Category: Nutrition and Health

By Nurse Mark

Marilyn writes to ask:

I had read that flaxseed is a goitrogen.  Is this true…I have a thyroid problem already.  Thanks!

Here is my reply:

Marilyn, there are many, many things that are goitrogens – so many that it would be very difficult to avoid them all!

Here are excerpts from the textbook Minerals in animal and human nutrition:

Some natural goitrogens include cassava, cabbage, disulfides of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons from geological sediments in drinking water, bacterial products of E.coli in drinking water, soybean, cottonseed, flaxseed, peas, peanuts […] Even tobacco smoking was associated with a two-fold increase in goiter […] Brassica species (i.e., kale, cabbage, broccoli, rutabagas, mustard, cauliflower, turnip, Brussels sprouts and rape) produce active goitrogens […] Small aliphatic disulfides, the major volatile components of onion and garlic, also have marked antithyroid effects.

So, rather than worrying about avoiding everything that might possibly be a goitrogen, you might want to concentrate your efforts toward actually correcting your thyroid problem. Dr. Myatt has written an excellent resource page on Hypothyroidism and a well-researched article titled Iodine: the "Missing Mineral" for Thyroid, Heart, Healthy Immunity and Cancer Protection. Since Iodine is so intimately tied to thyroid health you will want to consider testing to determine your Iodine levels. Dr. Myatt is highly skilled at interpreting your Iodine test, and at treating and correcting thyroid problems – a Telephone Consultation would be a wise investment!

Here’s to improving your thyroid health!

References:

1. L. R. McDowell, Minerals in animal and human nutrition Published by Elsevier Health Sciences, 2003 ISBN 0444513671, 9780444513670 pages 310, 311.

Surprising Dangers of Waterless Handcleaners

By Dr. Myatt

It sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Wash your hands (or face, or baby’s bottom, etc.) any time, any place without water by using antibacterial "wipes" and waterless gels. After all, "everyone knows" that dirty hands spread germs, and anything that let’s you have a quick cleanse should be good, or so the theory goes. Before you abandon plain ol’ soap and water for waterless gels or wipes, here are some surprising facts about this seemingly innocent but potentially very dangerous practice.

Triclosan is the main antimicrobial agent in many antibacterial gels, wipes and numerous other products including soaps, deodorants, toothpastes, shaving creams, mouth washes, and cleaning products. It is also infused in many items such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags.

Trichlosan is a broad-spectrum microbicide with at least four known "unintended consequences," none of them good. Here’s what triclosan does and why I recommend steering clear of products containing this chemical.

1.) It creates "Super Bugs." Although it does a "heavy microbe kill", trichlosan doesn’t kill ALL bugs. Resistance has already been identified in E.coli, salmonella and pseudomonas. This is analogous to the problem we now have with bacteria as a result of overuse of antibiotics: the bugs become resistant to the drug so that eventually nothing can kill them. We are potentially creating more "Super Bugs" by the use of triclosan.(1-11)

2.) It disrupts thyroid function. Trichlosan has anti-thyroid effects, at least in animals. Trichlosan competes for the thyroid receptor and has been seen in animals to decrease circulating thyroid levels. This isn’t a hypothetical effect, it has already been demonstrated. And because trichlosan is "persistent" (it doesn’t degrade or leave the body — or the earth — quickly or easily), this thyroid-disrupting effect may be around for many years. (12-13)

3.) It degrades into Toxic Compounds. Under common environmental conditions, triclosan degrades into a number of toxic compounds including dioxin, chloroform and other chlorinated compounds, many known or suspected carcinogens.  To further the problem, as stated above, these compounds are "persistent," meaning they don’t degrade easily and so accumulate in water, fat tissue, soil, fish and other wildlife.(14-17)

4.) It causes environmental contamination. Triclosan makes it’s way into the environments through wastewater treatment plant effluent, urban stormwater, rural stormwater, and agricultural runoff. In ground water, it has already been identified at levels high enough to cause genetic mutations and hormone disruption in wildlife.(18-21)

Dr. Myatt’s Bottom Line: Using trichlosan has never been shown to do a better job of decreasing bacterial diseases than plain ol’ soap and water.

"The use of these products have never been shown to be superior, to my knowledge, to regular soap and water" according to Dr. Tamar Barlan, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s project on antibiotic resistance.

What we DO know is that this chemical can help breed "Super Bugs," disrupt thyroid function and create cancer-causing compounds. Because it degrades slowly, it’s likely to be "the gift that keeps on giving," contaminating the environment for decades to come.

With no proven benefit and at least four serious "anti-benefits," and considering that this stuff hangs around for so long in our bodies and the environment, I suggest we would all do well to stay far away from thriclosan.

