SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects the brain. It is the most common form of dementia, resulting in memory loss and cognitive decline. At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, making it even more critical to identify potential causes so that treatments can be developed.

Some potential causes overlooked in conventional medicine are infectious as chronic Lyme , mold toxicity and heavy metal toxicity. Ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin from the Aspergillus mold has been associated with the development of AD as well as Parkinson’s Disease We utilize certain labs to do mold testing as well as glyphosate testing Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses These chemicals have been linked to many diseases.

I utilize many supplements / herbs for the treatment of AD. Although there is no cure I do know these supplements slow the progression. I utilize Lion’s Mane, Bacopa, a vinca alkaloid, and much more. I do intravenous phosphatidyl choline and glutathione which has been studied by Patricia Kane Ph D

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 GLUTEN

I have been discussing gluten for years. I even worked in my friend’s Jennifer Esposito’s Gluten free bakery, Jennifer’s Way in the East Village NYC.

Gluten, a protein predominantly found in wheat, barley, and rye, has been a staple in many diets worldwide. However, in recent years, the choice to go gluten-free has gained immense popularity. This isn’t merely a fad; there are genuine health reasons behind such decisions. For many, eliminating gluten becomes a path to a more comfortable, energetic, and healthy life. While it’s not a universal remedy, understanding the potential benefits of a gluten-free diet can help one make informed decisions about dietary choices
In regards to the skin ,  gluten can be an unsuspecting culprit behind several skin conditions. Inflammation, triggered by gluten intake, can lead to outbreaks of acne, exacerbate rosacea, and even spur eczema episodes.

For Energy , some individuals, especially those with gluten sensitivities, consuming products with gluten can result in a feeling of lethargy

For the gastrointestinal tract, Gluten can disrupt the digestive tract, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, and even constipation in some cases. For individuals with celiac disease, the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine, leading to nutrient malabsorption

For weight , gluten-rich foods, often dense in carbohydrates and added sugars, can contribute to an excessive caloric intake thus gaining weight 

For cognition, gluten sensitivity can manifest in ways beyond digestive distress, with cognitive impairments. This is sometimes called Brain Fog in my medical communities. Brain fog can be caused by many diseases, but gluten should never be overlooked 

Please stop eating gluten for these reasons.

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 PROSTATE HEALTH

Prostate health is of concern of every male patient, particular over the age of 50. iIt is extremely important for me with a family history of prostate cancer The standard test is the PSA (probably over utilized) followed up by a trans rectal ultrasound of the prostate. or a MRI of the prostate The three basic prostate conditions are prostatitis, benign prostate hypertrophy and prostate cancer.
One point to remember is that PSA screening  results in little or no reduction in prostate cancer specific mortality and may be associated with problems  related to subsequent evaluation and treatments

There are excellent supplements, minerals and herbs for prostate support. Some of the herbs as saw palmetto has been studied by the National Institute of Health ( NIH) There are also excellent food sources for prostate health. Other than saw palmetto the two herbs I utilize are stinging nettles ( Urtica dioica) and Pygeum africanum. The stinging nettles is the root not the leaf I do utilize a product by Prostate Supreme and a Prostate Tonic that I have formulated. It is sold at Botanical Bounty

Is there a way to promote prostate health using foods ? Yes, there is.
1. Eat sardines, salmon mackerel and trout for Omega 3s
2. Consume almonds and walnuts ( good oils) Pumpkin seeds are useful for the prostate
3. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables especially berries, spinach and bell peppers ( all are high in their anti oxidant potential)
4. Obtain resveratrol from red wine and grapes ( use in small doses as both increase blood sugar levels)
5, Lycopene containing foods include tomato juice, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Watermelon is an excellent source of lycopene ( but watermelons have a high glycemic index - or high sugar levels)
6. Ti get selenium eat Brazil nuts, brown rice and fresh fish
7. Eat avocados, nuts , pumpkin seeds and peas for Vitamin E
8. For trace elements as zinc, manganese, and copper eat leafy green vegetables
9. Drink green tea

It is not always necessary to take vitamins and supplements if you eat a well balanced diet

Until tomorrow

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 SKIN

Lately I have been seeing many young men and women with skin conditions. Many want to try Accutane. There are many precautions to consider before taking Accutane, especially for women of child bearing age. For men it is less toxic, however obtaining the drug requires the physician to join a special web site for distribution, as well as close monitoring of each patient.

