Supermarket Produce Lowers Blood Pressure

Fruits and vegetables are foods that not only taste great but they have amazing medicinal properties to them as well. Mother Nature certainly knew what she was doing in creating these colorful foods that are full of health-protecting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

In addition, many types of produce contain certain chemical compounds, in just the right balance, that work as well as many prescription medicines do in controlling blood pressure.  Two of these common produce foods are celery and watermelon.  Let’s look at celery first.

Celery:   The Greeks first started using celery to control nervousness, which may contribute to high blood pressure.  The Chinese have also been using ground celery powder for centuries to control blood pressure.  However, the same effect can be achieved eating the raw produce itself.  Celery contains vitamins K, B6, C, and minerals potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron, in addition to the chemicals apigenin, pthalide and coumarin.

First, celery has the perfect sodium to potassium ratio making it an excellent, natural potassium-sparing diuretic.  Many people who take prescription blood pressure medications take a potassium-sparing diuretic that both lowers their blood pressure and doesn’t deplete potassium stores.

Second, the three chemicals that celery contains, apigenin, phtalide and coumarin, all work to lower blood pressure by both reducing the stress hormones, cortisol, catecholamine and adrenaline, and relaxing smooth vascular muscles. Celery has been tested in recent research out of Vietnam and found to have significant blood pressure lowering properties. Apigenin is also thought to have anti-cancer, HIV, and anti-viral properties as well.

Watermelon:  Another summer favorite produce food, watermelon, has also been proven in recent research out of Florida State University to lower blood pressure.  The study was the first of its kind to use humans in its clinical trials.  It involved giving 6 units of compounds extracted from watermelon – L.citrulline/L.arginine, to study participants daily for 6 weeks.

At the end of that time, the participants had improved arterial function and lower arterial blood pressures in all nine prehypertensive study participants. The researchers concluded that watermelon was a functional food’ that had vasodilatory effects and capable of preventing prehypertension progressing to full blown hypertension.  Approximately 60% of Americans have prehypertension.

In addition, researchers offered that supplementing with watermelon could allow for lowered prescription blood pressure medication to control blood pressure.  The beneficial dose would be 4-6 grams a day of L.citrulline in supplement or natural (whole watermelon) type.

Watermelon is also noted to be a well-tolerated, rich source of L.citrulline.  In the body, L.citrulline converts to L.arginine, which creates nitric oxide necessary to control vascular tone and blood pressure.  Watermelon is also an excellent diuretic and a rich source of the carotenoids lutein (eyes) and lycopene (prostate, cardiovascular disease).

As I advise my patients, adding celery and watermelon to your diet can certainly help lower blood pressure and, perhaps, allow you to reduce or eliminate blood pressure medications.  Celery and watermelon are also available in capsule-form supplements.  However, as both of them are very low in calories, chock full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, and taste great, I recommend eating the whole produce instead.

Celery and watermelon are definitely two of Mother Nature’s incredible creations that you can’t go wrong with eating. They not only help you lower your blood pressure but provide you with incredible nutrients to further protect your health.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

Watermelon Lowers Blood Pressure, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013173847.htm

Why Celery Lowers Blood Pressure, http://blogcritics.org/scitech/article/why-celery-lowers-blood-pressure/page-2/

photo credit: styleathome.com

Hair Thinning/Loss and Possible Underlying Causes    

On a daily basis, most people lose between 50-100 hairs a day from normal shedding and replacement with new hair.  Most of us have about 100-150,000 hairs on our head and this amount of hair loss is not noticed.  When we do start to notice hair thinning, it may be hereditary, as in male or female pattern baldness, or it may reflect a hidden condition such as the following:

• Heredity.  Both men and women can inherit “pattern” baldness from relatives.  However, this type of hair thinning/loss usually also combines with aging and hormone imbalances.
• Hormones.  As men and women get older both estrogen and testosterone decreases can cause hair loss.  Bioidentical hormone replacement may help restore normal hair growth, or it may be helpful to stimulate the body to produce more of its own hormones with natural hormone boosters.
• Thyroid condition. Hair loss/thinning may also be a sign of low thyroid.   Thyroid levels should be checked and may require replacement through prescription thyroid medication or Cytomel, a natural thyroid replacement.
• Alopecia areata.  These are patches of hair loss on the scalp.  Immune system disorders like lupus and psoriasis may be responsible and may need to be tested.  This can also occur from a psychologic disorder of hair pulling (see below).
• Scalp infection, skin disorders:  Sometimes infections of the scalp, like ringworm, or fungal infections, can cause hair loss.  Hair usually regrows after treating the infection.  Other conditions like psoriasis that makes the scalp itch can make hair fall out more than usual.
• Medications:  Medications that treat diabetes, infertility, cancer, arthritis, depression, heart conditions and high blood pressure, birth control pills may lead to hair loss.  This could be a side effect of the drug and/or may only be temporary during treatment.  If you must be on certain drugs long term, ask your doctor if there is a replacement drug that doesn’t have this side effect.  Or, look into alternative natural treatments if they are possible to use for your condition.
• Stress.  Traumatic emotional life stressors like death, divorce, environmental disasters can result in hair loss about 6 weeks to a few months after the event.  Physical stressors, like that which occurs from serious weight loss or illness, can even cause hair to fall out. These hair loss/thinning occurrences generally right themselves and hair regrows once you’ve recovered from the stress.
• Psychologic disorder. “Trichotillomania” is a big psychological word that refers to a psychologic disorder of repetitive hair pulling.  This can result in patches of baldness.
• Hairstyles/Styling Tools.  Some hair thinning/loss can be caused by certain hairstyles.   This is what’s called “traction” hair loss from constant tight pulling of the hair as is seen in corn rows, or wearing tight ponytails or topknots. Popular hair extensions that are woven or glued in can result in hair loss as well.  Hot hair irons and chemical relaxers, bleaches, permanent wave solutions can break off hair that makes it appear thinner too.
• Nutrition.  You may be deficient in B vitamins and/or protein.  Be sure you are getting enough vitamins through daily food intake and supplements, especially if you are dieting.

