News and Research

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).

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.

Burdock Root (Niu Bang Gen) for Acetaminophen toxicity

 Chinese Herb Research
Jul 022012
 

Research shows that Burdock root, or Niu Bang Gen as it is known in Chinese herbal medicine, is great for protecting the liver from the effects of Acetaminophen (Brand name: Tylenol).1 So if one takes Tylenol, even occasionally, it is best to also take Burdock root at the same time. This way you can prevent the toxicity of this drug on the liver.

Tylenol or Acetaminophen is also found in the pharmaceutical Vicodin (along with Hydrocodone Bitartrate).

If one takes Tylenol or Acetaminophen regularly for mild pain and headaches, consider trying safer herbal remedies to help instead. Since Tylenol is very hepatotoxic (toxic to Liver), it is highly recommended to avoid the use of Tylenol whenever possible. When severe pain occurs, consider trying other herbal pain management as well. In this case, one should consult with an integrative medical professional such as an Acupuncturist/Clinical Herbalist or Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) for a proper diagnosis based on integrative medicine principles to prescribe the correct herbal combinations for you.

The typical dosage for a patient to take is 1-3 grams/day. A higher dosage could be tolerated, but because this herb is both bitter and cold in nature, it could cause loose stool or diarrhea in certain people (especially those that are already prone to this). This is just a simple example of how discussing your specific case or constitution with a qualified natural medicine professional will help you use herbal medicinals correctly.

1. Chen, John K. and Tina T. Chen, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, p. 71. (Research article: Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage, American Journal of Chinese Medicine.)

Why we still like ancient acupuncture, by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen

 Acupuncture News and Research, Pain Syndromes
Jun 212012
 

An article co-written by Dr. Oz about the benefits of acupuncture such as musculoskeletal and arthritis pain management, insomnia and reducing side effects of radiation and chemotherapy:

The You Docs: Why we still like ancient acupuncture, by
Michael Roizen, M.D. AND Mehmet Oz, M.D.

Ancient Chinese Cures

 Chinese Medicine
Jun 212012
 

Brief article on Doctor Oz website about the ‘Power of Chinese Medicine’, by Dr. Mao Shing Ni:

Ancient Chinese Cures

Dr. Mao, as he is known, is author of many books on Chinese Medicine. I have his book, Secrets of Longevity in my office waiting room, and I have used it as a reference for patients and also in articles I have written myself.

Chinese Herbs “more helpful” than drugs for menstrual pain

 Chinese Medicine, News and Research, Pain Syndromes, Reproductive Health, Women's Health
May 092012
 

Herbs “more helpful” than drugs for period pain

Note that most of these herbs are in a traditional Chinese herbal formula for PMS symptoms, including dysmenorrhea (painful periods), called Xiao Yao Wan (available at any acupuncturist’s office).

Acupuncture Cuts Ails of Breast Cancer Drugs

 Acupuncture News and Research, Cancer/Integrative Oncology, Menopause, News and Research, Women's Health
May 092012
 

Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects from Tamoxifen, Arimidex

Finally research shows that acupuncture will treat menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats, and in this case, specifically the side effects of Breast Cancer drugs!

Acupuncture Awareness Day at the Capitol (Sacramento): April 23, 2009

 Current Events, Health Care Reform, News and Research
May 082012
 

I participated in Acupuncture Awareness Day at the state Capitol in Sacramento on April 23, 2009. We gave people acupuncture out on the lawn area surrounding the Capitol building – it was a great event to have legislators and their staff experience the benefits of acupuncture first-hand! There have been at least two previous Acupuncture Awareness Days at the Capitol that I recall. This year’s was in conjunction with the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) 2009 Conference in Sacramento. An article, “Expo 2009 – Solidarity in Sacramento for the Good of the Medicine”can be found on page 32 of the Spring 2009 edition of the American Acupuncturist, the AAAOM journal.

Here are some pictures of the day’s events:

Michael Turk, L.Ac., Shiatsu expert, author/educator

 Chinese Medicine, TCM Scholars
Nov 012011
 

Michael Turk, L.Ac., Shiatsu expert and teacher, and author of “Pain’s Healing Secret“, an Acupressure/Shiatsu book which is an excellent self-help book explaining how to use this ancient technique for pain relief. Michael Turk is also currently teaching classes and writing a book about Moxibustion, a Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that burns an herb, typically Chinese mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris), on acupuncture needles or near the surface of the skin to aid in healing the body. Turk’s classes are geared towards teaching individuals how to use this technique on themselves to aid in treating pain.

Michael Turk

Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4