Paul Allgood

Dr. Nathan Wei - Arthritis Treatment: A Potential Fountain of Youth?

Imagine this… What if there were a real Fountain of Youth for arthritis sufferers?  Well… perhaps there is.

A featured story, "Stem Cell Treatments for Zoo Animals Hold Promise for Humans” appeared this past year on ABC News (Newcomb) and underscored the interest that both scientists as well as lay people have in the use of stem cells to repair and treat degenerative conditions. 

"We just extract them, concentrate them, ..wash them and … readminster them. Inject them in your heart or your knees, wherever you need them," Dr. Eckhard Alt told ABC Station KTRK-TV in Houston after treating an arthritic pig at the Houston Zoo."

So... why is this technology so important?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is one of the most disabling conditions in developed countries according to the World Health Organization. Worldwide estimates are that at least 10 % of men and 18% of women past the age of 60 have symptomatic osteoarthritis. These figures undoubtedly underestimate the true incidence of the problem.  While age is the primary predictor of this ailment, genetics and a history of previous trauma also play significant roles. Other risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and excessive use of alcohol.

While many other types of arthritis can be controlled and symptoms alleviated, there are no such treatments available that can reverse the wear and tear that causes osteoarthritis!

Couple these sobering statistics and the lack of effective treatments along with the ever-growing population of Baby Boomers and a health crisis is in the making.

The numbers tell the story.  According to figures supplied by the Healthcare Research and Quality agency of the federal government, there were 288,471 total hip replacements in 2009, nearly half of them in people under the age of 65. Knee replacements soared from 264,311 in 1997 to 621, 029 in 2009… and more than tripled in the 45-to-64 year-old age group.

So what can be done other than to subject people to having metal and plastic hammered into their joints? And possibly suffer from the complications and side effects associated with these procedures…

Recently, there has been interest in the use of autologous, also known as mesenchymal, stem cells to help reverse arthritis damage. Stem cells (SCs) are cells that have not yet differentiated into a specific tissue type. They are "blank slate" cells. SCs have the ability to multiply and divide, given the proper environment.  This property makes them attractive for treatment of degenerative diseases like arthritis.

Here’s how it works: SCs are obtained from bone marrow, fat, or blood, and they are concentrated to provide a maximum number of cells in the smallest possible volume. These cells are capable of contributing to both repair as well as regeneration.  Adult SCs are often referred to as "repair SCs."

Here are five tips about stem cells (SCs) for arthritis treatment:

1. There are four types of SCs being studied. They are embryonic SCs, donor SCs, induced pluripotential adult SCs, and finally autologous SCs. Of these four, only two, donor SCs and autologous SCs have been used in either animals or humans to treat arthritis.

2. The results of SC therapy appear to be dependent on the following factors: age of the patient, body mass index (BMI), extent of cartilage loss, and the technical expertise of the center performing the procedure.

3. The procedure for arthritis is more than just injecting the SCs into the arthritic site. There is a need for some type of acute injury to help stimulate the stem cells to multiply and divide. Special guidance using arthroscopy- a small telescope inside the joint- and diagnostic ultrasound is necessary.

4. Possible complications of SC treatment can vary. As with any procedure, infection is the primary concern.

5. In the proper hands, autologous SC treatment can be successful. Early data indicating an improvement in cartilage thickness in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee has been published by our center.

For more information about stem cells for arthritis, go to:

http://www.arthritistreatmentcenter.com  or call (301) 694 5800.

Another great resource is http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment.com

Navigating better health. By Kathy Gruver, PhD

With so many options for health, it can be a tough road to navigate. Here are some healthy suggestions of what to add and what to do away with. 

Eliminate:

Soda, diet AND regular. Regular soda contains high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to obesity in some studies, and diet drinks contain dangerous artificial sweeteners. Both contain artificial colors, phosphorus that depletes minerals from the body, carbonation that can be hard on the system, and soda keeps you from drinking healthy beverages.

Add:

Meditation. We know stress is a killer in our society with 60-90% of doctor’s visits blamed on stress-related illness. Doing mini-meditations can help. And they are simple. Concentrate on your breath and on the inhale think, “I am” and on the exhale think, “at peace.” And repeat anytime you are feeling stress. This calms the nervous system, slows heart and respiratory rate and lowers blood pressure. It also readies the brain for higher functioning and slows the genetic effects of aging.

