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Category: Family Health

  • The 5 Most Important Supplements For Health and Longevity

    The 5 Most Important Supplements For Health and Longevity

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    Many nutritional supplements and herbs have documented value in maintaining health and possibly also extending lifespan. The following list of recommendations comprises my picks for the 5 most important supplements the average person should take to preserve or reclaim optimum health and vitality.

    I have chosen this list based on what I call the “preponderance of evidence” (scientific data). Although many substances have proven value for various conditions, this list includes only those that have a substantial amount of scientific study and data behind them. Substances tested for 3 weeks in lab rats do not make my list. Neither do supplements tested in only poorly-controlled or small samplings of people. The supplements and substances on my “A” list have all been thoroughly tested and proven, and the body of scientific documentation leave little doubt as to their importance.

    The list is given in order of priority. Please keep in mind, however, that an individual might need a specific nutrient lower on the list or something not on this list at all for the prevention or reversal of a particular illness. For most healthy people, these are the nutrients of highest importance if one is concerned about maintaining health and promoting longevity.

    The Five Most Important Supplements For Health and Longevity

    1.) Optimal Potency Multiple Vitamin / Mineral / Trace Mineral Supplementation (Maxi Multi) including:

    I.) Broad-spectrum vitamin & mineral formula. Many Americans take nutritional supplements for good reason. A wide variety of illnesses have known links to nutritional deficiencies. Adding certain nutrients in supplemental form is an inexpensive insurance policy against some of the worst diseases of modern times. Here are just of few of the known deficiency / disease connections:

    A deficiency of antioxidant nutrients (especially beta carotene, vitamins C & E, and selenium) is associated with higher incidence of cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, mouth, lungs and skin. Some researchers believe that antioxidant deficiencies may be related to higher incidence of all cancers.

    A mineral deficiency, especially magnesium and potassium but also calcium, is associated with high blood pressure.

    Deficiencies of vitamin E, C, B6, B12, folic acid (a B vitamin), and bioflavonoids are associated with cardiovascular disease. The connection between vitamin E and heart health is so well established that conventional medical cardiologists are instructed to recommend vitamin E to their patients.

    Healthy bones, and the prevention of osteoporosis, depend on sufficient levels of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, copper, B vitamins, and vitamin D.

    In males, benign prostatic hypertrophy is associated with decreased levels of zinc. Zinc deficiency also correlates to decreased immune function. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetes (high blood sugar) occur more frequently in people who are chromium deficient. After diabetes is present, low levels of vitamin A, C, E, plus zinc, selenium, choline, bioflavonoids and B complex vitamins are associated with more complications from the disease.

    This list could go on for pages, but you get the idea. Deficiencies of key nutrients are correlated with disease. Such deficiencies are also common in the modern American diet. Depleted soils result in lowered nutritional content in produce AND Americans eat less fresh produce than ever before. Much of our food is highly processed, removing not only nutrients but also fiber and enzymes.

    The best health insurance may not be an expensive medical policy, but the addition of sufficient nutrients to fill in the gaps in our day-to-day nutritional status.

    II.) High potency antioxidant formula (“ACES”: vitamins A,C,E, and selenium and bioflavonoids). Antioxidants are molecules which “quench” and render free radicals harmless. Free radicals are unstable molecules that steal electrons from other molecules and thereby cause damage to normal cells. The damage they cause in the body is called oxidation, and it is the body-equivalent to rust on a piece of tin. Free radical damage is linked to heart disease, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer, cataracts, macular degeneration, immune suppression and aging in general.

    Although the body produces many of it’s own antioxidants (such as CoQ10 and glutathione), exposure to environmental chemicals in food, air and water, plus the effects of stress, smoking excess alcohol and sunlight can generate more free radicals than the body’s antioxidants can “quench.” Internal antioxidant production also declines with age. Since so many diseases are associated with declining antioxidants and numerous studies have proven the benefit of keeping these levels high, it is recommended that a high potency antioxidant formula be a part of every basic supplementation program.

