MYTH: High Cholesterol is Dangerous

 Despite numerous excellent studies, many conventional physicians still have a knee jerk reaction when they see an isolated cholesterol value hovering near or over the reference range of 199.  In evaluating lab work, it is a mistake to isolate cholesterol from other lipid values or from liver function.

The liver manufactures cholesterol for use in a number of biochemical reactions.  Cholesterol is critical for hormone production, building cell membranes, interacting with proteins inside cells, regulating cell signaling and other biological processes. Having too little cholesterol may undermine brain health, disrupt hormone levels, raise heart disease risk, and more. What is dangerous is the over prescription of cholesterol lowering statin drugs.  

Studies have shown that in many cases, exercise, eating a healthy diet and not smoking are going to be far more effective at reducing the risk of heart disease than taking a statin.  This article by the middle-of-the-road AARP, presents accurate information.

MYTH: Laboratory Results Within the References Ranges 

Means Everything is OK

We often hear from our patients that their MD has deemed that their lab results are normal.  Our response is, "are you really healthy, or just not sick enough?" In naturopathic medicine, when we analyze lab test results we take two approaches: 1) We do not isolate lab values (see cholesterol discussion above) and, 2) what is most important to us is not so much the lab reference range, but the functional range.  For example, the lab reference range for normal blood glucose is 65 to 99.   I can assure you that anyone with a blood glucose of 65 will have symptoms of hypoglycemia.  The functional range for glucose, the range at which a person is more likely to be stable, is 82 to 99.  Lower than 82 means possible hypoglycemia, higher than 99, possible pre-diabetes.  Read about the effects of low blood sugar on the body here.

MYTH: Getting a Flu Shot Will Protect You

At the beginning of this year, most major news outlets reported that this year's flu vaccine was less than 23 percent effective.  Yet, every mainstream health care agency in the country was stressing the importance of getting the shot.  Forgive me if a bit a cynicism comes across, but this is not safe health policy.  This is rampant manipulation of policy for the personal gain of flu vaccine manufacturers.  For naturopathic physicians, vaccinations are abominations in that they subvert the natural order in which the immune system deals with invading organisms. Vaccinations bypass the white blood cell response and go straight to the antibody response.  

For many years, my father got his flu shot.  He got sick every winter.  When he stopped getting his flu shots we made sure his immune system was strong and vital and he made it through subsequent winters without becoming ill.  Dr. Connie and I have never had flu shots and we work in an environment where we work with sick patients on a daily basis.  Neither of us has ever contracted influenza.  We keep our immune systems in top shape.  Future newsletter issues will address the vaccination issue. This article presents a thoughtful perspective on flu shots.

Perhaps the most pervasive myth surrounding medicine in our country in these times is that conventional medicine is trustworthy and effective because methods and medicines sanctioned by the F.D.A. (Food and Drug Administration) and the C.D.C. (Center for Disease Control) are scientifically proven and therefore superior in all ways to remedies not officially sanctioned.  

Never mind that many of these medicines undergo inadequate testing, flawed by vested commercial interests of the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture them and the highly paid consultants that review them. Never mind the insidious (though well intended) ways in which these medicines are prescribed for off label uses, in the process evading legitimate testing relevant to the diseases and populations for which they are being prescribed. Never mind that efficacy is often little better than the efficacy of various placebos. And never mind that these very same pharmaceutical companies consistently put out flawed studies disparaging alternative treatment methods.

Thus we have studies reporting the lack of efficacy of St. John's wort, for example, in treating depression. Never mind the lack of standardization of the herb used in the study, the dosages which did not approach therapeutic levels, and the fact that the herb was tested for efficacy in treating severe depression when in practice it is used for mild to moderate depression. We find the same inconsistencies in "scientific studies" on everything from vitamin E to fish oil, and the public is cautioned about the dangers and urged to see their conventional doctors for "real medicine."

Medical reporters contribute to the myth by parroting such findings without any real evaluation of the factual basis for the conventional conclusions.  And medical myths are born.

This is not to say that complementary or alternative medicine does not also suffer from grandiose statements, inadequate research, flawed conclusions, and medical myths of its own. But it is to say that when we base our decisions on flawed data, pervasive belief systems and hear say, illogical pathways are followed.

Several recent encounters come to mind. A new patient came in to my office with debilitating fatigue, insomnia and musculoskeletal pain which she had suffered from for years. When asked if anything had ever been efficacious for her, she noted that she was tremendously improved with B12 shots.  Stunned by the simplicity of the solution, I asked why it was that she was not getting B12 shots. Her reply was that her doctor refused to order them because the treatment had not been scientifically validated.

