need to replenish our supplies daily. It is well tolerated by most people, even in very large doses, although a few people taking high amounts have reported symptoms of diarrhea. The general rule of thumb for vitamin C is to take large doses up to your bowel tolerance; that is, until you experience loose stools. At that point, back off a little and regulate your dose.

Most people are aware that vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, but many don't realize that vegetables such as the following are also high in vitamin C: broccoli, sweet peppers, strawberries, melons, tomatoes and raw cabbage; and leafy green vegetables such as spinach, turnip, and mustard greens. Compared to other essential vitamins, vitamin C is very sensitive and is easily destroyed. Cooking food too long can destroy vitamin C, so lightly steaming these vegetables is recommended to obtain the maximum benefit from it.

The most common symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are soft and bleeding gums, swollen or painful joints, and slow healing of wounds and factures. Other symptoms include skin hemorrhages, impaired digestion, loss of appetite, nose bleeds, and anemia. Smoking can zap vitamin C from our bodies and the following drugs will deplete our bodies of vitamin C: aspirin, Bumetanide (Bumex), carisoprodol with aspirin (Soma Compound), dexamethasone, estrogen containing drugs (hormone replacement therapy and birth control); fluocinonide (Lidex), fluticasone (Flonase), furosemide (Lasix), levonorgestrel (found in most birth control pills), oxycodone/aspirin (Percodan), steroids (methylprednisolone, prednisolone), torsemide, and triamcinolone.

I'm a big proponent of vitamin C. If you don't supplement with anything else, please consider taking at least 500 mg a day of this critical nutrient.

NUMEN: THE NATURE OF PLANTS

A film about the healing power of plants.

 To bring this powerful film to PBS, the filmmakers need your help.

Visit http://www.brookhollowproductions.com/numenpreview/index.html

for more information.

 FAVORITE HEALTH QUOTE

"We chat together; he gives me prescriptions; I never follow them so I get well." - Molière

ADULT CLASSES

at Powhatan High School

(Taught by Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP)

HERBS, HERBS, HERBS!

Learn to identify common local herbs, their medicinal properties & culinary uses. 

October 29 

1 night (Monday)

 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

 HEALTHY HEART

November 5 

1 night (Monday)

 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

$5.00

VEGETARIAN COOKING

November  12 – 

1 night (Monday)

 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

 Call Sharon Faubert at PHS 598-5710 for registration information.

VITAMIN C CHOICES IN STOCK FOR WINTER

Chewable C Cherry-Flavored

Ester-C 500 mg

Ester-C 1000 mg