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Sinusitis, an upper respiratory condition, involves inflammation of the sinus passages. There are four pairs of sinuses in the human skull that help circulate moist air throughout the nasal passages. The common cold is the most prevalent predisposing factor to sinusitis. Acute sinusitis typically causes symptoms of nasal congestion and a thick yellow or green discharge. Other symptoms include tenderness and pain over the sinuses, frontal headaches, and sometimes chills, fever, and pressure in the area of the sinuses. Chronic sinusitis differs slightly, in that symptoms can be milder and may only include postnasal drip, bad breath, and an irritating dry cough. Hay fever, environmental triggers unrelated to hay fever, food allergens, and dental infections can also lead to sinusitis. Dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful: According to some studies, 25–70% of people with sinusitis have environmental allergies.[1] Although food allergies may also contribute to the problem, some researchers believe food allergies only rarely cause sinusitis.[2, 3] If other treatment approaches are unsuccessful, people with sinusitis may choose to work with a nutritionally oriented doctor to evaluate what, if any, effect elimination of food and other allergens might have on reducing their symptoms. Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: In a preliminary trial, supplementation with 250 mg of pantothenic acid two times a day was demonstrated to help most patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, a significant predisposing factor for sinusitis.[4] However, research has yet to investigate the effects of pantothenic acid supplementation with people who have sinusitis. Histamine is associated with increased nasal and sinus congestion. In one study, vitamin C supplementation (1,000 mg three times per day) reduced histamine levels in people with either high histamine levels or low blood levels of vitamin C.[5] Another study found that 2,000 mg of vitamin C helped protect individuals exposed to a histamine challenge.[6] Not every study has reported reductions in histamine.[7] Although preliminary evidence supports the use of vitamin C when injected into the sinuses of people suffering with acute sinusitis, the effect of oral vitamin C on symptoms of sinusitis has yet to be formally studied.[8] Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, has been reported to relieve symptoms of acute sinusitis. In a double blind study comparing the use of bromelain with placebo, 87% of those patients who took bromelain reported good to excellent results compared with 68% of the placebo group.[9] Other double blind research has shown that bromelain reduces symptoms of sinusitis.[10, 11] Studies conducted in the past have used bromelain compounds with therapeutic strengths measured in Rorer units. Potency of contemporary bromelain compounds are quantified in either MCUs (milk clotting units) or GDUs (gelatin dissolving units); one GDU equals 1.5 MCU. A supplement containing 500 mg with a labeled potency of 2,000 MCU per gram (1,000 mg) would have 1,000 MCU of activity. Nutritionally oriented physicians sometimes use 3,000 MCU taken three times per day for several days, followed up by 2,000 MCU per day.[12] Much of the research conducted has used smaller amounts likely to be the equivalent (in modern units of activity) of approximately 500 MCU taken four times a day. Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions. Herbs that may be helpful: An isolated double blind study compared the use of freeze-dried stinging nettles with placebo. In that one-week trial, 300 mg of stinging nettles taken twice per day led to moderate effectiveness among 58% of those in the treatment group compared with only 37% in the placebo group.[13] Eucalyptus oil is often used in a steam inhalation to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. Eucalyptus oil is said to function in a fashion similar to that of menthol by acting on receptors in the nasal mucosa, leading to a reduction in the symptoms of, for example, nasal stuffiness.[14] Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions. References: Bullock C. Chronic infectious sinusitis linked to allergies. Med Trib 1995;Dec 7:1. Derebery MJ. Otoplaryngic allergy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1993;26:593–611 [review]. Host A. Mechanisms in adverse reactions to food. Allergy 1995;50(20 suppl):60–63 [review]. Martin W. On treating allergic disorders! Townsend Letter for Doctors 1991;Aug/Sept:670–71 [letter]. Clemetson, CA. Histamine and ascorbic acid in human blood. J Nutr 1980;110:662–68. Bucca C, Rolla G, Oliva A, Farina JC. Effect of vitamin C on histamine bronchial responsiveness of patients with allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy 1990;65:311–14. Bellioni P, et al. La provocazione istaminica in soggetti allergici. Il ruolo dell’acido ascorbico. Eur Rev Med Pharm Sci 1987;9:419–22. Nikolaev MP, Longunov AI, Tsyrulnikova LG, Dzhalilov DS. Clinical and biochemical aspects in the treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis with antioxidants. Vestn Otorinolaringol 1994;Jan/Feb:22–26. Ryan R. A double blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13–17. Taub SJ. The use of bromelains in sinusitis: a double-blind evaluation. EENT Monthly 1967;46(3):361–65. Seltzer AP. Adjunctive use of bromelains in sinusitis: a controlled study. EENT Monthly 1967;46(10):1281–88. Gaby AR. The story of bromelain! Nutr Healing 1995;May:3,4,11. Mittman P. Randomized, double blind study of freeze dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990;56:44–47. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy, 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer Verlag, 1998, 146–47. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Basal body temperature is used to monitor fluctuations in a woman’s monthly cycle and to determine how well the thyroid is working. Historically, one of the most consistent ways of assessing one’s thyroid function is by checking body temperature because this reflects the thyroid’s influence on the body’s metabolic rate.[1] A basal body temperature that is consistently less than 97.8° F over a period of one month may indicate low thyroid function. Other tests, primarily blood tests, have been developed to check thyroid function. However, these values may come back normal even though symptoms of hypothyroidism are present. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include any of the following: dry or thinning hair, fatigue, dry skin, short nails with white spots, poor circulation with cold hands and feet, shivering spells, fluid retention, difficulty losing weight, slow digestion, constipation, mental tiredness, depression, poor memory, habitual headache that is usually worse in the morning, ringing in the ears, disturbed sleep, stiff joints, low/high blood pressure and a slow heart rate. Measuring Your Basal Body Temperature Shake down the thermometer below 95°F, and place it beside the bed before going to sleep. On waking, place the thermometer under your armpit or in your mouth and rest for 5-10 minutes. The less movement you make, the more accurate the reading. Record your temperature on five different mornings. Record the date, temperature, and, for women, day of your menstrual cycle. Measure your temperature only during the first half (days 1 – 15) of your menstrual cycle. You may start on day 1 with the beginning of menses. Please bring your chart in with you to your next appointment. This will aid us in determining if low thyroid function is contributing to your state of health. Reference: [1] Hypothyroidism-The Unsuspected Illness, B. Barnes & L. Galton, 1976. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

What is Prolozone Therapy? Prolozone is a form of non-surgical ligament reconstruction and is a permanent treatment for chronic pain. Prolozone is a connective tissue injection therapy of collagen producing substances and ozone gas which can reconstruct damaged or weakened connective tissue in and around joints. These substances are injected into the damaged connective tissue in and around a joint to rebuild the damaged areas. By repairing the connective tissue, this is all that is needed to permanently reverse chronic pain. Prolozone therapy is an injection technique similar to prolotherapy, but adds ozone. The use of ozone causes the joint to heal much more quickly than in traditional prolotherapy. This is because ozone is a highly reactive molecule and when injected into a joint capsule it is able to stimulate the fibroblastic joint repairing abilities. Prolozone is derived from the word ozone and the Latin word “proli” which means to regenerate or re-build. It literally means re-building tissues with ozone. It is important to understand what the word prolozone actually means. “Prolo” is short for proliferation, because the treatment causes the proliferation (growth, formation) or new ligament tissue in areas where it has become weak. Ligaments are the structural “rubber bands” that hold bones to bones in joints – acting like the body’s shock absorbers. Ligaments can become weak or injured and may not heal back to their original strength or endurance. Ligaments will also not tighten on their own to their original length once injured. This is largely because the blood supply to ligaments is limited, and therefore healing is slow and not always complete. To further complicate this, ligaments also have many nerve endings, and therefore the person will feel pain at the areas where the ligaments are damaged or loose. We can think of our joints as the hinge on a door. Until the hinge is fixed, the door just isn’t going to open or close right, and it’s the same exact story with our joints. If we are athletic or if we are just getting older, there is some gradual and natural degeneration of the moving parts of the body due to ongoing recurrent mechanical stress and failure of tissues to repair. When this happens, the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage become dehydrated and weaker. This results in laxity and more abnormal mechanical stress and shearing forces on the joint. Abnormal shearing forces and torsion cayse more joint dysfunction. This leads to progressive separation of the ligaments from the superficial covering on the bone called the periosteum. This pulling on the periosteum creates a space, which the body fills in with new bone. These new parts of bone are called osteophytes. They are the premier signs of degenerativve arthritis in and around the joint. Osteophytes and joint laxity result in a reduced range of motion, which causes strain on surrounding muscles which then become either over or under worked leading to more dysfunction and pain. Prolozone causes repair and tightening of the lax structures, partially torn connective tissue, and ligaments. Prolozone halts the pain/inflammation cycle allowing for better circulation, increased blood flow carrying nutrition, and hydration of the damaged tissues. This promotes a healing environment within the joint to develop and results in increased range of motion and decreased pain. A lot of my patients come to me with pain caused by inflammation. For example, arthritis is an inflammatory process. An important component in halting the inflammation cycle, along with Prolozone therapy, is proper nutrition. What we choose to eat every day is so powerful that it can either bring us closer to health or closer to disease. When we eat fresh, whole food devoid of refined flours and sugars, it promotes and maintains health by nourishing the body at a deep level. This reduces total body inflammation and allows the body to function optimally. Eating properly in conjunction with Prolozone therapy will help to maximize results. Who is a Candidate for This Program? Low back pain Shoulder pain Rotator cuff tears