Articles by Donna DiMarco

Healthy bones are needed for support, protection of vital organs (like the brain, lungs and heart), movement, storage of minerals, and formation of blood cells.  And yet, with these important responsibilities, many people don’t address what is really needed to maintain bone health, and end up with osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis affects men almost as much as women.  There is a simple test you can ask your doctor for, called N-telopeptide.  This simple urine test measures how much bone is being broken down and excreted. 

We have all been told that it is because we lack calcium and now the savvy say we lack vitamin D as well, but I say there is a lot more involved.  For instance, vitamins K and A are necessary to make the bone protein called osteocalcin, which is needed in bone health.  Osteocalcin plays a role in weight control and insulin reception.  Maybe healthy bones are needed for the maintenance and prevention of diabetes and obesity.
Vitamin K is found in many green vegetables.  Vitamin A, along with essential fatty acids are found in fish oils.

Inflammation can affect bone health since it promotes the body to produce cortisol, which stimulates the breakdown of bone.  If you have any inflammatory process that requires anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. on a regular basis, you may be losing bone density.  Regular use of prednisone or any cortisone-like medication will stimulate bone loss.  Instead of masking the pain, find out what is causing the inflammation and fix it.

Studies show that people with elevated homocysteine (an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease) have an increased incidence of osteoporosis.  We are not sure if it is the homocysteine itself that affects the bones or the deficiency of vitamins B-6, B-12 and Folate, all of which help keep homocysteine low.  Be sure to test your own homocysteine level; it should be 7 or less.

Of course, vitamin D’s main purpose (and it has many) is to maintain a calcium balance in the blood so that the heart will function properly. But vitamin D helps prevent hypertension, cancer, immune disorders and controls many other important body functions.  I find most people are significantly low so I recommend at least 2000 IU’s of Vitamin D each day.  Check your vitamin D OH-25 level, which should be above 40.

Hormones play an important part in bone health.  Men need sufficient testosterone and women need sufficient estrogen, and both must have enough progesterone for the bone-building cells to work properly.
But with our sugar-laden diets and the increased incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes (insulin resistance) we are finding that in men, the testosterone converts into estrogen and in women, the estrogen converts into testosterone, which is responsible for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hair loss.

The function of the thyroid, which produces calcitonin, and the parathyroid, which produces parathyroid hormone, are important players in maintaining calcium balance in the blood.  They must be considered when addressing bone health.  These hormone levels are only tested if there is abnormal calcium levels so don’t run off asking for these tests yet.  Keep them in the back of your mind.

We must not forget the role lifestyle plays in bone health.  Exercise, especially weight bearing exercise, strengthens the bones.  Lack of exercise causes weak bones to get weaker.

Diet is important too.  Not just for the consumption of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients needed for bone health, but for maintaining the proper pH in the body.  (See my article on the Power of Hydrogen)
If you consume foods on a regular basis that make you more acid the body will try to neutralize the acid by pulling calcium out of the bones to act as a buffer.  These acid-forming foods are: red meat, white flour, sugar, dairy, coffee, soft drinks, processed foods, etc.; all foods found in the typical American diet.  The foods that alkalinize the body are mostly green leafy vegetables, which many of us lack.

Most importantly, we must remember the importance of magnesium, which is found in green leafy vegetables (yes, the same ones that help your pH).  Calcium and magnesium must be in balance, but unfortunately, many of us take in lots of calcium and not enough magnesium so the bones suffer.  EAT YOUR VEGGIES!!!
A red blood cell (RBC Mg) magnesium test is a good way to check this, NOT a serum magnesium level, which only shows deficiencies if severe.

 We forget that the body, although comprised of many organs and systems, must be viewed as a whole and that many of these organs, systems and functions affect other organs, systems and functions.  So before you start popping calcium to prevent bone loss, check if you are breaking bone down, your inflammation is addressed, your nutrient levels are fine, your diet contains fish, fruit and vegetables in sufficient amounts, your hormones are in balance, and you are  exercising regularly.

Stay Healthy,
Donna
 

We are all familiar with the dangers of pesticides in our foods.  Not only are they toxic to us, but many of these chemicals have shown up in the umbilical cord blood of  newborns.  That means the toxins are being passed on to the child before it even takes a breath.  Some people believe that the toxic exposure to the fetus may be one of the reasons for the rampant rise in autism and ADHD. 

Pesticide exposure puts us at risk of particular cancers.  The pesticides are similar in structure to hormones, especially estrogen; it is therefore linked to breast, prostate, uterus, and ovarian cancers.  They are called xenoestrogens and they wreak havoc on the body so they must be avoided as much as possible.

But in these economic times, many people are complaining that they can’t afford organic produce; we are all in the same boat.  Hopefully, this list put out by the Environmental Working Group may help you make better choices as to the pesticide exposure to the produce you purchase

Many people think that washing and peeling will help.
When the items in this list were tested it had  already been taken into account how people typically wash and prepare produce (for example, apples are washed before testing, bananas are peeled).  While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them.  Peeling may reduce exposure, but it will also remove the valuable nutrients and fiber with the peels.  The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

How This Guide Was Developed

The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not for profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of nearly 87,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2007.   Be sure to visit their sites at www.ewg.org.  and  www.foodnews.org

Keep in mind that this is only measuring the pesticide exposure. Many foods, like corn and soy are grown from genetically modified seeds that have weed killers placed within the genes of the plant so that the plant can withstand heavy chemical spraying.  The weeds will die but not the plants.  I avoid these also. 

Another thing is that organic produce is grown on nutrient rich soil, not depleted, over-worked soil with chemical fertilizers added, just enough to make the plants grow.  These nutrient deficiencies are reflected in the produce.  Just one more reason to buy organic if possible.

