MAY 22, 2019 SUGAR ALCOHOLS

The sugar alcohols do occur naturally in some fruit and vegetables. They do not contain alcohol also known as ethanol that is found in alcoholic beverages. It has a similar structure but it is not the same. There are even some sugar alcohols in other products as gum, jelly spreads, candy and even in tooth paste

The sugar alcohols contain fewer calories than sugar and only partially digested. This means they do not affect the sugar levels.

It sounds great but there are disadvantages to sugar alcohols. If consumed in large amounts I have seen these sugar alcohols cause bloating, gas and diarrhea. Therefore a careful dietary history should be taken by your doctor. In high amounts these sugar alcohols can be a cause of your leaky gut

Until tomorrow…

MAY 21, 2019 PROTEIN RISK AND STROKE

I think the layperson might believe that protein intake increases the risk of stroke. My years with the late Robert Atkins, MD certainly changed my view of the use of protein and fat. I may not have agreed with the high protein and fat, and the use of animal protein but I did see people get better. Today the Keto diet is popular which is really an extension of the Atkins diet. I do know protein intake is good for some individuals.

Recently a study called The Hisayama Study published data stating that high protein intake was associated with a LOWER risk of stroke in the general Japanese population In addition subjects with higher vegetable protein intake had a lower risk of total stroke and ischemic stroke as compared to those with higher animal protein has a LOWER risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. This is very important I believe this is the first study to clearly show a protective influence of vegetable protein intake on risks of stroke

More studies like this one need to be done. With so many people doing a variety of dietary changes—this needs to be studied more

Until tomorrow…

MAY 20, 2019 HEAVY METALS AND THE HEART

In the British Medical Journal in August 2018 it was published that exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, and cadmium is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk and heart disease.

As a cardiologist/ integrative physician I have been testing heavcy metals for more than 20 years in my patients. I utilize serum blood testing to determine is metals have been in the body for 30 days. I also use a provocative urine analysis to determine long term exposure to metals. In New York State a hair analysis is no longer allowed used.

The BMJ study analyzed 37 studies that included more than 350,000 people. The study linked arsenic exposure to a 23 percent increased risk of coronary disease and a 30 % increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Both lead and cadmium were associated with an increased of stroke- 63 % higher for lead and 72 % higher for cadmium. Lead usually comes from water exposure and paint through the years. Cadmium is present in nicotine cigarettes

This study reinforced other studies that revealed the importance of environmental toxicities.

It is very important to be tested for heavy metals.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 17, 2019 OUTSIDE THE BOX

I AM OUTSIDE THE BOX . I believe that my view on most diseases is outside the box. I take the approach that all treatment protocols should involve both conventional and integrative modalities. This not only includes diet , exercise and supplements

It also involves herbs, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, bee venom , ozone, hyperbaric oxygen and much more.

Let’s for example discuss brain cancer. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most difficult to treat and represents 12 - 15 % of all primary brain tumors. It has a very low two year survival of less than 30 % I have had more than 5 patients who have lived more than 5 years with this deadly cancer. I do not have the cure nor have the answer. I will tell you that those patients have done a multitude of different treatment protocols

A change in diet is critical to all types of cancer. I try to support the oxidative normal cell metabolism by using Poly MVA, berberine and boswellia I use CBD for all cancers in the range of 25- 60 mg - two to three times daily. I even use low dose naltrexone 2- 6 mg for all types of cancers as well as autoimmune diseases.

Seek other professional medical opinions from a naturopathic doctor, or a functional medicine doctors, or a herbalist. Be informed

Until tomorrow

MAY 16, 2019 SHIITAKE

The shiitake mushroom is the source of two well documented preparations with proven pharmacological effects. One is the lentinula edodes mycelium extract and the other is lentinan.

Shiitake is an edible medicinal mushroom. It is renowned in Japan , China and other Asian countries. By historical accounts in the year 199 AD the Japanese Emperor Chuai was offered Shiitake by a native tribe in Japan

Today, more medicinal mushrooms are used by the treatment of cancer than ever before. Shiitake is just one of those mushrooms. Its anti tumor effects have been documented since the late 1960’s . It was first isolated and studied in 1969

It has been shown that lentinan can activate natural killer cells ( NK) These studies were done in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s and continue today to be studied. The anti viral effects of this mushroom are well known and researched. It also has anti bacterial and anti parasitic properties.

There is no doubt that mushrooms should be used in the fight against cancer. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 15, 2019 NATURAL TICK REPELLANTS

IT IS TICK SEASON. We will have many new cases of Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses once again. I believe we have a Lyme epidemic Lyme disease affects more than 400,000 people per year in the United States with more cases every year. The symptoms run from lethargy to fatigue to devastating arthritis, to mental cognitive function decline

There are some natural plants and fungal compounds that can be used to be tick repellants.

One is the essential oil from the leaves of the wild tomato plant The active ingredient in undecanone, Even the essential oil of the garlic plant has been used with some good results.

Perhaps the best oil I have used for patients is a combination of different essential oils from rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, and geraniol plants I find this the most effective natural agent.

The next natural compound I have never used but I found some studies that it does repel some ticks and arthropods. It is the essential oils from Alaska yellow cedar trees, some herbs, and citrus fruits

Pick your natural repellant and use it when in the garden, in the park, in the woods and basically all the time

Until tomorrow…

MAY 14, 2019 LECTINS

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT LECTINS? If not be prepared to see the word in the news. It will as popular as microbiome or gluten free !! Lectins are not new- these are proteins that can be found in most living organisms. They were discovered in the 1880’s.

Most lectins are inactive with no activity. Lectins strongly and specifically bind to sugars ( carbohydrates) If you do not have enzymes to digest lectins they can pass into the digestive tract undisturbed and can disrupt digestion nd affect intestinal permeability. This is NOT good. They have also known to enter the circulation and travel to distant organs. It has been implicated in some inflammatory conditions as rheumatoid arthritis.

Can you avoid lectins ? This would be difficult as these proteins are [present in stable food as grains, beans, tomatoes, nuts and even milk

You have not heard the last of LECTINS

Until tomorrow…

MAY 13, 2019 MEDITERRANEAN DIET

There are published studies that adhering to the Medierranean diet is one of the factors that lead to better cognitive function.

Another recent study published in December 2018 included 279 senior greater than 65 years ago that adhered to the same diet. Cognitive function was measured and the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment. The study was done in Milan and the researchers observed that the subjects consumed more than 3 glasses of wine.

Pasta was not mentioned in the Mediterranean diet whereas its emphasis was on olive oil vegetables including avocados, nuts and seafood Carbohydrates are only obtained through the use of fruits

Until tomorrow…