Ditch that hearing aid!

– Dr. Jonathan Wright

Q: I’m getting older, and I feel like I’m constantly asking my kids to repeat themselves. I’m afraid my hearing is going–is there anything at all that I can do?

Dr: Wright: Dennis Trune, Ph.D., of Oregon Health Sciences University, pioneered research showing that the naturally occurring adrenal steroid hormone aldosterone can often reverse hearing loss in animals.

Based on Dr. Trune’s work, I’ve had aldosterone levels tested in many individuals with hearing loss (most of them “older”), and a significant number turned out to have low or “low normal” measurements. But after taking bio-identical aldosterone in “physiologic” quantities–amounts that would normally be present in adult human bodies–more than half of these individuals have regained a significant proportion of their “lost” hearing.

I’ve been surprised by two aspects of bio-identical aldosterone treatment for hearing loss. First, when it works, it works relatively rapidly, restoring a significant degree of hearing within the first two months. In fact, a few of the people I’ve worked with have literally heard improvement within just two to three weeks.

The other thing that surprised me about aldosterone therapy is that it’s capable of restoring a significant degree of hearing even years after the hearing loss initially occurred. So far, the longest interval I’ve witnessed was in an 87-year-old man who’d lost his hearing 13 years prior to regaining a significant degree of it using aldosterone.

None of the people I’ve worked with have had any adverse effects from aldosterone therapy, likely because the use of bio-identical, physiologic-dose aldosterone restores levels to those that would be found in the body anyway.

I’ve focused this treatment on individuals with hearing loss and low or low-normal aldosterone levels, but I do know of one individual–an M.D.–who decided to try this approach for his hearing loss even though his aldosterone levels were quite normal. His hearing did improve, but unless you too are an M.D., D.O., or N.D. who can prescribe bio-identical aldosterone and order lab tests for sodium and potassium (sodium and potassium regulation are two of aldosterone’s major responsibilities), please don’t take aldosterone, bio-identical or not, if your measured levels are perfectly normal!

From Health Info Newsletter November 26, 2012:: Zinc for Colds, IBS, Avocados, Hearing Loss

Pycnogenol and PMS

The subjects were 116 women aged 18-48 years. The first 2 menstrual cycles served as a control period; during the subsequent 2 menstrual cycles women received either a Pycnogenol® (PYC) supplement (60 mg/day) or a placebo in identical capsule form. One further cycle was monitored after cessation of capsule administration.

Women were assigned to either a group with low menstrual pain or a group with dysmenorrhea. In women with low menstrual pain, no significant difference for lowering of pain scores was found. In contrast, women with dysmenorrhea had a significantly lower pain score and required statistically significantly less analgesic medication during supplementation with PYC.

The number of days women required analgesic medication was found to be statistically significantly lowered in the PYC group. Even after discontinuation of PYC supplementation, the required analgesic medication remained significantly decreased.

We conclude from this study that the analgesic-sparing effect of Pycnogenol increases with duration of supplementation and benefits persist even after discontinuation.

Read the full article here: http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/experts/NSuzikiAT07-22-08.pdf

You can get Pycnogenol at Emerson Ecologics https://www.emersonecologics.com/CustomOrder.asp?RefID=002T0369&SearchBox=True

Pycnogenol and Erectile dysfunction

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/experts/RStanislavovAT06-06-06.htm

Proper Plastic Use a Healthy Practice

By Maureen Williams, ND

Healthnotes Newswire (October 30, 2008)—Health-conscious people who prefer chemical-free foods—produced without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives—might be getting unexpected exposure to a potentially harmful chemical if they eat or drink from containers made from or lined with certain plastics. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that bisphenol A (more commonly known as BPA), a chemical that leaches into foods and drinks from can liners and some plastics, may be linked to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

BPA in the modern world

BPA is a chemical compound used to manufacture such widely used materials as polyester, polycarbonate plastics, and epoxy resins. Polyvinylchloride (known as PVC) used in household plumbing, dental sealants, liners for food and beverage cans (especially for acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes and sodas), and most number 7 plastics are made with BPA.

At room temperature, small amounts of BPA slowly leach into food and drinks, but at higher temperatures, leaching can occur as much as 55 times faster. Strong cleaning chemicals can damage plastic surfaces and contribute to increased leaching of BPA.

Concerns about the health effects of long-term BPA exposure have primarily focused on its ability to act like estrogen in the body, but researchers have suggested that it may act in other harmful ways as well.

