Letting
Go of Habits
Peptic
Ulcer Management
Safer
Natural
Remedies
Arthritis
and Food
Allergy
Ask
Dr. J:
Strontium
for Bones
References
In
the Health
News
Diet
and Disease
Recipe
of the
Month:
Broccoli
Raab (Rapini)
Dear Friends,
Letting
go of certain
food attachments
can be difficult,
but not as
difficult
as it might
seem at first.
Whether or
not we ate
nutritious
foods as
part of our
diets while
growing up,
many of us
also consumed
a variety
of foods
that were
(and remain)
unhealthful,
including
cakes, pies,
candies,
cookies,
ice cream,
Jell-O, fried
foods, meats
(particularly
deep fried
or grilled),
and drinks
such as milkshakes,
sodas, and
Kool-Aid.
These foods
might still
be associated
with memories
of good times
and comfort.
I remember
the pleasures
of a cookout
with the
extended
family, or
the offer
of an evening
milk-shake
as a treat
(before I
realized
that lactose
intolerance
was causing
subsequent
digestive
symptoms),
or the summer
outings to
the clam
shack for
steamers
and fried
clams. When
confronted
with suggestions
for improving
the diet,
people with
these associations
might hang
on to foods
for their
memories
rather than
for the actual
taste pleasures.
I am not
saying that
the taste
pleasures
are not real,
but that
our tastes
are mostly
learned,
and these
can change,
especially
if we make
an effort
to create
new associations
(the smell
of fast-food
joints always
makes me
think of
the nauseating
aroma of
overcooked
and rancid
oils or shortening,
which is
guaranteed
to repel
me). I remember
creating
just such
a negative
association
when I began
learning
about health
and was told
that chocolate
factories
have a serious
problem with
cockroaches,
and as a
result they
have a certain
maximum allowable
level of
cockroach
parts in
their products.
Whether or
not this
is true,
it altered
my interest
in chocolate
from that
day forward,
and makes
me think
twice before
even the
occasional
organic chocolate
treat.
I was recently
talking with
a patient
about the
habits that
are hard
to let go,
one of which
was a fried
food. I pointed
out that
the processed
food industry
advertises
cooking oils
in commercial
restaurant
journals
(that the
public never
sees) claiming
that their
particular
oil can be
reused for
thirty days
without changing
it (at the
end of the
day they
skim off
the surface
crud then
top it up
and reheat
the oil the
next day).
This information
may not lead
to an immediate
habit change,
but at least
he is thinking
differently
with a new
motivation
(in addition
to avoiding
future heart
surgery).
Years ago
I participated
in discussions
on a network
health forum,
and one of
the participants
was talking
about her
changing
to a strict
low-fat,
low-sugar,
vegetarian
diet to reverse
her heart
disease (she
had had a
coronary
bypass after
a heart attack
in her early
forties).
Another participant
asked her
if the diet
was not difficult,
as she had
given up
so many foods
that are
common in
the western
diet, and
to which
she had been
accustomed
before her
heart attack.
Her response
remains with
me to this
day. She
said that
after a short
transition
she found
many delicious
foods that
fit into
her new dietary
practices,
and besides,
she said, “there
is absolutely
nothing edible
worth dying
for.”
Acid indigestion
or heartburn
is often
the result
of poor diet
and stress,
but it may
also be a
symptom of
a peptic
ulcer, an
erosion in
the lining
of the stomach
or first
part of the
small intestine
called the
duodenum.
In some cases
the ulcer
breaks through
a blood vessel
and causes
serious bleeding,
and more
rarely it
can actually
perforate
the wall
of the stomach
or duodenum
creating
a medical
emergency.
(“Peptic” refers
to pepsin,
a digestive
enzyme produced
in the stomach.)
The typical
picture that
most people
have of someone
with an ulcer
is a highly
stressed,
overworked,
type-A individual,
but this
is not necessarily
the case.
In fact,
most ulcers
are the result
of an infection
with a bacterium
called Helicobacter
pylori (H.
pylori),
although
other influences
may contribute
to ulcer
development.
The presence
of H. pylori
does not
necessarily
lead to an
ulcer.
While stomach
acid (hydrochloric
acid) is
highly corrosive,
the lining
of the stomach
is usually
protected
from its
effects.
Only when
this protection
breaks down
does an ulcer
develop.
