Genetics, Medicine, Miscellaneous, Pain, Vitamins
BioSil : The Natural Way to Prevent and Treat Fragile Bones
What causes the holes in Swiss cheese? I'm sure the Swiss know the answer, but I don't. I do know what makes holes in bones, causing osteoporosis. Today millions of North Americans are taking prescription drugs to treat this devastating disease. But there's a safer, natural remedy, BioSil tm, to prevent "holey" bones. The figures are frightening. Studies show that one in four women and one in eight men over age 50 have osteoporosis. And with an aging population we can expect more cases in the years ahead. Who develops this crippling disease depends on several factors. Genetics plays a role in certain families. So does being thin, small boned and of white or Asian ancestry. Smokers, those who take three or...Read More
Cardiovascular, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous
Update on the “Cup of Java”
A glowing ad once stated "A very wholesome and physical drink that helpeth indigestion, quickeneth the spirits, maketh the heart lightsome, is good against eye sores, coughs, head-ache, gout and the King's evil". It was the year 1657, when coffee was first introduced into London, England from the Middle East. And what was the King's evil? In recent years people have considered coffee drinking a questionable habit with some refusing coffee for health reasons. So what are the pros and cons for drinking a cup of java? First, the good news. Coffee contains over 1,000 naturally occurring chemicals. Caffeine is actually a natural pesticide that helps to protect coffee plants from predators. Brewed coffee contains between 60 to 120 milligrams of caffeine...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Pain
Reader Response on Assisted Death
I recently applauded the Province of Quebec which is attempting to legalize assisted death. There is no better example of what's wrong with the Charter of Freedoms when it does not allow freedom from pain on the death bed. I did not ask for reader response, but received a ton of it.... From WP, "I enjoy your column in the Kelowna Courier and I couldn't agree more on assisted suicide. I'm a volunteer counsellor at a hospice. The problem is that families will not let go even though the patient is ready for the big trip. I have seen them rescind "do not resuscitate" and have to remind them this decision is not about them, but the wishes of the patient"... From...Read More
Miscellaneous, Pain
Assisted Death: Its Time has Come
How ironic that Quebec, a Roman Catholic province, should lead the rest of Canada into the realm of dying with dignity and freedom from pain. But it's not shocking since the same province pushed for the liberalization of abortion and same-sex marriage. So, congratulations to La Belle Province for taking a stand on this contentious issue whose time will surely come. But I can hear the howling and irrational fears that will descend on Quebec. In 1984 I presented my view on assisted death to a committee of Canadian senators. It was a waste of my time and taxpayers' money. The outcome was pre-determined as several Roman Catholic senators served on the committee. That's akin to putting the fox...Read More
Cancer, Miscellaneous
Sorry Doctor, I’d Prefer an Opinion From The Dog
What do dogs have that's lacking in humans? Harry Truman, the straight-talking former president of the United States, remarked that, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." But friendship is not the dog's only virtue. A dog's nose has 220 million cells that detect odours compared to a mere five million in humans. And although none have yet graduated from The Harvard Medical School, they can often outsmart doctors in recognizing serious disease. In 1989 the British Journal, Lancet, reported that a female Half-Border Collie was indeed a woman's best friend. Her dog kept sniffing at a mole on her thigh, but ignored other moles. In fact, the dog had actually tried to bite off the...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Sports
Momentary Lapses Resulting in Injury or Death This Summer
There's an old song, "Summer Time and the Living is Easy". But it's theme can be a prelude to disaster. Every summer what's supposed to be fun turns into a lifetime of existence as a quadriplegic, or with other severe injuries. And it happens to all ages. Shriners Hospitals say that 300,000 people are treated every year in emergency rooms due to lawnmower and other garden tool accidents. 35,000 of these injuries involve children under 15 years of age who lose hands, legs or their lives. These accidents are waiting to happen when parents allow children to use power mowers. The kinetic energy imparted by the rotating blades of a mower is three times the muzzle energy of a 357 Magnum...Read More
Cancer, Medicine, Miscellaneous
How Many Patients Would Agree to 500 Chest X-rays?
