HIGH HEELS RAISE RISK OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AND JOINT DEGENERATION: A study has found that knees and heels may be at greater risk from high heels – stilettos, wedges, pumps and kitten heels – and those who regularly wear these shoes for prolonged periods exhibit a greater risk of developing joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. (Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.) The higher the heel, the greater the risk, the researchers found. As the heels got higher, they also saw an increase in the compression on the medial, or inside, of the knee. Heels higher than two inches especially alter body posture by changing joint positions at the ankle, knee, hip and trunk, which can also create strain on the lower back. High heels also showed a negative effect on posture. The greatest impact was on the ankle. The main researcher suggests moderation instead of abstinence. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB), which ran from August 18 to 21, in Providence. However, it has not yet been submitted to a professional journal and details are not yet available.

CHILI PEPPERS REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE: A study has found that while chili peppers may set your mouth on fire, they can also cause blood vessels to relax and widen in the long run, which effectively lowers blood pressure. Previous research on chili peppers has involved short term studies, which have shown mixed results. But this study on rats was long-term and showed a definite reduction in hypertension, or high blood pressure. The active compound is capsaicin, one of the most abundant components of chili peppers. It appears chronically to activate a substance that increases production of nitric oxide, which protects blood vessels from inflammation and dysfunction. Further research is needed to confirm the effect in humans and the number of peppers needed long-term to lower blood pressure. But what if you can’t tolerate spicy foods? An easily-tolerated, mild Japanese pepper contains capsinoids, compounds similar to spicy capsaicin and which limited studies show have a similar effect. The study was published in the August 4, 2010 issue of the journal, Cell Metabolism. It is online at http://bit.ly/cO8vkp but accessible only to subscribers to the journal or those who pay the access fee.

INCREASED WHOLE-GRAIN INTAKE LOWERS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: It has long been thought that daily consumption of whole-grain foods such as bread could have a positive effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease but until now, no “comprehensive randomized and controlled intervention trial” – a more scientific and conclusive study – had been undertaken. Finally, results of a new study of this type confirm that daily intake of three portions of whole-grain foods significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, at least in middle-aged people, and chiefly through the mechanism of lowering systolic blood pressure (the upper number in your blood pressure reading). In fact, the study pegged the reduction in the risk of developing coronary artery disease at 15 percent and the risk reduction for stroke at 25 percent. After just four weeks on this diet, participants also showed improvements in other risk factors such as insulin sensitivity, cholesterol and internal inflammation. The effect was similar for both those getting three servings of whole wheat and for those getting the same servings of whole wheat and oats. The study was released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Details are available now online at http://bit.ly/9Ztt9u but only with journal subscription or the payment of an article access fee.

DID YOU KNOW…?
A sunscreen with an SPF, or sun protection factor, of 30 does not offer twice the protection from UVB rays of the sun as a sunscreen with an SPF of 15. In fact, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 offers a 93 percent protection from UVB, while a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 offers only a slightly better 97 percent protection from UVB. Double the SPF does not offer twice the protection and does not mean you can stay out in the sun twice as long. Because some ultraviolet light may still get through sunscreens, they should not be used as a way of prolonging sun exposure. For comparison, a white tee shirt has an SPF of only 3.

NATURAL INTERVENTIONS CAN HEAD OFF DEMENTIA: A new study has determined the individual percentages by which a variety of lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of dementia and suggests that these interventions – in the absence of a new treatment for the mind-robbing disease – are likely to have the greatest impact on reducing dementia levels in the future. The study assessed previously identified risk factors such as depression, diet, alcohol consumption, educational level and vascular factors, which include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Results found that three changes together – eliminating depression and diabetes and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption – reduced dementia risk by a full 21 percent. Depression alone accounted for a 10 percent risk. Higher education was linked to an 18 percent lower risk. To illustrate the extent of these factors, the genetic tendency towards dementia accounts for seven percent of cases. The study was released August 5, 2010 and will be published in the British Medical Journal. But the journal already has made the full-text version of this important study available to the public, online at http://bit.ly/c3p7KL without the usual requirement of a journal subscription or access fee.

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY LINKED TO LUNG DISEASE AND REDUCED LUNG FUNCTION: An early-release study has found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency, reduced lung function and interstitial lung diseases (ILD). (Some diseases obstruct the lungs’ airways and are called “obstructive lung diseases”; others affect the tissue and space around the lung air sacs and are called “interstitial lung diseases,” or ILD. The latter are often characterized by excess connective tissue or scarring, known itself as connective tissue disease, or CTD.) Vitamin D deficiency was found in 38 percent of the 118 study subjects and vitamin D insufficiency was found in 59 percent. But vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was strongly associated with ILD generally and CTD specifically, as well as with reduced lung function. The researchers suggested that an insufficient supply of vitamin D may play a role in the development of CTD lung disease. (In addition to being a vitamin, vitamin D is a known steroid hormone, affecting the immune system, bone health and lung tissue.) This study was released August 5, 2010 but won’t be published until a future issue of the journal, Chest. It is available now online at http://bit.ly/crkDn0 to subscribers to the journal or those willing to pay a one-time access fee.

VITAMIN D MAY HELP FIGHT COLDS AND FLU: Vitamin D supplementation may increase the odds of surviving a winter without taking any days off sick. In the small study, 51 percent of those given 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily between October and March – when vitamin D levels drop and flu and cold infections rise – remained “healthy” compared to 36 percent of those given a placebo. Results were not conclusive because both groups were equally likely to report flu-like symptoms during the period. (Previous studies showed a reduction in flu and cold infections but also produced conflicting results.) The study team called for larger studies to ascertain the benefit of vitamin D in warding off infections and to determine appropriate dosages. Experts often suggest people need more vitamin D than health officials recommend, which may require supplements for those not getting enough vitamin D from food sources, which include milk, cereal and some fatty fish such as salmon. This study is published in the September 1, 2010 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/b4ZEhE to journal subscribers or those who pay the access fee.

CALORIE RESTRICTION CAN CUT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: A study has concluded that a substantially calorie restricted, or CR, diet may serve as an effective non-pharmacological treatment for hypertension, or high blood pressure, even in a short-term program. (CR is a dietary regimen that restricts calorie intake substantially below normal levels, while still maintaining normal nutrient levels; it has been shown over many decades to increase median and maximum lifespan in a wide variety of species.) The study also suggested that even a short-term CR diet may help prevent cardiac hypertrophy, which is a thickening of the heart muscle that decreases the size of the chambers of the heart. In just five weeks, a CR diet reduced the systolic blood pressure – the upper number of a blood pressure reading – and reduced ventricular wall thickness. Additionally, this short period of calorie restriction dilated artery walls and improved various other circulatory factors. This study was released August 9, 2010 but will not be published until a future print issue of the journal, Hypertension. It is available online in the meantime at http://bit.ly/9szxLy for journal subscribers or those who pay the article access fee.

