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Ask the Doc
by Patrick Fratellone, MD
I have heard that an herb called ‘gymena’ can control my appetite. Is there any truth to that?
I have been diagnosed with macular degeneration. My doctor does not give me much hope in improving my vision. What do you think?
It is true that there is no magic cure for age related macular degeneration (ARMD). There are studies that an increased consumption in trace minerals, lutein, and bilberry can help with reducing the progression of the disease. Recently, a June 2009 study published in the Journal of Ophthalmology with 2,924 patients, reported a decrease in ARMD by increasing the consumption of DHA and EPA oils.
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Neuropathy: Hope from alternative medicine
by Larry Altshuler, MD
Several alternative methods not only may reduce the symptoms, but also may be able to resolve the condition long term.
There are certain medical conditions that won’t decrease your life expectancy but can still make you miserable and cause significant interference with your daily activities and life in general. One of these is neuropathy…nerve pain caused by the deterioration of small nerves, most commonly in the lower extremities.
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House Calls: Supplements and bone health
by Patrick Fratellone, MD
There is good evidence that dietary components and herbal products can influence the bone processes.
Q: I am a 58 year-old post-menopausal female recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Are there any foods that could help my condition?
A: Bone metabolism involves a complex balance between the deposition of matrix and mineralization and resorption. Many patients are searching for foods or supplements to help their osteoporosis, and most individuals do not want to take conventional medications due to the side effects...
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An alternative solution for irritable bowel syndrome
by Larry Altshuler, MD
There are actually treatments available that address the underlying causes of IBS, not just treat symptoms. These treatments are part of alternative medicine and have the potential to resolve the condition permanently.
If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you know just how devastating it can be…and how much it can interfere with your daily activities. You may never know when the symptoms are going to hit, and you may never know how long they’re going to last. It definitely controls your life.
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Manual Therapy?
nothing to lose but pain
by Larry Altshuler, MD
Massage lowers the levels of stress hormones and relieves muscle tension.
Do you have chronic neck or back pain? Does your neck, back, or large joints pop, crack, catch, give out or lock up on you? Do certain positions make your pain better or worse? Does your pain come and go, especially with certain activities or movements? Are your shoulders or hips lower on one side? Do you have problems with just one of your feet or one knee?
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House Calls
by Patrick Fratellone, MD
The truth is that apples are cholesterol, fat, and sodium free. Apples contain essential minerals as chromium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
I have always heard my grandmother say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” (No pun intended because I love your health column), but truthfully what is it about apples?
Apples belong to the family, Rosaceae, the same family as the pear. There are countless varieties of apples. Until reading the first section of Michael Pollans’ “The Botany of Desire,” I had no idea that different varieties existed.
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Ancient Medicinal Secrets of Turmeric
by Daniel Kesden, MD
Recently, a considerable amount of research has been done which shows turmeric has very significant medicinal value. The yellow pigments in turmeric, curcuminoids, (including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxy-curcumin) are powerful antioxidants.
Turmeric is a spice, which has been used for hundreds of years in Asia and comes from the roots of this plant. The aboveground and underground roots, or rhizomes, are used in medicinal and food preparations. It is prepared by boiling the stems, drying, and crushing them into a powder. The powder, which has a bitter woody taste (Turmeric, Curcuma longa L.), is in the same plant family as ginger.
India is the primary producer of turmeric where it has grown since ancient times.
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Conquering Stress
by Larry Altshuler, MD
Research reveals that almost 85% of all medical conditions are either caused by or made worse by stress.
It seems that everywhere we turn, there is stress in our lives…we cannot avoid it. Most of us can deal with short-term stress; in fact, our bodies are geared to protect us when we are stressed. But if stress occurs repeatedly or chronically, our bodies cannot adequately protect us because prolonged stress causes secretion of certain chemicals… catecholamines, cortisol, and interleukins…that can damage our bodies as well as accelerate aging. Research reveals that almost 85% of all medical conditions are either caused by or made worse by stress.
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The herbal way...
by Patrick Fratellone, MD
I read that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized or homogenized milk. If that is true, where can I obtain raw milk?
This is an excellent question. Fresh and unprocessed is important because uncooked food (milk) contains essential enzymes that are vital to life. The best book I have read explaining this theory is by Ron Schmid, ND, The Untold Story of Milk. If available, I recommend raw milk to my patients who have cancer, HIV, and chronic disorders. It is illegal in New York State to obtain raw milk, but there are web sites available that list which states and farms sell raw milk legally. Recently I went to a unique restaurant where they served delicious raw cheeses – cow, sheep, and goat. Try it and you will see why raw cheese is excellent for your health.
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Alternative Treatments for Menopause and its Symptoms
by Larry Altshuler, MD
Do not despair if you have menopausal symptoms and are afraid of or cannot take synthetic hormone replacement.
There are alternatives that work just as well.
So you have heard about the risks associated with taking Hormone Replacement Therapy and want to avoid them. But you still have hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other symptoms associated with menopause.
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House Calls
by Patrick Fratellone, MD
Q: I went to see my urologist for difficulty in urinating. He examined my prostate, which was enlarged, and my PSA was borderline high at 4.0. Is there anything I can take instead of a prescription medication?
R: Prostate disease is very common. More than 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, and more than 45.000 will die from it. Prostate cancer has touched the lives of high profile people, such as Arnold Palmer, Bob Dole, and Frank Zappa.
You have a blood marker for prostate disease, the PSA that is borderline high. I am confident that if the PSA continues to rise, your doctor will want to have a prostate biopsy. Many supplements and herbs have been used to decrease the size of the prostate gland.
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CONQUERING ALLERGIES - The Alternative Approach
by Larry Altshuler, MD
Perhaps you simply want to try more natural alternatives ...
Perhaps you have tried the allergy shots, the antihistamines and the nasal steroid sprays, yet you still have allergy symptoms. Perhaps you are tired of taking medications or have side effects that are as inconvenient as the allergy symptoms. Perhaps you simply want to try more natural alternatives, either alone or in combination to make the conventional medications more effective. Perhaps you want to get rid of your allergies permanently.
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