Dr. Ingrid Pincott's Volume 6, No. 3 · March/April 2000
NATUROPATHIC WISDOM NOTES

Early Cancer Detection

A Call to Women: The Healthy Breast Program

Genetically Modified Foods

Watch for Drug/Drug Interactions

Naturopathic Medicine is Growing in Canada

Spring Specials

Spinach Salad Recipe

New In Office Tests Available

I am writing this on the first day of daylight savings time and it really feels like melatonin savings time as the longer days stimulate the production of melatonin in the brain and help many of us perk up considerably at this time of year! The birds seemingly reminding me of new life to come, as they sing at the tops of their lungs. Spring is such a time of renewal that many of you commit yourselves to having greater health this year more than ever. Here are my latest considerations to help you on your path. I have been unable to keep my commitment of monthly newsletters with biweekly articles required for The Weekender so I will attempt to provide you with a bimonthly newsletter instead. If you would like back issues of these articles or newsletters call Hayley. They are also published on my website. Thank you for your words of appreciation that I receive after every newsletter sent out. Enjoy!

Elbert Hubbard

April is Cancer Awareness Month and I would like to present information from Dr. Sherry Rogers newsletter on the early detection of prostate and other cancers. The majority of oncologists haven't heard of these tests because their research emphasizes drugs and surgery. The overall cancer survival rate over the last 30 years has only improved 0.7%! This is appalling knowing how much money is spent on cancer research!

Benign prostatic hypertrophy may not be as benign as previously thought. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) will show up negative in 25% of the tests and these patients DO have cancer and 50% have PSA above the normal level of 4 and DON'T have cancer. If the free and bound forms of PSA are measured the accuracy increases. The lower the percentage of free antigen the higher the chance of cancer. Another test called IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor) shows that if elevated, men have four times the risk of developing prostate cancer. If elevated IGF-1 is found antioxidants such as lycopene and lipoic acid can reduce these levels. If you are allergic to the nightshades which includes tomato based lycopene you may substitute other carotenes such as mixed carotenoids (we sell Betaplex by Ecotrend 15,000IU's carotene complex per drop, 500 drops $30.00) or algae source carotenes.

If you have cancer, lipid peroxides levels are a guide to indicate whether the diet, lifestyle and nutrient levels you are on are working for you. Lipid peroxides show if you are heavily exposed to chemicals (in your environment and in your diet) which generate free radicals, which in turn cause cancer. The lipid peroxide test determines if the lipid membrane that protects your genes is damaged by free radicals.

Another test available is the glutathione level. Glutathione is a very powerful antioxidant and liver detoxifier and this test tells you if you are able to detoxify free radicals adequately, crucial for cancer treatment and prevention. Taking antioxidants neutralizes these free radicals before they damage genes and destroy cell membranes and thus cell function.

Measuring natural killer cells (NK) is another test that can now be done. NK's are white blood cells that attach to a cancer cell and cause it to die. By looking at these levels one can determine the chance of metastases (spread) of cancer, environmental factors and diet affecting these levels. (Alcohol decreases NK cells). The least expensive way to increase NK cells is Vitamin C at 4-6 grams per day to get a 78% increase in NK cell counts.

By now you know from my newsletters that nutrition modifies gene expression and here is an example. Don't believe your doctor when he says he got it all during surgery. Find out if what you are doing for treatment is working.

These tests are available at our office.

Breast cancer prevention and postoperative treatment are paramount to full recovery. Taking tamoxifen should not be the only treatment that breast cancer patients do. For example by merely adding Vitamin A at a high dose to a breast cancer program, you triple the number of women surviving yet it isn't done. A new book published by a Naturopathic Physician Sat Dharam Kaur "A Call To Women: The Healthy Breast Program" outlines five components. Breast Self-Exam; Nutrition; Yoga/Rebounding; Mind/Body connection and individual care. Her web site is www.healthybreastprogram.on.ca. At the Bastyr University in Seattle breast cancer research is underway. Call the office if you need more information or a copy of Dr. Pincott's article on breast cancer prevention.

 On April 19th at the Campbell River lodge 7:30-9:30 there will be a forum discussion on Genetically Modified Foods and Their Impact on our Community. Here are some of the topics that will be discussed. Be there to learn how you can change the food industry and protect organic farming in Canada.

Consumers want foods to be labeled genetically engineered (GE). Two thirds of Canadians would not eat GE food if it were labeled. The Canadian government has no intention of labeling GE foods unless the public rises up and expresses their concerns en masse. 70% of all Canada's food is GE including such foods as squash, soy beans, canola, flax, cotton, tomatoes, wheat, corn, and potatoes. GE has been found safe for humans but not for animals!

