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Dont go deaf, blind or lose your mind!Natural strategies for keeping your hearing, vision,

and thinking sharp well into old ageBy Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.

Vol. 15, Issue 8 October 2008

NUTRITION & HEALINGNUTRITION & HEALINGDr. Jonathan V. Wrights

Eh? Whats that yousay? Louder, please.No, dont bother

writing it down, cant see very well,

either! Oh, never mind I probablywont remember it, anyway!

If you chuckled when you readthat, its probably because itsounds familiarwhether itssomething you remember yourparents or grandparents saying, orwhether youve uttered similarthings yourself. And while itsounds funny on the surface, theunfortunate truth underlyingphrases like these is that varyingdegrees of failing hearing, vision,

and mental function are stillconsidered to be normal withadvancing age.

But they need not be normalfor you! Youve read before inNutrition & Healingaboutprevention and treatment of age-related hearing, vision, andcognitive function problems. Thistime, well review them all in oneplace, while youand Ican stillremember to how to lower your

chances of going deaf, blind, orlosing your mind!

The hormone deficiency

that could be destroyingyour hearing

Dennis Trune, Ph.D., of OregonHealth Sciences University, pioneeredthe research showing that thenaturally occurring adrenal steroidhormone aldosterone can oftenreverse hearing loss in animals.

Based on Dr. Trunes work, Ivehad aldosterone levels tested inmany individuals with hearing loss(most of them older), and asignificant number turned out to

have low or low normal measure-ments. But after taking bio-identicalaldosterone in physiologicquantitiesamounts that wouldnormally be present in adulthuman bodiesmore than half ofthese individuals have regained asignificant proportion of theirlost hearing.

Ive been surprised by twoaspects of bio-identical aldosteronetreatment for hearing loss. First,when it works, it works relatively

rapidly, restoring a significant degreeof hearing within the first twomonths. In fact, a few of the peopleIve worked with have literally heard

improvement within just two tothree weeks.

The other thing that surprisedme about aldosterone therapy isthat its capable of restoring asignificant degree of hearing evenyears after the hearing loss initiallyoccurred. So far, the longest intervalIve witnessed was in an 87-year-old man whod lost his hearing 13years prior to regaining a significantdegree of it using aldosterone.

None of the people Ive worked

with have had any adverse effectsfrom aldosterone therapy, likelybecause the use of bio-identical,physiologic-dose aldosteronerestores levels to those that wouldbe found in the body anyway.

Ive focused this treatment onindividuals with hearing loss andlow or low-normal aldosteronelevels, but I do know of one individ-ualan M.D.who decided to trythis approach for his hearing losseven though his aldosterone levelswere quite normal. His hearing didimprove, but unless you too arean M.D., D.O., or N.D. who canprescribe bio-identical aldosteroneand order lab tests for sodium and

(continued on next page)

IN THIS ISSUE:Send in cell reinforcements right where you need them most . . . . . . ..4

War on Holistic Medicine:

Your doctor may be allowed to prescribe estriol-containing BHRT

but can he afford it? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..8

Nutrition_OCT08:Nutrition_OCT08 9/4/08 10:47 AM Page 1

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2 Nutrition & Healing October 2008

Editor:

JonathanV. Wright, M.D.

Publisher:

Paul Amos

Managing Editor:

Amanda L. Ross

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Copyright 2008 Healthier News, L.L.C., 702 CathedralSt., Baltimore, MD 21201. Reproduction in whole orpart is prohibited without written permission of thepublisher. Dr. Jonathan V. Wrights Nutrition & Healingis published monthly by Healthier News, L.L.C., 702Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Subscription ratesare $74 per year ($6.16 an issue). POSTMASTER: Sendaddress changes to Dr. Jonathan V. Wrights Nutrition &Healing, 702 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

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Our mission:Nutrition & Healing is dedicated to helping you keep

yourself and your family healthy by the safest and mosteffective means possible. Every month, youll get informa-

tion about diet, vitamins, minerals, herbs, naturalhormones, natural energies, and other substances andtechniques to prevent and heal illness, while prolongingyour healthy life span.

A graduate of Harvard University and the Universityof Michigan Medical School (1969), Dr. Jonathan V.Wright has been practicing natural and nutritionalmedicine at the Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington,since 1973. Based on enormous volumes of library andclinical research, along with tens of thousands ofclinical consultations, he is exceptionally well-qualifiedto bring you a unique blending of the most up-to-dateinformation and the best and still most effective naturaltherapies developed by preceding generations.

