Thoughtful Health

“No Greater Love Than This”... (Service to Others and Your Health)

2015-03-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

In 1985 Whitney Houston blasted herself onto the music scene with her “self-titled” debut album. Ironically, one of the biggest hits from that album was called “Greatest love of all”. Ironic because the “self” titled albums best song was all about loving one’s self and how it is the greatest love of all.

In her book “Generation Me” Jean Twenge shares highlights of how the current generation has been taught to love themselves with little to no regard to how they treat others and to have high self-esteem regardless of any accomplishments or perceivable talent (or lack thereof). In fact, you don’t even have to have talent. This condition of self-love above all else is not limited to the current generation. Just look around you and see for yourself just how many people are behaving selfishly and poorly with no conscience. Whether they be family members, friends, celebrities, co-workers, etc. an unfortunate example can often be found.

What all this adds up to is a society filled with people with an inflated sense of self causing harm to others with no regard for their actions or so blindly selfish that they cannot see the plight of others.

Love and Service to Others

I don’t mean to get all biblical on you but I don’t mind going there for just a minute. In John 15:13 Jesus gave the most definitive description of what the greatest love is. “No greater love has no one than this. That someone would lay down his life for his friends” (ESV) is how the passage goes. Laying down one’s life has everything to do with being of service to others; to live unselfishly for the betterment of those around them.

One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most prolific speeches is one that doesn’t get much limelight but is still a powerful message. That speech was called “The Drum Major Instinct” and in it Martin Luther King presses home a very important point. He stated that the overriding duty of all people is to be of service to others; to be first in love and kindness. Could you imagine what that world would be like to live in?

How Love and Selflessness Affect Your Health

When it comes to our health there are some definite benefits to being a loving, caring person who lives a selfless life dedicated to helping others. Here are just a few positive benefits to consider:

A greater ability to handle stress – If you are of service to others then your chances of having loving, supportive people in your life increases greatly. With that increased love and support from people comes the ability to have others help you through hard times and carry your burdens. Aren’t problems so much easier to handle when you have great friends and family members around? Cultivate loving relationships through selfless acts for others.
Greater and faster healing – Did you know a loving heart can heal? Researchers at The Ohio State University found that couples who interacted warmly together had wounds that healed twice as fast as couples who were hostile or belligerent. This premise can extend beyond marital or romantic bonds. Loving interpersonal relationships where you share with one another can likely produce a soothing, healing effect on the body.
Even suffer from fewer colds – Another wonderful benefit of opening one’s self to others is the calmness and love that comes to you. With the calm, peace and love comes a healthier and more robust immune system. Research conducted at Carnegie Mellon University and published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that people who were calm and happy experienced fewer colds and flu than people who were anxious, hostile or depressed

If you want to be happier in life and experience better health try leading the parade when it comes to service to others. The love, warmth and kindness you receive in return will be worth its weight in health gold. Narcissism, which seems to rule the world today, is an unsavory way to live and only brings misery and unhappiness wherever you may find yourself. Do you know any narcissist? Do you like being around them? Do they make you feel good to be in their presence? The answer is most likely a resounding no. Bring light with you wherever you go and watch your health and the health of those around you improve.

Sources:

- The Bible

- http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=97679

DIM May Be Nature's Viagra

2015-02-19T15:18:00.001-08:00

Prostate health is a major concern these days for quite a few men as it should be. The prostate's importance is generally over looked until in the latter years of life for most men. It is during this time we begin to understand the important role the prostate plays in the overall health and well-being of the body in general and its importance in sexual matters specifically.

In general, the prostate helps to control and regulate the actions of certain hormones like testosterone. Many aspects about what typically makes a man a man, like muscle mass or chivalrous aggression, are affected by the prostate.

Specifically, the prostate helps to control just how much estrogen and testosterone there will be at any given time in a man's body if it is in proper working order.

One way to keep the prostate in proper working order is to supplement with diindolymethane (DIM).

Prostate Health

Inflammation of the prostate is becoming more and more common in men especially those who are in their mid to late 40’s and beyond. A lifetime of red meat consumption coupled with stress and other adverse lifestyle habits will usually take its toll on the prostate. Significant inflammatory issues can arise and can eventually lead to cancer. As previously mentioned DIM could step in and help correct some prostate conditions because it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. DIM’s ability to reduce inflammation in the prostate specifically has been demonstrated in scientific testing. In research documented in the January 2008 Journal of Nutrition DIM proved effective in reducing the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages in addition to reducing the release of nitric acid and other inflammatory substances.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has garnered much mainstream attention for two reasons. First, it has become an unfortunate reality for many men. Second, because pharmaceutical companies have flooded the airwaves with commercial after commercial touting little pills that are very expensive and sales very well. But what if there was a natural and safe way to overcome erectile dysfunction?

ED could be a sign of testosterone conversion gone wrong. As men age we tend to convert testosterone into estrogen more readily. If too much testosterone is converted sexual dysfunction is sure to follow. Even so, a man with a healthy prostate would not produce nearly enough estrogen necessary to induce ED. A man with a failing or poorly functioning prostate will, however. DIM may be the right supplement needed as it has demonstrated the ability to slow down or bring into correct balance the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. In short, the more testosterone a man is able to hang on to the less chance he has of developing or maintaining ED.

Conclusion

The health of the prostate is important for many reasons but let's be honest. Erectile dysfunction is a driving force in some men's lives and the pharmaceutical sales reports are available to prove it. Here is just one way that could potentially put a man back in the sexual driver’s seat naturally and with little to no side effects at all.

*Be sure to consult with your medical professional before beginning any supplemental regimen

That Ship Has Sailed: Overcoming Guilt for Better Health

2015-02-10T14:45:00.000-08:00

Guilt has a necessary and useful purpose. It helps us recognize when we have wronged or could potentially wrong others. It allows us to reflect on our actions and make changes to our behavior as necessary. These are great things but what’s not so great is a guilt that lingers and the long term damaging effects which is why overcoming guilt is so necessary and important.

One of the problems with chronic guilt is those that suffer from it can become hypersensitive to ordinary situations increasing their stress load. It is known that highly stressed people make more mistakes and are prone to more accidents due to clouded judgment. Social relationships suffer as over analysis helps to create negative situations that had no basis in reality. In addition, those who suffer chronically with guilt (or constantly made to feel guilty) tend to be easily manipulated especially by dark hearted and selfish people who recognize what is happening. You end up on one guilt trip after another as you constantly bend to the will and whims of the manipulators.

Techniques for Overcoming Guilt

After guilt has served its useful purpose it must be mitigated if it does not go away on its own immediately. Here are a few techniques to employ if you find yourself constantly dealing with guilt.

What to Do Mentally

· Allow yourself to express genuine sorrow or grief. Acknowledge this feeling and be willing to change your actions and behavior and, in turn, change your mind.
· Ask if the values you are judging yourself by are values you agree with. If they are the values most likely benefit everyone so make the necessary adjustments. If not, question the motives behind the so called value as it may only serve to benefit others (e.g. manipulators).
· Know and understand that remorse is healthy if it causes you to perform right actions.
· Prayer has powerful therapeutic effects on the body and mind. Learning how to release chronic negative feelings especially guilt not only relieves a person of those feelings but helps to oxygenate the body and reduce blood pressure.
· If prayer is not really for you then give meditation a try for the same reasons stated above. Calming the mind, slowing the breathing and oxygenating the body does a world of good for mental health and well-being while providing clarity on the matters at hand.

What to Do Physically

· Breathing exercises are a phenomenal way to clear the mind and help cope with or be rid of chronic guilt. When combined with movements or stretches the mind tends to free itself more quickly gradually moving to a more positive and effective interaction with guilt. Some of those exercises can include

o Yoga in its various forms. Find the one that speaks to you and stick with it.

o Tai Chi

o Qigong

o Acupressure

· Physical exercise will help to clear the mind while relieving the body of stress hormones. The increased energy and blood flow to the brain will allow for improved clarity as to what should be (or shouldn't be) done. The rush you get from the release of endorphins is nice too!

Indeed, there is much more out there that would be of great benefit to those suffering with constant guilt but beginning with these suggestions is as good a place to start as any. Be well!

That Ship Has Sailed: Guilt and Your Health

2015-01-29T15:33:00.001-08:00

In the not so distant past the main mode of transportation for worldwide packages and goods was by ship. If, for some reason, you wanted to send a package to the Far East you would rush down to the shipyards to find a vessel headed in that direction. And if you just happened to show up a few hours after the only boat headed that way left you were out of luck for a month, perhaps two. The clerk would inform you “that ship has sailed” much to your chagrin. At this point a person could do one of two things. They could either wallow in misery bemoaning the missed boat or they could endeavor to be timelier and prepare for the next opportunity to send their package. The former’s mental outlook locks them in negativity while the latter’s set them up to move forward positively.

Guilt is defined, in part, as an emotion that occurs when a person feels that they have violated a moral standard. As members of the ever growing world society we should appreciate the guilt associated with pangs of conscience when someone does something wrong. It helps to keep this world from plunging into total chaos. However, chronic guilt has gripped many people causing great mental and physical anguish. The anguish that is caused leads to stressed bodies, minds and families causing a dizzying downward spiral that some sadly never pull out of.

How Guilt Affects Us

Guilt has some very specific physiological effects on the body. These effects can foster very negative health outcomes if left unmitigated:

Adrenal Fatigue – Guilt feelings, especially those that are unresolved, raises the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol. Stress through guilt puts constant demand on the adrenal glands which produces cortisol and they eventually “burnout”. This can lead to fatigue and in some cases it is so extreme that some cannot get out of bed for more than a few hours at time. It also causes other organs in the body to over work eventually leading to their burnout as well.

