Medical Topics

Choose your medical topic…

More than Half of Americans Believe Eating Healthy is Difficult!

 Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Wellness Wise Words
Feb 142013
 

(52) – “percentage of Americans who think figuring out their income taxes is easier than Knowing how to eat healthy. Go figure.”1

I don’t know what to say other then this is definitely pathetic! What and/or where do people think food comes from? It is just strange that generally Americans are out of touch with the earth and its gardens, and the bounty of it all, which sustains them. It is not only Taoist ‘to be at one with the earth’, to live within its greatness, it is plain necessary, so how can it be ignored, or more to this point, how can it be hard to eat healthy by eating the food from the earth’s gardens and animal abundance?

1From “This & That” of Relish Magazine (relish.com), p. 2, Feb. 2013 issue

Herbal Remedies and Supplements for Heart Health

 Cardiovascular Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension
Feb 112013
 

February is ‘American Heart Health Month’ and natural medicine can be a very valuable tool to help treat cardiovascular disease. This could range from hypertension to hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) to irregular heartbeat and arrhythmias. Two remedies I often recommend to use for any heart health condition are CoQ10 and Hawthorn Fruit. Both of these are readily available, however I now typically prescribe patients a stronger, specialized extract of Hawthorn (see my post Hawthorn for your Heart). For treating hyperlipidemia, there are specific remedies as well (for more information on this, see another post Natural Recommendations instead of Statin Drugs)

Additionally, treating hypertension is best accomplished with a complete analysis of the specific imbalance involved in the individual, as we diagnose in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Two typical patterns that are seen can be treated with Chinese herbal remedies such as Evergreen Herbs Gentiana Complex or Gastrodia Complex (there are more patterns as well, as seen in more progressive, complicated cardiovascular disease).

The hypertension pattern of an individual who is impatient, easily upset or angered and may have throbbing headaches, possibly also has restlessness and/or is a workaholic, and possibly is even an alcoholic, results in a diagnosis requiring Gentiana Complex. (An example of this type of person can be those that get red in the face or ears when upset or angered.) The opposite hypertension pattern is a person who may be tired or fatigued easily, may have dizziness, dull headaches or blurry vision, or may have hot flashes and/or night sweats (even in males), may have a history of blood loss and/or poor dietary habits such as not consuming adequate protein. This pattern typically is an older individual who has had hypertension for years, with resulting congestive heart failure and/or renal (kidney) failure. In this case, the person has a deficiency or weakness which results in hypertension. The correct remedy for this pattern is Evergreen Herbs Gastrodia Complex.

Additionally, if a patient has coronary heart disease or even angina or has poor circulation, there is a remedy for that pattern as well. As with any chronic health condition, one needs to consult with a natural healthcare practitioner to obtain a specific diagnosis and corresponding treatment.

For more information on using Chinese Herbs, see
Why Chinese Herbs? And How Long Before I See Results?” by Evergreen Herbs.

Red Yeast Rice for High Cholesterol – CoQ10 necessary too!

 Cardiovascular Disease, Herb Safety, Hyperlipidemia, Products
Feb 072013
 

Red Yeast Rice Extract is a supplement used in natural medicine to help reduce cholesterol levels. However, it is one of the few over-the-counter supplements that should be used under the direction of a natural medicine healthcare provider! It can affect the liver, so liver enzymes should be routinely monitored via blood chemistry panels. Additionally, it can have the serious side effects of myopathy and/or myalgia (muscle weakness and/or muscle pain) and peridontal disease. These side effects are the same as with statin drugs, but to a lesser extent (statin drugs originally came from research on Red Yeast Rice). To counteract the possible side effects of Red Yeast Rice Extract, one MUST take CoQ10 with it, as with statin drugs.

Therefore, in my office I only sell a product of Red Yeast Rice combined with CoQ10 (in one bottle). Additionally, I typically will try safer natural remedies first to lower cholesterol and resort to using Red Yeast Rice Extract only when other efforts have failed.

Reference for the skeptics:
Dr. Weil’s comments on Red Yeast Rice for Cholesterol Control

For more info on CoQ10, please also see my general CoQ10 post for the CoQ10 Monograph (research summary).

Gluten Possibly Increases Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Infants

 Celiac Disease/Gluten Sensitivity, Diabetes, Gastro-Intestinal Disease, Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy
Jan 312013
 

An article in the February 2013 issue of Diabetes Forecast has a brief article ‘Tummy Trouble’ which refers to new research that suggests gastrointestinal issues that increased the risk of developing type 1 Diabetes may be linked to the consumption of gluten, to wit:
“Scientists don’t yet know what triggers the development of type 1 diabetes, but one theory is that childhood infections set off the autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing cells while another places the blame on the diet. Now a study suggests that the trigger may, in fact, be a little of both. Researchers measured blood levels of autoantibodies, specific proteins that are a sign of type 1 diabetes, in almost 2,000 babies with a family history of the disease. They also recorded the children’s illnesses and eating patterns. They found that gut infections increased the risk that a child would carry diabetes autoantibodies, but there was an odd catch. The gut problems that increased the risk of developing type 1 appeared to be linked to the consumption of gluten (emphasis mine), a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, in infants younger than 9 months. The researchers concluded that infections may only increase risk for type 1 if the gut is already inflamed by reactions to certain foods.”

