Thanksgiving Schedule-Nutrition Updates

Holiday schedule is as follows: Closed on Thanksgiving Day. Open normal hours Friday and Saturday.

Nutrition News:

• High fructose carbonated soft-drink sweetners linked to diabetes.
• Calcium supplementation in adults over 50 can result in reduced fracture risk.
• Pectin used in making homemade jellies may protect from prostate cancer highlighting the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
• Vitamin D may prevent premature death due to its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, improve blood vessel function and boost the immune system.
• Calcium and vitamin D may protect against breast cancer.
• High homocysteine levels linked to cognitive impairment (mild) and doubles heart disease risk.
• A household spice curcumin reduces inflammation and improves exercise performance
• Ground flaxseed reduces hot flashes.
• Vitamin E supplementation helps prevent venous thromboembolism.

Dangers of Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• PRESCRIPTION DRUGS with acetaminophen-Tylenol 2, 3 and 4, Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, Maxidone, Zydone, Percocet, Roxicet, Fioricet, Darvocet-N, Wygesic.
• The leading cause of acute liver failure even at recommended doses.
• Results in 10s of thousands of poison control costs.
• Alcohol consumption and fasting greatly increase liver injury risk.
• Overdoses (OD) occur frequently due to pain control efforts or combining medications with acetaminophen

PREVENTING Acetaminophen OD

• Read your labels.
• Avoid alcohol when taking acetaminophen
• Avoid acetaminophen when vomiting or with loss of apetite.
• Consider supplementing with anti-oxidants which counteract oxidant by-products and preserve glutathion which is essential for detoxifying some drugs and is depleted by acetaminophen.
• The following can be used with acetaminophen under supervision: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), vitamine C and E, SAM-e, whey protein, milk thistle extracts (silymarin and silibinin), polyenylphosphatidlycholine.

Nutrition and Autism:

Possible causes: no single cause but a cluster involving genes, inflammation, impaired GI health, increased oxidative stress, diminished ability to neutralize toxins, autoimmune processes, decreased mitochondrial function. Other proposed are vaccine preservatives and food additives.

Integrative Approach:

1. Dietary Modification: Healing the gut-eliminate allergenic foods, digestive enzymes, probiotics
2. Boost anti-oxidant protection- consider multi-vitamin and mineral supplements: B6, magnesium, A, C.
3. Enhance detoxification
4. Support brain cell structure

Health and Nutrition News

The American Heart Association has some good stuff on heart disease and diabetes: Be in the KNOW.

• Approximately 21 million Americans currently live with diabetes.
• many do not realize there is a serious connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association wants you to be in the KNOW. Using the following acronym, these are their recommendations:

Keep active and maintain a healthy body weight.
Even 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week can help prevent diabetes, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, maintain a healthy body weight and minimize risk of cardiovascular disease.
Normalize your numbers.
Schedule regular visits with your doctor to help monitor your blood sugar and manage your diabetes. It has been shown that you can reduce cardiovascular disease by improving your blood sugar control and controlling other risk factors. Learn to keep track of your critical health numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight and blood sugar.
Opt for a healthy lifestyle.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet and reduce intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars. Also, if you smoke, opt to quit – smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Work with your doctor.
People living with type 2 diabetes often need multiple approaches to treatment to control the disease and its associated risks. If you live with type 2 diabetes, it is important to talk with your doctor, describe your symptoms and be persistent until you find treatment options and lifestyle changes that work for you.

NUTRITION FLASHES: The following are based on research studies.

• Vitamin C-low levels have been linked with being overweight or obese-especially in women; may protect agains knee arthritic changes.
• Aging nutrition: tumeric ( spice) helps the immune systems clear Alzheimer's plaques. Daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplements boosts mental health in older adults; calorie restriction and glucose control increases longevity.
• Vitamin D: low levels are linked with increase blood pressure
• Osteoarthritis: glycine amino acid improves osteoarthritis symtoms.
• Cancer: watercress has benefits for cancer protection, vision and heart health; resveratrol supresses prostate cancer development; broccoli and cauliflower reduce aggressive prostate cancer risk.

