On TRAC with DrMark

I've moved

Symmetry has built a new blog site for me. You should soon be able to read the new site from our company home page (the way you may have come here) but until that gets connected; you can read the blog here: www.DrMarkNow.com 

Stop the Senate... they know not what they do

NPA launches grassroots charge against supplement labeling bill
Natural Products Association Share
NPA has launched a grassroots campaign to oppose the "Dietary Supplement Labeling Act" recently introduced in Congress by Senator Richard Durbin, D-Ill. NPA urges its more than 1,900 members to ask their legislators to oppose the legislation by sending them a letter at www.npainfo.org/Durbin. More

Are Your Meds Robbing Your Body Of Key Nutrients?

Tired and Depressed? Chronic Pain? Brain Fog? Leg Cramps? Digestive Problems? Hair Loss? Nerve Pain? These symptoms may be a result of the medications you're taking! Surprised?

 


Prescription and over-the-counter drugs help millions of people with diseases and chronic conditions, but did you know that in the process, these medications can also deplete the body's natural stores of vitamins, minerals, and hormones, causing uncomfortable and unpleasant side-effects and even new diseases?

The drug-induced nutrient depletion suppresses the very nutrients that you need to keep energy levels high, fend off infections, and remain healthy. I call these medications "Drug Muggers," and it's essential to replenish what a drug mugger steals from your body in order to feel your best.

Let's first talk about taking medicine, since millions of Americans do. Taking medicine means that you are being robbed of essential nutrients because drugs have the ability to rob your body's stores of vital life-sustaining nutrients. When a drug robs your body of a nutrient you will experience another effect of that drug, something you call a "side effect." Side effects are often the reason that people don't stay compliant with their medication regimen. They become so miserable that they have to stop taking the drug, against their physician orders. If you need your medicine (or if you want to stop it) then that decision is between you and your doctor. I'm not getting in the middle of that.

My highest desire is to help people find their side effect solution. If you have to take medicine, then you should know how to "marry" it with the essential nutrient that it steals, so you can minimize or eliminate uncomfortable and unwanted side effects.

You probably didn't know that drugs could deplete nutrients or "mug" them as I say, but I bet you have experienced the drug mugging effect first hand. Everyone who has taken a medicine and felt a side effect knows exactly what I'm talking about. The classic example is antibiotics -- they are drug muggers for your normal intestinal flora and when they rob your gut of these 'friendly bacteria' you develop side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, indigestion and nausea. As the natural healthy environment in the gastrointestinal tract gets destroyed by the antiobiotic because they can't distinguish the good bacteria from the bad bacteria, then you get more uncomfortable side effects.

Women may develop a vaginal yeast infection and men could get jock itch. It's all because of the drug mugging effect of antibiotics, these drugs mug probiotics. One way to avoid these side effects is to take probiotics in-between each antibiotic dose. Start taking the probiotics on the day you begin your antibiotic, and for 10 days after you finish your course of therapy. It's okay to stay on these indefinitely as far as I'm concerned. Probiotics are rock stars when it comes to protecting you from infection and improving digestion and regularity.

Another example of the drug mugging effect is statin cholesterol drugs, such as Zocor, Mevacor, Lipitor, Crestor or Pravachol. These medications are capable of mugging your body of Coenzyme Q10 (also called CoQ10). When your body is robbed of CoQ10, your muscles pay the price. You may experience side effects such as muscle aches, spasms and muscle cramps. This is because CoQ10 is an antioxidant that is needed to feed your muscles. When you become deficient, your muscle cells basically 'suffocate' so you feel the pain.

Dozens of popular medications mug CoQ10, not just cholesterol reducers. Your heart is a muscle too, so low CoQ10 could affect the heart. Well designed clinical trials have proven that a CoQ10 deficiency can cause heartbeat irregularities, angina and ultimately lead to congestive heart failure. You can supplement with CoQ10, about 100mg twice daily taken without regard to meals. This is widely available at health food stores and pharmacies nationwide.

Let's take a closer look at some of the other popular drug muggers:

Many believe that women who take hormonal replacement drugs or birth control pills could be robbed of B vitamins, iron, selenium, magnesium, zinc and probiotics. A long-term deficiency of these nutrients could cause all sorts of problems including low thyroid, weight gain, hair loss, panic attacks, memory deficit, bone loss, frequent infections and depression not to mention a higher risk for high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. Instead of taking numerous drugs for all those side effects (which could easily get diagnosed as a new disease if you don't know about drug mugging) you can simply restore the lost nutrients with affordable vitamins and minerals among which include a high-quality B-complex supplement, about 100mg daily, and probiotics.

