Happy May beautiful BreakFree friends.
This month I had a hard time keeping up with all the top holistic health news. A vast amount of relevant articles were coming in so quickly on a daily basis; I only realized when I started my summary that I surpassed 30 pages of articles and references!
To me, this is evidence of what an exciting time of possibility we live in. Research continues to validate that “miracles” in healing can occur when people take control of their own health and reverse sickness by implementing positive lifestyle choices.
Although it was an effort to cut down on the 30 + pages of recent updates in medicine and health, I managed to snip it down…although sometimes painfully. After all, I didn’t want to cut anything I thought would be helpful for you.
For this reason, I am going to integrate some new changes in my upcoming blogs. They will be containing “news briefs” of relevant topics that come up in my clinic or will be based on hot topics in the press that may be of interest to all of my readers. I’ll also be focusing a bit more on editing my upcoming book, so you may be getting some sneak peeks!
Below is a summary of the highlights in health, nutrigenomics, and drug updates.
Also, be sure to check out the announcements at the end which include my three favorite podcasts and fee updates for my clients.
Nutrigenomic highlights:
1. Exercise + less calories may not = weight loss
2. Oils in the news for pain relief in women: lavender and thyme for that “time of the month”
3. The power of honey for health
4. “Bug medicine!?”
Health topics include:
1. The controversy on the Swiss guidelines in mammography
2. The power of yoga
3. The brain changes in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sufferers
4. How stress effects our heart health
5. Nature verses nurture in autism
6. A link on how to empower yourself against environmental toxins-updated
Medication & Drug Updates:
1. The link of diuretics and statins to diabetes
2. Is Aspirin still recommended for prevention of a heart attack?
3. The Top 100 Selling Drugs
Remember, the goal is to keep you informed with the top news without stressing you out from information overload. So, whether it’s a quick skimming for up-to-date briefs or a leisurely scroll down the page to dig deeper and click on the full source information provided…
Enjoy!
NUTRIGENOMICS
Isocaloric (all calories are equal) is a Myth
Eat less, exercise more= lose weight, right?
Dr. Ludwig and Friedman report on how this equation is incomplete:
According to an alternative view, chronic overeating represents a manifestation rather than the primary cause of increasing adiposity. Attempts to lower body weight without addressing the biological drivers of weight gain, including the quality of the diet, will inevitably fail for most individuals. This Viewpoint summarizes the evidence for this seemingly counterintuitive hypothesis, versions of which have been debated for more than a century.
Ludwig, DS, Friedman, M. Increasing AdiposityConsequence or Cause of Overeating? JAMA: Viewpoint. Published online May 16, 2014. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.4133
Lavender Relieves Menstrual Pain
A four month randomized control study that included 96 female students suffering from dysmenorrhea supported the beneficial effect of inhaling lavender essential oil diluted in sesame oil for pain management. The control group was almost 7 times more likely to suffer with abdominal pain and backache than the lavender group. The non-oilers also had 12 times more risk of experiencing tiredness, nausea, and headache than the lavender group. Finally, those who didn’t smell lavender were also 16 times more likely to faint. Amount of bleeding was not affected, but that’s enough to convince me!
King, M. Inhaling Lavender Oil Eases Menstrual Pain. GreenMedInfo.com. May 6, 2014.
The Benefits of Thyme on Period Pain
In another study with 84 women aged 18 to 24 years old, researchers from Iran’s Babol University of Medical Sciences confirmed that thyme is an excellent pain-relieving herb for pain with menstruation. It even fared better than ibuprofen in their 3 group comparison randomized trial:
- The first group was given 200 mg of ibuprofen plus 25 drops of placebo.
- The second group was given 25 drops of 2% essential oil of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) plus a placebo capsule per dose.
- Finally, the third group was given a placebo oil and placebo capsule.
The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to rate pain intensity and the results indicated that the thyme essential oil group’s average pain score had a larger decrease than the ibuprofen’s group.