New Health Check Lists-=evidence based

http://www.bankixsystems.com/articles/article/4020285/74632.htm

The link provided will direct you to a checklist for men and women that is evidence based . This is worthwhile having. From the Bankix website announcement: "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released two new evidence-based checklists aimed at helping men and women understand which medical checkup tests they need to remain healthy at any age. The men's and women's versions of Your Checklist for Health show at a glance the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force regarding screening tests, preventive medicine, and other healthy lifestyle behaviors."

Nutritional News, etc.

Evidence-based/Science-based healthcare: Okay, so here's one of my rants about alternative healthcare. I am unusual in the alternative healthcare arena! I am a strong proponent and user of evidence-based or best evidence available healthcare. In the alternative healthcare arena there are a lot of fads and questionable practices. Chiropractic healthcare is no exception. Many of my colleagues make claims and do things that have little basis in science and evolve out of a philosophical point of view in the profession that has little validity. It's a problem for the profession and its image. However, there are many DCs (doctors of chiropractic) that focus on practicing with the best evidence available and avoid questionable practices. Why is this important? Money for one. Nobody wants to spend money on things that have not been shown to work, or at least appear to with the best evidence available. Here is one example. Using muscle testing to determine vitamin deficiencies and even worse-what is referred to as surrogate testing. In other words, having you hold a vial (glass bottle) of a low dose of a substance (heavily diluted) while another person touches you and then the "doctor" muscle tests the person touching you. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that I am aware of that shows this being a valid diagnostic tool. It's only known benefit is to increase the income of the person selling the vitamins. Laboratory blood tests are the gold standard in determining nutritional deficiencies. Caveat Emptor-buyer beware. PhD nutritionist told us when I was in school that we needed to abandon this useless practice-little has changed.

Why am I commenting on something like this which is definitely not favorable to my profession? The reason is I have seen many of my elderly patients on fixed income who can ill afford to waste money get duped. The people doing these things really do believe it works. However, without evidence that it does, the practice should be treated as experimental at best and in my opinion they should not charge for it. Don't get me wrong. Vitamin supplementation or what is sometimes referred to as nutraceuticals is valid for many cases. Modern diets generally do not provide adequate nutrition. However, muscle testing to establish vitamin deficiency has not shown to be valid. There are too many ways to skew the results and it is very subjective.

Calcium and Osteoporosis: It's in the bones.

As the population continues to live longer, the issue of bone loss or osteoporosis becomes important for both men and women. Failure to maintain bone loss can cause collapse of vertebrae, hip fractures, and other fractures. In addition to exercise, supplementation may help slow or stop the loss. Medication may be needed in some cases.

• According to Lancet-People aged 50 and older who take calcium supplements are 12% less likely to fracture a bone than their peers who don't take those pills.
• That protection rate doubles when calcium supplements are taken correctly, report the researchers, who included Benjamin Tang, MD, of the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research at Australia's University of Western Sydney
• "For best therapeutic effect, we recommend minimum doses of 1200 milligrams [mg] of calcium, and 800 IU [international units] of vitamin D (for combined calcium plus vitamin D supplementation)," Tang's team writes. The studies used 64,000 people.
• People aged 70 and older, those who didn't get much calcium from their diets, thin people, and those at high risk of bone fractures were particularly likely to benefit from taking calcium supplements.
• A February American Journal of Clinical Nutrition new study shows that women who took a red clover-derived dietary supplement containing substances called isoflavones (Promensil) experienced significantly slower bone loss in the spine compared with women who took a placebo. The supplement also appeared to have protective effects on bones in the hip, but these effects were not statistically significant.

More on Vitamin D Supplementation: New England Journal of Medicine review article July 19, 2007 information.

• Between 40% and 100% of elderly in US & Europe have insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D.
• Rates of Diseases affected by vitamin D status
• 78% reduction in Type I diabetes in children taking 2000 IU/day in 1st year of life
• 200% increase in Type I diabetes in Vitamin D deficient children.
• 33% reduction in Type II in those taking 800 IU/day of D plus calcium
• 72% reduction in number of falls in elderly people taking higher-dose vitamin D
• 30-50% more cancers in vitamin D deficient people
• 42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women taking more than 400 IU/day of D.
• Increased incidences of autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, depression, hypertension, pulmonary disorders, schizophrenia and cardiovascular diseases in those with less optimal Vitamin D status.
• Human diets don't provide sufficient vitamin D
• Minimum vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce disease risk are 30 ng/dl.

