MAY 30, 2023 TESTOSTERONE

As men we need to know our testosterone levels, It is not about your maleness or your sexual libido. It is about that lower free testosterone is a risk factor for heart disease. Recently a reputable heart journal dispelled the myth that the low total testosterone is the risk factor for heart disease. It is the free testosterone that is the risk factor.

So ask your doctor to check your total and free testosterone as well as your prostate specific antigen. The later is important if you a candidate to start hormonal therapy. I am on the fence about testosterone. I do know that anabolic steroids have been abused . There are serious side effects as enlargement of the prostate, prostate cancer, and anger/ agitation . The increase ion prostate size leading to cancer has been disputed in many reviews. Yet testosterone is needed if the man is depressed , has low energy and has a low libido ( or sex drive ) It doesn't always to be given in intramuscular shots. It can be given orally or administered by rubbing cream ( androgel or compounded testosterone) into the skin.

There is also another answer. The answer is to block the aromatase enzyme that converts your testosterone to the female hormones as estrone, progesterone and lutenizing hormone. Some of these natural aromatase inhibitors include chrysin and quercitin ( both of which are bio-flavinoids) and pomegranate seeds.

All in all, testosterone is an incredibly important hormone for health, longevity, and vitality – in both men and women. Leading a Primal life, free of excessive stress and peppered with smart, intense workouts, full of healthy animal fats and plenty of vitamin D, should be enough to promote adequate amounts of testosterone coursing through your veins


Have your testosterone level checked. Ask your doctor...

MAY 25, 2023 PROPOLIS

This past weekend the American Apitherapy Society ( AAS) had its CMACC conference. The society has not had a meeting since 2019. It was held in Parsippany New Jersey May 19-21, 2023

It was a success. We had 50 participants from different parts of the United States as well as Mexico, Brazil , and Europe In attendance were acupuncturists, apitherapists and beekeepers.

The lectures were Bee Venom and Lyme Disease, Clean Products of the Hive, Micro stinging, Healing Wounds with Honey and Bee Air Therapy , NYC Beekeeping as well as Keynote on Apitherapy by Frederique Keller. L Ac

There were many discussions among participants especially about Propolis. What is Propolis ? Propolis, referred to as bee glue, is produced by bees in the construction and maintenance of their hives. Bees produce propolis using a combination of beeswax and saliva, where it acts as the defense mechanism for the hive . To date, propolis has been extensively researched in thousands of scientific papers on its bioactivity and health benefits The protective immune defense and antioxidant properties of propolis come from the bioactive phytochemicals’ constituents. Multiple compounds have been identified in propolis and differ based on the location of production. The compounds in propolis include phenolic acids, flavonoids, esters, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, lignans, aromatic aldehydes, alcohols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals

Reported health benefits such as improved immunity, lowered blood pressure, treated allergies and skin conditions. I used propolis during the COVID pandemic to prevent covid infection. I used propolis for individuals who wanted added protection during the COVID epidemic The exact composition of a propolis sample will vary between hives, location and seasons.

One book discussed at the last EAS bee conference was Propolis Natural Medicine by Antanas Gendrolis I highly recommend obtaining this book

Until tomorrow…

MAY 24, 2023 BREAKFAST

I had oral surgery yesterday. I was thinking about gluten free pancakes this morning although I can’t chew I decided to have a goat yogurt with honey for breakfast. Do you like pancakes? I do!  I have been thinking about our Sunday morning breakfasts when my dad or my mom made pancakes. Perhaps National Brother’s Day made me reflect My brother and I would sit and wait for the delicious fluffy pancakes. We always had fresh maple syrup and fruit on the plate. My father would then ask us if there was anything we wanted to talk about. It was our 'griping' time. Looking back it was memorable. I miss those mornings. Some mornings we would all go to The Raceway Dinner on Yonkers Avenue. Our next door neighbor, Britta from Denmark was always our waitress. I am sitting here thinking about these times which are more than 50 years ago. Where has time gone!

