OCTOBER 20, 2021 GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis is an inflammatory condition, caused by the accumulation of dental biofilm, and associated with gingival swelling and redness. Often gingivitis can progress unnoticed to periodontitis which can cause permanent loss of teeth I often write about use of a water-pik versus flossing. This is my preference. I am also reading about herbs to help with gingivitis.

Good oral hygiene is key to treating and preventing both inflammatory disorders. Standard care for periodontitis involves mechanical debridement and topical antimicrobials I recently read a recent study published in the HerbalClip of the American Botanical Council. The study discussed the use of Propolis and Mangosteen . I am also intrigued by any study using a apitherapy product. Propolis from bees is used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. I have extracted propolis from my bee hives in May.

The authors conclude that there is a significant reduction in GI when using mangosteen and propolis combination , and it could potentially have anti-inflammatory effects. More research is needed with a larger trial group to verify these result. This study was published in

Park J-Y, Ko K-A, Lee J-Y, et al.. Nutrients. July 2021;13(8):2604. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082604.

Propolis is available at Botanical Bounty 646 723 1823

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 19, 2021 DIABETES AND GINKGO

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing worldwide metabolic health concern and is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to T2DM development, primarily by increasing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance modifies lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, leading to dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Lifestyle modifications including weight loss, dietary interventions, and exercise are used to manage T2DM. A growing body of evidence suggests herbal medicine may improve conditions associated with T2DM.

There are many herbs used for sugar stabilization. Some of them include bitter melon, fenugreek, gymnema and cinnamon . A new study done and published is the use of Ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo has been used to treat cognitive impairments, cerebrovascular insufficiency, and peripheral arterial occlusive diseases. GKB has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antihypertensive, and vasodilatory properties. Studies have suggested that active compounds of GKB may have antidiabetic effects.

A meta analysis was done reviewing all literature Some conclusions were that there was no significant differences in serum triglycerides or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were observed between the intervention and control groups. No change in blood pressure when compared groups. Of note there was an increase in the HDL ( good cholesterol) There was also an increase in HgbA1c.

This study was published. It is an excellent review I read it in the American Botanical; Council Herbal Clips. I encourage all naturopathic physicians and herbalists to join to ABC.

Tabrizi R, Nowrouzi-Sohrabi P, Hessami K, et al. Effects of Ginkgo biloba intake on cardiometabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. [published online October 8, 2020]. Phytother Res. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6822.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 18, 2021 DIETS

Research has already made it clear that dietary lifestyle changes are the most important therapies for prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. There are guidelines instituted by the American Diabetic Association and the American Heart Association. These are the supposedly 'authoritative' guidelines.

In 27 years of clinical practice I have seen hundreds of patients. Some of those years were with diet guru, the late Robert Atkins MD. I am not in full agreement with strict Atkins lifestyle of High Protein, High Fat, Low Carbohydrate nor am I in favor of the new French guru's diet of High Protein, Low Fat, Low Carbohydrate. I believe there is no diet that fits all individuals. Diet should be individualized. It should be aimed at low carbohydrates as Dr. Atkins always stated. However, it should be individualized looking at food sensitivities and allergies, glucose and insulin levels, and appropriate foods in moderation.

Books have been written on every possible diet. The DASH Diet is the The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. The DASH investigators state that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in fat will lower Blood Pressure. The diet doesn't distinguish high glycemic and low glycemic fruits and vegetables. I absolutely feel cow's dairy is not good for everyone.

An ideal dietary lifestyle to help decrease the incidence of diabetes and obesity which leads to heart disease (cardiometabolic risk) will do the following:

1. It will help lower insulin secretion (a fat storing hormone)

2. It will reduce inflammation

3. It will promote weight loss and loss of inches in the waist

4. It will reduce fat deposits

5. It will improve the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio

6. It will taste great

7. It will be easy to start and flexible

8. It will not be necessarily expensive since you will be shopping on the periphery of the store where fruits, vegetables, and protein are located.

Along with these basic changes you might need to consider eliminating gluten and all dairy (including goat, sheep and cow). This might be more difficult. I start everything in Baby Steps. A simple program for complicated individuals is the best way.

Most diets are low carbohydrate as Atkins started in the 1970's. These other diets are the South Beach Diet, and Sugar Busters. The other popular diet is the Mediterranean Diet popularized by Walter Willet's book, Eat, Drink and be Healthy. The Keto Diet is in reality an Atkins type diet

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 14, 2021 NEBULIZED GLUTATHIONE AND PEROXIDE

In the last year I have used nebulized glutathione for COVID, mold toxicity and other respiratory issues. In the same vain I have heard of my patients doing nebulized hydrogen peroxide. I did not know about it till I read the reports on Dr Mercola’s website and other sources. To my knowledge there is no contraindication nor it is hazardous to your health.

My clinical experience with my patients that have used hydrogen peroxide is positive There were no untoward reactions, nor did they put their health in jeopardy.

