Are You Denied a Vaccine medical exemption? Get a second opinion!

If your doctor offers a diagnosis and treatment plan you don’t agree with, what do you do? GET A SECOND OPINION!
SO If your doctor denies you a Vaccine Medical Exemption, what do you do? GET A SECOND OPINION!

http://avoiceforchoice.org/second-opinion/

Has your pediatrician told you that your child does not qualify for a medical exemption? You’re not alone. Many families in California are being turned away by their school districts and by their pediatricians, simply because they do not understand California’s new state law.

Pediatricians mistakenly believe that medical exemptions are limited to the CDC list of contraindications, which only list anaphylaxis, coma, prolonged seizures, or severe immunodeficiency. In reality, Senate Bill 277, expanded the medical exemption criteria to include “any circumstances, including but not limited to, family medical history, for which the physician does not recommend immunization…” During his signing, Governor Brown added to the law that “the judgment and sound discretion of the physician” would be sufficient grounds for a medical exemption.

So, what is a family to do, when their pediatrician refuses to consider signing a medical exemption? Certainly it would be a noble effort to try to inform the pediatrician of the nuances of the law. But if the pediatrician dismisses the information, it’s time to seek a second opinion. Remember, informed consent must be just that — uncoerced consent to a procedure based on adequate information. Coercion is not consent.

You do not have to feel trapped. You do have options. Throughout California, licensed physicians are evaluating their patients and, if warranted, are signing medical exemptions based on the criteria established by SB 277.  If your pediatrician does not understand SB 277, find a new pediatrician.

For more information, email us at info@avoiceforchoice.org.

Study: Homeopathic therapy in pediatric atopic diseases: short- and long-term results

Homeopathic therapy in pediatric atopic diseases: short- and long-term results
http://www.homeopathyjournal.net/article/S1475-4916(16)00018-7/abstract

Highlights

• ∙Observational longitudinal study on 325 pediatric patients with atopic diseases.
• ∙75.8% atopic patients had a moderate or major improvement or back to the normal.
• ∙107 patients visited 1998–2006 were re-valued after a mean length period of 7.4 years.
• ∙75 out of 107 (70.1%) patients with long term follow-up show complete remission.
• ∙Initial negativity of RAST/Prick test seems to be related to a favorable prognosis.

Aim
To study the outcomes of atopic diseases in children treated with homeopathy at the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca (Italy) and related long-term results after approximately an 8-year period.

Materials and methods
Our data derive from an observational longitudinal study carried out on 857 pediatric patients who consecutive visited from 1998 to 2014. Children with atopic diseases were 325 (37.9%), 126 (39%) suffered from atopic dermatitis, 72 (22%) from allergic rhinitis, and 127 (39%) from asthma. Moreover, a long-term study was conducted on a subset of 107/165 patients, consecutively visited from 1998 to 2006, and with ≥5 years follow-up. The study also investigated the evolution of overall symptoms in those patients with a complex atopic symptomatology.

Results
75.8% of atopic children had moderate or major improvement (67.1% with asthma as the primary disease; 84.2% rhinitis; 84.2% dermatitis). At re-evaluation after 5–10 years, complete remission of atopic symptoms was obtained in 70.1% of the children: 84.2% in dermatitis; 48.1% in allergic rhinitis; 71.4% in asthma. Children with two or three atopic diseases at the first visit were completely cured in 40% of cases.

Conclusion
The results seem to confirm that homeopathic medicine produces positive therapeutic response in atopic children.

 

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Adverse Effects of BCPs Birth Control Pills

http://jeffreydachmd.com/2013/03/adverse-effects-of-bcps-birth-control-pills/

Posted on March 24, 2013

Adverse Effects of BCPs Birth Control Pills

by Jeffrey Dach MD

Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disturbance and Other Adverse Effects of BCPs Birth Control Pills.  The IUD is a Better Option.

Case Report: A 21 Year Old on OC’s (Oral Contraceptives)

Amy, a 21 year old college student came into the office with her mother because of depression, anxiety and severe mood disorder. Her other symptoms included forgetfulness, insomnia, and alternating euphoric and depressive states. Her medical history was unremarkable except for the past two years she had been on birth control pills (OC’s oral contraceptives). Her laboratory studies showed a severely low B12 level (217). The patient was advised to discontinue OC’s ( birth control pills), as the most likely cause of her symptoms. Six weeks later, after discontinuing the OC’s and taking B12 supplements, Amy reports all symptoms had resolved.

Switching to the Paraguard Copper T –  IUD

The IUD (Intra-Uterine Device) is actually a better option than the Oral Contraceptive, and Amy was switched over to the IUD, called the Paraguard  Copper T IUD, which is a plain IUD containing no hormones.    The Paraguard is safer and more effective than OC’s for women of all reproductive ages according to guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (44).  Amy was now a happy camper, as she no longer had the adverse effects and mood disturbances from “the Pill”, while she still had a safe and effective method of Birth Control in her IUD, the Paraguard Copper T IUD.  (Intra-Utereine Device)

What About the Mirena ?

Amy was advised to avoid the Mirena IUD because of the synthetic hormones impregnated into the Mirena.

Adverse Effects of OC’s Well Documented in Medical LIterature

The medical literature is full of reports of various nutritional deficiencies caused by oral contraceptives (OC’s) also called Birth Control Pills. Dr Brenda Herzberg reported that 25% of her patients stopped the OC’s because of headache, depression and loss of libido. She reported that 74% of patients found the IUD acceptable.(1)

Dr Melitis reported that OC’s are among many drugs that deplete the body of nutrients such as B6, B12 folate and Magnesium, and disturb Tryptophan metabolism which may cause depression. (2)

He says: “OCPs have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events as well as breast, cervical, and liver cancer.”

