Healing Herbs - Part 5

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are five more of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Thyme:

Eases cough and upper respiratory infections.

Pour boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried herb and steep to make a tea.

2. Uva Ursi (bearberry):

Helps relieve fluid retention and fights inflammation in the urinary tract.

Pour cold water over 1 tsp. of coarsely powdered leaves and let stand for 12-24 hours to make a tea.

3. Valerian:

Good for insomnia.

Pour boiling water over 2 tsp. of finely cut root and steep to make a tea.

4. Willow Bark:

Helps ease pain, fever and headaches.

Pour boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of finely chopped bark and steep to make a tea.

5. Yarrow:

Good for indigestion and for stimulating the appetite.

Pour boiling water over 1 heaping tsp. of finely chopped herb and steep to make a tea.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books. Read more!

Healing Herbs - Part 4

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are five more of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Parsley:

A digestive aid and mild diuretic.

Add generous amounts of leaves and stems during cooking.

2. Peppermint:

Eases upset stomach and reduces gas.

Pour boiling water over 1 Tbsp. of dried leaves and steep to make a tea.

3. Rosemary:

Eases digestion and helps stimulate appetite.

Pour boiling water over 1 tsp. of finely chopped leaves and steep to make a tea.

4. St. John's Wort:

Eases nervousness and anxiety, improves memory and concentration and has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Take a 250-milligram capsule once a day.

5. Savory:

Relieves gas and diarrhea and stimulates appetite.

Add generous amounts of crushed leaves during cooking.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books. Read more!

Healing Herbs - Part 3

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are five more of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Licorice Root:

Relieves menopausal problems such as mood swings and hot flashes. Helps heal sore throat and ulcers.

Pour boiling water over 1/2 tsp. of finely chopped root and steep to make a tea. Do not use for more than 4-6 weeks at a time. Avoid if you have high blood pressure.

2. Lovage:

Relieves gas and fluid retention.

Pour boiling water over 1/2-1 tsp. of finely cut root and steep to make a tea. Repeat 3 times a day when using as a diuretic.

3. Milk Thistle:

Good for liver problems such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Take a 200-milligram capsule once a day.

4. Nettle:

Helps relieve fluid retention.

Pour boiling water over 2 tsp. of finely cut leaves and steep to make a tea.

5. Oregano:

Good for parasitic infections and for blocking the effects of carcinogens in cooked meats.

Add generous amounts of whole leaves or powdered herb during cooking.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books. Read more!

Healing Herbs - Part 2

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are five more of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Garlic:

Helps lower cholesterol and high blood pressure and reduces the risk for heart disease.

Eat 1-6 cloves a day.

2. Gentian:

Stimulates appetite and improves digestion.

Pour boiling water over 1/2 tsp. of finely cut or coarsely powdered herb and steep to make a tea.

3. Ginkgo:

Helps prevent blood clots and increases blood flow to the brain. Eases anxiety.

Take a 40-milligram capsule 3 time a day for 1-2 months.

4. Horehound:

A mild expectorant that's good for coughs.

Pour boiling water over 1-1/2 tsp. of finely cut leaves and steep to make a tea.

5. Lemon Balm:

A calming herb that also helps ease cold sores.

Pour boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of finely chopped leaves and steep to make a tea.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books. Read more!

Healing Herbs - Part 1

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are just five of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Anise:

Eases hot flashes and other menopausal problems. Helps relieve gas.

Crush 1 tsp. of seeds and steep in boiling water to make a tea.

2. Chamomile:

Good for indigestion and gas and for easing sore throat.

Pour boiling water over 1-2 Tbsp. of herb and steep to make a tea.

3. Echinacea:

Strengthens the immune system.

Take 1/2 tsp. of tincture 3 times a day at the first sign of a cold. Or pour boiling water over 1/2 tsp. of coarsely powdered dried herb and steep to make a tea.

4. Fennel:

Eases hot flashes and other menopausal problems. Helps settle the stomach.

Crush 1-2 tsp. of seeds and steep in boiling water to make a tea.

5. Feverfew:

Helps prevent and relieve migraines.

Eat 2-3 fresh leaves a day.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books.
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Herbal Therapy

What is it?

