tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66892094158176743732024-03-19T07:29:31.506-05:00DrRic Supplement ReviewUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-24372800429960404732015-02-04T22:26:00.002-06:002015-02-04T22:31:01.435-06:00Get what you pay for.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some of my patients don't like paying for prescription medicines but when I talk about alternative nutrition practices to reverse disease and accompanying supplementation, eyes light up, dreams of youth come back, endorphin starts to ooze....then sticker shock!! I tell them that the 3-4 standard supplements required to control symptoms, regain sleep and make up for some food deficiencies will have to be an investment but should work as good as the rx's they were on with less side effects. Tough sell for some folks that don't have disposable money, but so is bypass surgery and 6 months of disability. Desperate folks take the homework shopping list I write up and just hit the aisles of walgreens or walmart thinking a vitamin bottle is a vitamin bottle. I have been taught to know what active ingredient to look for on the label and percentage. Problem is the FDA rarely scrutinizes vitamin companies so it is left up to the company making the herb to run expensive checks on percentage of ingredients. Like asking horny teenagers to behave while you are away?! Or an alcoholic to stop drinking after 2 glasses?! <br />
I check consumerlab.com for challenged brands when it comes to popular supplements. They test a good amount of variety but not all supplements. Their database is growing but I ask patients who are nutrition conscious to pay for the service as it may save money and allow confidence that the pill capsule you take has the ingredient on the label. Some are reluctant having confidence their local pharmacy is "watching out for local consumers". I don't agree and New York just called some cheap stores on it. <br />
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(<a href="http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-asks-major-retailers-halt-sales-certain-herbal-supplements-dna-tests" target="_blank">LINK TO ARTICLE</a>)<br />
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This is my answer:<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF7MwUUSOKI" target="_blank">(LINK TO VIDEO)</a><br />
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Caveat Emptor (remember Greg Brady buying his first car?)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-18503920890889958792014-03-17T15:33:00.000-05:002014-03-20T04:14:38.018-05:00Hot Flash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyoOChIWGBg5b_kfuzZWDNTZseHlD3k6q1zDMQG_RAPmBqIt6xIbXyXB6ulLDBRLGrkbl3MHqmDjQcyA41g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A 19 year old guy come in stating he is having a reaction to a pill. He took it this morning and about 1 hour later and it got the point of flushing, palpitations, headache, anxiety and now shortness of breath. Previous history is inhaler use for cough after bronchitis treatment about 2 months ago. Only recreational drug was tobacco which he stopped last year cold turkey. No history of this before and otherwise healthy. <br />
As I was pulled out of another patient room, I enter and notice a red young skinny guy who seemed to be using his shoulders to breath with shaking anxiety. His physical exam was otherwise normal so I ordered a shot of steroid, high dose benadryl and an IV fluid to make him start peeing. I gave him reassurance and ask why would a young guy be taking Niacin (then I told him I was given a dose back in 1982 right before I went on stage for Mr Natural New Jersey.....it was supposed to increase "vascularity" to improve the way blood vessels protrude from the skin). Seems like his mom has a cholesterol issue and the doc said because of my young guys elevated triglycerides he would be fine taking over anything over the counter. "Redboy" went straight to GNC and bought regular niacin and here we are (should have read consumer labs reviews.) <br />
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Niaspan is the prescription form of it and docs prescribe the drug for lowering triglycerides and LDL levels. The theory was if you lover "Bad Cholesterol-LDL" the risk of a heart attack will decrease. Current thinking is to forget the standard LDL and pay attention to the small, more dense lipids (which require a more expensive blood test called a fractionated lipid panel). The family of medicines called Statins work to lower LDL but modestly change triglycerides and sometimes lower the good cholesterol (HDL). They have been broadly recommended to prevent high cholesterol in everyone according to studies (some of which are funded by drug manufacturers) The problem is medicines have side effects and I have had patients develop chronic muscle pain for up to 18 months after stopping the statin. I guess to fight heart disease it's back to exercise, nutrition change and relaxation therapy. <u><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7384790?dopt=Citation" target="_blank"> (yes...the Beatles were right-see link)</a></u><br />
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Here is the reason why nutrition changes FIRST would be important unless there is an urgency in lowering blood levels. (like an evolving heart attack). One study <u><a href="http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=193685" target="_blank">(VA HIT)</a></u> showed by lowering HDL using gemfibrozil the events of coronary heart disease decreased. So now the buzz words are: raise HDL!!! Gemfibrozil essentially works by not being absorbed from the gut and pulling out cholesterol with your poop. Hey, fiber would do that too right?!?! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm2pZ-7cMCg&list" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">(see my video on fiber)</a> Bottom line is sometimes in the midst of massive disease, we need medicines that can produce "massive" side effects. In the decades before disease strikes, over the counter supplements can sometimes cause side effects as well. Thus it would be prudent to take care of things before you get to advanced disease naturally with lifestyle changes. The only problem is most people don't feel symptoms at the beginning of bad health. Eating mostly plants, meditating and taking time off to walk doesn't seem to be inviting to the population who "drives thru" to eat. Deepak Chopra suggests always keeping life in balance. Eating industrialized food, sitting all day, always relying on adrenaline (caffeine and sugar) for "energy" is not part of being balanced with the universe. Fat zebra can't run from lion (unless lion is also fat) so bad zebra health results in not keeping up with the safety of the herd. You can sport your individual stripes but longevity comes when aligned with the universe. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-40017422836575277632014-02-27T08:22:00.000-06:002014-02-27T10:34:58.144-06:00To V(itamin) or not To V(itamin)....that is the question.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
People are coming in totally confused about whether they should take a vitamin supplement or not. I dont blame them....even the medical community is clueless about nutrition. It boils down to that,,,,nutrition. Average medical school student spends no time learning about food except cholesterol is bad because Dr Oz said so. It used to be important in curriculum about 30 years ago but now so much else is squeezed into 4 year that some "non essential" stuff had to be dropped. No problem....we will save the education for residency. Oops, no one to teach it to residents except the attending physicians who were trained 20 years ago when nutrition was dropped. No problem, make it mandatory CME (seminars required 1 time every 7-10 years) training to keep private practice docs updated. Oops, most docs attend the lectures but stuff the literature under the pile of bills and charts when they get back to the real world. <br />
When doc tells you to eat a balanced diet, you should ask the doc what s/he eats. When the doc tells you to exercise, you should ask him/her what they do to keep fit. <br />
Dr Klein and associates on the SELECT trial concluded vit E (in alpha tocopherol form) and selenium (in L-methionine selenium form) were associated with an increase in prostate cancer risk for men. The doses studied were the measurements found in common over the counter vitamins (400IU and 200Mcg respectively). So the conclusion of Dr Klein is dont take it if you have a history of prostate cancer and he went on to say in an interview....dont take the supplement at all.. The information is good but the they only studied the intake of one type of tocopherol. Vitamin E in nature comes in 8 forms (my favorite natural sources are almonds, sunflower seeds, kiwi and mangoes). If you take it there should be a balance of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols. The cheapest synthetic to produce is listed as dl tocopherol - the most abundant form normally found in tissue and blood is d alpha tocopherol. There is good evidence for Vit E aiding in Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease. So end of the day, change your nutrition to include a mostly plant based whole food diet. It you are just starting out a lifestyle change and want to include a supplement or two to provide building blocks to repair the long standing damage accumulated, ok to take a vitamin but you should read labels and empower yourself with the research (google scholar or pubmed) but also know how to interpret the data (www.drweil.com gives Andy's translation for "layman" of up-to-the-minute research). The idea will be eventually to get off everything once you have maximized on nutrition and lifestyle. (in my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/herbal411" target="_blank"><b>DrRic 12 Weeks to Change</b></a> I suggest adding different supplements every few weeks while also self empowering with reading and seeking reliable sources of information to develop your person plan for change)<br />
By the way, as typical for statistical healing, one way to know which supplements you may benefit from (everyone lacks a different level of nutrition) is to get a blood test for every vitamin you are about to take and make sure you "really need it". Medicare/Medicaid is the insurance of choice for the highest risk people in the US and it <u>Does Not Cover</u> vitamin blood tests. So I can get substandard blood tests and 'tease out" an opinion from a CBC and CMP (the basic blood all docs order) and say "looks like your blood system is normal so continue current eating pattern". Kinda like getting an xray of the chest on a tobacco user and saying "all normal-no cancer" so you can continue smoking!!! ......or.......telling an obese person "your annual cholesterol and glucose is normal " so dont change your weight!!!! My head is spinning from all this dis-empowering research....I'm going hiking....but first I take my "prostate cancer inducer". <br />
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( ...note: the vit E is lower than the SELECT study but selenium is same Nice knowing you!!)</h2>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-64956910435838669682013-07-10T22:36:00.000-05:002013-07-10T22:41:32.275-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Healing</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqJ-c10mGkDBrbMlTywCkQc8Ql7QkkVzO0_BBnBr7i9501LnkwqFgwUGIAfaUhKOsL53hUyoBoGEK-JT-_A95msIgi2MBuCLMACpzL0cg2jZYVgNLIYG5kDfXTMHkzhQMFtEzMVs0b9o/s1600/injury.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqJ-c10mGkDBrbMlTywCkQc8Ql7QkkVzO0_BBnBr7i9501LnkwqFgwUGIAfaUhKOsL53hUyoBoGEK-JT-_A95msIgi2MBuCLMACpzL0cg2jZYVgNLIYG5kDfXTMHkzhQMFtEzMVs0b9o/s200/injury.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">with</span></div>
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At this point in the summer, most people have started an exercise program and 50% of you will have some form of muscle ache or strain. The idea for exercise is to be healthy but what do you do when an injury occurs on the way to lifestyle change? If you don’t have a registered dietician in your corner, the information on the web can be confusing. RICE is not just food; Tylenol does nothing but decreases pain, physical therapy can be expensive.</div>
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The range of rumored nutrition for healing, spans from high dose antioxidants to anabolic steroid look-alikes. If you are in a hurry, there are safe ways to combine herbal supplements with prescription medicines. If you want to be conservative, there are some supplements you buy cheap and others that are worth their high price tag. With the multitude of prescription medicines most Americans take, you have to be careful about combining botanical, vitamin and drug, (searching the internet for answers can be disastrous!) Learn how DrRic advises his Olympians, college athletes and weekend warriors on getting the most "bang for the buck".</div>
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DrRic Saguil worked as Physician for University of Central Florida and Cirque du Soliel -LaNouba. He is also a Yoga Teacher, Outdoor Guide, title holder for Teen Mr Natural New Jersey and Teen Mr East Coast. He practices Family Medicine at First Health Associates in Arlington Heights.</div>
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July 13th (Saturday) 3-4pm</div>
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Whole Foods Market Schaumburg</div>
