Did you know that what you eat affects your mood and mental clarity? If you want to clean up your diet, clear your mind and climb out of the dumps, get rid of the following processed and refined foods:

• white bread
• white rice
• white sugar
• processed meats
• processed cheeses
• dairy milk
• juices that are not fresh juiced
• hydrogenated and trans-fatty foods such as burgers and fries
• processed and altered foods that come in a box, can, bottle or package—which include crackers, cookies, pudding, sodas, miracle whip, fruit snacks, nearly all cold cereals, microwave dinners, frozen pizzas and more.

So what healthy food items should you use to fill the void in your diet? I suggest you eat predominately whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes and unprocessed whole grains. Plus, increase your omega-3 oil consumption for a healthier and happier outlook on life!

I suffer from terrible digestive problems, including constipation. I have not been able to figure out what causes my flare ups, but they are very painful. You would not believe the number of tests I have had done, but I still have no clues as to what is causing the problems or how to cure them. Any suggestions you could make would be welcomed.
                                                                                                                                                         

—Joan A.

 Dear Joan,

 I believe that allergies could be triggering your symptoms—probably more than one, in fact. However, it’s extremely difficult to know exactly what you’re allergic to without specialized blood and skin tests. Possible immune system triggers could be: 

• Pollens, perfumes, dust or other manufactured chemicals.

•  Foods, vitamins, drugs and food additives.

• Bites, stings, injected drugs and immunizations.
• Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
• Painful memories from past or present.

 An alternative to standard blood and skin tests is the Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) procedure, which is similar to acupuncture. When you have blockages in your energy pathways, known as the chi meridians and centers, your body gets out of balance and the result is allergy symptoms.

Practitioners skilled in NAET or similar techniques achieve 80 percent success or better. To learn more about it, go to www.naet.com. 

All the best!
Michael Cutler, M.D

Dear Dr. Cutler,

I am a 74 year-old male and have spent 25 years in the tropics. I’ve had various skin problems, but my current—and biggest—skin problem is rosacea around my nose and close to my eyes. I’ve had this for eight years. Although my doctor prescribed 100 mg doxycycline daily eight months ago, the problem has increased. Also, I have had what appears to be psoriasis around the hairline on my forehead for more than six months, but it doesn’t itch. Can you suggest solutions for these two problems, please?
                                                                             

Dear Frank,

Have you been through a rigorous dietary analysis? Have you eliminated refined and sugary foods? I don’t believe there’s a quick fix for your psoriasis. However, learning to eat predominately raw foods would make a big difference.

Please consider my 90 Days to True Health™ program to help clean up your skin naturally… strengthen your skin’s immune system… and quiet the inflammatory process in your skin. Eliminating sugar from your diet will help stop feeding any potential yeast strains that exist there.

To clear up your face more rapidly—although this is not a long-term solution—you might ask your doctor to treat you for yeast and bacteria topically. Your doctor may prescribe nizoral or Spectazole® cream—econazole nitrate for yeast—if nizoral isn’t working. And for bacteria, Bactroban® cream (mupirocin) may perform better than oral doxycycline. But remember, your skin’s immune system is tied to the kinds of foods you consume.

All the best!
Michael Cutler, M.D

• Substantial short-term memory or concentration problems
• Recurring sore throat and tender lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Pain in several joints without swelling or redness
• Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
• Feeling tired and unrefreshed—even after sleeping
• Extreme tiredness after exercise or other exertion lasting more than 24 hours

The real challenge is chronic fatigue can result from multiple sources—diet has much to do with it, as does mood, activity level and the health of your immune system. And various antigens—substances that stimulate the production of an antibody when introduced into the body—triggered by medications, virus exposure, vaccinations, heavy metals or environmental toxins all contribute to the symptoms of CFS.

Very few physicians know what to test for to uncover the causes. It takes a detailed history of your physical health, exposures, eating habits, stress, self-belief patterns, emotions and even relationships.

