HealthBeat News

Author: Wellness Club

  • Dangers of your Daily Shower: Part I

    Deadly Daily Showers, Part I: Hot Water

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    What should be a relaxing, cleansing daily health ritual may actually be one of the most dangerous things you do every day. Learn how and why your daily shower is far more dangerous than you know, and how to reclaim your daily shower as a truly healing ritual.

    What’s in Your Water?

    Over 315 different chemicals have been identified in municipal water sources around the country. There are no federal testing guidelines for more than half of these chemicals.

    Of the remainder, as many as 49 have been found in levels above that allowed by law. This means that 53.6 million Americans are exposed to dangerously high levels of contaminants in municipal water! (1)

    Unregulated contaminants include antibiotics, statin drugs, pain medications, “head meds” like Prozac and estrogens among others.(2)

    If unintended contaminants — including drinking your neighbor’s drug-filled toilet-water — isn’t disgusting enough, remember that the deliberately added chemicals chlorine and fluoride, carry their own risks.

    Chlorine, added to kill bacteria, combines with organic matter to form chloroform, trihalomethanes (THMs) and other Disinfection By-Products (DCP’s). According to the U.S. Government, these chemicals “result in adverse effects on the central nervous system, liver, kidneys and heart” and are also potent carcinogens. (3)

    Fluoride in the form of hexafluorosilicic acid, a waste product of the fertilizer industry, vaporizes to hydrogen fluoride (HF).

    According to the U.S. Government, HF is highly corrosive to the lungs, “irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and inhalation may cause respiratory irritation or hemorrhage. Systemic effects can occur from all routes of exposure and may include nausea, vomiting, gastric pain, or cardiac arrhythmia. Symptoms may be delayed for several days, especially in the case of exposure to dilute solutions of hydrogen fluoride (less than 20%).” At the highest doses, HF is lethal.(4)

    Alrighty Then… Let’s Take a Shower

    Many people realize that municipal water is often contaminated, and they take steps to drink pure water, like buying bottled water or a filter for the sink. But exposure to contaminants from your shower water are up to 62% more deadly. (9) Why?

    Exposure to the chemicals in your shower are more dangerous than drinking the same water because I.) your pores are open and toxins can be readily absorbed through the skin and II.) you also inhale the toxic vapors of chlorine and fluoride by-products.

    In the case of a shower, the longer you spend, the more toxins you are exposed to.(5-6). The greatest observed increases in trihalomethane concentrations in blood and breath were seen from hot water use, specifically showering and hand-washing.(7)

    Studies have shown that the amount of these volatile organic chemicals (VOC’s) from the shower and other indoor hot-water uses (such as the vapors exhausting from your dishwasher) are “significant.” When THM’s are measured in the blood, showering contributed to a 64% increase compared to swimming in pools at 23%, bathing 12%, and drinking water 1%. The total THM uptake is much higher from showering than any other use of treated water.(9)

    Reclaim Your Shower as a Healing Ritual

    Part I of reclaiming your daily shower as a true healing ritual includes making sure that your shower water is pure. This may be even more important than ensuring pure drinking water.

    Shower-head filters are inexpensive and reliable. I recommend a shower water filter for anyone using municipal water.

    Aquasana Water Purifiers makes some of the highest-rated filters at the best prices.

    Related Articles

    Drugs In Our Water:
    http://healthbeatnews.com/news/archives/511

    Guys: Is Your Water Turning You Into a “Girlie-Man”?
    http://healthbeatnews.com/news/archives/502

    Female Hormones in Drinking Water
    http://healthbeatnews.com/news/archives/52

    References

    1.) Environmental Working Group National Drinking Water Data Base. http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/home . Accessed 07/28/10.

    2.) Associated Press Investigation: Pharmaceuticals Found in Drinking Water.
    http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/pharmawater_site/day1_05.html . Accessed 07/28/10.

    3.) Trihalomethanes: Health Information Summary.
    http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-ehp-13.pdf

    4.) Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Fluoride (HF). Dept. of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mhmi/mmg11.html#bookmark02

    5.) Wilkes CR, Small MJ, Davidson CI, Andelman JB. Modeling the effects of water usage and co-behavior on inhalation exposures to contaminants volatilized from household water. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol. 1996 Oct-Dec;6(4):393-412. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9087861

    6.) Haddad S, Tardif GC, Tardif R. Development of physiologically based toxicokinetic models for improving the human indoor exposure assessment to water contaminants: trichloroethylene and trihalomethanes. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2006 Dec;69(23):2095-136.

