A growing number of Oncological centers world wide are integrating intravenous (IV) vitamin C into their cancer treatment protocols. It is just a matter of time until integrative cancer care will be the norm.

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid (AA) was first implicated as an anti-cancer agent through the research of Dr. Linus Pauling PhD and Dr. Ewan Cameron MD. Their first clinical trial began in 1971 and the results of this and other research were published in a 1979 book called “Cancer and Vitamin C”. Linus and Ewan found a four-fold increase in survival time for those individuals treated intravenously with 10,000 mg of Ascorbic Acid. Today much higher doses are used. Read on to discover the benefits of IV vitamin C, how it works, and why is it not widely used.

Here is a Summary of the Benefits of IV Vitamin C in Cancer:

increases quality of life
prolongs survival
enhances action of some chemotherapeutic agents
limits body wide tissue damage from free radicals (created by chemotherapy)
safe and non-toxic to healthy cells

How it Works. Vitamin C works in two ways. First, in high enough doses vitamin C can destroy cancer cells. (Chen 2005) It is thought that vitamin C overwhelms the ability of tumor cells to suppress hydrogen peroxide production. The consequential build up of hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells kills them. Secondly, cancer cells produce an enzyme called hyaluronidase that destroys healthy tissue around them thus facilitating tumour grow and metastasis (spreading). High doses of vitamin C inhibit this enzyme. While vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, this is not the mechanism it deploys for cancer management.

Controversies around Vitamin C. The reasons why vitamin C IV therapy is not widely used in Ontario today reflect both a historical misunderstanding and an unfortunate lack of education in conventional oncology around alternative treatments. The excitement around vitamin C and cancer was diminished by a later trial done by the Mayo clinic that could not repeat the findings by Cameron and Pauling, leading to a dismissal of its potential role in oncology. We now know that the results were not reproducible simply because the Mayo clinic used oral dosing of vitamin C, whereas IV administration is the only way to reach the required tissue saturation levels for vitamin C to act as just described above.

Combining Antioxidants and Chemotherapy. Oncologists routinely tell their patients not to take any antioxidants while undergoing conventional chemotherapy, claiming it will interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. This is a misconception. Oncologists simply don’t know about alternative medicine and those who do often integrate it into their practices as they understand the benefits. There is a plethora of evidence, including a systematic review of 19 controlled human trials (Block 2007) as well as over 280 peer-reviewed papers (Simone 2007) showing that antioxidant therapies not only do not interfere with chemotherapeutic agents, but to the contrary, enhance their effects and prolong the lives of those taking them. Sometimes patients are discouraged from using alternative care because it will interfere with the controlled trial of experimental chemotherapeutic agents they are using. Sadly, best possible patient care often takes a back seat to egos, ignorance and scientific protocol.

Inquiries about IV Vitamin C. I will gladly forward anyone a detailed summary of the many studies showing the benefits of antioxidant therapies in conjunction with chemotherapy. Please inquire to dr.charney@naturopathicmilestones.com. For more detailed information on some of the benefits of IV vitamin C discussed in this article please see the following great article by my college Dr. Michael Prytula, ND called “Please Enlighten Your Oncologist: Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Management”.

References “Please Enlighten Your Oncologist: Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Management” by Dr. Michael Prytula. IHP March 2008.

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This might be my most important newsletter to date as I believe that vitamin D can have the greatest impact on your health and at a price affordable to anyone. Vitamin D deficiencies are epidemic, and the benefits of optimal levels go far beyond simply bone health. Read on to find out the amazing benefits of vitamin D, how to obtain it, what blood levels are recommended and how it can be tested.

Vitamin D Statistics. An estimated 40-75% of the world’s population is vitamin D deficient (GrassrootsHealth). Even in southern climates, 55% of African Americans and 22% of Caucasians are deficient. The reasons are many including reduced sun exposure due to indoor jobs, use of sun block, skin color, and more. Some common signs of vitamin D deficiency include stiffness, muscle cramps, bone pain, balance and gait issues (i.e. clumsiness), low back pain, poor wound healing, depression, migraines and allergies.

The Benefits of Vitamin D. Thanks to 257 epidemiological studies, 2500 laboratory studies and some significant clinical trials(1) most experts on the topic of vitamin D feel it not only helps us maintain healthy bones, but that it can significantly reduce the incidence of a wide range of cancers (breast, ovarian, colon, lymphoma, kidney, endometrial), type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, high blood pressure, seasonal affective disorder and heart attacks. The following is a summary of studies which shows the striking correlations between specific vitamin D blood levels and the percentages of reduced risk of incidence of a range of common life threatening chronic diseases:

• At 95 nmol/L, all cancers
• At 125 nmol/L breast cancers by 83%
• At 130 nmol/L Type I Diabetes by 66%
• At 135 nmol/L Multiple Sclerosis by 54%
• At 85 nmol/L Heart Attacks by 30%
• At 105 nmol/L Colon Cancer by 60%
• At 75 nmol/L Incidence of falls in women by 75%
• At 110 nmol/L fractures by 50%
• At 45 nmol rickets by 99%

You will notice that blood levels around 120 nmol/L appear to be highly protective against many common cancers and other life threatening diseases. All these percentages reference a common baseline of 62 nmol/L. In my clinical experience most people’s blood levels are far below 100 nmol/L. (1)

More than a Vitamin. In reality we now know that so-called vitamin D is really a steroid hormone and that it can affect the expression of our DNA which is how it is believed to alter the risks of cancer and other diseases. For those interested in the details, vitamin D affects the transcription of a number of genes and consequently can contribute towards apoptosis (the death of a damaged cell) as well as prevent cellular proliferation (that means cell growth and division) in cells of many lineages. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21371954)