Fatigue and low energy can also fluctuate daily according to the foods you eat. But when you approach eating 50 percent of your food uncooked, you will definitely find your energy level improving. Foods full of refined sugar, high loads of wheat bread, dairy milk, cheese or fatty animal meats can be modified or replaced with nutrient-rich foods, and chronic fatigue states can’t last very long in that nutritious environment.

I also find that much of fatigue has a lot to do with holding one’s self back energetically by one’s own thought patterns. This may be an unconscious pattern such as fearing what others might think, thinking about the terrible “what ifs” that constantly arise or choosing inaction because we don’t feel capable or lovable enough.

For example, when your mind is idle or dwelling on unpleasant thoughts, your life force energy becomes low, which slows and tires your physical body.

Instead, say out loud, “I am a powerful force for good in the life of someone today. I am inspiring and joyful!” Did you notice a shift of more energy come into you as you said these words aloud? It works for me in every case.

This is called the language of “success,” or the language of “increase.” Thinking—and especially saying—such words empower you with energy and passion to do what you want in life. Reach out to others and feel how it can revive you and awaken your soul. And as you experience some sort of reaching out to another, just notice how it feels to connect to them and feel the energy that comes into you.

To sum up, if you discuss your symptoms with your physician, take the time to examine your food habits and improve your positive thinking, then you could be able to shake the symptoms of CFS. This will help you on the path to a healthy body and mind, and get you out enjoying your favorite activities again.

Here’s a variety of “safe” foods that are NOT likely to trigger your arthritis symptoms:

Starch Carbohydrates
Beets, Grapes, Pumpkin, Rice noodles, Carrots, Lentils, Raisins, Rye crackers, Dates, Melons, Refried beans, Squash (winter), Figs, Millet, Rice bread, Fruit juices, Pineapple, Rice milk.

Proteins
Chicken (lean, range-fed), Cheese (dairy-free), Egg whites (organic), Vegetarian burgers, Halibut, Salmon, Tempeh, Tofu, Tuna (water-packed), Yogurt (dairy-free).

Fats
Almond butter, Olive oil, Walnuts, Cashews (raw), Pumpkins seeds, Tahini, Filberts, Sunflower seeds, Flax seed oil.

Non-Starchy Carbohydrates
Apples, Blueberries, Cabbage, colllard greens, Herbs (fresh and dried), Natural mustard, Pinto beans, Black cherries, Lettuce, Applesauce, Bok choy, Cauliflower, Dried fruits, Kale, Onions, Prunes, Brussels sprouts, Mushrooms, Apricots (dried), Broccoli, Celery, Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Parsley, Spinach, Cilantro, Peas, Asparagus, Brown rice, Chard, Green beans, Leeks, Pears, Sprouts.

So when you feel hungry and you know you have arthritis issues, try to stay within this list of foods and you should notice a BIG difference in your arthritis pain!

But research now shows that fish oil is beneficial in treating major depression! The essential fatty acids that our brain and nerve cells need cannot be made by the human body, so they must be consumed from plant or marine sources such as flaxseed, linseed, hemp and walnut oils.

These plant or marine sources contain alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which your liver changes into omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Fish and fish oils provide high amounts of EPA and DHA.

One small trial showed that using just over nine grams daily of EPA/DHA was effective in treating bipolar disorder and depression. In a smaller study, adding two grams daily of pure EPA to antidepressant prescription medication improved depressed mood, feelings of guilt, worthlessness and even insomnia, without any adverse effects.

And in another small trial of 28 patients over two months, the results showed that adding 9.6 grams of fish oil daily to prescription antidepressant medication resulted in a noticeable decrease of major depression for participants with no harmful side effects.

So if you are facing a battle with depression, I recommend that you look into natural alternative ways help get you off the emotional roller coaster you are experiencing. Prescription drugs are not the only answer! See which foods and supplements you can add to your diet, and which ones work effectively for you.

I read your article “For A Deeper Cleanse… Try This” about fasting and I want to fast for all of the reasons you stated. However, I suffer from hypothyroidism and take Synthroid® everyday. Is it safe to do a liquid or water fast under this condition? Would it be safe to stop this medication during a fast? —Kathy L.

