"Integrative Health Education " Newsletter

Dr. Hugo Rodier publishes a monthly newsletter on the latest integrative medicine news and information. Dr. Rodier researches of over 150 medical journals each month to provide his readers top scientific information for optimal health. The newsletter does not sell any products.

                         INTEGRATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

                     A monthly review of 150 medical journals

                                                   Volume 9 � Number 8 � September 2008                           

                                                                     EDITOR’S NOTE 

            When we signed up for “Life” we knew that it would involve suffering and lots of changes. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to sell us something. At least that is what the “masked man” said in “Princes Bride.” It seems life is coming at me fast. Because of personal bumps on the road I have developed a skin rash, a blood pressure up to 130/82 that gives me headaches, thyroid problems, reflux, insomnia and a bad case of inadequate feelings (Examples of the mind-body connection.) But, all these little things pale to the suffering some of you are going through. Still, how am I going to put our ordeal in its proper perspective? 

            I hope my drive for self-improvement and for avoiding self-deception can withstand this gale. How will I fare in that endeavor? I don’t know, because I am all too aware that we humans have an incredible strong drive to deceive ourselves.

            Self-deception: this is the little pearl I really intended to share with you this month. It is patently obvious in all we do, particularly when we are trying to sell something or an image of ourselves that may need marketing. Take Big Pharma’s research to create a drug that could help you gain some of the benefits of exercise without getting off the couch: no exercise? No sweat! (J. Cell, July 31^st, 2008.)

            Will people but this drug? What do you think?

Hugo Rodier, M.D.

Berry questionable energy drinks

            If you have read some of the articles I have posted on my website you are familiar with my overarching hypothesis that everything about the Universe and our health is nothing but Energy and Information, E&I, which are an integral component of the laws of Thermodynamics. This is why I was very interested in the study titled “Phytochemical Composition and Metabolic Performance-Enhancing Activity of Dietary Berries Traditionally Used by Native North Americans” (J. Agriculture & Food Chemistry 2008;56:654.)

            I have had some experience with berries and with energy drinks. As a young doc I served the National Health Service Corps to repay medical school loans in the wilds of Alaska (remember “Northern Exposure?”) I went for a lot of hikes in the tundra and often I found myself on the losing end in my quest for berries; Grizzly bears always get their way. Berries are one of the best foods we have because of their high content of antioxidants and phytochemicals to support the thermodynamics of our cells as they process E&I.

            Notice that the article mentions “metabolism.” That is the biologic equivalent of thermodynamics. And that is what we need to keep firmly in mind so that we don’t succumb to the intense marketing of high-priced energy drinks that are flooding the market. Think of the food we eat as the only legitimate way to get proper E&I (Besides loving relationships; see above the reason why I have been running on empty, lately.) Everything else is likely a shortcut, as exemplified by most energy drinks; they rely on caffeine and processed sugar: talk about whipping a dead horse. Being addicted to these items, it is easy to feel a boost of energy when we are withdrawing or when our blood levels of these products get too low. Then, people are caught in a vicious cycle.

            I have been asked to speak for a company that markets one of those energy drinks. I felt their product was based on legitimate nutrients. In fact, their drink has berries in it. But the fly in the ointment is the price. Are even healthy energy drinks worth it? Yes, if money is not an issue to you. But, most people are barely one step away from financial ruin these days. This is why the informed public will likely stay away from these drinks, as healthy as they may be. No doubt those who want a quick boost of E&I are probably trying these drinks, both the caffeinated, high sugar ones and the healthy ones, as exemplified by the one who hired me.

            Self-deception; it is found in any company that does business while ignoring the principles of true service to the public. The best and most profitable businesses are those who fulfill legitimate human needs (I have some reservations about Big Oil, Big Food and Big Pharma.) The companies selling energy drinks would do well to give customers the right E&I: stick to fruits and veggies as the base of the pyramid and avoid refined, processed foods. (By the way, the company who hired me to speak knew I would emphasize proper nutrition first and foremost.)

            Self-deception is also at play when people abuse their bodies and minds with bad food, bad relationships and then seek to make it right with a quick energy drink and all-too-available processed food.

            I understand that many of us are stuck in 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet: the temptation to get a quick fix is overwhelming. But, this is the very reason we must void shortcuts that are more expensive in the long run and stick to the right E&I in the right food and in the grooming of our intimate relationships with good communication of E&I to sustain each other’s trust.    

