Here it is–the latest in the best news of health!

Last week, I highlighted some top news in my 3 main sections of this month’s TOP READS. Here’s a little overview of what’s contained below (remember it’s not to overwhelm, but provide a summary and a click through if you want more. 🙂 )

1. There’s a lot of scientific evidence in the Nutrigenomic section between the interaction of nutrients, herbs, and lifestyle choices (oregano, vitamin D, gluten) and how it affects our health at the genetic (AKA DNA) level.
2. In the Drug Update Section, I provide articles that discuss some controversy about various vaccinations, the concurrent use of probiotics with antibiotics, and the FDA’s approval of using a specific herb for migraine treatment!
3. In the Health section, there’s information on mercury, air quality, meditation and memory links, updates on testing guidelines, and more…
4. The section ends with current updates and a link to an interview with the father of epigenetics, Dr. Bruce Lipton!

NUTRIGENOMICS

Dr. D’Adamo answers why to avoid wheat in Fibromyalgia (D’Adamo Newsletter)

A recent study indicates that dietary lectins interacting with enterocytes (cells lining the intestines) and lymphocytes may facilitate the transportation of both dietary and gut-derived pathogenic antigens to peripheral tissues, which in turn causes persistent immune stimulation at the periphery of the body, such as the joints and muscles. (1)

This, despite the fact that many nutrition ‘authorities’ still question whether lectins even get into the systemic circulation!
In genetically susceptible individuals, this lectin stimulation may ultimately result in the expression of disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia via molecular mimicry, a process whereby foreign peptides, similar in structure to endogenous peptides, may cause antibodies or T-lymphocytes to cross-react and thereby break immunological tolerance.

Thus by removing the general and type O specific lectins from the diet, we allow for the immune system to redevelop tolerance, the inflammation begins to ebb, and healing can begin.
(Cordain L, Toohey L, Smith MJ, Hickey MS. Modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Nutr. 2000 Mar;83(3):207-17. Review.)

Top 12 Foods to Increase Lifespan (Dr. Mercola)

Researchers also found that women who use vitamin B12 supplements have longer telomeres than those who don’t. Vitamin D3, zinc, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E also influence telomere length. This supports the findings of an earlier study from 2009, which provided the first epidemiologic evidence that the use of multivitamins by women is associated with longer telomeres.ⁱⁱ According to the authors:

“Compared with nonusers, the relative telomere length of leukocyte DNA was on average 5.1% longer among daily multivitamin users. In the analysis of micronutrients, higher intakes of vitamins C and E from foods were each associated with longer telomeres, even after adjustment for multivitamin use.”

The mechanism by which nutrients appear to affect telomere length is by influencing the activity of telomerase, an enzyme that adds the telomeric repeats to the ends of your DNA. Thousands of studies have been published on telomerase, and they are well-known to maintain genomic stability, prevent the inappropriate activation of DNA damage pathways, and regulate cellular aging.

Genetic Variants in Methylation and Psoriasis in Twins (Medscape)

Psoriasis is a complex disease with a significant genetic component. Twin studies and familial aggregation studies have confirmed the high heritability of psoriasis, with a concordance rate among monozygotic twins of 35%-72%.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have been reasonably successful and have identified numerous genetic loci associated with these diseases.^[1] However, the combined effect of the loci identified does not fully explain the heritability of psoriasis.

Epigenetic factors may explain this “missing” heritability, and twins are the ideal population in which to study these effects.^[2] Investigating subtle differences in DNA methylation in monozygotic (MZ) pairs and examining differences in gene function through RNA expression studies may reveal epigenetic regulation of key genes involved in psoriasis pathogenesis. The current paper is the first such study based on psoriasis-discordant MZ twins to detect epigenetic alterations that contribute to development of psoriasis.

Genetic and functional studies have confirmed that psoriasis is a T cell-mediated inflammatory disease. The authors, therefore, recruited MZ twins discordant for psoriasis from the Norwegian Twin Registry to search for genome-wide differences in DNA methylation and gene expression, specifically in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Analysis of these data revealed no differentially methylated or expressed genes between co-twins when analyzed separately. However, combined analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression showed that differences in DNA methylation between unaffected and affected twins were correlated with differences in gene expression in several genes known to be associated with psoriasis in CD4+ cells. Specifically, genes involved in immune response pathways comprising cytokines and chemokines were enriched. Thus, this study suggests that DNA methylation is involved in epigenetic dysregulation of biological pathways involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Genetic Variants in Conversion of Omega 6 oils Could Explain Heart Disease Risk (VitalChoice)

Points

• Landmark study reveals the powerful health impacts and ethnic distribution of genetic variations that affect the conversion of short-chain, plant-source omega-3s and omega-6s into their long-chain, animal-source forms.
• People who possess one gene variant may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and dementia.
• People who possess the opposite gene variant get more benefit out of diets lacking fish and shellfish, but would be harmed more by diets high in omega-6 fatty acids from vegetable oils.

The team found two variants – called haplotype A and haplotype D – in the genes that govern production of the enzymes needed to turn short-chain omega-3s and omega-6s into their long-chain forms.

—People who possess the haplotype D variant easily convert short-chain omega-3 ALA and omega-6 LA into their long-chain counterparts: omega-3 DHA and EPA and omega-6 AA.

Vegans with haplotype A can ensure adequate blood levels of long-chain omega-6s, despite their genetic disadvantage, if they get plenty of short-chain omega-6s from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

Vegans with haplotype A would need to make extra efforts to consume lots of short-chain omega-3s, from the chief commonly available sources:Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts walnut oil, canola oil, soybeans, soybean oil*, hemp seed, hemp oil, leafy green vegetables (purslane, grape leaves, spinach, kale, chard, collards), cauliflower, radish sprouts, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, seaweed, and green or yellow squash.

People of African, Asian, Oceanic, and European ancestry tend to have the haplotype D variant. In contrast, almost all Native Americans – whether from North, South, or Central America – have the haplotype A variant.

Another Heart Health Reason for Chocolate (ScienceDaily)

ScienceDaily (Mar. 2, 2012) — A small clinical trial led by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) found that patients with advanced heart failure and type 2 diabetes showed improved mitochondrial structure after three months of treatment with epicatechin-enriched cocoa. Epicatechin is a flavonoid found in dark chocolate.

…and another….Chocolate and Memory (VitalChoice)

However, compared with those in the control group, the CT scans showed less stress in the brains of the high- and medium-flavanol group. This means that the high- and medium-flavanol chocolate beverage lowered stress levels in the brain and allowed the test subjects to achieve the same performance with fewer brain resources.

As the researchers put it, “Cocoa flavanol consumption may increase neural [brain] efficiency in spatial working memory function” (Camfield DA et al. 2012).

Krill oil More Effective than Fish  (MO) or Olive Oil in Regulating Neurotransmitters Involved in Appetite in Obese (Nutrition and Metabolism)

The novel finding of the present study is that KO, more efficiently than MO, was able to reduce endocannabinoid levels in the plasma despite the fact that the effects of the two dietary treatments on EPA and DHA plasma concentrations were comparable and even slightly lower in the KO group than in the MO group [9]. Comparable results were obtained in the visceral adipose tissue, liver and heart of obese Zucker rats [8]. However, in this previous study, 2-AG concentrations were decreased significantly by KO, and to a smaller extent by fish oil, only in the visceral adipose tissue. One possible explanation for the different effects of KO and fish oil might be, as previously suggested [8], the more efficient incorporation of n-3 LCPUFAs into visceral adipose tissue phospholipids, and subsequent decrease in arachidonic acid incorporation associated with KO supplementation, hence leading to impaired endocannabinoid biosynthesis.

