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I have been through menopause and I am still on HRT. My facial hair is now dark and coarse and although I dermaplane regularly, I wondered if there is anything you can recommend to reduce the growth?
The most common cause of facial hair is the dominance of androgens such as testosterone. This is because the body works within very finite levels of all hormones and this abundance in comparison to oestrogen and progesterone causes these androgens to be converted into DHT, a compound that can cause hair on the scalp to thin and conversely facial hair growth. Please consider taking Saw Palmetto Extract. This herb aims to free androgens, preventing their conversion into DHT and over a period of time, the facial hair may be less dense and coarse.
My sister has just been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. What would you recommend?
Carnosine is an amino acid in capsule form that has been shown in a new study to preserve normal structure of proteins in the lens of the eye, which is the action that may slow or prevent the development of cataracts. Carnosine is also available in eye drops, but these are often not from the parent company and manufactured all over the world with no quality control. It is for this reason that I tend to recommend Vogel's Eye Drops containing Euphrasia which helps circulation in the eye to remove these inflammatory compounds.
I had a bulged disc in my neck a few months ago and recovery on mobility and pain has been slow. I continue to get nerve pain and stiffness in my neck, shoulder and right arm. I am interested to start a supplement to try and support my recovery. Please can you advise, I already take HA.
Hyaluronic acid forms a large part of the cartilage matrix, which is the discs between joint tissues. Superior Joints contains the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of Natural Eggshell Membrane which also contains two amino acids known to help in the long-term repair of the cartilage tissues. Superior Joints also contains a smaller strength of hyaluronic acid, ginger, turmeric, and cherry extracts, all working in various ways to help alleviate arthritic pain and protect against further wear and tear. My recommendation would be to take Superior Joints if you have pain because you need to build up the disc where it is absent between the two bones.
Please can you offer your advice on actinic keratosis. I have had two basal cells surgically removed from face and my dermatologist has advised further treatment, but my skin is incredibly sore and uncomfortable, so I wanted to know if there were alternative treatments available?
There are three treatment options usually offered for actinic keratosis which are prescribed creams, cryotherapy (which makes the patches fall off eventually), and surgery dependent upon the size and the area concerned. The most common natural remedy for the treatment of actinic keratosis is Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid which helps to break down the outer layers of skin so dabbing this a few times a day has been found to be useful.
Salicylic Acid is slightly stronger than Apple Cider Vinegar and this could potentially be used twice a day, with another option being a skin-friendly acid such as Azelaic Acid Serum.
I’m looking for something effective for my children’s coughs and runny noses, aged 3 and 7, together with a good supplement to fortify them.
Supporting the immune system will be important to not only eradicate these respiratory symptoms but also to prevent infections and other related symptoms. As for the cough and runny nose, I would suggest taking Nature's Answer Kids Mullein-X Cough Syrup which is suitable for children 2 years and above. It contains a variety of herbal extracts that soothe the throat, ease the cough reflex, break down the bonds that form mucus, and help ease breathing.
I would also recommend that your children take a quality multivitamin/mineral supplement to support the immune system and nourish the body. Viridikid Multivitamin supplement provides a comprehensive blend of nutrients to provide a solid foundation for your children helping to support growth, energy, immunity, and overall health. The capsules are easy to swallow micro-capsules and the supplement is suitable for vegans, sugar-free and free from additives.
I’m 65 and over the last few years the muscles in my arms seem to have wasted away, can you please help?
Certainly the loss of muscle tissue and its tone can occur very quickly with the decline or very low hormone levels as during perimenopause, menopause and beyond. To quickly build muscle tissue, I would recommend taking Creatine Powder, one teaspoon, mixed with 25 grams of European Whey Powder. Creatine is a naturally occurring compound that can improve muscle mass, muscle strength and power especially when taking with light exercise. Whey Protein is a fast digesting protein that is rich in leucine and other amino acids. It is absorbed rapidly and used to manufacture muscle protein.
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Can you advise whether Diosmin Plus will help with water retention and stomach bloating. I suffer from poor circulation and aching legs, but also water retention, specifically in my legs.
