Category: General

Bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of low calcium states, such as Osteopenia/osteoporosis. Bisphosponates such as Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel are examples of this class of drugs. Years ago studies began to show that these drugs actually caused bisphosphonate osteonecrosis of the jaw. Osteonecrosis is a fancy word for cellular death of bone tissue. Studies have shown that this happens because these medications so commonly prescribed for women with low bone density, actually affect methylation in our DNA.  Effects of bisphosphonate treatment on DNA methylation in osteonecrosis of the jaw. Polidoro S, Broccoletti R, Campanella G, Di Gaetano C, Menegatti E, Scoletta M, Lerda E, Matullo G, Vineis P, Berardi D, Scully C, Arduino PG. Mutat Res. 2013 Jul 24. pii: S1383-5718(13)00203-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2013.07.003. [Epub ahead of print] Methylation is an important chemical process that occurs in the body. It is an important process in detoxification, protein function, DNA expression, blood clotting, and more. A simple truth is that folic acid is involved in this process and not just any folic acid, but the active form of folic acid called 5tetrahydrofolate folic acid. In otherwords, in order for folic acid to function effectively in the body, it must be 'activated'.  The...

Today is day 1 of the 4 week Dietbet program! Many times today I heard a voice in my head say, "Its only day 1, a few crackers is not going to make a difference", or another voice saying, "Its only the first day, I dont have to exercise today, I will start tomorrow." These messages are so defeating! I had to coach myself away from the crackers with peanutbutter and then make myself go for a run this morning. It was going to be so easy to just sit at home, early in the morning, nice and quiet, with the kids asleep and sip my coffee and stare into space for the only time all day. But, I snapped myself out of it and thought, "no, I have to start today and go for this run because I will feel better later today." Sure enough, I was right. When those self sabbotaging messages are taking over your thoughts, stop them in their tracks by saying, "No, I am going to succeed today!"

Naturopathy: Underground medicine no more By Steve Parcell POSTED:   08/10/2013 01:00:00 AM MDT In June our governor signed HB 13-1111 concerning the regulation of naturopathic doctors, allowing them to run tests, diagnose and treat patients legally. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CoAND) had been working towards regulation of naturopathic doctors since submitting its first sunrise application in 1992. These regulations set standards of education and training for naturopathic doctors practicing naturopathic medicine in Colorado. Doing so will make quality naturopathic health care more available while at the same time protecting the public from doctors not competent to practice. Naturopathic doctors will be required to have malpractice insurance and will be subject to peer review regarding complaints similar to the system in place for other health care providers. Despite cases of harm, the State of Colorado previously did not regulate naturopathic medicine. As a result of this lack of regulation there were no standards imposed upon individuals who use the titles naturopath, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physician or naturopathic medical doctor; meaning anyone could use any of these titles in Colorado, regardless of their level of training. This is good news for Colorado, allowing better coordination of care within the health...

Children of diabetic mothers at greater risk of overweight as young adults. In 2012 a study was published in a peer review journal (Matern Child Health J. 2012 Jan;16(1):125-32. doi: 10.1007/s10995-011-0756-2) which showed that maternal gestational diabetes status is associated with offspring overweight status during childhood. A similar study in 2011 by researchers in Colorado, showed that Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero accelerates BMI growth in late childhood, thus increasing long-term obesity risk (J Pediatr. 2011 Jun;158(6):941-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.12.007. Epub 2011 Jan 15). One of the most important questions that I ask my patients who are mothers and coming in with concerns about weight, is, "did you have gestational diabetes?" Gestational diabetes is when a womans blood glucose levels rise above normal during pregnancy. Typically these women will have significant weight gain with pregnancy and their babies will be born in the higher weight category. A diet low in carbohydrates from breads, pasta and starchy tubers as well as sugar; along with 250 minutes of exercise weekly is natures best medicine. Start with feeding your children protein with every meal and a colorful plate (natural colors from whole fruits and vegetables please!). If you give pasta or bread, give it...

Two large-scale clinical trials completed within the last seven years have shown that drug therapy works just as well as stents in preventing heart attacks. Former President George Bush, Jr.  had a stent placed recently to clear a blocked artery, despite no symptoms. This has put the stent debate back in the news. The stent debate has been ongoing since 2007, when the Courage trial first found that less costly drug therapy averted heart attacks, hospitalizations and deaths just as well as stents. The results were confirmed two years later in a second large trial. In the Courage trial, all 2,287 patients were given medicine to lower their cholesterol, cut their blood pressure and prevent clots. Half also received stents to treat blockages that cut off at least 70 percent of at least one artery. After five years, there was no difference in deaths, heart attacks, or hospitalizations for chest pain between the two groups. The debate has centered on both the cost of stenting, which can run as high as $50,000 at some hospitals, and its side effects, which can include excess bleeding, blood clots and, rarely, death. Opponents say the overuse of procedures like stenting for unproven benefit...