Yearly Archives: 2010

Nervous System Function

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

If you’ve ever gotten a charley horse or banged your funny bone, you know how painful it can be. But if you suffer from peripheral neuropathy, these odd sensations aren’t just an occasional nuisance.

People with peripheral neuropathy endure tingling and burning in the hands and feet, numbness in the legs, muscle weakness and cramping. Because it affects the nerves, some people also experience a decreased sensitivity to pain and temperature. And since the condition primarily affects the feet and legs, peripheral neuropathy often causes a loss of balance.

While peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of diabetes (and the cause most researchers focus on), the condition can also develop because of trauma, infection, nutritional deficiencies and exposure to environmental toxins. One largely ignored cause is excessive alcohol use.

Which brings me to a question one reader, Carl, has. He wants to know if there are any new or effective therapies for peripheral neuropathy caused by alcohol abuse. Well Carl, there are, but you won’t find them in a pharmacy or doctor’s office.

The Whys and Wherefores

Peripheral neuropathy results from damage to the peripheral nerves – an intricate network of nerves that connect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to the muscles, skin and internal organs. The ulnar nerve that runs through your funny bone and the sciatic nerve that goes down the leg are peripheral nerves.

If the peripheral nerves are damaged, the normal messages that travel from the brain to other parts of the body are interrupted. When this communication is short-circuited, it causes a progressive deterioration in both the small and large nerve fibers.

When the small fibers are affected, people often have the feeling of “pins and needles” in their lower extremities. Large fiber neuropathy may result in loss of reflexes and motor dysfunction such as weakness, unsteadiness and balance problems.

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Among the more serious aspects of the condition is the loss of balance, especially for older people. In fact, if you have peripheral neuropathy that affects the feet and legs, studies show that you are about 20 times more likely to fall than people whose peripheral nervous system is working properly.

Older adults with peripheral neuropathy have difficulty sensing the position of their feet and how much their ankles are turned inward or outward. As a result, their center of gravity can easily shift too far without their realizing it – making them unstable. And since the feet and ankle muscles in people with peripheral neuropathy develop strength slowly, they are far less likely to recover when they wobble. In one study, neuropathy patients could stand on one foot without teetering for only 3.8 seconds while a group of healthy volunteers achieved 32.3 seconds.

Underneath It All

Underlying conditions, like excessive alcohol use or diabetes, are usually at the root of peripheral neuropathy, which is actually a symptom of the greater problem. So addressing the source is critical to lasting relief. For diabetics, this means controlling blood sugar levels. For alcohol neuropathy, it means that you need to stop drinking.

Now I realize that accomplishing this is easy to say, but it can be extremely difficult to do, especially if you suffer from an alcohol addiction. But studies have shown that if you continue drinking heavily after peripheral neuropathy sets in, the prognosis for improvement is bleak. In one retrospective study, researchers found that, of the 156 alcohol-induced neuropathy patients they evaluated, more than half suffered from other alcohol-related problems, including liver disease, seizures and cerebral conditions.

But here’s the good news – nerve damage brought on by excessive alcohol consumption can often be improved after a patient becomes alcohol-free.

Take the “B” Train

People who drink often or heavily (even an occasional bout of heavy drinking can cause peripheral nerve problems) often have a vitamin B deficiency, especially B12. But they aren’t alone. Science has discovered that neuropathy patients who are malnourished or are diabetic can also suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency.

So, does that mean if you take supplemental vitamin B12 the problem will disappear? Not exactly. Vitamin B12 comes in several forms, but only one of these forms, methylcobalamin, is effective against peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately, the most common form of B12 – the kind found in vitamin supplements – is cyanocobalamin. And, even though cyanocobalamin is converted to methylcobalamin in the liver, it doesn’t do so in therapeutically significant amounts.

Methylcobalamin works directly on the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers. But its affect may go beyond just halting the progression of the neuropathy. In the mid-1990s, animal studies by Japanese researchers found that high doses of methylcobalamin regenerated both neurons and the myelin sheath that protects peripheral nerves.

