Reverse Macular Degeneration

Have you ever felt your money was wasted on supplements? That even though you consistently followed the protocol from your health-care practitioner you were not getting the results others obtained with the same program? You may have been right! We've helped hundreds of patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) with these healing secrets designed to help "non-responders"; those for whom the average supplement and dietary protocol fails to work.

ARMD is the leading cause of blindness in elderly Western populations and it is marked by central vision loss where blind spots or scotomas intrude. Threading a needle and passing the driver's licensing test eventually become impossible but ARMD is preventable – even reversible to some degree with the diligent, intelligently targeted efforts we have put into practice in our clinics to increase the chances of success.

The best doctor's recommendations or nutritional consulting for ARMD are fruitless unless nutrients are able to be broken down or micellized, transported to the macula, and assimilated there. After years of observing how some patients prevent ARMD despite strong hereditary tendencies, how some halt or even reverse impending blindness, and how some patients actually get worse despite being on the same protocol, it became clear that powerful tactics were needed in addition to recommending dietary changes or supplements.

The strategies we employ are successful for many individuals and have applications far beyond the diagnosis of ARMD. They will influence conditions or diseases where proper fat breakdown is essential to impact issues such as dry eye, post-cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery) status, liver disease, etc. The eye, GI tract, liver, and gallbladder are intricately entwined. Think about it, when your liver is sick, your eyes turn yellow or jaundiced. When your GI tract is out of balance, red, itching "allergy" eyes often result. Interesting signaling!  The solution is more complicated than just popping a supplement or even making some dietary changes. Are you ready to learn the secrets? Whether you have macular degeneration or not, these concepts will serve you well.

Best Kept Secret #1: Work from the GI Tract Outward

Some doctors, when pressed if they had only one system to specialize in, would tell you, "The GI tract." Why? Because the GI tract is central to good health and its ability to affect the entire body so powerful when operating at its peak. It is here that we begin to improve vision. The target nutrients used in past studies[1] to prevent, halt, or reverse ARMD are lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, antioxidants, and fish oil.  The carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene) concentrate in the central part of the retina, and help us identify colors and see fine details, so they are vital in a healing strategy. They also provide protection against blue light, which damages the retina. Building macular optical pigment density (MOPD) is the goal in this approach, replenishing the macula; but first we have to break down these carotenoids and antioxidants and then shuttle them to the macula by following several simple tactics.

 Dr. Stuart Richer, who demonstrated success in reversing macular degeneration with the LAST studies,[2] shares an encouraging increase in MOPD. From July 14, 2011, to October 6, 2011, the degree of MOPD increased by employing some of the following strategies. A picture is worth a thousand words and is the tool best used to motivate patients to committed action. These pictures give hope to those losing their eyesight; the macula is refilling nicely with lutein and zeaxanthin.

   

To ensure proper breakdown of supplements, use a good digestive supplement, preferably one that contains ox bile, taurine, lecithin, and adequate hydrochloric acid, or a combination of these. Thinning the bile is a major key to eye health as it will help more lutein get to the macula. 

Doing a liver/gallbladder flush [http://curezone.com/schulze/herbal_5day_liver_cleanse.asp] 

seasonally is an aggressive part of the plan, if one wishes to take a serious, logical approach. Remember, the liver and gallbladder influence the eye, so aim to create a healthy, fully functioning liver and gallbladder. We are not only our eyes. We are a complete system, so thinking from a systems biology approach[4] may create the desired healing response. To do this, head south to the GI tract first.

Interior Terrain Influences Absorption, So Start Clean

A well-functioning GI tract influences the eye tremendously.  Support digestive ability by following the 4-R[5] or GI Restoration program. Absorption of the macula-replenishing carotenoids like beta-carotene will be hindered by the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria and/or an imbalance of intestinal bacteria. This interior terrain needs a healthy balance of good bacteria versus bad bacteria by using targeted supplements and the support of digestive enzymes along with the other approaches discussed in the 4-R protocol.

All of the targeted supplements and carotenoid-rich foods we suggest will not do you a bit of good unless they are first broken down or micellized.

 As even Wikipedia notes, "Micelle formation is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and complicated lipids within the human body. Bile salts formed in the liver and secreted by the gall bladder allow micelles of fatty acids to form. This allows the absorption of complicated lipids (e.g., lecithin) and lipid soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) within the micelle by the small intestine."[6]

These are the micellizing "magicians" that get the job done: 

(1) Ox Bile: Supply exogenous ox bile, particularly to post-cholecystectomy patients; (2) Lecithin: (Sunflower or soy) can be added to the diet to aid in fat breakdown; 

(3) Taurine: A precursor to bile production, which also thins bile.

Fat-soluble lutein and zeaxanthin, essential to replenish the macula, require being emulsified or broken down to the micellized state in order to enter the bloodstream for transport by a very surprising particle "shuttle," high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Sufficient, Well-functioning Bile Is Vital

Bile acids are made from cholesterol in the liver and stored and concentrated in the gallbladder where they act as an emulsifying agent to break up fat into smaller globules, making it more soluble or hydrophilic. This process is called micelle formation.  Fat and fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, K, beta-carotene, and the carotenoid family are carried to the intestinal mucosa, absorbed into the lymphatic system, and then into the bloodstream. So what is the best kept secret? First, break down the fat-soluble vitamins and then get them to the macula by raising HDL levels to 61 or above. Do you know what your HDL level is?

We discovered this secret by observing hundreds of macular-degeneration patients and had noted in their history that many had had their gallbladder removed or else they were obese or otherwise compromised and had trouble digesting fats, as evidenced by their dry skin, dry eyes, weight gain, gas and bloating, or floating or shiny stools after fatty meals had been consumed. The connection was obvious! No gallbladder, fat maldigestion, or liver or GI issues equaled problems. Half a million people a year are opting for cholecystectomy (gallbladder surgery), not realizing that they can simply cleanse the liver and gallbladder with a "flush,"[7] which is basically an "oil change" that removes old, stasis bile and relieves symptoms in most cases. It is not hard or expensive to do and anyone can do it. And it is certainly worth a try.