            Self-deception and the inability to postpone pleasure and rewards in favor of quick solutions in the present: a perfect Rx for trouble…          

Plunging testosterone

            A while back a study showed that testosterone levels go down in sport fans when their team loses. Surely women have noticed this little quirk in their males. Surely there are women who root for their husbands’ teams … and women who root for the opponents to win…

            Some men get downright depressed when their testosterone goes down. It’s not hard to understand why (J. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006;31:1029 & J. Archives of General Psychiatry 2008;65:283.) Preening, sprucing and making ourselves more attractive helps ameliorate these problems. A study came out showing that birds getting “make-up” go from wimpy to becoming “chick magnets:” their testosterone levels go up

(J. Current Biology, June 2008.)

            Knowing that I will upset some of you while I validate others, I feel that anything that enhances our relationships and helps us bond more strongly with our mates is good, provided that there is no deception, abuse or lack of respect and trust. So, buying pretty things, jewelry, make-up and other trifles along those lines are fine. But, when it comes to “sexual items” some people may get uncomfortable. For example, “enhancements” for men and women may be what they prefer and that is only their choice to make. So, despite some controversial reports on breast enhancement, I feel the choice is still a couple’s to make.

            This reminds me: who told on me? Daily I get dozens of spam about male enhancement…. Maybe it was my ex….

Throw me tomatoes

            Some people “throw me tomatoes” when I express my opinion that food is the best medicine; I have told that my views on health are “too rosy.” I understand why they are challenged by the facts I monthly highlight in this newsletter: they are “nutritionally deficient.” Are they reading the evidence I quote? Are they dismissing the clear results (available to anyone) we see in our clinic, where 80-90% of prescription drugs are discontinued when patients stop their addiction to refined foods?

            No matter: do throw me tomatoes!

            FruHis, a carbohydrate derivative in dehydrated tomatoes has been shown to protect against DNA damage that may lead to cancer (J. Cancer Research 2008;68:4384.)

A study showed that only18% of rats fed FruHis and tomato paste had prostate tumors, while 39% did with tomato paste only and 43% with tomato powder. It turns out that 63% of the rats getting no tomatoes whatsoever developed prostate tumors.

            It is the antioxidant Lycopene in tomatoes that is healing the DNA problems that lead to prostate cancer. Lycopene also slows the progression of BPH, or enlarged prostate in men (J. Nutrition 2008;138:49.) I highlight “men” for those who would dismiss the above study because it was done in rats. Interestingly, some of those who would do just that think nothing of testing their pharmaceutical agents on animals…

Hope your health “bugs” you

            A hundred years ago Dr. Metchnikoff won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his seminal work on the microflora in our intestines. People are now more familiar with the concept he pioneered, that is, that the micro-organisms that live in our intestines are THE KEY to our health, outside of the food we eat, a clean environment and healthy relationships.

            Doctors are resurrecting Metchnikoff’s work. We are seeing articles like “Scientists Probe Microbe ‘Communitites” (JAMA 2008;299:2265) appear in many medical journals on a monthly basis. This one tells us that the quadrillions of organisms in our intestines are an exciting frontier of research. The “microbiome” (JAMA 2008;300:777) is made up of about 1,000 different species of organisms in the intestines; we are just beginning to understand the symbiotic relationship we have with our guests: “There are a number of chronic diseases for which there is tantalizing, piece-meal, reasonable evidence of microbial factors playing some kind of role.”

            The authors discuss an example: bacterial vaginosis or an imbalanced flora in the vagina, which may create significant problems for women. It turns out that vaginosis is not seen when a woman has mostly lactobacillus in her vagina. In other words, friendly organisms therein keep the “bad guys” from setting up shop. This is why I advice women with these issues to place capsules of probiotics in their vagina to treat and prevent vaginal infections. Still, the main problem behind this nuisance is that women eat too much refined sugars in their diets.

            Another example of how our friendly bugs can help us came out in the Journal Nature 2008;453:620. Bacteroides fragilis, a species of friendly organisms in the intestines produce PSA or Polysaccharide A, which protects mice from getting Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis in mice exposed to bad bacteria, like Helicobacter hepaticus. PSA induces CD4 cells that reduce inflammation in the intestines.