Nutrition & Healing cannot improve on these famouswords:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that allmen are created equal, that they are endowed by theircreator with certain unalienable rights, that amongthese are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The inalienable right to life must include the right tocare for ones own life. The inalienable right to libertymust include the right to choose whatever means wewish to care for ourselves. In addition to publishing thebest of information about natural health care, Nutrition& Healing urges its readers to remember their inalien-able rights to life, liberty, and freedom of choice inhealth care. This information is published to help in theeffort to exercise these inalienable rights, and to warnof ever-present attempts of both government andprivate organizations to restrict them.

All material in this publication is provided forinformation only and may not be construed as medicaladvice or instruction. No action should be taken basedsolely on the contents of this publication; instead,readers should consult appropriate health professionalson any matter relating to their health and well-being.The information and opinions provided in this publica-tion are believed to be accurate and sound, based onthe best judgment available to the authors, but readers

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potassium (sodium and potassium regulation are two ofaldosterones major responsibilities), please dont take aldosterone,bio-identical or not, if your measured levels are perfectly normal!(For further details about the research behind this treatment and

safety details, see Nutrition & Healingfor May 2006.)Beat the top 3 causes of blindnesswithout patent medicine or surgery

Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts are three verycommon causes of vision lossif theyre left untreated, that is.

But many cases of these three sight-stealing conditions can betreated by natural means, often avoiding patent medicines and/orsurgery entirely. Even better, its also possible to significantly reduceyour risk of developing any of these problems in the first place.

The vision-robbing disease thats actuallya symptom in many cases

Lets start with glaucoma. This condition occurs when the pressureinside the eyeball (intra-ocular pressure) rises. If the intra-ocularpressure rises high enough, it can cause blindness. Conventionaltreatment of glaucoma uses either patent medications (generallycalled miotics) or surgery to relieve the excess pressure.

But in 1937, Emanuel Josephson, M.D., an ophthalmologist inNew York City, published a book titled Glaucoma and its MedicalTreatment with Cortin. In it, Dr. Josephson reported many cases ofindividuals whose glaucoma and high intra-ocular pressure improvedafter treatment with a substance called cortin. Cortin was the 1930sname for entirely natural injectable extracts from animal adrenalcortexthe part of the adrenal glands which make cortisol, cortisone,DHEA, aldosterone, and all other natural adrenal steroid molecules

in natural balance with each other. (Later on, Cortin was renamedAdrenal Cortical Extract, or ACE.)Some of the improvements Dr. Josephson related were quite

dramatic, with the patients intra-ocular pressure dropping over 20points to within the normal range. Dr. Josephson carefullyexplained that Cortin produced such impressive results becausemany cases of glaucoma dont actually originate in the eye, butinstead manifest in the eye as a symptom of weak adrenal glands.In other words, Dr. Josephson discovered that, in many cases,glaucoma is a symptom, not an independent disease.

Injections of Cortin (which was literally hormone replacementtherapy for weak adrenal glands) would allow the eyeswhichapparently depend on normal adrenal functionto normalize

themselves in many cases. In fact, Cortin even helped alleviate highintra-ocular pressure in people who hadnt responded to mioticsor surgery.

At the time Dr. Josephson was using it in his patients, Cortinwas sold by major patent medication companies, including Parke-Davis. While they couldnt patent the extracts themselves (sincethey were 100 percent natural) patent medicine companies couldpatentand make enormous profits fromthe extraction process.

(continued from page 1)hearing, vision, thinking

Dr. Jonathan V. Wrights

NUTRITION & HEALING

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3Nutrition & Healing October 2008www.wrightnewsletter.com

Unfortunately, though, in thelate 1940s and early 1950s, patentmedicine companies discoveredways to make totally unnatural butvery powerful and patentable (andtherefore much more profitable)versions of cortisone and cortisol.

Even though these space-alien versionshave an incredible list of adverseeffects when used in human bodiesincluding diabetes, osteoporosis,high blood pressure, cataracts, andstomach ulcersthe patent medicineindustry was so successful in blurringthe lines between them and bio-identical cortisone and cortisol (whichnever have these sorts of adverseeffects when used in physiologicquantities) that theyve become thego-to choice for most mainstreamphysicians. A more recent exampleof this type of blurring the linesis the inability of the FDA, conven-tional medicine, and patent medicinecompanies to distinguish betweenPremarin and other patentablepseudo-estrogens and bio-identicalestrogens. And just like the currentsituation with bio-identical HRT,los Federales used this line-blurringto outlaw Cortin/ACE in the 1970s.

