• Nutritional Supplements for Inflammation and Arthritis
• How Inflammation Relates to Illness and Disease
• The Link Between Cancer and Emotions
• Chelation for Someone with Multiple Health Issues?

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Dear Health Conscious Individual,

Welcome to House Calls with Dr. Cutler!

Today I’d like to share with you some of my nutritional secrets for reducing inflammation. I believe inflammation to be the key to fighting most disease, from arthritis to cancer and a host of other chronic, painful conditions.

And though I am focusing on arthritis and cancer today, these tools can be applied to almost any disease.

In addition, I’ll talk a bit about Oral Chelation and how it can help even in cases where there are multiple health issues involved.

Yours for healthy living,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Medical Advisor, True Health™

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Nutritional Supplementation for
Inflammation
and Arthritis

There are many sources of supplements that I am going to recommend to you, but first a word on drug and supplement interactions. Especially if you are on medication, you should note what possible effects could occur with any new supplement you take.

For example, for those who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a commonly used drug is Methotrexate, which can lower the levels of folic acid in the body. If a person is already suffering from low folic acid, methotrexate is potentially more toxic in conjunction with a diet rich in vegetables and fish.

I still recommend that you take an omega-3 oil supplement. Cod liver, halibut, other fish oils and flaxseed oil (EPA – omega-3) contain the necessary weapons against rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.

• I recommend 1,000 mg of fish or flaxseed oil twice a day. Research from the British Journal of Nutrition (March 2001) showed that supplementation with fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) can markedly reduce interleukin-1 beta production and significantly reduces morning stiffness and number of painful joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The reduction only occurred when omega-3 was given in much higher amounts than omega-6 oils.
• Vitamin C builds connective tissue and fights infections, bacteria and virus attacks. The ability of vitamin C to enhance the autoimmune system is its strongest case for being a good overall arthritis weapon. It also improves gout by causing uric acid excretion to increase. I recommend 2,000 mg a day in times of acute illness or stress. But it is the natural sources of vitamin C that contain the whole vitamin complex and are the most preferred.
• Augment your diet with folic acid, especially for gout. At doses of 25-75 mg/day, especially in combination with higher doses of vitamin C, folic acid is proven to lower serum uric acid levels to improve symptoms of gouty arthritis flares. Dietary sources include green, leafy vegetables and liver.
• Sulfur is an essential compound for the development of bones, repair of cartilage and connective tissue. You should eat sulfur-specific foods like eggs, garlic, onions and asparagus, and you can also supplement your diet with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). This product reduces the inflammation around joints while simultaneously repairing joints and tissues. Take up to 400 mg twice daily.
• Bromelain is good for arthritis. You’ve seen me recommend this for allergies in another issue, but Bromelain is also great for arthritis. It is an enzyme extracted from pineapples which helps to stimulate the production of prostaglandins. The result is reduction of inflammation. Take up to 400 mg a day.
• The following herbs are all known to help in arthritis: lemon myrtle leaf, wild rosella calyx, aniseed myrtle leaf, mountain pepper leaf, devil’s claw root extract, yucca leaf extract, white willow bark, feverfew flower extract, celery seed extract, boswellia extract, bovine cartilage (has condroitin and glucosamine), bromelain and papain extract are herbs used in natural formulas that really work well for most patients.
• Alfalfa and Capsicum are herbs which have a good record of helping arthritis sufferers:

Alfalfa provides essential minerals for bone development, and can be eaten as raw plant or in 500 mg capsule form. People have consumed up to 5 grams of the herb and achieved relief. I recommend you slowly work up to that level.

Capsicum is also commonly known as red pepper, cayenne pepper, and chili pepper.

The dried ripe fruit of Capsicum frutescens and Capsicum annum is rich in the phytochemical capsaicin, which is the active phytochemical constituent responsible for the pungent and irritating effects of cayenne pepper.

Applied externally in the form of ointments and creams, this herb provides pain relief for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Make sure you always wash your hands thoroughly after application so that no eyes or mucous membranes become irritated. Most people apply cream 4 to 5 times a day.

Inflammation can be treated effectively using safe, natural supplements. The key is understanding which nutrients to use and in what quantities for your body. If you’ll follow these simple guidelines, you should be able to regain a higher level of activity with less discomfort and stress than before!