Alcohol smashes levels of thiamine and glutathione, an important antioxidant for liver function. This leads to liver failure, neuropathy and psychiatric problems. It's easy to supplement with whey protein shakes or with an over-the-counter nutrient called N.A.C. (N-acetylcysteine). This is made by Jarrow, Life Extension, Twinlab and others.

Blood pressure medications and steroids like prednisone are drug muggers of magnesium. It's needed for a healthy, stable mood and for attention span. Without enough magnesium, a person could become irritable, anxious, develop low-attention span (ADHD), melancholy, depression, panic attacks and high blood pressure. Very ironic!

Low magnesium causes pancreatic dysfunction (think diabetes). Magnesium is tough to absorb, and often causes diarrhea. The best way to take magnesium is with blue-green algae, called spirulina. This natural supplement contains an easy-to-digest form of minerals and B vitamins. It contains a lot of healthy magnesium and zinc that work in synergy. Try Spirulina. It is sourced from pristine waters of Hawaii and purified into tasteless tablets as well as powder. Spirulina is also known to help a person nourish the production of thyroid hormone and therefore lose weight faster, and improve hair and nail growth. Lately, there are many fears of radiation from the Japan nuclear crisis, I should mention that there are well-designed clinical trials that suggest spirulina's ability to protect humans from damage caused by radiation.

The number one diabetes drug in the world (metformin) just so happens to be drug mugger of a few nutrients such as CoQ10 and vitamin B12. Low levels of these nutrients can affect the brain causing memory impairment, confusion and depression. Also, the nerves could start to hurt, and neuropathy may develop because B12 protects the myelin which is a coating that protects nerve fibers. If you require metformin for your blood sugar, just "marry" this medication with the two nutrients so you can avoid or minimize the side effect. As to forms of vitamin B12, the best type is called "methylcobalamin" and is widely available by dozens of makers. The CoQ10 can be found easily as well in both health food stores and pharmacies nationwide.

By now, it's probably become clear to you that you can replenish your body's warehouse of nutrients with absurdly inexpensive nutrients that are available over-the-counter. It's so easy to feel better, if you know what to target. There is no need to suffer and spend your days trying to figure out how to feel better. Within weeks, sometimes days, you start to feel better. Now you have knowledge, and knowledge is power.

I wish you well.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzy-cohen-rph/medication-side-effects-_b_837159.html

 

Nutrition Mumbo Jumbo Demystified

By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

If you regularly tune into nutrition news you probably hear and see words like antioxidant and glycemic index often, but do you really know what they mean? Here's a crash course in some of today's top nutrition terms:

Free Radicals
I think of free radicals as nasty little bullies. They are generated in our bodies every day and we build up even more when we’re under stress or are exposed to pollutants, like smog and cigarette smoke, and even when we exercise. They are basically oxygen molecules that have become unstable, like a chair with 3 legs. In an attempt to stabilize, they attack healthy cells to steal their electrons — this damages the cell and can lead to premature aging and disease. This process is called oxidation or oxidative stress and the oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol creates a domino effect that can lead to heart disease and stroke, which is why you hear so much about free radicals in relation to heart health. You can't totally eliminate free radicals, but antioxidants can help fight them.

Antioxidant
Antioxidants are like little bodyguards that protect your cells from free radicals. They essentially donate electrons to those nasty bullies to stabilize them and render them harmless. There are dozens of antioxidants, like beta-carotene found in carrots and flavanols in dark chocolate. A common example of antioxidants in action is how lemon juice protects apples – if you slice a fresh apple, the wedges turn brown from oxidation, but tossing the wedges with lemon juice, which contains vitamin C, an antioxidant, fights oxidation and prevents the browning.

Phytochemical
A phytochemical is a natural substance in a plant food that is associated with the color, aroma or flavor. They're not vitamins or minerals but they are associated with preventing disease and keeping us looking and feeling well. Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity, which is why you often hear these words used interchangeably. Examples of phytochemicals we tend to hear a lot about are lycopene in tomatoes and resveratrol in grapes and wine.

