HealthBeat News

Category: Sexual Health

  • "Shorts" from This Month’s Conventional Medicine News

    I get a summary of major world medical "breakthroughs" and reports of medical study findings on a daily basis. Here are recent "findings" from conventional medical journals that may be of interest or humor to you.

    Aren’t you glad I read all of these medical reports so you don’t have to?!

    1.) "Keeping Active, Not Smoking Can Reduce but Not Abolish CV Risks of Obesity."

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: Yes, good health habits are cumulative. Still, nothing completely eliminates the risk of being overweight except losing weight.

    Abstract: June 16, 2008 — What people do, whether they smoke, and what they eat can mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of obesity, but they cannot do away with them altogether, researchers say. While other studies have investigated the relationship between fitness and fatness, this latest study also factors in dietary habits and smoking.

    Reference: Keeping Active, Not Smoking Can Reduce but Not Abolish CV Risks of Obesity. Medscape Medical News. June 16, 2008.

    2.) "Red Yeast Extract Reduces Major Coronary Events in Large, Randomized Clinical Trial."

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: I thought we knew this but yet another study proves it. Look for Red Yeast Rice to be "outlawed" as a nutritional supplement because studies prove that it actually works!

    Abstract: June 16, 2008 — A large, randomized clinical trial with the partially purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice has shown that the extract, known as Xuezhikang (XZK), reduced the risk of major coronary events by almost 50% as well as reduced the risk of cardiovascular and total mortality, in patients with a previous myocardial infarction (MI)

    Reference: Red Yeast Extract Reduces Major Coronary Events in Large, Randomized Clinical Trial; Medscape Medical News.June 16, 2008.

    3.) "Calcium Supplementation May Reduce Fracture Risk."

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: Another one I thought we knew buy hey, here’s more "proof" that people benefit from higher calcium intakes. (And another good reason why Maxi Multi contains a full 1,000mg of calcium).

    Abstract: June 13, 2008 — Calcium supplementation reduced risk for all fractures and minimal traumatic fractures in healthy adults younger than 80 years, according to the results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial reported in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

    Reference: Calcium Supplementation May Reduce Fracture Risk; Medscape Medical News. June 13, 2008.

    4.) "Omega-3 Fatty Acid Consumption Tied to Lower Risk of Macular Degeneration"

    Dr. Myatt’s Comment: With so many important functions of Omega-3 fatty acids (Remember, that’s why it is called an Essential Fatty Acid), I can’t understand why everyone doesn’t supplement with fish oil in addition to their daily multivitamin/mineral formula.

    Abstract: Jun 13,2008 – High dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids and fish appear to lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a meta-analysis of observational studies.

    Reference: Omega-3 Fatty Acid Consumption Tied to Lower Risk of Macular Degeneration. Reuters Health Information, Jun 13 , 2008.

    5.) "Low Testosterone Levels Increase Mortality Risk in Men"

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: Long known, yet completely ignored in conventional medicine. Most holistic practitioners (myself included) practice natural hormone replacement therapy with men, not just women.

    Abstract: June 18, 2008 (San Francisco) — A population-based cohort study has demonstrated a link between low levels of testosterone and increased risk for mortality from all causes in adult men of all ages.

    Reference: Low Testosterone Levels Increase Mortality Risk in Men.Medscape Medical News. June 18, 2008.

    6.) "Osteoporosis Drug Promotes Atrial Fibrillation in Population-Based Study"

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: this isn’t the first time you’ve heard me warn of the dangers of "bone building" drugs. The side effects are often worse than the "disease" being treated. Better stick to the basics for preventing osteoporosis: calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, boron, AND strontium (vitamins and minerals needed for bone health); balance the sex hormones and get regular exercise.

    Abstract: April 30, 2008 — Women who have ever taken alendronate (Fosamax, Merck), the bisphosphonate widely prescribed for preservation of bone density that recently went off patent, have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a population-based, case-control study in the April 28, 2008 Archives of Internal Medicine.

    Reference: Medscape Medical News, April 30, 2008.

