Welcome to the February 2009 Newsletter
I hope all of you are well and holding up through winter. Personally I am not a huge fan of winter. After about the end of December I am ready to move on to Spring.
If you know someone that may benefit from our newsletters, please forward it to them. Your friends and family can sign up by going to: http://www.premieracupuncture.com/pacmezine/subscribe.html As always, the newsletter is free. It is my desire to help all of you live a healthy, pain free and disease free life. This is the motivation behind the newsletter. Please forward it to your friends and family. I do want the newsletter to be interactive, so send your questions and comments to me at pacmnewsletter@yahoo.com
I have a question for all of you. These newsletters get sent out at irregular frequencies. There is a considerable amount of information I could be sharing but don't because I do not want to make the newsletter too large. How would you feel about a daily Blog rather than a newsletter? You could check the Blog at your convenience, it would have more information presented over the course of the month and monthly I could send an email reminding you of the Blog in case you have forgotten. Let me know if you are interested in this.
More On Vitamin D
Information on vitamin D is increasing rapidly. An excellent source for you to keep up on new information can be found at www.vitamindcouncil.org They also have an excellent price on testing your vitamin D level.
Menopause and bio identical hormones
When dealing with menopause symptoms there are many factors which should be considered prior to determining what, if anything should be done. Some factors would include, symptoms such as hot flashes, sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, libido and more. Bone health, history of certain types of cancer, your philosophical perspective on managing menopause symptoms such as do you prefer conventional HRT such as Prempro, or maybe you like bio-identical hormones (these may be no longer allowed because the company that produces Prempro has asked the FDA to ban their sale.) Since the Women's Health Initiative study published its results, millions of women have stopped Prempro.
For women that did not wish to utilize natural therapies such as herbal medicine to manage their menopause symptoms, bio-identical hormones were used and gained in popularity. Bio-identical hormones use estrogens and natural progesterone. This form of HRT seems to be well tolerated. But the idea that they are safer than Prempro is not really known. It seems like they would be safer, but we really don’t know because there has been no large scale studies looking into this. It is possible that even though these hormones are very similar to your own hormones, there still may be problems stemming from their use. Consider for a moment the use of estrogen. By the way, estrogen should always be balanced with adequate progesterone use. We know that breast cancer risk is increased by the amount of estrogen cycles the breast is subjected to. Women that started menstruating earlier and or entered menopause later in life have a greater breast cancer risk. This appears to be due to the estrogen exposure which is greater in the examples I just gave. There are multiple reasons why the female body ceases to be fertile after a certain age. Maybe one of these reasons is to stop the estrogen exposure the breasts are subject too. Then we come along in our very imperfect state of endocrine knowledge and give women more estrogen. I this a good idea? Depends on other health problems and quality of life. If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, using estrogen, properly balanced with progesterone, might be strongly indicated. Testosterone as well. Both estrogen and testosterone increase bone density.
Thermography and Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
I continue to beat the drum for breast thermography. As I have discussed before, thermography is an excellent cancer screening tool. But I want to emphasize the other aspect of breast thermography. This is Risk Assessment. What would it mean to you to know you were at a substantially elevated risk of developing a breast cancer? Would the information be beneficial to you? Would you take steps to improve your breast health thereby reducing your risk?
Did you know that even in the absence of any breast complaints such as pain, tenderness, cysts, etc., your breast tissue could be unhealthy? Did you know the only way to access this is through thermography? An abnormal breast thermogram indicates a substantially increased cancer risk – about 20 times greater.
Once you have determined your are at a greater risk, you can take steps to reverse these changes, thereby reducing your cancer risk. Proactive care is much better than reactive care. Call me or send me an email if you have any questions.
If you do not have a copy of Dr. Mercolas thermography article send me an email and I will see that you get a copy or the link to download it.
In The News
Carotenoids, antioxidant pigments found in fruit and vegetables, may help to keep bones strong andhealthy, new research suggests.
Katherine Tucker and colleagues used a 126-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to determine the total and individual carotenoid intake (including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, mineral density (BMD) at the hip, spine, and radial shaft, was determined at the start of the study andagain 4-years later.