Herbal therapy is the use of medicinal plants for health and healing. It is one of the oldest forms of what is now called alternative medicine.

How does it work?

Plants contain a variety of chemicals that are beneficial to health. In fact, a large number of modern drugs contain compounds that were originally found in plants. Consider saponins. Found in many plants, these compounds break down excess mucus and improve elimination from the bowels. Other common compounds, called tannins, can slow bleeding from wounds, and some are now known to have antimicrobial properties.

Medicinal herbs can be taken in many forms. One of the most common is herbal tea. Another preparation, a tincture, is a concentrated liquid extract of the herb. There are also herbal tablets and capsules, fresh herbs as food and, for external use, poultices, compresses, creams and salves. External preparations often utilize essential oils.

What can it do for you?

Medicinal herbs can be taken for any condition, but they're often used in mainstream culture as a supportive treatment, taken in combination with other types of conventional or alternative care. Herbs can reduce the side effects of certain medications, for example. But while some herbal and nutritional treatments interact beneficially with prescription drugs, others have negative interactions.

Herbal therapy is often recommended for treating chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, memory problems and arthritis. It's also helpful for acute illnesses such as colds and for healing skin, muscle or other problems.

Is it safe?

Just because herbs are natural does not mean that they are always safe. While some people may assume that if a little bit of an herb is good, more must be better, the fact is that large doses of herbs may cause problems. Ginkgo, for example, has been shown to improve memory by affecting circulation, but large doses of the herb may cause problems for an elderly or sensitive person who is taking a blood-thinning medication at the same time. For maximum safety, herbs should be used under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner.

Source: Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems by Bill Gottlieb, author of New Choices in Natural Healing. Read more!

Natural Remedies for Sunburn

Most of us have had at least one sunburn in our lifetime. I've had several, sometimes terribly painful ones. Prevention is the best medicine but when it's too late for prevention, try these natural remedies for your sunburn.

Of note, though, if you experience any of these symptoms, see your medical doctor: nausea, chills or fever, if you feel fatigued or faint, if you have extensive patches of blistered, purple or discolored skin or if you have intense itching.

Aromatherapy:

Add 20 drops each of lavender and chamomile essential oils to a tubful of cool water and soak for ten minutes, suggests Judith Jackson, author of Scentual Touch: A Personal Guide to Aromatherapy.

Food Therapy:

John F. Romano, M.D., clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City, suggests to dip some gauze in whole milk and apply it to sunburned areas for about 20 minutes, repeating this process every two to four hours. Be sure to wash off the milk to avoid having your skin smell sour.

For healing, eat more foods rich in vitamin C, which speeds the healing process for burns, says Julian Whitaker, M.D., founder and president of the Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California.

Herbal Therapy:

Keep an aloe vera plant in your house, and when you have a sunburn, break open a leaf and apply the clear gel inside directly to your tender skin, says Tori Hudson, N.D., a naturopathic physician and professor at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Apply as often as needed for relief.

Homeopathy:

For a mild sunburn, put 20 drops of Calendula tincture in four ounces of water and bathe the skin with it until the pain goes away, says Mitchell Fleisher, M.D., a family practice physician and homeopath in Colleen, Virginia. If the skin is itchy, prickly and stinging, Dr. Fleisher suggests using a mixture of 20 drops of Urtica urens tincture and four ounces of water to bathe the skin. He says you can also take a 6C or 12C dose of Calendula or Urtica urens every two to three hours as needed. If the skin is swollen and bothered by heat and feels better with an application of cold, he says to try taking a 12C or 30C dose of Apis every two to three hours. All of these remedies are available in many health food stores or can be purchased online.

Hydrotherapy:

A baking soda bath is great for soothing a sunburn, according to Agatha Thrash, M.D., a medical pathologist and co-founder and co-director of Uchee Pines Institute, a natural healing center in Seale, Alabama. Add one cup of baking soda to a tub filled with lukewarm (94 to 98 degrees F) water and soak for 30 minutes to an hour, using a cup to pour the water over any part of the body that isn't submerged in the bath. Pat dry.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy:

After a sunburn, taking these supplements for a few days can speed healing, says Julian Whitaker, M.D., founder and president of the Whitaker Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California: 1000 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 international units of vitamin E and 15 milligrams (25,000 international units) of beta-carotene. He says it is also a good idea to get more essential fatty acids such as those in flaxseed oil. Take one to two tablespoons of the liquid form, he says, or follow the manufacturer's label for the suggested dose if you are taking capsules (about three capsules equals one teaspoon of the liquid). Flaxseed oil is available in most health food stores or can be purchased online.