How does that translate to us humans? To find out, another team of Japanese researchers tested methylcobalamin on nine patients with diabetic neuropathy. Each were given an injection of 500 mcg. of methylcobalamin three times a week for six months and monitored for pain and nerve conduction.

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By the end of the study, the researchers discovered that all of the patients’ pain had lessened. But that wasn’t the end of the story. The speed at which the nerves communicated also improved, and all without side effects.

In another clinical trial, participants were treated with 2,500 mcg. of methylcobalamin. Not only did their symptoms (tingling, burning and heaviness) improve, the benefits lasted up to four years after treatment.

Taken together, these two studies have led some scientists to suggest that ultra-high doses of this novel form of vitamin B12 can actually regrow healthy nerve function in those suffering from peripheral neuropathy. And healthy peripheral nerves are essential for regaining equilibrium.

Even though both of these studies administered methylcobalamin intravenously, evidence suggests that oral methylcobalamin is just as effective. Look for supplements designed to be taken sublingually since methylcobalamin may degrade if digested.

One Last Thing …

Another supplement that may help ease the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is alpha lipoic acid (ALA). In a joint randomized placebo-controlled study by the Mayo Clinic and Moscow’s Russian Medical Academy for Advanced Studies, researchers teamed up to examine the effects of ALA on 120 patients with diabetic neuropathy. While one group received 600 mg. of intravenous ALA daily for 14 days, the other was given a placebo. Progress was determined by evaluating patient surveys and by testing nerve conduction, sensation and nervous system function. By the end of the study, the researchers concluded that ALA “significantly and rapidly” reduced both the severity and frequency of diabetic neuropathy symptoms.

A second double-blind multi-center trial assigned 328 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy to receive treatment with intravenous infusion of ALA using three doses (1,200 mg; 600 mg; 100 mg) or a placebo over three weeks. Pain, burning, paresthesia (your foot falling asleep) and numbness decreased significantly from baseline to day 19 in the patients who received 1,200 mg. or 600 mg. of ALA compared to those given 100 mg. No change was experienced by the subjects in the placebo group.

Taken alone, ALA seems to relieve many of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. But new evidence shows that taking a combination of ALA and sublingual methylcobalamin increases the amount of ALA available to the peripheral nerves. Since neither of these nutrients have shown any adverse side effects, even at high doses, this just might be the answer Carl – and anyone else suffering from peripheral neuropathy – is looking for.

This Just In …

If you’re hearing sounds that aren’t really there, you aren’t crazy. You may just be suffering from tinnitus. It’s a condition my mom has suffered with for more than 40 years.

Tinnitus is a common hearing problem characterized by a ringing, buzzing or roaring sound. And, my mom will be the first to tell you that it’s extremely irritating because it’s with you 24/7. But a recent study has found that a common mineral just might help tinnitus sufferers get some peace and quiet.

In the study, 41 people with tinnitus were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg. of zinc or a placebo daily. At the end of two months, 46 percent of the people in the zinc group experienced a decrease in the volume and frequency of their tinnitus. The researchers also noted that the mineral seemed to work regardless of the participants’ zinc status at the beginning of the study.

So if you’re hearing noises, try supplementing with zinc. But a word of caution: over a long period of time, high doses of zinc may cause a copper deficiency. So it’s a good idea to check the label on your multivitamin and make sure that it includes copper.

References:

“Antioxidant Alpha Lipoic Acid Significantly Improves Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy” Ascribe Newswire, 4/7/03, ascribe.org

Arda HN, et al. “The role of zinc in the treatment of tinnitus.” Otology and Neurotology. 2003; 24:86-89.

Kemppainen R, et al. “Drinking habits andperipheral alcoholic neuropathy.” Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 1984; 65:11-18.

Kuwabara S, et al. “Intravenous methylcobalamin treatment for uremic and diabetic neuropathy in chronic hemodialysis patients.” Internal Medicine. 1999; 38:472-475.

Watanabe T, et al. “Ultra-high dose methylcobalamin promotes nerve regeneration in experimental acrylamide neuropathy.” Journal of Neurological Science. 1994; 122:140-143.

