A Balance Test to Predict Alzheimer’s Disease

There’s now a simple balance test that may predict cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s Disease.

This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and was carried out in 16 university hospitals with 686 outpatients.

What the participants did was a one-leg balance where they were asked to stand on one leg for as long as possible.  The results were abnormal when the participant was unable to stand on one leg for 5 seconds or more.

The participants who were judged abnormal on the test showed significantly more cognitive decline at 12, 18 and 24 months than participants who were normal at the beginning of the study and at the follow-up.

The researchers believe that the one-leg balance test is a predictor of advanced dementia.

Use Meditation To Stop Pain

Meditation can stop pain from happening. Research reported on LiveScience.com reveals how this happens. Meditation changes the way your brain processes pain signals.

They found that it only took four days of practicing a meditation technique called mindfulness meditation to change the pain responses in your brain. Brain activity decreased in areas devoted to monitoring a painful body part and also in areas responsible for relaying sensory information. This reduced the perception of pain by 57%.
 
Since the effect is so fast, if you have to go into the hospital for surgery, you might want to learn how to meditate at least four days ahead and start doing it twice a day. Oh, and you will want to continue meditating during your recovery.

To Stretch Or Not To Stretch Before You Exercise

The wisdom has been to stretch before you run so that you reduce injuries caused by not being warmed up.

A recent study reported by George Washington University is challenging that wisdom. They divided runners into two groups. One stretched before running and the other didn’t.

The researchers found that injury rate was the same for both groups, about 16%.

However, they did find that runners who were regular stretchers before being put into the non-stretch group had a 40% higher chance of injury.

For the non-stretchers who were part of the stretching group, their risk of an injury went up 22%. 

What this means to me is if you are a stretcher, keep stretching and if you’re a non-stretcher, don’t.

Cheer Yourself Up The Fast Way – Inhale

The fastest way to cheer yourself up when you are feeling down is to sniff something pleasant.

Charles Wysocki, PhD, a behavioral neuro-scientist from Mondell Chemical Senses Center found that sniffing works faster to change your mood than looking at a treasured souvenir or hearing a favorite song.

He compared the olfactory system to an interstate and our visual and auditory system to country roads.

This means your sense of smell will affect your brain faster. And the cheeriest scent may be citrus since it boosts the release of norepinephrine, a mood-regulating hormone.

So…cut that lemon or orange and inhale.

(Reported Prevention April 2011)

Strep Throat May Cause Rheumatic Fever

If as a kid you had rheumatic fever, you need to be aware that an untreated strep throat can retrigger your rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints and central nervous system.

There is a particular type of strep bacterium called group A bhs that is the one that can trigger an autoimmune response, causing the body to turn on itself. One of the proteins on the strep bacterium’s surface is called the M protein. The M protein structurally resembles certain heart proteins. The body’s natural defense response is to create antibodies to fight the strep and the M protein.

This leads to the body attacking some of the heart tissue and heart values. Damage to the values can lead to permanent and often serious rheumatic heart disease.

Since a lot of docs might never have seen rheumatic fever thanks to its near elimination, you might need to point out to your doc the connection if you’ve had rheumatic fever and you get a strep throat infection.

(Reported Discover May 2011)

Technorati Tags: strep thorat,rheumatic fever,untreated sore throat,strep bacterium,autoimmune response

Understanding The Impact OF Electronic Pollution

We are being exposed to more and more radio-frequency radiation and high frequency transmissions from cell phones, transmission towers, terrestrial antennas, Wi-Fi and Wi-Max telecommunication systems, broadband connections being sent over power lines and our own personal electronic equipment.

Is there a way to turn the clock back to see the difference now versus years ago in the impact of this electronic pollution?

Well, there is. Dr. Samuel Milham has found that Old-Order Amish people, who don’t use electricity, had lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, suicide and cancer.

They also have uncommonly low levels of neurodegenerative disease and not one case of ADHD.