Many European Countries are refusing Canadian foods as they are GE. Italy recently banned GE corn and canola oil, South African retailer Woolworth's pulled all GE food off its shelves until they are proven safe. Shareholders in large companies are pressuring corporations to demand a moratorium on GE foods until proper testing has been done. McCains, the largest potato processor in Canada announced it would accept no more GE potatoes for the manufacture of its food products!

  Alive Magazine, April 2000 p 14, 62, 64

There is a lot of talk these days of not combining herbs with prescription drugs but did you know these little known facts? People on beta-blocker drugs for high blood pressure should be careful if they also get allergy shots. The beta-blockers can make treating allergic reactions four times as difficult, even making patients resistant to adrenaline or epinephrine (the treatment for anaphylaxis). Beta-blockers include Inderal, Lopressor, Tenormin, Inderide, Tenoretic, Levatrol, Sectrol, Topral, Zebeta, Blocadren, and Cartol.

ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of anaphylaxis 20 times depending on other aspects of your medical status. ACE inhibitors include Accupril, Altace, Captopril, Lotensin, Monopril, Prinival, Univasc, Vasotec, and Zestril. Another side effect of ACE inhibitors is a chronic cough.

You may ask your physician to switch you to an older medication that has been on the market longer, they are cheaper and have fewer side effects. Of course it is good to get to the cause of the blood pressure and using nutritional supplements such as garlic, CoQ10, ginkgo, Calcium, magnesium, along with diet changes really do work to lower your blood pressure.

 Dr. Sherry Rogers' Total Wellness March 2000

Doctors say a 20-minute nap translates into three to four hours of productive time. Employers are offering their staff nap rooms with recliners and earplugs to shut out office noise.

Trend letter April 29, 1999

Ed. I remind you that the average human needs 9 hours of sleep per night. If you are not getting enough a nap may make up for it.

Last month I announced that we are passing along a savings to you on some of our lab fees. This is because Dynacare/Kasper and ALT-MED two large national labs in cooperation with the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) agreed to service our profession across the country. This is an important milestone in bridging the gap between standard medicine and naturopathic medicine. We have a long way to go, but the fact that ND's now have access to medical services provided by these Canadian labs shows the acceptance of the changing view that naturopathic medicine offers an aspect of health care not provided by medical doctors. CCNM will graduate 500 new doctors in the next few years, which is more than the number currently practicing in this country!

In office specials for treating allergies this season include quercitin and euphorbium. Save 20% if you buy both together by May 31, 2000.

Quercitin does not suppress the symptoms of allergies; it prevents an allergic reaction. It protects both inhalant and food induced allergies by stabilizing the masts cells that release histamine. It is also a very strong antioxidant protecting the cell from allergic responses and decreases the absorption of allergens through the gut. It is also used to treat gout, psoriasis, headaches, and other inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia. Available in both powder and capsule form.

Euphorbium is a homeopathic combination from France that is provided in drops and inhalant to treat the symptoms of allergies. When the spray is used for six weeks over the allergy season the nasal breathing was significantly improved. There was no dryness when used long term, normal secretion and cleansing of the nasal tissues was stimulated, safe to use in all ages, no known side effects and no contraindications. It is also used in the treatment of chronic sinusitis and ear infections.

 Mix together:
2 Tbsp. of soy mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. of Astro Yogurt
1 tsp. of celery seeds
1 tsp. of white wine vinegar
1 tsp. of powdered mustard
Pan roast handful of sliced almonds.

Wash and place in bowl one package of organic spinach, several tablespoons of soy bacon bits, 3 sliced hard boiled free range eggs, 5-6 sliced mushrooms, handful of dandelion sprouts cut in half, one or two cooked and cubed breast of chicken (optional). Add the dressing and roasted almonds and mix well. Serve immediately.

New In Office Tests Available:

Heavy Metal Urine Test
This test takes a few minutes in the office. It measures the presence of mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc and copper in the urine. If levels are detected then further investigation is warranted. In our ever increasingly polluted environment, you owe it to yourself to know if you are toxic with heavy metals. Cost $25.00.

Oxidata Urine Test
This simple in-office urine test enables the physician to determine the level of stress on the body caused by oxidative or free radical activity. People of all ages benefit for knowing if they are getting enough antioxidants in their diets and supplements. This would be especially important in those with heart disease, diabetes, cancer, allergies, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and blood pressure problems. Cost is $25.00.

Essential Fatty Acids and Essential Amino Acid Tests
These two tests are for the chronically ill patient who needs further evaluation for optimal supplementation. Deficiencies are supplemented very specifically rather than using a general approach.