501 - Oregano Coronavirus study

This article was sent to me by a supplier rep from a company that markets another brand of oregano oil products. The two oregano products used in the study are Oreganol P73 Extra Strength and Oregacyn both by North American Herb and Spice (NAHS). I have three NAHS oregano products in stock - OregaMax 90 caps, Oreganol Super Strength P73 120 caps; and Oreganol P73 Super Strength drops.

489 Liposomal Vitamin C [17 Sept 2018]

A problem with vitamin C is its low bioavailability. With oral supplements some of the vitamin C is broken down by stomach acids before it even reaches the small intestine. An active transporter is required to move vitamin C across the intestinal wall into the blood stream. This transporter is dose-dependent - at low doses of up to 180mg about 70-90% of vitamin C is absorbed into the bloodstream; at higher doses above 1000mg (1g) it is less than 50%. At doses between 5g and 10g daily, abdominal cramping and diarrhea may occur creating an upper limit to daily oral dosage of C. Even then, only a percentage of vitamin C is absorbed from the blood stream into the cells. This absorption into the cells is inhibited by high blood glucose, so is even more a problem for diabetics.

For certain therapeutic purposes much higher doses of vitamin C are required. One way around this is intravenous vitamin C (IVC). This is expensive and requires supervision by a trained health professional, so is used only for serious conditions like cancer [see #375], sepsis [#436], polio [#23], and other serious viral infections.

Now there is another form of vitamin C that allows high doses, is relatively inexpensive, and can be administered at home. It’s called liposomal vitamin C.

With liposomal C, the vitamin is encapsulated inside a tiny phospholipid ball which provides several advantages: 1) it protects the vitamin C from breakdown in the stomach; 2) it increases the absorption from the intestine into the blood stream; 3) it increases the absorption into the cells; and 4) it does so very quickly. Nearly all of the liposomal C ingested makes its way quickly into the cells where it is needed. In this regard liposomal C is superior to IVC which increases C in blood plasma but then relies on transporters to get it into the cells.

The phospholipid coating itself is used by the body to repair or build new cell membranes. It is because the coating is similar to cell membranes that it passes quickly and easily through the intestinal wall and then again through the cell membranes into the cells without the need for active transporters.

The big advantage of liposomal vitamin C is that it allows you to take, and absorb, a high dose of C when you need it, without experiencing intestinal discomfort. It’s perfect for fighting a cold or the flu, if you’re a smoker or subject to second-hand smoke, if you are diabetic, or for those days when you're under a lot of stress.

I have just found a Canadian supplier so will soon have it on the shelf. It comes in packets of 1000mg which you add to water and drink. I’ll be the first to try it and let you know what it does for me.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

459 Chaga Tea [19 February 2018]

Chaga was mentioned as one of six popular medicinal mushrooms in my Dec 4 2017 column #449. It is the least attractive yet the most powerful of the medicinal mushrooms. It appears as a black growth on the trunk of birch trees in the northern forests of Canada, Alaska and Eurasia. Chaga has been used for healing by native peoples from these areas for centuries.

Scientific research from China, Japan, Korea & Russia, are now substantiating these health benefits (mostly cellular and animal studies so far; human trials to follow). Dr. Karl Maret summarizes the known benefits of chaga:

• Anti-bacterial
• anti-viral
• Anti-tumor
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-aging
• Blood sugar regulation
• Liver protection
• Immune system enhancer

Chaga is the highest known plant source of SOD (super oxide dismutase) a powerful antioxidant. Melanin, which gives the chaga its dark color, is a powerful antioxidant that not only protects DNA from radiation and oxidative damage, but also repairs it. The SOD and melanin in chaga protect the bone marrow (where our blood cells are made) from damage from radiation and chemotherapy during conventional cancer treatments.

Another compound in chaga is the polysaccharide beta-glucans which stimulates the immune system by increasing production and activity of macrophages and B-lymphocytes. Beta-glucans also play an important role in cell communication.

Chaga contains a tripeptide compound that slows platelet aggregation, so should not be used in people taking a “blood-thinning” drug. A triterpene called Inotodiol assists apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. There are many more phytonutrients that have been discovered recently, and no doubt even more yet to be discovered.

