MARCH 15, 2021 AUTOPHAGY

Autophagy is the body’s self cleaning process that removes damaged by products from inside cells that have accumulated from normal metabolic or biologic processes.

We hear only on death from COVID and vaccination

Insufficient autophagy is a driver of the aging process. Can you imagine if we can reverse the aging process ? There is a drug rapamycin that is being study in animal models and human trials The NIH has funded 23 million dog study including the use of rapamycin in the Drug Aging Project.

A new fad is the use of intermittent fasting where you avoid food from the night before for 12 hours up to 18 hours. Intermittent fasting is a way of cleansing the individuals cells. This in a way is autophagy.

An alkaloid from a pepper fruit called piperlongumne has demonstrated in animals with brain damage the ability to recovery with motor deficits, This is amazing life altering news, This could be a hope for a number of patients who have motor deficits from a variety of diseases. There was even another plant alkaloid and anti cancer potential called luteolin. This plant alkaloid is found in celery, thyme, parsley , and green peppers. It was shown that luteolin activated a marker of autophagy by 25 % This is another exciting news.

The company Life Extension has done incredible journal reporting through the years. This months magazine discuss Autophagy. I am proud to be on their Medical Advisory Board for many years.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 11, 2021 STARFLOWER

Last summer I planted starflower seeds. It has a beautiful blue flower. It is more commonly known as Borage. The blue leaves shine among the other flowers int he garden. It is a herb mentioned multiple times in the Bible. The official name is Borage officinalis.

Traditionally, Borago officinalis has been used ingastrointetsinal, respiratory and cardiac r disorders In the GI system it is used for colic, cramps and diarrhea. In the respiratoyr system I use it for asthma patients and patinets with infection of the brochioles.It is seen used as a diuretic. I combine it with other herbs for high blood pressure ( hypertension)

I have heard gardeners planbt borage near tomato plants as it can encourage its growth You will not be disappointed with this herb

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 10, 2021 ROCKS, STONES, AND GEMS

As a boy I was fascinated by rocks, stones and gems. My first visit the the Museum of Natural History of West 81 st as part of PS#4 school trip was what started me. I bought my first box of rocks, and minerals in the gift shop. I was enthralled by my collection. Since then I have always included stones, rocks, minerals and gemstones as part of my learning process. It has been progress not perfection that keeps me reading about these topics as well as the rare opportunity to attend a gem show in Arizona. At one of these shows years ago I bought unique stones/gems/rocks which I still possess. There is one in every room of my home, as well as some near my beehives and near my pond,

“ A precious stone is a small, rare , hard stone which has inherited from Nature the name of beautiful “

This so elegantly describes a precious stone. It should be a mineral formed spontaneously in nature without human intervention. There are many modern artificial stones which are highly prized, and some quite expensive . I realize today that beauty is essentially a subjective concept and very individualized and therefore personal.

Once a jeweler told me “ Rarity is a criterion which has more to do with the beholder than the beheld. “

Quartz crystals have fascinated me through the years. The use of crystals, rocks, stones, minerals and gems are more part of health and healing than you might think. Certain of these have medicinal and physical properties and have been used in healing I didn’t realize my chemistry and physics courses throughout my education would help me understand these minerals et al. What am I trying to stay or stray…

Learning about minerals, stones, rocks, minerals and gems can enhance your life

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 9, 2021 THE LIFE ENHANCER

It is called the Life Enhancer or in Chinese- Yin Guo. It can be called the hill apricot for the color of its fruit . It is Ginkgo. It is a tree from 200 million ears ago during the age of the dinosaurs. This tree has remarkable properties that have been used medicinally for centuries.

It has been used in allergies, circulatory problems as stroke and heart issues and memory.

