Spine Surgery Patients Need Adequate Vitamin D Levels

Posted on August 21, 2014 by askdrjames

From time to time, patients may decide to go for surgery for their musculosketal conditions when they have exhausted all conservative methods. They would say to me, “I can’t really do much because I am in so much pain. I can’t do the exercises that are prescribed to me. What else can I do to improve my outcome?”. My answer would be “Check your vitamin D”.

A recent study found that 65% of patients undergoing spinal fusion had vitamin D inadequacy (<32 ng/mL), which can delay recovery. Spine-related disability is higher in patients with low levels of vitamin D.

Dr. Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, and orthopedic surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine suggested that it is reasonable to screen patients scheduled for surgery for vitamin D levels, and those with a documented deficiency should be given vitamin D supplements. Dr. Buchowski and his colleagues at Barnes-Jewish Hospital now routinely screen all patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery for vitamin D deficiency. They found that many younger patients have vitamin D deficiency. (read more)

IMG_6287Vitamin D deficiency can affect many aspects of our health, such as our respiratory system, digestive system etc. If you haven’t had a vitamin D check up in your last physical exam, ask for it in your next visit. It’s one of the easiest things you can do to improve your overall health.

Posted in Bone Health, Musculoskeletal, Orthopaedics, Vitamin D | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Probiotics and high blood pressure

Posted on July 31, 2014 by askdrjames

Many people take probiotics (good bacteria) for digestive issues such as IBS or bloating etc. Did you know that probiotics has other health benefits? New study published in July 2014 in Hypertension suggests that consumption of multiple strains of probiotics may modestly lower blood pressure. The study included a review of 9 clinical trials including the use of yogurt, fermented and sour milk, probiotic supplements, probiotic cheese and probiotic rosehip drinks. The study found that individuals who consumed at least 100 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of probiotics daily for 2 months had a reduction in systolic and diastolic by 3.5 and 2.4 mmHg, respectively. Those who consumed probiotics for less than 2 months did not have significant improvement. Dr Saman Khalesi (Griffith University, Australia) also stated that even a small reduction of blood pressure may have important public health benefits and Probiotics piccardiovascular consequences.

Other than cheese or yogurt, there are other sources of probiotics from fermented food such as kefir, miso soup, sauerfraut and natto, which also provide us with the health benefit from the nature.

When we support our body with the right environments (nutrients, oxygen, nerve supply and mental state), one part of the body will also help another part of the body. It’s all connected.

Reference: Khalesi S, Sun J, Buys N, Jayasinghe R. Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Hypertension 2014; DOI:10.161/hypertensionaha.114.03469.

Posted in Cardiovascular Health, Digestive Health, General Health | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Toxins Associated with Diabetes and Obesity

Posted on July 14, 2014 by askdrjames

We hear about how environmental toxins may contribute to cancer, Parkinsons‘s or Alzheimer‘s. A recent study published in Diabetes Care, July issue, found that there is a link between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and diabetes. POPs includes pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concerns about the toxicity of PCBs are largely based on compounds within this group can act as endocrine disruptor. PCB are commonly found in coolant fluids, carbon paper and heat transfer fluids. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) resist biodegradation and are ubiquitous in the environment and food chain. This study showed that POPs in human serum and adipose tissue are significantly correlated with glucose levels. Individuals who were obese had higher levels of POPs than normal-weight individuals. The study is also built on a previous study in Sweden which found that elevated levels of POPs predicted the development of type 2 diabetes. In other words, exposure to endocrine-disrupting POPs may be contributing to the pandemic of both type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, in addition to our overweight eating and poor diet.

In this industrialized world, simply watching what we eat is not sufficient to avoid some of these chronic diseases. We also need to minimize toxicity build up by regular detoxification and also minimize toxicity pouring into our environment by being socially responsible as well.

Posted in General Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is your bed making you sick?

Posted on April 22, 2014 by askdrjames

I love to travel and in all my years of traveling, I experienced bed bug in 2 occasions. I am sure that many travelers have experienced the constant itchiness from bed bug. Recently, I have learned that you can significantly reduce this problem by using allergen-proof bedding/pillows and mattresses treated with a silver type solution which repels these nasty bugger. This was introduced to me by an interior designer, Evan Pleet. Of course, here is a great blogging idea and thanks Evan to be our guest blogger.file6071257959015

Here are some bed bug facts:

  • Bed bugs are small bloodsucking insects that feed on humans and other warm-blooded animals
  • Bed bugs most often feed at night time when people are asleep
  • Bed bugs can go up to a year without a blood meal
  • a well fed bed bug can live anywhere from four to six months, while a dormant one might live without feeding
    for up to 18 months
  • Bed bugs often hide in mattresses but they can also hide in the cracks, electrical outlets in walls, behind wallpaper, base boards and picture frames, between beds and in bedding materials
  • A female bed bug can lay up to five eggs per day and up to around 500 eggs in her lifetime
  • Bed bugs are often carried into houses by clothes, luggage, furniture, bedding and sometimes even by humans

Why does a silver formulation work?

