Dear Colleagues;
I hope you are all well. I am combining May and June into 1 newsletter because of my heavy upcoming schedule. We just had a great seminar in Dallas. Coming up Noah and I will teach at the ICAK meetings both in S Korea and Kansas City (details at icakusa.com) and later in the year at the CPK annual meeting and QN homecoming. We will also schedule a protocol seminar in the fall and hopefully announce it by the next newsletter.
New Supreme Nutrition Product (shop.supremenutritionproducts.com)
Most of the new products Supreme comes out with are either 1) Herbs we found in our academic searches that not only look amazing on paper but once we procure samples and test them on patients, they perform amazingly. Most herbs that look great on paper we end up disappointed in as clinically we do not find them to work that well. 2) Herbs that are available by a fair number of other companies but we found a source that we feel is superior and has been backed up by our AK testing.
The below herb I had never heard of but the properties looked so good that we acquired samples and it tested great too.
Dittrichia Supreme
Dittrichia viscosa (also known as Inula viscosa) is a perennial medicinal plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region. It has been used in traditional folk medicine for generations to support digestion, skin health, and overall wellness.
One of the standout characteristics of Dittrichia viscosa is its rich concentration of caffeoylquinic acids, including cynarin—the exact same therapeutic compound famously found in artichoke (Cynara scolymus). However, while artichokes typically require high-heat or alcohol extraction to convert their precursor compounds into active cynarin, Dittrichia naturally synthesizes a robust spectrum of these compounds straight from the ground. Because we use the raw, dried herb, it yields approximately 1% to 2% of these active caffeoylquinic acids by weight in their pure, bioavailable form, without the need for harsh processing or extraction.
Research has shown that these compounds, combined with the plant's diverse phytochemical profile, offer a wide array of systemic health benefits:
- Liver Support & Detoxification: Assists the body in the natural breakdown and clearance of hormones and metabolic waste (1, 2).
- Cardiovascular & Metabolic Homeostasis: Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and support healthy lipid metabolism. They also inhibit alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate digestion, which helps mitigate post-meal blood sugar spikes (8, 9).
- Neuroprotection & Cognitive Health: CQAs, including cynarin, have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. They significantly reduce neuro-inflammation and protect neurons from oxidative stress, showing promise for mitigating age-related cognitive decline and supporting overall brain health (10, 11).
- Cellular Defense & "Inflammaging" Reduction: Dittrichia acts as a potent antioxidant by actively upregulating the Nrf2 pathway—the body's master regulator of cellular defense. By activating this pathway and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, it helps combat chronic, low-grade inflammation (12, 13).
- Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial & GI Support: Occupying a similar space to herbs like Melia and Golden Thread, Dittrichia possesses strong antifungal and gastroprotective properties. Studies have shown it to be effective against fungal strains like Candida albicans (4) and a variety of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Helicobacter pylori (which is heavily associated with gastric issues) (5-7).
Contraindications: Do not take if pregnant or nursing.
Recommended Dosage: 1-2 capsules, 3 times a day.
References:
1. Seca, A. M. L., et al. "Phytochemical Characterization and Multi-Biological Potentials of Inula viscosa: New In Vitro Evidence." (2025).
2. Mahmoudi, S., et al. "A comprehensive review on ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, toxicology, and pharmacological activities of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter." (2024).
3. Ouaritini, Z. B., et al. "Dittrichia viscosa L. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds with Multiple Pharmacological Effects." PMC (2022).
4. Rhourri-Frih, B., et al. "Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Insecticidal Properties of a Chemically Characterized Essential Oil from the Leaves of Dittrichia viscosa L." Molecules (2022).
5. Benkhaira, N., et al. "Essential Oil From Dittrichia viscosa L.: A Potential Source of Bioactive Substances With Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antidiabetic Properties: In Vitro and In Silico Studies." Advances in Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2025).
6. Eltawaty, S. I. A., et al. "Phytochemical Study and Potential of Antibacterial Performance of Dittrichia Viscosa Subsp. Viscosa." Journal of Chemical Health Risks (2025).
7. Franco, C., et al. "Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. viscosa on Helicobacter pylori." (2004).
8. Gong, Z., et al. "Chlorogenic Acid: A Systematic Review on the Biological Functions, Mechanistic Actions, and Therapeutic Potentials." Nutrients (2024).
9. Palmegiano, C., et al. "Insights into the Biological Roles of Artichoke Extracts: Implications in Intestinal, Cardiovascular, and Neurodegenerative Diseases." Preprints (2023).
10. Ferreira, A., et al. "Caffeoylquinic acids: chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity." PMC (2022).
11. Al-Rikabi, et al. "Cynarin protects against seizures and neuronal death in a rat model..." PubMed (2025).
12. Li, Y., et al. "Recent Advances in Biosynthesis and Bioactivity of Plant Caffeoylquinic Acids." MDPI (2024).
13. Geng, et al. "Current Advances in Naturally Occurring Caffeoylquinic Acids: Structure, Bioactivity, and Synthesis." ACS Publications (2020).
Clinical tidbits
A physician friend of mine (very accomplished doc) came to me and was telling me he was having a hard time recently testing patients, as he was finding universal hypertonicity on his patients. I had heard other docs complain of that before but I never tried to figure it out. I rarely have patients come in with that finding but when I do, I usually give the patient a dose or two of magnesium and it corrects it so I can test accurately. Sometimes it is due to magnesium deficiency and sometimes the deficiency is secondary to a sympathetic overload or can even be toxic metals. Anyway, I tested the doc and he had a magnesium deficiency. We gave him some oral magnesium (citramate from Thorne) and also had him rub into his skin magnesium oil and then continue these at home. After that, he no longer found universal hypertonicty on his patients. This man is an accomplished tester and even though novice testers often find their own findings on the patient (who is unknowingly acting as a surrogate) this doctor has been accurately testing for decades. I just found this quite interesting. The day after he shared this I had my first universal hypertonic patient in a few years. He injects testosterone and is on 4 bp meds (including 2 diuretics). I gave him some magnesium in the office and he became testable but was massively deficient probably due to the diuretics.
Some tidbits from Dr Steve Tyks
*13 days ago I started feeling funny in my chest. The next few days my heart was VERY irregular. So I tested for sf722, Hawthorne and Scutellaria, (mold). Heart started working better the next day! Yeah! That was scary.
*My secretarys partner nearly died this winter, an alcoholic, He got pancreatitis with complications. After he came out of intensive care his blood sugar was bad (he was on metformin before). He quit drinking. I put him on Sheep pancreas. Worked overnight I think. If he goes off it, it can spike.
*The husband of the lady that owns our health food store said he has low T and he is not able to engage in relations with his wife. I thought what the heck? I will try this testicle stuff on him. Success. So those new products really did the trick.
Chiropractic Position Available
Associate position available on the central coast of California, Arroyo Grande. A great opportunity for a like-minded enthusiastic chiropractor with interest and skills in AK, Lebowitz Protocol, NET, CRA, QN, or other similar techniques. We have a great staff, senior doc has 26 years experience for mentorship and training. The office was remodeled and expanded in 2024 and beautiful with lots of technology. Trifecta red light therapy bed, lasers, GRT lites, Optimizers (CRA), Braintaps, PEMF, and more. This is a great place to live. We are 8 minutes to the beach, mountains, and 4 lakes that are a short drive away. Contact Dr. Amber Runnerstrum directly at 805-550-7926.