Prevent Food Poisoning

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

First it was peanuts. Now it’s pistachio nuts. Food recalls are becoming a common occurrence these days. It makes you wonder just how safe any of the food we buy is. And it doesn’t seem to matter whether you shop at upscale health-food stores or the 99¢ store.

So who is to blame? Sometimes you can fault the food growers (remember the outbreaks involving spinach and jalapeño peppers?), and sometimes it’s the fault of manufacturers (as with the recent Salmonella contamination of peanuts originating at the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia). The government is to blame, too. Whether it’s a lack of funding, a lack of inspectors or a lack of motivation, the USDA and FDA – two federal agencies charged with ensuring the safety of our food – allow too many food safety issues to fall through the cracks. As a result, not enough is being done to improve our industrialized food system, which allows one megafarm’s contamination to affect thousands of people across the country. And that could be putting your health at risk every time you eat.

Handle with Care

There isn’t much you can personally do to stop the recalls. But you can fight food poisoning on the home front. Proper sanitation, food handling, and cooking temperatures at home are the most crucial steps in cutting your risk of food borne illness.

Of course, keeping your kitchen clean and not cross-contaminating foods are key. But checking “Sell by” and expiration dates is also critical. “Sell by” dates tell the store how long to display the product for sale. Be sure the date on the food you buy allows enough time to eat it before then. “Best if used by” or “Use by” dates tell you by when you should eat (or freeze) the product for best quality. Food still might be perfectly safe to eat after the dates have passed – as long as it hasn’t been opened or mishandled (such as not being refrigerated promptly by the store or by you).

As soon as a package is opened, however, all bets are off – expiration dates don’t apply after that. Once open, bacteria can enter and spoil food in a matter of days. Typically, you should eat a refrigerated food within three to seven days of opening it, though foods like hard cheeses and condiments last a lot longer.

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Be Proactive With Probiotics

Amid the seemingly never-ending food scares, a recent study reports that probiotics may help prevent food poisoning. Probiotics are beneficial in two ways: First, probiotics reinforce the integrity of the intestinal lining as a protective barrier to prevent harmful organisms or materials from crossing into the body’s bloodstream. Second, some probiotics have been found to secrete antimicrobial substances known as “bacteriocins,” that inhibit harmful bacteria.

During this study, which was conducted at the University College in Cork, Ireland, researchers gave pigs a daily dose of either cow’s milk or a probiotic preparation containing five active strains of beneficial bacteria. On the sixth day, all of the pigs were exposed to Salmonella – the same bacteria responsible for the recent nut recalls. Then the researchers watched what happened for the next 23 days.

The study found, among the animals treated with probiotics, fewer pigs came down with diarrhea. If they were affected, the diarrhea was less severe and didn’t last as long as it did in the pigs fed cow’s milk. These animals also gained more weight during recovery than the milk-fed pigs. When the Irish investigators took an even closer look, they found that the number of Salmonella bugs had dropped dramatically in the probiotic-treated pigs.

While this particular study used pigs, probiotics can have the same affect in us humans. Probiotics colonize in the lining of your intestines and make it difficult for illness-causing bad bacteria to thrive. To boost your defenses, take the recommended levels of the “big three” probiotics (L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, and L. bulgaricus), either in capsule or powder form. You need all three of the friendly bacteria to make sure your defensive capabilities are equal to whatever threats may arise.

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Clean Coal

If you think you may have food poisoning, speed is of the essence. After all, the quicker you treat the condition, the more likely you can block the poison’s impact on your digestive tract. My go-to supplement at the first sign of stomach trouble is activated charcoal.

A natural deodorant and disinfectant, activated charcoal has an amazing ability to neutralize all sorts of poisons, including bacteria, heavy metals, toxins, and other chemicals. It’s so effective that hospital emergency rooms around the world use it to treat drug overdoses and poisonings.

For mild cases of food poisoning, take 1,000 mg. of activated charcoal (typically two capsules) at the first sign of nausea or diarrhea. You can repeat this every two hours as needed. But be aware that charcoal can decrease your body’s absorption of certain nutrients and may also interfere with medications. Avoid this by waiting two hours after using activated charcoal before taking any medication or supplements.

