MARCH 17, 2020 THE PANDEMIC: CORONA UPDATE

For the first time in its history there is no St Patrick’s Day Parade today. You may ask why ? Because of the pandemic of Corona virus. New York City is semi lockdown. I’m still here doing phone consults and tending to the needs of patients.

So far we’ve seen 15 million cases of the flu in the United States this season, with just over 8,000 deaths caused by the flu or secondary pneumonia (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2020b); in contrast, there have been 7,700 confirmed cases of the Wuhan virus and 170 related deaths in China as of January 30, 2020

This is different than the flu It causes more pulmonary problems. Wash your hands thoroughly

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as Wuhan virus, is considered a novel virus, meaning it has not been observed in human populations before, although diseases caused by a similar type of virus have been observed, as in the MERs outbreak of 2012. Corona refers to crown-like projections on the individual virions. The earliest infected individuals of the recent outbreak, starting in Wuhan, China, had a connection to a large fish and meat market, suggesting initial animal-to-human transmission. However, it is now apparent that human-to-human transmission has occurred, perhaps carried in mucous droplets from coughs or sneezes (CDC, 2019).

Get you immune system boosted. Eat healthly Drink water. Move your body . Take ViraTone twice a day to keep viruses away

Until tomorrow

MARCH 16, 2020 NITRIC OXIDE

Heart Disease is still the number one killer in the United States. Every 42 seconds someone has a heart attack. In the United States we are obsessed with total cholesterol and the low density lipoproteins ( LDL) or bad cholesterol. While there are excellent studies and treatment options for your bad cholesterol, there are other treatment modalities. One is the use of nitric oxide ( NO )

Your own body makes nitric oxide in the arteries. It is a vasodilator which means it opens up your arteries. More than 50 % of the nitric oxide in our bodies come from the amino acid, arginine. The blood vessels convert arginine to nitric oxide through an enzyme called nitric oxide synthetase ( NOS)

Some people cannot convert the arginine. This is because of a substance called dimethylarginine ( ADMA) ADMA binds the NOS so arginine cannot be converted to nitric oxide Therefore those with a low Arginine/ADMA ratio would have atherosclerosis. You can get this ratio tested by your physician

I avoid giving patients a lot of arginine as it is a fuel source for viruses as herpes simplex. I sometimes give the precursor to arginine called Citrulline. Nitric oxide levels go down after the age of 60. We lose our ability to make nitric acid as we age.

Until tomorrow

MARCH 14- 15, 2020 MELATONIN

More than 3 million Americans take melatonin for sleep. The global melatonin has skyrocketed in the last few years. It is estimated that by 2025 there will be a 2790 million sales

The lay person knows that melatonin is great remedy for sleep in a majority of patients. The other health benefits are anti oxidant and anti inflammatory. It has even be used as an anti cancer supplement in breast cancers.

There are double blind placebo controlled studies on the benefit of melatonin for sleep. In Europe, Melatonin is used to treat primary insomnia. I encourage you to tell your health care practitioner about your sleep issues and if you are taking melatonin. Although it has a favorable safety profile, there are skeptics. Some as the Arthritis Foundation does not advocate melatonin for autoimmune diseases. You must read about when to take melatonin. It has a short half life ( only 20 - 45 minutes) Timely is very important.

I advice taking a time released melatonin around bedtime or a regular release one in the middle of the night. This is consistent with your circadian rhythm.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 13,2020 DENTAL ISSUES

There comes a time when you have to trust you instincts or “ your gut” I have had dental issues from childhood . Unfortunately I was on a medication that severely discolored and damaged my teeth. From a young age I needed bonding and then veniers.

Dental plaque is the main cause of periodontal ( also known as gum) disease. This dental plaque is a film of bacteria that forms of the teeth. When the bacteria settle on your teeth they form a white film called a biofilm. If not removed these form ‘ pockets’ This pocket is the separation between the teeth and the gums. The plaque can harden into deposits which is called tartar. You need a professional well experienced dental hygienist.

About 20 years I met an extraordinary dental hygienist, Sandra Senzon. She had a cable network television show called the Tooth Fairy. She is an author of a book called “ Reversing Gum Disease” She is truly a fairy as she saved my teeth. She is an artist healer. She uses no machine as the cavitron nor chemicals to clean your teeth. Studies have shown the pros and cons of power scalers. She uses hand held tools and herbs to help your teeth. She does what most cannot do. She heals ‘pockets’ and reverses gum disease. She is a master of botanical medicine. She knows the right herbs to use for your teeth.

