Medication

December 18 2018

Hormonal Contraceptive Use Can Be a Major Downer

southgaspineAnxiety, Body, General Health, Medication, Wellness

Hormonal contraception was introduced way back in 1960 with the release of the combined oral contraceptive pill (containing two hormones: estrogen and progestin). Now, more than 50 years later, an estimated 20 percent of women use some form of hormonal contraception worldwide, and in the U.S., that figure is significantly higher: more than 60 percent. Depression is also prevalent in women, who are more than twice as likely to experience symptoms than men. And that leads us to the troubling association between the two (contraceptive use and depression), as supported by recent research.

Women who use hormonal contraception are a whopping 40 percent more likely to experience symptoms of depression after only six months of use, according to the latest research published in the American Medical Association’s peer-reviewed journal JAMA Psychiatry.

The study tracked 1 million-plus women ages 15-34 for more than a decade. The risk increase was even more pronounced when evaluating specific contraception use: Progestin-only pills more than doubled the risk, while levonorgestrel IUD use tripled the risk. Risk also increased for users of hormone-based transdermal patches and vaginal rings.

While the researchers are quick to note that their findings don’t necessarily mean hormonal contraceptive use causes depression, the moral to this story is clear: All women should have an informed discussion with their health care provider regarding the relative risks and benefits of any type of contraception before initiating use.

October 17 2018

What If Aspirin Really Doesn’t Help Your Heart?

southgaspineBody, Medication, Pain

If you were taught to take aspirin every day as a way to prevent heart attacks and related cardiovascular events, you may need to go back to school. Several new studies suggest the risks associated with taking aspirin on a daily basis may outweigh the benefits.

The first study, published in Lancet, enrolled more than 12,000 people from multiple countries (including the U.S.), randomly prescribed either low-dose aspirin (100 mg) or a placebo (an inactive pill participants thought was aspirin) daily, and then tracked who suffered cardiovascular death, heart attack, unstable angina, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) during the study period. All patients were considered at moderate risk for cardiovascular disease (and thus one of the cardiac events listed above) at the start of the study.

After an average follow-up time of five years, researchers compared rates of cardiovascular events between groups and found no significant difference (4.29 percent in the aspirin group; 4.48 percent in the placebo group). However, the rate of gastrointestinal bleeding (a potential side effect of daily aspirin intake) was twice as high in the aspirin group compared to the placebo group (0.97 percent versus 0.46 percent, respectively).

A second study, published around the same time in The New England Journal of Medicine, examined daily aspirin use in a healthy elderly population and again found a risk of GI bleeding without a significant reduction in the risk of cardiac events. Among 19,000-plus seniors (ages 70 and older) tracked for nearly five years, rates of coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke were similar between groups, and essentially the same percentage of seniors were still alive, regardless of whether they took daily aspirin or placebo. Rates of gastrointestinal bleeding were higher in the aspirin group: 3.8 percent compared to only 2.7 percent in the control (placebo) group.

While these findings don’t definitively rule out daily aspirin for heart health (particularly in people at high risk for a cardiovascular event or who’ve already suffered a primary event), they certainly suggest you should always have an in-depth conversation with your doctor before taking aspirin – or any medication – regarding risks versus benefits. In many cases (cardiovascular health included), a natural, drug-free strategy involving diet, exercise and stress management may be the better – and safer – road to take. Talk to your doctor for more information.

August 23 2018

Oral Antibiotics May Cause Kidney Stones

southgaspineBody, Medication, Pain

Ever experienced a kidney stone? If you have, our deepest condolences. If you haven’t, consider yourself highly fortunate. Kidney stones are small “pebbles” of salt and mineral that can accumulate in the urine.

Depending on their size, kidney stones can cause considerable pain, especially when they’re passing – in your urine, remember – out of the body. In some cases, surgery may be necessary if the stones don’t pass on their own or with other methods.

With that said, why would you do something that increases your risk of developing kidney stones? Millions of people are doing just that by taking oral antibiotics. According to a study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, children and adults alike have a significantly increased risk of kidney stones if they take oral antibiotics, and the risk increases the more oral antibiotics they take. Specifically, taking an antibiotic from any of five classes 3-12 months before a kidney stone diagnosis appeared to increase the likelihood of such a diagnosis.