One Last Thing …

Food poisoning is nothing to mess with. People – especially young children and the elderly – can and do die from severe cases. If you experience violent vomiting or diarrhea for several hours, run – don’t walk – to the emergency room. If it’s Salmonella or E. coli, a severe case will require antibiotics, fluid replacement, and possibly a stay in the hospital.

Research Brief …

You know I’m an exercise nut. In fact, I try to hit the gym at least five days a week. In part, it’s because I’ve had some recent health problems. It’s also because I’m getting older and want to avoid many of the health problems my parents suffer from. But what really keeps me coming back day after day is the fact that it makes me feel good – emotionally, mentally, and physically. And now there’s proof that these benefits aren’t just a figment of my imagination.

Researchers have found that regular exercise can significantly improve the quality of life of inactive, overweight, older women. The research, dubbed DREW (Dose-Response to Exercise in postmenopausal Women), looked at 464 sedentary women between the ages of 45 and 75. All of them were overweight or obese, and they all had high blood pressure. The study evaluated whether the women could benefit from 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.

The participants were assigned to one of four groups: Those who got no exercise; those who exercised for only 15 minutes per day; those who met the 30-minute requirement; and those who worked out for 45 minutes. Among the exercise groups, the women worked out three to four times a week for six months. By the end of the study, the researchers determined that the more the women exercised, the more they improved their quality of life.

If you’re ready to make regular exercise a part of your life, good for you! But if it’s been a while since you’ve worked out, or if you have specific health problems, check with your doctor before you begin. If you get the “all-clear,” get some instruction – either from a personal trainer or in a class setting – so you can properly incorporate cardio (aerobic) exercise and weight or resistance exercise into your plan.

References:

Boddu VM, et al. “Equilibrium and column adsorption studies of 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) on surface modified granular activated carbons.” Environmental Technology. 2009;30:173-181.

Casey PG, et al. “A five-strain probiotic combination reduces pathogen shedding and alleviates disease signs in pigs challenged with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2007;73:1858-1863.

MacFarlane, GT, et al. “Probiotics, infection and immunity.” Current Opinions in Infectious Disease. 2002;15:501-506.

Martin CK, et al. “Exercise Dose and Quality of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2009; 169:269-278.

Carminative Herbs- Licorice and Papaya

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

My husband has always suffered from bouts of heartburn – that burning sensation that ignites itself directly under your ribcage. And when we first met, he was practically living on antacids. Little wonder – like most single guys, Bob’s diet consisted primarily of fast food, take-out and pizza.

Since we’ve been married, I’ve managed to revise his diet – and the antacids are a thing of the past. But heartburn still plagues my husband on occasion. And that’s when we reach for the herbs.

Understanding the Mechanics

When the schincter muscle at the end of your esophagus (the tube between your throat and your stomach) doesn’t stay closed, the stomach’s acidic contents can back up. When this happens, the escaping acid can initiate a fiery, painful feeling in your chest.

This acid backflow can actually fight gravity and rise up into the back of your throat, causing you to cough or even gag. And that searing pain? Unlike your stomach, which has a protective lining that keeps hydrochloric acid from burning through, your esophagus and throat don’t have any protection against this corrosive acid.

All of this happens because the muscular ring that closes off the stomach’s contents can stay partially open as a result of an injury or diseases – or simply by straining, bending over, eating a large meal or eating too fast. And if you are overweight, smoke, eat lots of fatty and sweet foods, or drink caffeine or alcohol on a regular basis . . . well, you get the idea.

The Color Purple

Over-the-counter antacids do work – temporarily. But if you pop them too often, they can irritate the stomach, prevent proper digestion and destroy friendly bacteria in the colon. Antacids can also mask symptoms of an ulcer or exacerbate a problem of low acid production.

But if you suffer from long-term heartburn, you may have been tempted by the advertisements for Prilosec or Nexium. Not only has the pharmaceutical industry given heartburn a new name –GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease or GERD for short – these ingenious 30-second spots may have convinced you that drugs are the only solution.

