NOVEMBER 8, 2011 EGCG

"Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves---TO BREAK OUR OWN RECORDS, to outstrip our yesterday by our today."

Stewart B Johnson

I do not want to get ahead of anyone else. I always challenge myself to get ahead of myself in regard to achieving more. I know I am an overachiever. It was evident when I had a low self esteem. Today I have a good self-esteem but I am still an overachiever. I want to learn everything I can from today until the day I leave this Earth. Life is too short. I always want to do what Johnson states above... To outstrip our yesterday by our today.

Do you think America is obsessed with fat? Yes. Do you think America is obsessed with diets? Yes. Do you think America would turn to an herb to lose weight? NO

Americans want the quick fix. We all do. I certainly do when it comes to certain things. The active constituent in green tea (Camella sinensis) is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the most studied herbs in herbal medicine. There are countless papers on its benefits. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant. It supports lipid levels and optimizes metabolism. Another study recently published in the International Journal of Obesity revealed that when mice were fed with short term EGCG supplementation (fed a high fat diet with varying amounts of EGCG ) there was an increased energy excretion without affecting food intake. How unique is this! The study also showed that EGCG supported triglyceride balance (which is the amount of carbohydrates consumed) in the liver after eating.

The next item we will see on the grocer's shelves are Fat Loss Pills with EGCG.

All in all the study concluded that EGCG decreases food digestibility (all dealing with intestinal absobrtion). This leads to fat oxidation and reduced incorporation of dietary lipids into tissues.

For the consumer: Drink green tea. You must drink a lot of it. After reviewing over 60 studies it looks like you must have 24 -36 cups of tea per day. I prefer to take Gforce as it contains the high amounts of EGCG (from green tea) as well as ginger for anti-inflammatory properties and grape seed extract for anti microbial activity.

How do I know this? I was the medical consultant for Longevity Nutritionals when asked to make a green tea product.

As a Registered Herbalist (RH) I wanted to make a tincture for weight loss. Again I was consulted by Longevity Nutritionals (http://www.longevitynutritionals.com/) and made HerbalSLIMtea. This time I did not use Green tea but rosemary, fenugreek, bladderwrack and more to help with weight loss.

Until tomorrow....

DECEMBER 7, 2011 HYALURNAN

"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; We must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." Leonardo da Vinci

We all have said I am going to do this and that. Saying is not enough. Being willing is not enough. Being impressed with something is not enough. WE MUST DO. In reality what DaVinci was saying is, "ACTION, not REACTION". How many times can you 'put off ' a project?

Do it today, not tomorrow...

Millions of Americans suffer with a form of arthritis called Osteoarthritis (OA). Most of you have tried glucosamine with chondrotin. I find this effective but I have seen glucosamine increase blood sugar. A recent study revealed this is not effective for arthritis. I disagree with that study. I usually see relief from arthritus pain with a high dose MSM (upwards of 9 grams).

I believe that hyaluronic acid (also known as hyalurnan or HA) offers better relief from arthritis pain. HA is shock absorbing gel like substance that occurs naturally in our bodies especially in the skin, eyes and ALL JOINTS. The characteristic of HA is that it can attract and absorb 1000 times its weight in water, which makes it the ideal cushion and lubricant for the joints.

There are many roles for HA:

1. promotes cell rejuvenation and growth

2. Balances fluid around the cells

3. Reduces inflammation

4. Provides volume, fullness, and shape to the skin

5. cushions and protects the eyes and joints

6. protects cartilage from injury

When I was young I produced more HA. We all did. As we age we produce less HA. This means less cushioning effect, less firmness and lose joints. Thus if you fall when you are older--injury occurs.

So what kind do you get?

1. First get a liquid form of HA; the wetter the better

2. Only get high molecular weight HA; size does matter

3. Get a plant source of HA, (via microbial fermentation) not animal

Interesting is that more than 83 million Americans use Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to treat pain. The American Pain Foundation announced earlier last month that they will launch a new online educational module focusing on safe use in complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM)

as part of their Pain Safety and Access for Everyone. This module will not only offer information for consumers but for the health care professional as well. It will include and not limited to acupuncture, massage, spinal manipulation, relaxation therapies , yoga, tai chi and dietary supplements.

Lets give a big thanks to The American Pain Foundation. Thanks to friend, Diane , for sending me the article.

Until tomorrow...

DECEMBER 6, 2011 GOOD PERIODONTAL HEALTH = GOOD HEART HEALTH

"FIND THE SPIRITUAL PATH IN THE CHOICES YOU MAKE TODAY."

We must always find the right path. Your path in life should include a spiritual path. Notice I did not say a 'religious path' I said a Spiritual Path. Let your spirituality and meditation guide you today to make the right choices in life. It is so important.