Smoking,
alcohol,
coffee (even
decaf), sugar,
salt, and
fat, and
anti-inflammatory
drugs, such
as aspirin
and ibuprofen,
are all associated
with a breakdown
of these
defenses,
leading to
peptic ulcer
disease.
Interestingly,
excessive
everyday
stress is
not clearly
associated
with development
of ulcers
(although
it is undesirable
in many ways).
Although
heartburn
is a common
symptom of
ulcer disease
(or simply
acid indigestion),
it is also
common to
have other
symptoms.
Abdominal
pain may
or may not
be present,
and it may
masquerade
as chest
pain or a
gnawing ache
in the upper
abdomen.
The pain
usually comes
and goes,
often happens
at night,
and is usually
relieved
by eating
(but sometimes
eating can
make the
symptoms
worse). It
is also possible
to have an
ulcer with
no symptoms
at all.
A test that
is positive
for blood
in the stool
may suggest
a bleeding
ulcer. Several
tests can
reveal the
presence
of H. pylori,
including
blood tests,
but blood
tests are
less specific
than stool
or breath
antigen testing.
If the diagnosis
is not clear,
a barium
X-ray may
reveal an
ulcer. Gastroscopy
is also helpful
in establishing
the presence
of an ulcer,
and although
it is a more
invasive
test, it
may be necessary.
Typical
medical treatments
are mainly
efforts to
counteract
stomach acids
with antacid
drugs and
drug therapies
to eradicate
H. pylori.
While antacids
may relieve
the symptoms
temporarily,
they will
not by themselves
eliminate
an infection.
Drug treatments
are combinations,
usually including
two antibiotics,
such as amoxicillin
and clarithromycin,
and a gastric
acid reducer
such as omeprazole
(Prilosec).
Bismuth subsalicylate
(Pepto-Bismol)
is sometimes
added. Combining
the first
three is
over 80 to
90 percent
effective,
with fewer
side effects
than other
treatments,
but it is
not free
of side effects,
and H. pylori
may develop
antibiotic
resistance.
Natural
substances
are effective
against H.
pylori and
also help
to heal and
protect the
gastric and
duodenal
lining cells.
Fiber in
the diet
is helpful
as a long-term
treatment
because it
absorbs and
buffers stomach
acid. Avoiding
the previously-mentioned
irritant
substances
is an important
part of the
overall treatment
plan. In
addition,
taking supplements
may reduce
or eliminate
the need
for any drugs,
but this
is something
you should
consider
with professional
advice.
Turmeric,
cumin, ginger,
and licorice
are all effective
in laboratory
studies in
killing H.
pylori, as
is Japanese
wasabi horseradish.
In addition
to killing
the bacteria,
turmeric
inhibits
the adhesion
of bacteria
to the stomach
lining, further
enhancing
its benefits.
Using such
plant extracts
can overcome
the resistance
associated
with antibiotic
use. Recent
studies in
animals have
shown that
turmeric
can inhibit
gastric acid
secretion,
and reduce
ulcer formation.
A clinical
trial showed
that turmeric
(3000 mg)
healed 76
percent of
gastric ulcers
within 3
months.
A study
in 2002 showed
that licorice
extracts
contain a
variety of
flavonoids
and isoflavones
that can
block the
growth of
H. pylori
in laboratory
cultures.
These compounds
were effective
against both
strains that
were resistant
to antibiotics
and strains
that were
sensitive
to the drugs.
Other components
of licorice
help to relieve
heartburn
symptoms
by coating
the esophagus
and stomach
with a protective
substance
produced
when the
extract is
chewed and
mixed with
saliva.
Mastic gum,
a resinous
substance
from the
Pistacia
lentiscus
tree, is
a traditional
medicine
that has
been shown
to kill H.
pylori and
relieve ulcer
symptoms.
At the right
concentration,
it can kill
over 90 percent
of the bacteria.
Typical doses
of mastic
gum range
from 500
to 2000 mg
daily for
two to three
months. Other
research
shows that
mastic gum
is preventive
and therapeutic
for leukemic
and colon
cancer cell
growth, induces
apoptosis
(programmed
cell death),
and it inhibits
tumor angiogenesis.
Other supplements
that may
be helpful
for ulcers
include L-glutamine
(2000 to
6000 mg daily),
garlic, grapefruit
seed extract,
vitamin C,
vitamin A,
and zinc.
