Getting up too often in the night?
Try a natural solution to enlarged prostate.

By Josée Fortin, ND

Gary M. wasn't sleeping well at all. Every night he would have to get up six or seven times to go to the bathroom. Hardly the recipe for facing the following day rested and refreshed.

Gary is not alone. The problem is caused by an enlarged prostate gland, a small gland that is part of the urinary system in men, below the bladder and surrounding the tube that allows urine to flow out of the bladder. The problem usually comes on gradually as men age and their prostate gland expands and constricts the urine outlet tube.

As a result, it becomes more difficult to empty the bladder at one time, resulting in the need for frequent urination and dribbling after urination. Half of men over age 50 develop the problem to some degree, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

There are a number of drugs available to treat BPH, but many men find they cause side effects that make them feel really ill. A natural answer can be found in a little berry grown in Florida that was used for hundreds of years by the native population to alleviate men's problems – Saw Palmetto. The oil in the berry contains free fatty acids which have been shown to inhibit adverse hormonal action in the prostate and reduce inflammation.

The Saw Palmetto oil is available in the herbal remedy Sabalasan Prostate 1 from A. Vogel, which is indicated for the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with a confirmed diagnosis of BPH. It has been shown to reduce the symptoms of prostate enlargement by 42% in mild cases, 38% in moderate cases and 30% in severe cases after just eight weeks.

It's also important to watch your diet by cutting down on saturated fats (found in red meats, dairy products and most processed foods) and limit tea and coffee intake. Extra minerals and fatty acids from pumpkin seeds can also help (try them alone or on your breakfast cereal), along with a general multivitamin and mineral supplement.

How did things work out for Gary M.? He saw quick results with Sabalasan Prostate 1. "Words cannot express my joy and gratitude for your help," he wrote. "After only three nights and three capsules of Sabalasan, I am now down to getting up only twice per night. This has been a very enriching health experience."

So, men, next time you get up in the night, there's something to think about!

Josée Fortin is an accredited naturopath based in Ottawa.

Here's some sage advice!
You can naturally relieve the hot flushes of menopause

By Josée Fortin, ND

If you haven't been one, you've probably seen one – a woman fanning herself to cool off, even outside on a cool day. She's suffering from the hot flushes brought on by menopause, which can wreck havoc with the body's internal thermostat, bringing on immense heat and sweats, literally in a flash. Each one might not last for long, but they can continue for up 10 years or longer without therapy, so that's something to sweat about!

Irene L. was a typical case. She was suffering through 20 or more hot flushes a day. Bad enough, but they didn't stop at night either, waking her regularly in a sweat. It was no laughing matter.

Menopause can cause other symptoms as well. While about 75% of women suffer hot flushes and sweats, about half also suffer from vertigo and high blood pressure. A healthy diet, exercise and reducing stress can all help lessen symptoms, but herbal treatments can also help, particularly the well-known herb sage.

Native of the Mediterranean region, sage has been used for millennia as a medicine, through the time of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. It has been used to alleviate fevers, for menstrual pain and to ease childbirth. It's antispasmodic and astringent effects make it effective to treat the symptoms of menopause, with the tablets made from fresh leaves being particularly effective in reducing hot flushes and excessive sweating.

A great way to get the benefits of sage for menopause is from the herbal remedy Menopause Feminine from A. Vogel, which is made from 100% organic sage. It is natural, safe and effective, In one published clinical study of Menopause Feminine, 39 menopausal women were given either it or a placebo for eight weeks and kept a personal diary of their symptoms. Of those taking Menopause Feminine, 75% reported improved symptoms, compared to 47% on the placebo. The average number of hot flushes was reduced by 56.3% with Menopause Feminine but increased by 4.8% in the placebo group.

Irene L. became a convert. "After the OK from my medical doctor, I tried Menopause Feminine," she wrote. "It took about two weeks to notice a difference. I increased the dose to three per day and I haven't had a hot flush since! It didn’t just ease them, it totally eliminated them. A miracle in my book! I can now enjoy my life again. It’s a great product."

Josée Fortin is an accredited naturopath based in Ottawa.

You CAN take natural preventive action against the health miseries of winter

By Josée Fortin, ND

Let's face it – winter can be miserable. As much as we might enjoy skiing and skating, it brings just too much misery – from snowstorms and frostbite, to colds, flu and even depression through the long dark nights.

We can't control the weather, but we can take steps to make ourselves healthier in the winter. It starts with our general health, maintaining a good diet and regular exercise, particularly out in the fresh air. Small but regular doses of Vitamin C also help keep our immune system strong so we can fight off invading germs.

There has been a lot of confusing information in recent years about the herb Echinacea and its impact on preventing and fighting colds and flu. What's made the stories confusing is that they usually don't recognize that not all Echinacea is created equal. Some types are more effective than others and it is also vital to ensure that it is taken at a proper dosage to generate maximum benefit. The top of the line for Echinacea products is Echinaforce from A. Vogel. That's because it is made of 95% fresh, organic Echinacea purpurea herb and 5% fresh, organic Echinacea purpurea root, and also has the research behind it to back up its efficacy and non-toxicity.

A study of Echinaforce by Dr. Jim Hudson at the University of British Columbia showed that even at high dilution it has a potent virus-killing activity against human influenza viruses (which cause flu), the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores) and respiratory syncytial virus (responsible for many lower respiratory infections, especially in children). His study also found Echinaforce can kill several bacteria associated with cold symptoms and can reverse the inflammatory effect of the chemicals induced by many respiratory viruses.

The difference between Echinaforce and other Echinacea products is both the research that has been done on it and the fact that it is made from fresh, not dried, plants, therefore leaving more of the active ingredients available to benefit you all winter.

For winter cold and flu prevention, start taking it in October and by the time the sun warms up in March you might be wondering why you still have so many boxes of un-used tissues around the house! And, as you enjoy your good health, chances are your skiing and skating skills might have improved as well.

Josée Fortin is an accredited naturopath based in Ottawa.

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Ethan Pigott
Senior Consultant
Hill & Knowlton Canada
Telephone: 416-413-1218
Fax: 416-413-1550
ethan.pigott@hillandknowlton.ca