However, we are concerned – particularly in a patient with macular degeneration who has undergone cholecystectomy – that fat-soluble vitamins be effectively broken down and absorbed. It is hoped that practitioners caring for macular-degeneration patients incorporate these strategies into their standard of care so that non-responders will have more chance of improvement.

But proper breakdown isn't the end of the story. Nutrient transport is another key player. Call the HDL "Shuttle."

Best Kept Secret #2:  Lutein and Zeaxanthin Need HDL Particles

Lutein and zeaxanthin, critical components to replenish the macula, are carried in the bloodstream to the macula on HDL particles. That's amazing. Carotenoids responsible for central vision hitch a ride on a cholesterol particle and hone in on their destination: the macula. And you thought cholesterol was the enemy ... wrong! Cholesterol in a healthy ratio and thin bile are key players in this healthy-eye strategy.

Bile is made of bile salts, cholesterol esters, and lecithin. Keep cholesterol at a healthy, total level and at an optimal HDL-to-low density lipoprotein (LDL) ratio because if cholesterol is too low, we will not have enough of the raw materials we need to make bile. Be sure you have what it takes to make cholesterol. Even magnesium plays a part.  Blood-serum concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin by proper breakdown of nutrients into micellized globules is important, but equally important is the ability to transport them to their targeted destination. Unless HDL cholesterol is adequate – at least 61 milligrams per deciliter – time and money are potentially wasted on supplements.

Strategies to Raise HDL

Since keeping your HDL at 61 mg/dl or over is important, you might consider the following strategies:

• Exercise: Regular exercise that raises your heart rate for 20 to 30 minutes increases HDL.
• Lose Weight and stop eating transfats: Carotenoids concentrate in the fat first, so if overweight, lose weight! Meantime, while you're working on it, take more lutein and zeaxanthin and employ the most successful diet recorded to lose weight and reduce disease: the Hale Project[8] documented the amazing success of the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi). Not only is it a smart way to eat, but it also reduced all causes of death and disease by fifty percent in study participants aged 70-90 with active disease processes established after ten years adherence, practicing moderate red wine consumption, light exercise, and not smoking. Macular degeneration or not, this diet is proven!
• Drink Red Wine or use Resveratrol: High-altitude or heat-stressed vine wines from Argentina, Chile, Australia, or damp, moldy vines found in areas like the Finger Lakes of New York are typically higher in resveratrol and will not only raise HDL but also influence health at 1-2 glasses per day. If you don't drink wine or it is contraindicated for you, then use non-alcoholic resveratrol.
• Take Niacin and Fish Oil: both increase HDL.
• Quit Smoking: Besides reducing HDL smoking asphyxiates the eye.
• Get an Oil Change: Remove all transfats from your diet and replace them with healthy, healing oils to raise your HDL.  Employ olive oil, coconut oil, ghee, hemp oil, and flax oil.

There is strength in combining a multi-pronged approach, so consider employing the total approach. Preventing, halting, and even reversing blindness is worth every sacrifice or new habit employed to ensure success and these secrets are a winning combination.

 Summarizing the Total Approach

• Aim for an HDL of 61 mg/dl.
• Lose weight, if needed, and take a combination of supplements proven to halt or reverse macular degeneration. If overweight, take more than the recommended amount of carotenoids or use water-soluble zeaxanthin. In either case, employ the MeDi. It extends life and reduces disease.
• Take a supplement that supports proper fat breakdown along with a good eye vitamin.
• Do the 4R program[9] and/or a liver/gallbladder flush in the Spring and Fall to improve fat assimilation.
• Flush and nourish the liver/gallbladder.
• Eat a preferably organic diet, rich in the carotenoids, to replenish the macular pigment (MOPD –remember the pictures?). Egg yolk, kale, spinach, collard and turnip greens lightly steamed, romaine lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red and yellow vegetables, and fruits are all great sources.

This article is for informational purposes only. By providing the information herein, I am not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative, or conventional treatment or regime, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.

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Resources

• [1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117055

• [2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117055

• [3] http://curezone.com/schulze/herbal_5day_liver_cleanse.asp

• [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_biology

• [5] http://flt.metagenics.com/practitioners/programs/4r-gi-health-program

• [6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micelle

• [7] http://curezone.com/schulze/herbal_5day_liver_cleanse.html

• [8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15383513

• [9] http://flt.metagenics.com/practitioners/programs/4r-gi-health-program

Rosemary Protects Against Macular Degeneration

For modern cooks, rosemary is best known as the perfect herb to pair with a good roast chicken or lamb. But as with other herbs, it also has powerful and ancient medicinal properties. Modern science is catching up to what the ancients knew.  One scientific study finds that a compound in rosemary promotes eye health and may even protect against age-related macular degeneration.

Reporting in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, a team of scientists from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute led by Stuart A. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. discovered that carnosic acid, a component of the herb rosemary, protects your retina from degeneration and toxicity.

What is age-related macular degeneration?


Rosemary's health benefits

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common eye disease in the U.S.  It affects close to 11 million Americans, most over the age of 50. According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, macular degeneration causes deterioration of the central area of the retina, resulting in blind spots and blurred or distorted vision. One-third of people over the age of 76 suffer from the condition.

The underlying cause of macular degeneration is not known but some of the risk factors include smoking, sun exposure, high blood pressure and obesity. Genetics are believed to play a role in most cases.

Some earlier studies had suggested that the disease might be slowed by antioxidants that fight free radicals. That's where rosemary comes in.

