HealthBeat News

Author: Wellness Club

  • Health Freedom At Risk – Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement In FDA Crosshairs

    The FDA Takes Sides – and sides with Big Pharma to stop bio-identical hormone replacement therapy!

    Dr. Myatt warned about this a year ago, in her HealthBeat article More Proof-Positive That Big Pharma Doesn’t Give a Damn
    About Your Health    . At that time we were warning about “The Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007” a sneaky tag added at the last minute to an FDA funding bill.

    Pharmaceutical giant Wyeth has been “madder than a wet hen” since 2005 when it’s blockbuster mega-profit synthesized drugs Premarin and Prempro took a dive with the announcement that they were doing more harm than good for many women. They have been looking to get even ever since.

    Now they have taken the next step in that process: their approach is “if we can’t make money on this stuff, we’re going to make sure that nobody does!”

    The FDA has agreed to support Wyeth in their campaign to end access to compounded hormone medicines and announced that it will “halt” compounding of hormone treatments that contain estriol – a common and critical component of many bio-identical hormone therapies.

    Even more frightening, the FDA has announced that they are banning the use of the words “Bio-Identical” by compounding pharmacists, and presumably by your doctor or anyone else for that matter. What power this rogue agency has assumed!

    You can find more information, including actions that you can take to help save your access to Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Here.

    Dr. Myatt and I urge you to follow this link and do everything you can to rein in the FDA and their friends and benefactors, Big Pharma. The assault on your health freedoms is relentless!

  • Turmeric For Tumors? And, where can I get really good Flax Oil?

    John had written us a year ago asking about treatment options for his acoustic neuroma, saying that he had been given the options of surgery or radiation by conventional medicine, and did not like either of those choices. I wrote back then to say: “There is a third option for your neuroma, and that is to do nothing – to leave it be. An acoustic neuroma is a benign lesion and quite slow growing, so unless it is causing some sort of problem, for example if it has grown large enough to compress other structures it is usually best left alone. As you note, neither surgery or radiation are attractive options.” I also mentioned that Turmeric had been receiving some attention recently and said “There is evidence that Turmeric may be useful: new research proved that curcumin, a substance found in tumeric (a food spice), works to reduce brain inflammation and may help stop tumors from growing. There are also some anecdotal positive testimonials from AN patients: “I saw … posts about taking a curcuminoid to help with the light headedness. I’m not sure but as soon as I started taking these, I feel much better.”

    John doesn’t say which treatment option he finally decided on, but we got another letter recently from him:

    recently i asked about tumors. you sent me something about cummun ? how muc shoud i take ? also where can i get the real honest to goodness linseed oil? Not the crap you find at most places in the Us.

    More information about Turmeric (curcumin) can be found on our website – including suggestions for use.

    Linseed oil is another name for Flax Seed Oil – a very important supplement for many reasons. John is right – there are a lot of inferior products out there when it comes to Flax Oil. We have a very high quality, very pure product available – find out more about our Flax Seed Oil here. An explanation of the various essential fatty acids, including the Omega-3 fatty acids found in Flax Seed Oil can be found here. An important note about Flax Seed Oil: one of the most valuable components of Flax and Flax Oil is a form of fiber called Lignans; be sure that they are included – not filtered out – in your Flax Seed Oil. If they are included (the oil will be labeled as “High Lignan) be sure to shake the oil well before using as they will settle out otherwise. When the bottle seems “empty” cut it open and you will likely find a dark brown “sludge” in the bottom – these are lignans that have settled out. These can be eaten! In fact, I think they are delicious – and I consider them a special treat that I like to add to my daily Super Shake.

  • Niacin For Cholesterol Control – Is Flush-Free Or Regular Niacin Better?

     With the constant barrage of strident warnings from Big Pharma about  the dangers of “high cholesterol” (all intended to sell expensive and profitable statin drugs) it is no wonder that we receive many questions about natural treatments and controls for cholesterol levels. We have written about this topic often – see our articles The Bacon and Egg Cure for High Cholesterol , LDL Cholesterol: Another Big Fat Lie, and Lower Cholesterol Naturally  for plenty of great information on this subject.

    Doug recently wrote with a straightforward question that occasionally comes up:

    In my research of niacin therapy to positively affect your LDL and HDL levels, I have read conflicting statements about the use of flushing vs. non-flushing forms of niacin.  I am currently taking 1000 mg./day of the non-flush niacin; but if the flushing type is more effective, I want to use whatever will provide the best results.
     Thanks, Doug

    To which Dr. Myatt replied:

    Hi Doug:Both niacin and flush-free appear to work as well. Niacinamide does not help lipid levels.

    Do NOT use timed-release niacin; it is toxic to the liver.