Adams, C. Thyme Oil Beats Ibuprofen for Relieving Menstruation Pain. GreenMedInfo.com. May 19, 2014.
Salmalian H, Saghebi R, Moghadamnia AA, Bijani A, Faramarzi M, Nasiri Amiri F, Bakouei F, Behmanesh F, Bekhradi R. Comparative effect of thymus vulgaris and ibuprofen on primary dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind clinical study. Caspian J Intern Med. 2014 Spring;5(2):82-8.
Honey & Ginger’s MRSA Busting Power
By measuring minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of superbugs such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia, researchers tested the efficacy of Ethiopian honey, ginger powder, and a combination of the two against three different antibiotics. The researchers also tested a water extract of the ginger.
Greenmedinfo reports:
The research determined that both the honey and the ginger extract powder (alcohol extract) independently had greater inhibition levels than any of the antibiotics…The ginger and the honey – each alone – beat out all three of these antibiotics in terms of inhibition levels (MIC).
Note: Petri dishes do not always correlate with human responses.
Adams, C. Honey & Ginger Beat Out Antibiotics in Inhibiting Superbugs. GreenMedInfo.com. April 30, 2014.
Yalemwork Ewnetu, Wossenseged Lemma, and Nega Birhane, “Synergetic Antimicrobial Effects of Mixtures of Ethiopian Honeys and Ginger Powder Extracts on Standard and Resistant Clinical Bacteria Isolates,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2014, Article ID 562804, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/562804
…More Articles on the Sweet Stuff
Honey’s Many Roles in Modulating Cancer
A recent review focused on the potential of honey to affect a variety of cancers, including:
- Liver Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Other Forms of Cancer such asbladder, endometrial, skin, kidney, bone, and mouth cancer.
What are the Mechanisms of Honey’s Anti-Cancer Properties?
Honey may work to stop cancer in a variety of ways. This include inhibiting cell replication, activating the cell power houses (mitochondria) to release proteins to kill cancer cells, causing the mitochondria to leak out toxins to destroy cancer cells, inducing cell death of multiplying cells, providing antioxidant protection, modulating inflammation, and regulating insulin sensitivity.
Ji, S. Honey: A Powerful Anti-Cancer Agent. GreenMedinfo.com. May 4, 2014.
Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Wahab MSA. Effects of Honey and Its Mechanisms of Action on the Development and Progression of Cancer. Molecules. 2014; 19(2):2497-2522. http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/2/2497
31 Ways How Tumeric Protects Against Toxins
The golden Indian spice, turmeric, has been the subject of over 5,000 published studies. Check out the 31 ways tumeric may protect you various chemical and metal exposures in the environment.
Ji, S. 31 Ways Turmeric Protects Against Post-Industrial Apocalypse. GreenMedInfo.com. May 20, 2014.
Video on 10 foods for eye health:
It’s Not Science Fiction-Bugs as Medicine!
An overview of “bug medicine.”
This review describes modern research into bioengineering honey and venom from bees, silk, cantharidin, antimicrobial peptides, maggot secretions and anticoagulants from blood-sucking insects into drugs. I think I’ll eat honey and apply thyme instead…
Norman Ratcliffe, Patricia Azambuja, and Cicero Brasileiro Mello. Review Article: Recent Advances in Developing Insect Natural Products as Potential Modern Day Medicines. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014 (2014): 21 pgs. Article ID 904958. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/904958
Ginseng for Flu Support
Tamiflu was found to be ineffective against the flu. Recently, scientists found ginseng can help treat and prevent influenza A. Red ginseng extract was shown to improve survival of human lung cells infected with the influenza virus and reduce inflammation.
King, M. Ginseng Can Help Treat and Prevent Influenza. GreenMedInfo.com. August 28, 2014.
Healthy Fats Found in Dairy and Meat May Be Good for Heart, Study Says
A recent study assessed phospholipid fatty acids and metabolic risk factors from 2000–2002 among 2617 adults and in relation to the risk of new-onset diabetes was analyzed in 2281 participants from baseline to 2005–2007.