Dear Kathy,

The liquid fast (where you drink only water for an average of three to 10 days) will only improve your thyroid condition, not hurt it. Here are some of the effects you can expect with a water fast:

• Weight loss with little or no hunger.
• Detoxification, breaking down fat reserves and mobilizing stored toxins to be eliminated.
• Digestive system is allowed to rest.
• Resolve inflammatory processes, including painful arthritic conditions.
• Relief from allergic reactions, such as asthma and hay fever.
• Relief from abnormal fluid accumulations such as leg edema.
• Helps restore blood pressure to healthy levels.
• Clearer skin, and revitalized taste buds.
• And much more…

All the while, you are preparing yourself and your stomach for a lifestyle change to whole, natural foods.

However, keep taking your thyroid replacement medication. It has a gradual effect on metabolism. Only reduce the amount when you are feeling you need less, but please don’t forget to follow-up with a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level test with your doctor.

For more questions and answers like this one, check out my monthly newsletter, Easy Health Options™, by visiting www.easyhealthoptions.com.

All the best!
Michael Cutler, M.D.

• Keep your rooms free from dust.
• Use hypo-allergenic air filters on your furnace or a/c unit.
• Use hypo-allergenic covers on your bed pillows and mattresses.
• Avoid exercising outside during high pollen count months during the spring and fall.
• Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.

By using these helpful hints in your everyday life you can learn to avoid the allergy attacks that leave us with a stuffy or dripping nose and itchy, watery eyes!

Dear Health Conscious Individual,

Welcome to House Calls with Dr. Cutler™!

In this week’s issue, I will discuss some valuable markers for heart disease that only blood tests may reveal. It’s important to stay on top of your health and discussing some of these optional tests with your physician is the first step!

Plus, you may think because it’s summer that you have escaped the threat of the flu or flu-like illness. Well, there are many natural supplements you can take all year round to help keep the nasty virus at bay.

And, do you know how the digestive process works? You will after reading today’s article!

Yours for healthy living,

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

Blood Tests Can Reveal Your Risk for Heart Disease

The number one killer in American men and women is cardiovascular disease and it’s important to understand the risks and the tests that can be performed to detect heart disease. Blood tests are just one way to reveal markers for heart disease, or atherosclerosis. When your lab results are abnormal in these areas it is more evidence of what you can do to stop and reverse the causes involved.

• High fibrinogen is a marker of easy clotting. Fibrinogen is one of the clotting proteins that accumulates at the site of blood vessel injury. It is also found in higher amounts with any endothelial lesion. It then contributes to plaque buildup and arterial blockage after an unstable atherosclerotic plaque ruptures. Lowering your fibrinogen levels can be accomplished by modest alcohol consumption (one drink twice weekly), exercise and with increased HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a non-specific indicator of acute inflammation anywhere in the body, including the heart vessels. C-reactive protein is produced by the liver and interacts with the complement system as part of your immune defense system. It also directly damages the endothelium. It initiates endothelial damage and also accelerates the progression of existing artery plaque.
• High glucose can directly cause heart disease and studies show that high sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increase platelet adhesion. Sugar also indirectly promotes heart attack by lowering the good cholesterol HDL. High amounts of sugar circulating in the blood are thought to attach to proteins, which are involved with atherosclerosis development.
• High insulin in the blood actually inflicts direct damage to the endothelium. High insulin is typical for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• High iron indicates the liver is in trouble. High levels of iron promote oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the damaged endothelium.
• High total cholesterol (above 200 mg/dl) and high LDL cholesterol (above 100) or low HDL cholesterol (below 45) are associated with increased heart attack rates. More important to the development of atherosclerosis are causes of inflammation compared to the level of cholesterol itself.
• Low HDL (the good cholesterol) is also linked to increased heart disease.
• High triglycerides are clearly tied into high insulin levels and high simple sugar intake over time. It is one of the markers of early metabolic syndrome (discussed below). Having high triglycerides is an independent risk factor for heart disease.
• High blood homocysteine levels promote oxidation of lipids, platelet stickiness and the binding of an important fatty protein involved in clotting called lipoprotein to fibrin. Vitamins B6, B12, folic acid and trimethylglycine (TMG) are supplements proven to lower homocysteine levels.
• Low testosterone in men appears to interfere with the normal function of the endothelium. It is commonly found to be low in men as they age. It is an independent risk factor for heart disease.
• High levels of lipoproteins are a significant risk for stroke in men. These are proteins that bind to fat molecules and carry them from the intestinal blood stream where they are absorbed into the liver to become usable by the body.