Glycemic Index
In a nutshell the glycemic index essentially measures how quickly a food will raise your blood sugar. Foods are assigned a score on the index – the higher the score, the faster your blood sugar will rise and vice versa. High is considered a rating of 70 and above and low is 55 or below. Sugary cereals rank over 100 and beans are about 40. But there’s a catch – the index was created using 50 gram portions of single foods. When you eat foods together they do interact, so a low glycemic food can blunt the effects of a high glycemic food if eaten together. And it’s important to note that not all high glycemic foods are unhealthy and not all low glycemic foods are healthy. For example, some fruits are very high and ice cream is low. The most important goal is still quality, overall nutritional value and healthy, balanced combinations.

Energy Density
Energy density essentially means how many calories a food packs per bite. Low energy dense foods have fewer calories and high energy dense foods have more calories. For example, 1 cup of veggies only packs about 25 calories, but a mere tbsp of oil packs 120. Generally the more water, fiber and air in a food, the lower the energy density. But again, it’s important to note that not all low energy dense foods are healthy and not all high energy dense foods are unhealthy. That's why it’s also important to think about nutrient density, which looks at the amount of overall nutrition per calorie.

Daily Value
You’ll see Daily Value on food labels. Each line tells you the amount of a nutrient one serving of the food contains compared to either the minimum or maximum target for the average adult. For example, 15 percent of the Daily Value for fiber means one serving provides 15 percent of the amount of fiber you need daily. It’s especially helpful for quickly comparing two similar foods, like two types of cereal for their fiber values or two types of soup for their sodium values. But in my opinion the ingredient list of a packaged food provides the most important information – while a product may be a good source of something you want more of (like protein) or offer none of a nutrient you're trying to avoid (like sodium or sugar), it could still be loaded with artificial additives and preservatives. My motto: ingredients lists should read like recipes you could easily recreate in your own kitchen. 

Source: http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/nutrition-mumbo-jumbo-demystified

Dr. Cook’s Top 8 Weight Loss Supplements

Here are my Top 8 Safe Weight Loss Supplements:

1. A high-quality full-spectrum digestive enzyme formula that includes amylase, lipase, and protease, among other enzymes, is also beneficial. Take 1 to 3 enzyme capsules or tablets with every meal to help your body break down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in your food into the natural sugars, essential fatty acids, and amino acids needed for optimal digestion and healing.

2. Other enzymes that aid weight loss include: lipase, nattokinase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), or a single product that includes some or all of these enzymes. Start with 1 capsule or tablet of your chosen enzyme(s) on an empty stomach 20 minutes before or at least 1 hour after meals, three times daily. You can gradually increase that amount to 3 capsules or tablets at a time, three times daily, or more with the guidance of a nutritional medicine practitioner who is experienced in systemic enzyme therapy.

3. Vitamin D3, 2000 to 4000 IU daily, to support healthy brain hormone balance—both of which are involved in maintaining or achieving healthy weight.

4. Multivitamin and mineral, to address possible nutritional deficiencies.

5. Probiotics, 2 capsules at bedtime, to ensure toxins are being eliminated through the colon and not reabsorbed into the bloodstream. See information above.

6. Fish or flaxseed oil, 3000 mg daily of either oil, or 500 mg of DHA and 360 mg of EPA, to support healthy fat-burning processes.

7. L-carnitine, an amino acid, to help turn stored fat into fuel; follow package instructions, since products vary greatly.

8. Milk thistle, 1 teaspoon of extract twice daily for 6 weeks, to support healthy liver function.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/dr-cooks-top-8-weight-loss-supplements.html#ixzz1NkR4QIaH

 

 

Is coffee better for you than you think?

For many Americans, coffee is a daily habit, even an addiction. For others, it is a guilty pleasure. But some new research suggests that coffee often gets a bad rap, and that coffee drinkers have no need to be ashamed.

"Coffee has been blamed for everything from indigestion to cancer," says Dr. Roseane M. Santos, co-author of "An Unashamed Defense of Coffee: 101 Reasons to Drink Coffee Without Guilt." "But almost everything people think about coffee is wrong. It's actually one of the healthiest beverages we can consume."

Santos is a professor at South University's school of pharmacy in Savannah, Ga., where she runs a research team focused on coffee and health. And while many health experts now advise drinking a glass of red wine each day, Santos would recommend drinking coffee as well.

Santos is certainly not alone in thinking that coffee can be healthy. But some health experts have been slow to warm up to its beneficial effects.