In this study, Lipton and his colleagues found that retinal cells treated with carnosic acid found in rosemary triggered the production of antioxidant enzymes in the cells.  That in turn lowered cell-damaging free radicals.

They also tested carnosic acid in animals, finding that mice treated with it suffered less vision damage whden exposed to light.

Protection from macular degeneration is just the latest in rosemary's many health benefits which have been known for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks prized rosemary for its ability to boost memory.  And Greek students are reported to have worn rosemary sprigs in their hair when studying for exams.  Lipton and his team are also exploring whether rosemary may be useful in preventing certain forms of dementia.

In addition, rosemary has traditionally been used to stimulate the immune system, improve digestion, increase circulation and act as an anti-inflammatory.

In animal studies rosemary has been shown to act as an antidepressant, improve type 1 diabetes and even prevent weight gain from a high fat diet.

A Kansas State University study found rosemary to be the most effective of six spices tested in reducing the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs).  HCAs are carcinogenic compounds produced when animal foods such as beef, chicken, pork or fish, are barbecued, grilled, boiled or fried. Consuming HCAs through meat increases risk factors for colorectal, stomach, lung, pancreatic, mammary and prostate cancers.

Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary can be found just about everywhere today. A relative of mint, it grows in small shrubs and its leaves resemble pine needles.  It's widely available as a dried herb, supplement or essential oil.

Try placing whole fresh sprigs inside a roasting chicken or turkey, or in a pot of chicken soup. 

Rosemary is easily grown in pots at home.  At the holidays you can find decorative plants trimmed in the shape of small trees.  Keep one handy in your kitchen to remind you of its many health benefits.  

Stress, Magnesium and Disease

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that about 60% of adults in the United States do not consume the estimated average requirement for magnesium. What they don't tell us is that this 60% is based on minimum daily estimates set by the Department of Agriculture are set terribly low, so actually the number is much higher. In the best of times magnesium intake from white processed foods is on the level of starvation of this precious and very necessary mineral. Most Americans are actually malnourished and diseased because of it and because of the toxic loads they carry in their cells and blood.

The normal accepted recommended daily dietary amount of magnesium is only 300-400 mg. Many professionals feel this to be a bare minimum. Some would say that 1,000 mg is probably more in the range of what most people need due to stress (measured by cortisol levels) causing magnesium to be dumped into the sweat in increasing quantities. Actually there are all kinds of cellular stresses that drive down magnesium levels including chemical stress.

Radiation, chemicals and heavy metals put enormous stress on organs, tissues and cells. Magnesium mediates a good part of our body's ability to deal with and remove such toxic insults. Toxicities actually increase as magnesium levels fall. In plain language that means we have more allergic reactions, come down with the flu more often (never listen or trust anything the World Health Organizations says about the flu for most cases are actually not caused by a virus but by chemical stress), suffer from diabetes (diabetes is largely a result of these toxic stresses combined with overall malnutrition especially magnesium deficiency). Magnesium is the Ultimate Heart Medicine for you will always see deficient cellular magnesium in each and every case of heart disease, stroke, cancer and neurological decline.

In the Age of Toxicity we are suffering to live through we are from conception being exposed to poison and increased radiation exposure from medical tests, constant microwave exposure, and strong increases in environmental background radiation that has increased because of the American militaries passion for depleted uranium weapons, which they use on every major battlefield in modern times.

Magnesium levels thus fall through the years and it is not easy to reverse this decline. Oral supplementation is chancy at best because high dosages loosen the intestines. My book Transdermal Magnesium Therapy was a landmark medical text in that it presented what is commonly known as magnesium oil and how it can be applied directly to the skin or put into medical baths for transdermal absorption. The second edition of this in print text will be out in late November.

Mg deficiency increases susceptibility to the physiologic damage produced by stress. The adrenergic effects of psychological stress induce a shift of Mg from the intracellular to the extracellular space, increasing urinary excretion and eventually depleting body stores.¹ - Dr. Leo Galland

Recently the British Journal of Psychiatry published that people with a diet heavy in processed food had a 58% higher risk of depression. What they don't say is that the reason for the depression was lack of dietary magnesium in such diets and that depression can easily and best be treated with magnesium. What they do say is that a "whole food" diet protects against depression because of the combined effect of consuming nutrients from lots of different types of food, rather than the effect of one single nutrient. Though there is a glint of truth to this statement it hides the well-researched reality that it is magnesium levels that provide the key to our mental and emotional states.

In today's stressful world magnesium levels get driven further down. Not only does the stress eat up our magnesium stores at an accelerated pace but how we deal with our stress is also telling. For instance it's generally understood that liquor sales spike during an economic slump. According to a recent poll by Gallup Americans are downing more booze – 67% of Americans report that they consume alcohol on a regular basis. Increased alcoholic intake, which happens frequently in times of stress for some people, depletes magnesium in our bodies. Alcohol increases urinary magnesium excretion by as much as 260% above baseline values; this occurs within minutes of ingestion.2 Often by increasing magnesium, the perceived need for alcohol decreases while some of the depression and anxiety are alleviated.

Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2002 shows that when the diets of 2,566 children ages 11-19 were studied, less than 14% of boys and 12% of girls had adequate intakes of magnesium.

We can actually see the hate and foul viciousness of some of the richest people and companies on earth in this story because the truth and facts about magnesium are well known by researchers around the world. Magnesium is one of the most well studied nutrients and smart doctors reach for it quickly for patients suffering from heart attacks or strokes. We would have an entirely different world if governments got behind magnesium supplementation. People would be healthier and happier, would miss less days of work, would be less stressed and would be able to work harder and enjoy life more. We would also cut the world's medical bill down by a trillion or two dollars. This would upset people likeBill Gates and others like him who want to cut population not increase it.

