My advice would be to get started on an aggressive dietary and supplemental approach to reducing inflammation and supporting joint structure.

From a dietary perspective you should focus on eliminating foods... Read More    Ask Your Question

I am unaware of this exact report and what aspect of supplementation was leading to the toxicity.  What I do know is that it is possible to have toxicity with certain nutrients and selenium is one of them.  The... Read More    Ask Your Question

Dear Christine, 

This is not an uncommon complaint.  Many people start to feel at a young at that their energy, stamina and zest start to... Read More    Ask Your Question

Anytime you are discussing the quality of a botanical or vitamin product there will be variation in regards to the quality.  Many different factors can affect this. ... Read More    Ask Your Question

Thank you for that great question.  Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation is a critical part of pre-natal care that is often overlooked.  A child's developing nervous system needs access to abundant Omega 3 fatty... Read More    Ask Your Question

Although some herbal supplements can be potentially harmful when combined with medications like high blood pressure and depression medication the Happy Camper product does not contain any herbal ingredients that would be... Read More    Ask Your Question

Dear Dr. Passero: Since some months ago I have been haveing problems with my period. I started bleeding heavely and my period lasts for 13 days. I went to the doctor and he gave me 10 days treatment of progesterone and he said that I will be ok. My periods are still lasting 6-8 days and I am wondering if I can take Wild Yam pills to help regulate my hormones? Thanks in advance for your attention and help. I will be looking forward for your response.

Often times in cases where women have prolonged bleeding it is an issue with low progesterone, that is why your doctor prescribed the 10 day course of it..  Progesterone helps to maintain the... Read More    Ask Your Question

Antioxidants can have many benefits for you body.  Free radical damage is associated with many different types of chronic diseases including chronic pain, chronic infections and even cancer.  By taking... Read More    Ask Your Question

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, also known as DGL is one of the best natural remedies for acid reflux symptoms.  This is a form of licorice that has had one of its components removed which enhances its effect on the GI... Read More    Ask Your Question

Hi, I have a problem which probably doesn’t sound big but is seriously getting me down and damaging my social life. Ever since I was about 16/17 whenever I seem to step onto grass flies follow me or hover over my head. It is particularly worse in the summer. I cannot seem to be able to go to the park without flies swarming all above my head and it is clearly recognizable to see. It has meant me making several excuses not to go to the park and sometimes it is impossible to get out of but its an embarrassing situation and one I’m desperately trying to solve. I use hair products which my friends use and ones that have been voted the best etc. I don’t smell any differently to anyone else and I just don’t know what to do to solve the problem. There is obviously some kind of smell I’m giving off but I don’t know how to fix this.

This sounds like a very pesky problem and the fact that it is inhibiting your ability to enjoy the outdoors is of particular concern.  It is possible that you are releasing some type of odor that is particularly attractive to insects, but... Read More    Ask Your Question

Yes,

Both Beta Glucan and Red Yeast Rice are generally very safe supplements and would not pose a problem if combined together.  Beta glucan is thought to lower cholesterol levels by binding it in the gut and helping with excretion... Read More    Ask Your Question

What you need to focus on is natural products that help to reduce inflammation in the body.  Some of the best things to do this are Omega 3 fatty acids.  The compounds found in omega 3 products like fish oil... Read More    Ask Your Question

Weight loss can be a very daunting task especially when you have a lot to lose.  You must remember that no supplement will take the place of the appropriate dietary changes and exercise program.  There are no easy... Read More    Ask Your Question

Although the name implies that it is yeast, the extracts used in Red Yeast Rice products do not affect Candida... Read More    Ask Your Question

Hi, I was taking daily 2000mg of flaxseed oil , one cod liver oil capsule 525mg with added A,D, & E in the cod liver oil and magnesium 300mg.  The flax seed oil just in the last 3 weeks .. but recently became very nauseas and sick with diarrhea and almost anxiety attacks . I feel I may have over done the omega 3s and have since realized all of these things thin the blood.  During this period I have also taken ibuprophen .. another blood thinner.  My question is this, could the sickness and diarrhea been brought on by this concoction of supplements and have I done myself long term harm / And could I take valerian for the anxiety?  I cannot sleep because of the anxiety.  I have given up all the supplements in the mean time .