POSSIBLE END FOR ANTIBIOTICS: New research concludes a rapidly emerging gene – found in a large and growing number of bacterial samples – makes bacteria immune to all drugs. Bacteria that acquire and reproduce this gene could spread so quickly that they could make all antibiotics redundant and signal the end of modern antibiotics. The gene, known as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1), was first found in pneumonia and E. coli bacteria taken from a single Swedish patient in 2009. But NDM-1 was found in 73 samples of Enterobacteriaceae (bacteria) taken from patients in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as 37 from the UK, who had traveled to these countries for elective surgery. Importantly, the NDM-1 gene was found on plasmids, DNA structures that can be easily copied and transferred between evolving bacteria, suggesting, wrote the researchers, “an alarming potential to spread and diversify among bacterial populations.” Worse, the infections were community acquired, meaning they exist in the general environment. No drugs, including those in development, are effective against NDM-1. This study was released August 11, 2010 and will be published in the September 2010 print issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Meantime, the full-text version of the study can be accessed online at http://bit.ly/bEGfvg by journal subscribers or to those who register on the site; registration is free.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Fish may be known for health benefits but it’s easy to turn those benefits in a health risk. Frying or sautéing can add excess calories, saturated fat and dangerous levels of free radicals, requiring more antioxidants to mop them up and raising the risk of heart disease, obesity and some cancers. Also, any uncooked seafood carries the risk of coliform bacteria, toxoplasmosis and salmonella. Pregnant women who eat high levels of fish containing significant levels of mercury can cause developmental delays and brain damage in their newborns: especially high in mercury are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Canned light tuna (as opposed to other tuna), shrimp, salmon, pollock and catfish generally have a lower amount of mercury but still should be eaten only in moderation. Baking, broiling, grilling and poaching are the healthiest ways to cook fish. Like any food, fish should be eaten in moderation. Two servings are equal to about seven ounces; eating over 14 ounces may cancel out the substantial health benefits of consuming fish.

ADEQUATE ZINC LEVELS CUT PNEUMONIA RISK IN HALF: A study of 600 nursing facility residents has found that those with adequate zinc levels were about fifty percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low body concentrations of zinc. Also, those with sufficient levels of zinc received fewer prescriptions for antibiotics, had shorter durations of pneumonia and had lower mortality rates. The researchers suggested that zinc supplementation for zinc-deficient elderly persons may result in a lower incidence of pneumonia and that further study is required to determine whether zinc supplements may be an effective and low-cost intervention to reduce pneumonia deaths among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc intakes. (An earlier analysis of the same data had shown that those who consumed 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E were less likely to get upper respiratory infections, such as colds.) The study was released August 10, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the meantime, it can be read online at http://bit.ly/9FaV0K by subscribers to the journal or those who pay the article access fee.

SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES LINKED TO RISKS OF DIABETES AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: A new study suggests that sugar-sweetened drinks may play a role in cardiometabolic risk. (Cardiometabolic risk is a constellation of health factors that may raise the risk of diabetes 2 and cardiovascular disease.) Researchers examined the relation between cardiometabolic risk factors and low-fat milk, whole-fat milk, fruit juice and sugar sweetened beverages. Whole milk consumption was associated with a reduced risk of high triglycerides. But sugar-sweetened drinks were linked to high triglycerides; high LDL or “bad” cholesterol; high blood pressure; and high waist circumference – all risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relation, the study team did suggest that recommendations to limit the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks may help reduce these risk factors. This study was released August 11, 2010 but will not be published in print until a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It is available online now to journal subscribers and those who pay an article access fee, at http://bit.ly/aUOxQJ.

TYLENOL LINKED TO ASTHMA IN ADOLESCENTS: A new study has found a dose-related association between current acetaminophen use by adolescents and their experiences with symptoms of asthma. Although researchers said that “it is not possible” to prove this is a cause and effect link, the study was quite large, involving 360,000 adolescents of 13 to 14 years of age in 50 countries. The subjects were surveyed about their use within the last year, of acetaminophen as well as their symptoms of asthma. Those who used the drug at least once a year showed a 40 percent greater risk of asthma; and those who used acetaminophen at least once a month had a 150 percent higher risk of asthmatic symptoms. Rhinoconjunctivitis – an inflammation of the covering of the white of the eye, combined with a stuffy nose – and eczema were also associated with recent use of the drug. The study team suggested that “controlled trials are now urgently required to investigate this relationship further.” This study was released August 13, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

DID YOU KNOW…? The most prevalent disease in children is tooth decay. It is about five times more common than childhood asthma. What an expectant mother eats affects tooth development in the fetus. Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, protein and even calories, during the 14-week to four-month period of pregnancy, can cause oral defects. Children with dental problems are more likely to avoid nutritious foods that require chewing, such as fruits and vegetables. Some data also suggest a deficiency of vitamins B6 or B12 could increase the risk of cleft lip and cleft palate formation.

ADVERSITY IN CHILDHOOD CAN WEAKEN ELDERLY IMMUNE SYSTEMS AND SHORTEN LIFE: A study has found that the pain people suffer in childhood, such as abuse or other adversities, can lead to weakened immune systems much later in life and for some more serious cases, can shorten lifespan by seven to fifteen years. The research on 132 healthy adults, averaging 70 years of age, looked at childhood adversities such as the loss of a parent, serious marital problems between parents, or mental illness or alcoholism within the family. It also assessed the length of telomeres – shortened telomeres are often seen as an indicator of biological aging – and the level of inflammatory indicators, with higher levels linked to various health problems such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Abuse had a greater effect than adversities but generally, those who had suffered significantly during childhood had shorter telomeres and higher inflammatory levels. Those who experienced several kinds of hardship as kids had the shortest telomeres, suggesting a shortened life expectancy. The study was presented August 14, 2010, at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego. It has not yet been published.

PAINT STRONGLY LINKED WITH BLADDER CANCER: Working as a painter is strongly associated with a 30 percent increased risk of bladder cancer, according to a new study. Grouped into the general profession of painting were plasterers, glaziers, wallpaper hangers, artists and decorators. A key risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking – a fact of which few people are aware, according to another study in 2008 – and painters are exposed to some of the same chemicals found in cigarette smoke (including aromatic amines). The researchers were able to separate the impact of the occupational exposure from the effect of smoking. The risk increased with the length of time spent as a painter, which further strengthened the link – separate from smoking – between this occupation and bladder cancer. There was also a small amount of evidence that female painters were at an even greater risk. (Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer with more than 330,000 new cases and 130,000 fatalities each year, worldwide.) This study was published in the August, 2010 issue of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine and is available online at http://bit.ly/ahKhU3 with subscription or payment of a fee.

OBESITY RATES DECLINE AMONG SOME ADOLESCENT GROUPS: A new study concludes that obesity has declined among most groups of adolescents, although the disparities have worsened among other groups. Obesity rates for white and Asian boys and girls peaked in 2005 and declined over the next three years, with 2008 obesity rates coming in at 12 and 13 percent for white and Asian youths, respectively. Although obesity rates among male and female Hispanics also peaked in 2005, the 2008 rates were still at 26 percent. However, obesity rates have not peaked and continued to climb for two groups: black and American Indian adolescent females; the percentages of these girls who are obese are 22 and 23 percent, respectively. When it comes to the most obese, those with BMI at the 99th percentile, only white boys and Asian boys and girls showed any signs of decline after 2005; these most obese all other groups peaked in 2005 and remained at a plateau through 2008. The researchers suggest that tailored intervention programs should be targeted specifically at the at-risk groups. This study was released August 16, and is being published in the September 2010 issue of the journal, Pediatrics.

