September 2011 Archives

1.      It's here! A review and summary of this month's don't miss headlines: September Top Reads 2011!

2.      Naturopathic Philosophy Highlight Fun Fact: It's all about the Terrain! (Flu, Cancer, and you....see below)

3.      Information on NEXT WEEK's Health Forum

4.      Updated Link Resources on my homepage

5.      Radio For Your Body-Mind-Soul: Shift Happens! with Robert Holden

6.      Dr. Oz's Sharecare

Next week: Get my take on the new Slimming Tea for Weight Loss

Fun Fact:

It's All About Terrain, Not Killing the Bug!

Highlight on Flu: Tis the Terrain, not the Antimicrobial Sanitizer!

Exposure to influenza viruses is necessary, but not sufficient, for healthy human hosts to develop symptomatic illness. The host response is an important determinant of disease progression. In order to delineate host molecular responses that differentiate symptomatic and asymptomatic Influenza A infection, we inoculated 17 healthy adults with live influenza (H3N2/Wisconsin) and examined changes in host peripheral blood gene expression at 16 timepoints over 132 hours. Here we present distinct transcriptional dynamics of host responses unique to asymptomatic and symptomatic infections. We show that symptomatic hosts invoke, simultaneously, multiple pattern recognition receptors-mediated antiviral and inflammatory responses that may relate to virus-induced oxidative stress. In contrast, asymptomatic subjects tightly regulate these responses and exhibit elevated expression of genes that function in antioxidant responses and cell-mediated responses. We reveal an ab initio molecular signature that strongly correlates to symptomatic clinical disease and biomarkers whose expression patterns best discriminate early from late phases of infection. Our results establish a temporal pattern of host molecular responses that differentiates symptomatic from asymptomatic infections and reveals an asymptomatic host-unique non-passive response signature, suggesting novel putative molecular targets for both prognostic assessment and ameliorative therapeutic intervention in seasonal and pandemic influenza.

TRANSLATION:  Two people are exposed to the same virus, 1 gets sick, the other doesn't, why? The health of the body's terrain, or immune system prior to exposure! If you have a healthy gut, and give the body the proper nutrition, all the bugs in the world can come at you, and you're like Iron Man in his protective suit (Iron Man 1).

Yongsheng Huang. Temporal Dynamics of Host Molecular Responses Differentiate Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Influenza A. PLoS. August 2011. Infection http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.100223

What Makes Sugar so Appealing to Cancer Cells? (Dr. Mercola)

In 1931 the Nobel Prize was awarded to German researcher Dr. Otto Warburg, who first discovered that cancer cells have a fundamentally different energy metabolism compared to healthy cells. Malignant tumors tend to use a process where glucose is used as a fuel by the cancer cells, creating lactic acid as a byproduct. The large amount of lactic acid produced by this fermentation of glucose from cancer cells is then transported to your liver.

This conversion of glucose to lactic acid generates a lower, more acidic pH in cancerous tissues as well as overall physical fatigue from lactic acid buildup.

This is a very inefficient pathway for energy metabolism, which extracts only about 5 percent of the available energy in your food supply. In simplistic terms, the cancer is "wasting" energy, which leads you to become both tired and undernourished, and as the vicious cycle continues, will lead to the body wasting so many cancer patients experience.

Additionally, carbohydrates from glucose and sucrose significantly decreases the capacity of neutrophils to do their job. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that help cells to envelop and destroy invaders, such as cancer. Meanwhile, fructose appears to be preferred by cancer cells for cell division, which contributes to its growth and spreading throughout your body. Even though the theory that sugar feeds cancer was born nearly 80 years ago, most conventional cancer programs STILL do not adequately address diet and the need to avoid sugars and fructose if you have cancer.

Translation: Sugar=compromised insulin-hormonal issues + decreased ph + oxidative stress + liver conversion of fatty acids compromised=risk for cells not knowing when to stop dividing due to DNA damage=cancer (if not addressed)

OCTOBER 6^th:  Health Forum

Information on NEXT WEEK's Health Forum found here

Updated Link Resources on my homepage

New Links:

Fish & Mercury

How Much Fish?

