Dr. Ingrid Pincott's
Volume 7, No. 3 · May/June 2001Quote
For fast-acting relief try slowing down.
Lily Tomlin
BC Health Guide and Other News
By now each of you have received the BC Health Guide. If you look up Naturopathic Physicians it is embarrassing what the government doesn’t inform the public about regarding the expertise of our profession. Our association president has written a letter to the Health Minister in response to their extreme oversight. I also wrote an update on the profession in celebration of Naturopathic Medicine Week in BC, Mar 26th –31st and 65 years in BC. If you missed it mark your calendars for the last week of March 2002. Free tests that were offered in the clinic were: zinc taste test, BP, blood sugar and a urine dip. So many people showed up zinc deficient that I later wrote an article on it! We had over 30 people participate at my clinic. The other big news item was Bill Moyer’s Trade Secrets PBS program that exposed the cover up of major chemical companies and their incredible health risks for their employees. For a complete transcript go to www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/program/program. I wrote a summary article on the topic. I have also finally published an article on Hep C. Copies of all the above mentioned articles are available at the office. In the last few months I gave lectures to the Breast Cancer Support Group, the MS support group, the Gold River Health Unit on Menopause and retired government workers on Osteoporosis. I also attended three Naturopathic seminars! I was very excited about attending Dr. Jeffery Blands’ International Symposium in Vancouver in May to learn more about hormone, diabetes and heart disease management. Until July, be well!
Melatonin and Elevated Cholesterol
In this study it was reported that nocturnal melatonin levels are reduced in a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It was also noted these patients have a high incidence of elevated cholesterol and this study proposed that this may be linked to dysfunction of the pineal gland since removing the pineal gland in rats was reported to be associated with elevation of blood cholesterol levels. As predicted a significantly higher serum cholesterol level was found in 10 patients who had low nocturnal plasma melatonin levels (these findings suggest a specific association between pineal melatonin and cholesterol metabolism). If confirmed in future research, these findings suggest that the pineal gland may exert a cholesterol reducing effect and that melatonin could be used therapeutically in the treatment of elevated cholesterol.
The relationship between melatonin secretion and serum cholesterolin patients with multiple sclerosis
.Int J Neurosci 1994 May;76(12):81-6Chinese herbs and Hepatitis C
A clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Although these herbs have a long history of medicinal use within the traditional Chinese system, only recently has the West begun to understand their pharmacological possibilities and clinical applications. Astragalus has demonstrated a wide range of immunopotentiating effects and has proven efficacious as an adjunct cancer therapy. Ligusticum, and its active components, have been investigated for enhancement of the immune system, treatment of ischemic disorders, and as an anti-inflammatory. Clinically, the hepato-protective and antioxidant actions of Schizandrae have proven beneficial in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis.
Altern Med Rev 1998;3(5):338-344.
More on Genetic Modified Organisms
Do you remember the fiasco with Tryptophan a few years back where several people died. They said it was a contaminated batch of tryptophan and took it off the market, only to later re-introduce it as a prescription drug. It was not contamination that caused the problem but the fact it was genetically engineered. You can start to avoid GMO foods by not buying any food containing hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed or vegetable oil, soy, corn, canola, potatoes, tomatoes and fish products that are not labeled "No GMO’s"
Dr. Sherry Rogers’ Total Wellness March 2001
Ed: Here is a website to find out which products in Canada are GMO
www.truefoodnow.org . I tell my patients that corn, potatoes, canola and soy are GMO unless otherwise labeled. You can buy organic Sunrise Soybean curd, organic corn chips, and organic peanut butter in town. Pressure your grocery store to also carry organic butter to avoid growth hormones and antibiotics. Spices are often irradiated. Ask your store manager.Flaxseeds and Breast Cancer
In a study of 50 women diagnosed with breast cancer and awaiting surgery, a food product – ground flax- was found to be effective in slowing the growth of tumors. Three tablespoons ingested on an average of 38 days caused significant reduction in tumor growth (evident when the tumors were removed). Flaxseed contains lignans, which are thought to have an anti-cancer action, as well as lowers cholesterol, and helps to lower blood sugar levels. The findings were presented at the 23rd annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The Ottawa Citizen, January 9th, 2001
Occult Blood Testing for Colorectal Cancer
A study of 46,000 people confirms that fecal occult blood testing is an effective screening tool for preventing and detecting colorectal cancer. When performed every one to two years the test reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer by 20%. Add this to your yearly physical exam along with a digital rectal examination.