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Subject to cancellation so Call (847) 585-5800 to reserve a seat!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-70315087597927934782013-04-26T21:49:00.000-05:002013-04-26T22:22:57.427-05:00Prank call your vitamin company<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ve6RJOBCUlaf3M&tbnid=5VUzbFTYE7qQWM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Floadnvote.com%2Fcontest%2Fyoutube-prank-call-0&ei=Wzx7Uc6kOY_0qwGlv4CgBg&bvm=bv.45645796,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNFR7PmX4xtMJ_mQbSnYf_yU9eq2mQ&ust=1367117263772638" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"><img height="242" id="irc_mi" src="http://loadnvote.com/sites/default/files/FunnyPrankCalls-Logo1.jpeg" style="margin-top: 76px;" width="390" /></a><br />
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I always tell my lecture attendees:<br />
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-to find out if the vitamin company you buy from is investing money into your health, call the 800 number and ask a question. <br />
-if they have no 800 number/website, throw them away<br />
-if they have a number but the rep doesnt look up the info or gives you like a 5th grader, throw them away<br />
-if they have a department specifically for hard questions, an frequently asked question database, a nutritionist that answers the phone....that's your company!<br />
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I was buying some melatonin replacement and saw extended release oral spray from Source Naturals (great turmeric/pepper combination antiinflammatory capsule btw) and wondered "if it isnt covered in a slow to digest shell/tablet/capsule....how the heck do individual droplets slowly get released once you spray them into the mouth. Here is their answer:<br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367030600365_1688" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Source Naturals NutraSpray Melatonin Timed
Release Sublingual employs microscopic lipid spheres to slowly deliver
melatonin. As stated in the product description - </strong></span><a href="http://www.thresholdenterprises.com/publications/controlled/100182.pdf" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1367030600365_1754" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1367030604_0"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>http://www.thresholdenterprises.com/publications/controlled/100182.pdf</strong></span></span></a><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>
- “[a} quick spritz of NUTRASPRAY under the tongue delivers thousands of
microscopic lipid spheres, each full of nutrients. These lipospheres are readily
absorbed and retained by the mucosal tissue of the mouth. Here they release
their nutrients quickly, but steadily, into the bloodstream.”</strong></span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">Nice answer....I think I'll keep it! For info on how I use melatonin.....see my slideshare.net lecture DrRic Good Night. </span><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/DrSaguil/get-back-to-sleep-slide-share-edition"><span style="color: white;">http://www.slideshare.net/DrSaguil/get-back-to-sleep-slide-share-edition</span></a></span></span><br />
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....I love Whole Foods Market (John Mackey has changed the paradigm of grocery shopping) and the 365 brand but to give a shout out to a local company, I also like Now Foods from Bloomingdale IL- great nutrition department staffed with folks that field customer calls and they give plant tours!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-48017433626414675932013-02-28T11:39:00.001-06:002013-02-28T11:39:28.255-06:00What's not on the label<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Had some rep drop off samples from 5 hour (not sure why they picked my office as it is contradictory to anything natural/healthy). Before I threw it out, took a look at the label. I understand how they were able to place the "decaf" word on the headliner but most patients on blood pressure meds, sleep meds, heart meds, add/adhd meds wont read the nutrition panel and can end up with side effects to "natural ingredients". Yes, if you check the ingredient panel on the second pic, the smallest and last ingredient on the "Energy Blend" is 6mg of Caffeine! Yes, natural ingredients can be dangerous if used improperly and lifethreatening if used with prescription meds. Example-tonic water. Seems harmless but if you take coumadin/warfarin/blood thinner....this can make you bleed uncontrollably or can interact with a common antibiotic for urinary tract infections (cipro). St Johns Wort is a great botanical that does just as good a job for mild to moderate depression as zoloft but has interactions with several medicines. Don't be fooled by labels.....manufacturers are trying to get your attention and will stop at nothing. </div>
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Next big problem, Genetically Modified Food industry is pushing not to have consumers know which foods are GMO and which are not. See the movie Food Inc for details on potential genetic problems with eating large volume GMO products. So dont ask, dont tell?....at least until you are the first one in your family to be diagnosed with a cancer or an autoimmune disease.</div>
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Caveat Emptor!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-23083755849348478432013-01-12T09:33:00.002-06:002013-01-12T11:08:25.629-06:00Choosing a Daily Supplement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unless you eat all organic or maintain a Mediterranean/Okinawan Diet you are probably not getting the same nutrient value from your food that Americans did 4 decades ago. Soil has lost it's mineral content, pesticides have been added to mass agriculture, antibiotics have altered fish and beef health and science has bypassed gene replication that can place increased stress to your immune system. So yes, the average American on a standard American diet should be adding supplement to daily diet. Don't have to go broke with high end, member only vitamin lines (no matter what your distributor says) starting out can be with simple daily over the counter choices. Personally, I take above the grade supplements depending on what is important during the time of year. For example, turmeric for when I start a new exercise routine, vit D3 and astragalus for flu season, probiotics and magnesium with detox spring and fall. But overall, a daily multipak supplement, omega 3 fish oil and vitamin D3 (the fish oil I research the company due to mercury worries). <br />
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Some people stop after 30 days when they don't feel any results. This is the wrong way, in going with nutrition and exercise to heal, changes are always slow. We're talking months to years. When using prescription medicines, you can expect a change in your life quickly since science has researched how to change your body and mind quickly with powerful chemicals. The caveat is with powerful chemicals, you will have powerful side effects. You can make the choice but Andy Weil has taught me the intensity of the treatment plan depends on the intensity of the disease presentation. In life threatening situations you may have to tolerate the potential side effects to survive. <br />
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click to see my tutorials on <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9qyRpWTpnQ" target="_blank">vitamins</a></u>, <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhybi_qczQ" target="_blank">omega 3 fish oil</a></u> and <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH7VWRqbOhM" target="_blank">vit d3</a></u> on youtube <br />
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Ultimately, proper nutrition is always the base to a healthy lifestyle change. Speaking from my heart, I can't afford to go total organic so for now, I feel supplements are important while I get to my ultimate level of health. This includes exercise, meditation, community, family as well as nutrition. For my average patient who comes in suffering from imbalance/disease manifestation/on medications-I definitely will be putting together a homework shopping list to bring to the local herbal store, Whole Foods Market or Fruitful Yield. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-58986746189850283792012-12-02T08:36:00.005-06:002012-12-02T11:04:35.295-06:00Reflux GERD Herbal Go Bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Please see my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQWVYPJdeSA" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">video</span></a> for an explanation of GastroEsophagel Reflux. People come to see me for a variety of problems (mostly to help get off prescription medicine with a more "natural" approach to the diseases they suffer from). If the GI specialist has ruled out infection and big disease (yes, reflux can lead to a pre-cancer called Barretts Esophagus) then I would plan on getting off medicine in 3 months, getting off botanicals in 1 month and maintaining with a proper diet and lifestyle. <br />
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Foods to abstain from while healing up are:<br />
-Tomatoe (whole vegetable or sauce like in spagetti and salsa)<br />
-Chocolate<br />
-Spicy foods<br />
-Coffee (decaf or regular) but expect a headache for 3 days and use tylenol<br />
-Peppermint (however enteric coated may help in moving food through treating bloating)<br />
-No Dairy please (personal preference of mine when healing even with negative allergy tests)<br />
-No gluen please (same as above)<br />
-Large volume meals kick acid back into the esophagus from the stomach-splashing caustic liquid on and unprotected esophageal lining<br />
-Carbonated drinks<br />
-Alcoholic beverage<br />
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Yes, holy crap this is an average American Diet! Good news is if you do this and what I mention in the video, you can heal the gut lining and then return to high stress response and poor diet again! <br />
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Medicines that shut down acid (to be used for maximum of 3 months while preparing to get back to healthy lifestyle and guilt free eating) are:<br />
-Prevacid<br />
-Prilosec<br />
-Nexium<br />
-Axid<br />
lesser strength<br />
-Tagamet<br />
-Zantac<br />
-Pepcid<br />
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Botanical supplements to use while weaning off the medicines during the 2-3month mark of weaning off are:<br />
-DGL chewable found at Whole Foods Market or Fruitful Yield. Taste is like black licorice. Chewed slowly! (stressed people eat like hungry pets and scarf food without chewing causing poor digestion) Mix the DGL with saliva then swallow1-2 tabs 10 minutes before meals for an average of 3-4 times daily. It works as a demulcent to sooth irritated lining. Long term use of regular licorice has been associated with hypertension. DGL is the form of licorice with a good safety profile in long term use. If your diet is changed so you speed up stomach healing, should be able to get off the DGL in a month from starting it. <br />
-Slippery Elm can also be used (I usually prefer this for IBS but found in lozenge form for people who dont like the taste of black licorice) 1000mg three times a day. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Can prepare as
tea by steeping 1 tsp slippery elm powder in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Pour
off liquid, discard powdered sediment in bottom of cup. Can add maple syrup or
honey if desired. Drink 1 cup in-between or after meals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">-Marshmellow Root usually found in tea. 1 tblsp in 2 cups of water 3xdaily</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">-Aloe Vera gel 100-150mg 2-3xdaily to sooth lining. Must be aloin free, more studies are needed but aloin could be carcinogenic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Botanicals to expedite peristalsis or proper emptying of the stomach. Usually if there is reflux, the stomach gets used to kicking food back up to vomit the irritating food, not down to digest. Re establishing chew/swallow/digest/absorb can be initiated with:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">-Ginger500-1000mg dried ginger 2-3xdaily before meals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">-Aloe Vera as above also to bulk stool and help with digestive tract movement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">-Peppermint enteric coated helps with movement. This is why you find peppermint candy at the check out of some restaurants. But caution as peppermint is also an acid stimulator if not enteric coated!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mechanical changes like keeping the head of your bed angled at 30 degrees. (Think of raising a baby crib head higher to prevent burping up of formula after eating.) Not exerting strength or lifting heavy after eating. Not swimming immediately after eating (yes old school rules!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Consider acupuncture to help with "moving energy" down. The best results come from doctors trained in China. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is a rather large "go bag" for Reflux but it gives alot of options. Seek out an Integrative Medicine physician or a well versed Naturopathic doctor to develop a healing schedule/timetable and always rule out disease first.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-44415627087889606162012-11-27T11:44:00.001-06:002012-11-27T11:56:44.798-06:00St Johns Wort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tis not the season to be Jolly....<br />
