Healthy by Nature radio show this week : We talk a little about homeopathy and eye health with expert Vonette Thorner. I air snippets of an onsite (hah-I almost typed in “onsight”) interview with eye doctor, Richard Collier. Naturopath Julie Schulenburg will remind us why we need to detoxify and explain some methods. After all that learnin’, the last half of the show should be mostly fun. I’ll talk with the famous horticulturist, Howard Garrett, about what plants and people have in common. With so much going on, there won’t be a lot of time for calls, but I do really appreciate when listeners tell us what they need to know. ( 1-800-281-8255) Find out how to listen at this link.

What were they thinking – PART 1

Newspaper Headline: “Drug shows promise in asthma battle”. A study funded by our government and a drug company evaluated city kids and young adults who were injected with the drug Xolair. The subjects on the drug experienced a 24% improvement or about 1 less day per month of asthma symptoms such as wheezing. The medicine costs about $1,000 a month and earned the makers almost $1 billion in 2010.¹

My 2 Cents : It is certainly great that there were fewer hospitalizations and insurance usually pays the steep cost (keeping it steep). There are a couple of levels of “cluelessness” here. For one thing, the government is also involved in another study on the drug’s safety. They describe Xolair as apparently causing a surprising “increase in ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy and cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension, cerebrovascular disorders, and embolic, thrombotic and thrombophlebitic events in patients…[and possibly] a life-threatening allergic reaction”.2 But for me another and perhaps bigger tragedy is that the government and the news media don’t make more noise about natural substances that not only improve asthma but also provide fringe benefits rather than potentially lethal side effects. Some obvious choices : Omega 3 oils (64% improvement!)³ ; Vitamin D^4,5 Magnesium⁶; Vitamins A and C ⁷ or a whole bunch of antioxidant foods. Think that billion dollars might be driving the conversation?

OATMEAL YET AGAIN

Last week’s newsletter discussed ideas for enhancements for oatmeal. Later I noticed the word
“apple” scribbled on my notes. Of course! My favorite is Granny Smith–chopped small. Unless you want apple sauce, add the apple bits right at the end of cooking. Raisins and other fruit can either be soft (if added early) or with a little chewiness (if added late). I should also have mentioned that I don’t put walnuts in while cooking. I add them in the cereal bowl because I don’t want them soggy. Also to avoid the sugar added to dried cranberries, buy fresh berries in the fall and freeze them yourself.

KEEPING ME OUT OF TROUBLE …

Yes, that is a lot of afterthoughts and they are for the same reason that I had to make a series out of “What were they thinking.” I’m just a wee bit distracted with all the final preparations for Natural HealthFest 2011 We really bit off a lot with this expanded project and I sure hope I get to see a whole bunch of you. Here is the brief description: 2 nd Annual Natural HealthFest. Saturday, April 2, 2011, 9 AM – 5 PM, The Plano Centre, Spring Creek Pkwy just east of U S-75 (Central Expy, exit #31) Exhibits demonstrate innovations in wellness, provide free screenings and samples. Speakers are renowned experts on natural health. Topics include weight loss, memory, depression, energy, ADHD, headaches & growing herbs. Consult top integrative doctors & practitioners. Thousands of $ in prizes. 3 live radio broadcasts (e.g. my show and Howard Garrett). Shelters will offer pets for adoption. $5 at the door . (Doors open at 8AM) Details & ticket discounts (through Wednesday) at www.RadioMartie.com or call 1-877-673-2536.

My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book : Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

Copyright 2011 Martie Whittekin, CCN

 ¹ Busse, WW. Randomized trial of omalizumab (anti-IgE) for asthma in inner-city children. N Engl J Med. 2011 Mar 17;364(11):1005-15.

² http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000240/

³ Mickleborough, TD. Protective effect of fish oil supplementation on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma. Chest. 2006 Jan;129(1):39-49.

⁴ Thacher, TD. Vitamin D insufficiency . Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 Jan;86(1):50-60.

⁵ Sutherland, ER. Vitamin D levels, lung function, and steroid response in adult asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010 Apr 1;181(7):699-704.

⁶ Kazaks, AG. Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on measures of airway resistance and subjective assessment of asthma control and quality of life in men and women with mild to moderate asthma: a randomized placebo controlled trial. J Asthma. 2010 Feb;47(1):83-92.

⁷ Allen, S. Association between antioxidant vitamins and asthma outcome measures: systematic review and meta-analysis. Thorax. 2009 Jul;64(7):610-9.