Diabetes Care, published online Oct. 5, 2012

IncrediWear Braces and Diabetic Socks

 Diabetes, Pain Syndromes, Products
Jan 312013
 

Announcing that I am now carrying the brand line of IncrediWear, which is a local Chico company that makes braces and socks. I have received many testamonials from patients about these braces really helping joint pain in the past few years, so this is why I decided to start carrying these products. The braces are great for arthritis and joint pain and inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, and also help improve circulation (as shown by their thermography analysis). They are made with special technology combining bamboo-charcoal and/or germanium. There is a sock line especially for those with diabetes plus another line to support the feet and other joints during sports or athletic events (hikers and bikers will love these products too). Come and check them out, and support two local companies at the same time too!! If I don’t have in stock what you need, I can always order it quickly – for more info on this product line, see IncrediWear Products.

Here’s an article in one of our lovely, local Chico-area magazines Upgraded Living, about IncrediWear, and its Chiropractor founder,
Jackson Corey.

The Gut is our “Second Brain”

 Gastro-Intestinal Disease, IBS/UC
Dec 082012
 

The enteric nervous system, or neurons in the digestive tract, affects our mental health: See this article that refers to research on this topic, plus how IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and osteoporosis can arise from too much serotonin in the digestive tract, and also be related to such conditions as M.S. (multiple sclerosis) and autism, and also the strength of the immune system. This rather new field, called neurogastroenterology, fits very nicely in the holistic model of natural medicine, where we have discussed for years that many conditions are tied to the health of the digestive system. This is especially true in the model of Chinese Medicine, where we strengthen the digestion to treat such diverse conditions as menstrual irregularities, menopausal complaints, headaches, mental and emotional problems, headaches, diabetes, etc. along with IBS, MS, and immune system weakness!

Scientific American article Think Twice: How the Gut’s “Second Brain” Influences Mood and Well-Being

Research: Acupuncture Point Stimulation has Potential to Influence Digestive Tract Function

 Acupuncture News and Research, Gastro-Intestinal Disease, News and Research
Dec 082012
 

Research that shows electrical acupuncture stimulation on an acupuncture point traditionally used to aid digestion and strengthen immune system does in fact influence digestive tract function. What may be very impressive to the lay person is to note that it is on the leg and not on the abdomen!! More proof that an ancient health system works!

These results suggest acupuncture on this point has the “potential to influence gastric mucous substances and enteroendocrine cells (gastrin, serotonin, CGRP, insulin, and PP) that subsequently modulate digestive functions”.

Notes:
‘CGRP’ refers to Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, ‘PP’ refers to Pancreatic Peptides, and enteroendocrine cells refers to different types of hormone-secreting cells present throughout the epithelium of the digestive tract

Research: Stimulation of Acupuncture Point Activates Neural Responses Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

 Acupuncture News and Research, Neurological Disorders, Parkinson's Disease
Dec 082012
 

Research: Stimulation of Acupuncture Point Activates Neural Responses Associated with Parkinson’s Disease

Research showing that several areas in the brain responds to Acupuncture, and in this case, specific areas that are involved in Parkinson’s Disease. Conclusion of research: Acupuncture may be effective in improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Acupuncture at local hospital Cancer Center

 Cancer/Integrative Oncology
Nov 012012
 

Acupuncture at Cancer Center at Enloe Hospital, Chico, Ca.
This Acupuncture Clinic is low-cost for any cancer patient, whether your oncologist is affiliated with this hospital or not. Acupuncture is done here mainly to treat patients for the side effects of radiation and chemo, but acupuncture is excellent for cancer in many other ways.

Acupuncture FAQs at Enloe Cancer Center

Bi Yan Pian – Chinese herbal formula for hayfever or seasonal allergies

 Allergies, Immune System Disorders
Nov 012012
 

This Traditional Chinese Medicine patent medicine is very famous for treating the symptoms of hayfever and other allergies (dust, pet dander, etc.) such as a runny nose (rhinitis), itchy eyes and nose, sinus congestion and headaches. It even can be used on your pets too for their allergies! For more details, see this patient handout:

Bi Yan Pian

Pumpkin Blender Muffins (Gluten Free)

 Nutrition/Diet/Food Therapy, Recipes
Oct 312012
 

A patient and friend posted this on Facebook a little while ago. Recipe sounds healthy, simple and yummy! It uses coconut flour, so therefore it is gluten-free too!

Pumpkin Blender Muffins (gluten-free)

If coconut flour hard to get, I recommend trying almond flour instead? I think that would taste better than a rice flour substitution, for example.

From PureFreshDaily.com

12/27/12 update: Made these muffins and love them!! Used coconut oil (make sure you have it warmed to a liquid form – the brand I had said it melts at 76 degrees – my house isn’t that warm this time of year!) and coconut flour as the recipe suggested, and basically the same spices (used my own ‘pumpkin pie spice’ I had on hand). Recipe makes exactly a dozen muffins. Only problem was that the muffin does stick to the muffin paper… maybe a bit more oil would help that? Definitely better when warm vs cool as the recipe author says too!

Page 4 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8