Knee injuries Individuals wanting to avoid knee and hip replacement Because Prolozone treatments also result in cartilage regeneration, the technique is also remarkably effective even for severe cases of osteo-arthritis of the hip or knee. The good thing about Prolozone therapy is that it is not just a treatment for pain. The results can actually represent a permanent fix. Once the doctor takes a detailed history of your injury and looks at your MRI report, she will be able to tell you if Prolozone is right for you. Conditions Commonly Treated with Prolozone Therapy Include: Chronic back pain Bulging or herniated disks Sciatica Overused joint injuries Weakened joints from prior injury Rotator cuff injuries Tennis elbow How Does It Work? Pain will persist as long as connective tissue in a joint remains damaged. Connective tissue can be scarred, torn, or overly stretched. Prolozone injections stimulate tissue to repair itself, strengthening and tightening, and ultimately stabilizing the joint. Prolozone therapy involves the injections of ozone into soft tissues, liagments, and tendons. This causes a localized inflammation in these weak areas, which then increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients, the stimulation of anabolic cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts. These effects stimulate the tissue to repair itself, strengthening and tightening, and thereby stabilizing the area. What Do I Have to Know Before I Get Started? It is important that the patient use no anti-inflammatory medications before and during the 48 hours after the injection. For this same reason, areas that have been treated with a steroid or cortisone injections cannot be treated with Prolozone until the injections have worn off. What Can I Expect? The response to treatment varies from individual to individual and depends on one’s healing ability and level of injury. Some people may only need one to two treatments, while others may need as many as six or seven. Once you begin treatment, the doctor can analyze how you are responding and will then be able to give you an accurate estimate of what you can expect from further treatments. The injection process is repeated once a month until maximum improvement is noted. Prolozone therapy typically results in the complete absence of symptoms, even in severe pain conditions that have been present for years. And, the most amazing thing about it is that the results usually represent a permanent fix. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Flu season is just around the corner, and the flu shot debate has already begun to create quite the frenzy on social media outlets: “to get or not to get a flu shot.” As a physician, I am often asked my opinion on the subject. The issue with vaccinations is very complex. It’s highly individualized and dependent upon your genetics (MTHFR status), your current health status, and of course, your own beliefs. As a functional medicine physician, my goal is get to the root cause and correct any underlying health issues so that you have a solid foundation to fight off any kind of infection, including the flu. Before you run out to the corner of happy and healthy and get your flu vaccine, lets look at the actual ingredients in these vaccines, their effectiveness in preventing illness, your legal rights, and natural alternatives. Is the Influenza Vaccine Effective? According to a study in 2008, the influenza vaccine was only 59% successful and benefited only 36% of the healthy children over the age of 2 who received it. Another study from 2008 indicated that the number of children’s doctor visits or hospitalizations did not differ between vaccinated and non-vaccinated children measured over two consecutive flu seasons, suggesting that the influenza vaccine had very little effect on children’s overall health status. Additional studies show that flu vaccines do not prevent influenza transmission to the patients of healthcare workers. What’s in a flu shot? egg protein (cell culture) sucrose (stabilizers) gelatin (stabilizers) polysorbate 80 (stabilizer) aluminum salts (adjuvants) formaldehyde (inactivating ingredient) thimerosal/mercury (preservative) penicillin/sulfa drugs (antibiotics) The manufacturing of the flu vaccine begins with an egg protein, which is used to grow enough virus to make the vaccine. Next, formaldehyde is added to kill the virus, and small doses of antibiotics are included to prevent any bacterial contamination of the vaccine during the manufacturing process. Thimerosal is added in most flu vaccines as a preservative to prevent any further contamination, and sucrose, polysorbate 80, or gelatin is added to stabilize the vaccine for transportation and storage. Finally, aluminum salts are added in order to help stimulate an immune response to the “dead” virus. Many of these ingredients are known carcinogens and detergents that have harmful or unknown effects on the human body. Package inserts for Fluarix and Fluvirin even state that they are uncertain as to whether or not your fertility will be affected by the vaccine. Formaldehyde is a powerful chemical used as a disinfectant and preservative in mortuaries and medical labs. It is listed as a human carcinogen in the 12th Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program. Studies have demonstrated that thimerosal can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases by suppressing the overall immune system and causing systemic inflammation. Due to the controversy concerning this additive, some companies have started producing thimerosal-free vaccines, which are available in a limited supply at certain pharmacies. Polysorbate 80 is a detergent used to help drugs and chemicals cross the blood-brain barrier. Unfortunately, this stabilizer is also used to treat chronic kidney failure and can contribute to liver toxicity. Polysorbate 80 was also shown to cause “severe non-immunologic anaphylactoid reactions” in a study from 2005. Aluminum is a recognized neurotoxin that can adversely affect the central nervous system and cause cognitive deficiency and dementia if it enters the brain. Numerous studies have linked aluminum to Alzheimer’s disease. The antibiotics hidden in the flu vaccine include neomycin, streptomycin, or penicillin, which can cause severe allergic reactions in many people. Not to mention that the overuse of antibiotics can increase your risk for gut infections, like Candida overgrowth. Who may need a flu shot? There is quite a quandary surrounding recommendations for immunocompromised individuals such as those with autoimmune diseases who are on immune-suppressing medications. The original thought was that they would be at higher risk of getting the flu and would benefit from getting vaccinated. However, recent studies have shown that the flu vaccine is less effective in these immunocompromised individuals. Given that thimerosal has been implicated in triggering autoimmune disease and that those with autoimmune diseases are three times more likely to develop another autoimmune disease, it would seem that the risk of getting a flu vaccine far outweighs any potential benefits. Certainly those with chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, asthma, or COPD may want to weigh the risk with the benefits. A Functional Medicine Approach to Flu Prevention: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly This is the number one way to prevent the flu and other respiratory infections. You must scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds in order to kill viruses. Twenty seconds is about how long it takes to sing the ABC’s one time through. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without first washing your hands. Heal your gut Your gut is the gateway to health. 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. Make sure your gut is in tip-top shape and take a high quality, multi-strain probiotic with at least 25 billion units. Reduce alcohol and sugar consumption Even moderate alcohol consumption suppresses the central nervous system, and therefore your immune system. Consuming too much sugar can suppress the immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections like the flu. Reduce your stress Stress is known to suppress our immune systems. Consider meditation, yoga, or acupuncture for additional relaxation techniques. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night Your body relies on sleep to recuperate from daily exposure to toxins. Chronic sleep deprivation can significantly reduce immune function. Take glutathione, turmeric, and vitamin c Antioxidants are very important for your immune function. Glutathione is the chief antioxidant in your body, responsible for enhancing your immune system and helping your liver with detoxification. Curcumin is the orange pigment in turmeric and a potent antioxidant that improves joint health and cardiovascular function. Vitamin C provides potent antioxidant protection, support optimal immune function. Take an immune booster Give your immune system an added boost with some immunoglobulins and proteins. I highly recommend a dairy-free Immune Boost Powder. Optimize vitamin D Vitamin Dis a powerful immune system modulator. Optimal levels range from 50 to 70 ng/ml. For many that can mean taking 5000 IU per day; however, I don’t recommend this unless you are closely monitored by a physician. 9. Consider a zinc supplement Zinc is another powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in immune health. Within the immune system, zinc is needed for gene regulation and functioning of neutrophils, natural killer cells, and lymphocytes. Individuals with a zinc deficiency are highly susceptible to a number of pathogens, including the influenza virus. Get plenty of exercise Exercise can boost your immune system by increasing your circulation and relieving stress. Increased circulation allows antibodies to travel throughout your bloodstream faster, making it easier for your immune system to fight off an illness. Exercise can also enhance your immune system by relieving stress and slowing the release of stress hormones in the body. What about Vaccine Mandates? Often employees and healthcare workers are told that they must receive a flu vaccination. It is imperative that you understand your legal rights concerning this issue. There are a number of options available to you if you wish to oppose these vaccine mandates from your employers. Options for Opposing Vaccine Mandates: Ask to wear a mask instead Claim medical, religious, or union exemption Sign a petition Write a persuasive letter Dr. Tenpenny, an outspoken advocate for free choice in healthcare, wrote a template letter explaining why flu vaccines should not be mandatory. I personally was working as an emergency physician a pediatric emergency department during swine flu and flu season. I was told I was required to get both vaccinations. Knowing my history of autoimmune thyroid disease and my MTHFR genetic mutations, I simply asked my employer if there were any alternatives to the vaccinations. We agreed that I could skip the vaccination in exchange for wearing a respiratory mask during all my shifts. What now? If you do elect to receive a flu shot, I would highly recommend a thimerosal-free vaccine, which are available in a limited supply. If you don’t already know your MTHFR gene mutations, I would definitely get them checked. If you have any mutations at this gene, it is difficult for your body to eliminate mercury from your system, even in trace amounts. I would also caution you against taking any over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol, Advil, or aspirin, in conjunction with your vaccine. These have been shown to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines by limiting your body’s proper immune response. Additionally, a preliminary study found that acetaminophen (Tylenol) use after the measlesmumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine was associated with autistic disorder. Once again, the decision to receive vaccinations of any kind is highly individualized. My goal, as always, is to empower you with the knowledge to make the best and most informed decision you can for yourself and your health. This article was originally posted on MindBodyGreen.com The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