Miscellaneous Nutritional News

• Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like green leafy vegetables and nuts, may reduce diabetes risk
• A Women's Health Initiative study found estrogen therapy associated with less coronary plaque.
• Cinnamon prevents blood sugar spikes.
• Omega 3 FAs may protect against prostate cancer. They also relieve depression and agitation in Alzheimer's patients.
• Flavinoid consumption slows cognitive decline.
• Low levels of folate (B vitamin) is associated with depression risk
• Pomegranate shows promise in averting lung cancer.
• Genistein (soy phytoestrogen) boosts bone mineral density
• Tumeric or Curcumin a spice has many potential health benefits: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardiovascular protection, neurodegenerative protection (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), reversing damage from high blood sugar, potential treatment for multiple sclerosis, may protect against cataracts, shows promise for skin disorders such as psoriasis and in wound treatment.

News From Nutrition & Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):
What is it? PAD is the build up of fatty deposits (plaque) and cholesterol in the arteries outside the heart.

Who is at Risk?

• Increasing age
• Cigarette smokers (5-10 times more likely and experience more leg symptoms are more likely to suffer heart attack, stroke, amputation and death, doubles risk if you have diabetes).
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Abnormal Cholesterol
• Past history of heart attack or stroke

How do I know if I have it?

• Most don't have obvious symptoms
• Leg muscle discomfort or pain caused by walking and disappearing with rest (claudication)
• Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep
• Slow healing skin wounds or ulcers (8-12 weeks)

Diagnoses:

• History and physical examination of feet and leg pulses.
• Ankle Brachial index (ABI)
• Other diagnostic studies (Doppler ultrasound)

What you can do!

• If you smoke, quit. There are no known medical benefits to smoking.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Manage blood glucose if diabetic and practice proper foot care
• Use prescribed antiplatelet medications to reduce risk for stroke and heart attack

With Claudication:

• Exercise (may need to be supervised). Walk slowly until discomfort, rest, repeat. Do 35 minutes a day 3 times a week increase time, distance and endurance.
• Meds may be needed to reduce symptom.
• Non responsive cases may need angioplasty, stenting or surgery.

Source: www.PADcoalition.org

NUTRITION NEWS BITES:

• A study by the American Cancer Society suggest an aspirin (adult strength) a day may keep cancer away.
• A study in the World Journal of Surgery suggests DHEA may offer a new strategy for certain breast cancers.
• Studies in Phytotherapy Resources and Journal of Psychopharmacology suggest Rhodiola (herb) may help offset stress effects.
• A study suggests vitamin D deficiency may decrease physical performance in older adults.
• Depression symptoms in older adults may indicate a risk for type 2 diabetes.
• Green tea may help fight the joint destruction of Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Salk Institute scientists found a gene linking calorie restriction to longevity-live longer by eating less calories.
• Age spots can be improved by topical N-acetylglucosamine and niacinamide (non-itch B3).
• A single fast food meal increases blood pressure in a study by Journal of Nutrition (McDonald's breakfast or a low-fat meal).
• Isothiocyanates in cruciferous veggies (broccoli, e.g) help fight prostate cancer by inhibiting blood vessel growth.
• Zelnorm (anti-constipation drug) suspended due to cardiovascular risk
• Fish oil and exercise reduce body fat and improve cardiovascular health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Pomegranate, CoQ10, tea tree oil, lactoferrin, folica acid, squalene and hydrogen peroxide help fight bacteria in the mouth and maintain good dental health.
• Theonine and lemon balm may help with anxiety and stress.
• Life Extension pharmacy. Significant cost savings can be realized by purchasing statin drugs through the Life Extension Pharmacy-especially generic Zocor (simvastatin) and Pravachol (pravastatin). Statins provide about 30% protection against heart attacks.
• CoQ10 may be helpful in offsetting the muscle damage which is a rare complication of statin drugs.
• Nutrients to take care of aging skin: hyaluronic acid, matrixyl, argireline, jojoba oil, concentrated antioxidant tea blend in a mask blend may help offset age damage. Zinc, chamomile, aloe vera, cucumber, grapefruit oils, arnica, squalene (from natural olive oil), seaweed extract, copper peptide complex, zinc oxide, and sulfur are also used in healing. See Life Extension article August 2007.
• Diabetics taking metformin can experience a B12 (cobalamine) deficiency as a side effect. It may also interfere with calcium metabolism and supplementation may be necessary.

Dehydration

It's here! Summer in full swing along with the heat. This year there seems to be a lot more humidity as well. Not only does that increase the heat index (make it feel hotter than it is) but it also puts you at risk for dehydration.

Who is at risk?

• People in countries with insufficient clean water to drink
• Children who are old enough to talk but not old enough to understand about thirst
• People who are relying on coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, and alcohol (all dehydrators) for their liquid
• New mothers -- especially nursing mothers
• Athletes (athletes can easily burn through more water in their bodies than they replace)
• People for whom physical labor is a large part of their daily routine
• People whose work keeps them on the move and/or on their feet
• People whose daily routine (or company policy) prevents them from keeping liquid nearby
• People who are ill, feverish, vomiting, or who have diarrhea (especially people with weakened immune systems from illnesses such as cancer or AIDS)
• Babies and children who aren't given enough liquid
• People who are overheated and sweating profusely
• Diabetics
• Mentally or physically disabled children and adults
• Seniors -- especially seniors in nursing homes and seniors who don't move around well
• People with an eating disorder -- especially those using diuretics or laxatives
• People who are abusing drugs or prescription medications
• People eating an excessive amount of salt
• People traveling, working or living in an arid, humid, hot, cold or high-altitude environment
• Airplane travelers (airplane air dehydrates more quickly than outside air)

How do I know if I'm becoming dehyrated? The simplist indicator is to check the color of your urine. Urine from a well-hydrated person should be very pale yellow. Dark yellow urine is an indication you need to increase your fluid intake. Don't try to replace it all at one but take regular drinks of water. You may also need to supplement with an electrolyte drink but watch out for the high sugar content ones.

Symptoms for Dehydration

1. Mild Dehydration: is likey with the following: Thirst, dry lips, dry mouth, flushed skin, fatigue, irritability, headache, urine begins to darken in color, urine output decreases
2. Moderate Dehydration: (call a medical professional): All of the signs of mild dehydration, plus: skin doesn't bounce back quickly when pressed, very dry mouth, sunken eyes, (in infant - sunken soft spot on the head), output of urine will be limited and color of urine will be dark yellow, cramps, stiff and/or painful joints, severe irritability, fatigue, severe headache. Seek medical attention.
3. Severe Dehydration: All of the signs of mild and moderate dehydration, plus: blue lips, blotchy skin, confusion, lethargy, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, high fever, inability to pee or cry tears, disinterest in drinking fluid. Call the EMTs. This can be life threatening.

Some other concerns:

Heat Cramps: brief but painful involuntary muscle spasms. They usually occur in the muscles being used during the exercise, and are a result of insufficient liquid intake

Heat Exhaustion: difficulty breathing, headache, feeling hot on head and neck, dizziness, heat cramps, chills, nausea, irritability, vomiting, extreme weakness or fatigue

Heatstroke: rapid and shallow breathing, rapid heartbeat, unusually high or low blood pressure, lack of sweating, mental confusion and disorientation, unconsciousness, physical collapse

Don't mess with the heat! If you are concerned, get help. Especially, with moderate to severe signs of dehyration.

Source: http://www.saferchild.org/dehydrat.htm

News from Nutrition/Pain Management

COMMERCIAL MESSAGE: Marty and I would like to thank those of you who refer patients to our practice. We prefer to grow by referrals since this is an indication of the faith patients place in our ability to help their friends and family. We always try to accommodate referrals the same day. CM 2: This year, I am expanding my services to patients to cover nutritional guidance. If you would like to discuss or address concerns about current nutrition, interactions with medications, or other concerns that might be responsive to nutrition please call and set up an appointment. The modern diet is not particularly healthful. I am looking into an online version eventually.

PREVENTATIVE HEALTH:

MAINTENANCE CARE: The majority of joint, muscle and nerve problems tend to be recurring. Why? Is it because you came to the chiropractor? You know the old statement-once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going. Not true. No, nada, nein, nyet, Ii, ikke (English, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, Norwegian). The simple truth is that problems with joints and the surrounding tissue tend to be progressive. This is due to poor conditioning, trauma, developing arthritis, scar tissue, postural distortions, health habits and good old aging among other things.

