Reduce alcohol cravings, improve memory, boost libido and stamp out toenail fungus. Here's how...
Dear Pharmacist,
My brother is struggling with alcohol cravings, even though he has a support group and does acupuncture. Can you recommend herbs or vitamins to help?
-H.S., Orlando, Fla.
Dear H.S.,
Many alcoholics never attempt to quit, and many end up facing liver failure, pancreatic cancer or jail time. Congrats to your brother (and you) for reaching out.
There are several supplements that can help reduce alcohol cravings:
Kudzu extract: Derived from a weed that grows all over the world, kudzu extract is sold in supplement form at health-food stores and has various medical uses. The extract from kudzu root (pueraria lobata) reduces the urge to drink, according to a 2004 study of animals published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. To be clear, human trials have yet to confirm this.
Glutamine: An essential amino acid, glutamine has multiple functions. It lines the gut, improves mood, reduces anxiety and may even reduce cravings. One detrimental effect of alcohol is that it reduces the action of the body's natural glutamine, which contributes to those nasty hangovers. To cut the craving and ease a hangover, supplement with 500-1,000 mg of glutamine at each meal.
5-HTP: Also an amino acid, 5-HTP is a popular natural antidepressant and sleep aid because it raises serotonin and melatonin in the body. Serotonin deficiency has been tied to alcoholism and other addictive disorders. I suggest 50-300 mg per day, in divided doses. You can start with 50 mg twice daily and work up slowly.
Milk thistle: These leaves from the Mediterranean are known for cleaning your liver, the primary organ damaged by excessive alcohol consumption. Milk thistle helps for mild liver damage, not severe.
People with addiction problems often have imbalanced brain chemicals. The above-mentioned supplements may restore harmony. Other useful options include dandelion, Reishi mushroom, evening primrose oil, glycine and L-tyrosine.
Prescription medications can also curb alcohol cravings. Antabuse (disulfuram) is an old drug that’s still available. It makes a person vomit profusely if alcohol is ingested. Another is naltrexone [sold under the brand names Depade, ReVia], which blocks pleasure sensors in the brain and reduces cravings for alcohol and narcotics once you quit. Campral (acamprosate) is another that may help. It helps the brains of people who have drunk lots of alcohol to work normally again.
Dear Pharmacist,
My father was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the doctor wants to prescribe Aricept. Can you recommend something natural to try before we get him medication?
-H.C., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Dear H.C.,
You have lots of choices. With your doctor’s approval, you can try a combination of natural remedies or look for a multitasking product that combines many of the ingredients below.
Huperzine A: It’s No. 1 on my list because of its beneficial effect on memory and cognitive function. The herb, popular in Chinese medicine, boosts levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, a memory chemical that’s deficient in people with Alzheimer’s.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: This compound, an acetylated form of L-carnitine, occurs naturally in plants and animals. It creates acetylcholine, a primary memory molecule.
DHA: This essential fatty acid improves learning and memory, and is super important for brain function.
CoQ10: This antioxidant and its active form, called ubiquinol, offer maid service to your brain cells. Research suggests that the cleansing action of CoQ10 slows down dementia and memory loss.
Pregnenolone: This hormone improves nerve-firing, protects brain cells and enhances a process called myelination, which protects nerve fibers. It’s made in your brain from cholesterol, so if you take drugs to lower cholesterol, your memory function will plummet along with those triglycerides! Ask your doctor if you can supplement with pregnenolone while taking your medicine.
Lithium orotate: This natural, over-the-counter supplement may reduce anger and agitation, as well as promote cheerfulness. You may associate lithium with people who have bipolar disorder. However, the mineral is essential for everyone, because it helps reverse early Alzheimer’s and improve spatial memory, Meniere’s syndrome and migraine/cluster headaches. I recommend 5-10 mg daily.
Bacopa monniera: Ayurvedic physicians have known about this “smart pill” for eons. It’s gaining popularity in the U.S. among traditional doctors because studies show it improves memory recall, alertness and cognitive function.
Vinpocetine: This periwinkle extract increases blood flow, feeding brain cells more oxygen and glucose. That makes nerve impulses fire better.
Phosphatidylserine (PS): This fatty substance that makes up cell membranes declines with age. The studies aren’t jaw-dropping, but I think PS is essential for preserving or enhancing memory.