Radio For Your Body-Mind-Soul: Shift Happens!

...with Robert Holden

Join the Hay House Book Club this month as we chat about Dr. Robert Holden's book Shift Happens! Robert share his powerful mix of principles and exercises from his private coaching practice that can help create real breakthroughs

Dr. Oz's Sharecare: view my answers here.

My Blog on Cholesterol is up on my website.

In June the FDA issued a warning on the use of high dose Simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug). Based on a clinical trial, patients on 80mg of Simvastatin had an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis, a process in which muscle fibers breakdown and increase the risk for kidney damage.

As a Naturopathic and Functional Medical Doctor, I practice upstream medicine. This means, I am looking for the cause of the problem. Blaming cholesterol for heart disease is like blaming a witness at the scene of the crime. We need to look at why the body is producing the cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed in the body for a variety functions, it acts as part of a protective layer around every cell in your body.

Read more here.

NEWS:

1. Fun Fact Highlights: Gluten, Chocolate, and Gut-Brain

Gluten: The Newest Villain (Dr. Hyman)

The question that remains is: Why are we so sensitive to this "staff of life," the staple of our diet?

There are many reasons ...

They include our lack of genetic adaptation to grasses, and particularly gluten, in our diet. Wheat was introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages, and 30 percent of people of European descent carry the gene for celiac disease (HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8), (xii) which increases susceptibility to health problems from eating gluten.

American strains of wheat have a much higher gluten content (which is needed to make light, fluffy Wonder Bread and giant bagels) than those traditionally found in Europe. This super-gluten was recently introduced into our agricultural food supply and now has "infected" nearly all wheat strains in America.

To find out if you are one of the millions of people suffering from an unidentified gluten sensitivity, just follow this simple procedure.

Testing for Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease

There are gluten allergy/celiac disease tests that are available through Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics. All these tests help identify various forms of allergy or sensitivity to gluten or wheat. They will look for:

·         IgA anti-gliadin antibodies

·         IgG anti-gliadin antibodies

·         IgA anti-endomysial antibodies

·         Tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA and IgG in questionable cases)

·         Total IgA antibodies

·         HLA DQ2 and DQ8 genotyping for celiac disease (used occasionally to detect genetic suspectibility).

·         Intestinal biopsy (rarely needed if gluten antibodies are positive-based on my interpretation of the recent study)

When you get these tests, there are a few things to keep in mind.

In light of the new research on the dangers of gluten sensitivity without full blown celiac disease, I consider any elevation of antibodies significant and worthy of a trial of gluten elimination. Many doctors consider elevated anti-gliadin antibodies in the absence of a positive intestinal biopsy showing damage to be "false positives." That means the test looks positive but really isn't significant.

Source: Hyman, M. Gluten-What you don't know might kill you. www.drhyman.com. September 17, 2011. http://drhyman.com/gluten-what-you-dont-know-might-kill-you-11/

No Gluten? Find Fun in Chocolate! (Science Daily)

ScienceDaily (Nov. 6, 2003) -- There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a healthier choice.

Source: Hot Cocoa Tops Red Wine And Tea In Antioxidants; May Be Healthier Choice. Science Daily. Nov 6, 2003. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031106051159.htm

Gut-Brain: the calming effect of Belly Bugs (PNAS)

An article reports on the gut microbiota affecting our mood and gut function, specificially certain bacteria strains alter our neurotransmitter, GABA.                         

Alterations in central GABA receptor expression are implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression, which are highly comorbid with functional bowel disorders. In this work, we show that chronic treatment with L. rhamnosus (JB-1) induced region-dependent alterations in GABA_B1b mRNA in the brain with increases in cortical regions (cingulate and prelimbic) and concomitant reductions in expression in the hippocampus, amygdala, and locus coeruleus, in comparison with control-fed mice. In addition, L. rhamnosus (JB-1) reduced GABA_Aα2 mRNA expression in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, but increased GABA_Aα2 in the hippocampus. Importantly, L. rhamnosus (JB-1) reduced stress-induced corticosterone and anxiety- and depression-related behavior.

