Holladay Physical Medicine


Facilities Related Services Products Doctors Contact us DTS Spinal Decompression Newsletters All about Chiropractic 7 Keys to Absolute Health Conditions We Manage Accidents and Injuries Ask the Doctor Account Status Review fee Schedule View Driving	PROTECT YOUR BRAIN FROM ALZHEIMER'S AND MEMORY LOSS New research for help with this condition - click here and use this access code utc02. Alzheimer's appears to be one of the diseases linked to our "civilized" lifestyle. In the U.S. alone more than four million people over the age of 65 suffer from progressive memory loss and the mental deterioration associated with Alzheimer's disease. In less developed areas of the world like Africa the disease is practically nonexistent, which leads one to suspect that exposure to environmental pollutants and the unnatural food products so prevalent in our diets today play a critical role in this and other modern diseases. Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fresh-pressed oils may seem like too simple a solution for diseases that baffle even the most learned medical experts. But as our foods become more processed and adulterated, I believe simple, whole, natural foods and nutritional supplements will provide future "cures." Curcumin is one. CURCUMIN We have known for a while that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could decrease Alzheimer's risk, but the long-term side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and liver and kidney damage, make this a poor trade-off. Recently, initial animal studies at the University of California demonstrated that amyloid plaques that develop in the brains of Alzheimer's patients were reduced by more than 40 percent in animals that were fed curcumin. Additionally, there was less inflammation and free-radical damage in the brain. (J Neurosci 01,'21(21) : 8370- 7) I've been writing about curcumin and turmeric for years. Curcumin is a component of curry, a spice commonly used in Indian culture and Ayurvedic medicine. India has one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the world. I am so convinced of the benefits of this miracle spice. ACETYL- L- CARNITINE Research suggests that the progression of Alzheimer's disease can be slowed by increasing the acetyl-L-carnitine in the diet. Researchers studied 130 Alzheimer's patients from ten hospitals for one year. Sixty-three were given supplemental acetyl-Lcarnitine, and 67 were given a placebo. Both groups worsened, but those in the treated group had a slower rate of deterioration. Those on acetyl-L carnitine had better logical intelligence, verbal critical abilities, long-term verbal memory, and selective attention; and no significant side effects were observed. (Neurology 91;41(11):1726-32) This study suggests that Alzheimer's patients don't produce adequate amounts of acety-L-carnitine. The process of creating acetyl-L-carnitine begins with the transformation of the amino acid lysine by the liver. To create and use this compound, your body needs a healthy liver, sufficient lysine, and adequate amounts of certain nutrients. A HEALTHY LIVER The liver is the largest organ in the body, and it performs some of the most complex chemical tasks. One of its primary roles is to detoxify the pesticides, pollutants, alcohol, and medications that produce a constant stream of harmful byproducts. If liver function is normal, acetyl-L-carnitine levels can be increased by eating lysine-rich foods: cottage cheese, dark-meat chicken (the leg contains five times more than the breast), fish, peanuts, pumpkin and squash seeds, lima beans, chick peas, lentils, soybeans, and instant skim milk. The amino acid L-lysine is available in supplement form. It is recommended starting with 500 mg per day, working up to 2,000 mg per day. If you can't find acetyl-L-carnitine supplements in health food stores, try Prime Vitality at 888-485-5851 or Jo Mar Laboratories at 800-538-4545. AN UNHEALTHY LIVER When the liver is not healthy, it starts to degenerate and disrupt many vital functions, including the conversion of lysine. Fortunately, a natural extract from the seeds of the milk thistle plant have been shown to trigger the regeneration of liver cells. (Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 80;(19)678-683) (Arzneim-Forsch. 73;23:161) A 70-percent extract of the herb Silybum marianum, known as silymarin, appears to be most effective. No toxicity problems and only minor temporary side effects (headaches or stomach upset during the first few days on the extract) have been reported. Improved liver function often occurs in as little as two weeks, and restoration of full enzyme activity may occur in the first 30 days. Recommended dosages range from 150-300 mg taken three times daily. Silymarin extract should be taken as long as positive results are experienced or as long as a doctor feels it's necessary. Several companies market standardized silymarin extracts. Enzymatic Therapy Inc. makes an excellent product called Silybin Phytosome. To find a health food store in your area that sells it, contact Enzymatic Therapy at 800-783-2286 B VITAMINS ARE IMPORTANT, TOO Vitamins C, B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), iron, and the essential unsaturated fatty acids (flax seed oil is an excellent one) are essential for producing lysine. Just recently I learned from an unpublished study that 50 percent of a group of patients thought to have Alzheimer's were only deficient in one or more B vitamins! And as little as 200 mg of vitamin C has been shown to raise carnitine levels. (Nut Rep Int 87;37:941) ALPHA LIPOIC ACID New research suggests that alpha lipoic acid could be an important nutrient in the treatment of Alzheimer's. Eight men and one woman, average age 67, who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, were given 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily for almost a year. Each was evaluated using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAScog) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). During the study their condition stabilized and they did not experience the additional loss of cognitive function that was expected. I don't know of any drug therapy that can totally halt the progressive loss of mental function in Alzheimer's the way alpha lipoic acid did in this study. It has no side effects, and is widely available in health food or grocery stores. (Arch Gerontol Geriatr 01:32:275-282) IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM HORSES' MOUTHS Although I was raised around horses in the Texas panhandle, I've never seen any place where horses are more of an obsession than Australia. Horse racing is its third-largest industry. Everyone--from children to grandparents--seems to live and breathe the sport. County fairs and city celebrations revolve around race days, and school and public holidays are scheduled to coincide with races. As in all sports, each participant is looking for an edge over the competition, which has provided me with the opportunity to study the beneficial effects of various herbs, minerals, and nutrients on well-trained equines. This has been valuable because much of what I discover can be applied to improving human health. Here's a good example. A horse suffering from chronic drainage of an old injury that just wouldn't heal seemed nervous and timid. I believed it had all the symptoms commonly associated with silicon deficiency. Horses are often fed a diet containing oats, which are rich in silicon, so silicon deficiencies in horses are rare, and it is easy to overlook them. I recommended supplementing the horse's diet with silicon. Almost miraculously, the animal began to improve over the next few weeks. Newer research suggests that this mineral deficiency might exist in significant portions of the human population, and that silicon may be a very important factor in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's. SILICON DETERS ALUMINUM Researchers have long speculated that Alzheimer's disease is linked to accumulations of aluminum in the brain, and links between aluminum in drinking water supplies and Alzheimer's have now been established. A factor that is overlooked is that silicon reduces the accumulation of aluminum. (Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 98; 12(2):83-7) (J Inorg Biochem 98;69(3):171-6) (Lancet 93;342:211-212) (Chem Toxic 93;31(9) 679- 685) When researchers added silicon to aluminum-laced water supplies, it prevented the aluminum from being absorbed. It also caused an increase in the excretion of aluminum in urine and lowered aluminum concentrations in the brain, liver, bone, spleen, and kidneys. HOW TO REPLENISH YOUR SILICON LEVELS Silicon is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet, but there are very few foods that contain enough to supply the amounts your body needs; Ground cornmeal, oats, oat straw tea, and horsetail or shavegrass tea are some of the best sources. And while you probably won't find it listed anywhere, beer is a good source. Except for possibly beer (and maybe the cornbread we Southerners eat), the other items aren't very popular, so it's easy to see why we might not be getting adequate amounts of silicon in our diet. One of my first recommendations is to eat oats or oatmeal. Oats are extremely nutritious and a quick way to replenish silicon, as well as other trace minerals. Oats have been shown to be beneficial in lowering cholesterol, healing ulcers, calming gallbladders, relaxing the nervous system, improving skin and circulation problems, and restoring thyroid, pancreas, and reproductive gland function. Horsetail or shavegrass tea can help replenish silicon levels. This tea can be found in health food stores. Drink one to two cups per day. Check your multi-vitamin/mineral complex to see if it contains silicon. If it does, it will usually be listed as powder from horsetail. A good maintenance dosage is 25 mg per day. If your daily nutrient doesn't contain silicon, take a silicon supplement. Jarrow Formulas makes an excellent silicon supplement called BioSil. It is a stabilized form of orthosilicic acid, which quickly raises serum silicon levels. The recommended dosage is six drops a day (three drops in the morning and three in the evening). This acid form of silicon is easily assimilated, but it tastes pretty nasty. Most people put the drops in either fruit or vegetable juice. Jarrow Formulas can be found in many health food stores. You can contact them at 800-726-0886. Another way to replenish silicon is with the homeopathic cell salt called Silicea, which comes in tiny pill form, which quickly melts in your mouth. I would suggest taking six tablets three times a day, for a total of 18 a day. (You can't overdose on these cell salts, and they are very inexpensive. Standard Homeopathic markets them in bottles that contain 1,000 tablets for around $10. Look for them in health food stores,) A VITAL DIETARY COMPONENT WE JUST DON'T GET ENOUGH OF For years, I've written about the numerous benefits derived from taking lecithin. I consider it one of the core items of my personal health program, and I take a tablespoon, of lecithin granules every day. Lecithin is actually a combination of compounds called phospholipids. Roughly 23 percent of lecithin consists of the phospholipid group called the phosphatidyl-cholines (PCs), with choline making up about 13 percent of the total PC weight. I mention this mainly because the PCs and choline are generally considered to be the "active" portion of lecithin, and most of the research material focuses on these substances. For practical purposes, though, we're really talking about lecithin. Since we can get lecithin in food, most traditional nutritionists have never given much attention to the need for supplemental lecithin in our diet. Lecithin, however, is mainly found in the high-cholesterol, high-fat foods. Some of the richest common food sources of lecithin are fatty beef steak, beef liver, and eggs--items that have become unpopular over the last 20 years. With the decreased consumption, it stands to reason that many of us would be consuming less lecithin and choline. As I've discussed in the past, it's often the small changes in our diet that can translate into big health problems further down the road. I have no doubt that this is true when it comes to lecithin. STRONG MEDICINE FOR SYNAPSES AND MEMORY LAPSES I'll try not to get too technical here, but you might have learned in biology class that your nerves communicate with each other through junctions called synapses. The nerves meet at these synapses, where a chemical compound called acetylcholine is often used to transmit nerve impulses. (Acetylcholine is called a neurotransmitter.) These synapses are especially numerous in the brain. To make acetylcholine, nerve ceils require choline. While nerve cells can actually synthesize choline from other compounds, or break their own cell membranes down into choline, their best source is getting it directly from the