Dear Pharmacist,
My wife and I have always had a healthy sex life, but lately I’m not able to perform, and it’s affecting our relationship. My physician prescribed Cialis, which works, but I don’t want to rely on medicine. I’m also taking a statin drug for high cholesterol. What should I do?
-R.T., Sanibel, Fla.
Dear R.T.,
Getting an erection requires healthy circulation. When blood flow to the penis is impaired, it’s called erectile dysfunction, or ED. This condition goes hand in hand with angina, a condition in which blood flow to the heart is impeded, contributing to high cholesterol.
Physicians often treat the conditions separately, prescribing both blood thinners and sex pills. While the medications treat the problems, they don’t fix your clogged pipelines and poor blood flow. The underlying disease progresses until you have a heart attack or stroke.
If you have ED, assume (until proven otherwise) that you have mild heart disease or prediabetes. The focus of testing should be to rule out those conditions using micronutrient and hormone panels offered by SpectraCell, Genova or Metametrix labs. Conventional blood tests won’t paint a full picture of hormones such as cortisol, DHEA, testosterone, estradiol and progesterone.
Statins make sexual problems worse because they rob your body of testosterone. Both men and women need testosterone to get the big “O.” A 2010 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine is shocking: Research from 3,484 men demonstrated that statin therapy might induce a hypogonadism (when the sex glands produce little or no hormones).
How does it work? Statins reduce cholesterol and, therefore, testosterone levels. This causes the sex-drive crash and could lead to shrinking testicles. As your cholesterol numbers decline, your interest in lovemaking flops.
Losing weight can help against ED because it improves blood flow and balances hormones. Many older men have a little (or sometimes big) spare tire around the belly. If you do, lose it.
The more fat cells you have, the more estrogen you have. Estrogen causes water retention, and high levels are tied to hundreds of diseases, including cancer. Furthermore, high estrogen causes low testosterone. And you need testosterone to woo your beloved!
Dear Pharmacist,
I have three toenails that are thick, discolored and broken. It’s really unattractive! I’ve taken prescription medications for toenail fungus, but they don’t work. I’ve had this problem for years. Can you help me?
-L.J., Dallas, Texas
Dear L.J.,
Toenail fungus is termed onychomycosis by doctors, a big word for toenail crud. Just like the tongue, fingernails and toenails are an outward expression of what’s going on inside you. Long-standing toenail fungus could mean you have diabetes or very poor immunity.
Remember, fungus thrives in moisture. Sweaty feet will exacerbate fungus, so wear shoes and socks made of breathable material, and let your tootsies go bare sometimes.
Fungus also flourishes in areas where healthy normal flora has been destroyed. If you lack a healthy stash of intestinal flora (i.e., probiotics), then yeast can take over.
Also, estrogen-containing drugs such as hormones and birth control fuel fungal growth – this is the drug-mugging effect these drugs have on intestinal flora.
Shelves are jam-packed with nonprescription treatments. Here are several that can help relieve toenail fungus:
Vicks VapoRub: This cough/cold formula contains menthol as its primary active ingredient. Rub it into your toenail about three times daily for a few months.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Sold at grocery and health food stores, ACV contains natural antifungals (including carbolic acid). Make a foot bath with one part ACV to two parts warm water, and soak 20 minutes a day for 3-6 months. If your nail is lifted off your nail bed, don’t use this treatment. It may sting.
Saccharomyces boulardii: This oral dietary supplement is a friendly yeast that can drive out dangerous fungus. I recommend you take this in addition to a high-quality probiotic formula.
Clotrimazole: A generic Lotrimin, this is sold at pharmacies and has anti-fungal properties.
Tea-tree oil or cream: Both of these contain terpenoids, naturally occurring organic chemicals that are antiseptic and antifungal. Tea tree fights toenail crud as well as clotrimazole, according to the Journal of Family Practice.
Reduce toxic load by eating more organic foods, and avoid chemicals. The stronger your GI tract, the less likely you are to develop fungus. Of course, see a podiatrist to ensure the healthiest toes and feet.
Want to know more? Get your own copy of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Drug Muggers: How To Keep Your Medicine From Stealing the Life Out of You! Plus, meet Dr. Suzy Cohen.
Plus, meet Dr. Suzy Cohen, or contact her to ask a question of your own.
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