They claimed that it should bebanned because, unlike the syntheticversion, ACE was unapproved,and therefore potentially dangerouseven though it had been sold andin use for decades with no reportedside effects. In an accompanyingillogical leap of FDA logic, afterterming ACE dangerous, theyalso stated it was ineffective.

But I personally witnessed itstremendous success in normalizingglaucoma. Several individuals haddecreases in intra-ocular pressure

from well above 20 (normal isunder 20) to below 20 following aseries of intravenous injections ofACE. (All intra-ocular pressuremeasurements were done byophthalmologists, not me.) Manyother physicians practicing natural

medicine had seen similar resultsand we all protested to the FDA.Unfortunately, the public didnt getinvolved, and side-effect-free ACEremains illegal today.

However, individuals withglaucoma can still improve and evennormalize their intra-ocular pressureby using more general techniques toimprove their adrenal function. Thevery best place to start is with yourdiet, eliminating all refined sugar and

refined carbs and making sure to getadequate amounts of salt.

There are also a number of supple-ments that can help boost adrenalfunction, including the sodiumascorbate form of vitamin C, panto-thenic acid, chromium, vitamins A

and E, and ginseng. Another relativelysubtle but powerful technique forstrengthening weak adrenal glandsis cell therapy using fetal animaladrenal cells with other related fetalendocrine cells. Theres a brief noteabout cell therapy on page 4, andmuch more in the March 2005 issueofNutrition & Healing. For evenmore information on strengtheningweak adrenal glands, check yourlocal library for the book Adrenal

Fatigue by James Wilson, N.D., Ph.D.As youve likely guessed, adrenal-

strengthening treatment is most likelyto be successful treating glaucomain people who have weak adrenalfunction. The 24-hour urine test for

(continued on page 4)

Measuring and monitoring aldosterone

Many labs use blood tests to measure aldosterone levels, but I definitely

prefer measuring aldosterone as part of an overall steroid analysis done

from a 24-hour urine collection. This test measures all the aldosterone output

in a 24-hour period; since aldosterone and other steroid hormones are

secreted into the bloodstream in pulses, a blood test isnt quite as accurate.

Also, the 24-hour urine collection measures the hormone context in

which aldosterone is found, including measurements of cortisol, cortisone,

and downstream metabolites of cortisol and cortisone. Putting these

measurements together allows your physician to assess your adrenal strength

and weakness.

The 24-hour urine test also measures pro-carcinogenic estrogens (estrone,

estradiol, 16-alpha-hydroxyestrogens, 4-hydoxyestrogens) and anti-carcinogenic

estrogens (estriol, 2-hydroxyestrogens, 2-methoxyestradiol, 2-methoxyestone),

as well as progesterone, testosterone, and testosterones pro- and anti-

carcinogenic metabolites DHT and androstanediol (5-alpha and 5-beta

forms of both). Thyroid hormones (free T3 and free T4) and growth hormone

(HGH) can be added to the test, too.

These measurements may seem unrelated, but all of these hormonesinteract with each other, so a physician skilled and knowledgeable in bio-

identical hormone replacement can do a lot more for you if he or she has ALL

of your hormonal information.

Those of you who have been reading Nutrition&Healingfor some time know

that Im the Medical Director for Meridian Valley Labs. Back in 1982 I asked them

to develop the 24-hour urine analysis so that so I could do a better job with bio-

identical hormone replacement for Tahoma Clinic clients. Ive been using it ever

since and it has proven to be an invaluable tool. By Washington state law, individ-

uals can order their own lab testsincluding the 24-hour urine analysis. To find

out more about it, contact Meridian Valley Labs with the information listed in the

Alternative Health Resources box on page 8.

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natural steroids and other hormonesdiscussed on page 3 can help youand your physician make an officialdiagnosis, but symptoms of weak

adrenal function include lower-than-average blood pressure (especially

if the topsystolicnumber isconsistently below 110), dizzy spellswhen standing up rapidly, and beingeasily tired out. Being underweightfor your particular height anddifficulty gaining weight are alsocommon with weak adrenal function,

but are not always present.

