Healthy by Nature radio show this week
John Young, MD will help us sort out what to do when our immune system attacks our own body as is the case with auto-immune conditions such as Lupus, some thyroid disease, hepatitis, amyloidosis, Crohn’s, juvenile arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and psoriasis. Inflammation and the health of our cells may have something to do with it. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

 The hidden road to diabetes
 On last week’s show Pharmacist, Nutritionist and Naturopath Jim LaValle rattled off some shocking statistics regarding our standard blood tests. I had to listen to the archive of the show to confirm my scribbled notes. He said this about fasting (empty stomach) blood glucose tests:

• Better known bench marks: 100-125 = Pre-diabetes. 126 and up = Diabetes.
• However, every point over 84 adds 6% to the risk of diabetes in the next decade.
• That means that with a glucose test result of 95, we should not be congratulated as being “normal” since we now have a 54% chance (coin flip) of becoming diabetic in the next 10 years.
• Even when blood sugar passes only the 90 mark, damage to the circulatory system has begun which in turn affects the brain, kidneys and more.
• (I saw this study showing that blood sugar trouble paves the way to dreaded Alzheimer’s Disease.)
• Insulin resistance and low thyroid function are two major risks for breast cancer.
• Even with healthy looking low glucose readings, check to make sure that potassium and sodium are in the mid-range on the blood test. That is because low potassium paired with high sodium might indicate insulin resistance—a big step toward diabetes.
• Magnesium is the nutrient that when low is most associated with diabetes.
Dr. LaValle recommended limiting carbohydrates to 100 grams per day for those already in blood sugar trouble. (But why not also for those of us who do not want to head that direction or be fat around the middle?) Apparently diabetics crave carbs because the power houses inside their cells (mitochondria) become inefficient at making energy and need more fuel.

Everyone knows that sodas and junk foods contain a lot of unhealthful carbs. However, I thought it might be helpful to see what 100 grams per day of carbs might look like using two different approaches–both of which the average person might consider to be healthier. Note, I’m not saying everything in Plan A is right for you; I’m just making a comparison. Carbohydrates per se are not bad, but those with less starch and sugar are much better for us. If you are still worried about cutting fat rather than carbs, I suggest that you read my book Fat Free Folly.

Plan A
Breakfast                      Carb grams
2 large whole eggs fried    1
2 slices turkey bacon         0
1/2 Ezekial English muffin15
Butter                                 0
Apple butter, 1 T Eden organic  4
    
Lunch    
   Turkey wrap in butter lettuce  0
with: Slice of tomato          1
   Slice of cheese               0
   Mustard                          0
Cucumber wedge              1
Carrot sticks, 2 medium    1
10 Garden of Eatin’
   Organic Blue Corn chips11
Apple, half medium           12
    
Dinner    
Salmon                              0
Broccoli                              6
3/4 Cup brown rice            34    
Salad including:                 6
   Mixed greens
   Celery   
   Shredded carrots   
   Cherry tomatoes   
   Sprouted pumpkin seeds   
   Oil and Balsamic vinegar dressing  
Butter, pat                          0
10 frozen grapes                9
                           TOTAL  100
 Plan B
Breakfast                                       Carb grams
Nature’s Path Gluten Free Sunrise Maple
   Cereal (1 cup, maybe not enough ) 33
Low Fat Milk, 1 cup                             12
Banana, 1 medium                              27
    
Lunch    
Turkey sandwich w/ cheese and tomato  1
On 2 slices of
Nature’s Own 100% Whole Grain bread   22
 Organic Blue Corn chips – Only 5          5
                      TOTAL                  100    
Dinner    Sorry, no carb budget left ! ! !  
    
My article on low vs high glycemic foods might be useful too. Also, in it I describe the supplement Gluc-aloe which can help a lot while folks get used to eating fewer carbs. (MemoryWorks has been a big help to me in limiting my tendency to self-medicate with carbs.)

News from the National Health Federation

•I am always sad when a good alternative doctor is targeted for daring to heal people without the usual drugs, surgery, etc. The better the results they get, the more likely it seems they are to attract the attention of what has been called the “medical mafia” which does not like the competition. Dr. Harvey Bigelsen, M.D. (a former trauma surgeon during the Viet Nam war) is losing his house due to paying attorneys to keep him out of jail—all because he used a live cell dark field microscope to look at people’s blood for clues to what was going on. (I find that method very useful and motivating.) Watch the short video and/or read this article. Maybe you can help.
 
•If we want continued access to high potency supplements we have to be vigilant. You may have heard of the international group CODEX that wants only low doses allowed (if any). Unfortunately, our FDA is headed that way too. Read this article and stay in the loop by joining NHF.

 Follow up on the Dr. Oz note
A newsletter reader, Janice, pointed out that Dr. Oz has lost some credibility because some profiteers hijack his message and his enthusiasm (perhaps sometimes a little too much at times) about an ingredient. They use him to promote inferior products that do not deliver the results promised. That’s wrong. And it reminded me of why I work so hard to get excellent sponsors who have good manufacturing practices and who don’t take cheap shots. But sometimes the problem is with the consumer. For example, if I talk about some spectacular benefit from Longevinex, some people just buy the cheapest resveratrol they can find. Not only are they missing the benefit of the superior form plus its other synergistic ingredients, they might actually get an amount that could be harmful.

Last Week Follow-up
LINK to that show in the archives.  Jim LaValle, R.Ph.,C.C.N. author of Your Blood Never Lies: How to Read a Blood Test for a Longer, Healthier Life, discussed blood sugar tests (reviewed above in this newsletter) and testing for allergies, thyroid, optimum vitamin D levels and best tests for zinc, magnesium and vitamin C.

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MY BOOKS:

Fat-Free Folly. Challenges dangerous mainstream thinking about fats. Supported with generous amounts of current science and grounded in a common sense historical framework. Learn how to build health and lose weight while enjoying more delicious food.

Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments. Besides explaining the dangers of these medications and helping fix the real cause (which is seldom too much acid) this book is also helpful for solving other digestive problems.

Aloe Vera – Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy. Research shows that Aloe has benefit beyond skin and digestion–also for immune function, detoxification, nutrient absorption, blood antioxidant levels, blood sugar regulation and more. Learn how to pick the most potent brands.

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 2014 Martie Whittekin, CCN