Food safety is a big concern of mine. I’ve even been forced into making my own meatfree entrees to avoid genetically engineered soy and overprocessed ‘mushroom byproducts’. News of the possibility of the government infringing upon my access to healthy food made me very nervous. I had to find out the details for myself. You too can read the new food safety House Bill in its ENTIRETY right here, make your own analysis and contact your representative accordingly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Donna Douglas
Chronic pain affects nearly 90 million Americans. It usually begins with a sports injury, car accident or health condition like migraines, diabetes, arthritis and cancer. Chronic pain is different from the acute pain of stubbing your toe and often feels like burning, shooting, or shocking sensations. The good news is that today’s pain specialists have sophisticated new treatments — from medications to advanced technologies — to provide chronic pain relief.
Chronic pain can be classified as nociceptive or neuropathic pain. In some cases (nociceptive pain) the body’s nervous system is working properly, relaying signals to the brain that there is an injury. But in neuropathic pain the nervous system is not functioning properly. There is no obvious source of pain but the body continues to tell the brain that injury is present. Treatment is guided by the history of the pain, its intensity, duration, aggravating and relieving conditions. The concept behind most interventional procedures for pain control is that there is a specific structure in the body with nerves of sensation that is generating the pain. Repair or replacement of the damaged structure may be all that is needed to bring relief. For neuropathic pain, specialists have multiple tools at their disposal – painkillers, injections, physical therapy, massage, heat therapy and use an individualized approach to attack symptoms from multiple angles.
|
Treatment |
|
Comments |
|
Heat |
Infrared heat |
Transmits the heat directly to the body through vibration of the water molecules present. Vasodilation– an increase in the diameter of the blood vessels, results in increased permeability allowing substances (oxygen , etc.) to pass more easily |
|
|
Heat sensation |
Capsaicin- works by reducing transmission of a pain-relaying chemical called substance P to the brain |
|
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Radiofrequency ablation |
Pain relief lasts for a relatively long period, from three to six months. |
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Massage |
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Influences the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems. |
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Exercise/ Physical Therapy |
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Reduces pain perception, Strong muscles help support and protect, Stretching exercises lengthen shortened muscles which can pull and cause pain. (amount and form of exercise recommended for each individual will vary depending on area affected, amount of inflammation, how stable the joints are) |
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Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) |
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Theorized that electrical stimulation of the nerve fibers close to a segment of the spinal cord blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain or that electrical stimulation reduces inflammation, swelling and relaxes muscle fibers by releasing endorphins in the brain which act like analgesics |
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Linear polarized near-infrared light |
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Suggested that PL-irradiation produces almost the same effect on shoulder joint range of motion as light exercise. |
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Radiofrequency ablation |
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Electrical current produced by a radio wave is used to heat-and-destroy a small area of nerve tissue |
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Accupuncture/ Sham acupuncture |
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evidence supports the claim that opioid peptides are released during acupuncture |
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Nutritional Modification |
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Certain foods (aspartame, methanol) contribute to nervous system damage, others modulate inflammation (omega fatty acids) |
Modern knowledge of chemical pain signals — how the nervous system, including the spinal cord, interacts with the brain to create the sensation of pain– has led to methods for blocking or ‘confusing’ these signals.
The brain can powerfully shape pain and we are just learning how to exploit its power. Scientists are investigating the use of antidepressants, biofeedback and relaxation techniques. Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers conducted a study that suggests that decreasing the expectation of pain can reduce both the pain-related brain activity and perception of pain intensity (Koyama). Patients elsewhere have been taught to control body functions such as muscle tension, breathing, and heart rate — all of which help to reduce anxiety and stress reactions. They can be taught to unlearn the pain response.
There is help available for chronic pain. Seek treatment early when there is a better chance for success.
References
Binder, I.. Aktuelle Urol. 2008 May;39(3):205-14. The complexity of chronic pelvic pain exemplified by the condition currently called interstitial cystitis. Part 1: Background and basic principles.
Usha, Clin Drug Investig. 2004;24(6):353-63. Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis
Muneshige H. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2006 Jul-Aug;43(4):565-72. Antinociceptive effect of linear polarized 0.6 to 1.6 microm irradiation of lumbar sympathetic ganglia in chronic constriction injury rats.