Sources of Vitamin D. I’m often asked if we can get sufficient vitamin D levels from foods and the answer quite frankly no. Having said that, the best sources are shitake mushrooms, egg yolks, cod liver oil, and wild salmon. Fortified milk is not a good source due to the use of a poorly assimilated form of vitamin D (unless you plan on drinking 100 glasses a day!). From these foods you can derive a maximum of 1,000 iu vitamin D daily. Most of our vitamin D needs are meant to be obtained from exposure to sunlight and therefore for most of us this is the only way, other than by supplementing, that we can obtain the amounts necessary to obtain blood levels up in the 100 nmol/L mark. For the most part, only outdoor workers can obtain levels up to 150-200 nmol/L by the end of the summer. Here are some facts about sunlight:

• In Toronto we only produce significant vitamin D from sunlight exposure from April 15th to September 30th
• SPF 15 sunscreen blocks production of vitamin D by 99%
• A UV index greater than 4 is necessary to make vitamin D
• A light skinned person in a bathing suite makes up to 15,000 IU vitamin D in 15-20 minutes in July at midday
• Darker skin requires up to 7x more sunlight exposure to make the same amount as lighter skin
• If your shadow is taller than you are then you cannot make vitamin D
• You can get vitamin D from reflected light while sitting in the shade but not through a glass window (2)

Testing Vitamin D Levels. Sadly, effective December 1, 2010, OHIP stopped routine testing of vitamin D. I believe that if vitamin D supplements were a patented drug where money was to be made, pharmaceutical pressures would ensure it remained a routine screen. You can still pay to do a vitamin D test and I highly recommend this small investment. It costs $39 through a lab I use to give you a general idea. However, if you have one of the following conditions and/or circumstances, you can qualify for an OHIP covered test: Osteoporosis, Rickets, Osteopenia, Malabsorption Syndromes, Renal disease and regular use of drugs affecting vitamin D metabolism. Don’t assume your doctor is aware of all the circumstances under which you might qualify nor that he/she will automatically do this test if you do qualify. Do your research by going to the following link: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/vitamin/vita-d-eng.php. If you are a female and menopausal you might qualify to get free vitamin D testing through a local study currently being done on breast cancer prevention. For more information please go to www.grassrootshealth.net or email carole@grassrootshealth.org

What are Optimal Blood Ranges of Vitamin D? According to Health Canada vitamin D deficiency is defined by serum levels below 25 nmol/L. This level is based on prevention of rickets and osteomalacia (both diseases of the bones). According to Dr. Reinhold Vieth, PhD, even at 50 mmol/L blood levels, 25% of the adult population still has osteomalacia (adult rickets). Even OHIP guidelines describe this threshold as “conservative”. (3) At a vitamin D symposium held at the University of Toronto on November 1st 2011 in Toronto, the entire panel of experts were unanimous in their opinion that these levels are too low and ignore the many epidemiological studies that suggest that higher levels can provide protection beyond simply preventing bone fractures.(4) In a time when cancer strikes one in two men and one in three women this conservative approach in my opinion is preposterous.(5)

How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? Health Canada recommended intakes are again based on the extremely conservative approach based on a goal simply to prevent frank bone disease and therefore they recommend only 600 iu for most adults.(6) My opinion is that optimal intake should be based on the following: (1) blood tests results, (2) individual response to supplementation (assimilation levels can vary widely so), and, (3) whatever levels are required to safely increase blood levels past the 100 nmol/L mark. Do not assume because you vacation to sunny places a few times a year that your levels are fine. Always rely on a blood test. Vitamin D supplementation should be supervised if exceeding the RDA in order to monitor individual responses and to ensure, although highly unlikely, no toxicity occurs. This can be prevented by testing periodically, and including important markers of toxicity such as ionized calcium levels and parathyroid hormone markers. In my experience, as well as that of many other clinicians’, one can generally dose significantly higher than the RDA for longs periods of time without any adverse affects.

Vitamin D Supplements. Because vitamin D is fat soluble, you can significantly increase your absorption of vitamin D if taken with a large meal that contains fat. For example, if you use olive oil in your salad or are taking fish oil supplements with your meal, this will suffice. Some vitamin D supplements are in an emulsified form which enhances their absorption and may be recommended for those with poor assimilation. I prefer vitamin D in the form of gel caps (in its own base of fat), liquids and/or sprays. Vitamin D tablets will likely be the least well absorbed, especially if taken on an empty stomach. Vitamin D can be taken daily or periodically, depending on the person and their needs. Most multivitamins do not contain enough vitamin D to meet daily requirements and/or to replenish deficiencies.

References
(1)www.grassrootshealth.net
(2)Robbert Banner, MD, President, Ontario Society of Physicians for Complementary Medicine.
(3)http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/vitamin/vita-d-eng.php.
(4)Vitamin D Symposium November 1st 2011 Toronto (speakers Dr. Heaney, MD, Dr. Sorenson, EdD, Dr. Vieth, Ph.D, Dr. Banner, MD, Carole Baggerly)
(5)http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/551998
(6)www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/vitamin/vita-d-eng.php#t4

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One of the most frequent questions I get asked is can a condition be cured by naturopathic medicine. What does to cure mean? In accordance with naturopathic principles a cure simply represents a return to balance whereas disease is a state of chronic imbalance. At its essence, naturopathic medicine is not so much about treating disease as it is about restoring health. If you restore health by identifying imbalances and correcting them, then disease can no longer exist. Therefore, to cure is NOT to fight disease but to restore wellness. Naturopathic medicine excels in the art of restoring health because all of its fundamental principles, such as addressing the root cause of disease or assisting the healing powers of the body, are in alignment with this very goal. What is important to keep in mind is that the movement towards a cure is as much about what we do or don’t do as it is about what we take. In fact, we can take all the wonderful natural remedies we want, but without changing our habits, priorities and lifestyles, we can at best ask for a natural management of our disease, but not a cure. For some people this goal may be desirable and certainly one can usually reduce further damage by opting for natural remedies rather than harmful drugs.