As the earth tilts on it's axis, the rays of the sun enter our atmosphere at a steeper angle. The result is a commonly felt change in daylight (shorter days) but an uncommonly felt change in emotion (seasonal affective disorder). Perhaps from primal instincts of nightfall being associated with predation, the brain seems to be more emotional, less tolerant, poor creativity, less enthusiastic, loss of interest, socially withdrawn. These normally would be traits that would thin the heard, as animals that suffered this would separate from the group and be easy meals for man eaters. In the modern era, darkness has been changed to be a time of community, family, story telling, camp fires and social gathering. There still are a select few (4-10% of the population) who experience depression like symptoms during the winter. It is usually more women than men, and more in the northern states than southern states. The symptoms are subtle if just from the change in season, You don't have to be labeled with preexisting major depression to suffer from SAD. Sometimes all it takes is loss of a job, loved one, a move, major infection, new diagnosis, economic hardship. (stressors that happen at the wrong time)<br />
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Diagnosis should be made by a professional, to make sure thyroid is working fine, adrenal gland is good, no vitamin deficiencies are occurring, Behavioral therapy is a must when there is any form of behavioral imbalance. My older patients are usually steadfast in saying "I'm not going to a shrink!". My younger patients are more willing to experiment. It does take strength to have someone examining and query your past and current emotional status, not to mention childhood years and related milestones along the way to adulthood. It is thought that only through the delicate guidance of someone trained in behavioral health can one gain a good vantage point for introspection. At that point when all the learned stress response and and poor coping skills are relinquished; problem solving can be started on how to heal-physical, emotional and spiritual.<br />
To get through the rough spots while moving away from the trauma, sitting for couch time, trying to sleep......there are prescriptions given if symptoms are severe enough. For mild to moderate depressive feelings, botanical supplementation has a track record of improvement in depression equal to that of standard antidepressant medications.<br />
<a href="http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2002/stjohnswort/pressrelease.htm" target="_blank"><strong>NIH study Zoloft vs St Johns Wort vs Placebo</strong></a><br />
To be included in the study symptoms had to be difficulty with concentrating, lack of energy, lack of interest, difficulty with completing tasks, oversleeping, craving carbohydrates, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety. Bottom line with the results-SJW/Zoloft gave the same result for improving depression actually with placebo also ranking an effect to patients with mild to moderate disease. My average patient believes once you get on "psych medicines" you will be on them forever (alot of hesitation). The true use of any medicine is to make daily living sustainable until the body/mind corrects itself. If nutritionally healthy, physically fit without any co morbid diseases, the body and mind should be able to heal itself. If you wait until depression becomes severe, it will be much harder to reverse. Seasonal affective disorder is a subcategory of Depression. <br />
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Think of a rash from food; if you get a rash from something you ate, depending on how much you like the food and how bad the rash it determines how fast you resolve the issue. If you keep on applying lotion yet indulging in the bad eating behavior, nothing will change. One must change the connection to the toxic thing so you wont need the temporary fix. In this case of SAD, if the temporary fix has little side effect, can be acquired without prescription and has been rigorously studied for safety-BINGO! <br />
-St Johns Wort (from a reliable company) is a great supplement/botanical. It should not be used with certain HIV drugs, Chemotherapy, oral contraception, blood thinners. It can be used along side current depression medicines but a wean up (SJW)/wean down (prescription depression med) schedule should be designed by an integrative doctor/integrative psychiatrist. I often suggest (SJW) if a life trial occurs during the cold season. If used as a maintenance during winter months, I suggest start at Thanksgiving and wean off by Easter. In southern states the time period can be shorter. As with any form of disorder in mood, therapy should be initiated with a pastor/social worker/licensed counselor/psychologist or psychiatrist. It is very difficult to undo bad coping skills on you own. (smoker stop smoking, teenager stop texting, eater stop binging, procrastinator start moving) Having someone to be accountable to increases sustainability and success. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-31827638707617198682012-11-01T12:57:00.002-05:002014-04-20T23:12:47.734-05:00Creatine use for muscle bulk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I remember in the 90's a competitive cyclist told me he was using creatine for his work outs and noted the when he was on it, bulk was thick, without it, training was same but doesn't think he got as "beefy". At that time the information out there was it caused kidney failure if taken during times of dehydration. It was theorized that benefits only came to endurance sports. No great reproducible studies, only one or two case reports. The amount of creatine used (during loading phase) is equal to about 5 steaks, I remember some friends from the 80's on Temple University's Power lifting Team that would get close to 3-4 steaks during competitive season. I wonder if they went onto healthy futures with the Temple Hospital bypass team. So if you could get the effects of creatine without any side effects of too much red meat, why not enhance your exercise? According to Jay Hoffman (one of the profs from UCF where I was team physician) the idea is to use creatine to enhance training response. Creatine helps to rephosphorylate ADP to ATP. The more ATP in the muscle cell, the stronger the actin/myosin pulls, the stronger the muscle works to move, pull, push, contract. With an effective training response, followed by good repair time and a healthy diet, the stronger the muscle is to endure the next exercise routine. Note to beginners, if you are not fine tuned with an existing exercise routine, do that first to establish muscle fitness, cardio and proper body mechanics. If you start out of the gate with expensive supplementation and a new exercise program (designed by someone trained in the exercise arena-personal trainer, certified instructor, exercise physiologist, physical therapist, sports medicine physician) no doubt my average patient usually gets muscle soreness and joint pain and really waste the dose of creatine. For it to be effective, most studies suggest: <br />
1-loading dose of 20-25grams daily for 5 days <br />
2-maintenance of 2-5grams daily for 10 weeks (depending on size of athlete)<br />
3-wash out period for 3 weeks (no creatine) it takes about 3-4 weeks of abstinence to have muscle levels return to baseline<br />
Wash out suggested since there have been no reproducible studies on the long term effects of creatine on the bodies own production. Yes, the body produces it, in fact those with high endogenous creatine will have poor to no results when ingesting the supplement. Side effects are gastric bloating, and discomfort with the loading phase. Muscle cramping also a smaller listed side-effect although when I used it at the above suggestions, during a post workout abdominal stretch, I suffered one of the most excruciating spasms to the rectus abdominis. This causes 10/10 pain and locks the body into a forward fold until the muscle fatigues in a few minutes.....oh..it also cuts back inspiration so I couldn't breath. Good thing I was in forward fold with my head down or I would have passed out. <br />
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The wash out phase should be coordinated with the "max out" concept of muscle fatigue. If your exercise routine is challenging, your "coach" will always design a progress/overload schedule over several weeks. Care in designing this on your own as either we are too complacent and stick with no overload thus loose stimulation of muscle growth or too aggressive and push/crash (I took this term from my exercise physiologist Aimee Weber). <br />
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Care in using creatine with exercise stimulants like "Amino Shooters", Redline or other pre workout energy drinks as they may have more ingredients than are written on the label. (The FDA "asks" that companies watch-dog themselves and be honest in labeling ingredients....kinda like asking your teenagers to "be good" on a date). These are great for enhancing reaction time, focus, training response but could also cause insomnia, high blood pressure, agitation (similar to caffeine overdose). <br />
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Finally if there is pre existing kidney disease, you are on a blood pressure medicine (diuretic) or a diabetic, avoid this stuff and seek out another way to get you past your exercise plateau.<br />
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(A study in the UK was performed hoping creatine in pulmonary rehab patients would be able to gain muscle mass during therapy for lung disease. No great results were found but more info necessary-I believe it was due to the participants did not hit their plateaus in fitness and were just tested during ordinary exercise endeavors) <br />
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<b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ofAizqdliA&list" target="_blank">Creatine Use Video</a></u></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-79182675436901264262012-10-30T21:32:00.000-05:002012-10-31T06:21:53.113-05:00Athletic Kids and Vitamins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Reminiscing to early practice.... I still remember in my old clinic at CDH, I used to have a folder of exercises put together for specific body aches. Thought I was smart by having things pre-printed for my staff to hand out after I came up with a diagnosis. One day I was walking out after clinic and saw the handouts sitting in the trash at patient checkout. They didn't even wait to get home and dumped the one-size-fits-all hand out in <strong>our</strong> garbage. Not everyone can afford physical therapy co-pays but if the suffering is bad enough/long enough or surgery is coming-I rather have a personally designed rehab program applied, modified and re-applied to get the body to heal itself properly.<br />
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Reminiscing to youth, my Sis and I grew up in a kitchen where mom had a meat dinner every night and eggs/spam for breakfast. Having more than 1 dish available for dinner was a sign of success. Having the best cut of beef for parties was living large. That was when eating large volumes of steak was the way to "get big" if you were a guy and girls only did 'aerobics' to burn off the calories. Creatine and protein came into vogue in the 90's, 'steroid stacks' were sold in the gym at the millennium. Now we have complex bodybuilding "herbs", TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), epo, steroid hiding drugs all abound in sports because of endorsement deals and social media spotlight. So the urgency to be the best has trickled down to grade school levels. Training hours per week have surpassed what a division I crew team would be going through on full boat scholarships. The problem arises in those little joints that haven't stopped growing yet. Placing excessive leverage on a tween joints can pull growth plates off long bone causing things like shoulder dislocations, little league elbow, chondromalacia, osgood schlatter and severs disease of the heels. <br />
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Once you find an activity of interest, be aware of how the coach treats his/her team. It is habit to want to drop off for practice and do some errands but invest some initial time in observing and make sure coach sees you. Tag team with other parents as well. I trust that most coaches have good intention especially if their own kid is on the team but don't assume. Observe the dynamics of how aggressive training is, how the ultimate concern is the experience of working with others and self improvement. Now comes the meat and potatoes of what my sister was asking. <br />