Getting Your Digestive System to Work for You!

Let’s talk a little bit about the digestion process. You must first digest your food adequately in the mouth and stomach before you can absorb nutrients through the wall of the small intestine. The enzymes of the mouth (amylases) are the first chemicals that your body produces and uses to break down food.

The process begins the moment food enters your mouth. Ptyalin is the name given to the amylase found in saliva that breaks down starch into maltose and dextrin. By chewing food, you use both a mechanical and a chemical digestive process. I recommend that as your age increases, so should the number of times you chew each bite of food. And when you do, you’ll get better digestion and less gas, as I’ll explain further.

If you’ve ever had gas or bloating, then you have experienced inadequate digestion. The bacteria in your digestive tract feed on the undigested food particles to create gas. For example, the next time you bite into an apple, quickly chew it a few times and then swallow. Did you know that most of the unchewed apple chunks get all the way to the small intestine—undigested?

Certainly your mouth enzymes and stomach acid do what they can to break these chunks down, but they are largely ineffective. By eating refined foods and sugars that are super easy to digest over the years, the average person essentially causes their own stomach acid and digestive enzymes to down-regulate, or turn down production.

The result is gas and bloating from undigested fibrous chunks that remain in the intestinal tract. The bacteria feed on this food and create gas by fermenting carbohydrates, putrefying proteins and turning fats rancid.

Contrast this with an apple that gets thoroughly chewed all the way into mush. In the mush state, the surface area of the food bolus gets coated with enzymes, acids and later bacteria so that it quickly becomes a molecule size perfect for absorption through the small intestinal wall. It’s good to know that the stomach itself contributes a number of enzymes such as gastrin (which stimulates stomach acid secretion), pepsin (which breaks down proteins) and intrinsic factor (which is largely responsible for absorbing vitamin B12 required to make red blood cells).

If you’re a person who eats the typical American diet, you’re probably experiencing poor nutrient digestion due to insufficient or under active digestive enzymes from your pancreas. When digestive enzymes are lacking in the small intestine it leads to inadequate breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and protein as mentioned earlier. The net effect is poor nutrition to the cells of your body. The secondary effect is unhealthy microbes such as yeast and anaerobic bacteria dominating your colon.

Did you know that approximately 60 percent of your stool consists of microbial organisms? Therefore, even a small decrease in pancreatic output contributes substantially to poor nutrient digestion and may have far-reaching effects in chronically ill patients.

Absorption
Absorption of nutrients occurs predominantly in the small intestine with the aid of digestive enzymes. These nutrients can only reach the blood stream by passing through the wall of the small intestine, or intestinal mucosa. The mucosa is covered with villi which are small, projected cells. These are, in turn, covered with microvilli. The villi and microvilli are only one cell layer thick, yet they perform multiple functions of absorbing nutrients, blocking harmful molecules from being absorbed and supporting healthy bacteria that colonize there.

Once digested down to microscopic size, these food nutrients can then migrate through the cells of the specialized intestinal wall mucosa. Therefore, it takes sufficient digestive enzymes to make this absorptive process happen.

Assimilation
Once absorbed into the blood stream, the food molecules must be carried to the tissue cells of the various organs throughout your body. At this point they must be assimilated through the cell membranes of these organs.