Eliminate:

Milk, unless you’re drinking raw, unpasteurized, un-homogenized milk straight from an organic cow in a wild field. Many people are lactose sensitive and cannot handle milk products. rBGH is a dangerous hormone and our cows are filled with antibiotics, neither of which we need. 

Add:

Essential Fatty Acids, specifically omega 3’s. It used to be that we obtained omega 3 and 6 in equal quantity, but because of our change in diet (more meats, corn oil and soy oil), we are now getting far more omega 6, which might be contributing to the rise in depression and inflammation in the body. Add flax seed or fish oil. It’s good for the skin, mood and heart.

Eliminate:

Artificial sweetener has been around a long time with Sweet n Low (saccharin) being the first used back in the 70s. Saccharin has been linked to bladder cancer, breathing problems, headache, skin eruptions, diarrhea, and larger reactions in people allergic to Sulfa drugs.

NutraSweet, equal, sugar twin (Aspartame) has been linked to cancer, hair loss, depression, dementia, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, seizures and increased hunger! There have not been intensive studies on this chemical and many scientists feel the FDA never should have approved it.

Splenda (sucralose), the newest addition to the sweetener family contains chlorine and has been shown to cause G I issues, wheezing, coughing, depression, mood swings, and it has only studied short term on animals.

Add:

There is plenty of evidence to show that our food is not as healthy as it was two decades ago. No matter how good you think you eat, we all need to add a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. Many people take a vitamin, but we need minerals for all functions of the body, don’t forget them. Everyone hears so much about calcium but remember there are so many more that are needed like copper, zinc, manganese and molybdenum. Magnesium is great for constipation, muscle aches, mood issues, sleep and PMS.

Eliminate:

MSG. This is another dangerous excitotoxin that causes hyperactivity, nausea, headaches, flushing, and racing heart in sensitive individuals. It does not have to be labeled as MSG so you might be consuming it without your knowledge. It is known by many names and is common in processed foods. Search for “hidden names of MSG” on-line for full lists.

Add:

Visualization. The brain doesn’t know the difference between what we are thinking and what is really happening, this is why visualization is so important. Studies show we can speed wound healing and activate our immune system with simple visualizations. To spark the immune system picture the white blood cells as ants eating away the negative, angels swooping in to carry off the bad stuff or the cavalry rushing over the hill to save the day.

Eliminate:

High Fructose Corn Syrup. Please don’t believe the propaganda TV commercials. Corn is natural but HFCS isn’t. It could be making this country obese and diabetic. There is evidence that fructose suppresses leptin, the hormone that gives the sensation of fullness, causes a raise in triglycerides and insulin resistance. And even if their research is correct and it’s just as safe as sugar, it still indicates a highly processed food, which I recommend eliminating and it’s probably genetically modified which should also be avoided (see below).

Eliminate:

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The most commonly genetically modified substances are corn and soy, ingredients like High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Protein used as a filler and Soy Oil. These two products are in most processed foods and trying to eliminate them can be challenge. Buy organic or products that are labeled NON-GMO to insure your family avoid these under-researched and potentially hazardous products.

It can seem daunting to make so many changes in your life. But do it incrementally, see what you can change over time and then progressively do more and more. For more information and tips about your health, visit Dr. Kathy Gruver at www.thealternativemedicinecabinet.com and have a healthy day!

Judith Marshall - Advice for First-Time Writers

My first novel, “Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever,” was released in 2009. It took twelve years off-and-on to complete and was professionally edited three times and revised more times than I can count. Here’s my point: when you start a first draft, you have no idea whether your writing is any good. Most times, your inner critic tells you it stinks! Ignore her. Keep writing. Keep pounding away. Even if the writing does stink, it’s the only path to producing something worthwhile. Writing on a regular basis keeps you from having to start over. What if you’re not inspired? Or worse, what if you are blocked? Don’t think about the whole story. Think small. Pick a scene or a moment and write about it for fifteen or twenty minutes. Another tactic is to start a paragraph, “I remember…,” and just keep going. Or think about three things you observed in the last few days: a frazzled mother, a homeless person, a conversation you overheard in the super market. Let your imagination go. Maybe you can use some of it in your story. Remember, writing is about revision. 1st stage – get it down, 2nd stage – flesh it out, 3rd stage – check the flow, 4th stage – polish and fine tune (word choice and syntax), 5th stage – punctuation and line editing, 6th stage – self-dialog.

