Dr. John's Health Matters
Welcome to Dr. John's Health Matters blog.
The articles posted here are from various sources who are duly acknowledged. I would appreciate being immediately notified, if any copywritten material needs to be removed. This blog is not intended to replace the qualified advice of a licensed health practitioner. Readers should exercise their own judgment. Enjoy, subscribe, participate and tell others :)
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Posts tagged "natural"
Monday, Aug 31st, 2009 ↓Natural Therapies: Simple Solutions for Complex Problems →
Aug 31, 2009 (NaturalNews.com)— One question I’m routinely asked is “If you had to recommend just one supplement for __________ (fill in the blank), what would it be?” I could easily spout off a laundry list of safe, natural therapies for virtually all common health concerns. Narrowing it down to only one therapy per condition is much more of a challenge, but based on recent patient and subscriber feedback, here goes.
Manage Pain With MSM
For joint and muscle pain, I’ve been hearing great things about MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), a naturally occurring sulfur compound and close chemical cousin of DMSO-that doesn’t have DMSO’s obnoxious smell. MSM relieves pain by several mechanisms. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, it blocks the pain response in nerve fibers, and its sulfur may help with cartilage regeneration.
One of our patients, the mother of a Whitaker Wellness doctor, was bothered by nagging pain in her neck and shoulders- until she started taking MSM. Another patient, who is an actor, used to have such excruciating pain in his knees that he’d have to take Vicodin before going on stage and was considering arthroscopic surgery. He reported miraculous results with MSM and no longer requires painkillers. The suggested daily dose of MSM ranges between 1,200 and 6,000 mg. Start low and increase as needed.
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Occasional sleeplessness is a very common concern. I used to recommend melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your “body clock”; valerian, an herb with mild sedative effects; or L-theanine, an amino acid with profound relaxing properties. Each of these worked for some people, but not everyone. Then I tried them in combination, and bingo! For the majority of patients and subscribers, this combo engenders a good night’s sleep.
Tom, a VP at the company that publishes Health & Healing, shared his story. He was eating right, exercising, and taking vitamins, but when it came time for bed, despite the fact he was physically and mentally drained, he still sometimes had trouble falling or staying asleep. Since he started taking this supplement, however, he sleeps like a baby.
Look for combination sleep products in your health food store. Suggested doses are 1,000 mcg melatonin, 500 mg valerian extract, and 200 mg L-theanine 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.
V8 Gives Hypertension the Boot
Experts predict that an astounding 90 percent of middle-aged Americans will develop hypertension at some point in their lives. This sounds extreme, but I have to admit that many of the patients who come to my clinic have high blood pressure. Fortunately, we are very successful at getting them off drugs with diet changes, exercise, and a handful of supplements. But if I had to select just one thing for high blood pressure it would be Low Sodium V8 Juice.
Low Sodium V8 has a slight blood-thinning effect, which reduces pressure on the arteries, and it’s loaded with potassium, which balances sodium and helps lower blood pressure. One of the many patients who has benefited from this therapy is Ted, an old friend of mine. After struggling with hypertension for years, Ted took me up on my suggestion to drink 12 ounces of this juice every day. Much to his surprise, this simple step worked to normalize his blood pressure.
For full article, see link above.
Tags: natural remedy supplement prevention treatment pain MSM joint muscle sulfur anti-inflammatory cartilage regeneration sleep melatonin valerian amino acid V8 hypertension blood pressure blood cardiovascular flaxseed cholesterol zinc lutein energy ribose fatique
Drug Tests Are Flagging Natural Health Products for Narcotics →
July 7, 2009 (Naturalnews.com)—Police in the United States and Canada have been arresting people when their natural health, food and body products falsely test positive for drugs.
Police widely rely on narcotics identification kits (NIKs) to test suspect substances for drugs — the problem is, these kits have a strong tendency to identify benign substances as narcotics.
“The NIK’s false positive rate is about 10 percent,” said Adam Eidinger of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. “This is an estimate from the hundreds of times I’ve experimented.”
To use an NIK, law enforcement officers mix the suspicious substance with liquid in a vial then watch to see if it turns purple, indicating the presence of narcotics.
In 2007, punk musician Don Bolles was arrested by Newport Beach police for possession of the date rape drug GHB. Bolles did not have any drugs on him, however — police had relied on an NIK test that falsely flagged his Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap as positive for the drug.
For full article see link above.
