Sherry Torkos RPh.
by Lyle Hurd
 Sherry Torkos is a holistic pharmacist, author and lecturer. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992. She is a practicing pharmacist in the Niagara area. In 1999, she received the J.C. Gould Memorial Award for Distinguished Practice. She has authored nine books including, The Glycemic Index Made Simple (Wiley, 2007), Winning at Weight Loss (Wiley 2004) and Breaking the Age Barrier (Penguin Books, 2003). She is a frequent guest on radio and TV talk shows where she discusses a variety of complementary medicine and health topics.
totalhealth magazine is delighted to have this opportunity to introduce Sherry to our readers with this issue’s cover story interview.
TH: What prompted you to become a pharmacist?
ST: I have always been interested in health and medicine. As a teenager I worked at a local hospital as a volunteer and part of my experience was to spend time in the pharmacy department. I found it fascinating that we had all these drugs that could help people recover from serious health problems and I wanted to learn more so I decided to pursue a degree in pharmacy.
I went to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and took a five-year degree. It was a great program; they are the oldest school of pharmacy with a very strong heritage and they provided me with an excellent learning experience.
When I finished school I felt that I had learned a great deal about health, medicine and disease and I was enthusiastic to put that into practice. I took a position in a medical clinic where I managed the pharmacy and worked very closely with a group of doctors.
TH: How then did you decide you would become involved in natural health as a path to wellness?
ST: My interest in natural health grew from what I saw and experienced working as a pharmacist and also from a personal experience.
Most of my training in school was focused on conventional medicine—using drug therapy to treat disease. When I started practicing pharmacy I quickly saw the limitations and consequences of this way of approaching disease. People were relying too much on drugs rather than making lifestyle changes, and in some cases the side effects and drug interaction outweighed the benefits. I felt that there was a strong role for nutrition, lifestyle interventions and supplements, so I began to integrate this into my practice. The results were incredible: improved patient outcomes and I felt better about my role in health care.
On a personal note, I learned about the power of nutrition as a teenager when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Celiac is an immune system reaction to certain grains that contain gluten such as wheat, rye, and barley. When these grains are eaten it causes inflammation and damage to the intestine, malabsorption of nutrients, and a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. I suffered with this condition for about six years before it was properly diagnosed. At that juncture there was no path conventional medicine could offer me to restore health. The treatment of Celiac disease is strict dietary avoidance of gluten. While that helped lessen some of the symptoms I still did not feel well. I began researching and taking vitamins and nutritional supplements and I experienced tremendous benefits. For the first time in many years I had lots of energy, could think more clearly, had healthier skin, and overall just felt better.
TH: Did you find that the doctors you worked with and your patients readily embraced the idea of integrative or natural approaches to health?
ST: Yes. Over the 15 years since I began practicing there has been an increasing trend towards embracing natural therapies. When I first started practicing many of the doctors I worked with were skeptical and closed-minded about natural products. They didn’t have any knowledge or training in this area and they were hesitant to prescribe or recommend natural products. As a result of that they would discourage their patients from using these products. To overcome this I began providing continuing education seminars for the doctors so they could learn about the science and benefits. This proved to be very successful. Once the doctors saw there was science and research behind many of these products, it made them feel more comfortable to recommend and even try these products themselves.
I found that many of my patients were very open and keen to try natural products, especially those who were frustrated or fed up with the side effects and high cost of prescription drugs. When patients ask for my advice I always discuss the benefits, risks and limitations with both the conventional and natural therapies and provide them with information so they can make informed decisions. I also get their doctor or primary health care provider involved so we are all on the same page. Overall, I think more and more people today are open to trying natural therapies.
TH: Being involved now in both sides of medicine, what do you feel are the most significant challenges facing our society today?
ST: I believe one of the most serious concerns today is the obesity epidemic. I have spent a great deal of time working in this area and have written a few books that deal with strategies for weight loss, Winning at Weight Loss and recently The Glycemic Index Made Simple. Obesity continues to be a growing health crisis despite the universal awareness of its danger to society. Obesity puts a tremendous burden on our health and is linked to many serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. And the statistics for childhood obesity are startling. This is really sad because there is so much we can do to prevent or reverse this epidemic. Yet it seems that the trend is to produce weight loss drugs rather than to promote education on how to eat healthier and become more physically active. This is where we can be most successful in tackling this endemic.
TH: Please explain the glycemic index and its importance in controlling weight.
ST: The glycemic index or GI is a ranking of carbohydrates in terms of how they impact blood sugar. Carbohydrates are found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, such as breads, cereals and pasta. Carbohydrates that break down quickly into sugar are high GI and those that process more slowly are ranked as low GI. The reason why the glycemic index is becoming so important for health and weight loss is that research has shown if you eat a high glycemic diet this increases your risk of obesity, diabetes, certain types of cancer, and even risk factors for heart disease. The glycemic index is a bit complex and a little tricky to understand, so I put together a book called The Glycemic Index Made Simple, which was published last year. My book outlines how to use the glycemic index to improve blood sugar control, facilitate weight loss and cut your risk of chronic health problems. I have included dietary strategies that are easy to follow and satisfying along with exercise guidelines and supplements that can improve glycemic control. I have received tremendous feedback on this book and have put together a new edition that will be out in November of this year—just in time for diabetes awareness month.
TH: Do you feel it is important to provide physicians with information detailing proven alternative approaches to disease prevention and treatment?