Demura, Shinichi Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine:Volume 16(4)July 2006pp 293-297
Haake M. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Sep 24;167(17):1892-8. German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for chronic low back pain: randomized, multicenter, blinded, parallel-group trial with 3 groups.
Koyama T, McHaffie JG, Laurienti PJ, Coghill RC. “The subjective experience of pain: Where expectations become reality.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 6, 2005, Vol.102, pp.12950-12955.
http://www.empireblue.com/wellchoice/medicalpolicies/guidelines/gl_pw_a053534.htm accessed Mar 9, 2009
Martin Hoffman, MD. Medical College of Wisconsin. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Exercise: a Natural Reliever for Chronic Low Back Pain http://www.mcw.edu
Little, P. Br J Sports Med. 2008 Dec;42(12):965-8. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain.
http://www.blatmanpainclinic.com/blat_articles_12.htm
Haake, M. Archives of Internal Medicine, Sept. 24, 2007; vol 167: pp 1892-1899. Heinz G. Endres, MD, Eric Manheimer, MS, research associate, Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, College Park.
There are several types of medications used to treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Medications are available in pill and liquid forms, nasal sprays, eyedrops and skin creams.
Breathe easier this allergy season using these solutions
1. Install a HEPA air filter to purify room air
2. Try flushing the nasal passages with a warm saline solution
3. leave shoes at the door to avoid trafficking pollen indoors and change clothes immediately upon entering the dwelling
4. Cover/wash hair at nights. This prevents allergen buildup on your pillow
5. Consider wood or solid surface flooring rather than wall to wall carpeting.
Watch “Dr. Donna, MedicineWoman” for Part 2: Addressing allergy symptoms without drowsiness and side effects. www.DrDonnaDouglas.com
(with references)
‘Brainfog’, ‘cognitive dysfunction’, ‘mild cognitive impairment’ are terms used to describe poor mental stamina and concentration, difficulty learning new things, difficulty reading a book or following a line of argument, thinking one word, but saying another. Cognitive dysfunction can be the result of medical/psychiatric conditions or a side effect of medical treatment. Environmental activators include prescription drugs (which have profound effects on the brain in the elderly and children), heavy metal poisoning (esp. mercury), hormonal changes, volatile organic compounds (solvents), gas fumes, carbon monoxide (free standing gas stoves, poorly vented stoves) and sleep disorders.
Some brain damage may be inevitable but all too often, preventive strategies could have been used to postpone these changes.
There are several steps you can take to combat brain degeneration:
1. Correct nutrient imbalances. One study in Pharmacological Research (1999), found that a diet rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), improves learning while a lack of DHA reduces learning ability. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid is found in seafood, algae and coldwater fish. Another study found that as levels of Vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D. Small amounts are found in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks but significant amounts are generated by cutaneous synthesis.
2. Encourage good blood flow. High blood pressure can worsen cognitive impairment and cause memory difficulties. University of North Carolina brain researchers recently found that active adults had more small blood vessels in the brain and improved cerebral blood flow when compared to their less active counterparts. Exercise also significantly slows down the loss of new nerve cells in animal studies. All normally healthy people should be able to gently jog one mile without distress.
3. Maintain a steady energy supply. Excessive sugar in the diet impairs concentration while complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, grains) break down into sugar more slowly, providing sustained energy.
4. Be aware of possible allergies. Seasonal and food allergies can present themselves as mental dullness and fatigue.
5. Avoid overstimulation. Caffeine in the short term is a mental stimulant. This can be helpful if you have to “perform”, so long as you can rest and recover afterwards. If you are having more than 3 cups a day (tea, coffee, coca cola), then it is probably having an overall deleterious effect.
6. If you are undergoing chemotherapy and experience “chemo brainfog”, research in animals suggests that N-acetylcysteine, a natural antioxidant, can prevent the white matter changes brought about by chemotherapy.
7. Get enough sleep! Parietal lobe activation declines following sleep deprivation and corresponds to increased performance variability. No supplement or medication will correct sleep deprivation.
