On the Healthy by Nature radio show this week: My guest is Dr. Ross Pelton a PhD pharmacist and Certified Clinical Nutritionist. We’ll talk about his new book, The Pill Problem. And we’ll cover good intestinal bugs and harmful yeast infections. The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett will be on to talk about safe mosquito control. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.
 

Obesity is now a disease?
You may have heard on the news that the American Medical Association (AMA) has officially declared that obesity is a “disease”. As you will see in this NY Times article, the main motivation may be to get the doctors and hospitals better insurance reimbursement for weight loss drugs and surgery. (LINK) The AMA also indicated that physicians may now pay more attention to obesity.

I find it hard to imagine that doctors have ignored something that is a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and cancer. And better access to weight loss drugs? Most weight loss medications have proven to be somewhere between ineffective and lethal. (The article notes that one, Qsymia, is selling slowly because of concerns that it may cause birth defects.)  I wish that the AMA were making a bigger point of encouraging doctors to do more counseling on diet and lifestyle. (But, maybe no one has taught doctors what we should be eating. Perhaps they still think that fat free foods are the answer.) Another flaw with the plan is that obesity is defined in terms of the Body Mass Index (BMI). That measure just compares height and weight but does not take into account how much muscle a person has.

At least treatments for obesity will now be tax deductible.

 Mayors against paying people to drink pop
The mayors of 18 cities are campaigning to forbid the use of food stamps (now called SNAP) to buy soft drinks.  LINK. Well that makes sense–not surprisingly, sweet drinks have been linked to obesity, diabetes, etc. Taxpayer assistance should go to items that will make poor people healthier, not fatter and sicker. However, the last time I checked, a busy mom could not use food stamps to buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store to serve her family some quality protein. Those chickens don’t qualify because they are hot. And yet, she can buy a case of soda pop with taxpayer money? That is just nuts! Then there is the fact that the government subsidizes the production of corn syrup and sugar which works to keep these drinks cheap. We should write our legislators, not just roll our eyes.
 

What’s up?
Check this page of the show website for details about the Integrative Lyme Solutions Conference in Dallas this week. I made a cake for Andy’s wife, my daughter-in-law, Debbie Hopkins. Since these time-consuming creations turn so quickly into a pile of crumbs, I need to get a little more mileage out of this Napa themed cake. Note that everything you see in the photo is edible, including the wire the grapes hang from which is a rice noodle. The photo makes the purple grapes look blue. (Note, this is not health food!)
  
    
  Last Week
LINK to Archive.Dr. Kotsanis addressed the PSA test and natural approaches to dealing with prostate issues. William Lee Cowden, MD discussed Lyme’s infection as well as how it is often missed and misdiagnosed as many other diseases. (He is a sponsor of a conference on the topic in Dallas, June 21-22. Details at this link.)

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 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN