WELCOME to drrandy.org, where you can find information about the
Holistic Medical Practice of Randy S. Baker MD and our center, the Pacific
Center for Integral Health in Soquel, CA, as well as quality information on
Holistic Medicine and integrating Complementary and Alternative
Medicine therapies with the best cutting-edge knowledge from
conventional Western Medicine...
Go to "Healing Philosophy " to get an overview of my approach to
understanding and treating all health imbalances by identifying and
removing the underlying causes of disease, providing optimal nutrition,
and using energetic modalities such as homeopathy...
Go to "About Us" to learn about the Pacifc Center for Integral Health and the practitioners that work here. Please read our "Frequently Asked Questions" section
on this page to learn more about us (and to learn about drrandy's musical mixes).
Go to "RECENT ARTICLES", "ARTICLES 2003", and "PAST ARTICLES"
to read clear and concise articles on a wide variety of topics such as
Diet, Detoxification, Mercury Toxicity, Food Allergies, Homeopathy,
Prevention of Heart Disease and Prevention of Cancer...
Our Contact Page tells you how to reach our center by phone and allows you to email me with questions/comments
and feedback about this website.
Our LINKS section contains useful links to many other sites providing excellent information on health, as well as a link to some cool videos...
By the way, this site has been put together by Dr. Baker, who knows very little about how to make a
website, so please excuse the somwhat amateurish nature, occasional mispellings, sudden changes in
text size, and blank spaces that I don't know how to eliminate. I am much better at helping people to heal
than I am at building websites... WHAT'S NEW:
PLEASE CLICK ON "ABOUT US" FOR EXCITING NEWS ABOUT OUR NEWEST PRACTITIONER! ALSO HERE IS MY UPDATE ON AERIAL SPRAYING AND MY ANNUAL COLUMN ON SPRING DETOXIFICATION:
THANK-YOU READERS OF THE SANTA CRUZ METRO FOR VOTING RANDY S BAKER MD
"BEST HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER" IN THE 2006 & 2007 & 2008 GOLDIES! This year I received two Santa Cruz Metro Goldie awards (for those who are out of town, this is a local weekly news and entertainment publication that has readers vote annually for the "Best Of" ranging from best pizza to best auto mechanic), again winning the Gold award for "Best Holistic Healer” and also winning the Silver award for “Best Medical Doctor.” I am deeply honored to be so acknowledged, especially knowing that our area is blessed with so many superb health practitioners.
I thank everyone who voted for me. However, receiving these awards leads me to muse on the question
of whether it is possible for anyone to know who the best doctor/healer in our area is. I have no way of knowing
if I am the best (or second best) doctor/healer in our county. My best guess is that I am the best for some of those who find their way to me, and that there are other practitioners more suited to the needs of others. It is impossible for anyone to be all things to all people. While I have many skills and talents, I am not a bodyworker, and that is one of the best ways to help some people. And if a patient needs surgery, trust me, you would not want me to be your surgeon. Even in the things I do fairly well, like homeopathy, I will be great for the people whose remedy I am able to find, and not so good for those whose remedy I am not able to find. But part of my job is to recognize when one of my patients may be well-served by seeing another practitioner, and referring them to that practitioner.
When people vote for me in these awards, I think what they are acknowledging is the time and energy I take getting to know each individual as a whole person and educating them about the causes of their problems and how they can actively participate in their healing. I think people also appreciate the breadth of my knowledge and how I recognize that there are many ways to help someone to heal. I believe that people also sense that I truly care about them and give my very best effort in helping them.
If this was an awards ceremony, I would thank my excellent associate practitioners, Cynthia Quattro PA, DAOM and Shahnaz Otanian PA, our great nurse Julia Johnson RN and my wonderful staff, Jeanne, Marlene, Mindy and Nancy, as well as my sweet family for their love and support. And I would dedicate these awards to all the other superb healers in Santa Cruz county who also deserve acknowledgement...
IMPROVING HEALTH, PREVENTING ILLNESS AND DISCOVERING HIDDEN FOOD ALLERGIES BY DETOXIFYING
Spring is here and that means (among other things) it's time for my annual column on detoxification. Detoxification is an essential
component of virtually every traditional system of healing, yet is conspicuously absent from mainstream western medicine. Much of the
work I do as a healer involves helping my patients clear toxins out of their systems. Periodic detoxification is crucial to both achieving
and maintaining optimal health.
I advise every adult to do a detoxification program at least once a year. According to Chinese medicine, spring is the optimal
season to detoxify. Thus, every year during late April and the month of May I do a cleanse for 2-3 weeks and I encourage you to join
me. Most people feel more clear and energetic after a cleanse, lose several pounds and experience improvement in symptoms such as
headaches, allergies, muscle and joint pains, and abdominal distress. After a cleanse I become more aware of how my diet affects me
and tend to eat a healthier diet for many months.
We all need to detoxify because our world is becoming increasingly toxic. The U.S. produces over 6 billion pounds of
pollutants every year, more than 20 pounds for every man, woman and child. Every person on earth has numerous toxins including mercury,
lead, pesticides, herbicides, PCB's, dioxins, bisphenyl A, phthalates and fire retardants - even newborn babies who are exposed in utero.
While doing our best to minimize toxic exposures on a daily basis is invaluable, it is impossible to avoid them totally. For example, lead
is released into the environment thru the burning of coal. When it rains the soil accumulates residues of lead and other airborne toxins.
Thus, even organic produce can have significant levels of lead. Environmental toxins contribute to or cause numerous diseases
including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases and autism.
Another advantage of doing a detoxification diet is it's a great way to discover if one is allergic to certain foods. Every
doctor recognizes that some people are allergic to foods, but mainstream medicine primarily recognizes the immediate reactions
precipitated by foods such as peanuts and shellfish, which are mediated by a type of antibody called IgE. However, far more common
are delayed reactions mediated by IgG antibodies. Such reactions can include headaches, muscle and joint pains, abdominal distress,
fatigue, anxiety and depression. They most often are caused by foods such as dairy, eggs, wheat and soy, food that many of us eat virtually
every day. Because these reactions occur hours after eating the foods, it tends to be very difficult to associate eating those foods
with the symptoms that follow.
When we eat a food we are allergic to, we tend to feel stimulated initially, like a sugar or caffeine buzz, then over time feel
progressively worse. We often then crave the food we are allergic to because they help us feel better temporarily, like a smoker craving
their next cigarette, and thus become addicted to the foods we are allergic to. A detox diet involves avoiding the foods we are most
likely to be allergic to for at least a week, breaking this pattern and allowing us to determine if that food is a problem for us.