There is no cure for mild cognitive impairment. The rate of progression to more severe impairment has been lower in individuals taking Aricept (donepezil) but the benefit disappears after 3 years. Other drugs have been found to increase the risk of sudden death from heart attacks and strokes. Prevention is still the best medicine.
References:
The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (2009, January 24). Low Levels Of Vitamin D Link To Cognitive Problems In Older People. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 12, 2009
Konat et al. Cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic administration of common cancer chemotherapeutics in rats. Metabolic Brain Disease, 2008; 23 (3): 325
Chuah, et al. The Neural Basis of Interindividual Variability in Inhibitory Efficiency after Sleep Deprivation . The Journal of Neuroscience, July 5, 2006 • 26(27):7156 –7162.
Dan Peterson, LiveScience. posted: 05 January 2009 10:34
Saether, Linda (18 April 2008). “A journey of brain fogs and hot flashes”. Altanta, Georgia: CNN.
Frackelton JP, Christensen, RL. Mercury Poisoning and Its Potential Impact on Hormone Regulation and Aging: Preliminary Clinical Observations Using a New Therapeutic Approach. Journal of Advancement in Medicine , 1998. 11 (1): 9-25.
Are you finding that you can’t read those street signs so well anymore or that fine print has gotten smaller? Well, you’re not alone. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment in mature North Americans. There is no cure for AMD, and treatment does not usually restore vision but only prevents disease progression to a slight degree. (In childhood and middle age diabetic retinopathy is the more common disorder affecting over 1.5 million people). One critical problem common to both diseases is the loss of blood vessels and abnormal re-growth after injury.
A study in published in Nature Medicine (June 2007), showed that increasing omega-3 fatty acids by dietary means could reduce the pathological effects of these diseases in an experimental model. This study supports the clinical trials done in humans that show a connection between improved eye health and dietary micronutrients.
We only have one set of eyes. They’re not one of those body parts that can be functionally replaced. To help protect your eyesight here is what you need right now…
Magnesium
Vascular regulation can be improved systemically with magnesium.
Omega-3-fatty acids
Omega-3-fatty acids can improve blood flow regulation in the eye. Higher intake of omega-3 long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids is associated with decreased likelihood of having AMD and cataract as well as with delaying the progression of intermediate AMD to advanced AMD.
Antioxidants
A formulation composed of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and zinc used in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was shown to prevent the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration by 25%.
Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin
Sodium
Reduce your sodium intake. A high-salt diet may increase the risk of posterior cataract.
Look on the bright side. A healthy diet and supplementation where necessary can improve your eyesight. That’s good news for your eyes.
To find these and other reviewed health supplements, visit my informative website, www.DrDonnaDouglas.com/shop/html
Arch Ophthalmol. 2007 May;125(5):671-9.
Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Jun;143(6):932-939.
Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2003 Jun;14(3):159-62
Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2007 May;18(3):220-3
Expert Opin Emerg Drugs. 2007 May;12(2):195-8
Nature Medicine 13, 868 – 873 (2007)
More than 90% of poisonings occur in the home through ingestion of simple household cleaners. Children under 6 are the most frequent victims though adults taking the wrong medication or taking it at the wrong time can also be harmed. Poisoning can occur when a toxin is inhaled, spilled on the skin, or splashed in the eyes. Generally, any product that gives off fumes or is an aerosol that can be inhaled should be considered a possible poison.
Symptoms of a suspected poisoning may vary depending on the person’s age, the type and amount of poison and how much time has elapsed since exposure. Signs to watch out for include:
What should you do if you suspect poisoning? It’s a good idea to keep some common antidotes nearby. Antidotes either prevent the poison from working or reverse the effects of the poison.
Activated charcoal powder acts as a “super” absorber of many poisons. Once the poison is stuck to the charcoal in the intestine, the poison cannot get absorbed into the bloodstream. It has no taste, but does have a gritty texture. To be effective, activated charcoal powder suspended in a few ounces of water must be given as soon as possible after the poisoning. It does not work with alcohol, caustics, lithium, or petroleum products
Another common antidote is N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst), which is used to neutralize Tylenol overdoses.
Should you suspect poisoning, immediately contact the National Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Always believe a child witness to a possible poisoning and err on the side of caution.
