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  • Blood Thinners, Rat Poison, And Purple Toes

    It seems that “blood thinners” are one of the more commonly prescribed drugs by conventional doctors – and any hint of a cardiac arrhythmia, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis – usually a clot in the lower legs), concerns about stroke, recent surgery, implanted parts and junk like stents or other metal, or just about any other excuse will find your conventional doc whipping out the prescription pad for warfarin, or Plavix, or heparin, or some other “blood thinner.”

    There are over 2 dozen conditions that can predispose to blood clot formation – and conventional “blood thinning” drugs only address about a third of those – leaving both doctors and patients to have a false sense of security with these drugs.

    For more information regarding blood viscosity, blood clotting, and thrombosis (clots) check out our webpage on Stroke, Thrombosis, and Phlebitis.

    There are natural ways to effectively normalize blood clotting and “blood viscosity” – that don’t have the potential side effects that come along with the “blood-thinning” drugs that your conventional doc is likely to prescribe. Some of these side effects are common, some less so – but all can be serious and don’t forget that all these drugs require frequent blood tests to monitor their performance and safety.

    Here is an example of one person’s experience with a very common anticoagulant drug – Sandra wrote recently to ask about coumadin (AKA Warfarin – AKA “rat poison”) and to express her dismay at her doctor’s lack of apparent concern with a reaction she had reported:

    I started taking coumadin a couple of weeks ago and after 3 days my big toe was very painful and turned a red/puplish color and is very cold. I have recently read that it could be a serious medical problem, however, my doctor does not seem concerned and the toe continues to be painful enough to wake me during the night. Should I be concerned? Or could you suggest what else I might do or if I should see another doctor? Thank you.

    And here is our reply:

    Hi Sandra,

    While we cannot comment on or provide advice for individual medical problems, your condition is certainly one that should cause you some concern. My strong recommendation would be for you to consider arranging a Health Optimization Consultation with Dr. Myatt who can help you sort out this problem and also help you to find other means of controlling your blood’s clotting factors than coumadin. You can find more information about consultations here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/consultations.htm and here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/consultbrochure.htm .

    You may wish to ask your doctor just why he feels that this is not of concern and if he / she is unwilling to answer or the answer does not satisfy you then you are certainly within your rights to seek the opinion of another doctor.

    Here is some information regarding a condition called “Purple Toe Syndrome” that can affect people using coumadin – taken from PubMed – the National Institute of Health’s website for doctors:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12741443?dopt=Abstract

    2003 May;23(5):674-7.

    Purple toes syndrome associated with warfarin therapy in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.

    Talmadge DB, Spyropoulos AC.

    University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA.

    Purple toes syndrome is an extremely uncommon, nonhemorrhagic, cutaneous complication associated with warfarin therapy. It is characterized by the sudden appearance of bilateral, painful, purple lesions on the toes and sides of the feet that blanch with pressure. The syndrome usually develops 3-8 weeks after the start of warfarin therapy. A 47-year-old man with a history of purple toes syndrome that resolved after discontinuing warfarin–prescribed for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right lower leg–experienced an acute, proximal DVT in his other leg. Warfarin again was prescribed; 1 week later, purple toes syndrome developed in that extremity. Warfarin therapy again was discontinued, and intravenous unfractionated heparin was started; the patient’s clinical picture indicated a possible pulmonary embolism, and laboratory analysis suggested antiphospholipid syndrome. The patient’s toe pain resolved, but the purple discoloration persisted. Follow-up laboratory analysis confirmed antiphospholipid syndrome, and warfarin was restarted with close monitoring. No further complications occurred with long-term therapy. Although a rare complication of therapy, clinicians should monitor for the development of purple toes syndrome in patients taking warfarin.

    Publication Types:
    Case Reports

    PMID: 12741443 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

    I hope this is helpful!

    Cheers,
    Nurse Mark

  • Skin Rejuvenation Protocol

    The skin (integument) is the body’s first line of defense in protection from the external environment. If it also one of the first things people notice about us. Healthy skin is both a cosmetic blessing and a sign of a healthy underlying system, yet few people know how best to take care of this important organ. Let’s focus on some of the most important things we can do to protect this amazing bit of our architecture!

    A Basic Regimen for Skin Care
     
    Nutrition: Beauty from the Inside Out. Healthy skin requires water, essential fatty acids and nutrients to be truly healthy. No amount of topical cosmetics will make up the difference to skin that is under-nourished. The skin requires the following:

    A.) Water ! The body is 60% or more water. Even a subtle dehydration makes lines and wrinkles appear deeper, whereas being well hydrated “plumps” skin and minimizes the appearance of lines. Drink 64 ounces of PURE water per day, especially in the Summer.

    B.) UV Light: Small amounts of UV are beneficial to the skin, but excess amounts can cause premature aging and contribute to skin cancer. Ten minutes of early-morning sun several times per week is sufficient for skin health. Beyond that, always wear a UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 15, especially on the face.

    C.) Smoking (and second-hand smoke): Causes a constriction of the small blood vessels that bring nutrients to the skin, depriving skin of both water, vitamins and minerals, and fatty acids. Smoking is one of the absolute WORST things you can do to skin. Don’t go there!