WOMEN WHO DRINK BEER AT HIGHER RISK OF PSORIASIS: A study has found that women who consume 2.3 or more alcoholic drinks per week have a 72 percent higher risk of psoriasis. On closer analysis, it was found that, among the various types of alcoholic beverages, only beer raised the risk of psoriasis. In fact, women who consume five or more beers per week had a 2.3 times greater risk of psoriasis than women who did not drink. Light beer, red wine, white wine and liquor were not associated with psoriasis risk. (Psoriasis is an immune-related skin condition that might be worsened by alcohol consumption.) The researchers suggest that a non-alcoholic component in beer, one not found in wine or liquor, may play a role in the development of psoriasis. Beer is one of few non-distilled alcoholic beverages that use starch, usually barley, as a source of fermentation. Barley and other starches contain gluten, to which some psoriasis patients show sensitivity. Light beer, not linked to higher risk, contains a lower level of starch. This study was released August 16 but will not be published until the December, 2010 issue of the Archives of Dermatology. Meanwhile, it is available online, without charge, at http://bit.ly/cc3FGf.CHOCOLATE MAY LOWER HEART FAILURE RISK IN WOMEN: A nine-year study of 30,000 middle-aged and older Swedish women links moderate consumption of chocolate with a reduced risk of heart failure. (Heart failure is the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body’s needs and occurs in about one percent of Americans over 65.) One to three servings of chocolate per month was found to lower risk by 26 percent compared to women who did not eat chocolate. Similarly, the risk of heart failure was 32 percent lower among women consuming one to two servings a week. However, the risk for heart failure increased by 23 percent among those consuming one or more servings of chocolate daily; this may be due to high-calorie chocolate replacing more nutritious foods. (Previous studies have linked chocolate to reduced risk of high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease, possibly due to cocoa’s flavonoids.) The researchers point out that these results apply only to the dark chocolate with a 30 percent cocoa content commonly consumed in Sweden; most of the dark chocolate consumed in the U.S. has a15 percent cocoa content. Released August 16, 2010, the full text of this study will not be available until it is published in a future issue of the journal, Circulation: Heart Failure.

DID YOU KNOW…?
That cold you picked up in hot, muggy weather is not that unusual. Despite common belief, colds are not caused by cold weather, exercise, diet, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or by getting wet, chilled or overheated. Research suggests, however, that susceptibility to the viruses that cause the common cold may increase as a result of psychological stress, allergic disorders affecting the nose and throat and even menstrual cycles. Above all, being in close contact with crowds while not washing your hands regularly raises the risk of viruses entering your body at these susceptible times.

CHINESE HERBAL FORMULA EASES SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY: A study has found that a Chinese herbal formula lessens the negative effects of chemotherapy as well as strengthening the effectiveness of the chemo treatment itself. In fact, the formula seemed to work by reducing inflammation and by increasing the creation of new intestinal cells. No drugs are known to provide such an anti-side-effect impact. The Chinese formula used in the experiment consisted of four herbs – collectively called PHY906 – and was based on an herbal recipe called Huang Qin Tang, historically used to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This formulation was described over 1,800 years ago. Although the study was performed on mice, the patients experienced less weight loss and greater anti-tumor activity when the formula was added to chemo treatment. Researchers suggested it may be the perfect marriage of both Eastern and Western approaches to cancer treatment; but challenges exist before the Chinese herbal blend can be tested on humans. This study was released on August 18, 2010 by the journal, Science Translational Medicine. It is available online at http://bit.ly/9dk76B to subscribers and those who pay the study access fee.

SPECIFIC VEGETABLES MAY REDUCE DIABETES RISK: An analysis of numerous past studies has found a tentative link between a higher intake of certain vegetables and a lower risk of developing diabetes type 2. The analysis did not find a lower risk with an equally higher intake of fruits and vegetables overall. From past studies, the pattern emerged that those who consumed an average of about one-and-a-half additional servings from a specific vegetable group – cabbage, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli – showed a 14 percent lower chance of getting diabetes. Although the name may not apply, the authors described these vegetables as “green leafy vegetables,” and noted that one-and-a-half extra daily servings of other vegetables did not show the same effect. The researchers cautioned that further study must be done to assess this limited research; that this positive effect derived from whole foods and not antioxidant supplements; and that the study neither proves these vegetables prevent diabetes nor that other vegetables do not. It is too early to recommend to the public that more of these foods be eaten. The authors noted that beta-carotene, polyphenols and vitamin C may all play a factor. The study may mean that dietary advice can be more beneficial than drugs. The study was released August 19, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the British Medical Journal. It is, however, available to read online now in its full-text format, without subscription or fee, at http://bit.ly/d2J87P.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Daily doses of fish oil containing omega-3 fats can, when combined with exercise, act as an aid to weight loss. People who took fish oil during the 3-month exercise program lost an average 4.5 pounds. But the exercise group that took sunflower oil – which does not contain omega-3 oil – did not lose any weight despite exercising. This study was presented July 31, 2006 in Cairns, Australia at the Congress of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids.

CIGARETTE SMOKE RISKY AT LOWEST-POSSIBLE DETECTABLE LEVELS: A study has ascertained that even the smallest amount of second-hand smoke, let alone a habit of only “few cigarettes a week,” can put people at risk for future lung disease, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many past studies have found that second-hand smoke is a health risk but this is the first study to conclude that cigarette smoke – even at the very lowest levels of detection – directly affects the functioning of genes within the cells lining the airways. (Some genes are very sensitive to tobacco smoke and changes within them are the first indication of “biological disease” of the lungs.) Researchers divided people into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers and low-exposure smokers. They then scanned the entire genome of each participant to see what genes were activated or deactivated in airway cells. The study found that there was no detectable level of nicotine or cotinine that was so low that it did not correlate to genetic abnormalities. The author suggested that any degree of public smoking can cause future lung disease; and that this supports public smoking bans. This study was released August 21, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

ELECTRIFYING POTATOES BOOSTS THEIR ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS: A study has found that two simple methods of “stressing” potatoes increase the antioxidant levels of these vegetables substantially. The methods included immersing potatoes in salt water and adding a small electrical charge between 10 and 30 seconds; and immersing potatoes in water and subjecting them to ultrasound for 5 or 10 minutes. The study team then measured antioxidant activity and the phenolic content and concluded that the stresses increased the amount of these compounds. The 5 minutes of ultrasound, for instance, increased polyphenol levels by 1.2 times and other antioxidants by about 1.6 times. This study indicates that ultrasound or electric treatments can be useful for enriching antioxidant activity of potatoes. (Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are considered to be of nutritional importance in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, various cancers, diabetes and neurological diseases.) The study was presented August 22, 2010 at the 240th national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Boston. It is not available online at this time.

