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Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

I have a question about that memory-enhancing natural drug. Can it be taken by anyone or only people who are experiencing memory loss? I am a 28-year-old woman, and I would like to know, as my mother is suffering from dementia. I would also like to know if memory loss is hereditary and if anything can be done to prevent it.

answer:
This is unlikely in someone so young, although Alzheimer’s disease does have a familial association.

There are actually several “natural drugs” for memory, if you mean that in the sense of naturally occurring substances that improve memory. The major one, so far as dementia is concerned, is ginkgo biloba.

A number of experimental double-blind and clinical studies have been done during the past dozen years on standardized ginkgo biloba extract in dementia. (The extract is actually a registered drug in Germany for the treatment of brain dysfunction.) The studies are virtually unanimous in documenting improvement in such parameters as short-term memory, attention, basic learning rate, cognitive efficiency, performance speed, problem-solving, vigilance, mood and sociability. People without dementia who take ginkgo also report improved mental function.

Ginkgo appears to work by increasing blood flow to the brain. It also enhances glucose utilization, the brain’s energy source. In addition, it has membrane-stabilizing and antioxidant effects. The usual dose of the extract, standardized to contain 24 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides, is 40 mg three times a day.

Ginkgo may help delay deterioration in early stages of Alzheimer’s dementia, but the consensus is that it’s not much use later on. For full-blown Alzheimer’s, we turn to a second “natural drug,” acetyl-L-carnitine.

Acetyl-L-carnitine is a form of L-carnitine, an amino acid found in meat, and available as a nutritional supplement. Carnitine changes to acetyl-L-carnitine through the action of an enzyme that is woefully lacking in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims.

Acetyl-L-carnitine has been the subject of double-blind clinical studies in Alzheimer’s patients, with somewhat spotty results. Acetyl-L-carnitine reportedly improves behavior, memory, verbal fluency, attention, name learning, logical intelligence and digit recall, among other measures—or at the very least, it slows the progressive deterioration of such cognitive functions.

Acetyl-L-carnitine may help Alzheimer’s sufferers in at least two ways: It is a precursor to acetylcholine (a brain chemical involved in memory), and it acts as an energy carrier at the level of the cells’ energy factories (the mitochondria) where it is involved in fatty-acid metabolism. The dosage in these studies ranged from 2 to 3 gm a day.

A third natural substance, phos-phatidylserine (PS), has been receiving favorable attention recently. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 72 adults, a daily dose of 300 mg of PS with phosphatidic acid was given for three months. The PS group showed improved memorization of information, memorization of numbers and visual memory. This group also appeared not to experience depressed moods during the winter months.

I’ve heard that in a man older than 50, the body begins to produce a toxic hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a by product of testosterone. This hormone causes the prostate to swell up, which, in turn, produces uncomfortable symptoms such as multiple trips to the bathroom at night. I’ve heard that saw palmetto berries suppress DHT and help shrink the prostate. Is this true? I can say that saw palmetto has really worked for me.

answer:
You’ve got it mostly right. Saw palmetto extract has been shown in more than a half-dozen double-blind clinical studies to improve urine flow, decrease frequency of urination, lessen urinary discomfort and aid in more complete emptying of the bladder. It’s arguable, however, whether the prostate actually becomes smaller.

Saw palmetto is so good that I recommend it to my middle-aged and older patients with prostate symptoms. I also prescribe it to help maintain a healthy prostate. I find it works best when combined with certain amino acids, vitamins, herbs, bee pollen and zinc.

Saw palmetto extract reportedly blocks DHT activity, but is DHT really guilty as charged? It seems odd that the prostate enlarges just at the age when a man’s overall male hormone levels drop. Odd, too, that tissue samples of enlarged prostate glands don’t show unusual levels of DHT.

Some researchers believe that estrogen causes an enlarged prostate in older men. Estrogen, which is always present in a man’s body, assumes more influence as male hormone levels decline. To play it safe, I sometimes suggest a man increase his consumption of soybean products such as tofu, soy milk or soy protein powder because the genistein in soy will control estrogen.

Anyhow, DHT is a normal (physiological) form of male hormone, not a “toxic hormone.” It is necessary for normal male development. Unfortunately, it also promotes male-pattern baldness. I have been wondering whether a saw palmetto scalp tonic would actually help grow new hair.

Scientists say there’s no sight as sad as the corpse of a beautiful theory, slain by one ugly fact.

The ugly fact is that a high lysine/low arginine diet promotes atherosclerosis, which is a form of arteriosclerosis. Individuals on a diet high in  animal-protein, with lysine three to four times higher than  arginine, have an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Those who  eat vegetarian diets, with scarcely more lysine than arginine, have a reduced risk of heart disease.

The answer lies in the ratio between insulin and glucagon, two hormones that control blood sugar. Proteins like casein (milk protein), with high lysine levels, cause a high insulin-to-glucagon ratio, at least in people with high cholesterol. Soy protein, with relatively more arginine, causes that ratio to decrease. Lysine and branched-chain amino acids increase serum cholesterol; arginine and glycine reduce it.

Consume a vitamin C on a daily basis is important. Other antioxidants, including vitamin E, carotene and CoQ10, must be taken concurrently with vitamin C to protect arteries.

I’ve heard about osteoporosis and the need for calcium in your diet. Should I worry about this?

answer:
Worry may not be the right word, but you should definitely meet the recommended daily amount of calcium. Your bones actually take in the most calcium during your teen years and early 20s. Calcium is most prevalent in foods like milk, cheese and yogurt. It’s recommended that female teens choose four or more servings per day from the dairy group. If you’re not getting enough calcium in your diet, taking a calcium supplement will satisfy the requirement. (Be sure to take calcium supplements at night.)

There’s no evidence to suggest that these foods cause acne. Acne is related more to changing hormones and/or stress than to food choices. A well-balanced diet does, though, fit into the skin-care factor. By eating healthful foods and not skipping meals, you’ll have the energy you need to help ward off excess stress, so it’s best to limit your intake of sugary or greasy foods.

I am 5 feet 1 inch tall, and my husband is 6 feet 1 inch. Our son, age 12, is 4 feet 9 inches, and our daughter, age 9, is 4 feet 11 inches tall. Our doctor says they are both normal for their ages and their genetic background. The boy is the shortest in seventh grade, thus he gets teased a lot. Are there any vitamins that I can give him, or am I just a worried mom?

answer:
Yes, you are a worried mom, and yes, there are some vitamins that can help—but only minimally. A popular concept is that a few shots of human growth hormone (HGH) may get your short youngster into a normal growth cycle. (Until recently, the only approved use for this hormone was for children deficient in HGH. At one point, this hormone was taken off the market due to contamination.)

We know that zinc and manganese will help bones grow longer and thicker. Give him 15 to 30 mg of zinc and 100 to 200 meg of manganese a day. Consuming at least 500 mg of vitamin C per day also allows some children to grow about a centimeter longer in a year. These are safe to try and have no side effects.

Girls are usually taller than boys from approximately 10 to 12 years of age. Once girls start their menses at approximately 13 years old, they only grow another inch or two. The boys continue to grow until they are approximately 17 years old and are sexually mature. The old adage is  generally true: To see how tall a boy will grow, double his height at age 2. And double a girl’s height at 18 months to see how tall she will grow.

Curiously, some studies done on Eastern Mediterranean men showed that phytic acid, an ingredient in unleavened bread, inhibited growth in males by as much as 3 to 4 inches.

Your worrying over your son’s growth pattern should be enough to hold him together while he is waiting to grow taller. Does your daughter look like her father and your son look like you? Those similarities might help explain the discrepancies in size. She may feel she is too tall when she matures, and he might remain too short for his desire.

