Grapefruit seed extract (or GSE as some call it) is touted as an antimicrobial, antifungal type of cure-all, but it is actually very controversial.  The beloved grapefruit seed extract may not be as awesome as we think, it may have some help from modern-day chemicals…not making it a holistic alternative therapy at all!!

What does GSE do?

Grapefruit seed extract is a liquid formed from the seeds, pulp, and white matter in the grapefruit, grinding it down to create a liquid and adding glycerine to create the extraction.   In theory, this extract is touted by alternative medicine practitioners as having antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal effects.  And many practitioners suggest GSE to treat earaches, sore throats, diarrhea, and some oral infections like thrush.  It was first utilized as an antimicrobial in the 1700’s and in the 1960’s it was supposedly studied and was found to have all of these amazing properties, thus the GSE obsession took off!  It can be taken as a food supplement, and it is also added to many products for the antimicrobial properties.

Where is the controversy?

So, since so many people were suing GSE as an alternative therapy, and just as many holistic and or alternative therapies are now being researched more and more, because people want to know what is the basis and the science behind the effects of these treatments.  I think that many people will be bummed about the results of the studies on GSE, unfortunately. It was thought that the GSE had its antimicrobial properties from the ethanol formed within the GSE, when a few of the commercial brand GSEs commonly sold in health food stores were tested, they were found to have antimicrobial properties but from added synthetic antimicrobials!  Most commonly, benzethonium chloride was found as an additive to GSE.  Benzethonium chloride is an antimicrobial that is present in many over the counter first aid creams, sprays, etc as well as cosmetics, anti-itch treatments, some mouth washes, and it is used as a cleanser/disinfectant in some cleaning products.  The rub is that it is approved in neither the US or the EU as an additive to food, and it has even been classified as a poison in some countries, but when added to GSE, that is exactly what it is being used as; an additive.  Many of the studies found that pure GSE was ineffective as an antimicrobial and the only ones that had antimicrobial effects were commercial GSE samples that were found to have pretty high levels of benzethonium chloride.  Yikes.

What’s the bottom line?

Basically, I really do hate to break the hype, but I don’t buy it that GSE is as strong an antimicrobial as people think, without the additives.  Benzethonium chloride has never been approved as safe for oral ingestion, and I really do not think it is safe to ingest an additive that has been only approved for topical treatment and for commercial cleaning products.  The choice is up to you, but the true side effects of ingesting benzethonium chloride is unknown, and taking unregulated supplements run the risk of making you sick, or interacting with other medications. So you do what you feel is best for your health, but please disclose these supplements to your HCP so they can assess you and make sure there are no ill effects on your long-term health.

Yours in Good Health

B

Unfortunately bug bites (and the ones I am referring to are from mosquitos) are a part of the warm weather.  GOod times, sun, warmth, and the dreaded mosquito bites that come along with it!  When Mosquitos bite you, they are looking to feed off of your blood, and the way they do that is by injecting an anticoagulant to thin the blood at the site to make it easier for them to suck into their little straw like mouths.  That anticoagulation that they inject tends to cause the redness, bumps, and itchiness that we all know and dread.  But the good news is that there are plenty of at home remedies to take the itch out those bites right at home.

What are some at home remedies?

-As with anything where a reaction had occurred, antihistamines (such as oral Benadryl or Benadryl gel topically) can help to decrease the allergic reaction response, thus squelch the itch.

-Cold, damp green tea bags can help to  decrease the itch by being cold, and the green tea leaves can help decrease inflammation.

-Oatmeal baths can help to decrease the inflammation and soothe the skin if you get multiple bites.

-If you itch and the skin is broken, honey can help to prevent infection, if you put a drop over the site, the antibacterial effects can help to stave off any lurking bacteria from entering the broken skin.

-Cold fresh Aloe gel can help to both decrease inflammation (due to the aloe) and decrease the itch (because it’s cold)

-Preparation H can help prevent inflammation of the bug bite (or if you have bags under your eyes!)

-Hydrocortisone cream can help to decrease inflammation and relieve the itch due to ceasing the immune response.

-Applying Tea Tree Oil can help to prevent infection and decrease inflammation in the affected area.

-Rubbing basil on a bug bite can decrease inflammation and decrease the itch, and it can also ward off further bug bites….you might want to coat yourself in basil essence to prevent bug bites in the first place!

-Menthol/mint can decrease the inflammation, and help with the itch.

Are there any other risks from bug bites?

Aside from causing bumps and itchiness, you can contract the West Nile virus, which is a virus that can be without symptoms or cause severe full body symptoms, Malaria, which again can be without symptoms and then start causing issues months later and cause severe illness, and Anaphylaxis a life threatening allergic reaction, to which you must call 911 immediately.

Usually, it is just an irritating bite that we can sure with some remedies in our kitchen or bathroom cabinets, but they can also spread viruses that can cause longer term problems.  Also try not to scratch those pesky bites, if you open the skin, there is a much higher risk of a skin infection….one trick since so many people scratch in their sleep, cover the bites with tape or band aids so that you can’t rip them open!!  If you do open up a bite, just watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain, heat) if you have any of these symptoms, go to see your HCP and/or try an over the counter antibacterial (like bactine or neosporin).  But if it is severe, spreading, or you have fevers or any other generalized symptoms, see your HCP ASAP.

Yours in Good Health

B

There are plenty of times when you don’t feel well, have swollen lymph nodes that may come and go, symptoms that are here and there, but nothing that would send you running to see your HCP.  But it could be a little something more lurking, sarcoidosis.

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is basically an abnormal immune response, for an unknown reason, that causes clumps of inflammatory cells throughout your body, known as granulomas.  They are usually found in the lungs, eyes, lymph nodes, and skin but can be found in almost any organ in the body. Sometimes the symptoms come and go, sometimes they last a lifetime, and the source (or the cause) is truly unknown!