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Supplements are a good idea for an average American diet. Dr Agus was recently on a DrOz episode and brought up his perspective on no vitamins. I don't agree, average family eats OK, but usually has fast food mixed in 25% of the week (usually at school!). Just to balance the trips to any place where you cant be in the kitchen to check the type of cooking oil or choice of meat, I feel a <strong>multivitamin</strong> will "supplement" the basic building blocks for maintenance, repair and growth. I hope that with the other 75% of weekly intake coming from cooked meals at home, you may get some nutrient from the whole foods purchased from the periphery of the grocery. No no no......soil today doesn't have the same nutrients as 2-3 decades ago, more pesticides are used, more GMO seed is used, distance of shipping has been solved with airfreight so you may be getting fruits and veggies picked before ripening over 2000 miles away that never had the opportunity to complete life cycle and consequently spoil much faster on your counter. Anything that looks or feels a few hours over ripened will have degraded its nutrient content days before. May not be getting appropriate vit K, magnesium or iron especially if parents are choosing a semi vegetarian lifestyle. I don't feel we will see overt rickets, pellagra or beriberi in our schools but I do believe there will be (and already is) an abundance of unusual adult diseases popping up in childhood (reflux, depression, bipolar, diabetes type II, hypertension, high cholesterol, irritable bowel...) that were unheard of for kids in the 80's and 90's. All diseases are multi factorial and no time to discuss here but going back to basic suggestions......a multivitamin would be a start. More important for my young patients is to begin a habit of 'ritual' where the kid gets used to taking a tablet, capsule or liquid every morning. Even if the cheap kid vitamin with inferior binders just ends up in the toilet, that young person has now ingrained the idea of always taking a vitamin daily. If you try to start at teen years....get ready for resistance and failure. So for me the habit is important and starting early is important. If the little guy/girl has a medical problem then we should probably not just stick with cheap Walgreen's brand.....I would spend for higher grade vit's or get them compounded. I remember in one of the ER's I worked at there was a stark contrast in home nutrition; had a very calm easy going patient care tech that spent her whole paycheck on organic for all the kids/then her counterpart- a registered nurse who was usually stressed out and stated she attempted to feed her kids 'healthy' but it was too hard so she goes with MacDonald's and all microwave stuff because they all refused. It does take patience, planning but pays off in the long run. If it is too stressful to change diet now, OK....but all that omega 6, fructose and caffeine will have an accumulative effect sooner or later-guaranteed.<br />
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Second on my list is <strong>omega 3 oil</strong>......fish or cod liver OK! (just watch for piggy back vit A mixed in with some cod liver oils. (preformed vit A can be a problem with acting as a proinflammaotry) Again building on the idea that average kid has 50% or more of their weekly intake from fast food high in omega 6. Too much omega 6 and too little omega 3 turns on inflammation- arthritis, bowel disease, skin disease, depression......short of cooking with EVOO, eating more fish less red meat, taking the omega 3 daily will re-balance away from 'standard American diet' and more to 'mediteranean diet/antiinflammatory diet'. (in basic soccer-parent terms: given a choice of 3 days of knee pain vs 2 weeks of knee pain-diet can make the difference) Kids are sensitive to burping smells so free the capsule (the tiny one are great, call the company to inquire about if they check for mercury in product regularly) Liquid omega 3 can taste nasty.....although at the Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship, I sampled Barlean's pina colada omega 3 6 9 and it was yummy! (children average about 700-1200mg daily)<br />
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Last is vit <strong>D3</strong>. Due to melanoma scares, we sun-block the hell out of our kids which is good for skin cancer but bad for maintaining vit d levels in the body. Most Americans are low on vit D, there is new conflicting evidence for pro's and con's on using supplement but for the last 10 + years low levels have been associated with diseases like cardiovascular disease, asthma and certain cancers. The data on vit D toxicity(overdosing) is lacking so even if future studies say it doesn't help to keep blood levels high, it aint gonna hurt either. Until NIH and the Cochrane show anything different.....please take vit D3 for yourself and your kids. (children average about 400IU daily to be taken with healthy fat/food/oil)<br />
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So it seems like I am pushing alot of pills on kids and yes, if diet is lacking, don't wait until later. Always, always change the diet first. If you cant, then add the<strong> multivitamin </strong>and make it a habit. If there is a medical disease, clear it with the doc and add the omega 3 and D3 at the least.....other things depending on the presentation. (ie...zinc for adhd, inositol for anxiety, magnesium for dysmenorrhea, probiotics for irritable bowel, turmeric for muscle aches, licorice for reflux...) Wedge in some healthy snacks and meals into daily nutrition and hopefully they become accommodated to always seeing a fruit, veggie, or fiber source thus take it with them to adulthood. Maintain a meatless Monday and fish Friday to cut down overall sources of red meat (high omega 6 and cholesterol) and experiment with non redmeat dishes to see if they catch on. Even if training is 2 hours a day, 5 days a week (that is time consuming right in the middle of the day! God bless our parents!) the antiinflammatory diet is the gold standard for keeping a healthy injury free athlete. Eat Drink Weigh Less by Walter Willet, The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook by Harmon Jenkins (nice pics), John LaPuma's Big Book or his website for free recipes <a href="http://www.drjohnlapuma.com/">www.drjohnlapuma.com</a> and of course my guru Andy Weil and his multiple books and informative website <a href="http://www.drweil.com/">www.drweil.com</a> .<br />
<br />
(<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9qyRpWTpnQ&list=UULcnUGG4GBQYOdo05vYdu2g&index=4&feature=plcp" target="_blank">For my parents.</a>)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-3251608698187835972012-10-20T21:10:00.001-05:002013-04-04T09:36:18.417-05:00Cold and Flu Herbal "Go Bag"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2rObQksYu0LatNWlp9SE7XG_hMdWxC-K6-Mt5ON0zkDhOVUv1T9MazXdORcN67OwUTP_vvw76SE4_EfN3oFBRKyjNtEwlt5vJWEeyVf-bdFSFg_MOaQU5qZ7lW9n71U6WJ3R1zRCnKc/s1600/go+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2rObQksYu0LatNWlp9SE7XG_hMdWxC-K6-Mt5ON0zkDhOVUv1T9MazXdORcN67OwUTP_vvw76SE4_EfN3oFBRKyjNtEwlt5vJWEeyVf-bdFSFg_MOaQU5qZ7lW9n71U6WJ3R1zRCnKc/s320/go+bag.jpg" width="303" /></a> I feel my chances are high regarding getting sick from a contagious patient. Not so much at First Health Associates where I see complicated chronic conditions. More at the immediate care centers where I "moonlight" for Alexian Brothers. I get the occasional cough or stuffy nose but the last time I touched an antibiotic was 2003-2004 for a sinus infection after which I proceeded to come down with the rare psuedomembranous colitis from antibiotic over dose (this was after the first day!!!) Note: this is when I was sleeping less, drinking a large coffee from McDonalds with 10 packs of sugar and a steak egg and cheeze bagel/hash browns every morning, beer with dinner which was mostly Filipino feast foods and the occasional 1 pound hamburger from Fuddruckers. Oh...almost forgot the dozen warm cripsy cream donuts "for the staff" on fridays. <br />
Those days are far behind me but the point is I try to stay healthy and set and example for friends, family and patients but still get a little cough, stuffy nose now and then. I have confidently developed my "go bag" of herbal supplements that have truncated any/all infections my body is trying to express. As in most integrative treatments, use is based on factual studies. The higher the degree of disease presentation/complication, the more RCT's (randomized controlled trials) or Cochrane Reviews are necessary before making recommendations. (This is the ultimate reason for putting myself through 2 years of fellowship study- outside the normal training set by the state and fed in order to practice medicine.) I have adapted a few things to make sure natureal healing is maximized when homeostasis becomes imbalanced with infection. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">1 Avoid all dairy</span></strong> <br />
<br />
product for 10-14 days (even organic) I would really cut out all processed food (no matter how much you crave it), complex/big meals, alcohol, excessive caffeine-if you cut out all caffeine now you will have a withdrawal headache ontop of the viral/flu/sinusitis headache. The opposite is true if you starve yourself down to 1000cal daily, the immune system will "hit the wall". If you want to keep at a minimum of food intake....the old way Bananas Rice Apple sauce Toast is ok for 24-48 hours but push fluids:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2 Make sure the minimal fluid</span></strong> <br />
<br />
intake per day is <span style="font-size: large;"><em>3 liters per day</em></span> (13 cups) try to make the morning warm fluid and cool it down as the day goes on.....cold water is more palatable. Ayurveda practice is to start with warm fluid as to not cool the fire (solar plexus chakra) that starts the day. I also like using<span style="font-size: large;"> <em>Airborne fizz tablets</em></span> in the water to insure taste helps it go down. There is argument as to whether Airborne has any healing properties at all....I just want it to taste better without adding sugar. <br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3 Elderberry</span></strong> <br />
<br />
has been studied to shorten the days of illness in children with viral symptoms. The dark berry is surmized to accentuate white blood cell killing power. For kids-Sambucus is a nice formulation with echinacea. For adults I suggest <em><span style="font-size: large;">New Chapter Sinus Take Care</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">Garden of Life Immunity Sinus</span></em> usually at Whole Foods Market or Fruitful Yield. All about 4-5 times daily for 5 -7 days. <br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4 Astragalus</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
a fantastic root that is known as an "adaptogen". This category responds to stress with "boosting" to calm the stress response of white blood cells but also allow to unleash hell to bacterial and viral invaders. Think of the professional boxer-cool, collected knows a strategy that works and is focused on getting a job done in the ring. Compare to a drunk brawler who may have adrenaline but no control of emotion, decision making even if he has the same tools as the boxer. Now think of a while blood cell that is focused on work vs a white blood cell that is over stimultated. The overstimulated will either attack the wrong thing (a friendly knee cell in Rheumatoid Arthritis or an intestinal cell in Inflammatory Bowel Disease) or it wont fight the true invading bacteria/virus leading to infection after infection. There have been small studies showing benefit of astragalus daily use in asthmatic patients during cold and flu season to decrease infection rates. If you are lucky, your local herb shop will have astragalus tongue depressors, think slivers of the root you chop up and place in tea or soup if you dont mind the taste of bark. (<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Whole Foods Market brand, Nature's Way-purple top, Now Foods from Fruitful Yield</em></span>)<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">5 Neti Pot nasal irrigation</span></strong> <br />
<br />
2-3 times daily followed by over the counter or prescription meds to decrease nasal swelling (if congestion or cough is part of the picture). I like Nasacrom that can be purchased anywhere no script needed-I relied on it heavily 2 decades ago when it was only prescription and worked well then and still works now (albeit the otc dose is smaller than back in the day). Some people dont like putting things in their nose......a spray form is probably ok but can irritate the ostia (hole) the sinus uses to drain discharge into the nose and out the nostrils. Irritate the ostia too much and it may cause a nasty facial headache. I do not believe the viral story that went out about a neti pot being the cause of a parasite killing someones brain-neti pots have been used for more than 2500 years even before antibiotics/antiparasitics where invented, those were times when infection and parasites were true life enders. If there was a high association with brain absess formation, 2500 years would have shown a relationship of all the people in India dying of massive brain absess outbreaks. Purchase at any herbal store, vitamin shop, most pharmacies. <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e22Ta7iRgks" target="_blank">Link to DrOz Oprah demo of neti pot</a><br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
6 Aroma Therapy</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