Pharmaceutical companies especially don't want us to know anything about using simple minerals to help depression, reduce violence, reduce stress or stay healthy and out of the doctor's office and out of hospitals. Since the arrival of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants (SSRIs) and atypical antipsychotics on the market, countless studies have shown the so-called "new generation" of psychiatric drugs to be ineffective and dangerous but exceptionally profitable. There is no such thing as a substitute for the mineral magnesium.

Worldwide, sales of anti-psychotics went from $263 million in 1986 to $8.6 billion in 2004 and antidepressant sales went from $240 million in 1986 to $11.2 billion in 2004. For these two classes of drugs combined, sales went from $500 million in 1986 to nearly $20 billion in 2004, a 40-fold increase, according to Robert Whitaker, best-selling author of Mad in America.³ And God only knows how high these numbers have climbed to in the year 2010 when stress, mental and emotional disturbances are going off the charts.

Despite a dramatic increase in treatment of psychiatric disorders during the past 10 years, there has been no decrease in the rate of suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults, according to a federal study primarily funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. - The Washington Post

Police Chief Nannette H. Hegerty of Milwaukee said a few years ago that, "We're seeing a very angry population, and they don't go to fists anymore, they go right to guns," she said. "When we ask, 'Why did you shoot this guy?' it's, 'He bumped into me.' or, 'He looked at my girl the wrong way.'" said Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson of Philadelphia. "It's not like they're riding around doing drive-by shootings. It's arguments – stupid arguments over stupid things." While arguments have always made up a large number of homicides, the police say the trigger point now comes faster. In robberies, Milwaukee's Chief Hegerty said, "Even after the person gives up, the guy with the gun shoots him anyway. We didn't have as much of that before."

A marginal deficiency can easily be transformed into a more significant problem when stressful events trigger additional magnesium loss. In the extreme situations stressful events trigger sudden drops of serum magnesium leading to cardiac arrest. Even a mild deficiency of magnesium can cause increased sensitivity to noise, nervousness, irritability, mental depression, confusion, twitching, trembling, apprehension, and insomnia.

In recent years we've seen an increase of all kinds of weird violence as magnesium levels are driven lower and lower. Almost every week now we hear reports of people walking into schools in China stabbing teachers and children and in America also mass killings are slaughtering people and there they hide the fact that most of these assaulters are on pharmaceutical medications that drive their magnesium levels to the bottom.

I am in no way saying that magnesium is the answer to every problem in the world but it would go a long way to calm people down and reset the trigger points much higher. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended drinking water containing 25-50 mg of magnesium (Mg) per liter to prevent deaths from heart attack and stroke. American bottled water contains about 5 mg of Mg per liter, well below the 20 mg/l in the rest of the world's bottled water, according to the WHO. If the WHO was really interested in helping Americans, like they want to help with their dangerous vaccines, they would make sure that the government implemented these kinds of recommendations that would save countless lives.

Magnesium deficiency causes serotonin deficiency with possible resultant aberrant behaviors, including depression suicide or irrational violence. - Paul Mason

The Department of Family Medicine, Pomeranian Medical Academy, states that dietetic factors can play a significant role in the origin of ADHD and that magnesium deficiency can result in disruptive behavior.⁴ Even a mild deficiency of magnesium can cause sensitiveness to noise, nervousness, irritability, mental depression, confusion, twitching, trembling, apprehension, and insomnia. A significant number of researchers have shown that as much as 60-90% of illnesses are directly caused or exacerbated by stress. And in fact, numerous studies have shown that stress is related to major illnesses like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

There is now little question that stress can kill, meaning that magnesium deficiencies can put you in your grave. Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon recognized 90 years ago that when confronted by a threat – physical or emotional, real or imagined – the body responds with a rise in blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and breathing rate. We now know that this physiological "stress response" involves hormones and inflammatory chemicals that can foster everything from headaches to heart attacks in overdose.

It is clear that magnesium deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders. Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between magnesium and aggression,^5,6,7,8,9 anxiety,^10,11,12 ADHD,^13,14,15,16 bipolar disorder,^17,18 depression,^19,20,21,22and schizophrenia.^23,24,25,26 So you tell me who the real terrorists are? The sea is full of magnesium and it is easily sourced and applied orally, transdermally, through IVs and even nebulized directly into the lungs.

Patients who had made suicide attempts (by using either violent or nonviolent means) had significantly lower mean CSF magnesium level irrespective of the diagnosis.²⁷

Resources

• [1] www.mdheal.org/magnesiu1.htm

• [2] With chronic alcohol intake, body stores of magnesium become depleted. Reasons include inadequate intake, starvation ketosis, vomiting and diarrhea, and urinary excretion.www.mgwater.com/adequate.shtml

• [3] Evelyn Pringle: www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/ssri_offlabel.html

• [4] The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with ADHD. Mag Res 1997; 10(2):149-56.

• [5] Izenwasser SE et al. Stimulant-like effects of magnesium on aggression in mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 25(6):1195-9, 1986.

• [6] Henrotte JG. Type A behavior and magnesium metabolism. Magnesium 5:201-10, 1986.

• [7] Bennett CPW, McEwen LM, McEwen HC, Rose EL. The Shipley Project: treating food allergy to prevent criminal behaviour in community settings. J Nutr Environ Med 8:77-83, 1998.

• [8] Kirow GK, Birch NJ, Steadman P, Ramsey RG. Plasma magnesium levels in a population of psychiatric patients: correlation with symptoms. Neuropsychobiology 30(2-3):73-8, 1994.

• [9] Kantak KM. Magnesium deficiency alters aggressive behavior and catecholamine function. Behav Neurosci 102(2):304-11, 1988

• [10] Buist RA. Anxiety neurosis: The lactate connection. Int Clin Nutr Rev 5:1-4, 1985.

• [11] Seelig MS, Berger AR, Spieholz N. Latent tetany and anxiety, marginal Mg deficit, and normocalcemia. Dis Nerv Syst 36:461-5, 1975.

• [12] Durlach J, Durlach V, Bac P, et al. Magnesium and therapeutics. Magnes Res 7(3/4):313-28, 1994.

• [13] Durlach J. Clinical aspects of chronic magnesium deficiency, in MS Seelig, Ed. Magnesium in Health and Disease. New York, Spectrum Publications, 1980.

• [14] Kozielec T, Starobrat-Hermelin B. Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Magnes Res 10(2):143-8, 1997.

• [15] Kozielec T, Starobrat-Hermelin B. Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Magnes Res 10(2):143-8, 1997.

• [16] Starobrat-Hermelin B, Kozielec T. The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Positive response to magnesium oral loading test. Magnes Res 10(2):149-56, 1997.

• [17] George MS, Rosenstein D, Rubinow DR, et al. CSF magnesium in affective disorder: lack of correlation with clinical course of treatment. Psychiatry Res 51(2):139-46, 1994.

• [18] Kirov GK, Birch NJ, Steadman P, Ramsey RG. Plasma magnesium levels in a population of psychiatric patients: correlations with symptoms. Neuropsychobiology 1994;30(2-3):73-8, 1994.

• [19] Linder J et al. Calcium and magnesium concentrations in affective disorder: Difference between plasma and serum in relation to symptoms. Acta Psychiatr Scand 80:527-37, 1989

• [20] Frazer A et al. Plasma and erythrocyte electrolytes in affective disorders. J Affect Disord 5(2):103-13, 1983.

• [21] Bjorum N. Electrolytes in blood in endogenous depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 48:59-68, 1972.

• [22] Cade JFJA. A significant elevation of plasma magnesium levels in schizophrenia and depressive states. Med J Aust 1:195-6, 1964.

• [23] Levine J, Rapoport A, Mashiah M, Dolev E. Serum and cerebrospinal levels of calcium and magnesium in acute versus remitted schizophrenic patients. Neuropsychobiology 33(4):169-72, 1996.

• [24] Kanofsky JD et al. Is iatrogenic hypomagnesemia common in schizophrenia? Abstract. J Am Coll Nutr 10(5):537, 1991.

• [25] Kirov GK, Tsachev KN. Magnesium, schizophrenia and manic-depressive disease. Neuropsychobiology 23(2):79-81, 1990.

• [26] Chhatre SM et al. Serum magnesium levels in schizophrenia. Ind J Med Sci 39(11):259-61, 1985.

• [27] Banki CM, Vojnik M, Papp Z, Balla KZ, Arato M. Cerebrospinal fluid magnesium and calcium related to amine metabolites, diagnosis, and suicide attempts. Biol Psychiatry. 1985 Feb;20(2):163-71.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Herbal Medicine

Several herbs and acupuncture points are particularly helpful in the treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). In a recent HealthCMi online acupuncture CEU webinar, we covered several herbs that invigorate blood circulation and clear heat & toxins. Three standout herbs are Bai Jiang Cao, Hong Teng and Lu Lu Tong. They have the ability to address the infectious lingering pathogenic factors associated with PID as well as the concomitant Qi and Blood stasis. Let's take a look...

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is the inflammation of the female pelvic organs or tissues. Often this is due to an ascending intravaginal infection, however, it may also be caused by endogenous factors such as Liver Qi stagnation transforming into Fire and Heat in the Blood. External pernicious influences include gonorrhea, chlamydia and a variety of other infectious microorganism infections. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), PID is the invasion of damp-heat and toxins causing Blood stasis in the lower jiao (burner). Chronic cases are complicated by a complex mix of cold and deficiency syndromes such as Spleen Qi deficiency, Kidney Yang deficiency and cold stagnation in the Liver Channel. Common presentations of PID are cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, oophoritis and broad ligament infections.

PID often causes inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and ovarian obstructions and adhesions. This is often due to congealed exudate lingering from the acute phase of the infectious aspect of PID. The predominant symptoms for all cases of PID are lower abdominal pain and leukorrhea. The acute stage often presents as a clinical emergency requiring hospitalization, however, some cases are completely asymptomatic in the initial acute stage. Chlamydia infections, for example, may be completely asymptomatic.

The chronic stage involves less severe symptoms such as the Yangming or Qi level heat often occurring in the acute stage. Often, there is lingering Ying level heat or Taiyin stage involvement. Blood stasis in the form of scar tissue from PID may lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies. Over 750,000 women suffer from PID every year in the USA and approximately 150 women die every year in the USA due to either PID or its complications.

Biomedical tests include cultures, smear, ultrasonography and laparoscopy. Biomedical treatments include antibiotics, surgical drainage of abscesses and surgical removal of affected tissues. Chronic repeated episodes of PID are often treated with multiple exploratory surgical procedures.

In the acupuncture clinic, we often distinguish chronic PID from endometriosis by the character of the pain. Often, PID presents with severe pain in the acute stage followed by a lower level of pain in the chronic stage. Endometriosis pain worsens over time and worsens towards the end of each menstrual cycle. Leukorrhea is more common in PID and PID pain flare-ups may precede the menstrual cycle whereas this is less common with endometriosis.

The Daimai (Dai Vessel, Belt Channel, Girdling Channel), Chong (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren (Conception Vessel) are always disturbed in cases of PID. Also, local channels are involved, particularly the Liver and Stomach channels. Let’s take a look at three herbs that treat both the Damp-Heat and toxins and the Blood stasis involved in PID. To learn more beyond this blog, take the PID anytime courses or live webinars at HealthCMi.

