Over the past month I’ve spent a good amount of time assembling a talk on Aging and how to best approach it. We all have our own philosophy on what we feel is best for us and this talk evaluates what the science says about the steps we can take to optimize our journey on the path of life.

I would like to invite you spend a little time to watch and learn what steps you can take now to ensure that there will be more life in your years rather then just more years in your life. Knowing that we control our destiny and carrying that mentality serves one well over the long term. It is the choices we make today that will determine our path in the future. The sooner we learn this, the sooner we will take the necessary steps to do the right things for ourselves.

Rather then writing up the whole talk I would like to suggest some major points to consider:

- Control your systemic Inflammation and Insulin levels and you will control your long term health
- Eat Real, Whole Food!  Avoid processed, artificial, chemical laden garbage that is so prevalent in our current society. If your grandmother wouldn’t recognize it as food, don’t eat it
- Supplement appropriately to make up for what is missing in your diet. Targeted nutritional supplementation is necessary if you are eating the Standard American Diet (SAD)
- Recognize the value of the Mind-Body connection. The biggest drug in the body is the brain – use it well
- Stress – face it and develop a mechanism by which to deal with it. We’re all under stress, how you handle it will determine how well you age
- Stand in your own truth and think for yourself. Do the research and realize that only you are looking out for you. Until we take responsibility for our health, we will continue down the current path we are on

Those are just some highlights and they are further expounded upon in the talk. I encourage you to spend the time to listen and learn. Take care of yourself and an abundant life will follow. Do the right thing and you will reap the rewards over the long term.

Thanks and enjoy the show,

Chris

In an effort to improve the whole person, I am always looking for relevant information that will cater not only to the needs of the body but also the needs of the mind/soul. I recently discovered this TED talk by Sherry Turkle, PhD. that delves into a topic that I believe many of us are aware of but possibly haven’t spent a great deal of time considering. A quote from Dr. Turkle quite nicely explains her premise:

“We’re lonely, but we’re afraid of intimacy. And so from social networks to sociable robots, we’re designing technologies that will give us the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.”

As we embrace the thrill and intelligence of technology we, in many ways, lose the intimacy of relationships. It is the loss of human interaction that may even further lead us into a sense of loneliness. Being ever more connected, we are also ever more alone.

The points Dr. Turkle makes are quite relevant to our modern society. We long for connectivity but cherish control. As a side effect of trying to “control the conversation” we lose the face to face interaction often necessary to truly connect. Are we dumbing down our communication by thinking only in quick thoughts that can be expressed in 140 characters or less (no, I don’t have a twitter account…yet)?

This post has already exceeded the collective attention span so I will leave you with an excellent talk by Dr. Turkle. The information she provides is thought provoking and I hope it will make you re-evaluate the way you communicate and maintain your relationships. Technology is not bad, we just have to evaluate how it can help, how it can hurt and what price we’re paying for the convenience. This talk, sadly caused me to realize that my primary time of solitude pretty much only occurs when I am mowing the lawn. Other than that, I’m connected, on the move and entrenched in the current system. A wake up call to change.

Take time to smell the roses and share yourself with your loved ones,

Chris

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/371249/january-17-2011/sherry-turkle

This is what we learned this past week, after the article, Red Meat Consumption and Mortality was published in Archives of Internal Medicine. The true title of the article should have been, Inactivity, Excess Drinking, Excess Smoking, Obesity and Excess Red Meat Consumption May be Associated with Increased Mortality. This is what the recent study truly demonstrated, but much of this was lost in the brief title ascribed to the study. Nutritional studies like this come along all of the time, further adding to the confusion about what we should and should not be eating. When we follow the dietary mantra recommended by the media, more often then not, we end up sicker and less healthy then we were before learning of such “vital” information. This recent study has so many holes in it that it is a shame it even received the media attention it did.

I do not relay this information solely because I am a strong proponent of the Paleo diet. I relay this because a newspaper headline and a media blitz do not even come close to providing a balanced analysis of what this study shows. The study was what is called an observational study. This basically demonstrates correlations but does not definitively demonstrate causation. In other words, there is an association but not a definitive link between what is stated as being associated. A similar example would be saying a large shoe size is associated with a greater ability to read (an adults shoe size is much bigger than an infants and most adults are better at reading than babies, thus the results).

An observational study helps a scientist develop a hypothesis which then requires further testing to determine cause and effect. The rational way to proceed on the information gleaned in this study would be to now develop a study where all variables are controlled so that a cause and effect can be actually and fully determined. The fact that the group with the higher mortality drank more, smoked more, had a higher BMI, consumed more calories daily and were less active, all play a role in the mortality rate. Unless these variables are excluded, how does one determine which variable carried the most weight? All of these variables are associated with decreased longevity. To have all of these variables noted in the group with the highest mortality seriously detracts from the supposed finding in this study that red meat is the most important factor.

An additional problem with this study is the way the information on diet was gathered. Questionnaires were filled out every four years reflecting the participants diet. Practically speaking, who remembers what they had to eat last Tuesday, let alone what they have eaten over the past four years? People tend to fill out food surveys with not necessarily what they have been eating, but with what they know they should be eating. Who hasn’t fudged the facts on their diet when considering that they may be judged by someone overseeing them? While we would like to think everyone in this study was 100% honest, I wouldn’t bet the bank on the accuracy of the self reported results.

These types of studies frequently are published and this one, though the most recent, is no different then previous ones. There will be more, but what we really need is a randomized, prospective trial that will compare and limit the variables so that we can learn the truth. Until then, take studies like this with a grain of salt and trust your own instincts when evaluating this information. If it doesn’t sound right, dig a little deeper and you will find it probably is not. Personally, I think a diet consisting of grassfed beef (not factory raised on corn and soy – Eat animals that have eaten well themselves), whole food vegetables and fruit, with extremely limited to no grains and sugars is the ideal diet. This diet of course would include an adequate amount of good, healthy fat too(a whole different newsletter). Until a proper study is conducted comparing this type of diet to the other available diets out there, we will continue to be on our own and have to make our own decisions. Don’t be afraid and do your best to eat in a congruent fashion with your genetic ancestry, your life depends on it.

Fire up the grill,

Chris

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/will-eating-red-meat-kill-you/#axzz1pODP0PWQ

http://www.zoeharcombe.com/2012/03/red-meat-mortality-the-usual-bad-science/

http://www.robbwolf.com/2012/03/14/red-meat-part-healthy-diet/

In the hustle and bustle world we live in, we’re always looking for the most bang for our buck. When it comes to our health, it is no different. We all want to know what we can do that will provide the most benefit for the least amount of effort/time/cost. There are so many recommendations and paths to follow out there that we’ll often just throw our hands up in the air and never make the little changes that are necessary to live our optimal life.