Headaches and backaches – One of the initial symptoms of chronic guilt is muscular tension. This usually takes place in the lower back or in the neck region. Tense lower back muscles causes backaches and tense neck muscles can really make the head ache something terrible.

Anxiety and depression – In addition to the fatigue experienced because of adrenal fatigue guilt increases anxiety and depression which in itself leads to more fatigue and general body aches. When one is achy and tired all the time depression increases and so does the feelings of fatigue causing a vicious downward spiral of poor mental and physical health.

In the next article we will explore ways of overcoming guilt to help foster a better mental and physical outlook on your life.

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: The Tests You Need

2015-01-15T13:29:00.001-08:00

Diabetes reversal requires a holistic approach and as such it requires a higher level of knowledge about one's body and mind. Part of that increased knowledge is getting accurate information about what is going on in your body. Many test exist that can help diabetics keep accurate track of their progress on the path of diabetes reversal. Listed below are several key test that could be utilized based on individual needs.

The Tests

HbA1c Test: measures inflammation and would be used as a gauge for progress and necessary adjustments along with the C-reactive protein test
Gallbladder Function: poor or no gallbladder function inhibits metabolizing fats disrupting metabolic processes. Products such as Ox bile can assist in breaking down dietary fats
C-reactive Protein Test: measures the amount inflammation in the body which hinders weight loss, increases weight gain and sets up insulin and leptin resistance.
Thyroid Blood Test: to assess proper thyroid function to eliminate it as a cause of weight gain or difficult weight loss
Adrenal gland function: to assess proper adrenal gland function to eliminate as a cause of weight gain or difficult weight loss. Adrenal fatigue is associated with excessive stress
Indirect Calorimetry: measures the absorption of oxygen, carbon dioxide production and the respiratory exchange rate for an accurate gauge of the body’s metabolic processes at rest
ALCAT or Sage food sensitivity testing: food sensitivities contribute to inflammation and weight gain
Yeast/Candida Testing: Candida increases appetite and cravings and must be mitigated for sustained weight loss
Vitamin D₃levels: normal range is greater than 32 ng/ml however 50-100 ng/ml is optimal for great health and diabetes reversal (aids with insulin secretion and preventing or reversing insulin resistance)

To be clear not every test need be done. Individual assessment is necessary to know what to keep an eye on so be sure to seek the advice of a trusted healthcare professional.

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Phase 2 Approved Food List

2015-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:00

Admittedly the Phase 1 part of the plan is restrictive to say the least which is why it is designed to last just 4-6 weeks at a time. The benefit is extensive, however, allowing for an appropriate jump start to any anti-diabetes campaign. At some point it becomes necessary to transition to Phase 2.

The second phase of this plan is meant for lifelong changes to eating habits that will nourish the body and sustain your efforts to reverse or significantly mitigate diabetes. The first thing you will notice is the increase in the variety. The uptick is based on the increased likelihood that your metabolism is either higher or in much better working order after following the phase one program. The phase 2 food chart gives the recommended amounts of each food category that should be consumed during any particular meal.

The focus of every meal is to be as healthy as possible. Limit meat portions especially red meat which should be kept to no more than 18-22 oz. per week. Lean meats such as fish, elk, lamb, and turkey should be your focus. You may also find it helpful to have one or two of your meals be vegetarian based limiting your meat consumption to one or two meals a day.

Eating Out

Extreme care must be taken when eating out. Your diligence is required when ordering for many reasons. One, the ingredients used to create meals in most restaurants will be inflammatory and have the potential to set you back in your goals. Second, portion sizes are almost always two or three times larger than what is recommended for consumption at one meal. You may find it helpful to decide in advance that you will only consume ⅓ - ½ of what your ordered and ask for a box to pack it in in advance. Remember to eat slowly and savor each bite. This will help you feel satisfied without overeating.

When ordering salads order dressing on the side and stick to vinaigrette style dressings. Soups should be broth based. Avoid cream based soups as they are loaded with rancid oils, fats, and calories. Soups with lentils and beans will be far more filling with fewer calories. If having a meal that consist of only soups and salad be sure to have some fiber handy to help you feel full after the meal if necessary. This will help you not succumb to the temptation of ordering additional food.

Desserts

Having a tasty treat with a meal or as a snack is always tempting but there are some things that must be considered. If you have reached your waistline goal and your blood sugar is under control then partaking from time to time shouldn't be a problem. If at all possible, though, save dessert for special occasions and rare treats. Your focus is to not go back to what you are trying to leave behind. When you do have dessert be sure to consume some fiber in the form of a supplement to help lower the glycemic value thus avoiding a spike in blood sugar and insulin production.

Meal Planning

Plan your meals on a weekly basis. Shopping and preparing your meals on a day that is convenient for you is a great way to ensure success on your journey. The food chart provided will come in handy in assisting you in this process.

Approved Foods for Phase 2

Legumes, Beans and Starches (Servings are 1/2 cup for women and 1 cup for men)	Cereals (with unsweetened almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk)	Low Glycemic Fruit (1/2 cup servings)	Vegetables (at least 1/2 cup or more women and 1 cup or more for men)
● Beans: kidney, lima, navy, pinto, red, black ● Black-eyed peas ● Green peas ● Butter beans ● Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) ● Green beans ● Lentils ● Yams ● Sweet potatoes	● Old fashioned oatmeal or steel cut (1 serving for women, 1-2 servings for mens)	● Blackberries ● Blueberries ● Raspberries ● 1/2 grapefruit ● Granny Smith apple ● Kiwi ● Strawberries	● Asparagus ● Bell peppers ● Broccoli ● Brussel sprouts ● Butternut squash ● Cabbage or sauerkraut ● Carrots (1/2 cup, raw only) ● Cauliflower ● Celery ● Collard greens ● Cucumbers ● Eggplants ● Lettuce ● Okra ● Onions ● Spinach ● Squash ● String beans ● Taro ● Tomato ● Turnips ● Watercress ● Zucchini

Approved Foods for Phase 2 Cont.

Lean Proteins (Dairy) - Dairy is best avoided but limited quantities of the following is ok.	Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men	Healthy Fats (two servings per day, none at dinner)	Oils (two servings per day, none at dinner, do not heat)
● Cottage cheese, plain-non fat ● Cream cheese ● Low-fat Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla ● Eggs (pastured center or organic) - two to three large eggs or one yolk and three egg whites	● Beef, organic extra lean. Limit red meat consumption to 18 oz. per week. ● Buffalo, bison, elk, caribou, venison, goat, ostrich ● Chicken and turkey (remove skin) ● Turkey sausage ● Turkey bacon ● Fish, wild caught (cod, flounder, haddock, herring, halibut, mahi-mahi, sea bass, perch, snapper, tongol tuna, orange roughy, tilapia, salmon, trout, sardines, mackeral	● Almond butter (2 tablespoons) ● Almonds (about 18 almonds, 1 oz.) ● Organic peanut butter (2 tablespoons) ● Peanuts (1 oz.) ● Pecans (1 oz.) ● Cashews (1 oz.) ● Avocado, fresh (1/2 cup ● Guacamole (1/3 cup) ● Hummus ● Pumpkin seeds (2 tablespoons or 1 oz.) ● Sunflower seeds (2 tablespoon or 1 oz.) ● Flaxseeds (3 tablespoons or 1 oz.)	● Organic cold-pressed olive oil (1 tablespoon) ● High-oleic sunflower oil (1 tablespoon) ● Cold-pressed peanut oil (1 tablespoon) ● Cold-pressed sesame oil (1 tablespoon) ● Cold-pressed avocado oil (1 tablespoon) ● High-oleic safflower oil (1 tablespoon)

	Cont. Lean Proteins (Meats) - 2 to 6 oz. for women and 3-8 oz. for men
	● Lean pork (limit pork consumption to one serving per week) ● .Shellfish (wild caught if possible) - Limit consumption to 1-2 servings. (shrimp, crab, lobster, scallop, oysters, mussels)

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Approved Food List and Sample Meal Plan for Phase One

2014-12-01T19:02:00.001-08:00

In line with the previous post we continue with practical ways to help alleviate or mitigate diabetes through meal plans. As stated in the aforementioned article Phase 1 is not intended to be a plan that lasts forever. It is only intended to jump start your transformation and accelerate weight loss when combined with an exercise plan. Eventually there should be a transition to Phase 2 which usually happens at the 4-6 week mark. As with any meal plan or exercise regime please consult with a trusted medical practitioner.

