Why Premarin Above the Rest?

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Why Premarin above the rest?

Many people have many reasons for not taking estrogens. For those who do want to take a pharmacological agent I have said Premarin.

The pharmaceutical industry has used their “man made” – pun intended – estradiol, for many reasons. My reason is that Premarin is 9 different estrogens, just like humans do, and each human can rapidly “sort out” what their body needs.

Nothing wrong with estradiol, just show ‘em how you do it now, keep on dancing, keep moving every single part, this is the next part of life and it’s your time.

Where is the HbA1c?

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Where is the HbA1c?

The average glucose measurement is becoming ever closer to replacing the HBA1c. This is for lots of reasons.

It is actually measuring HbA1a, b and HbA1c since it was easier for the labs to do and no one complained.

But we have lived with it for years, judged many studies merits on it even though doctors and patients really didn’t know what it meant.

But the continuous monitors, the new at home Viterion transmission system to go to the doctor’s office and the patient’s home all graphed and ready to read makes it very likely we can do a better job without the HbA1c.

We are going to start a project that will include the Viterion product to prove how we can do with this. Will we decide success by the HbA1c value we finally get?

Calcium and Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

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Calcium and Brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Aging Cell, 2007june; 6(3): 307-317

Two decades of research has implicated Calcium in multiple ways in brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease as discussed in this paper from the University of Kentucky.

It seems to me that it is unwise to continue to take oral calcium as a supplement. The extra vitamin D gets in all calcium you need at a natural rate and it seems that the scientific papers that accused vitamin D of causing memory problems have it wrong. It was the calcium supplement that did the wrong.

Select estrogens (Premarin) are protective against neurodegenerative insults and prevent Alzheimer’s.
BMC Neuroscience2006, 7; 24. Article available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/7/24

This is a follow up on the use of estrogen recently and shows a distinctly positive reason to take estrogen.

Cardiometabolic Conference October 10, 2008

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I am of sending out information concerning the Second Cardiometabolic Conference in the World to be held in Boston in October 10, 2008. I will be doing a series of 90 seconds on health with that meeting in mind.

http://www.cardiometabolichealth.org/

I will be doing intermittent and every increasingly frequent topics on this because it is recognized as the new medical frontier in medicine,
all the way from genetics to, l-arginine, to anti aging and disease reversal.

http://www.cardiometabolichealth.org/#

What specialists might come? Endocrine Metabolic people like me, Cardiologists, those who specialize in Hypertension, vascular surgeons, and many others you may have never known.

http://www.cardiometabolichealth.org/2008/chairfaculty.asp#fac

Stay tuned, it’s going to be very interesting.

Scientists Launch First Comprehensive Database Of Human Oral Microbiome

This is indeed exciting news since 20% of atherosclerosis occurs in the mouth. The Chronic inflammation that begins in the mouth is the cause the atherosclerosis.
Sent to us by a good friend, Kirsten Jarvi.

Dr. Joe

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
National Instute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Embargoed for Release: Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 12:00 p.m. EDT

CONTACT: Bob Kuska, 301-594-7560, <kuskar@nidcr.nih.gov>

SCIENTISTS LAUNCH FIRST COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF HUMAN ORAL MICROBIOME

Scientists know more today than ever before about the microbes that inhab our mouths. They know so much, in fact, that gathering all of the relevant bs of information into one place when designing experiments can be a labor-intensive job in self. Now, grantees of the National Instute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Instutes of Health, and their international colleagues intend to solve this problem wh the launch of the first comprehensive database of the oral microbiome, or the approximately 600 distinct microorganisms currently known to live in the mouth.

The free online compendium is called the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD). The database goes live today as the digal equivalent of an Oxford dictionary of oral microorganisms, providing detailed biological entries for each species and an extensive catalogue of the thousands of genes that these microbes express. The se is located at <http://www.homd.org> and is overseen by scientists at The Forsyth Instute in Boston and King's College London in England.

"The HOMD fills a crical research need," said NIDCR director Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D. "The oral microbiome is extremely rich in data, and HOMD becomes the essential search engine for scientists to view and retrieve this information, generate novel hypotheses, make computational discoveries, and ultimately develop more biologically sound therapies to control oral diseases."