Source: Javier A. Bravoa, et al. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. PNAS 2011; published ahead of print August 29, 2011. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/08/26/1102999108.abstract

Find out more news on my blog.

News & Views:

1. My Latest Blog on Helping Our Children: An Integrative and Holistic Approach to Autism and ADHD is now online. Read it here.

1.     2. Holistic Health Forum: now listed on Times Union Calendar of events.

2.      3.What about mom??!! Want something to listen to while packing lunch that will feed your soul? Click on Hayhouse streaming Radio and listen to:

·         Mom Energy hosted by Diane Ray & Back to School with Michele Phillips

3.     4. Dr. Oz's Sharecare: view my answers here.

4.      Latest Links:

ACTION ALERT:

The recent FDA NDI Draft Guidelines have the potential to impose unreasonable demands on our availability of quality and accessible supplements. A summary of the draft can be found here. It can be found in its entirety here. Please review the material, and if you feel called to, spread the word to your friends and loved ones. Together, we can make a difference, as we did in 1994.

Dr. Mercola posted a summary and a proposed draft to send to our congressmen for our voice to be heard. You can also access a letter to send through the Alliance for Natural Health.

Facts on Supplement Safety:

S.1310: Dietary Supplement Labeling Act of 2011, introduced at the end of June by U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) is trying to treat vitamins as if they are drugs, allegedly to "improve the safety of dietary supplements," which implies that supplements must be a major safety hazard to begin with. Durbin's bill goes hand-in-hand with new FDA regulations that amend the definitions for new dietary ingredients (NDI's), and together, they can threaten your health and freedom of choice, and further serve to strengthen the fatally flawed paradigm of health and medicine.

An estimated 106,000 hospitalized patients die each year from drugs that, by medical standards, are properly prescribed and administered, and an estimated two million more suffer serious side effects.

How does the safety of supplements compare?

·         In 2001, 84.6 percent of all substances implicated in fatal poisonings were pharmaceutical drugs, according to that year's American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) report. This compares with 0.8 percent for all dietary supplements combined, even including substances such as dinitrophenol, a dangerous (and illegal) substance banned in 1938, as well as the central nervous system stimulant Ma Huang (Ephedra). ONE drug alone, the anti-asthma drug theophylline, which was responsible for 15 deaths that year, amounted to 66 percent more than all the available dietary supplements combined.

·         According to CDC mortality data for 2005, prescription drugs killed more than 33,500 people that year, second only to car accidents. That same year, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 27 deaths that were associated with dietary supplements

5.      Fun Facts:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) symptoms linked to circadian rhythm and sunlight

A new study in the journal Nature Reviews Rheumatology demonstrated that RA symptoms peak at night. The researchers believe it is due to RA patients having a higher level of proinflammatory melatonin and a lowered level of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol compared to controls. Furthermore, RA patients were found to have lowered vitamin D levels. This fact was explained as a down regulation of the innate immune response due to an up regulation of autoimmune antibody production (RA is an autoimmune disease). Here's an excerpt:

Diurnal fluctuations in the signs of joint inflammation are familiar to patients with RA; the intensity of pain and stiffness varies consistently as a function of the hour of the day and is greater upon waking in the morning than in the afternoon or evening (Figure 1).^[2] To explain such rhythms, the production of important circadian nocturnal hormones, such as the proinflammatory pineal hormone melatonin and the anti-inflammatory adrenal hormone cortisol, has been implicated in the control of inflammation, at least in the context of RA. In particular, basal melatonin concentrations are higher, and the nocturnal rhythm shows peak levels earlier, higher and of longer duration, in patients with RA in comparison with healthy individuals.^[2] Meanwhile, impaired cortisol production has been described in patients with active RA, and this observation is consistent with the presence of a relative (i.e. a subclinical) adrenal glucocorticoid insufficiency.^[2] Accordingly, cytokines secreted by type 1 T helper (T_H1) cells--IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)--reach peak production during the late night and early morning, when melatonin serum levels are highest and plasma cortisol is lowest (Figure 1), especially in patients with RA. Thus, symptoms of RA, which is considered to be a mainly T_H1 cell-driven inflammatory disease, might well worsen during the night and early morning, and stabilize during the day, in a circadian manner.^[2] Other factors might also influence early morning stiffness, such as the influence of several hours of relative immobility during sleep.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/749200?src=nl_topic

6.      Anxiety and Fish Oil (Vitalchoice)

Fish oil seems to attenuate anxiety and inflammation, even in "normal" populations.

