Fibromyalgia Might be Caused by Heavy Metal Toxicity

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg is a chiropractic internist from North Carolina, who wrote an excellent article in The Original Internist for the March 2009 issue. By definition, Fibromyalgia cannot have an underlying cause, or it should be called pseudo-Fibromyalgia. We often find yeast imbalance, food allergies, thyroid and adrenal deficiencies, and a number of other underlying causes for this constellation of symptoms. Dr. Hedberg describes a striking case of heavy metal toxicity in a similar case, that completely resolved with DMSA chelation therapy. Lead and Mercury were the biggest culprits.

Dr. Hedberg can be contacted at dcinternist@yahoo.com and his website is The Original Internist’s (click here)

The Dangers of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

This very common sweetener is one of the worst nutritional products ever devised by mankind. It provides maximum sweetness with similar dangers to health. HFCS does not produce satiety like sugar does, and thus it has been implemented in our national obesity epidemic. In January of 2009, Environmental Health published an article that shows that HFCS is also routinely contaminated with Mercury during its production. This increases the risk dramatically, especially for children. Mercury has been implemented in memory problems such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Autism, as well as many other serious health conditions.

Go to Dr Eliaz's website to see his report on Chelation for heavy metals (click here)

Male Menopause

Karen Thomas, MD wrote a great article in the Spring, 2009 issue of Radius on the “no-name condition” that she identifies as Male Menopause. Signs of age-related low testosterone include decreased sexual function, depression, decreased bone density, fatigue, more fat, less muscle, memory loss and higher risk of heart attacks. A simple blood test identifies the problem, and the treatment is injectable testosterone or pellets implanted in the buttocks. Cream can be tried, but recent evidence indicates that it might not be as effective. Treatment is very safe and usually really improves these symptoms.

See The Radius Magzine (click here)

U.S. Backs Treaty to Reduce Mercury

The Associated Press reported on 2/17/09 that the Obama Administration is backing a treaty to reduce the global threat of Mercury in the environment. This counter acts a refusal to act by the Bush Administration. Susan Keane of the Natural Resources Defense Council applauded the move. Mercury contamination has increased threefold in recent years. Mercury is found in especially high levels in predatory fish, such as tuna. Coal is a common source in the air. Mercury can also leach out from amalgam metal fillings in the teeth. Children and fetuses are particularly susceptible, but high levels can be found with a challenge test in people of all ages. Brain and memory damage is a common complication.

See Associated Press (click here) 2/17/09 and go to the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology (click here) website for detection and treatment information.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

According to a 2008 article in the Journal of Environmental Health, there is no specific test for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, but the diagnosis can be made based on the patient’s history. Patients react to airborne allergies, food sensitivities,and chemicals of many kinds. This was reported by McClatchy Newspapers and printed in the Lima (Ohio) News on 2/24/09. Typically and tragically, conventional allergists do not accept this diagnosis,and patients with the condition continue to suffer needlessly. Integrative techniques to desensitize and normalize the immune system are available. Help is available if patients go to the right source.

To find a doctor who treats MCS, (click here) -American Academeny of Environmental Medicine

For more information contact the (click here) -Lima News for 2/24/09.

Preventing Macular Degeneration

William Chriten of Harvard led a recent study that showed that taking B6, B12 and Folic acid, a combination that is used to lower homocysteine levels will reduce the incidence of early stage macular degeneration by one-third. This is a good reason to take these B vitamins. They also might reduce the effects of stress. The study was for women, but Christen stated in an AP news article that men would likely benefit as well. Once Macular Degeneration occurs,there is no cure, although laser therapy might arrest the problem temporarily. We have also seen nice improvements with a vitamin/mineral IV solution advocated by Jonathan Wright, as well as with EDTA chelation therapy.

See Associated Press (click here) 2/24/09 and Harvard University (click here), or Jonathan Wright (click here)

More Parents Refusing Vaccines

An Associated Press story on 2/17/09 reported that more parents are refusing vaccines for their children because of a perceived threat of autism. Dr. Bernadine Healy, former director ofthe National Institutes of Health, responded to the question, “Are vaccines safe?” By noting that, like aspirin, they are safe most ofthe time, but in certain people, they might not be. That’s what parents are afraid of. There is no doubt that the incidence of autism is increasing, and the increase parallels an increase in the number and kind of vaccines. Autism usually strikes about 2 years ofage, which is a peak time for vaccines. But scientific studies have not proven the link. To me it does seem prudent to delay somevaccines to a later age, depending on risk, and to avoid givingmultiple vaccines at the same time. If a child is genetically predisposed to autism, multiple vaccines at an early age might trigger autism, and that would not necessarily show up in the studies.

See Associated Press (click here), February 17, 2009 and Jenny McCarthy (click here) an actress whose child has autism.

Nutrient Therapy has Individual Effects for Each Patient

Jeff Bland in Alternative Therapies puts forth a fascinating analysis of why nutritional therapies might not do well in randomized clinical trials but can have remarkable effects in individual patients. The sensitivity of nutrients varies a great deal, depending on the genotype of the patient. We are just beginning to apply genomics to medicine, but we have a long way to go before we can study nutritional pharmacology by providing the right dose of the right nutrient for the right patient. In the meantime, the art of medicine is alive and well.

Alternative Therapies (subscription required) Sept/Oct 2008, page 12-13.