According to Floyd Dewhirst, D.D.S., Ph.D., a leader of the project and a scientist at The Forsyth Instute, HOMD also introduces the first comprehensive nomenclature system to bring order to the naming of uncultured or previously unnamed oral microbes. The standardized numbering system helps to eliminate the Babel of confusing names and uninformative database designations that have frustrated scientists and sometimes hindered their research.

The database also categorizes each microbe by s 16S rRNA sequence, a distinctive fingerprint of genetic information that scientists have used for the past two decades to identify microorganisms. This sequence information allows the microbes to be placed in a family tree that shows how they are related to one another. For those organisms whose DNA has been sequenced, HOMD provides online tools to view and analyze all of their genes and proteins. Each category of information in the database is interlinked, readily searchable, appropriately annotated, and will be frequently updated to remain current.

Dewhirst noted that although HOMD has officially opened to scientists, the database remains an ongoing project. "We've already assembled a great deal of useful information for the research communy, but we will continue to expand and refine the database for the next several years," said Dewhirst. "I can see the Human Oral Microbiome Database serving as a valuable model for other microbiome databases now and in the years to come."

Informally called "biology's next revolution," microbiome studies have opened a needed window into the complex microbial communies that occupy most parts of the human body. These studies will define how microbes contribute to sustaining health and, when their communy dynamics are perturbed, play a role in common chronic disease, such as tooth decay and periodontal disease in the mouth. In December 2007, NIH launched the Human Microbiome Project that inially will sequence all of the genes, or genomes, of 600 representative microorganisms sampled from microbial communies in the mouth, skin, digestive tract, nose, and female urogenal tract. Addional studies are eher under way or under development.

Among those already well under way is a NIDCR-supported project to compile a full catalogue of the complete genomes of all oral microbes. It has generated a tremendous amount of data and, coupled wh the decades of more tradional studies of oral bacteria, the need for a comprehensive, user-friendly database has become a priory.

"The oral microbiome is currently better understood than those of other ses in the body, such as the intestine," said Dr. Bruce Paster, Ph.D., also at The Forsyth Instute and another project scientist. "Since oral microorganisms appear in infections throughout the human body, the HOMD database certainly will be useful to physicians. Likewise, microbiologists in industry will find HOMD helpful because oral microbes sometimes contaminate food or the drug manufacturing process."

The National Instute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the Nation's leading funder of research on oral, dental, and craniofacial health.

The National Instutes of Health (NIH) - The Nation's Medical Research Agency - is comprised of 27 Instutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and s programs, vis <www.nih.gov>.

##

This NIH News Release is available online at:
<http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2008/nidcr-25.htm>.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

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This is the site Dr. Joe refers to: http://www.athenadiagnostics.com/content/index.jsp



Timsit J, Bellanné-Chantelot C, Dubois-Laforgue D, Velho G
Diagnosis and management of maturity-onset diabetes of the young. [Journal Article, Review]
Treat Endocrinol 2005; 4(1):9-18.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a dominantly inherited form of non-ketotic diabetes mellitus. It results from a primary defect of insulin secretion, and usually develops at childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. There have been a number of cases where individuals were diagnosed as have diabetes as old as in their 30s. 1-5% of individuals with diabetes have this form of diabetes. MODY is different in what diabetes is thought of in metabolic and clinical features. All MODY genes have not been identified, but mutations in six genes cause the majority of the MODY cases. MODY2 and MODY3 are the most frequent. Patients with MODY2 have mild, asymptomatic, and stable hyperglycemia that is present from birth. They rarely develop microvascular disease, and seldom require pharmacologic treatment of hyperglycemia. In patients with MODY3, severe hyperglycemia usually occurs after puberty, and may lead to the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Sensitivity to sulfonylureas may be retained in MODY3 patients. Diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy frequently occur in patients with MODY3, making frequent follow-up mandatory. By contrast, other risk factors are not present in patients with MODY and the frequency of cardiovascular disease is not increased. This clinical spectrum of MODY is wider than initially described. A family history of diabetes is not always present. Molecular diagnosis is important in terms of prognosis, family screening, and therapy.

Tamiflu

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Tamiflu

The flu season is winding down but surely is not gone. We had worked hard to in years prior to prepare you all for the Bird Flu that did not happen. Hopefully you have not discarded the Tamiflu since this was the first time I have had to try it as primary therapy for Influenza. It was fantastic.

Most people did not recall they had it and therefore did not use it. And many used it when it was late. The timing to use it is to be as early as you can because it is clearly best when use at the first sign of trouble.

Because we were heavy users in the past, it turns out that we were given a copious amount of samples that are available to anyone who would like to replenish their stash. They are good to 2012.

We would be delighted to pass Tamiflu on to all that would like it. Contact EMMC.

Osteonecrosis March 2008

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Osteonecrosis

You recall that this is the “jaw rot” after using Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva and the like. If it starts, the jaw rots completely away and you are left with some flaps of skin and similar flaps of gum where the teeth used to be.

We have now finished follow up on 12-15 patients using 50,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily for 30 days or more and all the patients have undergone routine dental cleaning with no problems.

The people who were at risk for Osteonecrosis appear to have dodged the bullet and are going to be just fine. I always hope there will be no exceptions.

Menopausal Estrogen Use

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Menopausal Estrogen Use (text summary)

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association March 5, 2008 Pg. 1036, there are no risks or benefits to using estrogens or not three years after the Menopause.

A position paper on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (the hormone specialists) says there is no reason why women shouldn’t take estrogens. January/February 2008.

It’s up to the women to decide what to do and it seems like how you feel about it and how it makes you feel is all that is important.

Nonpolypoid Colon Cancer

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“The history of Modern Medicine is riddled with stories of discovery, skepticism, rejection, and sometimes, redemption and acceptance. For instance, the discovery of HELICOBACTER PYLORI by Dr. Marshall is a fairly recent example of initial rejection by mainstream scientific community and ultimate redemption (as recognized by the Nobel Prize).” David Lieberman, MD, Journal of the American Medical Association, March 5, page 1068, 2008

Ironically, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was given for the power of l-arginine to reverse atherosclerosis and inelastic arteries in 1998. Comments on this will be saved for another day.

Today I want to talk about the scientific paper in the AMA journal noted above noting the presence of flat or depressed colon polyps that may have been missed in patients undergoing colonoscopy in the United States in the last two decades. If any of you have seen pictures of your colon during your colonoscopy you can see how hard it would be to see something lying flat in the colon. Think about seeing a “lesion” depressed like a divot in a golf course in your colon’s wall with that tiny tube with the light on it. That’s really tough.

That’s why the Japanese, the Swedes, Canadians the British and some in the United States have been using “special techniques” to find these difficult to detect lesions. Using these “special techniques”, these special problems are found 5 times as much as the polyps we hear so much about.

It is very hard to find the way around the colon but now that the situation has changed and you should think about what to do personally. People’s minds are like parachutes – they only function when they are open. Thomas Robert Dewar (1864 -1930).

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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For more information on SleepQuest, visit their web site.



Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Text Summary)

A good friend came for a physical exam to find out why he had increasing fatigue. Everything was normal.

“My wife thinks I’m slowly dying from the vibrations of my loud snoring!” he said.

Why didn’t I think of that? I have made that diagnosis probably a hundred times but it is usually the spouse who makes the diagnosis and suggests the appropriate testing. I’m not even embarrassed anymore when it is pointed out that once again I missed the boat.

SleepQuest is a sleep apnea testing and therapeutic company which started in the floor above me and since has grown to great prominence hear in Northern California.

Viterion

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Questions? Email Ivonne.

Why We Age

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Why we age (Text Summary)
The normal process of cells burning fuel leads to aging then to disease and disability. Metabolically we are all on fire.

It begins with the metabolic syndrome that proceeds along the three pronged path to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

Oxidative damage is the black beast of our decline and its accomplice is inflammation. First it is the oxidative stress and then the cytokines and free radicals spearhead the decline of the body called aging and disease.

These terms will be familiar to you as you will pull out all the antiaging therapies that are becoming familiar. Complicated to be sure but the understanding allows you and I to prioritize the attack on entire aging process. We have all learned these processes in pieces. Diabetes first, or perhaps cardiovascular disease but ever stalked by the specter of Alzheimer’s disease.