    D.) Nutrients:

    Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Supplements: An optimal vitamin/mineral/trace mineral formula such as Maxi Multi supplies the important micronutrients required for healthy skin.

    Essential fatty Acids: The skin needs essential fats from the inside out to stay moisturized. EFA’s are supplied by flaxseed oil, flaxseed meal, or fish oil. Be sure to take 1-2 TBS of flax oil or 3 Caps of fish oil per day, and include fatty fish such as salmon in the diet twice per week.

    Grape seed extract: 50-100 mg, 2-3 times per day is an optional “metanutrient” that aids the skin by improving collagen formation (the underlying structural material of skin) AND by acting as a potent antioxidant to protect skin from oxidation. (The human equivalent of “rust”!)
     
    A Basic Regimen for Skin Care

    I.) Cleanse: The purpose is to gently remove surface debris without stripping natural oils. Most soaps are highly alkali and strip skin of natural oils. Wash skin twice per day in a mild soap like Dove or Ivory (both are highly recommended by many dermatologists).

    II.) Skin Cream: Proven ingredients helpful for topical application include antioxidants (A,C,E, alpha lipoic acid) in a form that is easily absorbed by the skin (micronized). Glycolic acid helps break down old cells so they can be replaced more quickly with new cells from beneath. DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) helps firm sagging skin, NaPCA aids moisture retention and Sunscreens that protect from UVA, UVB, and UVC are all useful in keeping skin radiant.

    I have found it difficult if not impossible to find a good cream that contains all of these important ingredients until now. Rejuvenex is the first cosmetic preparation that I am aware of to combine the finest, proven ingredients into one easy formula. You can try to duplicate all of these skin essentials yourself, but you will be working hard and paying far more for the individual preparations. (Believe me, I know from experience. That’s how I’ve been making my own cream until now!).

    In order to introduce you to the benefits of this formula, plus help you get started on a skin rejuvenation and protection program of your own (especially important as the Summer sun heats up), we have special-purchased Rejuvenex so we can offer it to you at a lower introductory price.

    This cream is rich, wonderful, contains “all the right stuff” as listed above, and more, and a little goes a long way. You need only apply it morning and evening to get great results. Both men and women will benefit. As an alternative, you can do as I was doing and mix your own ingredients, just be sure to include the above-listed items for best results.

    To order Rejuvenex, CLICK HERE or call 1-800-376-9288

    In Health,

    Dr. Myatt

  • 7 Simple Ways to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

     Modern medical science knows a lot about the causes of cancer — more, in fact, than we know about its cure. “Carcinogens,” or factors that cause cancer, abound in the environment. Here are some of the leading causes of cancer that you can easily avoid to protect yourself from this disease: 

    1. Environmental exposure: cancer-causing agents are all around us; some a man-made, some naturally occurring. Evaluate your surroundings for these known cancer-causing substances:
      A      .) Radon: a naturally occurring, odorless gas that comes out of the ground and can infiltrate a house through the basement. If you have a basement in your home, inexpensive tests will tell you if your level is above 4 picocuries per liter (the minimum safe level). Correction is as easy as ensuring adequate ventilation. Radon causes lung cancer.
      B      .) Asbestos: Homes built before 1980 may have asbestos insulation. Either leave it alone or have it removed by a qualified contractor. Asbestos causes lung cancer.
      C.) Workplace hazards      : If you work with chemicals, including construction materials (paints, thinners, etc.), be sure to wear protective masks, gloves and other clothing. If you are unsure of your exposure, find out what chemicals you are handling and take appropriate precautions.

    2. Water. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: water is a common source of carcinogens and other disease-causing contaminants. Check your water report yearly. If you use city-supplied water, ask for a water report that will be provided for free. If you use well water, have your water tested annually. Go to www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/sco.html to find a local lab for water testing. This service is inexpensive and well (!) worth the cost!
    3. Don’t smoke! (Or chew). Cigarette smoke is associated with a LONG list of diseases, including bladder, bowel, pancreatic, cervical and uterine cancer— oh yes, and lung cancer. (See page 26 of your Holistic Health Handbook for a complete list of problems caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Even second-hand smoke increases these risks. Stop smoking and avoid breathing second-hand smoke.
    4. Limit sun exposure. A little sunshine is a good thing because sunlight causes natural production of vitamin D in the body. It also serves to normalize endocrine function. Too much, however, is highly associated with skin cancer, including deadly melanoma. Use a sunscreen of SPF15-30 when you are outdoors for more than 20 minutes in bright light, and use even on cloudy days and burning rays still filter through clouds. Do NOT let yourself burn and don’t aim for a “god/goddess-like” suntan!
    5. Maintain a normal weight. Statistics released April 2003 by the American Cancer Society estimate that at least 90,000 cancer deaths annually are attributable to overweight and obesity.
    6. Take nutritional supplements. Numerous nutrient deficiencies are associated with increased cancer risk, including vitamins A,C,D,E, beta carotene, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, calcium, zinc, and selenium. Since it is difficult if not impossible to obtain optimal levels of these nutrients from food, be sure to take an optimal-potency multiple vitamin/mineral supplement daily. (I recommend our Wellness Club brand, Maxi Multi, because it contains all these essential nutrients in optimal doses. Please refer to your Holistic Health Handbook or visit us online at http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/ for more information.
    7. Eat “Super Foods.” Some foods are especially high in cancer-preventing nutrients. Be sure to include as many servings of these foods daily as you can muster! “Super Foods” include: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts), garlic and onions, soy beans and soy products, flax seed (ground to a “meal”), salmon, shiitake mushrooms, lemon (especially “lemon zest,” the rind), and green tea.