Fish Oil May Deter Alzheimer’s (VitalChoice)

Instead, as a recent paper from the Boston University School of Medicine noted, “Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease might result from the cumulative effects of at least four different factors: beta-amyloid accumulation, cardiovascular disease, aging, and the associated loss of synaptic plasticity, and inflammation” (Wolozin B 2012). As Dr. Scarmeas said, “Determining through further research whether omega-3 fatty acids or other nutrients relate to spinal fluid or brain beta-amyloid levels or levels of other Alzheimer’s disease related proteins can strengthen our confidence on beneficial effects of parts of our diet in preventing dementia.

A healthy, balanced diet is essential for both physical and mental well-being. Such a diet must include an adequate intake of micronutrients, essential fatty acids, amino acids and antioxidants. The monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, are derived from dietary amino acids and are involved in the modulation of mood, anxiety, cognition, sleep regulation and appetite. The capacity of nutritional interventions to elevate brain monoamine concentrations and, as a consequence, with the potential for mood enhancement, has not been extensively evaluated. The present study investigated an extract from oregano leaves, with a specified range of active constituents, identified via an unbiased, high-throughput screening programme. The oregano extract was demonstrated to inhibit the reuptake and degradation of the monoamine neurotransmitters in a dose-dependent manner, and microdialysis experiments in rats revealed an elevation of extracellular serotonin levels in the brain. Furthermore, following administration of oregano extract, behavioural responses were observed in mice that parallel the beneficial effects exhibited by monoamine-enhancing compounds when used in human subjects. In conclusion, these data show that an extract prepared from leaves of oregano, a major constituent of the Mediterranean diet, is brain-active, with moderate triple reuptake inhibitory activity, and exhibits positive behavioural effects in animal models. We postulate that such an extract may be effective in enhancing mental well-being in humans.

Genetics, D, and Alzheimer’s (VitalChoice)

The APOE gene comes in several different forms, or alleles, three of which – APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4 – occur most often. People who develop Alzheimer’s are more likely to have an APOE4 allele than people who do not develop the disease.

APOE4 is present in about 25 to 30 percent of all people, and in about 40 percent of people with late-onset Alzheimer’s.  People who inherit one or two APOE4 alleles also tend to develop the disease at an earlier age than those who do not have any APOE4 alleles.

Carriers of two E4 alleles have between 10 and 30 times the risk of developing AD by 75 years of age, compared to those not carrying any E4 alleles. Why would the APOE variant matter?

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by – though not necessarily caused by – build-up of beta-amyloid protein plaque and tau protein tangles in the brain. And some evidence suggests that people with APOE4 alleles are not as efficient at removing amyloid plaque.

As the French wrote, “To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first one to use a prospective design, allowing us to conclude that the low consumption of vitamin D precedes the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, although eating lots of vitamin D rich foods is associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.” (Annweiler C et al. 2012).

Berries and Brain (Annals of Neurology)

Berries are high in flavonoids, especially anthocyanidins, and improve cognition in experimental studies. We prospectively evaluated whether greater long-term intakes of berries and flavonoids are associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older women. Conclusion: Higher intake of flavonoids, particularly from berries, appears to reduce rates of cognitive decline in older adults. ANN NEUROL 2012

Saffron Makes Happier Hormones in Women who Sniff it (Holistic Primary Care)

The girls inhaling the saffron extract showed statistically significant reductions in cortisol and increases in estradiol; inhalation of the alcohol placebo had just the opposite effect, increasing estradiol and reducing cortisol.

Saffron’s effects on estradial were similar for women in the follicular versus luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. The effect on testosterone did show something of a phase difference; saffron exposure reduced testosterone slightly during the follicular, and raised it during the luteal phase though the difference was not statistically significant.

Significant increases in total-body BMD were observed in all intervention groups compared to CG (P < 0.05), while significant increases in lumbar spine BMD were observed only for CaDK1 and CaDK2 compared to CG (P < 0.05) after controlling for changes in serum 25(OH)D levels and dietary calcium intake. In conclusion, the present study revealed more favorable changes in bone metabolism and bone mass indices for the two vitamin K-supplemented groups, mainly reflected in the suppression of serum levels of bone remodeling indices and in the more positive changes in lumbar spine BMD for these two study groups.

The spontaneous locomotor activity of mice was not affected by carvacrol. This study adds information about the beneficial effects of carvacrol on mechanical hypernociception and inflammation. It also indicates that this monoterpene might be potentially interesting in the development of novel tools for management and/or treatment of painful conditions, including those related to inflammatory and prooxidant states.

CoQ10, Mitochondria, and Sugar Disease (Medical News)

Much data support the concept that mitochondrial function is required for appropriate glucose-induced insulin secretion.⁴ Studies in beta cell lines have shown that when mitochondrial function is experimentally decreased, insulin secretion shows a similar reduction.⁴ Supporting studies in humans have shown that individuals with disabling mutations in mitochondrial DNA (i.e., the A32433G mutation) demonstrate impaired pancreatic insulin secretion in response to glucose challenge.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle and the liver might also contribute to the development of diabetes. As part of its cellular respiratory function, mitochondria utilize (and break down) fatty acids. When mitochondrial function is reduced, intracellular fats may accumulate.²

One hypothesis is that excessive accumulation of intracellular fat may have a central role in insulin resistance. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that excessive lipids lead to reductions in numbers and function of insulin receptors.²

The link between obesity, inactivity, and type 2 diabetes is well established — and weight loss remains a cornerstone of diabetes management.³ The role of mitochondria as cellular “power plant” makes a compelling case for a causative relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and clinical disease.³

Reduced mitochondrial capacity has been demonstrated in patients with type 2 diabetes.³ In one study, patients who lost weight demonstrated an increase in mitochondrial density and insulin sensitivity. Patients achieved an average weight loss of 7.1% and experienced a decrease in mean HbA1c from 7.9 to 6.5, as well as significant improvements in both fasting and postprandial blood glucose.³

Mom’s Sensitivity to Gluten Linked with Child’s Risk of Schizophrenia (Huffington Post)

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center conducted research that suggests children of women with high levels of antibodies to gluten — meaning they had sensitivity to it — have almost a doubled risk of later developing a psychiatric disorder.

Drugs and Babies-It’s Not all Mom’s Fault (Medscape)

It is clear that alcohol, methamphetamine, anticonvulsants, and some prescription drugs used by the mother during pregnancy can cause recognizable patterns of dysmorpholgy or behavioral problems. It is less clear what drug use by the father has on the developing fetus. There is some protection in fathers because few drugs concentrate in semen, and semen is rarely in contact with the ovum. Direct effects of drugs on sperm are harder to demonstrate. If drugs in the father change genes in the sperm, then new mutations may occur, which can cause new syndromes. Many drugs appear to decrease sperm motility in vitro, which may account for infertility in fathers who are alcoholics or chronic drug users. There may also be a selection for damaged sperm not being as motile as normal sperm, thus resulting in natural selection for fertilization.

What is clear is the second-hand effect of drug and alcohol use by the father. Fathers who drink heavily influence their significant others to drink alcohol. Methamphetamine use pollutes the environment, especially if there is a meth lab in the house. Secondary exposure to methamphetamine has been related to withdrawal and behavior issues in the newborn. Exposure to lead in males, such as in steel workers, may induce abnormalities in the genes of the sperm as well as infertility. Chronic use of marijuana by fathers is associated with lower sperm count and loss of libido.