Although it is never possible to predict how a person will react to any medication or supplement, there is enough known about different supplements to predict what one might expect.  In most... Read More    Ask Your Question

One of the most well researched natural products for ADHD is fish oil.  DHA is one of the active components of fish oil and comprises 40% of the fat contained in the brain.  It is extremely supportive to the... Read More    Ask Your Question

Bulimia and all eating disorders are a very serious situation.  They inflict a large amount of stress on the body and can cause long term damage if severe enough.  It sounds like your supplementation protocol is... Read More    Ask Your Question

Red yeast rice is a specific intervention for the lowering of cholesterol.  The compounds that naturally occur in this product are similar to those found in the prescription medications known as the statins which... Read More    Ask Your Question

DHEA is a hormone that the body uses to make other hormones, particularly testosterone and estrogen.  When DHEA is given there is no way to anticipate exactly what hormone the body will convert it to.  Sometimes in men given DHEA... Read More    Ask Your Question

As an amino acid, Arginine does not have many known interactions with other medications.  It can increase nitric oxide production which stimulates the relaxation of blood vessels.  This is often a desired effect of Arginine and is used... Read More    Ask Your Question

Ginger is a great antioxidant however most of the metals used for dental implants are not highly reactive and are not likely to cause any significant oxidative damage.  The same is true for the metals used in other prosthetic applications... Read More    Ask Your Question

My daughter just had a seizure a couple of weeks ago,she is 37 years old and has never had these before ,it left her very weak. we would like to know what vitamins she can take for brain health,please get back to me as soon as you can. Thank you for your time in helping us, Carolyn

First, it is very important that your daughter get an appropriate work to find out why she had a seizure in the first place.  Brain imaging and blood tests are an absolute must and should be... Read More    Ask Your Question

Curcumin, also known as Turmeric, has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory actions.  Compounds in this herb called curcuminoids work in the body to block inflammation by inhibiting the... Read More    Ask Your Question

I am terribly sorry to hear about you and your husband’s unfortunate health situation.  Hopefully some of the following suggestions will be helpful.

Hi, I am 23 years old and 5 foot 6 inches.  I would like to increase my height and have heard that Arginine can work to boost HGH levels.  Will taking it as a supplement increase my height?

 I am afraid not.  At age 23, whether you are male or female, most of the growth in your long bones is complete.  Growth plates in your... Read More    Ask Your Question

Although dandelion root is thought to support liver detoxification processes there is no current research indicating that it can change the way your body metabolizes the birth control pill. ... Read More    Ask Your Question

Many people tend to have this problem.  The important thing is to keep up the healthy eating and exercise and not to get discouraged.  Once you find the right equation for your body those last pounds should come... Read More    Ask Your Question

Wild Yam can be helpful for balancing certain issues related to female hormones.  It is thought to do this by gently stimulating certain receptors on cells that are related to hormones like estrogen... Read More    Ask Your Question

I’ve been taking Silver Biotics for almost a week and just received my order from vitabase of Acidophilus,& Suprema Doplilus. I would like to know if they will have any bad reactions taken together?? Please Help...

First understand that the Silver Biotics formula is a colloidal silver supplement that acts as an antimicrobial agent.  

The Acidophilus and Suprema... Read More    Ask Your Question

The Focus Formula is a great place to start to provide key nutrients to support improved focus and concentration.  The B vitamin family is very important as are the blend of phospholipids such as... Read More    Ask Your Question

It is true that many women report that fenugreek can help improve breast milk production.  Fennel is another herb widely thought to increase breast milk production.  The reality of the situation is that other very... Read More    Ask Your Question

I do not foresee any potential interactions between the Evening Primrose Oil and your Metformin.  There is nothing in the literature to suggest that this is a possibility.  In fact, Evening Primrose Oil is... Read More    Ask Your Question

The only instance in which fish oil would be harmful to the liver is if the fish oil is of very poor quality.  In this case it is possible that it has not been processed properly to remove heavy metals and other... Read More    Ask Your Question

This is probably an issue that you should bring up with a mental health professional or with your mom's primary care doctor.  Depending on her age she may be experiencing some early signs of dementia or... Read More    Ask Your Question

I am having problems with enlarged prostate. Will SAME have any side effects that would affect my prostate? I am presently taking SAME and my prostate is starting to act up. I don’t if it is related. Also should I be taking certain amounts of Vitamin B and Folic acid with SAMe?