The heart of a detox program is very simple- eating only organic fruits, vegetables, gluten-free grains and certain nuts and seeds for
a length of time while supporting the organs of detoxification. A cleansing diet avoids foods that tend to be toxic as well as foods
that are difficult to digest or are commonly allergenic. The most common allergens are dairy, eggs, wheat and other glutenous grains
(such as rye, oats and barley), soy, corn, peanuts and almonds. Those with arthritis should also avoid citrus and nightshades (tomatoes,
potatoes, eggplant, and peppers). One should generally avoid foods of animal origin, with the possible exception of organic chicken and
turkey, wild salmon, sardines, and purified fish oil. Thus, a cleansing diet is primarily organic fruits and vegetables and
non-glutenous grains (rice, millet, quinoa and amaranth), as well as beans (though I advise avoiding kidney beans as they are a relatively
common allergen), seeds, and olive, flax, hempseed, sunflower and coconut oils. Many foods can be eaten raw. Steaming is a great and
simple method to prepare vegetables. Once started on this, you will find it really is not that big a deal to maintain for awhile. I know many
people who follow a similar diet most of the time. Even after adding the foods one has been avoiding back, one might maintain a healthy
diet of predominantly organic vegetables and fruits for a long time (after a cleanse I often will indulge a bit in heavier foods on the weekends
and go back to a modified cleansing-type diet during weekdays).
After starting on this diet, one may go even deeper by having only raw fruits and vegetables for a few days (or longer), then progress
(if desired) to a juice fast.for a day (or a few days). However, if avoiding protein foods for more than a couple of days it is wise to take about
30 grams of protein as a rice or hempseed protein powder. Our body needs this much protein each day, and if we don't get it from our diet
our muscles start to break down. Perhaps the best source of protein on a cleanse is organic undenatured whey protein from grass-fed cows,
as it is the best way to raise our levels of glutathione, a crucial antioxidant. However, for the purpose of testing if one is allergic to dairy, I
advise not using whey for about a week before adding it in. Even if one does not react to undenatured whey, they may react to other dairy
products, which contain casein (one may also find they react to pasteurized dairy and not raw dairy).
After doing the raw food or juice fast section of the cleanse, one can start to add some cooked foods back, then start to add back foods
like corn, wheat and soy back one at a time. Just as many people sensitive to pasteurized dairy may tolerate undenatured whey, many who
sensitive to soy protein do okay with soy sauce, so one may add organic wheat-free tamari back relatively early in the cleanse if desired,
challenging with soy protein such as tofu or tempeh later in the cleanse.
Vitamins, minerals, superfoods like chlorella wheatgrass and herbs are also helpful in supporting detoxification. Herbs such as
milk thistle, dandelion root, yellow dock, red clover, cleavers, licorice and echinacea support detox. I like products like ProGreens, a
powder containing greens like wheatgrass and chlorella, a min of herbs and probiotics, made by Allergy Research Group.
Homeopathic "drainage formulas" can also help us to detoxify. While I specialize in classical homeopathy, I like the Pekana Detoxification
and Drainage program, which has 3 combination remedies as tinctures that support the liver, kidneys and lymphatics.
Intestinal cleansing is an essential part of a detox program. As we cleanse, heavy metals and other fat-soluble toxins are excreted by
our livers into our bile, which is then excreted into the intestines. Without help, many of these toxins are reabsorbed into our bodies.
Chlorella, modified citrus pectin and certain algae extracts bind the toxins in the bile to prevent them from being reabsorbed as they pass
through our GI tract. Many people have unfriendly yeast, bacteria and parasites that flood our bodies with toxins. Fiber, laxative fruits and
herbs such as triphala, prunes, aloe and cascara sagrada can help ensure at least 2 bowel movements a day during a cleanse. Good
sources of fiber include ground flax seeds and psyllium. Unfortunately, most psyllium products contain pesticide residues but an organic
psyllium is now available at my office, some local health food stores and online, distributed by Organic India (www.organicindia.com).
Enemas and colonics can also be beneficial. Probiotics help rebalance intestinal flora.
One can help the kidneys detoxify by drinking plenty of pure water (filtered, spring or distilled). An interesting product called
Cellfood (www.cellfood.com) can be added to water to make it even more supportive of detox, by increasing the oxygen
content of water (by catalyzing a chemical reaction that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen ions which are powerful antioxidants),
adding trace minerals and balancing pH. Toxins are also excreted by the skin and through our lymphatic channels. Massage (especially
lymphatic massage), dry skin brushing, moderate exercise, hot baths and saunas facilitate this process. Jumping on a rebounder supports
lymphatic circulation. Natural Cellular Defense (www.mywaiora.com/746741) , a product containing zeolite, a volcanic mineral that helps
detox heavy metals, can also be a useful tool when cleansing.
It is important to get plenty of rest during a cleanse. Other useful adjuncts include acupuncture and classical homeopathy.
Our emotions also effect detoxification. Emotions such as anger, resentment and fear can impair our ability to detoxify. Many
people turn to comfort foods as a reaction to stress. During a cleanse we avoid our comfort foods, so it is especially important to
find other ways to reduce stress. Taking time to rest, meditate, contemplate and deal with unresolved emotions is an important aspect
of properly detoxifying.
Ending a cleanse properly is crucial. It is wise to reintroduce the foods we have avoided individually and gradually, as experiencing
adverse symptoms within several hours of reintroducing a food is a sign of being sensitive to it.
Doing a cleanse is seldom easy. It is challenging to give up the foods we are accustomed to eating regularly, including addictive foods
like sugar, dairy and wheat. We may experience strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms and must find other ways of dealing with stress
besides eating comfort foods. We inevitably re-examine our relationship to food and have the opportunity to clear negative
emotions as well as physical toxins. However, the first days are the hardest days and once we have gotten started we feel better and
better.
As I write this today (4/24/08) I have been on my cleanse for 5 days and feel great. I started by cutting out fried foods and sweets, then
ate soley organic foods, then cut out organic animal foods (chicken and wild seafood), then cutout dairy, eggs, gluten, corn and soy, so I am
now basically eating delicious salads (with lettuce, tomatoes,carrots, onions, avocadoes (which add body and texture and are very nutritious),
sprouts (sunflower sprouts, sprouted beans, MicroGreens), red cabbage, sunchokes (crisp and crunchy, supportive of intestinal flora), sugar snap
peas, sesame and poppy seeds, and raisins) with balsalmic vinegar and flax oil dressing, along with steamed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli etc.)
and some sweet potatoes, as well as some rice, quinoa and rice crackers, vegetable soups and some fruit like goji berries, apples, tangerines
and local organic strawberries. While it took a bit of effort to get to this stage, I'm feeling wonderful and hope to maintain this cleanse for a few more
weeks.
When cleansing some people feel worse at first. As mentioned, this is most often due to withdrawal from allergenic foods. If one is feeling
worse after the first 3 or 4 days they are likely not providing enough support to their organs of detoxification. It is best to detoxify under the
supervision of a qualified health professional.
Three great articles on doing a cleanse by my friend and colleague Elson Haas MD can be found at
http://www.healthy.net/scr/MainLinks.asp?Id=34
An interesting site on detoxification by swishing cold-pressed sunflower oil in one's mouth is www.oilpulling.com
Some fine articles on the prevalence of environmental toxicity and how we can reduce ourindividual footprints on the environment can be found
at www.odemagazine.com/backIssue.php?oID=208
Good luck and blessings to all of you who do a cleanse!