But a cure is a process that requires commitment to basic pillars of health. Naturopathic medicine is about a partnership between the patient and the practitioner which depends as much upon the patient’s willingness to take part in their cure as it does upon the practitioner to provide sound medical advice. The four basic pillars of health are healthy eating, regular physical activity, mental and emotional balance and restorative sleep. If any of these are significantly neglected then a profound cure would be unrealistic. In this case one is trying to fill a bucket with water without mending the hole in the bottom. The treatment (the adding of water in this case) will be much more successful if the hole has been repaired. If one commits to these pillars and accepts that they are the foundation of health upon which all treatments should be built, then they can fundamentally alter their health. Time and commitment can bring incredible changes to the body, and restore even the sickliest person to balance. Without addressing the pillars of health one may experience a temporary relief or even feel better for that matter, but chronic disease will persist if the key obstacles to cure, the pillars of health, are ignored. For example, herbal remedies can be used to replace anti-histamines and control ones allergies. But why are those allergies there to begin with? Chronic stress, poor sleep and too much sugar may in this case be the culprits. If these obstacles to cure are addressed then it may not even be necessary to take any natural supplements. You can take a natural acid blocker to deal with acid reflux, but this treatment is not a cure. Why the acid reflux? Restoring health can be the most valuable investment you will ever make as not only can it potentially reverse disease, but it will also prevent others in the future. The FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH are your best life insurance plan, so invest in them. One must change to be changed. In many cases, the body will take care of itself when you take care of it.

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The thyroid is a delightfully complex organ situated in the front of the neck. It is very sensitive to subtle imbalances that can occur in the body at large. Thyroid disease and/or dysfunction is often under diagnosed and insufficiently managed, and can go undetected for years, either because there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed significantly, or because initial blood screening tests have shortcomings. For those who are diagnosed with a thyroid disease there is much that can be done to restore or at least improve thyroid functioning once the cause of the problem has been identified.

About the Thyroid. Normal levels of thyroid hormones are essential for the harmonious functioning of the body. These hormones set your metabolic rate and affect tissue growth, sexual and menstrual function, bone metabolism and more. To get a sense of how important they are here is a list of some of the side affects of an under functioning thyroid (or, hypothyroid): fatigue, feeling cold, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, poor concentration and memory, depression, menstrual irregularity and hair loss. An overactive thyroid (or, hyperthyroid) in contrast will have symptoms such as sweating, nervousness, heart palpitations and weight loss.

How it Works. The thyroid gland is stimulated by a hormone called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) from a gland called the pituitary gland; TSH prompts a healthy thyroid gland to produce Thyroxine (T4). As T4 levels rise they cause the pituitary gland to reduce its production of TSH, in a feedback loop, in order to keep T4 levels in check. In contrast, if T4 levels are too low, then there is less feedback, and TSH levels rise to stimulate the thyroid to produce more T4. TSH is what is used to initially screen for thyroid problems in blood tests.

In addition to its role in the feedback loop, T4 is converted to triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the ACTIVE form of thyroid hormone. T3 is primarily responsible for all the affects the thyroid has on our tissues. Keep this in mind as you read on!

Lab Tests Reliability Questioned. One reason thyroid disease may go undiagnosed is that the normal laboratory ranges for TSH are outdated; they do not reflect the recommendations of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists for the normal TSH lab range to be 0.3-3.1. Toronto labs use a reference range of 0.3-5.6. Based on their experience, other medical professionals such as Dr. Brota Barnes, MD and Dr. Alan Gaby MD, recommend an even smaller range of 0.3-2. In my practice, if someone has TSH levels above 2, and has signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, I investigate further.(1) This can include a more comprehensive panel of blood tests including TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Poor Conversion of T4 to T3. In conventional medicine, if TSH levels are ‘normal’ on an initial screen, no further investigations are done. However, normal TSH levels do not always equal normal thyroid functioning because TSH levels are mostly a reflection of T4 levels (involved in the feedback loop) and not T3 levels, the more active form. Simply put, you may have normal T4 levels but cannot convert T4 to T3 efficiently. This problem cannot be picked up by a simple TSH screen. For those diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition, the standard medication Synthroid only supplies T4. This can explain why some people still have symptoms of an under-active thyroid while on the medication: they do not convert T4 to the active T3 very efficiently. T4 to T3 conversion can be negatively impacted by high cortisol levels (our stress hormone), excessive estrogen (for example, from hormone replacement therapies), and by nutrient deficiencies including selenium, vitamins D, B2, B6 and B12. Zinc also plays a role though poorly understood. These excesses and deficiencies are quite common in my experience.

Tissue or Cellular Hypothyroidism. Doctors can at times be dismissive of the complaints of their patients with normal thyroid hormones levels when they are on thyroid medications. Research reveals that even with normal T3 and T4 levels there is at least one other potential issue; in order for T3 to be affective it must be taken up by the cells of all our tissues and organs. Growing evidence suggests that some people may have cells that are resistant to the uptake of T3.(2) The reasons are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that T3 is competing for binding sites on cells that are occupied by other hormones which are in surplus.

