What Does "Endogenous" Mean?

- Roger Mason

     

When we take supplements that are found naturally either in our bodies or in common foods these are called "endogenous". You can take such supplements for the rest of your life. All natural hormones are, of course, endogenous. This would include testosterone, pregnenolone, DHEA, melatonin, estradiol, estrone, estriol, T3, T4, progesterone, growth hormone, androstenedione and (human) insulin.

When we take supplements that are not found either in our bodies or in common foods they are called "exogenous". You can only take these for about 6 months, and maybe up to 12 months, and then will no longer work for you. Nearly all medicinal herbs are exogenous.

Some examples of endogenous supplements that we can literally take for the rest of our lives would also include all vitamins and minerals since these are found in common foods. There are only 13 vitamins and about two dozen minerals we are known to need. Some supplements that are endogenous would include beta-sitosterol, beta glucan, quercitin, soy isoflavones, food enzymes, indole-3-carbinol or DIM, FOS, acidophilus, glucosamine, PS (phosphatidylserine), L-carnitine, L-glutamine, acetyl-L-carnitine and most any normal amino acid found in foods, flax oil, glutathione or N-acetyl-cysteine, lecithin, garlic, CoQ10 and SOD (superoxide dismutase which, unfortunately, is orally ineffective). You can take these for the rest of your life if you want to. It is a good question which culinary herbs such as thyme, rosemary, cumin, nutmeg, parsley, oregano, basil, cloves, ginger, horseradish, caraway, mint, etc. would be considered endogenous since they vary so much by culture and climate.

Some supplements which are exogenous would include nearly any medicinal herb. This would include Gingko biloba, boswellin, milk thistle, ginseng, nettles, golden seal, barberry, aloe vera, black walnut (ellagic acid), coltsfoot, fenugreek, tumeric (curcumin), mugwort, chaste tree, sarsaparilla, and others. My experience has shown that after about six months of regular use they simply are no longer effective and you are wasting your time and money. In fact, you will often find a negative side effect if you keep using an exogenous supplement, such as a laxative or other effect. Curcumin, for example, is a fine and proven supplement but you simply cannot keep taking it year after year as it will not be helping you any more.

If you want to know which supplements are SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN to be effective, please go to the "ARCHIVES" and type in "supplements". You will find at least three articles listing the supplements anyone over the age of 40 should consider taking for optimum health and longevity- that means over 20 supplements a day. You can also read my book "Zen Macrobiotics for Americans", men can read "The Natural Prostate Cure", and women can read "No More Horse Estrogen!".

You will be infinitely better off spending a hundred dollars or more every month for these proven natural supplements and hormones than you will for an overpriced health insurance plan. Health plans only help you symptomatically after the fact. PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST PROTECTION and not some after-the-fact hospitalization coverage you pay too much for.

Please remember that "diet is everything" and no amount of supplements and hormones will ever make up for a poor diet. Please read my American macrobiotic book and start eating whole grains, beans, vegetables, local fruits, salads, soups- and seafood if you don't want to be a vegetarian. Good diet is everything; just make better food choices.