I recently discovered the attached video and was so impressed with its message that I thought you too would appreciate and benefit from this valuble information, which is very well presented. I recently incorporated this information into a talk I gave. I encourage you to spend the brief amount of time it takes to watch this and to pass it along to your friends and family.

We are continually bombarded with recommendations to do this and that and we forget to listen to what our intuition is telling us. We are all different and not every diet/lifestyle/treatment program will work the same for every individual. It may be a good idea to ditch all of the advice and diet books you have read and begin to truly listen to your inner voice and what your body is trying to tell you. Some may not completely hear the message but if they keep honestly listening, the message will be heard (a little metaphysical I know).

We know the basics of what is good and what is bad for us, we just need to put this information into practice. Incorporate the simple recommendations from the talk provided and you’ll be in much better shape than if you choose to ignore it. Is there any way you can limit your sitting and sleeping to 23 1/2 hours/day? I think you can. Make YOU a priority!

Get Movin’,

Chris

http://blog.drsinatra.com/blog/heart-health-nutrition/power-of-exercise

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/why-its-so-important-to-keep-moving/

Cultivating your good fat

In an effort to stay slim, burn calories and generally avoid weight gain, we’re all familiar with the basics. Eat right, exercise, sleep 7-8 hour/night, handle your stress, etc. I would like to add to this list an option that is not widely known or yet fully researched. This new method is a bio-hack (a short-cut to improve one’s biology) that can make a considerable difference for those brave enough to try it. You can consider yourself way ahead of the health and wellness curve on this one.

We all carry two types of fat, white and brown. White fat is the fat that is responsible for the obesity epidemic we currently face worldwide (beer bellies, muffin tops, bagel butts etc.). Brown fat is a metabolically active fat that basically tells our body to burn fat for energy and to generate body heat. Brown fat is found primarily in infants and hibernating animals. It is present in adults, mostly in the neck and shoulder regions, but questions of its function and activity are still under investigation. Recent research clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of optimally functioning brown fat and its role in thermogenesis and weight loss/maintenance.

You better believe the drug companies are looking into ways to take advantage of mimicking brown fat and attempting to create a drug that will provide similar effects as a magic weight loss pill. One need not wait until if and when this is discovered, there are actions you can implement now to increase the presence and function of brown fat in your body. The question is, will you want to make the effort to harness the power of brown fat?

The best way to increase and optimize the function of brown fat is COLD exposure. Cold exposure has many mechanisms by which it increases metabolism, many of which are extremely beneficial to the system (improved thyroid function, lowered cortisol levels, endorphin production and many others). Michael Phelps eats 12,000 calories/day while training. It doesn’t seem possible to eat that much and not gain weight, except when you consider the fact that he trains 3-4 hours/day in cold water that is 24X more thermally conductive than air. In other words, not only is Phelps exercising, he is optimizing his heat loss and brown fat production by exposing himself to cold temperatures in a thermally conductive medium. Another great example of this is how ripped Rocky was in Rocky IV because he did all of his training in the Siberian snow (oh wait, that was just a movie wasn’t it?).

Options to consider for cold exposure are many but the best and most effective (and most painful) seems to be bodily immersion in ice water (temperature 50-55 degrees) for a period of 20-30 minutes. Another option is cold showers, which definitely will wake one up in the morning. It has been reported the using ice packs on the back of the neck and shoulders can stimulate the formation of brown fat, though not as well as immersion therapy.  As a matter of convenience, one may even purchase an ice vest and neck wrap to utilize daily to lower core body temperature and stimulate brown fat production. There are many other ways to expose oneself to the cold but due to the thermal conduction issues, immersion is the best. These modalities make the body more metabolically active in trying to warm itself, thus increasing metabolic rate and burning more calories.

The science behind the above is relatively new and more information will be available as time passes. I recommend looking over the links below for more education. I would not recommend engaging in a program such as this if you have heart disease or other medical problems. The rewards beyond weight loss can be significant, if you’re up to the challenge and cold exposure that this requires. Since 2/3 of the country is overweight, maybe if we get this message out there, it will convince everyone to turn their thermostat down to 65 degrees? Enjoy the info below and if you ever thought of joining the polar bear club, now you have a legitimate reason.

Shiveringly Yours,

Chris

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/health/brown-fat-burns-ordinary-fat-study-finds.html?_r=1

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1890175,00.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/genetics/brown-fat-revelations-may-lead-to-new-weight-loss-drugs-670440?click=pm_latest

http://gettingstronger.org/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-toolbar/toolbar.php?wptbto=http%3A%2F%2Fgettingstronger.org%2F2010%2F03%2Fcold-showers%2F%23more-20&wptbhash=aHR0cDovL2dldHRpbmdzdHJvbmdlci5vcmcvMjAxMC8wMy9jb2xkLXNob3dlcnMvPHdwdGI%2BQ29sZCBzaG93ZXJzPHdwdGI%2BaHR0cDovL2dldHRpbmdzdHJvbmdlci5vcmc8d3B0Yj5HZXR0aW5nIFN0cm9uZ2Vy

http://gettingstronger.org/2012/01/the-iceman/#more-3678

-It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows – Epictetus

Cholesterol – a substance that we are all familiar with as a major risk factor for heart disease, or not? The allegation of cholesterol as an evil villain has been preached to us on numerous occasions over the past 50 years. The evidence directly implicating cholesterol as a major cause of heart disease, when critically examined, does not stand up to scrutiny. This Lipid/Cholesterol hypothesis is a faulty dictum brought to us primarily by Ancel Keys, PhD., in the early 1950’s and has been propagated ever since. Many studies   have demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between fat and cholesterol intake and heart disease, yet we continue to use the Cholesterol/Heart Disease hypothesis as a basis for recommending medical treatment to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Did you know that 50-75% of people who have a heart attack have “normal” cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is an important and ubiquitous substance in the human body and is responsible for many vital functions. Cholesterol is a major component of every cell in the body and is a critical substance in the brain, as 50-60% of the dry weight of the brain is composed of cholesterol.  Cholesterol is utilized by the body to produce important hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen, cortisone, vitamin D and others – all critical to optimal function. Cholesterol is required by the liver to produce bile, which digests fat. Adequate cholesterol levels support the immune system in the fight against both infection and cancer. Of particular importance, cholesterol is the key substance found in the insulating/myelin sheaths of our nerves and brain.