Often the first benefit observed when drinking chaga tea is energy, stamina, and the motivation to do something with it. When Dr. Cass Ingram (author of “The Cure is in the Cupboard”) first tried chaga he woke up at 4:00 am looking for something to do and ended up cleaning out a closet that had been neglected for years. Like most people I suspect, I run out of energy long before running out of things to do, so chaga is something I need to try!

Chaga is available in raw chunks for brewing tea, in capsules, drops, and as a cream for repairing damage to skin, muscle and joints.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner. Find this article on my website for links to sources and further reading.

421 Fiber and Auto-Immune Disease [22 May 2017]

We’ve always known that dietary fiber is important for regular bowel movements. In a few previous articles [#140 November 2011 and #276 July 2014] I wrote about the benefits of soluble and insoluble fiber to balance blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight. Now scientists have discovered a link between dietary fiber, our immune system, and auto-immune diseases. How does that work?

Rhonda Patrick, in December 2015, interviewed Drs. Justin & Erica Sonnenburg who run a lab at Stanford University looking at “the profound impact gut bacteria has on our entire body” (Justin). They found that dietary fiber is essential for a healthy microbiome, described as “an incredibly complex and dynamic ecosystem of microbes” (Erica). In this 40 minute interview (which I encourage you to watch for yourself) Drs. Sonnenburg describe the connections between gut bacteria and our body's immune system.

The average American eats 10-15 grams of fiber daily, short of the government recommended 30-35g, and far short of the 100-150g consumed by traditional hunter-gatherer populations (who have a much greater diversity in their gut microbiomes and a significantly lower incidence of auto-immune disease).

The microbes in the colon rely on complex carbohydrates (fiber) for food, metabolizing it into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and other beneficial compounds. These SCFAs then feed the epithelial cells of the colon wall. SCFAs also increase the T regulatory cells which have an anti-inflammatory effect, calming the immune system. When fiber is lacking, the microbes attack the mucus lining of the colon and in turn are attacked by the immune cells in the intestinal wall, creating an inflammatory effect. Without adequate T regulatory cells, this can lead to auto-immune conditions like allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and MS.

Many of these auto-immune diseases have previously been linked to gut microbiome disruptions – this provides a likely explanation. Taking this further, heart disease, metabolic disorders, some cancers, and even aging are all increased by inflammation so could also be reduced with a healthy gut microbiome.

So how to improve our gut microbiome? Feed them a variety of complex carbs from fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. The more types of fiber, the more diverse the bacterial populations they will support; fiber supplements often have only one or two sources. Use probiotic supplements and foods (like yogurt, sauerkraut and fermented vegetables) to help repopulate the gut following a round of antibiotics or whenever you suspect it needs a boost.

For more information on this topic, see the Sonnenburgs' book The Good Gut - Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood and Your Long-term Health or visit their Facebook page.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

403 Humic & Fulvic Acids [16 Jan 2017]

I have a rather unique supplement on my shelves that I wanted to learn more about so chose it for my topic this week. Humic and fulvic acids are organic compounds found in soil, peat, and water sediments. A particularly rich deposit in New Mexico dating from the Cretaceous Period (100mya) is mined to create a supplement for human use.

The main ingredients are humic and fulvic acids. The supplement also contains traces of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, plant enzymes and other organic compounds (organic in the chemical sense meaning that it contains carbon).

Humic and fulvic acids are known to benefit human health in many ways:
• Source of trace minerals in a readily available organic form
• Stimulates mitochondrial production of ATP
• Protects mitochondrial membranes from oxidative damage
• Reduces loss of ATP and CoQ10 levels during heavy exercise
• Acts as prebiotic feeding good bacteria in the gut
• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Improves immunity by increasing T-lymphocytes and neutrophils
• Inhibits viral infections including rhinoviruses, influenza and Herpes simplex
• Increases elimination of toxic heavy metals while improving absorption of nutritional metals like iron and zinc
• Blocks stress hormones
• Increases oxygenation of the blood

Here are how these benefits are experienced by users:
• Relief from joint pain and stiffness
• Reduced soreness and faster recovery from work or sports activity
• Increased energy & stamina
• Improved immunity from colds and flu
• Improved mood, reduced anxiety, increased alertness
• Most people noticed the benefits in 1 or 2 weeks

In over 10 years of research, humic and fulvic acid supplements have been found to be completely safe and do not interfere with any medications.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner. Find this article on my website for links to sources and further reading.