Compared with the placebo group, the fish oil group showed two major benefits:

·         A 20 percent reduction in anxiety symptoms.

·         A significant reduction in key blood markers for inflammation.

Importantly, as the authors wrote, "The reduction in anxiety symptoms associated with omega-3 supplementation provides the first evidence that omega-3s may have potential [anti-anxiety] benefits for individuals without an anxiety disorder diagnosis ... [and] can reduce inflammation and anxiety even among healthy young adults." (Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al. 2011)

The study authors explained the link between anxiety and inflammation: "Pro-inflammatory cytokines promote secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a primary gateway to hormonal stress responses; CRH also stimulates the amygdala, a key brain region for fear and anxiety. Accordingly, alterations [increases] in inflammation could also influence anxiety." (Kiecolt-Glaser JK et al. 2011)

Source: http://newsletter.vitalchoice.com/e_article002212751.cfm?x=bk1DWs6,b1h0JlRD

7.      Local Business Spotlight:

Last night I did a presentation for a lovely group of "Heart-Centered Business Women" at the Century House in Latham. This wonderful business donates a meal to the needy for every meal served. Currently, the Century House has donated over 20,000 meals.

1.    STRESS SUPPORT: Whole Body, Whole Food, Whole Mind

If inflammation is the star to aim for in today's top Natural and Integrative Practitioners treatment plans, then stress plays the leading supporting role. With the effects of Irene tapering off, and rain continuing to taper in, we are in the midst of experiencing a not so subtle reminder that some factors in life just can't be controlled, explained, or ignored. Therefore, our power in this external world lies in our ability to accept what can't be changed and to respond, rather than react, to life's crisis and stressors!

In my holiday blog last year, I discussed how different people are genetically and prenatally programmed to react and respond to stress differently. This means that Uncle Mickey could be a crazy, over-reactive mess in response to a dirty dish left in the sink; whereas, his sister Mini, could be a calm pack rat. Mickey may have been the unfortunate recipient of mom's prenatal high-hitting-catecholamine chemicals. This would create a down regulation of Mickey's gastrointestinal function, up regulation of his nervous system's responsiveness, and a variety of genetic detoxifying deficiencies. This would wire him to a reactive, rather than a responsive temperament in life. (Poor Mickey!)

In my previous articles, I discussed the biochemistry of a leaky gut leading to a reactive brain. Specifically, the biochemistry looks like this, according to Aristo Vojdani, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.T, famous immunology researcher:

Read the rest of my latest blog here

a   NEWS:

      1. Calm your Mind with Essential oils

Listen to this 30 minute audio discussing the use of emotional oil blends to calm the mind and ease the spirit. The sense of smell is the only sense organ directly linked to the emotional center of the brain, the deep limbic system.

Inhaling calming scents is one technique I use in my clinic to help balance the brain chemistry to aid anxious people to respond vs. react. (I also use neurotransmitter and lifestyle support for affecting the other 4 other major regions of the brain).

3.     2. Follow my latest answers and blogs as a featured expert on: Dr. Oz's Sharecare

·        This week's post on social support and heart health

4  3. NEXT HEALTH FORUM: OCTOBER 6th at 6:15pm

Join me and a community of like-minded individuals in an interactive and engaging discussion about the latest topics and issues in integrative, alternative, conventional, and natural medicine. Find out more here.

5.  4. More Updated Resources on my homepage:

BMJ commentary on Flu Vaccination Stats just added

6.   5. Supplemental Differences

Why see a doctor or practitioner for supplements?

