Manganese excess

Wildfires routinely blacken already parched earth in the West. Meanwhile, floods often sweep homes from their soggy earth moorings in the East. And yet, on the average, the US probably has perfectly fine water levels. Unfortunately, the same misleading statistical analysis exists with health and nutrition. For example, too often dietary guidelines are set based on averages of masses of human beings who are, in the truest sense of the word, each unique.

Keeping various nutrients in balance and matching that to the individual’s need are critical to optimum health, but requires us to pay attention to what is going on with our bodies. Have you noticed that houseplant leaves can turn yellow with either too much water or too little? Similarly, people can suffer symptoms with too much of a nutrient that are similar to those they might experience with too little. We could talk about balance in any aspect of diet or supplementation, but micro-nutrients are the most overlooked. Vitamins are usually only a problem from too little intake rather than too much. So, I’ll skip that for now, but since we do need to keep a closer eye on minerals in supplement form, today I am going to focus on just one that we don’t usually consider.

MANGANESE (not to be confused with magnesium).

I was inspired to talk about this mineral because a retired physician that I greatly respect asked me about high levels found in his well water.

Function: Manganese is used in the activation of a great many important enzymes in the body, including one that you may have heard discussed as an anti-aging protector, Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD).

Sources:  This lengthy and authoritative article lists sources that include: Nuts, seeds, wheat germ, wheat bran, leafy green vegetables, beet tops, tea, and pineapple.

Recommended intake: There is controversy about the right intake amount. Some recommend a very low amount, but others say that under normal circumstances our absolute need is probably somewhere in the range of 3-6 mg per day. That is somewhat below the typical supplement amounts (5–20 mg) which have been shown to be safe. As I mentioned, each of us is unique, and poor digestion or one of the balance issues below might increase our need for the mineral.

Balance issues: Over-consumption of any single mineral such as calcium, iron, zinc and rarely perhaps even my beloved magnesium may interfere with manganese absorption and thereby create an artificial deficiency. On the flip side, it appears important to have sufficient magnesium intake for protection of the nervous system in case of manganese overload. Study. It may be that being short on magnesium is one reason that manganese and other metals accumulate.

Possibly linked to deficiency: Imbalances in minerals are most often sub-clinical. That means the signs are subtle and not likely caught in a routine office visit. The Natural Products Foundation Database rates the science on some of the potential manganese deficiency signs such as: Fatigue, Fertility Problems, Osteoporosis, Goiter, Blood Sugar Regulation Issues, Osgood-Schlatter Disease (zinc and vitamin B6 likely low too), Sprains, Seizures and Tardive Dyskinesia.

Signs of manganese excess: Toxicity is typically due to industrial or agricultural sources or toxic spills. Read more. Smoking is also a source of manganese. Excess manganese is thought to deplete that critical detoxification enzyme, glutathione that we discussed and can result in neurological problems such as Parkinson’s like symptoms. Migraine sufferers have been found to have much higher levels of manganese and other metals than those who do not.

Testing: Manganese is not routinely tested, but can be assayed by special request. That would not seem worth doing unless deficiency signs were present. Sometimes people show high levels of manganese from a hair mineral analysis, but that can be due to contamination from manganese contained in hair treatment products.

Safest plan: Unless instructed otherwise by a health professional, it is usually best to take most minerals in an expertly balanced combination supplement. Magnesium (not manganese) is a common exception to that rule because we need so much of it. We can supplement it separately. However, even in that case we don’t want to get carried away and cause imbalances elsewhere.

Bottom line: We need all of the minerals. Our chemistry today is still based on the healthy natural diet that our ancient ancestors ate before our modern food sources were so badly degraded. Our Health Library has many pages about a variety of supplements. (Click “Library” on the main menu.) This link is to a general supplement information page. Well, that was heavy stuff, so I’d like to end with this, funny video spoof on a healthy diet.

Vitamin D for memory–test results shocker

As a follow-up to the discussion in last week’s program about supplement basics, I started out to just give one of the following tidbits. However, I found that the same researcher had reported several studies which were interesting and relevant.