    7.) Nuckols JR, Ashley DL, Lyu C, Gordon SM, Hinckley AF, Singer P.Influence of tap water quality and household water use activities on indoor air and internal dose levels of trihalomethanes.Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Jul;113(7):863-70.

    8.) Lourencetti C, Ballester C, Fernández P, Marco E, Prado C, Periago JF, Grimalt JO. New method for determination of trihalomethanes in exhaled breath: applications to swimming pool and bath environments.Anal Chim Acta. 2010 Mar 3;662(1):23-30. Epub 2010 Jan 11.

    9.) Villanueva CM, Gagniere B, Monfort C, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Cordier S. Sources of variability in levels and exposure to trihalomethanes. Environ Res. 2007 Feb;103(2):211-20. Epub 2006 Dec 26.

  • Are You Really At Risk For Dangerously High Potassium?

    RE: Your “High” Potassium:

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    This is the second time in two days that someone has called me about their “high potassium” (and concerned about the supplements they are taking), so I’m going to answer it publicly in HealthBeat. Other people may wrongly believe their potassium is high and may double-wrongly believe that it is caused by one of their supplements. Here’s the REAL scoop.

    Phyllis asked this question:

    “I have taken red yeast rice to reduce cholesterol, 2 capsules a day, not 4. It worked marvelously but my potassium levels spiked way up (5.8).  How much potassium is in red yeast rice?  Perhaps I should only take 1 capsule a day since the drop in my cholesterol was 60 points? Don’t want another issue with high potassium.”

    PHYLLIS: With good results like that, I suggest you stick with your 4 caps per day of Red Yeast Rice. Of course, I don’t know “how high” your potassium was, what other numbers may be “off,” or who’s brand of Red Yeast Rice you are taking. But overall, it sounds like you are doing well with this.

    Earlier this week, Lori called and said her potassium was elevated and her doctor told her to stop Maxi Multi’s. She didn’t know for sure how much the elevation was but thought it was “a little.” A daily dose of Maxi Multi’s contains 99mg of potassium.

    Why You Probably Don’t Really Have “High Potassium”

    Do you have any idea what the normal reference range for potassium is, how high is worrisomely high, or what the recommended daily intake is for same? No? I didn’t think so.

    Problem is, your conventional doctor doesn’t seem to know this, either. In fact, your doctor is probably the true “guilty party” in your misplaced belief that your potassium is “too high.”

    How High Is “Too High”?

    The normal reference range for potassium varies from lab to lab, but it is usually about 3.0-5.8. Even numbers a little bit higher than this don’t usually mean anything unless there are other physical findings or lab values that are “off.”

    Now I’m Going To Spank Your Doctor

    If a modest elevation of potassium is the ONLY “outside-the-range” lab number, then the cause of the elevation is IN VITRO HEMOLYSIS. (Def: “in vitro” = in the test tube and “hemolysis” = breakage of red blood cells)

    That’s right, when blood is drawn, improper drawing technique (like too small a needle), improper mixing and handling, prolonged storage before processing and extremes of temperature can cause  some of the red blood cells to break. Red blood cells contain potassium. This is an extremely well-known and common lab phenomenon — that’s why we have a name for it!

    EVERY DOCTOR IS SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PHENOMENON. It is baby-doc simple. Unfortunately, it appears that many either didn’t learn it, are seeing patients too fast to remember even the simple stuff, or skipped a couple of days of med school when laboratory medicine was being taught. For shame.

    Why Potassium is Important

    Potassium is needed for normal heart, neurological, muscle, kidney and adrenal function as well as acid-base balance and body-water balance.

    Deficiencies can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, weakness in general, heart rhythm disturbances, irritability, mental confusion and problems with nerve and muscle conduction. Low potassium levels are highly associated with elevated blood pressure.

    Why Your Supplements AREN’T Causing High Potassium

    Recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is 1,900mg to 5,600mg. Deficiencies of potassium are common and are caused by low dietary intakes, excessive sweating (up to 3,000mg per day can be lost) and certain drugs that increase excretion.

