Healthy by Nature radio show this week: Remember the ridiculous “fat-free” chapter in our nutritional history when people were fighting over the last package of Snackwells? Well, that’s a story for another time, but the fear of fat behind that stampede was part of a trend that made Americans at the least both fat and diabetic. This week’s show focuses on the latest research on omega 3 fats. My guest will be one of our favorites, Stuart Tomc. I also talk briefly with Tom Brewster from Heritage Keepers , a provider of in-home senior care. Be a part of the show by calling 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide .

Too close to the forest to see the trees?

Question from a newspaper column: May 3 rd , the Graedons, the authors of the People’s Pharmacy newspaper column (and hosts of the radio show by the same name) printed a question on a topic that dovetails with my recent series on gut health. The writer wanted to know what his wife should do about constipation. She has just one or two BM’s a week-OUCH. He mentioned she had tried many drugs for the problem and asked if “colon cleansers” would interfere with the medications she takes for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and hypothyroidism . The Graedons’ advised against colon cleansers because they tend to be basically laxatives. They suggested sugarless gum and “Power Pudding” which is a mixture of bran, prunes and apple sauce.

My 2 Cents : While I’m a fan of their work, I think that in this case they missed a few critically important red flags. Low thyroid function is a major cause of constipation but, more importantly, is also linked to congestive heart failure. Perhaps the wife is being undertreated for the thyroid problem and therefore may have a number of other symptoms to show for it besides constipation. (Take my Thyroid Survey on this page to see how likely it is that you may have a thyroid issue.)

She also has high blood pressure and congestive heart failure which are both linked to insufficient stores of the mineral magnesium. ¹Magnesium is also a very big help for constipation because among other things it helps pull fluid into the colon. Normalizing thyroid and magnesium levels might not only help the sluggish bowel, but also save her life. Power Pudding might get her moving again but will not likely fix her thyroid, congestive heart failure or blood pressure. The sugarless gum might be okay if it is sweetened with xylitol, like Spry gum which is good for teeth and gums, but not if it is sweetened with some of the other artificial sweeteners. Link here to my article on the subject.

Then there is the question of whether some of the wife’s medications are making the constipation worse. Constipation is a common side effect of drugs that you will find buried in the fine print of the package inserts.

Because I’m extra busy this week (next week I’ll tell you why), I’m going to keep this short but check out the new feature below. If you listen to the show, you know I try to get good deals for my listeners from the sponsors. I want to do the same for subscribers and will aim to twist arms and have a special for Health e-Notes every week even if it isn’t on the show.

Happy Cinco de mayo.

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¹ Weglicki WB, Mak IuT, Chmielinska JJ, Tejero-Taldo MI, Komarov AM, Kramer JH.
The role of magnesium deficiency in cardiovascular and intestinal inflammation.
Source. Magnes Res. 2010 Dec 1;23(4):199-206. Epub 2010 Oct 25.