DECEMBER 22, 2020 TUNGSTEN

Heavy metals have been linked to disease. These include nickel, mercury, lead , arsenic and others. The diseases are different for each metal toxicity. I do heavy metal testing on patients using a provocation challenge with a chelator and a hair analysis for my Connecticut patients ( as New States does NOT allow hair testing) Recently I had a patient do a heavy metal provocative challenge. It revealed high Tungsten. This is not a common metal usually found in a patient

Both lead and uranium were replaced in military applications and replaced with tungsten through the years. Tungsten was replaced and used in munitions. We have found that tungsten alloys may have carcinogenic potential as lead and uranium so perhaps this replacement was not well thought out.

The most common use of tungsten is as a wire in a light bulb. Other than that the use is in applications for which high density material is required. However tungsten alloys have been used in military applications. Tungsten is a naturally occurring in the environment and plays a role in the microbiology of the soil. The environmental effec of tungsten in the environment is not well understood or even researched. Tungsten can enter the blood through ingestion, inhalation or injection.

The chronic diseases we face today are exposure to one’s body to the air we breathe, the fluid ( or substance we drink) and the food we eat. I need to be the doctor on the show House to solve this case and many others.

Until tomorrow….

DECEMBER 21, 2020 COVID VACCINE

The COVID Pfizer and Moderna ( in the near future ) vaccine is now available in the United States. It is a messenger RNA vaccine a novel new technology where two doses are required

The side effects have been mild as fever, chills, malaise and mild pain at site. These symptoms are more noted after the second dose. ( 21 days apart for Pfizer and 28 days for Moderna)

There were two cases of severe allergic reactions in the United Kingdom. Both is these individuals had a history of severe allergies requiring them to carry an Epi pen.

It is now recommended if you have a history of severe allergies to food, environmental should NOT get the vaccine. The front line health care workers and the elderly with or without co morbidities should get the vaccine first. There is probably cross activity with individuals with allergies It might be fillers or other constituents. Severe reactions do occur about 1 in 4 million. It has shown that after one dose of the Pfizer vaccine there has a high degree of protection but not 100 %. If vaccines run out maybe some will only get the first dose Who knows what the future holds

The Moderna does have a temperature requirement ( Pfizer at (minus) - 70 degrees). The Astra Zeneca vaccine which might be involved in vaccination does not use messenger RNA but a Chimp Adenovirus. ( a common cold virus0 It is 2 doses. Its data was published in the Lancet. The chimp adenovirus night block the corona protection A lot more work needs to be done. Does not involve a cold chamber . This vaccine is also cheaper. I don’t think we will see this vaccine given until more data is published.

If you have had COVID 19 and still have antibodies , you should not have to get the vaccine. I believe the Pfizer and Moderna are first generation vaccines that WE need now. Other companies will be for the future These are second generation vaccines

Depending on your age and co morbidities ( as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, immune status ) expect to get the vaccine in 2021. Discuss with your health care provider when and where you should get the vaccine

Also there is anew strain documented in England. We are not sure if either of the above vaccines will be effective against new strain if it comes to the United States.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 17, 2020 VITAMIN D AND VITAMIN K2

As we age our bones have a tendency to get thinner and weaker. This can lead to osteopenia and then osteoporosis. The latter can lead to bone fractures. There are many conventional medications on the market for osteoporosis prevention Like all medications there are side effects. There has been great studies of Vitamin D for a variety of health concerns not only limited to osteoporosis. These studies have been for cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer prevention. We do know that many patients with COVID 19 had a lower than normal Vitamin D levels upon presentation to the emergency rooms.

We also do know that another vitamin has been studied for prevention of bone fractures. This is Vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone -4 or MK 4. This is not a new vitamin. Perhaps you have never heard of K2. The higher than average dose of 45 mg has been shown to slow bone loss, build new bone, thus reducing fracture risk.

A two year study revealed that high dose Vitamin K2 reduced the number of fractures by 50 %. It is an essential supplement to restore bone density. There are many great supplements for bone as strontium, Boron, calcium and magnesium We do know that high dose calcium above 500 mg is never used as it has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in menopausal female patients.