If you have any or all of thesesymptoms, check with a physicianskilled and knowledgeable in naturaland nutritional medicine, as well asbio-identical hormone replacement.

If weak adrenals arent at the rootof your glaucoma, there are still a

few other nutritional and naturaltherapies that may be able to helpreverse it. Eliminating any foodallergies you might have is a goodfirst step. Research has also shownthat daily use of fish oil (I recommend1 tablespoonful daily) and highquantities of vitamin C (10 to 35grams daily, split into three to fourdoses) can help reduce high intra-ocular pressure. Thyroid hormonealso lowers intra-ocular pressure insome cases.

And both magnesium (250milligrams daily) and standardizedextracts of ginkgo biloba (40milligrams three times daily) havebeen found to improve visual fielddefects for individuals with glaucoma.

The macular degenerationtreatment that starts in

your stomach

Just as Dr. Josephson found thatmany cases of glaucoma dontoriginate in the eye, but elsewhere in

the body, in the 1980s I discoveredthat manyif not mostcases ofdry macular degeneration aresymptoms of digestive malfunc-tion, specifically poor digestion andassimilation of nutrients. So if yourestarting to have vision problems, Iencourage you to have your digestivefunction tested. If its not operatingup to par, correcting it (naturally, ofcourse) will go a long way in helpingyou get the most from the nutrientsthat have vision-improving potential.

The most useful of those nutrientsare lutein and zeaxanthin, whichare found in highest concentrationsin spinach, collard greens, and otherdeep green leafy vegetables. Otherimportant nutrients include zinc(found in oysters, fish and other


Send in cell reinforcements right whereyou need them most

I recently received an e-mail

from a couple in their 60s who

read the March 2005 Nutrition &

Healingarticle describing the

therapeutic and rejuvenating

effects of cell therapy.

Cell therapy was pioneered byDr. Paul Niehans of Switzerland in

the 1920s and 1930s and has been

available in the USA through the

Tahoma Clinic and other knowledge-

able practitioners since 1994.

Cell therapy isnt the same as

the highly controversial stem cell

therapy. Stem cell therapy uses

human cells, which are capable of

turning into nearly any other cell

in the human body, strengthening

and rejuvenating any organ that

might need help.

Cell therapy, on the other hand,

comes from fetal animal cells and

is more specifically targeted in that

the cells being used have already

been differentiated into skin cells,

heart cells, lung cellsor whatever

you and your physician decide

would help you most. Although

the exact way in which these fetal

animal cells help improve the

health of human organs isnt

known, experts have determinedthat fetal cells have the highest

levels of cell growth factors and

of course have brand new DNA

specific to that type of cell and

organ. And using radio-active

tracer studies, German researchers

found that approximately 75

percent of these cells appear to

find their way to their intended

target no matter where theyre

injected into the body. For

example, even if fetal heart cellsare injected into the thigh, approx-

imately 75 percent of them make it

to the heart.

After reading all of the fascinat-

ing research and case reports about

this therapy and then thinking it

over for awhile, the couple I

mentioned above decided to use the

overall anti-aging program (there

are also programs specifically

targeted to strengthen a weak organ

or organs), and they wrote to say

how pleased they were with the

results. Not only did they tell me

that they feel younger, but in their

message, they also described how

cell therapy has improved their

energy levels, complexions, and

even their sex life.

While cell therapy isnt inexpen-

sive (overall anti-aging is usually

$2,500-$3,500 per person) its

dramatically less expensive than

stem cell therapy, and doesnt

require travel to another country.And based on my own observations

over the past 18 years, it almost

always has dramaticand notice-

ablerejuvenating effects.


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animal protein), selenium (two to fourBrazil nuts a day are an excellentsource), riboflavin (which comesfrom brewers yeast, almonds,mushrooms, wheat bran, and darkgreen leafy vegetables), taurine (foundin organ meats, fish, and other

animal protein), and quercitin (goodsources include onions, apples, kale,cherries, grapes, red cabbage, andgreen beans are all good sources).Bilberry and ginkgo are the bestvision-supporting herbs.

I encourage anyone with maculardegeneration to consider usingOcudyne II capsules (formulated bymy colleague Alan R. Gaby M.D.and me), which contain all thenutrients noted above.

For much more informationabout preventing and treatingmacular degeneration, refer back tothe February 2005 issue ofNutrition & Healing.

