470 Nutritional Support for the Elderly [7 May 2018]

In a recent webinar Dr. Philip Rouchotas ND of the Bolton Naturopathic Clinic in Ontario, shared his nutritional protocol for his elderly patients, especially those with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, MS, and Parkinson’s, and those with mild cognitive impairment or traumatic brain injury. He believes most people over 60, and everyone over 70, will experience rapid and significant benefits from this program.

The base of the program is the Mediterranean Diet (more on this another week) along with physical exercise (aerobic and resistance) and mental exercise (chess, bridge, video games).

Step 1 deals with nutritional deficiencies which are “epidemic” among North American seniors for three main reasons: loss of appetite (they eat less); change in appetite (they prefer saltier, fattier, less nutrient-dense foods); and digestive impairment (they absorb fewer nutrients). Step 1 supplements:
• A good multivitamin with trace minerals and activated B’s
• Whey protein (30g) – prevents muscle loss; halves number of viral infections (colds)
• Creatine (2.5g) – prevents muscle loss (even while in a cast); with Parkinson’s slows requirement for increasing dopamine dose
• Fish Oil (1000-2000mg total EPA + DHA) – a 2:1 ratio works best

After a few months on Step 1 the elderly should have regained some strength and be ready to add a few more products from Step 2 to further improve their health:
• CoQ10 (100mg x2) – improves mitochondrial function, increases energy for muscle and brain function
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine (2g) – cofactor in mitochondria, necessary for burning fat for energy; doubles survival time in ALS patients
• Melatonin (as needed up to 20mg) – nerve cell antioxidant, benefits elderly even if sleep is not an issue
• Ginkgo biloba (120-240mg) – use if meds allow (blood thinners are a contraindication); improves cerebrovascular function (blood flow to the brain)
• Lion’s Mane (1g x2) – prevents cognitive impairment due to amyloid beta plaque; improves brain function in Mild Cognitive Impairment

I appreciate that Dr. Rouchotas’ protocols are backed with multiple human (not just animal) placebo-controlled studies so we can be confident in their safety and effectiveness. I plan to write more about some of these products in future articles.

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.

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.

452 Adrenal Fatigue [1 Jan 2018]

This is the first column of 2018 and the beginning of my last year – I plan to retire this column at #500 sometime next December.

In March 2015 [#311] I discussed the three stages of adrenal fatigue: wired & tired; stressed & tired; and burned out. In #312 I listed the 9 healing steps used by Dr Robin Berzin in her practice with patients with adrenal fatigue. I reviewed this information in August 2016 [#380]. This week I will share new information from Dr. Philip Rouchota’s naturopathic practice.

Philip begins by cautioning that there is not a lot of scientific research on the topic as mainstream medicine does not recognize adrenal fatigue as a real condition. This is puzzling to me because diabetes is well recognized as the pancreas’ inability to produce sufficient insulin, and hypothyroidism as the thyroid’s inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormones. Adrenal fatigue is simply the inability of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient cortisol, with predictable signs and symptoms.

There is a lab test for it, called Adrenal Stress Index, but this is costly so practitioners usually rely on clinical presentation including: high level of stress, extreme fatigue, afternoon crash, awake feeling unrested, and overuse of caffeine.

Mental health issues like depression, anxiety and insomnia frequently occur along with AF. Dr. Rouchota treats these first, which usually clear in 3 months, before addressing the remaining fatigue. AF is slow to resolve, often taking 4-6 months to see any improvement.

The treatment for AF is the same for all stages and the goal is the same – to normalize cortisol production. Dr. Rouchota’s protocol includes:
• Mediterranean diet
• Meditation breathing – shown in studies to normalize cortisol and reduce anxiety
• A good multi or B complex
• Adrenal glandular concentrate
• Cordyceps mushroom extract
• Adaptogen herbs such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Astragalus, Passionflower
• L-theanine – relieves stress and relaxes without drowsiness
• Melatonin – to ensure sufficient quality sleep

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

449 Medicinal Mushrooms [4 Dec 2017]

Medicinal mushrooms are commonly used in Japan (hence the Japanese names for many of them) but are underutilized in North America, mostly I think due to lack of awareness. Most of the research, including many human studies, have been done in China and Japan. I didn’t know much about them until I participated in a webinar on the topic by Dr. Philip Rouchotas.

The active ingredients in the mushrooms are various polysaccharides which are protected in the mushrooms by a chitin cell wall. Hot water or steam extraction works best to release the polysaccharides.

Coriolus, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake and Chaga all have similar medicinal properties. Their most important role is assisting with advanced cancer treatment, taken along with chemotherapy and radiation. These mushrooms have been used in Japan for this purpose for over 30 years. Studies have shown that they:

• Stimulate activity of NK (Natural Killer) white blood cells to attack cancer cells
• Protect Neutrophils from destruction by chemo, allowing treatment to continue (if neutrophil count gets too low chemo treatment has to be stopped)
• Reduce side effects of chemo and radiation therapy including fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and insomnia
• Help maintain body weight during cancer treatment
• Increase length of remission and survival rates from cancer treatment

These five mushrooms also have anti-viral properties and have been shown in human trials to be effective with HIV, HPV and other viral, fungal and bacterial infections. They also help with conditions of severe fatigue like Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Cordyceps is another well studied mushroom, highly valued by the Chinese. An important use is in treating adrenal fatigue by balancing cortisol production. It improves symptoms of respiratory conditions including COPD. Cordyceps improves cardio-pulmonary function in elderly people, increasing their stamina.

Lion’s Mane is known as the “brain mushroom” because it stimulates nerve growth. It’s main use is with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and MS. Animal studies show that it increases growth of myelin making it a promising treatment for MS. Dr. Rouchotas considers it to be the most important supplement in treatment of brain injury such as concussion, along with fish oil, CoQ10 and Acetyl-L-Carnitine.

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