319 Increasing Glutathione – Who Can Benefit? [18 May 2015]

Last week (#318) I showed you how to raise your glutathione levels. Which brings up the question of who would benefit from increasing glutathione.

In medicine we think of one drug for one disease, and are taught to be skeptical of “panaceas” that promise everything. But in natural healing many different nutrients must work together to improve one condition; and a single nutrient can improve many different conditions. Glutathione is a perfect example of the latter because its powerful antioxidant properties make it essential for health in every cell of the body.

You could benefit from increasing glutathione levels if you:
• want to look and feel younger – as we age our bodies produce less glutathione
• are an athlete – improves strength, endurance and reduces recovery time
• are a smoker, welder, mechanic, chemical farmer, consume alcohol, or are otherwise exposed to chemical toxins – protects your organs from damage
• use a cell phone or WIFI, are exposed to microwaves or ultraviolet radiation – protects cells from radiation damage
• have a chronic disease like asthma, Alzheimer’s, Lupus, Parkinson’s, arthritis, macular degeneration – all associated with low glutathione
• are fighting a viral infection such as a cold, hepatitis, herpes, bronchitis, pneumonia, even AIDS – strengthens the immune system to fight infections
• have impaired or diseased organs including heart, liver, kidneys, prostate, stomach, intestines, colon – all benefit from increased glutathione
• have atherosclerosis (risk for heart attack & stroke) – prevents lipid peroxidation and plaque formation
• are healing from trauma – promotes growth of healthy new tissue
• want to sleep better – promotes better more restful sleep
• are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired – supports mitochondria to produce more energy
• are healthy and want to stay that way – helps prevent all above conditions

Sources:
Immunotec website
Nutraxis website

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

315 Methylation [20 April 2015]

Methylation is an important biochemical process involved in most functions of your body. Methylation is the addition of a methyl group (CH3) to a molecule. In an article published on MindBodyGreen.com, nutrition consultant and member of the Institute of Functional Medicine Michelle Corey lists nine functions in which methylation is involved:
• Stress response
• Glutathione production & recycling
• Inflammation
• Neurotransmitters – brain function & mood
• Detoxification – breakdown & disposal of toxins
• Energy production
• Repair of free radical damage
• Immune response – fighting infections and controlling auto-immune diseases
• DNA repair and genetic expression

Impairment of methylation due to a shortage of methyl groups or the enzymes that facilitate the process leads to many different types of illnesses, as you can imagine from the above list. These include heart disease & stroke, some cancers, certain birth defects, inflammatory bowel disease, other inflammatory and auto-immune diseases, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

To help prevent these conditions, or reduce their symptoms, Corey lists some tips for improving methylation:
• Take a B vitamin complex, especially folate; all are methyl donors
• Methylfolate and methylcobalamin are methylated forms of B10 and B12 respectively
• Eat 2 cups daily of dark green leafy vegetables which contain folate
• Take probiotics to improve gut flora which produce and absorb B vitamins
• Reduce stress and toxic exposure (avoid alcohol, smoking, other chemicals)
• Increase glutathione production (see #304 Feb 2, 2015; more on this in a future post)

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

288 Our Gut Garden [6 Oct 2014]

This week I will continue featuring a lecture by gastroenterologist Dr. Robynne Chutkan about our microbiome – particularly the bacteria which live in our digestive tract, which she calls our “gut garden”.

The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 ushered in the age of antibiotics. Infectious diseases that were often fatal before then could now be quickly and easily cured. Now, nearly 100 years later, we are threatened with losing much of that advantage through over-use of antibiotics. One estimate claimed 20 to 50% of antibiotic use was inappropriate for the condition being treated. The proliferation of antibiotic-resistant “super bugs” is a growing concern among medical researchers. A lesser-known danger is the damage to our microbiome, particularly the gut bacteria, causing an unhealthy change called dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis is being linked to many different health problems: inflammatory bowel disease like colitis and Crohn’s; diabetes and obesity; auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS and fibromyalgia; and even neurological conditions like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. The microbiome also plays an important role in our immune system.

Babies born by C-section (27% in Canada) miss out on their first “inoculation” of beneficial bacteria from the birth canal. The benefits of vaginal birth last well beyond infancy in improved health and immunity – lower rates of asthma, allergy and other inflammation. Multiple rounds of antibiotics routinely given to children add to the problem.