Conclusions: Circulating trans-palmitoleate is associated with higher LDL cholesterol but also with lower triglycerides, fasting insulin, blood pressure, and incident diabetes in a multiethnic US cohort. Our findings support the need for further experimental and dietary intervention studies that target circulating trans-palmitoleate.
Mozaffarian,D. et al. trans-Palmitoleic acid, other dairy fat biomarkers, and incident diabetes: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)Am J Clin Nutr. Apr 2013; 97(4): 854–861. Published online Feb 13, 2013. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.045468. PMCID: PMC3607658
Fiber & Heart Attack Risk
In an association study of 2258 women and 1840 men who were free of heart disease, stroke, or cancer at enrollment and had survived a first heart attack, higher fiber intake after the heart attack was significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality.
Li, S. Flint, A, Pai, JK, Forman, JP, Hu, F, Willett, WC, Rexrode, KM, Mukamal, KJ, Rimm, EB, Dietary fiber intake and mortality among survivors of myocardial infarction: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2014; 348 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g2659
HEALTH
In this update, I provide you with latest news regarding how our environment affects our health. This in order to provide you with knowledge and tools to optimize your well-being.
Moms Discuss Why They Feed Their Children Organic
The Criminal of Sugar, are you Fed Up?
The Fed Up movement began in May. Read more about it here and at the link below.
Dargis, M. Sugar, Come Out With Your Hands Up: ‘Fed Up’ Descends on Villains in the Battle of the Bulge. NYT Critics’ Pick. May 8, 2014.
Brain Inflammation in Certain Areas May Uncover Mechanisms Behind Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
A recent study found that inflammation in certain regions of the brain of Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia patients was associated with the severity of their neurological and psychological symptoms. The study found that sufferers with more cognitive symptoms had higher levels of inflammatory markers in the thalamus, amygdala, and mid brain regions. Those who reported the most pain had higher markers in the thalamus and cingulate cortex locations. Finally, the researchers found heightened inflammation in the hippocampus in patients with severe depression. This research may provide clues on how to modulate treatments for patients based on brain patterns.
Yasuhito Nakatomi, Kei Mizuno, Akira Ishii, Yasuhiro Wada, Masaaki Tanaka, Shusaku Tazawa, Kayo Onoe, Sanae Fukuda, Joji Kawabe, Kazuhiro Takahashi, Yosky Kataoka, Susumu Shiomi, Kouzi Yamaguti, Masaaki Inaba, Hirohiko Kuratsune, Yasuyoshi Watanabe. Neuroinflammation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: An 11C-(R)-PK11195 PET Study J Nucl Med 2014 jnumed.113.131045 published ahead of print March 24, 201
Courage, K. Baffling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Set for Diagnostic Overhaul: Researchers might soon redefine the mysterious condition, while the latest findings point to the role of brain inflammation. Scientific America. May 16, 2014.
Yoga and Prenatal Stress
Prenatal yoga has been shown to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression during pregnancy which has been linked to premature birth, low birth weight and increased developmental and behavioral problems in the child long-term and mood imbalances in mom.
Manchester University. Yoga can help keep expectant mothers stress free: First evidence found. Science Daily. April 30, 2014.
A Review of Yoga for Balance and Preventing Falls
In a review of fifteen studies on yoga and balance it was concluded:
Yoga may have a beneficial effect on balance, but variable study design and poor reporting quality obscure the results.
JeterPamela E., NkodoAmélie-Françoise, MoonazSteffany Haaz, and DagnelieGislin. A Systematic Review of Yoga for Balance in a Healthy Population. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2014, 20(4): 221-232. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0378.
Yoga Decreases Stress and Blood Pressure Measurements in 7th graders, Study
A small trial of twenty eight seventh graders was randomly assigned to a Hatha yoga program (HYP) or attention control (AC) music or art class. Blood pressure, urine samples, and saliva were measured at baseline and 3 months to determine Yoga’s effect on stress and blood pressure. The Hatha yoga program demonstrated a potential to decrease resting blood pressure, especially among prehypertensive youth was found.