    III.) Calcium / magnesium / boron / vanadium (bone nutrients) Calcium and magnesium are the primary minerals comprising bone, and inadequate levels can lead to osteoporosis. In combination with trace mineral boron, vanadium and vitamin D, these nutrient serve to protect bone health. Calcium and magnesium have a much more widespread function in the body than preserving bone health, however.

    Calcium and magnesium are necessary for normal heart function and blood pressure. Deficiencies of either can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. Magnesium is necessary for normal energy processes including nerve function and enzyme activation. Deficiencies are associated with cardiac arrhythmias.

    Insufficient calcium has recently been shown to be associated with colon cancer, and people who have generous calcium intakes are less susceptible to this condition.

    These two major minerals are frequently insufficient even in a “good” diet. Because they take up a lot of space in a capsule, it is impossible to get an optimal daily dose in any “one-a-day” formula. A suggested daily dose is 1,000 -1,500mg per day of calcium and 250-500mg magnesium for both men and women.

    IV.) B Complex vitamins (higher doses than in most multiples). B vitamins are used in the body individually and in combination with enzymes to help release energy from food. They are also of extreme importance to the nervous system. B vitamins are required by the metabolic pathways that generate the energy. Every system in the body depends on these vitamins for their role in energy production, and a deficiency of even a single B vitamin can have widespread and serious health consequences. Unfortunately, the B complex vitamins are routinely deficient from the Standard American Diet, because these nutrients are removed when grains and sugars are processed. Deficiencies of B complex vitamins are too numerous to mention here, but the most serious consequences include heart disease (B6, B12 and folate), depression, neuropathy, high cholesterol, cataracts, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and fatigue to name only a few. Because deficiencies of the b vitamins are so common even in a “good” diet, they higher potency formulas should always be part of a basic multivitamin supplement program.

    Recommendation: Maxi Multi is a superior formula of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, flavonoids and high potency antioxidants that provides the optimal nutritional levels of all four formulas listed above in a single supplement. Whether you take four separate formulas or enjoy the convenience and savings of Maxi Multi, this Optimal Potency Vitamin / Mineral / Trace Mineral program should be the cornerstone of any supplement program because it provides so many well studied nutrients. Dose: 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals (9 per day total) or as directed by physician.

    2.) Green Food Herbs and Veggies (Maxi Greens)

    The Federal government, the USDA and multiple other government agencies are advocating that Americans consume more fruits and vegetables for a healthier life style. As we discussed in the last issue of HealthBeat, however, the nutritive value of these foods has declined dramatically within the last 30 years. In addition to this, few Americans obtain the daily recommended target of 5 fruits and/or veggies.

    Plants contain hundreds of non-vitamin, non-mineral substances known as “Phytonutrients” (Phyto=plant). Although not absolutely essential to life like vitamins and minerals are, these plant-derived nutrients never-the-less perform many important functions. Phytonutrients act as detoxifiers, antioxidants, oxygenators, immune stimulators, and anti-mutagenics (Preventing cancerous changes in cells). The typical American diet is far too low in produce, and the produce we do eat is nutritionally deficient, so plant-derived nutrients are often lacking.

    Some examples of phytonutrients include:

    Indole-3-carbinol (IC3) from cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts). This phytonutrient has been shown to prevent cancer through multiple mechanisms including I.) Protecting the genomic structure of DNA. II.) Converting dangerous estrogens (16-alpha-hydroxyestrone) that cause the development of cancer into safer forms of estrogen (2-hydroxyestrone) that prevent the development of cancer. III.) Blocking estrogen receptor sites on the membranes of breast and other cells. IV.) Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) of cancer cells. V.) Protecting cells against the effects of pesticides and other environmental pollutants including dioxin that mimic estrogen in the body. VI.) Slowing the propagation of aberrant breast and prostate cells.

    Pycnogenols (OPC’s) and resveratrol from grapes seed and skin exhibit 50 times more antioxidant power than vitamin E and 20 times more than vitamin C. They easily cross the blood-brain barrier and prevent free radical damage to the brain and nervous system. OPC’s bind to collagen and help increase elasticity of skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. It also acts as a smooth muscle relaxant in blood vessels. OPC’s have antihistamine effects that make it useful for allergies and asthma.