Results showed that lycopene appeared to offer significant protection against BMD loss in the lumbar spine in women and in the hips of men. Total carotenoid intake was also found to protect against BMD loss in the hips of men. The researchers suspect that carotenoids may help to preserve BMD by combating oxidative stress, which is thought to increase bone resorption.
The authors concluded: “In summary, although we observed few cross-sectional associations between
carotenoid intakes and BMD, we observed several inverse associations between carotenoids (except for beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha-carotene) and four-year loss in BMD in men and of lycopene and bone loss at the lumbar spine in women. These results suggest a possible protective effect of carotenoids, particularly of lycopene, against bone loss in older adults.”
Sahni S, Hannan MT, Blumberg J, Cupples LA, Kiel DP, Tucker KL. Inverse association of carotenoid intakes with 4-y change in bone mineral density in elderly men and women: the Framingham Osteoporosis Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89:416-424.doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.26388
CoEnzyme Q10 and Fibromyalgia
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ(10)) is an essential electron carrier in the mitochondrial
respiratory chain and a strong antioxidant. Signs and symptoms associated with muscular alteration and mitochondrial dysfunction, including oxidative stress, have been observed in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The aim was to study CoQ(10) levels in plasma and mononuclear cells, and oxidative stress in FM patients.
Higher level of oxidative stress markers in plasma was observed respect to control subjects. CoQ(10) level in plasma samples from FM patients was doubled compared to healthy controls and in blood mononuclear cells isolated from 37 FM patients was found to be about 40% lower. Higher levels of ROS production was observed in mononuclear cells from FM patients compared to control, and a significant decrease was induced by the presence of CoQ(10).
CONCLUSION: The distribution of CoQ(10)in blood components was altered in FM patients. Also, our results confirm the oxidative stress background of this disease probably due to a defect on the distribution and metabolism of CoQ(10) in cells and tissues. The protection caused in mononuclear cells by CoQ(10) would indicate the benefit of its supplementation in FM patients.
Lots of excellent questions this time. Keep them coming.
Q&A
Q) Dou you need vitamins if you eat well?
Although I eat very well (whole, organic foods...), I also take a lot of vitamins, based on recommendations as well as my own research. I've heard the arguments about expensive urine, and was glad you addressed this. However, I have also heard that you can get all you need from food. Could you address these claims in a future issue?
A) We could spend a considerable amount of time discussing and debating this topic. Let me start by saying even the very conservative AMA has long been recommending a daily vitamin / mineral supplement. We are of course designed to function quit well without the use of supplements. This is true only if we can obtain our nutrients in our diet. That’s where the problem lies. There are multiple studies showing our food sources are deficient in minerals. This can lead to deficiencies in calcium, magnesium, boron, chromium and a multitude of other minerals. The problem is many of these minerals, especially trace minerals such as chromium, are being depleted in the soil crops are grown in. The environment in which you live is another factor. Consider vitamin D and iodine. In the winter months we need vitamin D supplementation. Without it our blood levels fall far short of optimum levels and our risks of developing a variety of diseases we do not want increases. Vitamin D deficiency, a problem almost every Alaskan faces is tied to multiple cancers, MS, Parkinson’s, Type II diabetes, osteoporosis, pain syndromes, Immune dysfunction, possibly flu outbreaks and a variety of other problems as well. We need to supplement or be exposed to sun light. Iodine appears to be necessary in far greater levels than the RDA would suggest. Low iodine levels are linked to thyroid problems, including cancer, breast disease both benign and malignant. The research that has helped establish what should be optimal daily intake of iodine was based on Asian women. The amount they consume comes from the food sources available in their country. We just can’t obtain that level of iodine in our diet here.
Another way to look at this is to ask the question “assuming I can obtain the required nutrients from my diet to remain healthy, can I take steps to increase my chances of remaining healthy dn living a long life by increasing my intake of certain vitamins beyond what is typically considered adequate”. The answer to this appears to be yes. The work of Linus Pauling on vitamin C supports it use in much higher doses that you are going to obtain in your diet. Dr. Pauling did a considerable amount of research in the area of cardiovascular disease and vitamin C intake.
One other consideration is this. Assuming the required nutrients were in our soil, and in our food and we ate well, are higher intake levels required due to a increasingly toxic environment in which we live? I think the answer is yes.