Silver has been known through the ages for its positive effect and ability to fight bacteria. We have now developed a unique silver thread of 99.9% pure silver. This silver thread is woven into the fabric of the Silver Protection bedding. The silver thread is coated so it will never be blackened in use by oxidation. Also incorporated into the silver bedding is a blend of oils from citrus, eucalyptus and lavender, fatal to not only bacteria, but also dust mites, bedbugs, moths and mosquitoes.

How does the silver bedding & pillows work?

Bed bugs and other 8-legged parasites, including dust mites, belonging to the spinner family, eventually die as they come within the electrostatic force field of the silver threads and the force of the incorporated blend of natural oils in the fabric. Scabies mites, blood mites, bacteria and fungi also die shortly after the silver sheet is put on the bed. 79% of mites are dead after 8 days and the rest die within the following days.

  • Destroying the dust mites/bacteria’s cell membrane
  • Preventing cell division so the dust mites/bacteria die
  • Eliminating fungus (Candida albicans)
  • Anti-bacterial effect prevents bad smells
  • Anti-static effect
  • Extremely skin-friendly and reduces itching
  • Improves quality of sleep

These silver bedding and pillow also work on dust mites, mildew, c-difficile, E-Coli and Salmonella. So next time when you travel, check the mattress for signs of bed bugs and if you still are not sure, bring a set of silver pillow case and bed sheet with you.

Evan Pleet is a registered Interior Designer and the Principal Designer at E.L.P. Designs and Space Planning, a full service residential and commercial interior design, decorating and space planning firm, serving the entire Greater Toronto Area. For more information contact Evan @ email: evan@elpdesigns.com

Posted in General Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is colonic hydrotherapy?

Posted on March 30, 2014 by askdrjames

I often hear about colonic therapy. I have heard patients who tried it and found it very helpful to them, but I really didn’t know much about it. Recently, I met, Karryn, who is colonic therapist with 20 years of experience. She is going to help us to understand a bit more about colonic hydrotherapy.

What is Colonic Irrigation (Colon Hydrotherapy)?
Colon Hydrotherapy (Colonic) is a hygienic cleansing of the large intestine through the process of purified water entering and exiting the colon; providing therapeutic, cleansing and corrective benefits; cleaning the toxicity from your system. Treatments can increase your colons function and tone due to the removal of excessive waste, fecal plaque, mucous, abnormal bacteria, and / or intestinal parasites. The process is clean, pain free, and will provide immediate results.

Why do people need Colonic Irrigation (Colon Hydrotherapy)?
Let’s be real, we don’t eat perfectly ‘natural’ and our food today comes with many ingredients / chemicals that we either do not know about or turn a blind eye to. Our bodies were originally designed to consume natural produce, it is convenience and technology that has changed they way we eat. The human body is an incredible machine, but can only truly withstand continuous imputed toxins.
Toxicity and build up of fecal matter in the colon can be seen through symptoms as: sallow and unhealthy skin, bloating, constipation, bad breath, fatigue, sluggish glands, lack of sexual desire, premature aging, stiff and painful joints, allergies, headaches, skin disorders, and poor eyesight. This is toxaemia.

00373How long is the session? Is there anything else you recommend the patients to do before, during or after? The session is usually about an hour long with abdomenal massage. Taking probiotics is important after the session. I counsel on dietary issues for my clients’ own personal journey.

Is there any research on colonic therapy?
Yes there is. As with everything there are two opinions; positive and negative. If you think of the natural aspect, colonics make sense. We are natural and we do not consume all natural so therefore the body will have inevitably issues with digesting foreign unnatural foods. Colonics and cleansing are needed for many to help regularity.

As a certified colon hygienist, I cannot diagnose or prescribe treatment for any specific disease or condition. I will gladly answer any questions that you might have in the area of colon health. My mission is to help others feel good inside and out through balance and health integrity.

Karryn Arato has been a Colon Hydro therapist since she received her certification in 1994 from Barbara Towns.  Within the past 20 years she has continued to educate herself in the health field receiving certification as a Health & Wellness Consultant, a Hot Stone Massage therapist and Ear Candling expert. She sees clients in her practice West Toronto Wellness Clinic in Toronto, Ontario.