That’s why I start with l-arginine first since 75-85% of the aging process begins with cardiovascular disease. Proagi9 plus has many of the additional anti-aging components that makes the anti-aging attack so strong. Not just a frontal attack on aging but a splendid quenching of the firers that burn us out too soon, too unevenly. The Biology of Human Longevity. – Caleb Finch Academic, Amsterdam, 2007

MODY - Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young

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Text Summary
MODY (Maturity onset diabetes of the young)

New Genetic testing has throwing a new light on this situation that was thought to be in the young pediatric population only.

The average age of diagnosis is 20-26. It would be important to be tested if the diagnosis is made before age 30 because the treatment is totally different for each.

Email if you have questions. It occurs in about one in a 100 patients.

Prendergast to Leave Housing Corporation

My wife, Marlene, has been the architect of many splendid things. This is but the latest. All of the accomplishments represent service to others; a hallmark of her well examined and well executed life. Peggy, Patrick and I are so pleased and so proud of her and all that she has done. We are all looking forward to her next best thing. This truly is her time. Read the full article.

Dr. Joe

New Program for CVProfiler

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I want to announce a special deal for the CVProfiler to have it done on Wednesday Mornings at the reduced price of $100 a test.

Call in to the office to Ivonne to make the 15 minute appointment and you are set. 650 566 9810.

This test is the most important test that is done in the office.

We also have a new test for autonomic neuropathy just approved by the FDA three months ago that we are finding is linked to the small vessel disease as noted in the small vessels abnormality seen in the CVProfiler.

The treatment of both these situations is similar depending on the readings. The attached will tell you more.

Alzheimer’s Risk Test – It’s Real

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www.sciencemag.org Science, VOL 319, February 22, 2008, pg. 1022.



Text Summary
Alzheimer’s Risk Test – it’s real

This test was developed 15 years ago by Allen Roses at Duke. The world was not ready for this test at that time. This test, marketed by Smart Genetics, has solid science behind it. For $399 you can send a saliva sample for analysis for the APOE gene.

The question most scientists worry about is “can you take bad news?” The lack of a proven technology for treatment has led many scientists to say it should not be released.

It only measures relative risk, not a certainty. If you have two copies of the E4 allele gene you do have roughly 15 times the risk of the disease. If you have only one copy of the gene your risk of Alzheimer’s is roughly 3 times the risk higher than normal

I know how people feel when they are given information that there is a huge chance they may have a life altering disease state. I was told at age 37 that I had the “arteries of an 80 year old” when I had a CT of my abdomen that revealed a large amount of calcifications in my abdominal arteries. I had real life experience to go with my dread; my father had his first stroke at age 42 and never worked again. I can still see the man whom I admired most in the world lying in the hospital bed with half his body paralyzed.

By 1991 I had found the way to reverse my problem and today I have the “arteries of 16 year old”. The method to reverse my situation, albeit having won the Nobel Prize in 1998 has yet to be put into the practice of most physicians in America. I’m so glad I had no time for the phrase “it’s not proven yet”. I have followed the same principles to chase away the Alzheimer’s gene’s threat; find the best science and run with it.
www.sciencemag.org Science VOL 319 22February 2008 pg. 1022

Blood test for Early Ovarian Cancer

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Text Summary
In continuing research from Yale there is now the ability to recognize almost 100% of new ovarian cancers. A paper in Clinical Cancer Research, February 15, 2008 enlarged on findings published first in 2005.

The original research identified 4 proteins that were useful but the accuracy of these biomarkers dramatically increased with 2 more – giving a total of 6 biomarkers. The success comes from the combination rather than relying on any one of the markers.

This study involved about 500 patients. A larger number of patients will now be added to an expanded study to prepare for commercial use.

Autonomic Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

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Autonomic Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment
Joseph Prendergast, M.D.

Ask most people with diabetes what neuropathy means and they'll quickly refer to symptoms of burning feet or numbness in the extremities. But these well-known manifestations of peripheral sensory neuropathy only tell half the story; in fact, as many as 60 percent of people with diabetes may suffer from autonomic neuropathy, another less-mentioned form of peripheral neuropathy. And while autonomic neuropathy may actually be considerably more deadly than its more familiar cousin, awareness of the condition and its dangers is only beginning to grow among doctors and patients alike. Read the full paper.