Sieverdes, John C., Mueller, Martina, Gregoski, Mathew J., Brunner-Jackson, Brenda, McQuade, Lisa, Matthews, Cameron, and Treiber, Frank A. Effects of Hatha Yoga on Blood Pressure, Salivary ?-Amylase, and Cortisol Function Among Normotensive and Prehypertensive Youth. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2014, 20(4): 241-250. doi:10.1089/acm.2013.0139.
Laughter REALLY is (Brain) Medicine
A recent study showed that “Laughter sustains high-amplitude gamma-band oscillations. Gamma is the only frequency found in every part of the brain. What this means is that humor actually engages the entire brain — it is a whole brain experience with the gamma wave band frequency and humor, similar to meditation…”
Loma Linda University (LLU). Humor Associated Laughter Produces Brain Waves Similar to Those Who Achieve a ‘True State of Meditation,’ Says Loma Linda University Health Study. April 27, 2014. Accessed at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/04/prweb11782387.htm
Swiss Medical Experts Question Mammogram’s Efficacy
Dr. Mercola recently summarized the latest controversy from the Swiss which questioned the efficacy of mammography:
- The Swiss Medical Board has recommended that no new systematic mammography screening programs be introduced, and a time limit should be placed on existing programs
- Their review of mammography screening found the recommendations are based on outdated studies and the benefits do not outweigh the risks to women
- One of the largest and longest studies of mammography to date found that mammograms have absolutely no positive impact on breast cancer mortality while 22 percent of women screened will be exposed to false positives and unnecessary treatment
- For women with dense breasts, mammograms are even less effective at accurately detecting cancer, while women with BRCA 1/2 mutation may be especially vulnerable to mammography radiation
- It’s important to remember that early diagnosis is not the same as prevention, which is best achieved through healthful lifestyle changes
NEJM:
The Swiss Medical Board’s report was published on February 2, 2014 (www.medical-board.ch), it did acknowledge that systematic mammography screening might prevent about one death attributed to breast cancer for every 1000 women screened.
Mercola, J. Abolishing Mammography Screening Programs? A View from the Swiss Medical Board. mercola.com. April 30, 2014.
Biller-Andorno, N, Juni, P. Abolishing Mammography Screening Programs? A View from the Swiss Medical Board. NEJM: Perspective. April 16, 2014. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1401875
Ji, S. Millions Fall Prey To Breast Cancer Myth. GreenMedInfo.com. May 20, 2014.
To, T., Wall, C., Baines, C. J. and Miller, A. B. (2014), Is carcinoma in situ a precursor lesion of invasive breast cancer?. Int. J. Cancer. doi: 10.1002/ijc.28803
Is Their Bias in Medical Studies?
Premature Deaths from 5 Top Causes are Preventable
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that up to 39% of annual premature deaths are preventable in their analysis published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Hand, L. Up to 39% of Premature Deaths Preventable, CDC Says. Medscape Medical News. Medscape.com. May 2, 2014.
Doctor’s Bedside Manner Impacts Patient’s Health
A review of 13 clinical trials found that doctors who were given training in their people skills, had patients that typically did better in their efforts to lose weight, lower their blood pressure or manage pain.
A Doctor’s ‘People Skills’ Affects Patients’ Health. Healthday.com. April 10, 2014
Giving Blood Takes on a Whole New Meaning
A new growth protein called Growth Differentiation Factor 11 that was studied to undo heart damage wrought by aging was recently studied and found to have an impact on brains and muscles as well. However, it will be years before we can determine if mice research translates to men.
Goldberg, C. Younger Muscles And Minds: Protein Turns Clock Back In Mice. commonhealth.wbur.org. May 4, 2014.
