JANUARY 3, 2019 HOMOCYSTEINE

Homocysteine is a bad amino acid associated with heart disease. It is lowered by B12 ( methylated and non methylated depending on MTHFR gene status), B6 and folic acid. High levels are associated with patients who have high creatinine ( impaired renal status) It is seen in patients with depression as well as atherosclerotic heart disease

There is a hypothesis that depression is associated with an imbalance in homocysteine metabolism. Studies show that high levels of homocysteine may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Further, approximately 20-50% of patients with severe depression also have elevated plasma levels of homocysteine. Three clinical trials have found that saffron (Crocus sativus, Iridaceae) dried stigmata improves symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression, but the mechanism of action is unknown

Jelodar G, Javid Z, Sahraian A, Jelodar S. Saffron improved depression and reduced homocysteine level in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind study. Avicenna J Phytomed. January-February 2018;8(1):43-50. This article was published in the American Botanical Council HerbalGram

The authors conclude that saffron significantly improves homocysteine levels and "has beneficial effects on depression" More needs to be studied on this. The study was a small number of patients.

Until tomorrow…

JANUARY 2, 2019 MARSHMALLOW

I consider this herb to be used for gastrointestinal problems especially irritable bowel disease or inflammatory bowel disease. I usually combine it with meadowsweet, raspberry and slipper elm.

It has been used since the time of the Pharaohs and fed the gods for centuries. It has used extensively in the kitchen It is the root that is used and only a little.

When you need a good gastrointestinal tea , try GUTSY sold exclusively by Botanical Bounty in New York City. You can buy it on line or stop by 115 East 57th street 16th floor NYC

www.botanicalbounty.org

646-723 1823

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 29-30, 2018 AIMOVIG

This new drug sounds foreign- AIMOVIG - This is a new class of drugs approved for prevention of migraines. It is a fully monoclonal antibody and the first in its class- a calcitonin gene related peptide receptor agonist. The recommended dose is 70 mg once a month-as a prevention- available as a single dose prefilled syringe.

It is estimated that 40 % of sufferers need a preventive drug.

I have never suffered from a migraine. I know many patients that do suffer. I utilize a different treatment. I first try to find out the trigger whether food or different allergen

I then utilize some herbs as Jamaican Dogwood, Butterbur and even Feverfew.

Ask your doctor about this new injection. Also be aware that the cost is $575 per month

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 28, 2018 TIMING OF PROTEIN

I AM GLAD THIS QUESTION HAS FINALLY BEEN TESTED AND ANSWERED.

At the University of Arkansas a study was conducted on whether the timing of protein intake affects muscle strength, mass and function. It was a eight week trial . The authors found NO anabolic difference on protein timing. There are limitations to this study

The limitation is the study population-too small. The study was only 14 adults divided into two groups of 7 . One consumed protein during dinner only and the other group had protein throughout the day. There were measurements of lean body mass, whole body protein kinetics and muscle protein measured

Although the study showed no differences, I feel it needs to be studied with more patients and more dietary guidelines.

Until tomorrow….

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DECEMBER 27, 2018 DIABETIC DRUGS

There are new drugs for diabetes- you cannot control diabetes medically with only one drug today. Although metformin ( Glucophage) is from a plant —it is old ‘ hat’ There is of course dietary and exercise lifestyle changes. But there are two classes of drugs - SGL T2 inhibitors and GLP -1 receptor

Typically a cardiologist does not interfere with sugar or glucose levels I DO !! These two classes of drugs reduce cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart disease and diabetes. I feel all cardiologists should be aware of these classes and start using them.

If the conventional cardiologists need trials—- there are plenty of trials to show this- EMPA-REG, CANVAS, LEADER and SUSTAIN 6 are just a few trials that have shown these drugs benefit cardiovascular patients

There are natural ways to treat diabetes. In addition to a dietary lifestyle change there are supplements as chromium, vanadium, and alpha lipoic acid that decrease blood sugar. I also utilize rosemary, fenugreek, gymnema and cinnamon to decrease blood sugar

If you are a diabetic or you know someone who is a diabetic, ask your health care professional about these trials and the SGL T 2 and GLP 1 classes and have he/she see a naturopathic physician.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 26 , 2018 GREEN TEA AND SKIN CANCER

Americans are obsessed with getting a sun tan. The question is “ At what expense to the skin .” We need to worry about Actinic keratosis ( AK - precursor to malignancy) as well as basal cell carcinoma ( also known as the rodent ulcer) Sunscreen is only effective in 24 % of the AK lesions. There was a study showing amazing results with nicotinamide for prevention of AK

There is a better solution. It is the use or consumption of green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols which have several properties to protect the skin from damaging UV radiation. The most active component is called EGCG ( epigallocatechin 3 gallate ) . We do know that increasing doses of green tea in drinking water reduces sunburn and delays tumor development on the skin. The same was seen when the Green tea was applied topically.

Green tea is the most extensively studied herb for its benefits for a multitude of diseases The polyphenolic compounds are effective chemo-preventive agents for many of the adverse effects of sunlight on the human body

Drink green tea today

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 24, 2018 CHOCOLATE AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia presenting to a Doctor’s office . The prevalence is 2 % in people younger than 65 years old and 9 % in older than 65 years old. We do know that cocoa containing products have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and vasodilatory properties. It has already been shown that cocoa lowers blood pressure , and increases the good cholesterol ( HDL) It has been shown that moderate intake of chocolate has more beneficial effects on cardiovascular markers . A study was done analyzing data on atrial fibrillation occurrences and chocolate and titled the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study .

This prospective cohort study showed that subjects who consumed chocolate on a weekly basis had the lowest risk of incidental AF with lowest heart rate for men at 2-6 servings/week. For women with lowest heart rate at 1 serving per week.

There are some flaws in the study as adjustment for exercise, socioeconomic status and disease states as renal failure and sleep apnea. Overall this is a beneficial study which should be looked at again in the near future. The benefits of chocolate are not be taken so lightly.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 20, 2018 UNUSUAL INFECTIONS WITHIN THE USA

Recently a November 2018 study looked at infections associated with travel to the United States. This identified certain infections within regions of the USA that usually do not have these types of infections. I found this study very interesting. There are about 77 million visits by international tourists each year. The study looked at 1,393 diagnoses made in 1,222 travelers. The median travel time was 14 days. There were more female than male travelers.

Insect bite/stings were the most common with 15 % of all diagnoses. There were 13 cases of Coccidiodomycosis in the state of Arizona. The state of Hawaii was noted to have a high number of individuals diagnosed with dengue fever, leptospirosis, and angiostrongylus. Texas also had dengue fever as well as leprosy due to amardillo exposure. Looking at the distribution I saw many more cases of dengue fever

This study represents how many different infections are introduced into the United States.

Until tomorrow…