If you can’t wash your hands the old fashioned way with soap, use an alcohol wipe without trichlosan OR a waterless handcleaner based on alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

In Health,
Dr. Myatt

References:

1.) Siamak P. Yazdankhah, Anne A. Scheie, E. Arne Høiby, Bjørn-Tore Lunestad, Even Heir, Tor Øystein Fotland, Kristine Naterstad, Hilde Kruse. Triclosan and Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria: An Overview. Microbial Drug Resistance. Summer 2006, 12(2): 83-90.
2.) CHARLES W. WELDEN REX A. HOSSLER. EVOLUTION IN THE LAB:
Biocide Resistance in E. coli. THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 65, NO. 1, JANUARY 2003, pp.56-61.
3.) Levy, C.W., Roujeinikova, A., Sedelnikova, S., Baker, P., Stuitje,
A., Slabas, A., Rice, D.W. & Rafferty, J.B. (1999). Molecular
basis of triclosan activity. Nature, 398, 383-384.
4.) Levy, S.B. (1998). The challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Scientific American, 278, 46-55.
5.) McMurray, L.M., Oethinger, M., Levy, S.B. (1998). Triclosan
targets lipid synthesis. Nature, 394, 531-532.
6.) Sasatusu, M. (1993). Triclosan-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
The Lancet, 341, 756.
7.) Stix, G. (1998). The E. coli are coming. Scientific American, 279,
29.
8.) Travis, J. (2000). Popularity of germ fighter raises concern.
Science News, 157, 342.
9.) Henderson, C.W. (Ed.) (2000a). Use of triclosan in household products may increase harmful microbial resistance. Tuberculosis & Outbreaks Week, August 15, 2000.
Henderson, C.W. (Ed.) (2000b).
10.) Tuberculosis & Outbreaks Week, September 19, 2000.
Larkin, M. (1999). A close look at triclosan raises questions.
The Lancet, 353, 1160.
11.) Aiello AE, et al "Consumer Antibacterial Soaps: Effective or Just Risky" Clinical Infectious Diseases 2007; 45, Supp.2: S137-147.
12.) Veldhoen N, Skirrow RC, Osachoff H, Wigmore H, Clapson DJ, Gunderson MP, Van Aggelen G, Helbing CC. The bactericidal agent triclosan modulates thyroid hormone-associated gene expression and disrupts postembryonic anuran development.  Aquat Toxicol. 2006 Dec 1;80(3):217-27. Epub 2006 Sep 29
13.) Zorrilla LM, Gibson EK, Jeffay SC, Crofton KM, Setzer WR, Cooper RL, Stoker TE. The effects of triclosan on puberty and thyroid hormones in male Wistar rats. Toxicol Sci. 2009 Jan;107(1):56-64. Epub 2008 Oct 21.
14.) Rule KL, Ebbett VR, Vikesland PJ. Formation of chloroform and chlorinated organics by free-chlorine-mediated oxidation of triclosan.Environ Sci Technol. 2005 May 1;39(9):3176-85.
15.) D.E. Latch, J. Packer, B. Stender, J. Van Overbeke, W. Arnold, and K. McNeill, Aqueous Photochemistry of Triclosan: formation of 2,4-Dichlorophenol, 2,8-Dichlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin, and Oligomerization Products,
Environ. Toxicol. Chem, Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 517-525, 2005.
16.) EPA, Office of Water. Water Quality Standards Database Ambient Water Quality Criteria for 2,4-dichlorophenol. EPA 440/5-80-042, October 1980.
17.) K.L. Rule, V.R. Ebbett, P.J. Vikesland. Formation of Chloroform and Chlorinated Organics by Free-Chlorine- Mediated Oxidation of Triclosan. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2005. 39, 3176 – 3185.
18.) B.A. Wilson, V.H Smith, F. de Noyelles Jr. C.K. Larive, Effects of three pharmaceutical and personal care products on natural freshwater algal assemblages, Environ.Sci. Technol. 2003.
19.) L. Samsoe-Petersen, M. Winther-Nielsen, and T. Madsen, Danish EPA, “Fate and Effects of Triclosan,”
September 2003.
20.) Lindstrom, A.; Buerge, I. J.; Poiger, T.; Bergqvist, P.-A.; Muller, M.D.; Buser, H.-R. Occurrence and
Environmental Behavior of the Bactericide Triclosan and Its Methyl Derivative in Surface Waters and in
Wastewater Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002. 36, 2322-2329
21.) Balmer. M.; Poiger, T.; Droz. C.; Romanin. K.; Bergqvist, P.; Muller. M.; Buser. R.; Occurance of methyl triclosan, a transformation product of the batericide Triclosan, in fish from various lakes in Switzerland. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2004, 38, 390-395.

By Nurse Mark

Acid Blocking drugs such as Tagamet, Zantac, Prilosec, Nexium and others of their ilk are some of the most widely-used drugs in America. They are also therefore some of the the most profitable for Big Pharma. But there is a dark and dirty little secret about these drugs that Big Pharma and the FDA would really rather that you not know about: They are highly addictive!