Lyme Disease Update
by Randy S. Baker, MD
Lyme Disease is sometimes called the Hidden Epidemic and the Great Imitator. Until a few years ago
I believed it was uncommon in our area. Two patients with chronic fatigue and joint pains insisted I
test them for Lyme. When both tested positive, I began to realize Lyme was far from uncommon in
our area. Since then, my associate, Cynthia Quattro PA, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine,
and I have diagnosed and treated many patients with Lyme Disease. Most of these
people were previously diagnosed with conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia,
Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis and had not suspected the underlying cause was Lyme Disease. This
column updates my previous column on Lyme.
Lyme Disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria transmitted by the deer tick. A
recent study found that 17.8% of deer ticks in Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos carry this bacteria.
Some researchers feel that Lyme can also be transmitted by mosquitoes, fleas, spiders and mites, but
this is not widely accepted. There is also good evidence that Lyme may be sexually transmitted,
passed to babies in utero, and passed via blood transfusions. No one knows how many Americans
are infected, but estimates range from 2 million to more than 20 million.
Acute Lyme Disease is characterized by a classic rash with a bullseye pattern surrounding
the site of a tick bit. However, less than half of patients with Lyme develop this rash, and about one
half of patients with confirmed Lyme do not recall a tick bite (The ticks most likely to transmit Lyme
are the nymphs, which are about the size of a poppyseed. Someone could be bitten by such a tick and
it could then move on without one realizing they had been bitten). Other acute symptoms include
fever and a flu-like illness.
After this, Lyme Disease progresses to a chronic phase. Characteristic symptoms include
fatigue, migratory joint pains and swelling (especially the large joints), muscle aches,
temporomandibular joint pain, jawbone and tooth infections, heart arrhythmias and insomnia. Lyme
also can cause a wide variety of neurological symptoms, including Bell’s Palsy, poor memory and
concentration, fluctuating vision, tingling and numbness. Brain MRIs of Lyme patients can be
indistinguishable from the MRI appearance of Multiple Sclerosis. A respected colleague, Dietrich
Klinghardt, MD, Ph.D., has found that about half of patients diagnosed with MS actually have Lyme
Disease. Some patients diagnosed with ALS have been found to have Lyme.
Both the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease are very controversial. The test that
most doctors rely on to screen for Lyme, the ELISA, is positive in less than half of patients with
Lyme. Thus, many patients who suffer from Lyme are told they don’t have it on the basis of this
inaccurate test. A much more sensitive test is the Western Blot but some patients with Lyme may
have negative tests. Experts differ in opinions as to how to interpret test results and what
constitutes a positive test. Some labs are much more accurate and reliable than others. IGeneX Lab
in Palo Alto (http://www.igenex.com/) is one of the best labs for Lyme testing.
If one is fortunate enough to be diagnosed and treated within a few weeks of being
exposed to the Lyme bacteria, it will usually respond to three-four weeks of doxycycline, an
antibiotic. However, most cases of Lyme are not diagnosed until years after exposure. The standard
treatment recommendation is antibiotics for four weeks, but many Lyme specialists feel that
antibiotics for at least six months, and sometimes even for years, are necessary. Often these are
powerful antibiotics that must be given by intravenous or intramuscular injection and which cause
significant side effects. Of greater concern, many patients are not cured despite this intensive
treatment. This is related to the many mechanisms borrelia bacteria use to resist and elude
antibiotics. The borrelia bacteria has a more genes than any known bacteria, which helps make it
very adaptable, easily developing resistance to antibiotics. Borrelia can also morph into what is
known as an L-form, which does not have a cell wall and lives inside our body’s cells, including white
blood cells. Many antibiotics work by attacking the cell wall, but these antibiotics are ineffective
against the L form. Also, it is not easy for antibiotics to enter inside our cells in signicicant
concentrations. Borrelia can also morph into an inactive cyst stage which is resistant to virtualy all
antibiotics, but once someone stops taking antibiotics the inactive cysts will change back into the
active form.
Lyme Disease is best treated with a holistic approach. Usually Lyme patients have multiple
stresses on the immune system. It is crucial to address Lyme within this context. In my
experience,the sicker the patient is, the greater the number of other stressors will be found.
My first step is to identify and treat these other immune stressors, such as tick-transmitted
coinfections such as Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Bartonella, intestinal imbalances such as parasites,
yeast and bacterial dysbiosis, and chronic bacterial, viral and fungal infections (such as dental
infections and sinusitis). Many Lyme patients also have toxicity from mercury and other heavy
metals (it is thought that Lyme infection interferes with the body’s ability to excrete heavy metals).
Immune suppression is common in Lyme patients. Renowned Lyme specialist Dr. Raphael
Stricker has found that most Lyme patients have low activity of CD 57 cells, a subset of Natural Killer
Cells. Immune function can be boosted via proper nutrition, herbs and supplements such as transfer
factor and medicinal mushrooms. Intravenous vitamins, acupuncture, homeopathy and mind-body
techniques can also boost immunity.
Many practitioners (including myself) have found herbs to be as effective (and often more
effective) as antibiotics in treating Lyme. Cat’s Claw, andrographis, Hu Zhang and sarsaparilla are
among the most effective. Other herbs, such as artemesia and cryptolepsis treat coinfectons like
babesiosis.
Bee venom therapy is another powerful weapon against Lyme. Bee venom contains
mellitin, a chemical that inhibits the growth of the Lyme bacteria at a concentration lower than any
known drug. Bee venom is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent which can ameliorate painful
joints and muscles common in Lyme patients. I have had Lyme patients experience tremendous
long-lasting relief after as little as two injections.
Homeopathy can be another powerful therapy for Lyme. Patients who took antibiotics for
years with only limited improvement have had their symptoms totally resolve by using classical
homeopathy.
Another fascinating alternative treatment is Rife machines, which use electromagnetic
energy to treat microbes (info on a book on the use of Rife Machines for treating Lyme can be found
at http://www.lymebook.com/lyme-disease-rife-machines-bryan-rosner).
Some of my patients have greatly benefited by using these devices.
Many of the symptoms caused by Lyme are due to fat-soluble neurotoxins produced by
the borrelia bacteria. When treatment kills these bacteria even more toxins are released, creating a
Jacob-Herxheimer or “die-off” reaction causing symptoms to worsen. An essential component of
Lyme treatment is clearing these toxins from the body. Supporting the liver and other organs of
detoxification with herbs, homeopathics, acupuncture and nutrients can ameliorate these symptoms,
as can far-infrared saunas. David Jernigan, a chiropractor and author of Beating Lyme Disease, has
developed some of my favorite herbal products for clearing neurotoxins. His website is
www.jnutra.com
One of the newer alternative approaches to Lyme is the Marshall Protocol, based on the
theory that Lyme is one of many chronic infections that cause disruption of Vitamin D metabolism.