Lactobacillus
acidophilus
(a probiotic
supplement)
is also beneficial
in reducing
H. pylori
infection
in an animal
model. A
typical supplement
would be
10-20 billion
organisms.
L-glutamine
is a non-essential
amino acid
that is needed
for reproduction
and healing
of intestinal
lining cells,
as well as
maintenance
of cellular
energy. A
recent study
in rats showed
that grapefruit
seed extract
reduced gastric
acidity,
improved
blood flow
to ulcer
sites, and
decreased
ulcer size.
Combining
supplements
with a high-fiber
diet that
is low in
fat, sugar,
and salt
may reduce
or eliminate
the need
for medication.
Foods may
play a role
in making
rheumatoid
arthritis
(RA) worse.
Many patients
report such
an association,
and a new
study supports
this claim.
Researchers
evaluated
14 RA patients
and compared
them with
20 controls.
Intestinal
secretions
showed remarkably
higher levels
of food antibodies
in the subjects
than in the
controls.
The most
common offending
foods were
milk, eggs,
pork, and
codfish.
Because antibodies
to multiple
foods were
found in
each subject,
the researchers
suggested
that many
small effects
could add
up to major
symptoms.
(Hvatum M,
et al., The
gut-joint
axis: cross
reactive
food antibodies
in rheumatoid
arthritis.
Gut. 2006
Sep;55(9):1240-7.)
Avoid suspect
foods and
take supplements
to help symptoms,
such as vitamins
C and E,
SAMe, fish
oil, borage
oil, curcumin,
and boswellia.
Q. Is strontium
(for osteoporosis)
dangerous,
as some people
have told
me?
DH, via
Internet
A. Strontum
is a chemical
elemental
mineral in
the same
atomic family
as calcium
and magnesium.
Strontium
ranelate
and strontium
citrate are
used as supplements
to enhance
bone density
and reverse
osteoporosis.
A New England
Journal of
Medicine
study showed
a 14 percent
increase
in bone density
of the spine
in 3 years,
an 8 percent
increase
in the hip,
and a 50
percent reduciton
of spinal
fracture
risk in one
year. This
is better
than risky
and expensive
medications.
Strontium
is not dangerous,
and has no
side effects.
The typical
dose of elemental
strontium
for osteoporosis
is about
700 mg per
day, taken
separately
from supplements
containing
calcium,
with which
it will compete
for absorption.
Some people
have a mistaken
notion about
strontium
because in
the 1950s
atomic testing
created a
dangerous
radioactive
form called
strontium-90,
which deposited
in bones
and led to
bone cancer
and leukemia.
This is not
found in
any supplements,
so there
is no danger.
You will
still need
calcium,
vitamin D,
ipriflavone,
progesterone
and other
supplements
for osteoporosis.
Peptic
Ulcer Disease,
Drug Digest,
http://www.drugdigest.org.
O’Mahony
R, et al.,
Bactericidal
and anti-adhesive
properties
of culinary
and medicinal
plants against
Helicobacter
pylori. World
J Gastroenterol.
2005 Dec
21;11(47):7499-507.
Kim
DC, et al.,
Curcuma longa
extract protects
against gastric
ulcers ...
Biol Pharm
Bull. 2005
Dec;28(12):2220-4.
Mahady
GB, et al.,
In vitro
susceptibility
of Helicobacter
pylori to
botanical
extracts...
Phytother
Res. 2005
Nov;19(11):988-91.
Prucksunand
C, et al.,
Phase II
clinical
trial on
effect of
the long
turmeric
(Curcuma
longa Linn)
on healing
of peptic
ulcer. Southeast
Asian J Trop
Med Public
Health. 2001
Mar;32(1):208-15.
Shin
IS, et al.,
Bactericidal
activity
of wasabi...
against Helicobacter
pylori. Int
J Food Microbiol.
2004 Aug
1;94(3):255-61.
Fukai
T, et al.,
Anti-Helicobacter
pylori flavonoids
from licorice
extract.
Life Sci.
2002 Aug
9;71(12):1449-63.
Marone
P, et al.,
Bactericidal
activity
of Pistacia
lentiscus
mastic gum
against Helicobacter
pylori. J
Chemother.
2001 Dec;13(6):611-4.
Koutsoudaki
C, et al.,
Chemical
composition
and antibacterial
activity
of the essential
oil and the
gum of Pistacia
lentiscus
Var. chia.