Why don't more experts recommend coffee? It probably stems from the fact that for decades, people have focused on one component of coffee - caffeine. But coffee is much more than a steaming cup of get-up-and-go. It contains important minerals such as potassium, iron and zinc, and an abundance of natural antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids.

"The age- and cancer-fighting qualities of antioxidants are well known to the health-conscious," explains Santos. "But what is less well known, and what the American Heart Association recommends, is the importance of getting antioxidants from natural sources: fruits, vegetables and coffee. The coffee bean is, after all, a fruit."

Much like the health benefits of red wine have been separated from the detrimental effects of excessive alcohol, coffee and caffeine are beginning to be understood independent of one another. The truth is that adults will not see any negative effects from caffeine - and will get all the healthy benefits of coffee - as long as they limit their intake to three to four cups of regular coffee per day.

Adults are not the only ones who are drinking coffee, Santos says. "In Brazil, my native country, the health ministry recommends coffee with milk for schoolchildren's breakfasts, since it improves memory and attention skills."

Santos does raise one warning to those who would turn to coffee as a health drink. The blacker your ground coffee is, the less healthy it is. The reason is that when coffee is roasted for too long, there is not much left but caffeine. Most of the nutrients have been chemically altered by the roasting process.

As for indigestion, "There is no evidence that coffee causes gastric problems," says Santos, citing a 2006 study by Stanford University researchers Kaltenbach, Crockett and Gerson. "Some people may be intolerant of coffee or caffeine, just as some people are intolerant of hot pepper sauce or dairy products. But daily coffee intake cannot be considered responsible for the onset of gastric ulcers or gastritis in healthy people."

And cancer? There was a scare in the early 1980s when a study initially tied coffee to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. But follow-up research determined that smoking, not coffee, was the real cause.

So grab that cup of coffee and sip to your health. There's no need to be ashamed anymore.

This article may be found at:

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/articles/ara/2011/05/25/8050042853/index.xml

Port of Spain

Wow! A totally packed house at the Invaders Bay meeting. We had people standing along the walls, people in the doorway, out in the hall and unfortunately; the hotel started sending anyone coming in late, home. 

Inner Circle School

Our last evening in Austin we took the group to the Oasis for dinner; what a view! Oh, the food was great too!

It's wine to the rescue in the war on cancer

Japan's nuclear power disaster focuses attention on dangers of radiation. Wine rushes to the rescue.

Many studies indicate moderate amounts of red wine help reduce effects of radiation exposure. The key ingredient is antioxidant resveratrol, found in red wine. Findings have meaning for people undergoing radiation treatment and people exposed to radiation in the workplace or through industrial accidents such as the Japanese crisis.

Resveratrol appears to provide these benefits:

* Makes cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy by hampering proteins that resist treatment.

* Injures energy source of cancer cells and decreases their ability to function.

* Triggers cancer cell death. (Woohoo!)

In some patients undergoing radiation therapy, skin toxicity effects of radiation were reduced up to 75 percent with moderate red wine consumption. Studies showed especially encouraging results for women undergoing treatments for breast cancer.

Other studies show antioxidants in red wine actually destroy cancer cells. Resveratrol appears to target cancer cells energy sources, making it a further ally in a radiation treatment regimen.

An Italian researcher noted: "If wine can prevent radiation-induced toxicity, it also has the potential to enhance the therapeutic benefit."

All well and good, but there are caveats. Studies are promising, not conclusive, and they don't invite a "bottle-a-day kills cancer, yea-hey" mantra.

One head of research cautioned: "In the case of women undergoing breast cancer radiotherapy, we're talking one glass of wine a day, thus a very low dose."

This article may be found at:

http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2011/may/10/its-wine-tothe-rescuein-the-war-on-cancer/

Red wine can fight radiation sickness

Scientists have found that an antioxidant found in red wine, grapes and nuts - a substance similar to resveratrol - could protect against radiation sickness.

The finding is a major achievement, given the ongoing concerns about radiation exposure from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

Michael Epperly, Kazunori Koide and colleagues explained that radiation exposure, either from accidents or from radiation therapy for cancer, can make people sick. High doses can even cause death.

The researchers studied whether resveratrol — a natural and healthful antioxidant found in many foods — could protect against radiation injuries.

They found that resveratrol protected cells in flasks but did not protect mice from radiation damage.

However, the similar natural product called acetyl resveratrol did protect the irradiated mice.

It also can be produced easily in large quantities and given orally.

The study appeared in ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters.