Module One: Natural Pain Relieving Substances
Module One presents a number of natural substances that can be used for pain relief and/or that can be used to resolve underlying conditions. The information contained herein is presented under the following headings: Vitamins, Minerals, Other Supplements and Substances, Enzymes, Amino Acids, Herbals Homeopathics, and Topical Approaches Each of these categories will include those substances that are pertinent to resolving pain relief. The substances listed here are for oral and topical applications.
When we evaluate these various substances for there uses in natural approaches, especially in regard to the vitamins, minerals, other supplements and substances, and enzymes, it must be recognized that each of these substances plays an integral role in human nutrition. This means that they are a necessary part of normal health and thus can, and usually are, negatively effected by many conditions. I bring this up because it could be said that each of these substances may have an impact on pain relief, especially in an indirect manner. I have focused on those substances which are known to have specific ties to relieving pain. Please remember that each of these listed substances may have general effects on pain relief or may effect particular conditions.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredible nutrient. It has many important qualities. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is essential in human nutrition. Vitamin C is used extensively in the United States and is very popular. One of its primary roles and functions is in the formation of collagen, the main protein connective tissue substance in the body. Collagen is critical for the growth and repair of body tissue and cells. It is very important for healthy gums, blood vessels, bones, and teeth. Vitamin C also plays an important role as one of the primary antioxidants in the body countering the negative destructive effects of free radicals.
Vitamin C does many things within the body: It increases the absorption of iron and is needed for the metabolism of folic acid, tyrosine, and phenylalanine. It can help prevent cancer, protects against infection, enhance immunity, aid in the production of anti-stress hormones and protect us against the harmful effects of pollution and cigarette smoke.
Vitamin C is very important in a number of disease processes including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. It can decrease cholesterol levels. Vitamin C promotes healing within the body, especially in the healing of wounds and burns, also in healing after surgery. Vitamin C protects against blood clotting and bruising as it reduces capillary fragility. It plays a role in the manufacture of certain nerve transmitters and hormones, especially in the production of anti-stress hormones. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system and aids in the prevention of many types of viral and bacterial infections. It also acts as a natural laxative, lowers the incidence of blood clots in the veins, reduces the effects of many allergy-producing substances, extends life by enabling protein cells to hold together and can reduce the risk of cataracts.
Vitamin C’s actions are very impressive as a singular substance. Vitamin C works with and reinforces other antioxidants, especially Vitamin E. These two vitamins increase the actions of each other, thus having a greater effect on their antioxidant activity on free radicals.
The human body cannot manufacture Vitamin C. Because of this, it must be obtained daily from our diets or from supplementation. There is a lot of controversy in regard to the optimal amounts of Vitamin C necessary for general health needs and in the treatment of disease processes. This controversy has been going on for a number of years and it does not look like it will be resolved anytime soon. As an example, with serious diseases, such as Cancer, very large amounts of Vitamin C may be necessary as part of a natural protocol. However, many within the medical community would dispute this approach.
Scurvy is a disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by poor wound healing, soft and spongy bleeding gums, edema, extreme weakness, and “pinpoint” hemorrhages under the skin. More common signs of lesser degrees of deficiency, including gums that bleed when brushed, increased susceptibility to infection, especially colds and bronchial infections, joint pains, lack of energy, poor digestion, prolonged healing time, a tendency to bruise easily, and tooth loss.
Sources: Vitamin C is found in a large variety of fruits and vegetables. Good sources include asparagus, avocados, beet greens, black currants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, collards, dandelion greens, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, mustard greens, onions, oranges, papayas, green peas, sweet peppers, pineapple, rose hips, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and watercress.
A number of herbs also contain Vitamin C. Included in this group are alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, parsley, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, skullcap, yarrow and yellow dock.
There are many major conditions where Vitamin C is of value. Please note that I have underlined some of the disorders which have pain syndromes related to them: Asthma, allergies, atherosclerosis, auto-immune disorders, backache, cancer and chemotherapy support, candidiasis, capillary fragility, cataracts, cervical dysplasia, Crohn’s disease, common cold, coronary artery disease, diabetes, eczema, fatigue, gall-bladder disease, gingivitis, glaucoma, hay fever, hepatitis herpes simplex, herpes zoster, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hives, immune function, infections, infertility, iron deficiency, macular degeneration, menopause, menorrhagia (heavy menstruation), mitral valve prolapse, morning sickness, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, periodontal disease, peptic ulcers, peripheral vascular disease, preeclampsia, recurrent ear infection, rheumatoid arthritis, skin ulcers, sports injuries, urinary tract infections, wound healing and vitilego.