ENGESTOL, IMMUNE BOOSTER This amazing injection boosts your immune system naturally. Think of it as an all-natural flu and cold shot. Stimulate your immune system with this dynamic combination of Engystol homeopathic ingredients that are scientifically proven to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms during an acute viral infection, as well as helping to prevent future infections. Scientifically proven to improve the fighting capacity of white blood cells by an amazing 41%! Relieves cold and flu symptoms including: runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches and mild fever Reduces duration of viral infections Scientifically and clinically proven effective Suitable for the entire family No known side effects, contraindications or interactions Boosts your white cell blood count by as much as 41% Engystol is an all-natural homeopathic remedy that is given as an injection once a month as a preventative for flu season. It has scientifically proven anti-viral activity and is effective in treating and preventing viruses such as influenza, herpes simplex 1, rhinovirus and RSV. Studies have demonstrated that Engystol improves white blood cells by 33%. We offer Engystol in our office. Contact us for more information! The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

HIATAL HERNIA SELF-ADJUSTMENT TECHNIQUE AND TREATMENTS What is a Hiatal Hernia? When you swallow, your food passes down a long tube known as the esophagus into the stomach. This tube must pass through a muscle known as the diaphragm, which is located near the bottom of your rib cage. This opening in the diaphragm, which permits the esophagus to pass through, is regulated by a sphincter muscle (or “valve”} which relaxes and opens when we swallow to permit the food to pass through the diaphragm and into the stomach. This sphincter then closes to prevent stomach acid from coming back up into the throat. A hiatal hernia occurs when the top of the stomach rolls or slides up into this opening and becomes stuck there. Hiatal Hernia Symptoms Naturally, when part of the stomach is forced into this opening, the sphincter cannot close properly. Thus, stomach acid may travel back up into the esophagus causing burning sensations (heartburn), esophageal spasms, inflammation, or ulcers in the esophagus, which may bleed. The cramped position of the stomach can also stress the vagus nerve, which stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid, which can cause both over and under secretion of hydrochloric acid and stomach enzymes. It may also affect the sphincter or valve at the bottom of the stomach so that digestive secretions “leak” out of the stomach and are lost before they have completed their job. The hiatal hernia will also interfere with the movement of the diaphragm muscle. This muscle normally pulls downward to expand the chest capacity and inflate the lungs. Since the hiatal hernia interferes with this movement, the person may be restricted to shallow breathing, or will resort to using the chest and shoulders to expand the lung capacity and take a deep breath. The esophagus may also “kink” in the throat, which will irritate the thyroid gland and may cause some difficulty in swallowing. Often persons with hiatal hernias will have difficulty in swallowing capsules or tablets as they get the sensation that they are “sticking” in their throat. The irritation on the vagus nerve can cause reflex irritations throughout the body. The vagus nerve comes from the medulla (a portion of the brain) and goes to the heart, esophagus, lungs, stomach, small intestines, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and colon. If a person develops poor stomach digestion due to a lack of hydrochloric acid, they will have difficulty digesting foods, which can lead to many digestive disorders, as well as immune and glandular system weaknesses. Two other problems that a hiatal hernia may contribute to, are asthma and heart disease. Since the hernia reduces the lung capacity by interfering with natural breathing, it could be a factor in asthma. The hernia may also put pressure on the heart. Gas in the stomach and intestines may put pressure on the hernia and push it against the bottom of the heart. What Causes a Hiatal Hernia? The causes of a hiatal hernia are speculative and unique to each individual. However, there are a number causes. First of all there may be a mechanical cause. Improper lifting, hard coughing, severe prolonged vomiting, bouts of heavy lifting, sharp blows to the abdomen (the kind that “knock the wind out of you”), or injury. Improper lifting may be the biggest mechanical cause of this disorder. If the air is not expelled out of a person’s lungs while lifting, it will force the stomach into the area between the diaphragm and the esophagus. Secondly, there are dietary causes. A hiatal hernia just about always accompanies a swollen ileocecal valve. The ileocecal valve is the valve between the small and large intestines which permits material to enter the colon from the large intestine, but prevents material in the colon from moving back into the small intestine. When this valve becomes swollen and irritated it cannot close properly. This allows material from the colon to leak back into the small intestine. This is analogous to the sewer backing up into your kitchen. This creates gas and indigestion, which puts pressure on the stomach and presses it tighter against the diaphragm. The relationship between the ileocecal valve and the hiatal hernia is a chicken/egg situation … it is hard to know which comes first. However, it is clear that the ileocecal problem aggravates the hernia. Hence, the things that irritate that valve may be causal factors. Other Causes (direct & indirect): Low stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). Weak cells caused by consumption of man-made vegetable oils and fats (except olive oil) which are incorporated into the cell membranes making them weak and stiff. Nature intends cell membranes to be made out of 50% saturated fat (lung cells need 100%). Poor nutrition, particularly a diet that is high in sugars and carbs, processed or fast foods, or contains white flour products, “bad” man-made vegetable fats and oils (except olive oil), from plants like canola, corn, safflower, soybean, etc., and lacks enough protein and “good” fats like coconut oil, butter, lard, etc. Toxins in foods and drinks, i.e. pesticides, additives, preservatives, fluoride, chlorine, and other chemicals, and from the environment or household and personal care products. Lastly, there are emotional causes. According to one applied kinesiologist text, a hiatal hernia comes from repressed anger. A person “swallows their anger” and “can’t stomach it.” When you get angry, you suck your breath upward. If you fail to release this anger, your stomach stays up. I have observed that most of the people with severe hiatal hernias have a great deal of emotional stress and hold a lot of it inside. Do You Have a Hiatal Hernia? The easiest way to tell if you or someone you know has a hiatal hernia is to place your fingers on the solar plexus, just below the breastbone. Then take a deep breath. You should feel the solar plexus expand and move outward. If there is no movement at the solar plexus and you have to lift your chest and shoulders to take a deep breath, then you probably have a hiatal hernia. You should be able to take a deep abdominal breath without lifting your shoulders. Hiatal Hernia Exercises Strengthen the stomach muscles with the following exercises: Lie on your back and bend your knees, leaving your feet flat on the floor. Lift your buttocks and lower back off the floor, leaving your feet and shoulders on the floor supporting your weight. Lower yourself gently. Repeat 10 times daily. Hiatal Hernia: An Overlooked Cause of Digestive Problems The American Digestive Disease Society has estimated that nearly half of all adults–some 60 million people–have a hiatal hernia. It occurs more often in women than in men. It affects people of all ages, but is most prevalent in people over 50 and highly likely in people over 65. The Great Mimic Hiatal hernia has been called the “great mimic” because it mimics many disorders. A person with this problem can get such severe pains in their chest that they think they are having a heart attack. They may think they have an over acid stomach because they will regurgitate stomach acid after they eat, or their stomach may hurt so badly they will think they have an ulcer. This is just a sampling of the symptoms that may occur from this disorder. Correction Since a hiatal hernia is primarily a mechanical problem, the easiest and best way to correct it is mechanically. Medical doctors have attempted surgery to correct this disorder, but the results tend to be poor. Cutting into this area can further weaken it so that the hernia will return in short order. A better method is to manipulate the stomach and bring down the hernia by hand. You can find a good chiropractor, applied kinesiologist, or massage therapist who understands this problem and knows how to correct it. Self-Adjustment Technique Here is a self-help adjustment technique. It isn’t as effective as having someone else perform the adjustment, but it may help. Drink a pint of warm water first thing in the morning, then stand on your toes and drop suddenly to your heels several times. The warm water helps to relax the stomach and diaphragm and puts some weight in the stomach. By dropping down suddenly, the weight of the water helps to pull the stomach down. In a mild case, this might be enough to bring the hernia down. In a more severe case it may loosen the stomach and make it easier for someone else to bring it down. It will also help you to keep the stomach down once mechanical corrections have been made. Untraditional Aids Until the problem is corrected mechanically, there are some nutritional therapies that may be of help. Immediate, but temporary, relief of pain and discomfort can often be achieved by the use of a mucilaginous herb like slippery elm or comfrey. These herbs absorb the digestive secretions and help to prevent their traveling back up the esophagus and burning it. They also help to prevent irritation of the ileocecal valve. Comfrey can also speed the healing of this problem once mechanical adjustments have been made. Okra pepsin is a good combination for this problem as well. Marshmallow is also helpful in soothing the mucous membranes for hiatal hernias and other ulcerations in the gastrointestinal system. A digestive aid will help the person obtain the nutrients they need when the hernia is interfering with digestion. This may take the form of a hydrochloric acid supplement like Betaine, or a food enzyme tablet, or perhaps an herbal digestive aid such as peppermint, chamomile, ginger root, fennel, and so forth. Other food or herb products that have been used to help people with hiatal hernias include: sauerkraut, raw cabbage juice (where ulcerations have occurred), coriander, licorice, marshmallow, and passion flower. Dietary modifications may be necessary to relieve the problem and to keep it from reoccurring once it has been corrected. Since the pressure of abdominal gas can push the stomach upward you should check to see if you have candida/yeast overgrowth since the toxins it produces include carbon dioxide, which is gas. Symptoms of a Hiatal Hernia All of the following symptoms have been connected with a hiatal hernia. If you have some of these symptoms especially those marked with an asterisk (*)you may wish to consider being checked for this condition. Digestive Difficulties- *Belching, *Bloating, * Heartburn, * Difficulty digesting meat/high protein foods, Tension or pressure at the solar plexus, Sensitivity at the waist, Intestinal gas, Regurgitation, Hiccups, Lack or limitation of appetite, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Colic in children, Difficulty in gaining weight or overweight, Ulcers. Breathing And Circulation Problems – * Difficulty with deep abdominal breathing, * Difficulty in swallowing capsules, *Asthma, *Inability to take a deep breath from the diaphragm, Overall fatigue, Tendency to swallow air, Allergies, Dry tickling cough, Full feeling at base of throat, Pain or burning in upper chest, Pressure in the chest, Pain in the left side of chest, Pressure below breastbone, Lung pain, Rapid heartbeat, Rapid rise in blood pressure, Pain in left shoulder, arm, or side of neck. Structural Complaints- TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint Pain which occurs in the jaw), Bruxism (Grinding teeth in sleep), Joint pain, Localized or overall spinal pain, Headaches. Stress – *Suppression of anger or other emotions, * Living with or having lived with a quick-tempered person, Dizziness, Shakiness, Mental Confusion, Anxiety attacks, Insomnia, Hyperactivity in children. Other Ailments- *Open ileocecal valve, *General weakness, * Difficulty in getting and/or staying healthy, Overactive thyroid, Cravings for sugar or alcohol, *Candida/yeast overgrowth, Menstrual or prostate problems, Urinary difficulties, Hoarseness. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