There are no known side effects of SAMe that would be related to worsening of prostate symptoms that I have heard of.  However, each person’s body is unique and has the potential to generate... Read More    Ask Your Question

Dear Tina, 

The situation you are describing is something that I hear numerous times in my practice everyday.  Many women are in a situation where... Read More    Ask Your Question

Most prenatal vitamins contain ingredients similar to a regular multivitamin with the addition of some extra folic acid, iron and possibly DHA.  There are no ingredients in a standard prenatal that I would expect to... Read More    Ask Your Question

Blood clots are a very serious condition and can happen for a variety of different reasons.  If your doctor has put you on medication for blood clots it is absolutely imperative that you remain on that... Read More    Ask Your Question

Dr. Passero, I have chronic constipation and have tried prescription meds and some supplements from the health food stores like,senna, aloe vera,magnesium,triphala with no success. the magnesium,all kinds makes my mouth burn and irritates my stomach. I drink gallons of water and eat a lot of vegetables and little fruit as I am hypoglycemic and am on a hypo diet and I react to many foods. Is there anything I could try for constipation to help me? I am desperate.

One of the most important issues related to constipation that frequently gets missed is thyroid function.  Low thyroid function will cause constipation in certain individuals and to varying... Read More    Ask Your Question

One of the most common side effects of antidepressant and antianxiety medications is loss of libido.  Although it sounds like you have decreased the amount of mediation you are taking, even... Read More    Ask Your Question

Dear Joyce,

There are some very important things to consider when supporting your moods using natural strategies.  Read More    Ask Your Question

 It is very possible that your digestive discomfort could be related to IBS.  This is just the name for any scenario in which the bowel becomes irritated.  It can be related to stress... Read More    Ask Your Question

Hello Dr. Passero, My mother had two surgeries and had her thyroid taken out. She takes thyroid medication, she is 71 and seems to have some short term memory issues. Is this dementia/alhemizers or an issue with her thyroid removal? She has a terrible reaction to Iodine and almost died. She will not eat any type of fish anymore. She takes a multivitamin, vitamin E and calcium. She seems to be a little depressed and aggressive. I know we all get depressed and aggressive at times. She likes to be around people and wants to be by her self at times also. She likes to shop, go places. Since her last surgery she has been hoarse with her voice and does not talk much around other people but talks to me all the time. What is going on and what do I do?

When someone first has their removed it may take a while to accurately adjust the dose of thyroid medication.  Part of the reason she may not be feeling well could be due to the possibility that her dose of... Read More    Ask Your Question

Clove oil does contain natural compounds that can reduce pain when applied topically.  It has a long history of use in dental care primarily for relieving the pain associated with toothaches.  However, it is... Read More    Ask Your Question

I have an underactive thyroid and have been taking pills for 9 years. I take a multi women’s multiple vitamin and Omega 3 1000mg once a day. I was wondering what other vitamins and minerals I can take. For example primrose oil, more B vitamins. Thanks

A multiple vitamin and a good quality omega 3 should be part of everybody’s supplement routine.  If you are looking for things specifically for your thyroid I would suggest looking to kelp... Read More    Ask Your Question

Taking anything is too high of a dose can be dangerous.  B6 can have potential nerve toxicity when taken in high enough doses (500mg/day and over although some recommendations suggest toxicity levels are as high as... Read More    Ask Your Question

I think you have made a good decision to incorporate CAM therapies into your treatment program.  It sounds as if the practitioner you selected is helping you make wise decisions about your... Read More    Ask Your Question

I have primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver and most of the time the itching at night disrupts my sleep.  I was told that maybe a Naturopathic Doctor can help.  Would this be a good idea or will I be wasting my time?   I now have to rely on sleeping tablets to get some sleep and I don't wish to keep taking them if there are other options.