BERRIES CAN ACTIVATE ‘CLEANUP’ MECHANISM IN BRAIN: A study released today concludes consumption of berries, and possibly walnuts, triggers a natural brain mechanism that cleans up and recycles toxic proteins, which are linked to age-related memory loss and dementia. Other studies found that antioxidant-rich foods have anti-aging effects on the brain but this study pinpoints a completely different way that berries stave off the mental effects of aging. In a process called autophagy, “cleanup” brain cells known as microglia, sweep away the debris resulting from inflammation and oxidative damage, debris that can cause memory loss and mental decline. But with age, a protein appears to shut down the autophagy process: the microglia either become less active, allowing harmful debris to accumulate; or become overactive, damaging healthy brain cells. The study team found that berries inhibit the action of this protein, allowing housekeeper brain cells to return to their normal, balanced duties. (This team’s previous research showed berry consumption reversed memory, learning and nerve function.) The study author recommended foods high in polyphenolics, especially as we age. Berries and walnuts are rich in polyphenolics but so are many other fruits and vegetables, especially those with deep red, orange or blue colors. This study was presented in Boston on August 23, 2010 at the 240th annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. It has not yet been published.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Scientists have developed a seven-question assessment tool that, without medical testing, provides a fairly accurate prediction of your risk of already having diabetes type 2. Although a finding of diabetes must later be verified by your health practitioner, an earlier diagnosis of diabetes can lead to more effective treatment. The questions cover ethnicity, sex, family history of diabetes, waist size, body mass index and any history or treatment for high blood pressure. Called the Diabetes Risk score, the test was designed by a team at the University of Leicester in the UK and is available online to the public at http://bit.ly/cB4IUD.

CRANBERRY JUICE’S INFECTION-FIGHTING MECHANISM DISCOVERED: Cranberry juice has been linked to fewer urinary tract infections (UTI) but many see it as a folk remedy. To confirm this infection-fighting association, scientists needed clear insight into possible mechanisms by which cranberry juice works. Now, a study has provided evidence of this mechanism. Researchers cultivated strains of E. coli – the bacteria that are the most common cause of UTI – in urine collected from healthy volunteers both before and after consumption of cranberry juice cocktail. While E. coli grown in ordinary urine were able to produce normal biofilm – the substance that allows bacteria to stick to the urinary tract and to other bacteria, essentially setting up shop – the bacteria grown in urine from those who consumed cranberry juice were unable to adhere to each other or to any surface area. Cranberry juice does not kill bacteria but blocks much of their ability to “stick” around and colonize. Researchers estimated cranberry juice reaches and protects the urinary tract within eight hours of consumption. More women develop a UTI than men. This study was presented at the 240th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston on August 23, 2010. Details have not yet been published.

WATER BEFORE MEALS RESULTS IN GREATER WEIGHT LOSS: A study has found that drinking two cups of water before meals enhances weight loss for those on a diet. Dieters who drank two eight-ounce cups of water before each of their three meals every day lost an average of 4.5 pounds more within 12 weeks than those who did not increase their normal water intake. On a calorie-reduced diet, the group that took water ahead of meals lost 14.5 pounds on average while those who didn’t drink water before meals lost 11 pounds on average. According to the researchers, the reason that drinking water before mealtime works is simply because water has zero calories and yet, gives the sensation of feeling partly full even before you start eating, resulting in fewer calories consumed during the meal. The study author warns that excess water intake is dangerous and can result in death. Health groups such as the National Academies’ Institute of Medicine advise that thirst should be one’s guide to water consumption. This study was presented on August 24, 2010 at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

BLACK RICE BEATS BLUEBERRIES FOR ANTIOXIDANT POWER: A study has found that black rice serves as a highly economical alternative to blueberries and blackberries, touted for their antioxidant punch. The researchers report that a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health-promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of pricey blueberries or blackberries, as well as containing more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants – but with less sugar. Anthocyanin antioxidants show promise for fighting heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Black rice could be consumed in rice form, or the black rice bran could be used as an additive for cereals, beverages or other foods. Also, the pigments in black rice can be used to produce a variety of colors from pink to black and may provide an alternative to artificial food colorants. (Several studies have linked some artificial colorants to cancer, behavioral problems in children, and other health problems.) This study was presented August 26, 2010 at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting in Boston. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Two nutritional supplements appear to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In one study, those with the highest vitamin D levels showed a 65 percent lower risk of the disease. Also, some research suggests that a regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids, the type of fat found in oily fish such as sardines and salmon also may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s. However, there is no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

MODERATE EXERCISE COMBATS MENTAL DECLINE: Researchers have announced new hope for veteran couch potatoes. Although some experts call for brisk daily exercise, a new study has shown that even a very modest amount of low-level exercise three times a week can improve the connectivity of the brain’s circuitry, combat the mental decline of aging and boost performance of cognitive tasks. Adults aged 59 to 80 were tested and scanned at the start of the study and after six, and after 12, months of walking at one’s own natural pace for just 40 minutes three-times-a-week. Brain imaging techniques showed that these “professional couch potatoes,” as one of the scientists described them, experienced better brain connectivity, as well as improved performance on cognitive tasks. Those who spent time stretching and toning did not alter their brain connectivity or performance – only those who took occasional, leisurely walks. Higher connectivity results in improved ability to plan, schedule, deal with ambiguity, remember and multitask. The study was released August 26, 2010 and will appear in a future issue of the journal, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. The full-text study is available online without fee by clicking on PDF in the upper right corner at http://bit.ly/amGX9c.

MOTHERS WHO DON’T BREASTFEED MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP DIABETES TYPE 2: A study has found that women who do not breastfeed their babies have a significantly higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Diet and exercise are widely known to affect the risk of developing diabetes but few people would guess that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of developing diabetes later in life by decreasing belly fat. The study involved 2,233 women between the ages of 40 and 78 and concluded that women who did not breastfeed were twice as likely to acquire diabetes at some point. The study eliminated potentially confounding factors such as physical activity, age, race, and tobacco and alcohol use. This study is being published in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. The full text version of the study has just been posted online at http://bit.ly/b7MCjG for those who pay the article access fee.

PARENTAL USE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS A RISK TO CHILDREN: A study has found that widespread use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines by parents for fever, coughs and colds places children at serious risk, resulting in a larger number of calls to poison centers and more hospital admissions. Researchers discovered that many parents in the study felt that if a drug was available without a prescription, it must be safe to give to children even in double dosages. Of the 119,000 poison control calls surveyed, 48 percent concerned accidental overdose in children, with 15 percent needing hospitalization. Over 85 percent of all calls regarding accidental overdose in children involved those under five, with almost 80 percent of incidents involving those under age three. Only 14 percent of parents made the correct call when dealing with a child’s fever. “It is vital that parents worldwide should understand the proper usage of medicines so that they do not continue to put their children’s health at risk,” said the study leader. This study was presented August 30, 2010 at the annual conference of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Lisbon, Portugal. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

SMOKING MARIJUANA REDUCES CHRONIC PAIN: A study has concluded that smoked cannabis has the ability to reduce pain in chronic pain sufferers, to lower clinical depression and anxiety levels, and to improve sleep. People with damage or some dysfunction in the nervous system often experience ongoing pain and have few treatment options other than drugs, which include opioids, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, local anesthetics and of course, pain relievers. Many of these cause side effects, prompting patients to discontinue use. Marijuana taken by mouth has been shown to be effective in lowering pain but, according to the researchers, smoked cannabis appears never before to have been tested for this use. The study found reduced pain and improved mood after smoked inhalation, for five days of three-times-a-day, of 25 mg of the herb containing 9.4 percent THC, the bioactive component. They called for more tests and also, for studies on the medical safety of long term use. This study will be published in a future issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. It was released August 30, 2010 and the full text was posted online for free access at: http://bit.ly/98hlrC.

