DECEMBER 24, 2018 CHOCOLATE AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia presenting to a Doctor’s office . The prevalence is 2 % in people younger than 65 years old and 9 % in older than 65 years old. We do know that cocoa containing products have antioxidant, anti inflammatory and vasodilatory properties. It has already been shown that cocoa lowers blood pressure , and increases the good cholesterol ( HDL) It has been shown that moderate intake of chocolate has more beneficial effects on cardiovascular markers . A study was done analyzing data on atrial fibrillation occurrences and chocolate and titled the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study .

This prospective cohort study showed that subjects who consumed chocolate on a weekly basis had the lowest risk of incidental AF with lowest heart rate for men at 2-6 servings/week. For women with lowest heart rate at 1 serving per week.

There are some flaws in the study as adjustment for exercise, socioeconomic status and disease states as renal failure and sleep apnea. Overall this is a beneficial study which should be looked at again in the near future. The benefits of chocolate are not be taken so lightly.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 20, 2018 UNUSUAL INFECTIONS WITHIN THE USA

Recently a November 2018 study looked at infections associated with travel to the United States. This identified certain infections within regions of the USA that usually do not have these types of infections. I found this study very interesting. There are about 77 million visits by international tourists each year. The study looked at 1,393 diagnoses made in 1,222 travelers. The median travel time was 14 days. There were more female than male travelers.

Insect bite/stings were the most common with 15 % of all diagnoses. There were 13 cases of Coccidiodomycosis in the state of Arizona. The state of Hawaii was noted to have a high number of individuals diagnosed with dengue fever, leptospirosis, and angiostrongylus. Texas also had dengue fever as well as leprosy due to amardillo exposure. Looking at the distribution I saw many more cases of dengue fever

This study represents how many different infections are introduced into the United States.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 19, 2018 ECHINACEA BENEFITS

Echinacea are commonly referred to as the Purple Coneflowers. There are from the Daisy Family. There are nine species of echinacea and 3 are used for medical purposes. Those are E. angustifolia, E. pallida, and E. purpurea. There are 3 distinct active components with medical benefits. The roots of this plant contain an alkylamide which activates macrophages. This supports a healthy immune system

I usually combine Echinacea with Hydrastis canadensis which is goldenseal. In Europe this combination is used with 2 added herbs: Thuja and Baptista.

Echinacea is characterized as a immune modulator stimulating phagocyctic activity while simultaneously modulating cytokine secretion There are many dosing schedules but the common one I utilize is 0.9 mL three to four times a day for continued immune support

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 18, 2018 PATULA

I was reading about a luffa. It was asked of people “ does it come form the sea” I actually did not know. After research and reading it comes form a plant - Patula. When as a young fruit it is eaten and cooked with rice. A soup is made with chicken and noodles. It is used paired with misua, thin salted noodles. So it is a vegetable when green. But once it is dried and matured - the skin is peeled and used as a scrubber , Luffa ( Loofa)

You can grow luffa. There are many farms that grow this plant. It is a member of the cucumber family. It can be grown from seeds. You only need one vine . The early blooms are yellow.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 17, 2018 PRE DIABETES AND MALE INFERTILITY

We always turn female issue when a couple is having trouble with fertility. We hardly discuss causes of male infertility. A new study in the Fall 2018 revealed that pre diabetes among men might be related to infertility.

Hormone levels as FSH, E2 and testosterone were studied in men with pre diabetes versus normal subjects. Those with pre diabetes had decreased levels of certain hormones.

After reading this study I believe like the authors that more studies need to be done. Pre diabetes in males can be a cause of male infertility when the female has no other problems to cause infertility

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 14, 2018 COFFEE

Coffee is a popular drink throughout the world. I feel after reading, “ The Devil’s Cup” that coffee preparations vary from culture to culture. About 3/4 of all adults in the United States drink coffee. More than half of this number drink it every day. I drink coffee every day

I feel more research and studies need to be published about coffee. The studies that already have been done need to be read by the population at large. Here are some facts:

1. The risk of death decreases as coffee consumption increases among Japanese Americans , Latinos , African Americans and Caucasians

   2. Coffee contains multiple anti oxidants and ligans which are healthy for the body

   3. Coffee consumption decreases the risk of dying from liver cancer and related liver disease in Europeans

   4. Coffee consumption decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

   Give me a reason not to drink coffee ?

   Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 13, 2018 ASPIRIN USE

Aspirin has been studied in many trials. Doctors encourage their patients to take an aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin at a daily dose of 100 mg was NOT seen to reduce the long term risk for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events in a trial. There were 12000 non diabetics in this trial with numerous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risks

Aspirin seems to be old hat. There are new studies to recommend other agents and a aspirin a day is not usually recommended all the time.

I often wonder once the patient has his high blood pressure and lipids controlled by conventional and integrative treatments— what is there left for aspirin to do?

Is there a role for aspirin today ? The ARRIVE trial was done more than 10 years ago. This trial advocated the use of aspirin.

Until tomorrow…

DECEMBER 12, 2018 DOWAGER'S HUMP

I haven’t seen the word dowager used in a long time. I remember it being used when referring to Helen Hayes in the movie Anastasia with Ingrid Bergman and Yul Brynner.

A recent study published in Menopause revealed that hormonal therapy in menopausal women can reduce the risk of the hyperhyphosis.

The results were convincing. I think less and less women should have reservations ( when appropriately discussed) the benefits of NHRT

Until tomorrow