The Iodine Story. Did you know that iodine is one of the building blocks of your T4 hormone ? Iodine used to be a core treatment for thyroid disease in mainstream medicine, but this practice has fallen out of use based on misunderstandings such as the assumption that iodized salt has rendered it irrelevant. Despite the widespread use of iodized salt, chemicals we are exposed to through our water supply and elsewhere can compete in the body with iodine; namely fluoride, bromine and chlorine. Dr. David Brownstein, MD., author of “Iodine: Why You Need It; Why You Can’t Live Without It“, claims that iodine deficiencies are still widespread. Suffice is to say I have found iodine an extremely beneficial treatment for thyroid as well as other diseases provided deficiencies are properly diagnosed using specialized urine tests and that it is prescribed under strict supervision.(3)

Toxins and the Thyroid. The thyroid is an extremely sensitive organ, affected not only by emotional stress, but also chemical stresses such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and environmental toxins such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead and cadmium. While toxicity is a huge topic, the point to be made here is that detoxification as well as lifestyle modifications may play an important role in normalizing thyroid functioning.(4-5)

For those diagnosed with hypothyroidism and/or hyperthyroidism there is much to be explored and many approaches to improving thyroid function, beyond simply taking T4 replacement. Thyroid conditions are frequently autoimmune, such as is the case with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and/or Grave’s Disease, and therefore immune regulation should be explored as part of the treatment approach. Many possibilities can be explored including underlying viral and or bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, elevated cortisol levels (our stress hormone that suppresses the immune system), heavy metal toxicities and more. Each and every case is unique.

Laboratory Testing for Thyroid Disease. If someone has signs and symptoms of an under functioning thyroid, despite normal TSH levels, a series of basal body temperature tests are a valuable diagnostic tool. Since the TSH test alone clearly cannot rule out thyroid imbalance, screening for suspected thyroid problems should at least include TSH, T4 and T3 if not thyroid antibodies as well. For those wanting to treat the root cause of their thyroid disease in order to possibly wean off medications, a thorough workup is needed including relevant sex hormones, vitamins, iodine, heavy metals and more.

Naturopathic Approach to Thyroid Disease. Treating the thyroid requires a thorough and methodical approach starting with diagnostic tests to identify the root cause or causes. The treatment goals will be determined by the diagnostic findings and may include any of the following: detoxification, vitamin and mineral supplementation, sex hormone balancing, adrenal gland support (to lower cortisol), supervised high dose iodine therapy, immune modulation, lifestyle modification (for example, removing sources of chlorine and fluorine) and dietary modification. The thyroid is only a product of the complex web in which it resides and therefore the rebalancing required to normalize the thyroid would in turn bring balance to the entire body.

REFERENCE
1. http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/newrange.htm
2. Kalra S, Khandelwal SK. Why are our hypothyroid patients unhappy? Is tissue hypothyroidism the answer?. Indian J Endocr Metab [serial online] 2011 [cited 2011 Oct 5];15:95-8. Available from: http://www.ijem.in/text.asp?2011/15/6/95/83333
3. Iodine — Why You Need It; Why You Can’t Live Without It
by Dr David Brownstein, MD
4. Environ Health Perspect. 1999 Oct;107(10):843-9.Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and levels of thyroid hormones in children. Osius N, Karmaus W, Kruse H, Witten J.
5. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 2003 Apr;21(2):111-3.[Effects of lead on thyroid function of occupationally exposed workers].Guangxi Workers Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.

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The Prevalence of Diabetes. The United Nations predicts diabetes will increase by 72% world wide between 2003 and 2025. More disturbing is the 33% increase in the incidence among children the past decade in the US. While diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in Canada, its most common complication heart disease is our number one killer.

Unnecessary and Preventable Disease. In my experience, diabetes is one of the most poorly controlled and managed illnesses. This is partly due to lack of information and partly due to the use of outdated perspectives on the underlying causes. Of all the many risk factors for diabetes, only one of them is not preventable or reversible, and that is genetics. However, we now know while we can’t change our genes, we can change their expression.

Interesting Risk Factors. You probably know that sedentary lifestyle, poor muscle mass, excess calorie intake and obesity cause diabetes. But did you know that inflammation and chronic environmental toxic exposure may too! A number of fascinating studies link the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in our bodies to our risk of developing diabetes. One in particular showed that only obese people with high levels of POPs developed diabetes. This is landmark! Some common sources of POPs are heavy metals (for example, mercury from amalgam fillings), bysphenol-A (for example, from water bottles) and xenobiotics (mostly found in non-organic animal foods). This means that cleansing, a method by which we aid the removal of toxins from our bodies, may help prevent and treat diabetes. Some special lab tests I use can help identify your levels of POPs.

Missed Opportunity to Prevent. Most diabetes could be prevented during the many years prior to its diagnosis if we routinely screened everyone with excess abdominal fat for insulin levels. We can be on the road to diabetes despite normal blood sugar levels. Why? For many years high insulin levels can help compensate to bring sugar levels down to normal. A fasting insulin test can pick up on this insidious disease years ahead, although current lab values don’t fully reflect the risks. By the time blood sugar levels are high it means insulin can no longer compensate, and you now have insulin resistance.

Medications Should Not Be Step One. It is unfortunate that most people diagnosed with diabetes are put on a medication immediately, with little to no attempt to manage or reverse it through lifestyle. The most common medication used called Metformin can reduce an important diabetes marker Hgb-A1C by 31% (the higher this marker the worse the diabetes). However, lifestyle intervention can reduce this marker by up to 58%! Diet alone can lower Hgb-A1C by more than 1.5% which is what Thiazolidinedione drugs do. Without a serious attempt to change lifestyle, there is no justification for medications, or their side effects. For those using oral hypoglycemic agents such as sulfonylurea, you should know that this medication can burn out the remaining functional cells that produce insulin, eventually leading to the necessity for insulin shots.

