OCTOBER 25, 2021 GLAUCOMA
The term glaucoma is defined as a collection of diseases that causes optic nerve damage and the diagnosis should not be based on just the intraocular pressure (IOL) There are many types- open angle, narrow angle, low tension secondary and even congenital.
Let me tell you a myth about glaucoma. It is a myth - lowering eye pressure with eye drops will prevent further damage. THERE IS NO TRUTH IN THAT MYTH.
The contributing factors to glaucoma which are stress, poor diet or nutritional deficiencies, and obesity. A diet high in beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E and selenium will help. The foods containing these supplements are garlic, onions (they are in the same genus) spinach, celery, turnips, yellow and orange vegetables, leafy green vegetables, seaweed, apples, tomatoes and oranges. Also drink lots of water to allow proper toxic metabolic wastes from the eye tissue.
I have even seen glaucoma worsen in patients who have food allergies especially wheat/dairy/vinegar products. Eye pressure has been shown to increase when patients are exposed to MSG.
There are essential nutritional supplements for the eye. One is the well discussed Vitamin C. It lowers the eye pressure through a combination of decreasing fluid production in the eye and improving output of the aqueous humor. Essential Fatty acids may reduce the chronic inflammation. So do not forget your fish oils. Also you can use black currant oil and flax seed oil if you do not to ingest fish oils. Studies have shown that alpha lipoic acid benefits the color vision in patients with glaucoma. It also enhances glutathione, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
The amino acid, taurine protects the eye from neurotoxins that include excessive levels of glutamate that is responsible for the loss of ganglion cells and optic nerve damage.
I love to use Coleus forskohlii as it has been shown to lower the intraocular pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of the eye. Unfortunately you cannot get a food source for coleus, you must take the supplement. I have seen many patients use Coleus, and must then reduce their conventional Opthalmic drops like Timolol or Alphagan
Vaccinium myrtllus (Bilberry) has more than 50 years of research on its benefits for the eye. It also has other great uses, but most are familiar with the eye. Bilberry improves the delivery of oxygen and blood to the eye. It has many antioxidants.
I would consult Dr Grossman at www.naturaleyecare.com or www.visionworksusa.com
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 22-24, 2021 WHY EAT DARK CHOCOLATE
With Halloween approaching you might consider eating chocolate and candy. I suggest only eat dark chocolate Dark chocolate has health promoting properties that can support a healthy cardiovascular system as well as enhance your mood.
Why does dark chocolate have in it ? Dark Chocolate has flavinoids and other polyphenols that have proven in studies to be very beneficial. OIt is also high in fiber, and contains many B vitamins as B1, B2 B3 and B 6
Due to the polyphenols dark chocolate has antioxidants. It also has magnesium, iron, zinc , potassium and phosphorous.
If you didn’t know chocolate is from the beans of the tropical Theombroma cacao It has a long history of its use throughout the world. I would suggest a 65 % dark chocolate or higher- it is low glycemic and safe for diabetics. It has few calories and is dairy, gluten, and trans fat free.
Get your dark chocolate today !!!
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 21, 2021 ACTIVE HEXOSE CORRELATED COMPOUND
Do you take a lot of supplements? Do you have a specific mushroom in your daily vitamin regimen? I used to use separate mushrooms as Maitake to boost my immune system I found something with better clinical efficacy. It is AHCC ( active hexose correlated compound )
AHCC is a Japanese medicinal mushroom immune regulator which a variety of medicinal beneficial effects on the body.
The effects are:
reduces the effects of natural age related deterioration of the immune system
Provides anti inflammatory benefits
Enhances energy especially with those patients with chronic fatigue disease and fibromyalgia ( caused by EBV)
Manage viral loads in patients with hepatitis
reduces chemotherapy side effects
Provides nutritional support to cancer patients
Protects the healthy individuals from cold and flus during season
There are no side effects from AHCC. There is no reason not to take it
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 20, 2021 GINGIVITIS
Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition, caused by the accumulation of dental biofilm, and associated with gingival swelling and redness. Often gingivitis can progress unnoticed to periodontitis which can cause permanent loss of teeth I often write about use of a water-pik versus flossing. This is my preference. I am also reading about herbs to help with gingivitis.
Good oral hygiene is key to treating and preventing both inflammatory disorders. Standard care for periodontitis involves mechanical debridement and topical antimicrobials I recently read a recent study published in the HerbalClip of the American Botanical Council. The study discussed the use of Propolis and Mangosteen . I am also intrigued by any study using a apitherapy product. Propolis from bees is used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. I have extracted propolis from my bee hives in May.
The authors conclude that there is a significant reduction in GI when using mangosteen and propolis combination , and it could potentially have anti-inflammatory effects. More research is needed with a larger trial group to verify these result. This study was published in
Park J-Y, Ko K-A, Lee J-Y, et al.. Nutrients. July 2021;13(8):2604. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082604.