bloodstream. Studies have consistently shown that by taking lecithin orally, you can increase blood plasma levels of choline--which also causes acetylcholine levels in the brain to increase. (Science 83;221(4611): 61420) (Gastroenterology 92;102:1363-70) When it comes to using lecithin to help improve nerve transmissions in the brain, most of the studies have involved patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Truthfully, the results have been somewhat mixed. If there was any improvement at all, it appeared to be in slowing the progression or onset of the diseases rather than in treating them. When it comes to improving memory lapses however, it appears that regular use of lecithin can be beneficial. When a group of older individuals took two tablespoons of lecithin daily for five weeks, they exhibited fewer memory lapses and improved memory skills. (Res Social Work Practice 94;4:349-58) In another study involving college students, high doses of lecithin (the equivalent of about 10 tablespoons daily) significantly improved short term memory skills within 90 minutes of consumption. (Clin Neuropharm 93;16(6):540-9) With the inability to patent lecithin, its widespread availability, and its low cost, there's really not much financial incentive for anyone to perform large, long-term studies. The big players (such as pharmaceutical companies and government-sponsored researchers) will probably never spend enough time or energy on lecithin to learn just how beneficial it can be. MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING LECITHIN For daily maintenance purposes, I would recommend one tablespoon of lecithin granules (about 2 grams) a day. Therapeutic doses for treating severe heart disease, high cholesterol, abnormal liver function, and liver disease will normally require 10-40 grams (5-20 tablespoons) per day, spread throughout the day. Lecithin is non-toxic. Symptoms experienced at very high dosages are gas, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea. I recommend keeping the granules in the refrigerator to avoid any problems with rancidity. Fresh lecithin should have a clean, nutty smell and taste. I know some people who just swallow the granules, Although I like the nutty taste, they stick to my mouth and teeth, and I find them hard to swallow. I put them in the blender with my protein shake each morning. It's important to keep in mind that the fat-like components in lecithin are much like vitamin E and other fat-soluble vitamins. In many instances, it can take months for the body to build up a reserve of these compounds and realize their full effects. In other words, if you want to experience the full benefits of lecithin, you will need to take it consistently on a full-time basis. Granules are available from health stores or by mail from Bronson Laboratories, 800-235,3200. Lecithin can also be purchased as a liquid, but it's far more expensive. AN ANCIENT FORMULA FOR BOOSTING MEMORY Padma was derived from an ancient Tibetan formula known as Gabur, or the "camphor formula." Over the last couple of decades, research from both Europe and Israel continues to suggest that Padma is extremely helpful in increasing longevity and improving health. Its primary action is the improvement of circulation, which has numerous benefits throughout the body--including increasing pain-free walking distance in those with poor circulation in the extremities, relieving angina pain, and improving mental function. It's this last benefit that I want to focus on. BOOSTING THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BRAIN For some reason, most people fail to associate gradual memory loss, intellectual deficiencies, attention disorders, and emotional instability with a lack of blood flow to the brain. The connection only becomes obvious following a stroke. Despite the impression you might get from most doctors, atherosclerosis is a systemic problem. If you're experiencing circulation problems, regardless of whether the symptoms are in your legs or heart, rest assured that the small arteries supplying the brain are also starting to clog and impede blood flow. Since the changes aren't associated with any pain or noticeable sensation, it might be easy to attribute memory loss or some of the other problems I mentioned to just getting older. In reality you can help prevent and/or reverse these problems by improving your circulation. This can be accomplished with Padma. In a Polish study at the Neurology Department of Regional Hospital in Zyrardow, Poland, 35 people with known cerebral atherosclerosis were treated with Padma. The individuals ranged in age from 33 to 72 years, and suffered from one or more of the problems mentioned above. Nine had evidence of blockage in the carotid artery that feeds the brain, and 14 had experienced one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or silent strokes in the last two years. They were all given Padma for a total of three months at a dosage of 6 tablets a day for the first six weeks, and thereafter 4 tablets a day. Practically all showed remarkable improvements. Twenty-five reported immediate improvement in memory and the alleviation of emotional instability. In five of the nine patients with suspected blockages of the carotid artery, associated symptoms regressed almost completely, and in two other patients symptoms were greatly improved. None of those with a history of TIAs experienced any more such incidents. When this study was presented at a symposium in Poland, one of the neurologists commented that he knew of no substance other than Padma that can make the cerebral circulation so elastic. PADMA BASIC Padma, Inc., of Switzerland has been making the formula under the name Padma 28 for the last 30 years. It is called "28" because it was based on the 28th formula in an ancient textbook of Tibetan medicine. Just recently, the product Padma Basic from Padma, Inc., has become available in the U.S. It is the same product, except for very small amounts of one ingredient, aconite, which Padma 28 contains, There have been some questions as to the safety of aconite, so it isn't allowed in the U.S. product. Tests have shown that removing the aconite doesn't appreciably change the beneficial effects of the product. Padma Basic contains the following herbs: Allspice (Pimenta dioica) Bengal Quince (Aegle marmelos) Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) Costus (Saussurea lappa) English Plantain (Plantago spp.) Gingerlily (Hedyckium spicatum) Golden cinquefoil (Potentilla aurea) Heartleaved Sida (Sida cordifolia) Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Margosa (Azadirachta indica) Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus sandalinus) Tropical Almond (Terminalia chebula) Valerian(Valeriana officinalis) Natural Camphor Calcium Sulfate These herbs are sourced from around the World and rigorously tested throughout the production process to ensure product effectiveness. We recognize only four tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. In addition to our four, Tibetan medicine includes astringent and hot. The herbs are tested for identity, purity, and potency by chemical fingerprinting using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Test batches of each herb are also sampled by trained tasters to check for astringency. Padma is packaged to have a five-year shelf life and is free of pesticides and contaminants. Research has repeatedly shown that it has no side effects or interactions with other medications. (It is still recommended, however, that it be taken 30 minutes before meals, and that other medications be taken at another time,) Dosages vary depending on age and condition. For adults, 6 tablets a day (2 tablets taken three times a day before meals) are recommended during the treatment phase of a problem. Once the problem has been resolved over a matter of weeks or months, you can generally taper back to a maintenance dose of 1 or 2 tablets a day. For children over three years, try 1 tablet three times a day. Those under three should be given 1/2 tablet three times a day. U.S. subscribers can see a health care professional for Padma Basic, or purchase it from EcoNugenics at 800-308-5518 or www.econugenics.com. Canadian subscribers can also visit a health care provider for help purchasing Padma Basic, or buy it from Professional Health Products, 430749 St., Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1P3, (800-661-1366). YOUR ADRENAL GLANDS: KEY MEMORY MINDERS I've always tried to stress the importance of making sure your adrenal glands are functioning properly. These tiny endocrine glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce a wide variety of hormones that control dozens of body functions. New research suggests that epinephrine, one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, may be one of the most potent memory enhancers in the body. Epinephrine is more commonly referred to as adrenaline. When epinephrine is released into the bloodstream, several things occur. It causes blood vessels to constrict and makes the heart pump faster and harder. It increases the metabolic rate by as much as 100 percent above normal. Epinephrine causes fat cells to release additional fatty acids that can quickly be converted to energy. (Free fatty acids in the blood can increase 10- to 15-fold!) It also triggers the immediate release of glucose (blood sugar) from both the liver and the muscles. Research now shows it is epinephrine's ability to influence blood glucose levels THE LINK BETWEEN EPINEPHRINE AND MEMORY After conducting studies on both animals and humans, Dr. Paul Gold from the University of Virginia has concluded that the formation of memory for a particular experience is related to the amount of epinephrine released at the time. It's well known that as we get older our adrenal glands generally release less epinephrine and begin to experience memory shortfalls. Dr. Gold has shown in both animals and humans, that these age-related memory problems are often corrected or greatly improved with the administration of epinephrine. When older animals were given the epinephrine their adrenals were no longer producing, their memory was restored to the same level as that associated with young animals. After the positive results obtained in animals, Dr. Gold began to work with a group of patients suffering from either Alzheimer's or memory problems brought on by brain damage. However, rather than use epinephrine (which would increase blood glucose levels) he simply had the patients drink a glass of lemonade, containing either 25 grams of glucose or a placebo (saccharin), immediately prior to a learning experience. He found that the glucose definitely enhanced the patients' memories of the experience, and the benefits were long-lasting. When tested after ingesting glucose, the Alzheimer's patients had actually doubled their memory scores. Some very important information can be learned from this study. It gives us some viable methods of enhancing, improving, or regaining our memory skills. (Consuming drinks spiked with glucose is not one of them, however! This would simply be treating a symptom instead of the cause of the problem. When you treat a symptom, without addressing the root of the problem, you only end up creating additional problems down the road.) HERE'S WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO TO BOOST YOUR MEMORY First, as I've already discussed, you must have adequate circulation to the brain. All the epinephrine and glucose in the world won't do much good if it can't reach your brain. In addition to Padma and/or Ginkgo biloba, one of the quickest ways to improve circulation everywhere in the body is exercise. A consistent walking program can make a world of difference. Next, in addition to improving circulation, you may need to support the adrenal glands nutritionally. This is especially true if you already exhibit any of the classical characteristics of weakened adrenals, including lightheadedness upon standing, moodiness or headaches when a meal is skipped, depression, and fatigue. One of the quickest methods to strengthen the adrenals is to supplement the diet with a good adrenal glandular. The best I've ever used is called Drenamin, made by Standard Process Laboratories. It is normally only sold to doctors. However, if you're not a doctor, you can still order it from For Your Health, Inc. at 800-456-4325. The normally recommended dosage for Drenamin is to chew one tablet, three times daily. I've found better results from breaking the tablets in half and chewing half a tablet, six times a day on an empty stomach. Often, improvement will be seen in the first day or two; and as long as a proper diet is followed, the problem will be resolved within a month. Last, but certainly not least, stress, sugar, alcohol, and tobacco all place an unnecessary burden on the adrenals. (Five or ten years from now we'll probably read that an excess of these items has been linked to age-related memory loss!)