Treatment Goals for Diabetics. While there are numerous herbal treatments for diabetes, these would be futile in the long run without exercise, a good diet and detoxification. While the list of diets abound, the Mediterranean diet really has the most evidence behind it for general disease prevention and longevity. I recommend a modified Mediterranean Diet for diabetics, which can be referred to as the Paleo-Mediteranian Diet. Aerobic training is key and doesn’t need to be intense. Unfortunately, strength training is deemphasized by most people. Did you know that while doing strength training your muscles require up to 19 times more sugar than during aerobic activities. In general, one hour of activity is recommended daily. Two of those weekly hours should be at a more intense level.
Consult a doctor first if you have not exercise is a long time, have not done a stress test and are overweight, and/or have a heart condition.

Important Tests and Evaluations. All diabetics should have thorough blood tests to rule out contributing factors such as thyroid dysfunction, low vitamin D, toxicity, nutrient deficiencies (B12 is commonly low if on the Metformin), inflammation (CRP is a good marker), insulin resistance, liver and kidney dysfunction. Make sure you get a regular ECG (for heart function), are referred to an Ophthalmologist (eye specialist), have regular feet exams (if you have neuropathy) and get your blood pressure checked.

Naturopathic Supports. In addition to all the aforementioned advice, herbs, supplements and acupuncture can be used to correct nutrient deficiencies, prevent dangerous side effects of diabetes, balance blood sugar levels, reduce insulin insensitivity, help with weight loss and cravings, and in some cases reverse existing damage to eyes, kidneys and nerves. Supplements that lower blood sugar should be introduced by a professional as when combined with existing medications that can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Home Remedies. Some foods that all diabetics should consider medicinal mainstays of their life are garlic, onions, bilberries, blueberries, cinnamon, fenugreek, artichokes, dandelion leafs, brewer’s yeast and bitter melon. Incorporate these into your diet as they all have benefits on blood sugar levels. Bitter melon can be found in most Asian Grocery stores and it an acquired taste.
Other Supplements. Most diabetics should at the minimum be on a good multivitamin, a range of essential oils, and vitamin D at the appropriate dose based on blood tests.

References

Lim JS, et al. Clin Chem. 2007 Jun;53(6):1092-8. A strong interaction between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and obesity on the risk of prevalent type 2 diabetes: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1353-5. Epub 2008 Sep 16. Bisphenol A and risk of metabolic disorders. vom Saal FS, Myers JP. JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1303-10.

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Jose Correnas is a blue collar worker, producing welded tubes. His job entails many repetitive actions, such that he has developed carpel tunnel syndrome. As a result his productivity has fallen and his relationship with his boss has deteriorated. Mary Brown has been suffering from chronic fatigue and depression, and has diabetes. She has missed many work days as a result of all of these problems and because of side effects from her medications.

These stories are not real but are typical. Could these stories have happy endings? Sure. Both Jose and Mary are covered by their extended health care plans for naturopathic medicine. Like many employees they are unaware of their benefits and of the profound effects naturopathic treatments could have on their health and lives.

Progressive organizations like Husky Injection Molding of Bolton, Ontario, recognize the incredible benefits in bringing holistic health care to their organization. They have naturopaths and massage therapists on site, an organic cafeteria and many other health related services. A naturopathic approach to wellness in corporations stands in stark contrast to the old school approach of ‘firefighting’. It gets to the root causes of problems and acts preventatively.

Husky was rated top 35 companies to work for in Canada by Canada Report on Business in 1999. Their benefits in 1999 were remarkable: saved 8.4 million, drug costs cut by 18%, voluntary turn over rate 5% below industry average, absenteeism 3.3 days below the industry average and injury claims 1.2 per 200,000 hours worked versus industry average of 7.3. In fact, a cost effectiveness review of workplace health promotion done by Community Health Services Department in Ontario showed that even if the mighty dollar is the bottom line, wellness programs make sense. For every dollar spent on wellness, Canada Life got a return of $6.85, McDonnell Douglas a return of $4, BC Hydro a return of $3.

How does this relate to naturopathic medicine? By addressing omniscient problems such as chronic pain, stress and fatigue as well as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and other dangerous diseases, an organization is able to benefit its bottom line through lower absenteeism, improved moral and reduced workplace injuries.

Naturopathic Milestones is meeting the growing demands for the development of wellness programs by offering services such as on-site individualized naturopathic consultations, lunch time workshops on stress, diet, etc., and by creating interesting incentive programs to encourage employees to take charge of their health.

For more information on the corporate wellness programs offered by Naturopathic Milestones please call 416-642-0727.

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Insanity? If you always do what you have always done, you always get what you always got. So why are so many people still drawn to fad diets and quick fixes that are not only unhealthy but unsustainable? The majority of people who approach me about weight loss are looking for that miracle pill or super diet. I don’t use a “diet” per se. As you will see below, excess fat stems from a complex range of factors including hormone imbalances, poor nutrition, stress and even sleeping patterns. My weight loss programs as based on each individual’s health history, lifestyle, behavior patterns and existing nutritional knowledge. It includes appropriate natural supplements, extensive nutritional education, and an exercise program. Below I will highlight some key considerations for those thinking about weight loss.