Sulfas had the highest risk, followed by cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin/methenamine, and broad-spectrum penicillins, and the risk for kidney stones remained significant 3-5 years after exposure for all antibiotic classes except for penicillins.

To learn more about antibiotics including some of the common brand names for drugs in the aforementioned classes, click here. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with any medication before filling a prescription, and inquire about the potential nondrug alternatives available to resolve your health issue.

July 24 2018

NSAIDs Up Miscarriage Risk?

southgaspineMedication, Wellness

The title says it all: Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), commonly known as Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Motrin, Celebrex, Bayer, Midol and various other pain relievers (click here for a comprehensive list) increases the risk of a miscarriage.

More specifically, any use of NSAIDs around the time of conception increases the risk of suffering a miscarriage during the first eight weeks, according to research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The miscarriage risk is significant, per the study: four times the risk compared to women who either used no pain relievers or used a non-NSAID such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol). These findings were noted after comparing three groups of pregnant women: 241 who took NSAIDs around the time of conception, 391 who took acetaminophen and 465 who took neither medication type. Women in the NSAID group suffered miscarriages 24 percent of the time during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The risk was significantly lower (and essentially equivalent) in women who took acetaminophen (16 percent) or no pain relievers (17 percent).

While any NSAID use increased miscarriage risk, the risk was higher in women who took NSAIDs for a longer duration (two weeks or more) compared to women who took them for a shorter duration. The authors are quick to point out that their study does not necessarily prove that NSAID use causes miscarriage, just that miscarriage rates were higher in women who used NSAIDs … but are you willing to take that risk, knowing what you now know?

The message is clear: All women should ask their doctor about medication use (even over-the-counter meds you can get without a prescription, which many NSAIDs are) before, during and after pregnancy to ensure their health and the health of their child isn’t compromised.

June 18 2018

6 Essential Minerals for Women’s Health

southgaspineBody, General Health, Medication, Nutrition, Wellness

Minerals are essential micronutrients that are required in small amounts for the body to function properly. Untreated mineral deficiencies can cause serious health problems including endocrine (hormone) imbalances, osteoporosis, and anemia.

Different minerals play a primary role at different stages of life. For example, menstruating women often need extra iron until they hit menopause and then they can cross iron off their list, as it contributes to oxidative damage in the body. Another example is that women typically develop bone density during the first 35 years of life, creating a specific mineral reserve that forms the foundation for bone health during the postmenopausal years, when bone density tends to decline.

The main sources of minerals are certain types of whole foods, but following a diet that contains all the necessary nutrients can be a challenge for any woman. Taking a multivitamin with added essential minerals can help you reach the recommended amount of minerals you need to stay healthy. Food-based natural mineral supplements are also very beneficial.

Natural mineral supplements can offer comprehensive nutritional support and help improve your body’s absorption of certain other minerals and nutrients – for example, the magnesium is necessary for calcium absorption. Most women are deficient in such common minerals as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium, so it may be worth considering supplementation, as these minerals are critical for proper metabolic function, hormone balance and bone strength, among other health benefits.

Magnesium

Why you need it: Magnesium is an essential mineral that is involved in more than 300 enzyme and metabolic reactions. Low levels in the body can cause irritability, headaches, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms or twitches, constipation, and insomnia. In addition to maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, magnesium helps to keep your heart rhythm steady and supports a healthy immune system. Magnesium is as important as calcium in developing and maintaining bone health, so an ideal bone support supplement will contain equal amounts of both calcium and magnesium. Magnesium is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis since the body requires it for completing certain chemical reactions pertaining to the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Finally, magnesium is required for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, which is crucial for detoxification activities and a healthy immune system.

Where to get it: Although supplements are available, nature provides a number of dietary sources of magnesium, including leafy green vegetables, seaweed or green algae, avocados, nuts, beans, raw chocolate, and grains such as brown rice and millet.