Be sure to choose from the bottom of the list; for example, conventional onions may not be as bad as conventional apples or peppers.  The last 15 items may be the safest to purchase, but if you want the items on the top 15, be sure to spend the money on the organic.  It isn’t worth the risk- your health is worth the extra money.

Stay Healthy!
Donna

RANK   FRUIT OR VEGGIE   SCORE

1.   (worst)  Peaches                       100 (highest pesticide load)
2.   Apples                                         93
3.   Sweet Bell Peppers                     83
4.   Celery                                         82
5.   Nectarines                                   81
6.   Strawberries                               80
7.   Cherries                                      73
8.   Kale                                            69
9.   Lettuce                                       67
10.   Grapes- Imported                     66    
11.   Carrots                                     63
12.   Pears                                        63
13.   Collard Greens                         60
14.   Spinach                                    58
15.   Potatoes                                  56
16.   Green Beans                           53
17.   Summer Squash                      53
18.   Hot Peppers                             51
19.   Cucumbers                             50
20.   Raspberries                            46
21.   Grapes – Domestic                 44
22.   Plums                                     44
23.   Oranges                                 44
24.   Cauliflower                             39
25.   Tangerine                              37
26.   Mushrooms                            36
27.   Bananas                                34
28.   Winter Squash                      34
29.   Cantaloupe                           33
30.   Cranberries                          33
31.   Honeydew Melon                  30
32.   Grapefruit                             29
33.   Sweet Potatoes                   29
34.   Tomatoes                             29
35.   Broccoli                                 28
36.   Watermelon                         26
37.   Papaya                                20
38.   Eggplant                              20
39.   Cabbage                              17
40.   Kiwi                                      13
41.   Sweet Peas-Frozen              10
42.   Asparagus                            10
43.   Mango                                   9
44.   Pineapple                              7
45.   Sweet Corn - Frozen             2
46.   Avocado                                 1
47. (best)  Onions                        1 (lowest pesticide load)

Too many women still confuse detection with prevention.  They are NOT the same.  Mammography can only detect cancer - there is no way it can prevent it once it’s already in the breast.  This problem is perpetuated by the media, which persists in sending out this wrong-headed message.  Further, mammography is also being promoted as a one-size fits all screening tool, even though we know that it does not work as well on women who have dense breast tissue, which is a common condition for premenopausal women and women who still continue to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women are being lulled into a false sense of security by merely having a mammogram. Ionizing radiation is the only thing we know that definitive causes cancer (think Hiroshima). Radiation is cumulative in the body and is stored in the breast tissue. For some women, a sonogram may be a better screening tool. Since most breast cancers have a long latency period before they are diagnosed (10-20 years), some breast cancers have been caused by the amount of radiation a woman has been exposed to over many years. What is even more problematic is the idea that younger women with either a genetic mutation or a significant family history are encouraged to be screened beginning in their 30’s.  We simply don’t know that exposing these women to radiation so early will be the key that unlocks the gene that triggers a breast cancer. 

Here’s the criteria I use to determine the effectiveness of a mammogram. I tell women to get a copy of the radiologist’s report.  If the radiologist indicates that the breast tissue is very dense, then the benefit of mammography is limited.  By the way, density of breast tissue may change with a women’s menstrual cycle.  That’s why the best time for a woman to have a mammogram is after she’s had her period, but of course, no one tells women this either. Because of this, I created a handout “Getting the Best Mammogram”. I also created another handout “What Type of Screening Is Right For You?”, to help women make sense out of which is the best screening tool for them. I will gladly email these handouts to anyone who is interested.

I encourage women to educate themselves about breast cancer. Awareness of breast cancer is not the same as understanding the underlying issues. Sadly, education is not high on the list of priorities for doctors or most national breast cancer organizations that merely espouse conventional screening and treatment modalities. In these difficult times of managed care, it’s incumbent for all women to be proactive and engaged about their healthcare.
_______________

Sandra Blank
Executive Director
Florida Breast Cancer Resource Network
Email: bcfbcrn@aol.com

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  It is the time of year we hear how important it is for all women to examine their own breasts; and for those in the high risk category or in their forties it is the time where we are encouraged to begin getting mammograms. 

The premise is that if we detect breast cancer early enough we could prevent dying.  I don’t know about you but I think that finding out you have something is NOT preventing it.

Did you ever notice that we rarely hear about how to prevent breast cancer?  Think about it, how many times this month have you read that there is a correlation to iodine deficiency and breast cancer?  How many times have you been encouraged to have adequate vitamin D levels to prevent breast cancer?  According to a study in the Annals of New York Academy of Science, breast cancer death rates in white women also rise with distance from the equator and are highest in areas with long winters (Ann N Y Acad Sci 1999;889:107-19.). 

What about the fact that obesity, especially belly fat, acts to produce more estrogen, which increases the risk of breast cancer in some women?  I haven’t heard that mentioned this month.  I’ve also never heard any organization warn against hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, both which are known to increase the risk of breast cancer.  This month have you read that many countries are banning the use of Bovine Growth Hormone from the food supply? 

I’ve never heard it mentioned that that the use of pesticides, plastics, and other xenoestrogens (toxic estrogen mimickers) can lead to additional hormone imbalance.

What about the toxic load from our polluted environment that may activate a genetic predisposition to breast cancer?  Have you been warned about this lately?  Have you been warned about the hazards of toxic cosmetic ingredients, air fresheners, paints, dry cleaning, cleaning products, etc? 

Let me clarify myself; detecting cancer early increases the chances of survival up to 98% but this is NOT prevention.  And as I mentioned in a previous article, mammograms increases the risk of breast cancer significantly, so why expose yourself to a carcinogen to prevent the disease?

