Welcome to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health.
Today I am going to talk about two supplements that have been on my radar for the last couple of months: Apigenin and Inositol. Through podcasts and articles, I’ve become fascinated with how they are being used now in functional medicine. In this Note, I’ll share some of my thoughts and findings.
Let’s get started.
Apigenin
Apigenin is one of my favorite flavonoids (a plant chemical that naturally occurs, associated with healing properties). It’s a compound that comes from the skin of plants and produced by plants to help defend themselves from UV light and infections.
Apigenin is a natural supplement that causes very few side effects. It has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. Also, it’s a great antioxidant and free radical scavenger! Apigenin may even help with autoimmune disorders and neurodegenerative disorders (which we all worry about!).
I wasn’t very familiar with Apigenin until I heard Dr. Andrew Huberman talk about it on his podcast, The Huberman Lab.
Note: By the way, I love this podcast! Dr. Huberman is really big on sleep, which is one of the things I’m trying to improve this year. Sleep is the most important part of your day. It’s when our bodies recycle and regenerate. It’s when we detox and release growth hormones, etc. Sleep is SO important! Back to Apigenin..
One of Dr. Huberman’s favorite supplements (in his “sleep stack”) is Apigenin. Apigenin is actually related to chamomile. I’m sure most of you have heard of chamomile tea, how it helps with sleep, relaxation, etc. Chamomile also has other health benefits, such as: boosting testosterone, decreasing anxiety (it crosses the blood brain barrier), controlling blood sugars, and anticancer effects. Note: Cancer research shows that chamomile stops cancer cells from multiplying by triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Apigenin is very anti-inflammatory. As you know, I preach against inflammation because it’s the root cause of so many diseases. Most of my Doctors Notes talk about ways to keep inflammation out of your body, whether it’s joints, your gut, your brain, or cardiovascular system. My goal is always prevention.
There are foods that have high amounts of Apigenin in them.
- Parsley
- Celery
- Chamomile tea
- Oregano
- Oranges
- Onions
- Grapefruit
- Beer (unbelievably)
Note: Beer has too many downsides to recommend it, but it actually is high in Apigenin.
Apigenin (in supplement form) has very low toxicity. If you get an upset stomach, it’s because you took too much. Fifty milligrams (50mg) is the usual dose. As I said earlier, Dr. Huberman’s favorite ingredient in his Sleep Stack is Apigenin. He also likes Magnesium Threonate or Magnesium Glycinate, and Theanine. Note: He also takes two grams of Glycine and 100mg of GABA, three times a week.
Inositol
Inositol is the second supplement on my radar (FYI: Dr. Huberman added Inositol (900mg) to his Sleep Stack, which is a pretty low dose. He takes it every third night.).
Inositol is an incredible supplement, especially for women. Inositol (formerly called Vitamin B8) was classified as a B vitamin until they figured out that your body can produce it on its own. It’s one of those pseudo vitamins. Note: They call Biotin, B8, now, some people even call it B7. It doesn’t matter.
Inositol is a great supplement. You can find it naturally, as well in fruits, nuts, and beans. It’s really more of a naturally occurring sugar that’s made in your body, and some foods. There are two main supplement forms. The only one you need to remember is Myo-Inositol. That’s the one that works the best. It balances chemicals in the body to help with neurotransmission and to help with your serotonin and dopamine. Myo-Inositol works for a lot of mental conditions (that we treat every day), without the side effects of a lot of prescription medicines (that we would have otherwise prescribed). Conditions like:
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- OCD
- PTSD
Note: Inositol helps your insulin work better. Many diabetics take it.
Inositol is great for women! It’s used for PCOS. It lowers your blood pressure, cholesterol, and your triglycerides. So, it’s very good for metabolic syndrome as well. Inositol increases ovulation. It lowers the risk of preterm birth in those that have gestational diabetes (very common in pregnant women). Remember, if you have gestational diabetes there is about a 50% chance you’re going to develop diabetes later on in life.
Inositol is that rare supplement that’s very effective for panic attacks. If you’ve ever had panic attacks, you know that they’re awful. I’ve had a couple. You feel like you’re dying. It can send you to the hospital thinking you’re dying for no reason. You have to use higher doses of Inositol to prevent panic attacks. So, work your way up. You may have to use as high as 18 grams of Inositol for panic attacks, but it’s safe. I usually start out with 1 gram for sleep (very effective). Note: You can gradually increase your dose.
Again, Inositol is great for women. A lot of people call it the woman’s supplement, because women tend to have more anxiety and depression, more panic attacks, than men. It’s great for ovulation, fertility, and PCOS. It’s also good for binge eating disorder and bulimia. Note: It may replace diamonds as a woman’s best friend. LOL. Just Kidding.
Inositol is a supplement we need to think about. Even though your body produces a little on its own, it won’t be enough if you have any of the above conditions. It’s safe. It’s water soluble. Again, it’s great for women (i.e. anxiety, depression, eating disorders, PCOS, fertility issues, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome).
Closing Thoughts
Apigenin and Inositol. Two supplements you don’t hear a lot about, but there’s a lot to them. Take some time to do your own research. Staying educated helps you to stay healthy.
Till next week.