But these ulcer drugs (yes, they were originally created to treat ulcers) can hide the symptoms of stomach cancer. They also come with a slew of side effects rarely mentioned in the commercials. Common problems include abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting. And those are just the everyday side effects. The list of more serious side effects is incredibly long and includes such things as aggression, chest pain, hallucinations, changes in liver function and tremors.

Oh, and did I mention that long-term use of these drugs can cause severe stomach inflammation. This is truly a case of the cure being worse than the disease.

Relief is at Hand

So what are your alternatives? First, try to find out what triggers your heartburn. Is it spicy foods? Soft drinks? Maybe you’re just wolfing down your food. If you can pinpoint the cause, you may be able to significantly reduce how often you are afflicted.

Carminative herbs can also help by exerting a therapeutic action on the esophageal sphincter muscle. And DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is one of the best. Studies show that this form of licorice can actually protect the stomach from acid damage – an action that helps reduce the risk of heartburn and gastric ulcers. In fact, in one study, DGL proved as effective as Tagamet in preventing duodenal ulcers. Several other studies show that licorice has antispasmodic properties and can reduce stomach acid, thereby reducing heartburn.

The suggested amount of DGL is one or two tablets (250–500 mg. per tablet), chewed and swallowed 15 minutes before meals and one to two hours before bedtime. They also work once heartburn has taken hold.

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You may also be able to head heartburn off at the pass with papaya. This tropical fruit is loaded with papain, a natural digestive enzyme used for generations to prevent indigestion. Use them like you would DGL – 10 to 15 minutes before eating.

One Last Thing …

If these tactics still don’t relieve your heartburn, you may be suffering form a lack of hydrochloric acid. Oddly enough, heartburn can be caused by too little acid instead of too much. Since stomach acid normally provides a barrier against bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in food and water, people with inadequate stomach acidity may be at risk of having “unfriendly” microorganisms colonize their intestinal tract. Adding more acidic foods to your diet can normalize the acid content and may relieve your heartburn. But for long-term relief, it’s also important to restore the friendly bacteria with probiotics.

But if your heartburn lasts longer than a day or if you have black bloody stools, see your doctor. Chronic heartburn (or GERD if you prefer) may be a sign of esophageal cancer.

This Just In …

Want to live longer? Exercise!

That was the conclusion of researchers at the Royal Bromptom Hospital in London after they reviewed nine clinical trials that included 801 stable heart failure patients. Exercise training was undertaken by 395 of the participants, while the other 406 subjects acted as controls. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that hospital admission was significantly lower in the patients who exercised than in those who didn’t.

Perhaps more important was their conclusion that exercise can boost the odds of survival and that properly supervised exercise programs for patients with CHF are safe. So talk with your doctor about an appropriate exercise routine like walking or water aerobics and start exercising now.

References:

Maxton DG, et al. “Controlled trial of pyrogastrone and cimetidine in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis.” Gut 1990;31:351–4.

Piepoli M, et al. “Exercise training meta-analysis of trials in patients with chronic heart failure.” British Medical Journal. 2004;328:189.

The American Gastroenterological Association. www.gastro.org.

Peripheral Artery Disease

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

I try to stay healthy and practice what I preach, but sometimes – no matter how hard a person tries – things happen.

I had to remind myself of that recently when I was diagnosed with a form of atherosclerosis called peripheral artery disease (PAD). I suppose I shouldn’t have been that surprised – cardiovascular disease runs in my family, on both sides!

Warning Signs

I guess I should feel lucky. After all, atherosclerosis normally doesn’t have any symptoms – until it’s too late. PAD, on the other hand, can definitely let you know that something is wrong.

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which plaque narrows your arteries and reduces blood flow to your limbs – usually the legs. This can cause acute leg pain known as intermittent claudication (IC).

Intermittent claudication is characterized by muscle pain or cramping in your legs (or occasionally your arms) that’s triggered by activity, such as walking. The pain disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is most common, but for me, it was in the thighs.

