By Jacob Teitelbaum, MD*
Over the years, people have often asked me for a list of my top 10 supplements - the ones to take if you don't have the funds, time or inclination to take more than a few and you'd like to be able choose those that give you the most "bang for the buck." Below I've listed my favorite 10 supplements, along with brief descriptions of each.
Nutritional Treatments
1. Energy Revitalization System - vitamin powder (Enzymatic Therapy)
One daily scoop of this supplement replaces over 35 tablets of supplements - talk about saving money and time! Use 1/2 to 1 scoop a day, whatever feels best to you. Blend it with milk, juice, water or yogurt, as you prefer. (Folks with blood sugar problems might want to skip the juice.)
If the supplement seems to trigger gas or stomach upset, mix the powder with milk and start at a lower dose, working your way up to the dose that feels best. Or divide the dose into smaller doses, taking it 2 to 3 times a day.
I formulated this product, which is available online and in most health food stores.
2. D-Ribose (Corvalen)
Ribose supplies the substrate of ATP, the body's main fuel. Use 1 scoop (5 gm) of powder, 3 times a day, for 3 weeks, then 2 times a day. (If you find the supplement too energizing, take it with food, or lower the dose.)
Most people see a boost in energy within 2 to 3 weeks of starting the supplement, and sometimes the first day.
A recent and very positive development: In our study of 257 patients with CFS/FMS, conducted at 53 health centers, those who took ribose saw a 61% average increase in energy after just three weeks. We've submitted the study for publication in a medical journal.
Sleep
3-A. Revitalizing Sleep Formula (Enzymatic Therapy)
This formula includes: Valerian, 200 milligrams (mg); Passion Flower, 90 mg; L-Theanine, 50 mg; Hops, 30 mg; Piscidia, 12 mg; and Wild Lettuce, 28 mg.
Take 2 to 4 capsules every night, 30 to 90 minutes before bedtime. You can also take it during the day for anxiety. Don't take more than 8 capsules a day.
If the valerian energizes rather than relaxes you (which occurs in 5% to 10% of those who take it), take the other components of the formula as separate supplements.
3-B. Sleep Tonight! (Enzymatic Therapy)
Sleep Tonight is another sleep formula I like from Enzymatic Therapy. It's particularly helpful in people who feel wide awake at bedtime, a problem often caused by levels of the adrenal hormone cortisol that are too high at night, even if they're too low during the day. You can take it with the Revitalizing Sleep Formula.
You'll know if it these 2 herbal mixes are helping within 2 or 3 days - and usually after the first night of use.
They can be taken together and also along with other sleep medications.
Anti-Yeast Treatments
4. Acidophilus Pearls Elite (Enzymatic Therapy)
This probiotic supplement of "friendly" acidophilus bacteria delivers five times more probiotics than an earlier version of the pearls - which means you only have to take 1 a day, rather than 5, saving you time and money.
Probiotics that aren't in "pearl" form are doomed: 99% of them are destroyed by stomach acid before they ever reach your intestines, their site of therapeutic action.
5. Anti-Yeast (NutriElements)
This is an excellent mix of natural antifungals. Take it 2 times a day for 3 to 5 months. (Not currently carried by ProHealth)
Hormonal Support
6. Adrenal Stress End (Enzymatic Therapy)
This mix of adrenal glandulars, licorice and other key nutrients provides outstanding adrenal support. Take 1 to 2 capsules every morning (or 1 to 2 in the morning and 1 at noon).
7. Tri-Iodine (EuroPharma)
As I recently wrote in my new book, Real Cause, Real Cure - The 9 Root Causes of Most Health Problems, the intake of iodine has dropped by around 50% in the last 30 years, mostly because flour is now fortified with bromine rather than iodine.
In fact, bromine and other chemically related compounds added to food and water (the halides chlorine and fluorine) may actually block iodine.
The result: a little-recognized but very important recurring epidemic of iodine deficiency. And since iodine's main role is to manufacture thyroid hormones, an accompanying epidemic is hypothyroidism
Iodine deficiency also is a common trigger for breast tenderness and fibrocystic breast disease, and I routinely use Tri-Iodine in women with these problems.
Iodine is also low in women with breast cancer, and I routinely supplement the diets of my patients who have breast cancer with 6.25 to 12.5 mg daily.
A one-month trial of Tri-Iodine will be enough to tell if it's going to help you feel better. You can take either 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg capsules. However, don't take more than 12.5 mg a day unless you are doing so under a physician's supervision. And if you develop acne or indigestion after starting the supplement, stop taking it or lower the dose.
Pain - Two Outstanding Herbal Mixes
8. End Pain (Enzymatic Therapy, or End Fatigue Pain Formula by Integrative Therapeutics)
I developed both of these formulas. Each of them contains willow bark, boswellia and cherry. Take 2 tabs, 3 times a day. It takes 2 to 6 weeks to see the full effect. Once you do, you may find that you can lower the dose to 1 tab, 2 or 3 times a day (or as needed).
9. Curamin (EuroPharma)
This is a new and excellent natural remedy for pain. It contains boswellia, nattokinase and DLPA [an xx-amino acid]. But most importantly it contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent derived from the Indian spice turmeric (which gives curry its yellow color).
The problem with curcumin is that it's hard to absorb. Curamin solves that problem, by using a form of the compound (BCM-95) that is absorbed seven times better than 95% pure curcumin.
Curamin works very well in combination with End Pain.
The standard dose is 1 capsule, 2 to 3 times a day. For those with fibromyalgia, it's more effective to start with 2 capsules, 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Then return to the standard dose.
Chronic Sinusitis / Nasal Congestion
10. Silver Nose Spray (Natural Immunogenics)
Use 5 to 10 sprays in each nostril, three times a day, for 7 to 14 days, until the sinusitis resolves. (Not currently carried by ProHealth)
If your doctor will prescribe it, I strongly recommend adding the Sinusitis Nose Spray available from ITC Pharmacy [a compounding pharmacy; http://itcpharmacy.com]; your doctor can call 303 663-4224 or 888 349-5453.
- Jacob Teitelbaum, MD