• Vitamin D deficiency predicts cognitive decline in older men and women. And here is the Vitamin D for memory–test results shocker -a study found that in mentally normal elderly subjects, vitamin D blood levels (25OHD) below 75 nmol/L were already predictive of global cognitive dysfunction after 4.4 years. STUDY   So much for the blood test forms that show anything over 30 as “normal”! This study doesn’t prove that supplements will help, but there are only two ways to raise blood levels and the other one is sunbathing.
• Daily magnesium oxide supplementation (not even the best source) for 12 wks seemed to improve physical performance in healthy elderly women and suggest a role for magnesium supplementation in preventing or delaying the age-related decline in physical performance. STUDY   Given that magnesium is important for heart health, brain function, energy, regularity, immune function, bone health and many other aspects of health, the case is strong for supplementing this mineral.
• A study of 286 healthy women older than 65 years of age concluded that the current RDAs are adequate for older women’s intake of B-2, vitamin B-6, and folic acid, but should be raised for vitamin B-12 and for vitamin C. STUDY   Moreover, studies like these are typically looking at adequate, not optimum levels which become apparent over time.
• A 10-year follow-up of successfully aging elderly people found that multivitamin supplementation may be necessary, even in healthy individuals, to avoid subclinical malnutrition. STUDY  “Subclinical” means that it doesn’t show up in a visit to the doctor’s office, but then the vast majority of physicians are not trained to look for subtle signs of nutrient insufficiency.

I think it is clear that we are better off to just ignore the naysayers who claim that we get everything we need from food and that supplements are wasted money.

Chemical shortcake?

This holiday weekend perhaps you will indulge in a popular summer treat, strawberry shortcake. Actual strawberries supply fiber and a great many vitamins, minerals and plant anti-oxidants. These nutrients feed not only our own cells, but also our important gut microorganisms (probiotics). On the other hand, synthetic strawberry flavor, which is composed of 50+ chemicals* does not. I also have to wonder if anyone bothered to check whether or not isobutyl anthranilate, methyl naphthyl ketone and all the others individually or in this chemical soup actually damage our friendly microorganisms. So, no chemical shortcake please.

(By the way, if you can, buy organic strawberries because that is a food on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list of produce with the most pesticide residues.)

We won’t be putting our berries on Blue Bell ice cream this year because it has been recalled due to contamination with the bacteria, Listeria. The best protection against the effects of whatever contaminated food will be in the next news alert (or against Aunt Jane’s potato salad that sat out too long) is to have good internal defenses. That means:

1. Good strong stomach acid which is a first line defense against pathogens. (If you are taking acid-suppressing medications because of heartburn or acid reflux, please read this article.)
2. Strong and diverse colonies of friendly bacteria to run interference at the next stage. That means supporting them with good food and probiotics. (I believe in Dr. Ohhira’s…in advance or even at the time a meal doesn’t feel right.)
3. A healthy immune system. Since most of our immune system is in the gut, see #2 above. Vitamin D is also crucial for good immune function. You’ll likely acquire 10,000 IU naturally each day of the holiday weekend when you are out in the sun  (at least with sufficient exposed skin that isn’t slathered with sunscreen), but don’t forget to supplement the rest of the time.

Happy 4th of July.  Obviously, we will fly flags and pray for the troops around the world that keep us safe. But, I think we also should remember that our freedoms are not really free. We have to keep working to protect them by speaking up.

*Amyl acetate, amyl butyrate, amyl valerate, anethol, anisyl formate, benzyl acetate, benzyl isobutyrate, butyric acid, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl valerate, cognace essential oil, diacetyl, dipropyl ketone, ethyl acetate, ethyl amylketone, ethyl butyrate, ethyl cinnamate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl heptylate, ethyl lactate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, ethyl nitrate,  ethyl propionate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, heliotroppin, hydroxyphrenyl, hydroxphreny-2-butanone (10 percent solution in alcohol), ionone, isobutyl anthranilate, isobutyl butyrate, lemon essential oil, maltol, 4-methylacetophenone, methyl anthranilate, methyl benzoate, methyl cinnamate, methl heptine carbonate, methyl naphthyl ketone, methyl salicylate, mint essential oil, neroli essential oil, nerolin, neryl isobutyrate, orris butter, phenethyl alcohol, rose, rum either, y-undecalactone, vanillin, and solvent.

Avoid Roundup Toxicity

On last week’s show Howard Garrett and I only scratched the surface in talking about the problems with the weed killer Roundup^®. So, I wanted to review here for those who might not have heard the program and give a little more information to those who did.