These many functions demonstrate why cholesterol is a vital component to an optimally functioning body. When we artificially lower our cholesterol levels, particularly with statin medications, we risk damage to all of the above systems. The focus on cholesterol as a major cause of heart disease has, in many ways, distracted us from fully focusing on some of the more important causes of heart disease, our lifestyle and dietary choices. Inflammation plays a significant role in heart disease, and things that increase systemic inflammation, such as poor food choices, smoking, diabetes/insulin resistance, inactivity, elevated homocysteine levels, high blood pressure and stress, may be bigger factors in heart disease than high cholesterol.

We live in what could be categorized as a “one disease, one drug” culture. Many of us accept the false dogma that health comes in the form of a pill that we take each day. Forget lifestyle modification; there’s a pill we can take to make up for our wrong choices. Thoughts like these are in many ways responsible for a number of illnesses we’re currently dealing with.

Statin medications, successful at lowering cholesterol levels, are one of the accepted current treatments of choice for prevention of heart disease.  However, many of the studies “proving” the benefit of statins rely on statistical manipulation to prove value in the treatment or prevention of heart disease. Even the package insert for the very medicine being used to “prevent” heart disease states that statins do not reduce all cause mortality. This means that statins do not increase lifespan when compared to placebo. Statins may slightly decrease the risk of heart disease, but if, as research shows, their use contributes to the development of another disease, it becomes a zero sum game. Why replace one disease for another when the ultimate final outcome is no different?

If  told that patients taking a statin drug resulted in 2 people in 100 having a heart attack over a 3.4-year period and patients not taking a statin drug resulted in 3 people in 100 having a heart attack over the same 3.4-year period, those odds wouldn’t impress anyone as very favorable. Yet, according to the way the statistics are reported, this represents a 33% reduction in cardiac risk (1 divided by 3) according to the researchers. A 33% risk reduction sounds significant, but what this really means is that 1 person out of 100 taking a statin over a 3.4 year period was spared a heart attack compared to those not taking a statin over that same time period. Not as impressive or convincing as stating a 33% reduction in cardiac risk.

The number needed to treat (NNT) is what should be considered when looking at the usefulness of statins or any drugs. The NNT tells us how many people need to be treated with a drug to help just one person. As in the case above, the NNT for heart disease prevention is 100 people being treated for 3.4 years to prevent one heart attack as compared to doing nothing. In essence, 99 other people are taking the same drug and facing the health risks and expense from taking the drug, with no benefit for themselves. The risk/benefit ratio needs to be considered in the use of these drugs. In other studies, it has been shown that it would take 250 people that are low-risk for heart disease, taking a statin for 5 years to prevent 1 heart attack, according to the NNT.

The true, primary treatment indication for the use of statin medications is for the treatment of middle-aged men under the age of 65 who have cardiac disease or have had a heart attack. Statins have not been found to be useful for primary prevention of cardiac disease and have demonstrated no benefit in reducing all cause mortality in those without a previous history of heart disease. The benefit of statin use in women is even more questionable. Extrapolations are made as to the benefit of statin use for primary prevention of heart disease, but a recent thorough review by the highly regarded Cochrane Collaboration concluded that statin drugs show no benefit for heart disease prevention among those without diagnosed heart disease, a serious statement considering their many noted side effects.

With the trumped-up benefits of cholesterol-lowering medication, one would think that there would be substantially more clinical benefit than what the actual numbers show. There have been over 900 studies demonstrating the risk and adverse effects of statin drugs, yet they are frequently handed out like candy, some authorities have even recommended putting them in the water supply or giving them to children!  Statin drugs can lead to diabetes, significant muscle aches and pains, muscle destruction, peripheral neuropathy, increase in liver enzymes, lowered immune response, increased cancer risk, erectile dysfunction, heart failure, depression, and dementia (and many others). Many of the above symptoms are associated with the aging process and we accept them as such. The statement has been put forth that stains accelerate the aging process.

Vitamin D and especially CoQ10 depletion are two of the nutrient deficiencies associated with statin use. CoQ10 is a key nutrient that powers our muscles and keeps them functioning well. The organ with the highest concentration of CoQ10 in the body is the heart. It makes no sense taking a drug to “protect” our heart that depletes the very source of energy that the heart relies upon for function. It should come as no surprise that an increasing number of cases of congestive heart failure are seen in those who have been on long-term statin treatment.

The value and importance of cholesterol in the human body cannot be overlooked. Diet has little to do with cholesterol levels, other than the fact that increased carbohydrate intake is associated with higher small or bad LDL particle production, the form of cholesterol most frequently associated with heart disease. 75-80% of the cholesterol in our bodies is made by our body and only 15-20% is related to dietary intake. Many studies have failed to directly correlate dietary intake with total cholesterol levels. Some studies have even demonstrated a lowering of cholesterol levels with increased cholesterol consumption. I am not recommending that you eat poorly, as there are many mechanisms by which diet creates disease. I am pointing out that cholesterol levels are not linearly correlated to dietary fat consumption.

An elevated cholesterol level is not necessarily a disease state unto itself, but more than likely a symptom of metabolic derangement in the body. Blaming cholesterol for heart disease is like blaming a scab for the wound it is covering or blaming a fireman for the fire he has come to extinguish. Cholesterol is found at the scene of the crime but is not the guilty party. Inflammation, from one source or another, is what must be identified; cholesterol is just cleaning up the mess as a biological bandage.

The currently recommended cholesterol guidelines are not based on a particular scientific study, but on the consensus opinion of 9 physicians, 8 of whom have ties and have received payment from the drug companies that manufacture statins. Science should not be about consensus but about facts. When presented with “scientific evidence” of the significant benefit of statins, it is always worthwhile to investigate the funding source of the studies cited. It is amazing to note the positive correlation  between statin benefit and industry involvement/financial support of the study and its authors. Bias is rampant in industry funded/coordinated studies (as opposed to independently funded studies) and in my opinion, seriously damages and taints the results of these studies. If you are told you have to get your cholesterol level below 200, you will not be able to find a scientific study supporting this specific recommendation (it’s a consensus statement). Current guidelines make patients out of an estimated 40 million or more people who, prior to the new recommendations, were considered healthy. In essence, a majority of the population now requires “treatment” for a “disease” they didn’t even know they have.

