Last month’s issue of the Journal Pediatrics validated what many doctors have been saying for years about a higher risk of ADD with pesticides. The journal is in for a fight with Monsanto-like corporations who have hidden the data showing how toxic pesticides are while attacking anyone who dares oppose their toxic agenda. In fact, “CropLife America,” an organization representing all the corporations involved with pesticides put out a statement saying that they are doing business according to EPA guidelines that have determined pesticides to be safe. Right; it is a well-known fact that very few of the chemicals in our environment have been adequately tested by the EPA before release. Furthermore, the EPA has punted to industry to do their own testing; guess what the results are going to be under those circumstances.
The Sugar Association of America has also hidden the truth about ADD; genetically susceptible individuals are affected refined sugars, trans-hydrogenated oils, a lack of omega oils, vitamin D and B, and toxins in the environment.
Pesticides are derivatives of leftover nerve gas from WWI ⅈ they have been shown to be potent neurotoxins. The article in Pediatrics is likely to open up a flood of repressed data against pesticides. As an environmental physician, I have been studying the literature for years; there is no doubt in my mind that pesticides are also implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinsonism. After all, pesticides are neurotoxins.
Let us become more politically active to put a stop to indiscriminate use of pesticides. And try to buy your food grown as organically and locally as possible.
Hugo Rodier, MD
Herbal update
Forward-thinking doctors are catching on: we need to take advantage of “nature’s bounty,” herbs: “The search for natural products is currently not an approach to drug discovery that the larger pharmaceutical companies are pursuing with vigor. By ignoring nature’s bounty, these companies may be missing out.”[1]
“Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation by Modulating Cell Cycle Regulatory Genes and Promotes Apoptosis,”
J. Cancer Research 2010;70:1925
“Chamomile May Reduce Anxiety, Depression,”
J. Family Practice News April 15th 2010, page 21
“Sclerocarya birrea (Anacardiaceae) stem-bark extract corrects glycaemia in diabetic rats and acts on β-cells by enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion,”
J. Endocrinology 2010;205:79
“Thioredoxin Reductase-1 Mediates Curcumin-Induced Radiosensitization of Squamous Carcinoma Cells,
J. Cancer Research 2010;70:1941
“Curcumin improves sclerosing cholangitis,” (liver problem)
J. Gut 2010;59:521
Gut/liver update
I will never forget the blowhard “expert doctor” in Parade magazine badmouthing naturopaths’ emphasis on intestinal function for overall health. Now that the latter are being amply vindicated (never mind that the work of Metchnikoff demonstrating that most of the immune system is found in the gut won the 1908 Nobel Prize in Medicine,) I hope that your doctor does not make the same mistake.
“Constipation Is Relieved More by Rye Bread Than Wheat Bread or Laxatives without Increased Adverse Gastrointestinal Effects,” J. Nutrition 2010;140:534
“Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is Associated With Diverticular Disease,”
American J. Gastroenterology 2010;105: 652
“Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Genetic Link Identified?”
J. Gastroenterology 2010;138:1246
“Case–Control Study of Overweight, Obesity, and Colorectal Cancer Risk, Overall and by Tumor Microsatellite Instability Status;” obese people have a higher risk of colorectal cancer
J. of the National Cancer Institute 2010 102: 391
“Trunk fat Tops BMI, Waistline as Predictor of Elevated ALT;” marker of liver problems
J. Gastroenterology 2010;138:1346
“Eusinophilic esophagitis; clue to food allergies,”
J. of the American Medical Association 2010;303:1245
Probiotics lower risk of hospital infections,
J. Pediatrics 2010;125:e1171
… and decrease mortality, disease rate
J. Pediatrics April 19th 2010 Online pub
Obesity research
There are many factors “behind” obesity; focusing on the “calories in = calories out” dogma is an over-simplification. For example, some people are obese because of toxins and others because of their intestines being colonized by bacteria that alter assimilation of micronutrients and calorie management. This is precisely the topic I have been asked to speak on while cruising down the Mexican Riviera. I will include the fact that moderate drinking (Tequila) may help lose weight.[2]
As we saw in the cover issue of TIME magazine March 4th 2010, our genetic tendencies to any disease, including obesity, may be slowly modified for the better; this means that our genes DO change, but, we have to be patient and stick to a whole food diet minus processed food for months.[3]
“Physical Activity and Prevention of Weight Gain;” Minimum 60” a day
J. of the American Medical Association 2010;303:1173
“Food Price and Diet and Health Outcomes: 20 Years of the CARDIA Study,”
J. Archives of Internal Medicine 2010;170:420
“Policies aimed at altering the price of soda or away-from-home pizza may be effective mechanisms to steer US adults toward a more healthful diet and help reduce long-term weight gain or insulin levels over time.”
Processed meats, not necessarily red meat linked to heart disease, diabetes. This is because of toxins/preservatives, etc; they have been shown to increase obesity.