She turned me on to using a water pik with high grade peroxide and essential oils to clean my teeth. I do not floss. I use my water pik. I even have a water pik when I travel.

Since there is a connection between gum disease and the heart. This has been well documented and researched.

Make your appointment to see Sandra Senzon today

Call 212 684 1844 Don’t delay in helping the decay of your teeth and gums

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 12, 2020 FLU EPIDEMICS

There is much being written about flu epidemics since the outbreak of corona virus. The state of Connecticut had its first case this past weekend in Norwalk Hospital There are many ways to boost your immune system As a beekeeper/ apitherapist I always want to use honey.

There are many herbs that are used for the flu. Corona virus IS NOT like the regular flu. There are some that believe that another flu epidemic/plague is a matter of time. The time is NOW

Don’t PANIC

Some herbs that be mixed in a base solution of glycerin, apple cidar vinegar and honey are the following

Some herbs that can be mixed ina flu remedy are the following:

  1. Garlic

  2. Mullein

  3. Marshmallow

  4. Black Walnut

  5. Gravel Root

    It might be the tastiest herbal formula but it is very effective Get VIRATONE from Botanical Bounty in NYC CALL 646 741 3710

    Until tomorrow…

    Corona virus

MARCH 11, 2020 ABDOMINAL MASSAGE

Massage in general is effective at relieving stress. There have been studies that it can health with a variety of conditions as arthritis, depression, circulatory problems, fibromyalgia and even headaches.

Abdominal massage relaxes and tones the organs, muscles and fascia of the abdomen. I have found this massage to be very useful personally as well as in my patients with a variety of conditions Some patients cannot tolerate an abdominal massage as this is a sensitive area. It should be done by a practitioner well versed and knowledgeable . There are many practitioners that are trained in this type of massage

There is a list of DON’T DO

1, Should not be done if the female patient is inflamed in the pelvic region ( example ovaries, uterus )

2. Should not be done in any patient has any type of stone

3. should not be done after a heavy meal

4. Should not be done with a full bladder

5. Should not be done when the patient has an extremely high blood pressure ( since this massage increases blood pressure )

6. should not be done with a recent history of bleeding

I would encourage this type of massage when appropriate. It can help with many digestive issues.

Until tomorrow

MARCH 10, 2020 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 10TH YEAR

Beyond my wildest dreams.

10 years ago I started to write a daily blog. It was called Stitch Your Way to a Healthy Heart ( www.stitchyourwaytoahealthyheart.blogspot.com ) I thought it was a good way to educate my patients as well as educate myself on different subjects. It had a thought for the day. I reflected thoughts in the blog on my personal life. Every Friday the blog discussed a hobby as a way to boost self esteem. The hobby varied from Knitting, to painting to Stamping Cards to building a ship in a bottle. To be honest

I did it to compete with someone else who was starting to write a daily blog. Let me tell you this : 10 years later the other person never continued their blog and is no longer in my life. A lot has changed. I can say I am happier today than I was 10 years ago.

Today I am grateful, humble and blessed. There are no mistakes in life — only lessons to be learned. I have learned a lot about myself ( and others)

As Edith Piaf sang , “ No Regrets “

No ! No regrets

No ! I will have no regrets

All the things

That went wrong

For at last I have learned to be strong

No ! No regrets

No! I will have no regrets

For the grief doesn’t last

It is gone

I’ve forgotten the past ….

….

Here’s to another 10 years of blogging

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 9, 2020 MEDICATIONS AND THE GUT BIOME

In October 2019, a study at the University Medical Center in the Netherlands published that a group of commonly used medications can have a significant impact on the make up of the gut microbiome.

This impact on the gut biome could increase the risk of infection, obesity and other conditions. Some of these medications surprised me. Some of the biggest offenders were the proton pump inhibitors ( like Prilosec, Nexium, Omperazole), metformin, laxatives and many antibiotics.

The antibiotics did not surprise me but the proton pump inhibitors for ulcers and gastritis did.

There were eight medication groups that appeared to increase antibiotics resistance mechanisms in the microbiome. This speaks to me that natural remedies and Medicines from the Earth, or Plant Medicine is the only solution

Until tomorrow…