Chutkan poses the question “What should we be feeding our gut garden in order to optimize our microbiome to keep us healthy?” And answers it with a quote by Michael Pollan: “Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants.” She also advocates judicious use of drugs – not just antibiotics but other drugs like steroids, hormones and NSAIDs which also contribute to dysbiosis. And she warns against our obsession with sanitation – we shouldn’t be afraid of a little dirt! In short “Live dirty, eat clean!”

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

281 Disappearing Microbiota [18 August 2014]

I have written several columns on the many problems associated with dysbiosis (an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract) and the benefits of probiotics.
• The obvious problems include digestive disorders like gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea [03].
• Upper respiratory infections like thrush, “strep throat”, sinus and ear infections can be prevented by introducing a particular strain of S. salivarius to the mouth [72].
• Infection by a bacterium H. pylori causes stomach ulcers [221].
• Dysbiosis can cause Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS) like colitis and Crohn’s which can lead to leaky gut syndrome and food allergies.
• Our immune system [78, 173] is affected by dysbiosis, causing autoimmune conditions like eczema, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
• The work of Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride [147, 172] links unhealthy gut bacteria to neurological and psychiatric disorders ranging from ADHD and autism to schizophrenia.
• Dysbiosis can even prevent weight loss.

Now microbiologist Martin Blaser takes this even further in his 2014 book Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling Our Modern Plagues. Modern scientific study of the human microbiome – the thousands of species of bacteria that coexist in or on our bodies – is revealing how critical it is for our health. Blaser writes

“The microbes that constitute your microbiome … play a critical role in your immunity as well as your ability to combat disease. In short, it is your microbiome that keeps you healthy.”

He then makes a convincing case that loss of many of these species is responsible for the recent worldwide proliferation of the “modern plagues” of obesity, childhood diabetes, asthma, hay fever, food allergies, esophageal reflux, certain cancers, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, autism, eczema, and others.

Blaser believes that the loss of diversity within the human microbiome is an even more serious problem than the antibiotic-resistant super bugs. He calls the problem the “disappearing microbiota” and warns of a coming “antibiotic winter” if the problem isn’t addressed.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

258 Manuka Honey [10 March 2014]

Manuka honey is an example of a mono-floral honey – a honey made from a single type of flower. Manuka honey has a distinct flavor and a rich dark color, but its medicinal properties are what make this honey so special.

Manuka honey is made from the flowers of the Manuka shrub, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows in New Zealand and Australia. Leptospermum is related to the Australian Tea Tree from which Tea Tree Oil is made.

Some manuka honey, called Active Manuka Honey, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties (in addition to the effect from hydrogen peroxide which is found in all honey). This property, unique to manuka honey, is called (surprise!) the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Manuka honey is graded on the basis of its antimicrobial strength using a standard which compares it to a phenol solution. For example a UMF of 10 is equivalent to a 10% phenol solution. Honey rated between 10 and 18 is ideal for therapeutic purposes.

Manuka honey can be eaten to treat esophageal, stomach, and duodenal ulcers and other internal infections. Some stubborn bacterial infections which have become resistant to antibiotics – including Staph and MRSA – have been effectively cleared up with manuka honey. Other conditions for which manuka honey has been successfully used internally include: periodontal disease; sinusitis, bronchitis & laryngitis; canker & cold sores; throat infections; heartburn & hiatal hernia; celiac disease; and colitis, IBS & Crohn’s.

Successful external uses include: animal bites; poison ivy rash; infected surgery scars; diabetic leg ulcers; bed sores; stubborn infectious wounds; acne, rashes & eczema; and burns. When used as a dressing for open wounds, manuka honey has been shown to clear and prevent infection, speed healing, and reduce scarring. It also reduces inflammation and pain.

Manuka honey from New Zealand is available in Canada. It is of course more expensive than regular honey, but think of it as a medicine, not just something to mix with peanut butter on your breakfast toast.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

Ed. Note: this is a repeat of #59 from April 2010.

193 Baby’s Best Friend [26 November 2012]

Dogs may not be just man’s best friend – they could be baby’s best friend too. In addition to the emotional benefits of having a pet, there appears to be physical health benefits too. A recent study from Finland adds to the evidence that pets, particularly dogs, improve children’s health.