Autsim Risks and Dad’s Sperms-Genetics & Environment (Medscape)

Scientists previously have found dozens of genes that may raise the risk of autism. But genetic causes only explain about 10% of cases, and recent studies have pointed to environmental factors, possibly arising at conception, as a potential trigger.

For this study, researchers sequenced data from 549 families with an autistic child and both parents available. In most of these families, only one child had autism. They identified at least three genes using this approach, and a fourth using a different approach. Dr. Joseph Buxbaum, director of the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and a co-author of one of the studies, said the combined results from the three studies suggest some 600 to 1,200 genes may contribute the risk of developing autism.

The trick will be identifying specific networks in the brain in which these genes interact, so that researchers can begin to develop new treatments. “We now have a good sense of the large number of genes involved in autism,” Dr. Buxbaum said. One of the studies by Dr. Evan Eichler and colleagues at the University of Washington in Seattle suggested how environmental factors might influence genetics.

They looked specifically to see where these spontaneously occurring genetic mistakes were coming from: the sperm or the egg. They found that new mutations occurred four times more frequently in sperm than in eggs, and the older the father, the more likely he was to have sperm with these spontaneous mutations.

Another Compound in those Grapes and their Fat Burning Power (Purdue Newsroom)

While similar in structure to resveratrol – the compound found in red wine, grapes and peanuts that is thought to combat cancer, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases – piceatannol might be an important weapon against obesity. Resveratrol is converted to piceatannol in humans after consumption.

“Piceatannol actually alters the timing of gene expressions, gene functions and insulin action during adipogenesis, the process in which early stage fat cells become mature fat cells,” Kim said. “In the presence of piceatannol, you can see delay or complete inhibition of adipogenesis.”

Over a period of 10 days or more, immature fat cells, called preadipocytes, go through several stages to become mature fat cells, or adipocytes.

Synergism in a Bean’s Oil- toxic cancer treatment and immune stimulant with anti-microbe and GI function (Dr. Mercola)

• Castor oil, derived from the castor seed (which is not really a bean), has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of health conditions, although scientific studies are few; there are reports of some side negative effects from castor oil, so you should proceed with caution in experimenting with its use
• Castor seeds contain very high concentrations of a special fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, thought to underlie its healing properties
• Castor beans also contain a potent toxin called ricin—so deadly that it’s used for chemical warfare—but don’t worry, this agent is NOT present in the oil
• Castor oil is claimed to treat gastrointestinal and genitourinary problems, all types of infections, and pain and inflammation, and is said to stimulate your immune system;science is also exploring the use of ricinas an antitumor agent
• Advocates claim castor oil is most effective for strengthening your lymphatic system when it is applied topically in a “castor oil pack,” a treatment popularized by the late psychic healer Edgar Cayce

The U.S. FDA gives castor oil a “thumbs up,” deeming it “generally regarded as safe and effective” for use as a stimulant laxative. The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives has established an acceptable daily castor oil intake of up to 0.7 mg/kg body weight. This amounts to, roughly, one tablespoon for adults and one teaspoon for children. Taking castor oil orally usually results in a “purging” of the digestive tract in about four to six hours. Castor oil’s main side effects fall into the categories of skin reactions and gastrointestinal upset, which isn’t terribly surprising given the agent’s actions on your intestinal wall.^vi Castor oil is broken down by your small intestine into ricinoleic acid, which acts as an irritant to your intestinal lining. This effect is what gives castor oil the ability to reverse constipation—but it’s also the reason that some people report digestive discomfort, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal side effects.

Castor oil has been found to have a strong suppressive effect on some tumors.

An Indian study in 2011 found that castor leaf extract showed better antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than Gentamycin (their standard for comparison).xii

A 2010 study found that castor oil packs were an effective means of decreasing constipation in the elderly.xii

This 2009 study found that castor oil effectively relieves arthritis symptoms.xiii

A 1999 studyxiv was carried out to determine whether or not topical castor oil would stimulate the lymphatic system. The findings were positive. After a two-hour treatment with castor oil packs, there was a significant increase in the number of T-11 cells, which increased over a seven-hour period following treatment.

In this 2000 studyxv of the effects of ricinoleic acid on inflammation, researchers found it exerted “capsaicin-like” antiinflammatory properties.

Patients with occupational dermatitis may have a positive reaction to castor oil or ricinoleic acid.xvi

 

Lignans – oestrogenic substances present in various foods – are associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk, but not much is known regarding their effects on survival.

In a follow-up study of 2653 postmenopausal breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2005, vital status and causes of death were verified through end of 2009. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for estimated enterolignans, lignan-rich foods, and dietary fibre in relation to overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models stratified by age at diagnosis and adjusted for prognostic/confounding factors.

CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal breast cancer patients with high estimated enterolignans may have a better survival.

Magnesium, the second most abundant intracellular cation, is essential in many intracellular processes and appears to play an important role in migraine pathogenesis. Routine blood tests do not reflect true body magnesium stores since <2 % is in the measurable, extracellular space, 67 % is in the bone and 31 % is located intracellularly. Lack of magnesium may promote cortical spreading depression, hyperaggregation of platelets, affect serotonin receptor function, and influence synthesis and release of a variety of neurotransmitters. Migraine sufferers may develop magnesium deficiency due to genetic inability to absorb magnesium, inherited renal magnesium wasting, excretion of excessive amounts of magnesium due to stress, low nutritional intake, and several other reasons. There is strong evidence that magnesium deficiency is much more prevalent in migraine sufferers than in healthy controls. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have produced mixed results, most likely because both magnesium deficient and non-deficient patients were included in these trials. This is akin to giving cyanocobalamine in a blinded fashion to a group of people with peripheral neuropathy without regard to their cyanocobalamine levels. Both oral and intravenous magnesium are widely available, extremely safe, very inexpensive and for patients who are magnesium deficient can be highly effective. Considering these features of magnesium, the fact that magnesium deficiency may be present in up to half of migraine patients, and that routine blood tests are not indicative of magnesium status, empiric treatment with at least oral magnesium is warranted in all migraine sufferers.

It provides the raw material for liquorice candy, calms the stomach and alleviates diseases of the airways: liquorice root. Chosen as the “Medicinal plant 2012”, the root has been treasured in traditional healing since ancient times. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have now discovered that liquorice root also contains substances with an anti-diabetic effect. These amorfrutins not only reduce blood sugar, they are also anti-inflammatory and are very well tolerated. Thus, they may be suitable for use in the treatment of complex metabolic disorders.

DRUGS

Weight Gain Medications (Medscape)

There are dozens of medicines, primarily in the area of psychiatry and neurology, and also some of the cardiovascular drugs. Beta-blockers can make it difficult to lose weight; alpha-blockers can make it difficult. Sleep medicines, over-the-counter sleep medications, can make it difficult, as well as a variety of hormonal therapies. And in the diabetes drug areas, if you follow the standard weight-gaining algorithms, you go from metformin to either insulin or thiazolidinediones and sulfonylurea; that’s the most common scenario we see. It’s very difficult to get that patient to lose weight. If we switch them over to either a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor or, even better, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, we’ll often see weight loss right away, because you’re taking away a weight-gaining medicine and you’re starting a weight-losing medication.

It is very hard, but we’re getting there when it comes to our medical therapies, especially in people with diabetes, because when we use some of the medical therapies for diabetes in conjunction [with behavioral therapy], we are seeing some patients — certainly not all, but some patients — do extremely well. When you add the right kind of diet to the right medications, we see substantial weight loss. So, maybe we just take those people off the table. They don’t need surgery, and maybe the other people do.

Antibiotic Use in Mom May Affect Child Risk of Obesity (Nature)

The present cohort study revealed that a combination of early exposures, including delivery mode, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and antibiotics in infancy, influences the risk of overweight in later childhood. This effect may potentially be explained by an impact on establishment and diversity of the microbiota.