I sometimes would rather use herbs to help the skin. There are so many to choose from.

1. Burdock seed (Arctium lappa) for dry scaly skin and recurrent boils.

2. Blue flag (Iris verscolor) - for chronic skin problems

3. Oregon Grape Root - (Berberis aquafolium) - I made a salve preparation while in Northeast Botanical Medicine program with 7song. I use this herb for infection far more than other herbs. I love making different salve preparations with Oregon Grape Root. It is great for the pustular eruptions of the skin , especially the face.

Dermatologists are great at what they do. Most dermatologists practice cosmetics. There is NO herb replacement for cosmetic surgery, however there is green tea, calendula and many other herbs that can prevent the need for surgery.

There are many herbal options. Seek one....

Until tomorrow...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 HOMOCYSTEINE

What is homocysteine ? Homocyteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis and several neurodegenerative diseases., In diabetics, homocysteine adds a significant burden, especially in those with poorly controlled blood glucose. Homocysteine levels below 6 umol/L are to be ideal. and moderate risk begins when levels are between 9 - 13 umol/L/. Levels above 13 are associated with and may be seen in kidney diseases.

These are the factors causing Hyperhomocysteinemia:
1. increased age; 2. male gender ; 3. menopause
A diet low in consumption of fruits and vegetables, no consumption of multivitamins, low intake of folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and a diet high in methionine containing proteins.

So you do not get panicked--there are diseases with higher homocysteine levels., These are diabetes, kidney diseases, certain malignancies, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, and enzxyme deficiencies as methionine synthetase.

I have mentioned methionine twice so there are metabolic pathways concerting homocysteine to either cysteine and/ or methionine ( 2 other amino acids) It is straight forward in reducing homocysteine levels. You do this by increasing the intake of folates, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6 If you have the MTHFR gene you will need to take methylB12 and methylfolate This is very common 40 % of the adult population has a methyl gene defect.

B12 is by far the most studied single ingredient to reduce homocysteine. I prefer to use a methylated folic acid as there is a very common enzyme deficiency (5  MTHFR) A methylated folic acid is more beneficial. If you cannot get a methylated folic acid, then you can use TMG ( trimethylglycine) as it is a methyl donor and an alternative substrate for converting homocysteine to methionine.

There are some drugs that can also increase homocysteine as metformin ( glucophage for diabetes) niacin, theophylline ( for asthma () and estrogens ( as in birth control) There are others but these are just a few.

Until tomorrrow...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 CONNECTION WITH NATURE

"A good friend is cheaper than therapy." --unknown

One way to be in touch with the natural world is by honoring a plant. I relate this to hugging a tree. I love to hug trees. It is paying tribute to an old friend. Another form of meditation for me is to sit in silence with my own body and mind next to a plant or tree. It could be just for 5 minutes

Today we will learn how to make a flower essence.

The tools you will need are--

1. cornmeal

2. a clear glass bowl (5" in diameter and 3 inches deep)

3. clean fresh water

4. two sharp stones (I prefer to use my crystals)

5. muslin cloth, 4-6 inch square

6. small funnel

7. grain alcohol- like gin or vodka; NO rubbing alcohol

8. Small dark brown or cobalt blue bottles (1 or 2 oz. size) I obtain mine from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

Choose the flower you want to work with--

1. What flower do you want to make an essence from?

2. What flower are you drawn to?

3. What flower to you want to become acquainted with?

I am drawn to the Mint Family- like bugle weed, lemon balm, peppermint...

4. Pick it from your garden or from along the road side as long as you are least two feet away from the road.

5. Give thanks and praise to the Earth Mother for the flower. One way to do this is to sprinkle some cornmeal on the plant/flower you choose. You may want to give thanks in another way which is fine. Just give thanks- never take without giving thanks to Earth Mother.

