FEBRUARY 26, 2018 INTELLIGENCE

Do you want a physician with a high IQ ? How many patients even consider this as a criteria when choosing their health care practitioner? Does the smartest students  as measured by graded and MCAT scores to get into medical schools, make the best physicians?

These questions were addressed in JAMA ( Journal of the American Medical Association) Viewpoint Opinion section. ( February 20, 2018 Vol 139, November 7 )

I found this intriguing. Testing results is an incomplete and inaccurate assessment of a student's potential to be a caring physician. 

I believe like this article states that an IQ is needed to master the skills and assess the volume of knowledge and information needed to be a good doctor. Yet today success in medicine is more about emotional l intelligence rather than intellectual intelligence.   The definition of emotional intelligence is the ability to manage emotions and interact efficiently with others.  It is stated people with high EQs are sensitive to the moods and temperaments of others. 

I feel that emotional intelligence taught in naturopathic programs is far superior to those taught in conventional medical schools. This was not addressed in JAMA Emotional intelligence ( EQ ) is built upon trust, empathy, and having mutual goals. I believe it is also dependent on empathy, compassion and love. I believe that if any student whether naturopathic or conventional trained has a personal experience with a family or friend having a chronic illness, he /she will can draw on that experience . In my opinion, this experience can increase emotional intelligence

Until tomorrow...

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 24-25, 2018 RED BUSH TEA

Red bush tea also known as Rooibos ( Aspalathus linearis ) is made from the twigs and leaves of this shrub. I love this tea. It has a nutty, sweet flavor which requires no extra sweeteners nor even honey.  Rooibos does have a lower tannin level  than the well known Green or Black teas. 

The properties of this tea are in its content of flavonoids which have been shown to have antioxidant, and anti-mutagenic properties. Rooibos is rich in polyphenols.

The one drawback but not a deal breaker is its effect of iron absorption (  like the Green teas) It  did not effect iron absorption significantly. Rooibos does vary in its content of Vitamin C This tea protects you against free radical damage

Try a cup of Rooibos Tea today

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 23, 2018 DETOXIFICATION

On a daily basis we are bombarded with toxins in the air we breathe, in the food we eat and in the water we drink. These toxins are the cause of disease. Although genetics in a small percentage does play a role-- it is toxins that are main culprit. There are many important dietary strategies for sup[port detoxification

1. Eat organic foods- although impractical for everyone due to costs, eating organic will lessen environmental chemicals in non organic foods

2. Avoid all processed foods. Sugar is the primary dietary stressor linked to all disease. Both coffee and alcohol can  also be considered a dietary stress on the body

3. Drink pure water. I advocate drinking spring water or water from a good water filter. There are many water filters. I discuss Daulton Filters with patients. Top find the best water check out www.consumerlabs.com

4. Add culinary herbs to your diet. I was inspired by professor/mentor Tierona LowDog MD to not only be  an herbalist when I was in the  Fellowship of Integrative Medicine with Andrew Weil but also use as many culinary herbs in your kitchen and on your food. These include tumeric, ginger, garlic, rosemary , oregano and many more

5. Consume more cruciferous vegetables

6. Add adaptogenic herbs to your regimen as ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng and more. These herbs protect the body from toxicity and improve all pathways of detoxification

Until tomorrow...

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 TREE OF LIFE

The Arborvitae ( Thuja plicata) or the Western red cedar has been referred to as The Tree of Life.  It has been used for centuries. This plant has been used in ceremonies for spirit communication.  Historically this herb has been used for cough, intestinal parasites and other venereal diseases. The properties include anti bacterial, anti septic and anti cancer properties. It acts as an astringent and an expectorant. 

I use this herb aromatically during my morning meditation and in a diffuser on special days. I find it a very calming herb. 

There are great research studies to validate this herb for its use as an anti bacterial as well anti fungal properties

Until tomorrow...

FEBERUARY 21, 2018 GOUT

Gout usually affect men over 30 years of age The afflicted joint is red, swollen throbbing and tender. It usually affects the big toe ( hallux)  It is caused by an increased concentration of uric acid in the fluids of the body The uric acid crystals form and deposit in the joints. 

Some patients needs pain medications as non steroidal anti inflammatory agents. Some require medications to reduce uric acid - colchicine , allopurinol and uloric.

Here are some tips to naturally help gout and attacks

1. Adopt a low purine diet ( a diet that does not  promote uric acid) Some of these foods are anchovies, shellfish, smoked meats, meat extracts, kidneys, liver brains, sardines and much more)

2. Maintain an optimum weight

3. Eliminate alcohol of any kind from your diet

4. Increase fruits and vegetables

5. Drink 3 quarts of water per day

6. Eat one and half pounds of cherries each day- if after two weeks there is no change in gout        please discontinue

7. Decrease dose of vitamin A if taking as well as niacin

8. Adopt stress reducing techniques into your lifestyle. Examples are meditation, yoga, a relaxing hobby

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 20, 2018 ARTHRITIS

Many individuals suffer from arthritis. It has been estimated that more than 54 million American suffer from arthritis of which 22 % are the adult population. More than half have physical limitations. There are many medications for different types of arthritis.

Naturpathically there are dietary considerations that must be changed. There are also many herbs and supplements that can allieve symptoms such as white willow bark, tumeric, ginger dandelion, devil's claw and many others. I also utilize MSM, and cetyl myristolate as a treatment option

Susan Blum MD MPH has written a new book Healing Arthritis. The book is excellent  applying a practical guide to healing arthritis using dietary and different lifestyle changes. She also offers discussions on how the gut microbiome can affect arthritis.

I recommend this book

On another note I didn't dive into the book if it offers BVT or bee veno therapy as a treatment for arthritis. 

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 19, 2018 OMEGA 3

According to researchers at Harvard Medical School there is research stating that omega 3 fatty acids help slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

An important indicator of kidney dysfunction is a simple Taking a blood sample and see if there is albumin in the blood. It is in common in patients with Type II diabetes. 

Albumin in the blood is also associated with inflammation. This albumin is also a marker of generalized endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) CAD is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. 

How do you treat albuminuria ( albumin in the urine) A conventional physician would treat this through treating hypertension  The choice of medications would be an angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor such as enalapril or ramipril. While this is an effective treatment, there is an associated side effect  of cough in 8 % of the patients. There is one herb that acts like an ACE inhibitor. This herb is hibiscus. You can have a tincture of hibiscus or two cups of tea per day

It has been studied the benefit of both EPA and DHA ( oils) on CAD patients with and without Type II diabetes with excellent results. 

Take your omega 3 oils today

Until tomorrow...

FEBRUARY 17-18, 2018: STD

There is emerging data that the capital area of NYS has seen a larger increase in primary and secondary syphilis than any other region in New York State. Cases of syphilis increased 76% from 2015 to 2016. While it is primarily seen among males, it has increased among women in the region. This is concerning as it will give rise to congenital cases. This same area is also seeing higher than expected increases of gonorrhea. There is also an increase in HIV cases.

Syphilis has been increasing in New York State since 2011 It is highest among men and there is also an increase  in men who have sex with men ( accounts for 85 % of cases) There is also an increase in Hispanic  men Yet there is an increase in syphilis among women of child bearing age

A 76 % increase compared to 22 % statewide

Why is there such an increase in the state Capital area. I wonder if this correlates with the use of PREP among gay men who decide not to use condoms. There is much that needs be analyuzed from this data. 

More education needs to be done among all gay men as well as heterosexual  married men who have sex with men  This puts the female population at risk

Until tomorrow...