Sometimes the cells won’t let the nutrient molecule in so it can be utilized. Such is the case with insulin resistance—sugar can’t get into the cells of the skeletal muscle, brain, heart and other active organs. As a result, the sugar stays in the blood stream where it circulates and over time damages the body organs—especially the blood vessels that feed the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes and the sensory nerves of the feet.

Unfortunately, other less healthy food nutrient molecules are absorbed even though they are in a synthetic form. Take trans-fatty acids for an example. These unhealthy fat molecules are assimilated into the cell membranes and into the delicate intracellular manufacturing processes—to your long-term detriment. Compare the effect of synthetic trans-fats with the healthier omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, olive and flax oils. These are also utilized by the cell, but instead of harming your body, they reduce inflammation, build healthy tissue starting with the cell membrane and ease the pain from chronic illness!

Utilization
The final step is for food particles to be utilized by the internal organelles of your cells. Of course, the best nutrients come from whole foods and natural sources. These supply what we call micronutrients, making up the vitamins, minerals, enzymes, co-enzymes, phytochemicals, antioxidants, healthy oils and fiber that are required to turn the rest of the protein, fat and carbohydrate of your food into healthy tissue.

Therefore, it’s not enough to just eat foods and expect them to turn into long-term health for you. You must be keenly aware of the nutrient concentration of foods you consume, how you chew, whether you have adequate stomach acids and digestive enzymes for digestion and the function of your liver, pancreas and intestines. Once you’ve realized all these factors, you can be on your way to experiencing a healthier digestive process!

Natural Immune-Building Prevention—
All Year Long!

Think that flu season is the only time to worry about building your immune system? Wrong. Remember, it is far more valuable to know what you can do to act early. And it goes far beyond just relying on 10 pills of Tamiflu® and hoping for the best! Here is a list of natural immune-building interventions everyone can use during the flu season, or as soon as flu-like symptoms appear:

• Garlic in doses of four to eight times the usual dosing shown on the bottle. Garlic should be taken throughout the flu season as a preventative measure, before the flu bug hits you. Look for an allicin-containing garlic supplement.
• Herbal teas such as chamomile, Echinacea and ginger root are an excellent way to slow nausea and fight viral infections directly. The added benefit is that they will keep you hydrated during a viral flu-like illness.
• Echinacea contains several stimulant compounds. The German government has approved Echinacea for the treatment of influenza-like symptoms.
• DHEA at a high dose in the mornings during a flu infection has scientific merit. It has been shown to boost immune response and protect against the cytokine storm that can occur with some viral infections.
• Melatonin is found to have an intricate involvement with the measurable markers of the immune system in mice experiments. For example, melatonin is beneficial in fighting the following viruses: Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, encephalomyocarditis, Semliki Forest, West Nile and leukemia retrovirus. It is also known to activate several immune system functions in immunodeficiency states and to fight cancer.
• Lactoferrin is an immune booster found naturally in mother’s milk. It has been shown to potentiate the immune system and inhibit viral attachment to cells.
• Zinc lozenges taken twice daily within 24 hours of the start of a viral illness can inhibit the virus from attaching to your cells. A number of published studies show a significant reduction in the severity and duration of cold virus symptoms.

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge to ward off flu-like illnesses all year round, why not incorporate these tips into your daily routine? That way you can stop the infection before it happens and before it takes you away from your activities with family and friends!

Dr. Cutler’s Nutrition and Recipe Corner

I want to share some healthy and delicious recipes from my kitchen to yours. These recipes can be enjoyable for the whole family to join in making, and can help you on the way to a nutritious lifestyle today! This recipe and more can be found in my monthly advisory newsletter, Easy Health Options™. For more information on Easy Health Options™, visit www.easyhealthoptions.com.