 

Posted in Digestive Health | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Winter to Spring – Awakening the Sleeping Mold

Posted on March 22, 2014 by askdrjames

Spring is officially here now. You may start thinking about spring cleaning. This week’s guest blogger is a certified home and mold inspector, Robert Kin.

Can you feel it? The birds are chirping, the sun shines longer providing warmth and there is more puddles of water compared to the ever so disappearing surrounding snow.

With the significant March 20th date past us or as many of you know as the first day of spring, people are generally happier. It’s been such a long cold winter. I’m tired of snow shoveling, the slippery ice and the extreme wind chills. Bring the heat please.

Well as you step outside, you’ll likely smell moisture in the air. With the long winter approaching a much needed end,  everything outside including the ground beneath us has started thawing out. This means outdoor allergies turn into a frequent issue, as bacteria fills the outside air.

Did you know moisture moves into any material area that can absorb moisture? This includes the basement area which is a haven for picking up moisture. Basement foundation are typically made of material (i.e. concrete) that is porous and eventually degrades over time. Any pre-existing cracks will become larger and water eventually moves into the basements.

The end result is a musty smell found within basement areas. When you smell mustiness you’re smelling bacteria or as others cringe to say “mold”.

moldMold develops within 24-48 hours in areas where moisture comes in contact with organic material (e.g. cotton, wool, paper, wood) coupled with insufficient air ventilation. Smell and discoloration of surfaces are indicators that mold is present.

If mold is present, then this can have a direct effect on one’s physical well being. Mold can cause cold-like symptoms, a degradation of one’s respiratory system, nasal issues, watery eyes, skin irritations just to name a few.

If you are experiencing the aforementioned then it is highly recommended you visit a specialist. I find using a Naturopath, Homeopath, an Allergist or even a Chiropractor is very important in maintaining oneself.

The key here is removing the mold. Depending on the size and type of the mold, one might need to have it removed professionally by a Mold Remediator,

A Mold Inspector can help determine this through lab testing. Best case scenario, is If there is no smell of mustiness in the basement. Likely no mold present.

To be proactive going forward  a homeowner should obtain a dehumidifier for the basement area. This is a preventative measure and should be used often during the non-winter months. We want to get rid of the moisture which again is a catalyst for mold development especially in areas with organic materials no very little air ventilation.

Another solution but not as affective is opening up windows allowing air flow and thus drying out the given areas.

Speaking from experience there was one family told their young 2 & 4 year old kids had Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). The 4 year old was barely speaking. This was horrifying for parents to hear. They’re family history showed no signs of ADD and they were doubting their own child rearing ability. What do you do in this situation? Who do you go to? Who should you listen to? In one case, a friend had mentioned the mustiness was strong within their home. I was brought in.

Upon further inspection, mold was found in the basement and we suspected to be the instigator in ADD behavior. Mold Remediation (removal) took place. Soon after their kids started developing tremendously. 6 months later, their eldest had caught up to her peers and does not stop talking. The youngest is like any 2 year old. Being the Curious George,  very mischievous but doing in ever so adorably.

While there is great debate on what causes health issues … one cannot deny the feeling its better to not being exposed than being exposed to mold.

Now what do you smell in your basement…..

Robert Kin, Cerftified Home & Mold Inspector, Superior Home Inspectors, 416-528-1443; rkin@superiorhomeinspectors.ca www.superiorhomeinspectors.ca

Posted in General Health | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

It’s All In Your Genes!

Posted on March 14, 2014 by askdrjames

As granny used to say to explain your behaviour, “It’s in your genes, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”  Well, granny was only half right. There is something you can do about it – change your lifestyle.

baby-22194_1920Medical researchers have recently discovered that changes in our lifestyle not only create changes that we know about – our weight, blood pressure, heart rate, liver function and so on, but that those changes also reach deep inside us – to our genes, the parts of us that we pass along to our children.

This discovery was made after a study of participants in a year-long intensive diet, exercise, and stress-management program, designed to reduce heart attack risk. It turned out that the successful participants not only lost weight but they also showed positive changes at the molecular (genetic) level.

The participants in the study ranged in age from the mid-40s to early 70s. Their lifestyle-change program consisted of:

  • A very low-fat vegetarian diet (<10% of calories from fat).
  • 180 minutes/week of moderate aerobic exercise.
  • One hour of stress management each day.
  • Weekly group support sessions.

Mind you, as more research is being conducted in this area, you may find that there are other lifestyle choices emerging such as, for instance, instead of following a low-fat regime, get to know the difference between good fat and bad fat, and in choosing an exercise program, you may find that high-intensity and low rest exercises are better for you than moderate aerobic exercises.

