Category: Cancer

Prostate Cancer, PSA, and Biopsies – A Critical Look

By Nurse Mark

Cancer is a terrifying word. It generates mental images of pain and suffering and disfigurement and disability. It seems almost everyone knows of someone who has died a hideous death from cancer. We instinctively recoil from cancer as we might from a venomous reptile or insect. We react with revulsion. The “ick factor.”

For this reason the word “cancer” can be used by doctors to justify almost anything – no matter how risky, unproven, or nonsensical, if something is presented as being necessary to “fight this thing” or “catch it early” most people will meekly agree in order to purge themselves of the “ick factor” that the thought of cancer brings.

Prostate cancer is especially troublesome for men, because it hits us “where it hurts” – like a “kick in the…” – well, you know what I mean… It conjures up visions of emasculation, incontinence, and unpleasant medical and surgical procedures performed on our most sensitive parts.

But is prostate cancer really all that it is made up to be? Is it really a dread disease that strikes down virile men in their prime, killing all it touches? Or is that the “marketing angle” used to sell expensive tests, surgeries, drugs, and treatments?

Let’s look at the whole issue a little more deeply.

Normal Prostate AnatomyWhat the heck is this prostate thing anyway?

In men the prostate is a walnut-sized lump of tissue that surrounds the urethra – the tube that carries urine out of the bladder – just below the urinary bladder. It normally weighs around 11 grams (just over 1/3 of an ounce) but can range from 7 to 11 grams and be considered normal. Its main purpose is to produce a fluid that aids in reproduction, transporting and protecting the sperm during the reproductive act.

Women have a similar organ, and female paraurethral glands called Skene’s glands were officially renamed the female prostate by the Federative International Committee on Anatomical Terminology in 2002. But that is a whole different story, since the female prostate doesn’t seem to encounter the same troubles as the male prostate does…

So what’s the big deal about it?

For men, there are a couple of potential problems with the prostate.

First, and most commonly, like ears and noses the prostate just doesn’t seem to know when to stop growing. In older men this leads to a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (or BPH) and can cause problems with urination since while it grows in size outwardly it also tends to tighten down on the urethra as it gets larger – with predictable results. Difficulty starting urination and difficulty emptying the bladder fully lead to a condition known as Urinary Frequency. This usually results in multiple trips to the bathroom through the day and more significantly through the night.Normal and Enlarged Prostate

It is believed that this unnecessary growth of the prostate begins at around age 30 and that by age 50 at least 50% of men will have evidence of BPH. This number increases to include 75% of men who reach the age of 80, and some 40% to 50% of those men will experience symptoms from this otherwise benign growth.

The second and more serious problem occurs when some of those ever-increasing numbers of prostate cells become cancerous.

Most prostate cancers are what considered “indolent” (that’s right – indolent means lazy, lethargic or idle) and more men than you might imagine actually have cancerous cells in their prostate but never, ever know it. One autopsy study of men who died of other causes found prostate cancer in 30% of men in their 50s, and in 80% of men in their 70s. It seems that any man who lives long enough will have prostate cancer eventually.

A few of those cancers however are of a more aggressive nature and can grow quickly, escaping the confines of the prostate gland and affecting other areas of the body in a process known as metastasis. These prostate cancers tend not to be without symptoms however, and are usually easy for an observant doctor to detect – a simple Digital Rectal Exam (the “dreaded DRE”) where the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum and simply feels the surface of the prostate gland will quickly reveal any lumps or bumps or hardness that could indicate a cancer.

Well, how can a fellow know?

Good question – since most men go through life with nary an untoward symptom from their prostate.

Even though they may actually have an “enlarged” prostate, or even a cancerous prostate, chances are very good that most men will never know it and will go on to die from some other cause – things like a heart attack or stroke, an infection like pneumonia, an accident, old age, or even (as the joke goes) “shot by a jealous husband” are a far more likely end for most men.

When they do occur, symptoms of BPH that might send a man to his doctor include urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, urinary tract infections, urinary retention, or insomnia caused by frequent awakening to urinate through the night.

Cancer in the prostate, as mentioned, is often quite asymptomatic (without symptoms or complaints) for most men since it is usually “indolent” – slow growing and not aggressive. When the cancer is an aggressive kind the symptoms will often be fairly obvious: as in BPH they include frequent urination, nocturia (increased urination at night), and difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine.

Because the cancerous cells are abnormal additional symptoms can include hematuria (blood in the urine), and dysuria (painful urination). Problems with sexual function and performance like difficulty achieving an erection or painful ejaculation can occur. And, should the cancer escape the prostate other areas of the body can be affected – the bone is a common site for these metastasis, with bone pain and weakness being common symptoms.

But my doctor – can he know?

Digital Rectal Exam of the Prostate GlandSure – if you help. Your doctor will do a number of things – but the most important thing will be to sit and talk with you. He (or she) will start out by just talking – asking about your family history, any symptoms you may be experiencing, your recent and past medical history, and so on. He will do a physical examination with DRE, and may order some lab tests – more on that in a moment.

For most men that’s as far as it needs to go – if you are not having any symptoms and the doctor doesn’t find anything on physical exam that rings his alarm bells then you can relax until next year’s annual physical exam when he should be doing the same thing all over again for you.

Well, what about the PSA test – isn’t that the best way to know?

Maybe, and no. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the PSA test and it’s promoted use as a “screening tool” for prostate cancer. While the drug companies, laboratories, and urologists continue to support PSA testing as a universal screening tool for all men, most of the rest of conventional medicine is quietly turning away from the test except in specific circumstances.

Even the discoverer of PSA, researcher Richard J Ablin – whose father died of prostate cancer – concluded in a 2010 OpEd article in The New York Times:

“I never dreamed that my discovery four decades ago would lead to such a profit-driven public health disaster. The medical community must confront reality and stop the inappropriate use of P.S.A. screening. Doing so would save billions of dollars and rescue millions of men from unnecessary, debilitating treatments.”

He says in his letter:

“American men have a 16 percent lifetime chance of receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, but only a 3 percent chance of dying from it. That’s because the majority of prostate cancers grow slowly. In other words, men lucky enough to reach old age are much more likely to die with prostate cancer than to die of it.”

And he continued:

“Even then, the [PSA] test is hardly more effective than a coin toss. As I’ve been trying to make clear for many years now, P.S.A. testing can’t detect prostate cancer and, more important, it can’t distinguish between the two types of prostate cancer — the one that will kill you and the one that won’t.”

More and more conventional medical governing bodies are moving away from PSA testing:

The American College of Preventive Medicine conducted a study that found:

“…no convincing evidence that early screening, detection, and treatment improves mortality. Limitations of prostate cancer screening include potential adverse health effects associated with false-positive and negative results, and treatment side effects.”

They issued a statement to say that

“there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine population screening with DRE or PSA.”

The American College of Physicians has taken a similar cautionary stance:

“…PSA is not just a blood test. It can open the door to more testing and treatment that a man may not want or that may harm him. Because chances of being harmed are greater than chances of benefiting, each man should have the opportunity to decide for himself whether to be screened.”

The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Physicians together concluded that based on recent research:

“…it is uncertain whether the benefits associated with PSA testing for prostate cancer screening are worth the harms associated with screening and subsequent unnecessary treatment.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says in their recommendation against the use of PSA testing:

“…many men are harmed as a result of prostate cancer screening and few, if any, benefit.”

Even The American Urological Association – whose members obviously stand to profit handsomely from all things associated with the prostate – has issued a guideline that makes the following statements:

  • PSA screening in men under age 40 years is not recommended.
  • Routine screening in men between ages 40 to 54 years at average risk is not recommended.
  • For men ages 55 to 69 years, the decision to undergo PSA screening involves weighing the benefits of preventing prostate cancer mortality in 1 man for every 1,000 men screened over a decade against the known potential harms associated with screening and treatment. For this reason, shared decision-making is recommended for men age 55 to 69 years that are considering PSA screening, and proceeding based on patients’ values and preferences.
  • To reduce the harms of screening, a routine screening interval of two years or more may be preferred over annual screening in those men who have participated in shared decision-making and decided on screening. As compared to annual screening, it is expected that screening intervals of two years preserve the majority of the benefits and reduce over diagnosis and false positives.
  • Routine PSA screening is not recommended in men over age 70 or any man with less than a 10-15 year life expectancy.

Now, to be fair, there a number of medical experts (besides the drug and laboratory industry) that are still actively, even enthusiastically promoting universal PSA screening for men – the British Journal of Urology published a “consensus statement” created by a group of self-described “leading prostate cancer experts from around the world” who met at the 2013 Prostate Cancer World Congress in Melbourne, Australia and presented their recommendations for PSA testing.

Here are some highlights of their statement called The Melbourne Consensus Statement on Prostate Cancer Testing:

First, the authors emphasize that:

“For men aged 50–69, level 1 evidence demonstrates that PSA testing reduces prostate cancer-specific mortality and the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer.”

BUT they go on to say…

“…the degree of over-diagnosis and over-treatment reduces considerably with longer follow-up.
While routine population-based screening is not recommended, healthy, well-informed men in this age group should be fully counseled about the positive and negative aspects of PSA testing to reduce their risk of metastases and death. This should be part of a shared decision-making process.”

AND…

“Although screening is essential to diagnose high-risk cases within the window of curability, it is clear that many men with low-risk prostate cancer do not need aggressive treatment.
While it is accepted that active surveillance does not address the issue of over-diagnosis, it does provide a vehicle to avoid excessive intervention.”

AND…

“PSA testing should not be considered on its own, but rather as part of a multivariable approach to early prostate cancer detection. PSA is a weak predictor of current risk and additional variables such as digital rectal examination, prostate volume, family history, ethnicity, risk prediction models, and new tools such as the phi test, can help to better risk stratify men.”

AND FINALLY…

“…a man in his 70s who has had a stable PSA at or below the median for a number of years previously is at low risk of developing a threatening prostate cancer and regular PSA screening should be discouraged.”

In other words: With regular PSA testing a very narrowly defined group of men in a narrow age range might have an aggressive, treatable cancer detected but routine screening of all men is not recommended. They recognize that PSA testing frequently leads to over-diagnosis and over-treatment and that for many men there is no need for aggressive treatment. And finally, they admit that PSA testing “is a weak predictor of current risk” and should be considered only one part of an overall approach to men’s prostate health.

But I did get tested, and my PSA is going up. The doctor said stuff like “PSA Velocity” and scared the heck out of me!

PSA Velocity is a fancy way of saying how quickly (or not) a PSA level has increased over a given amount of time. It’s a fiddly, complicated mathematical exercise that looks really impressive to laypeople, but is being discredited by many authorities

In an article in the National Cancer Institute Cancer Bulletin we can find the following statement:

“A rapid increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels is not grounds for automatically recommending a prostate biopsy, according to a study published online February 24, 2011, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”

The study looked at over 5500 men to determine if using the “PSA Velocity” calculations could help doctors detect more prostate cancers. Here is what they found:

“Adding PSA velocity to the model would have identified 115 additional cancers (although not necessarily fatal cancers) but also resulted in 433 “unnecessary biopsies” that would have shown no cancer.”

In other words, they might have found a few more cancers, but they would have had to do a lot of unnecessary biopsies to do it.

The researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York conclude:

“We found no evidence to support the recommendation that men with high PSA velocity should be biopsied in the absence of other indications; this measure should not be included in practice guidelines.”

Well, my urologist says that the biopsy is “No Big Deal” and I shouldn’t worry about it…

Again, conventional medical authorities are turning against that old party line, and so they should – because evidence of the dangers of prostate biopsies just keeps piling up.

A recent Bloomberg.com news article went into great detail on the risks, starting out with this statement:

“Doctors are changing their approach to prostate biopsies as evidence mounts that the danger of complications from the procedure may outweigh its usefulness identifying some cancers.

An increasing incidence of potentially lethal, difficult- to-treat bloodstream infections tied to prostate biopsies has become so serious that urologists are reassessing when, how and even if they do the procedure.”

Prostate BiopsyThe problem is in the geographical location of the prostate in the body. It lives just under the bladder, and is most easily accessible to a doctor by way of the rectum – which is why the Digital Rectal Exam or DRE is such a convenient tool for your doctor.

Biopsies of the prostate are performed by stabbing a special needle into the prostate gland in a half-dozen or more places to pull out bits of tissue for the pathologist to inspect for cancerous cells

The most common way to get at the prostate for these needle pokes is, like the finger exam, up the rectum.

Since the lower bowel and rectum are a region of our body that is rich in bacteria and almost impossible to “sterilize” or even thoroughly clean, you can imagine the risks!

Just one errant bacterium dragged from the rectum into the prostate or bloodstream as the needle penetrates can result in potentially life-threatening sepsis or even septicemia (aka “blood poisoning”). Since we have been using antibiotics with such wild abandon over the past few decades and have created “superbugs”, many of those bacteria are now antibiotic resistant and virtually untreatable.

But my urologist says he’ll use a different procedure that avoids the rectum – that will be safer, right?

Your urologist is talking about using a trans-perineal approach and may even boast that it will allow him to access more of the prostate gland and take even more biopsy samples.

It is also a much bigger money-maker for your urologist – here is what that Bloomberg article had to say about it:

“The perineum, the skin between the bottom of the scrotum and the anus, is a safer entry point because it can be cleaned with antiseptic, unlike the rectum, said Lindsay Grayson, Austin Hospital’s head of infectious diseases.

The lower risk of infections means urologists can take more core samples of the prostate, especially of the part of the gland that’s difficult to reach from the rectum, Frydenberg said.

On the downside, the procedure takes at least twice as long to perform, requires heavier patient sedation, six people in an operating theater, and equipment costing about $100,000, he said.”

And still not without risk…

Though the transperineal approach may carry less risk of infection, it still exposes men to the same risk as the rectal approach – the risk of spreading an indolent cancer from inside the confines of the prostate where it was sleeping peacefully to the blood and other areas of the body as those cells are dragged out through the surrounding tissues.

In an article in Medical News Today titled Prostate Biopsy Spreads Prostate Cancer Cells, the Diagnostic Center For Disease in Sarasota Florida discussed the phenomenon called “tracking” that occurs:

“A more important issue that is often not discussed between physician and patient involves the possibility of “needle tracking”, the very real possibility of spreading cancer cells beyond the prostate when a biopsy is performed. An extensive review of the literature confirms that once a needle penetrates the capsule of an organ, a phenomenon called “needle tracking” takes place. When the needle is withdrawn from the targeted organ, the chance of spreading cancer cells (when encountered) establishes itself, and every puncture of the prostate adds to this risk.

Despite the significance of this risk to the patient, physicians generally fail to acknowledge a process that allows cells to lie dormant or incubate for up to 10 years or more regardless of the treatment rendered. In a 2 billion dollar prostate biopsy industry, the phenomenon of “needle tracking” takes place approximately 20-30 percent of the time.”

This same article also discusses some of the other risks of prostate biopsy:

“…all men suffer the potential risk for bleeding, scarring, infection or sepsis and needless intrusion that has reportedly resulted in impotency and/or incontinence in some patients.”

But, my PSA is up and my doctor says he’s worried…

There are more reasons than just prostate cancer that might account for a rising PSA – and most of those reasons are quite benign.

Once again let’s see what the discoverer of PSA, Richard J Ablin, has to say:

“Even then, the test is hardly more effective than a coin toss. As I’ve been trying to make clear for many years now, P.S.A. testing can’t detect prostate cancer and, more important, it can’t distinguish between the two types of prostate cancer — the one that will kill you and the one that won’t.

Instead, the test simply reveals how much of the prostate antigen a man has in his blood. Infections, over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, and benign swelling of the prostate can all elevate a man’s P.S.A. levels, but none of these factors signals cancer.”

PSA naturally rises as a man ages and the prostate continues growing, but that’s not all:

  • A urinary tract infection or prostatitis can elevate PSA.
  • A healthy activity like a vigorous bicycle (or horseback) ride can elevate PSA.
  • PSA can also be falsely and transiently elevated from something as innocent as having sex with your wife within a day or two of the test.
  • Even the DRE that the doctor performed can cause an elevation of the PSA.

Yes that’s right; an unscrupulous doctor could conceivably perform a “vigorous” or “thorough” DRE “prostate exam” knowing that an elevated PSA would be the result and then use that PSA result to sell his patient a completely unnecessary biopsy procedure!

So, it looks like the PSA is a Bust and shouldn’t ever be used?

Not at all! There are some specific situations where the PSA is a useful tool for the wise doctor to have at his disposal. The following are some of those men who may be wise to follow their PSA:

  • Men with a family history of aggressive prostate cancer, early onset prostate cancer, or death from prostate cancer.
  • Men, especially younger men, (under age 50 or so) who have symptoms of prostate enlargement or disease or unusual findings on DRE.
  • Men of African ethnicity, who tend to develop more aggressive prostate cancers, earlier in life.
  • Men who have been treated for prostate cancer or who has had a prostatectomy performed.

And those biopsies – are there any alternatives?

There may be times when you and your doctor just really need to know – because of symptoms, an unusual finding on DRE, or a rapidly rising PSA over several tests… but biopsy may not be the only option.

Recently, an imaging technology called a “3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Spectroscopy” scan (MRI -S) is being used to predict and confirm the presence of prostate cancer. This technology is claimed to be the most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for prostate evaluation in the world, and is said to be able to replace less accurate scanning procedures like the PET scan, CAT scan and Prostascint scans. This is certainly something to discuss with your urologist.

Ultrasound, while not as accurate, may also be employed and is frequently used to guide needle biopsy procedures, either by itself or in combination with MRI imaging.

So, what’s the bottom line?

  • Most men as they age will have an increase in the size of their prostate. This is normal.
  • Most men as they age will have increased PSA levels. This is normal.
  • Most men, if they live long enough, will have cancer in their prostate.
  • Most prostate cancers are very slow growing and cause no problems.
  • Most men with prostate cancer will never know it and will die from something else.
  • PSA testing by itself cannot detect cancer.
  • PSA testing is unreliable in many cases and often leads to unnecessary biopsies and treatments.
  • Prostate biopsy procedures are risky for many reasons.
  • Treatments for prostate cancer can cause more harm than good in many cases.

It is clear that for every aggressive prostate cancer found, treated, and “life saved”, there are many more lives made into a misery of impotence and incontinence through aggressive and unnecessary diagnostics and treatments.

We must do better.

References and Resources:

Epidemiology of BPH: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1950546-overview#aw2aab6b5

Latent carcinoma of prostate at autopsy in seven areas. Collaborative study organized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyons, France: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.2910200506/abstract

Richard J Ablin – The Great Prostate Mistake: Published: March 9, 2010 New York Times – http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/opinion/10Ablin.html?_r=0

Screening for prostate cancer in U.S. men ACPM position statement on preventive practice.: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18201648

Screening for Prostate Cancer: A Guidance Statement From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians: http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1676184

The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer.: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening.htm

AUA RELEASES NEW CLINICAL GUIDELINE ON PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING – http://www.auanet.org/advnews/press_releases/article.cfm?articleNo=290

PSA Screening Does More Harm Than Good, Says New Analysis: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/811846

The Melbourne Consensus Statement on Prostate Cancer Testing: http://www.bjuinternational.com/bjui-blog/the-melbourne-consensus-statement-on-prostate-cancer-testing/

PSA Velocity Does Not Improve Prostate Cancer Detection: http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/psa-velocity2011

An empirical evaluation of guidelines on prostate-specific antigen velocity in prostate cancer detection.: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21350221

Prostate Cancer Test Causing Sepsis Spurs Biopsy Concerns. Bloomberg, Apr 24, 2013: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-24/prostate-cancer-test-causing-sepsis-spurs-biopsy-concerns.html

The Impact of Repeat Biopsies on Infectious Complications in Men with Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance.: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24018237

Diagnostic Center For Disease: Prostate Biopsy Spreads Prostate Cancer Cells – http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/97872.php

Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening Trial: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0810696

Screening and Prostate-Cancer Mortality in a Randomized European Study: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0810084

Harvard School of Public Health – Men with prostate cancer more likely to die from other causes: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=130&a=146954&l=en&newsdep=130

Accurate Use of Prostate-specific Antigen in Determining Risk of Prostate Cancer: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/718972_1

ECC 2013 Press Release: Organised Screening for Prostate Cancer using the Prostate-Specific Antigen Test, Does more Harm than Good – Prostate cancer screening using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is widely used in France despite a lack of evidence showing that it reduces cancer deaths.: http://www.esmo.org/Conferences/European-Cancer-Congress-2013/News/ECC-2013-Press-Release-Organised-Screening-for-Prostate-Cancer-using-the-Prostate-Specific-Antigen-Test-Does-more-Harm-than-Good

 

Modified Citrus Pectin


Natural Anti-Metastatic Support

Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is derived from pectin, a high molecular-weight polysaccharide present in the cell wall of all plants. Pectin can be pH degraded to produce a modified (smaller) polysaccharide – modified citrus pectin – which has anti-metastatic properties. MCP appears to bind with galactans on cancer cell surfaces, inhibiting aggregation and adherence to normal cells and offering anti-metastatic protection in animal models.

Modified citrus pectin is readily absorbed in the GI tract and is completely non-toxic to humans. Although there are no good studies to verify MCP’s effectiveness in humans, animal studies repeatedly demonstrate MCP’s anti-metastatic capabilities. Because of the lack of toxicity of modified citrus pectin, and because conventional medicine has no drug or treatment to prevent metastasis, I recommend taking either MCP or larch in cases of cancer to help prevent or delay metastasis.

Dose: 2-3 teaspoons, 3 times daily. This may be added to your Super Shake or other beverage.

REFERENCES

1.) Guess BW, Scholz MC,Strum SB,LamRY, Johnson HJ, Jennrich RI. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2003) 6, 301–304. doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500679
2.) Nangia-Makker P, Hogan V, Honjo Y, et al. Inhibition of human cancer cell growth and metastasis in nude mice by oral intake of modified citrus pectin. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002;94:1854-1862.
3.) Strum S, Scholz M, McDermed J, et al. Modified citrus pectin slows PSA doubling time: A pilot clinical trial. Presentation: International Conference on Diet and Prevention of Cancer, Tampere, Finland. May 28, 1999 – June 2, 1999.
4.) Yan J, Katz AE. PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibition of Proliferation in Human and Mouse Androgen-Dependent and Independent Prostate Cancer Cells. Integr Cancer Ther. 2010. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20462856

Malignant melanoma


Is that Brown Spot a Melanoma?

Malignant melanoma is a cancerous skin tumor arising in a pigmented area of skin, eye, or the central nervous system. The incidence of melanoma has risen 812% over the past five decades.

Among skin cancers, melanoma has the highest potential for invasion and metastasis (spread). It can spread so rapidly that it can be fatal within months of diagnosis. Melanomas usually look more like moles than liver spots. How do you know if your “liver spot” is benign or if it is a melanoma?

Here are the A-B-C’s of Diagnosis:

A: asymmetry

B: borders that are irregular

C: colors that are varied (brown, black, blue, red, purple)

D: diameter greater than 1/4 inch

OR A smaller ulceration that continues to flake and does not heal

If you have any question about a “brown spot” on your skin, see a doctor for diagnosis. When treated early, melanomas are completely curable.

 

LYMPHOMA


The fifth most common cancer in the US

Malignant lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of disorders that arise in the reticuloendothelial and lymphatic systems. Although there are some similarities among the lymphomas, these diseases display a wide variety of pathological and clinical characteristics.

Malignant lymphomas are the fifth most common cancer in the US. Because they tend to occur in younger individuals, they account for more years of potential life lost than most other adult cancers.

Cancers of the lymph system (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) have unique etiologies and behaviors that place this malignancy in a different immune category than most solid tumors. Because this class of malignancy is characterized by some type of immune cell proliferation, treatments which boost immunity might also stimulate the growth of cancer cells. This is a theoretical concern, but a valid one nevertheless. Even so, it appears that nutritional and botanical medicines have an important role to play in the treatment of lymphoma.

Common Characteristics of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Lymphomas are characterized by excessive multiplication of cells of the reticuloendothelial (RES) and lymphatic system.

Hodgkin’s Disease, first identified by Thomas Hodgkin in 1666, is a malignancy characterized by disseminated growth of tumor cells primarily involving the lymph node and bone marrow. Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells are considered the malignant cell.

There are subtypes of Hodgkin’s disease. Those with smaller numbers of RS cells tend to be indolent and slowly progressive. Higher numbers of RS cells are associated with aggressive disease. The mortality rate for Hodgkin’s disease is dropping more rapidly than for any other cancer, and Hodgkin’s disease represents one of modern medicine’s most successful cancer treatments. More than 50% of patients are alive at 10-years, all stages considered. By current conventional cancer treatment standards, this is highly successful.

Asymptomatic enlargement of cervical (neck) or mediastinal (chest) lymph nodes may be the only presenting feature, although a number of benign conditions have similar presentation. With advancing disease, anemia, weight loss, night sweats, cachexia (see catabolism) and progressive decline of immunity may ensue. Death is usually due to sepsis or infection.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) is characterized by proliferative growth of lymphoid cells in sites of the immune system including lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, liver and GI tract. There are a wide variety of features among ten subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), and the behavior of the disease, including prognosis, is highly variable. NHL tends to be multicentric with an early tendency to spread widely before diagnosis.

The clinical manifestation of fever, chills and weight loss suggests a possible infectious etiology in all types of lymphoma. Studies have found an association with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in both Hodgkin’s and NHL, though this is clearly not the sole causative agent in 80% of cases. In NHL, the incidence of disease rises in immunocompromised patients (e.g., patients with HIV) and in those with hyperfunctioning immune systems (e.g., Sjogren’s). Viruses are known to cause some types of lymphoma. Burkitt’s lymphoma is associated with EBV infection, and an aggressive T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is associated with herpes virus type I (HTLV-1).

Metastasis is common in NHL and is often advanced upon diagnosis. Deposition of fibrin occurs in NHL lymphomas, as in solid tumors.

Laboratory Evaluation and Monitoring

Diagnosis of lymphoma is based on microscopic characteristics of a surgically-removed lymph node. There are no characteristic blood changes or other laboratory tests useful for diagnosis, but laboratory tests can be used by the physician to monitor disease progression and success of treatment once a diagnosis is established.

There are also no characteristic findings in Hodgkin’s disease. The red blood cell sedimentation rate (ESR) correlates well with disease activity and can be used to follow the disease process. Elevated alkaline phosphatase suggests liver or bone metastasis but this is less reliable in younger patients. Elevated serum copper and ceruloplasmin have been reported in active disease. HD patients frequently demonstrate defects in delayed hypersensitivity reactions. (e.g., testing negative for TB even in the presence of active tubercular disease).

In NHL, a Coombs’-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs more commonly than in HD. Immune cell abnormalities may involve B-cells, T-cells or both cell lines. Immunophenotyping has shown that 80 to 85% of the tumor tissue in NHL derives from the B-cell line, 15% from T-cells, and less than 5% from monocyte-macrophages. NK cell activity is correlated with disease status in lymphomas, and a sudden decreased NK cell activity has been shown to precede relapse.

Holistic Diagnosis & Treatment Considerations

The actual diagnosis of lymphoma requires excisional biopsy. Immune system dysfunction, manifesting as either hypoimmune or hyperimmune, is highly suggestive of an infectious etiology. Therefore, additional search for a causative agent should be undertaken. Work-up might include examination of gut microflora, blood studies for EBV, HTLV-I, and possibly other viruses, and immune function tests, especially NK cell activity.

Treatment strategy for lymphoma should be targeted to the individual. Generalized immune-upregulating therapies could theoretically accelerate cell multiplication and should be used with care. By targeting treatment to the patient’s particular immune dysfunction and monitoring patient response, such problems can likely be circumvented.

Botanical and Nutritional Considerations in Lymphoma

All botanical therapies used for the immune system can be considered. Again, due to the possibility of accelerating immune cell growth (the cells that are cancerous), these therapies should be selected with care and based upon the individual’s immune status as determined by laboratory studies. Antimicrobial treatment should be initiated whenever a pathogenic virus, bacteria or parasite is found. In addition, there are botanical and nutritional treatments that are specific to treatment of the lymphomas.

Characteristics of the Lymphomas with Suggestions for Related Treatment Strategies

Hodgkin’s (HD)
1.) RS cells thought to arise from monocyte/macrophage cells
2.) low NK cell activity
3.) progressive T and B-cell decline (number and function)
4.) altered lymphocyte count
5.) delayed hypersensitivity reaction

Treatment Strategy
1.) Induce differentiation of monocytes and macrophages
2.) Stimulate NK cell activity
3.) Stimulate cellular and humoral immunity
4.) Stimulate or suppress lymphocyte proliferation as indicated
5.) Stimulate delayed hypersensitivity

non-Hodgkin’s (NHL)
1.) 80-85% of NHL cells arise from B-cells; 15 % from T-cells
2.) low NK cell activity

Treatment Strategy
1.) If B-cell derived:
a.) Induce B-cell differentiation
b.) Do NOT stimulate B-cell proliferation
2.) Stimulate NK cell activity

Botanical Materia Medica by action

Interleukin-2 stimulators ( IL-2)
Aloe vera
Angelica sinensis
Ganoderma lucidum
Panax ginseng
Cordyceps sinensis

Interferon stimulators ( IFN)
Aloe vera
Astragalus membranaceus
Ganoderma lucidum
Glycyrrhiza sp.
Panax ginseng

Delayed hypersensitivity
Codonopsis pilosula
Rheum palmatum

T and B-lymphocyte activity stimulators
(expand and activate T-helper lymphs and B-cells)
Althea officinalis
Astragalus membranaceus
Echinacea sp.
Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Plantago sp.
Symphytum sp.

T-cell activity
Allium sativum

NK-activity
all that stimulate IL-2 and IFN plus:
Allium sativum

Nutritional Considerations in Lymphoma

Vitamin A
Vitamin A induces differentiation in leukemic and lymphomic cells. A vitamin-A analog, Vesanoid, is approved for use in promyelocytic leukemia, but it may be of value in other leukemias and lymphomas. Dose: 100,000-300,000IU water soluable vitamin A per day. At this high dose it is important to conduct monthly blood tests to guard against vitamin A toxicity.

Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 and its analogs can induce leukemia and lymphoma cells to differentiate into normal cells. The effects are more pronounced when combined with vitamin A .

Additional support may include
DHEA, turmeric, soy (genisteins). Consult an holistic physician for precise recommendations and dosages.

DR. MYATT’S COMMENT

Lymphomas (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s) represent a large class of related, but sometimes very different, immune cell cancers. I have been deliberately vague in the dosage and specific recommendations because, unlike most solid tissue cancers which respond to immune-cell stimulation, lymphomas may be made worse by such stimulation. (Again, theoretical but important to consider). Laboratory tests can help guide the physician in knowing exactly which conventional and holistic remedies to prescribe and can also verify the success of such treatment. It is important to work with an holistic physician when implementing natural remedies for the treatment of lymphoma. I am available for telephone consultations.

 

Botanical Materia Medica for Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Allium sativum (Liliaceae)– Garlic

See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Althea officinalis (Malvacea)- Marsh mallow

Marsh mallow contains starch, mucilage, pectin, flavonoids, sucrose, phenolic acids and asparagine. It is considered an important demulcent for respiratory, urinary and skin inflammations. The polysaccharide-rich mucilage stimulates T and B-cell activity and IL-1 and IFN production in vitro(1).

Astragalus membranaceus (Leguminosae)– Astragalus, Milk Vetch, Huang QI See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Aloe vera (Liliaceae)– Aloes

See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Angelica sinensis (Umbelliferae)-Angelica

Angelica contains volatile oils andcoumarinss. It increases production of IL-2 in vitro and TNF cytotoxicity in mice (2,3).

Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) Codonopsis, Dang Shen

Triterpinoid saponins, alkaloid (perlolyrin), andpolysaccharidess are among the constituents found in Codonopsis. In Chinese medicine, Codonopsis is considered to tone the qi and quiet “false fire.” In patients undergoing radiation treatment, Codonopsis increased the delayed hypersensitivity reaction but did not effect leukocyte count. Plasma IgM was slightly increased (4,5).

Cordyceps sinesis – dong chong xia cao Cordyceps increased NK activity in vitro and in vivo in mice. An ethanol extract increased human NK activity ex vivo. Water extracts increase proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and IL-2 production (6,7,8).

Echinacea sp. (Compositae)– purple cone flower

See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae)– Siberian ginseng

See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Eupatorium sp. (Compositae)– Boneset, Gravel root, hemp agrimony

Polysaccharides in multiple species of Eupatorium stimulate T and B-cell activity, IL-1 and IFN production and macrophage phagocytosis in vitro ( 9).

Ganoderma lucidum – ling zhi

Ganoderma increased IL-2 in mice in an orally-administered form. Purified fractions increased peripheral lymphocytes in humans. this effect is believed due to stimulation of T-lymphocytes and production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma (10,11).

Glycyrrhiza sp. (Leguminaceae)– Licorice

Glycyrrhizic acid is a principal constituent in licorice and is thought to be the primary active ingredient. Licorice exerts antiinflammatory activity by inhibiting the enzyme that catalyzes cortisol to its inactive metabolites (12,13). Excess cortisol inhibits growth of lymphoma and leukemia cells by effecting glucocorticoid receptors on the tumor cell membranes. (Cortisone and prednisone are used chemotherapeutically in lymphoma). In spite of the cortisol-enhancing effect, licorice stimulates NK cell activity and induces IFN production (14).

Panax ginseng (Araliaceae)– Chinese or Korean ginseng

See Laboratory Evaluation of Immune Dysfunction Materia Medica elsewhere in these conference notes.

Plantago sp. (Plantaginaceae)– Psyllium, flea seed, ispaghula (Hindi)

Plantago is well known for it’s mucilaginous constituent that acts as a demulcent and bulk laxative with antidiarrheal action. Polysaccharide-rich mucilages stimulate T and B-cell activity, IL-1 and IFN production and macrophage phagocytosis in vitro (9).

Rheum palmatum (Polygonaceae)– Chinese rhubarb

Rheum contains the anthroquinones rhein, emodin, and aloe-emodin, flavonoids (catechin), phenolic acids, tannins and calcium oxalate. Large doses of the rhizome are strongly laxative. Oral administration increase delayed hypersensitivity reactions and increased proliferation response of spleen cells to mitogen in mice (15).

Symphytum sp. (Boraginaceae)– Comfrey, knitbone

Comfrey contains allantoin, mucilage, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, tannins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Allantoin is a cell proliferant when used topically. The phenolic acids possess significant antiinflammatory action. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in isolated form are toxic to the liver.Whether this is true when the plant is used in whole form is questionable, since this substance is present in small amounts in the roots. Aerial parts are considered safe.

Polysaccharide-rich mucilages stimulate T and B-cell activity, IL-1 and IFN production and macrophage phagocytosis in vitro (9).

References

1.) Boring CC, Squires TS, Tong T, et al.: Cancer Statistics, 1994. CA Cancer J Clin 1994: 44:7-26.
2.) Devessa SS, Silverman DT, Young JL Jr., et al.: Cancer incidence and mortality trends among whites in the United States, 1947-1984. J Nat Cancer Inst. 1987;79:701-770.
3.) Beers, Mark M.D., Berkow, Robert, M.D., editors: The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Merck Research laboratories, 1999, p. 955.
4.) Ibid. p.955.
5.) Murphey, Gerald, M.D., et al.: American Cancer Society Textbook of Clinical Oncology, American Cancer Society, 1995, p. 460.
6.) Ibid. p. 456.
7.) Ibid p. 456
8.) Ibid p. 456
9.) Ibid p. 456
10.) Nagy JA, Brown LF, Senger DR, et al.: Pathogenesis of tumor cell stroma generation: a critical role for leaky blood vessels and fibrin deposition. Biochem biophys Acta 1989; 948(3):305-26.
11.) Boik, John: Cancer and Natural Medicine, Oregon Medical Press, 1995, p.62.
12.) Beers, Mark M.D., Berkow, Robert, M.D., editors: The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, Merck Research laboratories, 1999, p. 957.
13.) Ibid. p. 595.

Botanical Materia Medica References

1.) Wagner H: “Immunostimulants from medicinal plants.” Advances in Chinese medicinal materials research Chang HM, Yeung W, Tso W, Koo A editors: Singapore, World Scientific, 1985.
2.) Weng XC, Zhang P, Gong SS, et al.: Effect of immunomodulating agents on murine IL-2 production. Immunology Invest 1987; 16 (2):79-86.
3.) Haranaka K, Satomi N, Sakurai A, et al.: Antitumor activities and tumor necrosis factor producibility of traditional Chinese medicines and crude drugs. Cancer Immunol 1985b;20(1):1-5.
4.) Zeng XL, Li XA, Zhang BY: Immunological and hematopoeitic effects of Codonopsis pilosula on cancer patients during radiotherapy. Chung Hua Min Kuo Wei Sheng Wu Chi Mien I Hsueh Tsa Chih 1992: 12 (10): 607-8.
5.) Chang HM, But PPH: Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese MateriaMmedica Vol. 1 Teaneck, NJ: World Scientific Publishing Company, 1986.
6.) Xu RH, Peng XE, Chen GZ, et al.: Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on natural killer activity and colony formation of B16 melanoma. Chin Med J (Eng) 1992;105(2):97-101.
7.) Liu C, Lu S, Ji MR: Effects of cordyceps sinensis on in vitro natural killer cells. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1992a;12(5):267-9,259.
8.) Cheng Q: Effects of cordyceps sinensis on cellular immunity in rats with chronic renal insufficiency. Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih 1992;72(1):27-9.
9.) Wagner H: “Immunostimulants from medicinal plants.” Advances in Chinese medicinal materials research Chang HM, Yeung W, Tso W, Koo A editors: Singapore, World Scientific, 1985.
10.) Zhang LX, Mong H, Zhou XB: Effect of Japanese Ganoderma lucidum (GL) planted in Japan on the production of interleukin-2 from murine splenocytes. Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1993;13(10):613-5.
11.) Haak-Frendscho M, Lino K, Sone T, et al.: Ling-G 8: A novel T cell mitogen induces cytokine production and upregulation of ICAM-1 expression.. Cell Immunol 1993;150(1):101-113.
12.) Baker ME: Licorice and enzymes other than 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: an Evolutionary perspective. Steroids 1994;59(2):136-41.
13.) Chang M: Anticancer medicinal Herbs. Hunan Changha, China: Hunan Science and Technology Press, 1992.
14.) Suzuki F, Schmitt A, Utsunomiya T, et al.: Stimulations of host resistance against tumors by glycyrrhizin, an active component of licorice roots. In Vivo, 1992; 6: 589-96.
15.) Ma L: Experimental study on the immunomodulatory effects of rheubarb. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1991; 11(7): 418-9, 390.

Nutritional Materia Medica References

1.) The in-vitro effects of all-trans retinoic acid and hematopoeitic growth factorson the clonal growth and self-renewal of blast cells in acute promyelogenous leukemia. Leuk Res (ENGLAND) April 1997; 21 (4):285-94.
2.) All-trans retinoic acid in hematological malignancies, an update. GER (GruppoEmatologicoRetinoidi) Haematologica (ITALY) Jan-Feb 1997; 82(1): 106-21.
3.) All-trans retinoic acid (Tretinoin). Gan To Kagaku Ryoho (JAPAN) Apr 1997; 24(6): 741-6.
5.) Induction of differentiation in murine erythroleukemia cells by 1,alpha, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D3. Can Lett 1995; Apr 14. 90(2):225-30.
6.) 1,25(OH)2-16ene-vitamin D3 is a potent antileukemic agent with low potential to cause hypercalcemia. Leuk Res June 1994;18(6):453-63.
7.) All-trans and 9-cis retinoic acid enhance 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation of U937 cells. Leuk Res (ENGLAND) Aug 1996;20(8):665-76.
8.) Combination of a potent 20-epi-vitamin D3 analog (KH 1060) with 9-cis-retinoic acid irreversibly inhibits clonal growth, decreases bcl-2 expression, and induces apoptosis in HL-60 leukemic cells. Cancer Research (USA) 1996;56/15:3570-76.

Larch (Larix occidentalis)


Natural Anti-Metastatic and Immune Stimulant

Larch ArabinogalactansLarch is a deciduous conifer that contains an arabinogalactan similar to those found in other “immune-enhancing” herbs such as Echinacea, Baptisia and Turmeric.

Larch arabinogalactans have been shown to reduce the number of liver metastasis in multiple studies, perhaps by acting as a “reverse lectin” and blocking tumor binding sites. A similar effect has been noted for Modified Citrus Pectin. Larch also nourishes the gut flora and acts as a source of dietary fiber. A summary of the benefits of Larch are:

  • stimulates the immune system
  • helps prevent cancer metastasis
  • improves bowel flora (friendly gut bacteria)
  • acts as a source of dietary fiber

Larch and/or Modified Citrus Pectin should be considered by anyone with cancer to help prevent or delay metastasis.

Suggested Dose: two teaspoons, 2-3 times per day. This may be added to your Super Shake.

REFERENCES

1.) Hagmar B, Ryd W, Skomedal H. Arabinogalactan blockade of experimental metastases to liver by murine hepatoma. Invasion Metastasis 1991;11:348-355.
2.) Beuth J, Ko HL, Oette K, et al. Inhibition of liver metastasis in mice by blocking hepatocyte lectins with arabinogalactan infusions and D-galactose. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 1987;113:51-55.
3). Beuth J, Ko HL, Schirrmacher V, et al. Inhibition of liver tumor cell colonization in two animal tumor models by lectin blocking with D-galactose or arabinogalactan. Clin Exp Metastasis 1988;6:115-120.
4). Hauer J, Anderer FA. Mechanism of stimulation of human natural killer cytotoxicity by arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1993;36:237-244.

 

Dr. Myatt’s Immune Formulas:


Fast First Aid for the Immune System

(Keep These in Your Medicine Cabinet)   The Immune “First Aid” kit consists of three liquid tincture formulas which can be used together or separately (see descriptions, below), for acute immune infections including cold, flu, sinusitis, skin or dental infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, — you name it, if it’s an acute “right now” infection, this trio will get your immune system into high gear. Immune Boost and Energy Rehab can also be taken separately or together, as needed, on a continued basis for ongoing immune enhancement.   NOTE: These quality herbal tinctures last indefinitely unless exposed to high heat. Keep all three on hand for fast first aid relief!  

We are sorry to say that due to excessive regulation and rules from the FDA these great products are no longer possible to produce at any reasonable cost.

B.A.M. (Broad Anti Microbial)

Broad Anti Microbial TinctureHerbal Antibiotic Formula

That’s right, we don’t know what’s wrong. It could be a fungus, bacteria, virus, mycoplasma – or any combination thereof – and this tincture gets serious with all of them. Take during an acute infection to put the “bad guys” in their place. A potent broad spectrum “anti-bug” formula designed for acute infections.

Contains: Propolis, Pau d’ Arco, St. John’s Wort, Red Cedar leaf, Echiacea Royal, Usnea, Goldenseal root, and Meadowsweet.

Suggested dose: 60 to 80 drops, 3 to 4 times a day.

 

Sorry, Unavailable!

Energy Rehab

Energy RehabRenew Energy after Illness

Infections can weaken the body, drain energy, and prolong recovery time. This formula supports the body’s energy systems typically affected by any type of infection. Energy Rehab may be continued after the infection has passed to ensure complete energy and immune recovery.

Contains: Astragalus, Echinacea, Siberian ginseng, Licorice root, and ligustrum.

Suggested dose: one-half to one teaspoon, 1 to 4 times per day.

 

Sorry, Unavailable!

Immune Boost

Immune Boost“Fast Blast” for the Immune System

The immune system has a wide variety of different cells and functions to protect the body. This formula contains herbs to stimulate every aspect of immune function. Potent liquid tincture goes to work “lightning fast” to enhance immunity.

Contains: Astragalus, Ashwanganda, Schisandra, Echinacea, Siberian ginseng, Panax ginseng, American ginseng, Licorice root, and Goldenseal.

Suggested dose: 1 teaspoon, 1 to 4 times per day.

Sorry, Unavailable!

 

Find Information on Potassium Iodide For Radiation Protection Here -> IODINE


The “Missing Mineral” for Thyroid, Heart, Healthy Immunity and Cancer Protection

Iodine is a non-metallic essential trace element in human nutrition. Currently considered in conventional medicine to be primarily a thyroid nutrient (thyroid hormones T4 and T3 are composed largely of iodine), Iodine is actually found in many organs and tissue in the body including salivary, parotid, submandibular and pituitary glands, pancreas, testis, breasts, prostate, ovary, adrenal gland, stomach, heart, thymus, and lung. (1,2,3).

Iodine is required for normal thyroid hormone production, it’s best-known role. But iodine also plays an important role in immune function, cancer prevention (especially of breast, thyroid and prostate cancer), diabetes prevention and reversal, atrial fibrillation correction, overweight and obesity, “brain fog” (low energy), breast and ovarian cysts, liver detoxification and menopausal symptoms.

Iodine is also an important anti-microbial and can often relieve skin, lung, GI tract and other infections when antibiotics fail. In fact, from 1900 to the 1960’s, virtually US physicians commonly used iodine (as Lugol’s solution) to treat low and high thyroid conditions, infections and many other conditions with excellent results.

Here’s the “short course” on iodine.

  • Studies show that we may need a LOT more iodine than the current RDI of 150 micrograms, and that many if not most Americans are iodine deficient.
     
  • Conventional doctors are “iodine-o-phobic” (afraid to recommend higher-than-RDA doses of iodine) because they are not familiar with the vast body of research showing that higher iodine levels are beneficial.
     
  • Low iodine levels are associated with higher rates of low and high thyroid function; breast and thyroid cancer (and possibly many other types of cancer); ovarian cysts (including polycystic ovaries); fibrocystic breast disease; heart arrhythmias; lung and other infections; fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue to name only a few.
     
  • Because very high doses of iodine can cause heart palpitations and excess thyroid function (both which resolve upon stopping supplementation), initial testing of iodine levels and monitoring by an holistic physician may be the safest way to take iodine.

More Iodine information:

Iodine Test (spot and 24-hour excretion test for total body iodine sufficiency)

Iodine Supplements (concentrated source of high-potency iodine)

Modfilan (Seaweed Source of Natural Iodine) (low dose, all-natural source of iodine)

References

1.) C. Spitzweg, W. Joba, W. Eisenmenger and A. E. Heufelder. “Analysis of Human Sodium Iodide Symporter Gene Expression in Extrathyroidal Tissues and Cloning of Its Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acids from Salivary Gland, Mammary Gland, and Gastric Mucosa.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 83, No. 5 1746-1751. (1)”Iodine in medicine and pharmacy since its discovery-1811-1961,” Proc R Soc Med, 1961:54:831-836.
2.) Dai G, Levy O, Carrasco N. 1996 “Cloning and characterization of the thyroid iodide transporter.” Nature. 379:458–460.
3.) Smanik PA, Ryu K-Y, Theil KS, Mazzaferri EL, Jhiang SM. 1997 “Expression, exon-intron organization, and chromosome mapping of the human sodium iodide symporter. Endocrinology.” 138:3555–3558.

 

HealthBeat News

In This Issue:

The Product EVERYONE should have on hand! This simple, inexpensive supplement can protect you from a serious consequence of radiation and nuclear fallout. Remember Chernobyl?

Skin Rejuvenation Protocol. Find out the best methods for renewing a youthful appearance to skin. Dr. Myatt summarizes the research, then puts it all together in a comprehensive “Skin Renewal” program. A MUST for Summer skin care!

Member News and Notes

*We heard your feedback and Thank You! By popular vote, HealthBeat will be delivered in “abstract”(summary) form to your mailbox. Simply click the underlined links to go to those articles you are interested in.

* Upcoming topics: by reader request, future topics will include natural hormone replacement therapy; Omega-3 Fatty Acids and how to obtain them; osteoporosis, prostate health, and more.

* Send a sample issue of HealthBeat to a Friend and let them share the medical updates. If they enjoy it, they can sign up at no charge.

The Product EVERYONE Should Have On Hand!

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A RADIATION EMERGENCY?

Potassium Iodide (KI) Can Shield You From Thyroid Cancer

With 103 active commercial nuclear reactors in the United States, we live in constant threat of a nuclear emergency every day. A terrorist attack on any one of these facilities, or the release of a “dirty bomb” is also a possibility in today’s “highly charged” world. In fact, in an emergency, if you live within 200 miles of a nuclear reactor, you have a high risk of being exposed to significant doses of radioactive isotopes. In the event of a nuclear accident or attack radioactive materials can be released into the atmosphere, a high percentage of which is radioactive iodine. When a radioactive iodine cloud passes through a populated area, the radiation is concentrated into the thyroid gland of those exposed. The result is irreparable damage to the thyroid, which can lead to cancer. The 1986 Chernobyl accident in the Ukraine is a tragic example.

The best protection against thyroid damage and thyroid cancer induced by radioactive iodine exposure is Potassium Iodide. This simple compound protects the thyroid by saturating all of the iodine binding sites in the gland, leaving no room for the binding of radioactive iodine. Potassium Iodide is a low-cost way to protect yourself and your family against the long-term consequences of exposure to radiation. When used correctly, potassium iodide tablets can prevent or reduce the amount of radioactive iodine taken up by the thyroid gland. Even the government and the military stocks up on potassium iodide in case of nuclear disaster.

The body can’t distinguish between radioactive and the benign version of iodine, which is necessary for thyroid function. Taking 130 mg of potassium iodide, the dosage widely recommended for the blocking of radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear disaster, can quickly and completely protect the thyroid gland, which is one of the organs most commonly damaged by radioactive fallout. Dr. Myatt’s Wellness Club offers a supplement that contains 14 x 130 mg tablets of potassium iodide. Tablets are scored for easy breakage in the case of any need for dosages smaller than 130 mg, as recommended for children and pets.

How many packages do you need?

The FDA recommends that you have one package per person available.* Remember that during an emergency, you may not be able to get to your home, thus it is recommended to have packages stored in several places as well. Since the shelf life of this product is virtually unlimited, you should have to purchase your supply only once. Have this on hand for your family, and remember the children, pets, grandchildren, too!

* To view home preparation procedures for emergency administration of potassium iodide, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drugprepare/kiprep.htm Only take potassium iodide tablets when guided by health officials in your area and follow guidelines included with each bottle.

Skin Rejuvenation Protocol

The skin (integument) is the body’s first line of defense in protection from the external environment. If it also one of the first things people notice about us. Healthy skin is both a cosmetic blessing and a sign of a healthy underlying system, yet few people know how best to take care of this important organ. Let’s focus on some of the most important things we can do to protect this amazing bit of our architecture!

A Basic Regimen for Skin Care

    1. Nutrition: Beauty from the Inside Out. Healthy skin requires water, essential fatty acids and nutrients to be truly healthy. No amount of topical cosmetics will make up the difference to skin that is under-nourished. The skin requires the following:

A.) Water ! The body is 60% or more water. Even a subtle dehydration makes lines and wrinkles appear deeper, whereas being well hydrated “plumps” skin and minimizes the appearance of lines. Drink 64 ounces of PURE water per day, especially in the Summer,

B.) UV Light: Small amounts of UV are beneficial to the skin, but excess amounts can cause premature aging and contribute to skin cancer. Ten minutes of early-morning sun several times per week is sufficient for skin health. Beyond that, always wear a UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 15, especially on the face.

C.) Smoking (and second-hand smoke): Causes a constriction of the small blood vessels that bring nutrients to the skin, depriving skin of both water, vitamins and minerals, and fatty acids. Smoking is one of the absolute WORST things you can do to skin. Don’t go there!

D.) Nutrients:

  1. Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Supplements: An optimal vitamin/mineral/trace mineral formula such as Maxi Multi supplies the important micronutrients required for healthy skin.
  2. Essential fatty Acids: The skin needs essential fats from the inside out to stay moisturized. EFA’s are supplied by flaxseed oil, flaxseed meal, or fish oil. Be sure to take 1-2 TBS of flax oil or 3 Caps of fish oil per day, and include fatty fish such as salmon in the diet twice per week. (You’ll learn more about Essential fats in upcoming installments of The New Keto Diet).
  3. Grape seed extract: 50-100 mg, 2-3 times per day is an optional “metanutrient” that aids the skin by improving collagen formation (the underlying structural material of skin) AND by acting as a potent antioxidant to protect skin from oxidation. (The human equivalent of “rust”!)
    1. A Basic Regimen for Skin Care

I.) Cleanse: The purpose is to gently remove surface debris without stripping natural oils. Most soaps are highly alkali and strip skin of natural oils. Wash skin twice per day in a mild soap like Dove or Ivory (both are highly recommended by many dermatologists).

