PODCAST #13 6-1-07

WELCOME TO THE 13th EDITION OF THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PODCAST

Good Herbal Information

Echinacea
The New England Journal of Medicine NEJM. Recently published a study casting doubt on the effectiveness of
Echinacea. What was not reported was that the dose used in the study was less than one–third the dose recommended by the World Health Organization. A Canadian study showed that volunteers that took Echinacea at the onset of colds experienced 23% milder, shorter symptoms, such as sore throat, stuffy nose, and chills, then those taking a placebo. This is one of many studies showing Echinacea’s effectiveness.

Melatonin lowers nocturnal blood pressure.
For 4 weeks 19 adults with nocturnal hypertension (diagnosed with a 24-hour monitor) took 2 mg. of Melatonin two hours before bedtime as well as their blood pressure medication. 19 controls took their blood pressure medication alone. Blood pressure was significantly reduced in the Melatonin users. The other group reported no change.

Garlic
In a recent German study, 152 patients with advanced atherosclerosis who took 900 mg daily of garlic powder for four years experienced a 3% decrease in existing arterial plaques in their neck (carotid) and thigh (femoral) arteries. Those taking a placebo experienced more than a 15% increase in arterial plaques. This is a good study because it was long term and used the correct dosage.

Ginkgo
An overwhelming majority of Ginkgo trials have shown positive results. At least 33 randomized, controlled trials have shown this herb to enhance mental functioning or slow cognitive deterioration in older patients with dementia. While another 13 controlled studies have shown Ginkgo to boost memory and cognitive performance in healthy adults. A few people experience mild stomach upset, Ginkgo should be taken with caution by people taking blood thinners. The dosage is: 60 mg twice a day taken with food.

A 12-ounce can of sugared soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar; drinking one can of soda a day can add up to 15 pounds of fat in a year.

Milk Thistle
At least 19 out of 21 clinical studies (a total 2,200 people out of 2,400) have shown Milk Thistle to protect the liver against invasive toxins and possibly even stimulate the generation of new liver cells.

MORE INFORMATION ON STATINS (CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS)
Most people tolerate statin drugs very well.  However, as is true with all drugs, some people develop serious side effects.
The most common are muscle pain and weakness. Cognitive problems are the second most common problems.
Hundreds of cases of statin-induced memory loss and TGA (Transient Global amnesia) have been reported to FDA’s MedWatch
More then 12 million people in the USA take statin drugs. People and doctors are not warned sufficiently on drug labels and inserts about statin-induced memory loss.
Without this awareness, Physicians and patients are more likely to attribute declining memory or black out spells to dementia, stroke or just old age rather then cholesterol lowering drugs.
Dr. Golomb has received more 4,000 reports of cognitive dysfunction some so severe they were diagnosed as rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Graveline’s web site “www.spacedoc.net” contains almost 10,000 accounts of statin damage.
Statins lower cholesterol but do they lower heart attacks? Fifty percent of the people with heart attacks have normal cholesterol. Not a single study shows that statins are beneficial for women. The largest randomized clinical trial of statins in women found that those who took Lipitor actually had 10 % more heart attacks then women taking a placebo. There is no research suggesting that statins prevent heart attacks or extend life for anyone over age 70---women or men—including those at high risk of heart disease.
The only people ever shown in clinical studies to benefit at all from statin drugs are middle aged men at high risk for heart attack (high risk is having existing coronary artery disease, diabetes, disease of the blood vessels to the brain or extremities, or two or more risk factors, such as hypertension and smoking).
Another web site is statineffects.com.

That’s all for PODCAST #13. I hope you found it interesting and informative. The next PODCAST will be the week of July. 1

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ON THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS PODCAST OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS
health@lencolabs.com.

For more information on this subject and other subjects go to www.lencolabs.com, thank you for listening to the health and happiness podcast with--Leonard Austin