Approved Foods for Phase 1

Beverages	Lean Meat/Protein (grilled or boiled 3.5 oz.for women, 6 oz.for men - choose one per meal)	Vegetables (raw or steamed, 1 cup; choose one per meal)	Fruits (choose one per meal or as a snack)	Breads
● Water ● Tea ● Coffee	● Lobster ● Veal ● Beef ● Chicken breast ● Crab ● Fresh white fish ● Shrimp ● Bison (buffalo) ● Elk ● Venison (deer) ● Egg (only occasionally either hard boiled, poached or scrambled but no oils	● Spinach ● Chard ● Chicory ● Beet greens ● Green salad ● Tomato ● Celery ● Fennel ● Onions ● Red radishes ● Cucumbers ● Asparagus ● Cabbage	● Apple ● Granny Smith apple* ● 1/2 Grape- fruit ● 1/2 cup Straw- berries (You may choose to eat your fruit with a meal or as a snack) *Recommended	● 1 Piece Doctor Krack-er Crisp Bread

Phase 1, Week 1 Meal Plan

Day One:

Breakfast:

○ Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1 apple

○ Or you may have a protein shake with fruit

Snack:

○ 1/2 cup strawberries

Lunch:

○ Chicken breast

○ 1 cup spinach or green salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

○ 1/2 grapefruit

Dinner:

○ Lean beef, elk, buffalo, veal, or filet mignon

○ 1 cup green salad or asparagus

○ 5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Two:

Breakfast:

○ 1 egg and 2 extra egg whites

○ 1/2 grapefruit

○ Or a protein shake

Snack:

Lunch:

○ Fresh white fish

○ 1 cup cabbage or green salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

○ 1/2 cup strawberries

Dinner:

○ Crab or shrimp

○ 1 cup asparagus or green salad

○ 5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Three:

Breakfast:

○ Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1 Granny Smith apple

○ Or a protein shake

Snack:

○ 1/2 Strawberries

Lunch:

○ Chicken breast

○ 1 cup tomatoes or green salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

Dinner:

○ Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon

○ 1 cup spinach or green salad

○ 5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Four:

Breakfast:

○ Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1/2 grapefruit

○ Or protein shake

Snack:

○ 1/2 cup strawberries

Lunch:

○ Chicken breast

○ 1 cup romaine salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

Dinner:

○ Filet mignon

○ 1 cup spinach or green salad

○ 2 slice melba toast

Day Five:

Breakfast:

○ Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1 Granny Smith apple

○ Or protein shake

Snack:

○ 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch:

○ Fresh white fish

○ 1 cup cucumbers or green salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

○ 1/2 strawberries

Dinner:

○ Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat

○ 1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus

○ 5 pieces 365 mini-toast

Day Six:

Breakfast:

○ Shrimp or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste). No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1 Granny Smith apple

○ Or protein shake

Snack:

○ 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch:

○ Fresh white fish

○ 1 cup cabbage or green salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

○ 1/2 cup strawberries

Dinner:

○ Deer, elk, veal or fillet mignon

○ 1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Day Seven:

Breakfast:

○ Fresh white fish or one egg (hard boiled or poached). Vegetables can be added to the egg (onions, tomato, spinach, chicory, celery with a little salt and pepper to taste. No cheese or mushrooms.

○ 1 Granny Smith apple

○ Or a protein shake

Snack:

○ 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch:

○ Chicken breast

○ 1 cup romaine salad

○ 1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Snack:

○ 1/2 cup strawberries

Dinner:

○ Veal, filet mignon, or extra lean hamburger meat

○ 1 cup mixed greens salad or asparagus

1 Doctor Kracker Seedlander Crispbreads

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: The Beginning of Healthy Eating for Diabetics (Phase 1)

2014-11-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Now that we have a little background knowledge how can we be practical in its application and where do we begin? Let us start with eating right for diabetes. Emphasis is given to eating plans as opposed to diets. The reason for this is a diet is done for a short period and is usually rigid and therefore intolerable to maintain for greater lengths of time. Eating plans are lifetime changes that are maintained or modified without stopping. Eating plans tend be less rigid as adjustments from less desirable eating habits are made gradually but for diabetics gradual adjustments might be a little to slow depending on the nature of the condition. With that said the first phase eating plan is not meant to be for the long term but is intended too jump start healthy habits while encouraging weight loss. Careful consideration has been given about the necessity to jump start your diabetes reversal protocols. Dramatically reducing the consumption of inflammatory foods and ensuring equalized and stable blood sugar is imperative from the start. As you move from phase one to phase two the restrictions will be relaxed and more emphasis will be placed on establishing an eating plan for life while seeking diversity in your food choices.

This initial phase will usually last for 4-6 weeks depending on your needs and should consist of meals that are 1,000-1,250 calories per day (caloric intake should be adjusted higher if you are involved in strenuous work or activities).

● Choose organic fruits, vegetables and meats as often as possible. The chemicals from herbicides, pesticides and fungicides in addition to growth hormones, antibiotics and grain fed cattle all causes toxic build up and inflammation in the body. Neither of these conditions are conducive to reversing diabetes and actually helps to promote it.

● Meats should be the leanest cuts since animal fats store toxins you do not want in your body.

● Clean pure water is the preferred drink (at least 2 quarts daily) with occasional tea or coffee during the day. Coffee and tea should be made with clean pure water and only lightly sweetened with stevia.

● Absolutely no artificial sweeteners. In addition to slowing your metabolism artificial sweeteners are broken down into toxic substances that increase inflammation thwarting your efforts to reverse the diabetes condition.

● A high quality fiber should be consumed daily. Fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates which helps maintain level blood sugar.

● If you experience light-headedness increase water consumption and consume high quality fiber with every meal

● Any listed fruit eaten between meals should be consumed with fiber.

● Do not consume all of your bread and fruit ration at the same time. This would have the potential to elevate blood sugar levels too rapidly.

● Food from one day cannot be saved and eaten on the next. Maintaining the same number of calories and the correct proportion of foods to blood glucose ratios is imperative.

● Meat variation: Occasionally you may substitute 3 1/2 ounces fat-free cottage cheese or one whole egg and three egg whites for a meat portion.

● Eat only the meats listed and be sure all fat is trimmed by the butcher before purchase.

● A list of approved foods will be given to you. If it is not listed do not eat it in any quantity.

● Consume only fresh white fish low in mercury (Tongol tuna, cod, haddock, wild caught tilapia, white fish or whiting)

● Fiber will be an integral and extremely important aspect of this entire protocol (phase one and two). It is imperative that you find a quality fiber that is natural and works without chemicals or being harsh.

● Salad dressing cannot contain any oil. The light use of balsamic vinaigrettes is recommended.

● A sweetener can be used sparingly and the only one allowed is stevia.

● The only allowable dairy is fat-free cottage cheese. All other dairy must be avoided.

Preparations

● All meat must be broiled or boiled

● Vegetables must be raw or steamed

● The juice of one lemon is allowed for all purposes (seasoning, cooking, etc)

● A small amount of salt, pepper, vinegar, garlic and spices (e.g. thyme, parsley, sage, turmeric, rosemary, basil, etc.) can be used for seasoning but absolutely no butter, oil or dressings of any kind

● Convection ovens would be very helpful (microwave as little as possible or not at all)

Other Considerations

● No creams, synthetic oils, chemical based astringents or lotions should be used on your face, skin, or body during this program. This will allow the body to take a break from xenoestrogens and other chemicals found in personal care products that create inflammation in the body. If you need a moisturizer use extra virgin coconut oil.

● Get a pedometer. You should be walking at least 10,000 steps per day every day.

If you experience constipation during these phases increase water intake.

The next article will contain the approved foods list for phase one along with a helpful sample eating plan.

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Nutrients for Weight Loss in Diabetics

2014-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Every excess pound above your ideal body weight makes developing diabetes or prediabetes extremely easy and reversing the condition exceedingly difficult. There are several imperatives regarding diabetes and weight loss. One, movement equals improvement. In order to reduce inflammation and burn off glycogen released when stress hormones are present you must exercise moderately (when able) otherwise weight management will not happen. Second, your meal plan must meet the demands of reversing diabetes. Finally, taking the right supplements in adequate amounts will help you on your way.

Keep in mind that there is no magic bullet out there to get you where you need to go. Depending solely on supplements is a sure way to not meet your goals. Be sure to think of these recommendations as Sherpas helping you up the mountain of diabetes reversal.

The goal here is to nourish the body in such a way as to trigger your body’s natural ability to reduce fat storage and induce fat cell destruction. Supplement recommendations will be divided into sections: Fat burning, appetite suppressants, increased satiety and energy production.

Thermogenic (fat burning):

● Green tea (or green tea extracts): used for thousands of years for a range of health benefits green tea and its extracts profoundly increases thermogenic activity in the body. This helps your body increase fat burning over a sustained period of time with no side effects (unless you are extremely sensitive to caffeine). 3-4 cups of green tea daily and/or 100 milligrams of green tea extract is recommended.

● Fucoxanthin: a component of fucoidan it is derived from edible seaweed. Asian cultures have used and consumed seaweed full of fucoxanthin for thousands of years and have experienced wonderful health benefits as a result. In recent years it has been gaining more and more interest for its thermogenic powers with new human studies supporting this claim. It is also noted for its ability decrease the body’s ability to store abdominal and liver fat. 5 milligrams three times daily is recommended.

Appetite Suppressants:

● L-tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): these amino acids help to control carbohydrate and sugar cravings by helping the body produce more serotonin which naturally deters these cravings. 50-100 milligrams one to three times daily or 100-300 milligrams before bed. Serotonin Max may be a good place to start. *Special note: if you are taking a SSRI antidepressants or triptans for migraines please consult with your physician before taking these supplements.

● N-acetyl L-tyrosine: a naturally occurring amino acid that helps the body increase

dopamine and norepinephrine which decreases appetite and improves mood. 500-2,000 milligrams daily taken on an empty stomach usually does the trick. Avoid taking in the late afternoon as it may interfere with sleep.

Increase Satiety:

● Fiber: fiber does so many wonderful things for the body like help control sugar levels through various mechanisms but the focus here will be on feeling full. Both soluble and insoluble fiber play a significant role in this process. It is recommended that most people consume at least 30 grams per day (most only get about 14 grams per day). A high quality fiber supplement split up over the course of the day (10 grams 3x daily) will assist with feeling full, reduce cravings and moderate blood sugar levels.

Increase Energy:

● Acetyl L-carnitine: supports, protects and regenerates mitochondria and mitochondrial functions. It is also able to cross the blood-brain barrier to support and energize brain cells and increase the number of neurotransmitters in the brain. Increased energetic output and mitochondrial function (where energy is produced) helps to reduce weight through desiring to move and then doing so!

