Produced by Jessica Greene

For thousands of years, Mother Nature has been supplying health supplements to man- and womankind. Recently, many vitamins and herbs have gained attention from men and women, young and old, looking for modern miracles right in our back yard. But are these natural remedies really all they seem?

The search for the fountain of youth leads many to the health food store. Some popular supplements claim to help you live longer. Six of these supplements are winning respect in the medical world.

Pill #1: Saw Palmetto

Some call it nature's answer to the enlarged prostate. It's called the Saw Palmetto and it grows wild under the Florida sun. Considered a weed for a long time, the power of the saw palmetto comes from its berries. The berries are picked, processed, and dried. The oils are extracted, put into capsules, and sold to consumers. Because of such high demand, the saw palmetto industry in Florida is growing like weeds. Greg Zaino of Saw Palmetto Co-Op calls the plant black gold. Many men call the herb the answer to their prayers.

Prostate enlargement causes obstruction to the urethra; urinating becomes difficult. The condition has been documented in men as early as their 30s, and occurs in 75% of men by age 60. The problem is most widely treated surgically, but surgery scares many people.

The saw palmetto may just be Mother Nature's better, less invasive prescription for the condition. Native Florida Indians have used saw palmetto extract for hundreds of years to treat irritations of the bladder, urethra, and prostate. Pinellas County resident Jack Koch started using the natural remedy to treat his prostate problems. He says saw palmetto helped stop his urinary difficulty.

Several doctors agree that the taking the extract from saw palmetto is a good way to deal with problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Tampa urologist Dr. Alden Cockburn says the natural antidote is a good first line drug to take but stresses it is not a cure; it only relieves symptoms.

A Taste of Saw Palmetto


Pill #2: DHEA

Need an energy boost or a libido lift? Why not try DHEA? Some claim it is an anti-aging, anti cancer wonder drug. Others warn- too much of a good thing can be bad for you.

DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone that occurs naturally in men and women. Many scientists consider it to be the "mother hormone" because of the role it plays in producing other steroid hormones in the body. DHEA levels peak in our bodies when we are about 21, but as we age, the levels decrease. Production is also affected by other factors including smoking, heavy drinking, birth control pill use, and sudden stress.

Since it is a natural hormone, replacing it as is disappears seems like a natural idea. Dr. Cockburn warns that DHEA turns into male and female hormones and can act as a steroid. In younger men, taking DHEA can interrupt the body's natural production of the hormone.

However, DHEA may be helpful for older men and women. Dr. David Wall practices holistic medicine. He says studies show men and women over 50 reported improved energy and enhanced sense of well being from using DHEA. Sixty-one-year-old Susan Ham is a believer in the supplemental hormone. Even while working two jobs, she says the pills gave her more energy. She deals better with stress and sleeps through the night. While she may be experiencing the benefits of the supplement, Susan may not be aware of the subtle changes in her body. Since it is a hormone, DHEA can cause facial hair, acne, deepening of the voice, and may be linked to ovarian cancer. Men may likewise take caution as it has been linked to prostate cancer.

Experts agree that anyone who is considering DHEA should talk to their doctor first and use the hormone in small doses. It is also smart to have your DHEA levels checked regularly if you use the supplement. Even though it is a natural hormone, the old adage is still valid: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

DHEA: The Mother Hormone


Pill #3: Vitamin E

One of the fears of growing older is losing memory. It is normal to become somewhat forgetful as we age but when memory loss changes a person so much that they don't recognize their family, it is not healthy. About four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. As doctors study the mind-deteriorating affliction, families affected by it struggle to cope with its impact. Medication can be expensive and have unfavorable side effects. But what if the answer to Alzheimer's came from a simple vitamin?

A study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that Alzheimer's patients who took large doses of vitamin E, along with another drug, had a 25% reduction in the rate of progression of the disease. Patients involved in the study improved their ability to bathe, dress, handle money, and do other routine chores.

Alzheimer's disease is caused by free radicals that are formed during normal metabolism and released in the brain, destroying brain cells. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, working to soak up the hazardous molecules that cause so much harm to precious brain tissue. While the vitamin is not a cure for Alzheimer's, it may help to slow some of the symptoms of the disease.

Even if you do not have Alzheimer's disease, taking vitamin E may still be a good idea. It can help prevent scarring and wrinkles and has also been used to treat cataracts, asthma, and diabetes. There is also evidence that vitamin E supplements can help treat male infertility by enhancing the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg.