What You Can Do About Hair Thinning/Loss

When patients come to me with hair loss or thinning complaints, I first assess them for any of the conditions above and address as many of those that may exist. Generally, hair thinning/loss will be as a result of one, or a combination, of these causes.  Here are a few other things that I tell my patients they can do on their own to minimize hair loss/thinning.

• Check stress.  Learn how to decompress from stressful situations.  It’s important for not only your hair’s sake, but for your overall health as well.  Get enough sleep, take some quiet time for yourself to read or meditate, take a quiet walk, anything that helps you relax.
• Nutrition.  Along with stress, B vitamins can deplete rapidly.  In addition, as we get older everyone does not get enough B12 through food, and should be supplemented at 100 mcg a day. These vitamins really help the health of your hair as well as help keep your nerves steady.
• Hair Loss Products. If your hair loss is due to heredity, you can try finasteride or minoxidil (Rogaine) to help slow down any further hair loss.  However, only about 30% to 40% of people get any real hair regrowth from these products and must be used continuously to maintain results.  These products work by stimulating shrunken hair follicles that increases their size, helping to regrow thicker looking hair.  Minoxidil can be used by both men and women, and is an over-the counter solution that is applied topically on the scalp.  Finasteride (Propecia) is a prescription-only pill that is primarily prescribed for men with male pattern hair loss.  It is not generally prescribed to women for hair loss to avoid possible hormonal imbalances. Women of childbearing age who wish to become pregnant should not use it.

I understand how frustrating and emotionally upsetting hair thinning/loss can be. However, as I advise my patients, hair thinning/loss is a sign of an underlying condition that, once treated, often results in regrowth of hair.  It’s important then to report any significant hair loss to your physician so that whatever may be causing it can be addressed.

Stay Well,

Jay Brachfeld, M.D.

Natural Health News

9 Causes of Hair Loss in Women, http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/reasons-losing-hair/story?id=13320129

Hair loss, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hair-loss/ds00278/dsection=causes

Understanding Hair Loss, http://www.rogaine.com/women/understanding-hair-loss?

Hereditary Pattern Baldness, http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/9440.html

photo credit: sheknows.com

Fructose and Your Blood Pressure

Recent research has found that people who consumed about 74 grams of fructose (about 4, 12 ounce non-diet soft drinks) a day had elevated, or borderline elevated blood pressures.  Fructose, a sugar derived from fruit, is the sweetening agent most often used in soft drinks, juices, baked goods, table sugar, and a whole host of food and drink products.

Fructose apparently has a special role in raising blood pressure that other sugars do not. In one study, mice fed fructose had reduced salt excretion through kidneys which resulted in hypertension.  It apparently derails a gene in the small intestine responsible for regulating salt absorption.  Too much salt is retained and blood pressure rises.  In another study, uric acid levels were found to be raised with fructose which also was thought to contribute to high blood pressure.

Similar findings were found in human studies as well. Patients with documented hypertension or borderline pre-hypertension, upon review were found to have high intakes of fructose.  Since most Americans barely eat the recommended amount of whole fruit per day, researchers (mostly kidney specialists) concluded that most of their fructose intake was from a concentrated form called high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS.  This is a low cost sweetening agent used most often by food manufacturers in hundreds of food and drink items.

Hypertension – high blood pressure – rates have dramatically increased in Americans over the past century during the same time that fructose, in the form of HFCS, consumption has also dramatically increased.  The researchers/authors of the fructose/hypertension studies concluded that high fructose intake is a strong predictor for greater risk of hypertension.

However, manufacturers of HFCS state that fructose or high fructose corn syrup, is not any more damaging to health than any other sugar. In addition, they feel that the research studies are “flawed.”   In fact, my patients relate that television commercials tell them “sugar is sugar”, whether it’s HFCS or some other sugar, and so they are understandably confused. Researchers are currently conducting further studies to better support their conclusions regarding fructose’s role in raising blood pressure.

 Your Diet – Too Much Fructose?

As stated above, fructose coming from natural, whole fruits does not seem to be the problem researchers have associated with hypertension.  That said, even too much natural fructose from whole fruits may have the same effects in fructose/glucose sensitive individuals – particularly type 1 or 2 diabetics, or people with metabolic (insulin) resistance.

Diabetics and those who are insulin resistant do not metabolize fructose (which converts to glucose) the same and efficient way that others do.  They have sluggish insulin responses and their blood sugar levels can remain too high for too long a period of time.  Too high blood sugars can raise blood pressure which raises the risk for heart attack and stroke. I advise my patients that I prefer they omit, or drastically cut down, products containing HFCS, especially if they have blood pressure issues already.