Using Resveratrol For Chronic Colitis

Chronic colitis is a difficult and painful bowel disease.

Recent studies looked at the benefits of resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory effects.

In a study with mice with severe colitis, the ones given the equivalent of 30 mg of resveratrol experienced reduction of inflammation and even reduced mortality by 40% when compared with a control group that had colitis and did not receive resveratrol.

Resveratrol has also been shown to have an anti-aging benefits.

So…if you have colitis, you might want to consider taking resveratrol for a couple of months. As they say, it can’t hurt.

Acupuncture In The West

Many people, including myself, remember that when James Reston was in China in 1971 and he had to have emergency surgery, acupuncture was used as the anesthetic.

He wrote about it in The New York Times and we became aware of acupuncture as something newly-found in our western world.

Well, it turns out that the first practitioner in this country was a Philadelphia physician, Franklin Bache, and this was back in 1825! Bache published a study in a prestigious medical journal about treating a dozen prisoners suffering from chronic pain, neuralgia, rheumatism and other disorders.

The first report in Europe was even earlier. In 1683, Dr. Willem Ten Rhijne, who worked for the Dutch East India Company wrote a 20-page essay titled “De Acupunctura.”

So…start thinking about how long we’ve actually known about the value and importance of acupuncture instead of considering it as something newly rediscovered.

FedEx Develops A System To Track Donor Organs

Federal Express recently got FAA approval for a unique system, SenseAware, to track sensor data and events during the shipment of critically sensitive packages, such as donor organs.

In addition to their regular location tracking data, FedEx is now able to track temperature, light and other vital information about heart valves, knee implants and other organs.

The service uses light and temperature signals to notify recipients if a package has been opened or otherwise spoiled before it gets to its intended destination.

American Medical Association Backs Organic Foods

The AMA has chosen to adopt a policy supporting a sustainable food system. The AMA has recognized that our industrial food production methods are a significant contributor to increased antibiotic resistance, climate change, air and water pollution.

The AMA sees locally produced and organic foods as a way to reduce fuel use, decrease packaging and waste disposal while preserving farmland. All this leads to cleaner air and lowers the incidence of asthma attacks and other respiratory problems.

If the AMA agrees that organic is good, it’s got to be good!

del.icio.us Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,AMA,organic foods,American Medical Association

To Scan Or Not To Scan – Your Body That Is!

Medical scanning using MRI, CT and PET imaging machines has grown into a $100 billion dollar a year business with 95 million scans done each year. Still, some big questions remain: Are they helpful and are they safe?

The answer revealed by recent research studies is that 20% to 50% of the procedures reviewed should never have been done because their results did not help diagnose ailments or treat patients.

Part of the problem is that older machines may create bad scans, which may lead to false or poor diagnostic data. According to Dr. Gary Glazer, the chairman of radiology at Stanford University, a scan done on a 10-year-old machine versus a new one will have significant differences in the quality of the image. Even a scan done on the latest equipment may not have been done correctly or correctly read by a qualified doctor.

In addition, the field is mostly unregulated. While imaging centers can choose to become accredited by the American College of Radiology, not many do. This will change in 2012 when a Medicare law goes into effect requiring accreditation.

Another concern is that a growing number of doctors are referring patients to imaging centers owned by the doctors themselves. Studies have found up to 3.2 times as many scans are ordered by those docs. So, is a scan being requested by the doc because it’s necessary or because it’s profitable?

The final issue is the amount of radiation that you are exposed to when a scan is done. A study of hospital patients showed that they had been exposed to 45 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation. Since the typical X-ray delivers .02 mSv, 12% of patients had been exposed to more that twice that amount.

With all these concerns, you need to ask your doc some questions before you agree to have a scan done, including how old the machine is and the qualifications of the scanner and the interpreter.

(Reported The Virginian Pilot, 2009, Article by Gina Kolata, New York Times News Service)

More Questions On Cell Phone Radiation

A panel of scientists and cancer researchers recently told a Senate appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services that more research is needed to determine whether cell phone radiation is harmful to humans, especially children.

