October 2008 PDF

Get migraines out of your life––for good

If you’ve ever had a temple-squeezing, brain-pulsating headache that feels like a jailbreak occurring on the side of your skull, then you’re all too familiar with migraines. And if you’re like most migraine sufferers, you’ve either endured the pain in relative silence for years or have been choking down a fistful of pills with little or no effect.

I come from a long line of tough Scotsmen. And we Scots practically invented the notion of “sucking it up” when pain hits. But there are times when ignoring pain can be downright hazardous to your health.

Many of my migraine patients come to me only when they can’t take the pain anymore. Three or four times a month, they have their legs cut out from under them for up to 48 hours at a time. Migraine symptoms, such as pain, extreme nausea and super sensitivity to light are ruining their quality of life.

And most of them have been making the same mistake for years —they treat their migraines like run-of-the-mill headaches. They either take some aspirin or Tylenol —often way too much—and try to tough out these painful episodes or they get hooked on more serious painkillers.

If you’ve been riding this pill carousel, I have some good news. You don’t need heavy meds in order to put migraines behind you. I regularly work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that can eliminate their migraines—for good—in a matter of months. And now I’m going to show you how you can do it too.

Misdiagnosis leads to mistreatment

The odds are that you have probably never received the treatment you need. The American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study discovered that only 21 percent of people who exhibit symptoms of migraines have ever received a proper diagnosis. And that’s despite the fact that 53 percent of people report that their headaches are severe enough to require bed rest.

When not treated adequately, migraines can return with greater frequency and more intensity. That, of course, takes a huge toll on patients and their families. Staying mouse-quiet while a loved one lays incapacitated in a darkened room is no picnic for anyone.

The problem is that the “experts” can’t seem to agree on what causes these episodes. But here’s the most likely explanation: A migraine trigger (which is as individual as you are) occurs and leads to the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Serotonin helps control the expansion and contraction of the blood vessels in your brain, and the trigger event sets off the mother of all contractions. That’s when you begin to experience a unique selection of very uncomfortable to downright painful symptoms. (See the sidebar for common migraine symptoms.)

This is when you start to reach for relief. But the pursuit of that relief may actually make you worse off than when you started.

On the rebound

If you think that taking meds just a couple of times per week to treat a migraine won’t cause you any harm, think again. You could be setting yourself up for what is called the rebound headache. Overuse of headache medications­­––whether they be prescription or over-the-counter—can increase headache frequency and hasten the progression of headaches to chronic migraines. You can see what a vicious cycle this can become. One study found that patients who overtreat with codeine, oxycodone or barbiturates just two times per week are twice as likely to develop chronic migraines.

I’ve never heard any of my patients say they’ve cured themselves of migraines with a pill. In fact, it’s impossible. But that fact doesn’t stop the drug barons from flooding the market with medications that promise relief—and don’t deliver. These alleged treatments are classified as either acute or preventive—and I guarantee you don’t want to be on any of the preventive drugs for the rest of your life. And the best way to avoid the necessity of relying on any of the acute medications is of course to be smart about preventing the headaches with safe non-drug measures.

Choose your poison

The acute (or “abortive”) medications are used to treat the headache when it happens. Aspirin and “triptans” like Imitrex and Maxalt—which need to be used with caution if you have heart problems—are common examples. The trick is getting those pills into your system as soon as possible once the headache begins. Research shows that waiting even an extra 30 minutes can reduce whatever effectiveness the pills could even hope to have. So if you don’t have your pills constantly handy, forget it. These abortive meds can lead to rebound headaches, especially when used 10 to 15 days out of the month.

Again, the key to minimizing your need for these drugs is to work on preventing the headaches in the first place.

The drug companies also peddle some other pills that are supposed to prevent migraines from occurring at all. Problem is, they don’t work very well and they come with a truckload of nasty side effects. Beta-blockers like Propranolol, aside from being largely ineffective, present common side effects like fatigue, depression, weight gain, and are linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Some docs prescribe anti-seizure drugs, which can cause your hair to fall out or one of those spare tires to grow around your middle—not to mention depression, tremors and dizziness.