What is it? Roundup® is the world’s most widely used weed killer (herbicide). It is used in private yards and in municipal spaces, but the biggest concern is its use in industrial farming. The active ingredient is glyphosate which Monsanto claims (of course) is relatively safe. Accumulating science says otherwise. Also, the supposedly inactive ingredients can make the product up to 1,000 times more toxic. Too often safety testing of each ingredient is done separately, not in the combinations in which they are actually used as glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH). Scientific article.

Why is it used? Chemical giant Monsanto has a really good thing going for their profits. They not only developed the weed killer, they also genetically modified (GMO) food crops to resist its effects. They sold farmers on the idea of planting their GMO corn, soy, beet, cottonseed and canola and then it seems bully them into continuing. Only time will reveal the long-term effects of having spliced in foreign genes to the plants that we eat, but several countries have banned GMO foods.  Monsanto also makes sales by encouraging farmers to dry plants out for harvesting by spraying Roundup^® on non-GMO crops like wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, peas, lentils, soybeans, dry beans and sugar cane.

What is the problem? In addition to any concerns about the GMO foods with which it is paired, Roundup® is becoming a global problem in its own right.

• Consumers. The World Health Organization has declared that it probably causes cancer in humans. Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes that it contributes to 3 dozen or more health problems such as Alzheimer’s, anorexia, autism, cancers, cystic fibrosis, IBS, infertility and Parkinson’s disease. It now appears that it encourages the growth of fungi that produce poisonous mycotoxins on crops. You cannot cook those away. New research indicates it may foster breast cancer growth in amounts as small as parts per trillion. Glyphosate is used in over 750 products and the government does not routinely test for residues on food. Roundup^® also poisons the friendly bacteria in our systems. Considering the huge and varied number of jobs these little teammates do for us, that is a huge concern.
• Farmers. It is detected in the blood and urine of workers on farms that use it, adding to their toxic burden from the use of pesticides. To quote a study looking into cardiovascular health risks, “Millions of farmers suffer poisoning and death in developing countries, and occupational exposures and suicide make GBH toxicity a worldwide concern.”
• Environment. Just as overuse of antibiotics creates antibiotic-resistant super-bugs, Roundup^® creates super-weeds. An even bigger problem is that it kills the beneficial microbes in the soil, which in turn has effects all the way up the food chain. Humans need a great diversity of good bacteria and this practice along with modern farming practices is greatly reducing variety.
• For more details, read this article by Howard.

What can a person do to avoid Roundup toxicity?

• Use natural ways to control weeds. There are many options on Howard’s website: DirtDoctor.com. (He helps us avoid toxic chemicals with natural ways to do most jobs around the house.)
• Buy organic when you can because those foods will not have been grown using Roundup^® or other hazardous chemicals.
• Look for foods (especially those made with corn and soy) that carry the NON-GMO Project Verified seal because seems likely that the farmer would have little or no reason to use Roundup^®.  
• Support organizations like the Environmental Working Group that fight for cleaner food and more transparency.
• Monsanto has so much money and clout that it can lobby very effectively, influence regulators and spin news to their advantage. However, the laws governing poisons are made by legislators. They care most about being re-elected, so make friends with your state and federal law-makers and thereby feel more comfortable talking with them (or writing them) when legislation is pending. There are many bills around that demand that GMO foods are at least labeled as such.

Female Libido Drug and views on other news

In-depth reporting without inherent bias and sensational overtones seems to become rarer by the day. I’d like to provoke a little alternative thinking on the proposed female libido drug and views on other news:

•    Proposed approval of a libido drug for women. The FDA is debating whether or not to approve a new drug to improve sex drive in women. The drug flibanserin supposedly re-balances neurotransmitters to boost those that cause arousal. (The improvement is modest.) While there are certain conditions where such pharmaceutical help might be appropriate, most cases of reduced sex drive is due to the body’s innate prioritizing of its needs—health before reproduction. A woman may need more sleep, relaxation, minerals, B-vitamins, good fats, protein, stomach acid, fiber, probiotics or hormones. Unfortunately, simply overruling the body’s natural inclination won’t solve the underlying problem. And then there are the drug’s side effects.