Maybe if some of the money used in developing more ways to slash, cut and burn breast cancer victims were earmarked to telling the public about what really causes breast cancer, we would see the numbers decline.

A great resource is The Florida Breast Cancer Resource Network.  Sandra Blank, the Executive Director, is a wealth of information.  If you, or anyone you know, has been told they have breast cancer I suggest you give her a call at (800) 696-8349.
 

Let me suggest an important book by Dr Sherry Rogers called Detox or Die.  Dr. Rogers outlines a direct relationship between toxins and cancers of all kinds.  This is an important book for those who seek health and wellness.  She also gives you step by step instructions how to identify toxins, where to look, what to avoid and how to detox your life.

Stay Healthy,
Donna

By Donna DiMarco

Remember when we all used IODINE? Every family had a bottle in the medicine cabinet. I remember always being afraid of the burning sensation it caused so when given the choice, I opted for mercurochrome. (We didn’t know about mercury toxicity then.) What we did know was that iodine was the best to kill germs but mercurochrome didn’t hurt. What happened? How did iodine, a historically safe substance, become a bad guy while mercury, a known toxin, is still being used in dental amalgams and certain vaccines?

Back in 1948, Wolff and Chaikoff published a paper based on a study they did on rats. Basically, they stated that after injecting a certain threshold amount (20 to 35 ug percent) of potassium iodide into the rat’s peritoneum, the iodine would no longer be bound to the thyroid, causing hypothyroidism and goiter (Wolff-Chaikoff Effect). They erroneously concluded that the inorganic iodine was stopping the thyroid from working properly. This was totally untrue. The truth is that the thyroid iodine level reached its maximum. No more was needed. Wolff and Chaikoff went on to conclude that if it happened in rats, it should happen in humans as well. And so began the bad rap for iodine. Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D. calls it “Medical Iodophobia …the unwarranted fear of using and recommending inorganic, non-radioactive iodine/iodide within the range known from collective experience of three generations of clinicians to be the safest and most effective amounts for treating symptoms and signs of iodine/iodide deficiency (12.5-50 mg./day)”

But history and experience tells a different story. Way back in the early 1900’s, the mid-western states noticed an increased incidence of goiter in their population. But some determined scientists came across the research of both Coindet and Boussingault who each identified the correlation between iodine and goiter. As a result, in 1924 the state of Michigan, decided to add iodine to salt so the population would have a minimal source in their daily diet. The results were amazing. The incidence of goiter was reduced by 75% by 1928 and by 1951, less than .5% of school-aged children had goiter. Shortly after, the rest of the United States and Switzerland followed suit and the incidence of goiter reduced significantly, along with cretinism and myxedema. What a great solution! Or was it?

This minute amount of iodine prevented goiter but what about all the other cells and organs that need iodine? The rest of the body was never considered. If a small amount eliminated goiter, that was all the body needed. Not true! This marvelous body of ours will do what it can to survive. Like a wilted flower that perks up after a little watering, the thyroid stops complaining (goiter symptoms) with a little iodine, but that small amount is insufficient for growth and wellness. In fact, we later learned that iodine is needed all over the body. The organs with the greatest demand quickly light up when radioactive iodine 131 is injected into the body.

As a result, the RDA was set at the amount needed to prevent goiter without concern for other body tissue requirements. Those levels still stand at 150 mcg/day for adult men and women, 220 mcg/day during pregnancy and 290 mcg/day during lactation. Still believing that goiter prevention was the gold standard for determining sufficient intake, little was done to insure sufficient iodine for the masses until the1960’s when iodine was added to baked goods as an anti-caking agent.

This provided a great iodine supply since 1 slice of bread supplied up to 150 ug of iodine (the RDA‘s magic number!). Since so many people ate bread even if they didn’t eat salt, all was well.

Not so fast! In 1980’s some brilliant minds felt that the amount of iodine in baked goods might be dangerous so they took all the iodine out and replaced it with bromide. Bromide is a halogen (from bromos, the Greek word for “stench” due to its strong odor). According to the PDR for Nutritional Supplements, it has no known actions for dietary supplements and no known supplemental use. It use to be sold in an effervescent granule form for upset stomachs but is no longer available. As I stated, bromide is a halide, which means that it is in the class of elements with fluoride, chloride and iodide. The similarity of these four elements presents us with a problem; they are able to fill the iodine receptor sites (dressed up as iodine if you will), but do not offer the benefits that iodine offers. In fact, some people have so much of the halides that the iodine is rendered helpless. With iodine being taken out of bakery products and the increased consumption/exposure to halides, it’s no wonder that the National Health & Nutrition Survey (NHANES) showed that iodine levels in the United States declined 50% while thyroid illness, thyroid cancer and other autoimmune thyroid disorders, breast, prostate, endometrial and ovarian cancers increased.

Iodized salt wasn’t enough. Salt is sodium chloride. Yes, chloride is a halide that blocks the iodine receptors so only 10 % of the iodine is bio-available. Total body iodine deficiency was eminent, but not as visible since goiters disappeared.

The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that an iodine deficiency is the world’s greatest single cause of preventable mental retardation. We know that iodine is essential for normal growth and development. Deficiency can result in cretinism, mental deficiency, delayed physical and intellectual development and ADHD, but what are we doing to insure every pregnant mother, every child gets an adequate iodine intake?

Our schools are filled with increasing numbers of students with hyperactivity disorders. A recent Italian study demonstrated that if a woman is iodine deficient during pregnancy she has a greater chance of having a child who will suffer from ADHD. High incidence of ADHD was unheard of years ago! Maybe removing the iodine from bread provoked the deficiency that lead to ADHD. A strange coincidence indeed.