Treatment involves avoiding sunlight and a wide variety of foods and supplements that raise vitamin
D levels while taking Benicar, a drug that blocks Vitamin D receptors, and minocycline, an antibiotic.
My feeling is that there is a subset of Lyme patients who will benefit from this complex protocol, but
that ii is not applicable to all Lyme patients. 2 of my most severely ill Lymenpatients who had had
limited improvement with other treatments seem to be doing well on the Marshall protocol. Detailed
information on the Marhall protocol can be found at http://www.marshallprotocol.com/
Having Lyme Disease can be very stressful. Stress reduction, psychosocial support and
mind-body therapies (including homeopathy) are also an important part of a holistic approach to
treatment.
There is a huge amount of information on Lyme disease available in books and on the
internet. A good palce to start is with my favorite article on Lyme, by Dietrich Klinghardt MD,Ph.D.,
Lyme Disease: A Look Beyond Antibiotics. One can find it by going to http://
www.neuraltherapy.com/articlesProtocols.asp and clicking on the appropriate link. There are some
other great articles there as well.
Another valuable resource is www.ilads.org (this is the International Lyme and Associated
Diseases Society). www.dr-zhang.com has information on treating Lyme Disease with Chinese
herbs. www.samento.com.ec has a lot of information on Cat's Claw and Lyme Disease.
My favorite books on Lyme are:
Healing Lyme: Natural Healing And Prevention of Lyme Borreliosis And Its Coinfections -- by Stephen
Harrod Buhner, available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/
0970869630/103-6368232-3368631?v=glance&n=283155 and finer bookstores everywhere.
FANTASTIC! A relatively new and well written book is The Lyme Disease Solution by Kenneth Singleton MD, available at http://www.amazon.com/Lyme-Disease-Solution-Kenneth-Singleton/dp/1934812005/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218602297&sr=8-1
Beating Lyme Disease: Using Alternative Medicine and God-Designed Living -- by David A. Jernigan,
Sara Koch Jernigan; apparently out of print but available ato download as an ebook at a nominla charge at http://jnutra.com Some of this information is
somewhat speculative (or at least not referenced in the manner of Buhner's book) but it is very intriguing and most of it feels quite accurate to me.
When Antibiotics Fail: Lyme Disease and Rife Machines, with Critical Evaluation of Leading Alternative
Therapies &
The Top 10 Lyme Treatments: Defeat Lyme Disease with the Best of Conventional and Alternative
Medicine
-- by Bryan Rosner; available at http://www.lymebook.com
The ultimate guide to antibiotic therapy for Lyme, with interesting insights into diagnosis,
nutritional support, exercise etc.: Dr. Burascano's Treatment Guidlines, available at http://
www.lymenet.org/links.shtml
An informative interview with Dr. Fritz Schardt about
fluconazole for Chronic Lyme: http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/2795/
searchtext/a%20new%20approach%20to%20chronic%20lyme/
Over 12,000(!!!) categorized links on Lyme Disease, available at http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/lyme-links.html
Happy surfing...
NATURAL CELLULAR DEFENSE I have recently learned about a new product, Natural Cellular Defense, that holds tremendous promise as a powerful yet safe treatment for heavy metal toxicity and which may also be effective in treating a wide range of viral infections. I tend to be skeptical when I learn of a product with that might have such a wide range of potentially fantastic benefits, but have been impressed with this based on the preliminary research done in developing this product and especially because one of its most enthusiastic supporters is my colleague Gabriel Cousens MD, a holistic physician for whom I have tremendous respect. When I hear of a new product, be it a pharmaceutical drug, nutraceutical or herb, the way I ultimately assess its value is to use it on appropriate patients and see if it works as well as claimed. I am thus starting to try with with select patients and am also planning to conduct a formal research study to assess its efficacy in treating heavy metal toxicity. I am convinced that, at the very least, it is a safe product to try, and am certain that Dr. Cousens is sincere in his exceptional enthusuasm for it. Those who would like to learn more may read what Dr. Cousens has written about it on his website, which you can access by clicking here: http://www.treeoflife.nu/zeolite.html If you want to read the application for the U.S. Patent that it was granted (which tells how the product is produced and the original research on it, go to http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,288,045.WKU.&OS=PN/6,288,045&RS=PN/6,288,045 Those who wish to try Natural Cellular Defense may purchase it at our office, or order it directly online via clicking on this link to access the proper website page:
http://www.mywaiora.com/746741
P.S. Natural Cellular Defense is only distributed via a network marketing company, Waiora. In the past I have sold a few products distributed by such companies but have never gotten involved in the network marketing aspect- I bought the products so I could distribute them, but never signed up a single other person to get involved with the company. In this instance, I am getting involved in this aspect, primarily because the least expensive way for my patients to purchase the product is by signing up with Waiora as a distributor who can buy the products wholesale as well as sign up others if they are intrigued by the business opportunity. Anyone who signs up as a distributor on my above-linked website will also be supporting me as well as Dr. Cousens and his fine work. Update (3/24/08) I have now had about 2 years of experience working with Natural Cellular Defense. I have been able to document that it is quite effective in detoxifying heavy metals in my patients who have tried it. It is becoming a mainstay in my treatment of heavy metal toxicity. I have recently learned of a website filled with testimonials by other doctors who have used it in their practices: http://www.liquidzeolite.org/doctors.html.
THE FASCINATING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN INFECTIONS, HEAVY METALS AND EMOTIONS
Medical research shows that many chronic illnesses are caused by infections. For example, virtually
all patients suffering from chronic fatigue have a variety of chronic infections, ranging from Lyme
disease to mycoplasma to chronic viral infections such as Human Herpes Virus 6 and human
parainfluenza virus. Infections have been found to play a role in many autoimmune diseases, such
as rheumatoid arthritis and colitis. There is even evidence that infections play a significant role in the
cause of atherosclerosis (causing cardiovascular disease) and in a variety of cancers (for example,
periodontal disease is associated with heart disease and human papilloma virus with cervical cancer).
While recognizing the role of infections in disease is crucial, it brings up the question of the
importance of the microbe versus the terrain. In other words, while most doctors view microbes
(bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) as the main cause of infection, holistic practitioners tend to
view the biological terrain (in other words, the field in which the infection grows, which is determined
by the health of the patient) as of even more importance. If we are healthy our bodies can resist and
fight off infections, and if we have a weakened immune system due to physiological and
psychological stresses, infections will take hold and flourish.
There is growing evidence that one of the primary factors that determine our susceptibility to
infection is heavy metal toxicity. There is evidence that the average person alive today has 1000
times as much lead in their body as the average person who lived 500 years ago. An even more
dangerous toxin is mercury, which many people accumulate secondary to silver amalgam dental
fillings (which mostly contain mercury) and from seafood such as tuna and swordfish. When metals
such as mercury accumulate in our tissues, enzymes become damaged and blocked, acid/alkaline
balance is disrupted, electrical conductivity is altered, mineral balance is disrupted and cell
membranes become dysfunctional and hyperpermeable. Microbes thrive in this altered mileu.
