Increased Problems of Food and Skin Allergies Noted by the U.S. Government

The Associated Press reported the CDC’s concern that more parents are finding increased cases of food and skin allergies. “We don’t really have the answer, said Dr. Lara Akinbami of the CDC. My opinion is the answer is clearly increased exposure to toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, conventional medicine treats these problems with avoidance and steroids. The first is difficult, the second can be dangerous. Dr. Sherri Tenpenny of Cleveland developed an easy, safe, effective way to desensitize food allergies and clear up rashes like eczema. The technique is called Sensitivity Reduction Technique (SRT). It involves tapping on acupuncture points (no needles). We have used her techniques for a dozen years and we find them to be very effective. See The Toledo Blade, May 2, 2013, Section A, p. 5 for the Associated Press article. Call our office in Bluffton at 419-358-4627 for more information on SRT. Celebration of Health Association website

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy

The AARP Bulletin had a good article about keeping your eyes healthy. In the U.S. 25 million people have cataracts, 2.5 million glaucoma, and 2 million macular degeneration. The numbers are increasing. Preventive measures are the same as for most vascular problems: Don’t smoke, eat a good diet, get regular exercise, etc. Unfortunately, the usual treatments involve drugs, shots, and surgery. Dr. Edward Konkrot, a homeopathic ophthalmologist, has developed a comprehensive natural approach that results in measured improvements in visual acuity and visual fields after the first 3 days of treatment. We are excited to be offering those treatments at COHA now. Give us a call for more information. See AARP Bulletin, May 2013. Contact COHA in Bluffton, Ohio, 419-358-4627. Celebration of Health Association website healthcelebration.com

Intense Therapy Reduces Plaque in Diabetics

Higher dose statin drugs had a 0.17% greater reduction in arterial plaque than low-dose statins in diabetic patients, according to a report at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting. The TACT trial looking at EDTA Chelation Therapy had a much bigger improvement than that. I am not sure why most cardiologists still fail to accept such a great therapy. See Family Practice News, April 1, 2013, p. 16-17. Celebration of Health Association website

Exercise Beats Drugs for Dementia

Dr. Deborah Barnes at the American Academy of Neurology observed that “Currently available drugs do not stop or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. They are associated with small improvements in cognitive function but they have minimal impact on physical function, quality of life, and caregiver burden.” Exercise has benefits in all these functions in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Why isn’t regular exercise on the top line of the prescription pad? Good question. See Family Practice News, April 15, 2013, p.1, 16

Thyroid Problems are Often Missed

Patients frequently present to doctors with complaints of fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, intolerance to cold, constipation, and sometimes depression. Doctors order routine thyroid blood tests, which turn out to be on the lower side of normal. The patients leave the doctor’s office frustrated because they were declined treatment and their symptoms persist. Holistic physicians recognize that these are indeed symptoms of hypothyroidism that need to be treated regardless of a normal TSH. Natural thyroid is prescribed and the patients improve. It is important that not too much thyroid replacement is prescribed to avoid side effects and the risk of osteoporosis. This condition might affect 27 million Americans, according to the American Council on Collaborative Medicine. See the ACCM journal, Health Sense, vol. XIX, Issue 2, p. 1-2. Celebration of Health Association website

Autism Keeps Growing

The CDC now states that 2 per cent of American school children have been diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder. There has been a 72% increase in the last 5 years. How long can we put our heads in the sand and contend that the increase is due only to more careful diagnoses? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, scheduled to be released in April, 2013, has eliminated Asperger’s syndrome as an entity, which some fear will limit needy children from getting help. Recent reports presented at the ICIM meeting in Washington, D.C. indicated that many children in this category have both increased levels of toxic metals and a greater sensitivity to lower levels of the metals. One often-overlooked source of mercury and other metals is the mother. Higher levels of mercury have been found in umbilical cord blood. See icimed.com for recordings of the Advanced Metals Workshop, March 13-14, 2013. Celebration of Health Association website

Oregano Might Help Save our Food Supply

Antibiotics are often given to livestock to prevent infectious diseases and improve growth. Animals have been given more antibiotics by weight than humans. This has led to the development of super bugs that are resistant to common antibiotics. Recently, the FDA and CDC have both called for limiting the use of human antibiotics in food animals. Oregano has been used as a substitute for antibiotics. A New York Times article listed several companies that have found it effective. This would also decrease the development of yeast imbalance, which I find to be widespread. However, higher levels of sanitation, nutrition, and humane treatment of food animals are even more important. See Holistic Primary Care, Spring, 2013, p.10. Celebration of Health Association website

Preserving Brain Cells with a Natural Approach

Improved cognitive function, especially memory has been shown with the supplement, apoaequorin (Prevagen) much more effectively at 40 mg a day than the over-the-counter dose of 10 mg. Interestingly, a 2009 controlled study showed that a combination of folic acid, B12, vitamin E, NAC, SAMe, and Alpha Lipoic Acid showed a 68% improvement in memory over 4 weeks of treatment, while none of the ingredients by themselves were shown to be effective. This shows the synergistic effect of multiple nutrients, a major factor that has been ignored by researchers who claim to examine the effects of nutrient therapies. See the Journal of Health, Nutrition, and Aging 2010; 14:224. Google Prevagen, Perceptiv. Celebration of Health Association website healthcelebration.com