The severity of IC varies widely, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe PAD can make it hard for you to walk or do other types of physical activity. The problem is, most people aren’t aware of PAD – so they ignore the discomfort of just chalk it up to aging. But, ignoring this potentially devastating condition is the worst thing you can do. PAD is also likely to be a sign of widespread atherosclerosis – which means that there might also be reduced blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs.

Risky Business

While I am genetically predisposed to some type of arterial disease, there are other risk factors that can increase a person’s chances of developing PAD. People over age 50 have an increased risk of developing the disease – and men have a greater risk than women. Unfortunately, there isn’t a darned thing you can do about these. But there are a lot of factors that are in your control.

Other factors that increase your chances of developing the disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, high homocysteine levels and being overweight. These are all risk factors you can do something about with diet, exercise and supplements.

If you smoke or have a combination of any of these risk factors, have your doctor schedule an ankle-brachial index, which compares the blood pressure in your arms and legs. Why? Because you may not feel any symptoms at first. Even if you do, they are easy to ignore.

The most common early symptom is intermittent claudication – discomfort or pain in your legs that happens when you walk and goes away when you rest. You may not always feel pain; instead you may feel a tightness, heaviness, cramping, or weakness in your leg with activity, especially if you walk uphill or up a flight of stairs.

Like me, about 50 percent of people with PAD have blockages severe enough to experience IC. But even if you experience only occasional discomfort, get it checked out, since ignoring it can lead to gangrene and even amputation. It can also give you advanced warning that you may have a blood clot.

Get a Leg Up

Unless you have severe PAD, lifestyle changes and supplements may be enough to ease symptoms and possibly even reverse plaque build-up. A diet high in complex carbohydrates (whole grains, pastas), fresh fruits, vegetables and fiber – and low in salt, animal fats and refined sugar – is healthy for nearly everyone. But it’s especially important if you have PAD.

Taking supplemental garlic improves the elasticity of blood vessel walls. Garlic also reduces cholesterol and acts like a natural blood thinner. Best of all, garlic supplements reduce the size of plaque deposits by nearly 50 percent. In a four-year study of 152 cardiac patients, a daily dose of 900 mg. significantly slowed the development of atherosclerosis. While this is great news for anyone with clogged arteries, it’s especially good it you’ve been diagnosed with PAD.

The heart-healthy benefits of garlic are due, in large part, to a compound called allicin. This sulfur-rich substance is activated when the clove is crushed and allowed to sit for about 10 minutes. Allicin is then further broken down to a compound called ajoene, which may be the substance that inhibits blockage in blood vessels from clots and atherosclerosis.

Then there’s ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo helps improve circulation, making it a perfect fit for people with PAD. In one double-blind study, 111 people with PAD were given either ginkgo or a placebo for 24 weeks. By the end of the study, those taking the herb were able to walk significantly farther without pain than those taking the placebo. Typically, people with PAD take a total of 240 mg. of ginkgo daily in divided doses. However, if you are taking blood thinners, avoid taking ginkgo.

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In fact, UCLA and Veterans Administration research have now proved this to be true.

Not only that, but it may be the worlds quickest solution for ending prostate misery.

Simply stated, these phytonutrients represent a huge step beyond beta sitosterol, saw palmetto, and other phytosterols alone.

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One Last Thing …

Although it seems counter-intuitive, walking for 30 minutes at least three times per week actually helps PAD. I know it has helped me. Yes it hurts, but there are a couple of tricks to make it less painful. First, invest in a pair of shoes designed for walking. They don’t need to cost a fortune, but when you try them on, walk around the store a while to make sure they feel good and are the right size. You might also find that walking on a treadmill is considerably easier on your legs than walking on pavement. Walk to some upbeat tunes or your favorite TV show to take your mind off your legs. You will probably be pleasantly surprised to discover that you can walk for longer than you thought.

In more severe cases of peripheral artery disease, lifestyle changes and medication may not be enough to improve your symptoms. Also, if your disease has advanced, your physician may recommend surgical or minimally invasive treatments. The choice of the treatment depends upon the pattern and extent of the blockages as well as other factors, like your general health and the presence of other medical conditions. Your vascular surgeon will help you determine which is the best option for your particular situation.