The relationship between breast cancer and thyroid problems dates back over 100 years, but even with breast cancer in high numbers today, thyroid function and/or iodine levels are rarely mention, if ever checked. Yet the countries where iodine consumption is the highest has the fewest incidence of breast cancer. This was always attributed to their increased consumption of soy, the lack of hormone-rich beef and dairy, and/or the greater consumption of vegetables, but these may not be the only reasons. Maybe it is the increased consumption of fish and seaweeds, both high in iodine.

When iodine is ingested, approximately 6 mg. of iodine is taken up by the thyroid; the rest of the entire body takes up 8 mg. approximately. Research has shown that of that remaining 8 mg. approximately 5 mg will go to the breast leaving 3 mg. for all other organs. They also found that the larger the breasts, the greater amount of iodine is needed. Well, if there is a correlation between iodine deficiency and thyroid function, and a correlation between thyroid function and breast cancer, and the breast is the second largest storer of iodine it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that women with iodine deficiency may have a greater incidence of breast cancer.

Some doctors believe that iodine is stored in the prostate, like the breasts store it in women. If that is true, then the rampant iodine deficiency would explain the increases in prostate cancer.

Even if doctors ignore this information and never test for iodine levels, surely some check the thyroid at least! The problem is that too many doctors think that testing T4 and TSH levels correlate to sufficient iodine levels. This is incorrect. A recent study conducted in Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC stated it this way “…TSH and T4 are not appropriate markers of UI (urine iodine) concentrations in this population. Monitoring the status of iodine nutrition of individuals in the United States may be important because serum TSH and T4 concentrations do not indicate low iodine status.” In fact, just the opposite may be true. Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D., the man who brought iodine supplementation into the forefront, brought to my attention that by suppressing TSH we are decreasing the amount of iodine that can get into the cell. There is a feedback mechanism that works this way: If the thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, TSH levels will increase to stimulate more production, but that same TSH also allows more iodide to get inside the cells since a deficiency was sensed. When the thyroid hormones increase, the pituitary reduces the amount of TSH released and the amount of iodide allowed into the cells diminishes. So by giving thyroid hormones supplementally may actually be depleting the cells of iodine.

72% of the world’s population is affected by iodine deficiency, but why?

There are many reasons why iodine deficiency still occurs. Less than 50% of households in United States use iodized salt. Many people with hypertension are afraid to use salt so on medical advice they avoid it. Dr. David Brownstein, M.D., the author of the book Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, (and whose lectures and conversations contributed greatly to this article) recommends Celtic Sea Salt for those who use salt. Be sure to look for his latest book on the benefits of salt entitled Salt Your Way to Health. In it he states that most of the nutrients are processed out of regular table salt but Celtic Sea Salt maintains a good mineral supply. It is also free of sugar and not processed (color is not as white as table salt). If you look carefully at your own brand, you might find that the second ingredient is dextrose-a sugar!

A goitrogen is a substance that decreases iodine uptake as well as inhibits iodine from binding where it is needed. Goitrogens have become commonplace in our lives and are major causes of iodine deficiency.

Goitrogens include:

• Chlorine derivatives in pools, cleaning products, water supply, steam from dishwasher, sucrolose (Splenda).

• Fluoride in water supply, toothpaste, dental treatments, mouthwash.

• Bromide in some soft drinks (Mountain Dew & some Gatorades), baked goods, pesticides, hot tubs, fumigants used on produce, and some medications.

It takes large amounts of iodine/iodide to displace these imposters. This must be done with a careful eye. In some cases detoxification symptoms can occur once iodine intake begins mobilizing them.

Other reasons for iodine deficiency include:

• Declining mineral levels due to soil erosion and poor farming techniques.

• Failure to eat sufficient iodine-containing foods.

• Exposures to chemicals and toxins.

• The use of radioactive iodine used in diagnostic testing, which exacerbated an iodine-deficient state.

• A combination of any or all of these.

•  Whatever the cause, iodine deficiency must be identified and corrected.

How Can We Test Iodine Levels?

In the past we would paint a spot of iodine on the stomach in the evening, wait until morning to see if it disappeared. If it was all gone we needed iodine. If it remained, we would interpret that to mean that the body had enough so the iodine wasn’t absorbed. We now realize that iodine can be stored in the skin so residual staining may only mean that the skin has a supply while the body is lacking.

Here’s a better way. Iodine deficiency can be detected by an iodine overload test developed by Dr. Guy Abraham M.D. of California and is offered by FFP Laboratory in North Carolina. It is very user friendly so compliance is high. Simply, urine is collected first thing in the morning and saved for a spot test. (Dr. Jorge Flechas, M.D. just shared at a lecture that this spot test showed that women with breast cancer retain more iodine than women without breast cancer). Then 50 mg. of potassium iodide and iodine in combination is ingested. Urine is then collected throughout the day until the first urine of the next morning. A small sample, plus the first sample (spot test) is shipped to the lab.

If the body has sufficient iodine at least 90% will pass out of the body in the urine. If the body is deficient, some of the iodine will remain in the body to compensate for the deficiency. The more that remains, the greater the need for iodine/iodide. I have had several people have a level of 10% and one person even lower. After iodine/iodide supplementation, their health status was significantly improved. Without an initial baseline test and follow-up tests to monitor progress I would have no idea how great the need for iodine was, how long to give it and how much to give. So first establish baseline levels. Then supplement with liquid, capsules or tablets of iodine/iodide combination.

Be sure to monitor levels every 3-4 months to adjust the dose. Be aware of some possible side effects like runny nose, increased salivation, sinus headaches and metallic taste. These symptoms are temporary and due to the fact that iodine is mucolytic (breaks down of mucous), and they typically disappear after 2 weeks. Drinking lots of water can help. There are some people who are truly allergic to iodine, but Dr. Brownstein states that of the 3000 or so people he treated with iodine, he only had a few with a true iodine allergy; most people who react to shellfish or iodine in contrast solutions used in x-ray procedures react to the organic forms of iodine, not the inorganic form. Use care here.