OC’s (BCP’s) have been shown to deplete many nutrients. Specifically :

1) Vitamin B6 deficiency causes disruption in tryptophan metabolism.
2) Depletion of riboflavin (vitamin B2), folic acid, cobalamin (vitamin B12), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and zinc.
3) Both B12 and Folate levels decrease by 40% with oral contraceptive use.
4) Lower folic-acid levels correlates with increased prevalence of abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear results.
5) Increased coagulation leads to an increased risk of venous thrombosis and stroke

Here is a Summary Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Caused by Oral Contraceptives: (3)

1) Birth control pills cause folic acid depletion with increased risk of cervical dysplasia and vascular thrombosis, Megaloblastic anemia, platelet hyperactivity and stroke: The authors recommend supplementation with folic acid at doses of 400-800 mcg per day, especially in women contemplating stopping the BCP’s to get pregnant. BCP induced Folate deficiency in the mother increases risk of neural tube defect in the embryo.

2) Oral contraceptives cause vitamin B6 depletion and depression, most likely associated with interference in the role that vitamin B6 plays in facilitating the tryptophan to niacinamide pathway. B6 deficiency and disruption of tryptophan may cause depression relieved by supplemental B6 (pyridoxine) tablets. Since pyridoxine in high doses can cause neurotoxicity, the P-5-P version is B6 is recommended. (4-7)

3) OC’s cause B12 deficiency – supplementation with B12 is recommended.

4) OC’s cause decreased Vitamin C levels- supplementation recommended.(3)

5) OC’s increase risk of venous thrombosis and stroke.

Oral contraceptives are to blame for deficiency in B6, and Tryptophan as well as deficiency in folate and B12 . These can cause mood disorders of depression, anxiety and even frank psychosis. (4-31) In addition to affecting the brain, B12 and folate deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy, and megaloblastic anemia. (4-31) For women contemplating going off the “pill” and getting pregnant, folate deficiency increases risk of neural tube defect in the embryo, and folate supplementation is advised pre -conception (with 5-Methyl-Tetra- Folate preferably) to avoid birth defects.

Oral Birth Control Pills Increase Strokes and Heart Attacks

A 2005 metanalysis from Quebec summarized the risk associated with use of current low-dose Oral Contraceptives. They found the  risk for myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and for ischemic strokes was doubled compared to non-users.  That’s a 200% increase !!

See the article: Bad News for the Nuva Ring

Also See the article: Why Transdermal Estrogen is Safer than Oral Estrogen

Testosterone and Binding Globulin (33-37)

Another disturbing finding is that OC (oral contraceptive) suppression of  ovarian production of testosterone which may reduce levels by 50-60 per cent, thus making OC’s useful as a treatment for acne.   Serum Binding Globulin is increased dramatically by OC’s  These effects on decreased testosterone and loss of libido may continue many years later after discontinuing the Oral contraceptive pills.(33-37)  The increased thyroid binding globulin can make thyroid test inaccurate, and cause artifacts in  thyroid lab parameters (33-37)

Why are OC’s Such a Problem?

One might ask, why are oral contraceptives so problematic.? The answer is that they contain synthetic, chemically altered hormones that are foreign to the human body. Any slight alteration in a hormone structure creates a “monster” which can wreck havoc on the fine tuned biochemistry of the human body. For an idea of how fine tuned this is, the difference between estrogen and testosterone is one hydrogen atom added to the chemical ring structure of the molecule. If a small a thing as one atom of hydrogen (the smallest atomic particle) can determine the sex on an individual whether male of female, then imagine the potential damage of the larger chemical alterations in the synthetic birth control pills.

The IUD is preferred over the oral contraceptive for college students(44-49)

If OC’s are no longer the preferred method of birth control, What Is? If we take away birth control pills, what are the remaining  birth control options for young college females who wish to avoid pregnancy?

ACOG News Release

As it turns out, a recent ACOG News Release  June 20, 2011 answers this question:

They say that IUDs (Intra-uterine Devices) : “are the most effective forms of reversible contraception available, and are safe for use by almost all reproductive-age women”.  

This statement comes Eve Espey, MD, MPH, who helped write a Practice Bulletin  by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College).   Dr Espy says , “The major advantage is that after insertion, IUD’s  work without having to do anything else. There’s no maintenance required.”

IUD is SAFE and Should Be First Line Method for Almost All Reproductive Ages (44)

Another earlier 2009 Committee Opinion released by ACOG (The College) says that IUDs (LARCs) should be offered as first-line contraceptive methods and encouraged as options for most women.

Features of the Paragard Copper T IUD:

1) Most effective method at preventing pregnancy
2) Most method cost effective when used long term
3) Does not impair fertility after removal
4) Can be used by women of all reproductive ages.
5) No Hormones in this Copper T IUD, and no increase in blood clots or stroke associated with BCP’s

Which IUD to Use?

Avoid the Mirena which has implanted synthetic hormones. Instead go with the Paraguard which has a proven track recod and has no added synthetic hormones.

Watch the Video on the Copper T IUD:

Who is Eve Espey MD ?

Dr. Espey chairs the ACOG working group for long-acting reversible contraceptives (IUD’s) and is a liaison member on the Committee for Underserved Women. She is a board member of the Society for Family Planning and for Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health. Additionally, Dr. Espey is Associate Dean of Students at the University of New Mexico and has chaired the UNM School of Medicine Curriculum Committee, working to promote incorporation of reproductive health in the medical school curriculum.