So if you have trouble keeping up with others when you walk, or you experience any type of leg discomfort, check with your doctor. Catching PAD in its early stages may help you avoid surgery and allow you to manage the condition naturally with diet, exercise and supplements.

This Just in …

It’s no secret that exercise can prevent all kinds of disease – and keep you looking and feeling your best. But if you push yourself too hard, you could be subjecting yourself to exercise stress.

In a recent double-blind crossover study of 10 men, researchers found that taking a phosphatidylserin (PS) supplement protected against exercise-induced stress and physical wear and tear. The participants took either 600 mg. of PS or a placebo for 10 days and then engaged in moderate exercise. The men taking PS showed lower concentrations of cortisol – the stress hormone – in their blood after working out.

So if you sometimes overdo it or have a tendency to be a weekend warrior, try taking PS. Need more incentive? PS also boosts cognition, so you can be both bright and buff!

References:

Bordia A, et al. “Effect of Garlic on Platelet Aggregation in Humans: A study in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 1996;55:201-205.

Carlon R, Olivieri A, Benacchio L, et al. “Short and medium term functional capacity after single cycle of controlled physical training in subjects with claudication.” Monaldi Archives of Chest Disease. 2008;70:76-83.

Peters H, Kieser M, Hölscher U. “Demonstration of the efficacy of ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 on intermittent claudication – a placebo-controlled, double-blind multicenter trial.” Vasa. 1998;27:106-110.

Pittler MH, Ernst E. “Complementary therapies for peripheral arterial disease: systematic review.” Atherosclerosis. 2005;181:1-7.

Starks MA, Starks SL, Kingsley M, et al. “The effects of phosphatidylserine on endocrine response to moderate intensity exercise.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008, 5:11.

Zahid AM, Hussain ME, Fahim M. “Antiatherosclerotic effects of dietary supplementations of garlic and turmeric: Restoration of endothelial function in rats.” Life Science. 2005;77:837-857.

Dry Eye Syndrome

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

Just imagine having an eyelash – or worse, a grain of sand – permanently stuck in your eye. The itching, burning, blurry vision, redness and constant irritation would be enough to drive you nuts!

Personally, I’m not sure I could handle it. Yet more than eight million Americans, most of them women, suffer with this feeling day in and day out. The culprit – dry eye syndrome. And, short of surgically plugging the tear ducts, there isn’t much conventional medicine can do to relieve the problem.

Cry Me a River

Contrary to the popular belief that shedding tears indicates some sort of emotional weakness, tears are essential for good eye health. They bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris, and keep the eye moist. Tears also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. But when you have dry eye syndrome, either the eye doesn’t produce enough tears or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly.

Tears are made up of three layers. The mucus layer coats the cornea, forming a foundation so the tear film can adhere to the eye. The middle aqueous layer provides moisture and supplies oxygen and other important nutrients to the cornea. This layer is made of 98 percent water along with small amounts of salt, proteins and other compounds. The outer lipid layer is an oily film that seals the tear film on the eye and helps to prevent evaporation.

Every time we blink, the eyelids spread our tears over the eye. Excess tears flow into two tiny drainage ducts in the corner of the eye by the nose. These ducts lead to tiny canals that connect to the nasal passage. The connection between the tear ducts and the nasal passage is the reason that crying causes a runny nose.

Unfortunately, increased dryness is simply part the normal aging process since our bodies product less oil as we grow older – 60 percent less at age 65 then at age 18. Less oil means that the tear film evaporates much faster, leaving dry areas on the cornea. But other factors can trigger dry eye syndrome in younger folks – or make the problem worse in the 65+ set. Chief among these are hot, dry or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioning and cigarette smoke.

People who wear contact lenses can also suffer from dryness because the contacts absorb the tear film, causing proteins to form on the surface of the lens. Certain medications, thyroid conditions, vitamin A deficiency, and diseases like Parkinson’s and Sjogren’s can cause dryness too. And women can start to experience problems with dry eyes as they enter menopause because of hormonal changes.