So when I want pancakes, — I have gluten free panakes. So here is my gluten free pancake recipe

1. 1 - 2 1/2 cups of a mixture of (70%) almond meal and (30%) tapioca flour
2. 2 tablespoons of wild flower honey
3. 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
4. 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
5. 1 1/2 cups of almond milk (unsweetened)
6. 2 tablespoons of butter (melted)
7. 2 organic whole eggs

The pancake batter should look like a milkshake not lumpy so you might need a little more flour
This should make between 12-14 pancakes. Another option is to use buckwheat flour and make buckwheat (gluten free) pancakes
What about the syrup? I would take 2 cups of blueberries. Mash and blend and pour over your hot delicious pancakes.

Do you have a special memory with a recipe? I was happy to know Susan Love of Heritage cookbooks. It seems knowing her was about 15 years ago. She was a gracious woman. She made family cookbooks. If it still exists go to http://www.heritagecookbooks.com and do one for your family cookbooks

Until tomorrow...

MAY 23, 2023 SUPPLEMENTS FO THE LUNGS

There are many useful nutrients for the lungs. The most useful are the omega 3 fatty acids. These can be derived from food sources as fish, flax, eggs, walnuts, cod liver oil and chia seeds. You must have your veggies and fruits to get ascorbic acid or Vitamin C.
Get plenty of Vitamin A ( beta carotene and beta carotene) from carrots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach, papaya and peppers.
If you do not like spinach for the folate ( folic acid) then eat some other dark leafy greens. You can also have asparagus, broccoli, beets, cauliflower, and lima beans
The vitamin of the last decade is Vitamin D. You can vitamin D from mushrooms and dairy ( if not sensitive ) You need to get fish oils in the diet if you do not like fish.
You must also have a good quality fish without mercury.

I would suggest  www.vitalchoice.com 

 Eat sardines, mackerel and herring
As we age we need more dietary calcium from leafy greens, peas, beans, brazil nuts, hazelnuts and sesame seeds.
The only food source for bromelain is the pineapple

Until tomorrow...

MAY 22, 2023 MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS

I love the study of mushrooms - mycology. If there is one person in the world you need to follow is Paul Stamets from Olympia Washington . Paul is one of the few individuals in the world who knows about mushrooms. His company Host Defense is the premier mushroom company. I have attended many of his workshops in Washington as well as had the pleasure of hearing him discuss as a keynote speaker his book, Mycellium Running I regularly take two of his mushroom products.

Lion’s mane mushroom ( it looks like a mane of a lion ) is a nootropic food that is very popular in traditional Chinese medicine.  I do like the taste of this mushroom
Current research suggests a truly impressive list of benefits. These mushrooms are rich in oligosaccharides, which can have antioxidative and antitumor activities in many areas of the body, such as the cardiovascular system and digestive tract. IThe studies and research involved with this mushroom and Alzheimer’s is impressive. I take 2 caps of Lion’s Mane daily

One of the other mushrooms I enjoy eating and reading about is Turkey Tail . Turkey tail is a potent medicinal mushroom that has been considered a valuable remedy for thousands of years. Rich in antioxidants, they promote a healthy inflammation response and may protect against oxidative stress. Turkey tail also contains polysaccharopeptides (PSK & PSP), which are carbohydrates that promote immune response by activating and deactivating certain types of immune cells. PSK stimulates dendritic cells, which promote an immunity to toxins. Additionally, PSK may increase proliferation of T and B cells, which go after pathogens and cancerous tumors. Turkey tail is also a source of prebiotics, which nourish helpful bacteria in the gut microbiome. I give this mushroom to many of my cancer patients. I find it very useful. The research and studies published re phenomenal .

There are many othert mushrooms to read about as Shitake, Reishi and Maitake.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 18, 2023 VITAMIN D

There is always a controversy surrounding the dosage of Vitamin D. I was cautious when starting practice, then I started to write for 2000 to 10,000 per day. Now I am being cautious again but still giving ample amounts of vitamin D. The current normal range is 30-100. I tend to want my patients in the range of 65-75.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions.

However, vitamin D's benefits go beyond bone health. It also plays a role in regulating the immune system, promoting cell growth and division, reducing inflammation, and improving mental health.

A growing body of research also suggests that vitamin D may help reduce the risk of certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and certain types of cancer Yoi don’t always have to take a supplement for Vitamin D You can get it from foods.