Dosing:
Adults and teenagers—Dose is usually 25 to 100 grams mixed with water.
Children 1 through 12 years of age—Dose is usually 25 to 50 grams mixed with water, or the dose may be based on body weight. It may be 0.5 to 1 gram per kilogram (kg) (0.23 to 0.45 gram per pound) of body weight mixed with water.
Children up to 1 year of age—Dose is usually 10 to 25 grams mixed with water, or the dose may be based on body weight. It may be 0.5 to 1 gram per kg (0.23 to 0.45 gram per pound) of body weight mixed with water4. One tablespoon of charcoal equals about ten grams. Fourteen capsules equal about a tablespoon of powder.
1. Spiller, Henry A, MS, DABAT, Rodgers, George C Jr, MD, PhD, Evaluation of Administration of Activated Charcoal in the Home, Pediatrics, Vol. 108 No. 6 December, 2001
2. Bond GR. The poisoned child. Evolving concepts in care, Emergency Medical Clinician, N. Am., 13:343-345, 1995
3. Chyka PA, Seger D. Position statement: single-dose activated charcoa1, American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists, Toxicology Clinical Toxicology, 35:721-736, 1997
4. MayoClinic website. Accessed 02032009
Once upon a time individuals facing cancer felt they had to choose between one of two options- surgery and chemotherapy or alternative treatment. But a new breed of medicine is emerging, one that bridges the gap between the two worlds and offers the best of each. It’s called integrative medicine and world renowned medical centers such as Harvard and Stanford are pioneering training programs for the physician of the future.
A Brief History
“Alternative medicine” was probably the first ‘other medicine’ term to gain popularity in the US and refers to treatments not taught in Western medical schools. This includes the use of vitamins, herbs and mind-body techniques. Essential to the alternative approach is a belief in the body’s ability to heal itself and that health is more than simply the absence of disease. Increasing consumer use of alternative medicine in the early 1990’s led to the creation of the Office of Alternative medicine as part of the government’s National Institutes of Health. This growing ‘new’ medicine gained popular media attention in the 1993 New England Journal of Medicine article by Harvard alumni David Eisenberg, MD. The article estimated that in 1993, unconventional medicine users spent approximately $13.7 billion out of pocket on herbal remedies that are not covered by health insurance companies. By 1997 out-of-pocket alternative medicine consumer spending had increased to $27 billion. Eisenberg’s study also showed that most Americans used both conventional and alternative medicine, not one or the other. The attempt to complement perceived weaknesses in each system was a revelation to the medical establishment and in 1998 the Office of Alternative Medicine was renamed the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The era of complementary medicine was born.
By early 2000, larger medical centers began offering complementary medicine programs. Patients receive the same type of care as before but have the opportunity to receive services such as acupuncture, yoga classes, art and music therapy programs under the guidance of the medical center. But the evolution was not at an end. Americans wondered whether these complementary approaches could benefit them not just as an add-on to the standard medical care, but as an integral part of their care.
There was a ‘great divide’ between the two medical systems due to the difference in approach and methodology. Western trained physicians are not required to study botanical pharmacology or mind-body influences and Western medical schools do not offer alternative medicine certification. For those practicing in either camp, the possibility that either medical practice has the ability to influence the effects of the other within the body, and the fact that practitioners are often unaware of each other was disturbing. There was a need to better understand the interplay but more importantly, understand if/how it can benefit the patient.
Enter the Naturopath. Naturopathic physicians are trained in one of four accredited medical colleges in the United States and practice integrative medicine using standard diagnostic techniques, pharmaceuticals and surgery when necessary. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians operates a searchable database making it quick to find licensed care.
From a global point of view, integrative medicine is not new. Other developed nations such as France, Germany and Japan have practiced integrative medicine for decades. The novelty is in the terms as defined by different cultures. In Asia, traditional treatments (which would be considered alternative in the West) are still revered and passed down from mentor to student over thousands of years while conventional medicine (that taught by Western medical schools) is a comparatively new practice.
What to expect in a complementary treatment program.