Calcium

Why you need it: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is required for healthy muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormonal secretion. Almost all the calcium in the body is stored in the bones and teeth, where it is vital for their support and structure. It is especially important for women to get adequate amounts of calcium in order to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, which can lead to an increased incidence of fractures. In addition to its benefits for the bones, calcium is also effective in lowering blood pressure, treating migraines and reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium is around 1,000 mg, while some research suggests that even higher levels may have added health benefits. Some forms of calcium have much better absorption than others, so it is best to choose sources such as calcium citrate, malate, chelate, and orotate, which are more easily absorbed by the body.

Where to get it: While some of the richest sources of calcium include dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, it is best to stick to non-dairy sources such as sea vegetables, Chinese cabbage, kale, and broccoli, as well as foods, juices, drinks and cereals that are fortified with calcium. The reason is that eating large amounts of dairy products can actually cause the body to leech calcium and minerals, due to dairy’s extreme digestive challenges for even non-lactose-intolerant people. Dairy products also contain low amounts of magnesium and high levels of phosphorus, which can decrease the availability of calcium.

Iron

Why you need it: Iron is part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the body, but is also found in the protein myoglobin, which makes oxygen available for muscle contractions.

An iron deficiency causes a hindrance in the delivery of oxygen to the cells, which can result in fatigue, decreased immunity and anemia – a condition in which red blood cells are immature, small or contain too little hemoglobin to carry the normal amount of oxygen to the tissues.

Where to get it: There are two forms of dietary iron: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is derived from the protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells and is contained in animal foods such as red meats, fish, and poultry. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods such as lentils, beans, black-strap molasses, dried apricots, and raisins. Iron is a double-edged sword, however, as you need enough but not too much. Menstruating women lose blood on a monthly basis, for example, and may require supplementation, whereas most postmenopausal women do not need supplemental iron.

Zinc

Why you need it: Zinc is another mineral that is vital to healthy living, as even a small deficiency can cause decreased immunity. This mineral is most widely known for preventing and shortening the duration of colds, which is due to its powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and increase white blood cell count. Zinc is necessary for the function of many enzymes in the body, effectively assists in regulating hormones and has even been shown to increase fertility. This is a critical mineral in any supplement program, as it aids the body’s absorption of minerals such as calcium, which can help to prevent osteoporosis. Finally, the anti-inflammatory and tissue-healing benefits of zinc can help improve numerous conditions such as acne and poor skin health, among others.

Where to get it: People who want to turn to dietary sources of zinc should consider foods such as oysters and pumpkin seeds, which are known to be rich in zinc. Other zinc-rich foods include most types of meat products, beans, nuts, whole grains, and many other seeds.

Iodine

Why you need it: Iodine was one of the first minerals recognized as essential to human health. It has been known to prevent and treat various thyroid issues, such as enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is important since hypothyroidism and iodine deficiency is associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. There is also evidence of a link between low thyroid function and fibrocystic breast disease (FBD). This mineral strongly influences nutrient metabolism, detoxification, nerve and muscle function, nail, hair, skin, and tooth condition, and has a profound impact on physical and mental development. It is especially important for women who are pregnant to monitor both their iodine levels as well as levels in their babies in order to prevent certain developmental problems.

Where to get it: In addition to supplementation, various foods provide the body with healthy levels of iodine, including most types of seafood, seaweeds such as kelp, clams, lobsters, oysters, and sardines. It is essential to monitor your intake of some seafood, however, as you may also put yourself at risk of consuming too much mercury.

Selenium

Why you need it: Selenium is also important for optimum health, as it is reported to mimic the action of insulin. Studies have shown that selenium effectively stimulates glucose uptake and regulates metabolic processes including glycolysis [glucose conversion that ultimately yields energy in the form of ATP], gluconeogenesis [which helps keep blood glucose from dropping too low] and fatty acid synthesis, among other key functions. Selenium also plays a role in reducing the oxidative stress associated with diabetes, which can help reduce the risk of developing the potential side effects of diabetes such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataracts. Selenium deficiency can result in a number of functional disorders, including skeletal muscle dysfunction, cardiac dysfunction, and pancreatic degeneration. Selenium acts as an antioxidant against free radicals that damage DNA and is often included with vitamins C and E to help fight against cancer, heart disease and even aging.