    Catechins from green tea have been shown to neutralize cancer-causing agents and prevent cellular mutations leading to cancer. In addition, green tea prevents abnormal blood clotting, reduces total cholesterol, aids high blood pressure and protects arterioles.

    Silymarin from milk thistle has been the subject of over 100 clinical trials. It powerfully protects the liver from the effects of environmental toxins. Is also stimulates liver cell regeneration and is useful for all types of liver disease including the liver-toxic effect of many drugs.

    Flavoglycosides in ginkgo biloba are one of the most well-studies herbs for age-related memory changes. ginkgo is a potent antioxidant that increases circulation to small-diameter blood vessels (such as those in the brain and extremities) Studies have verified ginko’s effectiveness in early-stage Alzheimer’s, multiple infarct dementia (“mini strokes”), age-related depression, glaucoma, impotence, vascular insufficiency and MS. It has anti-allergy effects that make it useful for chronic respiratory allergies and asthma.

    THIS IS JUST A SMALL SAMPLE of they types of “phytonutrients” found in herbs and vegetables.

    Recommendation: Take specific herbs for any medical condition you may have, but for general prevention and health maintenance, Maxi Greens combines a broad spectrum of these important plant substances. Daily dose: 2 to 3 caps, 3 times per day with meals.

    3.) Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids: Maxi Marine O3, Max EPA or Flax Oil

    On May 27, 2003, The White House urged government health agencies to encourage Americans to increase their consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and decrease their intake of trans fatty acids. The release from the Executive Office of The President stated:

    “Health researchers have found that Americans can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease with a modest change in their diets. The government should make this life-saving information as widely available as possible.”

    This Executive initiative is based on the new guidelines of the American Heart Association which now recommends eating cold-water fish at least twice a week and other oils and food sources high in omega-3 fatty acids. (Fish and flax oil are the richest sources). The Office of The President also cited the “growing body of scientific evidence, both experimental and epidemiological, that suggests that consumption of trans fatty acids increases the risk of coronary heart disease.”

    Recommendation: Americans eat far too little Omega-3 fatty acids and far too much trans fat (any amount of “trans” is too much). Eating or and/or supplementing Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil and flax oil) is known to help prevent over 60 illnesses including heart disease. Dose: 1 TBS. of flax oil OR 6 capsules of flax oil OR 3-6 capsules of MaxEPA (fish oil) OR 2 TBS. ground flax seed meal daily. Some people lack the enzyme to convert flax oil to EPA & DHA (the “active ingredients” from these oils). These people should use the fish oils (Maxi Marine O3, MaxEPA) exclusively.

    4.) CoQ10 (ubiquinone)

    Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant produced by the body. It functions as an “energizer” to the mitochondria, the body’s energy producing units. Dr. Michael Murray says to think of CoQ10 as the body’s “spark plugs.” Mitochondria, which produce energy, require CoQ10 to “spark” their production on energy units (ATP). Muscles, and the heart in particular, have high requirements for CoQ10. Although it is manufactured in the body, aging humans produce only 50% of the CoQ10 that young adults do. This finding makes CoQ10 one of the most important nutrients for people over 30. Cholesterol-lowering drugs including statins are known to lower CoQ10 levels.

    CoQ10 is beneficial in ALL types of heart disease (mitral valve prolapse, angina, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, arrhythmia), periodontal disease, immune deficiency, cancer, chemotherapy side-effects, overweight and obesity, muscular dystrophy, fatigue and for enhancing athletic performance. The suggested dose is 50mg per day for health maintenance and 100-400mg per day for heart disease, cancer and weight loss programs.

    Recommendations: For primary prevention, 50-100mg CoQ10 daily should be used. Higher doses (100-400mg) are recommended for heart disease, cancer, and overweight/weight loss programs.

    5) Melatonin

    Melatonin is a hormone manufactured from serotonin in the pineal gland. This hormone helps regulate the sleep/wake cycle and set the Circadian rhythms (24-hour cycle) of the body. This, in turn, regulates the release of all other hormones.

    Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the central nervous system from disease, free-radical injury and aging. Melatonin increases the production of immune cells and is used in cancer medicine for its immune-enhancing and antioxidant effects. (DO NOT use in leukemia or lymphoma until more is known). Recent studies have shown that melatonin helps reduce high blood pressure.

    Many researchers consider melatonin to be one of the most powerful anti-aging substances available, but like many other hormones, secretion of melatonin declines with age.

    Recommendation: A typical preventative dose is 3mg at bedtime, although higher doses are used (10-20mg) in cancer and certain advanced disease states. Anyone with a neurological disease should certainly be taking melatonin.

  • Is Chocolate Really a Health Food?

    Is Chocolate Really a Health Food?

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    “A new British survey has revealed that 9 out of 10 people like chocolate. The 10th lies”  —Robert Paul

     

    Chocolate has been making headlines for it’s heart-healthy benefits, and chocolate-lovers everywhere are rejoicing that their favorite treat may actually be healthy. Gosh — how great would it be if your doctor “prescribed” a daily chocolate bar?

    Before you start snacking on that daily treat, here is some “medical insider” information you should know.

    Who Thought to Research Chocolate for Health Benefits?

    A tribe of indigenous people in Panama — the Kuna tribe — have been known to scientists since the 1940’s for their absence of high blood pressure and heart disease. When tribe members move to the city, blood pressure and heart disease rates rise.(1)

    OK, so city life is probably more stressful than living naturally in the bush. But another significant difference in bush-living Kuna is their intake of chocolate, or more specifically, flavonol-rich cocoa. The indigenous Kuna consume 10 times more cocoa flavonols in the form of 5 or more cups per day of a cocoa beverage. They also use cocoa in many recipes. Their city-dwelling counterparts do not. (NOTE: Indigenous Kuna also consume 4 times more fish).(2,3)

    The “magic” in the Kuna beverage is a minimally processed cocoa that contains high levels of polyphenols which are a type of flavonol that triggers nitric oxide production.

    Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator that opens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow. Many natural physicians use L-arginine, which converts to NO. Chocolate flavonols increase the conversion of L-arginine to nitric oxide. [Note: Viagra ™ works by increasing NO, but by a different mechanism.] (4,5)

    Several new studies suggest that chocolate lowers blood pressure.

    Earlier this year, a study published in The Journal of American Hypertension reported on an experiment with 102 hypertensive patients randomized to consume either 6 or 25 grams per day of flavonol-rich dark chocolate for 3 months. [Dr. Myatt’s side note: this is one of the few medical studies I’d probably agree to participate in! 😉 ]

    Blood pressure in both groups dropped, independent of dose. In other words, it doesn’t take much chocolate to achieve health benefits. (Sorry to those who were thinking this was going to be a “green light” to eat an entire chocolate bar every day).(6)

    Another meta-analysis analyzed data from 10 separate chocolate studies and found that chocolate intake decreased systolic B.P. an average of 4.5mm Hg and diastolic BP an average of 2.5mm Hg.(7) This is a very modest reduction of blood pressure.

    Other Benefits of Chocolate

    Besides modest blood pressure-lowering effects, chocolate flavonols have also been shown in various studies to decrease vascular inflammation (a separate cause of heart disease) and improve blood lipids by lowering LDL and raising HDL.(4,8)

    How Much Chocolate Should You Eat for Health Benefits?

    I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but here goes.

    The studies mentioned above all used special chocolates processed with low heat and not “Dutched” (alkalinized). These are not the types of chocolate you can purchase in stores. The “magic” in chocolate, the flavonols, are destroyed by heat processing and alkali (“Dutched” cocoa).Even the “organic” and “extra-dark” chocolates with 70% cocoa don’t necessarily get the job done. Flavonols are damaged by heat and alkalinization. Period. Bummer.