To avoid too much fructose in your diet, you must read labels carefully.   The following is a partial list of foods and drinks that most often contain HFCS:

• Non-diet sodas
• Fruit juices
• Commercial, processed baked goods (cakes, cookies, pies, donuts, candy)
• Some packaged commercial foods (read labels)
• Tomato-based sauces (spaghetti, ketchup, barbecue sauce, etc)
• Cereals, especially children’s, but “adult” brands can contain smaller amounts
• Processed meats such as lunch meats, dinner sausage
• “Fruit on the bottom” and fruit-flavored yogurts
• Over the counter medicines such as cough syrups, chewable aspirins, liquid pain relievers
• Salad dressings, especially “fat reduced” types.  Manufactures increase sweetness to make up for the loss of oil.

Although food manufacturers defend the use of fructose, and HFCS, claiming they’re perfectly safe to use, I tell my patients to read labels carefully.  I would prefer they avoid added fructose as all refined sugars have a poor effect on health in large amounts.  Stevia can be added to unsweetened products for sweetness without the health risks.  There are even a variety of stevia sweetened soft drinks available at health food markets now to allow you to enjoy a few cold soft drinks now and then without risking your health.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

Study:   High Fructose Diets May Raise Blood Pressure, http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20100701/study-high-fructose-diets-may-raise-blood-pressure

Fructose Sweeteners May Hike Blood Pressure, http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/60850/title/Science_%2B_the_Public__Fructose_sweeteners_may_hike_blood_pressure

Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup, http://www.ehow.com/list_5851584_list-high-fructose-corn-syrup.html

photo credit: blog.gaiam.com

Since May is arthritis awareness month, I would like to share with you, as I do my own patients, new findings in arthritis research.  These new findings have prompted doctors, like myself, to also treat other conditions in their arthritis patients that may be aggravating, or even causing their arthritis.  Here’s what current research shows:

Arthritis – What’s New in an Old Condition       

Many of my patients with rheumatoid arthritis are women.  It seems to affect women more, but no one really knows why.  However, researchers recently found several links to other conditions that are thought to perhaps cause – or worsen – rheumatoid arthritis.

Obesity:   Mayo Clinic researchers found a link in obese women with the development of rheumatoid arthritis.   Fat cells, it seems, produce the same type of substances that causes inflammation, which are also found in immune system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis being one of them.  In my female patients who weigh more than they should, I make them aware of these findings.  Not only is obesity associated with heart disease and diabetes, it may either be worsening their RA, or putting them at risk for developing it.  It’s one more piece of information in the puzzle to help treat the symptoms of RA.

Fractures:  Other research out of the Mayo Clinic has shown that even women under 50 as well as men with rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for bone fractures. The exact mechanism of how RA may aggravate fracture may be because RA is associated with inflammation throughout joints.  Inflammation likely weakens bone strength and density, making them more susceptible to fracture.  In my patients with RA, I recommend that they get enough calcium and Vitamin D3 in their diets to maintain good bone health.

Bartonella infection:  Many of my patients with RA are also pet lovers (cats and dogs, typically).  Bartonella is a bacterium associated with “cat scratch fever” – a condition that occurs as a result of infection with Bartonella bacteria after being scratched by a cat or dog.  Fleas, however, can also carry this bacterium.

Recently, researchers at North Carolina State University have found that Bartonella infections, specifically a type of Bartonella called B.  Henselae that can be carried in a cat’s blood for years may be responsible for leading to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.  Of the 296 study participants, 62% tested positive for antibodies, which tell of prior exposure and 41% had bacterial DNA in their blood samples.  The findings require further studies for greater clarification, but if Bartonella proves to be a causative factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, then treatment for Bartonella will open up another avenue to both prevent and treat RA.  As of yet, I have not recommended my patients be tested for Bartonella antibodies, but will follow this research closely if it becomes an avenue of treatment for RA.

Cartilage Strength:  Recently studies out of Boise State University have identified certain proteins that are responsible for maintaining cartilage strength.  People with osteoarthritis experience wearing and break down of joint cartilage.  Cartilage helps the joints move properly and cushions the joints.

A specific protein, Collagen XI, is known to prevent arthritis and when it is deficient, or absent, people can develop OA early in life.  Knowing which other proteins Collagen XI interacts with is significant in maintaining, and/or restoring the protein content within the cartilage, helping prevent joint replacement, and/or treat OA.  In other research out of University of Wisconsin, Madison, researchers have made super-strong collagen which they are perfecting for the treatment of OA and other collagen-deficit conditions.

How To Minimize Painful Flare-Ups

My patients are often surprised when I tell them that their particular diet, their emotions, and their excess pounds can be causing painful RA flares and aggravating osteoarthritis.  Here are some things you should know:

Common Food Culprits:  Refined sugar (cookies, cakes, candy, etc), animal fats, Omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oils like sunflower, safflower, corn oil, present in commercial products, snacks, etc), trans fats (often found in commercial baked goods).  Omit, reduce these culprits as much as possible.  Replace with good Omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce/prevent inflammation.

Emotions: Stress caused by high-charged emotional situations (good or bad) can cause RA symptoms to flare.  Try and keep an even keel in your emotions.  Sleep 6-8 hours a night and get enough exercise to burn off stress.  