In closing, I realize this information will likely shock and annoy some, but presenting the other side of the story on the data that is available on this topic is important. Are there studies to refute what I have written above? Sure there are. Are there studies to support my line of reasoning? Most certainly there are. I do not ask that you take my word for it, but I also ask that you do not take anyone else’s word either, unless they have done the research and have no vested interest in the current dogma.

Controversy abounds on the topic of cholesterol and heart disease, so please reflect on the above information and investigate with an open mind. There are many paths to cardiovascular disease beyond cholesterol and these too must be considered in the overall picture.  I suggest reading The Cholesterol Delusion, by cardiologist Ernest Curtis, MD, or Ignore the Awkward by Uffe Ravsnkov, MD, PhD. Spacedoc.com is also a great resource for further research.

The comments in this article are my thoughts and opinions based on my reading of the medical literature. They are no substitute for consultation with your own physician and should in no way be construed as medical advice. The decision to start, continue or discontinue any drug regimen is a serious one and should be a decision made after careful discussion with your own physician.

Looking at things through an unfiltered lens,

Chris

http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/022612-insight-nagy-cholesterol-statins-qcd?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150705752534136_22784130_10150712878669136#f19a1a5545a148

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/print/blog/consumer-alert-300-health-problems-linked-statin-drugs?utm_source=www.GreenMedInfo.com&utm_campaign=f5d1625d85-Greenmedinfo&utm_medium=email

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-teitelbaum-md/statins-cholesterol_b_910841.html

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/statins/statins-and-diabetes/#more-4789

http://www.spacedoc.com/

After last weeks post, I fully intended to move on to another topic but with the interest generated and comments raised, I thought I would share another link with a great deal of information concerning the genetic roots for proper dietary advice.

Cutting through all of the “expert” dietary information and taking a 100,000 foot view rather than a 10 foot view, I would like for you to consider the volume of information available connecting proper dietary habits with the genetic record. This is not exclusively about grains alone, but about what we should be consuming in general to have an optimal diet. I have linked a lecture by Dr. Loren Cordain, titled, Origins and Evolution of the Western Diet: Health Implications for the 21st century. This talk is an outstanding representation of the anthropological record tracing our dietary roots.

The talk is 1 hour but well worth the small investment of time to hear this information. I would encourage you to listen to the question and answer session, as there are some valuable pearls contained there also. I know that this is not the typical 3-5 minute video we’re used to watching but I assure you the information is worthwhile and eye opening. I try to provide relevant guidance to what I believe is important and diet is ultimately the most important topic to consider. Eat like your life depends on it – because it does.

I frequently joke with Jille that Dr. Mercola is copying me with the posts he publishes and today he has once again followed suit with the post that I’ve linked below (about grains). I say this jokingly, as my thoughts and comments stand on the shoulders of the many who have made this information their life’s work and research. I am just trying to spread the message. It is hard enough to uncover some of this information and then know what to believe. I attempt to back up my thoughts with supportive information and hope you find this useful.

If you watch nothing else this weekend, take the time to watch Dr. Cordain’s lecture. It’s another piece of the puzzle.

To Your Health,

Chris

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/21/grains-causing-gut-leaks.aspx?e_cid=20120121_DNL_art_1

P.S. For Comic relief – it does mention food?

This post was initially intended to be sent out to a patient of mine, then I thought of another, then another who needs to hear this and before I knew it, I realized, everyone needs to know this information. The information I am sharing is about the detrimental effect the consumption of wheat has on our body.

I do not accept the concept of “healthy whole grains” that has been pounded into our minds over the years. These grains (particularly wheat) are in no way similar to what they were prior to man “improving” upon them via genetic engineering and hybridization. As we have worked to improve crop yield by altering wheat, we have never looked at the effects this has had on the composition of wheat and the effect these changes has had on our body. The nutritional value of wheat has changed dramatically to the point that consuming wheat (as in bread or other sources) raises blood sugar more than consuming table sugar. Today’s wheat is full of proteins called gluten, gliadins and others that have a detrimental effect on our body.

Since the time that consumption of healthy, whole grains has been promoted, the obesity crisis has continued to spiral out of control. Wheat consumption significantly increases blood sugar and elevated blood sugar raises insulin, the result is epidemic obesity, as well as a number of other diseases. Visceral fat accumulation is highly associated with numerous disease states and wheat is a major contributor to this problem. Wheat is not the only cause of the obesity epidemic but it is a major player. Two slices of whole wheat bread can increase blood sugar more than 2 tablespoons of pure sugar.

On my continued search for the optimal diet for an optimized life, I would like to recommend, Wheat Belly, by William Davis, M.D. This book is an outstanding investigation into this topic and clearly outlines the risks involved with the inclusion of wheat and whole grains in our diet. When we became an agricultural society, our health suffered in many ways. The wheat grown years ago in no way resembles the wheat that we are eating today. There are numerous diseases associated with wheat ingestion, celiac disease being one of the most well known (increase 400% in the last 50 years). Wheat sensitivity is a spectrum and though full blown celiac disease is not always the case, there are a number of conditions/illnesses that are associated with wheat and grain consumption.

Wheat consumption contributes to insulin resistance/diabetes and a poor lipid profile (elevated triglycerides, increased cholesterol), resulting in the formation of small particle LDL (the kind highly associated with heart disease). Wheat consumption has been associated with obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cataracts, skin wrinkling, acne and even dementia. These conditions are not only associated with celiac disease but occur as a spectrum of wheat sensitivity. Wheat metabolism actually creates peptides called exorphins (similar to endorphins) which inhabit the same receptor in the brain as opiates (morphine, heroin) do. Yes, some may become addicted (bread is my crack!) to wheat and it’s effects and a mild withdrawal is possible.

I have included some links to allow further exploration as I believe this is an important topic to consider in your overall health plan. If you’re dealing with excess weight that won’t go away despite your best efforts, skin rashes or lesions you can’t cure or rid yourself of, insulin resistance or diabetes, brain fog or a poor cholesterol levels, then try a wheat free diet for a month. You will not die from a lack of wheat in your diet and you will likely feel better once you have eliminated wheat from your diet. I have primarily discussed wheat in this post and used the term interchangeably with grains, though other grains are not necessarily free of problems.

I would strongly recommend you read Wheat Belly to gain further perspective. You will be surprised at what you find and likely disappointed that you/we have always been told of the health benefits of whole grains in our diet. This is another opportunity to educate yourself and not take the recommendations of our officials as gospel. Drop the wheat, drop the weight and further improve your health. No one said it would be easy but if you want to live and feel well, this is a great option to consider.

