That’s a good question. But it seems that
“proof” is necessary, but elusive. There is
something about ascribing significant health
benefits to nutritional supplements that irri-
tates certain people to no end. Health prob-
lems, according to these folks, should only be
treatable and preventable by a balanced diet,
exercise, and medications. Any implication
that nutritional supplements belong in that
list is met with consistent resistance and
scepticism.
A good example of this was the way this
recent study was reported in The New York
Times. When a negative study comes out
pertaining to nutritional supplements, it is
given headline status. When a positive study,
such as this one, is published, however, it
does not receive similar treatment. Instead,
it’s importance is minimized. In this case, the
positive study about multivitamins reducing
the risk of cancer by 8% was covered in an
article by Roni Caryn Rabin, titled “Curbing
the Enthusiasm on Daily Multivitamins.” The
first sentence of the article poses the ques-
tion “can you reduce your risk of cancer by
taking a multivitamin every day?
The article continues “Last week, Boston
researchers announced that one of the largest
long term clinical trials of multivitamins in the
United States--encompassing 14,000 male
physicians 50 and older, and lasting over a
decade--found that taking a common combi-
nation of essential vitamins and minerals
every day decreased the incidence of cancer
by 8 percent, compared with a placebo pill.”
The article continues with more positive
news: “. . . The researchers also looked for
side effects and found that daily vitamins
caused only minor problems, like occasional
skin rashes.
“Even though an 8 percent reduction in the
overall cancer rate is fairly modest, Dr.
Demetrius Albanes, senior investigator at the
National Cancer Institute, said the potential
public health implications were vast. "If you
think of the hundreds of thousands of new
cases of cancer every year, 8 percent can add
up quite a bit," he said.”
Then, however, the author launches a
detailed explanation as to why we should not
let this positive study lead us to make the
mistake of thinking this justifies taking multi-
vitamin supplements. She points out that
“previous studies have yielded decidedly
mixed results.” She points out that “Current
federal dietary guidelines and American
Cancer Society recommendations encourage
people to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits
and vegetables.”
“Until now,” she states, “the consensus has
been that there is insufficient scientific evi-
dence to justify taking a multivitamin to pre-
vent cancer or other chronic diseases.” Note
that she used the term “until now.”
Interesting choice of words.
She continues with a listing of additional
cautionary references. She reminds us of the
review by the National Institutes of Health in
2006 which “concluded that evidence was
‘insufficient to prove the presence or absence
of benefits from use of multivitamin and min-
eral supplements.’ Again, note the actual ter-
minology: “presence or absence.” Then she
reminds of the recent studies that cast doubt
on vitamin D and Calcium supplements. She
neglects to mention, of course, that these
studies have been met with strong criticism
and are considered very controversial. She
also, it seems, has found it necessary to sup-
port her argument by departing from what
was initially a critique of daily multivitamin
supplements to studies dealing with individ-
ual nutrients, at higher dosages.
Thank goodness we have people like Ms.
Rabin, and publications like The New York
Times out there to protect us from making
mistakes such as this.
One of the interesting comments in her
article was “Generally speaking, people who
take vitamins are a relatively healthy bunch
to begin with, experts say. They tend to eat a
varied and healthful diet, watch their weight
and be physically active. It's not always clear
that the benefits they attribute to vitamins
actually result from the pills.” This is very
true. But why doesn’t it work both ways. It
may not always be clear that the ben-
efits attributed to vitamins actually
result from the “pills,” but it is also
true that it may not always be clear that neg-
ative findings are directly related to the
“pills” as well.
The next paragraph in her article confirms
this. "There's a mystique about vitamins, that
vitamins are some type of magical ingredi-
ent," said David G. Schardt, senior nutrition-
ist for the Center for Science in the Public
Interest, an advocacy group in Washington.
"There is a kernel of truth in that, because
vitamins are essential to life. But that people
will live longer or healthier lives if they take
vitamins or eat foods fortified with vitamins--
that's difficult to prove."
Yes, it’s difficult to prove, and difficult to
disprove.
This is not to say we should ignore negative
studies. We can learn from negative studies
as well as from positive studies. The finding
that smokers given high dosages of synthetic
beta carotene seemed to experience greater
incidence of lung cancer rather than lower
incidence, as expected, is not something to
be dismissed. There are lessons to be learned
from negative findings like this. But we need
to look at the full picture. And we need to
factor in a large dose of common sense.
Yes, there is the danger that some people
might make the “if a little is good, a lot has
to be better” mistake. And yes, the benefit of
certain nutrients in multivitamin supplements
may be more significant, even therapeutic,
for those deficient in that nutrient. But we
don’t know if we are deficient in one nutri-
ent or another. We don’t know if we are sub-
clinically deficient, i.e. not sufficiently defi-
cient to cause disease, but at levels less than
optimal. As they say in the study, a daily mul-
tivitamin appears to be safe. The upside is
great, and the downside is minimal. Why is
Page 36
The Willner Window Product Reference Catalog, Jan-Feb, 2013
since 1911
• Willner Chemists •
the nutritional supplement professionals
Phyto-Tech™ Menopause Complex (for Menopausal symptoms)
Phyto-Tech™ Fertility Complex (if infertile, trying to become preg-
nant)
Phyto-Tech™ Dong Quai Root (if estrogen deficient)
Phyto-Tech™ Black Cohosh Root (for hot flashes, cramps)
1 fl oz - Prod Code: 56989
Chinese Red Ginseng
Chinese Red Ginseng
Ginseng is the premier adaptogenic, immune-modulating herb.
Chinese Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is more “stimulating” or
warming than American Ginseng.
Who would benefit from this supplement? Those suffering from
fatigue, burn-out, frequent illness, depression. Red Chinese Ginseng
is thought to increase vigor, energy, vitality and resistance to illness
and environmental or external stress. It is often the preferred adap-
togenic herb for the elderly.
Supplemental Information:
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng increases vigor, energy, vitality
and resistance to illness and environmental stresses. It is best for
those who are depleted and are low on passion in life. It is also
indicted for those working too hard and are afraid of burn out. Red
Chinese Ginseng will increase the stress hormone ACTH from the
pituitary that helps the body adapt to stress. When stress is initiating
the breakdown on one’s innate weakness (genetic, constitutional,
predispositional tendencies), Red Chinese Ginseng will help the
body to cope and therefore assist in many chronic diseases, especial-
ly if debilitating and wasting.
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng is not for those in their prime
of life who are full of fire, the Type-A personality. It is for those who
used to be that way and are now not what they used to be. It helps
in the aging process to stay alert, youthful, energetic and adaptive to
environmental changes. It is immunomodulating and keeps the
immune system firing on all levels.
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng is a tonic for the 21st century
with the fast paced life style that creates accelerated wear and tear.
It gives more mileage to the body.
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng should be considered for
depression in the elderly who might not be chemically depressed in
a St. John’s Wort way (serotonin), but need some energy to process
life with more passion and enjoyment. It is synergistic with Ginkgo
for the elderly.
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng is a more yang or warming and
stimulating ginseng than the American. Eleuthero Root (sometimes
referred to as Siberian Ginseng) is not a true Ginseng and is consid-
ered neutral, not warming or cooling.
Phyto-Tech™ Chinese Red Ginseng contains 333 mg of imported
Chinese Red Ginseng per 30 drops.
Dosage: 15-45 drops, 2-3 times per day It is best used as a long
term tonic (1-3 months and longer).
1 fl oz - Prod Code: 57023
Chlorophyll Extract
Chlorophyll Extract
Often considered the “blood” of plants, chlorophyll is structurally
similar to hemoglobin. It has a protective and detoxifcation
action.
Who would benefit from this supplement? Those with heavy metal
toxicity and those looking for cleansing and detoxification properties.
Those with bad breath and body odor. Those suffering from fatigue
and those with slow healing wounds.
Phyto-Tech™ Chlorophyll provides 100 mg Chlorophyll, from
Mulberry leaf, per 30 drops.
Dosage: 15-30 drops in water or juice, 1-2 time daily, or as need-
ed
Supplemental Information:
Chlorophyll is the sunlight collecting molecule in plants that gives
them their green pigment. Plants use chlorophyll to collect light
needed for photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis Chlorophyll mol-
ecules have the ability to convert solar energy into chemical energy
by manufacturing carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.
Chlorophyll is often referred to as the “blood” of plants.