MAINTENANCE CARE is getting treated/adjusted regularly to slow down or prevent problems. It is the same as going to the dentist and getting your teeth cleaned or having a mammogram or annual physical. Maintenance care also allows regular monitoring of problem areas to head off more serious problems or deterioration. Letting problems go for more than a few days or longer is not healthy either. Many patients do well with treatment monthly or every six weeks. Some patients do well every 2-3 months. Let us know if you'd like to be on regular maintenance and we can put you on a call or e-mail schedule on our books to drop you a line when it gets about time for a follow up.

News From Nutrition:

Fish Oil Tops Defibrillators in Preventing Cardiac Death: a recent report suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils is associated with reduced risk of fatal heart rhythms (arrythmias). Supplementation is estimated to reduce deaths by about 6.4%.

More About Fish Oils: doses above 3000 mg have been shown to lower fibrinogen levels (cardiac and cancer risk factor). Unbelievable-a drug company has now come up with a prescription fish oil costing a mere $237 per bottle which they are trying to get the cardiologists to prescribed. It takes 5 capsules of over the counter fish oil to do what 4 of their capsules does. So taken another over the counter capsule at about $40 a bottle for a month's supply.

Conflicts of Interest/Media Reporting of Studies: Read nutritional reports carefully and preferably the original study. The media reporting of results is often inaccurate and misleading. In a recent study where glucosamine was compared with Celebrex, it was reported that glucosamine was not effective. Actually, it was more effective for moderate-severe pain and not significantly for slight pain. Celebrex was reported effective but actually was little more effective than a placebo. Interestingly, the glucosamine benefits were downplayed and the Celebrex results exaggerated. They were not using the commonly used form of glucosamine sulfate but were using glucosamine hydrochloride. One thing to check is to see if critics and researchers are taking fees from the drug manufacturer. Many of this study were-Objective. Not!

Promoting Stomach Health Naturally: statistics show tens of millions of Americans are infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) , the culprit in the majority of stomach ulcers. Nutritional and herbal agents can help support stomach health by relieving inflammation, promotion healing and defending against H. pylori. A combination of zinc and L-carnosine inhibits H. pylori. This complex is available as a supplement and is biochemically identical to the Japanese drug polaprenzinc used for ulcers. This combination enhances healing of the stomach lining due to its anti-inflammatory properties and promotes tissue repair and healing. Licorice extract also heals the stomach lining and blocks H. pylori growth. Cranberry may also retard H. pylori growth by preventing bacterial adhesion to the gastric cells, disrupting the H. pyloric membrane, inhibiting a bacterial enzyme and disrupting energy production as well as via its anti-oxidant properties.

REFLUX: Orange Peel Extract- a substance in orange peel called d-limonene may help reduce reflux symptoms (GERD). Studies are underway on possible cancer fighting benefits as well as antibacterial and antiviral effects. It may also help with other GI disorders. GERD sufferers should avoid: smoking, chocolate, tomatoes, raw onions, garlic, black pepper, vinegar, peppermint, spicy/fatty foods, caffeinated and carbonated beverages and lying down within 3 hours of eating.

Dr. Riggs’ Comment: Please check on the side effects of any nutritional supplement and its possible drug interactions, especially for licorice. Also, bismuth which is found in pepto bismol has been found to help kill off the H. pylori bacteria and aid in healing.

Weight Loss/Appetite Control: Most have heard of hoodia the San tribe from Africa's appetite suppressant. Another nutritional appetite suppressant is the Korean pine nut (pinolenic acid). Apparently, this lowers appetite while improving insulin usage by cells.

HEART HEALTH: pomegranate may reduce or reverse atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as well as reducing cardiovascular risk by lower LDL, improving heart blood flow and lower blood pressure. It may also lower PSA in men which is a marker in prostate cancer. It may also have anti-tumor effects against breast cancer. The juice is a highly absorbable anti-oxidant.