Goodbye Grains,

Chris

http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/saturated-fat/wheat-belly/

http://www.fathead-movie.com/index.php/2011/08/30/book-review-wheat-belly/

I would like to take a moment to make you aware of a company that I recently discovered that can make healthy living a little more affordable. Something I think we all could benefit from.

The company is The Green PolkaDot Box – http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/11894/

This is a new company that significantly reduces the cost of organic and non-GMO products, so as to make them more affordable to those who otherwise may find the pricing on these products out of reach. Some of the discounts are up to 60% off retail pricing. The company is a membership organization similar to Costco and Sam’s and aims to become the Amazon.com of the organic, non-GMO and safe chemical product industry of the future. GPDB recently opened for business and they are rapidly increasing their product offerings and selection.

GPDB will be instituting a Harvest to Home service, whereby produce will be offered, field to table, in a period of 48 hours. That would be a nice and better way to preserve all of the phytonutrients our plant friends offer. Of course, I recommend that you buy from your local farmers market and support your local sources, but if that is not available, GPDB offers a nice alternative.

The membership costs for GPDB are quite reasonable ($50. and $125.) considering the discounted products they offer. These amounts will easily be recouped if you are a frequent purchaser of organic goods. Shipping costs are free if an order placed is over $150. and a flat rate of $9.50 if less than $150.

I encourage you to check it out and consider The Green PolkaDot Box as a way to obtain organic, non-GMO and safe chemical products that you would like to utilize. Start the year off right and choose to use products that are healthy and safe for you and your family. I’m excited about the possibility of being able to purchase organic goods at reasonable prices and thought you may be too.

http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/11894/

How’s that for an attention grabbing headline? The topic I’m discussing today is one that you may be growing weary of hearing as I continue to beat this drum. This message is so important that I can’t help but continue to emphasize it. The topic is the significant importance of our dietary choices and our overall health and well-being. As the American diet has continued to evolve (or devolve), we continue to grow more ill as a nation. Universal healthcare may become less necessary if we only received proper dietary guidance (from our Government and other sources) and actually followed that guidance.

The video linked to this newsletter is the story of Dr. Terry Wahls, a physician diagnosed with M.S. After receiving the best that western medical care had to offer and watching her condition continue to deteriorate, she decided to take the matter into her own hands. She scoured the medical and nutrition literature and developed a diet to nourish her health, specifically her mitochondria, the energy factories of all cells. Not willing to accept her expected fate, Dr. Wahls implemented her plan and progressively improved and recovered from M.S. by eating in congruence with her bodies biology. This is not to say that all chronic, degenerative diseases will be cured in this way, but I can’t help but think that if we all lived in congruence with our biology and followed the path that our physiology demands, we would have a significantly lower rate of chronic degenerative disease than we have now.

Do you believe for a moment that our cells are happy to see the metabolized products of a double cheeseburger rolling by? How about the metabolic constituents of genetically engineered corn (what is that, I’ve never seen it before?). From an evolutionary perspective, all of our cells are asking, what the heck is that and where did all of the real food go? You know, the stuff that I have been used to receiving for thousands of years. It seems like in the past 50 or so years, all I ever see is garbage and it is getting more and more difficult to extract anything useful from this junk I’m being fed! Basically, our bodies function optimally when they are fed what they have evolved with over thousands of years. Whole, unadulterated foods that are rich in the nutrients that our bodies need for optimal health.

This video is not about M.S. The talk is about the importance of eating properly and the impact it can have on our lives. A rich discussion ensues on what an ideal diet should be and the importance of providing our cells with the nutrients they need. I am increasingly convinced that if we eat in line with what or genes dictate, we will be healthier and more able bodied as the years pass. Some know this as, The Paleo diet and I will be talking about this some in future newsletters. I encourage you to look up Marks Daily Apple, the website of Mark Sisson, a lead proponent of the Paleo lifestyle.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and instead of starting the annual January diet – try starting a new lifestyle – eating in harmony with what we evolved with over thousands of years. The controversy over which is the optimal diet will rage on but this is how I see it, after a great deal of research and investigation.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/welcome-to-marks-daily-apple/#axzz1i9THpyOJ

Quick note for this evening. I just returned from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine conference this evening and one of the major take home points I learned was the importance of dealing with and addressing the stress in our lives. You can engage in any medical intervention in the world but if you don’t address and handle your stress and mental issues properly, you’ll likely pay for it in the long run. Stress plays such a major role in our lives and how we function. If ignored, we ultimately pay the price in one fashion or another. This is not a vague or untrue point, it is the truth.

Below are thirty things you should consider stopping doing to yourself. Many of these issues, if honestly addressed, can lead to a lowering of the stress levels we frequently encounter in our daily lives. Be true to yourself and address your own needs to ensure that you are functioning optimally as you strive to help and be involved in others lives.

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems – Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we becom
3. Stop lying to yourself – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.  Read The Road Less Traveled.
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness – Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for Happiness – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.  Read Stumbling on Happiness.
11. Stop being idle – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons – Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.  Read Getting Things Done.
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/

I sat down to write a review of what I feel is appropriate thyroid (the gas pedal of your metabolism) treatment and was fortunate to find an excellent explanation of optimal thyroid treatment by one of my mentors, Dr. Neil Rouzier (copied and pasted below for you – link included).

Proper treatment, or I should say optimal treatment of the thyroid, currently resides under the category of what would be called controversial. The primary and currently most commonly used method to evaluate thyroid function, is to check the TSH level. Thyroid treatment is typically based on the result of this test, regardless of what a patients symptoms may be (many can identify with this). Most physicians regard the TSH as the marker of whether someone’s thyroid is functioning properly or not. As an aside, many Veterinarians frequently don’t even bother with the TSH, as they consider it a useless test to evaluate thyroid function.

As outlined in Dr. Rouzier’s writings below, what really matters in the evaluation of the thyroid is checking the actual free thyroid hormone levels, especially free T3. The TSH is thyroid stimulating hormone. This is not even a thyroid hormone but more a marker of whether on not the pituitary gland is working well. If we are really interested in evaluating thyroid function, why not evaluate the thyroid hormone levels themselves?