PROTECT YOUR BRAIN FROM ALZHEIMER'S AND MEMORY LOSS

New research for help with this condition - click here and use this access code utc02.

Alzheimer's appears to be one of the diseases linked to our "civilized" lifestyle. In the U.S. alone more than four million people over the age of 65 suffer from progressive memory loss and the mental deterioration associated with Alzheimer's disease. In less developed areas of the world like Africa the disease is practically nonexistent, which leads one to suspect that exposure to environmental pollutants and the unnatural food products so prevalent in our diets today play a critical role in this and other modern diseases.

Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fresh-pressed oils may seem like too simple a solution for diseases that baffle even the most learned medical experts. But as our foods become more processed and adulterated, I believe simple, whole, natural foods and nutritional supplements will provide future "cures." Curcumin is one.

CURCUMIN

We have known for a while that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could decrease Alzheimer's risk, but the long-term side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and liver and kidney damage, make this a poor trade-off. Recently, initial animal studies at the University of California demonstrated that amyloid plaques that develop in the brains of Alzheimer's patients were reduced by more than 40 percent in animals that were fed curcumin. Additionally, there was less inflammation and free-radical damage in the brain. (J Neurosci 01,'21(21) : 8370- 7)

I've been writing about curcumin and turmeric for years. Curcumin is a component of curry, a spice commonly used in Indian culture and Ayurvedic medicine. India has one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the world. I am so convinced of the benefits of this miracle spice.

ACETYL- L- CARNITINE

Research suggests that the progression of Alzheimer's disease can be slowed by increasing the acetyl-L-carnitine in the diet. Researchers studied 130 Alzheimer's patients from ten hospitals for one year. Sixty-three were given supplemental acetyl-Lcarnitine, and 67 were given a placebo. Both groups worsened, but those in the treated group had a slower rate of deterioration. Those on acetyl-L carnitine had better logical intelligence, verbal critical abilities, long-term verbal memory, and selective attention; and no significant side effects were observed. (Neurology 91;41(11):1726-32) This study suggests that Alzheimer's patients don't produce adequate amounts of acety-L-carnitine.

The process of creating acetyl-L-carnitine begins with the transformation of the amino acid lysine by the liver. To create and use this compound, your body needs a healthy liver, sufficient lysine, and adequate amounts of certain nutrients.

A HEALTHY LIVER

The liver is the largest organ in the body, and it performs some of the most complex chemical tasks. One of its primary roles is to detoxify the pesticides, pollutants, alcohol, and medications that produce a constant stream of harmful byproducts.

If liver function is normal, acetyl-L-carnitine levels can be increased by eating lysine-rich foods: cottage cheese, dark-meat chicken (the leg contains five times more than the breast), fish, peanuts, pumpkin and squash seeds, lima beans, chick peas, lentils, soybeans, and instant skim milk.

The amino acid L-lysine is available in supplement form. It is recommended starting with 500 mg per day, working up to 2,000 mg per day. If you can't find acetyl-L-carnitine supplements in health food stores, try Prime Vitality at 888-485-5851 or Jo Mar Laboratories at 800-538-4545.

AN UNHEALTHY LIVER

When the liver is not healthy, it starts to degenerate and disrupt many vital functions, including the conversion of lysine. Fortunately, a natural extract from the seeds of the milk thistle plant have been shown to trigger the regeneration of liver cells. (Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 80;(19)678-683) (Arzneim-Forsch. 73;23:161)

A 70-percent extract of the herb Silybum marianum, known as silymarin, appears to be most effective. No toxicity problems and only minor temporary side effects (headaches or stomach upset during the first few days on the extract) have been reported. Improved liver function often occurs in as little as two weeks, and restoration of full enzyme activity may occur in the first 30 days. Recommended dosages range from 150-300 mg taken three times daily. Silymarin extract should be taken as long as positive results are experienced or as long as a doctor feels it's necessary. Several companies market standardized silymarin extracts. Enzymatic Therapy Inc. makes an excellent product called Silybin Phytosome. To find a health food store in your area that sells it, contact Enzymatic Therapy at 800-783-2286

B VITAMINS ARE IMPORTANT, TOO

Vitamins C, B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), iron, and the essential unsaturated fatty acids (flax seed oil is an excellent one) are essential for producing lysine. Just recently I learned from an unpublished study that 50 percent of a group of patients thought to have Alzheimer's were only deficient in one or more B vitamins!

And as little as 200 mg of vitamin C has been shown to raise carnitine levels. (Nut Rep Int 87;37:941)

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID

New research suggests that alpha lipoic acid could be an important nutrient in the treatment of Alzheimer's. Eight men and one woman, average age 67, who were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, were given 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid daily for almost a year. Each was evaluated using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAScog) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). During the study their condition stabilized and they did not experience the additional loss of cognitive function that was expected.

I don't know of any drug therapy that can totally halt the progressive loss of mental function in Alzheimer's the way alpha lipoic acid did in this study. It has no side effects, and is widely available in health food or grocery stores. (Arch Gerontol Geriatr 01:32:275-282)

IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM HORSES' MOUTHS

Although I was raised around horses in the Texas panhandle, I've never seen any place where horses are more of an obsession than Australia. Horse racing is its third-largest industry. Everyone--from children to grandparents--seems to live and breathe the sport. County fairs and city celebrations revolve around race days, and school and public holidays are scheduled to coincide with races.

As in all sports, each participant is looking for an edge over the competition, which has provided me with the opportunity to study the beneficial effects of various herbs, minerals, and nutrients on well-trained equines. This has been valuable because much of what I discover can be applied to improving human health. Here's a good example.

A horse suffering from chronic drainage of an old injury that just wouldn't heal seemed nervous and timid. I believed it had all the symptoms commonly associated with silicon deficiency. Horses are often fed a diet containing oats, which are rich in silicon, so silicon deficiencies in horses are rare, and it is easy to overlook them. I recommended supplementing the horse's diet with silicon. Almost miraculously, the animal began to improve over the next few weeks.

Newer research suggests that this mineral deficiency might exist in significant portions of the human population, and that silicon may be a very important factor in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.

SILICON DETERS ALUMINUM

Researchers have long speculated that Alzheimer's disease is linked to accumulations of aluminum in the brain, and links between aluminum in drinking water supplies and Alzheimer's have now been established. A factor that is overlooked is that silicon reduces the accumulation of aluminum. (Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 98; 12(2):83-7) (J Inorg Biochem 98;69(3):171-6) (Lancet 93;342:211-212) (Chem Toxic 93;31(9) 679- 685)

When researchers added silicon to aluminum-laced water supplies, it prevented the aluminum from being absorbed. It also caused an increase in the excretion of aluminum in urine and lowered aluminum concentrations in the brain, liver, bone, spleen, and kidneys.

HOW TO REPLENISH YOUR SILICON LEVELS Silicon is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet, but there are very few foods that contain enough to supply the amounts your body needs; Ground cornmeal, oats, oat straw tea, and horsetail or shavegrass tea are some of the best sources. And while you probably won't find it listed anywhere, beer is a good source. Except for possibly beer (and maybe the cornbread we Southerners eat), the other items aren't very popular, so it's easy to see why we might not be getting adequate amounts of silicon in our diet.

One of my first recommendations is to eat oats or oatmeal. Oats are extremely nutritious and a quick way to replenish silicon, as well as other trace minerals. Oats have been shown to be beneficial in lowering cholesterol, healing ulcers, calming gallbladders, relaxing the nervous system, improving skin and circulation problems, and restoring thyroid, pancreas, and reproductive gland function.
Horsetail or shavegrass tea can help replenish silicon levels. This tea can be found in health food stores. Drink one to two cups per day.
Check your multi-vitamin/mineral complex to see if it contains silicon. If it does, it will usually be listed as powder from horsetail. A good maintenance dosage is 25 mg per day. If your daily nutrient doesn't contain silicon, take a silicon supplement. Jarrow Formulas makes an excellent silicon supplement called BioSil. It is a stabilized form of orthosilicic acid, which quickly raises serum silicon levels. The recommended dosage is six drops a day (three drops in the morning and three in the evening). This acid form of silicon is easily assimilated, but it tastes pretty nasty. Most people put the drops in either fruit or vegetable juice. Jarrow Formulas can be found in many health food stores. You can contact them at 800-726-0886.
Another way to replenish silicon is with the homeopathic cell salt called Silicea, which comes in tiny pill form, which quickly melts in your mouth. I would suggest taking six tablets three times a day, for a total of 18 a day. (You can't overdose on these cell salts, and they are very inexpensive. Standard Homeopathic markets them in bottles that contain 1,000 tablets for around $10. Look for them in health food stores,)

A VITAL DIETARY COMPONENT WE JUST DON'T GET ENOUGH OF

For years, I've written about the numerous benefits derived from taking lecithin. I consider it one of the core items of my personal health program, and I take a tablespoon, of lecithin granules every day.

Lecithin is actually a combination of compounds called phospholipids. Roughly 23 percent of lecithin consists of the phospholipid group called the phosphatidyl-cholines (PCs), with choline making up about 13 percent of the total PC weight. I mention this mainly because the PCs and choline are generally considered to be the "active" portion of lecithin, and most of the research material focuses on these substances. For practical purposes, though, we're really talking about lecithin.

Since we can get lecithin in food, most traditional nutritionists have never given much attention to the need for supplemental lecithin in our diet. Lecithin, however, is mainly found in the high-cholesterol, high-fat foods. Some of the richest common food sources of lecithin are fatty beef steak, beef liver, and eggs--items that have become unpopular over the last 20 years. With the decreased consumption, it stands to reason that many of us would be consuming less lecithin and choline. As I've discussed in the past, it's often the small changes in our diet that can translate into big health problems further down the road. I have no doubt that this is true when it comes to lecithin.

STRONG MEDICINE FOR SYNAPSES AND MEMORY LAPSES

I'll try not to get too technical here, but you might have learned in biology class that your nerves communicate with each other through junctions called synapses. The nerves meet at these synapses, where a chemical compound called acetylcholine is often used to transmit nerve impulses. (Acetylcholine is called a neurotransmitter.) These synapses are especially numerous in the brain.

To make acetylcholine, nerve ceils require choline. While nerve cells can actually synthesize choline from other compounds, or break their own cell membranes down into choline, their best source is getting it directly from the bloodstream. Studies have consistently shown that by taking lecithin orally, you can increase blood plasma levels of choline--which also causes acetylcholine levels in the brain to increase. (Science 83;221(4611): 61420) (Gastroenterology 92;102:1363-70)

When it comes to using lecithin to help improve nerve transmissions in the brain, most of the studies have involved patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Truthfully, the results have been somewhat mixed. If there was any improvement at all, it appeared to be in slowing the progression or onset of the diseases rather than in treating them. When it comes to improving memory lapses however, it appears that regular use of lecithin can be beneficial.

When a group of older individuals took two tablespoons of lecithin daily for five weeks, they exhibited fewer memory lapses and improved memory skills. (Res Social Work Practice 94;4:349-58)

In another study involving college students, high doses of lecithin (the equivalent of about 10 tablespoons daily) significantly improved short term memory skills within 90 minutes of consumption. (Clin Neuropharm 93;16(6):540-9)

With the inability to patent lecithin, its widespread availability, and its low cost, there's really not much financial incentive for anyone to perform large, long-term studies. The big players (such as pharmaceutical companies and government-sponsored researchers) will probably never spend enough time or energy on lecithin to learn just how beneficial it can be.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE GETTING LECITHIN

For daily maintenance purposes, I would recommend one tablespoon of lecithin granules (about 2 grams) a day. Therapeutic doses for treating severe heart disease, high cholesterol, abnormal liver function, and liver disease will normally require 10-40 grams (5-20 tablespoons) per day, spread throughout the day. Lecithin is non-toxic. Symptoms experienced at very high dosages are gas, bloating, nausea, or diarrhea.

I recommend keeping the granules in the refrigerator to avoid any problems with rancidity. Fresh lecithin should have a clean, nutty smell and taste. I know some people who just swallow the granules, Although I like the nutty taste, they stick to my mouth and teeth, and I find them hard to swallow. I put them in the blender with my protein shake each morning.

It's important to keep in mind that the fat-like components in lecithin are much like vitamin E and other fat-soluble vitamins. In many instances, it can take months for the body to build up a reserve of these compounds and realize their full effects. In other words, if you want to experience the full benefits of lecithin, you will need to take it consistently on a full-time basis.

Granules are available from health stores or by mail from Bronson Laboratories, 800-235,3200. Lecithin can also be purchased as a liquid, but it's far more expensive.

AN ANCIENT FORMULA FOR BOOSTING MEMORY

Padma was derived from an ancient Tibetan formula known as Gabur, or the "camphor formula." Over the last couple of decades, research from both Europe and Israel continues to suggest that Padma is extremely helpful in increasing longevity and improving health. Its primary action is the improvement of circulation, which has numerous benefits throughout the body--including increasing pain-free walking distance in those with poor circulation in the extremities, relieving angina pain, and improving mental function. It's this last benefit that I want to focus on.

BOOSTING THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BRAIN For some reason, most people fail to associate gradual memory loss, intellectual deficiencies, attention disorders, and emotional instability with a lack of blood flow to the brain. The connection only becomes obvious following a stroke.

Despite the impression you might get from most doctors, atherosclerosis is a systemic problem. If you're experiencing circulation problems, regardless of whether the symptoms are in your legs or heart, rest assured that the small arteries supplying the brain are also starting to clog and impede blood flow. Since the changes aren't associated with any pain or noticeable sensation, it might be easy to attribute memory loss or some of the other problems I mentioned to just getting older. In reality you can help prevent and/or reverse these problems by improving your circulation. This can be accomplished with Padma.

In a Polish study at the Neurology Department of Regional Hospital in Zyrardow, Poland, 35 people with known cerebral atherosclerosis were treated with Padma. The individuals ranged in age from 33 to 72 years, and suffered from one or more of the problems mentioned above. Nine had evidence of blockage in the carotid artery that feeds the brain, and 14 had experienced one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or silent strokes in the last two years.

They were all given Padma for a total of three months at a dosage of 6 tablets a day for the first six weeks, and thereafter 4 tablets a day. Practically all showed remarkable improvements. Twenty-five reported immediate improvement in memory and the alleviation of emotional instability. In five of the nine patients with suspected blockages of the carotid artery, associated symptoms regressed almost completely, and in two other patients symptoms were greatly improved. None of those with a history of TIAs experienced any more such incidents.

When this study was presented at a symposium in Poland, one of the neurologists commented that he knew of no substance other than Padma that can make the cerebral circulation so elastic.

PADMA BASIC

Padma, Inc., of Switzerland has been making the formula under the name Padma 28 for the last 30 years. It is called "28" because it was based on the 28th formula in an ancient textbook of Tibetan medicine. Just recently, the product Padma Basic from Padma, Inc., has become available in the U.S. It is the same product, except for very small amounts of one ingredient, aconite, which Padma 28 contains, There have been some questions as to the safety of aconite, so it isn't allowed in the U.S. product. Tests have shown that removing the aconite doesn't appreciably change the beneficial effects of the product. Padma Basic contains the following herbs:

Allspice (Pimenta dioica)
Bengal Quince (Aegle marmelos)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
Costus (Saussurea lappa)
English Plantain (Plantago spp.)
Gingerlily (Hedyckium spicatum)
Golden cinquefoil (Potentilla aurea)
Heartleaved Sida (Sida cordifolia)
Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica)
Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Margosa (Azadirachta indica)
Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus sandalinus)
Tropical Almond (Terminalia chebula)
Valerian(Valeriana officinalis)
Natural Camphor
Calcium Sulfate

These herbs are sourced from around the World and rigorously tested throughout the production process to ensure product effectiveness. We recognize only four tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. In addition to our four, Tibetan medicine includes astringent and hot. The herbs are tested for identity, purity, and potency by chemical fingerprinting using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Test batches of each herb are also sampled by trained tasters to check for astringency.