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Inflammation and Disease

In a cover story of Time Magazine, it was reported how cancer, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s and other health issues may be more significantly affected by inflammation than originally believed.

The report shows that the natural responses of the body to fight bacterial infection, skin damage or even allergies can sometimes go overboard in some people’s systems, resulting in a likelihood of exacerbating existing autoimmune illnesses, or worse, starting the process for illnesses that were lying dormant within the body.

Scientists are continuing the research to find the extent of this interaction as well as the specific anti-inflammation solutions that are more specific.

In my practice, I believe this link to be true. I have seen enough patients with chronic issues who have inflammation present in some parts of their body. For me, it can be easily explained when I tell my patients that they are feeling pain because of inflammation, and that the myriad of symptoms can be addressed by helping to reduce the inflammation wherever it may be.

As in the article in the Time magazine, I fully support a preventative lifestyle that embraces whole, natural food consumption, plenty of exercise, low-fat diets and prudent use of pain killer medication. One smart idea advocated in the article, which I also heartily endorse, is the practice of regularly flossing your teeth to minimize the risk of gum disease; gum disease is a constant source of consistent inflammation within the body.

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Link Between Cancer and Emotions

An instigator of inflammation which no doubt plays a role in the development of chronic degenerative diseases is painful emotions such as stress and anxiety.

There are many studies suggesting a direct relationship between cancer and both stress and anxiety.

This relationship suggests that stress alters the immune system. Researchers in one study found that cancer of the cervix occurred most often in women who reported being hopelessly frustrated over a stressful situation.

In another study, researchers found that those prone to stress were most likely to develop breast cancer.

Anger is another predictor of cancer. In fact, a number of studies reveal that experiencing higher levels of anger, or suppressing it, increase the risk significantly.

In one study, for example, patients who could express emotions such as anger, hostility, guilt, depression and aggression were able to survive longer than patients who reported they had fewer negative emotions.

Depression is another emotional state that is definitely linked to inflammation, and somewhat less strongly, to cancer. Various studies support the concept that cancer may promote cancer, rather than initiate it.

What is the answer? I recommend a balanced diet made up primarily of fresh, whole foods, moderate exercise (after you have been examined and cleared for exercise by your doctor), and a good multi-vitamin to help fill in where there may be gaps in your nutrition. In addition, I recommend you see a nutritionist who focuses on natural supplements and diets rich in whole foods to help you make these changes. Finally, I recommend you find a certified counselor, social worker or psychologist to help you find healthy ways to deal with your anger.

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Q & A

Each week in the Q & A section of House Calls with Dr. Cutler, I will share with you some of the many questions I get every week from subscribers to my monthly advisory newsletter, Easy Health Options™. For more information on Easy Health Options™, visit www.easyhealthoptions.com.

Oral Chelation and Multiple Health Issues

Dear Dr. Cutler,

I am writing to you concerning my mom. She is 75 and lives in Memphis, TN; has had breast cancer in both breasts 20 years ago, triple bypass surgery in August 2000, diagnosed with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) about a year ago, and recently her cardiologist stated her aortic valve is significantly narrowing—to what extent I am not sure at this point.

I do as much naturally as possible and was researching the chelation process. I would like to help her avoid surgery if at all possible. I contacted Dr. X in Knoxville about the IV process. However she does not want to move to Knoxville for two months or so and is not crazy about the IV process. Someone recommended the oral chelation and the use of Advanced Artery Solutions™.

My questions to you are: Will this product help with her condition? How much of it should she take? Will it interact with her other supplements and meds for her heart? What are the drawbacks with it? I have heard about kidney failure. I assume if she drinks plenty of water to flush this out and has her blood, kidneys, liver, etc. monitored she should be okay with it. Any other information you can provide to me would be greatly appreciated

—Renee G.

Dear Renee,

Advanced Artery Solution™ is a safe choice, but its effectiveness is projected to be slower than IV chelation. Please don’t worry about safety here—it is not known to interact with medications. EDTA is an amino acid, not considered a “drug.” There are peer-reviewed studies demonstrating EDTA’s safety with kidneys. What you have heard about is IV chelation where mixing of the solution was not correct and at the same time they failed to monitor kidney function with a simple BUN/Creatinine blood test. Have her take the recommended amount on the bottle.

All the Best!

Respectfully,
Michael Cutler, M.D.