But you have to have something to start with. Write on! Judith Marshall, author of Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever, optioned for the big screen.

Jeff DePalma - Certified Identity Protection Advisor

Jeff DePalma is a Certified Identity Protection Advisor, entrepreneur and author. In a roundabout way, his successful 15 year run in the mortgage business lead Jeff to his current position as a consumer advocate for Identity protection. As Jeff was working his way up to branch owner, it didn’t take long to see how credit was built and sometimes, devastatingly destroyed. While performing his various duties such as originating mortgages, Jeff came into contact with many clients whose lives had been turned upside down by the growing epidemic of identity theft. A combination of vocational burnout and an innate drive to right these injustices culminated in a paradigm shift. A few months after leaving the mortgage business for good, Jeff got his Identity Protection Advisor Certification. He then authored a popular e-Book on identity protection. “How to Protect Yourself from identity Thieves during the Holidays” is Jeff’s first e-Book on the subject and is available through http://www.holidayidentitytips .com Education:

A born leader with a head for business, Jeff got his bachelor in business administration with minor in marketing from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton Florida. There, he was elected president of the illustrious business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. He lives in Southern New Jersey with wife Diane and son Gavin. When he’s educating people on how to protect themselves from identity thieves, he enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with his family .

Marc Halpern - Ayurveda and Yoga: Complete Care for the Body, Mind and Consciousness

Most everyone today is familiar with Yoga. Fewer are familiar with its sister science, Ayurveda. Together, Yoga and Ayurveda offer a complete system of care for body, mind and consciousness. Together, they lead each person toward peace of mind, happiness and optimal health. Ayurveda is the healing side of yoga. It is complete system of Holistic Medicine with specialties in both preventative and clinical medicine.

The list of therapeutic practices utilized by Ayurvedic practitioners is astounding and includes; diet, herbs, lifestyle, color therapy, aroma therapy, sound and music therapy, purification programs and yoga therapies, including meditation, yoga exercise and breathing practices. Using all of these “medicines,” ayurveda is a complete system healthcare. In India, patients with serious diseases go to Ayurvedic hospitals. In the United States, most Ayurvedic care is outpatient but a few centers such as the clinic at the California College of Ayurveda offer limited in-patient care as well.

The human body is much like a plant. When a plant receives everything it needs (the right temperature, soil, water, sunlight) the plant will have a deep rich color and lots of blossoms. Likewise, when a person receives everything she/he needs from their environment, that person will have a deep rich color and fully blossom reaching their full potential. This is the science of Ayurveda. The goal is a fully functional human being that is strong enough to stand up against stress and who body is able to resist disease. Once sick, the goal of ayurveda is to restore the normal physiology of the body and in doing so, support the body to heal itself. What is the ideal environment? Simply put, it is that which your body and mind find balancing. In Ayurveda, we recognize that there is no one environment that is right for everyone.

We are all unique individuals. Ayurveda calls this uniqueness our “constitution”. Your constitution was determined at conception and it is with you for the rest of your life. It determines what will support your body and mind and what will cause you to get out of balance and become sick. Your constitution is your unique physiology. Ayurveda describes three physiological functions: the function of motion; the function of metabolism, and the function of structure. Motion, metabolism and structure define who we are. In the language of Ayurveda these are called the three doshas and they are vata dosha, pitta dosha and kapha dosha respectively. Each of us has more or less of each function. Some people have a lot of motion and speak and move quickly. Others have a lot metabolism and digest both food and information quickly. Others have a lot of structure and have thick strong bones. Each person has their own balance of these three physiological functions in their body. Your unique balance is called your constitution. Due to the stresses of life, these three functions become altered and imbalances in motion, metabolism and structure define all disease and suffering from an ayurveda perspective.

The goal of Ayurvedic healing is to restore normal function to the body. This is achieved by creating an optimum environment for healing to take place. Your environment is everything that you take in through your senses. Herbs are utilized to quicken the process. Imagine a life of health and happiness. It is not only possible; there is a science behind creating it. Ayurveda is that science.

