APRIL 24, 2018 – STRONTIUM

I have been using high dose strontium for osteoporosis prevention for some time. There were several double blind studies with doses from 170-680 mg per day for 2 to five years. There was significant increase in bone density from 16-49 % compared to placebo with this high dose.

Studies and research now is questioning whether the does needs to be that high. We do know that it is higher than from the strontium we get in our diets. There have been cases of strontium sensitivity and at least one death from strontium. In Europe, strontium ranelate is a prescription medication for osteoporosis.

There is one study that shows a low dose can increase bone mineral density. There was a significant difference in those taking 170 mg strontium versus high dose.

We need more studies on this. I will be more conservative in the future until more research is done.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 23, 2018 – WHY SAVE OUR BEES

We must help honeybees as well as our native bees. This is essential for our continued survival. We rely on pollinators for our continued health and well being. More than 70% of vegetables, fruit, and nuts would not be available in our stores if not for honeybees and other natural pollinators.

Natural pollinators are essential to our natural ecosystem and to our farms, forests and our own gardens. Not only do they pollinate our gardens and our flowering plants, but their bodies feed other wild life. They enrich our lives.

I encourage you to sit in an area and observe our native bees. You can help by not only getting a hive, but you can also plant a pollinator garden. You can avoid pesticides and choose non chemical solutions to your insect problems. If you need pesticides, use only organic pesticides. If you must place pesticides, do it before dawn and at sundown. Bumble bees are not on the endangered list. Please take this seriously.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 19, 2018 – BERBERINE

Berberine is the orange-yellow alkaloid found in the bark and roots of 4 distinct plants. The four plkants are: Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Barberry (Berebris vulgaris), and Chinese goldenthread (Coptis chinensis).

I use berberine for many gastrointestinal ailments. I especially use these herbs as an antimicrobial for most infections. It is a bitter herb with many uses.

One must remember that this herb inhibits the cytochrome 450 system. This is especially important as it can interact with common used medications that work on the P450 system. Such medications may include beta blockers, ARB hypertensive (such as losartan), and even some antibiotics. It does interact with statins.

There are important studies available for the use of berberine in cardiovascular disease especially blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. It also can inhibit clot formation.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 18, 2018 – MP 1

I share about the benefits of bee venom from honey bees in a variety of diseases. When people state they were stung by a bee as a child and had a reaction, I always assume it was a yellow jacket, wasp or hornet that bit them. I still do test stings for honey bees. Wasps get a bad rap.

The wasp responsible for producing this toxin is the Polybia paulista.

The time has finally come. The venom from wasps has been shown to attack the cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. I marvel at the fact that insects do have the ability with their toxins and/or venom to heal or – in this case – kill cancer

The cancer-targeting toxin in the wasp is called MP1 (Polybia-MP1). It works through the phospholipid mechanisms of cell walls. The mechanism behind the way this works is unique. Cancer therapies that attack lipid composition of the cell membranes is an entirely new class of chemotherapy.

Until tomorrow... 

 

 

 

APRIL 17, 2018 – METFORMIN

The conventional medication, Metformin (also known as glucophage), is used in a variety of ways. The biguanide class of antidiabetic medications – which also includes the withdrawn agents phenformin and buformin – originates from the French lilac or goat's rue (Galega officinalis), a plant used in folk medicine for several centuries.

It has been used for non-insulin dependent diabetes for more than 50 years. It has also been used to treat PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) for a long time. In the last 5 years, Metformin has been found to have anti cancer properties. 

New data suggests that Metformin can cause B12 deficiency. Metformin significantly increases the concentration of methylmalonic acid which is a cause of the neuropathy. This increase in methymalonic acid worsens the functional B12 staus of a patient.

This is a significant finding which must be addressed in all patients taking Metformin. There are other ways to decrease high serum glucose levels in a diabetic such as dietary and exercise lifestyle changes. The use of botanical herbs such as bitter melon, fenugreek, rosemary, and cinnamon can also decrease plasma glucose.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 16, 2018 – MERCURY AND HEART DISEASE

For years I have been discussing mercury as being a cause of palpitations and arrhythmias. It has been postulated that mercury is neurotoxic to the nervous system. Mercury also increases oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant activity. This is critical when silver fillings are removed by the dentist. I advocate  intravenous antioxidant and gluthathione treatment on the day of the removal.

Mercury does inactivate the enzyme paraoxonase – an enzyme that supports HDL (good cholesterol) activity and also also increases LDL oxidation. I believe there will always be a debate to whether mercury is linked to Cardiovascular Disease.

I say YES! Since most fish is contaminated, there are studies that reveal that communities that rely on mercury exposed fish have increased risk of blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks.

I evaluate serum mercury as well as provocative heavy metal results in any patients with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and cerebral vascular disease.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 14-15, 2018 – BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES

The standards have changed for defining hypertension (high blood pressure). This is the second or third time the criteria standards have changed since I finished my Cardiovascular Fellowship in June 1994. In November 2017, the new guidlelines for high blood pressure have been reduced.

The classic 140/90 is now 130/80. This new criteria has lead to an immediate 12% increase in new individuals with blood pressure. Who benefits? More visits to the doctor and more sales for anti-hypertensive medications by pharmaceutical companies. 

I feel, as an integrative physician, that blood pressure can be managed without conventional medications. It can be certainly managed effectively with dietary and exercise lifestyle changes as well as supplements and botanical herbal preparations. In addition, other approaches such as meditation, yoga, visual imaging, and acupuncture can be used to lower blood pressure.

Until tomorrow...

APRIL 13, 2018 – NOT A BAD FRIDAY

For many people, Friday the 13th is a holiday that carries ominous overtones and is considered unlucky in Western culture. It’s a day which occurs at least once every year and may occur up to 3 times in a calendar year. There are two Friday the 13th this year – today and in July 2018. There are two in 2019.

I always try to use a different essential oil that can be aromatic on Friday the 13th. For the last two years I have used essential oils daily. For me it has been uplifting and a reminder that the past is truly in the past.

Today I will use one of the oldest known essential oils – Cedarwood. It is an all around tonic and stimulant. It does treat an individual with a sluggish system. When a little melancholy, it is as great an oil as it is exhilarating.

Until tomorrow...