Ascorbic Acid is NOT the Best Form of C — Mineral Ascorbates are Preferred!
Many people are under the false impression that Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. In truth, this is just one form of Vitamin C and it is not the form I recommend. Ascorbic acid is highly acidic (pH of 2 or 3) and can disrupt the sensitive pH of the body. The pH of the urine is lowered which is increasingly irritating to the kidneys and bladder, inducing a strong diuretic action, which results in a marked loss of valuable mineral from the body, and can cause diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, heartburn, stomach irritation, and can possibly lead to or irritate ulcers.
I prefer Vitamin C in the form of mineral ascorbates (calcium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, etc.) which are pH neutral. This is the form of Vitamin C produced in animals who do manufacture their own Vitamin C. Only humans, the guinea pig, the monkey, the ape, and a type of bat cannot manufacture mineral ascorbates in the body. Mineral ascorbates are highly absorbable by our cells and therefore much more beneficial.
Precautions: There are many substances which can deplete Vitamin C in the body including alcohol, analgesics, antidepressants, anticoagulants, oral contraceptives, steroids and smoking. An important caution needs to be addressed when taking aspirin and Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, especially in large doses, can cause side effects such as listed above. (Lytle, Hanck, Creagan, Gupte, Werbach)
Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B1, called Thiamine, is a water-soluble vitamin. Thiamine enhances circulation and assists in blood formation, carbohydrate metabolism, and the production of hydrochloric acid, which is important for proper digestion. Thiamine, also optimizes cognitive activity, brain function and its impact on mental attitude. It has a positive effect on energy production, growth, normal appetite, and learning capacity, and is needed for muscle tone of the intestines, stomach, and heart.
In general, B1 keeps the nervous system, muscles and heart functioning normally. Thiamine also acts as an antioxidant, protecting the body from the degenerative effects of aging, alcohol consumption, and smoking. It has mild diuretic effects. Thiamine can help fight air and seasickness. It can help relieve dental postoperative pain and aid in the treatment of herpes zoster. Thiamine can mimic the important neurotransmitter involved in memory, acetylcholine. As with all B vitamins, Thiamine is intricately involved with other B-vitamins in energy metabolism. Magnesium is required in the conversion of Thiamine to its active form.
Beriberi, a nervous system disease, is caused by a deficiency of Thiamine. In true deficiency, the symptoms can include mental confusion (and in severe cases, psychosis), muscle wasting, fluid retention high blood pressure, difficulty walking and heart disturbances. Other symptoms resulting from thiamine deficiency include constipation, edema, enlarged liver, fatigue, forgetfulness, gastrointestinal disturbances, heart changes, irritability, labored breathing loss of appetite, muscle atrophy, nervousness, numbness of the hands and feet, pain and sensitivity, poor coordination, tingling sensations, weak and sore muscles, general weakness, and severe weight loss.
Sources: The richest food sources of Thiamine include brown rice, egg yolks, fish, legumes, liver, peanuts, peas, pork, poultry, rice bran, wheat germ, and whole grains. Other sources are asparagus, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kelp, most nuts, oatmeal, plums, dried prunes, raisins, spirulina and watercress. Herbs that contain thiamine include alfalfa, bladderwrack, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed fenugreek, hops, nettle, oat straw, parsley, peppermint, raspberry leaf, red clover, rose hips, sage, yarrow and yellow dock.
The principal use of Thiamine is to prevent thiamin deficiency, especially in diabetes, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases and to prevent and treat impaired mental function in the elderly, in Alzheimer’s patients, and in epileptics being treat with Dilantin.
Conditions that Vitamin B1 can be used to treat and are supportive include AIDS, alcoholism, anemia, cancer, canker sores (mouth ulcers), Crohn’s disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, neuralgia and neuropathy, pain, Parkinson’s disease, pregnancy-related illness and support, rheumatism and wound healing.