•    Study shows that too much (over 8 hours) or too little (5 hours) sleep increases the risk of stroke. Some reports might leave us feeling that the sleep itself was the problem. E.g. if we usually sleep 9 hours, maybe we should start setting the alarm to get up after 8 hours. However, I think that the real issue is why a person needs the extra sleep because that cause may be the real culprit in the stroke risk. For example, perhaps some folks have sleep apnea and therefore don’t rest well. Sleep apnea itself increases the risk for stroke. On the flip side, too little sleep is indeed a health problem. But, simply taking a sleeping pill may not address the cause of the sleeplessness. That cause may be an independent risk for stroke. For example, what if a person isn’t sleeping because they are anxious due to a deficiency of magnesium? Low magnesium is also a risk factor for stroke and many other health problems. A sleeping pill doesn’t fix the magnesium deficiency.

•    San Francisco may require sugary-drink warnings. Requiring a label warning on soft drinks stating that they may contribute to obesity, diabetes and other diseases isn’t itself a bad thing—because it is true. However, an unintended consequence of the move might be to cause more people to switch to diet sodas…and those may be worse. Be sure to listen to my upcoming 6/20 interview with Dr. Janet Hull on the subject of artificial sweeteners.

•    Egg rationing and price increases. Because an epidemic of bird flu has decimated chicken flocks, the USDA has given approval to import eggs from the Netherlands for at least commercial use. Hopefully, the shortage may not last long because chickens can be replaced pretty quickly. I just want to point out that even if because of the shortage the price of a dozen organic eggs hits $5, they are still one of the best nutritional bargains in the grocery store. Two eggs (for 83 cents at $5 per carton) can provide a meal with excellent protein (12 grams) as well as important fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, choline for the brain and antioxidants for the eyes among others. For what it is worth, they are also low in calories (just 70 per egg) and are quite satisfying. Confused about what type to buy or about the little cholesterol in them? Click here to read my blog on that topic.

Takeaway: It is probably safer if we don’t automatically accept health news (or any kind of news for that matter) at face value, but rather apply common sense and ask if we’re really looking at root causes and long-term effects.(In case you wondered where you had seen that guy in the photo, it is comedian Will Ferrell playing a blowhard egomaniac broadcaster in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.)

Detoxify with a Far Infrared Sauna

Premature aging, pain, fatigue and serious diseases are caused or at the least worsened by certain effects of modern living. The far infrared (FIR) sauna is a wonderful tool for reversing much of that damage. It is also recommended for helping with a host of health issues–everything from Asthma and Fibromyalgia to Cardiovascular health and Weight Loss. When you read the fundamental ways this energy medicine helps the body, it will be easy to see why that list is very long indeed.  Watch a video of a Phil Wilson seminar about the sauna. While the healing light waves of the FIR sauna have many beneficial effects, let’s start with detoxification.

TOXINS. Our health is being gradually eroded by 80,000 or more toxic (some cancer-causing) chemicals such as mercury, pesticides, herbicides and industrial solvents which contaminate our air, food and water. Shockingly few of those chemicals have been tested for our safety and none have been tested in the ever-changing combinations in which they occur. Forever hormone-disrupting plasticizers lurk in non-stick pans, food packaging, body care products, medical supplies and even cash register receipts. Although a well-nourished healthy body can disarm a normal amount of metabolic waste products, unfortunately, our cells, organs, joints, muscles, brains and precious internal army of beneficial bacteria were simply not designed to handle a continual diet of this chemical soup.

POWERFUL DETOX HELP. The far infrared sauna helps the body safely deal with these toxins. It activates cells to release poisons from storage and eliminate them via sweat through the skin. FIR is more effective than regular sweat at removing the stubborn plasticizers that we accumulate. It is also a great help in getting rid of heavy metals and organophosphate agricultural chemicals.
     Detoxification helps REDUCE:

● Chronic Pain  ●  Fatigue  ●  Inflammation
● Body Fat  ●  Disease Risk  ●  Premature Aging

A KEY MISSING HEALTH FACTOR. Our modern ways have also caused us to shortchange ourselves of many benefits of a more primitive existence. Unlike our ancestors, we are less active and do not daily experience the relaxing and healing effects of being out in nature. In an effort to avoid skin cancer, most of us also miss the benefits of frequent sun exposure. As you probably know, our skin makes vitamin D when stimulated by ultra violet rays in sunlight. However, there is a less well-publicized component of sunshine. It is not visible and will not give you a tan, but is truly the light of life—far infrared wave lengths. That is the type of energy that makes plants flourish and penetrates sand to encourage turtle eggs to hatch. FIR is also the healing energy that radiates from massage therapists’ hands. Poor health results when cells do not have sufficient energy to carry out their normal work. The FIR supplies these healing rays deep into the body and do the important work of raising the body’s internal temperature in a way that outdoor heat or other saunas do not.
      Far Infrared Wavelengths BOOST:

●  Blood Circulation    ●  Lymphatic Drainage
●  Cellular Energy    ●  Metabolism
●  Oxygenation    ●  Immune Function
●  Healing Speed    ●  Recovery Time
●  Skin health    ●  Relaxation (even muscle cramps)

Sherry Rogers, MD, brilliant author (frequent guest on our radio show) said: “Studies now confirm that diet and environmental chemicals cause 95% of cancers. Furthermore, as the first generation of man exposed to such an unprecedented plethora of daily chemicals, we have learned that stored or un-detoxified chemicals can mimic any disease. ‘Incurable’ chronic diseases that were thought to have no known cause often disappear once toxic chemicals are gone. Since the far infrared sauna is the safest, most efficacious and economical way of [purifying] stored toxins, this makes it a household necessity.”

HOW DO I USE THE SAUNA? Detoxify with a Far Infrared Sauna by relaxing on a comfortable chair inside a lightweight reflecting enclosure for a few minutes while special compact units bathe you in far infrared energy waves. The temperature is soothing and comfortable—not at all like the searing eye-ball-stewing saunas at the gym. The energy penetrates deep into your tissues, energizing cells and encouraging them to do their regular work and expel stored toxins. The Relax FIR Sauna creates a type of sweat that is more dense and oily than sweat from exercise. That is because it is carrying wastes and toxins—not just water and electrolytes. Sessions last only minutes, but your hands and head are outside so that you can read if you like.

WHY SPECIFICALLY RELAX BRAND?  Don’t be fooled by cheap Chinese lookalikes on the internet. The reflective enclosures may look similar, but that is where the similarity ends. The magic comes from the generators and some so-called “bargain” models create very little actual far infrared energy. In contrast, the Relax ceramic semi-conductor chips program wavelength and temperature to filter out all NON-healing waves so that your body can fully absorb the deep-penetrating desirable 4-14 micron energy without having to defend against other rays. The body is very particular about the energy frequencies that it finds beneficial. To the left is a patented ceramic chip that only the Relax far infrared sauna has. This chip is “tuned” to emit a certain frequency of far infrared in the 4.4 to 14.4 micron range. This is the perfect range of infrared for the body to absorb. Because of these chips (the Relax sauna contains 40 of them) the sauna emits both the highest and cleanest levels of infrared compared to any other sauna. In fact, this sauna is the only portable infrared sauna that uses the technology certified by the FDA as a medical device. See more about my choice below.

Heat to generate sweat isn’t the only factor. The light (not visible) is also an important effect. Relax sauna has silver in the lining to reflect the unseen light to all parts of the body. This does not happen with wooden saunas or cheap imitators. 

Relax sauna is also FAST—it heats up in just 20 seconds, not in 10-30 minutes as is the case with most saunas. This FIR Sauna is compact, collapsible for easy storage and portable (take it on vacation). It generates 100% of the purest, cleanest, most intensely soothing far infrared light of any that we have encountered and uses only 1500 watts of electricity (comparable to a hair dryer).

IT IS MORE THAN SAFE: Relax Sauna carries both CE and GS approval certificates. Far infrared detoxification protects your kidneys by sending poisons out in sweat rather than in blood which would have to be filtered by our delicate kidneys. Although the sauna improves skin health by improving circulation, opening the pores and encouraging the body to sweat out wastes and toxins, it does not burn. Of course, just as would be the case with exercise or sun exposure, persons with serious medical conditions or on strong medications should consult their physicians. (The Mayo Clinic does not caution heart patients regarding this type.)

DURABLE VALUE: Although the Relax FIR Sauna is portable it will last from 10-15 years. If you only use the sauna for 5 years before you retire to the beach or something better comes along (unlikely), with our HBN discount it costs about 50 cents a day to improve the health and vitality of your whole family! I’m no tax attorney, but I believe if your doctor is enlightened enough to write a prescription for a sauna, it may be deductible as a medical expense.

A GREAT VALUE AND HEALTH INVESTMENT: (Please remember if doing a web search—comparing this sauna to others may be comparing apples to rotten oranges. We have arranged with Phil Wilson at Relax Saunas to give you a $100 discount if you use the code HBN or tell him that you heard about it on Martie’s radio show. Also click here to read about the FIR Table Lamp option. Save $29 with the discount code HBNlamp.

