MAY 16, 2024 CANCER FIGHTING FOODS

In the quest for maintaining optimal health and reducing the risk of cancer, dietary choices play a crucial role. Certain foods, packed with powerful nutrients and antioxidants, have been identified as having potential cancer-fighting properties

One food I would never think as a cancer fighting food are walnuts. Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown promising results in cancer prevention. These nuts contain compounds that can potentially slow down the growth of cancer cells. Studies have suggested that walnuts may particularly be effective against breast and prostate cancer. Moreover, the regular inclusion of walnuts in diets has been associated with reduced risk of these cancer

This next food is great for heart health and digestion. It is also effective as cancer preventing. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is rich in sulforaphane, a compound that exhibits strong anti-cancer properties. This compound not only helps in the prevention of cancer but also hinders the growth of already existing cancer cells. Sulforaphane targets cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, making broccoli a valuable addition to a cancer-preventive diet. Studies have particularly noted its efficacy in reducing the risk of colorectal and bladder cancers. I use a lot of sulforaphane is breast cancers

Lastly I would incorporate berries into your diet. I think of blueberries as a great antioxidant and cancer fighting berry. Yet there is another one. Raspberries are abundant in antioxidants, particularly ellagic acid, which has shown potential in cancer prevention. This antioxidant helps neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and has been linked to inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Consuming raspberries may lower the risk of developing several types of cancer, including skin, lung, bladder, and breast cancers.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 15, 2024 EJACULATION

For men, an orgasm is usually accompanied by ejaculation. As men get older the ejaculate becomes less if at all. It is not as thick as it used to be. It can almost be like water. Many men complain about this to their doctors. How many sperm do you think is in a single ejaculate? The answer is 300 million. Of course, the amount of sperm gets less as you get older.

Ejaculation is a twostep process. I 'love' saying that! In the emission phase, the seminal fluid accumulates in the bulb of the prostate. Depending on the type of sex men are having this can be felt as a swelling of the prostate. The the expulsion phase the neck of the urinary bladder closes to ensure that no urine will mix with the semen. At the same time the muscles of the penis and penile urethra contract to force the semen out. This phase can be quite 'verbal' for the man depending on the force of the ejaculation (and the age of the man).

As you get older you might experience a dry ejaculation where you feel as though you are having an organism, but no semen is forced out. This can be due to medications, stress and illness. This is commonly observed in my practice in patients on anti-depressants especially celexa, zoloft and paxil. Even blood pressure medications can cause this

Most of the cases of ejaculatory problems are psycho-social in origin. Usually there is no physical problem. The psycho social problem is that the man could feel sexual failure with his partner, male or female, but has no problem with another sexual partner. This is commonly the case with gay men. Sometimes after years of being together, the sex is too stagnant. I sometimes deal with men that have premature ejaculation. This often happens when there is initial penetration or very soon after.

The question is would you prefer a dry ejaculation or a premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is usually the sign of performance anxiety. I commonly see this in younger men. There are rare occurrences of no ejaculation. This can occur in men who overindulge (constant or daily masturbation), inadequate stimulation of the penis or age.

Remedies can be varied. I believe that a psychologist should be involved. The male should try to avoid caffeine or stimulants in any form. There should be an increase in the intake of B vitamins. I usually suggest a B50 or B100 multivitamin. Eat oatmeal (always steel cut) as all oatmeal contains thiamine, an essential B vitamin. For the male who loves aromatherapy - mix bergamot in sweet almond oil and refresh the air with a vaporizer. There are three herbs which I recommend to drink two to there times a day. There should be a blend of Valerian, lime blossom, and skullcap. These are the herbs which will calm the nerves. For the men with premature ejaculation, there is a flower essence called Gentian which I find useful for those with a sense of failure.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 14, 2024 MEMORY

We all misplace our keys. We all sometimes walk in a room and forget why we even went in the room. I find the more stress an individual is undergoing, the more forgetful he/she will get. I encourage my older patients to do word retrieval games, seek the word games, math problem solving and basic jigsaw puzzles. I also want a central bowl when you walk in the door to place all your pocket belongings- your keys, phone, Metrocard, change, bills et al.