                        The concept that of our little friends produce indispensable molecules for our health is not new; we have known for quite a while about Short Chain Fatty Acids like Butyrate. SCFA reduce cholesterol by optimizing its processing in the intestines. SCFA also lower inflammation and promote healing of injured tissues. They also reduce the risk of intestinal and systemic cancer (J. Nutrition and Cancer 2005, p2878.) But, perhaps most interesting to you, SCFA help you process calories better in your intestines, so that your likelihood of becoming obese is reduced. In other words, having unhealthy intestinal flora increases your chances of gaining unwanted pounds (“Gut Microbiota and Its Possible Relationship with Obesity,” J. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83:460.)

            These articles didn’t point out everything that could be said about our little friends. But, you may read up on the wonderful benefits of probiotics in previous issues of this newsletter. Let me just review a couple of points: probiotics are critical for managing the E&I you eat and detoxifying in obeisance to the Universal laws of thermodynamics.

            Ask your self this question: have you gotten your little friends used to sugar and chocolate? If the answer is yes, now you know why you crave those items so much: you got them used to that garbage and now they are sending you messages to your brain, demanding that you keep feeding them in the manner they have become accustomed to (J. Proteome Research, October 2007.)

            How does it feel to be controlled by your microscopic guests? Time for a bit of humility; some microorganisms can manipulate neural circuitry better than we can.” (Bugs in the Brain,” J. Scientific American, March 2003;288:94.)

Telegraphed articles

Air pollution increases the risk of DVTs, or clots in the deep leg veins

J. Archives Internal Medicine 2008;168:920

“Exercise May Boost Aging Immune System,”

JAMA 2008;299:160

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Low vitamin E is associated with a decline in physical function in the elderly

            JAMA 2008;299:308  

Marihuana has been associated with periodontal disease

            JAMA 2008;299:525, 574

Lead exposure in infancy increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease later in life

            J. Molecular Neuroscience 2008;28:3

Curcumin/curry decreases IgE mediated allergic response: allergies get better.

            J. Allergy Clinical Immunology 2008;121:1225

Drugs used to treat osteoporosis increase the risk of Atrial fibrillation

            J. Archives Internal Medicine    2008;168:826

Growth hormone may be able to protect neurons from the detrimental effects of opiates

            J. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 2008;105:7304

                            INTEGRATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

                     A monthly review of 150 medical journals

                                                    Volume 9 � Number 7 � August 2008                                

                                                                    EDITOR’S NOTE     

You may want to read the last few blogs (“Braindroppings”) to get a more complete idea of what Big Pharma is up to this summer. While prescription drugs have their place in modern health care, their overuse is raising a lot of eyebrows.

Hugo Rodier, M.D.

A drug to treat the side effects of another drug

            Even though antidepressants work in less than 50% of people, they are widely used, with significant side effects. A very bothersome side effect is sexual dysfunction in both men and women. We just learned that Viagra may be used to counteract these problems when Prozac-like meds are used by women (JAMA 2008;300:395.)

            OK, I am not a puritan by any means. I even feel that women could take Viagra for recreational purposes, since it enhances sensation in their genitals. But, the concept of taking drugs to cover up the side effects of questionable drugs is potentially problematic. How many drugs are people taking for symptoms that may be nothing but side effects from an earlier drug? Consider older people, who may take 5-10 drugs a day. How likely is the possibility that they may have drugs working against each other?

And, what happened to the report that lowly Ginkgo not only helps with depression, but it also mitigates the sexual dysfunction seen with antidepressant therapy?

[J. Archives Physiology and Medical Rehabilitation 2000;81:668. Chin Med J. 1999;112:1093

            Gingko helps depression. It potentiates effect of antipsychotic drugs.

J. Clinical Experimental Pharmacology Physiology 1997;24:958

            Gingko works through the NOS system: it reduces inflammation in the brain.

J. Clinical Psychiatry 1998;59:199 and J. Sexual Marital therapy 2001;27:541

Gingko improves the loss of sensation in the genitals that is seen with SSRI antidepressants.]

Remember that Big Pharma will try to discredit any report on any herb or non-pharmaceutical product that may cut into their sales. They take a page from the historical records of any big business that has muscled out the competition with spurious reports that favor their own product. (Did you know that Rockefeller funded the drive that led to prohibition? He was trying to demonize alcohol, which was the preferred fuel for cars back then. Rockefeller owned Standard Oil, which fell under antitrust laws to become Chevron, Exxon, and Amoco. Henry Ford’s alcohol-fueled cars were Rockefeller’s competition, but after the constitutional amendment that criminalized alcohol in general, petroleum became the nations’ main fuel.)