In typical Big Pharma fashion, these migraine cures can be worse than the disease. And they don’t do anything to target the actual cause of your migraines. Think about it: If you were having a severe allergic reaction at home, would you just take antihistamines for the rest of your life or try to find out what was causing the problem?

Sometimes it takes a little detective work to improve your health—and a little sleuthing can go a long way toward helping you beat migraines for good.

What’s pushing your buttons?

The first thing you need to do is get a handle on what triggers your migraines. Migraine triggers come disguised as food (see the sidebar for known food triggers), situations, and personal experiences. Identifying and then avoiding them is your goal. This is relatively easy with things like food and drink, but obviously more of a challenge with emotional or work stress, fatigue or a lack of sleep.

To see if certain foods or drinks may be causing your migraines, try an elimination diet. I’m providing you a list from which to start. Just remove them from your diet one at a time and see if you experience any improvement. Elimination diets are, by nature, hit-and-miss experiments—but let me give you a tip. Many patients tell me how much better they feel after having eliminated dairy, wheat, corn and soy-food products—all of which are considered common triggers. For help with an elimination diet, go to www.cfids.org/about-cfids/elimination-diet.asp for simple directions.

Another quick pointer: Often, the foods you crave the most are the ones that actually make you the sickest. So after eliminating the common culprits I mentioned, look to your own eating habits for the next group of foods to test.

I also recommend you get yourself a notebook and keep a headache diary. Track every migraine episode. Record when you felt the migraine coming on, any events that were happening prior to that time (such as the phone ringing off the hook or a run-in with the grocery clerk), and what you ate that day. Note any major life changes and other stressors, as well as how the treatments you tried panned out for you. Studying your migraines in such detail will give you a sense of power over these crippling headaches and will help you and your doctor spot potential triggers.

As I said, finding triggers takes time—and some triggers, such as stress, can be very tough to eliminate. In addition to ferreting out your triggers, you’ll want to spend some time considering treatment options. I have had a lot of success treating my patients with drug-free therapies that provide relief without those dreaded rebound headaches.

Closing in on a cure

Just as your migraine triggers are individual to you, so too will be your treatment options. The one-treatment-for-all plan may be best for pharmaceutical companies’ bottom lines, but it’s a terrible way to treat migraines.

I always start with the basics—lifestyle and diet. If you think stress may be causing your migraines, one of the best ways to tackle it is through sweat equity. Get a full hour of aerobic, strength and flexibility exercise, five days a week and watch your stress levels plummet. And if you think meditation is just for “hippies,” think again. Meditation can help you handle stress better and finally reach an actual state of calm.

I also find that many of my migraine patients eat poorly. They follow the “catch-as-catch-can” meal routine, regularly opting for drive-thru bags of greasy gunk. The processed meats and additives you get from fast food are practically a prescription for a debilitating migraine. Home-cooked meals containing whole foods can have you feeling physically and mentally better in short order. Getting your body the nutrients it needs to function can also reduce stress.

There is a range of options to choose from that can complement basic lifestyle changes. Here are some of the safest, most effective and—in the long run—least-costly treatments you could ever hope for. They can work on their own as well as in combination.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: How you think can in large part determine how you feel, both physically and emotionally. CBT can help you deal better with the negative thoughts that can lead to stress and migraines.

Hypnosis: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it—and I’m not talking about magic shows here. It’s another way of digging into your mind to see what is triggering those migraine episodes. Locate a certified hypnotherapist at www.natboard.com.

Chiropractic treatment: Several studies have found that chiropractic treatment brings relief to many migraine sufferers. Chiropractors manipulate bones and soft tissue, realigning anything that has slipped out of place and might be causing undue strain.

Biofeedback: This isn’t just for my migraine-suffering patients: I recommend biofeedback to anyone who says they feel stressed (and who isn’t feeling a little stressed these days?). This is a practice that allows you to recognize your body’s reaction to stress—and head off any negative response. You can use a portable electronic device called an emWave Personal Stress Reliever available at www.emwave.com. It will measure your heart rhythms —an indicator of stress reaction.

