Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Lifestyle, Not Lipid-lowering Drugs, for Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics this summer recommended that children 2-10 years of age be screened for cholesterol if they have a known family history of high cholesterol or premature vascular disease or even if their family history is unknown. The primary treatment is weight loss and exercise, but a multitude of cholesterol lowering drugs are an option as well. The drugs have a high potential for side effects in children, and statins are contraindicated in pregnancy. To me it makes more sense to insist that obese children get thoroughly counseled in diet and exercise, regardless of the lipid status. Testing the kids for lipids just adds pressure to use dangerous drugs, and even the AAP states that they do not want that to happen as a primary treatment.

See Pediatrics 2008; 122:198-208 or go to the American Association of Pediatrics (click here) web site.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Probiotics can be Extremely Useful, but Be Careful

Family practice News reports than there have been several complications with probiotics. Dr. David Mack presented his warnings at the International Probiotics Association Meeting. Up to 2/3 of probiotics contain cow’s milk proteins. Some patients have developed asthma while taking them. The death rate for patients with Pancreatitis was higher in patients who took a complicate mix of probiotics. You should get your probiotics from a knowledgeable physician. Avoid complex mixtures and those that contain milk products. One child in five is allergic to milk.
See Family Practice News, June 15, 2008, p. 25(click here for preview-membership is required for full story) and contact the International College of Integrative Medicine (click here) for an alternative doc.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Acne has Several New Treatments

Two new topical drugs will soon be available for acne, Azone and Epiduo. Both are slightly better than previous therapies with a 40% clear rate after 12 weeks. After decades of steadfastly denying that food played any role in acne, Dr Mancini at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and Dr. Cordain at Colorado State University are now claiming that low glycemic diets, especially low milk diets can play a significant role in acne. They should try yeast screening and an IGG blood test for allergies as any alternative doc will offer. Difference people respond to different remedies.
Contact Family Practice News, June 15, 2008 for preview (membership is required)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Trade in Your Cancer for Heart Disease Later On

Several articles have appeared in the scientific literature lately about the increased risk of heart problems and hypertension as a side effect of both radiation and chemotherapy for cancer. That’s why I advise patients to consider only chemo and radiation that has a good chance of improving lifespan and quality of life. Then add vitamins and minerals, especially high dose intravenous vitamin C, during and/or after the conventional treatments. This tends to repair the free radical damage generated by the drugs.
Contact Family Practice News (membership required) June 11, 2008, p. 10 and get an International College of Integrative Medicine doc (click here)

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Congress Passes Anti-discrimination Law for Genetic Testing

Despite its very low approval ratings, Congress did something good when it passed an anti-discrimination law this spring. Now we can use genetic screening for effective preventive medicine, without the fear of branding someone for life and making insurance coverage impossible. With this info about genetic susceptibility, we can go about preventing genetic expression, which is often possible with an aggressive immune system building. See your local alternative doc for details.

Go to the International College of Integrative Medicine to find your doc.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Skin Lesions are Worse Than we Thought

Actinic Keratoses are common dry, scaly skin lesions often attributed to excess sun exposure, sometimes years ago. Most of the time the treatment is reassurance and watchful waiting. However, a recent Japanese study showed that the incidence of both squamous cell and basal cell cancer is much higher than previously thought with AK’s. They should be burned or frozen more often, based on this new information.
See Family Practice News, June 15, 2008

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Exercise Helps Your Memory

We know that exercise helps your mental alertness. The World Health Association and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness (click here) both now recommend regular exercise for Alzheimer’s Disease patients. A 2003 JAMA article confirmed that there was significant benefit in such patients that exercised at least 60 minutes a week. Everyone needs to keep moving. If you can’t stand up, get a bounce chair. You will really miss your mind if it goes. By the way, 2000 units of vitamin E increases survival and slows deterioration in Alzheimer’s. According to a report presented by Baylor University at this year’s American Academy of Neurology Meeting. Lot’s more can be done with intravenous nutrients like phosphatidyl choline and glutathione.
Google for more information.