Problems with antipsychotic drugs

            The recent report that there is an increased risk of death in the elderly taking antipsychotic drugs is not news; we have know about this for a while (JAMA 2008;300:379.) And, the new generation antipsychotic drugs, while more expensive, do not seem to be any better than the cheaper older ones. I have herein reproduced a report I wrote in an earlier newsletter:

            “Effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in patients with chronic schizophrenia” (New England J. of Medicine 2005;353:1209) tells us that the newer and more expensive drugs to treat this condition are no better than the cheaper older ones. In fact, these newer drugs were marketed even though studies showed that they were no better than the older ones. “None of these drugs provided the majority of patients effective treatment that lasted the full 18 months of this study.” Only one new drug, Olanzapine was slightly better, but it was “associated with weight gain, and increases in measures of glucose and lipid metabolism.” These drugs have also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality (JAMA 2005;294:1934.) The so-called atypical antipsychotic drugs must not be replaced with the conventional antipsychotic drugs, since both of them raise mortality (New England J. of Medicine 2005;353:2335.)

“Dr. Drug Rep”

      A Psychiatrist’s experience while speaking for the antidepressant Effexor was highlighted in the New York Times (NYT Magazine, November 25^th, 2007, page 64.) He discovered that Effexor’s claims that it is 10% more effective than Prozac-like  SSRI drugs is inflated and that the high blood pressure elevation seen with Effexor is underreported. But, the speaking fee initially blinded him to these facts. He eventually gave up the gig, but, as he became more truthful, drug reps no longer booked him.

      As an attempt to be fair, I must report that companies marketing supplements often don’t ask me to speak for them after the initial engagement. I feel it is because I don’t hype up their products as much as they would like me to. Even though they deal with nutritional products, they are still in business.

Sweet updates

            My book “Sweet Death” may be updated this year. As you may know, I feel very strongly about our addiction to refined sugars in our country. So, I am always looking for related articles. The report that pesticides increase the risk of diabetes (Am. J. Epidemiology 2008;167:1235) may surprise some, unless you are familiar with insulin resistance caused by toxicity, as previously reported (See “TOIL” in my white paper.)

            And, why would Gout increase mortality in middle aged men? (J. Archives of Internal Medicine 2008;168:1104) Because gout is driven by insulin resistance, too, which affects our circulation.

            And, why do obese men have low-quality sperm? (Annual Meeting European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, Barcelona, 2008) Because of poor circulation to the testicles, insulin/glucose elevation affecting gonadal function, and decreased ability to detoxify the environmental chemicals associated with low sperm counts. Remember that obese people have “Fatty Livers,” which hinders detoxification. This is the same mechanism whereby their cholesterol goes up, since 90% of cholesterol is processed in the Liver.

            Finally, more food fights: see blog on the ongoing debate over “low carb” vs. “low fat” diets and what is not being addressed about these diets. Not knowing the problems behind the studies comparing these diets may be harmful to your health.

Got milk? Got acne?

            I know you are not going to like this report; so, I am giving it to you as verbatim as possible. Don’t shoot the messenger.

             “Diet Gains Legitimacy as Potential Factor in Acne,” J. Skin and Allergy News, May 2008, page 9. Report on Annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar, Waikoloa, 2008

·        Milk, high sugar, high fat diets the culprit

·        6,096 girls ages 9-15 drinking more milk had more acne. And 4,273 teen boys had more acne with milk consumption, J. Am Acad Derm 2008 [doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.049]

·        Milk has progesterone, dihydrotestosterone precursors, somatostatin, prolactin, insulin growth factor-releasing hormone, insulin-like growth factors1 and 2, and other substances that could stimulate pilosebaceous activity, J. Am Acad Dermatol 2005;52:360

·        No acne in natives in Paraguay and Papua New Guinea, because they don’t eat refined foods

·        A low glycemic diet lowers insulin resistance and improves acne, J. Am Acad Derm 2007;57:247

·        Low glycemic diet has 30 % more fiber than average diets and substantially more poly unsaturated fats, both of which decrease androgen levels that worsen acne, J. Am Acad Derm 2007;57:1092

