Last month you read an editorial from a Psychiatrist opining that his field has become too pharmaceutical. A report appeared in my hometown newspaper shortly thereafter validating that point: in Utah, 1 out of 5 women are taking antidepressants, a nation-leading stat.[1] But, the plot “sickens:” a local Psychiatrist defended the practice of using antidepressants that much, since “20% of the population is depressed at one time or another.” While this is true, it doesn’t mean that every one of those patients needs a drug; many of them would be fine if we listened to their problems and helped them understand that suffering is part of life. Fish oil would help, too.[2]
Last week I also reported on statin drugs to lower cholesterol. Yet another article just came out documenting that they lower cholesterol alright, but not all-cause mortality.[3] Try the synergistic effect of soy and fiber to lower cholesterol.[4]
Hugo Rodier, MD
A Rose is a rose is a rose…
The makers of High Fructose Corn Syrup are alarmed that their sales have dropped by 21%, no doubt as a result of public awareness on how toxic this substance is. They want to sweeten up their image by changing the name of HFCS to “Corn Sugar.” Funny, don’t you think? This reminds me of MSG. Remember that it is still in our food under different names:
| MSG | Gelatin | Calcium Caseinate |
| Monosodium glutamate | Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) | Textured Protein |
| Monopotassium glutamate | Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP) | Yeast Extract |
| Glutamate | Autolyzed Plant Protein | Yeast food or nutrient |
| Glutamic Acid | Sodium Caseinate | Autolyzed Yeast |
| Vegetable Protein Extract | Senomyx (wheat extract labeled as artificial flavor) |
Best not to eat food with labels: they lie
The dark side of testosterone
Ironic how I used to wish I didn’t have so much of it when I was young; now, I wish I had more… but maybe not; an article reports that testosterone replacement in hypogonadism increases the incidence of heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes.[5]
For years we have been advising men with low testosterone to replace it; the practice has heretofore been documented to be safe and beneficial: more muscle mass, libido and less metabolic problems like diabetes. Does the new article mean that we need to revise our approach? I don’t believe so, at least not yet. In the first place, one isolated article does not a trend make. Secondly, I believe that the increase in problems is probably due to the common denominator between testosterone and circulatory problems, that is, insulin resistance.[6] I feel it is not the testosterone causing the “heart problems” (other than heart break and emotional problems), but the insulin resistance. The latter is due to toxins, stress and bad diets. So, those men who take care of the insulin resistance and take testosterone are not likely to suffer from heart issues: lay off refined carbs.[7] Stay tuned.
On a related note: if testosterone gets you a little “too bullish,” if you know what I mean, and you get in over your head (a much younger woman), well, your heart may not be able to handle it: a faster heart rate, like over 80 bpm, has been associated with a higher risk of heart disease.[8]
Fatigue update
In addition to looking for obscure reasons why we are fatigued, we need to consider the obvious, the “fuel” we put in our tank.[9] Poor foods that have very little Information and much Energy in the form of refined sugars and trans-fats are likely the main reason we are fatigued. Factor in stress or adrenal issues, which worsen the intestinal dysfunction most people with fatigue have,[10] and we have 95+% of the diagnosis.
Unfortunately, many patients are dismissed when they report fatigue. Worse, too many of them are diagnosed with depression, which is true in some cases, to be treated with antidepressants. Others are put through wild goose chases looking for obscure factors that may lead to quacks that treat even hang nails with hormones like thyroid and testosterone and stimulants like Dexedrine and Ritalin, claiming to be following obscure laboratories that point to ADD and hormonal dysregulation. Patients who succumb to these extreme treatments are likely to benefit from counseling and education, especially if there is a history of impulsivity and emotional issues.[11]
Fatigue is often accompanied by fibromyalgia: try Tai Chi.[12]
Soy and little girls
You must be tired of this issue; me too! But, the fanatics attacking soy don’t take a break. Surely you have heard them say that soy is the reason little girls are getting breasts prematurely. NO! It is the toxins in the environment that have an estrogen-like effect, which we have amply documented in this newsletter. Please, read the article “Relation of isoflavones and fiber intake in childhood to the timing of puberty:”[13] Soy delays onset of puberty in girls.
Remember that soy is an “adaptogen;” It acts as an estrogen when the liver senses we need more estrogen; it lowers estrogen levels when it senses that we have too much estrogen already. Soy has many other health-promoting effects, like the up-keeping of our circulatory system.[14]
We need to be better informed about the effects of chemicals in the environment. They have also been associated with cancers, diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders and even neurologic/immune problems. Google “xenoestrogens” or “endocrine disruptors.”[15] They have also been associated with endometriosis and menstrual irrgularities.[16]
Eat more cruciferous veggies (high in Indole 3 Carbinol) to eliminate them better. Correct bowel problems; but, most of all eat organic and avoid plastics and heavy metals.