Studies have shown that patients on the conventional drug, Aricept (Donepezil) scored higher on the Mini Mental State Examiantion than did patients who discontinued the drug. In addition those taking Aricepot scored lower on the Activities of Daily Living Scale which means they had less impairment. I use this drug in combination with herbs/supplements. I do find that older patients sometimes get gastrointestinal upset from Aricept. This is why I utilize an integrative approach to memory loss.

It is not easy to find studies on botanicals for memory loss. It is easier to find studies of vitamin/supplements like acetyl L carnitine, phosphotidylserine, phosphotidylcholine and omega 3, 6 9 fish oils.

Culpepper referred to this plant as 'a great binder' In older times, herbalists used to believe that the planets of our solar system governed the plants. Periwinkle (Vinca major and Vinca minor) were said to be governed by the planet Venus. Both have similar herbal properties. These plants have helped cancer patients with two medicines, vinblastine and vincristine. One of the other major uses of vinpocetine is for memory. According to Matthew Wood in Earthwise Herbal, Lord Bacon  believed that a cramp in the leg could be cured by wrapping periwinkle vine around the leg. I have seen herbalists use periwinkle for heavy menstrual bleeding, ulcers, skin disorders, and even vertigo. I have not used Periwinkle species as much as I should with the exception of the substance vinpocetine being present in many memory formulas. I use 20mg capsules twice a day.

The other herbs in Memory formulas include ginkgo, garlic and huperzine. I take Lion’s Mane and Bacopa daily The studies on these two are excellent for improving memory

Even the glowing jellyfish has a substance called Prevagen which has gained popularity in helping memory.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 13, 2024 AN ADAPTOGEN

Ashwaganda is an adaptogen. It has many properties. It is anti-inflammatory, an anti oxidant, a hypoglycemic agent as well as an immune supportive herb. There are many botanical adaptogens. Most of what I have learned about adaptogens comes from David Winston, RH lectures and his books. He loves adaptogens as much as I do. He is the father of adaptogen use. The uses of this herb are many ranging from asthma, arthritis to adrenal support, cancer and failure to thrive in children.
The best asset of this herb is that it improves and conserves adaptive energy.
With all the stress in this world and your every day life, your adrenal glands are truly "pooping' out. You have adrenal fatigue. For those of you that do not know this - the adrenal gland is on top of each kidney. It releases the stress hormones for your life. After much usage of this gland and its hormones it begins to get tired and poop out. This is called Adrenal Fatigue.
The good news is that you can take ashwaganda. There are clinical trials and studies to support the use of this herb for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders as well as Parkinson's disease.
I love it as it increases my stamina. I do not think I need more stamina than I have but a little extra is always good. I find it terrific fort memory and cognition. There are studies for this herb for energy.

Try it!
You will like it !

Until tomorrow

MAY 9, 2024 BULGAR

Bulgur, a versatile and ancient whole grain, has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. This nutritious grain, made from cracked wheat, is not only a culinary delight but also a powerhouse of health benefits. The question is why do we need bulgar ? It is not widely used among individuals.

Bulgur stands out in the world of grains for its exceptional nutritional profile. It’s a rich source of dietary fiber, essential for maintaining digestive health and preventing constipation. This high-fiber content also plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar level. It is chock full of vitamins. It is high in B vitamins, including niacin, thiamine, and folate, which are crucial for energy production and brain function

I love bulgar for regulating blood sugar However i see many individuals with gut issues- The term might be irritable bowel but in functional medicine we term it ‘ leaky gut ‘ Bulgur’s high fiber content is a boon for digestive health. It aids in regular bowel movements and prevents constipation, a common problem in diets lacking sufficient fiber. This whole grain also plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria

Lastly it is used in my practice for heart heart Regular consumption of bulgur is linked to improved heart health. The grain’s high fiber content is instrumental in reducing bad cholesterol levels (LDL), a major risk factor for heart disease. By promoting healthy cholesterol levels, bulgur helps in keeping arteries clear, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Until tomorrow…

MAY 8, 2024 HONEY

The buzz (no pun intended) is the use of local honey to diminish allergic symptoms. In my clinical experience, the consumption of local honey does alleviate allergic symptoms. I always tell my patients to use local honey from their region where they live. The New York Times said just the opposite years ago

The NY Times article published on May 2011 referenced a 10 year old study (from 2001 ) comparing a group of people consuming local unfiltered honey, to other groups consuming commercial honey and corn syrup (the placebo). This 10 year old study showed no difference in the three.

Shame on the NY Times for publishing data from a 10 year old study.

Another study had different results. Although there were only 44 patients. This study compared those using birch pollen honey to those consuming regular commercial honey. The study concluded that during the birch pollen season those consuming the birch pollen honey had:

1. 60% reduction in symptoms

2. Twice as many asymptomatic days (less time off from work)

3. 70% fewer days with symptoms
4. 50% reduction in antihistamine use

Take away information: Consume 1 teaspoon of local honey per day. I do it every morning. April and May are the busiest times for beekeepers. Each spend alot of time preparing their hives for a successful honey season. Support your local beekeeper.

Until tomorrow. …

MAY 7, 2024 FOLIC ACD

Understanding folic acid is essential not just for those in specific life stages, such as pregnancy, but for everyone. There are some vitamins that should be given everyday to everyone Folate is such a vitamin. The understanding about folate and methylation is a complex discussion Let’s make it simple

Folic acid, a form of water-soluble B vitamin, is essential for numerous bodily functions. It is often confused with folate, its natural counterpart found in various foods. While both are forms of vitamin B9, folic acid refers specifically to the synthetic form used in supplements and food fortification

The sources of folic acid vary, with the primary ones being fortified foods and supplements. Common fortified foods include cereals, bread, pasta, and other grain products. These foods are fortified with folic acid as part of public health initiatives to reduce the risk of birth defects. Natural sources of folate, the other form of vitamin B9, include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and nuts. The body’s ability to convert folate into its active form is more efficient than its ability to convert folic acid Folic acid plays a pivotal role in the body, primarily in DNA synthesis and repair. This function is crucial for all individuals, as it supports the growth and proper functioning of cells. Additionally, folic acid is vital for the formation of red blood cells, preventing anemia

For most adults, the RDA is set at 400 micrograms per day, while pregnant women are advised to increase their intake to 600 micrograms. I prescribe a lot more depending on the presence of the MTHFR gene The important thing to know is to take folic acid.

Until tomorrow…

MAY 6, 2024 BREAST CANCER

Cancer is a scary word. Nobody wants to hear that they or someone they love has cancer. According to studies breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide. Each year, it is estimated that 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed, and almost half a million women die from the disease annually. I see in my practice many women that have breast cancer Some is genetic based—BRCA 1 and 2, and most is not There are ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer

There are facts we know about risk of cancer in general. You should not smoke, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and limit alcohol consumption. Women who smoke have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Smoking damages DNA and prevents cells from repairing themselves, which can lead to the formation of cancerous tumors.

Do you exercise regularly ? Studies have shown that women who are physically active have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who are inactive. There are several reasons for this. First, exercise helps to control weight. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for breast cancer,

Eat smartly, wisely and carefully. Consume more greens and fruits. Do not eat processed food and limit your sugar intake It is easy, simple but often hard to do Certain vitamins help reduce tor risk folate is a B vitamin that helps to repair DNA damage, and studies have shown that getting enough folate can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. The second is omega 3 fatty acids

In addition to doing above. Get regular check ups and that includes self examination Do a mammogram and a Thermogram. Find a physician that will listen to your needs and practice integrative therapies with your conventional surgery, chemotherapy and radiation

Until tomorrow…