The study, published earlier this year in Pediatrics, followed 397 children from rural and suburban settings through their first year. Indoor contact with dogs and cats was correlated with frequency of childhood infections. The analyses took into account other factors: breastfeeding, birth weight, number of siblings, and parental health. The researchers found that children with indoor contact with dogs:
• had fewer incidents of fever, infections and colds
• were less likely to be given antibiotics
• had half as many inner ear infections, and
• were just generally more healthy.

The study also found that the more contact the children had with the dog and the more time the dog spent outside the house, the greater the benefits. Curiously cats didn't provide the same benefits, but did not cause any health problems either. This and other similar studies support the “hygiene hypothesis” – that increased exposure to microbes (germs) early in life boosts the infants’ immune systems, not only increasing resistance to respiratory infection but also reducing the risk of allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema.

There are many factors to consider by a family with young children in the decision to have an indoor pet. But fear of the children getting sick from the pet need not be one of them.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

174 The Vaccine-Autism Controversy [16 July 2012]

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride devotes a chapter of her book “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” to the vaccine-autism controversy. I’ve been avoiding this topic for some time, but I like her balanced approach.

Autism is one of the neurological conditions (including allergies, asthma, eczema, ADD, ADHD, etc.) common in children with a compromised immune system. A child’s reaction to a vaccination depends on his or her immune health: with a healthy immune system the reaction should be normal; with a seriously compromised system it could trigger one of these conditions; with a moderately compromised system it could further weaken their immune system setting them up for some other trigger to “break the camel’s back”. On the other hand Dr. Campbell-McBride reports seeing many severely immune compromised children, who have not been vaccinated, develop one or more of these conditions. This range of reactions, I believe, explains why the connection between vaccination and autism remains controversial.

Dr. Campbell-McBride does not advocate abandoning vaccinations altogether – she recognizes that they have saved millions of children’s lives – but believes that with more and more children born with compromised immune systems, the ideal of vaccinating everyone could now be doing more harm than good. Instead she proposes a comprehensive immunological screening program – through a questionnaire and testing – to discover which children have compromised immune systems and are therefore at greater risk of severe reactions. Those most at risk* should not be vaccinated. Those with healthy parents and no particular health problems but showing some immune system abnormalities should wait until the tests improve. Only healthy infants with healthy parents and who show normal immune development should proceed with vaccinations. Even then Dr Campbell-McBride recommends single vaccines only, spaced 6 weeks apart, to reduce adverse effects.

See Dr. Campbell-McBride's website www.gapsdiet.com for more details. In the Resources tab to access articles on autism and vaccines.

For more information on this or other natural health topics, stop in and talk to Stan; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.
________________

* Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends no vaccinations for infants:
• with eczema, asthma, digestive problems or any other disorder which would indicate compromised gut flora and immunity;
• born to a mother with fibromyalgia, digestive problems, asthma, eczema, severe allergies, autoimmune disorders or neurological problems;
• or having older siblings with autism, severe eczema, asthma, allergies, ADHD, epilepsy or insulin dependant diabetes.
At a later age these children can be retested and, when they show no immune deficiencies, can be vaccinated using single vaccines spaced 6 weeks apart.

132 Umckaloabo - A “New” Cold Cure [19 Sept. 2011]

A species of South African geranium used for centuries in Zulu medicine has become the newest remedy for the common cold. The scientific name is Pelargonium sidoides; the Zulu name for the herb is Umckaloabo (call it “Umcka” for short).

Several recent controlled studies from Europe have shown that Umcka reduced the severity and duration of both acute bronchitis and the common cold. In one study total cold symptom severity was reduced to half that of the placebo group after 5 days. This degree of improvement is superior to that of other common over-the-counter cold treatments including natural remedies like vitamin C, Echinacea and zinc.

Umcka works in three ways: it has antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant properties. It prevents bacteria and viruses from attaching to the mucous membranes. It also stimulates the body’s immune system and prevents bacteria and viruses from multiplying. Finally it loosens mucous making it easier to cough up contaminated phlegm.

Umcka appears to be a very safe herb. No significant adverse effects were noted in any of the studies I reviewed, and few have been reported in Europe despite the increasing popularity of the herb. Like most cold remedies, results improve significantly if the treatment is started within 2 days of cold onset. For more information see the Herbal Africa website. Here is the abstract on one of the studies done at the National Medical University in Kiev.