Diosmin Plus works to enhance circulation in both the blood (venous) system and helps lymphatic drainage making it suitable for addressing leg pains, leg swelling, and water retention in the limbs.
Bloating around the stomach is not normally associated with fluid retention but rather with a lack of digestive enzymes that break down food. Digestive enzyme production is reduced due as we age, due to stress, and a number of other factors. I would suggest taking Digestive Enzyme Complex which contains therapeutic amounts of all carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fibre digesting enzymes. Take one capsule just before a main meal.
My 15-year-old grandson has suffered for many years with hay fever and allergies and takes Loratadine. His nose his blocked with catarrh, so is anything you can recommend that would relieve these symptoms?
Aller-DMG tablets contain a blend of nutrients such as perilla which inhibits histamine production that causes the release of mucus, together with bromelain and quercetin to calm inflammation from any allergen that causes this release of mucus that leads to a blocked nose. NAC in this supplement breaks down the bonds that form catarrh easing its expulsion. Aller-DMG is suitable for all types of allergies whether environmental, food intolerances, histamine intolerance, or other types and is safe for long term use.
My 3-year-old granddaughter suffers terribly from eczema flare-ups. Is there anything you can recommend because we have tried most things, including steroid creams and antihistamines.
Eczema in children is a very common occurrence and is often attributed to the digestive system which is not fully functional. However, obviously genetics play a role as do other factors so I would recommend the following regimen. Firstly, please ensure that the granddaughter takes a teaspoon of Eskimo 3 Healthy Kids Fish Oil daily. This fish oil supplement provides omega 3s which not only alleviate dry skin conditions but they also display powerful anti-inflammatory properties which helps to calm down the inflammation that causes dry skin conditions including eczema.
Topically, please use Hope's Relief Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream. This is a steroid-free concentrated cream with soothing, calming and anti-itch properties from Calendula, Aloe Vera and Licorice.
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I have just been diagnosed with a painful UTI and prescribed a course of antibiotics. Can you please advise on what I should take to clear the infection and if there is anything preventative I could take to stop it coming back, together with a recommendation to counteract the adverse effects of the antibiotics.
You should finish the course of antibiotics and then with immediate effect, I suggest taking two remedies to try and protect against recurrences since antibiotics, aside from destroying the infection causing bacteria, also destroy the beneficial bacteria that try and maintain a healthy microbiome in the urinary tract.
Please take a quality acid-resistance probiotic supplement such as Mega Probio which contains eight strains that populate and protect the body from possible infections whilst also providing multiple benefits of digestion, detoxification, immune support, and more. Take one or two capsules daily preferably with food. I would also suggest taking Waterfall D-Mannose Super Strength Tablets at a dose of one tablet twice a day. D-Mannose is a long chain sugar-type molecule which is insoluble in the body but as it is passing out through the urinary tract, it attracts infection causing bacteria and these are eliminated along with it. This process results in less likelihood of infections of the urinary tract.
I am 49 and have had perfect vision until about a year ago, but now I am struggling with near vision, my distance vision remains good, but my optician has told me it is just my age. Is there a supplement I can take to support my eye health?
The AREDS2 study (Age Related Eye Disorder Study) involving tens of thousands of people recommended specific nutrients together with omega-3s that have been found to help prevent a number of eye concerns or at least to prevent the decline in age-related vision loss. The supplement, Nutrof Total, contains the nutrients mentioned in the study and at the recommended strengths, which help support eye health.
The skin on my husband’s lower arms have become extremely thin and consequently even the smallest knock breaks the skin which then takes ages to heal. I am giving him vitamin C, which I understand is good for healing, and he is keeping his arms moisturised and using sun protection. Can you suggest anything else he can take or do?
The ageing process and sun damage can definitely weaken both the tiny blood vessels in skin, which can leak to produce purple patches, or just weaken the collagen matrix of the skin making skin prone to breakage. Since you have not mentioned any purple spots then it would appear to be a case of a loss of collagen and so I suggest that your husband takes Collagen Tripeptide Complex. This collagen supplement contains the smallest unit of collagen making it highly bioavailable together with vitamin C and other nutrients for supporting skin structure and collagen matrix.