Clearing up cataracts,naturally

I wrote about one of the mosteffective, well-researched cataracttreatments three months ago (in the

July 2008 issue), so Ill refer youthere for the complete discussion ofN-acetylcarnosine eyedrops.

Another option for treatingcataracts is a combination of Chinesebotanicals called Hachimi-jio-gan,or Ba-wei-wan. This treatment hasbeen used for centuries in China totreat cataracts, and even has a bit ofclinical evidence to support it: In ahuman study of early cataractsconducted in Japan, Hachimi-jio-gan was associated with lesseningof cataracts in 60 percent of thevolunteers. In the USA, Hachimi-jio-gan is available as a (much easier topronounce) formula called ClinicalNutrients for the Eyes, which isavailable from natural food stores,compounding pharmacies, and theTahoma Clinic Dispensary.

Rounding out the naturaltreatment options for cataracts is a

single, simple nutrient: vitamin A.Decades ago, an honest ophthal-mologist with a sense of humorwrote a letter-to-the-Editor of amedical journal complaining thathis income from cataract surgeryhad gone down by over 2/3 since he

started recommending vitamin A toall his patients with any degree ofcataract at all. I recommend 30,000IU of vitamin A (not beta-carotene)for anyone who wants to prevent ortreat cataracts. In fact, the onlypeople who shouldnt use thisamount are very small children(who dont get cataracts anyway)and pregnant women.

And while were on the topic ofcataract prevention, one of the mostimportant things you can do iseliminate all sources of sugar andrefined carbohydrates from yourdiet! Researchers have found thatpart of the cause of cataracts is thelens of the eye trying to help thebody lower high blood sugar bypacking it away within the lens,which gradually obscures the vision.This explains why individuals withtype 2 diabetes have a much greaterincidence of cataracts than peoplewith normal blood sugar levels. Soeven though not eating sugar andrefined carbohydrates is better foreveryones health, its especiallyimportant for cataract prevention ifyou have diabetestype 2 or type 1in your family. Eliminating allsources of the milk sugar lactose(milk, ice cream, cottage cheese, andmany soft cheeses) will reduce yourrisk of cataracts, too.

In addition to eliminating refinedsugar and carbohydrates, you mayalso want to consider incorporating

some cataract-preventing nutrients(other than just vitamin A) into yourdaily supplement regimen. Riboflavin,vitamin C, quercitin, zinc, andcarotenoids have all been associatedwith cataract risk reduction. Andone study found that people withhigher serum vitamin E levels had

50 percent less risk of developingcataracts than people with lowerlevels. (When youre supplementingwith vitamin E, remember to usemixed tocopherols, not just alpha-tocopherol.)

As a side note, patent-medicine

cortisone preparations that areprescribed to suppress symptoms ofasthma, severe allergies, rheumatoidarthritis, and other more severeinflammatory conditions alwaysincrease cataract risk. So if youreusing prescription patent-medicinecortisone, check with a physicianskilled and knowledgeable innutritional and natural medicine foreffective alternatives.

Your guide for beating

cognitive decline(a.k.a keeping your marbles)

According to health authorities,Alzheimers disease is slated tobecome the next epidemic. In fact,current estimates state that nearlyhalf of people over the age of 85 haveAlzheimers, whether its obvious ornot. There are non-Alzheimers formsof dementia, too, most notablymulti-infarct dementia, which isthought to be caused by a series ofsmall strokes, and mild cognitive

decline, which likely has manycauses that have yet to be identified.

The best way to combat any andall of these cognitive problems is toprevent them from occurring in thefirst place. You keep reading aboutit over and over again, but anexcellent diet is truly the mostimportant aspect of preventingmostif not allhealth problems,including cognitive decline. In fact,more and more research is beingreported linking blood sugarproblems (such as diabetes) andpotential blood sugar problems(such as metabolic syndrome andinsulin resistance) with a higher riskof Alzheimers disease. So here wego again: Eliminate the sugar and

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6 Nutrition & Healing October 2008 www.wrightnewsletter.com

refined carbohydrates! Make sureto eat several non-starchy vegeta-bles and a wide array of colorfulvegetables every day, too. (You

want a varied palette on your platebecause each color signals adifferent and necessary-to-good-health group of nutrients.)