Does the doctor always know best? Normally the answer is "Yes". But when your doctor orders a CT scan (computed tomography), does he really understand the amount of radiation your body receives? A recent report from the University of California expresses concern about the overuse of the many types of scans performed in the U.S. Canada is not immune to this problem. So what can patients do to protect themselves from needless radiation? CT scans are used to diagnose cancer, heart problems, kidney stones and injuries. Obviously, a three dimensional view of the body saves lives. But the effects of radiation are cumulative. The more CT scans, the greater the danger, and your body keeps an accurate score. Today CT...Read More
Miscellaneous
We Should Not Need a One-Way Ticket
What would you do in this situation? The patient is paralyzed, incontinent of bowel and urinary functions, unable to take nourishment and obviously in pain. I doubt that anyone, regardless of race or religion, would disagree with a lethal injection if the patient were a beloved dog. But humans in most nations are denied this right. Currently, a tennis partner of mine is in this same condition, along with Alzheimer's disease. His has been a frightful sight to watch as it progressed as surely as night follows day. He no longer knows me, stares day after day at blank walls. I know from past talks he would prefer a dignified death. Alzheimer's disease has been labelled the "Grey Tsunami", and it has...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Women's Health
The DNA Protection Cream : A Far Cry From Granny’s Cold Cream
Would you believe it's possible to have a DNA anti-aging cream that treats the whole range of skin problems? Would you think it's too good to be true? A small Canadian company has developed a cream called "Reversa Multi-Tasking Care. (RMTC)" Clinical studies show this new Tepronone DNA based anti-aging cream attacks wrinkles, dryness, loss of firmness, dilated pores and redness. You don't have to be a cosmeceutical expert to know that Shakespeare was only half right when he coined the phrase, "Vanity, thy name is woman". Today, reports show that men, even construction workers, are seeking ways to get rid of aging skin. And I know that on the rare occasion when I write a column...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Vitamins
Adrenal Exhaustion The 21st Century Disease
Are you tired for no reason? Having a hard time getting out of bed? Or feel run-down and stressed all the time? If so, you may have the first symptoms of adrenal exhaustion and must learn to "adapt" before it becomes a steady habit that causes more than heartburn. As Charles Darwin, the British scientist remarked. "It's not the fittest that survive, nor the most intelligent, but those who can adapt to their environment." Or, as is often said, "It's not the work that kills, it's the worry". The thumb-sized adrenal glands are situated on the top of both kidneys and have been called the body's primary "shock absorbers". They produce a number of hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and DHEA....Read More
Cardiovascular, Medicine, Miscellaneous
New Zona Plus Device To Treat Hypertension
Why would patients choose to endure the side-effects of blood pressure pills when a new Zona Plus exercise can ease hypertension? Before you say "it's too good to be true", let me tell you about F-16 fighter pilots. These pilots have to withstand huge G-forces in combat to prevent them from blacking out. This presented a major dilemma for flight researchers. It turned out researchers solved two diverse problems at the same time. Studies showed that exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles decreased the effect of gravitational force. But they also discovered that hand gripping exercises could lower blood pressure. This has lead to the development of the Zona Plus device. A recent article in the Journal of Hypertension analyzed several clinical...Read More
Miscellaneous, Nutrition
How Safe Is Your Seafood?
