HealthBeat News

Category: Family Health

  • Similase and Similase Jr: – What’s The Difference?

    We get a lot of product questions – and digestion and digestive enzymes make up a large part of those questions. There is no doubt that this important physical function is poorly understood – even by most doctors. No wonder so many lay-people are confused!
    Here is an example of a recent question, with Dr. Myatt’s answers:
    Dear Dr. Myatt:

    Many digestive enzymes are on the market now to digest gluten and casein. Will Similase and / or Similase jr. digest gluten, gliadin, and casein?

    Also, I would like to know the difference between Similase and Similase jr?

    Thank you.

    Dr. Myatt replies:

    Yes they will, but if you know that you or "Jr." have a decided sensitivity, then Tyler’s newest product, Similase GFCF, might be a better choice. You can learn more about this new product here: Similase GFCF

    120 capsules retail for $25. We don’t have this product listed on our website (it’s brand-new), but we can get it in for you in 2 days.

    Basically, the difference between Similase and Similase Jr.  just a dose consideration. Small people don’t need as high a potency as big people! And the capsules are a smaller size, easier for small people to swallow.

    Follow this link to our website to see the exact list/amounts of ingredients of Similase

    And follow this link to see the ingredients and amounts for Similase Jr.

    You’re most welcome! Hope this answers your questions satisfactorily!

    In Health,
    Dr. Myatt

    Nurse Mark adds: Be sure to also see our website for more information about indigestion and food allergies!

  • More "Dangerous Drugs"…

    It seems that every day brings yet another drug warning – and you can be sure that the FDA doesn’t issue these warnings lightly, since they affect the profit picture of the drug companies and thus the budget of the FDA (who relies upon "fees" from the drug companies for it’s income…).

    Today’s little tidbit was first found not in general news or health news headlines where you might expect to find such a significant health warning, but in financial news – CNN Money – presumably because this will undoubtedly affect share prices for Bayer and Johnson and Johnson, two of the biggest of the ‘Bigs" in the pharmaceutical industry.

    It turns out that two common antibiotics, Cipro and Levaquin, have been causing people to develop tendonitis or even to rupture tendons. Ouch! That sounds like a really, really good reason for the FDA to require prominent "Black-Box" warnings, and with any luck that may also cause doctors to be a little less "liberal" in their prescribing habits with these potent drugs.

    You see, these drugs are considered to be "broad-spectrum" antibiotics, meaning that they can be effective against a very wide range of bacteria. Cipro became a household word during the 2001 anthrax attacks since it is effective against the anthrax bacteria. Because they work so well on so many different bugs, doctors have gotten into the somewhat lazy habit of prescribing a course of one or the other of these drugs for almost any and every infection that they see in their practice.

    "Got the sniffles / a chest (lung) infection / an earache / a bladder infection / a sore throat? Here (scribbles on prescription pad) – this antibiotic will help. Next!"

    Not only does this expose an awful lot of people to the potential side effects of these drugs, which include neurological problems in addition to the tendon ruptures that the "Black Box" warns about, it is creating whole new breeds of "superbugs" – bacteria that have learned to be resistant to what used to be considered the most powerful and potent antibiotics available.

    Hmmm… I guess that we’ll have to look to those wonderful, altruistic scientists that are employed by our ever-benevolent pharmaceutical companies to develop some new "Super-Antibiotics" to deal with these ever-evolving super-bugs, right?

    Sounds like good business to me… could there be a plan in there  somewhere? Let’s see: promote the antibiotic so that it will be overused and lose it’s effectiveness against the resistant "superbug" bacteria it creates, requiring the development of newer antibiotics which can be promoted and overused, creating new superbugs which will need yet newer and more powerful antibiotics what can be… well, you get the picture.

  • "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.

  • Vitamin D Deficiency Can Be Deadly

    Of note in this morning’s new headlines was this from Associated Press: Lack of sunshine vitamin may cloud survival odds which leads off by saying "New research linking low vitamin D levels with deaths from heart disease and other causes bolsters mounting evidence about the "sunshine" vitamin’s role in good health." and continues to say: "Patients with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D were about two times more likely to die from any cause during the next eight years than those with the highest levels, the study found. The link with heart-related deaths was particularly strong in those with low vitamin D levels."

    This news article was written in response to the recent release of yet more studies showing not just the benefit of Vitamin D, but it’s absolute essential need for our bodies to survive and thrive. One of those studies, with the imposing title of "25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Men – A Prospective Study" which appears in this weeks edition of Archives of Internal Medicine concludes: "Low levels of [Vitamin] D are associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction in a graded manner, even after controlling for factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease."

    Whew – this from a conventional medical journal! It seems vitamin D is no longer just for healthy bones! Even the mighty FDA is bending to the pressure of scientific evidence and allowing more liberally addition of Vitamin D to foods and allowing simpler and more general claims to be made about the health benefits of additional vitamin D.

    But this is not news to us here at the wellness club – we have long-recognized the essential nature of Vitamin D, and the role it plays in bone health, cardiac health, cancer prevention, and general illness prevention. This is so important that when Dr. Myatt recently improved the formulation of Maxi Multi Optimal Dose Daily Multiple Vitamins she DOUBLED the amount of Vitamin D from 400 to 800 iu!

    Are You getting enough of this vital, health-preserving vitamin?

    Visit The Wellness Club to learn more about Vitamin D.

  • Is Nutrasweet (Aspartame) Safe?

    One of our readers wrote the following to General Mills:

    "I was enjoying your Fiber One until I read the ingredients. Why do you put Aspartame in the cereal? The FDA may say it’s safe, but check the studies that have been done and how this is harmful to the body. People being diagnosed with MS and it was the result of drinking diet sodas. "

    General Mills replied:

    "Dear Valued Consumer:

    Thank you for contacting General Mills concerning the use of aspartame in Fiber One cereal.