    Flavonols in chocolate — the healthy stuff — is bitter. This is why chocolate is “dutched” (alkalinized) and heat-treated. It makes the “bitter” more palatable. But in processing chocolate to make it tasty, the health properties are damaged.(9,10)

    Fonus Balonus Chocolate Studies

    It should also be noted that many of the “chocolate is good for you” studies have been funded by the chocolate industry.(11-13) However, when the benefits are touted to the public, no mention is made of the “must be low heat processed in order to work.” The natural foods industry has apparently caught on to Big Pharma’s “massage the statistics and obfuscate the facts” tricks. Hey — whatever it takes to sell more stuff.

    Don’t Give Up on Chocolate Just Yet

    The right dark chocolate, minimally heat processed and not “dutched,” can contain enough flavlonols to have potential health benefit.(14) Cocoa “nibs” — roasted cocoa beans separated from their husks and broken into small bits — also have some of the very highest flavonol content.(15)

    If you are serious about eating a SMALL piece of chocolate each day for both health benefit and enjoyment, be sure to get dark chocolate with high flavonol content. Vital Choice Seafood features chocolate bars with some of the highest flavonol content available. Vital Choice Organic Extra Dark Chocolate features healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants. Savored sparingly, it makes a delicious, satisfying treat that supports your health and helps sustain cacao growers’ land, communities, and culture.

    Chocolate Antioxidant Chart

    REFERENCES

    1.) K Hollenberg N. Vascular action of cocoa flavanols in humans: the roots of the story. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006;47 Suppl 2:S99-102; discussion S119-21.
    2.) Hollenberg NK, Fisher ND, McCullough ML. Flavanols, the Kuna, cocoa consumption, and nitric oxide. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2009 Mar-Apr;3(2):105-12. Epub 2009 Feb 20.
    3.) McCullough ML, Chevaux K, Jackson L, Preston M, Martinez G, Schmitz HH, Coletti C, Campos H, Hollenberg NK. Hypertension, the Kuna, and the epidemiology of flavanols. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006;47 Suppl 2:S103-9; discussion 119-21.
    4.) Fisher ND, Hollenberg NK. Aging and vascular responses to flavanol-rich cocoa. J Hypertens. 2006 Aug;24(8):1575-80.
    5.) Taubert D, Roesen R, Lehmann C, Jung N, Schömig E. Effects of low habitual cocoa intake on blood pressure and bioactive nitric oxide: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2007 Jul 4;298(1):49-60.
    6.) Desch S, Kobler D, Schmidt J, Sonnabend M, Adams V, Sareban M, Eitel I, BlĂŒher M, Schuler G, Thiele H. Low vs. higher-dose dark chocolate and blood pressure in cardiovascular high-risk patients. Am J Hypertens. 2010 Jun;23(6):694-700. Epub 2010 Mar 4.
    7.) Desch S, Schmidt J, Kobler D, Sonnabend M, Eitel I, Sareban M, Rahimi K, Schuler G, Thiele H. Effect of cocoa products on blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Hypertens. 2010 Jan;23(1):97-103. Epub 2009 Nov 12.
    8.)  Engler MB, Engler MM, Chen CY, Malloy MJ, Browne A, Chiu EY, Kwak HK, Milbury P, Paul SM, Blumberg J, Mietus-Snyder ML. Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):197-204.
    9.) McShea A, Ramiro-Puig E, Munro SB, Casadesus G, Castell M, Smith MA. Clinical benefit and preservation of flavonols in dark chocolate manufacturing. Nutr Rev. 2008 Nov;66(11):630-41.
    10.) Andres-Lacueva C, Monagas M, Khan N, Izquierdo-Pulido M, Urpi-Sarda M, Permanyer J, Lamuela-RaventĂłs RM. Flavanol and flavonol contents of cocoa powder products: influence of the manufacturing process. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 May 14;56(9):3111-7. Epub 2008 Apr 16.
    11.) Hurst WJ, Payne MJ, Miller KB, Stuart DA. Stability of cocoa antioxidants and flavan-3-ols over time. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Oct 28;57(20):9547-50.
    12.) Miller KB, Hurst WJ, Flannigan N, Ou B, Lee CY, Smith N, Stuart DA.Survey of commercially available chocolate- and cocoa-containing products in the United States. 2. Comparison of flavan-3-ol content with nonfat cocoa solids, total polyphenols, and percent cacao.J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Oct 14;57(19):9169-80.
    13.) Stahl L, Miller KB, Apgar J, Sweigart DS, Stuart DA, McHale N, Ou B, Kondo M, Hurst WJ. Preservation of cocoa antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, flavan-3-ols, and procyanidin content in foods prepared with cocoa powder. J Food Sci. 2009 Aug;74(6):C456-61.
    14.) Djoussé L, Hopkins PN, North KE, Pankow JS, Arnett DK, Ellison RC. Chocolate consumption is inversely associated with prevalent coronary heart disease: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study. Clin Nutr. 2010 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]
    15.) Ortega N, Romero MP, MaciĂ  A, Reguant J, AnglĂšs N, MorellĂł JR, Motilva MJ. Obtention and characterization of phenolic extracts from different cocoa sources. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Oct 22;56(20):9621-7. Epub 2008 Sep 27.