What is Ozone Therapy? Ozone therapy is a unique form of therapy that both heals and detoxifies at the same time. It is used to treat a variety of chronic disease including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Lyme disease, chronic hepatitis, herpes, chronic fatigue states, chemical sensitivity, macular degeneration, chronic bladder conditions, colitis, auto-immune diseases, and Crohn’s disease. What is Ozone? The oxygen you breathe is present in the air as a pair of oxygen atoms. This is the most stable form of oxygen, and it’s colorless. Ozone is a blue colored form of oxygen (it’s what makes the sky blue), and unlike regular oxygen, it is composed of three oxygen atoms instead of two. It is the addition of the third oxygen atom that makes ozone “supercharged” oxygen, and gives it all of its remarkable medical properties. The use of ozone to treat various medical conditions was first developed in Germany in the early 1950’s. Today, medical ozone therapy is common throughout Europe, and its use has gradually been spreading in America over the last 25 years. Ozone is Toxic, Isn’t It? Anything, including water and oxygen, is toxic if given in amounts that exceed the body’s capacity to utilize it. Ozone is found naturally in the body. The white cells make it as part of the immune response. Pure medical grade ozone, when it is used according to the established medical guidelines, has a safety record that is unparalleled. Medical Properties Of Ozone Ozone has five properties that account for why it works so well not only for macular degeneration, but also for most other chronic age related conditions as well: Ozone is a potent regulator of the immune system. This means that when the immune system is overactive (as in auto-immune disease), ozone will calm it Conversely, when the immune system is under active as in cancer, AIDS, and chronic infections, ozone will stimulate it. This unique ability of ozone stems from its action on the membranes of white cells that causes them to produce immune related messenger molecules called cytokines. Examples of cytokines are gamma interferon, interleukln-2, colony stimulating factor, and TNF-alpha just to name a few. Ozone stimulates increased uptake of oxygen by stimulating the enzyme diphosphoglycerate (DPG). DPG enables the release of oxygen from the hemoglobin molecule so that it can be taken up into the cell. In the absence of an adequate amount of DPG, our cells become starved for oxygen. This is a common problem in diabetics. Ozone improves circulation. It does this by enhancing the flow characteristics of blood as a liquid. This effect enables more of the oxygen carrying hemoglobin to reach the capillaries where ultimately the cells will receive more of the oxygen they require. Many patients with chronic inflammatory conditions have impaired circulation. Ozone increases antioxidant protection more than any other therapy including vitamin C. Most people with chronic disease have deficient antioxidant defenses. Ozone is a powerful mitochondrial stimulant. The fundamental underlying cause behind all degenerative disease from diabetes to heart disease to cancer is decreased mitochondrial energy production. Ozone can often correct this problem. How is Ozone Used Medically? Autotherapy is the most common and, in most cases, the most effective way ozone is administered. The patient sits in a chair and has from 6-12 ounces of blood removed into a sterilized bottle. Then ozone is injected into the bottle, and the bottle is gently shaken, allowing the red and white blood cells to take up the ozone. The ozonated blood is then returned to the body. The entire procedure takes about 30-40 minutes. ls Ozone Therapy For Me? This is a decision for a doctor who is trained and experienced in the medical use of ozone. Some conditions simply will not clear up unless ozone is used, and of course many conditions will clear up without ozone. Because of its many therapeutic properties, ozone can be used as part of a therapeutic plan for almost every disease. It is invaluable in the treatment of heart disease and circulatory disorders. Chronic infections such as hepatitis-C, herpes, Lyme, and AIDS respond very favorably to ozone. It is also very helpful in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases. It is important to realize that ozone therapy is not a panacea or some kind of magic bullet. Although it is often an indispensable modality, it is only rarely effective by itself. In the great majority of cases it must be combined with an individualized program of other alternative and natural therapies, such as nutrition and detoxification. Call our office today for more information: (928) 776-1600 Additional Ozone Therapy Information Over the past sixty years, over a dozen methods have been developed in the application of ozone in medical therapy. Some have undergone extensive testing under clinical conditions, and have been determined safe and effective by leading physicians and professional groups like the International Ozone Association and The Medical Society for Ozone Application in Prevention and Therapy [Ärztliche Gesellschaft für Ozonanwendung in Prävention und Therapie] in Germany, while others have not. New methods are being introduced on a regular basis, including some that are considered highly experimental. In most cases, tiny amounts of ozone are added to pure oxygen (consisting of 0.05 parts of ozone to 99.95 parts of oxygen for internal use and 5 parts of ozone to 95 parts of oxygen for external applications). Doses are usually expressed in terms of micrograms of ozone per milliliter of oxygen (μg/ml). For example, if a physician were to require 1200 micrograms of ozone, he or she would select a concentration of 12 μg/ml and use a volume of 100 ml of oxygen. Because exact amounts of ozone are usually indicated for medical use, only ozone generators that allow measurements of precise concentrations should be used. The exact amount of ozone to be used is determined on a case by case basis, after a careful medical diagnosis by a practitioner with extensive training in ozone therapy. That is the main reason why only representative ozone (and hydrogen peroxide) protocols are included in this document, whose goal is to educate the reader about these therapies rather than promote self-treatment. In addition, protocols can change over time, and the medical needs of each patient must be determined on an individual basis before an oxidative therapy is used. Over the years, some physicians have found that too much ozone can be immunosuppressive, while not enough can be ineffective. In an effort to discover the lowest possible dose of ozone needed to enhance immune activity, many researchers see microdosing as an important guideline in future therapeutic ozone applications. At the present time, there are eight simple methods and one highly complex method of ozone therapy that are used in medical practice today. Some are designed for very specific health problems, while others have more generalized applications. Some methods are considered extremely safe, while the safety of others is questionable. According to The Use of Ozone in Medicine, the most common recommended applications include: Systemic Applications Major autohemotherapy Rectal insufflation Minor autohemotherapy Topical Applications Ozone bagging The suction cup method Rectal/vaginal insufflation Intraarticular injection Ozonated water as sprays Ozonated ointments (1) Systemic Applications Direct Intra-arterial and Intravenous Application An oxygen/ozone mixture is slowly injected into an artery or vein with a hypodermic syringe. This method has been used primarily for arterial circulatory disorders. However, this method has been abandoned by most physicians in favor of safer modalities. Rectal Insufflation First pioneered by Payr and Au bourg in the 1930’s, a mixture of ozone and oxygen is introduced through the rectum. In the past, it was believed that the ozone was absorbed into the body through the intestine. In fact, ozone reacts with the luminal content immediately and only some of the generated chemicals produced during the reaction are absorbed: this has been scientifically measured both in the portal and general circulation by Bocci and his colleagues.(2) Used for a wide variety of health problems — including arterial circulatory disorders, general immunoactivation, adjuvant cancer therapy, and to treat hepatitis A, B and C (3) — this method is considered one of the safest Typically, between 100-800 ml of oxygen and ozone (for an average adult of normal body weight) is insufflated into the rectum, a process that takes between ninety seconds and two minutes. Rectal insufflation is considered a safe and simple method of ozone delivery that is particularly suited to the elderly (whose access to veins is often difficult), to babies and young children, and to others who don’t like getting stuck with hypodermic syringes. When administered under medical supervision in Germany, Russia, and Cuba, a growing number of private individuals in the United States have used this method for self-treatment for cancer, HIV-related problems, heart and circulatory disorders, diabetes and other degenerative diseases. It has also been found useful in treating localized health problems like proctitis and colitis. Whenever insufflation is used, the ozone/oxygen mixture must be humidified in order to prevent sensitive tissues from drying out. Vaginal Insufflation / Urethral Insufflation Vaginal insufflation is based on the wrong philosophy that ozone can be absorbed into the body through the vaginal wall, uterus, and fallopian tubes: in reality, oxygen and certain chemicals produced by the post-ozone reaction are absorbed. Considered safe and effective, physicians have found that it can not only be useful for the same kinds of systemic diseases ordinarily treated by rectal insufflation, but the vaginal route can be used specifically to treat gynecological problems like yeast infections (such as candida) and uterine infections. This method is not recommended during pregnancy. Urethral insufflation is recommended primarily for treating bladder infections among men, but may be useful in localized problems like urethritis as well. Ear Insufflation Applying a mixture of oxygen and