There is lots of research on this herb. I suggest if you ever want to research articles that have been written about an herb— look at the American Botanical Council. Become a member. Their library is full of research and articles in their monthly HerbalGram

Ginkgo can relive symptoms of memory loss, disorientation, anxiety, tinnitus and headaches. The ginkgolides ( its alkaloids found within the plant ) stimulate circulation to the brain and the extremities which often accompany aging. The reduced blood flow can lead to balance problems, memory and concentration issues and even vision problems

Talk to your health care professional today about starting this herb

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 8, 2021 BOTANICAL BOUNTY TEAS

There are many premeasured blends of herbal yeas on the market. They can be found in health food stores, convenience stores, Whole Foods, and even some pharmacies. These blends may contain two to five blends and even more. I like simpler blends with fewer ingredients. I find it easier to research on my end.

It is essential to know the nature of each herb in a blend. For this reason i formulated simple blend for the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, and muscular/skeletal system. I did one for the Cardiac system. These are called Gutsy, Sickly, Achey and Lovely respectively.

In addition I can prepare a personal blend from answering some simple questions on www.botanicalbounty.org I find being a registered herbalist an honor and priveledge that I take very seriously.

I feel when you research an herb for yourself, you will be left with no doubt about your selection. Look at our blends… Make a selection today

CALL 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 4, 2021 CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate has many nutrients that can positively affect your health. Do you eat dark chocolate ? You should. Chocolate is derived from the cacao tree .

A 85 % cocoa 100 grams bar has 11 grams of fiber, 67 % required iron,. 58 % required magnesium, 89 % required copper, 98 % required manbganese. It has other trace minerals as zinc, and selenium

Remember it does contain sugar so consume with mdioeration ( like anything in life ). The best is that darkl chocolate has organic compounds that are bioloigical active which function as antioxidants. These are polyphenoils, favinoids and catechins.

Studies show that dark chocolate can decerase blood pressure as it produces nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels thus decerasing blood pressure. It raises HDL and protects the bad cholesterol ( LDL) fromn oxidation. By being protective against LDL oxidation it can decerase your risk for heart disease

Start consuming dark choclate in moderayion to help your health

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 3, 2021 AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Autoimmune diseases are more common than you think. There are more than 80 diseases under the umbrella name ‘ autoimmune’ Some of these are common with the layperson as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hashimoto’s thyroiditis and even Celiac disease. There are more women affected than men in many of these diseases. I read this and never knew why. There are some theories

It has been known that testosterone levels protect men. There is a link between testosterone and protection against autoimmune diseases. There are studies that prove that testosterone reduces the number of B cell lymphocyte. Testosterone also reduces protein BAFF which makes the harmful B lymphocytes more viable. So now there are answers to why women have more autoimmune issues.

There was another study that found than women carry a molecular switch called VGLL3 in their skin . This VGLL3 pushes the immune system into overdrive leading to this self attacking. We call this auto immune

This is interesting information. There is much to know about autoimmune diseases. We do not know a lot. I do know from research and studies that two things work. I ask patients with autoimmune diseases to have a gluten free lifestyle. I also ask if the individual would try ;low dose naltrexone ( LDN ). There are many studies on the benefit of LDN and autoimmune diseases.

Until tomorrow…

MARCH 2, 2021 ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

This past weekend I saw a mother and her 21 year old daughter. The discussion involved endometriosis in the family and the use of oral contraception. The first approved oral contraceptive was introduced in 1960 — more than 60 years ago. What have we learned about contraception ? There are many published studies on oral contraception. We do know that 46- 60% of women who start them—discontinue them within the first 6 months.

This is good news as it have been shown and studied that oral conception depletes the body of necessary vitamins and supplements,

There are more than 14 different nutrients that are depleted in 10 million women in the USA. Some of these include vitamins B1, B2 B3, B12, C, E and minerals as magnesium and selenium. Both tyrosine and coenzyme Q10 are also depleted. We already that todays foods are depleted of such vitamins/minerals when compared to 70 years ago. This is another story for a different blog

These vitamin/mineral depletion or deficiencies can lead to an increase in diseases as depression, sleep issues, blood clots, diabetes, and even a weakened immune system. Selenium is an important trace mineral involved in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to thyroid hormone T3. Both folic acid and B12 lead to nutritional anemias.

If you are considering oral contraceptives—please discuss with your health care professional.

Until tomorrow…