Measuring the effects of BPA in humans

The new study included data from a subset of 1,455 adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004. The people in the study had urine tests to measure BPA levels and blood tests to measure some disease risks, and answered questions about their health status.

People with the highest BPA levels were almost three times more likely to report being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, including angina, coronary artery disease, and heart attack, than people with the lowest BPA levels. Having the highest BPA levels was also associated with a 2.43-fold increase in risk of type 2 diabetes. Obese people’s urine BPA levels were 1.8 times higher than those of normal-weight people. In addition, higher BPA levels were associated with abnormalities of blood tests that indicate liver cell damage.

“We found that higher BPA concentrations [in urine] were associated with diagnoses of heart disease and diabetes. We also found associations between high concentrations and clinically abnormal concentrations of three liver enzymes,” the researchers said in summary. “Importantly, we observed no associations with the other common conditions examined.” The other conditions examined were cancer, arthritis, respiratory disease, stroke, and thyroid disease.

Reduce your exposure

The authors of this study used models to estimate daily BPA intake based on the urine concentrations measured and found that average intake was far below the safety guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. If future research confirms a link between this level of intake and risk of heart disease and diabetes, it will be important to reconsider recommendations about what level of BPA intake is safe.

In 2003–2004, the US Centers for Disease Control found that 93% of adults and children had detectable levels of BPA in their urine. As a result of mounting public pressure, some manufacturers have stopped using BPA in their production of baby bottles and water bottles, and some canners have stopped using epoxy resins to line cans for non-acidic foods. Last week, Canada became the first country to ban the use of BPA in the manufacturing of baby bottles.

You can take steps to reduce your exposure to BPA:

• Don’t use number 7 plastic baby bottles. Warm infant formula more safely in glass bottles and plastic bottles labeled “BPA-free” or made from number 2 or 5 plastics.

• Only fresh cold water should be drunk from number 7 plastic bottles. Better yet, get a stainless steel water bottle, or one made with number 2 plastic.

• Avoid heating food in microwavable plastic, which is likely to be made with number 7 plastics.

• Emphasize fresh and frozen foods to limit canned food and drink consumption.

(JAMA 2008;300:1303–10)

And thanks to my son Aaron (http://www.binauralairwaves.com) for creating a blog site:http://integrativeenergetics.blogspot.com

PSTEC

I just discovered PSTEC about a month ago…It is a powerful technique that can really help you neutralize strong emotional states.

It’s Free, Fast, & Powerful. Go here to download the free stuff….

http://www.pstecaudiosource.org/pstec/?aff_id=434

Self help with PSTEC™ is free and everything is here on this website. Therapists can try it for free too.

In a “nutshell”, the basic PSTEC™ is a unique 11 minute audio track which can be played to anyone (including yourself) to create a resolution for almost any problem related to unwanted emotions or feelings. Whilst that may sound unlikely, PSTEC™ has been described as being possibly the fastest and most efficient neutralizer of problem emotions ever created. Better than that, it’s free to help yourself and you can use it for almost anything.

Tapping

Contrary to what you might think, overcoming your emotional and physical challenges doesn’t have to be difficult…

Tapping has been shown to provide relief from chronic pain, emotional problems, disorders, addictions, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, and physical diseases as helping people clear the limiting beliefs that are holding them back from attracting what they want.  20 amazing presentations during the world summit itself, an online virtual event, which starts on February 21st, covering topics such as:

• Tapping into Abundance: Understanding What’s Really Going on with The Law of Attraction
• Using Meridian Tapping to Quickly Manage and Eliminate Pain fro Trauma, Injury, and Surgery
• Freedom From Food! Releasing Your Cravings and Compulsive Eating Habits to Lose Weight and Feel Great
• Breaking the Chain of Addictions with Meridian Tapping-
• Meridian Tapping for Cancer Support
• Skyrocket Your Business by Overcoming the Most Common Business Fears        

(includes both basic information for beginners and advanced never before revealed strategies for people who already know about tapping)

Go here to register for this free offering.

There is Instant Access to 5 bonus interviews on Tapping with Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale, Bruce Lipton, Carol Look and Nick Ortner on how to quickly and easily implement this technique in to your life.

http://www.tappingworldsummit.com/

2 Secrets to Calmer, Smarter Kids

By Kerry Bone

I’m the first to admit that there’s not a lot of research on herbal treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But I also believe that anything that can help keep children from a lifetime of personality-squelching drugs is well worth considering. And there are two herbs that look promising. Even though the clinical trials are still in the early stages, they’re options that every parent—and grandparent—needs to know about.