    By law, nutritional supplements can only contain a maximum of 99mg of potassium per serving. That’s a minuscule amount compared to the recommended daily adult intake! (Hard as it is to believe, “Lite Salt” contains over 610mg potassium per 1/4 tsp.)

    Because of this crazy and unjustified restriction on the potassium content of supplements, I recommend using potassium salt as a form of supplementation for those who need higher doses. You won’t find meaningful doses in supplement form.

    People with normal kidney function CAN HANDLE almost ANY AMOUNT OF EXCESS POTASSIUM.

    Unless you have something wrong with your kidneys, are on a drug that causes potassium to be retained or have some other medical condition, “too much potassium” from diet and supplements is nearly impossible.

    Bottom Line on “High Potassium”

    In the absence of kidney disease, other health problems or interfering drugs, a mild elevation is caused by — Repeat after me — “in vitro hemolysis.”

    If you have another disease that is elevating potassium, your potassium levels will be more than a “little” elevated AND your doctor will find other lab values and physical signs of a medical problem.

    No kidney disease; no problems from the minuscule amounts of potassium you are getting in your supplements. The potassium intake from many common foods is quite a bit higher than your supplements. http://www.pamf.org/patients/pdf/potassium_count.pdf

    Ask (or more to the point, REMIND) Your Doctor

    If your doc is reviewing your lab work, there are other numbers that will be elevated in addition to potassium if you have a kidney or other health problem. Your doc should know in half a heart-beat that if your only lab abnormality is a wee elevation of potassium in the absence of other abnormalities, the problem was a “lab funk” and means nothing.

    SO… if your doc says your potassium is elevated, ask if there are any other indications of health problems. Ask if any medications you are on could cause this. Ask if the elevation is small or more than small. THEN ask if it could be “in vitro hemolysis.”

    He/she might turn a bit red in the face, but it will save YOU from undue worry, mistakenly stopping a valuable supplement, or having a repeat blood test that you don’t need.

  • Our Favorite Kind Of Reader…

    Our Favorite Kind Of Reader…

     

    Is one who is informed and pro-active. Geoff certainly fills the bill on both counts!

     

    As our HealthBeat News readers know, Dr. Myatt likes to welcome them when they subscribe and always asks how we can better serve our readers. We recently received this note from a new subscriber in Germany:

     

    Dear Dr Myatt
    Thanks for your welcome note.
    Your website is a breath of fresh air!
    Fortunately, I stumbled across your article “A scientific Discussion of the Safety of Microwave ovens and Microwave cooking” dispelling all the urban legends and misinformation about microwave cooking. Brilliantly argued and well written. Thank you.
    Concerning my health interests, as a 65 year fit and healthy male with no ailments or disabilities yet, I’m interested in longevity, healthy living, men’s health and natural ways to maintain healthy testosterone levels. I think I’m doing all the right things anyway – maintaining my weight (BMI <23), regular sport – jogging, yoga.
    I still use my microwave!
    I look forward to exploring your website further.
    Best regards,
    Geoff
    Germany

    You go Geoff!

    At 65 years young, maintaining weight and fitness, and taking a solid interest in natural ways to health, wellness, and rejuvenation, Geoff is certainly on course for many years of continued good health.

    We are happy to be a part of that!

  • Yet More Niacin / Niacinamide Questions!

    Yet More Niacin / Niacinamide Questions!

     

    By Nurse Mark

     

    Wow – who knew that niacin and niacinamide could cause such confusion?

    We have recently written about both of these substances in  Niacin And Niacinamide Confusion! and Amazing Vitamin Helps Alzheimer’s And More! and even as long ago as February of 2008 in  Niacin For Cholesterol Control – Is Flush-Free Or Regular Niacin Better?.

    We still get questions!

    Yes, the B vitamins are a confusing lot – there are just so darn many of them!

    • Vitamin B1 is thiamine
    • Vitamin B2 is riboflavin
    • Vitamin B3 is niacin or niacinamide
    • Vitamin B5 is pantothenic acid
    • Vitamin B6 is pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride
    • Vitamin B7 is biotin
    • Vitamin B9 is folic acid
    • Vitamin B12 is comprised of the various cobalamins; Cyanocobalamin, Methylcobalamin, Adenosylcobalamin, and Hydroxocobalamin

    You can learn more about the B’s and their uses here: B-12 Extreme explains the  4 forms of B-12 and The B Vitamins has a great table showing the functions of the B-complex family of vitamins.