Current complementary medicine programs at institutional treatment centers provide complementary approaches as an option. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the standard of care for cancer. Optional treatments may include nutritional support, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, physical therapy, pain management and others. Clinical trials investigating new treatments may be available (http://nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/alltrials.htm) but the nature of clinical studies does not accommodate customization.
What to expect from an integrative medicine program.
In the integrative setting, practitioners collaborate in patient care- the entire team is fully aware of all treatment protocols. Nutritional therapy, botanical preparations, mind-body medicine and physical therapies are coordinated into a single treatment plan. Examples of current integrative treatments include MRI-guided hyperthermia (heat treatment) in conjunction with radiation therapy of breast cancer, and botanical adjuvants in standard chemotherapy.
For future and current physicians, the University of Arizona has initiated training in integrative medicine, including a fellowship and distance learning program. The reality is that any new therapy is an ‘alternative’ therapy until it is sufficiently proven by science to recommend its use. We are still in the process of testing the ‘new medicine’ but there is much to gain from what we already know.
Note: Advanced cancer presents special medical challenges. Therefore, it should be addressed in a facility that has the capacity to diagnose and address complications that may arise. This is essential when considering a treatment center.
Resources:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/
Clinical Trials involving Complementary Medicine.
http://nccam.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/alltrials.htm
Video Clips: Physicians and Scientists from Harvard Medical School, University of California Medical School, University of Maryland and others discuss integrative medicine. http://thenewmedicine.org/professionals_and_educators
University of Maryland Searchable Database of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Physician locator.
Directory of Integrative Cancer Treatment Centers.
If you’re planning to have cancer surgery in the near future or recently had surgery, your thoughts undoubtedly move to how you can minimize the trauma and scarring associated with treatment and speed the healing process. Healing wounds whether from accidental injury or surgical intervention requires a delicate interplay of multiple cell types, nutritional factors, immune processes and growth factors. Proper planning and prompt attention can promote normalization in appearance.
Healing -From the Inside Out
Wound healing is a stepwise process involving hemostasis, inflammation, and remodeling. During hemostasis, blood platelets release clotting factors and growth factors to help the body create a protective wound scab. This barrier provides a surface beneath which cell movement can occur. Then the process of inflammation brings nutrients to the area, removes debris and bacteria, and provides chemical signals for wound repair. Healing proceeds only after inflammation is controlled. The repair process can then begin to build new skin, fibrous tissue and blood vessels.
Deficiencies of proteins, vitamins, minerals and fluids may significantly impair the healing process. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, green peppers is required for the formation of the connective tissue protein collagen. The precursor to Vitamin A (retinol) is found in carrots, cantaloupe, tomatoes, eggs, butter and cheese. It is essential for cell growth, skin and bone formation and immunity. The body uses glucosamine to build connective tissue. Adequate dietary protein is necessary to build new tissue. Surgical trauma produces a sharp decrease in serum zinc concentration. Zinc is an important cofactor for enzymes that control the collagen matrix. It has demonstrated anti-infective action, inhibits formation of reactive oxygen species and promotes skin formation.
Healing- From the Outside In
Topical vitamin E and ascorbic acid, calcium D-pantothenate and fibronectin can speed wound healing. Other novel approaches involve topical application of a mixture of various growth factors (PDGF, TGF-beta, PDAF, PF4, PDEGF) to slow healing wounds although the marketplace has only supported the use of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). Skin graft donor site healing time has been reduced by 1 day using topically applied epidermal growth factor (EGF). (Komarcevic) Zinc oxide in paste bandages (Unna boot) protects and soothes inflamed skin. Topical administration of zinc appears to be superior to oral therapy due to its action in reducing superinfections and enhancing local defense systems.
Pressure is thought to decrease tissue metabolism and increase collagen breakdown within the wound. Silicon gel sheets (applied for 12 hours/day) add pressure and are also thought to work by hydrating the scar tissue. Rehydration softens the scar, thereby making it more flexible and improving the natural repair and flattening process. The newer the scar, the better the result. Onion extract (Mederma) has shown improvement for hypertrophic and keloids scars. However, it was ineffective in improving scar height and itching. For this reason, onion extract therapy should be used in combination with an occlusive silicon dressing to achieve a desirable decrease in scar height. Aquaphor is a petroleum based product that has been shown to speed healing of damaged skin.