I recently got a hair analysis for my 7-year-old daughter to test for mineral deficiencies. She was low in certain minerals such as calcium and magnesium, but what perplexed me was that she was very high in potassium and sodium. I haven’t been able to find a connection. What could this mean?

answer:
Several labs around the country do mineral analysis on hair samples. Allopathic doctors criticize the test, saying that it cannot be accurate enough to test for anything except heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.

The metals that are stored in hair are a reflection of what is floating around in the bloodstream, as well as what is stored in the bones. For example, hyperactive children are low in calcium and magnesium, which suggests that they cannot absorb minerals from dairy products because of a sensitivity, and they are eating a diet low in magnesium. Some children crave chocolate and peanut butter when they are low in magnesium, as these foods contain a fair amount of that mineral. The elevated potassium and sodium levels do not necessarily mean that these elements have been eaten in excess. In fact, it suggests that the adrenal glands are under stress, as potassium and sodium are regulated by the adrenal mineral corticoids, which are several different hormones in the adrenal glands.

The doctor who ordered the test should have a printout that roughly explains the elevations. Be thankful that the toxic minerals are low in the test. You may not have to do anything about her diet. You can elevate her calcium and magnesium with the appropriate supplements. Get another test in approximately six months, and let me know about any changes.

We have an exuberant 6-year-old girl with ADHD. She has a never-ending drive for attention and has trouble working in a group. She wants to read (she is unable to read or even recognize letters) and have friends more than anything. Her self-esteem is slipping. We have encouraged her to develop her talent for sports. Sports build her confidence, yet they do not improve her ability to get along with her peers. The school psychiatrist recommended that she take Ritalin, but I’ve since discovered that wheat is the main cause of her hyperactivity. What can we do to help her improve things like her short-term memory?

answer:
This may be too complicated to answer in a few short paragraphs, but I can get you started. You have found that wheat is a downer for her. You might also notice that other foods can produce neurological symptoms: Milk, soy, corn, eggs, chocolate, shellfish and nuts are some foods to watch. If she had ear infections as an infant, milk may be like a poison to her. If she took antibiotics for the infections, she may be struggling with the yeast infection candidiasis.

Under a nutritionally oriented—or ordiomolecular—physician’s guidance, try Ritalin for a few days as a diagnostic tool. If Ritalin normalizes her symptoms, you know that her difficulties are caused by biochemical problems that can be solved with nutrition. Ritalin may show benefits in as little as an hour.

Vitamin B6 helps with memory. If she cannot remember even small parts of her dreams, she needs about 25 to 50 mg of B6 daily for a week or so. Is she ticklish, goosey or sensitive? These characteristics usually stem from a magnesium deficiency. A lack of magnesium shortens the attention span and slows learning ability. Does she have good and bad days or hours—okay in the morning but a terror in the afternoon? Such behavior is caused by blood-sugar fluctuations. However, sugar is not the only culprit; blood sugar fluctuates when you eat foods that you are sensitive to.

Your daughter’s situation may also respond to homeopathy.

Did she crawl and creep on the floor as an infant? Research indicates that if a baby did not get that kind of stimulation as an infant, reading skills are harder to obtain.

7 years ago i had problems only in my left eye which was diagnosed as uveitis inflamation in in my eye which was causing me to lose my eyesight i know can see nothing and about 5 years ago my right eye began with the same problem.i have blurred vision and floaters in both eyes. the sunlight bothers me, and at night i cant see the have never found a reason they just say it is something in my body that is wrong that is causing this. but to this day nothing abnormal in test.

answer:

Causes
Uveitis has many different causes. It may be associated with infections from a virus (such as shingles, mumps, or herpes), a fungus (such as Histoplasmosis), or a parasite (such as Toxoplasmosis). It may also result from autoimmune inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or come as a consequence of injury to the eye. In at least 50% of cases, the cause remains unknown.

Treatment

Treatment varies according to the type of inflammation. Iritis affects the front chamber of the eye, usually as sudden episodes with symptoms of pain, rednesss and sensitivity to light. These attacks respond to drops, using steroid of variable strength and frequency and dilating the pupil while inflammation is active to prevent adhesions. Complications of repeated attacks of iritis include permanently small pupil, rise in eye pressure and cataract. Vision may be blurred during acute attacks and dilating drops will also blur reading vision in particular.