Obesity:  Did you know that 1 lb equals 4 lbs of pressure on your knee joints? That’s correct.   In fact, 1 in 3 obese adults have arthritis.  Work to get your weight within normal limits to decrease the pressure, and wear/tear of your knees (and hip) joints and avoid joint replacement.  Be sure Vitamin C levels are good to help build/keep healthy collagen levels in joints.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are difficult conditions to live with.  However, many Americans are managing better with close attention to nutrition, stress levels, and controlling their weight. In fact, most Americans with both forms of arthritis are employed full-time and living an active lifestyle.  Regular physical activity helps prevent the pain and stiffness of arthritis and improves mood. Recent research findings may open all new avenues of treatment for arthritis to further help you live a fuller, happier life.

Stay Well,

Mark Bromson, M.D.

Natural Health News

Obesity Epidemic Fueling Rise in Rheumatoid Arthritis, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120425192849.htm

Bartonella Infection Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423131848.htm

Arthritis – Take Action! http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ArthritisAwareness/

photo credit: facebook.com

Omega-3’s and Your Telomeres

It’s been known for a while now that Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in reducing risks from cardiovascular disease as they inhibit plaque and blood clots; they are great for reducing inflammation throughout the body; and instrumental in boosting brain power by promoting neurotransmitter health.  Now there’s another reason to love Omega-3’s…

Recent research done at the University of California San Francisco confirmed that Omega-3 fatty acids also help support a long life.  It was found in their research with telomere testing technology that people who had high levels of Omega-3’s in their white blood cells also had longer telomeres.

What are telomeres? Well, this is how I explain them to my patients. Telomeres are a little cap-like structure that sits at either end of your DNA strand of chromosomes.  Your DNA constantly replicate – that is, they exactly reproduce themselves – and in the process, if you’re healthy and your immune system intact, your telomere “caps” will stay longer keeping you healthy longer.

If you’re immune system is not up to par and perhaps you’re not taking in enough Omega-3’s or antioxidants, your telomeres will shorten more and more until they finally can’t replicate anymore.  The University of California researchers concluded that telomere shortening was a key part of cellular aging.  This is why Omega-3 fatty acids are so important.

As I mentioned above, Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful in cooling down inflammation throughout the body.  Inflammation, it has been research proven, is the key to the development of diseases – including cancer, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s, diabetes, etc. If we can reduce inflammation, hopefully eliminate it, we can strengthen the immune system and keep those telomeres longer and protecting your DNA.

Which Type of Omega-3’s?

The University of California research team centered on using marine Omega-3’s from whole fish, versus fish or krill oil supplements or walnut, flax seed, canola or soybean oil.  It seems that Omega-3 from whole fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines gave the best data results with regard to telomere lengthening.  That may have been the Omega-3 source the researchers used and doesn’t necessarily mean that other forms of Omega-3’s wouldn’t have the same results.  Interestingly, though, Icelanders and the Japanese of Okinawa Island have credited their long life spans (outliving all other nationalities!) to their high intake of fatty fish and its high level of Omega-3’s.

However, fish, or krill oil supplements, as well as other types of Omega-3’s (see those listed above), can also boost a diet that includes whole fatty fish in it.  These forms of Omega-3’s have also done very well in other studies with regards to their health benefits in general.  Some of these include lowering LDL cholesterol, boosting brain health, fighting depression, reducing inflammation and its C-reactive protein marker levels and, recently, helping prevent chemotherapy induced muscle loss, and perhaps the vascular eye disease retinopathy.

How Much Omega-3 Fatty Acids Should You Get?

My patients are often confused about which Omega-3 sources they should eat, since there are several of them, both plant and animal sources, and how much.   As I explain to them, Omega-3’s consist of two types of fatty acid, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docasahexaenoic acid) which the human body cannot manufacture on its own.  You must get these valuable oils from your diet and/or supplements.

Recent research on Eskimo’s with very high Omega-3 blood levels from fish, and their very low triglyceride and LDL “bad” cholesterol levels,  suggests that the rest of us could be getting a lot more Omega-3 than most of us currently are.  Minimum Omega-3 intake is about 1,000 mg, though I feel that 2-3,000 mg is a more beneficial range. However, be sure you take a reputable source of fish or krill oil supplement, mercury-free, and read the label, which states exactly how many milligrams of EPA and DHA are contained in your supplement.

As I mentioned above, fatty fish are a very rich source of both of these types of Omega-3 fatty acids, but so are flax seeds, canola, soybean and walnut oil – which are plant sources of Omega-3. Canola, walnut and soybean oils are a different source Omega-3’s – they are ALA (alpha linolenic acids) but are good polyunsaturated fats.  Also, as I explain to my patients who find this a little tricky and confusing, Omega-6 intake (from other vegetable oils) needs to be balanced with Omega-3’s in no more than a 2:1 ratio of Omega-6’s to Omega-3’s, preferably a 1:1 ratio.  Too high Omega 6 intake can cause an increase of inflammation that leads to disease.

With regard to the telomere studies noted above, however, you will want to include several servings of whole fatty fish in your diet per week to confer those specific benefits.  I also recommend that my patients sprinkle flax seeds on vegetables or salads.