Tags: natural health food police narcotic mistake government flagged arrest possession
Manage Morning Sickness Naturally →
June 13, 2009 (NaturalNews.com)— You’ve been feeling a little “off” for a few weeks and think you may have the flu. But lo and behold, over the next month or so, you discover you have another reason for your “off” feeling. You are going to be a mother! After the shock wears off and you begin to see being pregnant as the wonderful thing it is, you wonder if you’ll be able to survive the morning sickness you are experiencing. Remembering that morning sickness doesn’t last the whole nine months isn’t much help as you sit with your head held over the waste basket, feeling more than a little green. Well, take heart. There are many things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness without the harmful effects of drugs.
For full article see link above.
Tags: morning sickness pregnancy hormone natural acupressure acupunture giner citrus
Reiki is a Powerful System of Healing →
June 5, 2009 (NaturalNews.com) —Reiki is an ancient healing method that has been performed in Tibet for thousands of years. It is different from many other natural healing methods because it relies solely on the universal energy or life force that is guided in to the patient through simple touch or the placing of hands. The Reiki we all know today is called Ursui Reiki, and it was actually devised in the late 19th century by a Japanese doctor called Mikao Ursui. Dr Ursui spent 14 years researching Tibetan Buddhism and many other Eastern Philosophies to perfect his methods, which have now spawned at least 1000 different branches of Reiki here in the west, mostly within the last 20 years. This system of healing has been shown to have many powerful effects.
For full article see link above.
Tags: healing reiki prevention energy imbalance natural immunity pain emotion treatment
Use Herbal Remedies to Treat the Cold and Flu →
Mar 06 09 (NaturalNews) There are no known cures for the common cold, but many plants and healing herbs can be used to soothe symptoms of the cold or flu. Science has now shown that remedies known from folk medicine can calm cold symptoms and even speed healing.
Andrographis:
Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is used in Ayurvedic medicine, part of the Hindu folk medicine from India. Traditionally used to treat upper respiratory infections and sinusitis, Andrographis, based on a recent study, showed a reduction in symptoms of coughs, sore throats, headache and fever. If taken during the winter months on a daily basis, Andrographis may prevent upper respiratory tract infections, according to clinical evidence.
Boneset:
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) was used by Native Americans to treat fevers. It can also be used homeopathically. In a recent study, homeopathic doses of boneset effectively decreased cold symptoms.
Chamomile:
The herb, Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has been used in medicine for thousands of years. For a cold with congestion, inhale the steam of a chamomile extract or cup of tea. Drowsiness can be a side effect of taking Chamomile. It`s also used for calming the stomach and aiding insomnia.
Sage:
To treat a sore throat, use a mouthwash of Sage tea or extract in water. Gargling with Sage mouthwash is an approved use for treating sore throat, according to a German Health Commission.
Echinacea:
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea puruprea, Echinacea pallida) is widely used around the world to improve the body`s natural immune system and prevent colds and flu. Studies have not borne out Echinacea`s utility in preventing colds but it may help reduce the length and severity of a cold when taken after symptoms begin. Side effects of Echinacea include rashes, and some drug interactions.
Elder flowers:
Elder (Sambucus nigra) has been shown to have antiviral and antibacterial activity, according to recent laboratory studies. Mixed in equal parts with peppermint, Elder flowers help reduce the fevers and aches caused by colds and the flu.
Slippery Elm:
Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) is a remedy from folk medicine that has long been used to treat sore throats. It is available as a tea or lozenge. It has a pleasant taste, making it easy to give to children, and has no known side effects.
Goldenseal:
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has a long history in treating cold and upper respiratory tract infections. It contains berberine, which acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. A very cleaning herb, it can be used externally, internally, in tincture or as a tea, and also as a homeopathic remedy.
Peppermint:
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a fragrant herb long used in herbal medicine. Tea or extract can be inhaled to clear sinusitis and nasal congestion. Rubbed on the skin, it reduces the joint pain and inflammation caused by infections. As a tea, it can help reduce fevers.
Tags: echinacea elder flu goldenseal herbs influenza natural nutrition slippery elm andrographis bonset chamomile sage peppermint
Use Effective Natural Home Treatments for a Cough →
Mar 04 09 (NaturalNews) Not too long ago, the most common response to a persistent cough was a trip to the cough syrup aisle at the drug store. Now, with concerns about these drugs on the rise, natural home treatments are highly sought. Fortunately, home treatment for coughing is generally considered both safe and effective, a far cry from the reputation earned by cough syrups.