Source: New Choices in Natural Healing: Over 1,800 of the Best Self-Help Remedies from the World of Alternative Medicine, edited by Bill Gottlieb, Editor-in-Chief, Prevention Magazine Health Books. Read more!

Those Pesky Age Spots

I had freckles as a child and now I have "age spots." Apparently these brown spots typically appear on the backs of the hands in a person's forties or fifties, caused by years of direct exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation. I have them also on my arms, shoulders and face. It seems that the sun's ultraviolet radiation damages the color-producing cells of the skin, which are called melanocytes. They then go into overdrive and produce too much color.

Even if you lighten them, they will come back with re-exposure to the sun, says Joni Loughran, an esthetician, cosmetologist and aromatherapist in Petaluma, California. If you're trying to fade age spots, you should wear a sunblock with an SPF of 15 on your hands or other exposed, spotted areas whenever you go outdoors.

In extremely rare cases, the area of a spot can develop a life-threatening cancer called a melanoma. If one of your age spots, or the area around a spot, has turned black and is irregular in shape (signs of melanoma), see a medical doctor immediately.

The following remedies can be tried to reduce or eliminate age spots:

Aromatherapy:

The essential oils of lemon and benzoin have bleaching properties that can help age spots fade, says Barbara Close, an herbalist and aromatherapist in East Hampton, New York. Combine two or three drops of one of the oils with a vegetable carrier oil such as almond, then apply the mixture to the spot twice a day.

Licorice and Glycolic Acid:

Although it may be hard to find, a beauty product containing glycolic acid and licorice extract can work beautifully to lighten or eliminate age spots, says Close.

Glycolic acid consists of natural sugar acids derived from citrus, papaya or other foods. It gently exfoliates the top layer of skin, while the licorice bleaches the spot. To apply, follow the instructions on the label.

Honey and Yogurt:

A mixture of honey and yogurt creates a natural bleach that can help lighten age spots, says Pratima Raichur, N.D., a naturopathic doctor in New York City.

To 1 teaspoon of plain yogurt, add 1 teaspoon of honey and mix thoroughly. Apply the mixture to your hands, let it dry, then wash it off after 30 minutes. Do this once a day.

Gotu Kola:

The herb gotu kola may help fight age spots by stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells and the production of collagen, the protein that holds skin together, says Brigitte Mars, an herbalist and nutritional consultant in Boulder, Colorado. She recommends daily use of a tincture or capsule form of the herb. Add one dropper of tincture to 1/4 cup of water and take three times daily, or take one or two 60-milligram capsules a day.

Source: Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems by Bill Gottlieb, author of New Choices in Natural Healing. Read more!

Home Thyroid Test

The Barnes Basal Temperature Test is a simple test that anyone can do at home to see if they may have hypothyroidism. All you need is a thermometer. (Make sure it is a thermometer that has mercury in it.) Your body temperature reflects your metabolic rate, which is largely determined by hormones secreted by the thyroid gland.

1. Shake down the thermometer to below 95 degrees the night before you take the test and place it by your bed within easy reach. The idea is to move as little as possible before taking your temperature, while you're calm and almost asleep.

2. After waking up, moving as little as possible and not getting out of bed, place the mercury bulb of the thermometer in the center of your bare armpit and place your arm by your side. Leave the thermometer there for a full 10 minutes.

3. After 10 minutes, record the temperature, time and date.

4. Record the temperature for at least three mornings at the same time each day, if possible. Menstruating women should start recording temperatures on the second day of menstruation.

5. Add up all temperatures and divide by three to get the average temperature.

6. Your basal body temperature should be between 97.6 degrees F and 98.2 degrees F. Anything lower than that can indicate hypothyroidism and anything higher can indicate hyperthyroidism. Read more!