Curcumin or Pain Medicine? (Phytotherapy Research)

Curcumin is known to possess potent antiinflammatory and antiarthritic properties. This pilot clinical study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of curcumin alone, and in combination with diclofenac sodium in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty-five patients diagnosed with RA were randomized into three groups with patients receiving curcumin (500?mg) and diclofenac sodium (50?mg) alone or their combination. The primary endpoints were reduction in Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28. The secondary endpoints included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for reduction in tenderness and swelling of joint scores. Patients in all three treatment groups showed statistically significant changes in their DAS scores. Interestingly, the curcumin group showed the highest percentage of improvement in overall DAS and ACR scores (ACR 20, 50 and 70) and these scores were significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. More importantly, curcumin treatment was found to be safe and did not relate with any adverse events. Our study provides the first evidence for the safety and superiority of curcumin treatment in patients with active RA, and highlights the need for future large-scale trials to validate these findings in patients with RA and other arthritic conditions

Migraine Treatment: Herbal Approved alongside Two Meds for Migraine Treatment by FDA! (Medscape)

Dr. Wilner:I am astonished that there is level A evidence for this herb. This might be the first instance in the world that there is level A evidence for a supplement, because supplements by their very nature are not controlled, in terms of their potency. They come from different manufacturers, and usually no sponsor is willing to put in the effort to do a double-blind, randomized study to get level A evidence. How did butterbur, which is a plant, end up with level A evidence?

Dr. Dodick: Butterbur is a plant extract. Three placebo-controlled studies have been conducted with butterbur. My hat is off to the investigators who took it upon themselves to get support necessary to conduct the studies. That shows you the pioneering spirit of some of these neurologists in headache medicine who strive to provide the best evidence possible. It looks to be, at least according to the data, as effective as the more conventional prescription medications that we use.

Dr. Wilner:I have 3 questions about butterbur. How do we know how much to take? Do we know the active ingredient? What side effects should be anticipated?

Dr. Dodick: The active ingredients are petasin and isopetasin, which appear to have anti-inflammatory properties. It can be ordered online or purchased at health food stores. Sometimes pharmacies will carry it and you can get it off the shelf. Generally, it is dosed twice or 3 times daily, usually 75 mg.

Dr. Wilner:Is it a tea, a drink, or a capsule?

Dr. Dodick: It is a capsule. Most of the side effects are gastrointestinal. It can cause dyspepsia, bloating, or diarrhea, but generally it is well tolerated.

In a headache specialist’s hands, butterbur is used mainly as adjunctive therapy. We use it in addition to conventional prophylactic or preventive medication that we select. As an adjunctive therapy, it can be useful.

I have used it in children. Parents, in particular, don’t want their children taking prescription medication, but they are more than happy to have their child take a supplement, so I have used it effectively and successfully in children.

Andrew N. Wilner, MD; David W. Dodick, MD. Six Years in the Making: New Episodic Migraine Guidelines: An Herbal? Really? 5/15/2012. Medscape Neurology. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/763620

TNF-a Blockers and Low Glucose in Rheumatoid Patients (Medscape)

However, TNF-? inhibitors entail a plethora of concerns associated with their use. Some of the potential side effects and complications include increased risk of infusion reactions, life-threatening and opportunistic infections (tuberculosis and fungal and other atypical infections), malignancy, and existing concerns associated with their use during pregnancy.^[2]

…In our paper, we presented nine cases of non-diabetic patients who developed episodes of low blood glucose readings after treatment with TNF-? inhibitors. The proposed mechanism might involve induction of increased insulin sensitivity while blocking TNF-? in adipose tissue.^[17]

Drug for Eye Health with Toxic Side Effects vs. Using Mother Nature’s Krill (Dr. Mercola)

While the off-label use of Avastin for macular degeneration is said to be based on a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine last year, which showed Avastin worked just as well as Lucentis for treating macular degeneration, numerous studies exist demonstrating the treatment potential of astaxanthin for this eye disorder. For example, one 2008 study, published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, concluded thatⁱ:

“Astaxanthin treatment, together with inflammatory processes including NF-kB activation, subsequent upregulation of inflammatory molecules, and macrophage infiltration, led to significant suppression of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) development. The present study suggests the possibility of astaxanthin supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to suppress CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).”

Glucocorticoid Risk of Infection in Children with JIA (Medscape)

May 1, 2012 — Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) have twice the risk for infection as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new analysis of US Medicaid data.

After adjustments were made for use of methotrexate (MTX), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, oral glucocorticoid dose, sex, and other variables, the adjusted hazard ratio [HR] was 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 – 2.5). Among children with JIA, the rate of infection was not increased with MTX or TNF inhibitor use but was significantly increased with high-dose glucocorticoid use (adjusted HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.0 – 4.7) after adjustments for these same variables.

Re-evaluating Vaccine Link of MMR-Autism (VacTruth)

Lead investigator Laura Hewitson, PhD, probably dropped a bombshell when she and her colleagues completed a macaque monkey (primates) study of the very same vaccines given to children during 1994-1999, i.e., the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and several Thimerosal mercury-containing vaccines injected into children during that time frame when the autism spectrum disorder skyrocketed.

The results of that pilot study were published as a Research Paper in Acta Neurobiological Experimentals in 2010 and titled “Influence of pediatric vaccines on amydgala growth and opioid ligand binding in rhesus macaque infants: A pilot study.” [1] Even though there was alleged controversy revolving around Hewitson’s monkey studies, e.g., charges of conflicts of interest since she filed a claim with the vaccine court on behalf of her child, [2] the information generated needs to be revisited and duplicate studies need to be undertaken. Why haven’t they?

According to the Hewitson, et al. research study, biological changes and altered behaviors did occur in vaccinated monkeys, which resembled and were similar to those observed in ASD diagnosed children.  However, there were no such symptoms showing or present in unvaccinated monkeys.  Don’t you just gotta love those little monkeys! Guess what else the ASD monkeys came up with, and Dr Wakefield is gonna like this one: Gastrointestinal problems manifested in vaccinated macaques such as “many significant differences in the GI tissue gene expression profiles between vaccinated and unvaccinated animals.” [3] It’s been a deeply debated topic within medicine that vaccinated children who contract ASD also have GI tract issues.  Personally, I gotta wonder how the British Medical Journal is going to deal with encrusted dried egg on its face when duplicate studies confirm the Hewitson monkey results.  Perhaps the infamous BMJ retraction of the Wakefield article and Doctor’s professional evisceration, commonly referred to as the “Wakefield Syndrome,” euphemistically speaking is medicine protecting its vested interests.

Risks of Birth Control and Holistic Protection (Natural Medicine Journal 5/12)

Long-term use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been linked to increased blood coagulation, with its increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Their long-term use also has been linked to altered immune and inflammatory factors, suggesting an increased risk of chronic immune disorders with an inflammatory component, including cancer. This report reviews these various risks. Also discussed are 2 natural food extracts, one showing anticoagulant effects and the other exhibiting certain anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. New research finds indications that these extracts—Plasmanex1 and BRM4—offset these key risks among OC and HRT users and suggests the need for further research.

Metformin or Inositol for PCOS? (NMJ 5/12)

Previous studies have demonstrated that myo-inositol is capable of restoring spontaneous ovarian activity, and consequently fertility, in patients with PCOS.^3,4 This study is the first to compare the effectiveness of 2 insulin-sensitizing agents—inositol and metformin—in the treatment of chronic anovulation and infertility secondary to PCOS.