We frequently receive questions similar to that posed by Annette in this recent letter to us:
 
Okay, so I may have insufficient stomach acid. BUT, I use Prilosec to keep my stomach from hurting. I am 73, in excellent health (except for this), and take no other medicine. If I stop using Prilosec, my stomach gives me fits. What do I do to change the situation? Your article gives no thoughts on the subject. I don’t require detailed advice – just some simple suggestions. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Here’s the scoop Annette:

It is well known that the proton pump inhibitor drugs Prilosec and the virtually identical drugs Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Pantoloc, and Aciphex – all of which effectively stop the stomach’s production of vital gastric acid – are some of the most addictive drugs legally offered for sale to the public. The "rebound effect" is so common and so distressing that for many people with GERD who are using these drugs it is just too difficult to stop – they are "hooked" into a lifetime of pill-popping.

Big Pharma must be rubbing it’s hands with glee at the prospects of ever-more people becoming "hooked" on these drugs as they flood the market with them in the form of "Over-The-Counter" (O.T.C.) drugs available for sale nearly everywhere – pharmacies, supermarkets and grocery stores, Big Box warehouse stores, convenience stores, you-name-it.

The problem with stopping these drugs is that the acid-producing cells of the stomach often begin to resume their production of stomach acid – with vigor, as is they are making up for lost time. This can lead to fairly severe discomfort, convincing the poor victim to believe that he or she surely must need the drug to continue a happy life. This well-known "rebound effect" can last for some time – it has been suggested that it can last weeks in more difficult cases.

Some further information about dealing with GERD can be found on our website where we discuss Indigestion. The dietary and lifestyle and supplement suggestions there should be carefully followed when attempting to stop proton pump inhibiting drugs.

Dealing with the "rebound effect" is another matter: some suggest just "toughing it out" – but that seems a little harsh, even cruel, to me.

The most sensible solution that I have seen offered is for the sufferer to use simple O.T.C. antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, or Maalox when things get too uncomfortable. These products work by simply buffering or neutralizing stomach acid, and not by shutting down the very production of it. Their effects are short-lived, their side-effects are infrequent and minimal (diarrhea or constipation, depending on the makeup of the antacid) and usually easily corrected simply by changing the effective ingredient by changing the brand.

One should find that as the stomach and it’s acid production return to normal the antacids are required less frequently – and soon enough not at all.

Another useful supplement is Gastro-Soothe – DGL or Deglycyrrhinated Licorice. Licorice helps to increase the protective mucous layer in the stomach thus helping to prevent heartburn.

Annette, I hope this will give you, and others in the same predicament, some hope and encouragement – the dangers of the "Acid Blockers" are widely known and they are well to be rid of.

References:

1. Ome-Mg Briefing Document 20-Oct-00 145 11 Rebound of Gastric Acid http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/00/backgrd/3650b1a_11.pdf

2. Gillen D, McColl KE. Problems related to acid rebound and tachyphylaxis. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2001 Jun;15(3):487-95.

3. Fossmark R, Johnsen G, Johanessen E, Waldum HL. Rebound acid hypersecretion after long-term inhibition of gastric acid secretion. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Jan 15;21(2):149-54.

Opinion by Nurse Mark

Regular readers know that I am in fact a Registered Nurse and have been one for over 25 years now.

What readers may not know is that twenty of those years were spent working within the Canadian healthcare system’s hospitals.

Working in areas from the E.R. to surgery to medical to palliative care, I have seen how the "Universal Health Care" system, as practiced in Canada, really works.

Because of this experience, I must admit that I have some very serious reservations about the "Universal" and government-funded health plans that many of our American politicians, including Mr. Obama, are seeking to impose upon the American people.

I have seen the failings of such a plan "up-close-and-personal" and I have no wish to see any of my fellow American neighbors endure the frustrations that can come from having politicians directing medical decisions. It is my guess that if our bureaucrats and politicians were really qualified to make good medical decisions they would be working as doctors, not as bureaucrats or politicians.

I spotted an opinion article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday as I was making my morning review of health-related news. It caught my eye first because it appeared in such a prestigious and usually fairly politically-neutral paper, normally more concerned with news of financial importance than with health, and secondly because the author is a Canadian-trained physician who is obviously quite qualified to share with us his view of the failings of the "Universal Health Care" systems that our politicians are eagerly pressing for.

In part, the author of this article states:

Not long ago, I would have applauded this type of government expansion. Born and raised in Canada, I once believed that government health care is compassionate and equitable. It is neither.

My views changed in medical school. Yes, everyone in Canada is covered by a "single payer" — the government. But Canadians wait for practically any procedure or diagnostic test or specialist consultation in the public system.

I invite you to read the entire article here:

Canada’s ObamaCare Precedent – Governments always ration care by making you wait. That can be deadly.

And I invite your thoughts and comments on this issue – please give us your feedback!