Here’s what iodine can do:

• Elevate pH- a typical American diet tends to leave us in a more acid state. Oxidative stress, bacteria, and other opportunistic infections tend to thrive in an acid environment. Iodine can help bring the serum pH up to 7.4 so the body can maintain optimum function.

• Is needed to produce thyroid hormones- T3 is called triiodothyronine.

• Prevents goiter, autoimmune thyroid conditions, thyroid and other cancers, hypothyroidism

• Is antibacterial, antiviral and antiparasitic

• Is a mucolytic agent (breaks up mucous)

• May effect the pituitary-adrenal axis recovery in response to stress

Therapeutic Actions:
• Antibacterial
• Anticancer
• Anti parasitic
• Antiviral
• Mucolytic Agent
Conditions treated with Iodine
• Breast disease
• Dupruyten’s contraction
• Excess mucous production
• Fatigue
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Hemorrhoids
• Heachahes and migraine headaches
• Keloids
• Ovarian Cysts
• Parotid Duct stones
• Peyronie’s
• Sebaceous cysts
• Thyroid disorders
Taken from Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, Medical Alternative Press, 2004, Pages 20, 38-39
As you can see, iodine has a history of beneficial use and physiologic need. Some old information cast a shadow on this important mineral. Fear drove the exclusion of iodine from the standard diet. The addition of goitrogens in the food supply and the environment, along with depleted soil, fear of salt, goitrogenic medications and medical imaging methods added to the problem. People like Dr. Guy Abraham, Dr. David Brownstein, and Dr. Jorge Flechas have paved the way to put an end to all the misinformation in the medical community, to make public the more aware of the importance of iodine for vibrant health, and to prevent medical problems that might affect future generations. I choose to join the cause as well. It is important to know that if you have auto-immune thyroiditis iodine could make it worse. Have your doctor run a TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) blood test. DO NOT TAKE IODINE IF IT IS POSITIVE. Talk to your doctor about how to deal with that issue. I hope that this article will open some eyes, stimulate some questions, but ultimately result in better health for you and your patients
1. Abraham, Guy, The Safe and Effective Implementation of Orthoiodosupplementation in Medical Practice. The Original Internist, 11:17-36, 2004. Also, conversations and fax.
2. Abraham, Guy, The Wolff-Chaikoff Effect: Crying Wolf? www.optimox.com
3. Brownstein, David, Iodine, Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, Medical Alternative Press, Pages 20, 38-39, 80-81, 2004. Also conversations and lecture notes.
4. Flechas, Jorge, Iodine Seminar, given at Bio-energetic Conference in Orlando Florida, May 22, 2005.
5. Oketlund M.D., The Clinical Utility of Fluorescent Scanning of the Thyroid. In Medical Applications of Fluorescent Excitation Analysis. Editors Kaufman and Price, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL pg 149-160.
6. PDR for Nutritional Supplements; First edition, Medical Economics, 2001, p 73
7. Soldin OP, Tractenberg RE, Pezzullo JC. Do Thyroxine and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels Reflect Urinary Iodine Concentrations? Ther Drug Monit. 2005 Apr;27(2):178-185.
8. Vermiglio F, et al, Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders in the offspring of mothers exposed to mild-moderate iodine deficiency: a possible novel iodine deficiency disorder in developed countries.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Dec;89(12):6054-60.
9. Wolff, J. and Chaikoff, I.L., Plasma Inorganic Iodide as a Homeostatic Regulator of thyroid Function. J. Biol. Chem, 174:555-564, 1948.

By Donna DiMarco, CN, LNC.

It use to be a common occurrence for obese people to blame their weight on their thyroid, so much that it became quite a joke. But we may want to think of the “joke” as a possible cause of many maladies, including: inability to lose weight or rapid weight gain, brittle nails, cold hands and feet, constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, tongue feels thick, dry skin, elevated cholesterol, fatigue, infertility, menstrual irregularities, nervousness, poor memory, low blood pressure and hair loss.

The thyroid is a small endocrine (ductless gland) located in the area of your Adam’s apple and has a large blood supply. It produces several hormones, most familiar is THYROXIN, which utilizes iodine to help regulate the release of energy from carbohydrates, metabolism. Thyroxin is also necessary for the circulation of fats in the body, the formation of protein, and the regulation of the calcium/phosphorus levels in the body. The thyroid also aids in the absorption of glucose, the secretion of insulin, respiratory rates, secretion of digestive enzymes, bowel movements, blood pressure and heart rate, the production of sex hormones, and our emotional state. Therefore, if this tiny little gland is the least bit off, our body can be affected in many ways.

The thyroid uses iodine more than any other organ in the body. (Next is breast tissue and there is a correlation to breast cancer, polycystic breasts and iodine.) Iodine molecules are attached to an amino acid to form thyroid hormones. Without a sufficient amount of iodine the thyroid functions improperly. We call this a goiter. The use of iodized salt provided just enough iodine to prevent goiters, but like a Margarita with all the ingredients but just a splash of tequila, it doesn’t quite work the same. It needs more! We often need more iodine than provided in salt, especially since so many people are now salt-free or on low salt diets. Iodine is also found in seafood and seaweeds, more popular in the Far East. In the U.S., seaweed is not high on the “must eat” list. In addition, some of us stay away from shellfish, another good iodine source, thinking it raises cholesterol. There is a direct relationship between low thyroid function and high cholesterol, so eating the shellfish may actually be beneficial. The message here is that we need to maintain a good source of iodine from foods or supplements, but there is another problem…

Iodine has a molecular structure similar to chlorine, fluorine and bromine. All four are called HALOGENS. These elements resemble iodine so closely that they can enter the iodine receptor sites and fool the body. We mostly get these dangerous iodine substitutes from our water supply. Fluoride is added to our water supply to prevent tooth decay but in reality it is a toxic waste.