Periodontal health has been closely linked to vascular health in many studies. This is NOT a new concept. As early as 2001 in The Annals of Periodontal, Kuramitsu published a study on the Role of periodontal bacteria in cardiovascular disease. A new study in 2011 once again validated this point. Mice were given oral bacteria. Studies found that the oral bacteria affected the gene expression profile of these mice in the aorta and liver and was connected to imbalances of the lipid profile. Low term oral bacteria is associated with a low good cholesterol (HDL) and imbalances in the total and bad lipoproteins. I find it most interesting when I see a low HDL (good cholesterol). I always look at the triglyceride levels because high triglycerides means a low HDL (this could be metabolic syndrome known as Syndrome X). When I see a low HDL and a normal TG, I always ask about the patent's gum health and last dental cleaning. I also ask whether the patient flosses or uses a water pik.

There are other studies that have shown changes in arterial calcium distribution when these same mice were exposed to oral bacteria. I find this more interesting since I always view CT angiograms and calcium scores. When treating calcium with EDTA suppositories (read the book, The Calcium Bomb), I always add a bedtime oral antibiotic.

Studies show that 30% of those with poor periodontal health will develop cardiovascular disease.Retrospective studies reviewing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those patients with better periodontal health were more likely to have optimal coronary health.

Even the large meta analysis done for the last 18 years found that the ability to maintain optimal heart health was found to be higher in subjects whose gums were healthy.

It goes to reason that if oral health is related to cardiovascular health it must also affect the patients blood sugar. This makes sense to me as diabetes and obesity are the twin epidemic leading to this country's number #1 killer: Cardiovascular Disease.

Until tomorrow...

DECEMBER 5, 2011 THE FISH DILEMMA

"When you serve others, life serves you." - Yehuda Berg

In the last few years I have served others and life has served me a life beyond my wildest dreams. It is not perfect, but no life is perfect. No childhood is perfect either. I have the privilege of being given the opportunity to serve in a G.O.D. given profession. I help people. In return, life has helped me to better myself. I cannot help others if I do not help myself. I have to always remember that. I tend to help others so much that I sometimes forget about myself.

In my opinion in order to help others and help yourself, you must have the love, support, compassion and trust of a life-partner. The god of my understanding also bestowed this on me when I least expected it. I do love helping others achieve a better dietary lifestyle and heal themselves on the outside as well as the inside. When someone gets well or even feels better I get a warm feeling inside me.

If you want to follow a healthy lifestyle you should eat fish at least two to three times week. You will have to find out more about fish than you ever thought you would want to know. Why is this? On a daily basis I diagnose patients with acute mercury and arsenic poisoning from the fish they have ingested within the last three weeks. I also do a provocative urine test (which reflects the tissue level of the metal) on many patients. Fish contains methylmercury, other pollutants and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's).

Did you know that the fish in the ocean are rapidly declining? World wide over fishing and environmental pollutants are certainly to blame. Some will tell you the world is coming to an end. That this is destiny. At this point I live a day at a time and do not bother with predictions (even the Mayan calendar of 12/21/12)

It is easier to avoid the mercury from the larger fish like tuna, swordfish and shark. Yet some patients find it difficult to stay away from tuna. During my childhood years in the 1960's tuna fish was an easy lunch for mom to make along with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Chemicals like agricultural pesticides chlordane and DDT still exist in the environment and have polluted our streams, lakes and oceans. PCB's are another pollutant that are still with us, even though they were banned in the US in 1970. So many pollutants persist in the environment. When you eat a fatty fish like albacore tuna, herring or mackerel, you get a high level of omega 3 fatty acids but you also get PCB's and other chemicals that have built up in the fish over its lifetime. Even some of the fish oil supplements (omega 3 fatty acids) that you buy have PCB's and other chemicals.

I do not recommend farmed fish, but only wild fish, like Salmon. The incidence of serum (blood) levels of mercury are higher than you might think. Do not forget that the younger generation eats sushi as if there is not going to be any more. I have nothing against sushi (although I have never had a raw piece of fish) but when you have patients with mercury intoxication and parasitic worms, you lose the taste for raw fish sushi. I do eat wild salmon and sardines. I like salmon because it has fewer calorie dense proteins than any other protein source.

What should you do? This is the big dilemma. You could interpret the PCB and mercury scare as a large problem, a trivial problem or a farce just to get you to buy more costly fish. You have to make a choice! You can follow the food industry and ignore the PCB's. If I were you I would not ignore the PCB's nor the mercury in fish.

You need to know what fish you are eating...

Ask these questions-

1. Where the fish comes from

2. Whether it is farmed or wild

3. Where it is on the food chain

4. How much fat it contains

I personally recommend checking out Vital Choice. This website has informative articles. It lists the fish that are high in mercury. In addition I buy my salmon, sardines and even my albacore tuna from them. You will love the taste!