Its also a good idea to eatorganic as much as possible, sinceorganically raised foods have signif-icantly more minerals and vitaminsthan commercially grown varieties,not to mention a much lower riskof being contaminated with pesticides,herbicides, and miscellaneous non-food chemical additives.

When you can, I encourage youto even go beyond organic produceand also opt for organic, free-rangemeat and poultry as well. Theessential fatty acid ratio in free-range protein is anti-inflammatory,while the essential fatty acid ratiofound in grain-fed animal proteinactually promotes inflammation,and inflammation is also beingimplicated more and more asraising the risk of Alzheimers andother cognitive malfunction.

Along these same lines, one ofthe best brain foods you can eatis fish. (Low-mercury fish, that is.)Not only are the omega-3 fattyacids in fish anti-inflammatory, buttheyre also essential components ofthe membranes of every brain cellwe have. And since our bodies cantmake them on their own, its criticalto get enough omega-3s and otheressential fatty acids from supple-ments (like cod liver oil) and foods(like free-range meat and fish).

Phospholipids are another keycomponent of brain cells. While ourbodies can make them, as withmany other things (co-enzyme Q10and glutathione are two prominentexamples) our bodies make less andless with age. Eggsspecifically the

yolksare excellent sources ofphospholipids, as is the lecithin foundin soy. Supplemental lecithinanothergood source of phospholipidsisavailable in any natural food storeand is an excellent idea for anyoneover 40.

Boost your brainandyour sex life

I cant tell you how many menIve seen at the Tahoma Clinic whohave the idea that testosterone ismostly for sexual function. I alwayslet them know that its most importantjob is maintaining cognitive function.The sex part is important, no doubt,but who cares about sex if you cantremember who youre with or whatyoure doing with her?

Unfortunately, thanks to thismisunderstanding word hasntgotten around thatjust like estrogenreplacement for womenbio-identical testosterone replacementfor men is extremely important forsignificantly reducing the risk ofAlzheimers disease and cognitivedecline. Since weve covered thissubject before (see the March 2004and March 2006 issues ofNutrition& Healing) Ill just mention a fewof the highlights:

Higher serum estrogen levels inwomen in their 60s are directlycorrelated with lower incidenceof Alzheimers in those samewomen decades later. (And thereverse is true too: Lowerestrogens equal higher incidenceof Alzheimers in later years.)

The 15-year Princeton mensstudy determined that men whohad higher serum free testos-terone in 1983 had less risk ofAlzheimers disease in 1998.(Once again, the reverse was alsotrue: Lower serum free testos-terone corresponded with higherrisk of Alzheimers.)

Researchers observing neuronsfound substantially less accumu-lation of beta-amyloid, neuro-

fibrillary tangle, tau protein, andother neuronal garbage associ-ated with Alzheimers when thoseneurons were exposed tophysiologic quantities of eitherestrogen or testosterone (dependingon whether the neuron was from

a woman or a man). In numerous controlled experi-

ments, elderly men withoutAlzheimers disease do better ontests of cognitive function whengiven testosterone than mengiven placebo.

Testosterone for men and estrogen(thats real, bio-identical estrogennot horse estrogen) for womenis very protective for the entirecardiovascular system, includingthe blood supply to the brain.(Remember that cognitive declinedue to repeated small strokes?)The bottom line is, if you want

to keep your marbles for as longas you live, consider bio-identicalhormone replacement when itsappropriate for you. Just make sureto be working with a physician whois skilled and knowledgeable in allaspects of this therapy. If youre notsure if your doctor is, one way tofind out is to ask the physiciansoffice whether they do routinemonitoring of therapy with the 24-hour urine steroid determination.This test is the very best way tocheck not only the levels of the bio-identical hormones being replacedbut also their metabolization (thenatural transformation of thestarting hormones into pro- andanti-carcinogenic metabolites).Blood and/or saliva testing justdoesnt cut it when it comes to bio-identical HRT. See Nutrition &

Healingfor December 2007 for amuch more detailed discussion ofsafety monitoring for bio-identicalhormone replacement (and, restassured, if safety monitoring doesindicate that theres an imbalance inthe wrong direction, its almost



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always correctable with nutrients orbotanicals).

Small dose, big protection

Ive written about lithiumsbrain-protecting benefits before too(see Nutrition & Healingfor August

2003 and April 2008), and this isgetting a bit long (sorry about that)so Ill be brief: No matter whatneurotoxin your brain is exposedto, lithium protects against it.

Not only that, but lithium actuallypromotes the growth of new braincells, even in individuals past age 50.So far, no other nutrient has beenfound to do that.

Yes, high-dose prescription lithiumcan be toxic, but low quantities likethe ones used for boosting cognitive

function and protecting brain cells(20 milligrams daily and under) arenot associated with toxicity. In over30 years, Ive only encountered twoor three individuals who reported apossible reaction to low-doselithium: These people thought thatit might have given them a slighttremor (which went away when thelithium was discontinued). But onthe flip side of that same coin, Ivealso encountered dozens of individ-uals who reported improvement in

benign tremors with the use of lowdose lithium.

Even though risk of toxicityfrom low-dose lithium is very small,I always recommend working witha physician skilled and knowledge-able in nutritional and naturalmedicine if you decide to supplementwith lithium. And to be on the extra-cautious side, I always recommendusing supplemental essential fattyacids when using even low-quantitylithium supplements. Essential fatty

acids are the primary treatment fortoxicity caused by high-doseprescription lithium, so using themin conjunction with low-dosetreatment helps avoid that possibil-ity altogether.

Spicing up yourbrain-boosting regimen

There are many, many moresupplemental items that can helpyou maintain cognitive function,but were quickly running out of

space, so Ill just mention two more:curcumin and Ginkgo.Although no one is entirely sure

how it works, the research oncurcumins ability to protect againstAlzheimers (as well as its manyother beneficial effects) has beenmore than a little exciting. Areas ofthe world in which the spice turmeric(which has a high concentration ofcurcumin) is routinely used havevery littleif anyAlzheimerscompared with areas that dont.

Perhaps the best aspect of curcuminis that you dont need to take yetanother pill to get its brain-boostingbenefits. Just use turmeric in yourcooking, perhaps an average of 1/4to 1/2 teaspoonful daily. (For thoseof you who just cant stand the tasteof turmeric, it is available in capsules,too. If youre using it for long-termcognitive maintenance, considertaking two 200-milligram capsules

a day.)Ginkgo has been used for the

brain for thousands of years, and(like lithium) has been found to beneuroprotective. In next monthsissue, Kerry Bone will share the latestinformation about Ginkgo and

cognitive function as well as someother surprising uses for this well-known herb.

We all know that none of us willlive forever, but theres no reasonnot live as long as our geneticprograms will allowand keep allof our faculties while were here. Ifyou can do all of the things outlinedabove (or at least come close),youll have a much better chance ofliving as long as your oldest knownrelative, getting to know your great-grandchildren, and hearing, seeing,enjoying, and remembering thoseyears of life so much better!.

This article refers to several otherNutrition & Healingarticles. To readthe full text of any youre interested in,go to www.wrightnewsletter.com, andlog on to the Archives with the user-name and password printed onpage 8. JVW

Claim your spot at this Octobers bio-identical hormone seminarThe International Hormone Society, the Bio-Identical Hormone Society,and the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine will be presenting a

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Educational Program on October 23-26,

2008 in San Diego, at the Holiday Inn-San Diego-on the Bay.

Lecturers will include me, Thierry Hertoghe, M.D. (Belgium), Ron Rothen-

berg, M.D., Pamela Smith, M.D., Mark Gordon, M.D, Eric Braverman M.D.,

and Wendy Ellis, N.D.

The comprehensive four-day seminar will include insightful observations

about physical signs and symptoms of hormone insufficiencies given by

Dr. Hertoghe and basics of bio-identical hormone use presented by

Dr. Rothenberg. Dr. Ellis and I will provide descriptions of safe, natural

modulation of hormone pathways, and analyses of clinical and laboratory

monitoring of bio-identical hormones for effectiveness and safety. Ill alsocover aldosterone and recovering lost hearing, and adrenal therapy and

glaucoma (see page 2). Drs. Smith, Gordon, and Braverman are special

guest speakers well-known for their work with BHRT.