Dr. Marc Halpern is the Founder and President of the California College of Ayurveda. Established in 1995 in Nevada City, California, the college is the oldest school of Ayurvedic Medicine in the United States. He is also the author of the popular book, Healing Your Life; Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda. A leader in the profession, Dr. Halpern co-founded the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. He also sits on the advisory boards of several journals in both the United States and in India and has received awards in both countries for his service to the profession. A Doctor of Chiropractic, a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, a certified Yoga Teacher, a certified Specialist in Holistic Medicine, an author, teacher and businessman, Dr. Marc Halpern gives 100% to his passion for healing and removing the causes of suffering. www.ayurvedacollege.com www.healing-your-life.com

JJ Flizanes - Your Body Blueprint Part 1

When I read Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott’s book, If Love is a Game, These are the Rules, it was the first time I really understood the concept that how others treated me was a direct result of how I treated myself. When I could stand back and be objective about my behavior toward myself and what messages that sent out to others, I realized that the relationship I had to focus on most to get what I wanted was with myself. If I was not willing to treat myself like a queen, then how could I expect someone else to?

Your turn. How do you treat yourself? When you wake up in the morning, what do you say to yourself? Do you compliment or criticize your body? Do you try on clothes, pinpointing all of the negative things you can, secretly wishing you could have someone else’s body? This common practice of most women is the exact behavior that drives the fitness and weight loss industry—and I hate it. We focus on perfect bodies and how can I spot reduce this area so I will like myself, or so someone else will find me attractive and valuable?

The underlying emotion here is fear. Our actions are motivated consciously or subconsciously by either love or fear. Fear is defined as a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by present or imminent danger and a feeling of disquiet or apprehension. Fear can be a good tool when you think your life is in danger, but most people live in this emotion all day long with no such threat. Fear is uncomfortable to be in and around. Fear can also be defined as lack of trust. Love is defined as a deep, tender feeling of affection and care toward a person, such as that arising from kinship or a sense of oneness, and a person who is the object of deep or intense affection or attraction. Love feels good, and we seek it all the time.

We hold others as objects of our attention to give love to, and we want to receive love from others. How often do you deflect a compliment? Someone tells you that you look pretty, and you say, “Oh no, I just rolled out of bed, and I am having a bad hair day.” This blocks a compliment. And you are training them how to treat you. Many women do it because they have a hard time receiving. You want to feel attractive, then someone gives you a compliment, and you reject it. Can you see what message you are sending to that person? Why would anyone compliment you again?

Take out a sheet of paper and answer these questions to see what your body blueprint says about you based on every area of fitness and self-care, including exercise, diet, rest, play, and self-talk.

1. List all the thoughts you can remember you had today, from the time you woke up to now, about how you look or any judgments on your character. For example, if you made a mistake, did you quickly internalize with a thought like “I am so stupid,” or did you think “Oh well, glad I learned that now?” List all of your thoughts in a single column.

2. Underneath the last thought, write a list all the actions you did today, from taking a shower to eating breakfast. Also include things you would have like to have done or should have done and didn’t. For example, you did not take your supplements today. You should have one long vertical row that contains all the thoughts you were aware of today and all the actions you have accomplished so far. Now make another column to the right of the first one and answer these questions.

1. Next to the thoughts you had, write down if they were positive comments or negative. If you criticized yourself, that is negative. If you brushed your teeth, that is positive.

2. Next to the actions, write down a brief reason for doing that action and whether it came from love or fear. For example, if you wrote down ‘had a cup of coffee, went to work and skipped breakfast,’ do you think skipping breakfast was an act of love or disregard? You know the body needs fuel, so if the reason you skipped breakfast was because you were too busy, you put work before yourself, which sends the message that you are not as important as your work.

JJ Flizanes is the Director of Invisible Fitness. An Amazon best-selling author of Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life, and author of Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core, JJ was named Best Personal Trainer in Los Angeles for 2007 by Elite Traveler Magazine. She is a finalist for IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year 2011 and has been featured in many national magazines such as Shape, Fitness, Muscle and Fitness HERS, Elegant Bride, and Women’s Health. JJ’s passion is transforming men and women’s bodies and relationships through their fitness and self care routines.