Craniosacral therapy: A gentle massage around your cranium can relieve tension. Osteopaths, massage therapists, physical therapists, and some chiropractors use this therapy.

Acupuncture: Yes, it involves needles, but there’s nothing to be afraid of—they’re very tiny needles. Inserting needles just under the skin leads to an increase in blood circulation and the release of pain-killing endorphins. Studies show that this practice can slash the number of migraine occurrences because the increased blood circulation opens those tightened blood vessels.

In addition, I use a combination formula with my patients called Migralief (www.migralief.com). It’s a safe, effective remedy that was developed by Alexander Mauskop, M.D., director of the New York Headache Center. It combines magnesium, riboflavin (B2) and feverfew—a traditional herbal remedy used for migraines. Magnesium deficiency happens to be very common in migraine sufferers. You need this mineral in order to relieve muscle cramping—including the ones around your blood vessels. Your body needs riboflavin to conduct its chemical processes, such as the manufacturing of neurotransmitters. Both improve flagging energy production.

I also recommend coenzyme Q10—up to 100 mg three times per day. Several studies have shown that it can enhance your metabolism and improve energy production in your brain cells. Choose soft gels to optimize absorption.

Common migraine symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of a migraine is a throb on just one side of the head, lasting a couple of hours for most people but for some unfortunate folks a couple of days. Here are other symptoms that often accompany migraines:

• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Sensitivity to noise and light
• Increased pain following physical activity
• Visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blurred or double vision, or bright spots
• Tingling or numbness on one side of the body

Note: The day before a migraine, some people experience depression, euphoria, food cravings or excessive yawning. This battery of symptoms is known as the “prodrome.”

Known food triggers

• Dairy products
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy-based products
• Hard, “aged” cheeses
• Nuts
• Spices
• Avocados
• Spicy or processed meats (ex. hot dogs, sausages and bologna)
• Chocolate
• Fermented foods (ex. Sauerkraut, soy sauce, and pickles)
• Onions
• Artificial sweeteners (ex. aspartame)
• Food additives (ex. monosodium glutamate—“MSG”)
• Alcohol (ex. beer and red wine)
• Caffeine (Even medications that contain it can be the cause.)

Flu season is coming—here’s how to make it your healthiest ever

Here’s my beef with the flu vaccine: It makes people sick.

Flu viruses are chameleon like, changing their genetic identities every year. Each year’s vaccine is a best guess based on the previous year’s flu strains­­—what I call the crystal ball method.

Of course, the repeated failures of flu vaccines haven’t stopped mainstream quacks from launching immunization campaigns every year like clockwork. People are bamboozled into thinking these shots are a necessity supported by black and white science—and they show up by the millions to get them. Well, as we say in the country, people don’t go to the outhouse for the atmosphere. The folks who suffer through the long lines and painful jabs in the arm are doing so because they honestly believe the vaccine makes them immune from the flu. BIG mistake…

You can still get sick, even with the flu vaccine. I’m treating plenty of flu patients every year, and I’m no longer shocked when some of them tell me they’d recently been to a flu clinic. The sad thing is that the vaccine is pushed on seniors, because they’re more vulnerable and susceptible to the flu. But nine times out of 10, that’s who’s getting sick from these vaccines. And the authorities aren’t keeping track of this.

What I’m seeing is this: Too many patients get sick after they get the vaccine. I also read the studies which show the vaccine has made no difference in the rate of flu-related deaths and offers a slim chance at best of preventing the flu. But I’m going to give you five safe and effective tips for preventing the flu—and five things you should do to get yourself healthy if you come down with this nasty affliction.

5 ways to avoid the flu

1.Manage your symptoms and triggers

Pay attention to these early symptoms: fatigue, irritability, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, and a sore throat. These could be early indicators that you’re getting the flu—but you still have time to prevent a full-blown illness. The viral load is still low in the early stages, and that’s when you’ll have the greatest chance to gain the upper hand.