In her article from the Natural Medicine Journal article, The Truth About Medical Foods, Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, explains the difference of functional, medical, and therapeutic management of supplements:

In other words, a medical food must be labeled for a specific medical disease or condition that has distinctive nutritional requirements. Inherent in this definition is the fact that medical foods are not meant for use by a healthy person and their use is intended to be under medical supervision. In addition to these requirements, all medical food ingredients must be considered Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), which provides a standard of safety through qualified expert evaluation, published research, and corroboration from other data sources. Medical foods therefore have undergone toxicology studies and multiple human clinical trials in order to prove efficacy and safety.

Although functional foods can be beneficial and easy for people to obtain and sustain, they do not require the same rigor in efficacy-based research and safety studies as do medical foods.

As integrative practitioners, we all recommend the use of food in its natural state to support specific conditions, and so you may be wondering, "What's the big deal about a medical food?" A medical food is specifically formulated for ill patients who require the food as a major part of their treatment. In certain circumstances it may be best to recommend a food in its natural state, for example when offering lifestyle preventative counseling. Although constructing a therapeutic diet for patients is a vital part of most treatment protocols, this alone may not be enough for some people with a serious illnesses. Whenever a patient's condition requires nutritional nourishment that extends beyond the capacity of their diet, the addition of a medical food with its additional macro and micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals may be indicated.

Another term commonly mentioned in the healthcare industry is "functional foods." This is an industry term, as there is not a defined set of regulations specific to functional foods. So-called functional foods are regulated as a food.

7.    6. WE WANT TRADER JOE'S IN THE CAPITAL DISTRICT www.wwtj.org

Bruce Roter, President, writes:

Our TRADER JOE'S PICNIC will be a week from this Sunday at The Crossings at Colonie (580 Albany Shaker Rd., just 6/10ths of a mile east of Wolf Rd., near the playground area) from 2-5.  Feel free to bring any Trader Joe's snacks you'd like to share and invite friends to join us.  I  just picked up  jars of Trader Joe's Pineapple Salsa and Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky Peach Salsa.  If that doesn't say "party!" I don't know what does!  You will also have a chance to meet our newest member--"TJ" our 4 month old puggle.   Hope to see you all there! If you like, drop me an email to let me know you are coming.

NEWS

1.   STRESS SUPPORT: Whole Body, Whole Food, Whole Mind

If inflammation is the star to aim for in today's top Natural and Integrative Practitioners treatment plans, then stress plays the leading supporting role. With the effects of Irene tapering off, and rain continuing to taper in, we are in the midst of experiencing a not so subtle reminder that some factors in life just can't be controlled, explained, or ignored. Therefore, our power in this external world lies in our ability to accept what can't be changed and to respond, rather than react, to life's crisis and stressors!

In my holiday blog last year, I discussed how different people are genetically and prenatally programmed to react and respond to stress differently. This means that Uncle Mickey could be a crazy, over-reactive mess in response to a dirty dish left in the sink; whereas, his sister Mini, could be a calm pack rat. Mickey may have been the unfortunate recipient of mom's prenatal high-hitting-catecholamine chemicals. This would create a down regulation of Mickey's gastrointestinal function, up regulation of his nervous system's responsiveness, and a variety of genetic detoxifying deficiencies. This would wire him to a reactive, rather than a responsive temperament in life. (Poor Mickey!)

In my previous articles, I discussed the biochemistry of a leaky gut leading to a reactive brain. Specifically, the biochemistry looks like this, according to, Aristo Vojdani, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.T, famous immunology researcher:

Read my latest blog here

2.   Calm your Mind with Essential oils

Listen to this 30 minute audio discussing the use of emotional oil blends to calm the mind and ease the spirit. The sense of smell is the only sense organ directly linked to the emotional center of the brain, the deep limbic system.

Inhaling calming scents is one technique I use in my clinic to help balance the brain chemistry to aid anxious people to respond vs. react. (I also use neurotransmitter and lifestyle support for affecting the other 4 other major regions of the brain).