  • Low-Carb Diet is More Effective Than Low-Fat Diet

    A sixth-month study, reported in the April 29th 2003 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, showed that women on a low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight than those on a low-fat diet even though calorie intake was similar. The low-carb group lost more weight and more body fat during the trial. No differences were noted in cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels between the two groups. In other words, a low carb diet which was presumably higher in fat and cholesterol did NOT adversely affect cholesterol or other levels as some arm-chair critics have hypothesized it might.

  • L5-HTP, SSRI’s, and Neurotransmitters – Again…

    HealthBeat Readers will remember Roberta, who wrote with questions about L5-HTP and SSRI drugs such as paxil. I answered, saying that rather than “shotgunning” at the problem with either Paxil or L5-HTP perhaps Neurotransmitter testing and a consultation would be a better strategy. This left Roberta wondering just how that might work – here is her question and my answer:

    Roberta wrote:

    Hello Mark,
    Thank you for publishing my email in your recent newsletter. Again, the information is truly appreciated. I have a question about the fee regarding the neurotransmitter profile. Will I need to set up an initial consult first, order the profile and then a follow up consult for the report? I need to plan ahead and knowing the regimen of care would be helpful.
    My reason for seeking care previously with my conventional practitioner is that the insurance cost (through group employer plan) is so outrageously expensive that it leaves little wiggle room in the budget. Although, in the future, my goal is to save for alternative care. I hate to use the word alternative, as holistic medicine seems more natural and inviting to one’s body than anything conventional can throw at you. So what truly should be considered traditional & normal?? Just my ramblings…
    Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks again!
    Roberta

    And, here’s the answer:

    Hi Roberta,

    You can approach the Neurotransmitter profile from a couple of different angles, depending on how much of a “do-it-yourself project” you want to make of it.

    The approach that I would suggest, and the one that will probably be the most economical in the long run would be to arrange a consultation appointment with Dr. Myatt first, before spending the money for the Neurotransmitter profile. It could be that after our team completes our New Patient Intake research and analysis and Dr. Myatt reviews that and does her own research that she may find some obvious and inexpensive corrections that can be made even without performing any lab work or further testing. Alternately, she may suggest some things that you can do to begin the corrective process – then have you do the testing under conditions which can provide much more useful results. If labs or tests are indicated, she will be able to give you very focused and targeted directions – again, likely saving you money and time over the more conventional “shotgun” approach of “A.T.K.T.M.” – which stands for “All Tests Known To Medicine”.

    The second approach, which assumes that you are very certain that Neurotransmitter testing is indeed indicated (med-speak for necessary) it to order and complete the Neurotransmitter test and then, if there are results that warrant it, arrange a consultation with Dr. Myatt to discuss options and strategies – this is a bit like putting the cart before the horse though…

    The third option, if you are really certain that you have the knowledge and skill to pursue that as a “do-it-yourself project” is to order and complete the Neurotransmitter test and then use the results to direct your own health strategy accordingly. Alternately, you can present the results to your current conventional doctor – but don’t be surprised if he / she doesn’t really know what to do with them and may even dismiss them as valueless. (Mostly because conventional medicine really doesn’t have any pharmaceutical answers to neurotransmitters beyond the SSRI drugs that are being pushed so hard these days…)

    When you order any of our tests the labs will send the results to Dr. Myatt who will then forward those results to you – it is your test, and your results. Even without your being an established patient she may well take the time to include a very brief review of any abnormal results and some basic corrective strategies for normalizing those results. Keep in mind that this brief review does not, and cannot take the place of a consultation!

    You may want to inquire of your employer insurance plan whether there is a discretionary fund available (sometimes called a “health Savings Fund” or some such) that can be used to pay for non drug or surgery based treatments. This is available through some insurance plans to cover the cost of such things as physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and other so-called “non-conventional” treatments, and many of our patients have been able to tap these funds successfully – though you may need to jump through some paperwork flaming hoops on your own to do so.

    It seems odd that Health Insurers will happily pay hundreds of dollars monthly in claim costs for conventional physician visits and drug prescriptions, but will balk at paying a few hundred dollars for testing and consultation that could eliminate the need for those expensive drugs and quite possibly save them thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars in claim costs over the long haul…

    Isn’t it strange how we have become so conditioned to look to our health care system for quick symptom relief rather than corrective care? We don’t do preventative maintenance – we wait until something breaks, and then put a bandaid on it…

    I remember the wise words of an old farmer who said “If you’re stuck in a hole and want to get out, the first thing you gotta do is stop diggin’!”

    Hope this helps,
    Nurse Mark