Mixing Oil and Water

As I said, mainstream medicine doesn’t offer many solutions once you’ve got dry eye syndrome. And the pharmaceutical options they can recommend for preventing the problem are even fewer. But there’s new evidence that what you eat can have a protective effect against this debilitating condition.

According to a joint study by researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Schepens Eye Research Institute, omega-3 fatty acids just might keep your tears flowing freely. But if your diet includes lots of omega 6’s – the kind of fat often found in salad oils, meat, and processed and refined foods – you are setting yourself up a higher risk for the dry eye syndrome.

The study used food intake surveys completed by more than 37,000 women enrolled in the landmark, BWH-based Women’s Health Study. After reviewing the data, the researchers found that:

-Women with the highest levels of omega-3s in their diets reduced the risk of dry eye syndrome by 20 percent compared to women with the lowest levels.

-A dietary ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s greater than 15:1 – a common ratio for people eating the standard American diet – is associated with a 2.5-fold increase in the incidence of dry eye syndrome in women.

-Eating tuna reduces the risk of dry eye syndrome. The women who reported eating at least five servings of tuna a week had 68 percent less risk of developing dry eye syndrome compared to women who only ate tuna once a week.

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Deep Six

One of the most interesting thing about this study is the effect omega-6 fatty acids have on our eyes. This just adds to the growing number of studies showing that eating too much of this otherwise healthy fat can have a less than healthy impact if they aren’t balanced with omega-3s.

Although omega-6 fatty acids are essential for several body functions, they also produce inflammatory prostaglandins that promote cancer growth. Too much omega 6 can also raise your blood pressure, lead to blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke, and cause your body to retain water.

Since about 80 percent of Americans are deficient in omega-3s, getting the ratio right is critically important. While hard-core purists think that we should all have a ratio of 1:1 – close to what our prehistoric ancestors had – that just isn’t realistic. Most nutritionists recommend a ratio of 4:1. That means consuming four times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s instead of the 15:1 or higher that most of us eat now. Along with eating more omega-3 rich fish like salmon, sardines, tuna or mackerel, walnuts, flax or hempseed, it’s important to eat fewer foods high in omega-6s. So cut down on the amount of meat you eat, switch from vegetable oil to olive oil and bypass convenience foods in favor of whole grains, fruits and veggies.

One Last Thing …

Of course, eating the amount of tuna mentioned in the BWH study poses other problems – especially since much of the tuna we buy is contaminated by mercury and other pollutants. But you can get the same protective effect by taking a daily fish oil supplement. Taking at least 3,000 mg. of a pure marine fish oil supplement can help to rebalance your omega-6/omega-3 ratio.

This Just In …

Smokers often say that smoking a cigarette helps them concentrate and feel more alert. But according to researchers at the University of Michigan, years of smoking just might have the opposite effect. In fact, it seems that smoke dims the speed and accuracy of a person’s thinking ability. But what’s really alarming about this study is that the UM team found that lighting up can even bring down your IQ!

If you’re surprised, so were the researchers. The main subject of their study was alcohol, not cigarettes. But, while they did confirm that alcoholism had a long-term effect on the brains of the 173 alcoholic and non-alcoholic men that participated in the study, they also discovered that smoking diminished mental proficiency – even in the men who didn’t drink. And the effect on memory, problem-solving and IQ was most pronounced in those who had smoked for years.

Although other studies need to be done to see if becoming smoke-free can help you regain your mental capacities, quitting has so many other health benefits that it’s a no brainer. So the next time you try to justify your smoking addiction, remember this: studies (at least this one) now show that smoking really is just plain stupid.

References:

“Dry Eye Syndrome.” Medline Plus. Available at: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ article/000426.htm.

Glass JM, Adams KM, Nigg JT. “Smoking is associated with neurocognitive deficits in alcoholism.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2005;

Miljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, et al. “Relation between dietary n–3 and n–6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005;82:887-893.

Sendecka M; Baryluk A; Polz-Dacewicz M. “Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye syndrome.” Przeglad epidemiologiczny. 2004;58:227-233.

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