A balanced approach. Any good weight loss program must take our hormone imbalances into consideration. Insulin, in particular, is the major fat-storage hormone. If insulin levels are high the message to our body is STORE FAT. Chronically high levels of insulin are more common that we might think. This often precedes the onset of diabetes. The most common contributors to high insulin are refined carbohydrates, poor fiber intake and chronic stress.

Sleep is Key. Many of us don’t associate good sleep with weight control. However, human growth hormone, released during our deepest stage of sleep, sends a strong signal to the body to repair and mend and to release stored fat for energy. Poor sleep patterns must be addressed as part of any weight loss program.

The Thyroid Gland. Further on the subject of hormones, the functioning of our thyroid gland is critical. It controls our metabolic rate. Many adults, especially menopausal women, have poorly functioning thyroid glands that may not be detected in ordinary blood tests. This is often revealed by a simple body temperature test done by most naturopathic doctors. A ‘sluggish’ thyroid will slow down your metabolism. Weight gain can also sometimes be related to more serious medical issues such as polycystic ovaries and Cushing’s syndrome. All of the above health issues should be ruled out in those with chronic weight problems.

Now let us talk about food. Are carbohydrates really so evil? Yes and no. Good carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits and vegetables are invaluable to our health. Firstly, they provide us with fiber. The decline in fiber consumption in North America has correlated with an alarming rise in colon cancer. High protein fad diets may accelerate this problem. Did you know that the brain’s primary food source is carbohydrates? If deprived of enough brain food your body will compensate by shuttling necessary sugar away from the rest of the body’s cells to the brain. In a round about way this occurs by developing something called insulin resistance (chronically high levels of insulin). Again, this contributes significantly to fat storage.

On the other hand, refined carbohydrates definitely cause weight gain. In my experience the overwhelming majority of carbohydrates most people eat are refined. These breads, pastas, pastries, crackers and other flour based products have very little fiber. Read the label. If the serving size has less than 8 grams of fiber it’s probably not a good choice. You should have at least 30 grams of fiber daily. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber. There are other wonderful whole grains such as quinoa, amaranth and millet that many people are not aware of. Without fiber, carbohydrates enter the blood much too quickly. This leads to a quick rise in blood sugar and spike of insulin to follow. As explained earlier, insulin causes fat storage.

What about proteins? Proteins stimulate a hormone called glucagon which tells the body to burn fat. However, this does not mean everyone should be consuming large amounts of proteins. Everything must be done in moderation. A high protein intake means a low fiber intake. Low fiber intake is linked to colon cancer, estrogen excess, and other health problems. Long term ingestion of high proteins, especially animal proteins, will increase ones risk of heart disease. Animal products are acidic and cancer thrives in acidity. While they are fine in moderation, try introducing more beans, nuts and seeds into your diet. They have fiber and healthy fats not found in animal products. For the majority of people I feel high protein diets are dangerous in the long run, especially in the absence of good nutritional knowledge.

And then there are fats, the most vilified of all. This is a complex topic. Essentially, the problem with fats stems from our over consumption of rancid poor quality fats (commercial salad dressings) and toxic fats (margarines). On the other hand, most of us are highly deficient in important essential fatty acids that have far reaching health benefits including their ability to help our body burn fats. These essential fatty acids can be found in non-farmed salmon, flaxseeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

The importance of exercise and muscle mass cannot be overemphasized. Did you know that one pound of muscle tissue can burn 50 or more calories daily? Many fad diets cause a loss of muscle and fat. In the long run this contributes to the common trend of gaining more weight back on. Doing 20 minutes of light weight training prior to cardiovascular exercise will be much more beneficial than aerobics alone.

Did you know stress can cause weight gain? Many things are stressful to our body from emotional stress to lack of food nutrients to starving (low calorie diets). Stress causes the body to increase its production of the hormone CORTISOL. Cortisol, if chronically raised, puts the body in a state of catabolism. This causes the breakdown of muscle, and therefore decreases our calorie burning capacity. Stress also leads to the production of insulin. We already know that chronically raised insulin levels signal the body to store fat.

So what is a sensible weight loss program? Firstly, it should include a personalized health evaluation. Following this your body should be supported in order to rebalance hormones and support organ systems, such as your thyroid, that have contributed to weight gain. Secondly, it should incorporate education about healthy eating. This should not entail obsessive calorie counting and scales, especially in a society where eating disorders are rising. Avoid diets focusing on purchased meal plans rather than education about food preparation. Be cautious with any diets that emphasize one particular food group at the expense of all others. Diet often implies a short term change of eating habits. Learn to eat well and protect your body from the detrimental stresses of dieting. If you are overly concerned with finding a weight loss pill or tea you may not be ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes for safe weight loss.

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It has come to my attention that a strange thing has happened to health care consumers. Some of us have gone beyond a healthy respect for the expertise of the medical community. We believe that medicine is absolute and certain, even flawless. But like anything in life, few things are based on absolute truth and certainty, and many things once thought to be true we now look back on with disbelief. For this reason, it is always healthy and wise to investigate things for yourself, especially when it comes to your own health.

Too often doctors are offended by inquisitive patients who want to know the risks involved in their treatments or perhaps about alternatives. Many of us are sadly intimidated by our practitioners and follow whatever directions we get, regardless of any doubts we may have or discomforts. We live with the side effects, swallow the pills and hope for the best.
Sadly, many consumers have totally disempowered themselves, not realizing that many answers reside within their own awareness of their bodies and that alternative approaches and opinions do exist, both within the confines of conventional medicine and beyond it. I frequently hear patients telling me “I had no choice” when relaying to me the inevitable need to take medications recommended by a doctor.