Where to get it: Natural food sources high in selenium include cereals, Brazil nuts, legumes, beef, chicken, eggs, and cheese.

Complete nutrition is a must for optimal health, so it is crucial to supply the body with sufficient amounts of nutrients by eating a wide variety of vitamin- and mineral-rich foods. While supplementation is an option, the best and most bioavailable form of any mineral is always in its natural food form. If you do choose mineral supplementation, be sure to get a brand that is made from natural food-based sources of minerals rather than synthetic ones. A diet based on mineral- and nutrient-rich whole foods is linked with increased antioxidant activity, improved digestion, healthy inflammation response, healthy glucose metabolism, healthier lipid profiles and increased immune activity, among other benefits. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Minerals That Matter: The Big 6 for Women

Magnesium	Calcium	Iron
Key Functions Energy metabolism, protein synthesis, bone health, muscle and nerve function.Food Sources Leafy green vegetables, seaweed or green algae, avocados, nuts, beans, raw chocolate, and grains such as brown rice and millet. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19-30: 310 mg Age 31+: 320 mg	Key Functions Healthy muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormonal secretion; support and structure of bones and teeth.Food Sources Dairy products; nondairy sources (preferable) include sea vegetables, Chinese cabbage, kale and broccoli, as well as foods, juices, drinks and cereals fortified with calcium. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19-50: 1,000 mg Age 51+: 1,200 mg	Key Functions Part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the body; also found in the protein myoglobin, which makes oxygen available for muscle contractions.Food Sources Red meats, fish and poultry, lentils, beans, black strap molasses, dried apricots, raisins. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19-50: 18 mg Age 51+: 8 mg

Zinc	Iodine	Selenium
Key Functions Strengthens immune system, increases white blood cell count, helps regulate hormones; supports absorption of calcium.Food Sources Oysters, pumpkin and many other seeds, most meat products, beans, nuts, whole grains. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19+: 8 mg Pregnant: 11 mg Lactating: 12 mg	Key Functions Strongly influences nutrient metabolism, detoxification, nerve and muscle function, nail, hair, skin and tooth condition and mental development.Food Sources Seafood, seaweeds such as kelp; clams, lobsters, oysters, and sardines. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19+: 150 mcg Pregnant: 220 mcg Lactating: 290 mcg	Key Functions Stimulates glucose uptake and regulates metabolic processes including fatty acid synthesis; acts as an antioxidant against free radicals.Food Sources Cereals, Brazil nuts, legumes, beef, chicken, eggs, and cheese. RDA for Adult Women (Age 19 and older)* Age 19+: 55 µg Pregnant: 60 µg Lactating: 70 µg

April 17 2018

Your Baby’s Medication May Lead to Childhood Allergies

southgaspineChildren, Medication

No parent wants a child to develop allergies to any food or substance, but sometimes it happens outside of anyone’s control. The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, passed from parents to offspring. But the risk of suffering an allergy can certainly be reduced. Here’s a risk-reduction story all parents should heed.

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics, a journal of the American Medical Association, links acid suppressant and antibiotic use during infancy with childhood allergies, including asthma. Nearly 800,000 children were evaluated for the study over a decade-plus period, using medical records to determine medication use in infancy (birth to 6 months of age) and correlating it with allergy/asthma risk at 6 months of age and older.

Infant exposure to acid-suppressive medication increased the risk of all allergies assessed with the exception of seafood allergy, including food allergy, anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, urticaria, contact dermatitis, medication allergy and more. Exposure during infancy to antibiotics also increased childhood allergy risk, as well as the risk of experiencing asthma – more than double the risk compared to infants not receiving antibiotics during their first six months of life.

An estimated 50 million-plus children in the U.S. alone suffer allergies every year. Anything you can do to reduce the risk that your child will experience allergy symptoms sounds like a great idea to us. Always talk to your pediatrician before filling any prescription to ensure you are informed of the risks versus benefits and whether natural alternatives are available.