Chlorine is in our water supply as well. Consider our pools and our cleansers and our tap water all contain chlorine. Mamma’s got the magic of bleach all right, but it is poisoning our bodies. Each time we take a shower, swim in a chlorinated pool, use bleach wipes, toilet cleansers and mildew removers we are taking in toxic fumes and exposing ourselves to potential health issues, including hindering our thyroid.

In addition, years ago iodine was found in baked goods. It was replaced with bromates (a form of bromine) cutting off that additional source of iodine.

There is a simple test you could all do to check if you are iodine deficient. Buy an inexpensive bottle of iodine at the drugstore. At night before bed, paint a circle about the size of a quarter on your stomach. If the circle is still there in the morning you may have sufficient iodine in your body. If it disappeared, as mine had, chances are you are iodine deficient. Now that doesn’t mean you take that iodine internally. IT IS A POISON!!! There are food sources but they require supervision.

I suggest you try adding sea vegetables to your diet. You can buy kelp in a shaker, which can be used on many foods. Sea vegetables like kombu, wakame, and arame are not only good sources of iodine, but are rich in other important nutrients and trace minerals, and should be a part of your regular diet. Give it a try!

Most doctors use thyroid testing to determine if the thyroid is functioning properly. Presently, a test called TSH (for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), which is one part of the thyroid panel, is the only test of concern for the conventional medical community. Some may look at T4 and T3 levels, but the TSH determine the treatment. You see, theoretically, the pituitary produces TSH to tell the thyroid to produce thyroxin. If the TSH level is “normal” it is assumed that the thyroid is producing enough hormone. If the TSH is low, the thyroid is producing too much so a feedback mechanism slows the TSH production in the pituitary gland. The opposite is also true; if the TSH goes up, it is believed that the pituitary is signaling more forcefully for the thyroid to produce more thyroxin. Sounds great, but it doesn’t always work that way.

Dr. Barnes believed that the conventional blood tests to check the thyroid were not always accurate so that many cases of sub clinical thyroid dysfunction went unnoticed. More than 50 years ago he found one common denominator in hypothyroidism patients, a low basal body temperature. After thousands of experiments, this was confirmed to be far more accurate than conventional testing of the thyroid. Presently, holistic physicians listen carefully to the patient’s symptoms, have the patient do a basal body temperature chart AND do a thyroid panel including free T3, free T4 and thyroid antibodies. It is only when equal weight is given to each piece of information that a careful and correct diagnosis can be made.

There is a simple self-test for thyroid function; although indicative, it is not conclusive. It is worth the effort. Have a conventional thermometer (not digital) shaken down and ready by the side of their bed at night. The first thing upon awakening, and before any movement, take your temperature under the arm for at least 10 minutes. Do not use an electronic thermometer, the old fashion works best. A temperature below 97.4 may indicate a sluggish thyroid even if your blood tests appear to be normal. Keep in mind that that there is a normal change in a woman’s temperature during ovulation; so try to take your temp at the beginning of your cycle.

If your basal body temperature is consistently low and your iodine spot disappeared from your stomach during the night and you are suffering from many of the symptoms mentioned, read Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, by Dr. David Brownstein, M.D., then armed with this information, ask your doctor to investigate a possible thyroid problem. Your doctor may brush you off but this book will prepare you to act from a position of intelligence and power. It is your body and you are really in control of your health so stand your ground. Maybe there really is a problem with “glands” and that’s why the weight won’t come off or your cholesterol is high. It’s worth checking out. Until next time…stay healthy.

Donna

By Donna DiMarco, CN, LNC.

 Everyone has an “off day” when sexual desire just isn’t there. The problem has affected people throughout history. The Aztec emperor, Montezuma II, was thought to have consumed approximately 50 glasses of liquid chocolate a day to maintain his libido. In addition, he drank two more glasses right before having sex. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the main character wooed his bride with shellfish and oysters, representing the remedies most popular at that time. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used ginger to prepare for a lovemaking session. Young Cajun men would sprinkle cayenne pepper on the dance floor in hopes of exciting their partners and diminishing their inhibitions. The Chinese consumed licorice as an aphrodisiac and also used ginseng as a libido booster. The list of aphrodisiacs is lengthy and varied; everything from deer antler to bee pollen. The people of old were willing to try anything to keep their motor running and many were effective! This problem remains today; sooner or later we will all experience a lack of interest in sex.

On February 10, 1999, JAMA published the results of a research project studying the sexual dysfunction of 1,749 women and 1,410 men from age 18 to 59. They found that the problem (sexual dysfunction) was more prevalent in women than men (43% of the women reported having sexual dysfunction as compared to 31 % of the men). Another on-line report concluded that 66% of all women have some sexual concerns, including lack of desire, lack of pleasure from sex, vaginal pain, inability to be aroused, inability to attain a completed climax, or the total lack of an orgasm. These problems can be caused by a myriad of factors including: medications (especially antidepressants), stress, emotional issues, hormonal imbalance, nutrients deficiencies (especially zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E), poor circulation to the genitals, lack of exercise, and physical (structural) problems. Some of these causes must be dealt with professionally but if you deal with the ones you have some control over, you may be pleasantly surprised in the bedroom. So where do we begin?

Total body health insures the proper function, including the production of hormones, which is one of the key factors in dealing with libido. Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and good sources of protein will help the body’s endocrine system work at optimum levels to produce these hormones. Avoid processed and fast food to keep blood circulation flowing properly and to reduce toxins and free radical damage. Drink copious amounts of water to bathe each cell and to help stimulate the elimination of toxins. This is the key to good health and the remedy to many maladies, so I’ll keep repeating it.