DID YOU KNOW…?
Gram for gram, carbohydrates are lower in calories than either protein or fat, despite the common misconception that starchy carbohydrates promote weight gain. In fact, most of the body’s energy comes from starches. However, refined carbohydrates are linked to health disorders and the risk of diabetes. Always opt for unrefined, also known as whole-grain, versions of rice, grains and pasta.

to which your body is “sensitive”, thus causing a response with increased mucus production — but maybe the mucus isn’t thin enough or copious enough to help carry the irritant out on the cough. Two favorite approached to non-productive cough are:

1) N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC. You can get this at Rainbow Foods or Ron’s or probably even Fred’s or Superbear. Take at least 600 mg at bedtime — 1200 would be better, to loosen the mucus and help you both have productive coughs.

2) A wonderful pediatric remedy for cough (works for adults too) is 1 cup hot water with the juice of 1 lemon, and 1 T honey. 2-3 times daily.

If you have sinus congestion make sure it’s bacterial (usually with yellowish or greenish secretions, which can be cultured to confirm) before taking antibiotics. If it’s viral antibiotics will just be an expensive way to upset your intestines. Try a neti pot, or a newer method called “Nasopure” available at Rainbow Foods and online at www.nasopure.com. If your congeston is already too impacted to flush out with a neti pot then try a steam inhalation: put about 1/2 tsp of Vicks VapoRub in the bottom of a large bowl, fill with HOT water and lean over the bowl with a big towel over your head, shoulders and the bowl. Don’t burn your face! Do this several times daily until the steam dissipates. The menthol is anti-viral but also, mostly, will help loosen mucus topically.

Also, for any cold/flu LOTS of Vit C -3-5 grams daily – and plenty of hot fluids are proven methods to shorten the course of the illness.

Echinacea is an effective anti-viral for blood types A, B and AB. Not so useful for type O. O’s should choose Astragalus, Eleutherococcus or Larch arabinogalactan as anti-microbials. All of these gentle but powerful herbal remedies are widely available.

GET EXTRA REST

Lastly, if you can treat your “crud” right at the very beginning of the illness, the popular homeopathic remedy “Oscillococcinum” can certainly help shorten the illness. If you are pretty sure it’s viral (secretions are clear, body/muscle aches, feverish) do NOT suppress the fever with aspirin or other anti-pyretics (unless treating someone under age 6 or going on more than 3 days with a fever) because HEAT is a potent anti-viral. Mounting a fever is the appropriate immune response to a viral infection. Go with it!

Disease/Homeopathic Immunizing Nosode

Diptheria/Diptherinum
Pertussis/Pertussin
Polio/Lathyrus sativa
Rubella/Rubeola
Mumps/Parotidinum
Tuberculosis/Tuberculinum
Influenza/Influenzinum
Small Pox & Chicken pox/Variolinum
Anthrax/Anthrocyanum
Measles/Morbillinum
Botulism/Botulinum
Tetanus/Ledum
Pneumonia/Pneumococcinum
Rabies/Lyssin
Streptococcus/Streptococcinum
Syphilis/Syphilinum

Protocol:
1. Begin at age 6 months during an illness free period. Try to be consistent by administering the vaccinations at the same time each year, i.e fall or spring etc..
2. Administer the remedy 1X per day for 2 days, then wait an additional 5 days before administering the next nosode. This allows for you to observe for a
reaction, and if one is seen, wait an additional week before administering the next medicine.
3. During the administration of the homeopathic vaccinations, supplement with extra Vitamin C and thymus extract.
4. Repeat the series each year at the same time until the child is 12 years old.
5. If the child is exposed to one of the diseases, administer a dose of the corresponding nosode to re-stimulate the immune system. Additional
homeopathic medicines may also be utilized following exposure.
6. Consider administering tetanus toxoid as well as this covers the toxin exposure while the Ledum covers the puncture wound.
7. As Polio is obtained by the oral route, oral administration of the vaccine usually does not cause problems except for in immuno-compromised patients.

you can order a homeopathic vaccination kit from Homeopathic Education Services in Berkeley, California, USA.  Tel # 800-359-9051

written by Tom Kruzel, ND
posted here with permission of
Rockwood Natural Medicine Clinic
Phoenix AZ
www.rockwoodnaturalmedicine.com

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless eating or bathing).
3.  Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t like salt).  H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.  Simple gargling prevents proliferation.  In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.  Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventive method.
4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.  Not everybody may enjoy neti pot use, but at least blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (leafy greens, orange veggies and citrus fruits).  If you prefer to supplement with Vitamin C tablets or powder, make sure to also take 50 mg  Zinc to boost absorption.  Zinc is a potent anti-viral itself, especially combined with beta-carotene or Vitamine A (25,000 IUs daily for 6 weeks).
6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, hot fresh lemonade, etc.) as you can.  Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.   Both wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, because of the low pH of stomach acid.  This is a major reason why taking anti-acids on a regular basis is a really bad idea.  If you have heartburn, see other posts on this site about how to remedy that problem.

VITAMIN D
Good over-the-counter brands include: Rainbow Light 1000 IU Gummy Ds; Nordic Naturals Omega 3D (fish oil plus 1000 IUs of D3)

Ideally you would dose with Vitamin D3 until your blood levels are between 60 and 100 ng/mL.    This test is available at Alaska Health Fairs for $50.   Next on October 3 at the Nugget Mall.    If it is not feasible to test your blood levels, then take 1000 IUs of D3 per 50 pounds of body weight through the fall and winter.   Also, spend time outdoors during daylight hours whenever possible.

Epidemic influenza and vitamin D.Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Atascadero State Hospital, 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422, USA. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep

Why are deadly flus more common in winter?   Solar radiation triggers robust seasonal vitamin D production in the skin; vitamin D deficiency is common in the winter, and activated vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, a steroid hormone, has profound effects on human immunity.   1,25(OH)2D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the ‘oxidative burst’ potential of macrophages.   Perhaps most importantly, it dramatically stimulates the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which exist in neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, and in epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract where they play a major role in protecting the lung from infection.   Volunteers inoculated with live attenuated influenza virus are more likely to develop fever and serological evidence of an immune response in the winter.   Vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections.   Ultraviolet radiation (either from artificial sources or from sunlight) reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections, as does cod liver oil (which contains vitamin D).   An interventional study showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.

more info on Vitamin D at www.VitaminDCouncil.org

PROBIOTICS
my favorite over-the-counter brands include Nutrition Now’s PB8 and Enzymatic Therapy’s Intensive Care Probiotic Pearls.

Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC. Department of Research and Development, Danisco, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. OBJECTIVE: Probiotic consumption effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration were evaluated in healthy children during the winter season. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 326 eligible children (3-5 years of age) were assigned randomly to receive placebo (N = 104), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (N = 110), or L acidophilus NCFM in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bi-07 (N = 112). Children were treated twice daily for 6 months. RESULTS: Relative to the placebo group, single and combination probiotics reduced fever incidence by 53.0% (P = .0085) and 72.7% (P = .0009), coughing incidence by 41.4% (P = .027) and 62.1% (P = .005), and rhinorrhea incidence by 28.2% (P = .68) and 58.8% (P = .03), respectively. Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea duration was decreased significantly, relative to placebo, by 32% (single strain; P = .0023) and 48% (strain combination; P < .001). Antibiotic use incidence was reduced, relative to placebo, by 68.4% (single strain; P = .0002) and 84.2% (strain combination; P < .0001). Subjects receiving probiotic products had significant reductions in days absent from group child care, by 31.8% (single strain; P = .002) and 27.7% (strain combination; P < .001), compared with subjects receiving placebo treatment. CONCLUSION: Daily dietary probiotic supplementation for 6 months was a safe effective way to reduce fever, rhinorrhea, and cough incidence and duration and antibiotic prescription incidence, as well as the number of missed school days attributable to illness, for children 3 to 5 years of age, especially when using multi-strain probiotics (Lactobaccilus and Bifido bacteria).

Homeopathic OSCILLOCOCCINUM
take one vial of this homeopathic duck-liver remedy each week through the flu season.

1. Papp R, Schuback G, Beck E, et al. Oscillococcinum in patients influenza-like syndromes: a placebo-controlled, double-blind evaluation. Br Homeopath J. 1998;87:69-76.
2. Ferley JP, Zmirou D, D’Adhemar D, Balducci F. A controlled evaluation of a homeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza-like syndromes. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1989;27:329-335.

 (http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article3104663.

Scientists in England have discovered a new and highly effective weapon against deadly superbugs like the MRSA sweeping through dirty hospital wards – green French muck.

The dramatic antibiotic success of agricur, a clay made from ancient volcanic ash found in the mountains of central France, marks it out as a potential rival to penicillin, the wonder drug of the 20th century. In experiments, the clay killed up to 99 per cent of superbug colonies within 24 hours. Control samples of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) grew 45-fold in the same period.

The clay has a similar effect on other deadly bacteria tested, including salmonella, E. coli, and a flesh-eating disease called buruli, a relative of leprosy which disfigures children across central and western Africa. Buruli has been classed as “an emerging public health threat” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

MRSA is also a growing concern. Since the early 1990s, deaths in the UK have risen sharply from fewer than 100 annually to more than 1,600 in 2005.  The Government recently announced new measures to deep clean all hospital wards in an attempt to cut the number of infections.  US annual deaths from MRSA recently surpassed AIDS deaths – 18,700 people died from this aggressive bacterial infection in 2005.  (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5220692.html)

Many other bacteria have also developed resistance to medicine’s arsenal of antibiotics, largely because patients stop using prescribed drugs when they begin to feel better rather than finishing their course of treatment, allowing the hardiest bugs to survive and spread. Some bacteria are now resistant to a spectrum of drugs. As a result, the developed world is starting to see the return of diseases, such as tuberculosis, that had been all but wiped out a few decades ago.

Scientists have been searching for new antibiotics to replace penicillin, methicillin and their relatives but until now have had only limited success. Agricur’s discovery could lead to a whole class of antibiotics to which bugs such as MRSA have no resistance, according to scientists.

Dr. Lynda Williams and Dr. Shelley Haydel of Arizona State University presented the results of their research on agricur and other clays to the Geological Society of America’s annual meeting in Denver last on October 28, 2007.

“We have found several antibacterial clays,” said Dr. Williams, a mineralogist who is trying to work out the chemicals that make them special. “We have multiple working hypotheses. Our primary hypothesis is that the clay minerals transfer elements, not yet identified, to the bacteria that impede their metabolic function.

“It is entirely possible that it is not one single element that is toxic to the bacteria, but a combination of elements and chemical conditions that attack the bacteria from different angles so as to overwhelm their defence systems,” she said.

Another possibility, less likely but potentially more significant, is that the clays work through a physical rather than a biochemical process. In that case, bacteria might never develop resistance.

Clay has long been used as a health treatment in spas, but that is because it holds heat longer than water, and draws toxins out of the skin. Clay is also sometimes eaten as a folk remedy for nausea. “It’s fascinating,” said Dr. Haydel, a microbiologist. “Here we are bridging geology, microbiology, cell biology. A year ago, I’d look at the clay and say, ‘Well, that’s dirt.’”

The effectiveness of the French green clays, which are mostly made of minerals called smectite and illite, was first demonstrated by Line Brunet de Courssou, a French doctor fighting buruli at clinics in Ivory Coast and Guinea.

When she approached the WHO in 2002 with 50 case studies showing how the flesh-eating disease had been halted by her clay poultices, the organisation described her work as “impressive” but denied her funding because of a lack of scientific evidence. After de Courssou’s death, her son, Thierry, went looking on the internet for scientists willing to test Agricur and found Dr. Williams, who has specialized in the study of clay.

If human trials prove successful, it could save thousands of lives a year.

than indicated by previous research (Arch Intern Med 2005; 165: 265–72).

Previous research that compared death rates in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups of elderly people have shown that flu vaccination reduces all winter deaths by 50%. “But it’s really hard to find out who died of influenza because it’s not a reportable disease and few people are tested”, says lead NIH researcher Lone Simonsen.  Some research has tested the efficacy of flu vaccines on illness but has not evaluated the effect of flu vaccines on influenza death rates in elderly people.

Over the past 25 years, the proportion of those aged 65 years or more who receive flu shots has climbed from 15% to 65% in the US.  Previous research that compared death rates in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups of elderly people concluded that flu vaccination reduces all winter deaths by 50%. Yet current estimates of winter death causes suggest that flu-related mortality has actually risen since 1980.

Simonsen’s team took into account an ageing population and the exceptional virulence of a flu strain prevalent in the 1990s.  When her team analyzed the available data for causes of death in the elderly during the past 25 years, she says that about 10% of winter deaths could be
attributable to influenza, and more during the “pandemics” of the 1990s.  The older study estimating 50% reduction of deaths in the winter was evidently “overestimating the mortality benefit of vaccination.”  This is because the “endpoint” in these studies (death) wasn’t limited to death from the flu.  Many winter deaths in the elderly are from pneumonia, and getting a flu shot would have no bearing on preventing death from pneumonia.

More older folks were getting flu shots, yet more of them were dying of the flu.  It doesn’t add up.

Publication of Simonsen’s new study provoked strong reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reiterated its faith in existing studies, and questioned the methodology of the NIH study. Concerned by the impact of official disagreements on public confidence, the CDC
and NIH released a joint statement, saying that annual vaccinations continue to provide the best protection for elderly people.

Despite that official statement, other researchers, such as Dr. Ira Longini (Emory University, Atlanta, GA) maintains, “it is clear that increasing vaccination of the elderly has not resulted in a decrease in pneumonia and influenza mortality in that age group.” He points to a mix of robust
and frail immune systems in the population as an explanation for why some folks succumb to the flu, and why vaccination status doesn’t seem to matter. “As we increase vaccine coverage, a proportion of the elderly do not respond to vaccination and will get sick and die from flu whether they are vaccinated or not.”

Another way of saying this is: vaccinations may not impact death rates in the elderly at all.  Further, given that the flu shot is still preserved with a mercury product (thimerosol), and that mercury toxicity has been linked to more rapid progression of Alzheimer’s in the elderly, one hopes that a future study will explore whether the elderly are actually better off without flu vaccines at all.

If you are a man who enjoys making love with women, you are likely to encounter a female bladder infection at some point. Here are a few hot tips to help ensure your continued popularity with your suffering lover.