The best treatments are the simplest: rest and relaxation. Easier said than done, but think how you’ll feel a few days later if you don’t. Take a day or two off from work and volunteering. You may not feel especially sick, but you are—and your friends and neighbors will thank you for keeping your infection to yourself.

And understand that poorly managed emotional stress is an immune-system threat. Try to keep your stress levels low while you’re dealing with early flu symptoms.

2. Curtail your dance card

I’m not advocating that you hole up in your home all winter. But there may be certain occasions when you should think twice about attending a stream of group gatherings that fall smack-dab in the middle of flu season. If you’re overtired, stressed from being stretched too thin, or feel like your body is trying to fight something off, for heaven’s sake—stay home. Your body is waving a red flag!

And remember—you could be exposing yourself to people who don’t yet realize they’re sick. ALWAYS wash your hands after any contact with another person. I’m a stickler for a full 30 seconds of vigorous hand scrubbing. Count those seconds out. It may seem like an eternity, but warm water and soap can send an opportunistic virus packing.

3. Enhance your immunity

Here’s an excellent immune-system booster that can help you through the flu season: EpiCor. It’s derived from fermented brewer’s yeast, and its discovery is one neat story. Factory workers were exposed to this fermented yeast on a long-term basis, and management found they weren’t calling in sick or making health-insurance claims. They dug around a little—and EpiCor was born when the connection was discovered.

Sound studies have confirmed its safety and its specific effects on the immune system. For example, it boosts disease-fighting immune-cell counts. It also promotes the production of secretory IgA, an important first line of defense for your respiratory system. Use EpiCor daily during the flu season—especially if you have a history of getting the flu every year.

4. Work Echinacea into your routine

Echinacea has been the target of a misinformation campaign. The mainstream has latched on to the idea that it doesn’t work, but that’s due to some poorly designed studies that were promoted by a largely ignorant mainstream press.

This herb works as an immune-system tonic—not as a stimulant, as has been widely reported. That means you can scrap those dire warnings to give your body a break every month or so, because Echinacea won’t cause an overactive immune system. Likewise, folks with autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, do not need to be frightened by warnings that it will make their conditions worse—warnings with absolutely no basis in scientific fact.

Native Americans have used the root portion of Echinacea angustifolia for centuries. There are two products I recommend that use it, too. One is Nature’s Way Echinacea Complex (2 caps twice daily), and the other is MediHerb’s Echinacea Premium (1 tspn per day). Be forewarned: You’ll get a tingle on your tongue—but don’t be alarmed. It’s just Echinacea’s active ingredients, called alkylamides.

5. Try some mushroom magic

Medical mycology, the study of medicinal mushrooms, is still in its infancy in this country. Mushrooms have been used for centuries in China and Japan as immune-system modulators and for treating a wide variety of illnesses, including cancer. Reishi, cordyceps, maitake and shiitake are better-known examples of immune-enhancing mushrooms. I recommend a product called Host Defense, made by New Chapter. It’s a combination immune-enhancer with 17 different mushroom extracts. Another worthwhile product is AHCC (activated hexose containing compound), available from many suppliers. It’s derived from shiitake mushrooms and is widely used to help treat a variety of illnesses—including the flu.

5 ways to treat the flu

If, despite your best intentions, you come down with the flu, there’s plenty you can do to fight it. And fighting the flu doesn’t mean accepting a handful of dangerous and expensive prescriptions. Try these safer, natural cures instead. I’ve used them to cure more cases of the flu than I can count.

1. Get this homeopathic cure Europeans swear by

An eccentric genius named Samuel Hahnemann devised the treatment system of homeopathy over 200 years ago. Yet, the mainstream medical establishment treats it like a new, unproven science. Which means, unfortunately, a lot of docs are missing out on Oscillo-coccinum, a fantastic homeopathic remedy. I first learned of it from an ICU nurse who swore by it, and I now recommend it to all my patients. They attest to its excellent record in shortening the duration of their flu symptoms—especially when they take Oscillococcinum at the very first telltale signs. My patients also like how inexpensive it is since you only need a handful of doses that shouldn’t run you more than five or six dollars max.