*Before beginning any supplement regime it is best that you consult your primary healthcare practitioner or doctor.

Diabetes - A 21st Century Scourge: Nutrients for Blood Sugar Stabilization

2014-08-18T18:32:00.001-07:00

We covered a substantial portion of the "doom and gloom" associated with diabetes whether it be grim statistics or the physical ailments it causes. With that being covered we have finally come to the portion of this series where we can bring light, hope and great health to those who are most afflicted and their loved ones.

We will start by identifying three key areas that will assist greatly with stemming the tide of this scourge. These areas will include nutrients for blood sugar stabilization, nutrients to assist in weight loss and important tests to consider if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic. The test will provide important information that will help you figure out what nutrients are most relevant in your fight and what foods to focus on once dietary concerns are addressed.

In this article will begin with nutrients for improving and supporting blood glucose (sugar) stabilization. As we begin to expound on these supplements it is important to remember that no supplement can replace a healthy eating plan, physical activity, and stress reduction techniques.

Vitamins

A good multivitamin is a must. Even if you are following the meal plans and consuming organic or natural products chances are you are not receiving enough vitamins for optimum health. The key word is ‘optimum’ because the government standards for vitamin and mineral intake are for minimum health outcomes. When choosing a multivitamin ensure the vitamins are natural (not synthetic). Synthetic vitamins are not readily bioavailable (able to be absorbed by the body) and can create inflammation which is to be avoided as much as possible. Below are a few vitamins to focus on but all vitamins are important.

o Biotin - this B vitamin is instrumental in preventing and overcoming insulin resistance. Reversing insulin resistance will cause a decrease in blood sugar levels which should be monitored closely.

○ Vitamin D₃ - this super vitamin acts more like a hormone and has a host of healthy responsibilities. In particular for diabetics D₃reduces blood glucose levels and increases sensitivity to insulin making insulin more effective. The optimum range for this nutrient in the body is 50 - 100 ng/ml so you may be required to take 2,000 - 10,000 IU of D₃daily until optimum levels are reached.

Minerals

Mineral deficiencies is a significant issue for diabetics and prediabetics. Without the proper minerals the body cannot utilize enzymes that control many bodily functions and also help control blood sugar levels. Below are some of the minerals we need to focus on in the fight to reverse diabetes.

o Chromium Picolinate - this stealth mineral assists the body in the metabolizing of carbohydrates, fats and protein. Most importantly for diabetics is that it is the mineral that causes blood cells to “receive” glucose essentially overcoming insulin resistance. An optimum range for chromium levels is 35 micrograms for men and 25 micrograms for women. However, for most diabetics it will be necessary to consume 200 - 1,000 micrograms per day until optimum levels are reached. The form taken should be a picolinate. Highly refined and processed foods rob the body of chromium since these items requires heavy use of chromium for metabolization.

o Magnesium - essential for pancreatic repair and support. Magnesium assists in stabilizing blood sugar levels by increasing the number of insulin receptors on blood cells. It also restores or repair beta cells (responsible for producing insulin) in the pancreas.

Other Essential Nutrients

o Cinnamon - cinnamon has been well established as a blood sugar lowering nutrient. 36 grams daily have been shown to decrease fasting blood sugar levels by 1829%. A high quality cinnamon extract is recommended at 250 milligrams twice daily.

o Omega 3 Fatty Acids - omega 3’s decrease inflammation, lower triglyceride levels, may help prevent insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance. Those with impaired gallbladder function or had their gallbladder removed will need to supplement with ox bile to sufficiently breakdown fatty acids such as omega 3’s. 500 - 1,000 milligrams of omega 3 fish oil three times per day is recommended. Those with high triglyceride levels should take 4,000 - 5,000 milligrams daily.

o Alpha Lipoic Acid - this acid reduces oxidative stress which is very important to diabetics. It is both water and fat soluble allowing it to work in all areas of the body. It also reduces insulin sensitivity and impedes oxidation of LDL cholesterol. 300 milligrams twice a day.

This short list is by no means exhaustive but should give some insight on where to start. As always be sure to consult with a medical professional before starting a supplement regimen.

No recommendations or dosages in this article should be construed as medical advice (because it is not).

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - The Facts and Figures

2014-08-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

The causes of diabetes and how it ravages the body is sobering. The shocking reality of diabetes is that despite all of the medical advances and its worldwide prevalence it continues on a skyward rise into the stratosphere. As if that is not sobering enough the facts listed below will help bring the point home.

Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States (nearly 8.5 % of the population) have diabetes
79 million Americans are thought to be prediabetic
1.9 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year
Nearly 10% of the entire U.S. population has diabetes, including over 25% of seniors
As many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes in 2050 if present trends continue
The economic cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $245 billion per year
1.9 million Americans aged 20 years or older are newly diagnosed with diabetes each year (5,205/day)
Compared to non-Hispanic whites the risk of diagnosed is 1.2 times higher among Asian Americans, 1.7 times higher among Hispanic Americans, and 1.8 times higher among African Americans
Diabetes is the primary cause of death for 71,382 Americans each year
Diabetes contributes to the death of 231,404 Americans annually (combining death certificates that list diabetes as the primary and a contributing cause of death)
$245 billion annually attributable to diagnosed diabetes, including $176 billion in direct costs and $69 billion in indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality)
People with diagnosed diabetes have health care costs 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes
About 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of neuropathy
More than 60% of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes
About 65,700 nontraumatic lower-limb amputations are performed in people with diabetes annually (180/day)
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of all new cases of kidney failure
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes, and the risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20–74 years
The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. increased by 128% from 1988 to 2008
Diabetes kills more Americans every year than AIDS and breast cancer combined

In the next few articles in this series we will strike a happier tone by covering some of the ways diabetes can be mitigated or reversed. There is plenty of hope and good news so there is no need to despair despite the statistics. We will also discuss the psychology of diabetes and its effect on the lives of those that have it and the people who help care for them.

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - The Ravages of Diabetes Continued

2014-07-29T16:13:00.001-07:00

Uncontrolled blood sugar levels is the calling card of Type II diabetes that eventually leads to circulatory issues that are life changing. Foot ulcers, peripheral nerve damage and the accompanying pain, and blindness can result when blood vessels are weakened by the inflammatory action of unregulated blood sugar. Nightmarish as those conditions may be the complications of diabetes can worsen overtime leading to renal failure, heart attacks and stroke.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Silently and slowly high blood glucose levels damages the kidneys of diabetics and pre-diabetics which takes its toll. The kidneys help filter the blood and flush the body of unwanted toxins. Overtime high sugar levels cause the thickening and scarring of nephrons. The process eventually leads to renal (kidney) failure. To make matters worse it can take anywhere from 5 – 10 years before the symptoms of acute kidney damage are experienced. Some of the symptoms include nausea with vomiting, swelling of the legs, headaches, chronic fatigue, and poor appetite. Kidney damage is a leading cause of death in diabetics. As it is kidney function can be a direct correlation to the quality of a person’s life.

Strokes

High blood glucose levels create all sorts of negative domino effects in the body. One part of the domino effect is the scarring and deterioration of blood vessels that occur. The body attempts to repair these blood vessels that are constantly under attack. In doing so the material used to make the repairs “builds up” in the blood vessels creating blockages. Sometimes these blockages occur in arteries and blood vessels that supply blood to brain. When the blockages are severe enough a stroke soon follows. The result of the stroke could lead to paralysis, speech loss, inability to coordinate movement or even death. Smaller strokes could lead to dementia or senility.

Heart Attacks

Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases seem to go hand in hand. Primarily because of the circulatory issues created by having diabetes in the first place. From there it becomes much easier for cardiovascular disease to gain a foothold especially if poor lifestyle habits and predisposition to these diseases exist. Diabetics experience heart attacks more frequently than non-diabetics. Diabetics are also twice as likely to die following a heart attack as non-diabetics.

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - The Ravages of Diabetes

2014-07-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

So far we have discussed some of the causes of diabetes mellitus (aka Type II diabetes). Now it is time to look at what diabetes does or can do to the body if reversal or proper mitigation is not undertaken (*Note: I did not use the word “management” purposefully which will be discussed later). Diabetes has a methodical way of slowly shutting down very important body processes. At first it is a silent thief roaming the body undetected causing painless harm. Later the harm becomes great enough to cause discomfort, outright pain or worse. The silent portion of the process can take years and could remain undiscovered for much of that time. The resulting complications are life changing.

Our Poor Eyes

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness affecting 4.1 million adults in the U.S. The blindness is caused primarily by a condition called diabetic retinopathy. One of the most devastating aspects of diabetes is how it affects blood flow and circulation. As blood flow to the retinas decrease due to diabetes the body attempts to compensate by creating new blood vessels. Unfortunately these blood vessels tend to be weak and they rupture. Bleeding in the retina obstructs vision and the laser treatments used to stop the bleeding often destroys portions of the retina. Retinal hemorrhaging and treatments for it can separately or in combination cause permanent blindness.

On Pins and Needles

Circulatory issues figure prominently with Type II diabetes. It can cause blindness and it can also cause another condition called neuropathy. Neuropathy occurs as blood vessels that supply the peripheral nervous system begin to weaken. The peripheral nerves, starved of nourishment, begin to degenerate creating pain. At first it could feel like being pricked by pins and needles as numbness begin to set in. A downward spiral ensues with ever decreasing circulation causing ever increasing pain.