Some microbes may even protect our bodies. For example, candida and molds have a strong ability
to bind mercury. Often people with mercury toxicity develop yeast overgrowth, and the yeast may
soak up much of the mercury within them. Killing the yeast releases mercury back into them, and
may thus do more harm than good unless one is actively doing treatments to detoxify metals.
While we are all exposed to heavy metals, some individuals do a good job of excreting them while
others tend to accumulate them. About 15% of the population has genetic deficits interfering with
metal detoxification (for example, most autistic children have such deficits). However, Dietrich
Klinghardt MD PhD has found that psychoemotional trauma resulting in unresolved psychological
issues interferes with our ability to eliminate heavy metals. Trauma causes abnormal limbic systen
activity in brain, leading to imbalances in the hypothalamus, leading to autonomic nervous system
dysfunction that allows metals to accumulate in specific organs related to the nature of the
unresolved emotions. For example, a history of fear and shock leads to metals accumulating in the
kidneys, whereas unresolved anger leads to liver toxicity, while lack of nurturing in childood leads to
intestinal dysfuntion.
Thus, one will not successfully treat chronic infections without addressing the underlying metal
toxicty, but can not fully clear metal toxicity without adressing both the microbes that may store the
metals and the unresolved emotional issues that prevent the body from releasing the metals. This
requires a truly integrative approach involving a variety of carefully applied modalities.
Dr. Klinghardt theorizes that in general, the level of microbes in one’s body is roughly equivalent to
the level of heavy metals in one’s body, which is equivalent to the amount of unresolved emotional
trauma a person holds. While I feel this is a sound general concept, the level of heavy metals in our
system is certainly also related to the degree to which we have been exposed to them in our
environment (for example, people with several silver-mercury amalgam fillings tend to have higher
body burdens of mercury than those who don’t), and genetics also influences how well we excrete
these toxins. Also, having chronic infections and high levels of metals can adversely affect our
mental and endocrine function, contributing to emotional distress.
In order to truly help people to heal, one must address emotions, metals and infections. The most
challenging (and often most crucial) area to address is the psychological realm. Virtually everyone
has experienced significant emotional trauma at some point in their life. Many people experience
significant emotional trauma in early childhood and often do not consciously recall this trauma.
While psychotherapy can be helpful, many people carry significant emotional scars even after years
of psychotherapy.
A variety of innovative techniques can help people to heal from emotional trauma. These techniques
include hypnosis, EMDR and <A HREF=”http://www.emofree.com/”>Emotional Freedom
Technique</A>/<A HREF=”http://quantumtechniques.com/”>Quantum Technique</A>.
Homeopathy (particularly constitutional homeopathy) and acupuncture can also be invaluable.
Releasing emotional traumas allows the organ systems related to these emotions to release their
toxins (and to respond better to detoxification therapies) and as the levels of toxins lowers, these
organs become less weakened and thus a less conducive environment for mirobes to thrive.
Responsiveness to antimicrobial therapies thus improves. However, as these microbes die, more
toxins are released into the system, requiring further detoxifiction therapies.
To read a more detailed article on this subject from the source, Dietrich Klinghardt MD PhD, go <A
HREF=”http://www.neuraltherapy.com/a_metals_disease.asp”>here</A>. More articles by him can
be found at http://www.neuraltherapy.com/articlesProtocols.asp.
PREVENTING AND TREATING COLDS AND FLU
As cold and flu season returns, there are many ways to boost immune function
and prevent illness. We are frequently exposed to viruses and bacteria,
but if our immunity is strong we can avoid infections.
Avoiding contact with those who are ill, frequently washing hands after potential
contact with sources of germs, and avoiding touching one's nose and mouth with
your hands can reduce the chances of contagion.
Numerous research studies confirm that psychological stress significantly increases our susceptibility to infection. My favorite strategy to reduce stress is adopting an attitude of acceptance, understanding that the difficulties we encounter are challenges from which we can learn and grow. Living in the here and now as much as possible reduces our stress. Other invaluable stress reduction techniques include meditation, prayer, exercise and talking to and seeking support from friends and family. Sometimes we find we have taken on too many responsibilites and can find ways to lessen our loads. Some people will experience less stress if they don’t watch the news. When we are experiencing undue stress it may be benefical to take adaptogenic herbs, such as Holy Basil (which reduces a common physiological response to stress, elevated cortisol; in turn, elevated cortisol lowers immunity), Rhodiola, and Siberian Ginseng. People who are under stress often are deficient in magnesium, and taking a magnesium supplement (such as magnesium citrate, glycinate or taurinate) in doses of 400 mg/day can be helpful. Physical stress also lowers immunity. A common source of stress is an
unhealthy diet. The amount of sugar in a can of soda (even if its organic!)
significantly reduces the function of crucial white blood cells called
neutrophils for many hours, opening the door to infection. Alcohol and
fried foods also reduce immunity. Other factors that lower resistance
include deficient vitamins and minerals, exposure to environmental toxins
such as cigarette smoke and perfumes, and not getting adequate sleep.
Some people get frequent infections because of chronic stresses to the
immune system, including allergies to mold, dust and pollens, food allergies,
chronic viral infections, or chronic intestinal imbalances including yeast
and parasite infections. Many people who have been treated with antibiotics
multiple times develop imbalances of intestinal flora, causing lowered
immunity. Other prescription medicines such as steroids and anti-inflammatory
drugs directly and indirectly suppress immune function. Heavy metal toxicity
also suppresses immunity.
Numerous nutrients, including Vitamins A, C, E, B complex and zinc are essential
for proper immune function.
The vast majority of people do not obtain adequate levels of these nutrients in their diets. I advise
taking 1,000-2,000 mg of Vitamin C twice a day and a quality multivitamin
as an insurance policy.
There are many other nutrients and herbs that can boost immunity. Medicinal
mushroom extracts, herbal tonics like astragalus
and garlic, colostrum, transfer factor, and specially-processed (undenatured) whey protein can be great immune boosters.
An incipient infection can often be headed off at the pass with intensive
measures. At the first sign of illness I advise taking 2,000 mg of Vitamin C
every hour until one gets loose stools. High doses of echinacea, propolis,
zinc lozenges, Yin Chiao (a Chinese herbal formula) and Proboost, a thymus hormone preparation,
can help (more info on Proboost is available here: http://www.proboostmed.com/). Oscillococcinum (a homeopathic remedy) can help head off influenza. Getting adequate rest is essential.
Despite our best efforts we may still get sick. This is not necessarily a bad
thing. Homeopaths and naturopaths believe there is often a useful purpose to
having an acute infection. It stimulates our immune system and is a way for
our body to detoxify. Sometimes it is nature’s way of telling us to slow down.