More and more research shows that Omega-3 fatty acids confer significant health benefits and now, even living longer, and more youthfully is one of them.  Be sure to get enough Omega-3 fats in your diet every day so that you can reap the same longevity benefits as Icelanders and Okinawans.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

The Omega-3 Miracle:  The Icelandic Longevity Secret, http://www.amazon.com/The-Omega-3-Miracle-Icelandic-Protection/dp/1893910342

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Linked to Longevity, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703837004575013393566949312.html

What Are DHA and EPA Omega 3 Fatty Acids? http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/g/dha_epa_omega.htm

Omega 3,6 and 9:  How They Add Up, http://www.omega-9oils.com/omega369.htm

photo credit: purenaturalmom.com

Second, many people carry mental/emotional “wounds” from prior traumatic life events.  Healing from these events requires support from not only the people closest to you, but from the community at large and making mental health services available.  The following is information about mental health awareness and what you can do to help a loved one, or neighbor, who face these particular challenges.

Do More For 1 in 4

The first issue is basically a call to action to help the 1 in 4 Americans, or roughly 60 million people, who are afflicted with a mental health condition. According to Mental Health America, mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability in the United States today.  Their initiative to help people with mental health conditions involves:

• Removing the stigma of mental health diagnoses
• Encouraging help-seeking behavior
• Education about mental health disorders so people are able to recognize symptoms in themselves or a loved one, and get help
• Education about the most common mental (can also have physical causes) health disorders that include:  stress/anxiety, depression, bipolar (manic/depressive) disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse
• Making resources available for treatment.   Many people do not seek help for mental health issues because they simply cannot afford it and/or do not have adequate health insurance that will cover it

Healing Emotional Wounds

Like several of my patients, you may have suffered emotional “wounds” from some sort of traumatic life experience that may have left you with a mental health disorder – most often stress, chronic anxiety or depression.  These wounds can be hard to deal with and require support from loved ones and people you come in contact with on a daily basis such as co-workers, friends and even neighbors.  It’s even tougher to deal with these wounds if there are limited funds, or no medical insurance coverage with which to seek treatment.  Here are some things I suggest to my patients who have been affected by traumatic life experiences as a kind of self-help until they can get professional help.

• Recognize and accept the trauma.  As I tell my patients, it’s never fun to revisit unhappy events from the past.  But in order to get rid of the “baggage” left behind that you are carrying every day, it’s important to go back to it in your mind and allow yourself to grieve for the pain and loss it has caused you.  Often times, mental (and even physical) health disorders arise from the fact that people block grieving.
• Assign a neutral position to the trauma.  Removing the “bad” label from something that happened allows you to look objectively at it and not let guilt set in. If there was something you did that perhaps brought the trauma on, vow to change your behavior so it will not happen again.  However, you must also accept that life is random and things happen that you often have no control over.
• Count your blessings. Try stopping everyday and think about all the good things in your life.  In doing so, you will likely be more willing to let go of this trauma as just an unhappy something that occurred in your mostly happy and good life.
• Ask for/accept help.  We often don’t tell people around us that we need a little help to get over some traumatic event.  We tend to put on a happy face to make others feel comfortable around us.  However, this only buries your grief and doesn’t help you heal.  Let people know that you’re not up to emotional par these days and need their support until you’re feeling better.  Similarly, if you have a friend or loved one going through a traumatic event support them through phone calls, cards, or by doing something nice for them.  It can go a long way to making someone get their bearings again.
• Forgiveness.  Traumatic life events can cause a lot of anger that causes stress and anxiety if we hold onto it.  From here it festers like a dirty wound that never heals.  Try to find it in your heart to forgive whomever, whatever caused the trauma to begin with.  This process helps you “cleanse” the emotional wound and move on.  Then mentally put the trauma, and people associated with it, in a “locked room” in your mind/heart and move away from it.
• Strengthen yourself.  There’s an old saying that goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.   Well, this may be a little dramatic, but there is truth in it.  You’ve suffered some traumatic event but you’ve also survived it.  Give yourself credit for that and realize that you can survive other such events in life. This helps you develop coping skills that will help you to survive anything else that comes along in life.  Keeping strong physically through regular exercise helps you feel better by releasing “feel good” serotonin.

As I tell my patients, if you are wrestling with a mental health disorder, don’t suffer in silence.  If you don’t have insurance, or money for a doctor, talk to a clergyman, friend, or even a grief counselor at your local hospital.  Often times, just putting stressful feelings into words helps lift an emotional burden.  Or, during the Mental Health Awareness month of May, perhaps volunteer some of your time to a shelter, or hospital, or your church’s grief centers.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

Mental Health Month 2012, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

7 Steps to Heal Emotional Wounds, http://www.soulscode.com/healing-your-wounds-%E2%80%93-seven-steps-to-clarity-and-expansion/

Steps to Receive Emotional Healing, http://www.wholeperson-counseling.org/doc/emotional-h.html

photo credit: jadedalt.wordpress.com

In fact, this condition is so common in people who use laptops, and other personal heated devices, that it’s been called toasted skin syndrome.  Here’s what I told Ralph and would like you to know about avoiding the health risks of toasted skin syndrome.

Toast is for Bread Not Skin!

Toasted skin syndrome, medically called erythema ab igne, is a skin condition that results from exposure to high heat directly against the skin.  It is similar to a scorch mark an iron leaves on clothes when left unattended.  For the past several years, dermatologists have reported that the occurrence of these types of heat marks on their patients who use laptop computers have become more common.  As a result, more studies by researchers on the condition have been reported in Dermatology journals recently.  An offshoot name of toasted skin syndrome, specific to laptop users, was even coined around 2004 – “laptop dermatosis”.

