As always, we strongly encourage you to discuss any new supplement program with your doctor/health care practitioner, especially when you are currently taking prescription medications and are following a prescribed course of action.

While Liver Support provides natural substances known to protect the liver, until you have met with your doctor again, you should probably hold off on anything that may affect liver function, especially since elevated liver enzymes can have a number of causes.

The Basic Nutrient Support provides a nutritional foundation of vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and plant extracts for optimal health and addressing any health concern and is recommended for anyone.

Continue to pray for your pathway to healing, and God Bless.

It sounds like you have edema, or swelling due to excess fluid. Please take a look at the website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/edema/DS01035, which has symptoms, causes, and lifestyle steps to take, such as reducing salt intake, elevating and massaging the legs, compression, and exercises.

Please consult your physician to rule out any of the more severe causes or complications from this condition.

If he/she determines that mild edema is the problem, there are certain herbs and nutrients that have shown promise at reducing it:

• Horse chestnut is believed to support circulatory health as well as prevent capillaries from leaking fluid into the surrounding tissue.
• Dandelion leaf, which works as a diuretic (so it should not be used by those taking prescription diuretics)
• Evening primrose oil is a rich source of gamma linolenic acid, which may work as an edema treatment for some people, especially when combined with fish oil.

Other nutrients that support circulatory health in general, and specifically those that strengthen the blood vessels and improve circulation, can also be helpful. See see Give Your Heart a Gift for those nutrients, which are found in Cardiovascular Support.

God Bless

Our prayers are with you and your husband as he faces his health challenges.

The common dietary recommendations for pancreatitis include eliminating alcohol, limiting fats, drinking plenty of water, and eating a diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.

Studies have also found that antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements, such as vitamins A, C, E and selenium, may help reduce the need for pain medications in people with chronic pancreatitis in addition to all the other benefits these antioxidants provide.

Yes, your husband may benefit from the Blood Sugar Program to help control his blood sugar as his pancreas is compromised.

For high blood pressure, your husband may want to add hibiscus tea to his daily diet (see
Lowering Your Blood Pressure With Hibiscus Tea, and supplement with nutrients that specifically address the problem, such as those found in Cardiovascular Support (see Give Your Heart a Gift). Adding omega-3 fatty acids (see The Best Catch of the Day ) may also be helpful.

Given his health issues, it is important that your husband consult with his health care professional before changing his nutritional program.

God Bless, and continue to pray with understanding for his pathway to healing.

Recent research indicates that women who take black cohosh supplements may actually reduce their risk of breast cancer, and a study done in the lab showed black cohosh may destroy breast cancer cells. More research is being planned in this area to better understand the potential benefit.

However, there has been some concern that black cohosh interferes with the chemotherapy given for breast cancer, so it was not recommended for those actively receiving chemotherapy.

If you are undergoing treatment or taking medication, be sure to discuss with your doctor any additions or changes to your supplement program.

God bless.

When taken in large amounts, licorice root can affect the body's levels of cortisol by preventing its breakdown and making these hormones more available to the body. The amount of licorice root in Menopause Support is fairly low, but you should still consult with your healthcare provider before taking anything that may raise or affect your cortisol levels.

There are a number of theories about the role of nutrition and diet in autism, but it is still a very open discussion as to what actually produces the best results. Some of the most promising research appears to be in the areas of:
• Probiotics, which may tackle the neurotoxins and specific bacteria found more often in the gut of those with autism
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which may help manage some of the symptoms
• Enzymes, which help break down proteins, fats, dairy and wheat, and are often lacking in those with autism
• Vitamins A, C, D, B6, B12, K2, folic acid and magnesium, which address both deficiencies and the need for additional levels of these nutrients

In addition, trying a diet that eliminates gluten (found in most grains such as wheat, barley, rye and many food additives) and casein (a milk protein) is often recommended to see if it helps reduce the symptoms.
To learn more, talk to a registered dietitian with special expertise in autism.

There is no set length of time for the use of Menopause Support; generally it is recommended for as long as you are experiencing symptoms. What the internet sites are referring to is that most current studies on black cohosh have been for less than 6 months long, so the effects of long-term use has not been tested. However, it has a very long history as a medicinal herb in Native American and other cultures.

Menopause Support contains soy isoflavones which in large amounts may affect the amount of thyroid medication needed (many foods, herbs, drugs and fiber supplements also affect thyroid medication absorption as well), so taking the two at different times of the day would be recommended. Be sure to discuss your diet and supplements with your physician so he/she can monitor levels of thyroid hormone in the blood to ensure that an appropriate level of medication is prescribed.

Also if you have hypothyroidism, it is important to make sure your iodine intake is adequate.

Keep praying for God’s healing - you have the right attitude and strength to make it through this ordeal, and our prayers are with you.

While there are no cures – natural or prescription – for HPV, there are things you can do to boost your immune system, keep your body healthy to fight off infection, and hopefully keep the HPV from progressing into cervical cancer.

Research has found that women with diets high in vegetables and higher levels of cis-lycopene in the blood were more than 50% less likely to have long-lasting HPV infections, which also meant they might be less likely to develop cervical cancer.

So the first step is to include an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and take supplements that include lycopene, beta carotene, folic acid (which you should be taking during pregnancy anyway), and complexes that include the extracts from fruits and greens. A full spectrum supplement should also include immune-boosting vitamin C, vitamin A selenium, zinc and copper. Basic Nutrient Support includes all these nutrients.

In addition, make sure your diet includes enough lean protein to keep your immune system strong, drink lots of water, and exercise regularly.

Consult with your doctor, especially as to how these recommendations relate to your pregnancy, and keep praying for your pathway.

Your daughter should visit her doctor, as there are a number of conditions that could be the cause and mayneed treatment.

The most common, however, especially for someone who may be stressed or run down and who is not sexually active, are yeast infections (often accompanied by other noticeable symptoms) and bacterial vaginosis (with discharge and odor being the primary symptoms).

Both are usually treated with antibiotics. However, because both conditions are usually due to a change in the natural balance among the different types of bacteria in the vagina, taking probiotics to has also been found to be extremely effective and beneficial. Specifically, adding lactobacillus to the diet through supplements or yogurt with live cultures can help normalize the bacteria.

(Our Immunity Support contains lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as herbs, extracts and nutrients to help boost overall immunity.)

God bless, and best wishes for you and your daughter.