1. Please don’t pressure her for sex until she’s ready. This rule applies in any situation, by the way.
2. Cleanliness is key. Please wash your genital area well daily, and, if you are uncircumcised, clean under the foreskin. Scrub your fingernails. Yes, that generally involves a nail-brush. Keep well-shaved (or keep the hair on your face clean) so as not to further irritate the labia and urethral tissues. Unfortunately for women, the urethra is precariously near the clitoris, which is generally best not avoided. Keep “high” when entertaining your lover with oral foreplay.
3. Which leads to the request, similar to #1 above, to always make sure your partner is well lubricated before penetrating with fingers or other appendages.
4. Your female companion is likely to pee more frequently than you do whether or not she has a bladder infection, so just go ahead and put the toilet seat down, even if it’s your house. This is a really hot tip.
5. Think of ways to be super-helpful for a few days: Run to the pharmacy for her, even in the middle of the night. Give a little extra help with the kids, household, or shopping. Accompany her to the doctor if that becomes necessary.
6. Help her stay hydrated; bring her juices and teas and make sure she has a tall glass of drinking water nearby at all times. Of course, this will mean she needs to pee more often, so please don’t pressure her to just wait until the next gas station or the end of the movie or whatever.

You probably acquired athlete’s foot from lack of adequate attention to hygiene. Careful hygiene will be an important part of the cure. Dry your feet very thoroughly after bathing, especially between the toes, and use a towel dedicated to the feet, or at least use the towel on your feet last. Sing the little piggies song to yourself as you dry your toes, as this will help you get each and every toe. Any loose dead skin on the feet should be removed if it comes off easily. Do not dry your feet then use the same towel to dry your groin or face. A further precaution to prevent transmission of the infection to the groin area is putting on clean socks before putting on underpants. If the climate allows, go barefoot or use open shoes that provide good ventilation. If you need to wear socks and heavier shoes, you may want to use a powder like corn starch or oat “talc” to keep the feet dry, then choose wool or fleece or 100% cotton socks that will wick moisture away from the skin.

Besides scrupulous hygiene, other general measures to rid yourself of Athlete’s foot include a “probacteria” product (lactobacillus plus bidifido bacteria species) taken by mouth to replenish the “friendly” bacteria throughout the body, which includes the skin surface, to help inhibit disease-causing organisms. A good, yeast-free, B vitamin complex will reduce stress, which in turn helps the immune system. Use buffered Vitamin C until your stool softens — up to 5-8,000 mg 3 times daily. Vitamins E (400-1,00 IUs daily) and A (25,000 IUs daily) will help with tissue healing, and zinc (50 mg daily) will stimulate cellular repair and inhibit fungal growth.

A number of herbal remedies have well deserved reputations as antifungal, all of which are less toxic than griseofulvin, the conventional prescription medication used for Athlete’s foot. For examples, undecenic acid, from the castor bean, and caprylic acid, from a natural fatty acid found in coconut, have been popular natural medicines in treating a related fungal complex, Candidiasis. They would probably work over the long term for Athlete’s foot as well. Some alternative doctors contend that garlic, crushed and placed inside a sock over the affected feet at night, will work just as quickly as an oral anti-fungal prescription.(Julian Whitaker, MD’s web site) Another source describes using the common red clover blossom: boil one cup of red clover blossoms in water until thick. When the pulp has cooled, bind onto the affected parts of the feet after they have been thoroughly washed. Soak for 15 minutes. Do this nightly until completely healed. Yet another popular cure involves simply scrubbing the feet with apple cider vinegar twice daily. A famous Eclectic (American school of herbal medicine circa 1920-30) combination for fungal infections is Usnea barbarata (Old Man’s Beard) and Spilanthes, taken internally in tincture form. Strong herbs like Black walnut and Mugwort, tare also effective antifungal. A newer wave of herbal antifungal are the concentrated oil extracts of well-known plants such as oregano, thyme, cilantro, lavender, tea tree, cinnamon and grapefruit seed. A few of these herbal medicinals will be discussed below. Please note: NEVER use concentrated herbal oil extracts (also known as essential, or volatile, oils) internally unless under the supervision of a highly trained doctor or herbalist. They are typically extremely caustic to mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, vagina, intestines) and can cause nerve damage if used incorrectly. Keep volatile oils away from children. If used with moderation, and diluted, they are generally very safe for topical use.

TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia)

This “new world” plant from the Myrtle family, also known as “Ti” tree, is treasured for the essential oil which can be extracted from the leaves. Tea tree, native to Australia and New South Wales, prefers a swampy, wetland environment. The active ingredients in the oil extract are various terpenes, which are not only anti-fungal but anti-microbial in general. This means Tea tree works also to combat bacterial and viral microbes. Dose and application: generally Tea tree oil penetrates well and is not irritating to the skin. Individuals with sensitive skin should dilute the oil with an equal amount of bland medium such as almond or safflower oil. Tea tree occasionally produces a dermatitis. Look for a concentration of 5-10%after thorough cleaning and drying.

LAVENDER (Lavendula officinalis)

The small purple flowers of this delightful redolent plant contain the volatile oil. Active ingredients of this highly studied herb include camphor, linonene, borneol, coumarins and flavonoids. Medicinally, this herb is best known for it’s calming or even anti-depressant properties, and is often used in sachets or bath salts. I like to think of it as an herbal “smelling salt” and have seen it help quickly restore someone to consciousness after a small seizure. It is useful in preventing or repocket and “sniff” when you feel the stress mounting. Although less well known for it’s anti-microbial properties, studies show that lavender’s essential oil is a potent ally in destroying a wide range of bacteria, many viruses and numerous yeasts, especially the Candida type. A lavender-flower douche is an effective treatment for vaginal yeast infections. Dose and application: The straight oil can be dabbed onto the affected toes once or twice daily after thorough cleaning and drying. Skin irritation is very uncommon with Lavender oil. As an aside, a dab of neat (undiluted) lavender oil works great to stop the sting of insect bites.

THYME

This shrubby plant and popular kitchen herb is native to the Mediterranean region. The flowering branches should be collected midsummer on a warm sunny day and stripped of the leaves and flowering tops, which supply the volatile oil. Active ingredients include thymol, borneol, flavonoids and tannins. Thyme is a well known digestive aide and used to help a sluggish system, or one prone to flatulence! It’s also a good cough remedy; the tea can be used internally and as a gargle. The oil can be applied topically not only to combat fungal infections, but to ease arthritic pain. Of all the herbs, thyme is the strongest anti-fungal. Skin reactions are rare. Dilute with a bland oil if necessary. Apply 2-3 drops per half-dollar sized area once or twice daily after thorough cleaning and drying.

In closing, please remember the important role of diet in healing any disease or immune dysfunction. Avoid processed foods, including “soft” drinks. Eliminate sugar and fried or greasy foods. Focus on plenty of raw or steamed vegetables, preferably organic, fresh fruits, organic yogurt, broiled fish, whole grains. A specific recommendation to cure Athlete’s foot is please change you socks every day and air out your shoes as often as possible. Be persistent; Athlete’s foot can be very stubborn, but it is well worth the effort since your immune system, not to mention your love life, will get a boost!