ozone through the ear is a recent but popular development in ozone therapy. This method is based on the idea that ozone is absorbed by the body through the tiny capillaries of the ear canal. Once again, this idea is wrong, and only some chemical compounds produced by a post-ozone reaction are absorbed into the ear canal. Used only in a well-ventilated room (and preferably with a fan placed behind the patient to prevent inhalation of ozone), the generator is connected to a tube with a plastic catheter. The generator is turned on and the catheter is placed gently into the ear. Some use a modified stethoscope to split the ozone flow so that both ears are treated at the same time. The gas is run at a slow flow rate through a glass humidifier and then it interacts with the surface tissues of the eardrum. The chemical compounds produced by these interactions enter the middle ear, the inner ear, and down the Eustachian tube into the sinuses, brain, and bloodstream. A typical treatment takes one to two minutes. Typically, sick patients undergo three treatments a week, while others use it once or twice weekly for health maintenance. Although this method has not yet been clinically studied, doctors report that ear insufflation is helpful in treating ear infections, mastoiditis, tinnitis, sinusitis, head colds, hearing problems caused by candida and more generalized disease symptoms like Parkinson’s disease, influenza, bronchitis and asthma. However, some physicians question whether a prolonged and repeated course of treatment is safe considering the delicacy and low levels of antioxidants in these auricular structures. Intramuscular Injection A small amount of an ozone and oxygen mixture (up to 10 ml) are injected into the patient (usually in the buttocks) like a normal injection would be. This method is commonly used to treat allergies and inflammatory diseases, and is sometimes utilized as an adjunct to traditional cancer therapies in Europe. However, it has been reported that ozone concentrations over 20 μg/ml in volumes exceeding 10 ml can be vary painful and may produce feelings of faintness in some patients. Minor Autohemotherapy Used since the 1960’s, minor autohemotherapy involves removing a small amount (usually 10 ml) of the patient’s blood from a vein with a hypodermic syringe. The blood is then treated with ozone and oxygen, and given back to the patient via intramuscular injection. Thus the blood and ozone becomes a type of auto-vaccine given to the patient that is derived from his or her own cells and can.be very specific and effective in treating the patient’s health problem. This method is primarily used to teat acne, allergies, furunculosis and as an adjunct to traditional cancer therapy.(4) Major Autohemotherapy (MAHT) Major autohemotherapy is perhaps the most popular form of generalized ozone therapy. A type of extracorporeal blood treatment (in which blood is taken from the body, treated, and reinfused), it has been analyzed and evaluated under a wide variety of clinical conditions. Major autohemotherapy typically calls for the removal of up to 250 ml of the patient’s blood. Ozone and oxygen are added carefully (to avoid bubbling) into the blood for several minutes, and then the ozonated blood is reintroduced into the vein in the form of an IV drip. Bubbling causes foaming that damages blood cells and must be avoided. Like rectal insufflation described above, MAHT has been found to activate red blood cell metabolism, increase ATP production and oxygen release, activate the immune system with the release of cytokins (such as interferon and interleukins), aid in immune system modulation, and increase the body’s antioxidant capacity.(5) For these reasons, it has been used successfully to treat a wide variety of health problems, including herpes, arthritis, cancer, circulatory disorders and HIV-infection. It is probably the most commonly used type of ozone therapy today. Body Ozone Exposure (BOEX): The Sauna Bag Ozone pumped into a “sauna bag” (which leaves the head uncovered) is now being used to treat more generalized health problems, such as HIV-infection, circulatory problems and diabetes. Typically the patient would take a warm shower and get into the bag. Pure oxygen mixed with small amounts of ozone are then pumped into the bag for a period of twenty to thirty minutes, making contact with all skin surfaces. The skin interacts with the ozone, and only the oxygen and ozone reactive products are absorbed. Body Ozone Exposure: The Steam Cabinet Method Another BOEX delivery system calls for the patient to sit in a steam cabinet. In addition to steam, a mixture of oxygen and ozone is pumped into the cabinet through a tube from an ozone generator. Wet towels are placed around the patient’s neck and a ventilating fan is placed behind the head so that ozone is not breathed into the lungs. A session will normally last from ten to twenty minutes, or until the patient feels uncomfortable from the heat. Like the sauna bag technique described above, the theory behind this method is that the ozone will react with the surface of the skin, and the oxygen and ozone reactive products will be absorbed and eventually find their way into the bloodstream. BOEX with a steam cabinet can easily be done at home with a minimum of technical skill, and many enjoy it as a spa treatment or in health maintenance programs. A growing number of physicians and patients have expressed enthusiasm for the steam cabinet method for treating a wide variety of health complaints, although more scientific research needs to be done. In addition, standardized protocols need to be developed for this relatively new form of ozone application. While the method itself is considered very safe, ozone must not be inhaled, even in small amounts. For this reason, the steam cabinet must be sealed to prevent ozone leakage and the room in which treatment takes place must be adequately ventilated. One of the few researchers to document the effects of BOEX is Velio Bocci in his book Oxygen-Ozone Therapy: A Critical Evaluation. While acknowledging the problems mentioned above, Dr. Bocci cites several advantages of BOEX over other methods like MAHT: it is simple to perform, fairly inexpensive, non-invasive (no puncturing of veins), and it does not involve the handling of blood. He points out that BOEX can be potentially useful in treating a variety of health problems, such as viral diseases (including HIV and herpes), chronic fatigue syndrome, and certain circulatory diseases at low temperature levels (such as hind limb ischemia due to atherosclerosis, Buerger disease and diabetes), moderate burns, skin diseases, sclerodermia, certain types of muscular-tendinous lesions in athletes and advanced lipodystrophies, such as Madelung disease. As with other ozone therapies, Dr. Bocci recommends the “start low, go slow” protocols, with low initial concentrations of ozone to help the body adapt to chronic oxidative stress. He recommends a course of therapy every other day for several weeks at temperatures from 70 to 90 degrees Celsius for periods often to twenty-five minutes each treatment.(6) Direct Intravenous Injection This controversial method involves injecting a mixture of oxygen and ozone directly into a vein. This method has long been promoted by Ed McCabe in his publications and lectures, and he includes a protocol for treatment in his popular book Flood Your Body with Oxygen. When determining how much ozone to use, McCabe writes: “I have always used the analogy of filling up the gas tank in your car. You pump the gas in and when it’s full, if you keep pumping it in the gas runs down the side of the car. The lungs are the oxygen overflow mechanism for the blood. When the bloodstream is full, the blood out-gasses into the lungs, and the oxygen-ozone sub species ‘run down’ the inside of the lungs, causing rapid lung pollution detoxification, heat, and possible slight temporary edema. All the patient knows is that he or she can’t stop coughing if you do not quickly stop the procedure at the first sign of this.”(7) Although a number of health practitioners in the United States and Canada claim that this method to be safe and effective, many physicians (especially those trained in Europe and Cuba) consider it dangerous and without clinical advantages over other ozone delivery methods. There are other stories of embolism, including one of a patient going comatose and another patient suffering respiratory arrest after direct IV treatment Dr. Robert Atkins’ medical license was temporarily revoked after a patient went to the hospital complaining of adverse side effects to direct IV injection, which lead to him to abandon it permanently. Dr. Frank Shallenberger, perhaps the most respected ozone practitioner in the United States today, has treated thousands of patients with therapeutic ozone since 1985. After several negative experiences with direct IV early in his practice, he stopped using the method completely in favor of autohemotherapy. In his training manual for physicians who attend his workshops, Dr. Shallenberger offered seven reasons why direct IV injection should not be used: “1. Precise dosing is impossible, because the induction effects of ozone vary according to the volume amount of blood being treated. Since it is impossible to know with any precision what volume of blood is being treated in a direct IV application, it is impossible to maximize the treatment effect. Autopsy studies of dogs treated with the direct IV method have consistently demonstrated that the technique causes pulmonary embolisms. These embolisms are caused by the oxygen in the gas mixture and not the ozone. The embolisms associated with direct IV injection will induce bronchospasm, which in the case of patients with a history of either asthma or chronic lung disease may result in fatal acute respiratory failure. 4 . The treatment of many clinical conditions requires fairly large doses of ozone. While these doses are readily achieved using MAH [major authohemotherapy], they are extremely time-consuming using the direct IV method. · The direct IV method is very uncomfortable to patients. The embolisms cause chest pain, coughing spasms, and tachycardia. Phlebitis at the injection site is a common side effect of this modality.”(8) Dr. Bocci has also spoken out strongly against direct IV injection. In a 1995 speech on the future of ozone therapy presented at the Twelfth World Congress of the International Ozone Association in Lille, France, he cautioned: “[The] use of the intravenous administration route is extremely dangerous because even if the gaseous mixture of oxygen-ozone is administered very slowly with a pump, it frequently procures lung embolization and serious side effects, particularly when daily dosing is up to 120ml.”(9) Prof. Bocci has cited a number of facilities in Italy resulting from subcutaneous (under the skin) ozone injections to treat lipodistrophy, commonly known as cellulite. Three deaths, from March 1998 to December 2002, caused the Italian Ministry of Health to not only prohibit the use of ozone therapy in all cosmetic and beauty centers, but in public hospitals as well. “I am always very emphatic in proscribing Direct IV injection of the gas [oxygen-ozone] mixture: Unfortunately charlatans and technicians without medical qualification do this because they either are stupid or because they cannot do major AHT. It has been well defined that a gas injection with a volume above 20ml can produce a deadly embolism. Thus why risk harming the patient? Moreover, it does not matter that it is not ozone, but actually oxygen kills the patients. Indeed the minute volume of ozone is immediately dissolved and disappears because of extreme reactive capacity.”(10) He also points out that in the oft-cited 1983 German survey on the safety of ozone applications, the only adverse side effects were attributed to direct IV injection. Administering ozone through this method is considered medical malpractice in Europe, and has been outlawed there since 1984.