Umcka has been widely used in Germany since the 1980s (one formula is an approved drug for the treatment of acute bronchitis) and is now available in North America. That’s what I plan to use next time I start to come down with a cold.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

127 Toxic Mold [15 August 2011]

After this wet spring and summer, there could be mold growing in your home. Mold thrives in cool, moist dark areas like our basements. Mold is never good news and some, like black mold, is downright toxic. Spores and chemicals produced by mold can result in severe health problems like headaches, allergies and respiratory disease in people with compromised immune systems. To eliminate mold in your house, first block the moisture source and dry the affected area. Moldy material like wallboard may have to be removed. Get advice from an experienced professional or visit a reputable website like the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp [www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca].

Something I have learned about that you may not find on these websites is the Thieves© blend of essential oils which has been shown to be very effective in cleaning mold. Dan Burke, a construction business owner had so much mold on his boat he thought it would be a total loss. He bought and applied 8 different cleaners – including bleach – plus some Thieves© blend from his mother-in-law. To his surprise, Thieves© removed the mold most completely and it lasted the longest [www.secretofthieves.com/mold.cfm]. Edward Close, a mold consultant with 30 years experience, discovered that Thieves© worked much better for eliminating mold spores than the strongest hospital disinfectant available [www.moldrx4u.com].

Experience has shown that for best results, first diffuse Thieves© for 24-48 hours to remove spores from the room. Then clean visible mold with Thieves© Household Cleaner wearing a mask, goggles and rubber gloves. Thieves© is powerful, long-lasting, safe to use (it’s included in my toothpaste) and even smells nice. The name comes from robbers entering homes where people were dead and dying during the Black Plague in Europe who used the herbs in the Thieves© formula to protect themselves from the disease.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

104 Importance of Sleep [7 March 2011]

Last week we looked at sleep as important for the production of the hormone leptin which suppresses appetite and promotes burning rather than storage of fat. Weight gain is only one of many heath problems caused by inadequate sleep. Here are a few more:
• Fatigue, inability to concentrate, and irritability
• Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased risk of high blood pressure
• Weakened immune system – more susceptible to colds and flu
• More rapid tumor growth – sleep is critical if you are fighting cancer
• Digestive problems like stomach ulcers and constipation
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Increased cortisol production which can lead to memory loss and insulin resistance
• Lower production of melatonin which, besides regulating sleep, is an important antioxidant
• Reduced production of Growth Hormone (by the pituitary gland during sleep) which causes more rapid aging. You not only feel older – you are older!

The Canadian Sleep Society reports 1 out of 3 Canadian adults have some problem sleeping, and for 1 out of 10 it is serious enough to affect their health. Loss of sleep is cumulative and cannot be made up by sleeping in on the weekend; it’s important to get adequate sleep every night. For growing children and teens, sleep is even more important. Next week we’ll look at some natural ways to promote healthy sleep.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

072 Oral Probiotics [19 July 2010]

We all know the importance of maintaining beneficial bacteria in our intestines, but I recently learned that probiotics, as they are called, is just as important for our mouths.

Our mouths are home to billions of bacteria, both good and bad. Many infections – throat, nasal and sinus, middle ear, bronchial and lung – originate in the mouth. Strep throat can lead to the more serious rheumatic and scarlet fevers. So the mouth is an important first line of defense in preventing these infections.

As a child, Microbiologist Professor John Tagg of New Zealand developed rheumatic fever as a complication of a severe Streptococcus pyogenes strep throat infection. He was put on a lifetime program of penicillin which caused him many undesired side effects. As a microbiologist, Tagg devoted his entire research career to find a safe and effective remedy for this virulent pathogen.

In one study Tagg found that children who seemed immune to upper respiratory infections had a healthy oral population of a particular species of bacteria called Streptococcus salivarius; while children that were prone to such infections did not. Testing revealed that this species occurs naturally in only 5% of the population. Further research led to the discovery of a particularly beneficial strain of S. salivarius called K12. K12 bacteria not only crowd out disease causing bacteria, including S. pyogenes, but produce a protein called BLIS which actively destroys it.