Most physicians are happy to check a TSH, read it as normal and then prescribe a drug for any of the number of symptoms of hypothyroidism. High cholesterol, fatigue, weight gain, depression, brain fog and constipation are just a few of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism. We treat all of these problems with drugs, when the simple answer may be to just optimize thyroid function and watch these problems improve or disappear. It often won’t be until one experiences optimal thyroid function that many of the chronic ills that plague them abate.

I invite you to read Dr. Rouzier’s explanation in it’s entirety and recommend that you discuss this with your physician if you think you see yourself in some of these symptoms. If this proves fruitless, I may be able to help, as this is what I believe is the appropriate treatment of thyroid dysfunction. Another great reference source is www.StopTheThyroidMadness.com  Keep reading, learning and asking questions to improve your health.

Chris

Hypothyroid Symptoms But Normal TSH Levels? How to treat symptoms of low thyroid by optimizing free T3 levels

Fatigue, weight gain, forgetfulness, mood swings…did the holidays just hit? Or are these symptoms an indication of hypothyroidism? While you might struggle with the holiday season to maintain energy and sanity, these persistent symptoms are a few of the signs related to low thyroid function, also known as hypothyroidism.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

More commonly found in women, approximately 5% of Americans have hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone to support several metabolic functions in the body. The thyroid gland secretes two main hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 is the hormone that is principally produced by the thyroid gland which is then converted in the liver and kidney to the metabolically active T3 hormone. It is the T3 that is responsible for regulation of metabolism, energy production, body temperature, body fat, cholesterol, cognitive function, and symptom improvement.

How do you know if your thyroid levels are low?

There are over 200 symptoms related to low thyroid function that improve with optimal thyroid replacement:

Colder body temperature
Symptoms of poor circulation in the hands and feet
Fatigue
Depression
Forgetfulness and fuzzy thinking
Muscle and joint pain
Dry skin and brittle nails
Digestive ailments (constipation, IBS, etc.)
Menstrual irregularities and infertility
Emotional instability
High cholesterol
Weight Gain

Recommended Treatment from Dr. Rouzier:

Optimizing thyroid function by replacing thyroid hormones to optimal (upper range of normal) can significantly increase energy, metabolism, and well being. Many studies (NEJM & JCEM) demonstrate that raising Free T3 levels in addition to T4 levels is essential to obtaining these results. Traditionally physicians have prescribed thyroid hormone in a form of T4 only, also known as Synthroid®, Levoxyl®, or L-thyroxine. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that this may not be sufficient in many patients to truly feel well. Many thyroid treated patients commonly request even more thyroid, knowing that more makes them feel and function better. The patient might not have realized how lousy they felt until they felt better. This might not be accomplished, as per recent literature, until these patients have improved or optimized T3 replacement as it is the T3 at the cell level that is responsible for thyroid function, and not T4. Nevertheless, it is usually only the T4 preparations that physicians are taught to use for thyroid replacement. Unfortunately using primarily a T4 only preparation typically does not allow for adequate conversion to T3 and therefore improvement in symptoms is often not adequate. Many factors play in the inadequate conversion of T4 into T3 and are related to a defective function of the 5’-deiodinase enzyme responsible for this conversion. Whatever the cause for the inadequate conversion of T4 to T3, many patients have persistent low thyroid symptoms despite adequate T4 replacement. Several landmark studies demonstrate that this can be overcome by simply adding T3 on to the T4 regimen. Improvement in T3 levels can be attained by compounding both T4 and T3 together into a capsule or through the use of the commercially available desiccated thyroid preparations that contain T4 and T3 together in tablet form. The commonly prescribed T4 preparations of L-thyroxine, sometimes referred to as synthetic thyroid and contain only T4 and no T3, might not convert to the active form of T3 which is especially critical for patients who are not able to properly and adequately convert T4 to T3.

A paper published in JAMA demonstrated the importance of T3 in predicting morbidity, mortality, and functional decline. Neither TSH nor T4 were predictive, thereby further establishing that T3 should be the main marker utilized for thyroid replacement.”

Dr. Rouzier recommends physicians review the excellent articles published in NEJM, JCEM, and JAMA to further appreciate the importance of T3 optimization for health and well-being.

Utilizing a combination of both T4 and T3, as suggested by recent literature, most effectively raises the active thyroid hormone at the cell level called T3. Science has proven that it is the T3 level, and not the T4 level, that is responsible for maintenance of normal cholesterol levels. Commercially available combinations of T4 and T3, commonly called desiccated or natural thyroid, will provide more optimal levels of T3 than commercially available T4 only preparations. Since T3 is the more metabolic hormone, low T3 levels result in poor metabolism and symptoms of low thyroid. When pure T4 is given in the form of Synthroid®, Levoxyl®, or L-thyroxine, T3 levels improve only minimally due to poor conversion of T4 to T3. Many physicians including endocrinologists believe that T4 alone is the only thyroid preparation necessary to prescribe for hypothyroidism. Their reasoning is the belief that the body will automatically (physiologically) convert T4 into T3 if the body needs it. If the body doesn’t need it, then it won’t make it. This commonly held belief, however, is not what is born out in the medical literature for optimal thyroid function. Recent studies show that use of T4 alone does not adequately convert into T3. Although many patients do improve on pure T4 supplementation alone, adding T3 to the T4 preparation allows us to optimize T3 levels that are not usually achievable with pure T4 preparations alone. It is only supplementation of T3 that augments the antidepressant of thyroid hormone, not T4.

Treatment should restore thyroid to OPTIMAL levels and not just normal.

Conventional treatment for thyroid disorders involves restoring TSH into the normal range which might still maintain levels of T3 in the low normal range in spite of normal TSH levels. Restoring T3 levels into the upper range of normal is now regarded as necessary to achieve improvement in health and well-being. Normal laboratory levels are the average of a population for the age but do not reflect that which would be best for symptom improvement and health. In other words, normal does not mean optimal or what is best for the patient. A recent article in “Gerontology” demonstrated that thyroid replacement in euthyroid men (normally not needing thyroid replacement) into the upper or high range  resulted in improvement in cognition, memory, and overall function. This study is just one of many that consistently demonstrate that optimization of all hormones, including low thyroid, provides better metabolism, health, well-being, and disease prevention than does maintaining “normal” levels for the age. Keep in mind that normal levels (average for the age) of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone are zero in menopausal women. Even though that is the level  typically measured in a menopausal woman as menopausal women no longer make these hormones, normal (zero level) is not where the level should be for symptom improvement and health protective benefits (cardiovascular and musculoskeletal). The same applies to thyroid. Low T3 levels were predictive of an increase in fracture rate whereas TSH and T4 levels were not predictive or protective. Where would you like your levels to be? The Rotterdam study (Annals of Internal Medicine) demonstrated that normal levels of thyroid (in the lower 50% of normal) were predictive of a 2.2 fold increase risk of cardiovascular disease, and these were levels in the “normal” range. There is now significant data to support that we physicians should conform to the literature recommendations and understand that in every circumstance optimal levels of all hormones, including thyroid, are very important for health optimization and improvement in symptoms, and subsequently our quality of life.