The condition occurs when the heat given off through the ventilation fan area of the computer’s drive system,  located usually on the underside of the computer, comes in direct contact with skin.  When the computer is placed on the lap, or across the chest as when lying down, the ventilation area is usually completely blocked and the heat is transferred directly into the skin.

However, toasted skin syndrome can develop from other devices that give off heat. Some examples include heating pads and electric blankets left on too long/too hot, heated massage devices that directly transfer heat to skin, or heated car and sports seats.  Some jobs result in toasted skin syndrome such as working in front of open, hot stoves all day like bakers do, sitting/standing too close to fires as sometimes outdoor construction workers do, or space heaters under desks in people with desk jobs and cold feet.

Typically, the condition is seen more in chronic use of heated devices against skin, however, it can occur after infrequent use by too close contact near a heat source.  Usually, the heat given off needs to be in the 111.2 to 116 degree Fahrenheit range, but older, thinner skin of elderly people can develop the condition at lower temperatures of about 109.  Cases of the condition occurring with hot water bottle use have also been seen as well.

The Health Dangers of Toasted Skin Syndrome

A few occurrences of toasted skin syndrome are not dangerous.  They are stranger looking than anything else.  They can be covered up with make-up until they heal.   However, prolonged toasted skin conditions, like chronic sunburning, can lead to permanence of the mottled skin changes with damage to the outer layer of the skin.  Like chronically sunburned, or too tanned skin, skin cancers have a greater chance of developing.  In fact, dermatology researchers looking at toasted skin syndrome under the microscope have noted that the skin resembles skin with long-term sun exposure.

Recent research also suggests that there may also be a very different health hazard for men who chronically use laptops.  One recent study reported that men with high laptop use had elevated scrotum temperatures, which can lead to decreased sperm counts and infertility.

Chronic toasted skin conditions can also serve to warn you that you’re using too high heat with heating pads, electric blankets, massagers, etc.  Besides skin toasting, these devices could perhaps start a fire in bed clothes, especially if you fall asleep and don’t turn them off.

How To Avoid/Treat Toasted Skin Syndrome

As I cautioned my business traveler patient, if you want to use your laptop during long plane, or other commuter rides, use the carrying case, or other shielding device, between you and your laptop.  Make sure the ventilation area has room to expel the device’s heat without coming in contact with your skin.  Most laptop computers come with written cautions on them about skin burns resulting from placing the laptop on exposed skin for long periods of time.

If you use heated car, or sports seats, turn the temperature down.  Remember, your body heat is interacting with this heated device and the temperature can become too hot and redden or scorch skin.  If you use electric blankets, turn the device on before you get in to warm the bed sufficiently.  Then turn the blanket off before you get in to avoid sleeping for long hours with it next to your skin.  The same is true for heating pads.  Don’t fall asleep with them on.  Use them while you’re awake at lower, non-burning temperatures.

Treatment for toasted skin syndrome is fairly simple.  Avoid any further exposure of the heat source to the affected area.  You may use some pure aloe, or Vitamin E, or walnut oil on the areas to help them heal faster and reduce pigmentation change.  Skin should return to its normal condition in a few weeks. If it does not, see a dermatologist.

The world has become much more mobile and most of us wouldn’t be without the use of our laptop computers for work or communication with other people.  Many of us also use, or work around, other types of heated devices and have to be aware of how much unprotected skin exposure to heat we actually have.  Taking a few precautions to protect your skin will help you avoid the skin damage that toasted skin syndrome can cause.

Stay Well,

Jay Brachfeld, M.D.

Natural Health News

Toasted Skin Syndrome, http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20101004/laptop-risk-toasted-skin-syndrome

Heated Seats and Toasted Skin, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/23/us-beware-reports-idUSTRE81M26P20120223

Laptops Lead to Toasted Skin Syndrome, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39490660/ns/health-health_care/t/laptops-lead-toasted-skin-syndrome/

photo credit: maximumpc.com

Fat Burning Hormones and Raspberry Ketones 

We all have a fat-burning hormone in our body called adiponectin.  When this hormone is working correctly, and we’re eating a healthy diet and healthy amount of food for our needs, we metabolize calories properly and don’t store them as fat reserves around our stomachs, hips and thighs.  Adiponectin also enhances insulin sensitivity so we decrease blood sugar levels and use calories more completely.  Adiponectin also helps to lower blood pressure, and prevent atherogenesis – hardening of arteries.

When we start overeating and not exercising enough, our adiponectin hormones become overwhelmed with the amount of calories to metabolize and become sluggish at burning them. That’s when the love handles and the belly fat and the cellulite start showing up – and that’s when my patients begin asking me how they can get rid of it fast!

Raspberry ketones are the primary “aroma” compound of raspberries – it’s what gives raspberries their distinctive smell.  Research has shown that high doses of these ketones in mice on high fat diets have resulted in preventing weight gain, both subcutaneously – beneath the skin, and viscerally – around organs.  It also helped prevent fatty liver from developing.  The ketones apparently stimulate adiponectin release, thereby increasing insulin release, decreasing blood sugar, boosting metabolism, increasing good, brown adipose tissue that turns metabolism heat up and burns the bad, stored white fat cells.  In the same research, though, there was no effect on mouse body weight at 200 times the estimated amount of human intake. To date, there is no clinical evidence that raspberry ketones have the same effect on humans.