I hope your dermatologist reads this report, and the following one…

The Oregon grape, “Mahonia,” J. Skin and Allergy News, May 2008, page 30

• Mahonia aquifolium, the Oregon grape root belongs to the berberidaceae or barberry family. This is an evergreen shrub, native to the American Northwest, used mostly to treat chronic skin eruptions and pustules that come from fatty foods, J. Dermatology Therapy 2003;16:106
• Berberine, an alkaloid, is the most active ingredient, is a powerful antioxidant, anti inflammatory (J. Bioorg Med Chem 2004;12:4709) and antimutagenic molecule whose primary mode of action is the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, J. Planta Medica 1994;60:421.
• Berberine inhibits cell growth, J. Planta Medica 1995;61:74. It induces apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia, J. Arch Pharmacol 1996;93:193
• It relieves neonatal jaundice, J. Comp. Med. East West 1977;5:161
• It has anti pyretic activity, and it is used as an anti inflammatory for lumbago and rheumatism, J. Life Science 2002;72:645
• Anti acne effect, (J. Skin Pharmacology 1993;6:56) and helpful in psoriasis (J. Pharmazie 1996;51:58.) Berberine was 84% effective in psoriasis and 64% of patients rated it as effective as the standard calcipotriene Rx (Am J. Therapy 2005;12:398.)
• Antifungal effect, J. Phytotherapy Res 2003;17:834
• Antimicrobial activity against Staph, J. Phytotherapy Res 2004;18:67

“Leaky brain” and coffee

            Coffee has been shown to protect the Blood Brain Barrier, BBB from cholesterol-induced leakage (J. of Neuro-Inflammation, April 2008.) This means that coffee, which is high in antioxidants, keeps the blood vessels in the brain from “leaking.” Since cholesterol is a very important molecule in the repair of cell membranes or lining of arteries, its levels and function need to be optimal to prevent leaking. Let’s review this important concept.

            Everyone is familiar with “leaky gut.” Once we get it that a TOILing intestinal lining may lead to mucosal permeability, we may easily see that the same process may occur anywhere in the body. It turns out that poor glucose processing also makes the brain more “leaky,” which allows toxins to enter the brain easier. The “Blood Brain Barrier” (BBB) is weakened by age and insulin resistance, which accelerates the rate at which the brain’s blood vessels become leaky from cell membrane TOILing (J. Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 2003;74:70)

             It is not surprising that the BBB is impaired in Alzheimer’s Disease (J. Neurology 2007;68:1809.) Glucose at high levels is itself toxic to the Central Nervous System (J. Proceeding of the National Academy of Science, Feb 1^st, 2003.)  Environmental toxins may not get inside the brain to trigger TOILing of neurons, unless the BBB is itself leaky from TOILing (J. Nature Neuroscience, April 2008.) For example, Formaldehyde may pose a risk for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease (60^th Annual Meeting Am Acad of neurology, Chicago, 2008, J. Neurotoxicology 2007;28:532.) In other words, we are all exposed to toxins, like pesticides. But, our nutrigenomic factors make it so that each of us is affected differently.

             A leaky BBB is more likely when we lower our cholesterol too much. Remember that cell membranes are made up mostly of phospholipids. The most important phospholipid in the cell membranes of brain neurons is cerebrosterol (J. Lipids 2007;42:5.) When we insist on lowering cholesterol too much, we mess with cerebrosterol, and we increase our chances of Parkinson’s disease (J. Neurology News, January 2007, page 4,) and dementia (J. Archives of Neurology 2007;64:103.) This is why we would do well to eat a lot of nuts, so we don’t go nuts (British J. Nutrition 2006;96:Supp#2.) No, nuts don’t make you gain weight (AJCN 2003;78:647.)

              Not surprisingly, a leaky BBB has been linked to high blood pressure (JAMA 2007;297:2339,) which as you now know, is a function of insulin resistance. High blood pressure itself is going to increase brain cell aging, and dysfunction.

              So, fixing the TOILing that leads to “leaky brain” helps with practically all neurological problems. This is why coffee, which is high in antioxidants and thus reduces insulin resistance, has been shown to protect the BBB from cholesterol-induced leakage (J. of Neuro-Inflammation, April 2008.) Not surprisingly, Green tea reduces the risk of learning deficits in rats deprived of oxygen, because of a reduction of TOILing, or oxidative stress (American J. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, May 15^th, 2008) and 2,000 U of vitamin E reduce the risk of dying by 26% in Alzheimer’s, without side effects (J. Family Practice News, May 15^th, 2008, page 38.)

