MAY 10, 2019 OLIVE OIL ENRICHED DARK CHOCOLATE

I didn’t believe it but I finally had the chance to taste olive oil enriched bar of dark chocolate ! It was delicious. Last year a small randomized trial was published suggesting that this olive oil enriched dark chocolate bar may improve endothelial function.

The dark chocolate bar contains as much polyphenols as in two glasses of wine or one cup of green tea. There are Dutch and Swedish cohort studies using olive oil with dried apples and olive oil with chocolate as done in The Spain study above. Both of these studies were small

Although it was a small study I was impressed with this unique idea. This should be the beginning of long list of ideas of adding olive oil to certain other foods, There are many ideas to come

Until tomorrow….

MAY 9, 2019 BACTERIA AND BONE

The importance of the gut microbiome for bone metabolism is now a hot topic , The species Lactobacillus reuteri has been reported to increase bone mineral density. This has been done in mice but the role in human skeleton is not understood yet

A small study was conducted with 70 females. The use of L reuteri reduced total bone loss compared to placebo

More needs to be researched and studied

Until tomorrow…

MAY 8, 2019 MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ANXIETY

The use of herbal drugs/ botanical plants in the treatment of anxiety have been used and as old as the history of mankind. Anxiety is one of the most common reasons why people search for alterative therapies. It is estimated that 43 % of patients suffering from anxiety seek alternative treatments

Many of these botanicals are used in Europe as mainstay treatments as Valerian offcinalis, Rosemarius officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, H. lupulus, Rassiflora incarnata and many more The common names for these botanical plants - you might know as valerian, passion flower, kava kava , St Johns wort, Rosemary, Lemon Balm and Hops.

Hops I belive is the least common one discussed. The active ingredients are humulone, myrcene and volatile oils. Hops has been used for anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, and mood disturbances. In Germany it is approved to treat anxiety. It has been researched and studied as an antioxidant, an antibacterial agent , as well as anticancer agent

until tomorrow…

MAY 7, 2019 EXAM YOUR TESTICLES

It is important for men to get up close and personal with their testicles. This is especially important for men ages 20-30. Men at this age are at an increased risk for testicular cancer. It is a rare cancer for men over the age 50. White Caucasian are more at risk. There are other risk factors including family history, fertility issues and if the patient developed orchitis secondary to mumps ( rare)

Yet it is important for men--yes you who are reading this  examine your testicle. Men, both straight and gay spend a lot of time talking about their testicles. You refer them as your nuts, balls, or nads. Very rarely does a man discuss his nads with their partner, whether man or woman.
If you have a lump in your testicle, a pulling sensation or some fluid , you need to be seen by your physician.

Testicular Cancer is very curable.If you have cancer and have it removed, you can still have children. You do not get testicular cancer from cycling ( of note: Lance Armstrong)

THIS IS THE MAJOR POINT:   MEN NEED TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THEIR TESTICLES.

Until tomorrow

MAY 6, 2019 INTEGRATIVE MIGRAINE TREATMENTS

An estimated 59 million people in the United States spend a collective $30.2 billion dollars on complementary and integrative medicine annually. There is no disease that I do not treat with integrative or alternative modalities

Migraines are no exception The use of yoga has been studied. Yoga practice has been associated with improvements in migraine, including in one study in which 3 weekly sessions of yoga for 12 weeks led to greater reductions in headache severity, frequency, and impact when combined with medication, compared with mediation alone.

A small number of studies suggest that several combinations of these and other compounds, including vitamin B6 and folic acid, may improve the number of migraine days, certain symptoms, and quality of life, although results are mixed

I have used Feverfew, Jamaican Dogwood and Butterbur has herbal remedies for migraines. I also utilize homeopathy DROX 19Migronol drops in some patients. The nutraceutical company Designs for Health has a product I frequently use that is also called Migronol. This product contain vitamins, and minerals.

There is accumulating evidence that acupuncture improves migraine outcomes. For example, patients who were treated with acupuncture reported reduced headache intensity, which correlated with increased N-acetylaspartate/creatine in the bilateral thalamus on magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 4-5, 2019 CANCER CAUSING FOODS

These are some suggestions

DRINK NO SODA . Soda can cause you many health issues such as inflammation and insulin resistance, gastro-esophageal and due to their artificial colorings and food chemicals like 4-MI, it can cause cancer.

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Nutrition says that people who consumed more than one soda daily had a higher risk of stroke than people who didn’t. Sodas are loaded with sugar and cause you weight gain and it’s among other foods that increase the obesity rate in America.

EAT NO FARMED FISH. More than 60 percent of the salmon consumed in the USA is farm raised and this type of salmon is contaminated with antibiotics, chemicals and pesticides and other carcinogens.

EAT NO PROCESSED MEATS. Processed meats include hot dogs, pimento loaf, sausages or bacon among other foods. “Researchers who wrote in the journal of BMC Medicine said that the excessive salts and chemicals that are used when making processed meats are damaging to your health.”

Processed meats contain many chemicals and preservatives including sodium nitrates that make them look tasty and fresh and they are well-known carcinogens.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 3, 2019 PROTEIN DRINKS

Many consumers use protein powdered shakes as well as many are prescribed by functional medicine physicians. Extra protein about 30 - 50 grams from a powdered drink can help athletes buiuld muscle, as well as help other individuals prevent age related loss of muscle. There are many type sof protein drinks on the market- There are whey, casein, soy, pea, hemp, egg, and brown rice. Whey is the most commonly used . I have seen some dairy sensitive patients have a problem with whey protein. I usually prescribe pea or hemp protein

Patients tend to ask me What brand? of protein shake I would use or recommend. There are many on the market., I do that Consumer Labs selected some to be reviewed. 20 % of what they selected failed to pass the tests. This was discouraging. I recommend Sun Warrior and Total Vegan I do not recommend one as a meal replacement unless it is medically prescribed. There are some on the market by experienced nutraceutical companies that have vitamins, minerals and other supplements in their protein shake. These companies can be Metagenics , or Orthomolecular One of the most popular consumer shakes was mentioned in the Consumer Lab Review. This was Shakeology. It received an overall good rating and content

Studies do show that increasing protein in the way of a shake without exercise does NOT help build muscle or increase strength. If you already consume ample protein the additional protein won’t help

Consult with your health care provider

Until tomorrow….

MAY 2, 2019 WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS

There are many supplements that have been touted to weight loss. The loist is large. Some of these can include, Hoodie ( from the cactus like plant, Hoodie gordonii), ephedra, bitter orange, chromium and much more

The amount of evidence that supports the various weight loss ingredients varies so much. For example 7 Keto DHEA is used as a weight loss supplement but there are only short term clinical studies found. Bitter orange when used orally contains a stimulant which can help. This stimulant, synephrine also can cause hypertension and tachycardia.

Raspberry ketones have been touted to cause weight loss in people by promoting fat breakdown. Sounds good . There are no weight loss studies in humans, only mice. It is safe as a food additive, but no studies as a supplement.

There is lack of information on many of these weight loss supplements. What happened to exercise and dietary changes in one’s lifestyle.

Until tomorrow…