Herbs that clear heat and toxins, regulate Qi and invigorate Blood address the central disharmonies found in PID. Bai Jiang Cao is a standout because it clears heat & toxins, drains pus & abscesses and removes Blood stasis. Bai Jiang Cao’s ability to move the Blood helps to relieve the pain caused by PID. This is why Bai Jiang Cao is also valuable in the treatment of appendicitis, peritonitis, post-partum abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea and inflammation of the intestines. Bai Jiang Cao enters the Large Intestine, Liver and Stomach channels and is cold, pungent and bitter.

Lu Lu Tong, translated as all roads open, is an important herb for the treatment of PID because it moves Qi and Blood in the channels and collaterals. Lu Lu Tong is also helpful because it promotes urination to drain the dampness and expels wind. One caveat, Lu Lu Tong should not be used for pregnant women due to its Blood invigorating properties. Lu Lu Tong is neutral, bitter and enters the Liver and Stomach channels. Lu Lu Tong helps to relieve lower abdominal pain and back pain due to PID from its ability to move Qi and Blood. Its ability to move Qi and Blood and to promote urination makes Lu Lu Tong an excellent choice for treating fallopian tube blockages and pelvic region adhesions due to damp stagnation and Blood stagnation. Lu Lu Tong is appropriate for use in both acute and chronic PID. Lu Lu Tong also treats joint pain and traumatic injuries. Lu Lu Tong has a general anti-inflammatory effect and expels wind. As a result, Lu Lu Tong treats skin and nasal allergies. Lu Lu Tong moves the Qi and Blood and enters the Liver and Stomach channels making this herb also helpful in resolving post-surgical adhesions and for the treatment of endometriosis in addition to its ability to treat PID.

Hong Teng, translated as red vine, also goes by the name of Da Xue Teng. It also clears heat & toxins and dispels Blood stasis. It is a very valuable herb in the treatment of multiple presentations of PID. Hong Teng is neutral and bitter and enters the Large Intestine and Liver channels. Hong Teng relieves Blood stasis related pain and is an important herb for the treatment of intestinal abscesses and abscesses due to PID because it clears heat & toxins and invigorates blood. Hong Teng is also valuable in the treatment of appendicitis, injuries, joint pain and dysmenorrhea.

Menorrhagia and other forms of abnormal uterine bleeding are common complications resulting from PID. Leukorrhea is the most common symptom along with lower abdominal pain. As a result, it is appropriate to go ahead and mention one more very important herb. The presence of leukorrhea is why Chun Gen Pi (Chun Pi) is an important herb for the treatment of PID. Chun Pi is cold, bitter and astringent and enters the Large Intestine, Stomach and Liver Channels. Chun Pi is an astringent category herb that clears heat and dries dampness. Chun Pi also stops bleeding. Chun Pi is an excellent choice for the treatment of red, yellow and white belt leukorrhea because it clears heat and dries dampness while at the same time it exerts an astringent function. Chun Pi is therefore applicable for the treatment of many types of uterine bleeding both for excess and deficiency including Yin deficiency and Damp-Heat as causative factors. Another reason why Chun Pi is an excellent choice for the treatment of PID is that it has an anti-fungal and anti-parasitic function. This addresses the polymicrobial nature of some forms of PID. Chun Pi is also commonly used for the treatment of dysentery and chronic diarrhea.

To learn more about acupuncture points, channel theory, differential diagnostics, lab tests, factors of susceptibility and herbal formulas for the treatment of PID, take a look at HealthCMi acupuncture CEU courses. HealthCMi features both anytime CEU courses for immediate download and live webinars on the topic. Simply purchase and download the course materials, take the online quiz and download your certificate of completion for acupuncture CEU credit.

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Chinese Medicine Dietetics Clears Acne & Skin Disorders

Toxicity in the skin leads to conditions such as eczema, hives, rashes and acne. A few changes in the diet help to clear the skin. According to Chinese Medicine principles, skin swellings are often due to damp-heat toxins, Stomach heat, heat in the Blood, Liver heat, Qi stagnation, wind-heat, Blood deficiency and Yin deficiency. Although this is not a complete list of differential diagnostics associated with skin conditions, it represents a vast majority of cases in a typical clinical presentation at an acupuncture office. Today, I’d like to review simple recipes that benefit the skin.

For most acupuncturists, the usual do’s and don’ts apply to patient recommendations. The don’ts are the usual culprits: deep fried foods, dairy products, refined sugar, barbecue dishes, excessively hot and spicy dishes and foods that have a Fa nature. Prof. Jeffrey Pang, L.Ac. and I often review the basics of Fa foods in our online Chinese Medicine dietetics webinars for acupuncture CEU credit. Foods with a Fa nature are those that stimulate pathogenic factors and create disharmonies such as toxicity, phlegm and damp-heat. Fa foods exacerbate inflammatory conditions and have a deleterious effect on skin disorders, wound healing, allergies, tumors and cancer. Regarding wound healing, a diet filled with Fa foods may lead to scar formation.

Fa foods are relative to the patient’s differential diagnosis. 

• Patients with heat conditions react to foods such as chives, ginger, peppers, goat meat, dog meat, rooster and barbecue items. 
• Patients with wind conditions react to shellfish such as shrimp and crabs and also fish that do not have scales. 
• Patients with damp conditions react to Yi Tang, Nuo Mi, Ji Niang, Mi Jiu and tropical fruits such as Mango, Lychee and Liu Lian. 
• Patients with cold conditions should avoid cooling foods such as pear, persimmon and raw foods. 
• Patients with Qi and Blood deficiency do well to avoid blood invigorating herbs such as chili peppers and white pepper. 
• Patients with Qi stagnation or Stomach food stagnation issues do well to avoid potatoes and beans. 

Although many of the aforementioned foods can be a healthy addition to one’s diet, they take on a Fa nature if they are not properly match to the patient’s underlying constitution.