Natural cure-all tackles ADHD

The first came as a surprise to me—though maybe it shouldn’t have, considering its ever-expanding list of benefits. I’m talking about Pycnogenol, which is a proprietary, standardized extract of French maritime pine park (Pinus pinaster).

When news of it first emerged, its primary claim to fame was treating chronic venous insufficiency. From there, research showed that it could also alleviate asthma, eliminate migraines, reduce blood pressure, and lower blood sugar levels. And now studies also point to its ability to help naturally calm children with ADHD.

A pilot study found that Pycnogenol significantly improved ADHD symptoms in children taking it.1 This early evidence led to a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 61 children, using the same dose (1 mg/kg/day) over the course of four weeks.2 The children were examined at start of trial, one month after starting treatment, and one month after the end of treatment period. Results showed that just one month of the pine bark extract caused a significant reduction of hyperactivity and improved the attention, coordination, and concentration of children with ADHD. No positive effects were found in the placebo group. A relapse of symptoms was noted one month after the children stopped taking the treatment, which shows that while Pycnogenol can help control the condition, it’s not a cure.

Researchers aren’t quite sure why it works, but the initial evidence indicates that it does. The same is true for the next herb showing potential for ADHD—Bacopa.

Better behavior—and a bonus

There are two particular controlled trials I want to share with you. The first involved an Ayurvedic herbal formulation called Mentat, which contains Bacopa (Bacopa monniera) as the main ingredient. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial looked at the effects of Mentat vs. a placebo in 60 children with ADHD. The researchers assessed the children’s academic functioning and gave them psychological tests before and after the treatment. They found that the Mentat group showed significant improvement in both areas as compared to the placebo group.3

The other study examined the effects of Bacopa by itself. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involved a total of 36 children. Nineteen received 100 mg/day of Bacopa extract for 12 weeks and 17 were given placebo. The herbal treatment was followed by a 4-week placebo period, making the total length of the trial 16 weeks in both groups. The research team evaluated the children using a battery of tests before, during, and at the end of the study. While the behavior results weren’t as clear, there were other striking improvements, including significant improvement on sentence repetition, logical memory, and learning after just 12 weeks in the children taking Bacopa. And this improvement was maintained for the whole 16-week study period—even after the children had been switched to the placebo. During the clinical trial Bacopa exhibited excellent tolerability and no treatment-related adverse effects were reported.4

Other studies support these learning-enhancement effects. For example, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that 300 mg/day of Bacopa extract (about 6 g of dried herb) for 12 weeks significantly improved learning and memory consolidation.5 With those results in mind, Bacopa may be worthwhile even if your children or grandchildren don’t suffer from ADHD. KB

The sun is at its strongest this time of year, and many worry about getting skin cancer.

Below are two articles about an topical extract from the nightshade family ( which includes eggplant, tomato, potato,”bell” peppers and tobacco), that can cure skin cancers without surgery.

From Nutrition and Healing http://www.wrightnewsletter.com

The Researchers find a groundbreaking skin cancer cure By Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.

Would you believe that studies have shown that an extract from eggplant can cure —that’s cure, not just improve—the majority of skin cancers, usually in two to three months or less? This may seem like groundbreaking information, but researchers have known about it for nearly 20 years.

Actually, extracts from plants of the Solanaceae family ( which includes eggplant, tomato, potato,”bell” peppers and tobacco), were reported effective for treating cancer as long ago as 1825.1 But scientific investigation of these anti-cancer effects didn’t happen until the second half of the 20th century, and the first few years of the 21st.

Results in no-time flat

The first reported study compared the effects of a topical eggplant extract called BEC with a placebo on two different types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell—and actinic keratosis, a condition characterized by small, rough, yellow or brownish patches of skin that almost always occur on sun-exposed skin of individuals over 50.2

Thirty individuals had basal cell cancers, usually a form that spreads locally if untreated. All 28 of the patients using BEC had complete regression of all of their basal cell cancers (some had more than one) in three to 13 weeks. None of the patients using placebo had improvement after 14 weeks.

Twenty of the volunteers had squamous cell cancers, a form which starts and spreads locally but can metastasize. Again, all of the patients using BEC (20 this time) had complete regression of their squamous cell cancers in three to 11 weeks. There were no placebo treatments in this group.