"You should eat more fish" is a remark I often make to patients. But I find that recently more patients reply, "But are fish safe to eat?" They worry about the amount of mercury and PCBs that may be in fish. So today when it appears that everything has a touch of contamination, how safe are fish to eat? A report from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, published in Environmental Science and Technology, analyzed seafood inspection data from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. It states that today 85 percent of seafood used in North America is imported and much of it is farm-raised (a practice called aquaculture) in Asia and elsewhere in the developing world. One negative is that...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Nutrition, Vitamins
Don’t Become A Diabetes Statistic In 2013
When a man applied for a job at the railway station, he was asked, "Suppose you saw a train coming from the east at 100 miles an hour. Then, you noticed a train coming from the west at 100 mph. The trains are both on the same track and just a quarter of a mile apart. What would you do?" The man replied, "I'd run and get my brother". "Why would you ever do that at such a critical time?" he was asked. The man replied, "Because my brother's never seen a train wreck". Today, diabetes and its complications make a perfect medical train wreck. According to The World Health Organization every 40 seconds a new diabetic is diagnosed in North...Read More
Alcohol, Gastroenterology, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Sports
The Perfect Pass, Self Destruction, then Recovery
What would it be like to be the highest paid athlete in the world, the toast of Boston, the winner of two Stanley Cups, the rich devil-may-care playboy? Then to find yourself broke, alcoholic, drug addicted and sleeping under bridges? In the space of 12 years this all happened to Derek "Turk" Sanderson. I recently interviewed Derek Sanderson, the NHL hockey player, in Toronto during a dinner sponsored by Healthy Minds Canada. I was interested in his story as I had attended the same school, lived on the same street and watched Sanderson as he started his hockey career with the Niagara Falls Flyers. I knew his loving parents, who tried to instill the right virtues in their son. Multiple...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous
The Hazards of a Well-Made Bed
What do you sleep on? Of course, the normal reply is the mattress. But few people realize they're also resting on millions of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinuscan (dust mites). So how can you decrease the risk of these crawly creatures in your bed? And why should you also think twice before quickly making up the bed. Dust mites are related to spiders and will never win a beauty contest. They're ugly, menacing, microscopic in size, have eight legs and you can put either 1,000 mites or 250,000 of their fecal pellets in half a teaspoon. Hardly exciting bed mates! Dust mites accumulate in rugs, fabrics, and furniture. But they prefer warm beds, pillows and blankets where they live along with vast amounts...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Gastroenterology, Miscellaneous, Nutrition
A Unique Way to Stop Bean Flatus
Do you suffer from chronic abdominal pain, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea and constipation? If so, there's a good chance the diagnosis is "irritable bowel syndrome" (IBS). This condition is one of the most commonly diagnosed problems in this country. However, most people are treating it the wrong way, destroying their bowels with laxatives. It's smarter to use natural therapy. Dr. Linda Lee, Professor of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University, says that when patients complain of IBS symptoms she first rules out serious disease such as stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis and bowel malignancies. These more serious problems are more likely to be present if patients also complain of weight loss, being wakened by pain, or seeing blood in the stool. Dr. Lee...Read More
Genetics, Medicine, Miscellaneous
Nature’s “Immunologic Scalpel” For Our Toxic World
"Today it's impossible to escape the endless list of toxins and chemicals that enter our environment day after day. Fumes from cars, radiation from computers, the earth's depleted ozone layer, packaged foods that have been over-processed, pesticides sprayed onto crops, to mention a few. It's no wonder that so many North Americans suffer from toxic inflammatory diseases. But there is a natural way to boost the immune system." Fortunately, our own immunity works 24/7 against toxins that enter the body and trigger allergic reactions. Without this natural defense our bodies would decompose in a few days due to microbes, parasites and toxins. "Every year North Americans, on average, suffer six common colds due to weakened immune systems. But infections become more dangerous...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Neurology
Using the Marshmallow Test to Predict Jail Time
When was the last time you said, "Let's roast some marshmallows"? Since I'm not sweet sixteen it was a lot of moons ago for me. Now, a report from Stanford University shows marshmallows are good for more than enjoying them around a fire. It seems how you handle a marshmallow can tell how you handle other things later in life. In fact, it may even decide if you end up in jail. Walter Mischel, professor of Psychology at Stanford University, carried out a number of interesting experiments on marshmallows. He tested 653 young children four years of age who all loved marshmallows. The four year olds were placed one at a time in a single room containing only a desk and chair....Read More
Genitourinary, Infection, Miscellaneous
What You Should Know About Toilet Seats and Pigs
Was Mother right when she advised to never sit on a public toilet seat? Vancouver believed it had solved this "pottie" fear by installing automated toilets. But they proved we still need to teach humans to behave as well as pigs. "How well do you know Toronto?", I once asked a new-comer to the city. "Well" she replied, "I now know the location of the pubic toilets". This topic will not win the Noble Prize in Medicine, but it's vital knowledge if you suffer from urinary or bowel problems. Vancouver believed it had solved pottie paranoia by installing hi-tech potties. Touch a button and the door slides open, followed by voice instructions. Then, after each use, the facility is automatically cleaned and...Read More
Alternate Treatments, Medicine, Miscellaneous
Neo40: Is It A Miracle Supplement?