    A great deal of effort is directed toward ensuring the safety of our products. Before a product is released from our research group, it is carefully checked to ensure that it meets our high standards.

    The safety of aspartame has been demonstrated repeatedly by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and affirmed by the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization as well as regulatory authorities around the world.

    (Dr. Myatt’s note: Well, I’ll sleep better at night knowing that aspartame is approved by every US and world organization that takes bribe money — uh, I mean "licensing fees").

    Furthermore, independent cancer researchers at major universities such as Harvard, Colombia, Duke and the University of Illinois have stated that allegations against aspartame are without merit and that the ingredient is completely safe.

    Aspartame provides consumers the benefit of sweet taste without using sugar. We strive to provide consumers with good-tasting food choices to meet their taste and health or nutrition preferences.

    Additional information on aspartame may be obtained from the American Dietetic Association, National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics at 1-800-366-1655.

    We appreciate your comments and hope you will continue to choose our products.

    Sincerely,
    Allison Owen
    Consumer Services"


    Next, Ruth emailed Dr. Myatt

    "Do you buy this ??!!! I don’t mean the product, I mean the explanation…"

    To which Dr. Myatt replies:

    Aspartame (best-known trade names are "NutraSweet" and "Equal") has long been known to be toxic. You know me, Ruth. I don’t buy into every "conspiracy theory" just because it’s "holistically popular" to do so. But aspartame is bad news. In fact, it’s beyond bad news. I believe this sugar substitute is poisonous, in spite of what General Mills, the FDA and anyone else has to say about it.

    Here’s the "short course":

    Aspartame is composed of phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methanol (10%). Methanol, which forms 10% of the broken down product, is converted in the body to formate, which can either be excreted or can give rise to formaldehyde, diketopiperazine (a carcinogen) and a number of other highly toxic derivatives. (1).

    Studies show that aspartame is linked to:

    • brain tumors "an exceedingly high incidence of brain tumors… in experimental animals…" (cancer) (2-4)
    • seizures (1,5)
    • depression and behavior disturbances (6,7)
    • headaches (1,8-9)
    • neurotoxicity (1)

    … and a long list of other "adverse events" reported to the FDA.

    The "how in the world did this stuff get approved?" story reads like a genuine whodunnit, featuring industry ties, bribes and forged data. If you’re interested in the whole sordid story, find an old copy of Dr. Jonathan Wright’s "Deadly Deception." Or read the "short course" on this scandal here: http://www.aspartamesafety.com/Article9.htm

    Of course, there are no shortage of studies which show that aspartame is completely safe. Here is what one review noted. "This review is particularly worrying as it shows that, although 100% of industry funded (either whole or in part) studies conclude that aspartame is safe, 92% of independently funded studies have found that aspartame has the potential for adverse effects." (10,11)

    Bottom Line: Lose the aspartame and use a safe sweetener like stevia (an herb) instead. You won’t find any aspartame-sweetened anything in my house, even though I still have Teflon pans and still cook with my microwave oven!

    And here’s a "Conspiracy Theory" NOTE: If you search for references about the dangers of aspartame on Pubmed (index of medical journal articles), you’ll find many potentially damning references that say "no abstract listed," which means you and I can’t read the conclusions of these studies without purchasing the entire journal. This is not true of most articles where the abstracts are readily available. I smell a dead and decomposing rodent, don’t you?

    References
    1.) P. Humphries, E. Pretorius, H. Naude. Direct and indirect cellular effects of aspartame on the brain. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;62(4):451-62. Epub 2007 Aug 8.
    2.) Huff J, LaDou J. Aspartame bioassay findings portend human cancer hazards. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2007 Oct-Dec;13(4):446-8.
    3.) Gombos K, Varjas T, Orsós Z, Polyák E, Peredi J, Varga Z, Nowrasteh G, Tettinger A, Mucsi G, Ember I. The effect of aspartame administration on oncogene and suppressor gene expressions. In Vivo. 2007 Jan-Feb;21(1):89-92.
    4.) Olney JW, Farber NB, Spitznagel E, Robins LN. Increasing brain tumor rates: is there a link to aspartame? J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1996 Nov;55(11):1115-23.
    5.) Maher TJ, Wurtman RJ.Possible neurologic effects of aspartame, a widely used food additive. Environ Health Perspect. 1987 Nov;75:53-7.
    6.) Walton RG, Hudak R, Green-Waite RJ. Adverse reactions to aspartame: double-blind challenge in patients from a vulnerable population. Biol Psychiatry 1993;34:(1-2): 13-7.
    7.) Coulombe RA Jr, Sharma RP.Neurobiochemical alterations induced by the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet). Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1986 Mar 30;83(1):79-85.
    8.) Van Den Eeden SK, Koepsell TD, Longstreth Jr WT, van Belle G, Daling JR, McKnight B. Aspartame ingestion and headaches: a randomized, crossover trial. Neurology 1994;44: 1787-93. [PubMed].
    9.) Lipton RB, Newman LC, Cohen JS, Solomon S. Aspartame as a dietary trigger of headache. Headache 1989;29:(2): 90-2.
    10.) Aspartame and its effects on health: independently funded studies have found potential for adverse effects. British Medical Jour. 2005 Feb 5;330(7486):309-10.
    11.) SURVEY OF ASPARTAME STUDIES:CORRELATION OF OUTCOME AND FUNDING SOURCES. Ralph G. Walton, M.D. Chairman The Center for Behavioral Medicine Forum Health Professor and Chairman Department of Psychiatry Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine [independent paper not published in a peer-review journal].