The actinic keratosis group experienced the same effects: Of the 24 in the BEC-treated group, 100 percent had complete regression, this time in just one week to a month. None of the 12 patients using placebo had any improvement at all in 14 weeks.

In another small study, which used a slightly different version of BEC called BEC2, 13 individuals with 24 basal cancers had 83 percent of those cancers comletely regress in less than two months. Five people with squamous cell cancers also had 83 percent of their cancers completely regress within one to three months. And eight individuals with actinic keratoses had 100 percent regression in just two to six weeks.

Cost-effective and non-invasive

In a letter dated April 23, 2002, Drs. Rino Cerio and Sangeeta Punjabi of the Dermatology Department of the Royal London Hospital describe their experience participating in trials using a form of the extract called BEC5 to treat both invasive and non-invasive forms of basal cell carcinoma. The first was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-centered study of 94 patients. The second trial with 41 individuals was done only at Royal London Hospital, and was mostly to assess safety, so no placebo was used. The doctors reported that in both trials, approximately 78 percent experienced complete regression within eight weeks.

The doctors noted that with twice daily use, only a few patients reported skin irritation and redness. They pointed out that the cosmetic outcome is “comparable to that resulting from surgical excision.”

The doctors concluded: “In our view and experience BEC5 is a topical preparation which is safe and effective, ideal therapy for outpatient treatment… It is a cost-effective treatment for both primary and secondary skin cancer care.”

And follow-up research on patients who have used BEC shows that once their cancer or actinic keratosis goes away, it doesn’t recur.

The “backdoor approach” to cancer treatment

BEC5 is a name for a mixture of 1/3 solasonine and 1/3 solamargine in the “triglycoside” form, and 1/3 “diglycosides and monoglycosides” of these two basic molecules.

Solasonine and solamargine themselves are actually very similar (but not identical to) human cholesterol and steroid molecules.

By themselves, solasonine and solamargine don’t have anti-cancer activity because they can’t penetrate into cells, cancerous or normal. That’s why just eating the foods that contain these compounds won’t eliminate your skin cancer or even reduce your risk of getting it. In order for them to be effective, they need to be able to get into the cells. That’s where the glycosides come in.

Glycoside is a term used to describe molecules with various simple sugars attached to them. One of these simple sugars, called rhamnose, selectively latches on to receptors present only in skin cancer cell membranes and in actinic keratosis. When you combine the solasonine and solamargine with rhamnose, they can get into the cells where they cause cancer cell death by destroying cell components called lysosomes.

Normal cells escape any harm, since the BEC5 can’t get into them.

80,000 success stories

According to Dr. Bill Cham, who has developed BEC since the 1980s, BEC5 is effective at extremely low-doses and is safe to use even very frequently.

Dr. Cham writes: “BEC5 is applied at least twice daily to the skin and may be applied much more frequently if rapid regression of the tumor is required. Some patients apply [it] up to 10 times daily. The cosmetic results after using BEC5 are very impressive and over 80,000 patients have now used BEC5 successfully.”

Also, please note that BEC5 does not contain the part of the eggplant that can cause “nightshade sensitivity” in arthritis sufferers.

You can get BEC5 on-line from International Anti-aging Systems – http://www.antiaging-systems.com/scripts/iasrefer.cgi?SOURCE=WAY1&DESTINATION=bec5curaderm

Remember: What’s reported here are preliminary research results concerning BEC5 and squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer, and actinic keratosis. Even though these results are very good, they may not apply to you.

As always, consult with a physician skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional and natural medicine if you’d like to try BEC5. And since skin cancer (especially squamous cell cancer) can be very dangerous if neglected, it’s always wisest to consult a dermatologist, too.

Citations available upon request and on the Nutrition & Healing website: www.wrightnewsletter.com

An Editorial From the Townsend Letter http://www.townsendletter.com/

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year. Approximately 75% of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas (BCC), and 25% are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The main risk factors for these cancers are excessive sun exposure (particularly a history of frequent sunburns) and the use of tanning beds. While non-melanoma skin cancers are usually not life-threatening, both types can extend to and damage adjacent tissue, and SCC can metastasize. Solar keratoses (also called actinic keratoses) are common precancerous lesions that progress in some cases to SCC.