Padma is packaged to have a five-year shelf life and is free of pesticides and contaminants. Research has repeatedly shown that it has no side effects or interactions with other medications. (It is still recommended, however, that it be taken 30 minutes before meals, and that other medications be taken at another time,)

Dosages vary depending on age and condition. For adults, 6 tablets a day (2 tablets taken three times a day before meals) are recommended during the treatment phase of a problem. Once the problem has been resolved over a matter of weeks or months, you can generally taper back to a maintenance dose of 1 or 2 tablets a day. For children over three years, try 1 tablet three times a day. Those under three should be given 1/2 tablet three times a day.

U.S. subscribers can see a health care professional for Padma Basic, or purchase it from EcoNugenics at 800-308-5518 or www.econugenics.com. Canadian subscribers can also visit a health care provider for help purchasing Padma Basic, or buy it from Professional Health Products, 430749 St., Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1P3, (800-661-1366).

YOUR ADRENAL GLANDS: KEY MEMORY MINDERS

I've always tried to stress the importance of making sure your adrenal glands are functioning properly. These tiny endocrine glands sit on top of the kidneys and produce a wide variety of hormones that control dozens of body functions. New research suggests that epinephrine, one of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, may be one of the most potent memory enhancers in the body.

Epinephrine is more commonly referred to as adrenaline. When epinephrine is released into the bloodstream, several things occur. It causes blood vessels to constrict and makes the heart pump faster and harder. It increases the metabolic rate by as much as 100 percent above normal. Epinephrine causes fat cells to release additional fatty acids that can quickly be converted to energy. (Free fatty acids in the blood can increase 10- to 15-fold!) It also triggers the immediate release of glucose (blood sugar) from both the liver and the muscles. Research now shows it is epinephrine's ability to influence blood glucose levels

THE LINK BETWEEN EPINEPHRINE AND MEMORY

After conducting studies on both animals and humans, Dr. Paul Gold from the University of Virginia has concluded that the formation of memory for a particular experience is related to the amount of epinephrine released at the time.

It's well known that as we get older our adrenal glands generally release less epinephrine and begin to experience memory shortfalls. Dr. Gold has shown in both animals and humans, that these age-related memory problems are often corrected or greatly improved with the administration of epinephrine. When older animals were given the epinephrine their adrenals were no longer producing, their memory was restored to the same level as that associated with young animals.

After the positive results obtained in animals, Dr. Gold began to work with a group of patients suffering from either Alzheimer's or memory problems brought on by brain damage. However, rather than use epinephrine (which would increase blood glucose levels) he simply had the patients drink a glass of lemonade, containing either 25 grams of glucose or a placebo (saccharin), immediately prior to a learning experience. He found that the glucose definitely enhanced the patients' memories of the experience, and the benefits were long-lasting. When tested after ingesting glucose, the Alzheimer's patients had actually doubled their memory scores.

Some very important information can be learned from this study. It gives us some viable methods of enhancing, improving, or regaining our memory skills. (Consuming drinks spiked with glucose is not one of them, however! This would simply be treating a symptom instead of the cause of the problem. When you treat a symptom, without addressing the root of the problem, you only end up creating additional problems down the road.)

HERE'S WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO TO BOOST YOUR MEMORY

First, as I've already discussed, you must have adequate circulation to the brain. All the epinephrine and glucose in the world won't do much good if it can't reach your brain. In addition to Padma and/or Ginkgo biloba, one of the quickest ways to improve circulation everywhere in the body is exercise. A consistent walking program can make a world of difference.

Next, in addition to improving circulation, you may need to support the adrenal glands nutritionally. This is especially true if you already exhibit any of the classical characteristics of weakened adrenals, including lightheadedness upon standing, moodiness or headaches when a meal is skipped, depression, and fatigue. One of the quickest methods to strengthen the adrenals is to supplement the diet with a good adrenal glandular. The best I've ever used is called Drenamin, made by Standard Process Laboratories. It is normally only sold to doctors. However, if you're not a doctor, you can still order it from For Your Health, Inc. at 800-456-4325.

The normally recommended dosage for Drenamin is to chew one tablet, three times daily. I've found better results from breaking the tablets in half and chewing half a tablet, six times a day on an empty stomach. Often, improvement will be seen in the first day or two; and as long as a proper diet is followed, the problem will be resolved within a month.

Last, but certainly not least, stress, sugar, alcohol, and tobacco all place an unnecessary burden on the adrenals. (Five or ten years from now we'll probably read that an excess of these items has been linked to age-related memory loss!)

Holladay Physical Medicine - 4211 Holladay Blvd. Salt Lake City, UT - 801-272-8471

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