Let’s take a look at some simple food items and recipes that benefit the skin. One Chinese herbal medicine that is available in Asian supermarkets as an instant breakfast cereal is Yi Yi Ren. Simply add hot water to powdered Yi Yi Ren, stir and consume as a porridge. Yi Yi Ren is often labeled as pearl barley, coix seeds or Job’s tears in supermarkets. Yi Yi Ren drains the dampness, promotes urination, clears wind-dampness, clears heat and eliminates pus. Yi Yi Ren is slightly cold, sweet and bland. Yi Yi Ren is often added to herbal formulas for the treatment of edema, dysuria, difficult urination, urinary tract stones, diarrhea, arthritis, joint pain, muscle spasms, lung abscesses, intestinal abscesses, carbuncles, acne, vaginal yeast infections and appendicitis. Yi Yi Ren is very mild and therefore is rarely the chief herb of an herbal formula. However, as a consistent supplement to one’s diet, Yi Yi Ren exerts powerful effects on the skin. It helps to clear swellings, general inflammation and smoothes the skin. Yi Yi Ren adds a clarity and healthy luminance to the skin.

A simple snack to clear heat and toxins from the skin is made with mung beans and seaweed: Hai Zao (hijiki, sargassum), Kun Bu (kelp, Ecklonia kurome Okam.) and/or Hai Dai (kelp, konbu, kombu, Laminaria japonica Aresch.). For frequent use, Hai Zao is not recommended but rather Kun Bu and Hai Dai are better choices. Hai Zao, although more potent medicinally for thyroid disorders and swellings, may contain trace amounts of inorganic arsenic and may not be appropriate as an everyday snack. The source of the seaweed often determines if contaminants have been absorbed. Notably, all three seaweeds are also helpful in the treatment of obesity, hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis.

No conversation about benefitting the skin with dietetics is complete without mentioning  jellyfish. Jellyfish dissolves nodules and clears heat and toxins. It can be served as a noodle and lightly sprinkled with sesame seeds for finish. Never sauté jellyfish. This will ruin its consistency and medicinal function. After purchasing jellyfish at your local Asian supermarket, simply boil it for a few minutes to cleanse and prepare it for consumption. Next, add seasonings such as soy sauce or Chinese vinegar. Jellyfish powerfully clears the skin and is an excellent choice for someone wanting to shed a few pounds of fat. Jellyfish also helps to dissolve tumors and phlegm nodules.

That brings me to a simple external application for the treatment of acne. Take powdered Qing Dai (indigo) and add either a little cucumber or bitter melon juice to form a paste. Apply externally to acne and other skin swellings and retain for no less than 20 minutes. Powdered Qing Dai tends to repel water and therefore the vegetable juices are easier to mix. Cucumber and bitter melon juices tend to help Qing Dai form a more usable paste that is easy to manage. If cucumber and bitter melon are unavailable, use Qing Dai with water. Be prepared to work the water into the Qing Dai with a whisk or brush. Warn anyone using Qing Dai that it stains clothing. I recommend wearing an old T-shirt when preparing and applying the paste. This paste is very effective and has the ability to clear deep cystic acne.

Qing Dai enters the Liver, Lung and Stomach channels and is cold and salty. Qing Dai clears heat and toxins and also cools the blood and stops bleeding. Qing Dai is commonly used in the treatment of mouth & tongue ulcers, eczema, boils, skin eruptions, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, epistaxis, coughing with blood and blood in the sputum.

Bitter melon juice is the preferred binding agent for the Qing Dai external application paste due to its powerful function but cucumber is also an excellent choice. Cucumber is naturally beneficial to the skin and clears lung & stomach heat. Bitter melon has a more potent, herbal level, medicinal effect but availability becomes an issue if one does not have access to an Asian market. Bitter melon (Ku Gua) originated in India and it powerfully clears heat and toxins. Research demonstrates that bitter melon has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory medicinal effects. Bitter melon is an excellent choice for diabetics because of its ability to lower blood sugar levels. Bitter melon is especially potent in treating acne and gum inflammation.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Topical for Acne

External pastes for the treatment of acne complement internal herbal medicine and acupuncture. A great external paste for the treatment of acne is comprised of Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) mixed with either fresh bitter melon or cucumber juice. This is a handy external paste that has been presented in HealthCMi dietetics and dermatology webinars and online courses for acupuncture CEU & PDA continuing education credit.

Qing Dai enters the Lung, Liver and Stomach channels. Qing Dai clears heat and toxins, cools the blood and stops bleeding. Order Qing Dai in the powdered raw herb form. It is best to avoid raw herbs that have been processed with sulfur and phosphates, please check with your supplier.

If a patient tries to make a paste from Qing Dai with boiling water, the Qing Dai will repel the water. A concerted effort of whisking does make this possible but the process is slightly tedious. The use of bitter melon or cucumber juice makes the mixing process much easier for the patient. Have the patient squeeze the bitter melon or cucumber to produce a small amount of juice to help mix the Qing Dai powder into a paste. Bitter melon is significantly more clinically effective, however, cucumber is more available and its ability to clear Lung and Stomach heat works well with Qing Dai.

The patient takes the paste and generously applies it to the areas where the acne is located. It is best to leave the paste on the affected regions for at least twenty minutes but longer periods are preferred. Next, the patient carefully washes off the paste. It is best to repeat this process everyday until the acne resolves.