In this study, myo-inositol offered a significant advantage over metformin in restoration of spontaneous ovulation in patients with PCOS. This also resulted in a non-significant increase in pregnancy rate. In addition, patients on myo-inositol reported no side effects during the course of treatment. Myo-inositol should be considered as a first-line treatment in patients with PCOS experiencing chronic anovulation or infertility secondary to anovulation.

Acetaminophen and Asthma (Medscape)

Clinicians should make an informed choice as to whether to prescribe or recommend acetaminophen in the treatment of children. Dr. McBride suggests avoiding acetaminophen in children with asthma or at increased risk for asthma. Use of ibuprofen seems appropriate because it is a reasonable alternative to acetaminophen.

The Pluses and Minuses of the Polio Vaccine (Mercola)

• The polio vaccine has virtually eliminated the wild polio virus in large portions of the world, but at the same time that world health officials are declaring a victory on polio in India, they are calling a global meeting in Switzerland on the growing problem of vaccine-caused polio, which causes acute flaccid paralysis.
• The oral polio vaccine, which is still used in many third-world countries, is made from a live polio virus, which carries a risk of causing polio. The virus in the vaccine can also mutate into a deadlier version, igniting new outbreaks. The US began using an inactivated polio vaccine in 1999, after parents of vaccine-damaged children were successful in lobbing for a change in strategy.
• According to a 2010 article in the New England Journal of Medicine, outbreaks of vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) have been occurring at a rate of once or twice per year, since the year 2000.
• Evidence suggests that consuming refined sugar (as well as other forms of fructose) increases your risk of contracting polio, and that improving blood sugar control by cutting sugar/fructose from your diet is a simple way to help protect against the disease.

Pneumonia Bacteria Swapped Genes Before Prevnar Hit the Market (Dr. Mercola)

A new analysis by a team of international researchers revealed the complete genetic makeup of 240 samples of a strain of Streptococcus pneumonia taken between 1984-2008, which allowed the researchers to note changes over time.^iv The strain, known as the Pneumococcal Molecular Epidemiology Network clone 1 or PMEN1, is resistant to several antibiotics. There were several interesting revelations, including:

• The pneumonia strain emerged when penicillin was frequently used, but because it was not killed by penicillin, it flourished
• The strain changes one of its DNA nucleotides about every 15 weeks, a rate of mutation similar to that of the common antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA
• One way the bacteria mutate is with a sugar coating called a polysaccharide capsule; PMEN1 has a capsule called 23F, which was included as a target in the Prevnar vaccine. However, by the time the vaccine hit the market, the bacteria had already morphed into a new serotype called 19A, which the vaccine did not work against.

Wired Science reported:^v

“The study “illustrates that these genes are under enormous selection pressure due to human interference with antibiotics and vaccines,” says Garth Ehrlich, a bacterial pathologist at the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute in Pittsburgh. Mapping the organism’s past genetic contortions may not help researchers predict what the bacteria will do next, but the analysis shows that some genes are particularly prone to changes and probably are not good vaccine targets, he says.”

A secondary problem is that the overuse of antibiotics for ear and sinus infections has also caused these serotypes to become resistant to antibiotics.

FDA Approves GMO Drugs produced in Carrot cells (Dr. Mercola)

• The US FDA has approved the first genetically modified plant intended for the treatment of a human disease. The drug, designed to treat Gaucher disease, contains human enzymes grown in carrot cells
• The approval opens the door for biotech companies such as Monsanto, which also has vested interests in the pharmaceutical industry, to design more drugs created from genetically engineered plants and/or animals
• Connecticut is the second state in five weeks to drop a GMO labeling provision in proposed legislation after Monsanto threatened to sue if lawmakers passed the bill. Last month Vermont succumbed to the same strong-arm tactics
• California is now the new battleground, where 90 percent of California voters favor labeling of genetically engineered foods, and where labeling advocates recently delivered one million signatures to place Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act on the Ballot for November 6. The Money Bomb Against Monsanto campaign aims to raise one million dollars to get the Act voted into law

Probiotics with Antibiotics (Medscape)

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp. and Saccharomyces boulardii, are living microorganisms that confer health benefits on the host. They are taken with food or as capsules/tablets and powder. Probiotics improve antibiotic therapy as they reduce microbial adhesion and growth by bacteriocins or other inhibitory compounds, possess immunomodulatory properties and improve intestinal barrier integrity.^[1] In patients treated with antibiotics, probiotics promote the recovery of commensal microbiota and increase treatment tolerability.

Probiotics exhibit an excellent overall safety profile but should be used cautiously in severely immunocompromised patients and premature neonates. In fragile patients, there is a risk of bacteremia by some Lactobacillus spp. (e.g., Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus casei).^[2]S. boulardii should be avoided in patients who are critically ill, at parenteral nutrition or with central venous catheters due to risk for fungemia.^[3] Antibiotic resistance of the probiotic strains should be considered as it could be transferred to other species, although transfer from lactobacilli has been observed occasionally in vivo in diassociated animal models.^[4]

HEALTH

Are we More Obese than We Thought? (PLoS)

BMI significantly underestimates prevalence of obesity when compared to DXA direct measurement of percent body fat. Currently, no other blood test or biomarker has been correlated with the rate of obesity. The use of both DXA and leptin levels offers the opportunity for more precise characterization of adiposity and better management of obesity.

This misclassification was seen more commonly in women than in men and occurred more frequently with advancing age in women. A more appropriate cut-point for obesity with BMI is 24 for females and 28 for males (see Table 4). These new cut-points increased diagnostic sensitivity with small losses in specificity. Clinicians should consider using 24 as the BMI cut-point for obesity in women, in order to maximize diagnosis and prevention of obesity-related co-morbidities. Public health policymakers should also consider these more accurate cut-points in designing interventions. The Healthy People 2010 goal was to reduce rates of obesity (defined using BMI>30) from 23% in 1988–1994 to the target of 15%. Not only was this goal unmet, but in light of this data we may be much further behind than we thought. Our results document the scope of the problem of false-negative BMIs, emphasize the greater misclassification in women of advancing age, and confirm the improved precision available by gender specific revised cutoffs.

-Shah NR, Braverman ER (2012) Measuring Adiposity in Patients: The Utility of Body Mass Index (BMI), Percent Body Fat, and Leptin. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33308. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033308

10 Truths of Mercury (Dr. Hyman)

1. Industrial exposure to mercury is significant and mostly comes from coal burning (220 million pounds a year) and chlor-alkali plants.
2. The main ways that humans are exposed to mercury are from contaminated fish and dental amalgams or silver fillings.
3. Mercury can affect nearly all your organs, especially the brain, heart, kidneys, and gut.
4. Many chronic diseases may be caused or worsened by mercury, including neurologic disease, ADHD, autism, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and more.
5. Some of us are genetically better adapted to detoxify mercury than others, leading to variable effects within the population.
6. You should reduce your exposure by avoiding large ocean fish (like tuna, swordfish, shark, and tilefish) and river fish. Eat only small wild fish. If it fits in your pan, it is probably okay.
7. Blood tests are relatively worthless for analyzing mercury toxicity, unless you have had a significant recent exposure or eat a lot of sushi or tuna.
8. Hair tests only check for mercury from fish, not from fillings so they only give you a partial picture.
9. The only way to find out your total body load of mercury is to take a medication with sulfur molecules that binds to the mercury like fly paper. This is called DMSA or DMPS. This test should ONLY be done by a trained physician and involves taking one dose of this medicine, followed by a 6- or 24-hour urine collection to see how much comes out. (In my opinion, the most reliable testing is done by Doctorsdata.com).
10. If you are toxic and sick, you may consider addressing your dental health by seeing a biological dentist who can safely help you deal with mercury in your mouth.