Ulcers and Infections

Foot ulcers, because of poor or insufficient blood supply, can become a common problem. Blood vessels have the tendency to become clogged in diabetics especially in the extremities robbing them of nourishment and proper attention from the immune system. No nourishment causes tissues to degenerate causing ulcers. In addition, simple cuts or bruises can result in life threatening infections. Both conditions can lead to the onset of gangrene and require amputation of the infected limb. There are approximately 185,000 amputations per year in the U.S. with more than half of those (54%) attributed to vascular diseases (either diabetes or peripheral arterial disease). Diabetics are cautioned to take good care of their feet paying close attention to them. Most practitioners would advise diabetics to never go barefoot and to keep their feet warm, dry and clean.

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - Causes of Diabetes Continued

2014-06-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

As we continue to discuss the causes of diabetes there are two significant contributors that must be discussed. Seldom mentioned in most dialogue regarding this scourge are the massive amounts of medications that is consumed the world over and the staggering result of unmitigated stress on our bodies.

Medications

Watch most any pharmaceutical commercial and you will likely notice that about 20 seconds of a 30 second commercial is about all the terrible things the medicine may do to you. Of those 20 seconds a few sound something like this: “Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a liver condition or poor liver function” or “Liver test may be necessary to check liver function”. There are a multitude of reasons why these pronouncements are important but for the sake of this article we will stick with the diabetic angle.

Poor liver function is a death sentence. This may sound ominous and a bit over the top but consider what the liver does (e.g. cleanse the blood, regulate metabolism) and the picture becomes clear. A Poor liver leads to a poor life and possibly diabetes. Medications can slow liver function by creating the need for continuous cleansing of highly toxic substances. These substances may be specifically toxic to the liver breaking down cellular function which decreases the organ’s efficiency.

Also, some medications can actually slow down metabolic processes in the liver causing it to become fatty and sluggish. A fatty liver has great difficulty controlling fasting glucose levels. A fatty liver also increases the incidence of insulin resistance. It is estimated that some 80% of people suffering from Type II diabetes have fat in their liver.

Stress

When it comes to silent killers stress, in my opinion, is second only to inflammation. Chronic stress is a major health issue these days and it comes from multiple sources. Family and other relationships, traffic jams, even video games can induce stress responses in the body. One of the chief responses is elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is released into the blood stream to give the body a boost of energy to accommodate the “fight or flight” response to stressful situations by increasing blood glucose levels. When cortisol is constantly released it increases blood glucose constantly and insulin resistance is not far behind because the cells do not actually need the energy. Once insulin resistance sets in Type II diabetes rears its hideously ugly head.

In addition, because the body does not actually need to fight or run the extra glucose in the blood stream has to go somewhere. That is when the body produces visceral and abdominal fight to store the unused glucose. This type of fat is extra special and not in a good way. It tends to adversely affect the metabolism essentially becoming its own endocrine system and affecting the hormones that either stimulate or decrease hunger. The net effect is a downward spiral alternating between unmitigated stress, increased abdominal and visceral fat, and increased appetite. All this leads to continuous elevated blood glucose levels and increased insulin resistance. Combined with the cumulative effect of chronic stress we are left with nothing short of diabetic trouble.

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - Causes of Diabetes

2014-06-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

Where and how does one of the most prolific medical scourges of the 21st century begin? Let's start at the table. Whether that be at home, work or your favorite restaurant what we put on it can sometimes be the beginning of the end. Our sugar laden, artificial and bleached foods combined with an abundance of alcoholic drinks, prescriptions and over the counter medications has helped to establish what is and continues to be a tragic epidemic on a global scale.

Artificial Sweeteners - The Zero Calorie Killer

Along with diabetes artificial sweeteners are linked to other adverse health conditions including weight gain. It is one of the most insidious food additives on the market today. The sweeteners cause spikes in blood insulin levels. How is this possible? The body is wired to prepare for the introduction of carbohydrates since carbs are the chief and most energy efficient forms of fuel. When artificial sweeteners wash over the tongue the brain signals the body to prepare for sugar intake. But this is no normal preparation. Consider the fact that artificial sweeteners are up to 300% sweeter than regular sugar. The body thinks it is getting tons of it which drives insulin production sky high. The cells in the body continuously seeing insulin in the bloodstream for seemingly no reason begin to build a sensitivity towards it thus the term insulin sensitivity. This is not the only way cells become sensitive to insulin but it is one of the main reasons. To add insult to injury what blood sugar is in circulation gets swept up by the excess insulin driving blood sugar levels low. The low blood sugar levels are detected by the body and triggers the production of a hormone called ghrelin. This hormone makes us feel hungry and usually we will eat. The weight gain trap is sprung as most people will alternate between artificially sweetened products (especially soda) and eating highly processed foods mostly unaware of the weight gain connection. Zero calorie foods tend to make people consume more calories of other foods and that is a killer both figuratively and literally.

These diabetes inducing sweeteners can be found in almost anything like: prescription medication, cough syrup, aspirin and other over-the-counter drugs, chewing gum, anything labeled 'sugar free', and drink powders to name a few.

Highly Processed Foods and Our Love Affair with Bleach

Walk down the aisle almost any grocery store and pick up a prepackaged item containing wheat. These would be your breads, cereals, cookies and pastas. Read the list of ingredients on the back. If it is not organic some of the first words you will see are bleached or enriched. This is code for 'we have stripped the goodness out of this product and added what we think you would like to taste'. Why would anyone do this? To make us eat more and eat more often. Bleached and enriched foods undergo chemical processes that converts them from complex carbohydrates (good) to simple carbohydrates (really bad). Once this happens the producer of that food experiences an increase in profit because you will eat more of it and you will eat it more often. As their profits increase so does our waist lines and risk of diabetes. I am sure that there will be some who read this and decide this is a conspiratorial view but consider the chart from the previous article. As food distribution around the world increases (usually simple carbs) so too does the incidence of diabetes.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): Americans consume an astounding 60 lbs. of HFCS every year. What's so astounding about this? Consider the fact that fructose is metabolized in the liver into fat more readily than glucose. When bombarded with fructose all at once the liver becomes sluggish and fatty itself. Fatty livers usually precedes insulin resistance which can ultimately lead to the development and persistence of Type II diabetes. The reason Americans can consume 60 lbs. of HFCS on average is because it is found in many processed foods and is often one of the first three ingredients in a product. Some of the products include soft drinks, pancake syrup, yogurt, canned fruits, barbecue sauce, pasta sauce and fruit drinks that are not 100% juice just to name a few. HFCS is a metabolic nightmare that many of us are unaware of including diabetics. Are you or do you know someone who is diabetic or pre-diabetic? Have you or they ever been warned to stay away from HFCS? If not, please consider this a warning.

Diabetes: A 21st Century Scourge - Part I

2014-06-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

The Introduction

Sadness is staring an avoidable tragedy in the face and blinking. Have you had the chance to ponder the chart above? In each block are a group of numbers representing various regions of the world. The number at the top of the box represents the number of known Type 2 diabetics as of 2003. The number under it is the projected number of diabetes cases in 2025 with the correlating percent increase under each. By 2025 it is projected that there will be a 62% increase in diabetic patients worldwide. The cynic in me says to invest heavily in diabetes medications and paraphernalia. The optimist in me says I should lend a hand. Digressing to my better nature and refusing to enrich myself on the backs of those who suffer by causing suffering I offer the beginning of my multi-pronged diabetes project (more information will be given on the project at a date sometime in the future).

Sadness is also having to witness triple digit increases projected in parts of the world that are already stressed and void of much hope. It is interesting that shortages of the most basic needs (food, water, medical attention) in these areas abound but a metabolic syndrome often associated with indulgent eating or consuming way more sugar than the body can handle would become a scourge. More on this point and why it is happening in a later article.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the cells in the body become so resistant to insulin that blood sugar levels can no longer be controlled by the body (this is a simplistic definition and will be expounded upon later). Often medical intervention is undertaken and treatment can include having to take insulin shots, prescription medications and the need to check blood sugar levels often. The American Diabetes Association estimated that diabetes treatment in the U.S. alone cost more than $245 billion in 2012. If price levels remain the same that would mean an increased expenditure of $140 billion bringing the total to $385 billion annually by 2025 just in the U.S.! That would be more than the GDP of the Federated States of Micronesia (in other words a small country).

Sadness surrounds us but it does not have to remain or persist. We have the power to change it and ourselves. There is a growing contingent of well informed and well-meaning people who are helping to either prevent the scourge of diabetes or bring balance to those who have the condition reversing it and freeing would be lifelong diabetics from their conditional prisons. Let the word go out, if it is not already known, that diabetes is a condition not a disease. It is not something you catch but something you develop and what is done can be undone no matter what the cynics and robbers of joy and health say.

This series will focus on some of the causes, health implications, and modalities concerning diabetes mellitus and is designed to offer and inspire hope for what is a seemingly overwhelming epidemic. Have faith, be strong and let us share this ride together!

Articles Published on Natural News

2014-05-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

Life has been coming at me fast and furious these days which has left me little time to write articles. I have a new series in mind and I am gearing up to crank those out in addition to more rebuttals to articles I have found that make me scratch my head from their sheer gall and blatant misrepresentations.

With that being said I would like to offer a sampling of various articles I have written for Naturalnews.com. Over the years I have written about many health related matters that did not necessarily make it to the blog. When time permits please click this hyperlink to the website. It will bring you to four pages that list my articles specifically. If you see something you like and you think it would make for a pretty good blog series let me know. In the meantime, read, discuss and share until your heart is content.

Peace, light and love....always.