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

A Monthly Review of 150 Medical Journals

Volume 9 � Number 4 � April-May 2008 

EDITOR’S NOTE 

 It’s been a while since I wrote about the problem with the ‘calories in = calories out” paradigm. In light of recent discoveries about how we process food in the intestines, I wish to revisit this issue. In my view, this worn out paradigm needs to be “flushed down the toilet,” literally, as you will see. Perhaps you remember the articles I have previously reported herein on how our intestinal flora modulates our metabolism, influences the amount of calories we extract from food and even sends signals to our brains to talk us into continually feeding them (the organisms dwelling in our gut) the processed foods rich in chocolate and refined sugars we got them addicted to. Naturally, they turn around and demand that we keep that kind of diet up: now them and us are addicted to bad foods.
            There is another reason why we need to abandon the “calories in = calories out” dogma: it never worked.
            The evidence to change these old paradigms has been around for a while, yet, some still profess that there is no such evidence. Soon, the weight of scientific inquiry will be too large to ignore, especially when the NIH awarded 122 grants to nutrition-related investigations, out of 236 grants in 2007 (http://nccam.nih.gov/research/extramural/awards/2007.)

Hugo Rodier, M.D.

Who governs whom?

            Do we control our intestinal flora, or do they control us? Let us astart considering the question by remembering that most of the genetic material within our body is theirs, not ours. Now, read the highlights from this great review article, “Gut Microbiota and Its Possible Relationship with Obesity” (J. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83:460.)

·        “Mice raised on regular food have 40% higher body fat and 47% more gonadal fat content than germ-free mice, even though they consumed less food than their germ-free counterparts. The distal gut microbiota from the [fat] mice was then transplanted into the germ-free mice, resulting in a 60% increase in body fat within 2 weeks without any increase in food consumption or obvious differences in energy expenditure.”

·        Microbiota promotes absorption of monosaccharides, fermentation of indigestible polysaccharides and short-chain fatty acids; also, regulation of genes that promote deposition of fat in lipocytes.

·        “Gut microbiota can affect both sides of the energy balance equation, influencing energy harvest from dietary substances and affecting genes that regulate how energy is expended and stored.”

·        “…More end products of fermentation (acetate, butyrate,) and fewer calories in the feces of the obese mice, leading them to speculate that the gut microbiota in these mice facilitate the extraction of additional calories from ingested food…[this] suggests that differences in caloric extraction of ingested food substances may be determined by the composition of the gut microbiota.”

·        Inflammation seen in metabolic syndrome likely related to intestinal microbiota and its effect on high fat diets. Chronic imbalances in microbiota (endotoxemia) have been associated with insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity. Endotoxemia raises levels of inflammatory markers like cytokines, interleukins and TNF.

·        Polymyxin B, an antibiotic active against gram negative organisms in the gut has been shown to reduce fatty liver and IR. Antibiotic Rx decreases the incidence and delayed the onset of diabetes in a diabetes-prone rat model. These rats had less bacteroides, which reduced inflammation of pancreas and cell membranes.

·        Healthy gut organisms (bacteroidetes) increase to 15% of total organisms, up from 3%, when people lose weight by treating the firmicutes, or bacteria associated with weight gain.

·        Methanogenic Archaea, or gut organisms that produce methane, also increase the extraction of calories frrm consumed polysaccharides.

·        Prebiotics (fiber) improve microbiota, thus reducing insulin resistance and metabolic problems by improving processing of food in intestines.

·        “Probiotics (friendly bacteria in capsules) resulted in distinct changes in the microbiome with associated metabolic alterations in a variety of tissues affecting energy, lipid, and amino acid metabolism.”

·        The authors feel that “genetic tendencies are more important than diet, age, and lifestyles in determining the composition of the gut microbiota.” I am not sure I totally agree. But, their statement is understandable in light of their extraordinary findings. They are putting great emphasis on their research, which points to a radical departing from established dogma. If I knew how much they understand nutrition and probiotics, I could judge their statement more accurately. In my opinion, they may not have studied the field of nutrigenomics, or cutting edge research in food sciences. Take a look at the next article…

Genes are not all they are cracked up to be

After Mendel and the discovery of DNA we fell in love with the exciting world of genetics, with good reason. But, we may have gone too far, swinging too much to the other side, thus placing genes on an unreachable pedestal. Without intending to de-throne genetics, let’s consider this article, which attempts to restore balance. Simply put, genes have no function, nor influence on our body, until they are copied into functional messages or glycoproteins. This process, called “epigenetics,” is heavily influenced by the food we eat, our environment, and in my opinion, our heart, relationships, emotions and thoughts. Here are the highlights of the article “Epigenetics, a Window on Gene Dysregulation, Disease” (JAMA 2008;299:1249.)