The second was with my primary care physician at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. When questioned as to why I had opted out of the current flu shot, I questioned the doctor as to whether she was aware of the CDC finding that it was less than 20% effective. She nodded that she knew that that was true. I then asked her whether she continued to advise the flu shot. She nodded her head affirmatively. Flu shots are the best way to prevent the flu. A medical myth at work!

Elijah Free's approach to helping his patients deal with physical pain has been described as bordering on miraculous.  Elijah is also a Master Herbalist who designs and produces all of his own herbal products for his healing practice. He is an herbal product designer for Ridgecrest Herb Company. 

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Elijah Free is a healer, specializing in pain elimination of all types, both mechanical and metabolic. He is a master medical herbalist with numerous specialties, a researcher and product designer for his own label; Earth Friend Herb Co. 

Elijah is the author of "Apprentice to Angels," and a U.S. patent holder for a formula to eradicate fibromyaligia. He was recently granted a 501-C3 from the IRS as a medical study, something almost exclusively for institutions such as Stanford, hospitals or pharmaceutical companies.

Bringourvetsallthewayhome.org is all about Elijah's work with an herbal formula for PTSD that restores the lives to veterans and anyone else with this condition. A documentary video will be available later this fall about this project. A video on fibromyaligia can be seen at rapidpainelimination.com

Yes, it is true that are living in a time when there are incredible advances in medicine that are available to us. But, when you think about it, every generation before us has felt that way. And it is also true that the next generation will feel that we experienced medicine as a blunt instrument and they have access to the latest medical miracles. Take surgery, for example, there are so many minimally invasive technologies available so the huge scars of former operations are less visible. But when you are advised about the need for a surgery and everything leading up to it the stress and anxiety begin immediately. How does medicine handle this? Why, a pill, of course. And it's more drugs from there to the finish.

But what if you could mediate your own handling of an operation from diagnosis through the actual surgery to recuperation?

Well, you have that possibility with hypnotherapy.

Scientists have already determined that 95% of everything we know, do, react to is in our subconscious mind. The conscious mind is only 5%. That's a huge difference and it's a no-brainer to engage with the subconscious in hypnosis as an informed and powerful participant in your life.

When you think about it, it's the subconscious which is keeping the body humming along. It is the conductor of all the bodily systems from the heart's pumping and blood flow, the nervous system, digestion, cell division...well, everything. Imagine if you had to use your conscious mind to keep everything working...impossible! The only bodily function we can (sometimes) control is breathing, though the subconscious takes over that too when we stop paying attention to it.

There has been a lot of research into hypnosis used before surgery and the results are overwhelmingly positive. The treatment starts after the diagnosis when the patient is primed to relax and prepare with confidence. Then the pre-surgery where the subconscious is engaged to direct what actually goes on in the patient's mind during the surgery. As previously mentioned, the subconscious is in charge of all the bodily functions so having set the path of success the research has shown that there is less bleeding, less time in the OR, and less anesthesia.

There is also research which points to quicker recuperation and less pain after using hypnosis.

One of my clients was facing a surgery to remove presumed cancer spots which were visible on her lungs. She had the same surgery 6 years previously and it had left her in constant pain. Needless to say, she was frightened about what they would find and in what condition she would be left.

We did a deep hypnotherapy session and went through the whole event in her mind. On the morning of the surgery there was a two hour delay but she was very calm as she waited. And during the procedure it was found that the spots were benign and they were able to correct the previous botched surgery. The whole event happened in less time than predicted and her recuperation was quicker than expected. The best part was that her constant pain was gone and it opened up her life.

So, think about it...if hypnotherapy can make such a difference before surgery why would anyone proceed without it? Perhaps because they didn't realize how much it could help. But if you have read this far, now you know.

Living in the progressively health-conscious Bay Area, and growing my own personal community of fellow students and other like-minded people, it's easy to forget that Chinese Medicine is still considered "alternative" healthcare by the masses, and even disregarded by some as strange, voodoo medicine that doesn't really work.  I have even encountered people who "don't believe in Chinese Medicine," as if it were some sort of sect.  Thanks to the topic of this newsletter, herein will lay my reaction to all those naysayers.

