My trip down memory lane in preparation for our 20th anniversary radio show reminded me of concepts that we covered long ago and that are worth a second look. I’m listing older shows in part to demonstrate that what may seem like brand new information today might have been available to our listeners a decade or two ago. I could go back much further in some cases, but I wouldn’t be able to provide links to the very old shows. (They are still on tape.)
Estrogen dominance. Concerns over excesses of the estrogen hormone may come up in a discussion of breast cancer. However, there is more to the story…even for men. Guys can suffer prostate trouble and enlarged breasts due to estrogen. In 1999, John Lee, MD (now gone) made his first appearance on Healthy by Nature (HBN) to discuss estrogen dominance. The effects of this imbalance include endometriosis, abnormal menstrual periods, fibrocystic breast disease, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, infertility and much more. (Here is a responsible site with a more comprehensive list.) Excess body fat, stress and a poor diet can increase estrogen. But, Dr. Lee also pointed out that estrogen dominance can result from too little of the balancing hormone progesterone. (Note, the synthetic progestin drug that has historically been given in hormone replacement therapy interferes with the function of natural progesterone.)
Natural approaches to Heart Disease prevention. Twelve years ago, in this May 21, 2005 interview, the late great Jay Cohen, MD talked about his issues with statin drugs and his belief in magnesium’s importance for heart health. Prolific author and all-around genius, Sherry Rogers, MD made many, many appearances on HBN. As a good example, on June 6, 2009, she talked about her book, Is Your Cardiologist Killing You? Since at least 1994, cardiologist Peter Langsjoen, MD has been talking about the importance of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for the prevention of heart trouble. We interview him on this May 5, 2007 show. (One of the serious problems with statin drugs is that they interfere with the body’s production of CoQ10.)
Underappreciated nutrients:
- Vitamin D3 – There finally seems to be a growing awareness of the crucial role of Vitamin D for not just bone and immune health, but the prevention of a wide variety of other health problems. John Cannell, MD, founder of the non-profit Vitamin D Council made his first appearance on HBN, September 29, 2007. Too many physicians still fail to test for vitamin D or accept lab results that are far below optimum. Sadly, this oversight disproportionately affects African Americans who are then much more susceptible for example to cancer.
- Vitamin K2 – Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleue, a naturopath is the author of Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little-Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life. We first interviewed her in 2013, but I think this 2014 interview might cover more territory. One listener has credited this interview with saving him from dangerous carotid artery surgery.
- Vitamin B12 – Low levels of this key nutrient are responsible for a bunch of symptoms that are often diagnosed as something else. That includes misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and dementia. Sally M. Pacholok (one of those names I had trouble pronouncing) and her doctor spouse are the authors of Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses. Her interview five years ago was inspiring. (By the way, acid-blocking heartburn drugs interfere with our production of B12.)
- Magnesium – Carolyn Dean, MD / ND, author of The Magnesium Miracle simply added to my longstanding admiration for this mineral. (I learned in the early 1980’s that one reason for my migraines was inadequate magnesium). Listen to her September 1, 2007 Interview.
Whoa! That is more than enough for one sitting. In a future blog, I will continue the theme with at least: Toxins, Cancer, Diabetes and Mental Health.