Whole Wheat Pancakes & Waffles

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (store bought or ground from wheat kernels)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (non-aluminum)
Pinch of Celtic sea salt
1 Tbsp. pure olive oil
1/2 cup almond milk
3/4 cup water
Add 1 Tbsp. Grade B maple syrup to batter (optional for sweetness)

Add dry ingredients to a mixing bowl. Pour in oil, almond milk and water. Mix batter leaving a bit lumpy. Cook on non-stick or lightly oiled skillet. Cook first side of pancake until bubbles pop and then flip over. Continue cooking until the underside is golden brown. Or use batter in an electric waffle iron.

*Hint: A fruit/nut smoothie is a great alterative to syrup to top pancakes or waffles.

Anytime Fruit & Nut Smoothies

1/2 cup crushed ice
1 cup water
Generous squirt of flax oil or flax seeds
1/2 cup almond, rice or soy milk
2 handfuls of raw almonds
1 scoop protein powder (vanilla flavor)
One or two fresh fruits of your choice (peeled and no seeds)—apple, banana, orange, kiwi, grapes, or even a carrot or a tomato!
3/4 to 1 bag frozen fruit: Cherries, tropical mix, blueberries, etc. (I recommend no strawberries unless you add a banana or other sweeter fruit)

Blend until smooth. Great to use as “syrup” for your pancakes and waffles. Don’t have time for breakfast? Hand a smoothie off to your kids as they are running out the door. Great for after school snacks, too! Be creative. You can add oatmeal, plain yogurt or even some cold cereal to your concoction.

All the best!
Michael Cutler, M.D.

Dear Health Conscious Individual,

Welcome to House Calls with Dr. Cutler™!

In this week’s issue I will outline some of the dangers of pesticides. These harmful chemicals can enter your body through the skin, the air or ingested in foods, so make sure you’re taking the maximum precautions!

Plus, I have some life-saving information about prostate cancer. Don’t let this deadly disease—of which 218,800 NEW cases are reported each year—affect you or your loved ones!

And keep reading to discover how you can reduce your allergies, asthma and rashes by adding THIS to your diet.

Yours for healthy living,

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

The Dangers of Pesticide Contamination

When it comes to knowing the dangers of insecticides and herbicides, there are noticeably no long-term studies on the effect of average exposure and chronic disease. Does that mean they are safe? I’ll let you answer that question after reading this information.

Organophosphates and carbamates are the more common active ingredients of household, garden and farm insecticides. They are highly toxic to all animals and humans—in high enough doses. These compounds can enter the body via skin contact, inhalation or orally.

Would you like to know what happens in acute exposure to organophosphate chemicals? Out of 54 children who went to a South African emergency department with insecticide poisoning, half were “decontaminated” prior to arrival and still the complications were quite severe. They included coma (31 percent), seizures (30 percent), shock
(9 percent), heart arrhythmias (9 percent), respiratory failure requiring ventilation (35 percent) and death (7 percent).

A prevalent environmental chemical cause of autoimmune hypersensitivity that goes undetected is 2,4-Toluene diisocyanate
(2, 4 D). It is used as a chemical intermediate in the production of polyurethane products (quite prevalent in America) and is extremely toxic in acute exposures.

Also, dioxin, which is an unintentional by-product of chlorine waste incineration, is prevalent and extremely toxic to humans. It bioaccumulates the further up the food chain you go—so that it is found in beef, milk, chicken, pork, fish and eggs (in decreasing order). Not surprisingly, dioxin levels in fish are 100,000 times that of the surrounding environment.

An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report describes dioxin as a serious public health threat. Some estimate it to be as much of a threat as was dichloro-diphenltrichlorethane (DDT) in the 1960s before it was banned. But what about the safety of pesticides in smaller doses, over time? Do they accumulate?

Theo Colborn, Ph.D., who is highly published in the peer-reviewed literature on pesticides, gave some revealing insights into the persistence of these toxic chemicals in the body. He found that the herbicide 2,4 D (the most widespread herbicide) was detected in 50 percent of the semen samples taken from a group of Canadian men ages 20 to 59, and that the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) was detected in 82 percent of the urine samples tested. These are just two that were tested out of more than 1,400 known pesticides that have been developed!

