Healthy by Nature radio show this week: Mary Ellen Dorey makes a return visit to talk about using aromatherapy to help with the effects of weather transitions, the immune system and even controlling insects. We will also have open lines with Dr. Andrew Shepherd. The theme is back-to-school, e.g. scoliosis / heavy backpacks; the importance of proper bicycle helmets; school-related immune challenges as well as stress and time management for parents. Please forward this email to anyone with school-aged kids. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide.
 
What we thought we knew
Sometimes “facts” that everyone (including doctors) knows for sure are eventually proven false or at least become iffy. For example, a controversy continues to rage around the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs to simply lower test scores in healthy people. Naturally, the drugs have the potential for serious side effects (even diabetes) and the evidence isn’t strong that they reduce the risk of death except for those who are at high risk (e.g. have had previous heart attacks or suffer advanced heart disease). Women benefit even less from the drugs than men do. To the extent that the medications offer benefit, the reason may be that they are anti-inflammatory. Doctors whom I respect (like Sherry Rogers, MD, author of Is your Cardiologist Killing You?) point out that there are safe natural ways to reduce both cholesterol and inflammation. (Nearly every week on the radio show we discuss ways to reduce inflammation.)

By comparison to the cholesterol debate, it has seemed a no-brainer to give drugs to healthy people to reduce high blood pressure and thereby supposedly reduce the risk of strokes. Now, a review of studies calls even that assumption into question. Referring only to people who have not had previous cardiovascular events or cardiovascular disease, the review concluded: “Antihypertensive drugs used in the treatment of adults (primary prevention) with mild hypertension (systolic BP 140-159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 90-99 mmHg) have not been shown to reduce mortality [death] or morbidity [illness]” in the study subjects. LINK

How many persons are needlessly taking medications for blood pressure slightly above the supposed “normal” level of 120? Moreover, it is frequently observed that blood pressure readings are higher in the doctor’s office than at home during real life.

Reading the fine print on the blood pressure drug package inserts confirms that the drugs are not without risks. Many are diuretics which tend to flush out minerals. Supplements are typically given along with diuretics to help compensate for the loss of potassium. However, magnesium is usually neglected, which, as you will see, is a problem. Another type of blood pressure drug is a calcium-channel-blocker. Interestingly, the mineral magnesium has a similar effect to the drug and that may be one reason it seems to lower blood pressure. Happily, magnesium also provides a long list of fringe benefits rather than side effects.

Here actions that the Mayo Clinic suggests to lower blood pressure without drugs [and generally improve your life]:

Eat a healthy diet, focusing on fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, and especially, control the salt in your diet.

Maintain a healthy weight

Exercise by getting 30 minutes of moderate activity – even if you need to break up your activity into three 10-minute sessions – on most days of the week

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink – one drink a day for women and two a day for men

Approximately half of all those who die from heart attacks did not have the normally recognized risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Many of those deaths are the result of the heart losing its normal rhythm. Guess which mineral helps maintain a healthy heartbeat? You guessed it–our old friend magnesium.
 
Consumer Reports September Cover Story, final
I have been discussing one per week of the 10 reasons the magazine proposed
for worrying about supplements. This is the last one, thank goodness.

#10 You may not need supplements at all. If you live in a pollution-free area (the North Pole is now contaminated), eat a perfectly balanced diet of all organic food, eat plenty of fermented foods and have great intestinal bacteria (e.g. no antibiotics ever), are of normal weight, are under no stress, have no family history of disease, take no medications (they interfere with nutrients), have no age-related decline in absorption, and have no interest in optimizing your body’s chemistry, then by all means take this Consumer Reports advice.
 
Last Week
LINK to Archive. Warning. There are a few minutes of no program at the beginning of this archive. That’s because of a technical difficulty when we did the broadcast live from the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo in Dallas. We interviewed several exhibitors and Karen Falbo from Natural Grocers who had great ideas on avoiding gluten. My co-host for the day was Certified Nutritionist and Health Coach, Betty Murray.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
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

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2012 Martie Whittekin, CCN