Studies also show that vitamin E can be healthy for your heart too. It lowers total blood cholesterol levels, including the harmful LDL cholesterol that block arteries. Artery blockage can cause a heart attack, but vitamin E can help prevent blood clots that lead to blockage. News like that makes most hearts happy.

One of the wonderful things about vitamin E is that is can be found in everyday foods. So when Mom told you to eat your broccoli, she was doing you a favor; along with other leafy greens and avocados, they are a natural source of vitamin E. Peaches, whole grain cereal, and eggs are also rich in vitamin E, as are salad dressings and margarine.

Vitamin E and heart attacks
Vitamin E and Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center


Pill #4: Gingko

The phrase "ancient Chinese secret" has become somewhat of a joke but there is an herbal supplement that living up to the expression. Gingko is both ancient and Chinese, but it is no longer a secret.

Ginkgo comes from the dried leaf of the oldest surviving species of tree on earth, ginkgo biloba. The tree is native to China and is so hardy, that a solitary ginkgo was the only tree to survive the atomic blast in Hiroshima. Chinese herbalists have used ginkgo for 5000 years to treat coughs, asthma, and allergies. Today, the herb is widely prescribed in Europe to help improve circulation and even slow down the aging process.

There are few people who are excited about growing old. But many are excited about the effects of taking gingko. The natural energizer acts as a stimulant to the circulation system, increasing blood flow throughout the body. Poor blood flow to the brain causes less oxygen, leading to memory loss. Gingko helps ensure the brain is receiving the food and oxygen it needs to function. That's food for thought.

Gingko is also recommended for a healthier heart. With increased blood flow, the possibility of coronary clotting is reduced. Also reduced is the chance of clotting, pain, and cramps in the legs, making walking easier. Losing eyesight and hearing is also associated with aging. With more blood flowing to these parts of the body as well, many users find their senses soaring.

Holistic doctor David Wall recommends gingko to his patients and says the only common side effect is some gastro-intestinal distress. Other reported side effects are headaches allergic skin reactions.

Gingko: Brain Food


Pill #5: Ginseng

Go, go, go… That's the way many Americans live life today. Stress from work, family, and finances adds up to misery. But a natural remedy said to restore energy is changing the way people handle the tensions of everyday life.

The Chinese have used ginseng root for thousands of years. The Iroquois first discovered it in the early 1700s. There are about 13 main types of ginseng, differing in color, size and shape, and effectiveness, but the key to the power of the root is the processing. Harvesting the root is the most difficult part of its life, taking up to six years. The final product comes in many forms including pills and drops and is often used in teas.

Users of the herb report more energy and less stress. Many athletes take it to help improve physical performance. Ginseng is also believed to help increase estrogen levels in women, therefore relieving discomfort during menopause. It may also inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors in women. Along with its proven benefits, the ancient root has aphrodisiac qualities.

Just because it comes from the ground doesn't mean it is completely harmless. Dr. David Wall says that ginseng may be too much for some people. He says the herb should be thought of as a drug and ginseng can cause hyperactivity, palpitations, and high blood pressure in some completely healthy people.

Ginseng and stress


Pill #6: Ma Huang

Another natural Chinese stimulant, Ma Huang, is receiving a great deal of attention lately and is also the most controversial of the 6 pills. Also known as ephedra, the use of Ma Huang has been traced to around 3000BC, when it was used to treat congestion associated with colds and hay fever. Today it is recommended to treat flu symptoms, hay fever, and asthma.

Most commonly used in sun-dried form in tea, Ma Huang is pungent smelling and bitter smelling. The active ingredients in ephedra, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, open bronchial passages but also cause some unfavorable side effects. Some effects such as dry mouth, are uncomfortable, others can be dangerous including increased heart rate and blood pressure. Pregnant women should absolutely not take it.

Since it speeds up metabolism, Ma Huang has been used for weight loss. That is one of the biggest reasons so many people have flocked to the herb, but the effects may not be permanent. Doctors warn that it should not be taken on a long-term basis. Although it is legal, ephedra is on the United States Olympic Committee's list of banned substances. When taken with caffeine, the plant extract causes nervousness, irritability, and insomnia.

The FDA has received hundreds of reports of cases of adverse side effects from ephedra and in 1995, reclassified ephedrine as a drug. This summer, it also proposed a law limiting the amount of ephedrine, including Ma Huang, in products. The law would also require products with those substances to have a warning label describing the side effects.

Just because it is a product of nature doesn't make it completely harmless. Doctors say it is important to have a check up and ask about using any supplements.

Information about Ma Huang
Ma Huang-aka-ephedra