For further information and to register, call 866-444-9475 or go to

www.bioidenticalhormonesociety.com .

http://www.wrightnewsletter.com/http://www.wrightnewsletter.com/http://www.bioidenticalhormonesociety.com/http://www.bioidenticalhormonesociety.com/http://www.wrightnewsletter.com/http://www.bioidenticalhormonesociety.com/http://www.wrightnewsletter.com/

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8 Nutrition & Healing October 2008

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH RESOURCES

American College for Advancementin Medicine (ACAM)Phone: (888)439-6891www.acam.org

American Academy ofEnvironmental Medicine (AAEM)Phone: (316)684-5500www.aaem.com

Tahoma ClinicPhone: (425)264-0059for appointments only

Tahoma Clinic DispensaryPhone: (888)893-6878to order supplements and products onlywww.tahoma-clinic.com

American Association ofNaturopathic PhysiciansPhone: (866)538-2267www.naturopathic.org

Meridian Valley LaboratoryPhone: (425)271-8689www.meridianvalleylab.com

International CollegeIntegrative MedicinePhone: (866)464-5226www.icimed.com

Nutrition & Healing onlinewww.WrightNewsletter.com

Los Federales latest attack on estriol (the major anti-

carcinogenic estrogen made naturally by womens bodies)as an essential ingredient in bio-identical hormone replace-

ment therapy may be the most underhanded one yet. Rather

than outlawing estriol-containing BHRT entirely, the FDA is

allowing physicians to prescribe itbut only if each and

every estriol-containing prescription is covered by an

Investigational New Drug application.

That may sound like a small price to pay, but there are

quite a few hidden costs on that seemingly reasonable

price tag. First of all, Investigational New Drug (IND) applica-

tions are approximately 40 pages long. But even if natural

medicine physicians had the time to fill out all 40 pages for

each version of an estriol-containing BHRT prescription

they write, there are still several obstacles standing in theway of patients ever getting those prescriptions filled.

Each and every IND application must be supervised by

an Institutional Review Board, which would be the

responsibility of the prescribing physician to coordinate

and financea process that can take months and cost

upwards of $25,000 (which is out of reach for mostif

not allof the physicians I know, let alone those practic-

ing in small towns and rural areas).

But, again, even if a physician could forge ahead

through the process to this point, there is still the whole

review process that the IND is subjected to before the

BHRT prescription can be approved and filled. That

process takes a minimum of 30 days to complete. Tackthat on top of the time it takes to fill out the IND, recruit

an Institutional Review Board, and coordinate the review

process, and it could take monthseven up to a year

before a single estriol-containing BHRT prescription can

be filled by a patient who needs it.

Essentially, since over 80 percent of BHRT prescrip-

tions contain estriol, in quantities specific to each woman,this new proposal by the FDA is just a different way to

make it impossible for people to choose estriol-containing

BHRTby attacking their doctors ability to prescribe it.

So, once again, I implore you to write to the FDA and

let them know that you find this new rule unreasonable,

and that as a citizen of these United States, you demand

the freedom to choose natural health care options

including estriol and BHRT.

One thing to be aware of, though, before you write to

the FDA: Starting last year, the public servants at the

FDA made it much more difficult for citizens to contact

them, by eliminating the ability to communicate with

them via e-mail. As of now, there are only two ways tocontact the FDAby fax or by a letter sent through the

postal system. Apparently, e-mail isnt FDA-approved.

But the American Association for Health Freedom has

found a way around this roadblock. Theyve made it

possible for you to directly contact the FDA through their

websites alert feature. Letters written using this feature

are faxed directly to the FDA Commissioner, Andrew von

Eschenbach. And, even better, copies of your letters to the

FDA are also simultaneously sent to your state senators

and representatives. Think of it as one stop shopping for

making your voice heard.

To use the AAHFs website alert feature to send

your thoughts to the FDA and your senators and congress-men, visit http://ga4.org/campaign/estriol_IND.

And be sure to let your doctor know about this new

rulingand that they must speak out against it if they

want to keep prescribing estriol-containing BHRT for you

and all their other female patients too!

WAR ON HOLISTIC MEDICINE

Your doctor may be allowed to prescribe estriol-containing BHRTbut can he afford it?

http://www.acam.org/http://www.aaem.com/http://www.tahoma-clinic.com/http://www.naturopathic.org/http://www.meridianvalleylab.com/http://www.icimed.com/http://www.wrightnewsletter.com/http://ga4.org/campaign/estriol_INDhttp://ga4.org/campaign/estriol_INDhttp://www.wrightnewsletter.com/http://www.icimed.com/http://www.meridianvalleylab.com/http://www.naturopathic.org/http://www.tahoma-clinic.com/http://www.aaem.com/http://www.acam.org/

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