April 17 2018

Pain Pills Don’t Go Away After Back Surgery

southgaspineMedication, Pain, Surgery

We can debate the necessity of spine surgery until the proverbial cows come home, but a few concerning realities are becoming apparent: it’s performed far too frequently and it doesn’t mean your pain will go away. In terms of the latter point, a recent study in the peer-reviewed journal Painfound that patients who took prescription opioid pain meds before undergoing lumbar (lower back) fusion surgery was overwhelmingly likely to continue opioid use long-term following surgery.

Among nearly 2,500 adult patients who underwent fusion surgery, almost half used opioids long-term (at least four prescriptions filled in seven months) prior to surgery. Among those presurgical users, a whopping 77 percent continued use long-term following surgery, while 14 percent continued use on a periodic basis. Only 9 percent discontinued opioid use or used them postsurgically for only a short period of time. Of the 77 percent who continued long-term use, 45 percent actually had their dosage increased following surgery. And to top it all off, 13 percent of patients who did not use opioids before surgery became long-term users after the procedure.

So, is spine surgery failing to take away the pain, or is opioid use a hard habit to break? Both probably deserve equal blame. That’s why nondrug, nonsurgical options – such as chiropractic care – for back pain are landing front and center in the healthcare conversation. If you’re experiencing back pain, schedule a visit with a doctor of chiropractic as your first provider choice. Why? Because research suggests back pain patients who see a chiropractor first are far less likely to undergo spine surgery compared to patients whose first contact is with a spine surgeon. Less chance of surgery, less chance of addictive pain medication; now that’s a win-win for your health.

November 15 2017

Labor Meds Bad for Breastfeeding

southgaspineBody, Children, General Health, Medication, Pain, Wellness

The seemingly endless benefits of breastfeeding can take a hit if the mother receives medication during labor. According to Dr. Kajsa Brimdyr and her research team, administration of commonly utilized labor medications such as fentanyl and Pitocin decrease the likelihood that the newborn will suckle appropriately within the first hour following birth.

“It is crucial for new parents to be aware of the risks of intrapartum drugs, and medical professionals have an ethical obligation to inform parents of such risks, especially when these drugs are so prevalent in Labor & Delivery,” said Dr. Brimdyr in a press release touting the study findings. “The implications of this study are huge.

In the United States, more than 80% of women intend to breastfeed, but only 22% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization, and others. Pitocin remains the most widely used drug for inducing labor and 61% of first-time moms receive an epidural. This study may offer insight into why our intentions don’t match our outcomes.”

Learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding by talking to your OB-GYN about the risks vs. benefits of any medications prescribed during pregnancy and/or labor.

November 15 2017

Three Ways To Avoid Breast Cancer

southgaspineBody, General Health, Medication, Wellness

With October marking breast cancer awareness month, there are a few preventative steps you can take to ensure you minimize your chances of being diagnosed. A woman today has about 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some time during her life, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Breast cancer is now the No. 2 cause of cancer death in the United States and the second most common cancer in women. By changing a few lifestyle habits you can take a proactive approach when it comes to your health. Here are three simple tips:

Get enough sleep: Sleep is critical when it comes to keeping breast cancer at bay. Research has found that among post-menopausal breast cancer patients, getting less than six hours of sleep raised the risk of recurrent breast cancer. By getting 8 hours of sleep every night, you can minimize your risk of getting breast cancer by giving your body what it needs to recover.
Watch your weight: Those few extra pounds may do more harm to your body then affecting your heart, they can also put you at risk for breast cancer. Women who are obese are also at risk of higher recurrence and death from breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. By keeping the pounds off, you are also keeping the risk of breast cancer down.
Exercise: One way to ensure you are keeping the weight down and reaping other positive benefits for your overall health is by exercising. Exercise can not only help you maintain a good weight, but it will also cut your chances of getting breast cancer by as much as 30 percent, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina. So, get moving toward a healthier you!

September 14 2017

Top 5 Herbal Formulas for Health and Wellness

southgaspineBody, Diet, General Health, Medication, Wellness

Why do the Chinese have a reputation for living long, healthy lives? A rich history of using Chinese herbs may play a role. Here are five of the most popular herbal formulas and how they help promote health and wellness in the body.

