Q: Dear Adam,
I currently take a statin drug to keep my cholesterol under control. My doctor recently told me that I should take Coenzyme Q10 in conjunction with my statin drug. What’s the reasoning behind this?

Jean R.,
Harbor City, CA.

A: Dear Jean,
First let me congratulate you on your choice of doctor. There are so few traditional medical practitioners who understand that pharmaceuticals alone are not the key to good health. Dietary supplements often compliment pharmaceutical medications, and in some cases, the pharmaceutical drugs can cause a deficiency in a
nutrient or substance important to human health.

That’s the case with statin drugs and Coenzyme Q10. Studies have shown that statin drugs disrupt the body’s ability to produce Coenzyme Q10, which is a major source of cellular energy. Your doctor knows that the statin drugs will lower your cholesterol, which is a good thing. Buthe also knows that if you don’t take additional Coenzyme Q10 in conjunction with your statin drug, your risk of heart disease will increase, and that’s not a good thing. My suggestion to you is to follow your doctor’s advice. He seems very knowledgeable in regards to both pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.

Q: Dear Adam,
What’s the deal with pectin-based oral chelation formulas and how do they compare to EDTA formulas like CardioClear®?

Julie A.
Fairfield, CA

A: Dear Julie,
To begin with, pectin-based formulas are not really specific chelators, so I am always surprised when I hear about companies marketing pectin-based oral chelation products. Instead, pectin is a fiber that, when taken in very large doses, traps and sweeps away minerals and heavy metals from the gastrointestinal tract.

Pectin is a great fiber, but as with any fiber, large amounts are needed to gain benefits. Recently I read a newsletter recommending a pectin formulation, and quoting the benefits of a clinical trial on the ingredient in the product. What they conveniently failed to tell the readers is that they would need to take 50 capsules a day to match what was given in the study.

Real oral chelation products like CardioClear contain calcium disodium EDTA, which has been clinically proven to remove toxic heavy metals from the blood stream AND the gastrointestinal tract. It does this through a true chelation process where the EDTA literally “latches” on to toxins like lead and mercury and carries them out of the body. Pectin products are not actually absorbed into the blood stream and thus can not remove toxins from the cardiovascular system.

While there certainly are health benefits to consuming pectin fiber products, I would never recommend replacing a true oral chelation product like CardioClear with a so called pectin-based chelation product.

Q: Dear Adam,
Does the human body absorb synthetic nutrients as thoroughly as natural nutrients?

Tammy R.
New Orleans, LA

A: Dear Tammy,
The distinction between “synthetic” and “natural” vitamins can be confusing. Many of today’s vitamin and mineral supplements are synthesized through chemical processes, rather than derived directly from plants or other materials. A better question might be whether or not the resulting molecular structure is the same as the corresponding structure found in nature. When the synthetic molecule is identical to the form derived from natural sources, both forms will be indistinguishable from each other in all aspects—including their function and effects in the human body. 

As for absorption, a good example is folic acid. The form of folic acid found in foods is actually called folates. Folates are made of folic acid combined with an amino acid. Folates are the naturally occurring form of folic acid. However, because folates must be digested in our bodies and turned into folic acid before being utilized, synthetic folic acid is actually much better absorbed than natural folates. Because of this, folic acid is the preferred and better utilized form of supplemental folate. The list of cutting-edge ingredients, and their forms and amounts used in Health Freedom Nutrition supplements are carefully considered to ensure optimum absorption and utilization.

Q: Dear Adam,
I’m concerned about blood clots … are there any nutritional
supplements I should consider?

Tom R.
Sparks, NV

A: Dear Tom,
Blood clots are the clumps that result from coagulation of the blood (blood congeals into platelet clumps). A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or within the heart and remains is called a thrombus; if it is circulated in the system it’s called an embolus. Either way it presents a very hazardous health situation; many times even life threatening. Several of our cardiovascular products will address blood circulation health.

The Japanese have utilized a dietary food source called Natto for many centuries and heart disease is almost nonexistent within their culture. Our primary product which is an extract of that food source and has superb anti-platelet properties is called Nattokinase.

Nattokinase enhances the body’s natural ability to fight blood clots, and has an advantage over prescription blood thinners. Researchers have found that Nattokinase is four times more potent than plasmin, and works even more effectively than Warfarin (Coumadin) drugs because it continues to work for long periods of time and actually dissolves clots without drastic side effects. Nattokinase may support normal blood pressure, prevent blood clots from forming, dissolve existing blood clots and fibrin and enhances the body’s production of plasmin, another clot-dissolving agent.

Additional blood circulation products can be added such as Omega Advantage™, the pharmaceutical grade fish oil product along with the Resveratrol Red Wine product. Our high quality cardiovascular line provides very potent, functional formulas for anyone’s health needs.

Q: Dear Adam,
What is the latest research regarding nutrition and allergies?

Diane R.
Massapequa, NY

A: Dear Diane,
Nutrition is a critical factor in addressing any allergy condition.  There are literally hundreds of studies published each year involving the role nutrients play in both causing and relieving allergies.  It takes considerable effort to review and stay on top of this evolving area of nutrition science.

An allergic response causes excessive inflammation, due to an abnormal reaction of the immune system. In theory, any substance entering the body has the potential to trigger an allergic response (i.e. to become an allergen) in a sensitized person.  A diet rich in antioxidants and high in omega-3 essential fatty acids is generally a perfect defense for allergies with a lot of good theoretical reasoning behind it.  For example; three recent studies indicate this diet can be helpful for people suffering from allergies.

The results showed high intakes of fruit and vegetables, especially citrus fruit, reduced allergic wheezing, while consumption of margarine increased it.   So, when it comes to allergies,  it is once prudent to eat a nutritional healthy diet and compliment it with an antioxidant product like Berry Pure™, an omega-3 product like Omega Advantage™, and if allergies do abound, Allergy Answer™.    

Adam Gissen,
Nutrition Expert &
Director of Product
Development


If you would like to “Ask Adam …” call
Health Freedom Nutrition at 800-980-8780.

Best Wishes,

Adam Gissen

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