Prompt treatment is necessary to minimize any loss of vision. Eye drops, especially steroids and pupil dilators, are medications used to reduce inflammation and pain. For deeper inflammation, oral medication or injections may be necessary. Complications such as glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye), or neovascularization (new blood vessel formation) may also occur and need treatment in the course of the disease. If complications are advanced, laser surgery or conventional surgery in the operating room may be necessary. Your doctor will discuss specific treatment recommendations with you.

I am a 23 year old Male, and for the past month I have been experiencing a strange sensation in my head that is hard to explain – but I will do my best to describe it here. It comes on every 5 seconds or so and lasts for about 2 seconds at a time. I guess it feels like a burning sensation, although the pain is quite mild. I also experience an ache within my left ear, and sometimes a slight ache in my throat but these aches are not always constant. I would say they are present for about 70% of the day, where as the sensation in my head is 100% of the day. The muscles around my shoulder blades also seem a little tight, and yesterday I tried massaging myself around this area, and when I hit a certain spot I would get a short headache in my temples that lasted for less than a second… but every time I did this, I got the head ache every time. Sometimes (but quite infrequently) I feel the same pain on the right side of my head too, and I also experience shooting pains in strange places like my earlobes and rib area, which last for less than a second and again occur infrequently.

I have been to the Doctor a few times in the last couple of weeks, as I want to be sure it is nothing serious like a tumour. (I’ve never had anything like this my whole life, so it is all a bit worrying for me). They are not sure what it is, but think it is unlikely to be anything serious since the headaches are not strong, and I am not sick/nauseous. Also, they said that I would probably experience problems with my sight and/or hearing… The Doctor examined my ears, eyes, and throat quickly and said there was nothing of any concern there, but I know that it can’t be right to be feeling like this constantly for so long! They have prescribed me with Migrane tablets, which didn’t seem to do anything, and today they prescribed me with Diclofenac Sodium tablets which I have to start taking tomorrow. They said it is likely to be Tension Headaches, although having done some research online, I am not sure my symptoms
quite fit this diagnosis as the pain in my head is at the top left (right by the crown), and not at the front of my head like traditional headaches.

Can anyone put my mind at ease and tell me what the problem might be? I feel a bit like the Doctors think I am wasting their time, but I am just want to be sure it is nothing serious.

answer:
Secondary headaches are classified as either traction
or inflammatory headaches. Traction headaches result
from the pulling, pushing, or stretching of pain-sensitive
structures, such as a brain tumor pressing upon the outer
layer of tissue that covers the brain. Inflammatory
headaches are caused by infectious diseases of the ears,
teeth, sinuses, or other parts of the head.

Causes

A person feels headache pain when specialized nerve endings, known as nociceptors, are stimulated by pressure on or injury to any of the pain-sensitive structures of the head. Most nociceptors in humans are located in the skin or on the walls of blood vessels and internal organs.

Tension headaches typically result from tightening of
the face, neck, and scalp muscles as a result of emotional
stress; physical postures that cause the head and neck muscles to tense (e.g., holding a phone against the ear with one’s shoulder); emotional depression or anxiety; temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction; or arthritis of the neck. The tense muscles put pressure on the walls of the blood vessels that supply the neck and head, which stimulates the nociceptors in the tissues that line the blood vessels.

Medical treatments

Tension headaches are usually relieved fairly rapidly
by such over-the-counter analgesics as aspirin (300–600
mg every four hours), acetaminophen (650 mg every four hours), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (brands include Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (brands such as Naprosyn or Aleve). For patients with chronic tension headaches, the doctor may prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant or benzodiazepine tranquilizer in addition to a pain reliever. A newer treatment for chronic tension headaches is botulinum toxin (Botox type A), which appears to work quite well for some patients.