Primary biliary cirrhosis (or PBC) is a condition that is thought to be associated with autoimmune disease but little is currently known.  I hope that you have seen a liver specialist because there are medications... Read More    Ask Your Question

High potency B complex vitamins are generally recognized as safe in breastfeeding.  However, there is no telling how your baby will react to its presence in your body. ... Read More    Ask Your Question

Hi I take an herbal compound that contains Senna leaf and pod. Its been a great relief in my chronic constipation. I’ve been taking it daily for a few years. But I’m worried that prolonged use of this irritant may be causing unseen or upcoming problems. Should I stop its use, and if so, what can I do for the constipation instead? Many thanks!

Long term use of any type of laxative is not recommended.  Natural or synthetic, the strong laxatives like senna that work by causing irritation in the bowels to induce a bowel movement, will... Read More    Ask Your Question

Hello Doctor, My husband and I are trying to conceive but still no luck for us.  I am not sure whether this is relevant......my husband once took the (evening primrose oil) EPO supplement without consulting a pharmacist or doctor.  As far as I am concerned the EPO can benefit women in balancing their hormone levels.  So I was wondering whether this can affect my husband’s sex health because I still haven’t conceived even after a year of trial.  For your information, my menstrual cycle is normal i.e more or less 30 to 33 days. Hope you can offer us some advice. Thanks

Conception has so many complex factors involved.  Many men take Evening Primrose Oil for its wonderful health benefits, particularly for the skin.  Its hormonal... Read More    Ask Your Question

Without a detailed list of the medications your husband is taking there is no way to know for sure if SAMe would be detrimental for him.  What I can tell you is that SAMe does have an... Read More    Ask Your Question

Most women with PCOS have difficulty with blood sugar issues.  High blood sugar is one of the main characteristics of PCOS and it is very important to get this under control.

Calendula is a wonderful herb and can be used topically or internally to promote the healing and soothing of tissues.  It is thought to have mild anti-inflammatory properties and has been... Read More    Ask Your Question

Good day doc, Thank you for all you do to help the public.... Q: 51 year old healthy male,  on Benicar for blood pressure...I feel yuck on this stuff, my MD is aware of my plan...I am going to try Celery Seed...In your opinion, when is the best time to take it, between meals or with meals, how much, 75 or 150 mg, best brand in your opinion,?......thanks so much...

Celery seed has long history of medicinal use for a variety of health complaints including gout, arthritis and high blood pressure.  It contains a multitude of compounds that affect inflammatory... Read More    Ask Your Question

In my opinion, the most beneficial properties of aloe vera are related to its soothing and healing effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the skin. ... Read More    Ask Your Question

I have recently had to make a decision about meds for anxiety and insomnia. I would prefer to take herbs and my question is will their be any interaction if I take Valerian for sleep, St.Johns wort for anxiety, Fenugreek & Thyme for energy. I was also given Holy Basil, Liquid green tea complex and liquid Ginkgo Biloba. I don’t feel that I was given adequate instructions. Could you Help Me?

There are no known negative interactions with the above listed herbs you mentioned.  Valerian can be very helpful for sleep but it largely depends on the severity of the insomnia.Read More    Ask Your Question

Curcumin can help reduce inflammation which in turn can help with pain reduction.  Combining it with other natural anti-inflammatories like boswellia or fish oil can create added benefit.

Neuropathy pain... Read More    Ask Your Question

Doses of flax seed oil vary greatly.  Taking capsules offers a very convenient method of administration but you become limited in the dose due to the hassle of taking too many capsules.  The average dose of... Read More    Ask Your Question

Flax oil is a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids.  These important compounds can help to reduce inflammation in the body which often results in a decrease of joint... Read More    Ask Your Question

There are several things to look for when selecting an oil based product and specifically Evening Primrose Oil.  First, you want to make sure that the label clearly states details about how the oil... Read More    Ask Your Question

What you have heard is true.  Evening Primrose Oil can be very helpful at alleviating many female hormonal complaints including PMS symptoms and some menopausal symptoms.  It is thought to work by... Read More    Ask Your Question