The main treatment modalities for non-melanoma skin cancers are surgery and application of liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Radiation therapy is used in some cases, and chemotherapy may be administered in cases of metastatic SCC. Treatments for solar keratoses include topical application of 5-fluorouracil, liquid nitrogen, and electrocautery. While these treatments are usually effective in early cases, they can be costly ($600-$2,500), and the cosmetic result is not always optimal.

Solasodine glycosides, which are found in plants of the nightshade family, have also been shown to be effective as a topical treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers and solar keratoses. These compounds have been reported to kill cancer cells selectively, without harming normal cells. A cream containing a mixture of solasodine glycosides has been licensed in Australia since 1991 and is marketed under the name Curaderm. This product contains 0.005% solasodine glycosides, 10% salicylic acid, 5% urea, and 0.1% tea tree oil in a cream base. In an uncontrolled clinical trial, Curaderm treatment was successful in 100% of cases of BCC, SCC, and solar keratosis.

Eighty-six patients (aged 38-74 years) with a total of 138 histologically confirmed skin lesions (39 BCC, 29 SCC, and 56 keratoses), all of which were at least 5 mm in diameter, applied Curaderm to the lesions twice a day, after which the area was covered with a plastic dressing. Treatment was continued until clinical regression was seen (one to 13 weeks). In patients with BCC, the lesions rapidly became swollen, and erythema developed in the surrounding tissue. The lesions ulcerated after about two days, and this process continued until all cancerous cells were destroyed and healthy tissue grew in. SCC lesions also showed rapid regression, and solar keratoses responded similarly. All of the 138 lesions completely regressed (this was confirmed histologically) after mean treatment periods of 5.2 weeks for BCC, 5.6 weeks for SCC, and 2.9 weeks for solar keratoses.

The cosmetic result was generally good – in many cases, better than what might have been expected with surgery or liquid nitrogen. Curaderm treatment caused itching and burning around the lesions in most cases, but no other adverse effects occurred, and standard laboratory tests (hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis) remained normal. No recurrences were seen during follow-up periods of one to three years.1

These findings were confirmed recently in a double-blind trial that included patients with BCC. The product used in that study was Zycure, which is similar to Curaderm but is not commercially available. It contains 0.005% solasodine glycosides, 10% salicylic acid, 5% urea, and 5% propylene glycol. Ninety-four patients (mean age, 69 years) with histologically confirmed BCC were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive, in double-blind fashion, Zycure cream (n = 62) or placebo (the vehicle without the solasodine glycosides; n=32). The cream was applied twice a day under an occlusive dressing for eight weeks. At the end of the treatment period, biopsies revealed complete resolution of the lesions in 66% of the patients in the active-treatment group and in 25% of those in the placebo group (p < 0.001). The positive responses in the placebo group were attributed to the presence of keratolytic agents in the vehicle (i.e., salicylic acid, urea, and propylene glycol). Ninety percent of the patients in the Zycure group who were successfully treated returned for follow-up at six months and one year. Of those who returned, 85% were free of recurrences after six months and 78% were free of recurrences after one year. Of the eight patients whose lesions resolved during placebo treatment, 63% were free of recurrences after six months and 50% were free of recurrences after one year. No serious adverse effects were reported.2

Proponents of the use of solasodine glycosides have suggested that the results in the study described above might have been even better if the treatment had been continued for an additional four weeks (i.e., a total of 12 weeks). That possibility is supported by the results of the earlier uncontrolled trial, in which the maximal response was not seen until week 13 in some cases.

The available evidence suggests that products containing solasodine glycosides are an effective alternative to conventional treatments for the most common malignant and precancerous skin lesions. Curaderm is available for purchase online at a cost of $120 for a 20-ml bottle. A typical course of treatment requires an average of three bottles. Instructions and precautions regarding the use of this product are available at
http://www.antiaging-systems.com/scripts/iasrefer.cgi?SOURCE=WAY1&DESTINATION=bec5curaderm
Because of the potentially serious nature of skin cancer, the treatment should be monitored by a physician.

Folate reduces Colon Cancer risk in women

News of any little way to lower our cancer risk is always welcome.

News of how to lower it by two-thirds? Well, that’s VERY welcome.

It turns out a certain vitamin—one long-time e-Tips readers already know can prevent damage caused by heart attacks and boost brain power.

Men, this vitamin is good for you, too, but you’re definitely going to want to forward this to the women in your life.