TO PURCHASE CLICK HERE 
HBN does not sell anything, but Phil or Jana at Momentum Health will take good care of you. Remember to tell them that Martie sent you for a discount. Call 626.200.8454.

Nutrient gaps cause symptoms

Too many (maybe most?) folks get quite lost trying to improve their health. Perhaps it is because they are looking in the wrong places and with the wrong tour guides. While modern American medicine is unmatched in the world for dealing with crisis care, it has an abysmal record with chronic disease. That failing comes in large part from the fact our system is based on a drug model that basically teaches “if you have a pain (or an out of norm test number) we have a pill”. Among the issues with that approach are that drugs typically suppress symptoms, but do not correct the root cause. Of course, pharmaceuticals can have serious side effects that we hear about if we listen carefully enough to the soothing voice-over that accompanies the happy images on television commercials. Another problem with the drug-based approach is that medications are generally designed and approved to only address a single problem. A person that has multiple issues will likely end up on multiple drugs…even when some of his or her symptoms are no more than the effects of previously prescribed meds!

Mainstream medical schools generally do not teach docs to look for underlying imbalances such as nutritional ones. For that line of investigation, the patient must either consult with a nutrition professional or educate themselves…or ideally, both. Nutrition expert (genius), Bill Sardi, received an inspiring email from a man who had taken action after reading one of Bill’s terrific well-researched articles. (Below I’ll provide a link to that piece.)

The main text of the email to Bill: ‘I want to thank you for changing my life. For years (since my early 30s–I am 43 now) I struggled with odd problems. Chronic sinusitis and chronic prostatitis. Heart palpitations. Lethargy. Irritability. Recently things got worse. Several years ago in the fall of 2009 my lipid profile was all normal. This year in the early winter of 2015 it took a turn for the worse. My good cholesterol was low. My triglycerides used to be great, but had doubled. My fasting blood sugar was slightly elevated. My bp was elevated slightly (127/78). Used to be well below that. Looking like metabolic syndrome. I was devastated, particularly since my father had Type I diabetes and died at 57 of a heart attack. My doctor was”t too concerned because this was all new and “we can’t trust one test,” but I wasn’t happy with that response.

I came across your article on zinc deficiency and started taking it (50 mg per day as zinc gluconate). Within just DAYS my oddly curved fingernails (not clubbed but weirdly curved with a huge Schamroth’s window) flattened out. My athlete’s foot that I had had for years went away. My sinuses cleared. My prostate no longer hurts. I can urinate like a champ. : ) I don’t know how to explain it, but my whole head just started to feel “clear.” I felt (and still feel) mentally sharp. Suddenly exercise was a joy, not a painful task. My heart palpitations are gone. I am excited to have my lipid profile redone soon because of the other observable changes I’ve noticed, including my bp which is now normal (118/78). Incidentally, I have a diagonal earlobe crease on my right ear, and the beginnings of one on my left. I wonder if this was caused by years of chronic inflammation caused by zinc deficiency. We’ll see how this goes. For now I just wanted to thank you. I feel like I have a new lease on life. You’re the man!!’

This links to the article that the writer had read about widespread zinc deficiency–LINK. Please understand that I’m not implying that everyone should go buy some zinc. For some people a similar story could be told about the effects of low magnesium or vitamin D or one of dozens of other nutrients. The point is that nutrient gaps cause symptoms which can be resolved by restoring balance. If you are low in a nutrient, the resulting problems could be diverse and therefore, when balance is restored, the improvements can be equally diverse and impressive. Those “experts” who claim that supplements don’t do anything have clearly not finished doing their homework.  

A recipe for Alzheimer’s disease?

Surely we all want to keep our brains intact because without them nothing else really matters. Sadly, it doesn’t appear promising that medical science will ever find a “cure” for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The drugs so far do not seem to make any meaningful improvement and some, like those aimed at removing plaque from the brain, can even hasten the patient’s demise. Our best hope lies in finding and avoiding its cause(s).