Of course it is prudent to take your doctors expertise seriously. At the same time, I would like to put things into a different perspective. You are ultimately responsible for your healthcare. Health care providers have a responsibility to educate you about your current state of health, available treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Unfortunately, most people are presented with a prescription rather than being educated and having any sense of a choice. Never assume that one practitioner’s approach is necessarily best for you. Demand to see a description of the suggested medication from the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties, a copy of which may be found in any general practitioners office. Ask about alternatives.

I am not suggesting you ignore sound medical advice nor am I suggesting that anyone should automatically dismiss medical drugs. I am suggesting that at the very least you should feel entitled to ask questions about the chosen treatments, to be well informed about their side effects and to seek second opinions if you choose to. You should expect willingness from your practitioner to provide you with complete and clear information without having to feel you are stepping on their toes.

Don’t feel intimidated to meet with a number of practitioners and ask them questions in order to gage their receptivity to inquisitive and responsible patients. A doctor and patient relationship is probably one of the most important ones you will have so don’t take it lightly. Just like in any relationship, if the chemistry is not there, politely move on.

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How much sugar do we eat? Did you know that the average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week? In the last twenty years the average person has increased their annual sugar consumption from 26 to 135 pounds of sugar! Prior to the turn of the century (1887-1890), this figure was only 5 pounds.

How much sugar should we get? The average adult requires approximately 400 grams of carbohydrates daily. These come in the form of complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates. While complex carbohydrates are healthy and necessary, simple carbohydrates can be harmful, especially in large quantities and when they are processed or refined. The US Department of Agriculture recommends we do not eat more than 40 grams refined carbohydrates daily, about 8 tsp of sugar. One Minute Maid Orange Soda alone has 48 grams.

What are the effects of refined simple sugars? Excessive poor sugars are one of the most significant contributors to our current health crisis including high rates of cancer, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, anxiety and attention deficit disorders, heart disease, asthma and Alzheimer’s. For example, a large study of 1.3 million Koreans over 10 years linked sugar to increased risk for colorectal, oesophagus, liver and cervical cancer. This is no surprise since cancer cells metabolize through a process of fermentation that relies primarily on sugars. But it also relates to sugars link to inflammation, depressed immunity and much more.

What is wrong with excess simple sugars? There are many ways in which refined simple sugars cause disease in our bodies. Simple sugars, unlike complex ones, are rapidly absorbed into our blood streams. This has a number of outcomes: (1) insulin spikes to help lower blood sugar and this signals the body to store fat and to produce cholesterol (contributing to obesity and heart disease), (2) sugar competes with vitamin C to get into cells causing a 75% reduction in our immune system capacity, (3) excess sugar triggers an inflammatory response in the body which plays a role in virtually all chronic diseases from cancer to heart disease and arthritis, (4) causes dehydration and salt and water retention, (5) causes hyperacidity in the stomach, (6) simple sugars attach themselves to proteins producing end products that cause the nerve damage, cataracts, aging and other side effects common to diabetes, (7) sugars bind to produce excessive mucus in the body, aggravating asthma and the like.

How do refined sugars affect us? Refined sugars lack the vitamins and minerals naturally found in whole cane or beet sugars. These nutrients exist partly to help your body metabolize those sugars properly. When absent, your body’s mineral supplies are drawn upon in order to balance this disruption, depleting your own supplies. For example, we are depleted of magnesium and potassium needed for proper heart functioning and blood pressure regulation, of a range of minerals needed for proper functioning of our adrenal and thyroid glands, and of calcium necessary for proper bone formation. Furthermore, normal metabolism of fats and carbohydrates is disrupted, causing elevated triglycerides and cholesterol linked to heart disease and predisposing ourselves to diabetes.

Where are we getting our sugar? Besides from the obvious addition of sugar into your hot beverages, sugar is added into almost every processed food you buy: ketchup, salt, peanut butter, canned vegetables, bouillon cubes, medicines, breads/crackers/buns, pastries, cereals, mayonnaise, pasta sauce, juice, salad dressings, most sauces, and candies. Would you ever add 8 teaspoons of sugar to your food? One of the worst sugar guzzling habits we have is the consumption of fruit juices and pop. There are 10 tsp of sugar in Mountain Dew, 9 tsp of sugar in Pepsi/Coke, 8 tsp in grape juice, 6 tsp in Sunny Delight and 5 tsp in orange juice. That one coke gives you close to 30 grams of refined simple sugars.

How the sugar adds up! A typical breakfast of 2 cups of Kellogg’s Raisin Bran (36 g sugar) with an 8oz glass of unsweetened orange juice (20 g sugar) has already exceeded the 40 g limit by 6 grams. If we throw in a McDonald’s McFlurry at lunch time we are adding 14 tsp or 56 grams of additional sugar! Add 3 tbsp ketchup to your lunch and you have another 12 grams of sugar. Add a couple tablespoons of salad dressing to your lunch and that is about another 4 grams of sugar. Hmmmm……

What kind of carbohydrates should I consume? Most of your carbohydrates should be unrefined complex carbohydrates: vegetables, legumes (soy, lentils and beans) and whole grains (wheat, barley, brown rice, quinoa, oats, etc.). Grain products such as breads, crackers and the like should be made from WHOLE grain flours and therefore the ingredients should use the word whole barley flour or whole-wheat flour. A healthy day would include carbohydrates such as whole oats for breakfast, wild rice with lunch and beans and root vegetables with dinner. This is in contrast to a more typical north American day where one might consume sugar laden cereals for breakfast, white rice and juice with lunch and refined pasta for dinner.