Precautions: There are different medications which can decrease the levels of thiamine in the body. These include antibiotics, sulfa drugs and oral contraceptives. (Lenot, Mazzom, Quinn, Charonnat, Werbach)
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B6, called Pyridoxine, Is involved in more bodily functions than almost any other single nutrient. It is an extremely important B vitamin involved in the formation of body proteins and structural compounds, chemical transmitters in the nervous system, red blood cells, and prostaglandins. Vitamin B6 is also critical in maintaining hormonal balance and proper immune function. It affects both physical and mental health. It is beneficial if you suffer from water retention, and is necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid and the absorption of fats and protein.
Pyridoxine also aids in maintaining sodium and potassium balance, and promotes red blood cell formation. It is required by the nervous system, and is needed for normal brain function and for the synthesis of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, which contain the genetic instructions for the reproduction of all cells and for normal cellular growth. It activates many enzymes and aids in the absorption of Vitamin B12, in immune system function, and in antibody production. Pyridoxine is required for the proper functioning of more than 60 different enzymes. It plays a vital role in the multiplication of all cells and is, therefore, of critical importance to a healthy pregnancy and proper functioning immune system, mucous membrane, skin and red blood cells.
Vitamin B6 plays a role in cancer immunity and aids in the prevention of arteriosclerosis. It inhibits the formation of a toxic chemical called homocysteine, which attacks the heart muscle and allows the deposition of cholesterol around the heart muscle. Pyridoxine acts a mild diuretic, reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and it may be useful in preventing oxalate kidney stones, as well. It is helpful in the treatment of allergies, arthritis, and asthma.
A deficiency of Vitamin B6 may be recognized by anemia, convulsions, depression, glucose intolerance, impaired nerve function, eczema or seborrhea, headaches, nausea, flaky skin, a sore tongue, and vomiting. Other possible signs of deficiency include acne, anorexia, arthritis, conjunctivitis, cracks or sores on the mouth and lips, depression, dizziness, fatigue, hyperirritability, impaired wound healing, inflammation of the mouth and gums, learning difficulties, weak memory, hair loss, hearing problems, numbness, oily facial skin, stunted growth, and tingling sensations. Carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to a deficiency of Vitamin B6 as well. Lack of Vitamin B6 greatly affects pregnancy and plays a critical role in brain chemistry because it is involved in the manufacture of all amino acid neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, etc.)
Sources: Almost all foods contain some Vitamin B6, however, the following foods have the highest amounts: brewer’s yeast, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, peas, spinach, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and wheat germ. Other sources include avocado, bananas, beans, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, brown rice and other whole grains, cabbage, cantaloupe, corn, plantains, potatoes, rice bran, and soybeans. Herbs that contain B6 include alfalfa, catnip and oat straw.
Vitamin B6 is one of the most utilized and valued nutritional supplements. It in fact plays an important role in over 100 conditions. The most common conditions that Vitamin B6 impacts are: Asthma, atherosclerosis, autism, canker sores, cardiovascular disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, chemotherapy support, depression, diabetes (prevention and diabetic complications), epilepsy, fibrocystic breast disease, high cholesterol, immune enhancement, kidney stones, morning sickness (from pregnancy), osteoporosis, and premenstrual syndrome.
Precautions: Vitamin B6 should not be taken by any person taking levodopa for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. (Bernstein, Werbach)
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B12, called Cyanocobalamin or cobalamin, is another water-soluble vitamin. It is needed to prevent anemia, by regulating the formation and regeneration of red blood cells. It helps in the utilization of iron. This vitamin is also required for proper digestion, absorption of foods, the synthesis of protein, and the proper metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. It aids in cell formation and cellular longevity. In addition, Vitamin B12 prevents nerve damage, maintains fertility, and promotes normal growth and development by maintaining the fatty sheaths that cover and protect nerve endings. Vitamin B12 is linked to the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that assists memory and learning. It needs to be combined with calcium during absorption to properly benefit the body. Vitamin B12 promotes growth and increased appetite in children, increases energy, relieve irritability, improve concentration, memory and balance.
Tags: health, minerals, Supplements and Substances, vitamins