ST: Yes, definitely. I think this is an important area where doctors need more education and information. There are so many natural products that can be used to complement or as alternatives to conventional medicine. For example, in one of my books, The Benefits of Berries, I talk about the research and health benefits of various berries. Cranberry, for example has been extensively researched for its wide range of health benefits. It has been used for centuries for bladder health and modern science has validated these benefits. A great deal of research has focused on a cranberry supplement called Cran-Max which is made with all of the parts of the cranberry—the skins, juice, pulp and seeds. Several studies have shown that Cran-Max, when taken regularly, can prevent urinary tract infections. I work with a few urologists who use the product regularly and have fantastic results. I think given the option most patients would be delighted to take a product like Cran-Max to prevent urinary tract infections rather than have to take an antibiotic and deal with all the side effects and possible interactions.
TH: I understand that cranberries also provide benefits as a natural supplement in boosting your overall health.
ST: Yes, that is right. There are so many health benefits associated with cranberries. Several studies have shown that cranberries offer benefits for protecting against gum disease and lowering cholesterol. Preliminary research has also shown that cranberry can protect against H. Pylori infection, which is the causative bacteria in ulcers. It certainly makes a compelling case for taking a cranberry supplement on a daily basis.
TH: When you lecture on weight management you discuss an ingredient called Phase 2. Please explain what Phase 2 is and its benefits for weight control.
ST: Phase 2 is white kidney beans extract that functions as a starch neutralizer. It is a supplement that was initially studied for its benefits to support weight loss but recent studies have also found that it can help reduce the glycemic impact in starchy meals. I think it has some broad applications in that we can use it with patients who are struggling with their weight but also for those who are pre-diabetic or diabetic and need to improve blood glucose control. Phase 2 works in your intestines by temporarily inhibiting the action of an enzyme called alpha-amylase. This is the enzyme that breaks down starches into sugar. When Phase 2 is taken before starchy meals it results in less starch being absorbed and a lower rise in blood sugar after the meal. Several clinical studies conducted around the world have demonstrated impressive benefits with this supplement. In one study conducted in Italy, where of course they enjoy their breads and pasta, supplementing with Phase 2 for 30 days resulted in an average weight loss of about six and a half pounds. Many people love to eat starch foods like bread, pasta, potatoes and rice and these foods are fine in moderation but the problem is that consuming large portions of these foods and not being physically active can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar imbalances. Taking Phase 2 with your starch meals can help to lessen the impact of these foods. Unlike many other weight loss supplements, Phase 2 does not raise blood pressure, or cause racing heart or insomnia.
TH: You mentioned clinical studies on both Cran-Max and Phase 2. How important is it for the consumer to do their homework and really know about the ingredient they are taking?
ST: This is critically important and one of the challenges of the natural products industry. Certain supplements that are advertised or promoted make some pretty extraordinary claims and sometimes there is no scientific substantiation behind those claims, it is just marketing hype. As a health care professional and a consumer of natural products I’m convinced it is important to look into the products you are considering to ascertain if they have been clinically researched. For example with Phase 2 there have been over eight human trials showing that it does help with weight loss and it does help lower after meal blood sugar levels and in fact all their data has been reviewed and the supplement is allowed to be sold with a claim for both its mechanisms of reducing starch absorption and also the fact that it supports weight control. There is no other weight control supplement that I am aware of with that kind of documentation. I think whenever you consider taking a supplement you should research it to find out what the benefits are, side effects, interaction, and what kind of science and research is behind it. These are some important questions you should ask at the health food store or pharmacy before you purchase a product.
TH: Give us an example of an ingredient in another critical category of health that you feel has significant research and you recommend to your patients.
ST: For the management of arthritis I often recommend Celadrin, which is a unique blend of fatty acids that work to lubricate the joints and reduce pain and inflammation. Studies conducted on Celadrin and published in the Journal of Rheumatology have shown it is very beneficial for the treatment of osteoarthritis, helping to improve both mobility and flexibility. Where Celadrin really stands out in comparison to the drugs typically used for arthritis is that it is safe and does not cause any serious side effects. The main class of drugs used for arthritis is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs work quickly, within a couple of days, to help reduce symptoms, however that can come with a serious price. Many of these drugs can cause bleeding in the stomach, ringing in the ears, they can be toxic to the kidneys and liver, and one class of the NSAIDs, called the COX-2 inhibitors have even been linked to causing heart attacks. This is very concerning and in many cases I feel that the risks with these drugs outweigh the benefits. So here is another good example of a natural product that offers significant advantages in that it works and does not cause the side effects and toxicity that we see with the drugs.
TH: While our discussion has centered around natural health you are also really a proponent of us being captain of our own health care and making sure we are accessing the best of both worlds. Is that right?
ST: Yes, under no circumstances should we abandon conventional medicine. For people who have a serious condition, whether it is heart disease, or diabetes, you may need medical treatment including prescription drugs. However, I believe it is also important to look into other strategies that can improve your health such as dietary changes, supplements and stress management. I truly believe that a holistic approach to health will yield the best results. Research your options and talk with your health care provider.
TH: Sherry, please give us information on how you can be contacted? What is your Web site and most recent books that our readers can access?
 ST: My Web site is: www.sherrtytorkos.com. Here you will find information on my books including The Glycemic Index Made Simple. You will also find articles on various health subjects and helpful resources. For your Canadian readers, keep an eye out for my new book which will be available in December, called the Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
TH: Thank you, Sherry. We look forward to your becoming a regular contributor to totalhealth magazine and your informative seminars at ILC major health food conferences. It is always good to talk to you at the shows and see what is going on with your career. We look forward to having the same kind of conversation for the next 10–20 years.
ST: It is my pleasure..
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