    And Some of the Latest Drug Warnings Announced …

    (More good reasons to avoid drugs and actually fix your health problems whenever possible)

    "Diabetic Ulcer Drug Gets Black Box Warning" Medscape Medical News. June 9, 2008

    Dr. Myatt’s summary: Cecaplermin gel (Regranex, Johnson & Johnson) increases risk for cancer mortality in patients who use 3 or more tubes of the product.

    Evista: The Deadly "Bone-Building" Drug

    Dr. Myatt’s comment: Here’s the "black box warning" from a swell new drug prescribed to help prevent osteoporosis:

    "WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND DEATH FROM STROKE
    Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported with EVISTA® (raloxifene HCl). Women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take EVISTA. Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke."

    "Digitek Digoxin Tablets Recalled: Possible Double Dose Released by Accident"

    April 29, 2008 (Morristown, NJ) – The manufacturer of Digitek digoxin tablets is recalling the product, saying that it may have accidentally released pills that are double the normal thickness, carrying twice the normal dose.

    Digoxin is used in the treatment of arrhythmias and heart failure, and a double dose could cause toxicity.

    from Heartwire — a professional news service of WebMD

    Dr. Myatt’s Comment: Ever notice that if one manufacturer of a nutritional supplement releases a "bad batch" (remember tryptophan?), the entire supplement is BANNED? But if a drug manufacturer releases a bad batch, hey, they just do a recall and often don’t even apologize for killing people.

  • Are There Female Hormones In Your Drinking Water?

    By Nurse Mark

    Men: Is Your Water Turning You Into a “Girlie-Man”?

    Guys, this is a subject near and dear to my, uh, heart (and other important parts too…)

    Did you know that some drinking water supplies in the US can change the gender of a fish? A US Geological Survey team reports finding a large number of male fish with female traits. In some Potomac River tributaries, nearly all the male small-mouth bass caught in the survey were abnormal. In the Potomac River itself, 7 out of 13 male largemouth bass had female characteristics. Some of them were even producing eggs!

    Gender-bending fish might not sound like a big deal to you, but this actually affects your health far more than you might imagine. The reason so many of these male fish are “turning female” is that they are exposed to environmental toxins in the water — toxins that resemble human estrogens. We call these toxins “estrogen mimickers,” and these estrogen look-a-likes have profound effects on humans.

    Estrogens in Men

    All men have a small amount of the “female” hormone estrogen. That’s normal and we need a little bit to keep all our parts running right. But when estrogen levels become elevated because of an outside source — like drinking water— serious health changes can result. Estrogen mimickers cause high estrogen and low testosterone levels in men.

    This altered estrogen/testosterone ratio causes the onset of feminine features. Once muscular “pecs” (chest muscles) turn into soft, female-like “breasts buds.” A “spare tire” forms around the middle and the risk of prostate cancer goes sky-high. The high estrogen-to-testosterone ratio wreaks havoc with libido and sexual function and often results in a lack of energy. If all that isn’t bad enough, these sex hormone changes can cause feelings of hopelessness and depression. They can even elevate cardiac risk factors in men.

    You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide

    Estrogen mimickers can show up in drinking water from agricultural runoff (many pesticides and herbicides are estrogen look-alikes), but here’s the real kicker. Chlorine — the stuff used to purify all municipal water supplies — is highly toxic and forms estrogen-mimicking organochlorides when it binds with organic matter. This means that unless you are drinking tested pure well or spring water, you are likely consuming estrogen-like compounds in your drinking water.

    If you think buying bottled water is safer, I have bad news for you. Bottled water is no better than tap water, and may even be worse, on two counts:

    First, the FDA standards for bottled water are much lower than they are for municipally-delivered tap water. Much of what you buy as “purified drinking water” is nothing more than tap water that has been “purified.” More than 25 percent of bottled water is actually tap water from municipal water supplies, and another 30 percent of bottled water has chemical and bacterial  contamination above the levels considered safe by state and industry regulations.

    Second, bottled water “lives” in plastic bottles. The bottles themselves can leach chemicals that are “estrogen mimickers.” Now do you see why bottled water isn’t a good “alternative choice”?

    Your Best Bet for Safe Drinking Water

    Your best bet for safe, clean drinking water is install an under-sink purifier. The reverse-osmosis type is very reliable. If you don’t want to invest the money to do that, a simple pitcher with a charcoal filter is better than most bottled water.