Because a group of researchers at South Korea’s National Cancer Center have found that eating a diet rich in folate can lower a woman’s risk of colon cancer by a whopping two- thirds. The same effect wasn’t seen in men.

The reason for folate’s cancer-protective power? Well, it’s one of the nutrients that’s key in repairing DNA. Researchers think that a lack of folate makes genetic mutations. And that damaged DNA can go cancerous.

So how much folate do you need for this big cancer- preventing boost? Women getting at least 300 micrograms a day saw the best benefit—a 64% lower risk of colon cancer. Women consuming more than 270 micrograms a day slashed their risk in half.

Besides supplements, you can get your daily folate in veggies and fruits like spinach, green beans, peppers, and citrus fruits.

OSTEOPOROSIS

There are two supplements that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of osteoporosis. The first one is called ipriflavone and the other is called strontium. Both of these supplements have been shown to increase bone density in people taking them.

Ipriflavone

In most double-blind placebo-controlled studies of Ipriflavone, involving a total of over 1700 enrolled subjects, results demonstrated either a significant bone sparing effect or improvements in bone mineral density measured at the radius, whole body, or vertebra. In studies that ranged from six months to two years bone mineral density in the Ipriflavone groups increased from 0.7% to 7.1% over the course of the studies. In comparison, the placebo groups had losses as high as 5%. The dosage of Ipriflavone used was 200 mg daily plus 1 g of supplemental calcium.

In other studies looking at the rate of fractures Ipriflavone again showed significant effects. In one study there was a 50% reduction in the rate of new vertebral fractures in the first year of Ipriflavone treatment.

For the most part, all of the studies of Ipriflavone have been positive. In a very recent study Ipriflavone did not show any benefit. The explanation of this result may be that the trial group did not take sufficient calcium. In the previous studies, all of the participants took 1 g of supplemental calcium but in this study participants took just half of the amount.

Generally, Ipriflavone is well tolerated by people, although mild gastrointestinal distress can occur. In certain individuals with low white blood count numbers or immunosuppressed systems may want to avoid taking Ipriflavone. Similar to Grapefruit, Ipriflavone may cause an increase in the blood levels of certain medications. So if you are taking medication that says to avoid grapefruit you should maybe avoid taking Ipriflavone. In general, Ipriflavone can be used by the majority of people who are experiencing osteoporosis or want to maintain good bone density.

You can read a monograph on the Ipriflavone at the following site:

http://www.vitalnutrients.net/research.htm

Strontium

The patent medicine osteoporosis remedy that kills bone cells—and the all-natural alternatives that save them.

This article is by Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD

A few months ago at the Tahoma Clinic I visited with a man—let’s call him Derek—who had been diagnosed with early osteoporosis. He had heard of the connection between good testosterone levels and healthy bones, and he wanted to have his levels checked to see if he should try supplementing with this hormone.

Derek’s regular medical doctor, a member of an insurance company preferred provider network, told him he should take Boniva, a “biphosphonate” patent medication. A two-year double-blind, placebo-controlled “prevention” study had shown that Boniva increases bone density in post-menopausal women by approximately 3 percent in the spine, and approximately 2 percent at the hip. A similar three-year treatment study had shown a very significant reduction in new vertebral fractures. Derek had done some basic Internet research and had found that millions of Americans were using biphosphonates for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Unfortunately, Boniva also kills certain bone cells.

I read the following excerpt to him from an information bulletin on the product: “Boniva is a biphosphonate, a metabolic poison that kills the osteoclast bone cells that help create the balance between bone resorption and bone building, thus forcing an increase in bone mass.” I skipped to the side effects section, which included the following: “dyspepsia [heartburn, indigestion, stomach pain], diarrhea, tooth disorder, vomiting, gastritis, infection, and allergic reaction.”

Derek was alarmed when he found out the truth, and I’m sure many of you are feeling the same—especially if you’re taking Boniva.

But you may be wondering, as Derek did, if testosterone and calcium are enough to improve your bone health. I told him I would certainly recommend testosterone if his tests showed the need. But there are other effective options for improving your bone health that don’t require hormonal therapy. In fact, the people I’ve worked with have experienced between 3 and 11 percent improvement in bone density in just one year by using calcium, strontium, vitamin D, and a variety of other nutrients.

