Category: Integrative Cancer Support

Kelly Parcell, ND So far, all studies examining the effects of hormone replacement therapy have shown no major reduction of cardiovascular risk. In fact, equine estrogens (Premarin) and progestins (Provera) appear to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Naturally occurring estrogen does not fully account for why women get heart disease later than men either. According to a BMJ study in 1995 of postmenopausal women, there was no relationship between estrogens—or any other measured sex steroid—to CAD risk. These results were consistent with those from previous studies that found no difference in estrogen levels in women with or without CAD.A trial by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) failed to show decreased risk of heart attack in women despite improvement in lipid levels. Estrogen can lower Lip (a) as well. However, only non-bioidentical, horse-derived estrogen and synthetic progesterone were used. The WHI trial also did not demonstrate any overall benefit of estrogen alone (versus a placebo) for decreasing mortality caused by CAD, although there was a good suggestion of benefit in the 50- to 59-year-old group. Other recent studies have also failed to demonstrate the benefits of hormone replacement on CAD risk, coronary calcification, progression of carotid intima-medial wall thickness, and...

Steve Parcell, ND The hormonal hypothesis is one of the most important biologically plausible hypotheses in prostate cancer etiology. In addition to hormones, other possible causative factors include; dietary fat, calcium, dairy products and genetic polymorphisms.  The purpose of this paper is to provide a background for the understanding of how various hormones may be implicated in this disease. Because of the difficulty in measuring hormones within the prostate itself and the lack of data on how tissue levels of hormones correlate with serum levels much of what we know on the relationship between hormones and prostate cancer is speculative [1].  Epidemiological studies have used serum levels of androgens. Out of 12 prospective studies on the role of serum androgens in prostate cancer only one was able to show that men with higher serum levels of testosterone have a higher risk of prostate cancer [1]. Androgens Androgens are formed in the testes, adrenal glands, skin and prostate. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the two most important androgens in males. Testosterone predominates in the circulation whereas DHT predominates in tissue. About 44 percent of testosterone is bound to sex hormone binding globulin, 54 percent is bound albumin, and only 1-2 percent...

Stephen W. Parcell, N.D. As long ago as 2737 B.C., Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was boiling drinking water when the leaves of a nearby bush fell into the pot, creating a wonderful smelling drink and the first pot of tea. Coffee originated in Africa around 575 A.D., where beans were used as money and consumed as food. Eleventh century Arabs were known to have coffee beverages.  While exploring the New World, Spanish conquistadors were treated to a chocolate drink by Aztec Emperor Montezuma in 1519. The world's first caffeinated soft drinks were created in the 1880's. Patients often ask “Doc, should I give up coffee?”. As a result we have compiled a large file on this subject and thought it would be interesting to pull it together into an article. Many of you have noticed that the pace of life and popularity of coffee seem to be rising together.  Americans turn to caffeine to be more productive as well as keep up with the pace set by others consuming caffeine. Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in the leaves, seeds, or fruits of more than 60 plants. These include coffee and cocoa beans, kola nuts, Guarana, Mate, and tea...

Steve Parcell, ND History EDTA chelation therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for lead and heavy metal poisoning. About one million people in the United States are treated with EDTA chelation therapy every year. Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that improves cellular function by removing toxic metals (such as lead and arsenic) and abnormally elevated tissue levels of nutritional minerals (such as cobalt and iron). EDTA is best administered intravenously (through a vein). EDTA is the abbreviation for the chemical compound ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid invented in the 1940s by Gerold Schwarzenbach. Interest in chelation was high during World War II as a treatment for arsenic poisoning after being exposed to poison gas. Researchers then learned that EDTA removed other toxic metals (metallic ions) as well.  During the cold war interest in EDTA stemmed from its ability to detoxify radioactive isotopes. A metallic ion is the scientific name for metals in their charged unbound state.  They can be negatively or positively charged. Common ions include  iron (Fe2+), zinc (Zn2+), Magnesium(Mg2+), Calcium( Ca2+), lead(Pb2+), copper(Cu3+) and mercury (Hg2+). In the 1950s the medical use of EDTA began to pick up speed after a group of workers...

Steve Parcell, ND Erectile dysfunction and low libido are common problems here in my Boulder practice. Should low testosterone be identified as the problem, testosterone administration would be indicated, assuming there are no contraindications such as prostate cancer and there are no obvious neurologic explanations for a lack of sensation such as multiple sclerosis. This is because the integrity of the dorsal nerve is androgen dependent. If the patient is on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) anti-depressant or another medication known to inhibit ejaculation such as a sympatholytic agent, discussion should ensue with the prescribing physician to seek an alternative class of drug. Dopamine agonist therapy may be helpful to men with erectile dysfunction (ED) including low sexual interest (HSDD) and orgasm problems. This is a particularly helpful treatment for men who suffer from depression, have been treated for cancer or have high levels of prolactin. Sexual behavior is modulated by a number of central nervous system neurotransmitters including dopamine. Dopamine agonists have been reported to improve sexual function. It is postulated that the increased levels of dopamine in the brain from dopamine agonists facilitate sexual functions including sexual interest and orgasm. These changes are induced, in part, by...