Capture the essence--
1. Fill glass bowl with water to about 1 inch from top

2. Place bowl on the ground near the plant you have chosen

3. Using the stones gently cut the bloom from the stem and allow it to fall onto the bowl of water

4. DO NOT touch the flower as this will disturb its purity

5. If the blossom is small, use several.

6. You may want to do this on the night of a full moon.
7 Allow to stand undisturbed three to four hours or overnight.
8. Pour water from the blossom bowl into small bottles half full of the alcohol, using muslin to strain.

The rest is your plant journey... an energizing experience with you and the plant blossom. The plant/flower has a verbal message. I didn't understand at first when I did this, but I certainly do now. When a mentor told me to ask the plant to receive its blessing--I didn't understand. You may not understand either, but always trust your intuition. If at any time this does not feel right, then stop.

It is hard to express what it feels like when you make a plant essence or even a tincture or even mixing different loose herbs for a patient’s illness, I feel lighter.

Until tomorrow…

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 FLAX

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid." LUKE 23:53(King James Version)


Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name: Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent.
Most people consider Flax to be used for bowel issues (laxative) and to reduce cholesterol. I doubt you thought it is a flowering plant. I utilize Flax to help with colitis (I.B.S.), osteoarthritis and eczema. It is effective against autoimmune disorders, as well as multiple sclerosis and cancer. The studies of Flax include reduction in the bad cholsterol (LDL), reducing post eating glucose levels (called post prandial) and decreasing markers of inflammation (CRP, ESR). Why is it used in heart disease? Its high content of Alpha Linolenic Acids has made the ancient Flax seed become our modern miracle food. Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) is a type of plant-derived Omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish like Salmon. Aside from alpha linolenic acid, flax seed is rich in lignan. Lignan is a type phytoestrogen (antioxidant) and also provides fiber. Researches reveal that lignan in Flax seed shows a lot of promise in fighting disease. The available forms of Flax in capsules, oil, powder and even soft gel. Some use the seeds and use 2 1/2 teaspoons ground twice a day. Every individual has a different dose. IMPORTANCE: Flax seed oil is not the same as Flax seeds. Flax seed oil is a concentrated source of ALA, which has been questioned for its potential association of increasing prostate cancer risk.

Until tomorrow...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 LOW CARBOHYDRATES DIETS ( LIFESTYLES)

More and more individuals are adhering to a low carbohydrate lifestyle. Dr Robert C. Atkins would be very happy to know that. He was the Father of Low Carbohydrate Lifestyles. Since the introduction of the Atkins Diet in the 1970’s and resurgence in the 1990’s , the low carbo liefstyle is ever more popular There is no shortage of these diets- Paleo, Sugar Busters, Mediterranean, and Keto Diet. More fat is not bad for your health. More fat makes you feel more full for an extended period of time. WE do know that simple sugars are bad. Dr Atkins stated that many years ago

When choosing a low carbohydrate lifestyle I think you need to pay attention to the type of protein and fat you are consuming., We do know the Atkins was high in fat ( maybe not always the best fat ) There are better sources of fat other than the animal fat You can get fat from nuts , seeds and avocados ( You may not want to eat avocados if you are Blood Type O, as avocados are inflammatory for that blood type - Eat Right for Your Blood Type- Peter D’Adamo.

As I have always believed there is no diet good for everyone I like to look at many factors- the individual’s blood type, their BMI, their Ig G Food Allergies, and their blood work. Sometimes I feel people should eat everything in moderation. I do know this- simple ( white ) carbohydrates as bread, pasta, white rice, cakes , cookies and white potatoes are bad. These convert to simple sugars You should try to consume little to no processed foods. The processed foods are full of chemicals and dyes.

The Mediterranean diet is rated top for weight loss and to maintain on a consistent basis. It is good for the heart and diabetic patients. Try not to do fad diets Try to follow the above and you will see how good you feel You will also see the benefits in intermittent fasting

Be informed about what you eat

Until tomorrow…