    And don’t forget your shower-water! When you’re hot (and your skin’s pores are wide-open), you can absorb toxins from the water. Shower-head filters are inexpensive and reliable.

    A Good Water Filter is a Cheap Investment in Your Health

    A reliable, highly-effective under-sink water filter is an excellent health investment, especially when you consider how important water is to health. The human body is about 60% water. That means we can have 60% of our total body weight contaminated with estrogen-mimicking toxins if we drink lousy water. (And NO, beer, coffee and other beverages are not “safer”! Beer in particular can turn you into a “girlie man,” because it is made with hops, an estrogenic herb. Sorry guys).

    The highest-rated water filters cost about the same as the cheap junk.

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

    Bottom Line? “Just say no” to becoming a “girlie-man” and start drinking and bathing in estrogen-free water!

    References1.) McLean M. More ‘Intersex Fish’ Found in the Potomac. Associated Press. Sep 6, 2006.
    2.) Persistence of pharmaceutical compounds and other organic wastewater contaminants in a conventional drinking-water-treatment plant. Sci Total Environ. 2004 Aug 15;329(1-3):99-113.
    3.) Pre-treatment optimisation studies for secondary effluent reclamation with reverse osmosis. Water Res. 2003 Mar;37(5):1177-84.
    4.) Comparing microfiltration-reverse osmosis and soil-aquifer treatment for indirect potable reuse of water. Water Res. 2003 Sep;37(15):3612-21.

  • Which is the better Hormone Testing – blood testing, saliva testing, or urine testing?

    Hormone testing is something we do a lot of here – Dr. Myatt is very skilled in the interpretation of hormone testing and in the prescribing of Bio-Identical Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy. We get a lot of questions like the one that follows – hopefully the answer to this woman will help others wondering the same thing…

    Susan writes:

    Hi, Nurse Mark,
    I am going to have a hormone saliva test done and am wondering two things:
    1) Do I need to stop taking my OTC women’s menopause formula before? And how long before? (Hopefully not too long because it’s helping me to stay sane … I’m having anxiety, etc., which I think might be related to hormone deficiencies)
    2) Is the saliva test as accurate as blood testing? (Maybe it’s actually preferred?)
    Thank you so much! Susan

    Nurse Mark Answers:

    Hi Susan,

    Please see Dr. Myatt’s information about hormones and hormone testing here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/SexHormoneBalance.htm

    Whether to stop your current hormone Rx for the testing will depend on what the doctor who is monitoring your hormone treatment wants to know. If your doctor wants to know your baseline hormone levels then you may need to stop therapy and “flush out” for up to a month. If your doctor wants to know what your current hormone therapy is achieving in terms of your hormone balance and correction then there may be no need to stop therapy – your doctor will factor your current treatment into the results of testing.

    As you can see, hormone testing, while simple for the patient, is complicated for the person interpreting the results!

    In terms of preference for testing: Remember that hormone levels fluctuate – they ebb and flow – throughout the 24 hour day.

    Blood testing is least preferred as it provides a look at hormone levels only at that instant the blood is drawn.

    Saliva testing is next preferred as it captures a more “average” representation of hormone levels.

    24-hour urine collection analysis is the most accurate as it captures exactly the highs and lows of hormones over the full 24-hour period and provides a very exact look at the averages.

    Hope this helps…

    Cheers,
    Nurse Mark

  • Sex Hormone Balance: Serious Anti-Aging and Disease Prevention

    In both males and females, a decline or imbalance of the sex hormones is associated with a wide variety of health problems.

    Imbalanced or decreased sex hormones in women can cause:

    • Acne or oily skin
    • Bloating
    • Bone loss
    • Breast disease including cancer
    • Cancer (hormone-related: breast, ovary, uterus)
    • Decreased fertility
    • Depression
    • Endometriosis
    • Excess facial and body hair
    • Heart disease
    • Heavy or painful periods
    • Hot flashes
    • Irregular periods
    • Irritability
    • Loss of muscle mass
    • Loss of scalp hair
    • Low libido
    • Memory lapses
    • Menstrual irregularities
    • Mood swings
    • Nervousness
    • Night sweats
    • Osteoporosis
    • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
    • Poor concentration
    • Sleep disturbances
    • Tender or fibrocystic breasts
    • Urinary incontinence
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Weight gain