• Environmental, nutritional signals can increase risk of disease, cancer.
• Epigenetic changes happen in gestation, neonatal, puberty and old age.
• “Mother’s nutrition during pregnancy can permanently change the epigenetic programming of her offspring.”
• “Maternal supplementation of yellow agouti mice with compounds like folic or genistein during pregnancy blocked the negative effects (DNA hypomethylation) of bisphenol A on th epigenome of the offspring.”
• “Epigenetics at the Epicenter of Modern Medicine” (JAMA 2008;299:1345.) This companion article highlights what the cover issue of the journal Discover reported on last November. Basically, a lack of B vitamins undermines the process of methylation of DNA and Liver detoxification, increasing our chances of developing certain cancers, like colon cancer.
• Finally, the Cover issue of the J. Science December 21^st, 2007 reported the

            “Breakthrough of the year: human genetic variation.”

Back to the intestines

            Every year, about 100,000 people die due to pharmaceutical issues. Most of them succumb to the side effects of anti inflammatory drugs for pain. Here is an article that sheds some light on this serious problem, “NSAID-induced intestinal damage: are luminal bacteria the therapeutic target?” (J. Gut 2008:57:145.)

·        Antibiotics like tetracycline, kanamycin, metronidazole, neomycin attenuate NSAIDs intestinal damage. Why? Could it be that they are working on the intestinal flora? Sulfasalazine, steroids immunosupressive compounds for Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis may be doing the same thing.

·        Bacterial-host interaction increases cytokine expression, or a tendency to inflammation. Therefore, NSAIDs damage may be due to antibacterial action

·        Probiotics could prevent the problem!

·        “Antibiotics may be used cyclically to eliminate certain bacterial populations, followed by exogenous probiotics to fill the open ecologic niche, thereby improving the balance of enteric microbiota for long term efficacy. The availability of specific means to modulate innate immune system is likely to break the link between anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal toxicity of NSAIDs.”

·        Numerous other articles have been herein reported to document why carefully chosen antibiotics are therapeutic to alleviate many conditions that originate from an imbalance of intestinal flora. Visit the archives newsletters for more information.

Apigenin,” J. Skin & Allergy News, March 2008, page 32

• It’s a flavonoid found in herbs (endine, clove, chamomile,) apples, cherries, grapes, tea, wine, beans, broccoli, celery, leeks, onions, barley, parsley and tomatoes. It has these beneficial actions:
• Chemopreventive, J. Pharm Sci 1997;86L721
• Anti inflammatory, J. Skin Pharm Appl Skin Physiol 2001;14:373
• Antispasmodic, anxiolytic, J. Planta Med 1995;61:213

Still scared?

Living in America, we are familiar with fear mongering as a tool to influence public opinion. Sadly, this is a technique as old as the hills and it does not spare medical practice. As previously reported in a commentary published in the JAMA, the “Myth of Osteoporosis” (book) is well entrenched. Here is another article fearlessly addressing this problem, “Drugs for pre-osteoporosis: prevention or disease mongering?” (British Medical Journal 2008:336:126.)

·        An already controversial condition, osteopenia, or thinning bones before they develop osteoporosis, has been expanded to increase the market for drugs.

·        The cut-off values for bone density “somewhat arbitrary” according to original WHO statement in 1994. Those values were intended for epidemiologic studies, not for clinical treatment.

·        “Treating those at risk of being at risk?... Impressive sounding reductions in relative risk can mask much smaller reductions in absolute risk.” A 75% reduction of relative risk by raloxifene translates into 0.9% reduction of absolute risk. The true incidence of fractures is less than 1% a year: this influences the results as above, when risk is overstated.

·        We need to treat 270 women for 3 years to prevent one vertebral fracture

·        Focus on vertebral fractures, not hip fractures. 2/3 of vertebral fractures are subclinical. Meaning we are not even aware they happen, until we notice that we are getting shorter.

·        The side effects of these drugs are played down: diarrhea, GERD, more vascular, neurologic and lab abnormalities. More venous thrombosis or clots are seen with raloxifene. Osteonecrosis, or rotting of the jaw has been reported.