Propolis is available at Botanical Bounty 646 723 1823
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 19, 2021 DIABETES AND GINKGO
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing worldwide metabolic health concern and is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to T2DM development, primarily by increasing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance modifies lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, leading to dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Lifestyle modifications including weight loss, dietary interventions, and exercise are used to manage T2DM. A growing body of evidence suggests herbal medicine may improve conditions associated with T2DM.
There are many herbs used for sugar stabilization. Some of them include bitter melon, fenugreek, gymnema and cinnamon . A new study done and published is the use of Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo has been used to treat cognitive impairments, cerebrovascular insufficiency, and peripheral arterial occlusive diseases. GKB has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antihypertensive, and vasodilatory properties. Studies have suggested that active compounds of GKB may have antidiabetic effects.
A meta analysis was done reviewing all literature Some conclusions were that there was no significant differences in serum triglycerides or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were observed between the intervention and control groups. No change in blood pressure when compared groups. Of note there was an increase in the HDL ( good cholesterol) There was also an increase in HgbA1c.
This study was published. It is an excellent review I read it in the American Botanical; Council Herbal Clips. I encourage all naturopathic physicians and herbalists to join to ABC.
Tabrizi R, Nowrouzi-Sohrabi P, Hessami K, et al. Effects of Ginkgo biloba intake on cardiometabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. [published online October 8, 2020]. Phytother Res. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6822.
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 18, 2021 DIETS
Research has already made it clear that dietary lifestyle changes are the most important therapies for prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. There are guidelines instituted by the American Diabetic Association and the American Heart Association. These are the supposedly 'authoritative' guidelines.
In 27 years of clinical practice I have seen hundreds of patients. Some of those years were with diet guru, the late Robert Atkins MD. I am not in full agreement with strict Atkins lifestyle of High Protein, High Fat, Low Carbohydrate nor am I in favor of the new French guru's diet of High Protein, Low Fat, Low Carbohydrate. I believe there is no diet that fits all individuals. Diet should be individualized. It should be aimed at low carbohydrates as Dr. Atkins always stated. However, it should be individualized looking at food sensitivities and allergies, glucose and insulin levels, and appropriate foods in moderation.
Books have been written on every possible diet. The DASH Diet is the The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. The DASH investigators state that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat will lower Blood Pressure. The diet doesn't distinguish high glycemic and low glycemic fruits and vegetables. I absolutely feel cow's dairy is not good for everyone.
An ideal dietary lifestyle to help decrease the incidence of diabetes and obesity which leads to heart disease (cardiometabolic risk) will do the following:
1. It will help lower insulin secretion (a fat storing hormone)
2. It will reduce inflammation
3. It will promote weight loss and loss of inches in the waist
4. It will reduce fat deposits
5. It will improve the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio
6. It will taste great
7. It will be easy to start and flexible
8. It will not be necessarily expensive since you will be shopping on the periphery of the store where fruits, vegetables, and protein are located.
Along with these basic changes you might need to consider eliminating gluten and all dairy (including goat, sheep and cow). This might be more difficult. I start everything in Baby Steps. A simple program for complicated individuals is the best way.
Most diets are low carbohydrate as Atkins started in the 1970's. These other diets are the South Beach Diet, and Sugar Busters. The other popular diet is the Mediterranean Diet popularized by Walter Willet's book, Eat, Drink and be Healthy. The Keto Diet is in reality an Atkins type diet
Until tomorrow…
OCTOBER 14, 2021 NEBULIZED GLUTATHIONE AND PEROXIDE
In the last year I have used nebulized glutathione for COVID, mold toxicity and other respiratory issues. In the same vain I have heard of my patients doing nebulized hydrogen peroxide. I did not know about it till I read the reports on Dr Mercola’s website and other sources. To my knowledge there is no contraindication nor it is hazardous to your health.
My clinical experience with my patients that have used hydrogen peroxide is positive There were no untoward reactions, nor did they put their health in jeopardy.
From Dr Mercola’s own website…
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the media are now warning against using nebulized hydrogen peroxide for respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2
There is absolutely zero evidence that supports the idea that properly diluted hydrogen peroxide nebulization is hazardous. On the contrary, several health benefits have been demonstrated, both clinically and anecdotally
Recent research shows COVID-positive patients who irrigated their sinuses with a saline-iodine solution were 19 times less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than the national rate
Another recent paper recommends nebulizing 1.5% hydrogen peroxide twice daily as an at-home treatment for COVID-19, and by hospitalized patients who do not yet require intensive care
Nebulizing with normal saline, hypertonic 3% saline, hydrogen peroxide and iodine have all been shown to safely improve respiratory infections. I recommend diluting peroxide with normal saline for a 0.1% concentration, and adding one drop of Lugol’s iodine