Derrell

Medical Conspiracies - Are We the Crazy Ones Part III

2014-05-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Over the past 10 -15 years you may have noticed an increasing trend in branding people as conspiracy theorist simply because they were saying or asking something that had not been verified by some authoritative figure or entity. The term has become so demeaning and hurtful in nature that no one wants to be called one for fear of being seen as delusional or in need of mental evaluation. Other than outright censorship I can think of no better way to stifle ideas, discourse and critical thinking. Perhaps that is the point. What happens to a society when critical thinking or critical questioning is no longer allowed? We get media outlets, government agencies even some teachers and church officials that tell us what to think and how to think and dare us to question it. Meanwhile, we slip down the slippery slope of the type of apathy that leads to man’s inhumanity to man going unchecked and extreme environmental degradation.

In the days of Enron the company had a thought provoking slogan and philosophy. It was simple: Ask why. We all know what happened to Enron and the irony is not enough people asked ‘why’ they were able to show wildly increasing profits without having to prove those profits existed. Another irony is that the one Wall Street analyst, John Olson, was considered crazy (read conspiracy theorist, nut) for suggesting something was wrong with Enron and eventually had to “move on” for his views. Not long after that the roof fell in at Enron exonerating that nut Olson all together causing 20,000 people to be laid off and drying up almost every dime of their pension fund while top executives took home millions in pay outs (man’s inhumanity to man).

If you question 9/11 you’re a nut. If you think vaccines may lead to autism you’re a nut. If you didn't think there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq you were a nut. The problem doesn't lie in the position of the person thinking these things. The problem is the lack of substantive, thoughtful and civil discourse. There is so much vitriol and mean spirited talk and it is all to stop the thought process. Our thoughts, along with reason and a healthy emotional and spiritual disposition, are precious commodities that, when used, form the basis of a well-functioning society that is not prone to exploitation, subjugation and an apathetic spirit. Keep thinking. Keep asking questions no matter how absurd. Transparency leads to the naked truth and it is questions that takes its clothes off.

Medical Conspiracies - Are We the Crazy Ones? Part II

2014-04-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

The time I have spent in law enforcement has taught me that every investigation begins as a conspiracy. Sometimes the case you are working on is found to be factual and sometimes it is not but at all times you must investigate if given cause (such as a report of a crime or a direct observation). The old adage "where there's smoke, there's fire" is a constant guide and driving force for getting to the bottom of a matter and it has served me well over the years.

It is no different when so called “medical conspiracies” arise and usually where there is smoke there is certainly fire. There have been many very real medical conspiracies that have taken place over the years. They take on many shapes and sizes but they all have the same thing in common: they were unbelievable until the truth was revealed. We will explore a few so you (and I) can be sure that we are not the crazy ones, indeed.

The “Conspiracies”

The Nigerian DrugExperiment: In 1996 one of the largest US based drug manufacturers, Pfizer, had a dilemma. It was sitting on what they believed would be a super antibiotic that would (or should) work on even the most aggressive bacteria. The problem was they needed to do some human testing on this highly experimental drug. It just so happened that a terrible outbreak of meningitis was underway in a tiny Nigerian village called Kano. The Pfizer doctors set up a tent not far from an aid station that was giving proven treatments and began administering their experimental drug. Unwitting parents desperate to get help for their children began to line up at “the other” aid station not knowing the drug was experimental because none of the doctors told them it was. About 100 children were given the drug and of that number 11 died and many others suffered permanent side effects such as brain damage, loss of hearing and organ failure. An 11% death rate from your test drug can be considered significant. The name of the drug used was Trovan which has been banned for sale in the EU and pulled off the market in the US.

The Tuskegee Experiment: Covered in general in part I of this series the Tuskegee Experiment remains one of the most unbelievable stories of just how bad medical science can derail from the tracks of ethics. It is thought that this experiment is the single most damaging event that has caused a perpetual mistrust of the medical establishment in the eyes of the African-American community. In this experiment 600 African-American men were medically monitored to see how syphilis affected the men over time. The study was initiated in 1932 by the U.S. Public Health Service at the University of Tuskegee. There was ethical trouble right from the start because it was predetermined that the men “participating” in the study would not be treated for the disease. In fact, they were not told they had syphilis. The researchers simply told the men they were studying and being treated for “bad blood” which was understood by locals at the time as being just about any kind of illness or poor condition. To make matters worse only 301 men in that community had syphilis. 299 of the eventual 600 studied was intentionally infected with syphilis to carry out the study on a wider scale. The final ethical and moral indignity came during the 1940’s when it was determined that penicillin was a great treatment for syphilis. From the 1940’s to the end of the study in 1972 no treatment was given to any of the men many of whom died from the disease. The picture gets even dimmer when you consider the fact that these men unwittingly passed this disease on to their wives and lovers who also contracted the disease with some passing it on to their babies all under the supervision of US health officials. The only reason the experiment ended in 1972 was that it was leaked to the media. As for the men who lived and died unknowingly of this terrible disease they were given free burial insurance from the study’s inception which is as cold-hearted and vicious it seems.

Pharmaceutical PriceFixing and Altered Studies – GlaxoSmithKline: If you are a manufacturer and you have some of the most sought after products on the market then the sky’s-the-limit on profit margins but what if you want your profits to reach into outer space? The way to do it is by fixing the price and fixing it at exorbitant levels. Also, to insure your fixed price commands the payout expected you alter (lie) about the drug data submitted to the FDA to make your product seem nearly miraculous. Then you advertise that your drugs do things they are not designed to do to expand your market. That way no one asks why your product cost so much. But there can’t be companies out there like that especially when it comes to the medicines we supposedly need to support and maintain life, right? Unfortunately there is and its name is GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

In 2012 the company plead guilty to one of the largest medical fraud cases in US history and was ordered to pay $3 billion in fines. The charges stemmed from several different fraudulent practices. One of those practices was the marketing of Paxil, an anti-depressant, to people under the age of 18 even though it had only received approval for adult use. Also, they marketed Wellbutrin, a drug intended as an anti-depressant, for weight loss and treatment of sexual dysfunction which it had not been approved to do. Now you may be saying something like “it’s not surprising for a company to lie to get more money…there’s no real conspiracy in that”. We would be in marginal agreement except for the lengths GSK went through in order to get away with their practices. One particularly appalling example is that GSK would routinely give doctors illegal kickbacks in the form of vacations, pay additives per prescription and speaking honorariums for their duplicity in their fraudulent practices. Some of our trusted doctors helped GSK commit medical fraud against us with some going so far as to write papers in respected medical journals to give credence and credibility to their false claims.

The U.S. Army Gets a Pass– Consent to experiment on soldiers not needed: A case came before the US Supreme Court in 1985 involving Master Sergeant James Stanley who served in the US Army. His claim was that he was given, without his knowledge or consent, an experimental which is now known as LSD. Stanley complained of a change in his personality (for the worst), memory loss, hallucinations and incoherent thoughts as a result. The Supreme Court ruled that because he was a service man he did not have a right to claim injury and absolved the military of all past, present and future medical experiments with or without military personnel consent. Congress has attempted to redress this issue by creating a little known law called a “private law” which can provide relief from another law that is adverse to a person or corporation. What a minute. A law that can relieve you from another law? That’s very intriguing but I will digress for now. Another interesting point is that military medical experimentation was thoroughly addressed and condemned at the Nuremberg trials for Nazi party members and their crimes committed during World War II. Leading the charge to set up international condemnation and laws against it was the US. Ironic to say the least.

When these and countless other stories first came to light they and the people who reported them were dismissed as just another “conspiracy theory” or “conspiracy nut”. With the passage of time we forget that someone or a group of people was ceaselessly ridiculed until the truth gained enough traction to silence those who would want it kept from us. More thoughts on this in part III. For more accounts of medical conspiracies go to http://www.gvpt.umd.edu/lawonline/journals/spring%201999/law_online/Paper__Medicax.html.

Medical Conspiracies - Are We the Crazy Ones?

2014-04-07T14:32:00.001-07:00

I would like to start this article with a true story whose point will become clear a little later so please bear with me. In 1932 the U.S. Public Health Service began a clinical trial to track the natural progression of a disease known as syphilis. History records that a total of 600 men “participated” in the study. You will notice that the word participated is in quotes. That is because the men were not told they were participating in a syphilis experiment (more on this later). 301 of the men contracted syphilis before the study and the other 299 afterwards because they were intentionally infected. None of the men were told they had syphilis and treatment was withheld which was ultimately a death sentence for most. At the time of the trial there were no known cures but a few treatments were available. Left untreated syphilis can ultimately lead to senility, organ failure and death. Ironically, sadistically, and sadly, free burial insurance was given to all participants. The study lasted 40 years even after a new and successful form of treatment was discovered.

An article recently went out through the mainstream media (Rueters, Associated Press, etc) about medical conspiracies and how many Americans believe them. In a nutshell the premise is this: Medical conspiracies do not happen and if you believe in them you should have your head examined because you are a total whack job. I will admit the emphasis is mine but one cannot help but draw a similar line to this synopsis due to the tone of the articles. Some of them do graciously point out that most of the people are not completely crazy but just a little crazy. They also tend to be a "little" poor and a "little" uneducated and just to make sure the insults cover as many people as possible they are often minorities (please refer back to the introductory paragraph to possibly explain the last insulting point since it involved African American men exclusively).

There are two issues at hand and they are worth delving into. The first issue is the premise that medical conspiracies do not and have not existed. The second issue is that all conspiracy theorist are tin foil hat wearing goobers and if you happen to believe that it is possible for a group of people to take advantage of another group of people then you are a goober too. Each point will be addressed in detail for our edification and thoughtful analysis.

This article will be in three parts with this being part I. Parts II and III will follow shortly.

The Story of Cholesterol: A Supplemental on Supplementals

2014-03-18T16:27:00.003-07:00

In the last article (which was supposed to be the last article in this series) we covered the miraculous and beneficial effects of CoQ10 on heart health and energy. If you or a loved one ever had a heart attack CoQ10 supplementation is a must.