    In Health,
    Dr. Myatt

    Since we have found that the Flush Free form of niacin is so much better tolerated by our patients, and works as well as the regular form, we offer only Flush Free Niacin. As we have explained before, this natural substance has a far better track record of safety and effectiveness than any of the statin drugs, and provides long-lasting heart health benefits; we consider it to be the first choice for cholesterol control.
     

  • More Good News About Fish Oil – For Diabetes and Weight Loss

    Evidence supporting the benefit of Omega-3 fatty acids, especially those found in Fish Oil, continues to mount. We have written about this before in HealthBeat articles – and Fish Oil is becoming important enough that the Drug Companies are scrambling to find ways to market their versions of this fairly simple substance at obscene prices.

    The following article came across my desk the other day – it will be of great interest to diabetics and those needing to trim some abdominal inches.

    Key Points in this article include:

    • Omega-3 fish oil produced beneficial changes to diabetic women’s bodies.
    • Fish oil reduced fat mass, the size of abdominal fat cells, and expression of pro-inflammatory genes in abdominal fat.
    • Results add to prior findings of anti-diabetic effects from omega-3s.

    Fish Oil Trims Diabetics’ Belly and Blood Fat

    Omega-3s also improved genetic and blood-fat profiles in small clinical study
    by Craig Weatherby

    Evidence that omega-3s and vitamin D may play helpful roles in type 2 (adult onset) diabetes continues to mount.

    Evidence also continues to accumulate that the shortage of omega-3s – and excess of omega-6s – in Western diets exacerbates the growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome and its twin spawn: heart disease and diabetes.(Those excess omega-6s come from vegetable oils, the prepared and packaged foods made with those oils, and meats and poultry raised on grains instead of grass.)

    The results of a small clinical trial from France lend weight to the hypothesis that diets high in omega-3s may help deter or ameliorate diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

    Belly fat and diabetes risk: A case of apples versus pears

    Compared with pear-shaped people – whose fat is centered on the hips and thighs – apple-shaped people with body fat centered on the abdomen are at greater risk of metabolic syndrome, heart disease and diabetes.

    This appears to be a function of the fact that fat cells (adipocytes) in the abdomen possess properties different from adipocytes found in the lower body.

    For one thing, abdominal adipocytes generate pro-inflammatory chemicals associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, heart disease and diabetes.

    In addition to anti-inflammatory impacts, omega-3s exert some of the same effects�produced by the leading diabetes drugs, called PPAR agents.

    The results of a clinical trial from France add to the good news, and are most welcome, given the need for nutritional tactics to deter metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease.

    French trial shows belly fat loss from fish oil

    Last month, researchers from INSERM – France’s counterpart to the US National Institutes of Health – published the results of a small, controlled clinical trial designed to test the effects of fish oil (Kabir M et al. 2007).

    They recruited 27 women with diabetes and randomly assigned them to receive either fish oil (providing 1.8 grams of omega-3s per day) or a placebo (paraffin oil) for two months.

    At the end of the study, the women in the omega-3 showed significant reductions in their total fat mass and the diameter of the fat cells beneath the surface of their abdominal skin.

    No such benefits were detected in the placebo group.

    In addition, the omega-3 group showed reduced blood fat (triglyceride) levels and a lower ratio of triglycerides to HDL ("good") cholesterol: changes that reduce the risk that plaque will form in arteries.

    Finally, the omega-3 group enjoyed reductions in a subset of inflammation-related genes in their belly fat.

    The fish oil group showed no improvements in measures of insulin sensitivity, but omega-3s have never been associated with such changes, per se.

    Omega-3s appear able to stabilize blood sugar levels, but they do it by means other than insulin sensitization, which remain unclear.

    NOTE: Fish oil supplements can temporarily worsen blood sugar control in diabetics. Diabetics who take fish oil for the first time should consult their physician, and monitor their blood sugar more closely for a few weeks.