Suppressing a cough is not really medically necessary in most cases. In fact, coughing is your body’s way of clearing mucus and phlegm from the throat, a process that is crucial in preventing and removing infection. Of course, there are times when a cough is just downright annoying. So if you’re trying to clear up a cough, whether for a business meeting or just to get some sleep, rest assured there are plenty of time-honored natural remedies available.
For full article, see link above.
Treating Herpes Naturally and with Fewer Side Effects →
Mar 04 08 (NaturalNews) The term herpes generally refers to a sexually-transmitted, double-stranded DNA virus, called herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 (also known as human herpesvirus 2, or HHV2). This virus is closely related to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1 or HHV1), which is the cause of common nonsexually-transmitted cold sores. These two viruses are among the eight members of the herpes virus family to infect humans, causing a variety of illnesses ranging from cold sores to brain infection (encephalitis) to chickenpox to various cancers.
A significant number of medical institutions place the incidence of oral herpes (HSV-1), which is commonly called cold sores, between 50 and 80 percent among the American population in the fifth decade of life. Whereas the incidence of genital herpes (HSV-2) in the US is estimated to be between 25 and 30 percent or about one in four adults. African Americans, people with multiple sexual partners, women, and those who become sexually active at a young age are all higher-risk populations for the transmission of HSV-2.
For full article, see link above.
Stay Home and Treat Your Cold the Natural Way →
Feb 16 09 (NaturalNews) You know cold season is hitting its peak when crumpled tissues start piling up next to bottles of cough syrup and antibiotics. It seems the moment someone gets the sniffles they feel compelled to visit their doctor, and more often than not, they leave their appointment with multiple prescriptions in hand. You have to wonder: is all this medication necessary?
The answer is no. Home treatment for colds can be even more effective than medications, and without the harmful side effects. Old-fashioned cold remedies can often be made with what you already have in your pantry, and the cost is much less prohibitive than the expense of a doctor`s visit and several prescriptions. Next time you feel a cold coming on, try some of these simple remedies to alleviate your symptoms and shorten the duration of your cold.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Drugs
Although these medications claim to be helpful, they can turn your cold into a nightmare. A runny nose may be irritating, but drying up nasal passages with decongestants is a surefire way to encourage the build-up of bacteria. Instead, keep you sinuses clear with natural saline sprays.
For full article, see link above.
Natural Herbal Medicines Reduce Sick Days Due to SARS →
From Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM
Posted 01/22/2009
Natural herbal medicine (NHM) has been used to control infectious diseases for thousands of years. In view of the possible beneficial effect of NHM on SARS, we conducted this study to examine whether NHM is of any benefit as a supplementary treatment of SARS or SARS-like infectious disease. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-eight patients fulfilled the WHO inclusion criteria and our exclusion criteria. All enrolled patients received routine western-medicine treatment. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the three supplementary treatment groups: NHM A (Group A, n = 9) NHM B (Group B, n = 9) or placebo (Group C, n = 10). Chest X-ray was done every 1 or 2 days for every patient. Reading radiologists use a standard 0–3 scoring system (0: no infiltration; 1: focal haziness or even small patchy lesion; 2: ground glass picture; 3: lobar consolidation) according to the severity of infiltration in each lung field (three lung fields in both right and left lungs). The main outcome measurements were the improving chest radiographic scores (IRS) and the duration (days) till improvement (DI). One patient from the placebo group passed away. Patients from NHM A took less days before showing improvement (6.7 ± 1.8) compared with placebo group (11.2 ± 4.9), which showed statistical significance (P = 0.04). The cases were too few to be conclusive, the initial observations seem to indicate NHM appears to be safe in non-criticallly ill patients and clinical trials are feasible in the setting of pandemic outbreaks.
For full medical article, see link above.
10 Antidepressant Alternatives Proven to Work - Articles →
Jan 28 09 (mercola.com) — If you are suffering from depression, but would prefer to try something natural before going the traditional pharmaceutical route, here are some remedies that have stood up to rigorous testing.
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy seeks to help people change how they think about things. Unlike more traditional forms of therapy, it focuses on “here and now” problems and difficulties. Numerous clinical studies throughout the world have consistently demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication. Within 20 sessions of individual therapy, approximately 75 percent of patients experience a significant decrease in their symptoms.