By simply restoring TSH levels to “normal” blood levels for your age might not be in the best interest for the patient. Lab tests can indicate normal or low normal thyroid levels, but patients can still have symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. According to the BMJ, goals of thyroid replacement should be to treat the patient until the Free T3 and Free T4 levels are in the high normal range. Some patients might require levels that are above normal (suppressed TSH) to feel normal, a concept that we physicians are not taught to trained to do. Researchers emphasize that TSH is not predictive of symptoms or symptom improvement, only T3 is as this is the active hormone at the cell level. Although TSH is very predictive of biochemical hypothyroidism, it is not predictive at all of clinical symptomatology. Rather than treating the patient’s lab tests, researchers suggest that physicians should treat the patient’s symptoms and not the TSH level as we are often taught. Researchers emphasize that if the Free T3 and Free T4 levels are kept within the upper end of normal, in spite of suppressed TSH levels, then overt hyperthyroidism is averted. Thyroid hormone serum levels that are in the optimal range that thereby result in a reduction of hypothyroid symptoms indicate healthy thyroid function.

Benefits of Optimal Thyroid Treatment

Optimal thyroid replacement can effectively restore health and well-being by improving:

Temperature regulation and metabolism
Increased energy
Fat breakdown for healthy bodyweight and cholesterol
Protection against cardiovascular disease
Protection against depression and mood disorders
Cerebral function and cognition
Healthy skin, hair and nails
Protection against functional decline
http://worldlinkmedical.com/blog/hypothyroid-symptoms-but-normal-tsh-levels-how-to-treat-symptoms-of-low-thyroid-by-optimizing-free-t3-levels/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Act-On+Software&utm_content=email&utm_campaign=New%20Post%20from%20Dr.%20Neal%20Rouzier%3A%20Treating%20Low%20Thyroid%20Symptoms.&utm_term=Read%20More&cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-email-_-New%20Post%20from%20Dr.%20Neal%20Rouzier%3A%20Treating%20Low%20Thyroid%20Symptoms.-_-Read%20More

I am writing about the topic covered in this weeks newsletter because I feel the importance of this information cannot be overlooked. I am always looking for more information on the relationship between diet and health and this relationship is discussed/summarized quite well in the attachments below. I previously had sent out a newsletter about the failed lipid hypothesis and the information provided here is a further extension of that topic. The lecture linked by Dr. Donald Miller Jr. was presented about 3 months ago.

I cringe whenever I hear the term, artery clogging saturated fat (as if to distinguish that from regular saturated fat) when the evidence to support that notion is flimsy and doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny. We have been brainwashed for over 50 years. If saturated fat was so bad and knowing that breast milk is 54% saturated fat, then that should lead us to dissuade new mothers from breast feeding due to the excess saturated fat that their babies will receive. Crazy to even consider if you ask me.

When looking at the intake of dietary fat and the risk of heart disease, the numbers are all over the place and there is not a linear relationship between fat intake and coronary artery disease as we are led to believe. As Dr. Miller so astutely states, “Blaming cholesterol for atherosclerosis is like blaming firemen for the fire they have come to put out.” The information implicating fat and cholesterol as the sole cause for heart disease is slowly starting to unravel. Most (physicians included) have not caught on yet and likely won’t for years to come. There are many studies available demonstrating that cholesterol is not the villain we make it out to be. We just choose to ignore those studies. Our government is no help as they promote the dietary guidelines that have led us down this path of destruction. Do what our evolution dictates and you are likely to find yourself in a healthier state

This topic is not meant to be a discussion on cholesterol specifically, as that will require a more extensive newsletter. Refuting the supposed facts with the real facts will only be heard and accepted by the open minded. These facts and information may become mainstream (hopefully) over the next 10-20 years or else we will continue to face escalating health problems. Don’t even get me started on statins as that house of cards is finally starting to fall as more and more people are discovering the truth/facts (diabetes, dementia etc.).

I hope the information linked below is interesting and helpful and you will make the time to avail yourself to this. Your life may depend on it. At the very least, watch the lecture by Dr. Donald Miller. If you’re looking for entertainment, watch the video Fat Head. Arm yourself with information and you may be able to stay away from the medical care system until your dying day (I hope).

Anyone up for a tablespoon or two of coconut oil?

Chris

http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller33.1.html

I came across two articles this AM that I thought would be worth your time to read.

The first article is a discussion of vitamin supplementation and the recent media attention to it. This article, by Dr Jeffrey Morrison, is a reiteration of some of the info I provided last week but I thought it was written well enough that it would be worth your time to read.

http://blog.grasslandbeef.com/intelligent-use-of-supplements/Default.aspx?utm_campaign=IntellegentUseofSupplements&utm_source=newsletter

The second article, by Dr. Joseph Mercola, is once again pronouncing the benefits of vitamin D, this time dealing with depression. The article provides a good description of the benefit of an optimized D level and much more.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/13/vitamin-d-for-depression.aspx?e_cid=20111106_SNL_Art_1

I hope you find some of this information useful and you benefit from it by applying it to your life in a positive way.

The results of a recently published study in the Archives of Internal Medicine raised this very question from a number of my patients. The media blitz to warn us, the vulnerable consumer, of the dangers of multivitamin supplementation may have arrived just in time to save many of us from the multiple dangers of daring to consider taking a vitamin (Not!).

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/womenshealth/story/2011-10-10/Study-Vitamins-may-boost-death-risk-in-older-women/50722104/1?csp=obinsite

Due to our slowly deteriorating national attention span, many of us count on internet sound bites and 30 second news clips to help guide us toward optimal health and living. If a topic such as the above requires a little further investigation, many of us (doctors included) don’t have the time nor inclination to dig deeper. When our primary source of information comes from Yahoo, USA Today or The Wall Street Journal, we are further misled into a vast wasteland of misinformation that unfortunately can only be uncovered with more research. When the truth finally bubbles to the top and is discovered, it never receives the same attention or correction needed to further explain or validate what was falsely presented in the first place. The big media outlets have moved on while the smaller media sources clean up the damage and make the corrections (benefitting a much smaller audience).