Although Collagen Tripeptide Complex contains some vitamin C, it would nevertheless be a good idea to take additional vitamin C such as DoSe Liposomal Vitamin C. Vitamin C's role in strengthening skin is well documented especially the collagen matrix. Since vitamin C is involved in many processes, most of us simply do not get sufficient vitamin C on a daily basis warranting the need for a supplement. Taking acidic high strength vitamin C tablets and capsules is not a good idea because acids can damage the gut lining and of course being acidic in nature, a lot of acidic vitamin C supplements simply pass through the gut which is why they can have a laxative effect.
Your husband might also benefit from the use of Gloves In A Bottle. This is a shielding lotion that moisturises skin for up to twelve hours and can be used on his arms.
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What would you suggest for someone who suffers from mild IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common debilitating gastrointestinal disorder that affects people in different ways. It is estimated that between 8% and 20% of the adult population are affected and typical symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and varying bouts of constipation and diarrhoea.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is termed a ‘functional disorder’. A functional disorder is a medical condition that impairs the normal function of the body where every part of the body looks completely normal under examination. We do not fully understand IBS since it is a very complex condition, but sufferers can exhibit a combination of different symptoms and signs such as abdominal bloating, constipation (IBS-C), diarrhoea (IBS-D) or alternating between both (IBS-A). You have not mentioned a specific type of IBS, so I am providing you with a good general regimen which helps many people with mild IBS, whether suffering from diarrhoea or constipation.
Abdominal spasms can cause your colon to retain stools instead of moving it forward resulting in constipation. The toxin build-up due to constipation, or perhaps in some cases before the colon has had a chance to condense the faecal matter can also cause diarrhoea. Peppermint oil in capsule or oil form is an antispasmodic which helps to relieve stomach cramps, bloating, and wind by helping the muscles in the bowel to relax.
May I also suggest the use of Enterosgel Sachets which are beneficial in cleansing the gut of toxins and inflammatory compounds. Although aimed at IBS with diarrhoea when taken daily, taking a sachet a week will remove inflammatory compounds whilst not affecting bowel movement negatively and has been found to help reduce symptoms and often helps prevent the cycle of constipation and/or diarrhoea.
I am 46-years-old and recently my stomach has got larger, even though my diet and portions are still the same. Can you recommend anything to help?
Weight gain around the midriff region occurs due to diet, stress, lifestyle and hormonal decline. I am going to touch on hormonal decline since this is often not fully understood. What happens is that as female hormone levels decline, this affects the adrenals which produce excess adrenaline and cortisol. This excess cortisol affects every single gland, including the pancreas which produces greater amounts of insulin which is the fat depositing hormone of the body. Since the stomach area is dense in fat cells, this causes fat deposition in the area resulting in what is often termed a ‘menopause belly’.
I would suggest taking Magnolia Phellodendron Complex which is a supplement that reduces levels of all stress hormones including cortisol. This supplement will not make you lose weight rapidly and it can take several months to work, but it is important to take it as part of a weight management programme including diet and exercise. Many people use Magnolia Phellodendron alongside a thermogenic supplement which burns calories for energy, curbs appetite and provides multiple other benefits, these include CoffeeSlim and KetoLiving.
I have been diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosis and I have been prescribed a strong steroid cream for three months. Is there anything I should be taking as I am waiting for an appointment with a gynaecologist?
As I am sure you are aware, Lichen Sclerosis is an autoimmune concern possibly caused by hormonal changes or genetics. I would suggest that initially you try using the Topida Intimate Hygiene Spray alongside your steroid cream, which is a soothing spray used to control inflammation, itching and discomfort associated with vaginal infections, but I do not see why this cannot be used for Lichen Sclerosis.