2. St John’s wort
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for the treatment of depression. It is available in tablets, capsules and liquid form from supermarkets and health food shops. Research suggests that it exerts its antidepressant action by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have examined the effectiveness of St. John’s wort for the treatment of mild to moderate major depression, and most have found the herb more effective than a placebo. It can be at least as effective as paroxetine (Paxil) in the treatment of moderate to severe depression in the short term.
3. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
SAMe is an amino acid derivative that occurs naturally in all cells. It plays a role in many biological reactions by transferring its methyl group to DNA, proteins, phospholipids and biogenic amines. Several scientific studies indicate that SAMe may be useful in the treatment of depression.
4. Light Therapy
For years, light therapy has been used to treat seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression caused by short winter days and extended darkness. A lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which can trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition. Light therapy helps to regulate the body’s internal clock in the same way that sunlight does. Light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder, and it may reduce the symptoms of non-seasonal depression as well.
5. Exercise
Researchers have found that regular exercise, and the increase in physical fitness that results, alters serotonin levels in the brain and leads to improved mood and feelings of wellbeing. Study after study has shown that exercise promotes mental health and reduces symptoms of depression. The antidepressant effect of regular physical exercise is comparable to potent antidepressants like Sertraline.
6. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and tryptophan are also natural alternatives to traditional antidepressants. When your body sets about manufacturing serotonin, it first makes 5-HTP. Taking 5-HTP as a supplement may raise serotonin levels. The evidence suggests 5-HTP and tryptophan are better than a placebo at alleviating depression.
7. Massage
One of the best-known benefits of massage therapy is its ability to enhance feelings of well-being. Massage produces chemical changes in the brain that result in a feeling of relaxation and calm. It also reduces levels of stress hormones. Massage therapy lowers levels of stress hormone cortisol by an average of 30 percent. Massage also increases serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.
8. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment in which needles are inserted at specific points in the body. Research suggests that acupuncture can decrease or eliminate the symptoms of depression. A review of 8 controlled trials supported the theory that acupuncture can significantly reduce the severity of depression.
9. Yoga & Meditation
Yoga is an ancient system of relaxation, exercise, and healing with origins in Indian philosophy. Practicing yoga can alter your brain chemistry. Some yoga positions are effective in stimulating the release of endorphins and reducing the level of stress hormone cortisol. Several human studies support the use of yoga for depression, and yoga postures have been specifically shown to increase levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which may alleviate depression.
10. B Vitamins
Sources:B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions. Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin, so vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression. And there is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12.
Care for the Diabetic Foot Naturally and Holistically →
(NaturalNews) According to recent statistics, diabetes is the fastest growing illness in the US and Americans are at risk for developing this disease more now than ever before. Diabetes prevention by improving one’s diet and incorporating exercise into daily routine is very important. For those who already have developed diabetes, however, there are important natural ways to manage the illness. Caring for the diabetic foot, for example, is an extremely important part of the diabetic’s daily care and this can be achieved naturally and holistically.
It is very important for the diabetic to keep his/her glucose levels in control. Leading a healthy lifestyle and eliminating processed and refined sugars is a very effective way to both delay and even prevent common foot problems. These lifestyle choices will also help to keep eye and kidney problems under control as well.
For full article, see link above.
Relieve Crohn's Disease Naturally →
Jan 09 09 (NaturalNews) Crohn’s Disease is an inflammation that can affect any portion of the digestive tract. Approximately 50% of all incidences of Crohn’s Disease affect the last part of the small intestine. The typical onset of Crohn’s is in early adulthood. Some with Crohn’s Disease will experience periods of remission and others with Crohn’s Disease will experience continuous symptoms. To date, there is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease. There are many pharmaceutical drugs available for control of moderate to severe symptoms. But while these drugs may offer limited relief, there are natural alternative methods for relieving symptoms that are much more effective and less toxic to the human body.
For full article, see link above.
Drug Company Funded "Charity" Warns People Away from Health Information on the Web →
The internet is a dangerous place, and knowledge is a dangerous thing, says “Sense About Science,” a non-profit front group funded largely by drug company money. The group is warning consumers away from information on web sites that offers natural remedies for Alzheimer’s disease and cancer cures. Not surprisingly, the drug companies don’t want people to have access to real information, they want it all to be controlled, filtered and limited to the pushing of patented pharmaceuticals. Nutritional literacy is not allowed in the modern world of conventional medicine. Check out the list of donors to this bogus non-profit group here: http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/other/130/
For full article, see link above.