is a technique of getting the proposed strength of a plant into the body via the nose and lungs. Like asthmatics and their inhalers/nebulizers, so to can an ultrasonic nebulizer "shake up" plant oils to make a vapor for you to inhale/sniff. There is some research saying it works it works to induce a relaxation response in the brain. I havent seen specific reproducible data showing head to head trials vs prescription drugs but who cares? If the potential side effects to the treatment are minimal (breathing in nice smells) then the treatment doesnt need multimillion dollar randomized control trials for me to have a patient use it. (....and it has to be affordable since being broke is a side effect) I experimented with Young Living Thieves.....used it in my office for people coming in with flu symptoms and they did feel very "different" with fewer symptoms. If you are really lucky, there will be an herbalist or "aromatherapy blender" who can find the exact combination of essential oils to help change your mind body response. Jenn from<a href="http://www.jennscents.com/About_Aromatherapy.html" target="_blank"> JennScents</a> first introduced me to aromatherapy and herbal medicine- fantastic blends! Or try <a href="http://www.olbas.com/olbasoil.htm" target="_blank">Olabas Oil</a> found at Whole Foods Market or Fruitful Yield in the water of steam bath or steam cave - <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/DrSaguil/drric-colds-coughs-and-caps-presentation-slideshare" target="_blank">link to my Flu Lecture</a></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">7 Medical Acupuncture</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
is a fantastic tool that improves normal functioning during the infection. Although the data is still being studied, if an asthmatic cant breath and a few needles helps-positive response! If a gastritis sufferer gets control of nausea with one single acpuncture needles-postive response! I have used it with many different patients and at the least, it makes the patient feel empowered and helps get through the crisis. (Used it for my mom when she was suffering from the abdominal pains from her pancreatic cancer......doesnt matter if it was placebo-she got relief. Only in America to scientist minimalize the placebo effect. In my heart, if it works, causes no harm, is affordable/free.....do it! No such thing as "false hope") <span style="font-size: large;"><em>See Dr Zhu in my office, Dr Leon Chen in Lombard, Frank Grill in Naperville</em>.</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">8 Massage</span></strong> <br />
<br />
from an energy healer/massage therapist to chest and facial acupressure points feels good. It also is a way to stimulate the acupuncture points that heal if the patient doesnt like needles. Using essential oils like Eucalyptus to the lung points in a bronchitis sufferer or along acupuncture meridias that help drain sinus infections help my average patient get through the infectious process with less drugs. Only problem is finding a credible acupuncturist. I studied 1000 hours from UCLA and I rate myself as"ok". There are far better docs than me and this is where I send my patients. Have to research where the acupuncturist went to school, how long in practice and what is their sole means of economic survival. If it is a practitioner that only does needles and they have been around 10 years with training from China-probably good. If a person that does alot of different things but also does needles and studied for 6 weeks to get a diploma-run for your life. Most states have a credentialing board overseeing non MD's, then there is the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture certification for MD/DO's. Don't forget <span style="font-size: large;"><em>your spouse</em></span>.<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">9 Mushrooms</span></strong><br />
<br />
have great medicinal value and have been used for centuries in Asia. Good studies regarding using only them to intervene with fighting infections. The problem is which companies do we trust? As is the problem with all the above where do we buy our herbs. Regarding mushroom, I like <span style="font-size: large;"><em>GAIA brand "Throat Shield" </em></span>peppermint flavored. Cant tell if its the alcohol/cinnamon or the mushroom that helps sore throats.......but it doesnt matter as the cost is little more than chloraseptic throat spray. 2 sprays every 2 hours or before bed helps get through a day or night with less drugs. Also helps calm a throat so you can eat if strept throat or tonsillitis is the problem. <br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">10 RICOLAAA!!!</span> </strong><br />
<br />
I like any throat lozenge for soothing if it has elderberry, eucalyptus, echinacea......and not too much sugar. Comfort is important otherwise you wont eat or drink and be in pain all day. If number 9 is too expensive. <br />
<br />
And there is my "go bag" of winter illness rescue. I have a few extra things like high dose D3, magnesium, zinc, high dose vit C, colloidal silver, homepathic Boiron products....but just with the 10 things above, people get discouraged when there are too many choices. Even if an antibiotic is needed, I still do all the above plus a probiotic for 30 days to rebuild the gut flora I destroyed with the antibioic. Shopping a Whole Foods Market causes a spasm in my wallet but speaking from personal experience, I have not touched an antibiotic for almost 10 years and I am sitting 2 feet away from people that are being seen with strept, bronchitis, pneumonia, MRSA, sinusitis and infectious diarrhea. Make you own judgement but dont just keep on taking antibiotic after antibiotic thinking you have no other choices. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/DrSaguil/drric-colds-coughs-and-caps-presentation-slideshare" target="_blank">Link to a slideshare.net lecture on Colds Coughs and Capsules</a><br />
<u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RppXW8gAYJY" target="_blank">Link to a video on my influenza experience</a></u></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-10099764461667026742012-08-23T10:03:00.002-05:002012-08-23T11:33:16.587-05:00Homeopathic pellets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Had a great mom come in with daughter. Seen at the ER for a bike accident few days ago. Was wearing a helmet (thank God!) but took a face plunge and "road rashed" her left face with a puncture to the inside left lip from her tooth and residual night terrors from the event. Couple of other minor scrapes to the arm and leg left side. Mom is very "natural" tries to avoid conventional fruits and veggies, gluten, dairy and red meat. This is a great mom- takes alot of effort and research in addition to high cost to purchase low toxin, pesticide and antibiotic exposed food sources. Some of my average American families (especially the Dad's) will be saying "I grew up eating meat and potatoes with scrambled eggs every morning and look at me-I feel great and dont need to see a doctor or take medicine". Truth is some people are lucky but most Americans are overweight (33.9% as of 2008), more Americans kids are on ADHD medicines than ever before, 25% of all deaths are due to heart attack even with all the sophisticated surgeries, medicines, hospitals you see advertised on TV, and following heart disease, the second highest cause of death in the US is cancer. Anyway, doing as much at the younger years as possible for your children will probably keep them out of the "statistics" of an average American. <br />
<br />
Here is the other end of the bell shaped curve. She was using tea tree oils for the wounds (helps with healing but can sting the hellll! out of the fresh abrasion) and it smells funny to kids. Was using colloidal silver oral drops for speeding up white blood cell response (good suggestion but dosing in kids can be challenging and there have been cases with chronic use causing a permanent blue color to the skin (I took care of a man that did colloidal silver for years and yes he looked like Papa Smurf). And she had read about homeopathic pellets, asked the herbal store clerk (who was well versed with pellets) and was giving her daughter 5 pellets of 30C Arnica Montana daily in addition to another. The concept of Homeopathy is an old science that dates back about as far in the Hippocrates if you ask the Homeopaths but was officially practiced from the 17-1800's. 3 Principles of <br />
1. Similarity (like cures like)<br />
2. Process of Individualizing Therapy<br />
3. Lowest Dose Necessary<br />
Some of my collegues will say if the pellet contains only a parts per million fraction of a 'toxin'....how can if cure an illness. Most people (doctor or layman) will usually fear or hate what they dont understand. There have been meta-analysis back and forth in the medical communities across the globe on if Homeopathy is better than placebo from 1997 up to recent Swiss study in 2005. Problem is results will be <strong>OFF</strong> when you study applying a <strong>standard</strong> sample of technique that is meant to be <strong>individualized. </strong>This same problem came up with modern medicine "studying" the effects of traditional acupuncture for "western diagnoses" like high blood pressure. Acupuncture (like homeopathy) is a "whole system" approach of healing. It doesnt just look at a constellation of symptoms labeled under an ICD9 Diagnosis. The ancient healing arts look at the individual, paying attention to the functioning, thinking, emotionality of the patient. (Personally I disagree with the studies that said acupuncture is equal to placebo in treating disease) Regarding homeopathy, I have seen great things with the Naturopathic doctor in my office reversing complex symptomatology in patients I was having so much trouble controlling. (Most recent was a college age student with ulcerative colitis stuck on steroids that were worsening his ADHD/Anxiety; which in turn worsened his ulcerative colitis prompting is GI specialist to consider a "fecal transplant" from an unknown donor to reinhabit the kids colon......yes, in laymans terms...placing someones poop in your butt....ewwew!) Sorry I detracted, bottom line is the average intake questionaire a homeopath goes through to choose the correct medication/pellet is 8 pages long. I learned from one of my Infectious Disease Integrative Collegues who is also a practicing homeopath-it can be very dangerous to "pick and choose" from the pellet display at Whole Foods Market for reversing disease. It can be deadly to apply the same principals to a child. <br />
<br />
My patient's mom had all good intentions and I praise her for it. The learning point is please consider seeing a practicing homeopathic doctor before just loading up on those sweet tasting tiny pellets to heal (could be considered candy as well so keep out of kid reach). 30C several times a day for an adult could be good or bad. <br />
<br />
-200C needs expert advise<br />
-Kid dosing needs expert advise<br />
-Using chinese herbs or multiple supplements or prescription medicine in addition to pellets needs expert advise<br />
<br />
a Link to find expert advise;<br />
<a href="http://homeopathyusa.org/specialty-board.html">http://homeopathyusa.org/specialty-board.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hanp.net/">http://www.hanp.net/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.homeopathy.org/">http://www.homeopathy.org/</a><br />
<br />
I advised my patient's mom she was right on with inention and offered a few changes:<br />
-stop the pellets until seeing Dr Green (the naturopath in our office)<br />
-instead of the pellet/tea tree combo, switch to the topical cream of Traumeel (lower dose homeopathic content with a cooling effect if placed in the fridge) at lunch for 10 days<br />
-switch the oral colloidal silver to topical Silvadene Cream (also placed in the fridge for cooling effect)- well tolerated for burn victims of all ages and covered by insurance twice a day for 10 days<br />
-continue to avoid dairy and gluten<br />
-tylenol for pain before showering to reduce the burning sensation<br />
-lavendar drops on her pillow to relax and induce sleep<br />
-guided imagery (story telling) at night to help sleep <a href="http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/02/just-me-and-the-trees-new-childrens-book-introduces-families-and-classrooms-to-breathing-and-meditation-techniques/">http://triblocal.com/oak-park-river-forest/community/stories/2010/02/just-me-and-the-trees-new-childrens-book-introduces-families-and-classrooms-to-breathing-and-meditation-techniques/</a><br />
-consider seeing a kid friendly counselor if the "nightmares" continued after 3 weeks<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-44310210605977061132012-06-22T13:46:00.000-05:002012-06-22T13:46:53.169-05:00The Anti-inflammatory Diet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas-SJFXst0mR4zC0zIdWknvnDxRl_lxZ75RibeEYG7YfDx9wJ570hOsJcpXkMmOIxNMajmKdgRW6ubAjrzXoifEPCHLqVK7SsTa_TWfGSciT45M7-5rS_Ls706iKcH89aDFHz2Lv7V2I/s1600/antiinflammatory+diet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="140" width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas-SJFXst0mR4zC0zIdWknvnDxRl_lxZ75RibeEYG7YfDx9wJ570hOsJcpXkMmOIxNMajmKdgRW6ubAjrzXoifEPCHLqVK7SsTa_TWfGSciT45M7-5rS_Ls706iKcH89aDFHz2Lv7V2I/s400/antiinflammatory+diet.jpg" /></a>