Bacterial infections such as strep throat respond well to antibiotics, but common viral infections such as colds and bronchitis are not helped by antibiotics (if one does resort to antibiotics, it is wise to also take probiotics such as acidophilus and bifidus, as well as to take some of the immune-boosting herbs and supplements mentioned here. Antibiotics work best in concert with a strong immune system). My favorite treatment for acute infections is homeopathy, which can be remarkably effective. Acupuncture and herbs can also be helpful. A Chinese herb called andrographis is my favorite herb for acute infections, boosting
immunity and acting as a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent. Other herbs such as Hu Zhang have immune-boosting, anti-viral and antibacterial properties. High doses (25-50 grams) of intravenous Vitamin C
with other vitamins and minerals can be very effective for serious infections. A high quality colloidal silver spay (such as Argentyn 23/Soverign Silver) can be helpful for sinus infections and sore throats. Sambucol, an
extract of elderberry, has been shown to be effective for treating influenza (New Chapter has a new high-tech elderberry extract called Blockade that seems to be the best form available: http://community.intellicontact.com/p/cureself/newsletters/cureself/posts/new-chapter-blockade-is-a-tested-new-virus-blocking-lozenge-and-truly-amazing-breakthrough-item. Lomatium is another herb thatis effective for treating influenza. Several useful articles on natural therapies for influenza can be found at http://www.healthy.net/scr/condition.asp?ConditionId=168
INTESTINAL IMBALANCES: A COMMON CAUSE OF FOOD ALLERGIES AND CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS
Food allergies are an extremely common cause of many bothersome health problems. In last month’s
column (which follows below) I discussed how one can discover if they are allergic to common foods (and
detoxify) by doing an elimination diet. If you have learnedthat you are alllergic to foods, the next
question to ask is why. The ultimate cause of delayed food allergies is increased premeability of our
intestines, also known as Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS).
Food must cross through the intestinal lining (which has a surface area the size of a tennis
court!) to enter our bloodstreams. Normally, food has to be broken down into tiny molecules in order
to cross this barrier. When the intestinal lining is inflamed and more permeable, relatively large
fragments of food which have not been fully digested can enter our bloodstream. This elicits a
response from our immune system which forms antibodies to the food particles, resulting in allergic
reactions.The good news is that if we avoid an allergenic food for several months as we heal our
intestines, the allergy will usually disappear and we can go back to enjoying that food.
When our intestines are too permeable, many other toxins, like those
produced by intestinal microbes, also cross into our blood, entering the portal vein, which leads to
the liver. Our livers try to remove these toxins by excreting them into our bile, which is secreted into
our intestines, but then they are reabsorbed by our leaky gut, going round and round, increasing the
burden on our liver. Eventually our livers can become overloaded and the toxins flood our system,
leading to a wide variety of symptoms, such as muscle and joint pain, headaches, fatigue, depression
and brain fog. Many of these toxins also trigger immune responses. Some microbial toxins have a similar shape as
proteins on our own cells, and thus the antibodies that form to these toxins can attack our own cells,
causing autoimmune disease.
The next obvious question is what causes LGS. The most common causes are imbalances of
intestinal flora and common pharmaceuticals. Our intestines are populated by trillions of bacteria,
most of which are friendly or symbiotic. When we take antibiotics much of this friendly flora is
destroyed. We all have small amounts of yeasts and unfriendly bacteria in our system. When
antibiotics destroy our friendly flora, yeasts and bacteria resistant to antibiotics can take over the
territory, causing what’s known as dysbiosis, or an unhealthy imbalance of flora, leading to LGS.
Many women experience vaginal yeast infections after taking antibiotics. The same conditions that
lead to vaginal yeast overgrowth can cause intestinal yeast overgrowth. Other drugs such as birth
control pills and steroids like prednisone can aggravate this condition, as does a diet rich in sugars
and starches.
The growing use of acid-blocking drugs for heatburn also contributes to dysbiosis by disturbing
the normal acid/alkaline balance of our GI tract. Interfering with stomach acidity also increases our
risk of being infected with parasites (which also cause LGS), as normal stomach acid can kill these
critters if we happen to ingest them in our food or water.
A variety of other drugs can lead to LGS, particularly anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and
ibuprofen. Ironically, people often take these to treat symptoms that are ultimately caused by LGS,
with the drugs suppressing symptoms but aggravating the underlying cause, a vicious cycle all too common when treatment is superficial and focused primarily on symptom relief.
One can test to see how permeable their intestine is by drinking a
solution that contains lactulose and mannitol, two sugars we can't
metabolize, then collecting a urine sample. Mannitol is a small sugar that
is well-absorbed and thus excreted in our urine. Lactulose is a large
molecule that should stay in the intestines (it is sometimes used as a
laxative) and if a significant portion winds up in the urine it demonstrates
that one's gut is leaky. However, if a patient has evidence of food
allergies, chronic gastrointestinal problems and/or a history of strong risk
factors for leaky gut I may not even do that test, but instead go directly
to the next best test for evaluating a leakyu gut, which is a stool analysis
by a good lab, such as Genova, Doctor's Data, or (my current favorite)
Diagnos-Techs. These tests include cultures for yeast abd bacteria and
looking at the stool for signs of parasites, as well as doing chemical tests
(antigens and antibodies) to detect parasites. Another useful test is an
organic acid analysis, whihc looks for chemicals in the urine that are
produced by yeast, fungi and unfriendly bacteria.
Once testing has identified the nature of the problem (what kinds
yeast, bacteria and parasties are present) then individualized treatments
can be given, consisting of prescription drugs and/or herbs to kill the
microbes, probiotics (freindly bacteria such as acidophilus, bifidus etc.),
and dietary changes (avbiding allergenic foods and limiting the intake of
simple carbohydrates). Digestive enzymnes are also often helpful. As the
offending microbes are eliminated, a vatiety of nutrients and herbs (such as
glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine and deglycyrrhizinbated licorice) can be
given to helped soothe the inflamed intestines and help the mucosal lining
to heal.
THE HIDDEN CAUSE OF MANY ILLNESSES
Millions of people suffer from a wide variety of common symptoms including fatigue,
headaches, muscle and joint pains, poor memory, difficulty concentrating, depression,
sinus congestion, gastrointestinal distress including nausea, cramping and diarrhea,
insomnia, blurred vision, sensitivity to bright lights, chemical sensitivities, tingling and
numbness, and bladder irritation. When patients who have many of the aformentioned
symptoms seek medical care, their physical exams and standard blood tests are
usually normal. Many are then diagnosed with depression, but antidepressants often
don’t help and may make them worse. Some practitioners will do further testing and
may diagnose them with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel
syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis or
ALS. However, all of these symptoms often have a common underlying cause:
neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are chemicals that adversely affect the neurologic function. Common
neurotoxins include heavy metals such as lead and mercury. However, recent
research by Ritchie Shoemaker MD and H. Kenneth Huddnell PhD suggests that
millions of people are adversely affected by biotoxins, which are small-sized
neurotoxins produced by microbes. We can be exposed to biotoxins in our external
environment; for example, hidden molds which infest many buildings can produce
deadly airborne biotoxins. Ciguatera toxins and pfisteria toxins can contaminate
seafood. Biotoxins are also produced by bacteria, viruses and fungi that infect people,
such as Lyme bacteria, bacteria that often live within root canals, and intestinal yeasts.