Several months ago I reported on a unique drug, Neo40, which has now been approved by Health Canada. To find out more about Neo40, now available in health food stores, I interviewed Dr. Nathan Bryan, Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Texas Health Center in Houston and creator of the formula. G-J - What is Neo40? NB - Neo40 is a lozenge that contains L-Citrulline, an amino acid derived from protein, vitamin C, beet root and hawthorn, a potent combination that produces nitric oxide. Early in life our bodies manufacture large amounts of nitric oxide (NO). But after age 40 production of NO decreases. This sets the stage for hypertension, kidney dysfunction, diabetes, heart attack or stroke, just to name...Read More
Lifestyle, Miscellaneous
What I Learned From Sitting in a Bar
Where do I get ideas for this column? It's usually from long hours of reading medical reports, talking to researchers, searching the net and various sources. It's tedious and tiring. But this week I got lucky. I was having a drink at my favourite watering hole when a friend said to me, "You should write about a problem I know that kills people. It also makes them ill and they don't realize the cause of their poor health". He then told me some tragic stories. He went on to say, "A child vomited and appeared to be having a seizure. No one knew why. In another case, two women, swimming in a cluster of boats, suddenly lost consciousness and nearly drowned....Read More
Cancer, Miscellaneous
I Did Not Expect To Live In Diapers
What should men do if the doctor says, "You have prostate cancer"? This is a difficult question to answer because doctors cannot agree on the right treatment. Now, a report in The New England Journal of Medicine challenges the benefits of surgery. Its basic message to doctors is to follow the first principle of medicine, "First, do no harm". The lifetime risk for men of developing prostate cancer is about 16 percent, and the risk of dying from it only 3 percent. This indicates that many prostate cancers are not dangerous and that no treatment is the prudent option. The U.S. study involved 731 males with localized prostate cancer who were given the option of either surgery or watchful waiting. They were...Read More
Cancer, Lifestyle, Medicine, Miscellaneous, Women's Health
Sorry, But What We Told You Is Wrong
Winston Churchill, Britain's wartime Prime Minister, once remarked, "To every question there is a clear, concise, coherent answer that is wrong". In medicine there are also many questions, and all too often the answers from experts are found years later to be wrong, sometimes with devastating consequences. A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that 13 percent of research articles published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in 2009 reported reversals in medical findings involving drugs, screening tests and invasive procedures! For example, for years we've been told that increasing good cholesterol is a prudent move. But new research shows it does nothing to protect against heart attack, strokes and early death. Here's another hummer. Doctors have urged...Read More
Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous
Immuno-Care To Fight Seasonal Allergies
Why do so many people suffer from seasonal allergies? Some cough and wheeze, others fight joint pain and stiffness. Is it due to just too much pollen in the air? Or is it also the result of a badly stressed and depleted immune system? Studies show that a natural remedy, Immuno-Care, that contains plant sterols, can be the answer to seasonal allergies and other disorders when the immune system is running out of gas. Years ago, in my teens, I knew the exact day that watery itchy eyes, runny nose, and fatigue of hay fever would plague me. It was also the time that my summer job of picking peaches started. I had no idea at the time that my immune...Read More
Miscellaneous
What is The Diagnosis?
How would you like to save a life this week? After all, it’s not only doctors who are involved in life or death situations. So all you have to do is remember this column. A report in the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) bulletin shows that one of the best ways to diagnose a problem is to think about its possibility. One of the best ways to miss the diagnosis is to ignore it. This sounds like a simple rule, but doctors are not robots. They can and do miss important diagnoses that may result in either severe disability or death. For instance, a 61 year old male, a smoker with a history of high blood pressure, was punched on the...Read More