In summary, each phase of tissue repair can be influenced by nutritional, biological, botanical factors and mechanical approaches.
|
Stage |
Nutritional/ Botanical Factors |
Physical/Mechanical Factors |
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Hemostasis* |
Topical zinc paste ( anti-microbial) |
Topical hyaluronic acid Aloe Vera Aquaphor Silicone Sheets |
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Inflammation |
Omega-3 fatty acids Protein Vitamins C/A Glucosamine Bromelain
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Proliferation
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Vitamin C Glucosamine Zinc Centella asiatia (collagen formation) |
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Remodeling |
Protein i.e. arginine enhanced diet, hydrolyzed collagen supplement |
*Avoid factors that inhibit blood clotting prior to surgery
Cancer is a significant factor in slowing wound repair. Processes intrinsic to cancer, such as hormonal disregulation, chronic inflammation, nutritional deficits, etc. work against the repair process. However, addressing these clinical issues and integrating the above approaches can improve the wound repair process.
References
Brown, SA. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Jul;114(1):237-44 Oral nutritional supplementation accelerates skin wound healing: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-arm, crossover study.
Chithra, P. Mol Cell Biochem. 1998 Apr;181(1-2):71-6. Influence of Aloe vera on collagen characteristics in healing dermal wounds in rats.
Chung, V. Dermatol Surg. 2006 Feb;32(2):193-7 Onion extract gel versus petrolatum emollient on new surgical scars: prospective double-blinded study.
Diegelmann, R. Front Biosci. 2004 Jan 1;9:283-9. Wound healing: an overview of acute, fibrotic and delayed healing.
Hosnuter, M. J. Wound Care. 2007 Jun;16(6):251-4. The effects of onion extract on hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Komarcevic , A. Med Pregl. 2000 Jul-Aug;53(7-8):363-8. The modern approach to wound treatment.
Lansdown, A. Wound Repair Regen. 2007 Jan-Feb;15(1):2-16. Zinc in wound healing: theoretical, experimental, and clinical aspects.
MacKay, D. Altern Med Rev. 2003 Nov;8(4):359-77 Nutritional support for wound healing.
Mandal, A. J Wound Care. 2006 Jun;15(6):254-7. Do malnutrition and nutritional supplementation have an effect on the wound healing process?
McCarty, M. Med Hypotheses. 1996 Oct;47(4):273-5. Glucosamine for wound healing.
Russell, L. Br J Nurs. 2001 Mar;10(6 Suppl):S42, S44-9. The importance of patients’ nutritional status in wound healing
Phillips, S. ASAIO J. 2000 Nov-Dec;46(6):S2-5. Physiology of wound healing and surgical wound care.
To find these products, please visit www.DrDonnaDouglas.com/shop.html Enter code “drdoug”
Inflammenz
Emerson Ecologics Advanced Formula Enzymes
Product Code: INFL9
Glucosamine
Emerson Ecologics Pure Encapsulations
Product Code: GLU70
Protein
Emerson Ecologics Designs for health
Product Code: WHEY6
The milk harvested for this product comes from cows that graze on pesticide and chemical-free natural grass pastures. Milk from grass-fed cows has many times higher levels of CLA and contains a proper balance of essential fatty acids. The milking cows are never fed grain or subjected to any growth hormone treatment, chemicals, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, hyperimmunization or injected pathogens.
This whey protein is produced using a unique low temperature drying and filtration method. The vast majority of whey proteins available use high heat pasteurization. High heat does irreversible damage to the majority of the components of milk and may cause intolerance even in individuals who have no history of milk allergies.
Silicone Gel sheets
Breast surgery Pre-shaped silicone sheets
http://www.rejuveness.com/Breast-Scar-Treatment-c8.html?REJUVE=7rk3e5b45c609hgtis1orncgd4
http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/product.do?id=13189
http://www.allegromedical.com/wound-care-c541/cica-care-silicone-gel-sheeting-p177443.html
Other wound care products
http://www.southwestmedical.com/Woundcare_Products/Specialty_Woundcare/CollagenSilicone/574c0
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/418377_2 adding EGF to wounds to speed healing
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_4_8/ai_111303980/pg_4 (awesome, in depth)
View the Swine Flu video here.