The scientists reported that, although researchers have not been able to establish a hard link between cell phone radiation and cancer, that doesn't mean that wireless devices aren't harmful. According to Dariusz Leszczynski, a radiation expert at the University of Helsinki, deciding that cell phones are safe is premature.

Dr. Siegal Sadetzki, director of the Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Unit of the Gertner Institute in Israel, told the committee that recent studies have suggested that people who use cell phones for 10 years or more are most at risk. Cell phones have become commonplace only in the past decade or so.

Here’s the problem most people are not aware of, according to Devra Lee Davis, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology of the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh:The FCC's standards for cell phones were set 17 years ago, when cell phones and usage patterns were much different. 

The FCC's standards are based on the effects of cell phone radiation on a "200-pound man with an 11-pound head," who talks for just six minutes a day.

This means we don’t know the effect of cell phone radiation on women, teens or children. We don’t know the impact of hours of usage every day of the week.

In effect, we are doing a high school science experiment on all the cell phone users in the world. What if, several years from now, we discover more issues with cell phone use …oops?

Very informative reading can be had with Devra Lee Davis' Book:  "Secret History of the WAR on CANCER:

Book Reviews:

• Washington Post
  “…Davis put it together in a way that illuminates the underbelly of medical research."
• O magazine
  "In her devastating, 20-years-in-the-making expose...Devra Davis... shows how cancer researchers, bankrolled by petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies, among others, collude in 'the science of doubt promotion.'...Davis diagnoses two of the most lethal diseases of modern society: secrecy and self-interest. This book is a dramatic plea for a cure."
• Discover
  “Davis’s new book, THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE WAR ON CANCER, is a wake-up call for all those who have accepted the poisons of our age of plenty without a blink.”

Technorati Tags: dr jerry Teplitz,senate committe on labor,health and human services,cell phone radiation,FDC

World Health Ranking, USA Celebrating?

Guess who is #1, Wait for it…… wait for it…

If you still need convincing about the importance of reforming health in this country, watch this 3 minute video.

Technorati Tags: jerry teplitz,world health,health ranking,world health ranking,we're number 37,paul hipp

No Cost TeleClass on Migraines & Headaches

March 26th, 2009 "OnLine" at 9PM-ET
by Dr. Jerry V. Teplitz

LiveJournal Tags: Jerry V. Teplitz,migraines,headaches,free teleclass,health class,free online training,shiatsu,stop migraine

Register for free online Tele-Seminar Class:

• "Use Shiatsu to Stop Migraines in 5 Minutes or Headaches in 90 Seconds"  by Jerry V. Teplitz
  go to:  http://linkbee.com/MigraineHeadache

I have been invited to conduct a training class at a speaking platform like no other and want to invite you to listen at no cost to you.  http://linkbee.com/MigraineHeadache

You can participate in as many classes as you wish from the comfort of your home and convenience of your telephone or computer.

At this platform you will be trained, motivated and inspired by some of the most respected speakers in the Health, Personal Development and Sales & Marketing Industries.

My Teleclass will be held on March 26, 2009 at 9PM ET, on "Use Your Fingers to Stop Migraines in 5 Minutes or Headaches in 90 Seconds".

Go to: http://linkbee.com/MigraineHeadache

For the month of March, scheduled speakers include:
============================================

Health Department: Dr. Leonard Coldwell, Raymond Francis, Heather Picken, Dr. Nancy Irwin, Fred Van Liew, Dr. Richard DiCenso, Dr. Jonny Bowden, Gurutej Kaur, Elaine Petrone, Glen Depke, Caroline Sutherland, Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra, and Tal Shai.

Personal Development Department: Marie Diamond, Adrian Law, Eva Gregory, Dyan Garris, Colin Tipping, Joe Rubino, Ken Foster, Jill Lublin, Angela Treat Lyon, Marsha Petrie Sue, Larry Agresto, and Jody Colvard.