J Agric Food
Chem. 2005
Oct 5;53(20):7681-5.
Loutrari
H, Mastic
Oil from
Pistacia
lentiscus
var. chia
Inhibits
Growth and
Survival
of Human
K562 Leukemia
Cells and
Attenuates
Angiogenesis.
Nutr Cancer.
2006;55(1):86-93.
Balan
KV, et al.,
Antiproliferative
activity
and induction
of apoptosis
in human
colon cancer
cells [by]
Pistacia
lentiscus
L. var. chia.
Phytomedicine.
2006 May
16.
Cvetnic
Z, Vladimir-Knezevic
S, Antimicrobial
activity
of grapefruit
seed and
pulp ethanolic
extract.
Acta Pharm.
2004 Sep;54(3):243-50.
Brzozowski
T, et al.,
Grapefruit-seed
extract attenuates
ethanol-and
stress-induced
gastric lesions...
World J Gastroenterol.
2005 Nov
7;11(41):6450-8.
Zayachkivska
OS, et al.,
Gastroprotective
effects of
flavonoids
in plant
extracts.
J Physiol
Pharmacol.
2005 Mar;56
Suppl 1:219-31.
Brzozowski
T, et al.,
Effect of
probiotics
...in Helicobacter
pylori-infected
Mongolian
gerbils.
Helicobacter.
2006 Feb;11(1):10-20.
a. Acupuncture
provides
effective
relief for
back pain
and improves
function
according
to a large
study of
11,630 patients.
At three
months, twice
as many acupuncture
patients
(52 percent)
as controls
responded
to the treatments
(up to 15
sessions).
When the
controls
were then
switched
to treatment,
they also
responded
at the higher
rate (Witt
CM, et al.,
Pragmatic
randomized
trial evaluating
the clinical
and economic
effectiveness
of acupuncture
for chronic
low back
pain. Am
J Epidemiol.
2006 Sep
1;164(5):487-96.)
The researchers
noted that
the treatments
were also
relatively
cost effective.
b. Supplements
of vitamin
D can cut
the risk
of pancreatic
cancer almost
in half,
according
to two large
studies with
a total of
122,198 subjects.
Participants
who took
300-450 IU
of vitamin
D per day
had a 43
percent lower
risk of pancreatic
cancer than
those with
the lowest
intake; those
who took
150-299 IU
had a 23
percent reduced
risk). (Skinner
HG, et al.,
Vitamin D
intake and
the risk
for pancreatic
cancer in
two cohort
studies.
Cancer Epidemiol
Biomarkers
Prev. 2006
Sep;15(9):1688-95.)
Pancreatic
cancer is
particularly
deadly. Vitamin
D also has
known benefits
in reducing
the risk
of other
cancers,
such as colon
and prostate.
A computer
simulation
study suggests
that increasing
the amount
of omega-3
oils from
fish in the
diet could
save far
more lives
from heart
disease than
cardiac defibrillators.
The dietary
change could
reduce deaths
by over 6
percent,
an 8-fold
greater effect
than the
estimate
for wide
distribution
of defibrillators.
(Kottke TE,
et al., Preventing
Sudden Death
with n-3
(Omega-3)
Fatty Acids
and Defibrillators.
Am J Prev
Med. 2006
Oct;31(4):316-323.)
High-tech
solutions
are often
recommended
in situations
where simple
lifestyle
changes would
be better
and cheaper.
I love this
vegetable
partly because
it is so
easy to grow
in both of
my gardens,
but I also
love the
slightly
bitter, mustardy
taste of
the leaves.
It is usually
sold with
many buds
that look
like broccoli
(although
it is not
related to
broccoli
and never
forms a head).
The buds
will open
to bright
yellow flowers
if left growing
in the garden.
If you grow
your own,
simply cut
the larger
leaves at
the base
and the smaller
central leaves
will keep
producing.
It is simple
to cook by
lightly steaming
(especially
the thicker
stems of
bunches that
you buy)
and then
stir-frying
in olive
oil and garlic
until tender.
You can skip
the steaming
and stir-fry
a bit longer.
You can add
freshly ground
pepper or
cayenne,
fresh lemon
juice, and
cooked white
beans, or
make a mixed
stir-fry
with onions,
garlic, tofu
chunks, ginger,
and diluted
soy sauce
and vinegar.
Serve either
recipe over
brown rice
or millet