News from pain management:

Carpal Tunnel Pain: A recent study by the Mayo Clinic suggests the carpal tunnel syndrome disease process begins with a shearing injury. The resulting scar tissue from healing impedes the sliding motion of the tendon, compresses the median nerve, cuts off the nerve’s blood supply and eventually leads to the pressure buildup characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. It results in the carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms of hand pain, numbness and tingling. The study may lead to new treatments for the syndrome.
Dr. Riggs’ comments: deep tissue myofascial release will often help mild to moderate cases that have been present for a short time. I personally feel the instrument assisted version of deep tissue work to release scar tissue adhesions gives my patients the best results. If the scar tissue can be reached with the deep tissue work, it generally will improve. Graston technique is useful with cases that are mild to moderate without permanent nerve injury. Dr. Riggs is the only Graston trained health care provider west of Dallas/Fort Worth. The next closest is Albuquerque. This technique if effect on scar tissue and chronic soft tissue injuries.

Pain Management: A recent evaluation by the University of Wisconsin shows Michigan and Virginia to be the better states for pain management. Texas was in the bottom category and got an average rating. The past 3 studies show Texas did not improve over several years.

Rehab: most painful problems have a soft tissue problem accompanying a joint problem. If the problem is due to an injury or due to out of shape muscles, it is important to restrengthen or recondition the muscle. Some of these exercises can be done at home: balance balls, balance exercises, core strengthening, etc. They should not be done without guidance and follow up under the direction of a qualified health care provider. Dr. Riggs will happily discuss any exercise or strengthening concerns you may have.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) are frequently used to control inflammation and may be over the counter or prescription. Significant complications may be associated with such medications including: ulcers or other gastrointestinal hemorrhage (bleeding), heart attacks and stroke. Medical studies have evolved new drugs such as Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex, often with increased risks or complications. Lesser known side-effects of NSAIDs include reduced healing (muscle, ligaments, tendons), negative effects on muscle tissue (increased necrosis/death), muscle weakness, delay of bruise healing, delayed muscle regeneration, and kidney side effects in athletes.

There are 3 main pathways involved in controlling inflammation: LOX (5-lipoxygenase), COX-2 and COX-1. Basically, these pathways involve inflammatory chemicals through the arachidonic acid pathway. Inflammation is controlled by decreasing the chemicals in this pathway. Some medications influence more than one pathway.

WHAT ARE THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES? Article Medscape by Maroon, Bost, Borden, Lorenz and Ross is the source of this discussion with back up information from Natural Standard: Herb & supplement handbook by Basch and Ulbricht. CAUTION: do not substitute or start any supplementation program without consulting with your MD, DO, or pharmacist if on medications. Check with your DC to rule out any contraindications if not on medications. This article is for information purposes only and does not substitute for health care advice.

Natural medicines/herbs have been used in folk medicine to control inflammation and pain. Although concerns exist over quality and contaminants, many natural substances exist which reduce inflammation and pain effectively. Seeking pharmaceutical grade or standardized products will help alleviate such concerns.