Bibliography

• The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; pgs. 325, 449-450
• The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs. 127, 146-147
• Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster & James A. Duke, pgs. 30, 36, 92, 96, 118, 120, 122, 136, 154, 156, 194, 198, 202, 208, 210, 214, 262, 274, 276, 280, 282, 288
• Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pg. 226
• The Herb Book, by John Lust, pg. 395
• Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs. 199, 265, 345, 384, 385
• Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., pg. 100
• The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs. 50, 103, 130, 131
• The Magic of Herbs in Daily Life, by Richard Lucas, pgs. 180-181
• The New Holistic Herbal, by David Hoffman
• Principles & Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine, by Simon Mills and Kerry Bone

Also called bladder infections or cystitis, the symptoms usually include urinary urgency, where you feel like you have to go right now, but then not much comes out, and what does really burns. And a few minutes later it happens again. You may also have lower abdominal pain, fever, chills or visible drops of blood in your urine. This is more prevalent in women than men, is caused, in over 90% of cases, by the Eshcerichia coli (E. coli for short) bug, a certain number of which are necessary in our intestines for proper digestion. However, E. coli doesn’t ever belong in the urethra or the bladder. Normally, the bug lives at the end of the digestive tract, which we politely call the anus, and can get easily swiped forward to the opening of the urethra, which is the tube up to the bladder. In women, this tube is much shorter, and closer to the rectum.

(An interesting aside: the “killer” E. coli responsible for fast-food related deaths in recent years is suspected to be a mutant of the normal gut E. coli caused by antibiotics in animal feed, causing resistant super bugs.)

While inadequate sexual hygiene is responsible for many UTIs, women who suffer from recurrent bladder infections need to be evaluated for the presence of other bugs, especially Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted disease which is typically symptomless in men.

As always, disease prevention is the best approach to your health management (Please read the post How A Man Can Help Their Female Partner Who Has A Bladder Infection for more information). Since many UTIs flare up after sex, especially with a new partner, basic sexual hygiene is the mandatory first step in prevention. Ladies, you definitely do not want poop anywhere near your vagina or urethra. Don’t use fancy perfumed soaps or lotions in the genital area because these may irritate the skin and make you more susceptible to infection. Make sure everybody has clean hands, fingernails, mouths, and private parts before engaging in sexual activity. Try to pee before sex and again right after, as soon as possible, to mechanically wash any critters away from the bladder. Drink plenty of fluids, especially pure water, to encourage frequent urination, to dilute the urine which makes it less tasty to bacteria, and to keep the mucous membranes (which includes the bladder) moist and healthy. Try to drink a cup (8 ounces) of water for every 25 pounds of body weight daily, ideally between meals so as to not dilute digestive enzymes.

Cranberry juice is a well-known preventive and even curative agent to combat UTIs because it renders the urine more acidic, thus less hospitable to the E. coli. Some women find cranberry juice too irritating, in which case stick with water. Pineapple juice, diluted, is another good beverage in UTIs because the enzymes (especially bromelain) provide an anti-inflammatory effect. Please note: one of my colleagues has noticed repeatedly that chronic UTIs often respond to complete avoidance of all fruits. Apparently the fructose is irritating to the urinary tracts of certain people. So don’t assume that fruit juice alone can cure a bladder infection — it may worsen the symptoms. Herbal teas that can help cleanse the urinary tract include Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Bearberry (Uva ursi; use very cautiously if you have kidney problems) and Goldenseal (quite bitter). Take 1 cup of strongly steeped tea (about 1 tablespoon herb per 1 cup near-boiling water) 2-3 times daily. If the Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is in powdered form, only 1/4 tsp per cup water will suffice.

Many cases of children’s bed wetting are due to food-induced bladder irritation. Common culprits, as usual, include wheat, dairy, soy, corn (especially high fructose corn syrup), citrus fruits or even eggs. Be alert to this possibility, especially if sexual activity doesn’t explain the infection. Another common irritant is synthetic estrogen, in the form of birth control pills or post-menopausal hormone support. If you are on the pill and suffer from fprogesterone-only pill or another form of birth control.

Wear loose clothing that doesn’t bind the genital area, and choose 100% cotton underpants, or at least lingerie with cotton crotches. Don’t torture yourself with clothing that’s tricky to remove when you need to urinate.

If you think you may have a UTI, you may be able to avoid doctors’ fees through home urinalysis, which works well for detecting the most common E. coli bladder infection. Check your local drugstore for a dipstick test, which usually costs under a dollar. Women with frequent UTIs may need a more complex test, called a “culture and sensitivity” which determines which antibiotics will be effective. Antibiotics, however, should be a last resort after the treatment suggestions below.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is also effective, whether taken as tea, capsules (2 caps 4 times daily for 24 hours beyond resolution of symptoms), or tincture (3-4 dropperfuls 4 times daily also for 24 hours beyond symptom resolution). You can also use a Goldenseal tea topically, to wash the labia and urethra twice daily. This tea can be used preventively before and after sex by women prone to bladder infections. Goldenseal is very specific for healing mucous membranes which is why it also helps “travelers” diarrhea, sore throat, stuffy nose, sinus infections and eye infections. Do not use Goldenseal heavily for more than a week without consulting a knowledgeable medical professional or trained herbalist. Avoid during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. It is strong medicine!

If you suspect a bladder infection, intensify sexual hygiene practices or, ideally, avoid sex as soon as symptoms present. UTIs usually come on suddenljuice doesn’t seem to help within 24 hours, try strictly avoiding fruit, especially if you have chronic UTIs. Ask yourself honestly whether you are frustrated or angry about your current love life. Past or present sexual abuse can manifest as chronic bladder infections. There is always a better option to staying in an abusive relationship, even if it seems terrifying to make a change.

The crown jewel of this article, saved for the end of course, is an effective, naturally occurring nutrient that will relieve most common UTIs quickly without side effects. It is a simple sugar called D-Mannose, quite similar in structure to glucose. How does it work? In a nutshell, D-mannose previn tiny thin “fingers” which clutch and hang onto the bladder wall cells, where they can feed on urine and multiply. But D-mannose sticks to the E. coli even more tenaciously than the E. coli sticks to the bladder wall. The result is that simply by urinating, the E. coli/D-Mannose complex gets mechanically flushed out. No killing bugs with antibiotics, no killing friendly gut bacteria (D-mannose is absorbed high up in the intestinal tract), no expensive prescription drugs. Hopefully, health food stores and pharmacies will start carrying D-Mannose consistently. If you can’t find it, you can order from Bio Tech Pharmacal (1-800-345-1199). The dose is 1/4-1/2 tsp (depending on your weight) every 2 to 4 hours while awake, stirred into a cup of water. It tastes nice. The lower dose at less frequent intervals is appropriate for a child. You should get relief within 12 hours and complete resolution within 48 hours. If not, please see a dodefinitely want to avoid this infection progressing upwards and attacking the kidneys.

Bibliography

• Murray M, Pizzorno J. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA
• Martin L. Health Care of Women. JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PA
• Lapides J. “The Key to Urinary Infections,” The Female Patient, 5:11-14. August 1980
• Sabath LD, Charles D. “UTIs in the Female,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 55 (5-supplement):162S-170S. May 1980
• Wright J. “D-Mannose for Bladder and Kidney Infections,” Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, pp 96-98. July 1999