Healthy by Nature radio show this week
My guest is my friend Dr. Ross Pelton a PhD pharmacist and Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN). We’ll talk about his book, The Pill Problem, which he will make available FREE. We’ll talk about health news and take general health calls, but this show might be of special interest to women taking birth control pills. Call the live show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

Less is more
There are many indications that safer, saner, more patient-centered and effective ideas are surfacing in medicine. Even more surprisingly, some of these have actually received attention from the media.

Fewer hours of Alzheimer’s dependency. I was stunned to see an article on the front page of our paper yesterday saying something positive about a vitamin. Vitamin E was shown to slow the decline of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by 6 months over a 2-year period. Although subjects taking vitamin E didn’t score better on mental tests, they did need much less help with the routines of daily living. Drugs have been almost no help with the horrific condition and this was the first time a study showed benefit for it from a nutrient. (There was no benefit from E if a second AD drug was added to the regimen.) LINK. All the patients were already on one AD drug that shortens lifespan, so some of the life-extending effects of vitamin E were likely blunted. The researchers used a synthetic vitamin E at a dose of 2,000 IU per day. I can’t help but wonder how much better the results might have been if the natural complex form of vitamin E had been tried. And even better, because nutrients work in teams…what if the right form of other synergistic nutrients had been added. Unfortunately, scientists always seem to study nutrients one at a time like drugs.

Fewer brain injury effects? Speaking of brains and vitamin E…A study showed that treatment before and after a traumatic brain injury with vitamin C and vitamin E reduced oxidative stress and death rates. Of course, this was a study of rats (few humans would sign up to be wacked in the head). Since we don’t know when such an injury might occur, it makes sense to stay adequately nourished with these nutrients. Interestingly, rats make their own vitamin C, so taking extra vitamin C in case of a concussion wouldn’t hurt. LINK.

Fewer knee surgeries? A study showed that a fake surgery was just as effective a treatment as real arthroscopic surgery for a common knee problem, a torn meniscus. That tells me that the main benefit folks had been showing from the typical surgery was actually from the rehab that followed it. So, maybe try the rehab first and skip the surgery. LINK.

Next week: cataracts, high blood pressure, aspirin, cholesterol, apple a day vs statins.

To scan or not to scan
That seems to be the question. One study showed that current levels of sensitive CT imaging (CT scans) to detect lung cancer leads to over-diagnosis and treatment of cancers that are so slow growing that the risk of treatment is worse than that of the condition. LINK. The very next day another study was published that seemed to justify an increase in screening, especially of smokers. LINK.

What’s coming up?
It is hard to imagine the time has flown so fast but, Natural HealthFest 2014 is on the horizon. There will be some exciting new features. Save money by buying tickets online. The ticket store just opened. Note, to lighten the burden on our volunteer ticket takers, senior discounts will only be available online.

Last Week Follow-up
LINK to that show in the archives. Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, talked about his wonderful book, The Power of Self-Healing: Unlock Your Natural Healing Potential in 21 Days. His story is amazing and he’s a bundle of healing energy. Visit his website for free videos and listen to his radio show at HayHouseRadio.com.

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 2014 Martie Whittekin, CCN