As far as supplements go the story is a bit more involved than just CoQ10 as wonderful as it is. There are a few other supplements that can greatly improve cardiovascular health and increase energy in the process. The news gets even better when you consider that, along with CoQ10, anyone can benefit from a boost of energy and vitality when the following supplements are added to a healthy lifestyle. Just as before in the previous article it is necessary to point out that nothing written here should be construed as medical advice and that any supplemental regimen should be discussed with your trusted (and open minded) healthcare professional. With that caveat established let's take a look at some of the other supplements that you may or may not be familiar with.

D Ribose

We are energetic beings and our bodies need plenty of energy. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is how our body gets things done energetically speaking. One of the main constituents of ATP is D-ribose. No D-ribose means there can be no way to produce ATP. Without ATP there can be no energy. D-ribose is generated by the body mostly on the as-needed basis and there is no way to store it. This is an important factor to consider because when tissues are under stress they cannot produce D-ribose and thus the body is robbed of energy. The combination of poor heart function leading to oxygen deprivation and the inability to produce energy can leave you feeling quite poor in deed.

A prominent German physiologist by the name of Heinz-Gerd Zimmer established a connection between heart function and D-ribose. He found that people who had hearts deprived of nutrients and oxygen sometimes due to blockages fared better when given D-ribose. Zimmer also found that the administration of D-ribose had restorative powers for energy and helped bring about normal diastolic heart function. In a 1992 clinical study D-ribose was also shown to have increased the ability to do exercise in patients that had severe coronary artery disease.

Magnesium

One of the main culprits of poor cardiovascular health is actually the inability to properly absorb calcium which is found in plentiful amounts in most western diets. When calcium is ill-absorbed it remains in the blood stream longer where it has a greater chance to interact with free radicals increasing the rate of calcification that often occurs in arteries and other blood vessels. At this point blockages are sure to happen given enough time. This is where magnesium comes in to help. Magnesium, along with vitamin D, helps to convert calcium into a more absorbable form before it calcifies keeping blood vessels clear. If that was not important, or impressive, enough magnesium is also great at keeping platelets from aggregating (sticking together) and forming blood clots while it also acts as a vascular dilator reducing blood pressure. It should be noted that people suffering from renal insufficiencies should not supplement with magnesium without medical guidance.

B Vitamin Complex (especially B5)

B vitamins in and of themselves provides the body with massive, sustained energy over a significant amount of time and that is simply awesome. For the sake of this article, however, we will cover vitamin B5 specifically in a slightly different light. Many people are unaware of the vital role B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) plays in limiting inflammation and oxidation of cholesterol. No less than 28 clinical studies have shown that vitamin B5 produced positive results regarding triglyceride levels and LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL levels. A literature review was conducted by Dr. Mark Houston and published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases helped establish pantothenic acid’s importance in cardiovascular health. The literature demonstrated after only four months of B5 supplementation total cholesterol was reduced by 15%, LDL cholesterol by 20% and triglycerides by 32.9% while increasing HDL by 8.4%. He also noted that studies of longer duration showed continued improvement in participants over the initial four month successes. Reduce inflammation and you reduce cholesterol…period!

We long to live lives enriched by the fragrance of energy and productivity radiating from every pore. Sometimes, however, devastating health conditions such a heart attack can rob us of that ability leaving one disturbed and down trodden. The beauty of nature and life is that even if we find ourselves in this lowered state of affairs we do not have to dwell there. An out is often provided if we look carefully and thoughtfully at our circumstances. There are, of course, many more supplements that could be considered but this is a healthy start (pun intended). Proper supplementation of the right nutrients can be the difference between slumming in the doldrums and soaring with the eagles after an adverse cardiovascular event. This article should serve as a great catalyst for conversation between you and your trusted healthcare provider.

Sources for this article include:

The Great Cholesterol Myth (Bowden and Sinatra)

The Story of Cholesterol: Energy, CoQ10 and Statins

2014-03-05T18:33:00.000-08:00

We have reached the point where the discussion turns to the practical side of things. Once the thinking is done we must put into practice what we have learned. Right off the top the need for a disclaimer is paramount: Nothing in this article should be construed as advice on dietary or supplemental modalities. You should consult your physician or a trusted health care provider for your specific needs. In the interest of stimulating a great conversation between you and your health care provider the words that follow should be your guide.

The miracle of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

One of the main issues surrounding statin drugs is how it inhibits the production of a key enzyme known as CoQ10. Devastating adverse health effects have been associated with CoQ10 deficiencies and has been recognized by some parts of the medical community in the U.S. and more widely in Europe and the Far East. Many people are familiar with the term “CoQ10” but do not have a firm grasp of what it is and how vital it is to our hearts so let’s discuss it.

CoQ10 is a powerful vitamin-like substance produced by virtually every cell in the body. It has many functions that prove to be vitally important to the body. One of those functions is converting our food into fuel for our cells to use. When we eat good, wholesome foods and CoQ10 is present in the cells in adequate supplies our energy levels rise. The science of the process in which CoQ10 does its work is actually intriguing but we will skip the detailed lesson and just say without it we would have a hard time getting much of anything done. Because the heart is such a dense muscle that is always active it is one of the top CoQ10 producers in the body and rightfully so. Beating on average 2.5 billion times during a person’s life the heart requires a wealth of energy. Statins interfere with the production of some enzymes including CoQ10 robbing the heart of significant amounts of energy. To add insult to injury as we age we tend to produce less and less of this powerful enzyme naturally setting us up for exponential energy lose and poor cardiovascular production.

Another function of this miracle enzyme is blood pressure modification. It has proven itself to be an awesome way to reduce blood pressure without harmful side effects. A meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted in 2007 by F.L. Rosenfeldt et al (Coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of hypertension…) found overwhelming, across the board evidence that significant reductions in blood pressure took place among test subjects taking the supplement when compared to the control group (who did not take CoQ10 at all). Since 1974 doctors in Japan have prescribed CoQ10 to patients who experience congenital heart failure. Further studies in the U.S. showed a marked increase of heart function and vitality in people suffering from severe (class III and class IV) cardiomyopathy. These were people who were given just a year or two to live because they were that sick until CoQ10 supplementation began.

In addition, CoQ10 is a wonderful antioxidant. Oxidative stress, especially as it relates to LDL cholesterol, is a major cardiovascular concern. Remember that cholesterol in and of itself is not the boogey man but oxidized pattern B LDL cholesterol is. Coenzyme Q10 steps in and helps to prevent oxidation of patter B LDL helping to stop the type of cardiovascular stress that plague so many people. A healthy non-inflammation inducing eating plan along with CoQ10 supplementation can make all the difference in having excellent heart health especially if the person is experiencing poor cardiovascular health at the moment.

Where to find it

Typically CoQ10 tends to be found most prevalently in the organ meat of animals such as the kidneys, liver and heart. This is the most natural way to get it from outside your own body. The problem is enzymes tend to breakdown very readily when exposed to high heat even for short periods of time. The alternative to consuming organ meat (especially if you are vegetarian) has to be in the form of a supplement.

CoQ10 supplements are out there but it is imperative you can trust the source. There is no need to consume anything that is of low quality in the hopes that it will be beneficial. High quality CoQ10 that is readily bioavailable is a must. Seek advice from a knowledgeable source when determining what you might like to use.

In Conclusion

There is a distinct correlation between CoQ10 deficiency and poor, sometimes fatal, heart function. So much so that the evidence of years of studies should be splattered across the headlines daily warning us about the deficiency and how to overcome it through supplementation. Medically speaking it is a very cheap and efficient way to reduce mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular issues especially in comparison to drugs and surgery that both carry ill side effects while draining personal and institutional coffers worldwide.

Originally this was supposed to be the last article in the series but there are other nutrients that should be discussed that would be of great benefit to cardiovascular health. With that thought in mind one or two additional articles may be necessary for the sake of thoroughness.

Sources: The Great Cholesterol Myth (Bowden and Sinatra)

The Story of Cholesterol: The Next Generation (Our Children)

2014-02-24T17:53:00.001-08:00

The pharmaceutical industry has its eye on what could be one of the most lucrative demographics that can be tapped into: our children. With obesity rates among young people on a steady rise it was only a matter time before higher cholesterol rates were observed with an eagerness to address it with statin drugs.

Other than the elderly our children are the most vulnerable of us all. That is why special care must be undertaken to ensure a healthy and prosperous start to life. Could statin drug use in our children be the start they need?

The Effects

No one knows for sure the long term effects of statin drugs on children. The reason for this is that no long term studies have been conducted to show efficacy (benefit or harm). What is known is how it affects adults in a relatively short span of time and most often the news is not good.

Also we must consider the fact that statins lower cholesterol by inhibiting the production of hormones especially sex hormones (e.g. testosterone and estrogen). In children this could be potentially devastating altering how their bodies develop forever by interfering with puberty and proper growth. It is known that statin drugs communicate with the pituitary gland blocking or discontinuing certain hormonal functions stunting biological processes.

Children, eating habits, and exercise

According to the Centers for Disease Control childhood obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In 2010 it was estimated that nearly 1/3 of all children were overweight or obese. With these statistics there are some doctors and pharmaceutical reps chomping at the bit to get statins into the mouths of children but it doesn't have to be so.