The study referenced above was based on mail in surveys from the years 1986, 1997 and 2004. There were a few questions included about general health, while the source or quality of the supplements utilized was not uniform or even considered. In the final analysis, the data were statistically massaged to nearly render the final findings meaningless. The positive associations demonstrating the value of nutritional supplementation were basically completely ignored while the negative correlations were shouted from the rooftops. As Dr. David Brownstein mentions, if the results demonstrated positive findings across the board, the study would be roundly condemned for being so poorly designed (which it was). If this were the case, the findings would not likely even be published. To consider that appropriate nutritional supplementation could lead to premature death, excluding all other variables, is ludicrous.

Further discussion concerning the misstatements and untruths propagated in the publication of information regarding this article, can be found in the links below. I would encourage you to peruse the articles for a more detailed description of the facts concerning the way the information was presented. As the saying goes, “there are lies, damn lies and statistics.” I have even more explanatory links than the ones below but these are a good representation.

The USDA confirms that there has been a gradual depletion in the nutritional value of our soils and that the nutrient value of our foods is less than what it was in years past. With statements like these, it makes it difficult to figure out how to obtain all of the nutrients we need from diet alone. I agree that obtaining the full spectrum of nutrients and micronutrients from diet is the optimal way to do so but doubt that as a consumer of the standard American diet, I am able to do so without supplementation. Th US RDA is designed to be the very minimum an individual requires to prevent the onset of deficiency disease. A higher dose is frequently required if one is to actually make an attempt to treat disease nutritionally.

In the documentary FoodMatters, it is stated the over a 20 year period, there have been 23 deaths recorded to have been associated with the use of vitamins. That is a little more than 1 death/year. In 1998, The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that there are on average 106,000 deaths per year secondary to appropriately prescribed and appropriately taken prescription drugs (I can only imagine what that number is now, 13 years later). Why is this finding not more frequently discussed or presented in the media? Ever the skeptic, I look at studies condemning the use of nutritional supplementation with a jaded eye. This may represent bias on my part but I like to think for myself rather then blindly accepting what I am told by the media.

Pushing for Optimal Health,

Chris

http://www.smart-publications.com/blog/halloween-scare-or-maskedploy-your-multiple-vitamin-may-kill-you/
http://www.naturalnews.com/033883_vitamins_mortality_risk.html
http://www.anh-usa.org/shame-on-ama-archives-of-internal-medicine/

I was fortunate to meet and attend a lecture this past week by Wesley Jones, M.D. Dr. Jones is a gastroenterologist and a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association. Dr. Jones has more than 30 years of clinical experience and is author of the book Cure Constipation Now, I thought I would share with you some of the useful highlights and insights I have learned that may help you too.

America is a constipated nation. Studies demonstrate that the average GI transit time in America (from when we eat to when we eliminate) is 4 days. In countries where they eat a less processed, more whole foods based diet (less developed countries), transit time is generally 1 day. We are not talking constipation as in, I only go once every four days. This is constipation as in, I’m not eliminating the food I ingest quickly enough and because of that, it ferments and rots in my gut. You wouldn’t carry around a bag full of smelly, rotting, fermenting food with you everywhere you go, so why carry that in your intestines everywhere you go? An optimal bowel movement should be without significant odor and one should average 2-3 bowel movements daily with an approximately foot long stool each time. The level of chronic constipation in America puts us at risk for many of the degenerative diseases we suffer from.

All health starts with a well functioning gut and a backed up gut is a backed up system. The innumerable GI and other diseases we suffer from in this country are often associated with a poorly functioning gastrointestinal system and more specifically, a lack of fiber in our diet. Dr. Jones points out that we have far to little fiber in our diet and unless we increase our fiber intake, we will continue to suffer from the numerous GI and systemic diseases we are now so used to.

The average American consumes 14-17 grams of fiber daily, while the daily recommended amount for women is 25 grams and for men 35 grams. As an example, a study of over 700,000 women shows that an increase in fiber intake of 10 grams/day will decease the risk of developing breast cancer by 7%. The health related benefits of increased fiber intake are numerous, the bottom line being, the greater our fiber intake, the more healthy our gut and we are likely to be. The average daily fiber consumption of one of our nearest relatives, the gorilla, is 200-300gms/day. We’re not even getting 10% of that. A good goal would be 50gms/day.

I can’t take fiber, I don’t tolerate it, is a statement frequently made by those who have tried fiber in the past. What they are really saying is, I tried to advance my fiber intake too quickly and my system couldn’t tolerate it because it has been so dysfunctional for so many years. A major point made in Dr. Jones’ book and in his 3 step program for increasing fiber intake is that one needs to start slowly and work up to increasing and tolerating fiber. One should not (especially those with gut dysfunction) just begin consuming certain types or large amounts of fiber without slowly working up to that amount. The book outlines a great program to slowly advance and increase fiber intake to improve bathroom results and health overall. If you have a well functioning gut, you may advance your intake more quickly.

The program to increase fiber intake is so straightforward and well outlined, that the implementation should be able to be accomplished by anyone. Patience is the key if you have gut issues (which many do). This program won’t be touted in the media or most anywhere. It’s cheap, easy and it works. Many of those types of solutions never see the light of day, no money to be made here, keep moving along and take your drugs for your gut problems…..

This is nothing to be embarrassed about, if you are an American and partake in the standard American diet (SAD diet), that’s just the way it is. Learn about it and do something about it. You’ll be delighted at how much better you feel. Even if you don’t have a problem, try increasing your daily fiber intake and you’ll live a longer healthier life (that is if you’re consistent and make the right choices in your life otherwise). Simple additions like All Bran Bran Buds or SmartBran Cereal (actually tastes pretty good) and Metamucil are all it takes. Read the book and learn how to properly implement the program so that you won’t suffer from ingesting too much fiber too soon.

Happy to bring you the scoop on poop,

Chris

http://www.cureconstipationnow.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Cure-Constipation-Now-Doctors-Therapy/dp/0425227553/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

P.S. While we’re talking gut health, why not talk butt health. Below is linked one of the nicest and best home appliances you can purchase for yourself or a loved one (Christmas is coming). It may seem weird but I assure you, if you have one of these, you won’t be disappointed. Not cheap, but worth it! Laugh if you must.

http://bidetking.com/product_info.php?cPath=&products_id=192