Recent research suggests that chronic fatigue syndrome is often caused by a virus that
produces a toxin similar to ciguatera toxin. Even if the sources of toxin exposure can
be eliminated, people will not feel better unless the neurotoxins within their bodies are
eliminated. Dr. Shoemaker's excellent website is http://chronicneurotoxins.com.
I am currently reading his new book, Mold Warriors, which I highly recommend for anyone seeking more detailed information on this subject.
While there are not yet ways to directly measure biotoxins, a simple noninvasive
test, the Visual Contrast Sensitivity test, correlates with biotoxin exposure. Biotoxins
also create inflammation, and inflammatory markers in the blood called cytokines may
thus be a good biomarker for neurotoxin levels (there is detailed information on how Dr. Shoemaker tests for this in his book Mold Warriors).. One can take an online version of the Visual Contrast Sensitivity test at http://www.contrastsensitivity.net/cstvs.html.
Not everyone exposed to neurotoxins becomes equally ill. Some individuals are
better able to eliminate toxins than others. Those who have more difficulty detoxifying
experience more severe and longer-lasting symptoms.
There are several treatments aimed at eliminating neurotoxins. Dr. Shoemaker,
the leading pioneer in this field, primarily uses a phamaceutical agent, cholestyramine,
to clear these toxins. While he has found great success with this, it commonly causes
annoying side-effects and must be taken 4 times a day on an empty stomach. A natural
alternative advocated by Dietrich Klinghardt MD PhD involves the use of chlorella, but
one must be careful to choose the right type and take it properly.
Patricia Kane, another leading researcher in this field, has found great success
clearing neurotoxins using a technique called phospholipid exchange. This treatment
involves oral supplementation with essential fatty acids and phosphatidylcholine, a key
component of cell membranes, where neurotoxins tend to accumulate. Unhealthy fats
are broken down by giving butyric acid. A key part of her program is to give
intravenous phosphatidylcholine and glutathione, a crucial antioxidant that binds to
heavy metals and other toxins. Innovative physicians have added chelating agents
such as DMPS and EDTA to her protocol. Ms. Kane has even helped people with
serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and ALS with this technique. We are now
trying phosholipid exchange at our office. A good article on this promising technique can be found at http://townsendletter.com/Nov_2002/detoxxsystem1102.htm.
Still another approach to clearing neurotoxins has been developed by David
Jernigan DC, who specializes in Lyme treatment. He has developed hebal remedies
made from silphium laciniatum and pale-spike lobelia that help to clear neurotoxins. I
have found these to help many of my patients. One can learn more about these at http://www.jnutra.com (Under Nutraceuticals click on Silphitrin and NeuroAntitox Formulas and under Info click on Research and them Lyme Ammonia).
New Advances in Homeopathy
Many physicians are content to limit their studies to western allopathic medicine. However, as someone fascinated
with the healing arts I have tried to learn some about every approach to healing I have encountered. Of all the
forms of healing I have studied, my favorite is homeopathy.
I am surprised how much confusion still exists about homeopathy. While many people think homeopathy just
means natural or herbal medicine, it is a specific system of healing developed by a German physician, Samuel
Hahnemann in the late 1700's. In attempting to understand why quinine helped treat malaria, Hahnemann took
quinine and developed classic malarial symptoms. Through this and further experiments, Hahnemann rediscovered
the basic principle of homeopathy, like cures like: that a substance that causes a disease in a healthy person
can cure that disease. Hippocrates, the father of western medicine, wrote "we must seek medicines that can excite
similar symptoms in the healthy body."
Hahnemann took it a step further by discovering the process of dilution and potentization, whereby the medicinal
substance is physically diluted while its energetic essence is amplified. This aspect of homeopathy is particularly
troublesome for most doctors, who feel it is not scientifically possible. Yet dozens of well-controlled research studies
published in mainstream medical journals have proven homeopathy to be more effective than placebo again and again.
Either the scientific foundation on which much of modern western medicine is based, the double-blind controlled study, is
not valid, or homeopathy really does work!
I have seen homeopathy cure many conditions that western medicine considers incurable. Homeopathy addresses the
whole person, not only curing physical illness but helping people to be happier and more in tune with their inner essence.
While homeopathy is my favorite form of healing, it is far and away the most challenging approach I have studied. There are
literally thousands of homeopathic remedies, and at any given time there is only one, the similinum, that is the ultimate best fit
at any given time. Discovering the similinum is far easier said than done, requiring the practitioner to develop a deep understanding
of the patient and be able to match it to the optimal remedy.
A relatively new approach to discovering the best remedy is to classify remedies into groups or families, such as animal, vegetable
or mineral. These kingdoms have many subcategories, each with common characteristics. Homeopaths are continuing to explore the
characteristics of families of remedies, leading to tremendous breakthroughs.
One recent breakthrough which excites me is the extensive research by one of my teachers, Roger Morrison of Point Richmond, CA.
Dr. Morrison has spent several years studying the commonalties and defining characteristics of organic carbon compounds in homeopathy.
These remedies include petroleum products, plastics, solvents and certain essential oils. This family includes hundreds of remedies which,
by and large, have been hitherto poorly understood and thus seldom prescribed.
I have many patients who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Such patients may have severe reactions to common
environmental chemicals. Western medicine has little to offer these patients, and even nutritional and herbal approaches have limited benefits.
Based on his research, Dr. Morrison feels about half of people suffering from MCS need a remedy from the organic carbon family. He has
had patients with extreme MCS experience tremendous rapid improvements.
Since attending a recent seminar on these compounds I have prescribed many remedies I would never have considered before, and am
encouraged by the early results I am seeing.
One of the most exciting things about homeopathy is that one can study it for a lifetime and there will always be more to learn. New remedies
are being developed (or proven) all the time, expanding the homeopathic repertoire. As I continue to study homeopathy I expect to be able to help
more people over time.
While constitutional homeopathy (finding a single remedy for the whole person) is exceedingly challenging to master, one of the things I like
about homeopathy is that it is realtively easy to use by individuals for first-aid and to treat acute illnesses. For example, Arnica is a classic remedy
for virtually any injury, Rhus tox often helps poison oak, Nux vomica is a great remedy for hangovers and indigestion, and Belladonna and Aconite
can often head off an illness that begins with a fever. One can assemble a home kit of common remedies and get a book such as Everybodys'
Guide to Homeopathic Medicnes by Stephen Cummings and Dana Ullman and become well-equipped to treat many ailments at home.
A good place to learn more about homeopathy is http://www.homeopathic.com/ and www.abchomeopathy.com.
Genuine Prevention
Conventional western medicine has made many great advances, often saving lives in
serious acute infection, trauma and surgical emergencies. Unfortunately, it has been far
less successful in treating chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
arthritis and autoimmune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsonism,
Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis, and cancer. These chronic diseases are not easily
addressed by alternative medicine as well. It is far wiser and easier to prevent these
illnesses than to treat them.
