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Whats New 2002
- Highlights
of a journal review
With the easter weekend upon us I though that some of
the more interesting observations from a review of an
assortment of health journals would be helpful. Here they are:
- Flaxseed
may help to prevent breast cancer.
I’ve already mentioned this on this site. Flaxseed has the ability to lower the levels of specific
oestrogens linked to breast cancer by inhibiting an
enzyme called aromatase, which makes oestrogen in
breast tissue.
I advise all women who consult with me
regarding breast cancer to take whole flaxseed and
either sprinkle this on their breakfast cereal or on
their salad. Incidentally
flaxseed may also be protective to men with regard
to prostate cancer.
- Natural
interventions for autoimmune diseases such as lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, crohn’s disease
and multiple sclerosis as detailed by Shari
Lieberman in the December 2001 edition of the
Journal of Alternative and Complementary include
DHEA, melatonin, low fat, vegan and gluten free
diets, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and
flaxseed oil and high dose vitamin A and E.
Specifically for rheumatoid arthritis
abnormal bowel germs such as proteus mirabilis,
eubacterium aerofaciens and clostridium perfringens
may be implicated.
In women low DHEA levels and in men low
testosterone levels may be related while in both
sexes raised cortisol is a factor to be considered.
Fasting, vegetarian and vegan diets can also
be useful as can the herbs curcumin and boswellia as
well as bromelain.
- Thyroxin
treatment at low doses may be helpful for hives that
doesn’t respond to other treatments.
The dose found to be effective is 0.025-0.1mg
day.
- In
postmenopausal women who are deficient in DHEA
taking this hormone has the ability to improve
insulin sensitivity, reduce LDL the so-called bad
cholesterol and raise HDL the good cholesterol as
well as lower triglycerides.
This is not the 1st study to show
the benefits of DHEA as far as female hearts are
concerned as another study reported on this site
actually done in Australia has demonstrated that
DHEA has the capacity to lower cholesterol.
- Cherries
appear particularly good for cancer in that they are
rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and
the hormone melatonin of all things.
- Vanadium,
which is known to improve insulin sensivity and help
with the metabolism of glucose in those suffering
from insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, is
poorly absorbed from the gut.
This absorption is improved with organic
compounds such as micronised glyburide.
Doses of 25—50 mg per day are thought
to be effective.
For more information see the website www.priorityvitamins.com/articles/vanadium.html.
- Some
experts treat low thyroid function with armour
thyroid containing a combination of T3 and T4 at a
dose of 1 grain or 60mg taken twice daily at
breakfast and lunch.
Aside from blood tests to confirm the
diagnosis of low thyroid function, thinning hair,
cold hands and feet, insomnia, elevated cholesterol
and swollen ankles also suggest inadequate
production of thyroid hormone. Aside
from iodine the following nutrients are needed to
make thyroid hormone and these include selenium,
magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and essential fatty
acids. A useful website is www.thyroid-info.com
- High
blood pressure can be treated naturally with
magnesium, CoQ10, L-carnitine, cordyceps sinesis and
shark cartilage.
- Allergic
reactions may be improved by taking the following
nutrients: acidophilus ans bifidobacteria, omega-3
fatty acids, vitamin C and quercetin.
- Petadolex,
an extract of the herb petasides hybridus, also
known as butterbur root has been found in a blinded
placebo controlled trial to be an effective reducer
of migraines.
- Allergy to candida albicans can be a trigger for asthma.
This is the anecdotal discovery in a 37-year-old
male suffering from severe asthma, which didn’t
respond well to conventional treatment.
- Quercetin found in onions, apple, kale and tea has been
found to be a useful treatment for long-standing
prostatitis and bleeding haemorrhoids.
The latest nutritional
and health information from around the world:
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Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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