Is the reason for the dramatically increasing rates of this tragic malady really some big mystery? Or is it likely that it results from one or more things that we are now doing that are different from what our ancestors did? According to Stephanie Seneff, PhD who is a Senior Research Scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), at least part of the AD increase stems from unintended consequences of actions that we unwittingly take supposedly to protect ourselves from other health problems. She contends that statin drugs, fructose use, sunscreen and flu shots are major ingredients in a virtual recipe for Alzheimer’s. With gratitude to Bill Sardi for calling this to my attention and admiration for Dr. Seneff’s work, I summarize here from an article that contains more of her technical details and citations:

• Statin drugs. Dr. Seneff points to studies that show an association of low LDL cholesterol with increased incidence of AD people and that the lower the LDL, the worse the dementia. In other research those who had taken statins had over 2 ½ times the risk of Alzheimer’s compared to people who never took statins. One hallmark of AD is the inability of brain cells to use blood sugar normally. In fact, Alzheimer’s is being referred to as diabetes type 3. (A nickname also given to cancer.) Seneff believes that insufficient cholesterol in the brain contributes to AD because cholesterol in the cell membrane plays an important role in regulating blood sugar uptake. When sugar gets where it doesn’t belong, cell parts are basically caramelized (Glycation) and no longer can work. Given that a large portion of the healthy brain is composed of cholesterol, hers does not seem to be a wacky idea. She also explains in the article why our efforts to reduce cholesterol were misguided to begin with.
• Fructose. Our intake of this sugar has greatly increased, mostly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and processed foods. We have been led to believe that fructose is a “fruit sugar” and is healthier than table sugar. In fact, it is more damaging, especially in combination with statin drugs which inhibit our brain’s ability to deal with it.
• Sunscreen. In an effort to reduce the risk of skin cancer, we avoid the sun and increasingly use of sunscreens. However, an unintended consequence has been the reduction of vitamin D levels and production of another substance (cholesterol sulfate) which both help protect brain cells against bacterial invasion and the resulting damage from immune response. Sunscreens can also contain aluminum which is suspect in AD.
• Flu shots. These contain neurotoxins such as mercury and aluminum. The brilliant Dr. Blaylock explained in one of our radio interviews how vaccines overstimulate brain immune cells, leaving behind long term damage. (Check the immune section of our library for articles on natural approaches to colds and flu.)

Dr. Seneff didn’t have these two on her list but I think perhaps they should be:

• Sleep drugs. We know that restful sleep is good for the brain, but the drugs used to put us out appear not to be. Both the over-the-counter medicines with PM in their names and those of the prescription class like Xanax lead to cognitive troubles and increased risk of dementia. (A natural melatonin supplement is a safe choice.)
• Artificial sweeteners. In an effort to avoid sugar and its calories, people have turned to chemical sweeteners, especially in soft drinks. Unfortunately, it turns out that they might actually make us gain weight instead and increase the risk of diabetes. That should set off alarm bells since as noted above blood sugar issues are closely related to Alzheimer’s. Beyond that, research increasingly highlights ways that our good gut bacteria (probiotics) are important for brain health…artificial sweeteners damage probiotics.

A pinch of this and a dash of that continually over the years can start a process that is much harder to reverse than to avoid. It is not surprising that the diet, supplements and reduction of toxins that we discuss on the show for building general health also apply to protecting our brains…which hopefully are firmly attached to the body. There are many nutrients and botanicals that benefit brain health. Read about tumeric.

PMS Remedies

Think PMS doesn’t concern you because you’re a guy or too old? Think again. Even if you don’t have a friend or relative that is bothered by it, some of the up to 150 symptoms of PMS affect 80% of American women who deal with PMS sometimes for decades. One or more of them may be why the lady at the DMV counter is crabby and takes such unflattering photos.

For some women Premenstrual Syndrome might stand for “pardon my sobbing”. For others the main complaint is cramping, headache or bloating. Then there is the short fuse. Here is some tongue-in-cheek advice for the husband of a PMS victim:
    Dangerous: “What’s for dinner?”
    Safer: “Can I help you with dinner?”
    Safest: “Where would you like to go for dinner?”

You’ll note that above I said “American women”. That is because the syndrome is not a factor in most of the rest of the world. It is also a rather new phenomenon. In a way, that is good news because it means PMS is caused by something that we are doing (such as too little nutrition and too many toxins) and therefore can stop doing. While time will solve PMS, uncorrected menstrual troubles can lead to a much rougher menopause. PMS can result from imbalances in a variety of systems such as an under-functioning thyroid, toxic liver, yeast overgrowth, allergies or stressed adrenal glands. A complete workup by an integrative or functional medicine doctor is the best course, but below are some ideas of PMS remedies that have varying degrees of science behind them.