Disclaimer: I have no financial relationship with any manufacturer of oral contraceptives or IUD’s.  Specifically I have no financial relationship with the makers of the ParaGard Copper T – IUD

 

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Homeoprophylaxis for College Bound Students and Children

I am certified in Homeoprophylaxis (HP) and offer homeopathic immunizations to current and new clients.

HP starts at one month of age and up for infants and children. HP is also available for business travelers, missionaries, nurses and nursing students, college students and tourists.

HP can be supervised by me for any infectious disease on people of all ages to offer safe, clinically proven effective protection without dangerous vaccines.                                           

I am working with another new family whose high school graduate will be in college in the fall. She will be doing HP instead of vaccinations.  Homeoprophylaxis is the safe, effective method for giving your college bound student protection for Hepatitis B, Influenza, Meningitis, Measles and other contagious diseases. We start 3 months prior to college entry.

If you have a college bound student, please contact me about HP.  Say NO to toxic vaccinations, use HP and get a philosophical exemption or a medical exemption for your child’s college. Exemptions will differ from college to college so you must contact the college directly on their policies. The time to inquire is now and the time to start college HP is June for fall enrollment.

Learn more about HP for College Students:

http://immunizationalternatives.com/homeoprophylaxis-college-students/

Learn about HP for Children:

http://immunizationalternatives.com/homeoprophylaxis-for-children/

Learn about HP for Tourists:

http://immunizationalternatives.com/homeoprophylaxis-for-travelers-and-tourists/

Learn about HP for Business Travelers:

http://immunizationalternatives.com/business/

 

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Folic Acid in Prenatal Vitamins are only for 1st Trimester

Folic Acid in Prenatal Vitamins are only for 1st Trimester

http://www.mensahmedical.com/folic-acid-dangers-pregnant-women/

May 13, 2016 - Posted by: Albert Mensah, MD

Folic acid supplementation is not one size fits all for pregnant women. In addition, women should not presume that while you are preparing to get pregnant that you should eat lots of green leafy vegetables. They may or may not be beneficial to you or your child. Even worse, they may be a benefit to you and not your child.

A new study out of Johns Hopkins University’s school of public health shows that medicine’s decade long promotion of folic acid supplementation for pregnant women can be very detrimental for certain patients and their unborn babies, possibly contributing to the rise in autism over the last decade.

We have been telling patients for many years that women should take the standard dose of folic acid only during the first trimester of pregnancy, and not go beyond that time period. Folate is a necessary nutrient for the prevention of neural tube defects but it can have very detrimental side effects for both mother and baby if one or both are undermethylated. It is only needed during the first trimester of pregnancy. After which the brain is fully formed.

The John Hopkins study supports what we’ve been saying for almost a decade. Folic acid in excess may not be good. Quite frankly, sometimes too much or too little of any good thing can be problematic. And this is true for folic acid.

We’ve seen the trend in medicine over the last decade move from recommending folic acid for the first three months, to six months, to a year, and then to giving it to nursing mothers as well. It seemed like the general consensus was, if something is good then more is better.  We have been cautioning our patients for years to only use folic acid for the first three months of pregnancy, after which the folic acid should be discontinued. Bottom line: continued use of folic acid while pregnant may potentially offer more dangers than it does benefits.

Why Folic Acid Should be Discontinued after the First Trimester

The John Hopkins article specifically refers to the risk of autism due to excessive use of folate during gestation. For us the underlying factor involved here is methylation status. Many of our patients are familiar with the methylation cycle, which is a series of interdependent biochemical pathways that all our bodies use to function. The methylation cycle influences critical biological processes such as DNA maintenance, energy production, detoxification, and our immune systems.

When the methylation cycle is out of balance mental health conditions will surface because an imbalance negatively effects neurotransmitter activity and development. If you have an imbalance you can be either undermethylated or overmethylated. Folate, while very beneficial for overmethylated folks, is extremely detrimental for undermethylated people.

Children with autism are mostly undermethylated and undermethylation is also a factor in various other conditions we treat that may be affected by excess folate from supplementation in utero.

This imbalance may also be producing future anxiety, future depression, and future ADHD in undermethylated babies fed too much folic acid in utero.  Statistics show that in addition to autism, ADHD has also risen in the past decade.  Is excess folate supplementation in utero also creating Aspergers syndrome? Future OCD? All of these conditions may be related to excess folic acid. This is also why we don’t recommend methylated folate for our patients diagnosed with autism.

Folic acid is not a friend for these undermethylated folks.

Folic Acid Supplementation for Overmethylated Pregnant Women

But what if you are overmethylated? You might be an overmethylated mommy who needs folic acid. But you don’t know if your child is an undermethylated fetus. Two lineages (maternal and paternal) can influence the methylation status of the unborn child. If you do any form of folate such as folinic acid, methylated folate, or folic acid, we recommend that you discontinue dosing after the first trimester when brain development of the fetus is fully formed. Your continued use of folic acid at 6 months, a year, and while nursing may contribute to a biochemical imbalance in your child if he or she is potentially undermethylated. Once you have delivered the baby, if you are not breast feeding, YOU should get back on your supplements if you are on a nutrient program.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Eat a balanced diet if you are thinking about becoming pregnant or if you are pregnant. Keep away from the extreme diets. Carnivores, you typically don’t get enough folic acid in your diet.  Sorry, veggievors. You typically get too much folic acid in your diet. Please note, folic acid is important. But too little folic acid and too much folic acid can be detrimental to patients.