There are two mushrooms rich in Vitamin D. These are shitake and portobello . Vitamin D is rich in kale, collard greens and spinach. Chia, flax and hemp seeds are also rich in Vitamin D and you can add that to your protein shake in the morning. I would rather you do fortified plant milks as almond, coconut and oat .

And of course sunlight exposure can convert Vitamin D2 to Vitamin D 3

Have your doctor check your vitamin D levels

Until tomorrow…

MAY 17, 2023 DRINKING COFFEE

I have thought many times , “ Should I give up drinking coffee. ? “It is usually one and maybe a second cup of coffee. No more than that. It is the most popular beverage in the world. It has been around for more than 500 years. If you want to know more about coffee, read “ The Devil’s Cup. “

Coffee is a great way to improve cognitive function and memory and reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Coffee isn’t just good for your physical energy levels – it’s also great for your brain health! A study showed that coffee drinkers had a 65% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Another study showed that caffeine could improve long-term memory performance

It can also improve diabetes One study showed that people who drank six or more cups of coffee per day were 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who didn’t drink any coffee. The researchers believe that caffeine increases the amount of glucose that the body burns for energy. It also increases the amount of insulin that the body produces.

As a cardiologist I recommend coffee. One study showed that men who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who didn’t drink any coffee. Another study found that women who drank one or two cups of coffee per day had a 32% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The antioxidants present in coffee help protect the heart against damage caused by free radicals

Don’t do coffee in excess Be smart Read the studies and research

Until tomorrow…

MAY 16, 2023 SETTING UP A BEEHIVE : BEE KEEPING

Setting up a beehive is relatively easy after my beekeeping courses and reading beekeeping books: Beekeeping for Dummies and The Backyard Beekeeper. Being a good neighbor includes doing as little all I can to reduce the honeybee/neighbor interaction. Placing the beehive in the southeast position is best. I want it away from my neighbors as to allow the bees a more constant flight pattern for both coming and going from the hive. I have been beekeeping for more than 15 years, I am also proud and privileged to be the Present of the American Apitherapy Society.

People's reaction to bees and beekeeping in unpredictable. Education is needed. A few in the community are excited and enthusiastic, some may not even care, and there are some who strongly object for one reason or another. A little talk will go a long way. Some may be allergic and that might be their main concern. Unlike wasps, yellow jackets, and bumblebees, honeybees hardly sting unless seriously provoked. The honeybees of today are more docile than twenty years ago. Italian honeybees are very docile. It is true that a few people will have a life threatening reaction from a bee sting, but the percentage is very low. I will always have an EpiPen in my habitat. If anyone has a serious allergy to an insect bite, that individual should have their own EpiPen/ Auvi-Q. The typical bee sting is a slight red reaction at the bite site with some itching two to three days afterwards. This can happen with any insect bite. I am more concerned over spider bites than any bee sting. Since I want to have a real relationship with my bees I have placed their hive not in direct sunlight, and always have a water supply near by I have a Koi pond in the back which the bees love

Warning signs can be posted for your neighbor's protection. These signs are not to scare anyone but to notify them. Signs may also inform people in the community about saving the environment.

All of us have temperaments including the neighbor who doesn't understand, and so do the bees. I have learned to examine the bees on warm sunny days and never in the cold rain. I will be gentle opening the cover. Bees should remain docile especially if smoked. If I get stung I will feel bad, as within 48 hours or less the bee that stung me will die. I have been taught to always keep my bee suit clean especially after a sting . I didn't understand the logic at first, but I have learned that venom left on the suit after a sting could be a warning sign for the colony of bees that I am a threat and cause other bees to sting. Honeybees will not deliberately sting you unless you are provoking them while they are foraging or try to kill them.

I will always be there for my bees and my neighbors. Not only are bees needed in our community but this is a way for many flowering plants to continue to flourish since bees are the major pollinators on Earth.

It is also a way to give back to Mother Earth.

Just think of this--free honey for your neighbors as long as you protect the bees with enough honey for the winter months.

If you inclined to find out about apitherapy join me May 19-21, 2023 at the American Apitherapy Society Conference in New Jersey www.apitherapy.org

Until tomorrow…