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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: AGE SPOTS
Description:
Age spots, also known as liver spots, can appear anywhere on the body as it ages, but most commonly appear on the face and hands. They are a result of the skin trying to protect itself from sun exposure by producing an overabundance of melanin. Melanin is the pigmented cells in your skin that are responsible for tanning, in uneven patches.Symptoms: Age spots are brown splotches that commonly appear on the hands and face. Though the majority of age spots are harmless blemishes, early stages of skin cancer can masquerade as innocent-looking age spots. Any spot that enlarges, thickens, changes color, bleeds or itches should be checked by a dermatologist.
Incidence: Most people who have large numbers of age spots have lived in sunny climates or otherwise had excessive sun exposure.
Causes: Excessive exposure to the sun is the leading factor in the formation of age spots. Other factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, and poor liver function.
Treatments: If a person’s spots really are just age spots, an assortment of treatments are available that can fade them or even remove them completely. These include topical applications of the prescription drug tretinoin, a vitamin A acid known as Retin-A. There are also several nutrients that can prevent the sun damage that leads to age spots.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Vitamin B Complex Plus extra Pantothenic acid (B5) |
100 mg. 3 times daily.
50 mg. 3 times daily |
Needed by older people for proper assimilation of all nutrients. Supports adrenal gland function. |
|
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids |
3,000-6,000 mg. daily, in divided doses. |
A powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger that is necessary for tissue repair. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU daily in the form of d-alpha-tocopherol. |
Reduces sun damage to the skin. |
|
Selenium |
50-200 mcg. daily. |
Destroys free radicals caused by sun exposure and prevents skin damage. |
Herbs:
 | Burdock, milk thistle, and red clover aid in cleansing the bloodstream. | Ginkgo biloba improves circulation and is a potent antioxidant. | Ginseng and licorice are also beneficial for age spots. Caution: Both
of these herbs can elevate high blood pressure and should not be used if you
have high blood pressure without physicians approval. | |
Recommendations:
| Eat a diet that is high in vegetable protein and that consists of 50 percent
raw fruits and vegetables, plus fresh grains, cereals, seeds, and nuts.
| Avoid caffeine, fried foods, saturated fats, red meat, processed foods,
sugar and tobacco.
| Limit sun exposure.
| Vitamin E cream or oil that contains at least 5 percent vitamin E, can be
effective in reducing post-sun damage. Because vitamin E produces free
radicals when exposed to ultraviolet light, researchers recommend application
following, not preceding, sun exposure.
| Cleanse your skin with pure olive oil and a warm wet washcloth, then rinse
with lemon juice and water. Do not use cleansing creams, especially
hydrogenated, hardened creams. | |
Considerations:
| Tretinoin (Retin-A), available by prescription, is being used for age spots with good results. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
890-15 |
B Complex 100 mg. Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$8.95/100 |
|
888-12 |
B5 Pantothenic Acid 500 mg Tabs. |
1 tablet daily |
$6.50/60 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. with Rose Hips Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$5.75/60 |
|
091-12 |
Citrus Bioflavonoids Tabs. 1000 mg. |
1 tablet 3 times daily, taken with Vitamin C |
$5.95/100 |
|
234-15 |
Vitamin E 400 IU, d-alpha tocopheryl |
1 softgel daily |
$8.95/100 |
|
233-15 |
Selenium 50 mcg. Tablets |
1 to 3 tabs. daily |
$3.99/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