Winter in North America brings with it yearly uninvited guests- flu bugs- multiple strains of illness causing viruses just waiting for new bodies to infect. The most common recommendation has been to protect yourself with a flu vaccine. But with virtually all the US flu suddenly resistant to the leading antiviral Tamiflu, health officials are worried about where this could lead. Here are some key guidelines you MUST know if you want to survive this year’s flu season.
How can you distinguish a cold from the flu? First understand that colds are minor infections of the nose and throat which usually develop slowly as a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose. The flu, however, affects the entire body and symptoms appear suddenly, quite often as headache, muscle aches and fever. (See comparison chart)
Symptoms Cold Flu
fever rare characteristic, high (102-104F);
lasts 3-4 days
headache rare prominent
general aches,pains slight usual; often severe
fatigue,weakness quite mild can last up to 2-3 weeks
extreme exhaustion never early and prominent
stuffy nose common sometimes
sneezing usual sometimes
sore throat common sometimes
chest discomfort, mild to moderate common;can become severe cough
hacking cough
FDA Consumer Magazine (October 1996)
Get to your physician immediately if there is trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing ; bluish skin color; earache or drainage from the ear; changes in mental state (such as not waking up, irritability or seizures) .
Colds are caused by viruses and there are over 200 of them. This variety has made it difficult for scientists to develop an effective control. Antibiotics are not useful and should only be taken to treat bacterial complications which can arise. Influenza (commonly called “the flu”) is an illness caused by a small set of viruses- the influenza viruses types A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the most common, more virulent attacks.
So what are your options?
Conventional treatment options in combination with select botanicals used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine may help in the treatment and prevention of the flu.
Cytotechnology. 2003 Nov;43(1-3):145-8. Effects of carvacrol on sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocyte cultures
Curr Pharm Des. 2008;14(29):3106-19. Biological and pharmacological activities of carvacrol and carvacrol bearing essential oils
Altern Med Rev. 2007 Mar;12(1):25-48. Colds and influenza: a review of diagnosis and conventional, botanical, and nutritional considerations
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Mar 23;354(4):872-8. Discovery of small-molecule HIV-1 fusion and integrase inhibitors oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol: Part I. fusion [corrected] inhibition.
Antiviral Res. 2005 Jun;66(2-3):129-36. The olive leaf extract exhibits antiviral activity against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV).
J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr 26;98(3):323-7. Antiviral activity in vitro of Urtica dioica L., Parietaria diffusa M. et K. and Sambucus nigra L.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 Feb;29(2):109-11. Advances in research on chemistry and pharmacology of Sambucus chinensis.
J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.
Harefuah. 2008 Oct;147(10):783-8, 838. The treatment of respiratory ailments with essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants
Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001 Apr-Jun;12(2):290-6. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Dec 1;49(2):101-10. Antiviral screening of British Columbian medicinal plants.
Am J Rhinol. 2008 Mar-Apr;22(2):130-4 . Influence of essential and fatty oils on ciliary beat frequency of human nasal epithelial cells.
Forsch Komplementmed. 2006 Apr;13(2):78-87. Systematic review of clinical data with BNO-101 (Sinupret) in the treatment of sinusitis.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD003124. Acetylcysteine and carbocysteine for acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections in paediatric patients without chronic broncho-pulmonary disease.
Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2008 Nov;103(5):428-32. N-acetylcysteine improves the clinical conditions of mustard gas-exposed patients with normal pulmonary function test.
FEBS Journal, Volume 239, Number 1, July 1996 , pp. 156-164(9). Interaction of the Lantibiotic Nisin with Membranes Revealed by Fluorescence Quenching of an Introduced Tryptophan.
Med Microbiol Immunol. 2009 Feb;198(1):19-25. Inhibition of HBV infection by bovine lactoferrin and iron-, zinc-saturated lactoferrin.
J Nutr. 2008 Dec;138(12):2392-8. Supplementing suckling rats with whey protein concentrate modulates the immune response and ameliorates rat rotavirus-induced diarrhea.
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Dr. Donna, MedicineWoman 