However, stories of people losing significant amounts of weight, some up to 5 lbs a week, while using daily raspberry ketones, has been noted, and endorsed, on popular television shows as well as the internet.  As I tell my patients, since there are no reported side effects with raspberry ketones, they may help you get back on track with your weight loss efforts, or help you get off a weight loss plateau.

How To Take Raspberry Ketones

Taking 200-250 mg of pure raspberry ketones (one, 100-125 mg tablet in the morning and one at night) in a formula without added ingredients like caffeine, etc, is what to look for when buying this product.  Be sure that ‘raspberry ketone’ is listed first, or very near first, in the list of ingredients. You may find cheaper products, but a pure raspberry ketone product, without added ingredients may cost about $30.

Now, of course, you want to resume healthy eating habits along with using raspberry ketones and resume getting the proper amount of exercise.  These supplements are not a magic bullet and you shouldn’t rely on them to counter poor eating habits.  Continuing to take in more calories, sugar and fat than your body can use at meals can lead to other problems with cholesterol and insulin levels, perhaps, leading to the development of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.              

Other Ways to Raise Adiponectin Levels

Raspberry ketones may be effective at stimulating BAT and adiponectin quickly but here are some other methods that do the same. Combining the methods can synergize your efforts.

• Exercise.   Aerobic exercise, 40 minutes a day, at least 3-4 times a week will stimulate adiponectin release.  This also helps reduce inflammation in blood vessels, increases insulin sensitivity and prevents type 2 diabetes as well as heart disease.
• Diet.  Higher protein diets help stimulate adiponectin, which is basically a protein-based hormone.  Increasing Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or supplements and decreasing Omega-6’s help raise adiponectin, as does the Mediterranean-type diet in general. Eating more red and purple pigmented foods such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pomegranates, can raise adiponectin somewhat.  But as I mentioned earlier, it would take a huge amount of fruit to give the same concentrated amount present in supplement form.     But, every little bit helps! Losing weight also stimulates adiponectin release.
• Drink coffee.  Recent studies on Japanese males show that adiponectin levels are higher in coffee drinkers.  The same effect did not hold true for green, or other teas, however.  The group that drank 1-2 cups of coffee per day showed the highest amounts of adiponectin.  An added bonus was that HDL (good cholesterol) levels also increased.  Coffee-drinking recently has also been associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk as well.
• Other extracts.  Sweet potato extract has been shown to raise adiponectin in type 2 diabetics.   Berberine, an herbal supplement, raises adiponectin as well.  If your health food store is out of raspberry ketones, look for sweet potato extract or berberine to fill in.

Losing fat is a tricky, and often frustrating process. However, there are natural ways to facilitate it like those mentioned above.  As I mentioned earlier, there are no magic pills or cures, you have to do the work, but supplements like raspberry ketones, and others, can certainly help.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

Raspberry Ketone Dosages, http://raspberryketonesdosage.com/

Raspberry Ketones, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_ketone

How To Increase Adiponectin, http://www.ehow.com/how_5136109_increase-adiponectin.html

Drinking Coffee-Higher Adiponectin, http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.com/2011/05/drinking-coffee-higher-adiponectin.html

photo credit: raspberries.us

The Benefits of Massage

Massage has been used for centuries in many cultures around the world.  In fact, the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, defined medicine as “the art of rubbing”.  Even though in the past decade, massage has been considered more a “new age” alternative or complementary medicine technique, it has been, more and more, incorporated into traditional medical treatment for certain conditions.

In fact, recent research out of the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle, Washington found in their studies that massage works just as well as chiropractic treatments and acupuncture.  Here are some reasons why massage works so well:

• Reduces stress hormone cortisol – reduces anxiety and depression, boosts the immune system’s “natural killer” T-cells which fight viruses and bacteria.
• Reduces blood pressure and slows heart rate
• Boosts “feel good” hormones serotonin and dopamine in the brain
• Blocks nervous system pain receptors
• Increases blood flow to muscles which helps heal tiny tears that cause pain and stiffness

In fact, doctors have prescribed regular massage more often than painkillers in relieving chronic aches and pains of trigger points in fibromyalgia.  Research has shown that 80% of muscle pain comes from soft tissue injuries and 74% from trigger points, like those in fibromyalgia, and massage greatly releases trigger point symptoms.  Massage is also frequently used in the delivery room to help relieve the pain of muscular cramping during childbirth labor.

For my patients who have trouble falling asleep, I also recommend massage as it can have long lasting relaxation effects.  The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine has also found that massage works to relieve insomnia by increasing delta waves that help you fall asleep.  As well, their studies also revealed that a 15-minute massage boosts attention levels afterward by stimulating brain-wave activity.

Cancer patients also find relief with massage as it relieves stress, muscle cramps and pain that may occur with chemotherapy and radiation.  It is even offered to patients prior to surgery to relieve anxiety.  Studies have also proven it to relieve PMS symptoms, headaches, prevent colds, and aid in digestion.

If you’ve recently started exercising, your muscles may be crampy and sore.  Instead of sitting out for several days until the soreness goes away, massage can keep you on your exercise track as it loosens up tight muscles and increases flexibility.

Types of Massage

There are many types of massage all the way from simple “relaxation” massage to deep tissue Rolfing-type therapy. Swedish massage and sports medicine massage are similar to each other in that they use long stroke, kneading type movements, tapping, vibration and deep circular movements.