Now we have seen that traditional medicine has likely been advocating too much folic acid supplementation. Now the medical world has begun to re-evaluate previous recommendations for folic acid usage and are beginning to understand the potential dangers and beyond.

Let’s talk about hidden food sources of folic acid. The average diet in the U.S. is full of hidden folates. Enriched or fortified has 200 to 400 mcg of folic acid. This includes bread, orange juice, cereal, and of course over the counter multivitamins. Plain and simple, now is the time we need to be cautious. Please read labels.

 

Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States

Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association

http://www.fluoride-class-action.com/fluoride-causes-adhd

February 27, 2015

Full Report: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12940-015-0003-1

Abstract
Background
Epidemiological and animal-based studies have suggested that prenatal and postnatal fluoride exposure has adverse effects on neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to fluoridated water and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States.

Methods
Data on ADHD prevalence among 4-17 year olds collected in 2003, 2007 and 2011 as part of the National Survey of Children’s Health, and state water fluoridation prevalence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected between 1992 and 2008 were  utilized.

Results
State prevalence of artificial water fluoridation in 1992 significantly positively predicted state prevalence of ADHD in 2003, 2007 and 2011, even after controlling for socioeconomic status. A multivariate regression analysis showed that after socioeconomic status was controlled each 1% increase in artificial fluoridation prevalence in 1992 was associated with approximately 67,000 to 131,000 additional ADHD diagnoses from 2003 to 2011. Overall
state water fluoridation prevalence (not distinguishing between fluoridation types) was also significantly positively correlated with state prevalence of ADHD for all but one year examined.

Conclusions
Parents reported higher rates of medically-diagnosed ADHD in their children in states in which a greater proportion of people receive fluoridated water from public water.

Or read the full report here:

http://www.fluoride-class-action.com/wp-content/uploads/Environmental-Health-2015-ADHD-and-water-fluoridation.pdf

 

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Story: Family of Three Recovery With Homeopathy!

Family of Three Recovery With Homeopathy!

http://www.homeopathyforwomen.org/family_recovery_homeopathy.htm

Published by Kari J. Kindem, CFHom, CHP, Classical Homeopath and Vaccine Injury Specialist
Testimonial written by Patty, mother and wife, Oregon, USA.

April 2016

"Homeopathy has truly been life changing for myself and my family. I'm glad that we were able to find Kari and were able to work with her. She is a world of knowledge."

Our Daughter's Recovery From Anemia Requiring Blood Transfusions

"I had the pleasure of working with Kari J. Kindem, CFHom for about 9 months. My daughter had been diagnosed with chronic anemia. Her hemoglobin count would get so low, she needed blood transfusions constantly, it started out as every couple months then monthly, and then became too frequent, needing blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks. The 3 different prescriptions were kind of helping but enough to keep her out of getting a transfusion. And the co-pay was about $300 after insurance for all 3 prescriptions. I was desperate to find an alternative method that would actually help her.  I was recommended to Kari by my sister, who had a friend that was working with her.

Working with Kari, she put my daughter on Merc Sol, since she had been fully vaccinated, this was to help get rid of the toxins from mercury. She also started taking Probiotics, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega 3, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin B Complex and Iodine. I started noticing changes not only her appearance but her attitude and overall well-being. With her anemia her face was always blotchy and almost ghost looking, she had no color on her lips. It was amazing to see her become more active and alert. She also had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep but after a few months, she was going to bed sooner and staying asleep, waking up feeling rested in the morning. When she got her levels checked for her anemia, they had gone up and maintained there so she was not even at risk for blood transfusions any longer.

It's been a year since my daughter has had a blood transfusion and it is all thanks to Kari. We could not have been able to do it without her help. I have come to learn and love homeopathy through this whole process and would recommend Kari to anyone who is looking for another opinion or a better alternative to have better health. Homeopathy works and it is less invasive and not as expensive in the long run.

My Husband's Anger Issues, Drinking Issues, High Cholesterol and Insomnia Recovery

Kari also helped my husband and I better our health because in order for our daughter to fully recover and not cause her stress, we would also need to be at our best. My husband had high anger issues, major drinking issue, trouble sleeping and not feeling well rested when he got up in the mornings. He also had high cholesterol.

Kari put my husband on Merc Sol starting at the lowest dose and slowly moving up to 50M, which is the highest potency. She also had him taking Probiotics, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Zinc, Magnesium and Iodine. Since he had the drinking issue going on for so many years, it took a little longer to see better results on him. But it was nice to still be able to notice some changes, like when he would decide on his own not to drink that night, that was a huge plus. His sleeping pattern also got better. At his last doctor's appointment, his regular doctor had mentioned to him that whatever it was that he was taking, he needed to stay on it because his cholesterol levels were looking great and whatever he was doing was doing the trick. He was very pleased.

He is more energetic and pleasant to be around now. We are now able to spend more time together as a family and have more longer, deeper conversations as a couple. I absolutely love it. I still need to remind him to take his pills but as long as I set them out, he takes them, so reminding him is not a big deal. He also notices the changes in himself, which make it that much better.

My Recovery from Anxiety, Grief and Menstrual Issues

Kari had me mainly on Nat Mur as well as Probiotics, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega 3, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin B Complex, and Vitamin B12 Lozenge. I was also having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I would get panic attacks, felt that I could not cope with stress well, and had some hormonal issues, also major grief loss.