And you thought you were pretty safe from environmental toxins? Now that you know this, it may shock you to know that more than 60 percent of the poundage of all agricultural herbicides and up to 90 percent of a typical pesticide product is capable of disrupting animal (and presumably human) endocrine and/or reproductive systems.

Don’t forget that one of the major hormone imbalances underlying heart disease and diabetes is cellular resistance to the hormone insulin. Who knows, pesticides may be one major “hormone disruptor” causing the high prevalence of hypothyroid disorders. These synthetic chemical compounds are fat-soluble and therefore store nicely in human fatty tissues of the skin and deeper organs.

Remember, the brain is made up of 60 percent fat. To me, there is no question that pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and possibly even the genetically modified foods (implanted DNA that make the food kill off insects much like the insecticide itself) should be eliminated from the environment as much as realistically possible.

As you know, it takes wisdom to maintain optimal health in an ever-increasing toxic world. Most of you have enjoyed great health for many years despite the environmental chemicals in which you may have been exposed.

Yet for others who suffer from chronic conditions with “no known cause,” keep abreast of all the latest information related to your best health right here! And look for valuable advice in next week’s issue relating to testing for chemical contamination.

Life-Saving Information About Your Prostate

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among males. According to research performed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 70 percent of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men aged 65 years or older.

The American Cancer Society reports that in the United States, more than 27,000 men died from the disease in 2007, with more than 218,800 NEW cases reported last year. Sadly, in the United States, prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men. These chilling statistics indicate a need for lifestyle changes in order to prevent—and save the lives of thousands!

There are several signs indicating your prostate may be in trouble. If you experience frequent urination—especially at night… difficulty starting or stopping a urinary stream… blood in your urine… weak urinary flow… painful urination… or even erectile dysfunction, you should see your doctor for a prostate screening test.

It’s important to note that a man will not have alerting symptoms until the prostate is either enlarged by benign hypertrophy or by cancer. So, if you’re a man over 40, DON’T wait until you have symptoms to have the basic screening tests—the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that in up to 25 percent of cases, PSA levels do not rise—meaning the test may not detect cancer that is present. Thus, regular testing is recommended. If your doctor finds abnormal screening tests indicating cancer, a recommendation for further testing will follow.

The tests may be one or more of the following: Urine Analysis (UA); Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) and other bio-markers such as the carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA); transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound (U/S); Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP); and eventually cystoscopy with transurethral biopsy of prostate tissue.

Once it is determined how far the cancer spreads beyond the prostate, and a tissue grade is assigned (Gleason score for how close to normal it appears under a microscope), then your doctor may recommend a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), bone scan or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to image the size and spread of cancer.

Finally, if the evidence points to cancer that is still contained within the prostate, there is a decision to be made as to what type of treatment should follow. For clearly advanced stages of cancer, doctors recommend one or more of the following:

• Radiation with external beam or targeted 3D conformal beam
  (for accuracy)
• Radiation with internal pellets or implants (brachytherapy)
• Hormonal therapy with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (Leuprolide, Goserelin and Buserelin)
• Hormonal therapy with anti-androgens (Flutamide and Bicalutamide)
• Hormonal therapy with adrenal-inhibiting drugs (Aminoglutethimide)
• Total androgen blockade (two above combined)
• Cryosurgical Ablation of the Prostate (CSAP)
• Surgery: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Surgery: radical prostatectomy with variable extent of lymph node dissection

Each of the conventional treatments listed above have harmful side effects. For example, in the case of radiation therapy, permanent loss of sexual function is a side effect that is highly likely.

An interesting study lead by Richard Valicenti,M.D., assistant professor of radiation oncology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia followed men for four years after radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. The results? Of the 128 patients that had 3D conformal therapy
(a targeted 3-dimensional radiation beam), 33 percent of them reported significantly impaired sexual function. Of the 60 patients that had brachytherapy (radiation implants), 44 percent reported impaired function. And of the 26 who received a more rigorous treatment of external beam therapy plus implants, 74 percent of them lost sexual function!