From Dr Mercola’s own website…

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the media are now warning against using nebulized hydrogen peroxide for respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2

• There is absolutely zero evidence that supports the idea that properly diluted hydrogen peroxide nebulization is hazardous. On the contrary, several health benefits have been demonstrated, both clinically and anecdotally

• Recent research shows COVID-positive patients who irrigated their sinuses with a saline-iodine solution were 19 times less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than the national rate

• Another recent paper recommends nebulizing 1.5% hydrogen peroxide twice daily as an at-home treatment for COVID-19, and by hospitalized patients who do not yet require intensive care

• Nebulizing with normal saline, hypertonic 3% saline, hydrogen peroxide and iodine have all been shown to safely improve respiratory infections. I recommend diluting peroxide with normal saline for a 0.1% concentration, and adding one drop of Lugol’s iodine

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 13, 2021 PUMPKINS

I have read and heard that pumpkins are easy to grow. I haven’t done it yet but its success does depend on finding the right spot in your garden They need 8 hours of sun each day and lots of room for the vines to grow. I have to find a spot among my fruit trees. They do grow best if the soil is enhanced with several inches of compost or aged manure. You can also apply a slow release organic vegetable fertilizer to the soil

You must always keep a check on the soil moisture. You must water the soil not the plant ( a common mistake ) There are squash pests to watch out for

This year on picking pum0kins for decoration on my front porch I noticed new varieties which were interesting. There were Toad pumpkins which are brightly orange with a very bumps of the skin, and blanco pumpkins which are smooth and deer resistant . There were even lemonade yellow pumpkins, and large blue prince flattened pumpkins

Have fun in the pumpkin patch

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 12, 2021 HONEY

As a beekeeper and apitherapist I am always talking or writing about bee products. Some of the apitherapy products from a bee hive include propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee bread, bees wax, honey and bee venom. Each one of these products has certain medicinal benefits especially propolis, royal jelly, honey, bee pollen and bee venom.

Honey in addition to tasting good and full of nutrition can be used for wound healing. There are many scientific papers documenting its benefits.

There are over 300 unique varieties of honey in the United States, each originating from a different floral source. You can also cook with honey
To substitute honey for granulated sugar, begin by substituting honey for up to half the sugar in the recipe. Measure honey easily by coating cups or spoons with oil or non-stick spray.

For baked goods, reduce the oven temperature by 25ºF to prevent overbrowning; reduce any liquid by ¼ cup for each cup honey used; and add ½ teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used. Honey does not spoil. Most autho
All honey will naturally crystalize. Store honey at room temperature. If it becomes crystalized, place the jar in a warm water bath and stir until the crystals dissolve. You may also microwave in a microwave-safe container with the lid off, stirring every 30 seconds until the crystals dissolve. Be careful not to boil or scorch the honey.

Most authorities state this … “Honey should not be fed to babies under one year of age. “ Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.

Support your local beekeeper as well as the American Apitherapy Society ( www.apitherapy.org ) for which I am the Vice President.

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 11, 2021 OUT OF THE DARK AGES

The once villainized compounds as MDMA and psilocybin are finally being discussed among physicians, patients , and groups as MAPS and the Beckley Foundation. In 2020 a German analysis ranked the risk of harmful drugs. The top ranking harmful drugs were methamphetamine, heroin alcohol and cocaine as the most harmful drugs. As you can see that MDMA ( ecstasy) and psilocybin aren’t even on the list. These once recreational drugs are now being used for depression.

Psilocybin has been granted breakthrough therapy status twice in the USA - both in 2018 and 2019 for the treatment of depressive disorders. There are many cities voting to decriminalize these drugs. In 2021 Oregon voted to decriminalize these recreational drugs in small quantities.

There is even a trial using MDMA - assisted psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A similar trial has been approved in Israel

There needs to more of these trials. WE all need to be more open-minded

Until tomorrow…

OCTOBER 8 - 10, 2021 Galleri Multi Cancer Early Detection test.

Today, the majority of cancers are found too late, when results are often deadly. The earlier that cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of successful treatment and survival. Several cancer types, such as breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate and lung, can be detected through screening tests. However, the majority of cancer deaths each year are from cancers with no routine screening.

This is a new test. This is NOT a test for genes , as in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2

The Galleri test works by analyzing methylation patterns of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the bloodstream using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and machine-learning algorithms. All cells—cancer and non-cancer—shed DNA into the bloodstream. Methylation is a process used by cells to regulate gene expression. cfDNA can carry cancer-specific information in its methylation patterns. Different cancers shed DNA into the bloodstream at different rates. The proportion of tumorderived cfDNA in the blood tends to increase as cancer progresses. Cancers that shed more DNA tend to be associated with higher mortality. The greater the proportion of tumor-derived cfDNA in a sample, the stronger the cancer signal and the more likely it is to be detected by the Galleri test.

Fratellone Medical Associates is proud to announce we are offering this test. Although this test is not covered by insurance, it can be beneficial for some of our patients. If you feel you may need this test. please contact our office for an appointment at 212 421 3202

Until tomorrow…