FROM THE DESK OF DR. PINCOTT

Greetings from Northern Vancouver Island! I am adjusting to my new lifestyle and I am enjoying the opportunity to do a little kayaking! Here, at last, is my long awaited newsletter. If you would like a copy of my new Naturopathic Dispensary Catalogue, please give me a call.

I hope most of you were able to avert the terrible flu that was going around. If you were not successful, I suggest that a detoxification program of 2 weeks twice a year does cleanse the body of endotoxins, (toxins created by the body because of poor organ function). This leaves your immune system better able to offend the increasingly virulent viruses that we are exposed to on a yearly basis.

You may already have read about the increasing awareness of parasites in North America and how they affect 8 out of 10 people according to Louise Gittleman, in her book, Guess What Came to Dinner? If you are going on a cleanse then why not add a parasite cleanse to your program? We deworm our pets once a year why not ourselves? Health food stores carry both types of programs, and I have developed my own as well. So here is to a happy and healthy spring rejuvenation!

Aspirin is the drug most commonly prescribed to treat and prevent strokes. According to the September issue of What Doctors Won't Tell You, aspirin does not prolong life expectancy nor enhance the quality of life in stroke patients; in low risk patients the risk of cerebral hemorrhage is increased by 21%, it causes nausea, vomiting, ulcers, liver damage and allergic reactions. It also depletes the body of vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Flaxseed oil on the other hand inhibits platelet aggregation (or blood clotting) which is the main cause of strokes.
Eur J Clin Nutr 1995 Mar;49(3):169-78

According to Dr. Zolton Rona M.D. in a lecture given in Feb. 97, there are over 20 studies that confirm the following side effects of NSAIDS (non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs): ineffective for the treatment of osteoarthritis and actually worsens the condition; suppresses the symptoms rather than curing; causes increased intestinal permeability which is one of the causes of inflammatory conditions; 200,000 cases per year in the US of gastrointestinal bleeding; and 20,000 deaths per year in the US; allergic reactions; ringing in the ears; easy bruising and bleeding; and inhibition of cartilage repair. Glucosamine on the other hand has no side effects, actually rebuilds cartilage and is 10-30% more effective than NSAIDS in the long term treatment of osteoarthritis.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of death from childhood cancer. Cured meats containing N-nitroso compounds (hot dogs, bacon, sausage etc) when consumed by pregnant women is a major risk factor for brain tumours in childhood.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers5:599-605,1996

Potassium deficiency is just as important as too much salt in the causation of high blood pressure. This is due to a diet low in fruits and vegetables and excessive salt intake; excessive sweating, diarrhea, and urination, and the use of diuretics, laxatives, aspirin and other drugs. Potassium supplementation lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 12 and 16 mm Hg respectively with 2.5 grams of potassium per day. If you are presently on medication consult your naturopathic physician before supplementing.
Am J Nat Med Nov.1996

Remifemmin is a standardized extract of cimicifuga for the treatment of menopausal symptoms: hot flushes, vaginal dryness, sleep disorders, depression, decreased libido, and night sweats. It is also used for dysmenorrhea, and PMS. Contact the office if you want to try this natural treatment for menopause.

Lignans are fiber compounds which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes, and is anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Plant lignans are changed by the gut flora into enterolactone and enterodiol, which are shown to be protective against breast cancer. Lignans are also able to bind to estrogen receptors in breast tissue and interfere with its carcinogenicity. Lignans also promotes the elimination of excess estrogen. Flaxseeds, the most abundant source of lignan precursors, is most effective when consumed as both seeds and the oil and has been implicated in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer and colon cancer.
Am J Nat Med Nov.1996

The hair mineral analysis is a very accurate way of determining heavy metal toxicity (copper,lead mercury, aluminum) and the status of such minerals as zinc, calcium, magnesium and manganese. Great Smokies is a lab in North Carolina owned and operated by naturopathic physicians. Bob Smith is the expert there and he is very helpful in optimizing a treatment program for my patients. Many hair treatments and shampoos interfere with the result. Contact the office for more information.

The Feingold diet developed 20 years ago for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, has been further confirmed by research appearing in the Lancet in 1985, and Annals of Allergy, 1994. When children were placed on a diet which excluded dairy, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, egg, chocolate, peanuts, artificial colours and preservatives, 73% responded favourably, a highly significant finding. Before you consider drug therapy for your child with ADHD consider diet therapy.
Townsend Newsletter For Doctors,#163:24

Watching more than four hours of television per day was shown to result in a significantly greater prevalence of obesity, smoking, depression, and high hostility score in 4,280 men and women between the ages of 23 and 35.
Ann Epidemiol 6:154-9,1996

I hope that all of you have heard what the HPB and Codex is all about. Here is a brief summary if you are not aware. The HPB (Health Protection Branch) is in the process of reclassifying many common herbs, vitamins and minerals as drugs. Some of these are goldenseal, kava kava, chromium picolinate, vitamin K, cramp bark, boron, horsetail, lysine, and hawthorne. These items have already been banned. They do not recognize Naturopathic physicians as health professionals so these substances will only be available from M.D's, veterinarians, and pharmacist's. This process is very costly and it is estimated that 80% of small companies in this natural health industry will be forced out of business.

Codex, an international organization at the United Nations level, is in the process of making any natural substance over Recommended Daily Allowance (R.D.A.) levels available by prescription only. For example, in Germany where Codex already has a stranglehold, the highest non-prescription dosage of Vitamin C available is 250 mg. and at 8 times the cost in North America! To find out how you can make your voice heard, contact the Health Action Network Society; toll free 1-888-432-4267. Remember, one letter is worth 10,000 voices.

While you're in the letter-writing mood... In a surprise announcement made March 27, 1997, the B.C. government has increased the user fee for supplementary services (such as naturopathy and chiropractic) from $7.50 to $10.00 per visit effective April 10, 1997. The good news, of course, is that so many people have turned to alternative health care that the government thinks that increasing your user fee by $2.50 per visit is going to balance their sorry budget.

Your suggestions, comments and stories are always welcome. Please Email to the address below or FAX (250) 934-6585.