Modern Western pharmacology tends to focus on finding the single molecule that cures a disease. In contrast, Chinese medicine often utilizes herbal formulas that blend many agents to address underlying imbalances that may cause disease, while aiding in symptom relief – a “shotgun” approach that has been practiced in Asia for thousands of years. Medical practitioners all over the world have begun to incorporate more Chinese formulas into their practices to treat common, everyday conditions. Whereas raw herbs were once sent home with the patient and made into teas, today there are a variety of forms available over the counter, in practitioners’ offices and in health food stores.

Herbal Theory at a Glance

According to Chinese medicine, herbs and formulas have affinities to certain organ channels. Each herb has significance in a formula, similar to the way a pharmaceutical medication has a specific action. An herb can affect multiple organ systems, making its way through the body to help restore balance. It has been suggested that early Chinese herbalists could follow the energy of herbs through the body, which helped determine their medicinal function.

Chinese medicine has become much more mainstream in its use and indications. Over-the-counter products are now used based on their modern-day disease indications, and are used in their traditional applications for treating imbalances in organ channels. While modern medicine has tried to extract the most active components of herbs in an attempt to enhance their effects, Chinese herbal formulas continue to combine whole herbs. It is common to see herbs and minerals such as licorice, ginger, simple sugar, rice and salt added to help make the other components in a formula work better. Often, simple base formulas are used together or individual herbs are added. Here are five common Chinese herbal formulas that address basic health issues.

A Basic Formula
(Gui Zhi Tang)

This formula’s traditional use stems back to the classics, where it was one of the first formulas used to fight off signs of the common cold. It works by pushing pathogens out of the body, primarily through sweating. This formula has been modified to be a component of so many formulas that many modern patent medicine books do not recognize it individually as a formula. The major ingredient, cinnamon, has an overall immune-boosting quality that helps promote the movement of other herbs through channels.

Digestive Aid
(Ping Wei San)

This formula is one of many available that work to tonify the stomach and improve digestion and elimination. It is often used when there is stomach upset, bloating and sluggish bowels due to overconsumption of cold foods and drinks. It has been used to help relieve fullness in the chest and abdomen. This can be commonly seen when people attempt to eat healthy and suddenly increase their intake of raw food, eat only salads or drink lots of iced beverages. The formula works by warming the digestive organs as a method of restoring function and helping decrease the feeling of heaviness. Similar formulas are used when people present with more heat signs like burning sensations when eating, or they alternate between loose stools and constipation.

PMS and Mental Support
(Xiao Yao San)

This formula, one of the most popular Chinese formulas used in America, focuses on supporting the mind/body balance. It has been given to women who suffer from PMS with emotional difficulties connected to their cycle. This formula soothes the mind and promotes blood movement, which also helps relieve pain and cramping.

Energy Support
(Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)

This formula traditionally has been used to help strengthen weakened and debilitated patients by tonifying their core energy. It is like fixing the foundation of a house below ground so new improvements can be made above ground. An indication for this formula is when there is not enough strength to hold the body up and there is a feeling that things are sinking or collapsing. This formula has been used with various types of prolapses, frequent urination, loose stools, bleeding problems like anemia, and generalized weakness. It is used to help boost the body for many conditions and is often combined with other formulas for that purpose.

Liver Support
(Xiao Chai Hu Tang)

This formula has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years and has kept its ancient indications while acquiring modern-day applications. It is one of the main formulas mentioned in the Shang Hun Lung, a classic text on herbal formulations from the Han dynasty, written between 202 B.C. and 221 A.D. Traditionally, it has been used for lingering colds that persist for more than five days with alternating fever and chills. It also has been used for women who catch colds right before or on the first day of menstruation. It is good for people who are more susceptible to illness during changes, like the beginning of a menstrual cycle. Recently, ongoing studies at UC San Diego and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have demonstrated its positive results on liver function for patients with hepatitis C. Over the long term, it has helped improve liver enzymes and general fatigue from chronic illness. This formula continues to be a part of many clinical trials in the U.S. and overseas.