The mineral that can make calcium even more effective

Taking strontium in addition to calcium is more effective than calcium alone. Numerous studies have demonstrated that strontium does much more than slow the deterioration of your bones—it actually stimulates rapid bone formation. A 2004 double-blind, placebo controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that a combination of strontium ranelate, calcium, and vitamin D increased bone density by 9 to 15 percent over three years.1 Research conducted in the 80s by one of the same researchers showed under-the-microscope improvement in bone density with strontium carbonate and calcium. And research done at the Mayo Clinic in the 50s showed both clinical and x-ray improvement with a third form of strontium.

For best results, I also recommend having a gastric analysis. Twenty years of tests done at the Tahoma Clinic have shown that 90 percent of individuals with osteoporosis have low stomach acid. If your stomach acid is low, your body won’t be able to absorb calcium, strontium, and other minerals nearly as well, and your results won’t be as good.

You can take these and other bone- building nutrients separately, or all together in one bone-building combination formula. If you take them separately, be sure to always use at least twice as much calcium as strontium. Because some leading researchers state that calcium and strontium mutually inhibit each other’s absorption, either calcium or strontium should be taken in the morning and the other taken at night.

Citations available upon request and on the Nutrition & Healing website: www.wrightnewsletter.com

Other nutrients

One of the most important nutrients involved with bone health is Vitamin D

Many people don’t get enough Vitamin D. You may need to reexamine your Vitamin D intake to make sure you get at least 1000 Units a day The following link is to an article on Vitamin D. You can also do a search for Vitamin D at this site to learn more.

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20050430/food.asp

Other important nutrients include Vitamin K, boron, and vanadium. If you are taking a high quality multi-vitamin these should be in the formula.

You should be taking a high quality multi-vitamin!!!!

More on EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique)

I have purchased all the EFT DVDs and am amazed how well it works.

First, I suggest that you go to the EFT website and watch the video located in the left hand column.

Buy the first set of DVDs “The EFT Course” and be amazed by seeing EFT at work. If you buy more than one set of DVDs there is a great discount.

To find out more about EFT and buy the DVDs go to this site:
www.emofree.com/a/?2765

Neck Tension:

If you are bothered by chronic neck tension it may be due to your glasses. I have noticed that many people with chronic neck tension wear either bifocal glasses or trifocals. And many of these people also are looking at a computer screen all day long. Because the visual field of the magnifying section of the glasses is smaller than the computer screen, people have to nod their head all day long to see all the information on the screen. And as a result, the neck gets tighter and tighter.

The easiest solution to this is to get a pair of reading glasses and use them while doing computer work and regular reading. Save the bifocals or trifocals for tasks that require near and distance seeing like driving a car.

Osteoporosis:

“Tea drinking is associated with benefits on bone density in older women,” Devine A, Hodgson JM, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2007; 86(4): 1243-7. .

Summary: In a study involving a cross-sectional analysis of the relation between tea intake and hip structure and a prospective analysis of the relation between tea intake and hip structure over 4 years of follow-up, results indicate that tea drinking (black tea and green tea, but not herbal tea) exerts beneficial effects on bone structure by reducing bone loss in elderly women.

In a cross-sectional analysis involving 1,027 women aged 70-85 years, usual tea intake was assessed by using a questionnaire, and hip structure was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) areal bone mineral density (aBMD). Total hip aBMD was 2.8% greater in tea drinkers than in non-tea drinkers.

In a prospective analysis involving 164 elderly women, the relation of tea intake at baseline with change in aBMD over a 4 year period was assessed.

After 4 years, tea drinkers showed an average loss of 1.6% of their total hip aBMD, compared to baseline, whereas non-tea drinkers showed an average loss of 4.0% of their total aBMD, compared to baseline.

Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Tea drinking is associated with preservation of hip structure in elderly women. This finding provides further evidence of the beneficial effects of tea consumption on the skeleton.”

Tea has so many more benefits try to drink a few cups a day. It helps fight tooth decay, been linked to reducing prostate cancer, can increase body metabolism for weight loss and a lot more.

High Blood Pressure:

Here is an article by Dr. Michael Murray on celery seed extract. Celery (around four stalks a day) has been shown to reduce blood pressure up to 10-20 points. Celery seed extract (3nB) is a concentrate that is more convenient for some people. I have it for sale and it is also available at most health food stores.

http://www.doctormurray.com/articles/pdfs/PADM4515CelerySeed.pdf

Vaccinations:

Here is an article by Gary Null and Martin Feldman

http://www.townsendletter.com/Oct2007/vaccinate_null1007.htm