    Imbalanced or decreased sex hormones in men can cause:

    • Bone loss
    • Decreased mental clarity
    • Decreased muscle strength
    • Decreased stamina
    • Decreased urine flow
    • Depression
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Heart disease
    • Hot flashes
    • Increased abdominal fat
    • Increased urge to urinate
    • Irritability
    • Low sex drive
    • Mood swings
    • Night sweats
    • Poor concentration
    • Sleep disturbances

    Youthful hormone balance, achieved with natural (“bio-identical”) hormone replacement therapy is considered a main-stay of anti-aging and longevity medicine.

    Best Test for Sex Hormone Balance

    The sex hormones can be tested in blood, saliva or urine. Urine provides the most accurate results, saliva is next best and blood testing is least accurate. Here’s why:

    The sex hormones are released in “pulsed” doses throughout a 24-hour period. One hour, the output may be high, the next hour it may be low. This is a normal pattern for both sex and adrenal hormone excretion.

    A blood sample gives us only a “photograph” of the hormones present at the time the blood is drawn. It tells us nothing about the 24-hour average of hormones (which is the real number we are concerned with). Blood testing is the least accurate measure of sex and adrenal hormones.

    Saliva, which reflects an “average” of the 24-hour hormone content of the blood, is the next most accurate.

    Because a 24-hour urine test “captures” both the highs and lows of hormone output for an entire 24-hour time period and averages them, this method of hormone testing is in my opinion the “Gold Standard” of hormone testing.

    I currently recommend urine hormone testing for any patient who has concerns of hormone balance (which should be everyone over age 35-40!). Saliva testing is next best but does not appear to be as accurate.

    What’s Your EQ?

    Do you know what your EQ — estrogen quotient — is? You should, because this may be the single most important piece of information for preventing breast and prostate cancer. Here’s why:

    Estriol (E3) is a “good” estrogen and higher levels of estriol are associated with less cancer risk. Estriol appears to block many of the effects of the carcinogenic estrogens, estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and other related “pro-carcinogenic” estrogens. How do you find out if you have enough estriol to protect you from cancer? You calculate your EQ.

    Studies done in the 19060’s and 1970’s showed that women with an EQ above 1.0 had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Many women today have EQ’s of less than 1.0, and breast cancer rates are on the rise. This is no coincidence.

    Although the EQ ratio has been best-studied in women, it appears that a similar ratio may be predictive for prostate cancer in men.

    I now recommend that my patients who have hormone testing done have the EQ performed at the same time. The results, if unfavorable, are easily improved with dietary changes, supplements, iodine therapy or other natural measures. Where cancer is concerned, “prevention” trumps “early detection” every time.

  • Drug Therapy For High Blood Pressure – Are The Side Effects Worth It?

    Questions about blood pressure and drugs used to control blood pressure are common here – we get them often. Big Pharma is constantly working to have Big Medicine declare lower and lower blood pressures to be “normal” – meaning that anyone with readings above that “normal” becomes a candidate for a lifetime of expensive drug therapy. It used to be that 120/80 was the norm, now it is being proposed that 115/75 should be considered the “gold standard” above which drugs should be prescribed.

    Warren wrote recently with the following comments and question:

    I am currently taking medicine for high blood pressure. It is reducing my energy level. Anything I can do to restore my energy would be a blessing. I am 65, but I work out 5 times a week.

    Warren, as you know, these drugs are not without side effects – and most people do not really appreciate how many and how serious these side effects really are. The drug companies are certainly not going to ‘fess-up to the problems that their toxic concoctions can cause, except in the tiny print of that little package insert that comes with the drug (that no-one reads…)

    Here is a summary of the more popular antihypertensive (blood pressure) medications and their more common side effects:

    Brand Name (Generic Name) Possible Common Side Effects Include:
    Accupril (quinapril hydrochloride) Headache, dizziness
    Aldatazide Diarrhea, fever, headache, decreased coordination
    Aldactone (spironolactone) Cramps, drowsiness, stomach disorders
    Aldomet (methyldopa) Fluid retention, headache, weak feeling
    Altace (ramipril) Headache, cough
    Calan, Calan SR (verapamil hydrochloride) Constipation, fatigue, decreased blood pressure
    Capoten (captopril) Decreased sense of taste, decreased blood pressure itching, rash
    Cardene (nicardipine Hydrochloride) Dizziness, headache, indigestion and nausea, increased heartbeat
    Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) Dizziness, fluid retention, headache, nausea, skin rash
    Cardura (doxazosin mesylate) Dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache
    Catapres Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation
    Corgard (nadolol) Behavioral changes, dizziness, decreased heartbeat, tiredness
    Corzide Dizziness, decreased heartbeat, fatigue, cold hands and feet
    Diuril (chlorothiazide) Cramps, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness, fever, increased glucose level in urine
    Dyazide Blurred vision, muscle and abdominal pain, fatigue
    DynaCirc (isradipine) Chest pain, fluid retention, headache, fatigue
    HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide) Upset stomach, headache, cramps, loss of appetite
    Hygroton (chlorthalidone) Anemia, constipation or diarrhea, cramps, itching
    Hytrin (terazosin hydrochloride) Dizziness, labored breathing, nausea, swelling
    Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) Constipation or diarrhea, tingling sensation, nausea and vomiting
    Inderide Blurred vision, cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite
    Lasix (furosemide) Back and muscle pain, indigestion, nausea
    Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) Diarrhea, itching/rash, tiredness
    Lotensin (benazepril hydrochloride) Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache
    Alozol (indapamide) Anxiety, headache, loss of energy, muscle cramps
    Maxzide Cramps, labored breathing, drowsiness, irritated stomach
    Minipress (prazosin hdrochloride) Headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness
    Moduretic Diarrhea, fatigue, itching, loss of appetite
    Monopril (fosinopril sodium) Nausea and vomiting, headache, cough
    Normodyne (labetalol hydrochloride) Fatigue, nausea, stuffy nose
    Plendil (felodipine) Pain in back, chest, muscles, joints, and abdomen, itching, dry mouth, respiratory problems
    Procardia, Procardia X (nifedipine) Swelling, constipation, nausea, fatigue
    Sectral (acebutolol hydrochloride) Constipation or diarrhea, gas, chest and joint pain
    Ser-Ap-Es Blurred vision, cramps, muscle pain, dizziness
    Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) Headache, constipation, dry mouth, weakness
    Tenoretic Decreased heartbeat, fatigue, nausea
    Tenormin (atenolol) Nausea, fatigue, dizziness
    Veseretic Diarrhea, muscle cramps, rash
    Vasotec (enalapril maleate) Chest pain, blurred vision, constipation or diarrhea, hives, nausea
    Visken (pindolol) Muscle cramps, labored breathing, nausea, fluid retention
    Wytensin (guanabenz acetate) Headache, drowsiness, dizziness
    Zaroxolyn (metolazone) Constipation or diarrhea, chest pain, spasms, nausea
    Zestoretic (lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide) Fatigue, headache, dizziness
    Zestril (lisinopril) Labored breathing, abdominal and chest pain, nausea, decreased blood pressure

    Wow – quite a collection! Nausea, headache, dizziness, and fatigue are a common thread through this – and also commonly reported with many of these drugs are the very undesirable side effects of loss of libido, impotence, sexual dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.

    Fortunately, for those like Warren who want to avoid these drug-induced energy-sapping side effects, there are alternatives.

    Chiropractic therapy has shown positive results in the treatment of hypertension. A study published in The Journal of Human Hypertension demonstrated a significant lowering of blood pressure in hypertensive patients after only one chiropractic adjustment of the atlas vertebra. The study showed a reduction in blood pressure immediately following the adjustment as well as a full eight weeks following the adjustment. Blood pressure in the group receiving the chiropractic adjustment was lowered by an average of 17mmHg BP systolic and 10mmHg diastolic BP. According to the authors of the study the decrease in blood pressure was equal to taking two antihypertensive drugs at once.

    Dr. Myatt has a great deal of useful information and recommendations on our webpage discussing Hypertension – check it out!

    Reference:
    Bakris G, Dickholtz M, Meyer PM, et al (2007). “Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study”. J Hum Hypertens 21 (5): 347–52. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133. PMID 17252032.