2. Fight infections with black elderberry

The black elderberry is good for more than making wine. It has a long history of use for treating upper respiratory infections. Black elderberry has been shown in test-tube studies to fight against the most common flu viruses. It has also shown activity against the feared H5N1 avian flu virus. I recommend two formulations.

The first is Sambucol (made by Nature’s Way), shown to be effective in shortening flu duration and alleviating symptoms in several well-designed studies. (Minor note: it tastes pretty good, unlike some of that vomit-inducing stuff Big Pharma produces.) The second formulation is called Viral Block, available from New Chapter.

3. Add some spice to your flu fight

Wild Mediterranean oregano has long been reputed to have strong antibacterial, antiparasitic and antifungal (i.e. yeast) powers—and research is now proving it. The active components of oregano are thymol and carvacrol. It’s powerful stuff for treating acute illness. I recommend Oregano Force, from New Chapter.

4. Put the Indian “wonder shrub” to work for you

Andrographis is a remarkable shrub referred to as the Indian Echinacea—and it’s commonly used in India, China, and now Sweden. It’s an immune-system tonic and treatment for bacterial and viral infections. Andrographis was credited with helping slow down the great 1919 Indian flu epidemic—part of the infamous Spanish flu epidemic that killed between 20 million and 40 million people. It’s an effective acute remedy for flu infections and is supported by an increasing number of small, positive studies. Nature’s Way and Medi-Herb both offer quality Andrographis products. The Medi-Herb complex is combined with Echinacea in a form that could also be used for general support throughout the flu season. The Nature’s Way product can be found in grocery stores. The Medi-Herb product can be ordered only through a participating health professional, so you’ll need to go to www.mediherb.com to locate one.

5. Give the flu an olive branch

Olive-leaf extract has antibacterial and antiviral powers, with plenty of compelling, anecdotal reports supporting its use in combating the flu. A word of caution, however—sometimes it’s so effective it can cause what is known as the Herxheimer reaction: A die-off of viruses (or bacteria) occurs, resulting in the release of large amounts of toxins. This can cause flu-like symptoms. If this happens to you, reduce the dosage and continue on with treatment. I recommend the Olive Leaf product from Ameriden (www.Ameriden.com).

FORGOTTEN CURES
Dust off your spice rack for a zesty heart cure

If your exposure to ginger has been limited to holiday cookies and the occasional Chinese take out, it’s about time someone set you straight on its many health benefits.

In fact, I’m on a mission to get you to use it regularly. For starters, it’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that is used in many arthritis remedies.

But recently it has been gaining a reputation for being a cardiotonic. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties are inciting a great deal of interest in the effort to prevent heart disease. One study used mice that had been genetically predisposed to developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Ginger actually reversed the disease process by reducing lesions. This “wonder spice” also helped lower and normalize total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides—all by about 30 percent. You don’t need to remind me that mice aren’t people, but you can’t deny that these are some intriguing results.

Ginger snaps stomach trouble off at the pass

But let’s not forget what has made ginger a natural-remedy mainstay for centuries: its ability to fight common stomach ailments. Ginger safely and effectively prevents and relieves nausea, and it has been a godsend for travelers, pregnant women, and patients receiving chemotherapy. Ginger is a much safer choice than common anti-nausea drugs like Zofran, Compazine, Scopalamine or Dramamine, with each carrying its own unique variety of side effects. Those may include temporary blindness due to overdose of Zofran, or trouble breathing, hallucinations and difficulty urinating being possible in some of the others I listed. And you thought the nausea was bad?

One of my patients had just retired and booked his dream cruise to Alaska. Problem was, as much as he liked boats, their rocking motion sure didn’t agree with him. He didn’t want to take any chances that his dream trip would be ruined. I urged him to start with two capsules of ginger root three times per day plus an extra one or two if he started to feel queasy. I’m still waiting for my Alaskan postcard, but more importantly he did report back at our next visit that he remained nausea-free the entire week.