Maintaining a healthy population of K12 in your mouth will help protect you from:
• infection by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep throat)
• oral candida infection (thrush)
• upper respiratory and sinus infections
• otitis media (middle ear infections causing earache)
• halitosis (bad breath)

This new K12 strain is now available in a chewing gum form. Chewing action helps distribute the K12 and promotes colonization throughout the mouth. The best time to use it is just before bedtime, after brushing your teeth. Initially use for a week then for 3-4 days every few weeks. Since antibiotics and oral antiseptics (including natural ones like oil of oregano or tea tree oil) affect all bacteria in the mouth, it is important to reintroduce the K12 after their use. It is also important following dental work.

K12 is beneficial for all ages from children to adults, and is even recommended for new moms so they can transmit the culture to their newborns with their kisses! For more information see www. culturedcare .com.

Who knew that preventing disease could be as easy (or fun) as chewing a piece of gum!

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

059 Manuka Honey [19 April 2010]

Manuka honey is an example of a mono-floral honey – a honey made from a single type of flower. Manuka honey has a distinct flavor and a rich dark color, but its medicinal properties are what make this honey so special.

Manuka honey is made from the flowers of the Manuka shrub, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows in New Zealand and southeast Australia. Leptospermum is related to the Australian Tea Tree from which Tea Tree Oil is made.

Some manuka honey, called Active Manuka Honey, has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties (in addition to the effect from hydrogen peroxide which is found in all honey). This property, unique to manuka honey, is called (surprise!) the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Manuka honey is graded on the basis of its antimicrobial strength using a standard which compares its antimicrobial strength to a phenol solution. For example a UMF of 10 is equivalent to a 10% phenol solution. Honey rated between 10 and 18 is ideal for therapeutic purposes.

Manuka honey is eaten to treat stomach ulcers and other internal infections. Some stubborn bacterial infections which have become resistant to antibiotics – including Staph and MRSA – have been effectively cleared up with manuka honey.

When used as a dressing for open wounds, manuka honey has been shown to clear and prevent infection, speed healing, and reduce scarring. It also has anti-inflammatory property and reduces pain. It is often effective on deep stubborn hard-to-heal wounds when conventional methods have failed.

Some of the conditions for which manuka honey has been successfully used internally include: periodontal disease; sinusitis, bronchitis & laryngitis; canker & cold sores; throat infections; heartburn & hiatal hernia; esophagus, stomach, & duodenal ulcers; celiac disease; and colitis, IBS & Crohn’s.

Successful external uses include: animal bites; infected surgery scars; poison ivy rash; diabetic leg ulcers; bed sores; stubborn infectious wounds; acne, rashes & eczema; and burns.

Manuka honey from New Zealand is available in Canada. It is of course more expensive than regular honey, but think of it as a medicine, not just something to mix with peanut butter on your breakfast toast.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

033 Vitamin C & Immunity [13 Oct 2009]

In last week’s column Vitamin C was suggested as important in the prevention of colds and flu. Is there any evidence to support this belief?

Most medical sources will tell you that there is no proof and that studies have been disappointing for Vitamin C. But those studies used low doses of about 500 mg. What is an optimal dose for humans?

Unlike most mammals, humans and the apes do not synthesize their own vitamin C so must get it in their diet. Species that do create their own vitamin C produce much higher amounts than the Canadian adult RDI of 60 mg. A healthy 45 pound goat will produce about 6 grams (6,000 mg) per day in normal situations and 20 to 30 times as much when fighting an infection. So 2 to 4 grams when unstressed and up to 15 grams when stressed would not be out of line for an adult human.

Unfortunately the digestive tract cannot tolerate the higher amounts. Vitamin C researchers refer to “bowel tolerance” as the level of vitamin C that can be taken without causing diarrhea.  This is usually between 5 and 10 grams (more than this amount must be taken by IV infusion) which is sufficient for most therapeutic effects. At doses over 1 gram a buffered form of C is recommended to reduce acidity.

But are these levels safe? Dr. Carol Johnston published an article in Nutrition Review (March 1999) on the safety of high intakes of vitamin C. She examined the evidence on “rebound scurvy”, kidney stones, hemolytic anemia, enhanced iron absorption, the destruction of vitamin B12, and other possible effects. She concluded that “the available data indicate that very high intakes of vitamin C (2-4g/day) are well tolerated biologically…” http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w99/kidneystones.html

In the nearly 40 years since 1970 when Linus Pauling published his book on Vitamin C and the Common Cold, there have been many clinical studies looking at its effectiveness. Many showed little or no effect, others only limited benefits. A review of these studies by Dr. Harri Hemila in 1994 showed an overall reduction in the duration of colds by 23% but no consistent effect on incidence (number of colds). A 2004 meta-analysis by Dr Hemila again found little effect on incidence but significant reduction in duration and symptoms. A 2006 Japanese 5 year trial did find a significant reduction in incidence by the group taking 500 mg. Would a higher dose result in even better results? We still don’t know for sure.