Deep tissue massage can be a little less relaxing than Swedish or sports medicine type massage as it does what its name implies – goes deeper down into muscle tissue to pull out any knots or kinks in the muscles.  These knots and kinks can also refer pain to other parts of the body as well, so releasing and smoothing them out via massage is important.  Also, working on trigger points can be more sensitive at first, as massage involves pressing down on painful trigger points to release them.

Cautions to Massage

Although massage can help a number of illnesses and conditions, there are certain circumstances where it should not be done such as:

• People with blood clotting disorders.  People taking blood thinning medications, or who have low platelet counts from conditions such as leukemia, AIDS, or other blood disorders – deep tissue, vigorous massage might cause bleeding deep within tissues.
• Blood clots, open wounds, fractures, skin infections.  Massage could cause complications of healing with these conditions and/or infections.  Wait until the conditions have been cleared by a doctor to have massage.

As I advise my patients, massage is not only a relaxing, enjoyable experience; it can also help heal a number of painful, distressing conditions.  If you think you’d like to try massage, find a certified massage therapist who is skilled in working with a variety of conditions. Be sure to inform them of any and all illnesses you may have and whatever medications you take.  Also, don’t be afraid to communicate to your massage therapist if something is too painful or you feel you need more work/pressure on certain areas.  Overall, I think you’ll find regular massage can be very helpful in alleviating stress, muscle aches and pain, and just plain making you feel great!

Stay Well,

Mark Bromson, M.D.

Natural Health News

Massage is Real Medicine, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/03/08/healthmag.massage/

Massage Therapy, http://www.medicinenet.com/massage_therapy/page2.htm

photo credit: relaxyoudeserveit.com

The Human Body on Marine Phytoplankton

Eons ago, all life – even human – began in the seas of the Earth.  Tiny cellular organisms advanced and changed over time into all the diverse forms of life that exist on the land and in the sea today.  All these life forms developed on their own specific paths – some stayed in the sea and others came up on land to further evolve.  However, they retained something important in common:  they still thrive on those basic elements of early “sea foods” that helped advance life on our planet.

Marine phytoplankton – which includes several forms of algae – are antioxidant, Omega-3, iodine rich foods which still feed all the creatures of the seas, from huge whales to the tiniest of fishes.  And when humans eat fish, and other sea animals, we reap all the incredible benefits of this ancient marine food that includes:

• Cardiovascular and immune health
• Eye and nerve health
• Normal cholesterol levels
• Healthy blood sugar levels
• Healthy liver
• Healthy skin
• Healthy sleep, decreased stress, depression and mood swings

The Magic of Marine Phytoplankton

My patients are often surprised when I tell them that the composition of human plasma and fluids surrounding our cell membranes is nearly identical to the composition of the sea. That is, it has the same ratio of salt that the sea does and also contains the same 84 minerals that human blood does! It’s no coincidence either, that 70% of the Earth is water and 70% of the human body is water! Humans are like mini-Earth ecosystems that are very closely bioconnected to the seas, its chemical properties and food sources which are vital to our health.

Tiny marine plants contain micronutrients and electrolytes (fire electrical processes in living tissue) in exactly the right amounts to create healthy cellular metabolism.  When humans eat a diet from mostly land-based sources – meats, vegetables, fruit, dairy – they can become deficient in these crucial sea nutrients.

In addition, human cellular membranes are composed mostly of phospholipids – fats – that need constant replenishment of their building blocks with Omega-3 fats.  These fats keep cell membranes strong and able to communicate correctly with other cells.  Our diets can become deficient in these fats by not eating enough good sources of them – seafood and marine plants.

The good Omega-3 fats from marine sources have been research proven to aid cardiovascular disease, production of hormones, treat dry skin, prevent cancer, amongst many other conditions.  They fight inflammation, oxidation, toxicity at the cellular level that is so crucial to keeping DNA telomere lengths longer and us healthier.

When we consume marine phytoplankton, we get a rich, nutrient dense source of beneficial proteins, acids, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals that confer head-to-toe health benefits such as those mentioned earlier.  In addition, it also confers the following:

• Anti-aging benefits the skin and hair from ingredients biotin, bioflavonoids, silicon, serine and theonine.
• Protects bones with ingredients boron, calcium and fluorine.
• Supplies a rich source of iodine for thyroid health crucial for energy, normal body weight, and preventing depression.
• Ingredient chlorophyll promotes bowel and interstitial tissue cleansing which rids the body of toxins.

How Do I Get Marine Phytoplanktons In My Diet?  

There are many marine phytoplankton products on the market that can be purchased at health food stores around the country or online.   They can be found in a dried, powdered form, which reconstitutes in water or juice; or a liquid tonic form taken by tablespoon from the bottle, or drops directly onto the tongue.  It can also be delivered through the skin in liquid or cream form.   If you take thyroid medications, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor first about possible drug interactions/effects from selenium and iodine.

Marine phytoplankton is truly Mother Nature’s gift to all living creatures on Earth.  The Japanese credit their longevity, beautiful skin and hair to the regular eating of these plants.  Many people claim that many illnesses – including cancer – have cleared from eating marine phytoplankton.  I do not know how true those claims are but, as I advise my patients, you too can reap the benefits of marine phytoplankton and enjoy their special gifts for many, many years to come.

Stay Well,

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

Natural Health News

Marine phytoplankton, http://www.pharmasea.ca/frequensea.html

Marine phytoplankton, http://marinephytoplankton.net/phytoplankton testimonials.php