VITAMIN E: Please read the above. Vitamin E is an important anti-oxidant. It acts as a free radical scavenger to prevent the byproducts of chemical-cell interaction to cause cell damage. Free radicals are likely responsible for all or most of the degenerative diseases e.g. arthritis, heart disease, cancer, senility etc. The absorption or scavenging of free radicals would protect our cells from this type of injury. Other free radical scavengers include zinc, vitamin C, and selenium.

Studies have reported vitamin E to protect against some of the toxicities of ionizing radiation. Vitamin E may help to decrease the toxicity of certain chemotherapy drugs. Adriamycin is an important anti-cancer drug with potential major toxicity to the heart. The use of 1000 to 2,000 units of vitamin E per day may help to decrease this toxicity. Vitamin E may decrease some of the harmful effects of solar radiation on the skin. As cited above it works well in conjunction with beta carotene. Vitamin E appears to have stabilizing effect on the vascular system and is useful in decreasing menopausal and premenstrual symptoms. It is useful in decreasing leg cramps occurring especially at night. Vitamin E can be used in lotions or creams to protect the skin or to treat for burns. It is also helpful to treat burns secondary to radiation therapy. I have also used it with good results in patients with dermatitis resulting from poor blood circulation i.e. stasis dermatitis. It is commonly prescribed for topical use in pregnant women to prevent stretch marks on the abdomen. More recently it has been used to prevent or treat mucositis resulting from chemotherapy. I advise patients to bite into a 1000 unit capsule and swish the vitamin E around the mouth and over the mucous membranes lining the cheeks. This is done three to four times a day. You can also use liquid vitamin E to do this.

CALCIUM-MAGNESIUM: Calcium is deficient in most of our diets. This deficiency is most prevalent in women who have had children and have never supplemented their own diets with calcium. Calcium consumption along with exercise is the best means to prevent calcium deficiency. Once calcium is lost and signs of osteopenia develop the medical problem may be hard to reverse. Collapse of bone and fractures commonly of the pelvis may occur in such individuals. When people "shrink" with age it is due to vertebral compression fractures caused by osteopenia, commonly referred to as osteoporosis. Bone density studies will detect patients having osteopenia. Calcium, like B complex acts as a membrane stabilizer and natural tranquilizer as does magnesium and potassium. Calcium and magnesium should be taken together in a ratio of 2:1. A daily intake of Calcium of 1,000 to 1,500 mg is reasonable. Calcium/magnesium may be taken at bedtime to promote sleep. Magnesium in the form of magnesium oxide in combination with vitamin B-6 has been shown to dissolve certain types of kidney stones (calcium oxalate stones). This preparation is called Beelith and is taken twice a day. It is also helpful in patients with chronic constipation since magnesium salts act as cathartics. During pregnancy the intake of calcium and magnesium should be increased to prevent deficiency in mother and child. Patients with potassium deficiency should always be checked for magnesium deficiency. In the presence of magnesium depletion, it is very difficult to replete potassium stores. I have used a calcium citrate source containing vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption. This is an effervescent formulation and it is taken as two tablets dissolved in a glass of cold water per day. Calcium citrate is better absorbed and utilized than calcium carbonate. The use of fluoride in a liquid formulation (potassium fluoride 180 mg/cc) help bind calcium in the bones. Fluoride drops are taken as 1 drop in juice or water three times per day. This is a prescription item and must be made up by the pharmacist. The dose can be slowly increased per the physician. Fluoride in this concentration can irritate the gastric lining. Slow increases in dose are important to prevent this side-effect.

ZINC: This element is important in wound healing. It also functions as an anti- oxidant. It is helpful in the treatment of acne. It hastens healing of peptic ulcer disease and burns. The recommended dose is 100 mg per day. Chelated zinc will not cause the gastrointestinal distress the inorganic zinc will. Therefore, request a chelated zinc rather than zinc sulfate.