If the inflammation continues and possibly remains unbearable, then consider also using Coconut Oil which may help further with the tightness, itching, and sometimes burning skin. These two remedies can be used alongside the steroidal cream without side effects.
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I have been having problems with my gut and bowels for the past eighteen months. I eat a varied diet, however I no longer have any regularity with emptying my bowel and I am getting a lot of very painful wind which can very embarrassing to expel, but it’s the only way to gain relief. Can you please recommend supplements which may help?
Many gut problems are associated with inflammation in the bowels which can cause wind to build-up as well as hinder regular bowel movement which puts pressure on the stomach. I would suggest that you take a very specific probiotic supplement from Microbz called Revive Probiotic Liquid. This particular probiotic supplement contains 15 strains of soil-based probiotics which display potent anti-inflammatory properties together with Slippery elm to soothe the lining, and glutamine to repair any damage to the gut for digestive wellness. Taken daily this helps to provide regular bowel movement and motions. This is not a laxative so please be patient for a couple of weeks as the actives begin to work.
Another factor which is responsible for this concern is the lack of digestive enzymes. As we age, we produce less digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down all foods including carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fibre in our diet. This action helps to prevent stagnation of food in the gut, and toxin build-up, as well as enhancing vitamin and mineral availability to the body. Digestive Enzyme Complex also displays anti-inflammatory properties and my recommendation is to take one capsule just before, or with a main meal, daily.
My 19-year-old daughter has contracted scabies for the third time since being at university. She’s had cream initially and then oral medication from the doctors. We have the Silver Spray, which you recommended, but I wondered if there was anything she could take that might help her immunity and prevent it returning?
Yes, I do remember recommending the use of Hydrosol Silver Spray topically. Whilst anyone can get scabies, a weak immune system certainly increases the chances, even though skin to skin contact is the usual cause. I would most definitely recommend taking Daily Immunity for the next six months at a dose of one capsule twice a day as this supplement contains every nutrient, herbal extract, and phytonutrients to enhance white blood cells counts as well as supporting the other functions of the immune system.
I recently had really bad nausea, which lasted for weeks and I kept being sick. I received a diagnosis of loose crystals in the inner ear and weirdly, every woman I have mentioned this to has either just had the same or they have a friend who has the same. My doctor recommended antihistamines, but it has come back again. Can you help?
In the medical context, crystals in the ear normally refers to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV for short. This condition occurs when small crystals of calcium carbonate become dislodged in the inner ear and move into the semi-circular canals causing dizziness, vertigo-like symptoms, nausea, and disrupting balance.
BPPV is a concern associated with the inner ear sending false messages of spinning or some sort of movement to the brain. Common possible causes include age-related degeneration of the inner ear tissues leading to the dislodging of these crystals, ear disorders such as Meniere's, or simply idiopathic. Very few herbs actually work for this concern, but I have outlined two herbal supplements that work really well for vertigo, labyrinthitis, and other ear problems, and may prove to be useful.
Plantago Tincture works to unblock mucus, even in the inner ear, and is often used for glue ear. It has mild antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory properties which help calm inflammation, and this may be the cause of the signals being sent to the brain. It is also reported to work for tinnitus which also has to do with the nerves triggering the fine hairs in the ear canal.
Ginger supplements help to address nausea, vertigo, disorientation and so on. We do not fully understand how ginger works but it does tend to help quickly to address these symptoms. If you are not taking any blood thinning medications, then I suggest the high strength Lamberts Ginger Capsules as these help with severe nausea. Ginger is also a great circulatory tonic as well as enhancing digestion.
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I’m wondering if you can recommend anything to help with a yeast infection in my mouth?
For yeast infections in the mouth, I tend to recommend working from within as well as a very specific gargle, so firstly I would recommend taking Candipure capsules daily. This supplement contains some of the best herbal actives to fight off yeast infections in the body including cloves, black garlic, and grapefruit seed extract known to display potent antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. I would also suggest gargling with Clinisept + Mouthwash several times a day if possible. This alcohol-free mouthwash contains hypochlorous (HOCL), which is highly effective at eradicating bacteria, yeast, and many viruses.