After a few months of being on all the supplements Kari had me on, I noticed some major changes in my sleeping pattern and stress. I noticed I was no longer having panic or anxiety attacks. This was a huge plus for me, before this I had no idea it was such a problem I had. She recommended one remedy for if I felt an anxiety attack coming on so that I could stop it before it would happen and another one for if I had been stressed over for more than a few days like a family emergency and things like that. I also noticed that my periods were no longer so heavy and crampy and that I was actually ovulating alternating from both sides of my ovaries.

Homeopathy has truly been life changing for myself and my family. I'm glad that we were able to find Kari and were able to work with her. She is a world of knowledge. And I especially love that we were able to do it over the phone and not need to travel to see her. As long you give her full detailed information as to what, when, where, why, and how it is that you are feeling, she can guide you with what remedy to take. She is very passionate about helping others. Thank you Kari for all the help and everything you have done for me and my family. I am forever grateful."

 

"Vaxxed" Movie - From Cover-up to Catastrophe

"Vaxxed" Movie - From Cover up to Catastrophe

http://vaxxedthemovie.com/

Go to this website to find out where this controversial, important film is being shown in your area.

“In 2013, biologist Dr. Brian Hooker received a call from a Senior Scientist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who led the agency’s 2004 study on the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine and its link to autism.

The scientist, Dr. William Thompson, confessed that the CDC had omitted crucial data in their final report that revealed a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. Over several months, Dr. Hooker records the phone calls made to him by Dr. Thompson who provides the confidential data destroyed by his colleagues at the CDC.

Dr. Hooker enlists the help of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, the British gastroenterologist falsely accused of starting the anti-vax movement when he first reported in 1998 that the MMR vaccine may cause autism. In his ongoing effort to advocate for children’s health, Wakefield directs this documentary examining the evidence behind an appalling cover-up committed by the government agency charged with protecting the health of American citizens.“

 

Healthy vitamin D levels associated with significant decrease in cancer risk among women

Healthy vitamin D levels associated with significant decrease in cancer risk among women

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/blog/healthy-vitamin-d-levels-associated-with-significant-decrease-in-cancer-risk-among-women/?mc_cid=afed60c28b&mc_eid=ec1651b17f

A recent pooled analysis of a randomized trial and prospective cohort study determined that women with vitamin D levels of at least 40 ng/ml were associated with > 65% reduced risk of developing cancer.

Cancer is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 40% of men and women in their lifetime. In 2012, a total of 14 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed worldwide with 8.2 million cancer-related deaths. This number continues to rise with an estimated increase of 22 million cancer cases within the next 20 years.

Cancer creates a significant financial burden. In 2010, cancer care accounted for a total of $125 billion in the U.S. alone. With cancer diagnoses continuing to grow, this number is projected to go up to $150 billion by 2020. Therefore, it is important for physicians to implement preventative measures in order to decrease the medical and financial burden of those affected by this disease.

Current evidence suggests that vitamin D status is inversely associated with several types of cancer, including prostate, lung and breast cancer. Furthermore, vitamin D has shown to exert anti-cancer properties. There are several mechanisms that may be responsible for these findings, including vitamin D’s ability to prevent cellular proliferation, promote programmed-cell death and decrease inflammation in cancer cells.

Although the role of vitamin D in cancer has been studied extensively, researchers recently aimed to determine if the previous findings are replicable, and to identify a reference range of 25(OH)D levels for the ideal prevention of cancer development among women 55 years and older.

In the current study, the researchers utilized data from two cohorts: The Lappe cohort (a double blind randomized control trial) and the GrassrootsHealth cohort (a prospective cohort). Unlike other studies, these studies represented different median vitamin D levels, offering a broader range of 25(OH)D concentrations to analyze.

The Lappe cohort took place in Nebraska, and evaluated a total of 1,169 women over the age of 55 years with no history of cancer. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: calcium plus vitamin D placebo (either 1400 mg/day of calcium citrate or 1500 mg/day of calcium carbonate, calcium plus vitamin D (calcium as mentioned previously plus 1000 IU/day of vitamin D3), or control (calcium and vitamin D placebos).

The GrassrootsHealth cohort, conducted by a fellow public health non-profit in San Diego, CA, gathered the vitamin D levels of 1,135 women ages 55 and older who voluntarily joined the study with the aim to reach and sustain a serum 25(OH)D level of the participant’s choice. The participants measured their vitamin D levels via in-home vitamin D tests and reported their health outcomes by filling out an online questionnaire.

The researchers pooled data from both cohorts and compared the incidence of cancer with the subsequent vitamin D concentration over a median if 3.9 years. All types of cancers were included in the analysis, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Did the researchers find a relationship between vitamin D status and cancer incidence in women? Here is what they found:

• The median baseline vitamin D status was 28 ng/ml in the Lappe cohort and 43 ng/ml in the GrassrootsHealth cohort (p<0.0001).
• There was a total of 840 cases of cancer per 100,000 individuals in the combined cohort (1,020/100,000 persons in Lappe cohort and 722/100,000 individuals in GrassrootsHealth cohort).
• Cancer incidence was lower for individuals with higher levels of vitamin D.
• At baseline, there was a 77% decreased incidence rate of cancer for those with levels > 40 ng/ml compared to those with < 20 ng/ml.
• The greatest decrease in cancer risk occurred between 10–40 ng/ml, with a further beneficial effect at levels ≥40 ng/ml.
• A 25(OH)D > 40 ng/ml was associated with a 67% decreased risk of cancer compared to those with a vitamin D status of < 20 ng/ml, after adjusting for several cofactors (age, BMI, smoking and calcium supplementation).