While conventional medicine does address prevention, many of its preventive
approaches are misguided, inadequate and sometimes dangerous. The conventional
approach to preventing heart disease often involves giving statin drugs to lower
cholesterol and a variety of drugs to treat high blood pressure. However, the statin drugs
can be toxic and the treatment for high blood pressure is purely symptomatic. This
approach ignores the crucial roles of heavy metals, inflammation, oxidative stress,
emotional stress and improper nutrition in heart disease.
The conventional approach to preventing cancer is largely focused on early
detection rather than true prevention. Pap smears and colonoscopies are among the best
procedures western medicine offers, effectively detecting early cancer and precancerous
lesions. Mammograms are more problematic due to many false positives and false
negatives, and because a small yet significant number of cancers are caused by the
radiation exposures. There are safer alternatives for early detection, such as breast
thermography and the AMAS test, a blood test that screens for cancer. True prevention
involves minimizing toxins and boosting immunity.
There are many methods of significantly reducing risk of chronic degenerative
diseases and cancer that are unfortunately underutilized by mainstream practitioners. One
exciting recent advance is genomic testing, which is testing one’s genetics to see which
diseases they are most at risk for and providing individualized diet, nutrient
supplementation and lifestyle recommendations based upon these results.
It is possible to test for deficiencies (and excesses) of vitamins, minerals, amino
acids and essential fatty acids. Testing can be done to evaluate levels of hormones
including thyroid hormone, sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and
adrenal hormones such as cortisol and DHEA-S. There are many subtleties to doing such
tests properly - for example, a high percentage of people told that they have normal
thyroid levels based on conventional testing are deficient, but did not have adequate
testing. Testing can also be done to assess levels of neurotransmitters. Based on the
aforementioned tests, nutrients, hormones and neurotransmitters can be brought into
optimal balance, not only preventing many illnesses but helping us to feel our best.
Toxins are a major cause of disease. Helping people to avoid environmental toxins
and toxic foods such as sugar, aspartame (Nutrisweet) and hydrogenated oils, evaluating
how well one’s liver detoxification pathways work, and testing for and treating heavy
metal toxicity are valuable preventive approaches, as is doing a cleansing program
periodically.
Energetic balancing with constitutional homeopathy and/or Chinese medicine is
also a powerful method of optimizing health and preventing illness.
Maintaining a healthy immune system can help prevent cancer and may help
prevent heart disease and autoimmune disease. Identifying and treating chronic low grade
infections such as intestinal parasites, periodontitis and sinusitis, providing optimal
nutrition, and detoxification all boost immune function. Many herbs boost immunity as
does reducing stress.
Every health condition, acute or chronic, is aggravated by stress. Reducing
sources of stress and actively practicing stress reduction measures such as exercise and
meditation are valuable preventatives. Finding purpose, happiness and love may be the
best preventive medicine of all.
Chelation and Coronary Artery Disease: Treatment and Prevention Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the U.S., causing heart
attacks, strokes, and occlusion of peripheral arteries leading to gangrene and amputations. Advanced atherosclerosis is often treated via bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty. While these treatments can save life and limb, they are expensive and risky, with many patients experiencing serious side effects including an approximate 3% chance of perioperative death. Also, a high percentage of patients experience significant problems with memory, concentration and other cognitive dysfunctions after bypass surgery. An intriguing yet controversial alternative to surgery is EDTA chelation therapy, which involves intravenous infusion of EDTA, a medicine that binds onto (chelates) lead and other heavy metals and carries them out of the body. EDTA is an FDA-approved medication that is used in conventional medicine for treating lead toxicity, but its use in treating atherosclerosis remains controversial.
EDTA has been used to treat atherosclerosis since 1953. Over 1 million patients have undergone chelation therapy and it has an excellent safety record. Whereas bypass surgery costs about $30,000 and angioplasty $20,000, a course of chelation therapy costs $3,000 to $4,000. However, insurance often covers surgery but does not cover chelation therapy. Critics of chelation therapy claim that it is unproven, but in actuality there have been numerous positive studies showing benefits in treating coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular occlusive disease with chelation therapy in conjunction with a healthy diet and nutritional supplements. A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving 22,765 patients by L. Terry Chappell, MD and John Stahl Ph.D. showed that 87% of patients demonstrated clinical improvement by objective before-and-after testing. A few studies have claimed that chelation therapy is ineffective, but chelation proponents have found serious flaws in the design and analysis of these studies. This is discussed in detail by Dr. Elmer Cranton at www.drcranton.com. Chelation practitioners often have remarkable case histories to share. A thoracic surgeon who administers chelation therapy wrote about a man who had a heart attack at age 50 and then underwent bypass surgery, which was unsuccessful.
He had a second bypass surgery but afterwards still had angina (chest pain) that severely limited his activity. Medications did not help and his doctors had no further treatment to offer. He started EDTA chelation therapy and soon experienced less chest pain and improved work capacity. He had treatments twice a week for 15 weeks, then once a month, with complete symptom relief. 22 years later he had an angiogram prior to gallbladder surgery (as the sugeons were concerned about his ability to tolerate surgery given his history of heart disease) which showed no significant coronary artery disease. There are also several documented cases of patients with peripheral arterial disease so severe that they had developed gangrene of the toes and were advised to have their legs amputated, yet had their disease reversed and their limbs were saved by chelation therapy. How EDTA might improve atherosclerosis is still unclear. It was once theorized that EDTA removed calcium from atherosclerotic plaque, but this seems unlikely. Recent research shows that the cells of hearts with coronary artery disease have very elevated concentrations of minerals such as zinc, iron and cobalt, and EDTA may help reverse these imbalances. Many researcher believe that lead plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and that the main benefits of chelation are due to reducing levels of lead. A 1965 study showed that the average person dying in 1965 had 1000 times as much lead in their body as someone who lived 500 years ago. There is evidence that chelation therapy reduces risk of cancer by lowering lead levels. Many practitioners of preventive medicine recommend chelation as part of a sound preventive regimen.
Preventing Heart Disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Like most illness, it is strongly related to diet and lifestyle and is highly preventable. Everybody knows that cholesterol is related to heart disease, but the connection is complex. While high cholesterol increases heart disease risk in younger people, many people who die from it have normal cholesterol, and many with high cholesterol don't get heart disease. Cholesterol can deposit on artery walls to cause blockage, but in order for this to occur, there needs to be inflammation of the artery wall and the cholesterol must be oxidized. Lowering cholesterol may reduce coronary risk in younger people. Most doctors don't know that in people 65 and older high cholesterol is correlated with increased lifespan and that low cholesterol in the elderly is associated with risk of death. Doctors are increasingly relying on a group of prescription drugs called statins to lower cholesterol, but they commonly cause many side effects including muscle pain and weakness, neuropathy, impaired memory |