Thyroid Quiz

In their book, Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health Richard L. Shames, M.D., and Karilee Halo Shames, R.N., Ph.D., have the following quiz:

Do you . . .

have unusual fatigue unrelated to exertion?

feel chillier than most people, often needing to wear socks to bed?

dress in layers because of needing to adjust to various temperatures throughout the day (sometimes too hot, sometimes too cold)?

have feelings of anxiety that sometimes lead to panic?

have trouble with weight, often eating lightly, yet still not losing a pound?

experience aches and pains in your muscles and joints unrelated to trauma or exercise?

have increased problems with digestion or allergies?

feel mentally sluggish, unfocused or unusually forgetful, even though you're not old enough to have Alzheimer's?

know of anyone in your family who has ever had a thyroid problem (even yourself at an earlier age)?

suffer from dry skin or are prone to adult acne or eczema?

go through periods of depression and/or lowered sex drive, seemingly out of proportion to life events?

have diabetes, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis or early graying of hair? Does anyone in your family?

experience your hair as feeling like straw, dry and easily falling out?

experience significant menopausal symptoms, including migraine headaches, without full relief after taking estrogen?

have a history of whiplash or other neck injuries (which may have damaged your thyroid)?

have significant exposure, now or in the past, to chlorine, bromine or fluoride (which compete with iodine in your thyroid)?

feel utterly exhausted by evening, yet have trouble sleeping?

wake up tired?

If you answered yes to four or more of these questions, you could be one of millions of people with an undiagnosed or under-treated low thyroid problem.

Read more!

What is the Thyroid?

In her book, All Your Health Questions Answered Naturally II Maureen Kennedy Salaman explains what the thyroid is. See her article below.

The thyroid gland sits at the base of the neck. If you wore a tie, it would be where the knot lies - two lobes on either side of the trachea. Considered a master gland, because of its importance to the body's metabolism, the thyroid's main functions are to create thyroid hormone that forms protein RNA and oxygenates cells. (1)

The gland regulates growth and metabolism, and it releases hormones that affect numerous bodily functions such as heartbeat, temperature, digestion, calorie burning and hair growth.

Thyroid hormones are made from iodine and the amino acid tyrosine. A thyroid hormone deficiency results from a lack of stimulation by the pituitary gland, the master gland located in the brain that secretes the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). (2)

Symptoms run the gamut. They include weight gain, depression, fatigue, cold hands and feet, mental disorders, infertility, miscarriage, poor sex drive, heavy or irregular menstruation, high cholesterol, hair loss, dry skin, pale skin, brittle hair, thin and grooved fingernails, muscle weakness, stiff joints, heart problems, constipation, goiters and kidney problems. Since metabolism breaks down with a thyroid problem, having many different ailments can signal a dysfunction. (3)

An article in the British Medical Journal addressed a study in which "six percent of children with Down's syndrome have thyroid disorders, a rate roughly 28 times that of the general population." (4)

Researchers at the Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, backed this up when they found a significant link between Down's syndrome and autoimmune thyroid disease, usually hypothyroidism. (5)

Even sleep apnea, a situation where breathing stops during sleep, is shown in studies to be caused by hypothyroidism. When the hypothyroidism is treated, not only is sleep apnea alleviated, but overall sleep is improved. Bashir A. Chaudhary, M.D., of the Sleep Disorder Center, Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, suggests it is reasonable to evaluate thyroid function in all sleep apnea patients. (6)


References:
(1) Braverman, Eric, M.D., and Pfeiffer, Carl C., M.D., Ph.D., The Healing Nutrients Within, Keats Publishing, New Canaan, CT, 1987.
(2) Krampf, Leslie, "Natural Help for Hypothyroidism," Vegetarian Times, n. 207, p. 122, November 1994.
(3) Murray, Michael, M.D., and Pizzorno, Joseph, N.D., Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, p. 388-389, 1991.
(4) Thorpe-Beeston, J.G., et al, "Thyroid Function in Fetuses with Chromosomal Abnormalities," British Medical Journal, v. 302, n. 6777, p. 628, March 16, 1991.
(5) Tambyah P.A. and Cheah J.S., "Hyperthyroidism and Down Syndrome," Annual Academy of Medicine, v. 22, n. 4, p. 603-605, July 1993.
(6) Kittle, William M., M.D., and Chaudhary, Bashir, M.D., "Sleep Apnea and Hypothyroidism," Southern Medical Journal, v. 81, n. 11, p. 1421-1425, November 1988. Read more!

Hypothyroidism

Nathan Becker, M.D., F.A.C.E., F.A.C.P, assistant clinical professor of medicine at University of California at San Francisco, says this about hypothyroidism in Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health written by Richard L. Shames, M.D., and Karilee Halo Shames, R.N., Ph.D.:

Hypothyroidism is undoubtedly the most common disorder of thyroid function. It affects both sexes and all ages; it may be overt or subclinical; the spectrum of severity is broad. At one extreme are patients who have a few symptoms and signs. At the other extreme are patients in coma. Hypothyroidism can be subclinical for many years, particularly in patients with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Although we are beginning to understand immune mechanisms, we do not yet fully understand autoimmune thyroid disease. Hashimoto's disease is primarily cell-mediated immune destruction of the thyroid gland. In the less common Graves' disease (also called thyrotoxicosis), a circulating antibody drives the thyroid to hyperfunction, out of the control of pituitary TSH feedback. Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease frequently coexist in families. Although the tendency to develop these autommune disorders is almost certainly inherited, we do not yet know how the malady is inherited.

What frequently confuses the average clinician is that patients often experience other autoimmune endocrinopathies simultaneously. Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent), autoimmune gonadal failure, hypoparathyroidism and pituitary failure are not rare partners. Several years ago, Phyllis Saifer, M.D., and I coined the term APICH Syndrome, which introduced associative non-endocrine maladies with the previously outlined endocrine disorders. While clinically important, these relationships tantalized more than informed us about the basic mechanisms of autoimmunity.

Thyroid disorders are coupled maladies: localized inflammation with generalized flu-like symptoms and resultant hormone excesses or deficiencies. It is no surprise that the patient, as well as the physician, is confused.

Admid this confusion, treatment with thyroid hormone -- to the point of TSH suppression -- is often diagnostic as well as therapeutic. These remarks would be considered heresy by academicians. Physicians and patients should, however, remember that academicians are often passionate, idealistic, eccentric, quarrelsome and self-serving. They often do research, publish, teach, but rarely see or care for thyroid sufferers.

Regarding actual patient care, a trial of thyroid hormone therapy was often used to good advantage in the past. Today, with sensitive laboratory studies, such as TSH assays, our presumed ability to diagnose thyroid disease has encouraged the physician to treat the laboratory data instead of the patient. Consequently, empiric treatment with thyroid hormones has fallen out of favor.

Nevertheless, sensible, cost-effective treatments of widespread thyroid disorders remain an important concern of the physician, not least because the patient often presents with vague complaints that easily can be misdiagnosed. Patients who present with fatigue, depression and subtle cognitive defects are frequently dismissed, discouraged and mistreated. I've spent many years treating these patients with thyroxine (T-4) and more recently with concomitant triiodothyronine (T-3) with much success. Read more!

Latest News on Statin Side Effects

Carole Jackson from Bottom Line's Daily Health News wrote the following article about statin side effects.


Sometimes it seems as if everyone over age 50 takes statins -- women and men, middle aged and elderly, and lots of people whose cholesterol levels are barely a blip over normal. In fact, lipid-regulating drugs are among the most common prescriptions in this country -- but their side effects are a troubling but seldom acknowledged issue, even by the doctors prescribing them. Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD, at the University of California, San Diego, a leading researcher in this area, recently published a review analyzing nearly 900 studies on the many problems associated with statin use. Not only is this the most complete analysis ever published, her paper also explains why some people are at higher risk for problems than others.

SIDE EFFECTS

Based on patient reports, the number-one statin side effect, which is also the most recognized, concerns adverse effects on muscles including muscle pain, fatigue and weakness. (There is also an association with a rare but potentially devastating muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis, which causes severe muscle damage that can produce toxins that can eventually lead to renal dysfunction and possibly death.)

Second on the list is cognitive problems, including some that are dementia-like. Third place goes to peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling, pain and numbness in the feet and hands. Other side effects are less frequent but wide ranging, from blood-glucose increases to sleep disruption and atrial fibrillation, as well as -- and this should get some attention -- sexual dysfunction.

It’s widely known that statins decrease coenzyme Q10, harming the mitochondria, which are the power producers in our cells. Dr. Golomb says this explains why people at highest risk for statin side effects are those who already have conditions that adversely affect mitochondria function -- high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems or simply being older. CoQ10 is helpful in minimizing mitochondrial damage, which is obviously especially important for people with these pre-existing conditions -- but as noted, statins deplete this coenzyme. Dr. Golomb noted that this may be why statins aren’t as helpful for people who are over 70 or so.

Observational studies indicate that 10% to 30% of people taking statins will likely experience side effects, and that women seem to be at higher risk than men. Are you wondering why these problems aren’t frequently reported in clinical trials on statins? According to Dr. Golomb, one reason is because participants selected for such studies tend to exclude those most likely to have side effects -- such as people who take other medications along with those who have other health problems. Pharmaceutical companies pour millions of dollars into clinical trials, which are designed to, as Dr. Golomb puts it, "showcase the benefits" of the drugs. However, there are no corresponding interest groups to make sure that the other side also gets heard -- and people at higher risk for side effects are not excluded from taking the drugs once they are on the market. Keep in mind that one-fifth of all fully tested drugs put on the market are ultimately withdrawn or receive a black box warning. The reason: Once a larger and broader population takes a drug over a longer period of time, potential problems not shown in clinical trials will surface.

With so many people taking statins, it’s particularly important to be alert to problems that develop after you start taking these drugs. Side effects can become progressively worse, so it’s vital to investigate any possible ones immediately -- by stopping the drug to see if the problem reverses or stops. The good news is that many side effects are at least partially reversible, says Dr. Golomb. Potency of the statin increases the risk of side effects, so be especially suspicious if problems develop when you are taking a high dose. Taking less may be a solution, if you and your doctor feel you really need to be on statins.


Source(s): Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, University of California, San Diego.
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Therapy for My Depression

I haven't been feeling well lately, feeling kind of depressed. Maybe I'm having a mid-life crisis. I'm tired of doing the same thing I've been doing for almost 29 years, that is, medical transcription. When I felt like I couldn't take it one more day as it was sucking the life out of me, I resigned from my job to take a few months off to try to learn some new skills and perhaps change my career.

When my son asked my husband and me if we wanted to go on a "jeep trail" with him one Saturday, we agreed. It was at Blackwater Falls, West Virginia, which is a natural waterfall and is a tourist attraction, with hiking trails, petting zoo, gift shops, park, cabin rentals, etc. I've been there lots of times, but this time was different.

I had never been on a "jeep trail" before. It is actually a very rough road that only 4 x 4's are allowed on. There are numerous potholes, ruts, mud puddles, rocks and ditches. As we were riding along on this rough and rocky road, I began to think how that ride compared to my life right now. I feel like I've been going over some rough patches, climbing over some rocks, going into some ditches, potholes and mud puddles. But even though the road was bad and sometimes scary, with very steep drop-offs, the scenery was pretty and even tranquil. The weather was almost perfect, and I was actually able to enjoy the ride, despite the roughness.

The rough part of the trail seemed very long, kind of like the bad times in my life when I'm feeling really down. But eventually, the road got less rough, with just a few bad places. I started feeling some hope. Yes, my life is rough right now, but it will eventually smooth out, with just a few bumps here and there . . . and I can even enjoy the scenery in the bad times.

After the trail ended, we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the park and then went to look at the falls. As we have been having quite a bit of rain lately, the falls were a lot bigger than normal, and the sound of them was almost thunderous.

I felt so much better after my "jeep ride." I had had time to think and realize that life isn't always easy and sometimes gets scary and rough but there's smooth road up ahead . . . something to look forward to.

Read more!

Statins and Diabetes: What the News Reports Aren't Saying

I received this interesting article in my email inbox from Bottom Line's Daily Health News about statin drugs. The article was written by Carole Jackson.


Statin use is so prevalent today that the brand names of these cholesterol-lowering drugs -- Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor -- seem almost as familiar as toothpastes. I worry this may make it hard to make good decisions as to whether the benefits of these "miracle drugs," as they’re too often called, outweigh the risks.

Harsh words? Perhaps, but they may be what we need to hear. The recently released results of the JUPITER trial (JUPITER stands for "Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin") singing the praises of Crestor helps prove my point... the public has become complacent about taking statins. The researchers claim that when patients with no evidence of pre-existing cardiovascular disease and low-to-normal LDL with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of blood vessel inflammation that can be a sign of cardiovascular disease, were given 20 mg of Crestor once a day, it dramatically reduced their risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

The media took the bait -- hook, line and sinker.

Yes, the numbers appear to be dramatic: Published reports state that taking Crestor reduced the combined risk of heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac death in the elevated-CRP population by 47%... cut the risk of heart attack by 54%... slashed the risk of stroke by 48%... and lowered total mortality by 20%. The trial was even halted early (after two years, although it was designed to go for five) so that those receiving the placebo could start taking Crestor. The problem: Media coverage of the study overlooked some of its key problems -- in a direction that is likely to the benefit of the drug’s manufacturer.

STEERING THE STATISTICS

When I read through the JUPITER study results as they were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, I immediately saw two red flags. First, the study was funded by AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company that makes Crestor. Second, the lead researcher is listed as a co-inventor on patents related to the test for elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which the study puts forth as an indication for initiating statin therapy. I’m not saying either factor negates the quality of the research -- after all, somebody has to pay for these expensive studies -- but they do suggest possible bias on the part of the authors.

Indeed, when you look closely at the numbers, it does seem that they are spun to emphasize what’s positive for Crestor. What got everybody so excited about this report was that it looked like Crestor cut nearly in half the risk of a cardiac event (meaning myocardial infarction, stroke, arterial revascularization, hospitalization for unstable angina or death from cardiovascular causes) for the patients in the study. While that’s true... sort of... it’s far from the whole story.

Over the two-year period of research, .77% of the Crestor group experienced a cardiac event, compared with 1.36% of the placebo group. Take the math to the next level and you’ll see this means that more than 120 patients would need to take the drug for nearly two years for a single patient to benefit. Yes, it’s arguably true that Crestor cut the risk of a cardiac event nearly in half in this study (from 1.36% to .77%) but the risk was very small to begin with -- which makes it hard to justify the benefit of taking such an expensive drug.

Of even more concern... there are many known side effects associated with use of Crestor but this particular study uncovered an important and frightening one -- diabetes. News reports overlooked that physicians reported an increased incidence of diabetes with the Crestor group (270 Crestor patients developed diabetes over the course of the trial versus 216 in the placebo group). On his web site MedicationSense.com, Jay S. Cohen, MD, author of What You Must Know About Statin Drugs and Their Natural Alternatives, wrote, in a criticism of the study, "Imagine taking Crestor to prevent a heart attack and getting diabetes instead, which greatly increases the risks of heart attack and stroke." Scary, right?


LET COMMON SENSE PREVAIL

When I spoke with Dr. Cohen about this study and the role of statins in cardiac health, he emphasized that he is not against prescribing these medications for patients who need them. "There are two factors to consider when taking statins -- your cholesterol level and your medical history," Dr. Cohen said. "If you have a serious family history of heart attack or have diabetes, you may need a statin."

On the flip side, he points out, if you’re healthy, have no outstanding medical issues and have cholesterol that is "borderline high," you need to weigh the decision carefully. Do some research about statins and effective natural alternatives before you reach for the pills. One study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, showed that taking 515 mg of vitamin C each day was an effective way to reduce CRP. Also, exercising regularly, keeping your weight within a healthy range, and eating a plant-rich diet that’s low in animal products are helpful in improving or maintaining cardiovascular health... and, of course, not smoking.

Until we hear about follow-up studies that verify the "miracle drug" claims of statins (or any other drug, for that matter), don’t be a marketing victim -- always read the fine print. Learn as much as you can about all the options at your disposal, and then work with your doctor to arrive at the choice that makes sense for you.

Source(s):

Jay S. Cohen, MD, associate professor (voluntary) of family and preventive medicine, University of California, Del Mar. MedicationSense.com. Read more!