Natural Alternatives
As an alternative to costly surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, I’d like to share some powerful remedies proven to help fight prostate cancer. In many cases, aggressive natural therapy interventions make all the difference—without the harmful side effects—and many patients have been able to successfully reverse the effects of cancer!

• Serenoa Repens (Saw Palmetto) inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and blocks the adverse effects of estrogen in men. Furthermore, it has been proven to reduce the growth effect of prolactin on prostate cancer cells (prolactin increases conversion of testosterone to DHT).
• Pygeum Africanum (Bitter Almond) is an evergreen tree native to Africa with similar properties to Saw Palmetto. It blocks the effects of prolactin on prostate cells.
• Urtica Dioica (Stinging Nettle) extracts have been proven to decrease prostate cancer cells in the laboratory.
• Micronized Progesterone blocks conversion of testosterone to di-hydro testosterone (DHT).
• Lycopene (tomatoes) has been shown in several studies to be a potent antioxidant that favors prostate tissue and reduces prostate cancer.
• Selenium has been shown to cut mortality rates in lung, prostate and colorectal cancers.
• Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 have been shown to slow the progression of early stages of prostate cancer.
• Vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, copper (low dose), Coenzyme Q10, quercetin, green tea, indole-3-carbinol, and omega-3 fatty acid are all proven to have immune system boosting effects.

Before any treatment options are decided upon, the risks of treatment should be cautiously weighed against the expected benefits. The truth is—surgery, radiation and chemotherapy do nothing to reverse the underlying cause of the cancerous growth.

Moreover, cancer will likely return somewhere else in the body if this is your only treatment strategy. In many cases, aggressive natural therapy interventions make all the difference—WITHOUT the harmful side effects!

Can Whole Foods Reduce Allergies, Asthma and Skin Rashes? YES

High fiber, low animal protein, nutrient-rich, plant-based diets prevent and treat many chronic diseases. Allergies, anxiety, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis are ALL improved with such foods.

As it takes years to develop many illnesses, you can expect the more difficult ones to take from several months to a few years to reverse. The fact is most, if not all, medications can be eliminated through implementing the principles of true health. Here are some studies that show the benefits of whole food diets on such classic allergic conditions as skin rashes, asthma, hay fever and food allergies.

Researchers in a 2001 study done in Osaka, Japan, demonstrated that participants on vegetarian diets, who experienced skin rashes known as eczema, had “striking improvement” in just eight weeks because of their vegetarian diet.

In another trial reported in the Journal of Asthma, researchers followed 35 patients with moderate to severe asthma that went on a vegan diet for one year. These patients had been suffering with moderate to severe asthma for an average of 12 years and all of them were receiving long term medication, with 20 of them on intermittent corticosteroid treatments. Twenty four of the 35 patients, or 69 percent, stayed on the diet for a full year.

Of these 24 patients, 71 percent reported improvement at four months, and 92 percent of them reported improvement after one year to the extent that in almost all of these cases, medication was withdrawn or drastically reduced. Not only were their symptoms reduced, but they also experienced significant improvement in the allergy antibody markers, plus a reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides in their blood!

So now you can see the close relationship your diet can have not only on your overall health, but on specific ailments such as allergies and asthma!

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.

Natural Options for Aspirin

Dear Dr. Cutler,

I take an 81 mg aspirin each day for heart health. I also have arthritis. A friend mentioned white willow bark would be better to eliminate any side effects the aspirin might cause—what are your thoughts on this supplement?
—Sandra P.

Dear Sandra,

White willow bark is the original aspirin. The medicinal use of willow bark dates back to the Greek physician Hippocrates (400 B.C.), who advised his patients to chew on willow bark to reduce fever and inflammation.

It became really popular in the 1800s—so popular that it caught the interest of the German company Bayer. Bayer created a synthetic derivative called acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and mass-produced it. So, after consulting with your physician, you may want to consider replacing your aspirin with willow bark instead of adding it to your aspirin.

All the best!,
Michael Cutler, M.D.