Until tomorrow...

DECEMBER 3-4, 2011 BALNEOTHERAPY

Legend says hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, and every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweet creation. A gift from G.O.D.

Legend also says that warm natural spring water at a certain temperature with at least 1 gram of mineral per liter, with or without other minerals can alleviate and reverse some diseases.. The water's mineral content varies according to the natural source . It can be with sulphur, mineral salts and silica being the most common. Another gift from G.O.D.

The treatment of disease by bathing is called Balneotherapy. This type of therapy is usually practiced at spas. The term is usually applied to everything relating to a spa treatment. I prefer to use the term for the baths involved natural spring water and the minerals in the bath. Some of these natural spas also use clay therapy which is called fangotherapy.

There are published data and research using natural baths with and without minerals for the treatment of rheumatological diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions. A 2009 Greek study showed improvement in pain from these diseases. It contained studies from a variety of spas. An earlier Turkish study using fibromyalgia patients showed improvement in symptoms in those who did mineral spring baths over a 3 week period.

Spas pop up all over these days. By 2008 there were more than 19,000 spas in the United States. The number of spa locations has increased by 25% over the last eight years. One in four Americans have been to a spa.

I am not talking about just a spa. I am talking about rejuvenation spas like Tracie Martyn (www.traciemartyn.com ) Not the spa that does pedicure, massage and manicure.

I am also talking about world wide spas in Poland, Italy and Bulgaria. I am also talking about the Salt Cave Spas throughout the world. Colorado leads the US for the number of salt cave spas. The health benefits are beyond reproach for natural springs with minerals or salt caves.

There are benefits from iron, copper, selenium and silica. Both selenium and copper are needed for proper thyroid metabolism. The systems of the body that benefit are the respiratory( lung) system, circulatory system ( heart and its vessels) the gastrointestinal system and the nervous system. Salt is vital to the extraction of excess acidity from the cells of the body, particularly brain cells. Salt is vital for balancing sugar levels. Salt is vital to the nerve cells. Salt is vital for the generation of hydroelectric energy in the cells. Salt is great for relieving muscle cramps. Great hypnotic for sleep. Prevents varicose veins The list is endless. Twenty seven per cent of the body's salts are in the bones. Osteoporosis has many causes but one is that the body needs more salts and starts to take it from the bones.

I cannot stress the importance of balneotherapy. You have heard of people using the Dead Sea Salts for a variety of conditions. The Dead Sea Salts contain 21 minerals including magnesium, calcium, sulphur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium. If you are buying from the Internet beware of processed or washed dead sea salts. Some of the dead sea salts you buy have had many of the necessary minerals washed out. I want to stress that we are not curing cancer with sea salts, nor any other disease. We are maintaining body balance. We are de-stressing the body

Your objective: Take your next vacation (or holiday) at a rejuvenating spa with mineral baths

Until tomorrow..

DECEMBER 2, 2011 MOBILE MAKING: A OLD HOBBY

"BE comfortable with a new reaction --not reacting. And feel at peace."

I feel at peace most of the time. I used to be complacent and never spoke what I really wanted to say. I was not even reacting. I didn't want to speak for I did not want people not to like me. Today I act, not react. It has been a new way for me. Action and NOT reaction. I sometimes I fall into the react mode when I am stressed, which has been happening lately . When it starts to happen, I know something is wrong deep down inside me and I must meditate and pray more that day.

Today was a very visually stimulating day for me. It was one of the most visually stimulating days I have had in years. Due to the generosity/love and friendship of a friend, I was given a tour of the Martha Stewart Omnimedia Offices in New York City. Rick and I were in awe of the Martha Stewart production teams. It is a world I have no clue about. We were each drawn to different aspects of Martha Stewart. Rick was drawn to the food, flowers, furniture and fabrics, whereas I was drawn to the cards, scrap booking, yarns, ribbons, glitter and punch-outs. Ms. Stewart represents one of the most creative individuals of the 20th century. She persists, and survives in an ever changing world. Rick had more of an understanding of production teams as he was in the Corporate Publishing World at an earlier time in his life.

I got inspired in new hobbies I must put on my 'to do list' (like I do not have enough to do right now!) In one of the main reception areas was what I consider a large, very chic mobile hanging from the ceiling. There were shades of blue, green and I think a shade of yellow too. I was so taken back, I cannot recall at this moment.