Anti-inflammatory HERBS/SUPPLEMENTS:
1. Omega 3 EFAs (Fish Oil). The use of this product for musculoskeletal treatment can be traced back to the 18th century-good old Cod Liver Oil. The biggest problem with this product was rancidity (spoilage). Modern production techniques have fixed this problem. EPA and DHA are the active ingredients which have anti-inflammatory effects. The recommended dosage is 1.5 to 5 g of EPA and DHA/day with meals. Rare side effects include: belching and oily stools. May cause GI upset, slight alter blood sugar in diabetics, may deplete vitamin E, may increase vitamin A and D toxicity, may increase LDL (bad cholesterol) at certain levels, may elevate liver enzymes (rarely), may affect people who are bipolar or severely depressed, may rarely cause skin rashes. Contraindications: do not take if taking a blood thinner, herbs that thin the blood, or aspirin and other NSAIDs. Check with your heart doctor if taking a blood pressure medication or herbs that may lower BP as it may lower blood pressure. May add to triglyceride lowering effects of medications.
2. White Willow Bark. This is one of the oldest herbal remedies for pain and inflammation and has been using in ancient Egyptian, Roman, Green and Indian societies. The first record of its use was 3500 years ago. Aspirin was created from this herb with Bayer being the first to market it.. Salix alba (white willow) is most commonly used with properties similar to aspirin with effects comparable. The salacin is converted to salicylic acid by the liver and is considered to have less side effects than aspirin, although more costly. Contraindications: It should not be used with children and with patient having ulcers, liver disease, kidney disease or diabetes or any condition in which aspirin would be contraindicated. Dosage: usually 240 mg/day.
3. Curcumin (Tumeric): this yellowish colored spice is used in food flavoring and has been used by Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, for digestive disorders and to enhance wound healing. It has been suggested as a treatment for colitis, arthritis, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Its centuries of use and recent studies show it works on the inflammatory pathways. Dosage: 400-600 mg, standardized powder 3 times a day. Side Effects: few but stomach upset and at high doses gastric ulcers. Comparable therapeutic effects to phenylbutazone.
4. Green Tea: long recognized as having cardiovascular and cancer preventative characteristics due to antioxidant properties.. Arthritic anti-inflammatory uses have been recognized more recently. It also inhibits chemicals that degrade cartilage (chondroprotective) Recommended dosage: 3-4 cups a day or 300 to 400 mg of extract. May irritate some peoples stomach lining and has a high caffeine content.
5. Pycnogenol (Maritime Pine Bark): been used since ancient times over 2000 years. Was mentioned by Hippocrates as an anti-inflammatory. It is considered helpful for wound healing, scurvy, ulcer healing and reducing vascular inflammation. It is one of the most potent anti-oxidants known. Research suggests it has the potential to counteract major cardiovascular risk factors for artery disease. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than vitamin E as an antioxidant. Studies show it helps reduce blood pressure and the risk of vein thrombosis. Dosage: 100-200 mg/day. Mild GI effects such as diarrhea and upset stomach have been noted. It should not be taken if on immunosuppressent or cortiocosteroid drugs since it enhances the immune system.
6. Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense): The resin has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic properties. Dosage: extract of 30-40% boswellic acids (300-500 mg two or three times a day) Well tolerated with some people experiencing: stomach discomfort, nausea, reflux, diarrhea. My Note: I have seen patients do as well on the combination of glucosamine sulfate, fish oils and bosewellic acids as they have on the prescription arthritic drugs like Celebrex, even with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis combined.
7. Cat's Claw (uncaria tomentosa): used as a treatment for arthritis, bursitis and intestinal disorders. Side effects are minimal but renal failure has been reported in lupus patients. Dosage: tea (1000mg root bark to 8 oz water) or extract, 20-60 mg.
8. Capsaicin (chili pepper): generally available as a topical roll on or cream. It may cause skin irritation in some people and burning. Do not use when sweating.

Ancient Herb to Suppress Inflammation/Anti-Aging

Suppressing Inflammation:

I have previously recommended the herb boswellia serrata (boswellic acids) to help control inflammation. Clinically, I get good results with the combination of glucosamine sulfate, boswellic acids and fish oils (omega 3 fatty acids) for my osteoarthritis and even some of the rheumatoid arthritis patients. The removal of drugs such as Vioxx and Bextra from the market has made the search for less damaging or risky alternatives important.

Inflammation is a major contributor to such diseases as cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma to name a few.

Boswellia helps control the inflammatory cascade by targeting the pro-inflammatory enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). In the 1970s scientists discovered inflammatory effects distinct from NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. NSAIDs block Cox-2 and Cox-1 enzymes. The result of the Cox-1 block is irritation to the stomach and bleeding, kidney toxicity and peptic ulcers.

Boswellia has many potential uses related to inflammation. Potential uses include cancer management, lower atherosclerosis risk, improving arthritic symptoms and managing inflammatory bowel conditions as well as improving asthma symptoms. Studies have show inflammation reduction comparable to prednisone.

My best results occur when I used the triad of glucosamine (joint cartilage health), boswellia (inflammation) and fish oils (inflammation and blood thinning). Some of my patients have experienced results as good as they were getting with Bextra. Some of my rheumatoid patients have also experienced a decrease in their symptoms as well.

Cautions include: shellfish allergy and diabetes contraindications for glucosamine. Do not use with blood thinners (fish oils and glucosamine). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if taking prescription medications.