Ginger also has been found to be 180 times better at digesting protein than papaya (a great indigestion fighter). Beyond digesting protein, it also stimulates fat-digesting bile and supports healthy gut bacteria.

Though ginger is mainly side-effect-free, you should be aware that it can cause a little bit of heartburn if you take too much. Fortunately, this is rare and easily managed simply by reducing your intake. In fact, in moderate amounts taken a half hour before a meal, ginger is an effective heartburn preventive.

How to use ginger

If you want to prevent or treat a specific condition, such as nausea, use what works. I’ve had patients drink ginger tea, peel off the skin of the ginger and eat the fresh root, or suck on ginger candy. Stay away from popular ginger ale soda pops, such as Seagrams or Schweppes, which are loaded with high-fructose corn syrup.

Capsules come in handy, too. I recommend the widely available Nature’s Way Ginger Root (550 mg per capsule)—take two capsules two to four times per day for prevention. Use it for as long as needed, usually no more than a few days.

For arthritis, I favor one of the well-designed botanical combinations that include ginger, such as Zyflamend from New Chapter (available at www.newchapter.com).

As for heart-disease prevention, try to include ginger in your diet several times a week. Enjoy it as a cooking spice or peel and pour boiling water over it for a healthy, hot tea. I have one favorite product I’ll share with you that I like to use for myself: Ginger Wonder Tonic, sweetened with honey and made by those folks at New Chapter. Use it in a smoothie, in your cooking, to make tea or with seltzer water for some real ginger ale. (Ginger Wonder Tonic is also available at www.newchapter.com.)

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The raw truth about milk

Q. I have a niece in Vermont who tells me I should start drinking raw milk because it’s healthier. But I’ve heard just the opposite: that it’s not safe for consumption. If it’s healthier, I’ll give it a try—I just don’t want to get sick in the process.
––Beatrice J., Simsbury, CT

A:You’ve found yourself in the middle of an increasingly heated debate churning around the subject of raw milk. You’re lucky to live in Connecticut, which has the most liberal and enlightened raw-milk laws in the country. Most states don’t allow it. (Check www.realmilk.com to see if your state does and where to find it.)

Overzealous—and typically unreasonable—health authorities are preventing more people from enjoying the benefits of raw milk. Frankly, they like pasteurization because it allows for looser hygiene requirements on farms. These farms can crowd cows and leave dirt, feces and disease everywhere—just heat the whole mess and you’ve got clean milk!

But pasteurization isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Pasteurization kills health-supporting enzymes and friendly bacteria, resulting in an overprocessed industrial product that I believe is best avoided.

Based on my own research and personal experience, I can say that raw milk is a safe, delicious and exceptionally nutritious product. Once you taste raw milk, you’ll be amazed at the difference. It’s completely different from the pasteurized, homogenized, heavily adulterated industrial liquid that the vast majority of people have grown used to. Raw milk actually promotes health and can be used as a healthful support by people who have any of various ailments such as asthma, arthritis and diabetes. I have several patients who drink it—one gets his from a cow that grazes in his own back yard.

If, however, you’re thinking of buying raw milk, you’d be wise to do your homework. Buy locally and make sure you visit the source farm. Take a look around to satisfy yourself that it’s clean and that the cows really are well cared for. Do a little investigation into the farm’s reputation. In your home state of Connecticut, there are at least 10 closely supervised producers of raw milk—and the product is available from farms as well as in retail stores.

My wife and I enjoy small amounts of raw milk from a local farm. The farmer showed us his small herd, of which he is justly proud, and he has regaled us with the finer points of raising healthy milk cows. I enjoy buying my raw milk because I’m supporting local farmers—an endangered species if ever there was one—and the farmer benefits by being able to sell a quality product without becoming part of some faceless farming conglomerate.

If you’re interested in learning more about raw milk, read “Raw Milk Cures Many Diseases” by J.E. Crewe, M.D., one of the founders of the Mayo Foundation out in Minnesota. I also recommend The Milk Book by my good friend and colleague William Campbell Douglass, M.D. He has been a long time proponent and cheerleader for the many benefits of raw milk.