Sales & Marketing Department: Max Steingart, Mary Beth Lozano, Tim Nihoul, Emmanuel Segui, and Dave Sheffield.

Remember, these classes are being offered at no cost to you and you can listen from the comfort of your home and convenience of your telephone or computer.

Register today!
http://linkbee.com/MigraineHeadache

To Your Success,
Jerry

Alternative Therapies Gaining Ground In Hospitals

Alternative Therapies Gaining Ground In Hospitals:

LiveJournal Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,American Hospital Association,alternative treatments,acupuncture,music therapy

The American Hospital Association reports that 37% of American hospitals are making complementary and alternative treatments available to their patients. The therapies include acupuncture, touch therapy, and music and art therapy. This percentage has grown from 2005, when it was offered by only 25% of hospitals.

The majority of hospitals are using patient satisfaction as the best way of determining whether an alterative treatment was beneficial. Next, the hospital looks at clinical data on its effectiveness. At the Cleveland Clinic, half of 1,700 patients undergoing heart surgery opted for alternatives and 93% of the patients found the services were helpful.

As an example, a nurse was having difficulty inserting an IV into a patient’s arm because of the patient’s anxiousness over her scheduled surgery. Instead of continuing to prod and poke the patient, the nurse called in a massage therapist and in 10 minutes the IV was in place.

So…if you have time to make a choice as to which hospital you go to, ask them if they offer alternative treatment programs. If they don’t, make sure to tell or write the head honcho as to why you’re not going to be using their facility. If enough folks did that, the 37% figure would grow quickly and dramatically and so would the benefits to the patients. (Reported in USA Today Online 9-14-08)

How Valid Are Medical Treatments

How Valid Are Medical Treatments

del.icio.us Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,medical treatment,medical research,recommended treatments,glaucoma,Dr. David Eddy

I’ll sometimes receive feedback from readers about the lack of research on some of the things that I recommend. These same people will trust that what the medical profession is saying is a recommended treatment MUST be valid. Well, get ready to have that bubble popped.

Only 15% of current medical treatments have been proven by a controlled clinical trial. This fact has been validated by the US Government’s Office of Technology Assessment and Duke University Research Sciences.

Let’s examine the treatment for glaucoma, for example. Dr. David Eddy, a cardiologist, attempted to discover where the current treatment for glaucoma originated. He searched back to 1906 and could not find a single controlled study conducted that validated the recommended treatment. Rather, the entire treatment was just handed down from generation to generation. Dr. Eddy found the same problem, that there were no controlled studies, for treatment of blocked femoral and popliteal arteries. He even found that standard practices often do not match whatever research that does exist.

Dr. Cindy Romero reports that if one were to look at the Physician’s Desk Reference, which is the bible for drug information, one would find a significant number of drugs for which the mechanism of action is “unknown.” While there will be speculation as to how the drug is working, there will also be a list of known side effects from using the drug.

My approach is to give you as much research as I can and to make recommendations that will either do no harm or point out the known warnings. When you compare my healthy living recommendations to the numbers of drugs in the marketplace that have been withdrawn due to dangerous side effects, I think you’ll better understand the wisdom of my approach.

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LiveJournal Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,medical treatment,recommended treatments,medical research,Dr. David Eddy

DRINK WATER & PREVENT HEART ATTACKS

DRINK WATER & PREVENT HEART ATTACKS

Technorati Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,Drinking Water,Heart Attacks,Epidemiol,Loma Linda University,Robin Williams,Heart Attack and Water

Some fascinating research on the power of water was published in the American Journal of Epidemiol and conducted by Loma Linda University.

They found that men who drank five or more glasses of water per day were 54 percent less likely to die from a heart attack and women were 41 percent less likely to die. People who drank five or more glasses of soda, juice or coffee had a higher risk of death.

So what's it going to be – diet coke or a glass of water.