This debate will probably outlive all of us. Personally I take a high dose, broad spectrum supplement. The choice is of course yours. I would say, the best possible way to obtain your nutrients is from food. We utilize that source best.
Q) Plantar Fasciitis
I have received many questions over the years about the treatment of plantar fasciitis and sciatica. These are very frustrating conditions for which people seek care from massage therapists, podiatrists, physicians, chiropractors and others. People often time suffer for extended periods of time with these problems. The question I am asked fairly regularly is this – can acupuncture do anything for these problems.
A) Yes! These are two areas acupuncture really excels at and as far as I am concerned, no other treatment comes even remotely close to the effectiveness of acupuncture., electro-acupuncture specifically. Without electro-acupuncture the results will be minimal. This is of course a general statement and everyone is different, but in general, you will not find a more effective treatment. Plantar fasciitis usually takes about three treatments and sciatica, at least sciatica associated with the piriformis muscle (which is located in the buttock) will respond in 2-3 treatments usually. If you have either one of these problems, give us a call. Electro-acupuncture should be the first treatment you utilize.
Q) Recent information I have read on breast thermography has indicated a baseline thermogram should be obtained by age 20. Why? This seems young to me.
A) Baseline thermography at an early age is very beneficial because it allows us to watch for subtle deviations from your baseline that might indicate malignancy or declining breast health. Did you know that an abnormal breast thermogram indicates a significantly greater chance of developing a breast cancer in your lifetime? Eight times greater than a first order family history of the disease. So even in the absence of cancer, an abnormal breast thermogram is a call to arms so to speak, for you to take action to improve breast health. The treatment protocols I have developed are generally quite effective in reversing thermographic changes and improving breast health, thereby reducing your cancer risk. One other fact to keep in mind, there is an increasing number of women under 40 developing breast cancer, we have a number of patients in their early 30’s with either cancer or a precursor to cancer such as atypical hyperplasia. A women with a diagnosed cancer at age 33 likely had that cancer in her mid to late 20’s. Every women should obtain a breast thermogram. There is no reason not to. It is safe, non contact, and provides you with information you cannot obtain with any other imaging technology. How would it impact your life to know your breast was unhealthy and at a significantly greater risk of developing a cancer? Would you take the necessary steps to improve breast health? Call us today to schedule a thermogram if you have not had one. If your thermogram is abnormal, then the next step is simple, begin a breast health improvement program. This is something I am involved with on a regular basis.
Q: Is it true acupuncture can be used to help women become pregnant?
A: There is substantial research to support the use of acupuncture in cases of difficulty conceiving. This is now a specialty within the Oriental medicine community and has its own board certification. The name of the specialty board is ABORM (American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine). There will soon be an article published in the journal Fertility and Sterility by Dr. Paul Magarelli M.D., Ph.D. (FACOG), and Dr. Diane Criddenda, L.Ac. (FABORM)discussing, as I understand it, the proposed mechanisms by which acupuncture works in this setting.
Other than some rudimentary knowledge in this area, it is not an area I am intimately familiar like I am with breast disease. Integrative practices, where both conventional and acupuncture treatments are offered under one roof are becoming very popular. I am not aware of this occurring up here. I am also not aware of anyone (acupuncturist) with board certification in this area. That does not mean you can’t obtain quality reproductive services from someone that is not board certified, but I believe, as I am certain you do as well, the better educated your provider is in the area they are practicing in, the better.
Q: What should the ration be between Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids?
A: The ratio should be 4:1, omega 6 to omega 3. When considering an essential fatty acid supplement you need to consider what your dietary intake of omega 6 fatty acids is. Most diets typically have a 20:1 ratio. This of course far exceeds the recommended 4:1. Omega 6 fatty acids are found in poor quality store bought oils and are frequently found in package foods. Flax oil has a 1:3 ratio. If you reduce your exposure to omega 6 fatty acids in your dies and consume flax oil, you have a good chance of getting close to the recommended 4:1 omega 6 to omega 3 ratio.
Wishing all of you continued good health! Let us know if we can help you in anyway. It is my goal to provide you with the best in natural health care and to be an information resource for you as well. Simply let us know what you need.
Dr. Mike