Going to see a conventional dentist who drills out your fillings without any precautions or protection can lead to serious health consequences. I strongly advise against it. However, amalgam filling removal CAN be done safely and effectively done by a dentist trained in the correct techniques.

Artificial Sweeteners have No Place in a Healthful Diet…

Artificial sweeteners are frequently recommended as a practical way of replacing sugar found in the modern diet. But the research on nonnutritive sweeteners such as these three shows they’re far from healthful alternatives to sugar. (A recent article on HealthyFellow.com lists a few of them as a hand referenceⁱⁱ .First of all, contrary to popular belief, research has shown that artificial sweeteners can:

• Stimulate your appetite
• Increase carbohydrate cravings
• Stimulate fat storage and weight gain. In fact, diet sodas, which are well-known sources of artificial sweeteners, may actually double your risk of obesity!

So much for being a dieter’s best friend… Furthermore, aspartame (rebranded AminoSweet two years ago)—best known under the names of Nutrasweet and Equal—is believed to be carcinogenic and accounts for more reports of adverse reactions than all other foods and food additives combined.

The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium (Acesulfame-K) has been linked to kidney problems, and sucralose—best known as Splenda—has been found to wreak havoc with the healthful bacteria in your gut… All in all, I believe ALL artificial sweeteners are bad news for your health.

Natural Does Not Mean Organic, Kashi Ceral Attached (USA TODAY)

Kashi has done nothing wrong, says David DeSouza, Kashi general manager. “The FDA has chosen not to regulate the term ‘natural,’ ” he says. The company defines natural as “food that’s minimally processed, made with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.”

Still, some consumers say they felt duped into believing the cereal was organic and free from genetically modified ingredients because of Kellogg’s use of the word on packaging and its website.

They’ve taken to the digital streets with their anger, posting on Kashi’s own Facebook page, as well as the pages of several organic cereal makers and organic stores.

Sleep, Immunity, and Elderly (Science Daily)

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2012) — Older adults who sleep poorly have an altered immune system response to stress that may increase risk for mental and physical health problems, according to a study led by a University of Rochester Medical Center researcher. In the study, stress led to significantly larger increases in a marker of inflammation in poor sleepers compared to good sleepers — a marker associated with poor health outcomes and death.

“This study offers more evidence that better sleep not only can improve overall well-being but also may help prevent poor physiological and psychological outcomes associated with inflammation,” said Kathi L. Heffner, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychiatry at the Medical Center.

The association between poor sleep and a heightened inflammatory response to acute stress could not be explained by other factors linked to immune impairment, including depression, loneliness and perceived stress, the researchers said in the study published by the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

• There are seven numbers you should track if you want to monitor your health—five are determined by simple blood tests, and the other two you can determine at home
• The five blood tests you should regularly obtain are fasting insulin, cholesterol/HDL ratio, serum ferritin, uric acid, and vitamin D; two good indicators for assessing your overall “metabolic fitness” and heart attack risk are your percentage body fat and your waist-to-hip ratio
• Optimizing your vitamin D level is crucial for health because vitamin D influences about 3,000 of your 30,000 genes, helping to prevent a multitude of diseases from cardiovascular disease to the common cold
• Minimizing dietary sugar, especially fructose, will go a long way toward optimizing nearly ALL seven of these numbers—if you could do only one thing, this would be the one!
• RESULTS To Watch:
• Insulin should be below 5
• Your HDL/Cholesterol ratio: HDL (high-density lipoproteins) to total cholesterol percentage is a very good predictor of heart disease risk. Just divide your HDL number by your total cholesterol. Ideally, this number should exceed 24 percent; below 10 percent predicts an increased risk for heart disease. Your Triglyceride/HDL ratio: Divide your triglyceride number by your HDL. This percentage should ideally be below 2.
• See below for Chart on Body Fat
• The healthy range of serum ferritin is between 20 and 80 ng/ml. The ideal serum ferritin range is 40 to 60 ng/ml. Below 20, you are iron deficient; above 80, you have an iron surplus.Ferritin levels can go really high. I’ve seen levels over 1,000, but anything over 80 is likely to be a problem
• Waist Size: Men: 37 to 40 inches is overweight; greater than 40 inches is obese, Women: 31.5 to 34.6 inches is overweight; greater than 34.6 inches is obese.
• Ideal uric acid level is probably around: 4 mg/dl for men, and 3.5 mg/dl for women
• Vitamin D: Optimal 50-70ng/ml

Improving Brain Health with the Brain Expert (Dr. Amen)

There are many things you do to accelerate the brain’s ageing process.  But there are many things you can do to decelerate this process, too.  I know you can have a young-looking brain.  By adopting healthy strategies, you can outsmart your genes, slow ageing so that you feel younger and more alert.

Click the above link to read more on anti-brain-aging tips  including proper nutrients for the brain (DHA, amino acids of l-typtrophan, tyrosine, Vitamin D, protein, antioxidants) and lifestyle factors (exercise, sleep, coordination)

Meditation Helps Memory Loss (Medical News Today)

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reports that researchers from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital have discovered that adults with memory impairment and memory loss may benefit from mantra-based meditation, which has a positive effect on people’s emotional responses to stress, fatigue and anxiety. Preliminary findings revealed a substantial increase in cerebral blood flow in the patients’ prefrontal, superior frontal, and superior parietal cortices, and also better cognitive function.

GMOs= Plant Aids? (Dr. Mercola)

• One of the two traits that accounts for practically all of the genetically engineered crops grown in the world today gives plants resistance to glyphosate (the active ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup). Dr. Don Huber, a plant pathologist with 50 years experience, explains why the introduction of glyphosate-resistant genes into different crops is wreaking havoc with the environment, as well as animal, and most likely human, health
• Glyphosate does not affect the primary mechanism that causes death in the plant; rather it turns off the plant’s self-defense mechanism, allowing soil-borne fungi to quickly kill the plant. In essence, the plant’s immune system is dramatically impaired, much like a human AIDS patient
• In addition to being a broad-based herbicide, glyphosate also has potent biocide activity. It stimulates some soil organisms while being quite toxic to others. Overall, its presence disturbs the natural balance of soil microbe and alters the soil biology, creating “super-pathogens”
• Each genetic alteration stresses the plant. This is referred to as the “yield-drag aspect.” Inserting genetic material into multiple species of plants to impart the same resistance (in this case, resistance to glyphosate), significantly increases the vulnerability of the plants

Guidelines for GI Health Updated (Medscape)

• In patients who are taking medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease, whether they are H2RAs or PPIs, these medications should be titrated to the lowest dose that controls symptoms, and the patients should be questioned as to whether they can stop their medications. The answer is that they should be able to stop their medications, at least as a trial.
• Patients who have had screening evaluations for colorectal cancer can be followed safely somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 years, even if they have had a polyp. Patients who have had low-risk adenomas can certainly be rescreened at 5 years. We need to do better on that. We have excellent data from a Medicare database that say we are abysmal with respect to adherence to national guidelines for colorectal screening. Patients who have been adequately screened with a high-quality colonoscopy do not need subsequent colorectal screening. It is all about cost-effectiveness. Patients who have had the best and most cost-effective colonoscopy performed by highly qualified colonoscopists, with a good prep, should be followed at 10 years, with no interval testing.
• Patients with Barrett’s esophagus with no dysplasia, and a second screening that is negative for dysplasia, can be rescreened 3 years later. Without dysplasia, these patients really need to be followed according to national guidelines. Patients need to be aware that these are recommendations based on evidence of low risk for progression to cancer.
• Be aware of the radiation risk, particularly with patients who have IBS and who come back with myriad complaints. If their clinical symptoms aren’t significantly different, these patients do not need to have another CT scan just to pacify the patient that a cancer isn’t lurking somewhere. We need to be using clinical judgment to minimize the exposure to ionizing radiation in these people.