  • Gender-Bending Water – It’s Old News!

    There’s News, And Then There’s News:

     

    Some Is Truly News, And Some Is Just Old News. Gender-Bending Water Is Old News To HealthBeat Readers…

     

    By Nurse Mark

     

    There are a lot of newsletters out there clamoring for your attention, all claiming to be providing you with the latest, most up-to-date, cutting edge information. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t.

    Just recently a newsletter arrived in my inbox from one of the “Big Boys” – a very popular natural news writer. So popular in fact that he now has staff writers producing articles for him. And that may be a problem.

    This latest newsletter headlines “Male fish now exhibiting female traits due to toxic chemicals and pharma runoff” and proceeds to warn us about this “latest discovery.”

    Problem is, it’s not really “new news” – at least not to HealthBeat News readers.

    I first wrote about this issue in March of 2008, and updated it again in January of 2010 in the article Guys: Is Your Water Turning You Into a “Girlie-Man”?

    Please don’t get me wrong: this is an important issue. It is important now, and it was important in March of 2008, and again in January of 2010 when I wrote about it and I believe that you should do yourself a favor and take a moment to read this article again: Guys: Is Your Water Turning You Into a “Girlie-Man”?

    What can you do to protect yourself and your family from the chemicals that are finding their way into your water? You can lobby your politicians, you can complain and protest for clean water, but at least in the foreseeable future it is going to be up to you to take responsibility for the purity of your water. The only effective solution at this time is water filtration and 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 and we strongly advise anyone who depends on a municipal or public water source to visit their website and find out more about how to ensure clean, pure water even when your water supply may be suspect.

    Unless you like drinking your neighbors drugs after they are done with them…

  • Antibiotics: Three Strikes, You’re Out

    Antibiotics: Three Strikes, You’re Out

     

    By Dr. Myatt

     

    Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, antibiotics can save lives. They either kill bacteria outright or keep them from reproducing. Your body’s natural defenses can usually take it from there.

    Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses, such as colds, flu, most coughs, bronchitis, most sinus infections and sore throats (unless caused by strep).

    If a virus is making you sick, taking antibiotics may do more harm than good. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will be able to resist them. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure.

    Antibiotic-fed hormone-raised meat is another source of antibiotic exposure.

    Meet Some of the “Super-Bugs”: Potentially Lethal Gang-Banger Bacteria So Bad They Defy Antibiotic Treatment

    “Super Bugs” — lethal bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant — are increasing at an alarming rate. Bacteria-halting antibiotics which used to be “wonder drugs” are all but powerless against these new Bad Boys.

    MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bacteria that has gone from a “controllable nuisance” to a serious public health threat.

    One percent of all hospital stays, or 292,045 per year, are associated with MRSA. MRSA accounts for some 14,000 deaths per year.

    Symptoms of MRSA can include sepsis (blood poisoning), cellulitis, Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis),
    Pneumonia, Toxic shock syndrome, Organ failure and death.

    VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci) caused about one of every three infections in hospital intensive-care units in 2004 according to the Centers for Disease Control.