    Here is the letter that prompted this brief article:

    ….dear Dr Myatt. I am a recent addition to your site…re: Niacin and Niacinamide?…any conflict for an otherwise healthy body, mine, by taking 500 mg of Niacin versus 200 mg of Niacinamide hrs apart?….paul  

    And here is Dr. Myatt’s reply to Paul:

    Hi Paul;

    Welcome!

    No problem known with taking both niacin and niacinamide; however, the dose of niacinamide that you are planning to take is much smaller than what is recommended for arthritis or memory improvement. You might want to learn more about niacinamide here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/Niacinamide.htm

    For niacin, I recommend the no-flush version. It does not have any uncomfortable symptoms and in my 21 years of clinical experience, it works as well (the same) as regular niacin. DO NOT take time-released niacin (the prescription form of niacin), which has been shown to be much more problematic to the liver. http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/niacin.htm

    Hope this helps and again, welcome to HealthBeat!

    Dr. Myatt

  • FDA Finally Acknowledges Antibiotic Danger in Meat Supply

    FDA Finally Acknowledges Antibiotic Danger in Meat Supply

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    The dangers of antibiotics in the U.S. meat supply is well documented. In fact, dangers of antibiotics in meat were acknowledged and reported by the USDA and the FDA as early as 1969.(1) On June 29th, 2010, the FDA finally acknowledged the great danger posed by antibiotics in meat. But don’t get too excited, because wait ’till you see their proposed “cure”!

    Antibiotics are fed to meat animals not only to treat disease, but because they cause animals to eat more and to gain weight faster. The practice of giving animals antibiotics to fatten them is well-known and widely practiced in the beef and poultry industries.

    Bacteria are slippery little things. When exposed to antibiotics, they mutate and often become more dangerous in the process. We call these drug-resistant bacteria “Super Bugs.”

    Today, we are seeing multiple strains of drug-resistant bacteria that infect humans. Some are so horrible that they do not respond to ANY known antibiotics.

    Where are these killer bacteria coming from? Part of the problem is overuse and misuse of antibiotics to treat human conditions, like a doctor prescribing an antibiotic for a viral infection. (Hint: it’s not because an antibiotic will help you with a virus. Antibiotics only kill bacteria. It’s because YOU think you need an antibiotic and the doctor prescribes them as placebos — “to please” — the patient.) Always ask you doctor if you really NEED an antibiotic and if he/she says “no,” take a pass.

    But medical antibiotics are only a small part of the “Super Bug” problem. The biggest threat are mutations created by feeding tons of antibiotics to our meat animals.

    The FDA released a statement on June 29th, 2010, stating that “giving animals antibiotics in order to increase food production is a threat to public health and should be stopped.”

    Although the agency also acknowledged that they have the power to ban the practice of non-medical use of antibiotics in meat animals, they have declined to do so for over 40 years. And they still are not going to ban the practice in spite of their admission of the dangers.

    Instead, they are going to “let the industry regulate itself.” Right – Let’s ask the fox to guard the hen-house.

    Instead of holding your breath waiting for the FDA to actually do something useful to protect you/us from dangerous drugs in our food supply, I recommend that you take pro-active measures.

    Buy organic beef and chicken. Also consider buying local, grass-fed beef from a rancher. We’ll be going “half-sies” with a neighbor in the fall on a grass-fed cow, to be butchered locally. This not only avoids the antibiotics, but also the hormones. (Hormones in meat are another danger of conventional meat; a topic for another time).

    Don’t wait for your friends at the FDA to protect you. They are more concerned about protecting their friends and financiers at Big Pharma than they are with public safety.

    Nurse Mark Comment:

    Finding a source of meats that is hormone and antibiotic free is challenging. Dr. Myatt is currently reviewing some providers of free-range, grass-fed beef and other meats and will be able to make a recommendation soon. Meanwhile, please feel free to follow the link on the right side of this page which will take you to Vital Choice seafoods. Dr. Myatt has carefully reviewed this company and their practices and can recommend them with confidence.

    References:

    1.) The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals.
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine. June 28, 2010.
    2.) Docket No. FDA-2010-D-0094,  CVM 201012.  Draft Guidance: The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals; Availability.  Pages  37450-37451 [FR Doc. 2010-15289] .