Supermarkets Can Make You Fat (PLos One)

Previous research on the influence of the food environment on weight status has often used impersonal measures of the food environment defined for residential neighborhoods, which ignore whether people actually use the food outlets near their residence. To assess whether supermarkets are relevant contexts for interventions, the present study explored between-residential neighborhood and between-supermarket variations in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and investigated associations between brands and characteristics of supermarkets and BMI or WC, after adjustment for individual and residential neighborhood characteristics.A public health strategy to reduce excess weight may be to intervene on specific supermarkets to change food purchasing behavior, as supermarkets are where dietary preferences are materialized into definite purchased foods.

Unnecessary Tests & Medical Payments Leading People to Debt (Dr. Mercola)

You see, the problem is much deeper than health insurance … In 2008, U.S. health care expenditures continued to skyrocket, growing at an annual rate of 4.4 percent for the year, slower than some recent years, yet still outpacing inflation and the growth of national income. The total spending was about $7,681 per American and accounted for 16.2 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the highest of any industrialized country.

Medically unnecessary procedures, hospitalizations and prescription drugs all contributed to this figure of almost $8,000 per person living in the US. Currently, the U.S. spends more on health care than any other country in the world, but health for many Americans is declining, and oftentimes medical “care” is part of the problem.

The fact is, on your next routine medical checkup, you have a 43 percent chance of undergoing an unnecessary medical test, which can end up costing you significantly in both monetary and emotional resources. As Robert Schwartz, M.D., chairman of the department of family medicine and community health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told CBS News:^vi

“It happens all the time. The patient has no symptoms and doesn’t smoke, but he gets a routine chest X-ray. If there is a small shadow, doctors are obligated to look further. That X-ray becomes a CT scan. That may show a small little nodule. The next thing you know, the patient ends up with a cardiothoracic surgeon who wants a needle biopsy, or even an open. In a lot of these cases, he comes up with nothing, a benign nodule or something,” he says.

Aside from the costs in time and the potential for unnecessary suffering, these procedures add up to big money.”

Collectively, these additional tests cost the U.S. health care system a staggering $700 billion a year, with just three of them – X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies – costing an extra $47 million to $194 million a year.^vii What’s most disturbing is that these unnecessary tests often lead to even more tests that lead to unnecessary procedures – and even surgeries – that ultimately could cause harm or death.

A Breathe of Fresh Air (Dr. Mercola)

Air pollutants fall into three main categories, each requiring a different approach:

1. Biological particles (molds, bacteria, spores, viruses, parasites, animal dander, pollen, etc.)
2. Non-biological particles (smoke, dust, heavy metals, radioactive isotopes, etc.)
3. Gases (fumes from things like adhesives, petroleum products, pesticides, paint, and cleaning products; radon, carbon monoxide, etc.)

There are so many varieties of contaminants generated by today’s toxic world that air purification manufacturers have been in a race to keep up with them.

Modern air purification devices work using the following four primary technologies:

Technology	Types of Pollutants	How It Works
Filtration	Particles and biologicals	Mechanical or electrostatic, these physically trap particles in a filter (HEPA is example)
Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO)	Particles, gases, biologicals	Destroys pollutants using a UV lamp and a catalyst that reacts with the UV light
Negative Ionization	Particles and biologicals	Disperses charged particles into the air to attract to nearby objects, or to each other, thereby settling faster
Ozone	Biologicals	Activated oxygen assists with the breakdown of biologicals

Finding ONE air purifier that does it all is like trying to find one magic vitamin that would meet ALL of your physiological needs.

Ways to De-Stress (Mercola)

Nearly one-quarter of Americans report being under extreme stress, rating their stress levels an 8, 9, or 10 out of a 10-point scale for the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2011 Stress in America survey.ⁱ

Countless others deal with fluctuating stressors each and every day, but a disturbing trend has emerged: more U.S. adults say their stress is increasing instead of decreasing.

Of course, chronic stress – the kind that eats away at you over time, such as relationship troubles or fear of losing your job – is linked to serious emotional and physical impairments, including the development of chronic diseases like heart disease, depression, high blood pressure and obesity.

Unfortunately, while 94 percent of adults believe that stress can contribute to the development of major illnesses, only 29 percent say they are doing an excellent or very good job at preventing themselves from succumbing to it.ⁱⁱ

In the slideshow above you can read about 10 simple steps to help you de-stress, from the Harvard Health Beat. Below I’ve added several others to add to your arsenal as well.

Medscape’s Preconception Checklist (Medscape)

First on the list of recommendations is folic acid. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, which are severe defects of the brain and spine that affect more than 3000 pregnancies in the United States each year. The neural tube forms immediately after conception, before a woman knows that she is pregnant. That’s why all women of childbearing age should take a multivitamin containing 400 µg of folic acid every day, even if they are not planning to become pregnant.

Next, vaccines: They are no longer just for children. …

Women with a family history of sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, Tay-Sachs disease, and cystic fibrosis should also consider genetic screening. Healthy moms are more likely to have healthy babies, so aim for a healthy weight before getting pregnant. Obese mothers are more likely to have preeclampsia, C-sections, preterm deliveries, and stillbirths.

Women with diabetes have twice the risk of having a baby with a birth defect, so maintaining tight control of blood sugar can minimize risks for birth defects and birth trauma. Women with hypothyroidism may need medication adjustment before trying to get pregnant, as well as during pregnancy. Be sure to check the American Thyroid Association’s guidelines on managing thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum.^[5]

Healthy lifestyles are also important: No drinking while pregnant and no smoking. It’s best to stop before trying to conceive. Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to have stillbirths. Alcohol use during pregnancy affects fetal development.

The next recommendation is for physicians. Unfortunately, studies show that at least 6% of pregnant women have had exposure to teratogenic medications. So, ask yourself if a drug may be potentially teratogenic before prescribing any medication to a woman of childbearing age.

Night Shift and Melatonin (Medscape)

Several epidemiological studies have found that long-term night working women have a higher risk of breast cancer than those who do not work at night.^[1–5] Studies by Schernhammer et al^[1] and Lie et al^[3] have been conducted on rotating night shift nurses. In a recently published nested case–control study of Norwegian nurses, an increased breast cancer risk was associated with working more than five consecutive nights for more than 5 years.^[6] The biological mechanisms underlying increased breast cancer risk among night shift workers have not been fully determined, although sleep deprivation, disruption of the circadian rhythm, dysregulation of the circadian rhythm genes and inhibition of the melatonin synthesis have been suggested.^[7–9]

An inverse association between melatonin and breast cancer risk has been observed in some but not in all prospective epidemiological studies.^[10–14] In the Nurses’ Health Study in the USA, the risk of breast cancer was lowered to OR of 0.62 in women with the highest melatonin synthesis (mean morning urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (MT6s) ?34.3 vs <10.2 ng/mg Cr).^[14] As shown in the experimental studies, melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of immune system activity, displays strong antioxidant actions and regulates sex hormones metabolism.^[15] Melatonin has been found to act as an inhibitor of tumour cell proliferation in animal models and human cancer cell lines.^[16]

Synthesis and excretion of melatonin follows a circadian cycle, with peak during the night (~50 pg/ml in plasma) and low levels during the day (<10 pg/ml).^[17] The rhythm is entrained by the alterations in light and darkness. Little is known on the clinical significance of changes in melatonin nocturnal synthesis. Rise in melatonin at night is associated with increased sleepiness^[17] Some clinical-based research indicate potential links between melatonin and several diseases, for example, decreased morning melatonin has been found in patients with asthma (18.%),^[18] depression (23%)^[19] and diabetics (40%),^[20] and threefold increased nocturnal level in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea^[21] when compared to healthy controls.