II.) Skin Cream: Proven ingredients helpful for topical application include antioxidants (A,C,E, alpha lipoic acid) in a form that is easily absorbed by the skin (micronized). Glycolic acid helps break down old cells so they can be replaced more quickly with new cells from beneath. DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) helps firm sagging skin, NaPCA aids moisture retention and Sunscreens that protect from UVA, UVB, and UVC are all useful in keeping skin radiant.

I have found it difficult if not impossible to find a good cream that contains all of these important ingredients until now. Rejuvenex is the first cosmetic preparation that I am aware of to combine the finest, proven ingredients into one easy formula. You can try to duplicate all of these skin essentials yourself, but you will be working hard and paying far more for the individual preparations. (Believe me, I know from experience. That’s how I’ve been making my own cream until now!).

In order to introduce you to the benefits of this formula, plus help you get started on a skin rejuvenation and protection program of your own (especially important as the Summer sun heats up), we have special-purchased Rejuvenex so we can offer it to you at a lower introductory price.

This cream is rich, wonderful, contains “all the right stuff” as listed above, and more, and a little goes a long way. You need only apply it morning and evening to get great results. Both men and women will benefit. As an alternative, you can do as I was doing and mix your own ingredients, just be sure to include the above-listed items for best results.

To order Rejuvenex, CLICK HEREor call 1-800-376-9288

HealthBeat News

New and Improved Super Shake recipe. Ever wish that something which tasted like a yummy treat was also good for you? Have I got great news for you! My “Super Shake” recipe is an incredibly tasty, amazingly healthy “milkshake.” Great for snacks, as a meal replacement, and even kids love it! It is also THE recuperation formula after surgery or when ill. Forget the “Ensure” and other sugar and artificial-ingredient laden junk and try a Super Shake instead.

10 Most Dangerous Foods, Part I. Some foods are bad for your health. And then there are foods that are SO bad they shouldn’t even be considered edible. Find out which foods make my Top Ten “Hit List.”

Cancer-Fighting Herb that Drug Companies are Rushing to Imitate. It’s powerful, it’s proven, it’s probably in your kitchen cupboard. But don’t expect to hear about it from your doctor— not until Big Pharma figures out how to duplicate it’s effects and make a patentable, synthetic drug that resembles this amazing herb.

HealthBeat News

In This Issue:

7 Simple Ways to Decrease Your Cancer Risk. Modern science knows a lot about what causes cancer. Here are seven proven measures you can take to greatly decrease your risk.

Six- Month Study Shows Low-Carb Diet is More Effective Than Low-Fat Diet for Weight Loss. Reported April 29 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Websites Worth Knowing. Both excellent AND foolish health websites abound on the Internet. Here are some of the top health and wellness websites you should know.

7 Simple Ways to Decrease Your Cancer Risk

Modern medical science knows a lot about the causes of cancer — more, in fact, than we know about its cure. “Carcinogens,” or factors that cause cancer, abound in the environment. Here are some of the leading causes of cancer that you can easily avoid to protect yourself from this disease:

    1. Environmental exposure: cancer-causing agents are all around us; some a man-made, some naturally occurring. Evaluate your surroundings for these known cancer-causing substances:
      A.) Radon: a naturally occurring, odorless gas that comes out of the ground and can infiltrate a house through the basement. If you have a basement in your home, inexpensive tests will tell you if your level is above 4 picocuries per liter (the minimum safe level). Correction is as easy as ensuring adequate ventilation. Radon causes lung cancer.
      B.) Asbestos: Homes built before 1980 may have asbestos insulation. Either leave it alone or have it removed by a qualified contractor. Asbestos causes lung cancer.
      C.) Workplace hazards: If you work with chemicals, including construction materials (paints, thinners, etc.), be sure to wear protective masks, gloves and other clothing. If you are unsure of your exposure, find out what chemicals you are handling and take appropriate precautions.
    2. Water. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: water is a common source of carcinogens and other disease-causing contaminants. Check your water report yearly. If you use city-supplied water, ask for a water report that will be provided for free. If you use well water, have your water tested annually. Go to www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/sco.html to find a local lab for water testing. This service is inexpensive and well (!) worth the cost!
    3. Don’t smoke! (Or chew). Cigarette smoke is associated with a LONG list of diseases, including bladder, bowel, pancreatic, cervical and uterine cancer— oh yes, and lung cancer. (See page 26 of your Holistic Health Handbook for a complete list of problems caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Even second-hand smoke increases these risks. Stop smoking and avoid breathing second-hand smoke.
    4. Limit sun exposure. A little sunshine is a good thing because sunlight causes natural production of vitamin D in the body. It also serves to normalize endocrine function. Too much, however, is highly associated with skin cancer, including deadly melanoma. Use a sunscreen of SPF15-30 when you are outdoors for more than 20 minutes in bright light, and use even on cloudy days and burning rays still filter through clouds. Do NOT let yourself burn and don’t aim for a “god/goddess-like” suntan!
    5. Maintain a normal weight. Statistics released April 2003 by the American Cancer Society estimate that at least 90,000 cancer deaths annually are attributable to overweight and obesity.
    6. Take nutritional supplements. Numerous nutrient deficiencies are associated with increased cancer risk, including vitamins A,C,D,E, beta carotene, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, calcium, zinc, and selenium. Since it is difficult if not impossible to obtain optimal levels of these nutrients from food, be sure to take an optimal-potency multiple vitamin/mineral supplement daily. (I recommend our Wellness Club brand, Maxi Multi, because it contains all these essential nutrients in optimal doses. Please refer to your Holistic Health Handbook or visit us online at for more information.
    7. Eat “Super Foods.” Some foods are especially high in cancer-preventing nutrients. Be sure to include as many servings of these foods daily as you can muster! “Super Foods” include: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts), garlic and onions, soy beans and soy products, flax seed (ground to a “meal”), salmon, shiitake mushrooms, lemon (especially “lemon zest,” the rind), and green tea.

Low-Carb Diet is More Effective Than Low-Fat Diet

A sixth-month study, reported in the April 29th in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, showed that women on a low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight than those on a low-fat diet even though calorie intake was similar. The low-carb group lost more weight and more body fat during the trial. No differences were noted in cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels between the two groups. In other words, a low carb diet which was presumably higher in fat and cholesterol did NOT adversely affect cholesterol or other levels as some arm-chair critics have hypothesized it might.

Health Websites Worth Knowing.

Beware of many non-informative and downright incorrect health websites. Some sites appear to be government-sponsored or service-related and yet are either a waste of time, dangerous, or both. Here are some of the best health and wellness websites you should know:

www.webmd.com easy to look up disease facts, recent studies, recipes, charts, and recently published medical studies.

www.nhlisupport.com/bmi this site has an automatic calculator for Body Mass Index (BMI). Find out if you are at your healthiest weight. Also discusses the relationship of overweight to heart attack and stroke.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi More than 9 million scientific studies are published here. This is the largest database of published medical research in the world.

www.healthfinder.gov the government’s fast entry to lots of useful information. Includes diseases, screening/diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

www.drmyattswellnessclub.com Oh, come on! You knew I had to say it! We’re one of the most authoritative holistic health websites on the ‘Net.