I guess this is a catchy phrase. In the last 3 lectures, whenever I open for Q & A afterward, people always ask for the info. I will always redirect to Healthy Aging by Andrew Weil. The concept is very healthy eating and once you read through I think the average person thinks ......ok, it's just a list of everything healthy. <br /><br />http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02012/anti-inflammatory-diet<br /><br />The exerpt from the book is far more informative. Some people just need a list to post as a constant reminder. The food pyramid is a little more user friendly than it has been in the past but still doesn't have a wow factor. Some folks are probably looking for a new diet to follow also. <br /><br />Most medical studies are centering on the role of inflammation in many diseases. Obviously in acute inflammation/injury but now in arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, bowel problems and even cancer. I have heard that people attending my conferences are trying to watch food intake but the economy is hitting hard. My beloved Whole Foods is a great store but leaving with half a bag full of stuff will usually run me the same price for a week of family eating at Jewel (a popular grocery chain in Illinois). <br /><br />I am visioning a step wise approach to changing a diet will be with stuffing one's self with fruits and veggies. As is suggested by many a dietician, 5-7 f and v's per day is a basic. In my diet, getting 5 in daily will usually take up the volume in my stomach that would have been taken up by something else I would have been eating previously (fast food). Or the converse is true, the 5 would be filling up a stomach that would have been growling at 10-11am or 4-5pm for lack of anything being eaten. In 1999-2000, my medical practice was booming and my fund of knowledge was huge. My health was also the worst of my life. I remember often "powering" through lunch and dinner without eating and justifying that action as "at least I won't gain weight". I paid for those years with psychological scars I will never forget,(I still carry a wrist band from being admitted once to the hospital). <br /><br />My wife made my daughters favorite spagetti dinner and I said, Oh No....I won't be able to stop so I shouldn't start. She said, why do I suffer so much. My reply was that I suffer more from the bloating, slowed bowel, and lethargy than I do from the act of starving. She often calls me OCD since I like to maintain eating small portions of fruits and veggies up to 4-5 times daily to keep the stomach full and stop the hunting for a dopamine rush with something carb loaded. I also rely on a small salad before eating a tasty dish just like the Italian restaurant does to postpone hunger. <br /><br />So ultimately, the Saguil Approach is "stuffing down" 5-7 fruits or veggies per day will usually "push" out the space that would have been taken up by something else in the daily diet. The 5-7 "fillers" will also supply foods that are low glycemic index (keeping the stable and not crashing after food intake), high in fiber and easy on the bowel. A smooth working bowel will translate to proper absorption of nutrient, supplement and not to mention, secreation of serotonin, the hormone use to treat depression.....(another reason for carb hunting). Fluid plays a great role as well but thats for a later blog. Once a patient realized how good life is without bowel problems, and sleep is improved and workouts are more intense/rewarding, the process steamrolls and more aspects of the "Weil Antiinflammatory Diet" can be followed (without guilt)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-57721518178005923402010-10-28T06:27:00.000-05:002010-10-28T06:28:21.227-05:00Vitamin D3 (from the herbal411 library post)It was a toss up betwen omega 3 fish oil and Vitamin D3. Because of some of the chronic pain flare ups I have seen in the clinic over the last few weeks, Vitamin D won. Well documented is the lack of ultraviolet stimulation to human skin to any state north of Georgia. Due to the angle the sun's rays hit during winter months, the amount of sun rays that get through is low. It takes 20-30 minutes during summer months from 10-2pm to create up to 10,000IU. That would be about 50 glasses of milk or 20 standard vitamins daily! I suggest taking a blood test first for 25 hydroxvitamin D, supplementing 5000IU daily and retesting in 3 months. With critically low levels less than 10, 50,000IU IV to load then 5000 daily. I frequently use 4000 daily of D3 in my "influenza cocktail" while working the ER. (astragalus, elderberry, mushroom extract throat spray and D3 twice a day for 3-4 days post exposure). There are very limited sources of data that show toxicity with vitamin d, and multiple new sources of literature with benefits of supplements. Many patients have felt improvement with supplementation in 4 weeks. Once levels are restored with pills, food and sunshine should be utlized to maintain a healthy state. Cod Liver Oil, Sockeye Salmon, Tuna, Sardines, Milk, Egg, Dairy Fortified, Mackerel, Yogurt, OJ are a few to consider. Use food as medicine!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-15300780368660248502010-10-27T21:45:00.004-05:002010-10-27T23:38:27.918-05:00A pulled hammy (torn hamstring muscle)No one is bulletproof when it comes to injury or illness. As posted in my "Adventures", Thich Naht Hanh came up with The Five Rememberances:<br /><br />1 I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to escape growing old.<br />2 I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape having ill health.<br />3 I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.<br />4 All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.<br />5 My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand. <br /><br />A near and dear yogi, was taking the time to teach students a difficult pose and "pop", an audible tear from about 40 feet occurred. Seemed to be the area of an old injury so hopefully it was just scar tissue. (If a long muscle is torn off its bony insertion, the long end may reattach close to where is came off but theres always a little piece of where it originated from that still remains tight and stuck on fibrous tissue-its useless and can pop but wont affect walking). So the reason for this discussion is to mention my "go to" supplements to aid in a speedy muscular injury repair. <br /><br />First control the injured area from further damage. No further stretches, runs, jumps. I like ice to the area to decrease blood flow and halt the "seeping" of further lymph and blood to the area of inflammation. Black and blue marks will usually track down the back of leg with gravity in 2-3 days since it bleeds deep at the sit bones and works its way to the surface skin later. I have seen it go black and blue from the buttock to the back of the knee but without pain or discomfort to any place but the hamstring insert. We luckily had a massage therapist who also did Thai Massage and he helped with cutting the spasm back from the muscle. As a muscle tears, the body of the fiber will start to spasm, contract-like a rubber band that has been stretched then cut-the ends flail apart. So the idea is to try and gently relax the spasming muscle and more importantly for the first few nights-keeping the muscle lengthened so you dont wake up after 6-8 hours and the back of the thigh is 2 inches shorter. Ice is therapeutic for about 10-15 minutes only. After that time, the skin can get frostbite and the blood vessels you were trying to choke off will soon spasm and open up to cause more products of inflammation to enter the area. So keep the cold packs on for 10 minutes at the top of every hour for 48 hours. (as best as you can maintain). Lightly massage or gently stretch the muscle body-this would be the other end of the muscle that wasnt in the "tear zone". Alot of the pain comes from the muscle bulk spasming up and shortening. You can actually apply heat or warmth to this part in a hamstring since it is so long. Placing heat to the site of inflammation will cause the blood vessels to open and a flood of more swelling will result. <br /><br />After the ice, wipe off and get the topicals on. I like essential oils like TEA TREE, HELICRYSIUM, MARJORAM (I used "PANAWAY" by Young Living to get me through the Chi-town Marathon every few miles), I also like TRAUMEEL by Heel- its a German homeopathic oinment that contains many things, one of the most active ingredients is ARNICA. At UCLA Acupuncture they teach us to apply this to the upper back before Gua Sha (skin scraping) to avoid black and blue formation. Great thing is you cant overdose on the topicals....traditional chinese medicine says you can also apply plant essence oils to the opposite extremity in the same approximate area as the injured leg to effect healing. (It has to do with unblocking the matching meridia/energy channel on the opposite extremity to get the body to heal it faster) <br /><br />And this beings me to external modalities. Hands on-massage and the healing touch of MASSAGE THERAPY, CHIROPRACTIC or REIKI in some cases will help the body pay more attention to the area of inury. (more white blood cells, more proper nutrients, more organized repair/less inflammation). ACUPUNCTURE can help with cutting down muscle spasm to the injured muscle, help the energy meridia start flowing like prior to injury, also release endorphins to help with the sensation of pain. I have also read of MARMA therapy from ancient India (southern?) Finger or hand pressure to special areas on the body that move energy through "nadi's" or the Indian equivalent to meridias in China. (I have to get Vasant Lad to teach me this once I get some of my more immediate schooling out of the way). Modern day physical therapists can also help with deep tissue massage, transverse friction rubbing, ultrasound, infra red heat or ionotophoresis the application of steroid gel through the skin using elecricity. I like TENS units but seems when I write for these to be given by the therapist, always very difficult to attain. (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation-kinda what I do with needles and electricity but tens is just with sticky pads on the skin)-these are great because they can be applied through the whole night so the muscle doesnt shorten and make for a very difficult pogostick walk/hop to the bathroom in the dark. Physical therapy can also help to rehab 2-3 times a week in order to return to sports performance(and work) faster. <br /><br />Then comes the oral supplements. First off all my athletes are told for 2 weeks. the "ANTIINFLMMATORY DIET" is a must. Andy Weil has this summarized on his website and he even had put together his own food pyramid to show how someone with chronic diease should be eating not just for 2 weeks but forever. (www.drweil.com) When the body is given foods that heal instead of foods that cause inflammation, white blood cells destroy damaged tissue faster, collagen gets placed by fibroblasts to form a matrix/scaffolding to heal the wound quicker, and muscle fibers reattach in an orderly fashion to make for stronger tissue patches instead of just fibrous/scar tissue. Fill up with water as often as possible. Low glycemic foods to treat the white blood cells better and not cause insulin spikes throughout the day- they essentially screw up healing not to mention that after meal sedation/sleepiness that comes on from eating. (www.glycemicindex.com) And my favorite: TURMERIC. This is a fantastic vegetable mostly used by India for food. I have also seen some older patients with sprains and strains coming in with orange powder around the injured joint as a paste. There are studies being performed on high dose turmeric for the ultimate inflammation-cancer. I am hoping to see these released soon. I have found and used NEW CHAPTER (www.newchapter.com/products/turmericforce) and GAIA (www.gaiaherbs.com/products/detail/83/Turmeric-Supreme) brands and usually I take 1 capsule 4 times a day for about 10-14 days with food. Recommended dose is 1 daily. (about 300 to 400 mg of extract) VITAMIN D3 at 2000IU twice a day (www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/vitamin-d3-60-tabs/sku-1155.aspx) for about 10-14 days is my other mandatory go to supplement with new injury. Even if it is summer and you are outside sunning, any city north of Georgia doesn't get enought sunlight (in my opinion) to convert a daily required amount of D. And finally OMEGA 3 FISH OIL at 2000mg daily (www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/super-omega-3-epa-60-softgel-caps/sku-1515.aspx)<br /><br />So ultimately, we all will go through an injury, it is inevitable. The people who are already healthy when it happens will go through it faster! The folks arent healthy (and havent taken yoga) will go through the injury slower and probably develop another muscle injury from the over-compensation. My yoga instructor had already started to heal just with the THAI MASSAGE, so she is on her way to recovery in the next 10 days or sooner-(especially if we send healing INTENTIONS her way!)<br /><br />This is not meant for medical advise so please seek out a primary care doctor who is trained in sports medicine, certified in medical acupuncture, studies with Andrew Weil and teaches yoga if you want to heal up fast.