Exercise is important to help dissipate stress, excrete toxins, enhance hormone production, relax the mind, and insure muscle tone and endurance for those all-nighters. The mind must be free to focus on the activity at hand. Stress is a mood killer. People in the South Pacific use herbs like kava kava before sex to help relax muscles, relieve anxiety and promote a feeling of euphoria. (Be careful with this herb if you have a history of liver problems.) Set the mood with relaxing music. Studies have shown that music can actually promote the body to heal and set the mood for your sexual encounter.

Aromatherapy can be very conducive to lovemaking. The Queen of Sheba seduced Solomon with fragrances and Cleopatra scented the sails of her barge so the fragrance would announce to Marc Antony that she was arriving. Scientists are looking into how pheromones (aromatic chemical compounds produced by one individual that affects the sexual physiology of another) communicate the urge to mate in humans, as well as in the animal kingdom. Women have a keener sense of smell than men do. This sense peaks at ovulation and drops during menstruation. It is believed that pheromones cause one woman’s cycle to line up with another’s after about 4 months of close proximity. Twenty-five percent of the people with smelling disorders lose interest in sex. The sense of smell also diminishes somewhat as a woman goes through menopause. You can compensate by using stronger scents when you are in the mood. Some companies are actually selling bottled pheromones to spice up your sex life and to make one more desirable.

As I mentioned before, hormones play a major part in sexual desire and there are lots of natural ways to give those hormones a boost. Dong Quai is believed to do for women what ginseng does for men. The Chinese believe that it helps nourish the female sex glands, rebuilds the blood, and is particularly good for women over 40.

Ginkgo biloba is known as the herb for memory and circulation, but it is especially helpful for those whose libido was affected by antidepressants. One study determined that by taking ginkgo, 91% of the women and 76% of the men experienced an improvement in sex drive after being on antidepressants. It took at least 4-6 weeks of supplementation, but the effects were in four areas of sexual response: desire, excitement, orgasm and resolution.

The Ayurvedic herb Shativari (Asparagus racemosa) is believed to balance estrogen levels. It is recommended for vaginal dryness, and to nourish the female organs. In fact, in Sanskrit, the word shativari means “one who can have a hundred husbands” (or wives).

Damiana is an herb believed to create a relaxed state of mind and to support the genitourinary and sex organs. It is believed that the alkaloids have a testosterone effect. Yes, I said testosterone. Men and women have both testosterone and estrogen, just in different amounts. If a woman has a low testosterone level her sex drive is affected much like a man’s is. For this reason, many of the herbal remedies recommended for men are also effective for women, ginseng is another one of those herbs. The Brazilian herb, Muira puama, can also work for either sex by increasing the blood supply to the sex organs. Avena sativa (wild oats) is believed to increase vaginal sensitivity and Nettle root (Urtica dioca) is recommended for vaginal dryness.

Amino acids like arginine and ornithine may increase nitric oxide levels in the body. This is especially important for men, but it is equally important for women since studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between nitric oxide levels and sexual dysfunction. Arginine and ornithine are helpful in stimulating the anterior pituitary to produce Human Growth Hormone (HGH), the anti-aging hormone, and who wants to age? So, stay young and enjoy a healthy sex life.

Although there are some over-the-counter hormones like DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), Pregnenolone and Progesterone, before you supplement with any, I suggest you speak with a qualified practitioner since you may actually exacerbate the problem by causing more of an imbalance.

Please don’t take all of these at once; it doesn’t work like that. Start with the basics of good health and give it time to work. Check your hormone levels with a saliva test (www.salivatest.com) to determine just what you are lacking. Choose your herbs carefully, paying close attention to their direct effect on the female body, get one that helps your specific problem. Check into any interactions with medication, for example, ginkgo should not be used if you are on blood thinners like Coumadin. Be consistent at taking the herbs and allow enough time for it to work, at least 2 months. Keep in mind that sex begins in the head. Take steps to insure a relaxed atmosphere; remember to use the senses, especially smell.

Sexual response is a normal, function of a healthy body. Give your body what it needs to be healthy and it will serve you well for many years.

Enjoy!!!

Donna

By Donna DiMarco

Hormones are a hot topic these days since the Women’s Health Initiative cut off their study before it was complete (after 5 years-instead of the planned due to overwhelming evidence that PremPro, a Premarin/progestin hormone replacement therapy, caused increased incidence of breast cancer, heart disease and strokes.

As a result of all the media attention, many women have stopped their hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in search of a safer, more natural method of avoiding hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and all the other lovely symptoms of menopause. Hopefully, the days of blindly trusting the doctor to prescribe something to make us quickly feel better is behind us and women will be better informed so that they can play a part in deciding what risks, if any, to take regarding hormone replacement. The body does need a perfect balance of hormones to function properly, but at what cost? And should hormone-like substances be substituted for the real thing?

Estrogen is produced mainly in the ovaries, but some is also made in the adrenal glands; minor amounts are produced in other places as well. The ovaries also produce progesterone in the corpus luteum (the ruptured sac on the ovary from which an egg has erupted). Since we are born with a finite number of eggs and have been releasing one each month throughout our lives, the supply diminishes near menopause. Without the ruptured sac to produce a sufficient amount of progesterone, we become estrogen dominant. Unopposed estrogen (without progesterone) increases our chances of breast cancer. Also, the proper ratio (estradiol to progesterone) is important in preventing hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, not just the lack of estrogen. And most importantly, synthetic progestin won’t do.