(11) Ozone IV and Saline First developed by researchers affiliated with the Russian Association of Ozonetherapy in Nisni Novgorod, the intravenous IV method appears to be free of the dangers of embolism.(12) Using an ozone generator, fill spout and ozone destructor unit, oxygen and ozone is bubbled into a prescribed amount of saline (the Russians use 200 or 400 ml of sterile physiological 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution), the kind usually used in IV drips. The ozonated saline is then infused slowly into the patient through a vein, as would a normal intravenous saline drip. While Russian studies have found this method to be both safe and effective, (16) similar research has not been done in the West. However, physicians who have used this method have reported good results with minimal adverse reactions. Some possible clinical applications for this ozone delivery method could include treating disease-causing microorganisms in the blood, as well as rheumatic diseases, inflammatory conditions and degenerative diseases like arteriosclerosis, diabetes and cancer. According to Natalia Bernikova of Medozons, Ltd. [a company formed by the Russian Association of Ozonetherapy and the Russian Federal Nuclear Centre ARZAMAS] (13): “Intravenous infusion of ozona ted saline is still procedure No. 1 in Russia, being a priority of the Russian technology of ozone therapy and considered as a better systemic alternative to major autohaemotherapy and rectal insufflations. Nevertheless, the latter methods have been used in Russia as well, depending on the indication.”(14) However, this method is not without its critics, especially Dr. Bocci. He writes, “Unless very low levels of ozonation are adopted, some formation of hypocloric acid, with time, will cause venous damage, possibly phlebitis” and could “possibly induce intravascular coagulation.” He also dismissed this method more as a placebo than a real treatment.(15) Dr. Renate Viebahn was asked for her views on this subject, and she replied: “As to the ozonization of saline I am of the same opinion as Prof. Bocci: we have measured the reaction products under different conditions and approaches. The results are not promising: we always got NaOCl {hypochloric acid] which is toxic to blood and blood vessels. So, there is no recommendation to treat saline or another solution containing physiological NaCI solution. I know there are Russian groups treating patients that way but with very, very low ozone concentrations.” (16) Extracorporeal Blood Circulation (EBOO) EBOO is an experimental procedure developed by Velio Bocci and others in Italy. Its goal is to ozonate large amounts of blood in a single session (five liters over a period of 30 to 45 minutes), using a method similar to kidney dialysis. However, Bocci is critical on the use of dialysis filters: “I condemn the use of dialysis filters because they are ineffective and toxic, and unfortunately Russians and other charlatans in Kenya, Malaysia etc. use them. We need only to exchange gas and therefore we can use only appropriate hydrophobic gas exchanger coated with biocompatible compounds to prevent platelet activation. The system operates quite differently from dialysis because blood run outside the ozone-resistant hollow-fiber tubings.”(17) By 2006, it was used on several dozen volunteers, mostly suffering from serious coronary disease. Most received fourteen treatments over a period of several weeks, with periodic follow-up treatments. Improvements were noted in all patients. Dr. Bocci feels that EBOO can be potentially useful in patients with chronic, inoperable ischemic limbs (where amputation is the only alternative), severe coronary angiostenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels), chronic hepatitis C, acute cardiac ischemia, inoperative metastatic cancer and severe lipodystrophies, which are characterized by abnormalities in fatty tissue (that can be associated with total or partial loss of body fat), abnormalities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, severe resistance to insulin and immune system dysfunction. However, disadvantages include the high costs of a disposable oxygenator and training a highly-qualified technician, possible deterioration of access to veins, and complications associated with the occasional need to insert a catheter into a central vein.(18) Intraperitoneal (IP) Ozone Another highly experimental yet promising method is administering oxygen and ozone into the peritoneum, a thin membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities that covers most abdominal viscera. Russian physicians have been washing out purulent material with ozonized water in treating peritonitis and pleural empyema for years with good results, and Dr. Bocci has explored the possibility of using this method to treat chronic viral hepatitis.(19) Administering medication through the peritoneum is rare, but not unknown. A 2006 article in The New York Times highlighted how this method can help prolong the lives of ovarian cancer patients and reported that the National Cancer Institute took the unusual step to encourage doctors to adopt this previously little used abdominal treatment.(20) A new technique to administer intraperitoneal ozone was developed by Dr. Siegfried Schulz and others from various institutes and departments (Veterinary Services and Laboratory Animal Medicine; the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery; the Department of Pathology; the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology and the Department of Pediatrics) at the Philipps-Universitat of Marburg, Germany. Dr. Schulz and his colleagues believe that intraperitoneal application can yield great benefits for patients suffering from cancer and severe bacterial diseases like sepsis and enterocolitis. (21) Topical Applications Ozonated Water This method calls for ozone gas to be bubbled through water, and the water is used externally to bathe wounds, burns and slow-healing skin infections. It is also used as a disinfectant by dentists who perform dental surgery. In Russia, physicians are using ozonated water to irrigate body cavities during surgery. In both Russia and Cuba, ozonated water is used to treat a wide variety of intestinal and gynecological problems, including ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea and vulvovaginitis. Ozonated water can also be used for colonics or enemas. Intra-articular Injection In this method, ozone gas is bubbled through water and the mixture is injected directly between the joints, primarily those of the knee and shoulder. Some feel that using water is not necessary, because synovial fluid (a transparent viscid lubricating fluid secreted by a membrane of an articulation, bursa, or tendon sheath) contains plenty of water. And unless the water and the delivery system are sterile, they may also contaminate the gas. Intra-articular injection is used primarily by physicians in Europe and Cuba to treat rheumatoid arthritis, knee arthrosis, rheumatism, traumatic knee disorders and other joint diseases. A variation of this method, known as Prolozone™ Therapy, was developed by Dr. Shallenberger. Ozone Bagging This non-invasive method uses a special ozone-resistant plastic bag containing some water that is placed around the area to be treated. An ozone-oxygen mixture is pumped into the bag and the oxygen and reactive ozone products that result are absorbed into the body through the skin. Ozone bagging is primarily recommended for treating leg ulcers, gangrene, fungal infections, burns and slow-healing wounds. Without water in the bag, ozone is practically ineffective. A normal treatment takes ten to twenty minutes using approximately 80 to 100 microns of ozone. Ozone Glass Cupping Funnel Another form of trans dermal ozone application is ozone cupping, which utilizes a small glass cup with a funnel attached to administer ozone to specific areas of the skin. The cupping funnel has an ozone destruct and an ozone line to introduce ozone into the funnel. The physician first applies a small amount of water to the skin, and then the glass cup is applied firmly to the area being treated. A mixture of oxygen and ozone is pumped into the· cup and the oxygen and ozone reactive products penetrate the skin. This method has been found to be especially effective in treating poorly-healing wounds, abrasions, skin infections, herpes, decubitus ulcers, fungal skin infections, burns and radiodermatitis. A typical treatment involves a low flow of ozone administered from ten to fifteen minutes. Ozonated Oils Ozonated oil has been used to treat skin problems for over a century. Although not yet widely available in pharmacies, it became quite popular in Europe during the 1950s and is marketed by mail through a number of ozone suppliers in the United States and Canada. Ozone gas is added to olive oil and applied as a balm or salve for long-term, low-dose exposure. Other bases (such as sunflower oil) for salves and creams have been developed in Cuba, where their effects have been extensively documented in hospitals and clinics. Ozonated oil has been found to be useful in treating a wide variety of skin problems, including dermatitis, bacterial infections of the skin (including staphylococcal diseases such as cellulitis, impetigo, ecthyma, and scalded skin syndrome) fungal infections (including infections of the nail bed and athlete’s foot), fistulae, leg ulcers, bedsores, gingivitis, herpes simplex, hemorrhoids, vulvovaginitis, bee stings and insect bites, acne, furuncles and carbuncles, infections of the sweat glands (hidradenitis suppurativa), and yeast infections of the skin including candidiasis [caused by Candida albicans]. It is also useful in the postsurgical treatment of wounds, and Cuban physicians are using capsules filled with ozonated oil to treat gastro-duodenal ulcers, gastritis, giardiasis, and peptic ulcers. Inhalation of Ozone? Physicians who use medical ozone warn that inhaling ozone into the lungs can bring about alterations in the density of the lung tissue, can damage delicate lung membranes, irritate the epithelium [the surface layer of mucus] in the trachea and bronchi, and can lead to emphysema. They caution users that no ozone should escape into the room in which it is being used; properly designed medical ozone generators are becoming available for use in avoiding the accidental escape of ozone gas. Dr. Stephen A. Levine, the co-author of Antioxidant Adaptation, cautions people against using commercial air purifiers that generate small amounts of ozone to clean the air, since ozone should not be inhaled. Having said this, it is important to point out that in Russia, tiny amounts of ozone are being added to oxygen for therapeutic inhalation in certain cases. This has been done with patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, and doctors have been impressed with the results. No adverse side effects were observed.(22) Here in the United States, some physicians have begun to experiment with inhalation of ozone filtered through olive oil, because by bubbling ozone and oxygen into olive oil, a different gas is produced (C-10 H-18 0-3) that can be safely inhaled through the nostrils. Pure oxygen is used as the feed gas through a medical ozone generator. A low concentration of ozone is used at a flow rate of .25 to .5 liter per minute. A humidifier or nebulizer is filled half full with extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil, and the oxygen-ozone gas is bubbled through the olive oil. The patient either inhales the vapors directly from the olive oil or inhales it through an oxygen mask or nasal cannula. A typical treatment takes approximately twenty minutes. Practitioners in both Europe and the United States report that this delivery system is both safe and effective for treating allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases. However, they warn that this method is never to be used without olive oil or at high ozone concentrations. Ozone: Exact Measure Different therapies require very specific concentrations of ozone, and the ozone must be given in exact amounts. According to Dr. Bocci, “The ozone therapist must be aware of the dilemma that either too low or too high ozone doses can be either ineffective or toxic, respectively.”