Inform the patient that Qing Dai imparts a temporary green color to the skin, which is not permanent. The patient should be prepared to wash thoroughly in order to remove all of the green coloring. In addition, the patient needs to know that Qing Dai stains clothing and that it is often best to wear an old shirt when applying the paste. To learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine dietetics and the treatment of acne, http://www.healthcmi.com/blog/749-acnekunbu

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New Research - Chinese Herb & Acupuncture Clear Ulcerative Colitis

New research finds a very powerful Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herb effective in resolving ulcerative colitis. The patients examined in the study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology suffered from intractable ulcerative colitis and were unresponsive to conventional drug therapy. After use of the herbal medicine, 6 of the 7 patients in the study were able to completely discontinue the use of anti-inflammatory medications. This included the use of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and azathioprine. Endoscopy and symptomatic responses showed everything from significant clinical improvements to a complete resolution of the condition.

Herbal Powder
The patients orally self-administered 1 gram of Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) powder, 2 times per day for 4 months. The results of the herbal program demonstrated significant clinical and objective improvements such that 6 of the 7 patients completely discontinued the use of prednisolone, a corticosteroid used to control ulcerative colitis. The researchers examined Qing Dai to learn more about its effective mechanisms of action. Using electron spin resonance, they discovered that Qing Dai has potent hydroxl radical scavenging activity. This discovery prompted the researchers to recommend further investigation into the mechanisms of Qing Dai’s anti-inflammatory effects.

This research coincides with other recent research demonstrating that acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective in the clearing of chronic ulcerative colitis. Published in the Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, the study showed that a combination of herbal enemas consisting of Ku Shen and Bai Tou Weng combined with an acupuncture treatment regime was significantly more effective than taking antibiotics for resolving ulcerative colitis.

The Qing Dai study examined the oral administration of Qing Dai in its powdered form. Qing Dai has received a great deal of attention in modern research. One recent research study found that I3M, synthesized from the indirubin found in Qing Dai, downregulates cancerous tissues when applied topically to oral cancer. This shows great potential for the treatment of oral cancer. Historically, TCM documents Qing Dai as an important herb in the treatment of ulcers in the mouth and tongue. TCM also documents the use of Qing Dai as a topical paste for the treatment of acne and topical ointment for the treatment psoriasis. HealthCMi recently published instructions on how to prepare the anti-acne topical paste in its blog section. Visit the Healthcare Medicine Institute's blog to learn more.  http://www.healthcmi.com/blog/815-qingdaiceu

The I3M study cited the TCM formula Dang Gui Long Hui Wan as an historically important herbal compound for the treatment of chronic myelocytic leukemia. Many sources include Qing Dai as one of the ingredients in this formula that contains Dang Gui, Long Dan Cao, Zhi Zi, Huang Lian, Huang Bai, Huang Qin, Lu Hui, Da Huang, Qing Dai, Mu Xiang, She Xiang and Sheng Jiang. The researchers suggest that the indigo dye found in Qing Dai is partially responsible for the herbal formula’s efficaciousness given the modern research demonstrating that indirubin powerfully inhibits several types of human cancer cells. The Qing Dai researchers noted that modern studies demonstrate that indirubin has anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing interferon-alpha, interleukin-6 and nuclear factor. They added that Qing Dai has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory “effects on human neutrophils based on its ability to suppress superoxide generation.”

Clinical Highlight
The Qing Dai study highlighted specific clinical results of its participants. One patient vignette was of a man suffering from ulcerative colitis with hematochezia, the passage of fresh blood through the anus. This patient had taken antibiotics and prednisolone to control the hematochezia. However, he was unable to reduce the dosage of prednisolone without the return of hematochezia. Over time, the patient needed to increase the drug dosages to maintain clinical results and he showed no clinical improvements in his baseline condition. After 3 years, he began the Qing Dai treatments and after one month the hematochezia resolved completely. Objective testing also showed a marked decrease in serum C-reactive protein levels. The patient was able to discontinue the use of all drugs. Endoscopy revealed that his ulcers completely disappeared. A follow-up confirmed that the therapeutic effect of Qing Dai therapy lasted for more than 2 years.

The researchers note that other related research finds important clinical results from the use of Qing Dai. Yuan, et al, discovered that Qing Dai enemas are clinically effective for the treatment of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Given the recent research combining acupuncture with herbal medicine demonstrating that enemas of Ku Shen combined with Bai Tou Weng are effective for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, it may be consistent that adding Qing Dai to the enema will enhance its therapeutic effects.

Distinct from Qing Dai used as a one herb formula for the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis is its use within herbal formulas within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Differential diagnostics within the TCM system recognise Qing Dai’s appropriate application for this biomedically defined disorder in cases of Heat in the Blood, Damp Heat and Heat and Toxins. However, some clinical presentations of chronic ulcerative colitis may be due to cases of cold and deficiency. In these instances, herbal medicines with very different biological functions may exert more effective clinical actions for the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis.

References:

Suzuki, Hideo, Tsuyoshi Kaneko, Yuji Mizokami, Toshiaki Narasaka, Shinji Endo, Hirofumi Matsui, Akinori Yanaka, Aki Hirayama, and Ichinosuke Hyodo. "Therapeutic efficacy of the Qing Dai in patients with intractable ulcerative colitis." World journal of gastroenterology: WJG 19, no. 17 (2013): 2718.

Clinical observation on treating chronic ulcerative colitis with retention enema by Baitouweng Kushen decoction and acupuncture, Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1674-7860, 2013.

Lo W-Y, Chang N-W (2013) An Indirubin Derivative, Indirubin-3′-Monoxime Suppresses Oral Cancer Tumorigenesis through the Downregulation of Survivin. PLoS ONE 8(8): e70198. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070198.Editor: A. R. M. Ruhul Amin, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, United States of America.

Yuan G, Ke Q, Su X, Yang J, Xu X. Qing Dai, A traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Zhong De Linchuang Zhongliuxue Zazhi. 2009;8:114–116.

Lin YK, Leu YL, Huang TH, Wu YH, Chung PJ, Su Pang JH, Hwang TL. Anti-inflammatory effects of the extract of indigo naturalis in human neutrophils. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;125:51–58.

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