Interestingly, Chlorophyll molecules are structurally very similar to
human hemoglobin molecules. The difference between the two
being that Chlorophyll carries Magnesium at its center and hemoglo-
bin carries iron at its center. Like iron, Chlorophyll helps the body
build red blood cells and thus increases oxygen availability. It ener-
gizes and revitalizes the body and is helpful for fatigue, shortness of
breath, asthma, altitude sickness and intense physical exertion.
Chlorophyll acts as an internal deodorizer and is helpful for people
with halitosis (bad breath) and body odor. It can be used as an aid to
reduce digestive tract odor from a colostomy or ileostomy and also
fecal odor caused by incontinence. It can also help for foul smelling
gas. Chlorophyll cleanses and nourishes the intestinal tract and is
healing to the mucosal lining. It can also be helpful for constipation.
Chorophyll is an excellent whole body cleanser. It not only detoxi-
fies the digestive tract, but also facilitates cleansing of the blood and
liver and assists in the chelation of heavy metals. It is capable of neu-
tralizing harmful oxidants and may reduce oxidative damage from
certain carcinogens. It also has the ability to form tight molecular
complexes with carcinogens and in doing so blocks the body’s
absorption of them. In a placebo controlled study conducted in
China Chlorophyll supplementation was found to decrease DNA
damage caused by aflatoxin, a liver carcinogen produced by fungus
in moldy grains and legumes. Scientists hope that in populations
with unavoidable dietary aflatoxin exposure Chlorophyll supplemen-
tation could significantly reduce the risk of developing liver cancer.
1 fl oz - Prod Code: 56977
Cinnamon Bark 40
Cinnamon Bark 40
This is a standardized Cinnamon Bark complex in a liquid filled
veggie cap.
Historically, Cinnamon has been used for various gastrointestinal
problems. More recently, interest has centered on the research
showing that Cinnamon can help normalize blood sugar control.
This is of major interest to those with type 2 diabetes.
Who would benefit from this supplement? Those with blood sugar
regulation problems, including type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and
cholesterol related conditions.
Each two liquid filled veggie caps contain 250 mg of Cinnamon
Bark (alcohol extract), 75 mg of Cinnamon Bark (supercritical carbon
dioxide extract, standardized ro 40 mg Cinnamaldehydes.
According to Natural Standard Integrative Medicine database,
“Cinnamon may be used for various medical conditions (77;?78). In
a survey of parents in Germany determining the use of complemen-
tary and alternative medicines in children with type 1 diabetes in
four pediatric diabetes centers (located in Leipzig, Berlin, Stuttgart,
and Bonn), 5.6% reported using cinnamon for this indication (79).
Cinnamon has been touted as having a positive effect on postprandi-
al glucose metabolism (80). Its ability to lower blood sugar in individ-
uals with diabetes has been discussed (81). Naturally occurring com-
pounds found in cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), including chromi-
um and polyphenols, may improve insulin sensitivity (82). Human
data suggest that cinnamon exhibits "sweet" properties and may be
used in strategies for reduction of sugar intake (83).
Each two liquid filled veggie caps contain 250 mg of Cinnamon
Bark (alcohol extract), 75 mg of Cinnamon Bark (supercritical carbon
dioxide extract, standardized ro 40 mg Cinnamaldehydes.
Also available in a vegetarian capsule form. Each veggie capsule
contains 410 mg of certified organic Cinnamon Bark.
The Cinnamon used in Phyto-Tech™ Cinnamon supplements is
Cinnamomum cassia, the species utilized in research. It is certified
organic and vegetarian.
60 Liquid Filled Capsules - Prod Code: 57092
90 Veggie Caps - Prod Code: 60118
Cleanse Complex 1:2
Cleanse Complex 1:2
A herbal formula based on traditional concepts of a rapid,
systemic (full body) cleansing.
. . . continued on page 38
Important Notice: The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health, and the proper use of dietary supplements. It is
not intended as a substitute for medical advice, nor a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you have a medical problem, you
should seek medical help. Products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate disease.
Product Reference Guide: Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Herbal Supplements
. . . continued on page 63
. . . continued from page 32
“Researchers point out that it is not clear
which specific vitamins or minerals in a
multivitamin may be responsible for the
reduction in cancer risk. Also, it is not
known if the results can extend to women
or to men younger than the age of 50.