Male Presence May Account for Pain Reduction in Mice
A recent study showed that experimenter sex affected mice’s response to stress-induced pain relief. Specially, “Male-related stimuli induced a robust physiological stress response that results in stress-induced analgesia.” Hmm, so the men stressed the rodents out so much, they forgot about their pain? No comment.
Sorge RE, Martin LJ, Isbester KA, Sotocinal SG, Rosen S, Tuttle AH, et al. Olfactory exposure to males, including men, causes stress and related analgesia in rodents. Nat Methods. 2014 Apr 28. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.2935. [Epub ahead of print]
Ohikuare, J. Male Scientists’ Threat to the Integrity of Research: A new study shows that the mere scent of men can skew the results of animal tests. The Atlantic. Apr 30 2014.
Stress May Increase Risk for Stroke
In a trial of 157 healthy adults, researchers found that participants who had a shorter fuse than others also exhibited elevated blood levels of an inflammatory chemical and an increased thickness in their carotid artery wall, a marker of heart disease.
Elsevier. How does stress increase risk for stroke, heart attack? ScienceDaily. May 5, 2014.
Nature Gets Trumped by Nurture in New Autism Study
A recent analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), suggested that genes are only half the story when it comes to causes of autism. The other 50 percent can be explained by environmental factors such as birth complications, socio-economic status, or parental health and lifestyle.
Kelland, K. Environment as important as genes in autism, study finds. Reuters.com.May 3, 2014.
DRUG UPDATES
Navigating Diabetes Risk with Statins and Diuretics
The NAVIGATOR study was a multi-legged 5-year study with roughly 1000 patients who were newly started on beta-blockers and more than 1300 were started on statins and/or diuretics. It also consisted of 1100 were started on calcium channel blockers. After adjusting for baseline characteristics and confounders, statins and diuretics were linked to new-onset diabetes, a 23% increased risk. The use of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers was not associated with diabetes.
Fryhofer, SA. Statins and Diabetes: Should We Be Worried? Medscape Internal Medicine > Medicine Matters. April 21, 2014.
One in Three Adults Combine Medications with Supplements
One in three adults in the U.S. take both prescription drugs and dietary supplements, creating a risk for dangerous interactions, according to a new study. Multivitamins with added ingredients like herbs or fish oil were the most common form of supplement mixed with medications, researchers found.
Shereen Jegtvig. One Third of Americans Mixing Supplements With Meds: Study. Reuter’s Health: Medscape.com. April 30, 2014.
Vaccinations Have Highest Amount of Adverse Drug Responses, Study
Based on crude ADR reports submitted to Shanghai SRS in 2009 for individuals aged from birth to 17 years (including 17 years):
- Vaccines were the most common source of adverse drug reactions in children, including anaphylaxis and death
- Adverse drug reactions were more common for boys than girls, and infants are the most susceptible age group
Mercola, J. Groundbreaking Study: Vaccines Cause Children More Adverse Reactions Than Any Other Drug. mercola.com.April 26, 2014.
Hui Li, Xiao-Jing Guo, Xiao-Fei Ye, Hong Jiang, Wen-Min Du, Jin-Fang Xu, Xin-Ji Zhang, and Jia He. Adverse Drug Reactions of Spontaneous Reports in Shanghai Pediatric Population. PLoS One. 2014; 9(2): e89829. mPublished online Feb 24, 2014. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089829 PMCID: PMC3933652
ADHD Drugs in Children Questionable Safety Effects
Scant research has been done on the long-term safety of drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new analysis shows, though millions of American children have been taking them for decades.
Ronnie Cohen. ADHD medicine’s long-term safety still a question. Reuters Health-Philly.com. May 9, 2014.
Hep C Drug Cures 95%, but at What Cost?
It is suggested the best treatment for genotype 1 hepatitis C virus — sofosbuvir plus simeprevir for 12 weeks — is probably going to be more than 90% successful…it costs about $1800 a day.
Sax, P. Hepatitis C: Cure, but at What Cost? Medscape Gastroenterology. April 29, 2014.
