Healthy by Nature radio show this week: Dr. Michael Einsohn and I discuss the surprisingly large and diverse amount of health information provided by a thermographic scan. He is the founder of the Thermography Center of Dallas. Psychologist, writer and fitness buff, Dennis Kravitz, discusses his book, A Sound Mind in a Sound Body: Live Long, Live Healthy. The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett finishes off his series by telling us how to keep our plants from drying out and yet still conserve water. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

GOOD NEWS
If any of these items interests you, see the SOURCES section below for good brands and where to get them.

For depression. There is a good chance that just improving diet, lifestyle, exercise, etc. along the lines we discuss on the radio show and in this newsletter would help most depressed patients enormously. However, some people probably need help getting enough better to feel like taking those positive steps. Unfortunately, the side effects of anti-depressants are very scary (they include thoughts of suicide) and so it is great to hear that in one study a natural spice extract performed as well for subjects with major depression as Prozac did. The extract is Curcumin and it is from the spice turmeric. LINK.

Although a small study, this is very encouraging… especially when we remember that Curcumin is not only safe, but it anti-inflammatory and has a wide range of other benefits such as supporting joints, eyes, brain health and is even being studied intensely for cancer. (By the way, the herb St. John’s Wort was shown to be beneficial for mild to moderate depression. The supplement SAMe is another good choice.) WARNING: It is dangerous to suddenly stop taking any psychoactive medication. Work with a professional to wean off of it.

For blood sugar elevations. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 64 Type 2 diabetic patients, supplementing with 200 mg per day of coenzyme Q10 for just 2 weeks produced reductions in the long term measure of blood sugar elevation (HbA1c). Researchers also said in the conclusion: “In this study, Q10 treatment improved glycemic control, total and LDL cholesterol…” The investigators had reasoned that free radicals make this condition worse and that antioxidants might help. They picked CoQ10 because diabetics typically test low in this important antioxidant. LINK.

Like Curcumin, CoQ10 is valued for much more than this one effect. Examples of benefit: cardiovascular health, gums, fibromyalgia, eyes, nerves and fertility. Note: with a high absorption variety of CoQ10 as listed below, you likely need only ½ as much.

For cholesterol. Here is another approach besides CoQ10. An animal study showed that a combination of a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG fermented milk) strain and aloe vera lowered cholesterol 43%. The LDL and VLD (very low density) went down and the preferred HDL went up. There was dramatic improvement even though the subjects were fed a diet that is known to increase their cholesterol. LINK.

This is very exciting, but here are some things to remember:
• Rats aren’t people (although sometimes the reverse is true).
• Just because a specific strain (family) of probiotic bacteria has a particular effect, that doesn’t mean we will have to chase each symptom with a different breed. All the various families have multiple effects. The smartest approach is to nourish all the hundreds of strains of bacteria that comprise your own unique blend and generally improve their living conditions. The best way I know how to do that is with Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics.
• Not all aloe is created equal. The abstract did not say where they purchased the aloe used in the study. But, given that the research was conducted in India, odds are they didn’t have access to Lily of the Desert. I’ll bet the results would have been dramatically better if they used this especially potent brand. By the way, the rodents showed much higher levels of beneficial bacteria when the aloe was added.

MORE GOOD NEWS (about the bad news)
More on the recent fish oil / prostate cancer foolishness. Dr. Michael Murray wrote an excellent article pointing out a lot more failings of the poor but much publicized study we discussed last week. LINK. Here are a few quotes from that article (I added the emphasis):

“In one of the best-designed studies, researchers in New Zealand examined the relationship between prostate cancer risk and EPA+ DHA in red blood cells (a more reflective marker for long-term omega-3 fatty acid intake). Higher levels of EPA+DHA were associated with a 40% reduced risk of prostate cancer.” Link to his citation.

“For example, regular ingestion of fried fish was associated with a 32% increased risk for prostate cancer.” Link to his citation.

Dr. Murray added: “The best thing about this study is that it will stimulate more research into the role of omega-3 fatty acids in prostate health. The worst thing about this study is that it may lead to many men abandoning the use of fish oil supplements. Based upon a large amount of clinical data it makes sense for men to be consuming 1,000 mg of EPA+DHA daily for general health. And, if they are suffering from one of the over 60 different health conditions shown to be benefitted by fish oil supplementation the dosage should be increased to 3,000 mg of EPA+DHA daily.”

SOURCES
Sponsors who carry the brands that follow: HealthWorksMart.com (and Plano, TX Outlet store) and Natural Grocers. Curcumin, Co Q10, Probiotics, Aloe vera, Fish Oil.

Last Week – Added info
LINK to that show in the archives. Nutrition educator and friend of the show, Tim Mount, CCN, joins us to talk about summer challenges to our connective tissue (which includes hair, skin, nails and joints). Then, Jay Cohen, MD discusses serious problems related to a class of antibiotics that includes Cipro which became famous in connection with anthrax scares. Dr. Cohen is the author of Prostate Cancer Breakthroughs: New Tests, New Treatments, Better Options. He also wrote What You Must Know about Statin Drugs & Their Natural Alternatives among others. Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor covered poison ivy (ick) The herbicide (weed killer) Roundup® is dangerous stuff even in tiny amounts. Search Howard’s site for alternatives.

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