J. Circulation, May 17th 2010
Nutrients and inflammation
Most patients come to my clinic complaining of pain; often, it is not related to injury; they have been told that they suffer from fibromyalgia or some form of arthritis. The only treatment they get is an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory drugs and now derivatives of neuro active drugs like gabapentin. None of them address the root of the inflammation, that is their poor diet and inability to process food and detoxify in the intestines. To wit, most of these patients have intestinal problems.[4]
Research to back up this simple point continues to mount:
“Nutrient Modification of the Innate Immune Response: A Novel Mechanism by Which Saturated Fatty Acids Greatly Amplify Monocyte Inflammation.”
The more saturated fat you eat, the more inflamed your tissues will be. See next article.
J. ArteriosclerosisThrombosis Vascular Biology 2010;30:802
“Saturated Fatty Acids and Inflammation: Who Pays the Toll?”
J. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis Vascular Biology 2010;30:692
“SFAs have been shown to secrete tumor necrosis factor-, thus establishing a paracrine loop that aggravates adipose tissue inflammation.”
“Intake of Red Wine Increases the Number and Functional Capacity of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Enhancing Nitric Oxide Bioavailability.” The Nitric Oxide system in our arterial lining is responsible for keeping inflammation down. Red wine facilitates this function.
J. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis Vascular Biology 2010;30:869
“Specific Dietary Polyphenols Attenuate Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Knockout Mice by Alleviating Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction.” Polyphenols = vegetables.
J. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis Vascular Biology 2010;30:749
“Orange juice neutralizes the proinflammatory effect of a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal and prevents endotoxin increase and Toll-like receptor expression,”
American J. Clinical Nutrition 2010;91: 940
“Dietary Intervention to Reverse Carotid Atherosclerosis.” Think of arterial lining inflammation
J. Circulation 2010;121:1200
“Two-year weight loss diets can induce a significant regression of measurable carotid [inflammation]. The effect is similar in low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate strategies and appears to be mediated mainly by the weight loss–induced decline in blood pressure.”
Consequences of metabolic problems
My book LICKING SWEET DEATH is due out next month. It chronicles the devastation visited on our cells when we don’t process energy and information from food well. We call this “dysmetabolism;” just about every disease is linked to this issue. In practical terms, “diabesity” is like a slow cancer, eating away at your health, and pocketbook. Study recent research:
“Low Serum Level of the Endogenous Secretory Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (esRAGE) Is a Risk Factor for Prevalent Vertebral Fractures Independent of Bone Mineral Density in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes;” Even when bone density is OK, diabetics with cell membrane problems triggered by refined sugars (RAGE receptors,) have a higher risk for fractures. This is also seen in pre-diabetics.
J. Diabetes Care 2010;33:e58
“Morning Cortisol Levels and Cognitive Abilities in People With Type 2 Diabetes;” Adrenal problems are common in people with metabolic issues. Stress aggravates this problem, which leads to “brain fog” and memory issues. In its worst manifestation we see a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
J. Diabetes Care 2010 33:714
“Association Between Iron Deficiency and A1C Levels Among Adults Without Diabetes,”
J. Diabetes Care 2010;33:780
“Inflammation and the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA);” the inflammation we discussed above leads to diabetes, too.
J. Diabetes Care 2010;33:804
“Glycated Hemoglobin, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Risk in Nondiabetic Adults,”
New England J. of Medicine 2010; 362:800
“Glycated hemoglobin was similarly associated with a risk of diabetes and more strongly associated with risks of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause as compared with fasting glucose.”
“Caloric Sweetener Consumption and Dyslipidemia,;” higher triglycerides, lower HDL
J. of the American Medical Association 2010;303:1490
Soda increases diabetes and heart disease. 130K+ DM and 14K+ OHD
American Heart Association, San Francisco 2010
Vitamin D Update
“Once-weekly dose of 8400 IU vitamin D3 compared with placebo: effects on neuromuscular function and tolerability in older adults with vitamin D insufficiency,”
American J. Clinical Nutrition 201091: 985
“Higher Vitamin D Levels Linked to Lower Risk for Female Pelvic floor Disorders,”
J. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2010;115:795
“Vitamin D Insufficiency May Be Linked to Allergies, Asthma,”
J. Family Practice News May 1st 2010, page 32
Book of the Month
“Bell Ami” by Guy de Maupassant; I loved it, but, you may find the lead character, Duroy, to be worthy of contempt. If you prefer a non-fiction book, you may try “Arousal: the secret logic of sexual fantasies” by Michael Bader, who writes that fantasies are perfectly healthy when entertained by mature, respectful people.
[1] J. of the American Medical Association 2002;288:3095
[2] “Alcohol Consumption, Weight Gain, and Risk of Becoming Overweight in Middle-aged and Older Women,”
J. Archives of Internal Medicine 2010170:453
[3] “Differential Epigenomics and Transcriptomics Responses in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Between Low and
High Responders to Caloric Restriction,” American J. Clinical Nutrition 2010;91:309
[4] J. of the American Medical Association 2004;292:852