The researchers summarized their findings,

“We found a clear association between 25(OH)D serum concentration and cancer risk, according to multiple types of analyses. These results suggest the importance of vitamin D for the prevention of cancer.”

As always, it is important to note the limitations to this study. The use of self-reported data may result in recall bias, potentially skewing the results. Additionally, not all covariates could be accounted for. Furthermore, the analysis did not have the power to evaluate the role of vitamin D status on specific cancer types. Lastly, the study showed the relationship between vitamin D and cancer risk specifically among non-Hispanic, white women 55 years and older; therefore, the results may not be generalizable to other target populations.

The researchers concluded,

“Primary prevention of cancer, rather than solely expanding early detection or improving treatment, will be essential for reversing the current upward trend of cancer incidence worldwide; this analysis suggests that improving vitamin D status is a key prevention tool.”

Citation

Sturges, M. & Cannell, JJ. Healthy vitamin D levels associated with significant decrease in cancer risk among women. The Vitamin D Council Blog & Newsletter, 2016.

 

 

 

Swiss to recognize homeopathy as legitimate medicine

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/complementary-therapies_swiss-to-recognise-homeopathy-as-legitimate-medicine/42053830

Mar 29, 2016

The interior ministry has announced its intention to elevate five complementary therapies including homeopathy to the same level as conventional medicine. 

Homeopathy, holistic medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine will acquire the same status as conventional medicine by May 2017.

After being rejected in 2005 by the authorities for lack of scientific proof of their efficacy, complementary and alternative medicines made a comeback in 2009 when two-thirds of Swiss backed their inclusion on the constitutional list of paid health services.

As a result of the vote, these treatments are covered by basic compulsory insurance as part of six-year trial period from 2012-2017, during which their efficacy would be examined.

The ministry has come to the conclusion that it is impossible to verify the efficacy of these therapies in their entirety. It has therefore opted to accept them on par with other medical disciplines. It plans to continue allowing reimbursements of treatment costs by compulsory health insurance, provided they are administered by certified medical professionals. 

However, as is the practice for conventional medicine, certain controversial practices under these complementary therapies will be subjected to further scrutiny. The ministry has initiated a consultation process - open until June 30, 2016 - on the proposed modification of the regulations.

 

Iodine Deficiency - An Old Epidemic Is Back

Iodine Deficiency - An Old Epidemic Is Back
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/complementary-medicine/201108/iodine-deficiency-old-epidemic-is-back

One of the main roles for the mineral iodine is to help manufacture thyroid hormones. And once upon a time in America - especially in the Great Lakes region - there were many cases of goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland caused by iodine deficiency. The iodine/goiter story had a happy ending, however, when manufacturers began adding iodine to salt ("iodized salt"). After that, goiters in the U.S. mostly disappeared.

But the iodine story turns out to have an epilogue. A new epidemic of iodine deficiency has occurred. And it's bringing a lot more than goiters with it.

Fatigue? Pain? Weight gain? Breast cysts or tenderness? In this article I'll tell you why you might be at risk for an iodine deficiency, what it might be doing to your health - and an easy way to protect yourself.

Bromide and Bad Medical Advice

There are two main reasons why iodine deficiency may be making a comeback.

Until recently, about 25% of the iodine in the diet was from wheat, because iodine was used in the processing of flour. Now, however, a lot of flour in the U.S. is processed with a chemical cousin of iodine, bromide (potassium bromate), which helps makes flour doughier, rise higher, and gives the loaf a better appearance. But bromide is a double-edged sword: not only has it replaced iodine, it may block the activity of iodine. That's also true for two more of iodine's chemical cousins - chlorine and fluoride, both of which are common in drinking water.

There's another problem with bromide. The International Agency for Research on cancer classified potassium bromate as a Class 2B carcinogen, and it was banned in the U.K. in 1990 and in Canada in 1994. It's still legal in the U.S., although in 1999 The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the FDA to ban it, saying the agency "has known for years that bromate causes cancer in laboratory animals."

Iodine deficiency isn't only about our daily bread - it's also about our daily salt. Most of the salt used in food processing isn't iodized. And people are using less and less iodized table salt at home, because of the misguided medical advice (except in those with heart failure) to avoid salt. (People who eat more salt live longer: see Eat Less Salt - and Die? (link is external))

The end result is Americans who dine on less iodine. From 1971 to 2001 iodine intakes in the U.S. dropped by 50% (estimated by urine output). Though it fortunately is not continuing to drop, we still have lost half our iodine.

So Why Is This a Big Problem?

Iodine is one of the most important minerals - your body requires it for healthy cellular and metabolic functioning. The book by Dr. David Brownstein, Iodine: Why You Need It and Why You Can't Live Without It, sums up its importance:

"Iodine is the most misunderstood nutrient. After 12 years of practicing medicine, I can say that it is impossible to achieve your optimal health if you do not have adequate iodine levels. I have yet to see any item that is more important for promoting health than iodine."

If Dr. Brownstein is right, and I agree that iodine deficiency is a major problem - our drop in iodine intakes might be contributing to many major health problems.

Examples?  Iodine deficiency might be contributing to the large increase in thyroid problems being seen clinically. Low iodine can contribute to an increased risk of both underactive and overactive thyroid. And iodine-blocking bromides are implicated in many thyroid disorders - one study showed bromides were 50 times higher in the thyroid tissue of people with thyroid cancer.

