|
The Nutraceuticals of the Decade? Part 1
May 1, 2018
There’s more to hemp than just CBD (cannabidiol). So says Carl Germano, expert on cannabinoids and Vice President of Verdant Oasis, a quality manufacturer and supplier of hemp-sourced products. Germano explains the “Entourage Effect” whereby numerous compounds in hemp act synergistically on a multitude of physiological pathways. Natural plant-derived cannabinoids have the potential to be the nutraceuticals of the decade. They have been used in folk medicine for nervous disorders and painful conditions for millennia. What’s their utility for headaches? For back pain? As an alternative to opiates and NSAIDs? For insomnia? To prevent and reverse osteoporosis? For ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease? For skin problems? To support athletic performance and recovery? For neurodegenerative disorders? Even for cancer? Why has hemp been unfairly stigmatized? What’s its legal status? How do the various delivery systems compare: oral capsules, tinctures, vaping, vs. topical application? Germano details what consumers should look for in terms of quality considerations. As a postscript, in light of his authorship of The Osteoporosis Solution, Germano weighs in on the bone benefits of ipriflavone.
 |
Share:
 |
|
|
Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for September 23, Part 2
September 25, 2017
Which is worse for you: soy oil, coconut oil, or high fructose corn syrup? Is there hope for long-standing anxiety and agoraphobia? Mysterious, sudden onset of allergy to beef, pork, and lamb; Melatonin vs. chemotherapy nerve pain; Is safflower oil healthy? Cannabis chewing gum soon to debut as fibromyalgia treatment; Physician ratings on websites don't reflect true doctor skills; Integrative medicine goes mainstream at UC Irvine with first of its kind 200 million dollar grant. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.
|
Share:
|
|
|
Clinical Focus: Pain and America’s Opioid Epidemic, Part 1
July 6, 2017
America is in the grips of an unprecedented opioid epidemic. This time, it’s not just about heroin, confined to the inner cities among impoverished minorities. It’s spread to suburbs and rural areas and is affecting predominantly white middle-class populations. It started when, under marketing pressure from makers of pain medications, doctors were encouraged to view pain as “the fifth vital sign,” on a par with blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. But pain is subjective, and not amenable to such a simplistic formula. More people see doctors for pain than for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined! Along with liberal prescribing, the ubiquity of powerful, long-acting drugs, and more lenient sentencing of drug sellers have fostered a surge in drug overdoses. Moreover, we have created a huge underclass of addicted, hopeless, unemployable, debilitated Americans, who often succumb to suicide. Statistics show far too many people take more medication than is prescribed, stockpile or share medications, doctor-shop to obtain more prescriptions, mix drugs with alcohol, and continue use of medications for purposes other than pain relief. Unscrupulous doctors often sell prescriptions. We need a total reassessment of the way we treat pain in America. As a society, we have far too little tolerance for transient (physical and psychological) pain, and the medical profession and drug companies are all-too-wiling to oblige. Experts now call for a closer look at alternative modalities like yoga, meditation/mindfulness, Tai-Chi, QiGong, acupuncture, core-training, acupuncture, etc. Diet may play a role in curbing inflammation; certain supplements like fish oil, curcumin, boswellin, vitamin C and D, and magnesium may help pain. The revolutionary work of the late Dr. John Sarno, who urged patients to let go of stress that perpetuated their pain syndromes, also deserves consideration. Click HERE for part 2.
|
Share:
|
|
|
The Potential Benefits of Medical Marijuana, Part 1
December 1, 2016
Dr. Rachna Patel is a pioneer in research and application of medical marijuana. She is careful to distinguish her practice from “card mills” that indiscriminately hand out prescriptions for marijuana to mostly recreational users. Rather, she tailors various formulas comprising differing ratios and dosages of THC and cannabidiol according to patients' medical conditions. She finds many of her patients with pain conditions respond well to medical marijuana: fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathy. Many are able to taper their prescription meds due to the pain relief they obtain. She describes topical application of marijuana for psoriasis and sore joints. Patients with MS experience decreased spasticity and patients with Parkinson’s Disease see improvements in tremors. Patients with anxiety enjoy freedom from panic attacks. Medical marijuana is well-suited for insomnia. It ameliorates GI pain in IBS and colitis. What patients are NOT candidates for medical marijuana? Can it be used in kids and adolescents? How might it paradoxically help ADHD? Do patients feel stoned? Does it create addiction or dependency? What about "amotivational syndrome" that is reported in chronic pot smokers? Does it provide support to cancer patients? Might it possess anti-inflammatory effects? Why does Dr. Patel eschew use of inhaled marijuana products? Should users trust the internet or should they access prescription marijuana via official licensed dispensaries? Click HERE for part 2.
|
Share:
|