Enhanced immunity however is only one of many physiological functions and health benefits of vitamin C. These may form the basis for a future column.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

032 Flu Prevention [5 Oct 2009]

The safest, and probably most effective, measure to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to ensure adequate levels of vitamins D and C. This is the conclusion of Dr. Mercola in his latest newsletter.

An analysis by Dr John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council [www.vitamindcouncil.org] of the latest Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report on H1N1 Flu deaths revealed a hidden link to vitamin D deficiency. So far this year 36 children have died of the flu in the USA. Of these nearly 2/3 had a neurodevelopmental condition including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation. All of these conditions are associated with Vitamin D deficiency.

A recent (2009) study at Albert Einstein School of Medicine studied the vitamin D levels of 6,000 American children ages 1 to 21. They found that 70% were deficient and 9% very deficient in Vitamin D. Children with low levels were more likely to have abnormal blood lipids (cholesterol), high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormally high parathyroid hormone levels.

Mercola writes “although studies proving vitamin D’s protective powers against the flu do not include the swine flu virus specifically (it’s too new), it’s likely that vitamin D can offer protection against swine flu as well. Flu viruses mutate each year, yet people with sufficient vitamin D levels appear immune to the seasonal flu without regard for which strain is currently in circulation.”

Remember my column about Vitamin C and polio (4 August 2009 Eagle)? Dr. Mercola related a similar case of a New Zealand farmer who picked up the swine flu in Fiji. Despite the use of Tamiflu and antibiotic treatment in an Auckland hospital, he continued to deteriorate and was put on life support. The doctors were ready to “pull the plug” saying there was nothing more they could do when the family persuaded the hospital – against tremendous resistance – to try intravenous vitamin C. He regained consciousness in a few days and within a few weeks he had fully recovered. The staff was amazed – they had never seen anything like this.

Unfortunately it is highly unlikely that this Auckland hospital, or any other conventional hospital that learns of the case, will try this again without further pressure. Sadly it seems in the current system it is safer for doctors and institutions to allow patients to die with conventional treatment than to save them with an unproven (especially natural) therapy.

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.

025 Colloidal Silver [17 August 2009]

Colloidal silver (CS) is a safe natural product with amazing antibiotic properties.  CS is a solution of both silver ions (AG+) and microscopic silver particles (colloids) suspended in water. It is colorless and tasteless.

Early in the last century colloidal silver was a commonly used antibiotic. CS was produced by a number of pharmaceutical companies and used for a wide range of infectious conditions. Medical journals of the day reported successful results with bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, without any toxicity. After the discovery of sulfa and penicillin drugs, colloidal silver ran out of favor (it’s not patentable) and by 1970 was no longer produced by any major pharmaceutical company. Silver treated burn dressings and silver plated catheters are sometimes still used to reduce infection rate.

Colloidal silver has recently made a comeback and is now readily available in health food stores. Brands vary in quality and strength, but most are in the 5 to 15 ppm range. It is commonly used orally, about a teaspoon a day for prevention. It can also be applied topically to cuts, scratches and acne.

Colloidal silver is perfectly safe at normal usage. In cases of extremely high use, a condition called argyria may occur causing the skin to turn blue-gray. One man who developed this condition moved to California where he thought he would fit in better! [see www.argyria.info]

A study in 1988 at UCLA School of Medicine found that colloidal silver completely killed every bacteria, virus and fungus on which it was tested. An important property of CS is that pathogens appear unable to develop immunity to it. There has been only one case reported of bacteria developing a resistance to CS.

While there has been little recent research on the uses of Colloidal Silver, many consumers have reported a great variety of successes with everything from minor cuts to serious diseases. Thousands of people are benefiting from the use of colloidal silver. If you are one of them I would like to hear your story. If you aren’t, why not?

This article is intended for educational purposes only; for medical advice consult your licensed health practitioner.