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-75220448483670017732009-05-06T00:29:00.003-05:002009-05-06T01:07:54.509-05:00Take this vitamin or you'll go blindI love my daughter but boy is it challenging to get her to take a vitamin regularly. I started early with my son and introduced chewables early. Or it could be that formulations are better? I have found "Herbasaurs" by Natures Sunshine and "FloraBear" by Renew Life as a good or should I say "tolerable" daily. The former is the vitamin and the latter is the probiotic. Due to my son's asthma, I have had to retreat to antibiotics several times and his intestinal flora is probably shot. The great thing is that this guy loves fruit and veggies (thank you Lord!) My daughter on the other-hand is a typical teenager with an appetite for the poor carbs found in drive through windows. Have tried several types of multivits with little to no success until recently! New Chapter was the first herbal company I started buying at Whole Foods. I think I stumbled on Zyflammend for a trapezius muscle issue and it opened the herbal world to me. Of course my friendly herbalists Wendy and Jennifer in Clermont Florida taught me the "way of the Herb". <br /><br />http://www.clermontherbshop.com/<br /><br />Although I am a big supporter of Natures Sunshine for supplement products, I stumbled on a bottle from New Chapter called Tiny Tabs Multi. Six of these smaller than tictac size tablets is required daily. We are finding that due to the small size, when the palmed tabs are "thrown back", one usually escapes due to it's microscopic size. But at least she really likes them since they are so "cute". Big problem with both kids is the lack of calcium. I will tackle that battle at a later campaign. <br /><br />Of course the old go to will be Flintstones, Bugs Bunny or someother generic chewable but I just don't trust these companies....maybe since I can't find any great information on them. I don't remember taking any vitamins when I was a kid. (But I also remember frying eggs and spam in a pan soaked with cooking LARD from a big nasty can under the sink....oh, just thinking of those days gives me chest pain!) I believe parents should set examples and teach ritual. Eating right and consuming 5-7 fruits and veggies daily outdoes any multivitamin routine but what child will do that when the parent is eating a donut, having coffee and taking pepsid for morning heartburn. I will never forget my college age nephew lookin his parents in the eye and very arogantly stating....."I am NOT, waking up early just to eat breakfast". I just shook my head and proceeded to "pants" him.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-17917649472490503862009-03-21T00:02:00.002-05:002009-03-30T01:37:34.750-05:00Fad dietsIn preparing for the lectures on weight loss, I had to look into the use of fad diets. So many people have tried the Pritkin, Atkins and South Beach diets. The concepts are very novel but in the end, when the human body is presented with an extreme of conditions in environment or food intake, it will stabilize and adapt. If no other option is given to the body and it believes there is no good food to eat, it will slow down. (reset its own basal metabolic rate and make you gain weight or get frustrated by giving you a short temper) Remember that old commercial from the 70's..."you can't fool mother nature!" <br /><br />I know the first few months of a new diet are great. The body hasnt figured how to adapt to the loss of food for hunting and it burns off all remaining calories from storage places like the love handles, the beer belly, the arm fat, the buttocks. Eventually though, no further fat to burn off or brain gets way to tired of not having any energy to function and it will make you "hunt" and there goes your diet! Most studies show that at 12-18 months, most people will blow the diet. There was a 4 pound weight loss for most people that participated but is this good for a year and a half of suffering? Not to mention that the cholesterol levels will usually shoot up during the diet phase. I recently was contacted by and old patient and he wondered if the Atkins was good and I told him what I thought. I said if he was going to try it, reevaluate at the 4 month mark and add an exercise program to it so he can loosen up on the strict carb cutting. He should make it until then. I did suggest omega 3 and a multivitamin. I will help him adjust the caloric intake in 4 months to make up the difference of his exercise. I would probably shift him to more of an antiiflammatory diet and try to bring down his cholesterol with red yeast rice and co q10. Then we reassess in the fall and prepare for the winter in Chicago. I always believe small portions and small goals are easier to achieve. But the applications that work for me might not work for others....this is why everyone has a different approach in my eyes. This is the "Saguil Approach".Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-88494144251366997292009-02-05T13:08:00.006-06:002009-02-05T14:03:06.078-06:00AspirinAspirin has been prescribed for those with heart disease for the last 3 decades. It is known to make plaques in the blood vessels break up. The massive heart attacks happen due to artery blockage. If the lumen or inner lining of a vessel is narrowed, one small plug that comes along with stop any further flow. The ER has protocols that start with 4 baby aspirins in the case of anyone coming in for chest pain (or stroke) before anything else is done. This basic and old drug is still useful for saving lives. There are more complex drugs and procedures that are used now but for the sake of this review, we will stick with the basics. Aspirin is known by its generic name of acetylsalicylic acid. It falls into the family of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medicines. This family works on the cascade of inflammation that starts with a break in the lining of the blood vessel. A cascade develops to signal to platlets (small blood particles that rush to form a "glue plug") to accumulate in the area of damage and stop up the hole. Some times if there is no tear in the blood vessel wall but inflammation present from cholesterol plaques or tobacco damage, a plug will form anyway and block the lumen. There are herbs that are thought to do the same thing like ginko biloba. The theory is that by allowing blood to be "plug free" it gets to smaller sized blood vessels with easy. Think of the blood as being slippery so it gets to the smallest spaces. One of the known side effects of ginko is to have bleeding thus the contraindication to it's use when on a blood thinner. <br /><br />I believe the use of this antiinflammatory has multiple benefits. Controlling inflammation should be considered a basic concept with anyone who suffers from any disease process. It has yet to be researched if antiinflammatory control will help to modify a disease manifestation but all my patients are told that in addition to controlling the specific disease, an antiinflammatory diet is encourage to gain further health benefits and possible reverse the disease at hand. <br /><br />Try adding this to your daily diet :<br />http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02012/anti-inflammatory-diet<br /><br /><a href="http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02012/anti-inflammatory-diet"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-80166734823115316712009-01-07T21:11:00.002-06:002009-01-07T22:53:41.289-06:00Healing through soundI have recently learned about the power of hard rock metal music when I go to push 430 pounds on the "smith machine" at Planet Fitness. Then it got me to thinking, how about I play soft music at the ER. I set up my music to play "Music for Brain Wave Vibration", bought some flowers, spread some lavender aromatherapy and tried to say hello to everyone no matter how hectic things were. So far, my shifts haven't sent me home wondering why I am working there, I have set the record for Yorkville Expresscare in highest number of patients seen and I am still blessed enough to save some lives. (I love this job!) Anyway, with the more than positive attitude I keep, I always see the cup half full. I feel the music is working for me and I believe a few others in the Emergency Department have picked up on a few things I do to make life rewarding. <br /><br />Now there is more to music than just provoking imagery. There are technical hormonal chain reactions that occur when certain parts of the brain are stimulated (specifically with sound). The vibrational sounds of African drums, the flute of the Native American, Tibetan gongs.....all work along the same premise of healing by stimulating energy to move. In most parts of the world, the old theory is that every cell in the body has atoms and those small particles move. As those atomic size "things" move, so does energy that is generated through atoms, cells, human tissue, physiological organ functioning and finally human engineering. Injury works to block or slow energy, when the energy doesn't flow, something builds up but don't think of an electrical charge that is about to shock someone. The blocked energy usually show up in the form of back pain, headache, or more complex- heart disease or depression. I learned this through acupuncture that if needles can help "move" energy, patients will feel improvement. Can't explain this phenomenon though western research (and most insurance companies still don't agree with this form of healing) -but thats why people pay out of pocket when they get tired of playing the pill game. <br /><br />Sound it just another part of healing that will help the mind body and spirit move together, may want to check out<br /><br /><a href="http://www.brainwavevibration.com/">http://www.brainwavevibration.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/brain-and-behavior/2008/07/17/music-as-medicine-for-the-brain.html?PageNr=1">http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/brain-and-behavior/2008/07/17/music-as-medicine-for-the-brain.html?PageNr=1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.rhapsody.com/tantric-music/kundalini-vibrations-2">http://www.rhapsody.com/tantric-music/kundalini-vibrations-2</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-56962811205838104392008-11-22T22:26:00.002-06:002008-11-22T22:53:21.095-06:00relaxDuring this time of stress, winter darkness, tailgaiting minivan drivers on icy roads, poor economy, relaxation and stress reduction are the most important treatment plan for any doctor patient relationship. I usually rely of valerian but decided to take a break on the three time a day pill and went to the big KavaKava for a month. Kava Kava is harvested best from root of a plant and often spoke of as popular in the south pacific. It is said to improve well being and thought to stimulate gaba centers in the brain (valium). There was once a time when liver toxicity occured with use of kava kava but has since been cleared of scrutiny. Most bottles will state a limited use of the supplement but in this time of stress and seasonal affective disorder, the more powerful and limited use of kava kava is a nice alternative. Since it has been used for more than 3000 years, it is probably its modern preparation that should be investigated.....thus watch for the companies that are unknown or new or the cheapest on the shelf. Those that drink alcohol should be persuaded to stop during its use, (those are also the ones that should not be using alcohol during times of stress in addition)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-84423739605026335992008-09-05T10:40:00.003-05:002009-02-18T21:24:05.309-06:00Monavie and "wine bottle wannabees"In my last blog from FAQ's, I spoke of taking a vitamin. Monavie users will proclaim great effects and improvements from the liquid. I always wondered how one drink could account for fixing diabetes, fatigue, joint pain, depression insomnia...... Sounds like snake oil and empty promises. I now understand how the supplements make claims. As noted, the average american diet stinks. The average american takes poor supplements. The average american does not exercise. At the least, if one cannot eat properly due to monetary constraints, at least substitute a diet product. Monavie and all the other "drinks in a wine bottle" essentially have plant bases nutrients that will bolster and average diet to provide building blocks for normal metabolism and cell function. If cells work more efficiently, body functions better. Thinking, reproduction, enzyme secreation, digestion, joint lubrication, muscle contraction.....<br /><br />Here's an story I give to my young athletes to help with understanding. You can buy all the protein powder in the world to take in building muscle but if 3-4 meals a day are not met as a basic staple, the muscle will still be short changed and not grow no matter how much exercise is performed. In fact, it will only be a matter of time before muscle will not sustain the loads and breakdown (tear). Also known as "hitting the wall" or "bonking".<br /><br />Bottom line is that if a proper diet is maintained, proper sleep is met, proper exercise is reached and stress is controlled or "neutralized", plant supplements <em>may not</em> be necessary. For those of us that don't meet the average daily requirements above, (<em>which is a large portion of the US</em>) there may be an appreciable difference in the way we feel during the day by taking the "garden in a wine bottle" product. Try one of the products for a month or two but keep everything in your life stable for the trial so all variables are controlled to truely state if the supplement has provided a change in the way you feel, the way you sleep or the dose of the prescription medicine you are on.<br /><br />Regarding making a decision on which product to try, a scientific approach would be to see the ORAC value of each of the biggest companies. Brunswick lab has the patent on ORAC testing and they have performed a few head to head studies but you will have to search and pray they are the true results. <br /><br />http://brunswicklabs.com/orac_definition.shtml<br /><br />If a supplement like Thai go, Monavie, Noni, Xengo....is to help make the body's systems work better, it should have an ORAC test label with it. (This seems to be the only thing that can be tested and compared.) Most of the people who distribute for each of the companies will have a share in selling the product to you but they are truely good products that will probalby provide a good proportion of the daily requirements that are missed in an average diet. Just do you homework before trying and have an endpoint to decide if it is helpful or not.