But no physical lifestyle change will work for you if your mental lifestyle is not in sync.  Meditation can be very helpful, but even that will fail if a negative mindset is holding you back. Surround yourself with people who resonate with positive vibes and above all, listen to your body. What we do and what we think can influence our gene expression!

Posted in General Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pesticides And Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on March 2, 2014 by askdrjames

I published a blog on Pesticides and Alzheimer’s in mid February. Now there is another  new study indicates exposure to pesticides might increase the risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

2006-08-15 - Road Trip - Day 23 - United States - California - San Francisco - Sign - Warning Pesticides - Fire Will Cause Toxic Fumes - Skull and Crossbones - mustache - graffitiThe study, published in the February 4, 2014, issue of Neurology, reports that pesticides can raise PD risk by up to 6 times.  Having a particular genetic predisposition would raise that risk.

What is also alarming is that anyone within 500 meters of where a pesticide is being sprayed would show signs of significant exposure, through inhalation or ingestion, according to Dr. Jeff Bronstein, MD, PhD, professor, neurology, and director, Movement Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles.

And organic pesticides aren’t as safe as they may seem either. Samuel Frank, MD, associate professor, neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts, and member of the American Academy of Neurology describes rotenone as an example, which he said is considered an organic pesticide but is still sold in nurseries. “If you go into PubMed, you’ll find that it’s a toxin used to induce Parkinson models.”

To be safe, select organic foods whenever possible. If you have your own garden, grow your own vegetables. When it comes to the food you eat, use common sense. Wash (if possible, scrub) all produce and trim the fat off of meat before eating. If you are wondering if you should buy organic produce, the general rule of thumb is to buy organic (the dirty dozen) if you are eating the peel (like you would with apples, peaches and peppers). If you won’t be eating the outer skin or peel (as would be the case with pineapple, mango, and sweet corn), you can save some cash and buy conventional produce.

Posted in Mental Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sex, Steroids and Exercising

Posted on February 25, 2014 by askdrjames

More and more men are using testosterone supplements in the hope of improving their strength, energy, and sexual performance. However, many testosterone supplements are not only unnecessary but there is mounting evidence concerning side effects associated with the use of testosterone, particularly in older individuals.file8991282229900

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited two studies showing that men taking testosterone therapy or supplements were significantly more likely to have a myocardial infarction (MI) in the first 90 days after starting the medication. Furthermore, sex steroids are not affecting muscle mass any more than that done by the body’s natural reproductive systems.

So, if drug is not an option, what are the other options? How about if we just stick with one of the 5 essential maximized living principles. EXERCISING .

A recent study published in January 2014 revealed that biopsies taken before and after the exercise regimes indicated that after the weight training, the older men’s levels of sex steroid hormones increased. So resistance training can increase the production of sex steroids in the muscles of older men. In addition, Dr. Jakob Vingren, of the University of Texas reported that men who are on androgen-deprivation therapy, for example, for prostate and other cancers, might particularly benefit from resistance training.

Obviously, there are different kinds of exercises and there are unique benefits to each type of workout regime. Personally, I like 15-30 min of afterburn exercising. Short workout time, effective and it can be tailored to virtually anyone, regardless of their fitness level.

Posted in Men's Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pesticides And Alzheimer’s

Posted on February 15, 2014 by askdrjames

We know that pesticides or insecticide are harmful to the human body, but to what extent?

A new study finds that serum levels of a pesticide metabolite are associated with increased risk for a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Until 1972, pesticides containing dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, familiarly known as DDT, were extensively used as an insecticide and for agriculture-89168_640controlling a family of diseases, such as malaria. However, even though DDT was banned in Canada and the United States, it is still found in 75% to 80% of local serum tests, partly because of its exceptionally long half-life but also because of its continued exposure from food imported from other countries, such as India and Spain. In fact, the World Health Organization supported reintroduction of DDT for malaria eradication in 2006.

Dr. Richardson of Rutgers analyzed serum samples from patients with and without Alzheimer’s. When all other causes of dementia were ruled out, it was found that patients with dementia had almost 4 times the level of DDT in their serum than those who were clear. Patients exposed to other chlorine-based pesticides were not affected at such high levels. Yet, it’s impossible to determine whether areas of the world with persistent DDT exposure have higher rates of Alzheimer’s because of the different methods of diagnosing and reporting the disease, and in collecting relevant data.

Nonetheless, it is clear that environmental factors may influence the risk of Alzheimer’s and potentially other illnesses as well.

I personally will attempt to minimize toxicity in my body by doing a regular detoxification and consuming certain organic foods.

Posted in Mental Health | Tagged , , | 1 Comment