More women have estrogen dominance than you would imagine, but many of them are given estrogen anyway. And, unfortunately, those who need progesterone are given progestin instead. Progestin is synthetic progesterone created in a laboratory to mimic the real McCoy. The molecular structure of progestin is just a tiny bit different than natural progesterone, just different enough to allow it to be patented and to make lots of money for the pharmaceutical companies. You see, most hormones start with a molecular structure similar to that found in the component of soy or wild yam; it’s called diosgenin. (It’s for this reason that soy helps with hot flashes) This molecule can be manipulated to conform to the structure of the hormone being prepared, not just progesterone, but others as well. If this molecule is identical to that found in the body (bio-identical) it cannot be patented since it is a natural substance, but if it is similar, yet with a unique structure, drug companies can name it, patent it, and rake in the bucks—providing it doesn’t cause obvious damage. These synthetic hormone structures look so much like the real hormones that they are able to enter the receptor sites and imitate some of the hormone’s functions within the body. But the body is not easily fooled and will eventually respond, often with disease. That’s what has happened with the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in this study. Here are some differences in natural progesterone vs. synthetic progestin.

Progestins: increases sodium and water retention in body cells and cause loss of mineral electrolytes from cells, cause depression, Increase risk of birth defect, cause facial hair, cause thrombophlebitis, embolism risk, decrease glucose tolerance and cause allergic reactions

Progesterone: Protects against endometrial and ovarian cancer, normalizes libido, reduces facial hair while stimulating re-growth of scalp hair, improves lipid profile and new bone formation (progesterone is better than the drugs recommended for osteoporosis), decreases risk of coronary vasospasm, helps thyroid hormone action, eases symptoms of PMS, is essential for myelinization of nerves, restores normal sleep patterns, is a precursor of other steroid hormones, and is essential also male health.

Which would you rather have, the decision is truly yours? The Women’s Health Initiative Study used progestin along with Premarin, which is (pregnant mare’s urine) horse estrogen, not human. Ah, ah, ah! You can’t fool Mother Nature! She fights back. They tried to fool the body into thinking it had what it needed, instead it provoked serious responses– heart disease, cancer and stroke. The sad part of this story is that the same diosgenin can easily be converted into bio-identical progesterone- the kind the body can use. It is readily available in many of the creams sold in health food stores and is used by alternative practitioners with great success.

Medical doctors are solicited by the drug company reps; they are given gifts and incentives, provided with pre-printed prescription pads and lots of free samples, in order to promote the sale of the pharmaceuticals. It’s big business. Women often feel that if the doctor recommended a drug, it must be what’s best. As someone who acts as a consultant to medical doctors, that isn’t always the case. I have met many doctors who didn’t even know the difference between progesterone and progestins. In doctor’s defense, many of them are so overwhelmed with keeping up with the latest advances in their specialty that they have little time for in-depth study, so they accept the erroneous information they are fed (often by the drug companies. How many years have they been recommending Prem-Pro? Remember Fen-Phen? What about Thalidomide?).

What can you do? Take control of your own health. Become empowered with knowledge to make intelligent decisions as to how your healthcare progresses. Take the time to learn about alternative methods. The body has the uncanny ability to heal itself if given the materials to do so. Learn how to give it what it needs.

One of the best ways to empower yourself is to read any of the books by Dr. John R. Lee, M.D. John is most noted for his dedication to teaching medical doctors about the difference between natural and synthetic hormones. His books include : “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause”, or “…Peri Menopause”, and his latest “…Breast Cancer”. Susan Love, Betty Kamen and Christine Northrup are also good providers of reliable information about women’s health issues.

Your next step should be to test your hormone levels. This could be done by a simple saliva test without a prescription (except for New York and California). Saliva is used instead of blood because it measures the free form hormone, that which is not bound to protein but available to do its work. Blood tests measure bound hormone only.

Check with your health practitioner or go to www.salivatest.com and check out what ZRT Labs has to offer. They will send you a simple collection kit so you can spit in a tube first thing in the morning and mail it to them with a check. Your results will be returned with an explanation of what it means.

Now comes the hard part, take your results to a practitioner who can help you balance your hormones naturally. Your practitioner can have a compounding pharmacy make up any combination of NATURAL estrogens or progesterone. Your prescription should be based on you and your hormone levels as well as your clinical information; it should not be a cookie-cutter formula handed out to all equally. This should be done only AFTER exploring all pathways to find out why you are not producing the hormones yourself. Often it is a simple remedy and HRT is not needed.

Diet is important. Try to give your body what it needs to make hormones naturally. Essential fatty acids are important to hormone production so forget the fat free diets, instead, consume nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil, salmon, mackerel, etc. Small amounts of soy can help with symptoms. Please don’t over do it since studies link soy to other complications. Avoid dairy, since cows are often given hormones to maintain milk production. Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables for their ability to encourage “good” hormone ratios.

Avoid plastics and pesticides whenever possible. They too have a similar structure to estrogen (xenoestrogens) and are linked to breast cancer (some studies have also linked them to homosexual behavior in animals, hmmm!). Avoid tight-fitting bras, especially with under wires. Some believe that the restriction of lymphatic flow can cause breast cancer; no bra is best.

Always check your breasts monthly and have an annual exam at your gynecologist. Be sure to have a baseline mammogram, but remember that x-rays CAUSE cancer, so don’t be too quick to have your breasts irradiated too often. Early detection is NOT prevention or protection. If they detect it, it’s too late–you got it already.

Take cancer-fighting supplements- antioxidants and a multi vitamin-mineral to make up for what may be lacking in the diet. Let your body do its job. We all have abnormal cells in our bodies. But if we help our bodies’ function at optimum level, it will destroy those cells. If it has to spend all its energy detoxifying junk food and toxins, it has hindered ability to keep us healthy. Give it a try, health is easier to attain than you think. Just care enough about yourself to do it.

Donna