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-43931630817456754672008-02-12T10:10:00.001-06:002008-02-14T09:28:51.815-06:00vitamin DWhenever I ask people about if they take vitamins....the answer is usually no or its "I take <strong>Centrum</strong>". When I ask women on osteoporosis medicine, most say they take calcium but not vitamin D. Research is being released that people who live above the geographic line that goes between virginia and san francisco have a higher episode of heart issues during <strong>winter months</strong>. The theory is that with less sunshine, skin cannot convert/make vitamin D. The only exception is the eskimos that supposedly ate alot of fatty fish (full of omega 3 and vit d).<br /><br />http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2839537<br /><br />The biggest disease most doctors know of is <strong>ricketts</strong> from the 60's. We don't see the disease as often and most of my memory comes from old pictures drawn in the illustrations of <strong>Netter</strong>. Cod liver oil used to be supplemented and but now with the advent of the supplement industry, the shelves of your local healthfood store, pharmacy, gym, herb shop....will be overflowing with choices. As stated above, the most popular choice is usually the one with the best TV commercial time (centrum). Another reason many docs would hesitate to recommend more than the old RDA (recommended daily allowance) for vit D is that due to <strong>ADEK</strong>. These are the vitamins that are fat soluble. Of all vitamins, A D E and K can bind with fat and accumulated to "dangerous levels". Best advise I can give is to get a blood test 2-3 times a year. For Chicago I recommend <strong>Xmas</strong> and <strong>4th of July</strong>. I'm a practical guy/doc and those two holidays are easy to remember, (xmas is alittle hectic but even if the blood is done right after the holiday is fine and it also can be applied to money left over in the HSA or FSA that work has taken out of the paycheck before end of the year). There are standard tests from the hospital that are ok. Levels I have read that are good to maintain are 30-50 ng/ml (75-125nmol/L). This depends on age and which months of the year we are in. <br /><br />http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9402E2DA1239F93BA15752C0A9659C8B63<br /><br />A great test is the <strong>Spectracell</strong> test. Some of my patients with bluecross get it paid for. It takes about 4 weeks to get results but very well done and yields great information on blood levels of minerals and vitamins. (Also a great test for <strong>"fractionating"</strong> the different precursors to <strong>cholesterol</strong> so you get more risk factor analysis for heart disease)<br /><br />http://www.spectracell.com/lab/fia5000.htm <br /><br />Sometimes asking nicely from the customer service person on the back of the insurance card may get you somewhere. If not covered, it may be worth it to see what the standard blood tests from the hospital or docs office will check first. <br /><br />When supplementing, look for vitamin D3, its easier to absorb than D2. Personally, I take 2000 IU daily and sometimes up to 4000 IU depending on if it's winter in Chicago. No sunlight usually means the skin is not creating vit D and I usually don't sit out in the sun except for when I do laps at the outdoor pool during the summer and even then I am sun blocked with lotion. There's new information about the association between artery plaque build up and thin bone. The thicker the plaque, the thinner the bone. <br /><br />http://www.springerlink.com/content/w6w6224700t40025/<br /><br />Science has yet to interpret the association but vitamin D supplementation can be useful in both. Calcium is also good but studies are coming out with limits on Ca++ since it may add to plaque build up. Read on it yourself and talk to your doc, we will soon see associations between vit D deficiency and heart disease from the NIH. For now the institute is still cautious in its recommendation. <br /><br />http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_59774.html<br /><br /><strong>The Saguil Approach</strong> is to utilized standard doc office to assess risks for osteoporosis and heart disease. Get a <strong>level</strong> of mineral, vitamins, antioxidants and lipids from blood twice a year. Time the blood tests to coincide with before supplementation and 2-3 months after starting to check blood level progress. Cut back on <strong>caffeine and alcohol</strong>. Cut back on <strong>high cholesterol foods</strong>, increase intake of <strong>multicolored fruits and veggies </strong>daily. <strong>EXERCISE!!! </strong> <strong>Stress reduction. Loose weight. Repeat.</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-58602242497650207952008-02-06T08:46:00.000-06:002008-02-06T09:41:06.773-06:00Turmeric for sore joints and musclesThe active ingredient from the plant is curcumin. Many studies have been started on the healing properties of curcumin. It is thought to work as a cox2 inhibitor. Sooner or late, we will hopefully see the documented positive results on paper. A few good supplement companies produce combination supplements for inflammation which include the herb. If suffering from inflammation and muscle soreness, consider a few of brands mentioned below. The positive result is that turmeric is also used in certain cultures for healing stomach ulcer. The typical prescription for swelling and inflammation is an NSAID (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug). Motrin, ibuprofen, advil are one form of the family of nsaids. Motrin at high dose works well for pain, swelling and even fever. A common side effect is an upset stomach due to its side effect of decreasing the protective layer of mucous that lines the stomach. The family also flares up ulcerative colitis when used. Thus the beauty of turmeric in being able to help with pain from a muscle strain, broken bones, joint swelling without causing ulcers. The national institute of health states that some studies indicate liver problems so until studies are completed, people with gallbladder disease should be careful in using this supplements. Turmeric is used in many Indian foods and give the yellow coloring to many dishes. Ayurvedic medicine practitioners rely heavily on the powder form for many ailments including cancer treatment. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7GwdSFLRiXfO6sYOxFkV3D0oFxKJWIcwCQ2nUtZTU-LLU-USVAGZPnoMI-enAExd2PTNkWcTe03ElaH_3fvUBdc2gwj7A13gepjhfHNLtkzczfifXEOGsLnGgUAmx5V67OtidjvuSn0/s1600-h/if+relief.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7GwdSFLRiXfO6sYOxFkV3D0oFxKJWIcwCQ2nUtZTU-LLU-USVAGZPnoMI-enAExd2PTNkWcTe03ElaH_3fvUBdc2gwj7A13gepjhfHNLtkzczfifXEOGsLnGgUAmx5V67OtidjvuSn0/s400/if+relief.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163892509031802642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VCJkoVMN5gHV_dkGSXH0VKh6lcc_3afTrbK1QZqGVZoom_BycOQ3OYs-ER09K4dlVq6FW6niqJFEcvL30XfTx0rbgOauI0zoy0AEl_Sm2FttraaTZC3v7G0NRmnWjaEEuv3GJwCKvF0/s1600-h/zyflamend.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VCJkoVMN5gHV_dkGSXH0VKh6lcc_3afTrbK1QZqGVZoom_BycOQ3OYs-ER09K4dlVq6FW6niqJFEcvL30XfTx0rbgOauI0zoy0AEl_Sm2FttraaTZC3v7G0NRmnWjaEEuv3GJwCKvF0/s400/zyflamend.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163892513326769954" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6689209415817674373.post-19553441556243356122007-10-26T09:21:00.000-05:002007-10-26T10:50:32.897-05:00Capsicum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0QyEbfCxsKGBCLuRt3eMkJxCfy8FUEAdTjC6-u0BKLzJhERd4KkXjyxp7qR4X1I2KRuvLwV2tAdLHQI7kwhETIEaRB2VqFSAQiQBFXVW3N1flUEGdTmwbQI5pMY72Y03ug4fEG4px1k/s1600-h/salonpas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0QyEbfCxsKGBCLuRt3eMkJxCfy8FUEAdTjC6-u0BKLzJhERd4KkXjyxp7qR4X1I2KRuvLwV2tAdLHQI7kwhETIEaRB2VqFSAQiQBFXVW3N1flUEGdTmwbQI5pMY72Y03ug4fEG4px1k/s320/salonpas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125671956598429442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj55hqLoiDhBkUq09eU9fmowTBQ4FoP2nDxDa-ZwqLnNLx_81WrKqAPofEoBPSqnp0KjHiUApDa8EfUFCLWpgg_ZDe7X8jWlkcsY2KH1QjLA6t35elnw70hb8dOsxSjPhK9rcvdlFjQc/s1600-h/zostrix_info.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj55hqLoiDhBkUq09eU9fmowTBQ4FoP2nDxDa-ZwqLnNLx_81WrKqAPofEoBPSqnp0KjHiUApDa8EfUFCLWpgg_ZDe7X8jWlkcsY2KH1QjLA6t35elnw70hb8dOsxSjPhK9rcvdlFjQc/s320/zostrix_info.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125671956598429458" /></a><br />There's a great topical drug that helps facilitate back pain control. We used to use it for<strong> Shingles</strong> (a form of viral herpes skin infections) which is very painful and sometimes leads to morphine sulfate use for control of pain. It's uses have been extended to standard pain issues. Many people will see it in the pharmacy next to the Icy Hot or Tiger Balm. Most folks pass right by it since packaging isn't eye catching. I've seen several great forms of capsaisin in the form of<strong> Zostrix</strong> cream (my personal favorite in the emergency room for people with back pain or neck pain) and <strong>salonpas</strong> adhesive patches (my personal favorite -most of my older relatives in the Philippines used to walk around with these pads stuck to them and before medical school I used to think of it a some form of voodoo). Any topical pain reliever is made to cause a sensation to the skin that will overpower normal sensation. Example, when a baby is given a cap/hat for the first time, kid usually pulls it off since it doesn't feel right. Soon after trying over and over again, the baby gets used to it. When applying zostrix to skin, it burns. It's a dull sensation but the feeling is like applying hot pepper to skin. Actually, the active ingredient is from hot peppers. The feeling is distracting to the person in pain and one of the methods of relief is to make them think about something else....well, hot pepper will make you do that!<br /><br />The other relief in pain is more scientific and separates this component from the Icy Hots and Tiger Balms. <strong>RCT</strong> (randomized clinical trials) performed with capsicum the active ingredient in capsaisin cream, revealed it reduced the amount of Substance P to the area it's applied to. <strong>Substance P</strong> is a neurotransmitter found in pain fibers and when depleated, pain fibers don't fire to send messages of pain to the brain. Overall, pain sensation if reduced. Practical problem for the cream has always been accidentally applying too much or getting it in the eyes. One of the reasons I like the patches of Salonpas (<strong>walgreens</strong>) is you could cut as much of a size as you like and not get the hands greasy. Caution: there are salonpas patches at walgreens that don't have capsicum so read ingredients before you buy. <br /><br />The place it comes from is the seed and little ribs found in red peppers. Different peppers have different ratings usually measured in <strong>Scoville heat units </strong>(SHU). This rating is usually talked about during the pepper eating contests of Texas. (some people have too much free time although I find myself attracted to watching this and hotdog eating contests while riding my stationary bike at <strong>Planet Fitness</strong>)<br /><br />So far, I have not read any info on chronic use and becoming accomodated to it. There have been no other problems aside from people with allergies to peppers using it without reading ingredients. <strong>The Saguil Approach</strong> to proper use is to apply it 4 times a day and after achieving pain relief, work to <strong>stretch</strong> the triggered/spasmed muscle. Usually it will be painful at first like any stretch done properly. If continued on a regular basis, the stretch will lengthen muscle fiber and help overall to reduce pain and inoperability of the muscle causing the pain. More stretching leads to more blood flow to injured muscle and faster healing. Alone it may work for small spasms, for larger and more chronic areas, it would be an excellent adjunct to other therapies. Should always inform the massage therapist or physical therapist of it's use. I remember when doing my <strong>sports medicine fellowship</strong>, we used to comment on <strong>russian coaches </strong>spraying every injury they had with topical anesthetic and i would always laugh at the technique. Now that I am wiser-(herbally), they actually had a great technique overall in attempting to distract the athlete while ultimately stretching injured muscle. Now using it for a fracture .....not!<br /><br />*Capsicum also comes in oral form....obviously since it is derived from pepper. But I think its best application it topically, as you will read from other posts, I prefer the use of turmeric, white willow bark boswelia for inflammation. In the future I will talk about arnica and tea tree oil. <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />(Altman RD et al, Semin Arthritis Rhean 1994, 23:25-33).<br /><br />(Watson CPN et al Clin Ther 1993, 15:510-526)<br /><br />(Diabetes Study Group, Diabetes Care 1992, 15: 159-165).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com