    Infection with VRE can cause fever, urinary tract infections, sepsis (blood poisoning) and infection of surgical sites.

    C-Diff (clostridium difficile) occurs when competing good gut flora are wiped out by antibiotics. The current Hospital infection rate for this bug is 25% higher than for MRSA.

    C-diff include attacks the lining of the large intestine, damaging the colon and producing toxins. Symptoms of C-diff include watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and cramping (often severe), nausea with or without vomiting, and weight loss. C-diff can also lead to pseudomembranous colitis (areas of infection and pus pockets in the bowel) and bowel perforation.

    C-diff is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. It is resistant to most antibiotics.

    What’s My Point?

    Over-use and misuse of antibiotics has resulted in antibiotic-resistant “Super Bugs” that can cause serious infections and even death. Much of this resistance is avoidable.

    Here are some protective steps you can take.

    1.) Take antibiotics judiciously. Many doctors will prescribe antibiotics when they are not necessary because they believe the patient wants to take them.

    I’ve had conversations like this at medical conferences:
    They, “Do you prescribe antibiotics for colds?”
    Me, “no, do you?”
    They,”yes.”
    Me, “why?”
    They, “Because patients think they need them and if I don’t prescribe them, they will go to another doctor to get them.”

    In other words, docs hand these out to please you (placebo) even when they are unnecessary.

    So… stop playing doctor and demanding antibiotics for every sniffle, cough and even sinus infections. (most sinus infections are caused by fungi, not bacteria). Read Nurse Mark’s HealthBeat News article I Feel A cold Coming On – Better Get An Antibiotic! Ask your doctor, “Do I really need to take an antibiotic?” If you don’t sound like you are pressing for one, your doctor will probably level with you and say, “no, you don’t really need one for this condition. It is probably not a bacteria infection.”

    2.) Strengthen your immune system. I like formulas such as my Immune Support.

    A good multiple vitamin/mineral formula contains immune-enhancing nutrients including vit. C, beta carotene, zinc, and selenium.

    3.) Use natural antibiotics as a “first choice” for non-bacterial infections and mild bacterial problems. Save the “big guns” antibiotics for big problems and they are more likely to serve you well.

    For UTI’s (Urinary Tract Infections / bladder infections): D-mannose
    For MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Allimax, AlliUltra

    4.) Eat antibiotic-free and hormone-free meat. This costs a little more but the health (and taste!) benefits are worth the money. How can you put a price-tag on your good health?

    Finally, enjoy the HealthBeat News article we wrote about antibiotics and the rise of superbugs some time ago: Antibiotics For Everything! A pill For Every Ill!

     

     

    REFERENCES

    Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. Antibiotic Resistance and the Threat to Public Health. Committee on Energy and Commerce
    Subcommittee on Health United States House of Representatives,
    Wednesday, April 28, 2010. [overuse of human and animal antibiotics]
    http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2010/04/t20100428b.html

    Hadley J. Sharp, BS; David Denman, MD; Susan Puumala, MS; Donald A. Leopold, MD. Treatment of Acute and Chronic Rhinosinusitis in the United States, 1999-2002. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;133(3):260-265. [most sinus infections not bacterial]

    L. Clifford McDonald, Matthew J. Kuehnert, Fred C. Tenover, and William R. Jarvis. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Outside the Health-Care Setting: Prevalence, Sources, and Public Health Implications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol. 3, Issue 3, July-Sept 1997.

    Janet M. Torpy; Cassio Lynm; Richard M. Glass. Clostridium difficile Colitis. JAMA. 2009;301(9):988 (doi:10.1001/jama.301.9.988).
    http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/301/9/988

  • The Subtle Formula for Health

    The Subtle Formula for Health (Why Small Choices Matter)

     

    By Dr. Dana Myatt

     

    Disease and poor health are rarely caused by a single, cataclysmic event.

     

    Most people do not lose their health overnight. Instead, disease and declining health result from an accumulation of poor judgement and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

    In other words, most disease is caused by a few small mistakes, repeated frequently.