    Sources

    1. Delarue J, LeFoll C, Corporeau C, Lucas D. N-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: a nutritional tool to prevent insulin resistance associated to type 2 diabetes and obesity. Reprod Nutr Dev. 2004 May-Jun;44(3):289-99. Review.
    2. Kabir M, Skurnik G, Naour N, Pechtner V, Meugnier E, Rome S, Quignard-Boulange A, Vidal H, Slama G, Clement K, Guerre-Millo M, Rizkalla SW. Treatment for 2 mo with n 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces adiposity and some atherogenic factors but does not improve insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec;86(6):1670-9.
    3. Luo J, Rizkalla SW, Vidal H, Oppert JM, Colas C, Boussairi A, Guerre-Millo M, Chapuis AS, Chevalier A, Durand G, Slama G. Moderate intake of n-3 fatty acids for 2 months has no detrimental effect on glucose metabolism and could ameliorate the lipid profile in type 2 diabetic men. Results of a controlled study. Diabetes Care. 1998 May;21(5):717-24.
      Mostad IL, Bjerve KS, Bjorgaas MR, Lydersen S, Grill V. Effects of n-3 fatty acids in subjects with type 2 diabetes: reduction of insulin sensitivity and time-dependent alteration from carbohydrate to fat oxidation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Sep;84(3):540-50. Erratum in: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jun;85(6):1668.
    4. Rivellese AA, Maffettone A, Iovine C, Di Marino L, Annuzzi G, Mancini M, Riccardi G. Long-term effects of fish oil on insulin resistance and plasma lipoproteins in NIDDM patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Diabetes Care. 1996 Nov;19(11):1207-13.
    5. Rodriguez-Cruz M, Tovar AR, del Prado M, Torres N. [Molecular mechanisms of action and health benefits of polyunsaturated fatty acids]. Rev Invest Clin. 2005 May-Jun;57(3):457-72. Review. Spanish.
    6. Yamamoto K, Itoh T, Abe D, Shimizu M, Kanda T, Koyama T, Nishikawa M, Tamai T, Ooizumi H, Yamada S. Identification of putative metabolites of docosahexaenoic acid as potent PPARgamma agonists and antidiabetic agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2005 Feb 1;15(3):517-22.

  • More Pet Health – Dr. Myatt Adds Her Thoughts…

    Regarding Pet (Dog) Joint Health

    Hello? Dogs don’t have joint problems because of a deficiency of Pharmaceutical drugs! And because their liver function is different that ours (human), they arDr. Myatt (Big Dog Mama) with Big Dog - Her beloved protection dog and friend of many yearse even less tolerant of many un-natural substances. So… all the problems associated with these drugs for human use can be expected to cause similar, and often bigger, side effects in animals. Dr. Myatt’s Bottom Line: If YOU wouldn’t use a drug as a “first line of defense” against a health problem, don’t use it as a first line of defense in your pet, either. (The picture to the right is Dr. Myatt (AKA “Big Dog Mama”) with “Big Dog” – Her faithful protection dog and friend of many years)Dogs and Joint Health.

    Dogs are naturally carnivores in the wild, meaning that their bodies are designed to use raw meat almost exclusively. Oh, they’ll eat a few berries, grasses and even eggs when they find them, but meat is a dogs natural food. Not cereal-based “kibble,’ not highly cooked, canned “junk food” meat. A dog misses out on the nutrients it needs when fed these foods. Now, feed these foods for a lifetime, and is it any wonder that dogs develop joint problems that they wouldn’t have in the wild?

    I’m sure Nurse Mark said it, but I’ll say it again. WE ARE NOT VETERINARIANS. We are not allowed (by law) to make recommendations for your pet. WE ARE, HOWEVER, DOG OWNERS AND DOG LOVERS. So from the standpoint of a dog-owner, I’ll tell you what we do with our dogs (none of whom have joint problems).

    1.) We feed them raw meat. We get this from a local butcher — fat and scraps that aren’t “people quality.” We grind this up like hamburger, freeze it, and feed the dogs a 1/2 cup sized-meatball at least twice per week. When we’ve got more meat, we reduce their kibble (all-organic rice and lamb, not ideal, but we can’t afford pure meat, the ideal diet).

    2.) We feed them raw eggs. Most dogs love eggs! Plop a raw egg into their bowl a couple of time per week, especially on a day when they don’t get meat. We put the shell in (high in calcium, and they would eat an egg shell and all in the wild). The essential fats are very healthy for joints, and will give them a beautiful coat as well.

    3.) Occasional raw vegetables. Lettuce, broccoli, carrots — use the scraps (raw) from your own food.

    4.) NO people food. Dogs don’t do well with most people food (foods listed above are the exception), and some are even highly toxic to dogs. Give them a small piece of raw meat for a snack or training treat.

    5.) Plenty of exercise. Our dogs go for walks, runs and 30-45 minutes of high-energy Frisbee play every day. Their vet always seems amazed at what good condition they are in!

    Even if your pet isn’t so active, keep their weight normal by decreasing total calories 9if needed) to make them “lean and keen.” Their joints — just like in humans — don’t do well when carrying excess weight.

    6.) Supplements for joint health.
            A.) Dog Vites: general vitamin/mineral supplement for dogs. Powdered, tastes great, adds easily to food. Do you really think their junk-food kibble (even the “organic” stuff) has all the nutrients found in the wild? NOT!
            B.) NutriJoint for Dogs: a combination of the supportive nutrients to improve dog joint-health, all in one convenient formula. Like Dog Vites, this adds easily to food. Or you can give the nutrients separately, as listed by Nurse Mark. Personally, I like the easiest method!