I think I am starting to get Heberden nodes on my fingers and I wondered whether there is anything I could take as a supplement to either stop them appearing, or to stop them progressing.
Heberden nodes are bony swellings that are due to osteoarthritis of the fingers whether due to wear and tear, genetics, or gender as they are more common in women. Since it is diminishing cartilage which can lead to Heberden nodes as a result of inflammation, I suggest you take Superior Joints.
Superior Joints contains Natural Eggshell Membrane which has been clinically studied and found to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Natural Eggshell Membrane contains two rare amino acids including proline, which are thought to encourage healthy cartilage production. This supplement also contains hyaluronic acid to cushion the cartilage matrix in between bones, as well as turmeric and ginger to encourage circulation in order to remove the acids that cause pain and stiffness. For the majority, pain relief is often within days and the supplement is safe to be taken on an ongoing basis to halt further degradation.
I have gallstones, which are currently only mildly symptomatic. Do you have any supplements for breaking down gallstones and/or looking after the gallbladder?
Many people wish to break down gallstones naturally in order to avoid surgery, however not all gallstones can be broken down naturally. If the stones are based on cholesterol, then without doubt the supplement of choice should be TUDCA + NAC which is known to dissolve gallstones over time. This may take several months to work.
Apple cider vinegar is also worth considering since malic acid in apple cider is known to soften stones. Too much of this may irritate your stomach and may cause enamel erosion, so please also ensure that you eat high fibre foods, healthy fats and lean proteins.
Can you please recommend what I should take for recurring cold sores on my bottom lip. I take Lysine, avoid Brazil nuts and I have a healthy diet.
Recurring cold sores suggest that you are not taking sufficient lysine to reduce the numbers of the virus that resides in the nerve endings. Additionally, it may also be indicative of a low immune system which cannot respond fast enough when the virus replicates. It may also be indicative of other factors such as stress or exposure to environmental factors such as sun.
I suggest that you take a minimum of 2000 mg of Lysine on an empty stomach. L-Lysine may be deactivated by milk and other food products so best taken half or one hour before any food. I also recommend taking Daily Immunity for the next two or three months as this supplement contains herbs, vitamins, mushroom extracts and probiotics to help support the immune system so that it can respond when the body is infected or when an infection begins to thrive.
Finally, since the cold sore seems to be localised, please consider the use of Lysine Lip Balm which contains lysine and monolaurin, which both display anti-viral properties to try and help prevent recurrences, whilst moisturising lips.
I have been diagnosed with a damaged sciatic nerve from previous back surgery even though the nerve (L5) shows no current compression. Is there a supplement that will help it to heal, if possible?
Lion's Mane Mushroom extracts have been the subject of small studies indicating their ability to enhance nerve growth factors, which are tiny proteins involved in nerve growth and repair. These extracts are available in supplements, including DIRTEA Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder which is the purest available form.
I have been diagnosed with bilateral endometriomas and the plaque has spread to my bowel. Until I await news of what option to take, I’m suffering from back pain and what I think are UTIs. I feel so miserable with it and I’m unsure what product to buy. I normally get the Waterfall D-Mannose and wanted to check that would be safe and wouldn’t add to the endometriosis growth. Also, can you recommend anything else for bowel and bladder protection?
There are a few studies indicating that bilateral endometriomas alter the gut microbiome in a complex way and that this alteration may not just affect the digestion but can also disrupt immune function and cause inflammation, which can lead to further progression. Whilst treatment for endometriosis concentrates on abating oestrogen dominance, and progesterone birth control pills are often prescribed, we should focus on reducing inflammation and populating the gut with the use of Revive Probiotic Liquid.
This supplement contains soil-based probiotics to support gut immunity and to reduce inflammation which is also important. Obviously these soil based probiotics, identical to those found in the human gut, also detoxify the gut of hormonal waste and metabolic by-products, as well as proliferate in the body and may prove to be valuable for UTIs too, alongside D-mannose, whilst you await the outcome.
