Dear Pharmacist,

I read your Facebook post about vitamin D and how it works better than diabetic medications.  I have diabetes, and no one has ever told me this. Would you share more information?  –L.N.  Denver, Colorado

Answer: Diabetes is an inflammatory condition, it is not just about high blood sugar like most people think. If left to run it’s devastating course, diabetes could steal your vision, destroy your kidneys, cause nerve pain, heart attack, stroke or amputation. So we have to take diabetes seriously, and do all that we can to reduce blood sugar (glucose) and make our cells happier to see insulin (improve insulin sensitivity).

Doctors have many medications at their disposal to reduce blood glucose. I think natural vitamin D can help too, so I posted that comment on Facebook and Twitter. I was trying to help people with diabetes because they may not know that it’s an inexpensive, over-the-counter dietary supplement. My comment was based in clinical science. More specifically, on a 2004 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which found that raising a person’s blood levels of vitamin D (from 25 to 75 nmol/l) could improve insulin sensitivity by a whopping 60 percent. Compare that to metformin, one of our pharmaceutical gold-standards, which can dispose of blood sugar by a meager 13 percent according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

Guess what else? Back in 2001, The Lancet found that infants who took 2,000 IU daily, enjoyed a lowered risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Researchers have also found it may slash a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer in half.  Just amazing!

Before vitamin D can work inside your cells as a hormone, it has to undergo some biochemical changes in your liver and kidneys. People with diabetes have difficulty activating vitamin D to the body-ready form.

It annoys me that conventional medicine’s answer to controlling blood sugar centers primarily around medications which often has side effects. Many studies have concluded that D is good for people, especially those who have high insulin, prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome,  pancreatitis, breast or prostate cancer and heart disease.

If for some reason your physician snubs his/her nose at this dietary supplement, then get tested. There are home test kits, or you can ask your physician to order one at the local lab. Then there will be no question.

Low vitamin D is associated with depression, fatigue, osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune disease, cancers and chronic pain. Dosages vary.  I suggest you ask your doctor if he minds you supplementing with about 5,000 IU “cholecalciferol” or vitamin D3 every morning.  The most usable form of vitamin D is D3 (not D2) so read your label carefully. For more information, visit www.vitamindcouncil.org

Did You Know?

Papaya extract (and fresh papayas) “papain” enzyme which helps you digest your food, especially protein.

Answer:  Grandpa and I agree on this one;  asparagus is good medicine.  It contains folic acid (vitamin B9) and studies have repeatedly shown that folic acid can reduce levels of an inflammatory substance called homocysteine; high levels of this amino acid are linked with heart disease .  One serving of asparagus (5 spears) provides over 60 % of the recommended daily intake so it’s a terrific natural source of a powerful heart-healthy nutrient.

Asparagus also contains vitamins A, B6, C, K, and thiamine.  This tasty veggie also has some beta carotene, potassium, zinc and fiber.  Here are other reasons to fall in love with asparagus:

It has no fat, contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium.

It may improve the health of your digestive tract by sparking production of friendly flora (like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria).

It could improve your mood because it provides vitamin C and folic acid, which spark production of the “happy” brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

Asparagus contains plant chemicals that are anti-fungal and anti-viral and are generally helpful in boosting immune function.

Asparagus contains a very strong antioxidant called glutathione, which has been shown to have properties that could be preventive against cancer.

Asparagus is a diuretic and increases kidney function; this may also help you reduce water retention, blood pressure and urinary tract infections.

A special anti-inflammatory plant chemical in asparagus may ease arthritic pain.

Asparagus are part of a healthy diet for pregnant women, as folic acid is known to prevent birth defects.  Asparagus should not replace prenatal vitamins, which are often prescribed for their folic acid.

Asparagus has sulfur-containing amino acids that might help slow or stop the spread of warts.

It is one of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens capillary walls.

It tastes delish when it’s sauteed in olive oil with fresh garlic, sea salt and feta cheese. I am seriously getting a craving now!

More information about asparagus and some recipes can be found at www.asparagus.org. Don’t overcook asparagus, steam it only until it’s bright green and somewhat crisp, as this retains the healthy nutrients inside.  Don’t worry if your urine has a greenish hue or if it smells weird after you eat asparagus – that’s normal. If you don’t like the veggie and only want to reap its health benefits, try  a dietary supplement. I’ve purchased “Asparagus Extract” from two reputable sources, ‘Enzymatic Therapy’ and ‘Chi’s Enterprise,’ sold online and at some health food stores.

Did You Know?

German customs authorities have smashed a ring of online pharmacy dealers that were selling counterfeit Viagra sex pills to consumers over the Internet.

You mentioned “spirulina” in a recent column as a supplement to help boost thyroid hormone.  I’ve never heard of this, is it a vitamin?  What else is it good for? –T.E. Chicago, Illinois

Answer:  Spirulina is supercool, and it’s a superfood.   It’s actually algae that grows in our oceans, springs and lakes. If you viewed it with a microscope you would see beautiful bright blue-green spirals, for which it is named.  Spirulina is a single-cell organism that is capable of turning sunlight into energy, and it has been on earth for eons.  There are very good commercial products sold nationwide, and you’ll find capsules, tablets and powders for convenience. Mine comes from closely monitored, organic cultivation ponds in Hawaii.   When my children were little, I  used to sneak Hawaiian spirulina into their fruit smoothies and soup.  Hey, what they don’t know might help them.

Spirulina is a superfood because it has tons of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes. It’s food, people of many cultures actually eat a version of it.  Spirulina is a great source of vegetable protein and what makes it even more amazing is the detoxifying chlorophyll (the green pigment in plants).  Chlorophyll eliminates body odor and cleans out the digestive tract. Because spirulina packs this kind of a punch, I think it is a good supplement for everyone, especially those of you who do not eat a lot of fruits and veggies. Spirulina could be of benefit to you if you have:

* Chronic fatigue or anemia:  It sparks energy because it contains many B vitamins which form ATP, an energy molecule.  The mineral content is great for energy, as well as nail and hair growth.  It makes my nails grow like crazy.

* Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease:  Spirulina contains thyroid-supporting minerals like iodine, and the amino acid tyrosine, which together make up one form of thyroid hormone.

* Vision loss:  Spirulina is chock-full of carotenoids, which support eye health; good brands have dramatically higher amounts of beta carotene compared to carrots, gram per gram.

* Frequent infections:  Numerous well-designed clinical trials have concluded that blue-green algae has anti-viral activity, possibly against herpes and HIV.

* Pollen, hayfever, and/or mold allergies: Spirulina appears to block the production of interleukin-4, -a nasty chemical produced in our bodies that sparks some of the misery.

* Heart problems: Spirulina is also widely researched and has shown cardioprotective properties.

* Neuropathic  pain or heavy metal burdens (lead, mercury, arsenic):  Spirulina is a chelator and might help rid the body of these toxins

* Type 2 diabetes:  Spirulina protects the pancreas and insulin-producing cells  so it might be able to help prevent or reverse diabetes, how phenomenal is that!