·        Analysis of data done mostly by docs with ties to drug companies

·        “Shifting the focus in fracture prevention from osteoporosis to falls” (British Medical Journal 2008;337:124) is an article published along side this one. It reports that over 80% of fractures are seen with no osteoporosis at all…

“Bromelain,” J. Skin and Allergy News, February 2008, page 34

·        Proteolytic enzyme from the stem of the pineapple. It is absorbed by white cells which enhances enzymatic activity (J. Derm Therapy 2003;16:106.)

·        Activity: anti inflammatory, fibrinolytic, skin debridement; inhibits platelet aggregation, and growth of malignant cells (J. Ethnopharmacology 1988;22:191, J. Cell Mol Life Sci 2001;58:1234.) Anti inflammatory activity through modulation of arachidonic acid cascade (J. Ethnopharmacology 1988;222;191,) which reduces capillary permeability (J. Med Hypothesis 1980:6:99.) All this translates into a very practical application: bruise reduction after trauma of any kind.

·        Bromelain reduces edema, bruising, pain, and healing time after dental surgery. Recommended before and after surgery (J. Dental Med 1965;20:51, J. Skin Therapy Letters 2000;5:1.)

·        Less swelling after long bone fracture surgery, J. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Chech 2001;68:45.

·        Bromelain potentiates antibiotic action in Rx of bronchitis, sinusitis, pyelonephritis and wounds. It also helps Rx of angina, thrombophlebitis (J. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:302.)

·        It inhibits growth of tumors in animals (J. Planta Med 1990;56:249) because it has imunomodulatory activity (J. Cell Mo Life Sci 2001;58:1234.)

Drinking toilet water, like Fido

      We all get grossed out when we catch out doggie drinking out of the toilet. Well, we may not be able to “cast the first stone…” An AP study (Salt Lake Tribune, March 10-12^th, 2008) reported that many drugs we discard from our body after we have ingested them are found in our sewage, since most drugs are used or metabolized only 80%. The rest is flushed down the toilet. Antibiotics, antidepressants, anxiolitics, anticonvulsants and hormones are now found in the drinking water of 41 million Americans. Drugs like prozac and prematin and even xanax for anxiety. So, if all makes you anxious, drink more water…

      About 24 major metropolitan areas were involved in this study. Previously no tests have been available to look for the problem, which is still the case in many cities. The EPA doesn’t know what to make of the problem. Philadelphia had 56 types of drugs in its potable water, but studies like this are rarely made available to public. There are no national standards to look into this problem

      Most fish are now hermaphrodites. They swim in waters where 10+ pharmaceuticals have been detected. Every bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish had levels of antidepressants tested. A few parts per million of these drugs may or may not be a problem, but we don’t know for sure, or do we? Previously, you have read about endocrine problems triggered by toxins in the environment… You be the judge, for now.

      As always, rather than get scared about environmental problems, resolve to eat a very good diet, so that you reduce the levels of these toxins, not only by avoiding them, (water filters don’t help this problem,) but by revving up your detoxification pathways.

Telegraphed articles

“Neurologic and psychiatric manifestations of gluten sensitivity,”

            J. Pediatric 2008:152:244

“Metal chelation and inhibition of bacterial growth in tissue abscesses,”

            J. Science 2008:319:962

Soy protein isolate reduces biomarkers of prostate cancer

            J. Nutrition and Cancer 2008:60:7

Citrus flavonoids inhibit oral cancers

            J. Nutrition and Cancer 2008:60:69

Mushroom ganoderma lucidum has apoptotic effect on premalignant urothelial cells

            J. Nutrition and Cancer 2008:60:109

Mango extract and lupeol has apoptotic effect on mouse prostate cancer

            J. Nutrition and Cancer 2008:60:120

Broccoli extract (sulpharane) may help reduce UV skin damage

            JAMA 2007;298:2731

No negative effects on prostate safety were detected with testosterone treatment in men

            JAMA 2008;299:39

“Exercise May Boost Aging Immune System,”

JAMA 2008;299:160

Tonsillectomies are not beneficial in mild-moderate abcesses

            J. Archives Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery 2007;133:1083

Low vitamin E associated with decline in physical function in the elderly

            JAMA 2008;299:308  

                   INTEGRATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

             A monthly review of 150 medical journals