What kinds of sugars should I limit? Limit all refined carbohydrates — basically, anything that’s been milled and stripped of its fiber, healthy oils, vitamins and minerals. All white flour is nutritionally dead. It is used to make most pastries, cereals, breads and pastas, unless you shop carefully or at a health food store. Don’t be fooled by the “enriched white flour” label as only a few of the large number of nutrients removed have been added back, just enough to not make you sick fast enough to notice. Remember, the main reason for refining is to enhance shelf-life and appeal to consumer tastes. Refined products last longer because no self-respecting germ, rodent or fungus will eat it.

Attention Smart Shoppers. Simple carbohydrates are mostly found in fruits, honey, chutneys, jams, pastries, muffins, commercially produced sauces and dressings, processed foods, and sweetened cereals and breads. While two daily servings of fruit are encouraged, avoid fruit juices, canned fruits or products sweetened with concentrated juices. Most importantly READ LABELS and investigate the excellent variety of unsweetened and whole grain breads, crackers, pastas and the like available in health food stores and specialty sections of grocery stores.

What about Natural Sweeteners? I’m often asked if brown sugar or honey and the like are better than just plain sugar. First off, all sweeteners should be limited. Having said that, they are definitely not all created equal. Firstly, some sugars have not been stripped of their natural minerals and vitamins (refined) and therefore will not cause metabolic imbalances to the extent that white sugar does. These are molasses (by far the best choice, especially Blackstrap variety), dehydrated unrefined cane juice or Sucanat (if it doesn’t specify unrefined it is no better than ordinary sugar), unpasteurized honey, maple syrup and muscovado sugar (crystallized molasses). Amasake (popular in Japan), Maltodextrin, Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), Barley malt syrup and brown rice syrup, contain more complex sugars than other sweeteners, and therefore don’t cause dramatic spikes in our blood sugar.

What are the worst sugars? The sugars that reap havoc by spiking our blood sugars are corn syrup, fruit juice concentrates, refined cane juice, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey (sad but true) and sucrose (table sugar). Brown sugar is basically refined table sugar with a little molasses added to colour it.

What about fructose? Fructose has become popular for diabetics because it doesn’t elevate blood sugars too much or require insulin for its use; however, as it never exists in nature is such a high concentration, it has a number of health risks such as the raising of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, both related to risk of obesity and heart disease.

Sugar Alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol are often used in diabetic products. They are absorbed into the blood slower than refined sugars but are known to cause bloating, gas and diarrhea (especially mannitol) in some people because they are poorly absorbed. Be advised that because they are less sweet than sugar, one may end up adding more and therefore elevating blood sugars to the same extent as ordinary table sugar. In order of decreasing effect on blood sugar are xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol.

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Stress is something that almost anyone living in western cities can relate to. Stress can be physical, emotional, psychological, environmental, or a combination of these.

What most of us don’t know is that our ADRENAL glands, two tiny organs the size of grapes, are largely responsible for trying to cope with all our stressors. Adrenal fatigue is becoming epidemic. It contributes significantly too many of our modern day health problems. Adrenal fatigue can disrupt blood sugar levels, blood pressure, bone density, hormones, the respiratory tract, the nervous system, etc. Adrenal imbalances can contribute to poor immunity, weight gain, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, allergies, asthma and frequent colds or the development of diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes, etc. Adrenal imbalance can be brought on by chronic stressors, single extremely stressful events and/or chronic respiratory infections.

Conventional medicine only recognizes and treats extreme adrenal imbalances such as Cushing’s disease. In naturopathic circles we diagnose and treat more subtle imbalances to prevent the onset of diseases in the future and deal with poor quality of life in the present.

Try the following questionnaire to gage your adrenal functioning:

• Difficulty getting up in the morning.
• Continued fatigue not relieved by sleep.
• Craving for salt or salty foods.
• Lethargy. Everything seems like a chore.
• Increased effort to do every day tasks.
• Decreased sex drive.
• Decreased ability to handle stress. Compulsive eating, smoking or drug use.
• Increased time to recover from illness, injury or trauma.
• Light-headed when standing up quickly.
• Mild depression.
• Less enjoyment or happiness in life.
• Increased PMS.
• Symptoms increase if meals are skipped or inadequate. You have to drive yourself with snacks, colas and coffee just to keep from collapsing.
• Poor concentration and attention span.
• Memory less accurate.
• Decreased tolerance. People seem a lot more irritating than they used to.
• Don’t really wake up until 10:00 AM, Afternoon low between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, Feels better after evening meal.
• Decreased productivity.

If 3 or more of these statements apply to you, probably you have some degree of adrenal fatigue.

Try the following test at home to determine if your adrenal fatigue is moderate to severe.

1. You require a small flashlight or penlight, a mirror, a watch with a second hand and a dark room.
2. Shine the flashlight ACROSS one eye (not directly into it) from the side of the head.
3. Keep the flashlight steady while observing your PUPIL (the dark circle in the center of the eye) in the mirror.
4. Normally the pupil contracts in response to light.
5. Watch for the following abnormal response that occurs with moderate to severe adrenal fatigue: pupil DILATES (opens up) within 2 minutes and stay open for 30-45 seconds before it recovers and contracts again.
6. Time how long the dilation lasts with the second hand and record it along with the date.
7. A decreasing of this time is an indicator of recovery of adrenal health.

Adrenal fatigue is commonly treated by naturopathic doctors using supplementation with herbs and vitamins as well as life style counseling. For more information see the bottom of this page.

_{Questionnaire and test above are from “Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome” by Dr. James Wilson, ND, DC, PhD}

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