    Why would anyone who knows they are making bad choices or “cheating” on their health be so foolish to keep repeating those bad choices day in and day out? Because the average person doesn’t realize how much those small choices matter.

    Individually, our little daily indiscretions don’t seem that important. A slight bit of overeating here, forgetting to take supplements a time or two there, skipping our daily exercise a couple of times a week doesn’t cause any instant or noticeable problem. Most of the time, we escape any immediate consequences of our “slips.”

    People who eat too many unhealthy foods are contributing to future health problems, but the temporary pleasure of the moment overshadows the potential consequences of the future. If one is lucky, that over-the-top sugary desert causes a stomach ache and we are not eager to repeat the taste again. Usually, however, there is no apparent consequence for such a “small” bad choice. And so we come to believe that such a choice “doesn’t matter,” forgetting that such choices are cumulative. Because there are no apparent repercussions, it becomes increasingly easier to enjoy a sweet desert more often.

    The same holds true for smoking, drinking, skipping exercise, skimping on sleep. One may not feel immediate consequences, but don’t be fooled! The consequences have simply been delayed for a future date.  These choices accumulate until the “day of reckoning” arrives. Eventually the price must be paid for our “little” poor choices, choices that didn’t seem to matter at the time.

    Disease’s most dangerous trait is subtlety. Those little errors don’t seem to make any difference. We eat desert every night and nothing bad seems to happen. Our health does not seem to be failing. Because nothing terrible happens over these small choices and no immediate consequence captures our attention, we continue from day to day, repeating the errors, eating the wrong foods, skipping the exercise, forgetting our supplements and making poor choices. The sky did not fall on us yesterday when we skipped our supplements, so we think that probably didn’t have much effect and that skipping them doesn’t matter.  Since the choice seemed to have no negative consequence, it feels safe to repeat.

    Wake up and smell the green tea!

    If we ate a rich desert and woke up the next morning with fifty extra pounds of fat hanging off our middle, we’d notice – pronto!

    Such immediate feedback would undoubtedly merit an emergency visit to the doctor and a promise to ourselves not to repeat such an act. Like a child who sticks his finger in a flame despite warnings, the instantaneous feedback would have convinced us of the folly of our ways.

    Unfortunately, most poor choices don’t holler out warnings or give immediate feedback. This is why anyone aiming for good health, sustained into old age, must be wise enough to recognize the cumulative effects of small daily choices and develop a philosophy of consistently making better choices. With a clear personal health philosophy guiding our steps, we can more clearly see our errors in judgment and also see how those small daily choices really do matter.

    In reverse order, the results of consistent good choices are not always immediately apparent. As one patient recently remarked, “I took those supplements for a whole week and didn’t feel any different!” Positive changes resulting from small, positive choices take time to accumulate and manifest, just like poor choices take time to manifest.

    Fortunately, the formula for health is just as easy as the formula for disease. Good health is a matter of a few simple habits practiced every day.

    One way to make small daily habits a part of our routine is to make a decision to be healthy in the future. Only by caring about our state of health in the future will we be able and willing to make small, positive changes today.

    What do you want your future to look like? When you are old, do you want to be healthy and vigorous, still able to play a keen round of golf or throw a few hoops with the grand kids? If you can see yourself as vigorous and healthy tomorrow, you will have stoked the fires of enthusiasm today.

    How many good things could happen to your health if you took just a few minutes each day to think about your future? The consequences of your repeated actions would become clear to you, and the day-to-day choices would become easier.

    One of the exciting things about this “Health formula”  of just changing a few simple habits, practiced every day,  is that the results, though not immediate, can be seen quickly.  Fifteen minutes a day of exercise, replacing water for soda pop, taking nutritional supplements regularly instead of occasionally — these simple habits will improve our health noticeably in just a few weeks. That positive feedback, combined with our increased awareness and pro-activity toward our future, can make a significant difference in our health today and tomorrow.

    Little choices practiced consistently add up to big results, whether for good or ill. Remember, “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”  — Chinese proverb.

    Will you start today to make “deposits” toward a future of good health?