Anti-Aging News:

Resveratrol (a substance found in red grapes) has shown some of the same anti-aging effects realized with calorie restriction. Some of the following have been realized with supplementation:

• increased insulin sensitivity
• lower blood sugar
• enhanced mitochondrial energy production
• improved motor function

Studies have shown benefits in the areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer tumor grow suppression, inflammation and arthritis, protection of nerves and may help manage diabetes conditions as well as extending human life span. Drinking red wine is probably not the way to go. The Mediterranean diet or supplementation will likely be more beneficial without the bad side effects of alcohol consumption.

Greening America

With all the talk on global warming and the unseasonablely warm weather we've been having, I will periodically throw out information to help conserve energy. I also will periodically discuss or provide information on the environment or future issues.

Some Interesting Statistics:

• Buildings accounted for 39.4 % of total US energy consumption in 2002 (54.6% residential and 45.3% commercial)
• US electricity consumption -buildings 67.9% (51.2% residential, 48.8% commercial)
• Buildings contribute 38.1 % of total carbon dioxide emissiions (20.6% residential, 17.5% commercial).
• In 2001, less than 15% of students ages 5-15 walked or biked to or from school thereby impacting air emissions (and making them fatter, my note)
• Buildings use 12.2% of total water per day (25.6% commercial, 74.4% residential) in 1995.
• Replacement of natural surfaces with impermeable materials, creates runoff washing pollutants and sediments into surface waters.
• American's spend 90% or more of their time indorrs.
• Indoor pollutant levels are 2-5 times higher and occasionally more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels.
• In 1992 it was estimated that 1 in 15 homes had radon concentrations above recommended levels.
• Sources of indoor pollution may include: combustion sources; building materials and furnishings; household cleaning; maintenance; personal care or hobby products; central heatingand cooling systems and humidification devices; ourdoor sources such as radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution.
• 64 million homes, 83% of privately owed housing buildings built before 1980 have lead-based pain somewhere in the building. Over 30% have children under age 7.
• Asthma attacks can be cuased by indoor contaminants (dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, 2nd hand smoke). Asthma is the second most common serious chronic disease of childhood and 3rd ranking cause of hospitalizations under age 15.
• 60% of total non-industrial waste is due to building related construction and demolition (43% from residentail and 57% from non-residential). Most comes from demolition (48%) and renovation (44%) with little from new construction.
• Only 20-30% of debris is recovered and recycled (mostly concerete, asphalt, metals, wood).

Energy conservation, greening buildings, and finding alternative sources of energy are growing ever more important. Funding for terrorism, according to futurists, comes primarily from oil revenues in OPEC countries. Our over-reliance of oil related products will necessitate looking at ways to reduce reliance on oil from these sources to enable energy independence, reduce global warming trends and ultimately cut off funding for terrorist organizations in nations frought with radical fundamentalists.

First Blog of the New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope your holiday season was safe and enjoyable.

News From Nutrition:

• Prostate Cancer:

1. Prevention-health-conscious males should be taking vitamin E, selenium, vitamin D, lycopene, gama tocopherol, pomegranate, boron and fish oils.
2. Prostate screening should start at age 40.
3. Eating Your Way to Prostate Cancer-high comsumption of arachidonic acid-rich and precursor/stimulating foods create excess arachidonic acid in the body-red meat, eggs, cheese, dairy products, junk food. First line of defense-Omega 3s. 5-Loxin inhibits several tumor growth factors. Eliminate or significantly reduce Omega 6 fatty acids which the American diet is high in,

Miscellaneous Nutritional news

• Olive oil extract may kill colon cancer cells (Mediterranean diet component)
• Diabetic Neuropathy improved with alpha-lipoic acid.
• Fish Oils/DHA Suppresses Fat Cell production-DHA or docosahexaenoic acid the Omega 3 fatty acid in fish oil was shown in new research to encourage adipose cells to release their stores of fatty acids (burning fats). European doctors advise fish oils after heart attacks.
• Cognitive Decline-High vegetable consumption slows cognitive decline. Curry spice supports cognition in older adults.
• Diabetes/Glucose control-great tea may improve glucose control. Ginger shows promise in decreasing blood sugar, cholesterol and lipid levels.
• Vitamin D-low blood levels may make you more susceptible to flu. Vitamin D affects the immune system.