A mobile is a hanging sculpture carefully balanced with weighted objects attached to rods. This allows various parts of the whole structure to move and spin in the breeze. In a way it is like wind chimes. Mobiles are typically hung from the ceiling. Mobiles are ever changing pieces of art. Do you remember the mobile you might have bought for your own child, or niece/nephew to hang above their crib? I started to think that I could hang any type of craft on the mobile, as long as I balance the weight. My mind started to swirl as our friend Megan showed us various departments. Mobiles of yarn, ribbon, greeting cards, Christmas bulbs and of course, needlepoint. I could make small needlepoint Christmas ornaments or crafted wood with holes for threads.

The man of mobiles was Alexander Calder. He was a gifted creative child who brought mobiles into the public vernacular in the early 1930's. Mobiles did not start out as you might know them for baby cribs, but from kinetic sculptures from Calder.

Your starting kit:

1. String

2. Needle

3. Wire

4. Sticks, dowels or a wire hanger

5. Objects to hang (photos, fabric, thread, wood, etc...)

6. Clamps, clips or glue to fasten objects to the wire

7. Wire clipper

The first step is to decide on the objects to want to hang from the mobile. This might take some time if you are creating your objects. You could use small cardboard cutouts, or buttons of different shapes, colors and sizes. You must get a wire hanger and cut it into equal shaped 'X'. Using the pliers bend each end. Tie the both wires together forming the X. From there you can begin to tie objects on and arrange, them being mindful of weight and size.

This can be a fun snow storm project for the winter. I was even thinking of doing one with puzzle pieces (especially if you have lost two or more pieces of the puzzle). Instead of throwing out the jigsaw pieces, make a mobile.

Inspiration for Today: Megan L.

Creative Inspiration: Martha Stewart and Rick Byrd

An old but goodie book on mobiles is Polly Pinder's How to Make Mobiles.

Until tomorrow...

DECEMBER 1, 2011 AMERICA: WAKE UP

It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference."

It doesn't matter whether you win or not as long as you are prepared. This sounds like a motto a lawyer would tell his assistant. No it is the Boy Scout Motto. There are some things in life you just can't win at. I cannot win when it comes to how the government is treating the elderly in this new health plan. I want to know how the government thinks it knows how this is affecting the elderly? I used to think we had the greatest health care system in the world. I doubt that every single day. I cannot win on the insurance reimbursement from the government and private insurance to the doctor. What has happened to our profession?

I know in less than 10 years, I will become George Jetson. I can walk in my home, be scanned and have a coimputer tell me what is wrong and how to fix it. Is this medicine? Where is the country doctor? Where is Paul Muni's doctor character in The Last Angry Man? What happend to the the doctor-patient relationship? I want to win the war against AIDS. On this AIDS DAY reflect on those you knew or didn't know who lost their lives in this disease while our government was deciding how much money to allot to research. Are we winning the battle against the dying honey bees? The State of Maryland has now turned Gestapo forcing its medical will upon the People, stripping the parents their right to decide how to protect their children from infectious disease.

Are we turning back the clock to Hilter and Mussolini? Parents will be taken from their children for up to 30 days if they continue to refuse to vaccinate their children. Whose children are these, the parents or President Obama's? This is illegal. This vaccine roundup is as bad as when my mother's Japanese friend was taken from her neighborhood in Corona, NY and put into a camp for Japanese. America--- Let's get real !!!

Patients ask me what are the super foods? I know that many heart care practitioners bunch the super foods with some of the super herbs. In a way they are correct when you realize that an herb is a food.

In my opinion the first super food would be the Purple berries. This includes blueberries, as well as the black and red varieties. Blueberries seem to always be the highest in antioxidant potential but do not underestimate the blackberries. There are many studies in process using these highly enriched blues for neurodegenerative, skeletal, and cardiovascular diseases.

The next are the greens in way of Broccoli. The two phytochemicals in broccoli are powerful immunmodulators. These are isothiocynate and diindolymethane. Broccoli is starting to win the war against cancer especially breast cancer. Why wouldn't it! It is rich in vitamins A, B5, B6, folate C, K and even fiber.

Then there is the Malus sylvstris. An Apple a day keeps the doctor away. Of course it does. For centuries it was used for all different diseases- diabetes, cardiovascular and infections. Who doesn't like an apple? So it is not the Johnny Appleseed variety mentioned in Michael Pollan's The Botany of Desire, but it is an apple. Apple's have tannins, quercitin and chlorogenic acid. The latter is great for assisting the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

The list can continue to Carrots, Apricots, and Legumes. When it comes to the foods used as herbs in the culinary kitchen or fresh, there are five that come to my mind.

1. Garlic

2. Onions

3. Mushrooms

4. Ginger

5. Green tea

We have more research about Green Tea than any other herb. The catechin in green tea, EGCG, remains the talk of the herbal world.

The point: Get 'real' with Earth Mother and help her out in any way you can

Until tomorrow...