why statin drugs do not reduce vascular inflammation and actualy create more serious health problems. December 6, 2008

Recently a study called “JUPITER” was conducted on 17,800 people who had high C-Reactive Protein(CPR) levels, which is a good indicator of inflammation, and hence heart disease risk. Statins are now prescribed to people with normal cholesterol levels but elevated CPR levels.

Unfortunately taking a statin drug in this case will not resolve the underlying problem causing the inflammation. Elevated C-Reactive Protein levels are due to chronic damage done to your arteries which leads to inflammation.This is a normal body reaction to combat the situation,a natural and important response to healing.

The real problem here is what is actually causing the inflammation, such as elevated blood sugar. The sugar molecule causes much more damage than any other molecule. If you decide to take cholesterol lowering drugs instead of addressing the underlying problem of excess sugar in your blood stream you are stopping your body’s natural healing process and exposing your body to drugs that have very serious side affects.

Instead why not use the CPR test as an indicator for lifestyle changes which then will naturally lower your bodies excess inflammation, and decrease your chance of heart disease without the use of any drugs.

Here are some simple ways to change your diet and reduce inflammation in your body.

1.  Oxidized Cholesterol (Cholesterol that has gone rancid,  for example in overcooked  scrambled eggs.

2.  Eating lots of grains and sugar.

3.  Eating foods cooked at high temperatures.

4.  Eating Trans Fats.

Taking a high quality krill or fish oil (Omega-3 fats) is one of the most important steps to preventing heart disease. Also make sure you are easting the right foods for your body’s specific nutritional type. Optimize you insulin levels by also following a glycemic index protocol for eating. Finally make sure your  vitamin D levels are optimized. It has a dramatic affect on normalizing blood pressure. The best source is from the sun, but in the winter you may need to take an oral supplement.

One last thought, what the drug companies also do not tell you is that statin drugs do not modulate LDL particle size. The small particles are the ones that get stuck and cause more inflammation. The only way to make sure the LDL particles are large enough not to get stuck and cause inflammation and damage is through your diet.

So eat healthy and reduce your total body stress.

A Welcome Message From the Doctor November 3, 2008

Hello to all and welcome to this, the inaugural posting on my new blog. Hopefully you will find this to be a knowledgeable resource about alternatives to traditional medicine practices.

With all the different stresses that are going on in our world, from the financial crisis on Wall St, to the up coming Presidential Election, to the war in Iraq, have you ever thought for a minute what all this stress is doing to your health? I am a holistic wellness doctor here in Manhattan. Most people always forget that the greatest affect of any stress is on our own body. We are all running around worrying about our future, our finances, our jobs, our life, which are all definitely very important. What you have to remember is that without your health, you have nothing. Last week the stock market was down over 30%.As we saw today the stock market rose over 900 points, but not without outside help. If you don’t take care of your body and your health you will eventually get sick and fall apart. Many times you need outside assistance from someone like me. I can figure out why your body is not functioning right and why it is expressing ill health. Whether you are suffering from headaches, problems concentrating and focusing, digestive issues or just feeling over whelmed, remember these are symptoms your body is expressing to you telling you that it needs help. Taking medication for these symptoms does not make you healthy, but merely masks the real health problem. Through all non-invasive protocols that incorporate many techniques from many different health disciplines, I can help you regain your health. Remember a strong healthy person can deal with the stress of life much more effectively than someone whose health is compromised. So remember you are not replaceable like a car or a new cell phone, or a new a stock portfolio, always put your health first so you will be able to enjoy your life to its fullest.

-Bonnie