Does an Aspirin a Day Keep the Heart Attack Away?
Medscape reports:
But the agency added that “after carefully examining scientific data from major studies, FDA has concluded that the data do not support the use of aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems, a use that is called ‘primary prevention.'”
The FDA said that in these people “the benefit has not been established but risks – such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach – are still present.”
Dunham, W. FDA Questions Use of Aspirin to Prevent First Heart Attack. Medscape.com: Reuters Health Information. May 06, 2014.
Calcium Score May Be Used to Predict for Aspirin Benefit, Study Says
Predicted benefit from daily aspirin therapy for primary prevention exceeds risk when coronary artery calcium (CAC) imaging scores reach or exceed 100, whereas the risks surpass benefits at a CAC score of 0, in both cases regardless of risk by Framingham criteria, suggests analysis of a Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis(MESA) cohort[1]. Those with CAC scores of 0 or >100 accounted for three-fourths of the ethnically diverse (only 37% white) population of >4200 nondiabetic persons not on aspirin at baseline.
Stiles, S. MESA Analysis: CAC Scores Predict Aspirin Benefit in Primary Prevention. Medscape.com: Heartwire. May 06, 2014
Safe Dose of Lunesta Cut in Half
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lowered the recommended starting dose of the sleep aid eszopiclone (Lunesta) as the current dose may be impair activities that require alertness.
Brookes, M. FDA Cuts Starting Dose of Eszopiclone (Lunesta) in Half. Medscape Medical News.Medscape.com. May 15, 2014.
Top 100 Drug Sales Released
The hypothyroid medication levothyroxine (Synthroid, AbbVie) continues to be the nation’s most prescribed drug, and the antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify, Otsuka Pharmaceutical) continues to have the highest sales, at nearly $6.9 billion, according to the latest data from research firm IMS Health.
Brooks, M. Top 100 Most Prescribed, Top Selling Drugs. Medscape Medical News. Medscape.com. May 13, 2014.
Updates and Announcements:
1. What I’ve been listening to…
Not only is it important for me to keep up to date with the latest in medicine-integrative and conventional-but I like to stay in touch with the latest news in fitness, biohacking, and maverick health rangers.
My top 3 podcasts right now:
1. Ben Greenfield Fitness – this is one of my favorite podcasts right now. Ben and Brock’s edgy up-to-date news flashes and questions and answer segments are relevant and entertaining for all fitness lovers. Ben covers everything from exercises you can do at your desk, EMFs, organic baby foods, and quality vitamins.
2. Dave Aspery’s BulletProofExec.com- Dave is another up-to-the-date biohacker who is founder of the bulletproof coffee I’ve been telling some of you about. Check out it out.
3. Hay House Radio- this streaming radio show offers insight and inspiration on a variety of integrative and holistic health topics with Dr. Fab, Dr. Northrup, and Donna Gates.
2. My Book
Editing is in the works and the manuscript is getting ready for final submission. After the next round of editing in June, it will hit the publisher for book design and marketing help…this is where I’ll be asking you guys for a little help.
3. The Thyroid Sessions is Over
Do you have thyroid issues? The Thyroid Sessions is now over. I hope you’ve tuned in to learn how you can support your thyroid. I enjoyed learning more ways to support my wonderful clients! Now, another online event, the thyroid summit is coming in June!
4. Fee Update for Clients
Did you know that liking your doctor and compassionate care from them is vital for the health of our society and for every individual? This is for a variety of reasons. Read my previous blog for more details.
Therefore, current clients and readers, it’s that time for the increase that I’ve been speaking of. Please note the slight increase in monthly hourly consults and fees, but also more options for length of visits starting…to be posted in June.
5. Spread the Word
I need more “likes” on Facebook. With their recent update, it’s harder to reach an audience and spread the word of BreakFree Medicine. Can you help pass on the word to your friends?
Images courtesy of istockphotos: istockphoto.com