Vitamins

• Vitamin B₆ helps many especially with bloating and skin issues. It is also improves the usefulness of the magnesium and l-tryptophan noted below. Regular doses of 50 to 100mg (including amounts in multi-vitamins, etc.) and temporary doses of even 200mg are worth a try. I recommend also taking a B complex at another time of day to make sure you keep the other B’s in balance. B₅ (pantothenic acid) for example helps with adrenal stress which may be involved in PMS.
• Vitamin D helps with virtually everything else, so why not PMS? Current recommendations are leaning in the direction of 7,000 IU per day for general health.
• Vitamin E is usually taken for cardiovascular protection, but there is some evidence it helps with PMS. I recommend a complex like this one

Minerals – Minerals in general are often insufficient in sufferers. A recent study is just beginning to look at iron, potassium and zinc. Earlier studies focused on these minerals:

• Magnesium…of course. This is especially useful for cramping, mood and anxiety.
• Calcium. A couple of studies show relief with supplements of 1,000 mg a day. I generally recommend taking at least ½ as much magnesium as calcium.

Foods and components

• Studies show that PMS sufferers are more likely to be consuming high amounts of refined carb foods and sugars. Dairy foods don’t seem to be helpful either.
• Fish oil helps with the pain. Use Nordic Naturals and follow label instructions, but note that in one study, women who took 2 grams a day had more improvement than those who took one gram.
• GLA from evening primrose oil or borage oil (3 to 4 grams per day) helps moderate inflammatory metabolites especially for meat eaters.

Amino Acids

• L-Tryptophan is known to raise levels of the “happy hormone”, serotonin. The advice is to take 2 to 6 grams per day, but only during the second half of the monthly cycle. Take it away from meals. 5HTP may have a similar effect, and since probiotics make more serotonin than the brain does, why not try Dr. Ohhira’s?

Herbs

• Vitex (also known as chastetree) is well-studied and widely-used and has a progesterone-like effect, reducing depression, cramps and breast tenderness. A typical dose of a concentrated herbal extract is roughly 20 mg a day.
• French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) lowered the need for pain medication. It is also good for menopause.
• Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound. I have a booklet from the 193’’s talking about this patent medicine for “women’s complaints”. Originally in the form of a liquid tonic in the late 1800’s it probably brought relief in part because of the alcohol content. Then it became tablets, which much to my surprise are still available today.

Hormones

• Progesterone cream. While estrogen and progesterone are both low right before the period, women who have heavy or extended periods usually still have an excess of estrogen in proportion to the progesterone. Progesterone was a big help for me, but studies don’t show that it is widely helpful. Just be sure to avoid the synthetic progesterone, Provera.
• The adrenal glands make hormone that reduce pain. Nourish the glands with vitamin C and an adrenal herb combination.

Medicines

• Homeopathics might be a natural answer for many. If it works as well as their other products I’ve tried, my choice would be PMS Relief by KingBio.
• In 1993 when the psychiatric establishment came up with the official name “Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder” (PMDD) supposedly to make it easier to do research on the issue, the action angered feminists who took it to mean that doctors (still typically male at the time) thought the condition was all in their heads. Prozac and Zoloft are often prescribed, but I think it is smarter to fix the root cause of the problem.

Other

• Probiotics are little factories producing thousands of substances that help in ways we are just beginning to understand. They reduce inflammation, help balance hormones and create neurotransmitters.
• Far Infrared Sauna is a good way to remove the toxins we’ve accumulated without putting a strain on the kidneys. (Toxins like plasticizers really jack with our hormones.) This one is my choice.
• Chiropractic can assure that there is not interference in the nerve supply to glands and organs due to a spinal misalignment.
• Acupuncture is often helpful for symptoms that mystify mainstream medicine.

Can a woman try all of these remedies at once? Well, some of these are what I consider health minimums (like vitamin D, magnesium, probiotics and fish oil) that should be taken all the time anyway. Since the items on the above list all work in different ways, therefore those in a desperate hurry could do them all. Surely, there would be a big improvement, but it wouldn’t be clear which item(s) had helped the most. One would have to stop using them one at a time to figure that out. The gal who is currently doing nothing and wants to start cautiously should perhaps begin with B₆, magnesium and probiotics.