Dear Colleagues;
I hope you all are doing well. Our first seminar of the year is this coming weekend in Atlanta. We will also be coming in the end of July for the ICAK meeting and then again sometime this fall for a seminar somewhere in the western half of the US (if you have a preference let us know). We also just concluded a professional taping of our seminar which we will announce when available. This will have the latest version of our Lebowitz protocol seminar along with more academic info than usual, plus more practical info on how long our visits are, when and how to follow up etc.
NEW PRODUCT
Elderberry (Supreme Nutrition products 800-922-1744)
Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) is native to Europe but grows throughout the Western World as well as Asia and parts of Africa. Our tincture/glycerite is extracted with organic cane alcohol which is then boiled off (as much as possible while retaining potency) and then organic glycerine is added. Most tinctures on the market are extracted by non-organic grain-based alcohol (even some from GMO corn). While Supreme Nutrition Products has never done a tincture before, the demand for a few antimicrobials for small children has made us decide to make this (and there might be a few more coming). The product obviously can also be used for adults. We prefer whenever possible to make caps as the whole plant is included but we know that some little children cannot take them as well as some adults so we have decided to come out with a small line of antimicrobial tincture/glycerites.
Elderberry has many active components including quercetin, other flavonoids including rutin, vitamins A and C (1) etc.
Elderberry is most well-known for its antiviral activity. Studies in Israel have shown that is can deactivate certain spike proteins making the virus unable to enter cells. This has made it effective again different strains of influenza), herpes, and HIV (2,3,4). Because of its mechanism of action, it should be efficacious against most strains of influenza. It has also shown effective against most upper respiratory infections (5). Many people also use it prophylactically as a preventative against many viruses.
Elderberry also has significant anti-oxidant activity especially in preventing damage to the circulatory system from reactive oxygen species (6). It also may be helpful in preventing osteoporosis (7)
Folk medicine uses of elderberry include for conditions such as diabetes, constipation, blood cleansers, spring tonics, anti-inflammatory, sore throat, sciatica, eczema, measles (8,9)
Dosage 10-30 drops 3 times daily depending on weight. There are no known contraindications.
1. Duke JA. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1985:423.
2. Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, et al. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med 1995;1:361-369.
3. Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res 2004;32:132- 140.
4. Sahpira-Nahor O, Zakay-Rones Z, Mumcuoglu M. The effects of Sambucol® on HIV infection in vitro. Ann Israel Congress Microbiol February 6-7, 1994
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30670267/
6. Youdim KA, Martin A, Joseph JA. Incorporation of the elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells increases protection against oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med 2000;29:51-60.
7. Y. Zhang, Q. Li, H. Y. Wan, et al., “Study of the mechanisms by which Sambucus williamsii HANCE extract exert protective effects against ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in vivo,” Osteoporosis International 22(2) (2011): 703–09. [FC]
8. Atkinson M. Herbs for Your Health. New York, NY: Dalesman Books; 1979.
9. Bergner, Paul. “Sambucus: Elderberry,” Medical Herbalism: Materia Medica and Pharmacy, 2001
CASE HISTORY- Noah Lebowitz DC- Makawao, Maui
Middle age male came in for GI issues. The onset was 3-4 months ago with upper right GI pain. All labs were normal. abdominal ultrasound found a <10mm cyst on the liver, but nothing else of note. He had bloating and gas, and switched every 2-3 days between diarrhea and constipation. He had eliminated dairy and it seemed to help for a week, but then stopped helping. He was on a prescription for dicyclomine hydrochloride (Dicyclomine relieves smooth muscle spasms of the gastrointestinal tract. This action is achieved via a dual mechanism: (1) a specific anticholinergic effect at the acetylcholine-receptor sites and (2) a direct effect upon smooth muscle), but it wasn't helping.
Positive vials from Lebowitz protocol Kit (970-201-7406): Fungus 2, Bacteria 1, and Virus 2. Caffeine, Oats, and Casein.
AK testing led to prescribing Woad Supreme (2x3) and Uva Ursi Supreme (2x2) (Supreme Nutrition Products).
Patient followed up 3 weeks later. He reported after cutting caffeine cold turkey that he felt exhausted for 6 days and then on day 7 started to feel a lot better. Bloating/gas had improved 80%. Sleeping way better and only one day of diarrhea in past 3 weeks, and that was after something snuck in his diet he was supposed to avoid.
New findings: Fungus 1 and Gliadin. Told to keep off the caffeine, oats, and casein for 2 more weeks till the next visit and eat a little of each the day before to get an accurate test on them.
New supplements: Rosemary Supreme and continued on Uva Ursi Supreme.
Fairly simple/typical case in my eyes, but just shows how fast GI issues can resolve even when going on for months and after normal labs/tests are negative. The antimicrobials that tested would not have been for first choice if only assessing things academically but they were indicated by AK and did the job.