I have always considered myself a logical, analytical person - I love math, problem solving, and understanding how things work.  I also spent my undergraduate studies as a science major.  In fact, it's this love for science that led me to exploring more about energy, and specifically the relationships between energy, medicine, and healing.  As an energy therapy, Chinese Medicine encompasses the use of acupuncture, herbs, and bodywork to restore balance to the patient's body. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the observation of nature and natural phenomena.  Humans are viewed as microcosms of the universe, seen as inseparable from nature, and subject to the same cyclical patterns and processes.   The TCM view of human physiology is based on the concept of energy fields, a view comparable to the modern concept of energy fields as understood by the contemporary branch of physics, quantum mechanics.  According to this idea, matter and energy are inseparable, dependent on each other, and defined by each other. 

Ancient Chinese philosophy understood Earth to have veins of energy that course through it, hold it together, and act as a grid from which all life derives its power.  Similarly, all living beings have a grid, the meridian system, through which life energy (Qi) flows.  When the flow of this energy becomes impeded, physical, mental, and emotional imbalances arise, potentially leading to disease.  To then treat (or prevent) disease, these meridians, or energy pathways, are stimulated by acupuncture needles, herbal remedies, and/or bodywork to restore energetic balance and promote optimal well-being.

I can't help but feel that I will emerge from school at a pivotal time in medical history, as modern technologies are finally starting to "prove" the efficacy of this 2,500 year-old system.  Controlled studies, subcutaneous imaging, MRI's, and more, are actually showing how these unique therapies can work on an energetic level.  We can physically see the connective tissues respond to acupuncture needles; we can map brain activity, blood flow, the regeneration of nerves, and gather scientific data surrounding the use of acupuncture & herbs to improve conditions such as pain, insomnia, depression, gastrointestinal issues, and so much more!  

 Chinese Medicine is not something to believe in, but rather a method of therapy to choose, or not, depending on availability and open-mindedness.

Note: Nicole is presently on extended leave from Pacific Naturopathic while she attends acupuncture school.

Our cancer patients often ask us to give them an estimate of the effectiveness of therapy at the Hernandez Center for Adjunctive Cancer Care. We respond that our entire focus is on helping our patients stay healthy, upbeat and positive. 

 The truth is that the botanical and nutritional therapies we offer (including intravenous vitamin C), although 'adjunctive' in nature, have powerful documented actions in decreasing inflammation, reducing tumor load and attacking cancer stem cells.  

 Our mind/body approaches are focused on transformation of experience.  And our bodywork approaches help reduce muscular pain, resolve lymph drainage problems and relieve stress.  

 The hope we offer is not that of a miraculous cure, although we are definitely open to miracles, but the hope of a life lived to the fullest in dignity and understanding, for however long that may be.

Drs. Marcel, Corrine and I recently attended a 3 day cancer conference in Reno. Throughout the course of the conference, we learned of new research supporting therapies we currently use, and we were introduced to therapies we have not yet been using at Pacific Naturopathic and the Hernandez Center.

Of great interest to us was the potential use of a nontoxic formula containing oxaloacetate and ascorbic acid in the clinical dietary management of the metabolic imbalances associated with glial tumors. As an adjunctive therapy combined with chemotherapy, this type of formula improved survival in animals implanted with human glioblastoma cells.

Mechanisms of action include positive effects on blood sugar control and the reduction of excess glutamate through the formation of a brain protective compound known as alpha-ketoglutarate. These and other actions make oxaloacetate beneficial in the treatment of closed brain injuries suffered in concussions, and also in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

We are awaiting research studies in this exciting area. Read HERE about some of the studies surrounding this compound, and about the difficulties encountered in bringing information on promising compounds to market in the United States.  

 On the experiential side, Drs Marcel and I tried taking small sublingual doses of OA at the conference. Both of us felt an almost immediate increase in mental clarity. We will be carrying this product in our clinic.

Please phone us for an appointment for evaluation. 

650-917-1121

Many people have already heard about intravenous vitamin C as a complementary cancer therapy to help stimulate the immune system as well as being directly cytotoxic to cancer cells. We are often using this therapy at the Hernandez Center for our cancer patients. What people may not know is that we also have many other IV therapies that are also very helpful in supporting our cancer patients depending on their symptoms and what they need. 

We often give a nutrient IV in between IV vitamin C sessions, which helps to provide more energy and rebuild our patients that may be feeling fatigued or have low blood counts. 

We also have other anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer therapies like IV curcumin (turmeric) or IV silibinin (from milk thistle). 

Another IV treatment that can help cancer patients from losing more weight or to help them gain weight is an infusion that includes a variety of amino acids. 

These are just a few of the protocols we have for our cancer patients. For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact us at the Hernandez Center at (650) 917-1121.

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