There are no known interactions between Valerian and albuterol inhalers.  Most of Valerian's potential interactions occur with other prescription sedatives.  However, if you want to be safe, start the... Read More    Ask Your Question

This is a very broad question and I would much prefer to look at specific examples.  However, generally speaking, most supplements are safe to be taken together.  There are some theoretical interactions that... Read More    Ask Your Question

Many herbs are thought to affect blood clotting.  Most are suspected to decrease the effectiveness of the clotting process through many different mechanisms.  This is an important issue to consider when combining... Read More    Ask Your Question

Milk Thistle is not one of the herbs known to readily interact with other medications.  Some herbs have a specific ability to alter the way the liver processes medications which can either raise or lower blood levels... Read More    Ask Your Question

First, I would need to know a little more about you before I decided that an iron containing multi-vitamin was right for you.  I usually do not recommend taking iron containing supplements unless you have been... Read More    Ask Your Question

Turmeric is a great herb for healing the digestive tract and aiding the liver in detoxification.  Many herbalists postulate that improved liver detoxification helps to purge the body of toxins.  These same... Read More    Ask Your Question

B vitamins and folic acid are generally very well tolerated.  However, due to the ability of a B-complex to stimulate detoxification in the body it is possible that it caused your headache.  In addition, some... Read More    Ask Your Question

There is no data suggesting that Relora or Green Tea would amplify the negative effects of alcohol.  Due to the carbohydrate content in wine, although low, you may be inhibiting your weight loss... Read More    Ask Your Question

The best things to utilize from the natural pharmacy would be compounds that help to relax and calm you in an effort to reduce the severity of the cravings.  In addition, if you are in a more relaxed state of mind,... Read More    Ask Your Question

One of the best places to start when considering supplements for depression is with essential fatty acids.  These important fats must be obtained from our diet and play a crucial role in the functioning of the brain... Read More    Ask Your Question

Unfortunately, once your body has stopped producing the lactase enzyme that breaks down lactose it is not likely you will make it again.  You may find that consuming small amounts of easily digested dairy products like... Read More    Ask Your Question

I would continue the follow up with the neurologist to rule out any serious neurological issues.  B12 deficiency may be an issue but there are probably other factors involved to create such... Read More    Ask Your Question

I think what you’re referring to is the notion that many men after they die are discovered to have prostate cancer on autopsy.  In a normal setting, prostate cancer is very slow growing and never leaves... Read More    Ask Your Question

EDTA and chelation therapy should only be administered under the care of a supervising physician.  Drug interactions with EDTA are not well documented, however it is used in some cases related to toxicity of certain... Read More    Ask Your Question

Any chest pain or tightness needs to be evaluated by your doctor to rule out any heart problems.  The other thing you need to consider is that you might be consuming too much caffeine from your energy drinks which... Read More    Ask Your Question

PCOS or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is characterized by several symptoms including insulin resistance, elevated testosterone levels and poly cystic ovaries.  The symptoms your daughter is experiencing are mostly... Read More    Ask Your Question

Not exactly, but there is something close.  One of the main reasons why yogurt is healthy for you is due to the live cultures of beneficial bacteria.  These bacteria, mainly acidophilus, are used to ferment... Read More    Ask Your Question

Lyme disease can be a very difficult condition to improve.  The spirochete organism is an expert at evading the immune system and reeking havoc on the body.  Anti-biotic therapy is often necessary to clear up... Read More    Ask Your Question

There are several important issues to address when dealing with migraine headaches. One of the first things I recommend is to do an elimination diet that removes the most common food offenders (soy, wheat, dairy, eggs and nuts are a good start)... Read More    Ask Your Question

Most multivitamins are safe. The real question to ask is which multivitamins are potent enough and pure enough to actually be effective?

One of the most important things you can do to assess the purity of your multivitamin is to check the... Read More    Ask Your Question

I am assuming you are taking the Ursodiol tablets due to a diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot know about why people get this condition. Some think it is related to an auto-immune processes or... Read More    Ask Your Question

The best way for people to gain weight in a healthy way is through muscle building. You may have a limit as to how much muscle mass you will be able to put on, but any muscle you do gain will be very helpful in supporting your smaller structure.... Read More    Ask Your Question