3.     Follow my latest answers and blogs as a featured expert on Dr. Oz's Sharecare

·        This week's post on social support and heart health

4.   NEXT HEALTH FORUM: OCTOBER 6th at 6:15pm

Join me and a community of like-minded individuals in an interactive and engaging discussion about the latest topics and issues in integrative, alternative, conventional, and natural medicine. Find out more here.

5.   More Updated Resources on my homepage (Right sided column)

·        BMJ commentary on Flu Vaccination Stats just added

6.   Supplemental Differences

Why see a doctor or practitioner for supplements? In her article from the Natural Medicine Journal article, The Truth About Medical Foods, Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, explains the difference of functional, medical, and therapeutic management of supplements:

In other words, a medical food must be labeled for a specific medical disease or condition that has distinctive nutritional requirements. Inherent in this definition is the fact that medical foods are not meant for use by a healthy person and their use is intended to be under medical supervision. In addition to these requirements, all medical food ingredients must be considered Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), which provides a standard of safety through qualified expert evaluation, published research, and corroboration from other data sources. Medical foods therefore have undergone toxicology studies and multiple human clinical trials in order to prove efficacy and safety.

Although functional foods can be beneficial and easy for people to obtain and sustain, they do not require the same rigor in efficacy-based research and safety studies as do medical foods.

As integrative practitioners, we all recommend the use of food in its natural state to support specific conditions, and so you may be wondering, "What's the big deal about a medical food?" A medical food is specifically formulated for ill patients who require the food as a major part of their treatment. In certain circumstances it may be best to recommend a food in its natural state, for example when offering lifestyle preventative counseling. Although constructing a therapeutic diet for patients is a vital part of most treatment protocols, this alone may not be enough for some people with a serious illnesses. Whenever a patient's condition requires nutritional nourishment that extends beyond the capacity of their diet, the addition of a medical food with its additional macro and micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals may be indicated.

Another term commonly mentioned in the healthcare industry is "functional foods." This is an industry term, as there is not a defined set of regulations specific to functional foods. So-called functional foods are regulated as a food.

7.   WE WANT TRADER JOE'S IN THE CAPITAL DISTRICT www.wwtj.org

Bruce Roter, President, writes:

Our TRADER JOE'S PICNIC will be a week from this Sunday at The Crossings at Colonie (580 Albany Shaker Rd., just 6/10ths of a mile east of Wolf Rd., near the playground area) from 2-5.  Feel free to bring any Trader Joe's snacks you'd like to share and invite friends to join us.  I  just picked up  jars of Trader Joe's Pineapple Salsa and Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky Peach Salsa.  If that doesn't say "party!" I don't know what does!  You will also have a chance to meet our newest member--"TJ" our 4 month old puggle.   Hope to see you all there! If you like, drop me an email to let me know you are coming.

Here's my latest blog excerpt:

Earlier this week, Hurricane Irene exited our lives, leaving behind a devastating mark on our communities, businesses, and homes. Never really having experienced anything other than blizzards in good-old-Upstate NY, I have to admit, prior to Irene's arrival; I was quite ignorant about the magnitude of her influence.  Dedicated volunteers and state employees worked overtime and leaks were mended, power was restored, shelter was provided, and roadways were rebuilt.

If you can remember a few weeks back, I wrote about the number one predictor of mortality of our nation's top killer, heart disease. The most important factor to maintaining a healthy heart wasn't linked to cholesterol numbers, healthy food intake, or exercise; it was the existence of a healthy social support system.  There's nothing like a tragedy of nature to tug at our heart strings and remind us of what is really important in life, Irene demonstrated this.

Read more.

2.       Follow my latest answers and blogs as a featured expert on Dr. Oz's Sharecare

·         This week's highlight- side effects of cholesterol medications

3.       NEXT HEALTH FORUM: OCTOBER 6th at 6:15pm

·         Join me and a community of like-minded individuals in an interactive and engaging discussion about the latest topics and issues in integrative, alternative, conventional, and natural medicine. Find out more here.