John Hopkins Medical Letter March 2001
Ed: We offer this test for $10.00. You collect the sample at home and drop it at the office for interpretation
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Warm Feet Promote Rapid Onset of Sleep
In this study in Nature magazine the degree of dilation of blood vessels in the hands and feet were the best physiological predictor for the rapid onset of sleep. The greater the blood vessel dilation in the hands and feet in the late evening, the shorter the time it takes to fall asleep. Even lying down increases sleepiness by redistributing body heat from the core to the periphery. These findings seem particularly applicable to menopausal and older women.
Nature 1999;401(6748):36-37
The danger of B12 deficiency in the elderly.
Vitamin B12 deficiency damages nerve cells and aggravates nervous system disorders even in the absence of evidence of anaemia. Prevalence of B12 deficiency increases with age especially over 65 and is frequently associated with Alzheimer's disease. Recent American surveys record a higher prevalence of B12 deficiency and of undiagnosed and untreated pernicious anaemia in the elderly than reported earlier. B12 deficiency is also reported to be a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and accelerated aging .
Nutr Health 1998;12(4):215-26
Ed: B12 and B complex injections we provide for $10.50 plus 10% discount for seniors.
Recommended Reading
The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change by Christine Northrup MD is hot off the press. It is a comprehensive manual for any woman going through peri-menopause or menopause. I wish I had written it myself!
The Schwarzbein Principle : The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy And Feeling Younger by Dr. Schwarzbein, MD an endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes. She teaches her patients how to lower their blood sugars using a high protein, low carbohydrate diet which they monitor themselves with their glucometers. A very practical approach!
My New Favorite New Age CD:
Dreams/Rêves on the PolyMedia label.
My New Favorite Classical CD:
Simply the Best Classical Anthems Warner Music Canada Ltd.
Recipe
Chinese Chicken Salad
8 split chicken breasts, bone in and skin on
Extra-virgin olive oil
Celtic gray salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound organic asparagus, ends removed, cut into thirds diagonally
2 red bell peppers, seeded
4 whole scallions, sliced diagonally
2 Tbsp. white sesame seeds, toasted*
Dressing:
¾ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup high-quality apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. dark sesame oil
1 Tbsp. honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 Tbsp. white sesame seeds, toasted*
½ cup smooth, unsweetened organic peanut butter
2 tsp. Celtic gray salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
*To toast, place sesame seeds in a dry sauté pan and, over medium heat, swirl until slightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350º.
Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan and rub with olive oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is just cooked. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
Remove the meat from the bones, discard the skin, and shred the chicken into large bite-size pieces.
In a pot of boiling salted water, blanch the asparagus 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Then plunge into ice water. Drain. Cut the peppers into strips about the size of the asparagus pieces. Combine the shredded chicken, asparagus and peppers in a large bowl.
Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and toss with the chicken and vegetables. Add the scallions and 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds. Serve cold or at room temperature. Makes 12 servings.
Ed: this peanut sauce is great hot or cold on salads, rice noodles, and rice dishes as well!
New in the Office
Ocudyne ll
NATUROPATHIC WISDOM NOTES is compiled by Dr. Ingrid Pincott, N.D. for the sole purpose of providing education and reference. It is not intended as a substitute for consultation and treatment by a qualified naturopathic or medical doctor.