Light exposure at night (LAN) suppresses melatonin production in mammals through an inhibition of serotonin N-acetylotransferase (AANAT).^[22] Experimental studies in humans have shown that LAN transiently suppresses melatonin synthesis, with the inhibitory effects being dependent on the light brightness, that is, the brighter the light, the greater reduction in nocturnal melatonin synthesis.^[23–29]

The research on the circadian rhythms under natural working conditions has focused primarily on permanent night shift workers. As has been shown, adjustment to rhythm modified by non-day work varies between workers, with phase delay, phase advance and no change in the majority of investigated permanent night workers,^[30] and synchronisation occurs only until after several consecutive nights of work.^{[31 32]}

Testing in Psychiatry of the Future: Amen ahead of his time (Medscape)

A number of blood-based tests have been marketed that are based on proteomic or metabolomic analysis of serum or plasma. These tests claim to have diagnostic specificity for disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. These tests have not yet been fully validated, and they are not reimbursed by third-party payers for the most part up until now, but they signal efforts to use blood-based analytic tests focusing on proteomics and metabolomics to determine the signature of individuals with specific psychiatric disorders.

A variety of different imaging assessments have been developed at an experimental level, which holds significant promise for being applied clinically in the diagnosis of mental illnesses, particular mood disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, suicide risk, and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Among these are the use of PET techniques that examine the uptake and synthesis of dopamine as measured by floradopa, or displacement from D2 receptors by stimulated release of dopamine using a D2 ligand such as citalopram raclopride. In MRI, functional MRI techniques have been developed that use paramagnetic contrast agents such as gadolinium to measure blood flow or metabolism, or the use of bold deoxygenated hemoglobin measures to interrogate specific green regions and define the anatomical basis for a mood disorder.

What 7 Things Does the Top Functional Doctor in Medicine Look for in a Recipe? (Dr. Hyman)

And….a link to find these tasty ingredients…

Now I know this seems like a hard bill to fit but it is actually easier than it sounds.  This is what I look for:

1. Are the ingredients all whole foods and recognizable?  I don’t want to wonder what an ingredient is or where it is made… remember I like foods grown on a plant, not made in a plant.
2. I look for recipes that do not call for refined or processed carbohydrates and I always stay away from any artificial sweeteners.  A good recipe doesn’t rely on sugar or salt to satisfy the palette.
3. To fuel my long day I need to stay energized and prevent crashes in my blood sugar.  Lean sources of clean protein and healthy fats are critical in a successful recipe.
4. Does it allow me to stick to a hypoallergenic diet with special attention towards eliminating gluten and dairy?  I also take interest in recipes that limit other potentially allergenic foods such as corn, soy, peanuts, eggs and yeast. These come in handy when I do the UltraSimple Diet Challenge.
5. Like you, I love to eat and enjoy the entire process of meal preparation.  Choosing wonderfully smelling fresh herbs and colorful spices engages my sense of smell and sight and draws me into the act of cooking.  This is where life can become an art and the more fun I have, the better!  Research shows that when we enjoy being in the kitchen we improve our health not only by cooking high quality meals at home but also by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, improving digestion and releasing stress.
6. The health of our Earth is truly important to me. I know that when I choose ingredients and animal products that are sourced from organic producers that I’m voting with my dollar to protect nature.  The best part is, my ecology benefits too as food grown without toxic chemical input decreases my mortality.  Talk about sustainability!
7. I’m pretty busy, so finding a recipe that is both easy to make and allows for leftovers is critical.  I know that packing a healthy lunch, snack or making a quick dinner is just as important to you too.

The Cost of Junk Food (Dr. Hyman)

A report from the Worldwatch Institute called Overfed and Underfed: The Global Epidemic of Malnutrition documented the real costs of obesity related to poor diet — and this does NOT include the other effects of poor diet such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, autoimmune diseases, and osteoporosis. Here were some of the conclusions of that report:

• Obese people account for a disproportionate share of health-related absences from work.
• Obesity accounts for 7 percent of lost productivity due to sick leave and disability.
• 7 percent of all of North Carolina’s healthcare expenditures are related to obesity.
• Obese people visit their physicians 40 percent more than normal weight people.
• Obese people are 2.5 times more likely to require drugs prescribed for cardiovascular and circulation disorders.
• Liposuction is the Number 1 form of cosmetic surgery in the US, with 400,000 operations a year.
• Over 100,000 people a year have gastric bypass surgery.

According to a recent study in The New England Journal of Medicine (i), we’re spending about $20,000 per person for each extra year of life gained from medical interventions like drugs and surgery … as if that’s something to be proud of!

That doesn’t even take into account the $282 billion in costs resulting from medical interventions that go wrong — hospital infections, medical errors, deaths from drug reactions, bedsores, or unnecessary surgeries.

And what if that $20,000 per year was given to each person during his or her lifetime to support better nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management? My guess is that we would save trillions of dollars in health care expenditures on chronic disease!

As these numbers prove, the costs of eating fast, junk, and processed foods are often deferred until later. And that’s the key point: When you go to McDonald’s for a cheap burger and fries, you might immediately compare that lower price to whole organic foods which are more expensive in the short term. But the total cost isn’t reflected in how much you pay for your meal in the immediate moment, it’s the cumulative cost of what those decisions cost you over a lifetime.

For example, when you eat unhealthy foods like these, the costs of medical visits, co-pays, prescription medications, and other health services skyrocket. There are other non-economic costs of eating poorly as well. You reduce your ability to enjoy life in the moment due to increased fatigue, low-grade health complaints, obesity, depression, and more.

Learn more about my practice and how personalized medicine, with the support of a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Functional Medicine Certification Candidate, can help you achieve wellness! Find out more.

Friendly REMINDERS:

1. CURRENT CLIENTS, PLEASE CLICK FOR THE UPDATED FEE SCHEDULE AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS OF JUNE 1^st.

2. My next training is in Arizona is May 30^th-June 3rd for the Cardiovascular Advanced Practice Module. (Trainers include: Dr. Hyman, Dr. Bland, and Dr. Houston!)

My focus will be on learning and bringing the information back to incorporate for you and your health; therefore, I will not be readily available via email or phone these dates.

3. Kate Fritz will be joining my team to continue to help with nutritional consults and office management tasks!

4. Saratoga.com provides more information on the IOM’s position on Drug Safety, Autism, and mice’s libido (yes, I wrote that correctly!)

THIS MONTH’S MUST READ

Blood Sugar Solution by Mark Hyman is a good place to start with a step-by-step guide on how to balance your blood sugar and optimize ideal weight. It also contains a comprehensive cookbook! Don’t miss the latest from one of my mentors and an originator of functional medicine! Thanks to a few of my wonderful patients for bringing me this book and allowing me to tailor the suggestions just for you!

 

THIS WEEK’S MUST LISTEN

Tune in Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 and all week for the the replay to hear the pioneer scientist in mind-body: Dr. Bruce Lipton!

Biology of Belief and Spontaneous Evolution
Dr. Bruce Lipton joins Dr. Eldon Taylor to discuss his books and ideas behind the Biology of Belief and Spontaneous Evolution. His pioneering research on cloned stem cells presaged the revolutionary field of epigenetics, the new science of how environment and perception control genes.