It has also been shown that Vitamin K2 does not interfere with a commonly prescribed class of drugs for osteoporosis. This class of drugs is known as the biphosphonates. Most good vitamin companies today include Vitamin K2 with their vitamin D supplement. I like to utilize a liquid Vitamin D which has a good dosage of Vitamin K2 with it.

Talk to your doctor about taking both Vitamin D and Vitamin K2

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 16, 2020 FISETIN

I recently read an article about Fisetin. It was published by Life Extension. I am a board member for Life extension. Not only does Life Extension have excellent supplements but it has a ,magazine which is superb. Fisetin is not NEW. It is found in strawberries, apples and other plants. It has a host of health benefits. After reading the article I found that more articles need to be written about its health benefits

Fisetin functions as a senolytic. In layman’s terms it clears away old cells allowing healthy cells to thrive. There are reports that fisetin improved outcome in patients with stroke, obesity and Type II diabetes. . Fisein is a flavinoid. Flavinoids are found in various vegetables and fruits. Some other flavinoids you might know are quercitin and green tea catechins.

I can tell you that these flavinoids especially fisetin are being studied in regard to anti aging research. It appears that fisetin is unique in that it removes these old or senescent cells unlike the other flavinoids.

So eat your strawberries and apples/

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 15, 2020 FISH OILS

Every individual should take a fish oil. Fish oil rich in EPA/DHA have many health benefits. The Mediterranean diet has many benefits and is well established to enrich your health and longevity. It is a diet rich in fish, olive oil, nuts, seeds , vegetables and fruits.

The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oils help not only the cardiovascular system. these help skin hair and nails. It helps the respiratory and gastrointestinal system as well. Studies have found that the highest consumption of omega 3 oils us associated with a 14 % reduction in the risk of dying from any cause compared to the lowest concentration of fish oils. Also each additional 200 mg of fish oil per day led to a 7 % reduction in overall death. So wouldn’t you take a fish oil.

Since we have many chronic diseases with chronic inflammation, fish oils can combat these age related diseases. These chronic disease include obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer’s chronic kidney disease and autoimmune diseases.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 14, 2020 N ACETYL CYSTEINE

N acetyl cysteine is the precursor to glutathione. I blog about both You might know it as NAC. N acetyl cysteine is an amino acid that can break down mucous in the lung airways. I have been writing about it more as I feel it helped prevent COVID 19 and decrease symptoms if you happen to get COVID 19.

Clinical studies have shown that NAC can help treat and even prevent worsening of acute and chronic bronchitis Actually NAC is the precursor to cysteine which is needed to produce the most powerful antioxidant- glutathione. It helps to prevent pathogens from attacking the lungs. It reduces oxidative stress on the body and the organs/ NAC makes it hard for bacteria and viruses to gain foothold and cause infection It does this by disrupting the biofilm. This is the slimy coating that bacteria , spirochete and viruses wrap around themselves. The biofilm makes it difficult for antibiotics and helpful compounds from working

The usual dose I give for NAC is 600 mg four times a day.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 11-12, 2020 PINEAPPLE WEED

Pineapple weed is a wayside plant. I must be amiss since i have never seen a Pineapple weed. I decided to look it up. It is part of the Aster Family and the Genus Matricaria.

The name is derived from the word ‘ Matrix’ - womb. Interesting this is because German chamomille was used medicinally to treat female disorders.

I tried to find Pineapple weed seeds but it is hard. So if you come across a Pineapple weed send it my way. It is said to have a pineapple fragrance

Until tomorrow…

DECEMEBR 10, 2020 LICORICE

When you think of licorice what comes to your mind? I think of real licorice strands from a local candy store around the corner from PS #4 in Yonkers New York. Licorice known botanically as Glycyrrhiza glabra has been used for centuries. You can date it back to 2000 BC It was known as Scythian root. Glycyrrhizin sweeter than sugar cane

It has been found in cardiovascualr research to be beneficial to lowering of the low density lipoprotein otherwise known as the bad cholesterol. There are four isoflavans and two chalcones is a important in LDL oxidation and thus can prevent the formation of early plaque.

Although I use licorice a lot in my practice I am aware of the side effects. It can increase blood pressure. Other side effects you must be aware of : headache, edema weight gain and even electrolyte imbalance.

The many flavinoid glycosides that are in licorice need to be more extensively studied

Until tomorrow…