Breast cysts and breast cancer. Iodine plays a key role in breast tissue, and women with breast cancer have lower iodine levels in their breast tissue than women without the disease. Women in Japan get much more iodine in their diets - and have a 65% lower risk of breast cancer than U.S. women. The effect of iodine on breast tissue is so marked, that hypothyroid women (who can't process the mineral well in the thyroid, thereby freeing up more iodine for use in breast tissue) actually have lower levels of breast cancer. Six-12 mg a day in women with breast tenderness, cysts, or cancer can produce striking benefits.

Lower levels of iodine may increase the risk of heart disease. For a review of this issue, see Hypothesis: Dietary Iodine Intake in the Etiology of Cardiovascular Disease (link is external) in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 

Connection to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Low iodine might also contribute to fatigue and CFS. A study showed that people with low body temperature and fatigue felt better and had more energy when they took a daily supplement of 1,500 micrograms (mcg) of iodine (the RDA is 150), though their temperature didn't rise. It's reasonable for those with unexplained fatigue, CFS or fibromyalgia (link is external) to add an iodine supplement (6-12 mg) daily for three months to see if it helps. You'll often see a marked increase in energy within the first month.

Low iodine has also been associated with weight gain (see Less Iodine, More Likely To Gain Weight (link is external)).

How Do You Know Your Iodine Levels Are Low?

Iodine testing isn't always the best way.

The accuracy of iodine testing hasn't been confirmed to my satisfaction. Much as we like to have a piece of paper that gives definitive test results, sadly these results are often not reliable. I find it  works best to treat a person's symptoms, and see if that helps. I would treat for an iodine deficiency in people who have:

1. Breast cysts or tenderness, or breast cancer. I consider these markers for iodine deficiency.
2. CFS, fibromyalgia or unexplained fatigue.
3. Thyroid disease or thyroid cancer.
4. Low body temperature of under 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although testing is a reasonable option, I'm not anxious to order a test that doesn't affect how I treat a person - and I think a good case can be made for treating everyone for three months who falls into one or more of the above four categories.

Supplementing with Iodine

Doctors used to use Lugol's solution, a mix of iodine and iodide. But it's messy, irritates the stomach, and can mildly stain teeth. Some doctors recommend relatively high doses of iodine supplements each day - greater than 12 mg. But it's best if you take these higher doses only under the supervision of a holistic physician, because doses over 13,000 mcg a day may suppress thyroid function. There are two other cautions:

1. A small percent of those with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis will occasionally flare when taking an iodine supplement (even in a multivitamin). This usually goes away over time, and the iodine is actually helpful for the condition. And many doctors who use high-dose iodine report they see less sensitivity in folks with Hashimoto's who start with a high, rather than a low, dose.
2. If you have a known iodine allergy (usually an allergic reaction to the iodine used in x-ray dyes), you shouldn't take iodine. Having said that, I've never seen anyone who had this type of allergic reaction also react to an iodine supplement - but better safe than sorry.
3. If it causes acne (this is rare), lower the dose. Also, if it flares severe indigestion (pain in the solar plexus), lower the dose or stop it (also uncommon).

Diet and Lifestyle

There are a higher percentage of centenarians on the island of Okinawa than there are anywhere else in the world - and it's reported that they ingest between 80 and 200 mcg of iodine daily. I think it's a good idea for everyone to get at least 150-200 mcg. And there are several ways to make sure you do just that:

1. Seafood tends to be high in iodine. An especially rich source is seaweed, such as kelp. This is why the average Japanese women who eats a lot of seaweed gets 12,500 mcg of iodine in her daily diet - and maybe why she's a lot healthier than the average American woman, who is lucky if she gets 150 mcg daily. It also may be why breast cancer is much less common in Japan than in the U.S., where the breast cancer rate is three times higher than Japan's!
2. If you eat a lot of soy products, cut back - especially unfermented soy (e.g., soy milk, soy cheese, and soy protein added to food). Large amounts of soy can block thyroid function, though this is less of a problem with fermented soy products, like tempeh and tofu.
3. If your local water contains fluoride, consider a filter that eliminates it. Avoid bromide, too, when you can. (One unusual source: chemicals added to hot tubs to stop the growth of unwanted bacteria. There are other options available.)

Bottom Line?

For those with CFS/FMS, unexplained fatigue, a low body temperature, difficulty losing weight or breast disease, it's reasonable to take an iodine supplement. Take one tablet a day for 90 days (6-12 mg a day is fine). After three months, if you feel much better you can stay on the supplement. Or you can stop it and see if your problems worsen, a sign that you still need it. (You may find that one bottle is enough to "fill your tank" and correct your deficiency.)

For those with breast cancer, I would suggest adding a somewhat higher dose supplement (12-13 mg) a day to your long-term daily regimen. You might also want to work with a holistic physician, taking even higher doses - but these higher doses require monitoring of thyroid function.

_,___

10 Nutrient Deficiencies Every Thyroid Patient Should Have Checked

10 Nutrient Deficiencies Every Thyroid Patient Should Have Checked

June 12, 2015

http://hypothyroidmom.com/10-nutrient-deficiencies-every-thyroid-patient-should-have-checked/

Nutrient deficiency is a part of the thyroid puzzle that has been particularly fascinating to me. There are certain nutrients essential for thyroid health yet often times doctors are not checking to see if they are a root cause of a person’s thyroid issues. Of the ten nutrients Dr. Osborne mentions in this guest article, I have personally had deficiencies in 7 of them. How about you, could nutrient deficiencies be a part of your thyroid problem?

Written by Dr. Peter Osborne, Author of No Grain, No Pain

Hypothyroidism is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in the United States today but very few doctors actually pay attention to the nutritional relationships between your thyroid and vitamins and minerals. I want to talk today about what you can do to ensure that the reason your thyroid isn’t working properly isn’t just something to do with nutritional deficiency.