Nerve gas problems in our society
It is not widely known that we got our pesticides from left over neurotoxic nerve gas from WWII. Is it any wonder that they have been associated with ADD[17] and many other problems like cancer of the skin[18] and high blood pressure?[19] Many other problems have already been highlighted in past issues of this newsletter.
Yet, Monsanto and their ilk continue to spray us with misinformation. They also influence professors at Universities to teach students that there is nothing wrong with pesticides. While it is true that pesticides have helped with diseases like malaria, it is also true that once the swamps are drained, there is a significant drop in infections. Also, organic farms are proving that there practices are healthier and more sustainable.
Telegraphed articles
National Meeting American Chemical Society, Boston 2010Black rice has more anthocyanin antioxidants than blueberries,
“Blueberries Decrease Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Men with Metabolic Syndrome,”
J. Nutr 2010;140: 1582
“Dietary Blueberries Attenuate Atherosclerosis,”
J. Nutr 2010;140: 1628
“Mulberry fruit protects dopaminergic neurons in toxin-induced Parkinson’s disease models,”
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 104, July 2010, pp 8
“Resveratrol regulates human adipocyte number and function in a Sirt1-dependent manner;” taking this grape antioxidant can help you lose weight.
American J. Clinical Nutrition 2010;92:5
“Salt sensitivity is associated with insulin resistance, sympathetic overactivity,”
Am J Clin Nutr 2010;92:77
“Snacking is associated with reduced risk of overweight,”
Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92: 428
“Anti-diabetic effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis),”
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 104, July 2010, pp 180
“Food Combination and Alzheimer’s Risk: a Protection Diet,”
J. Archives Neurology 2010;67:699
“Association Between Maternal Intimate Partner Violence and Incident Obesity in Preschool-Aged Children,”
J. Archives of Ped & Adol Med 2010;164:540
“Paternal Smoking and Childhood Overweight,”
J. Pediatrics 2010; 126: e46
Artificially sweetened drinks increase risk of premature deliveries
Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92: 626
[1] Salt Lake Tribune, September 16th 2010
[2] “Fish and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Depressive Symptoms: Ryukyus Child Health Study,”
J. Pediatrics 2010; 126: e623
[3] “Statins and All-cause Mortality in High Risk Primary Prevention,” J. Archives Internal Medicine 2010;170:1050
[4] “The effect on the blood lipid profile of soy foods combined with a prebiotic: a randomized controlled trial,”
Journal Metabolism Clinical and Experimental 2010;59:1331
[5] JAMA 2010;304:846
[6] “A1C Between 5.7 and 6.4% as a Marker for Identifying Pre-Diabetes, Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS),”
J. Diabetes Care 2010;33:2104
“Cell Dysfunction in Individuals With Normal Glucose Tolerance: Cross-sectional data from the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Risk (RISC) study,”
J. Diabetes Care 2010;33:2090
[7] “Carbohydrate nutrition and inflammatory disease mortality in older adults,”
Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92: 634
[8] “High Heart Rate May Raise Heart Risks,” JAMA 2010;304:949
[9] “Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with metabolic syndrome: results from a case-control study in Georgia,”
Journal Metabolism Clinical and Experimental 2010;59:1351
[10] “Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth,” JAMA 2004;292:852
[11] “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adult ADHD,” JAMA 2010;304:875
[12] “A Randomized trial of Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia,” NEJM 2010;363;743
[13] Am J Clin Nutr 2010 92: 556
[14] “The soyabean isoflavone genistein modulates endothelial cell behavior,”
British Journal of Nutrition, Volume 104, July 2010, pp 171
[15] “Exposure to Bisphenol A and Reproductive and Endocrine Alterations Resembling the Polycystic Ovarian
Syndrome in Adult Rats,” J. Environ Health Perspect 2010;118:1217
“Environmental causes of cancer: endocrine disruptors as carcinogens,”
J. National Review of Endocrinology 2010;6:363
“The Impact of Endocrine Disruptors on Endocrine Targets,” J. Hormonal Metabolism Research 2010;42:543
“Neuroendocrine Targets of Endocrine Disruptors,” J. Hormones 2010;9:16
[16] “Non–Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Risk of Endometriosis,”
J. Environ Health Perspect 2010;118:1280
[17] “Increased Risk of ADHD Associated with Early Exposure to Pesticides,” JAMA 2010;304:27
[18] “Use and Cutaneous Melanoma in Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Heath Study,”
J. Environ Health Perspect 2010;118:812
[19] “Neurobehavioral Deficits and Increased Blood Pressure in School-Age Children Prenatally Exposed to Pesticides,” J. Environmental Health Perspect 118:890