(23) Some generators, like the German, Canadian and Cuban machines referred to earlier, are capable of generating ozone for all therapeutic applications, while others (especially inexpensive models designed primarily for treating tap water in the home) are not. This is why it’s important to verify a generator’s capacity before purchase, and to determine the exact ozone concentration produced by the generator for a specific therapeutic use. References (1) Renate Viebahn-Haensler, The Use of Ozone in Medicine, 4th English edition (Iffezheim: Odrei Publishers, 2002), 44-47. (2) Velio Bocci, Oxygen-Ozone Therapy: A Critical Evaluation (Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002), 213-14. (3) Viebahn-Haensler, op. cit, 45. (4) Viebahn-Haensler, op. cit: 44. (5) Ibid. (6) Bocci, op. cit, 211-212. (7) Ed McCabe, Flood Your Body With Oxygen (Miami Shores: Energy Publications, 2003), 297. (8) Frank Shallenberger, The Principles and Applications of Ozone/UVB Therapy (Carson City, NV: Frank Shallenberger, 1999), 13-14. (9) Velio Bocci, “Ozonetherapy Today,” in Ozone in Medicine: Proceedings 12th World Congress of the International Ozone Association (Zurich: International Ozone Association, 1995), 14. (10) Letter from Velio Bocci, August 31, 2005. (11) Letter from Velio Bocci, December 7, 2005. (12) G. A. Boyarinov et al., “Dissolution of Ozone in Physiological Saline,” Proceeding of the 3rd All-Russian scientific-practical conference: Ozone & Methods of Efferent Therapy in Medicine (Nizhni Novgorod, 1998), 6-9. (13) Ibid, 9-11. (14) Letter from Natalia Berdnikova, January 10, 2006. (15) Letters from Dr. Velio Bocci, December 7, 2005, January 10, 2006. (16) Letter from Dr. Renate Viebahn, February 8, 2006. (17) Letter from Dr. Velio Bocci, January 10,2006. (18) Velio Bocci, Oxygen-Ozone Therapy: A Critical Evaluation, op. cit., 189-197. (19) Ibid, 176-77. (20) Denise Grady, “Gain Reported in Combating Ovary Cancer,” The New York Times (January 5, 2006), A1. (21) S. Schulz et. al., “Ozone therapy in a cancer model (VX2 carcinoma: head and abdomen) in rabbits. A pilot study.” Presented at the 4th International Symposia on Ozone Applications, Havana, 2004; M. Bette et al., “Efficiency ofTazobactem/Piperacillan in Lethal Peritonitis is Enhanced After Preconditioning of Rats with 03/02-Pneumoperitoneum,” Shock 25, no. 1 (January 2006), 23-29. (22) S.N. Gorbunov et, al., “The Use of Ozone in the Treatrrient of Children Suffered Due to Different Catastrophies,” Ozone in Medicine: Proceedings Eleventh Ozone World Congress (Stamford, CT: International Ozone Association, Pan American Committee, 1993), M-3-31-33. (23) Velio Bocci, Oxygen-Ozone Therapy: A Critical Evaluation, op. cit., 139.

For many of us in Arizona, fall is a welcomed change. We get to enjoy the cooler days, the scenic drives through Oak Creek Canyon to see nature’s array of the tree’s changing leaves, the fresh apple cider, and the return of Monday (and Thursday and Sunday) Night NFL football; but for many others, the change of season also comes with the not so welcomed (and often dreaded), “cold and flu season.” You have probably noticed that local pharmacies are already offering flu shots with “incentives” to earn deep discounts on other in store purchases. I will let you decide if this is brilliant marketing or something else. I am not anti-vaccine, but this onslaught of “in your face” advertisement can be very disturbing and actually incites fear and confusion for many people. For the vast number of you that elect to delay or avoid flu shot all together, it is important to know that there are many options that provide safe, effective and inexpensive means to help prevent or minimized colds and flus altogether. I recommend that you consider all your options. So for now, here are some of the most common Cold and Flu Tips to Help You in the Months Ahead: Do…eat a real food or whole food diet. Locally grown Organic and GMO-free produce are generally best because they will provide you with the most bioavailable nutrients. These foods are generally picked ripe and are just good “medicine.” Don’t…eat highly refined or processed foods. These foods are nutritionally void of nutrients or have to be “enriched” with nutrients that are synthetic or manufactured from cheap sources that rarely meet the needs of our bodies. They often have very high amounts of sugar/corn syrup, artificial flavorings, dyes and fillers that further add to the burden on your body. Do…get adequate sleep and rest. Sleep is the time our bodies recover and heal. It is important to have healthy sleep habits and maintain regular sleep and wake times for optimal health. This is common sense for most of us but follow through is poor. Good sleep hygiene is important, too. Don’t…burn the midnight oil or fall asleep with the television or computer on. All of these electronics can adversely affect your ability to enter deep restorative sleep patterns ultimately affecting your body’s innate healing and repair mechanism. Do…exercise and move your body. Our vascular and lymphatic systems contain a great deal of our immune cells, and we need to move our bodies to help keep our immunity and defenses healthy. Walking, bouncing on a rebounder or mini trampoline are simple ways to maintain your health. Add in some daily dry body brushing at the first signs of cold and flu symptoms. Don’t…become a couch potato. With less daily sunlight, cooler temperatures, and busy family schedules many people can find excuses and quickly loose motivation to maintain healthy routines. Don’t allow the demands of the world to overwhelm you. Prioritize your time and schedule exercise into your daily routines. Do…maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands. It is the most violated rule in disease prevention. Enough said. Don’t…forget to wash your hands. Do…optimize your vitamin D levels. There are several studies that do indicate that optimal levels of vitamin D help to increase immune defenses and minimize the incidence of cold and flu symptoms. Don’t…guess at how much vitamin D you need. Getting your vitamin D levels tested is highly recommended and can be done with routine blood work ordered by your physician or through our office. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Veins contain valves that keep blood from flowing backward as a result of gravity. When these valves become too weak, blood pools in the veins and causes them to bulge. These enlarged vessels are called varicose veins. Standing and sitting for long periods of time, lack of exercise, obesity, and pregnancy all tend to promote the formation of varicose veins. Sometimes varicose veins are painful. Elevating the affected leg usually brings significant relief. Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: Keeping the legs elevated relieves pain. People with varicose veins should avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time and should walk regularly. Herbs that may be helpful: The treatment of varicose veins is essentially the same as for chronic venous insufficiency. Although witch hazel is known primarily for combating hemorrhoids, it may also be useful for varicose veins.[1, 2] Application of a witch hazel ointment three or more times per day for two or more weeks is necessary before results can be expected. Horse chestnut can be used both internally and as an external application for disorders of venous circulation, including varicose veins.[3] Preliminary studies in humans have shown that 300 mg three times per day of a standardized extract of horse chestnut can produce some benefit on one aspect of varicose veins.[4] Bilberry supports normal formation of connective tissue and strengthens capillaries; these effects might be expected to be of value for the prevention of varicose veins. Butcher’s broom and gotu kola are additional herbs that can be helpful for varicose veins. Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions. References: European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. Hamamelidis folium (Hamamelis leaf). ESCOP Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. Exeter, UK: ESCOP, 1997. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Completely German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 231. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Completely German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 149. Kreysel HW, Nissen HP, Enghofer E. A possible role of lysosomal enzymes in the pathogenesis of varicosis and the reduction in their serum activity by Venostasin. Vasa 1983;12:377–82. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Cataracts develop when damage to the protein of the lens of the eye clouds the lens and impairs vision. Most people who live long enough will develop cataracts.1 Cataracts are more likely to occur in those who smoke, have diabetes, or are exposed to excessive sunlight. All of these factors lead to oxidative damage. Oxidative damage to the lens of the eye appears to cause cataracts in animals 2 and people.3 It is unlikely that any nutritional supplements of herbs can reverse existing cataracts, although no research has explored this possibility. Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.4,5 The major antioxidants in the lens of the eye are vitamin C6 and glutathione (an antioxidant enzyme).7 Vitamin C is needed to activate vitamin E,8 which in turn activates glutathione. Both nutrients are important for healthy vision. Vitamin C levels in the eye decrease with age;9 however, supplementing with vitamin C prevents this decrease10 and has been linked to a lower risk of developing cataracts.11,12 Healthy people have been reported to be more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin E supplements than those with cataracts in some 13 but not all studies.14 Nonetheless, because people who supplement with vitamin C have developed far fewer cataracts in some research,15,16 nutritionally oriented doctors often recommend 500–1,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation as part of a cataract prevention program. The difference between successful and unsuccessful trials may be tied to the length of time people actually supplement vitamin C. In one trial, people taking vitamin C for at least ten years showed a dramatic reduction in cataract risk, but those taking vitamin C for less than ten years showed no evidence of protection at all.17 Low blood levels of vitamin E have been linked to 3.7 times the risk of forming cataracts compared with people in the highest 20% of blood vitamin E levels.18 Vitamin E supplements have been reported to protect against cataracts in animals19 and people20 though the evidence remains inconsistent.21 In one trial, people who took vitamin E supplements had less than half the risk of developing cataracts compared with others in the five-year study.22 Nutritionally oriented doctors typically recommend 400 IU of vitamin E per day as prevention. Smaller amounts (approximately 50 IU per day) have been proven in double blind research to provide no protection.23 Some studies have reported that eating more foods rich in beta-carotene or supplementing with vitamin A lowers the risk of cataracts.24 Synthetic beta-carotene supplementation has not been found to reduce the risk of cataract formation.25 It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely a marker for other protective factors in fruit and vegetables high in betacarotene. People who eat a lot of spinach, which is high in lutein, a nutrient similar to beta-carotene, have been reported to be at low risk for cataracts.26 Both lutein and beta-carotene offer the promise of protection because they are antioxidants. It’s quite possible, however, that lutein is more important than beta-carotene because lutein is found in the lens of the eye while beta-carotene is not.27 Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts.28,29 Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in a Chinese trial.30 Most researchers in the field do not believe that higher amounts would be helpful, and it remains unclear whether these vitamins would help protect people in societies that eat higher levels of B vitamins than the Chinese, whose intake appears to be low. The flavonoid quercetin may also help by blocking sorbitol accumulation in the eye.31 This may be especially helpful for people with diabetes, though no clinical trials have yet explored whether quercetin actually prevents diabetic cataracts. Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions. Herbs that may be helpful: Bilberry, a close relative of blueberry, is high in the bioflavonoid complex anthocyanosides.32 Anthocyanosides protect both the lens and the retina from oxidative damage. This bioflavonoid also helps with adaptation to bright light and improves night vision. The potent antioxidant activity of anthocyanosides appears to make bilberry useful for reducing the risk of cataracts.33,34 Doctors well versed in the use of herbs sometimes recommend 240–480 mg per day of bilberry extract, capsules, or tablets standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides. Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions. References: Kahn HA, Leibowitz HM, Ganley JP, et al. The Framingham Eye Study: I. Outline and major prevalence findings. Am J Epidemiol 1977;106:17–32. Schocket SS, Esterson J, Bradford B, et al. induction of cataracts in mice by exposure to oxygen. Isr J Med Sci 1972;8:1596–1601. Palmquist B, Phillipson B, Barr P. Nuclear cataract and myopia during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Br J Ophthalmol 1984;68: 113–17. Jacques PF, Chylack LT.Jr. Epidemiologic evidence of a role for the antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in cataract prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:352S–55S. Knekt P, Heliovaara M, Rissanen A, et al. Serum antioxidant vitamins and risk of cataract. BMJ 1992;305:1392–94. Taylor A, Jacques PF, Nadler D, et al. Relationship in humans between ascorbic acid consumption and levels of total and reduce ascorbic acid in lens, aqueous humor, and plasma. Curr Eye Res 1991;10:751–59. Reddy VN. Glutathione and its function in the lens—An overview. Exp Eye Res 1990;150:771–78. Packer JE, Slater TF, Wilson RL. Direct observation of a free radical interaction between vitamin E and vitamin C. Nature 1979;278:737–38. Taylor A. Cataract: relationship between nutrition and oxidation. J Am Coll Nutr 1993;12:138–46 [review]. Taylor A, Jacques PF, Nadler D, et al. Relationship in humans between ascorbic acid consumption and levels of total and reduced ascorbic acid in lens, aqueous humor, and plasma. Curr Eye Res 1991;10:751–59. Jacques PF, Chylack LT Jr. Epidemiologic evidence of a role for the antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in cataract prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:352S–55S. Jacques PF, Chylack LT, McGandy RB, Hartz SC. Antioxidant status in persons with and without senile cataract. Arch Ophthalmol 1988;106:337–40. Robertson JMD, Donner AP, Trevithick JR. Vitamin E intake and risk of cataracts in humans. Ann NY Acad Sci 1989;570:372–82. Seddon JM, Christen WG, Manson JE, et al. The use of vitamin supplements and the risk of cataract among US male physicians. Am J Public Health 1994;84:788–92. Robertson J McD, Donner AP, Trevithick JR. A possible role for vitamins C and E in cataract prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:346S–51S. Hankinson SE, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al. Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study. BMJ 1992;305:335–39. Jacques PF, Taylor A, Hankinson SE, et al. Long-term vitamin C supplement use and prevalence of early age-related lens opacities. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:911–16. Rouhiainen P, Rouhiainen H, Salonen JT. Association between low plasma vitamin E concentration and progression of early cortical lens opacities. Am J Epidemiol 1996;144:496–500. Trevithick JR, Creighton MO, et al. Modelling cortical cataractogenesis: 2. In vitro effects on the lens of agents preventing glucose- and sorbitol-induced cataracts. Can J Ophthalmol 1981;16:32–38. Robertson J McD, Donner AP, Trevithick JR. A possible role for vitamins C and E in cataract prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:346S–51S. Seddon JM, Christen WG, Manson JE, et al. The use of vitamin supplements and the risk of cataract among US male physicians. Am J Public Health 1994;84:788–92. Leske MC, Chylack LT Jr, He Q, et al. Antioxidant vitamins and nuclear opacities. The Longitudinal Study of Cataract. Ophthalmology 1998;105:831–36. Teikari JM, Virtamo J, Rautalahti M, et al. Long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and age-related cataract. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 1997;75:634–40. Hankinson SE, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al. Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study. BMJ 1992;305:335–39. Teikari JM, Virtamo J, Rautalahti M, et al. Long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and age-related cataract. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 1997;75:634–40. Hankinson SE, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al. Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study. BMJ 1992;305:335–39. Yeum K-J, Taylor A, Tang G, Russell RM. Measurement of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols in human lenses. Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1995;36:2756–61. Bhat KS. Nutritional status of thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine in cataract patients. Nutr Rep Internat 1987;36:685–92. Prchal JT, Conrad ME, Skalka HW. Association of presenile cataracts with heterozygosity for galactosaemic states and with riboflavin deficiency. Lancet 1978; i:12–13. Sperduto RD, Hu TS, Milton RC, et al. The Linxian cataract studies. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:1246–53. Varma SD et al. Diabetic cataracts and flavonoids. Science 1977;195:205. van Acker SA, van den Berg DJ, Tromp MN, et al. Structural aspects of antioxidant activity of flavonoids. Free Rad Biol Med1996; 20:331–42. Salvayre R, Braquet P, et al. Comparison of the scavenger effect of bilberry anthocyanosides with various flavonoids. Proceed Intl Bioflavonoids Symposium, Munich, 1981, 437–42. Bravetti G. Preventive medical treatment of senile cataract with vitamin E and anthocyanosides: clinical evaluation. Ann Ottamol Clin Ocul 1989;115:109. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Question: Help! I have been experiencing allergy symptoms lately and am tired of taking over-the-counter allergy medicines, I am afraid of needles and I don’t want to take a steroid. Is there anything else I can do? Answer: Yes, there is. I have been recommending a fairly new holistic approach for the relief of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities called Advanced Allergy Therapeutics. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT) offers a unique and highly effective approach in treating the many symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities. AAT is a precision-based therapy that treats the organ systems involved in an overreaction. AAT does not treat the immune system; instead, the therapy focuses on inappropriate reactions to a harmless substance in relation to the organs systems to produce rapid, long-term results for the relief of associated symptoms. AAT merges 21st century science with 3,000-year-old traditional acupuncture principles in offering an effective alternative in the treatment of symptoms associated with allergies and sensitivities…and here are the best aspects of the treatment: Non-invasive No needles No herbal remedies No supplements No long-term avoidance WHAT IS AN ALLERGY? Allergies are physiological errors. The body is basically reacting negatively to harmless substances, foods or stimuli. The word “allergy” comes from the Greek word allos, meaning “other”. It was first used in 1906 to refer to an “altered reaction” in the body’s immune system. An allergic reaction occurs when the body comes in contact with the allergen. This can occur through contact with the skin, inhalation, injection or ingestion of the substance. Medical treatment generally includes: avoidance of the allergen, medications to reduce the symptoms of the allergic reaction or injections to desensitize the patient to the allergen. The medical classification of a “true allergy” requires an IgE-mediated response. (This generally requires that the person has a prescribed epi-pen on hand for use in emergency situations). However, there are also non-IgE-immune sensitivities as well as involvement with IgA, IgG or IgG4 (these are immunoglobulins that are a part of our immune system’s protective response to perceived pathogens). The use of the word “allergy” has become a generic term used by the public to describe allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. The distinction of a true allergy based on immunoglobulin involvement is generally unknown; therefore, the term “allergy” is often understood as a term for any negative reaction from exposure to a benign substance. The good news is that there are options available to address these reactions. AAT is one such option that treats the symptoms caused by any negative or inappropriate reaction regardless if the symptoms are caused by allergies or sensitivities. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.

Hope is the expectation of good. Researcher, Jerome Groopman, has written a book called, The Anatomy of Hope, where he explores the positive effects of hope on our physiology. He states, “Belief and expectation – the key elements of hope—can block pain by releasing the brain’s endorphins and enkephalins, mimicking the effects of morphine. In some cases, hope can have important effects on fundamental physiological processes like respiration, circulation and motor function.” Hope can reduce pain, anxiety and promote optimism. Hope inspires and increases faith, as well. Another author, Shane Lopez, concurs. In his book, Making Hope Happen, Lopez sites studies that show how hope promotes healthy behaviors, to include eating your fruits and veggies, exercising, practicing safe sex and even quitting smoking. He states, “hope for the future is clearly linked with daily habits that support health and prevent disease.” That is because hope triggers and motivates us to act and/or stay the course when facing adversity. Hopeful people hold onto a vision that sustains them. Their hope causes them to do the hard work and accept challenges. They make an emotional and mental investment into their future that pays off in their present life. This translates into eating healthy food, exercising more regularly, engaging in mindful activities, taking care of themselves, engaging in community and following prescribed treatment plans. Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles can happen. The information contained in this article is for information and education purposes only and is not medical advice. Do not use this information as an alternative to obtaining medical advice from your physician or other professional healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or other professional healthcare provider about any medical conditions you are experiencing. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services for help.