I was just watching TV and Robin Williams was performing. He was constantly drinking water during his performance. It's obvious that this kept his energy high!

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DRINK WATER & PREVENT HEART ATTACKS - Ezine Archive

It's Here In 2008: Genetically Engineered Sugar

Technorati Tags: American Crystal,Dr. Jerry Teplitz,sugar,genetically engineered,sugar beets,food labels

American Crystal, a Wyoming-based sugar company, has announced, along with several other leading US sugar providers, that they will be releasing sugar from genetically engineered (GE) sugar beets to stores in 2008.

Like other GE products, the GE sugar will not be labeled at all. Since half of the granulated sugar in the US comes from sugar beets, this means another source of GE ingredients is being unknowingly inserted into our food products.

By the way, the European Union has not approved GE beets for human consumption. Isn’t it better for us to play it safe than to allow our food supply potentially to be contaminated by GE beets?

Mark this Feed

For more on the roles of genetics, see my posts here:
http://natural-health-alternative.blogspot.com/search/label/Genetics%20Roles-Research

Questions About Merck’s Gardasil Vaccine Arise

The New England Journal of Medicine raised some serious questions about the effectiveness and safety of the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil.

While Gardasil did block almost 100% of infections by two strains of HPV, it actually only reduced the incidence of cervical cancer precursors by 17%.  Since there are other strains of HPV, Gardasil may be giving a false sense of security by allowing these other strains to flourish.

Another issue is the length of the Merck study, which sought to demonstrate the vaccine’s effectiveness. The study only lasted three years, yet HPV is a disease that can take decades to develop.

A safer alternative to the vaccine for young women is to use condoms when having sexual relations. The Journal reported that condoms alone reduced the incidence of HPV by 70%.

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LiveJournal Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,Gardasil,HPV,Merck Pharmaceuticals,condoms & HPV,Cervical Cancer

Myths And Truths About Migraines

LiveJournal Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,Headaches,Migraine Myths,Migraine Headaches,Migraine Pain,Migraine Drugs

Have you experienced a migraine headache? Here are some of the myths and the truths about migraines:

1. Myth: Migraines are just bad headaches.
Truth: Migraines are far worse than a bad headache. They are characterized by throbbing head pain, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last from 4 to 72 hours. Also, if both your parents have migraines, there is a 75% chance that you will have them, too. If it’s one parent, then the odds are 50%. Even if a distant relative has them, the odds are 20% you’ll get them.

2. Myth: I’ll know a migraine if I get one and over-the-counter drugs will fix it.
Truth: The research shows that half of all people who get migraines have not been properly diagnosed by a doctor, whether it’s because they haven’t gone to a doctor or the doctor missed the diagnosis. If the store-bought pain or allergy medication you are taking isn’t working to decrease headache pain, talk to your doctor.

3. Myth: Migraines are caused by stress and other psychological problems.
Truth: Migraines are a neurological disorder and not a psychological one. Scientists now believe that the intense pain of a migraine attack is a result of inflammation caused by an interaction between the main sensory nerve of the brain and the brain’s blood vessels. While stress may trigger that response, it’s not the cause of the migraines.

4. Myth: Before a migraine you will see an aura.
Truth: Not everyone experiences visual symptoms before a migraine. Only 1/3 of migraine sufferers see an aura beforehand. If you do experience visual symptoms or auras, they may show up 15 minutes to an hour before the migraine hits.

5. Myth: Avoiding certain foods, like chocolate, can cure a migraine.
Truth: You may be able to curb the frequency of migraines by avoiding anything that triggers them, but eliminating these foods won’t cure you of migraines.

See a list of the most common > trigger foods, or email me at Jerry@Teplitz.com and put migraine trigger foods in the subject line.

You can search for more information in theTeplitz Report Archives, and find Instant Relief with a natural technique I've taught for over 30 years.

Technorati Tags: Dr. Jerry Teplitz,Migraine Headache,Trigger Foods,Instant Headache Relief