Children tend to eat the way their parents eat. In fact, it is highly likely that if the parents are sedentary, fast food junkies so to will the children likely be. It is estimated that 1/3 of all adults in the U.S. are obese so the estimate for children makes sense. After all the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We live in a world where we seek the path of least resistance which means we sometimes take short cuts with our health and the health of our children by doing the least possible by way of exercise and activity. We should encourage children to be more active by word and by deed. Children must be told and shown how and why to be active because their very lives depend on it. The same goes for eating habits. A healthy meal plan for the entire family is a great way to get kids involved in healthful and nourishing eating habits that will last their lifetimes.

Medications have their place but long term habitual use in our children will only lead to devastating consequences during or before early adulthood. After all, when you really get down to it, do we really expect an 11 year old child to take statins for 40-60 years without consequences when we know what it does to fully grown adults? Can you imagine the potential profit base for pharmaceutical companies over the same period of time? The average annual per patient cost for a statin is $800 X 60 (years) X 14,000,000 (number of children between the age of 6 and 17 years old that are considered obese or overweight as of 2012) = $672 billion (yes, billion with a B). This number does not take into account the portion of money covered by insurance which is covered by those who pay premiums. It also does not take into account the money that will be spent on other health issues as a result of statin drug use. What is very sad is that the figure above may be overstated because the assumption is a child of 11 would survive until their 70th birthday while taking a statin drug which is unlikely.

More fruits and vegetables, less processed and fast food and a little more movement will allow our children to grow healthy and strong while allowing parents and premium payers alike to keep our money and sanity.

Multivitamin Use Absurd and Dangerous? I Think Not Part II

2014-02-17T14:49:00.002-08:00

Another major flaw in the studies cited is what really gives me the greatest concern. With the exception of the chelation study the participants were allowed to use any type of multivitamin they wanted. It mattered not to the researchers if those participating in the studies used natural or synthetic vitamins. The quality of the vitamin nor amount consumed did not matter much either. Participants were not guided on vitamin intake except for the request that the upper limits of vitamin consumption as described by the US Food and Nutrition Board were not exceeded. Even the chelation study failed to control for the quality of the supplements used by the researchers.

A word about "natural" vs. synthetic" vitamins

Since the participants could walk into any store or go online and purchase whatever they wanted there was surely a hodgepodge of vitamins and minerals used. Most people succumb to mainstream advertisements as a major source of supplement information and end up purchasing cheap, synthetic versions of the vitamin they want. The old adage "you get what you pay for" rings very true in this case. Most synthetic vitamins are not bio-available (a fancy word that means your body cannot absorb it) while others are ill absorbed and therefore are just plain trash. How is it possible to receive a meaning outcome in a study where you can shout to the world that multivitamins are useless if you fail to control for (or consider in the case of a meta-analysis) what the participants use? Furthermore, an upper limit of how much to take was established but not a lower limit. What if several of the participants decided to take half doses or less? What reasonable conclusions could one make of a study or analysis that does not account for this?

It is estimated that a fair majority of all vitamins and minerals on the market today are synthetic with some estimates going as high as 90%! With marketers of all stripes and colors jockeying for our supplemental dollars the truth about the efficacy of their products gets more and more fuzzy. Labels like "all natural" or "food source" can be highly legalistic in definition and therefore deceiving. In order to make sure you are consuming natural vitamins that are high in quality you have to know and trust the manufacturer which can be difficult for sure. Until trust in a product is sure I can give you this one tidbit to take with you on you next supplement shopping trip. Be sure to read the labels and know that any vitamin that begins with "dl" is a synthetic. For example, one of the most widely consumed vitamins in the U.S. is dl-alpha-tocopherol which is a cheap and synthetic form of vitamin E. Notice the "dl" at the head of the name. Also, some manufacturers mix the natural version of a vitamin with the synthetic version. This is how some supplements can be labeled "natural" while containing synthetic product so make sure to read the ingredients if a natural vitamin is what you are looking for.

A holistic approach to health often overlooked

Sadly, many people would like to pigeon hole our health into tidy little compartments mostly to our detriment. Some mean well enough while others are more intentional. Either way we are left in a terrible mess when we or researchers fail to consider the big picture to our health. The interesting point to make here is that multivitamin and mineral use is only one part of the kaleidoscope that makes for great health. If you want to prevent or reverse cardiovascular issues several things must be done. Limiting oxidative stress and inflammation in conjunction with a healthy eating plan, exercise and mental stress mitigation are all keys to better cardiovascular health. I find it extremely disingenuous to conduct any such study of vitamin and mineral use without considering these additional avenues of approach. No one should believe that just taking a multivitamin is going to be helpful while remaining sedentary, over stressed and filled to the gills with fast food especially if the vitamin is synthetic and crappy! But that is just what the researchers want us to believe and what's sad is some of us will.

Multivitamin Use Absurd and Dangerous? I Think Not Part I

2014-02-09T17:34:00.000-08:00

Do you remember Christmas as a child with that jolly red nosed Santa who most kids idolized in every sense of the word? Or maybe for you it was the tooth fairy, the great pumpkin or even Peter Cottontail. Any or all of these myths seemed to be real to us and for some the realization that they don't exist was quite the shock. Banished to the realm of make believe our childhood idols went and now some would have us believe another one of our cherished beliefs (that is actually a fact) should be relegated to the same place we put St. Nick and the others.

Recently several studies were analyzed that purport to firmly establish the "fact" that multivitamin supplementation is at best useless and at worst detrimental to your health to the point of causing harm. Harm from vitamins? Let us explore the article and the studies it cites in an effort to keep vitamin supplementation out of the realm of make believe.

The Researchers

Eliseo Guallar and his colleagues recently analyzed three studies and came to a shocking conclusion. They have stated, unequivocally, that multivitamin supplementation has no clear benefit and could prove harmful to your health. The group of researchers went on to say that multivitamins should not be used in the prevention of chronic disease and that "enough is enough" when it comes to the silly people who erroneously use these vitamins (emphasis mine). After you get past the initial shock that vitamin supplementation is harmful or useless and wrestle with the condescending tone of the abstract written by the researchers you are left to ponder things that you have held to be true: that vitamins are good for you. Should vitamins head off to the island of misfit beliefs with the rest of our childhood idols? Intuitively you know the answer but let us spell a few things out for the sake of clarity and sound reasoning.

The conclusion of these researchers has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and is chock full of assumptions. One of these assumptions provided by Guallar et al is that the average western style diet provides adequate nourishment to the masses to the point that vitamin and mineral supplementation is unnecessary. Surely, there are a percentage of westerners who eat pretty healthy by consuming clean, pure water and either natural or organic foods while limiting processed foods but this does not pertain to the vast majority especially in America. In addition, due to soil depletion and over-farming mineral and vitamin levels in fruits, vegetables and grains have been on a decline for decades.

Aside from the assumption let us to take a look at what really lies at the heart of the matter for the people who take great interest in their health. An analysis of the three studies is appropriate and fundamental so we can understand what the researchers saw and what the newspapers, online publishers and television programs failed to report.

The Studies

Three studies were cited by the researchers and here is where we really have to pay attention which is unfortunate. It is unfortunate because there is a sense among most people in the general public that studies are impartial, truthful and therefore should be taken as gospel. Since the word gospel literally means "good news" some of these studies should be taken as the anti-gospel. Let us review

Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer Study

The first study mentioned in the article is the "Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer". I know it's a mouthful but bear with me. Researchers in this study wanted to establish whether cardiovascular issues and cancer was actually preventable through supplementation. It appears to be a noble endeavor on the surface even with flawed results (an explanation on why it is not noble will present itself a little later). It was acknowledged that the results of this study did not pertain to individuals with nutrient deficiencies or others that would be considered high risk. The article cited above would have you believe the results of this trial pertained to everyone. When you consider that most people are nutrient deficient the article becomes just plain misleading.

At one point in the analysis of the trial the researchers had to admit that the study was actually set up to measure results in a drug trial not a nutrient trial which may skew the data. In addition, it was noted that the difference between examining optimal levels of a nutrient intake and "normal" levels may have established a different result. In other words studying minimum nutrient supplementation may not be in the best interest of the general public. Then the question becomes "Why do the study in this way if the results do not apply to most people"? Great question!

Cognitive Function in Men

This study was a misnomer from the very start. Called "Long Term Multivitamin Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Men: A Randomized Trial" it looked at a very particular group of men: doctors. The importance of this will become clear in a moment. The intent of this study was to assess cognitive function in men and whether multivitamin supplementation would improve it. The conclusion was that multivitamin supplementation does not improve cognitive function or prevent dementia.

There are three interesting points to consider regarding this study. The first is that physicians were studied and this poses a problem. It has been long established that people who pursue academics have a lowered risk of developing dementia. Secondly, most older physicians generally eat very healthy and are able to afford the best, most nutritious foods. Proper nourishment combined with a high level of education diminishes the likelihood of developing dementia which is a great thing but it makes you wonder why this study was used to attack multivitamin use. There was not much of any chance to see any improvements from multivitamin use because of the group of men that were studied. The third, and perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this study was the fact that actual dementia or any cognitive dysfunction was never tested for. None of the participants were assessed for any level of dementia either before, during or after. How do you purport that something does not work (multivitamins) if you never test for the dysfunction you are looking to improve (cognition)?

Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy

This study set out to assess whether or not high doses of vitamins and minerals help prevent a another occurrence of a second myocardial infarction (heart attack). Two things of import to note for this one.

The first is that the people studied had a high incidence non-adherence. This is a fancy way of saying more than enough people failed to do what was requested of them ultimately affecting the data collected. In addition, the participant dropout rate was also high. It becomes a difficult task to honestly document and extract accurate information to convey to the public when so many people involved in the study fail to comply with the instructions or complete the program. It puzzles me that Eliseo Guallar and his colleagues used this study or any of the previously mentioned ones to attack vitamins and minerals.