The first thing that we want to understand is that there is a hormone your doctor typically measures TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) that comes from your brain and it travels to your thyroid gland and tells your thyroid gland to produce T4. That T4 is what we call inactive thyroid hormone. The T4 travels through the blood stream and when it gets to the peripheral tissues it is converted into T3, what we would call the active form of thyroid hormone. T3 then has to get inside of your cells. DNA is in the center of the cell inside the nucleus. On the surface of the cell nucleus we have this little tiny key hole called the nuclear receptor and, in the case of thyroid hormone, that little nuclear receptor is where thyroid hormone binds. We get the binding of T3 onto that nuclear receptor and that my friends is what increases your metabolism.

 

What are the symptoms of low thyroid? With low thyroid most people will experience energy loss, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, elevated cholesterol, constipation. These are all common symptoms of low levels of T3 or low levels of thyroid hormone overall.

Now I hope you have a general understanding of the way these hormones work. Now let’s insert the nutritional parameters so that you have a better understanding nutritionally of what needs to happen.

The very first thing is that this TSH doesn’t just magically appear. In order to properly make TSH you have to maintain adequate protein in your diet. Magnesium, vitamin B-12, and zinc are also required to make this particular hormone. These three micronutrients (magnesium, B-12, zinc) and this major macronutrient (protein) are all responsible for helping us to properly produce TSH.

There are certain nutrients required to make T4. One of them is iodine. That 4 in T4 refers to 4 molecules of iodine, so to make T4 you have to have 4 molecules of iodine. If you ever see iodized salt, salt in the United States is iodized as a result of widespread goiter epidemic. Goiter is when the thyroid enlarges because of in this case iodine deficiency. This is why table salt is iodized however I don’t recommend trying to get your iodine from that particular source because there are other negative consequences to over-consumption of standard table salt. You can get iodine from eating fresh vegetables, seafood, kelp, and seaweed.

Iodine is not the only nutrient required to make T4. There’s a mechanism inside your thyroid gland that helps to draw iodine into the thyroid gland. That mechanism is a little kind of doorway called a symporter and it requires Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C. That symporter won’t work to bring iodine into the thyroid gland unless you have these two nutrients in place to run that symporter pump.

So far we have talked about 7 different nutrients associated with getting from TSH down to T4. Now we have to get from T4 to T3. This process right here also requires nutrition. There is an enzyme that does this conversion for us and that enzyme is driven by the nutrient or mineral selenium. Without selenium we won’t convert T4 to T3. What we’ll actually do without selenium is make another compound called Reverse T3 (RT3). Reverse T3 is also inactive. The problem is if your doctor doesn’t run a Reverse T3 lab test. Many doctors don’t run Reverse T3. Most doctors from my experience look at TSH only and they skip all these other components. If your doctor isn’t looking at Reverse T3, and maybe they did measure T3, you can’t differentiate Reverse T3 and T3 from each other without actually teasing them out. The way you do that is have your doctor measure Reverse T3 as well as T3.

Now when we come over from T3 and it has to activate the nuclear receptor on the surface of the nucleus of the cell. That requires Vitamin D and Vitamin A. So Vitamin D deficiency and Vitamin A deficiency can also stop T3 from activating your cell to increase your metabolic rate and increase your energy.

So there are ten nutrients required for your thyroid to get from your brain creating TSH and stimulating your thyroid gland to produce T4 to T3 and then to activate your cellular metabolic rate. The ten nutrients are:

Protein

Magnesium

B-12

Zinc

Iodine

B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin C

Selenium

Vitamin D

Vitamin A

If you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, your doctor says, “Hey, you’ve got hypothyroidism. We’re going to put you on Synthroid or one of these thyroid medications.” You need to have a conversation with your doctor about this component because if your doctor is not measuring these ten nutrients what’s going to end up happening is they are going to medicate you and the medication may help initially but over time as you maintain micronutrient deficiencies your thyroid is not truly going to improve. You’re not going to be treating the origin of why the thyroid is low in the first place. You’re just going to be masking it by putting artificial hormones in.

Some people will say but I’m taking bioidentical thyroid hormone like Armour and that’s okay too. Armour is more like your natural thyroid hormone than something like Synthroid, however I don’t recommend using any kind of thyroid medication, bioidentical or not, UNTIL you’ve had a conversation with your doctor to evaluate these nutritional parameters. It’s very common that I see patients once they come to see me they are already on a medication and once we start correcting these deficiencies, what ends up happening is their medication becomes too strong and they actually become hyperthyroid (symptoms like excessive sweating, anxiety, night sweats, inability to sleep, hot flashes). So when you start getting your nutrition corrected if you are on a thyroid hormone medication remember you may develop these symptoms of too much thyroid and may need adjustment in your dosage.

The bottom line is if you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism have your doctor check these nutrient levels so that you can ascertain the nutritional potentials for why your thyroid is low in the first place.

About Dr. Peter Osborne

Dr. Peter Osborne is the clinical director of Town Center Wellness in Sugar Land, Texas. He is a doctor of chiropractic and a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist. His clinical focus is the holistic natural treatment of chronic degenerative musculoskeletal diseases. He is an expert in the relationship that gluten sensitivity and food allergies play in chronic inflammation. He has helped thousands of patients recover from chronic painful conditions. Dr. Osborne is the author of the book No Grain, No Pain: A 30-Day Diet for Eliminating the Root Cause of Chronic Pain.