What are the Symptoms?

Unfortunately the symptoms can vary from person to person due to how long you have been affected by the disease and what organs are mainly affected.  In general, people can have unexplained fever, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion, which are all pretty bland symptoms, especially if they come and go.  When the skin is affected, you might see rashes, color changes of the skin (come and go), growths under the skin (bumps may come and go, resurface especially around scars or tattoos), and lesions (can occur on the skin of your ears, nose, etc).  Again these symptoms can leave just as quickly as they come, so by the time you get ready to go to see your HCP, the symptoms have disappeared!  If your lungs are affected, you can have wheezing, dry cough, shortness of breath, and possible chest pain when taking deep breaths.  If your eyes are the source of the inflammation, you are likely to have blurred vision, eye pain, and light sensitivity.  Based  on these symptoms, you can see how it would be easy for these symptoms to mask another disease, i.e. a cough and wheezing with a fever might be bronchitis, or light sensitivity with fatigue could be a migraine.  If you persistently seem to have these symptoms you should talk to your HCP, especially if your prescribed treatment isn’t helping at all and the symptoms still come and go.

Are there any Risk Factors?

Well, women between the ages of 20 to 40 appear to me the highest sex/age group at risk, and black Americans tend to have higher rates of sarcoidosis, and worse cases than white Americans.  Although overall, Northern European heritage (like Scandinavians) tend to have the highest rates of sarcoidosis, the Japanese tend to have more complications with eye and cardiac disease related to sarcoidosis.  And really the highest risk factor?  Family history, much like anything else, if someone in your family has sarcoidosis, you are at a much higher risk.

What are long-term risks?

The chronic inflammation in your lungs can cause long-term damage and chronic lung disease, making breathing very difficult later in life, and with the inflammation in your eyes, you can have blindness.  If the disease goes into your kidneys, you can have trouble with the filtering mechanism and go into renal failure, due to this chronic inflammation.  If the granulomas (the areas of inflammation) are found in your heart or your central nervous system (like your pineal cord or nerve pathways) it can be bad; in your heart it can interfere with the electrical pathways causing abnormal heart rates/rhythms and int he nerves it can cause paralysis, tingling, or decreased motor strength.  And for both men and women, if it occurs in the testes or uterus, it can cause infertility or decreased fertility, for women, the issue can become worse after birth (if they are able to conceive once).

How is sarcoidosis Diagnosed?

It is usually diagnosed based on your history, physical exam, along with a Chest X-Ray or CT scan (based on where the areas affected are assumed to be), by finding enlarged lymph nodes or other evidence of granulomas.  Your HCP will draw labs to see if you have an active infection, how your immune system is acting currently, and also how your kidneys and liver are functioning, just to get a baseline.  If your lungs are a complaint, you may be sent to have PFT’s (pulmonary function tests) where your lungs are assess for how well you breathe, lung volumes of air, and if your breathing gets better or worse with medicated treatments.  And finally, you will most likely have a biopsy taken (a small sample of cells removed) to look at under the microscope to assess for granulomas or evidence of sarcoidosis.

What is the Treatment?

Steroids are frequently used as the help to suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation quite quickly, although if they do not work, or you do not see optimal results, your HCP may add and anti-rejection medication that also will significantly suppress the immune system.  These drugs work by stopping your bodies immune response, of course that means you are at higher risk for infections from everyday bacteria and viruses you run into because your immune system is being squelched. Steroids can cause gastric irritation and bleeding, along with mood swings, weight gain, and insomnia while anti rejection medications can increase your risk for infection but also some are linked to an increase risk of certain types of cancers. Anti-Malarial drugs can be used for the treatment of skin and nervous system based sarcoidosis, but they can have some serious long-term effects on your vision, so you need to be careful and have eye exams performed regularly.  TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor) inhibitors are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis primarily but a few studies have shown benefits in the treatment of sarcoidosis, again there are risks such as lymphomas from the use of this drug.  If your organs are so severely damaged, like your kidneys from chronic inflammation, one last treatment would be an organ transplant, in which you would be on steroids and anti-rejection medications for life to decrease your immune system.

Bottom Line: 

There is no treatment to cure sarcoidosis, and we have no idea what causes it or why it occurs differently in different people.  The important thing is to know the symptoms, and if you have had symptoms on and off with no long-term relief of symptoms, talk to your HCP about sarcoidosis, and your risks.  It is worth the work up I you can get earlier treatment and prevent long-term damage to your organs, right? Knowledge is power, especially in healthcare!

Yours in Good Health

B

Hiking, camping, going to excluded beaches, and enjoying the amazing sunny weather unfortunately also leads to a lot of unfortunate exposures to plants that can be irritants and cause rashes, just like Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac, and Poison Oak. What are the symptoms of the rashes?  The at home treatments and when to go see a Healthcare Practitioner (HCP).

What is a Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak reaction?

Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak all have an oil on their leaves that causes a contact dermatitis for most people. The reaction usually occurs where the oil, urushiol, from leaves directly comes in contact with the skin.  The reaction can spread though, if you do not know that you have been in contact with the plants, with your hand, then rub your face, for example, the rash may spread, until you wash your hands and wash the oils off.  And, the good news is that the rashes are usually pretty self-limiting, and pending a few specific circumstances, you can treat with home remedies and are better before you know it!  There are a couple of circumstances in which you will want to see a Healthcare Practitioner (HCP)….but no need to rush to the Emergency Department, so your wallet can breathe a sigh of relief.

What are the symptoms?

These rashes are generally red and itchy, but they can also be swollen and blister as well. The reaction can take 12 to 48 hours to occur, and can last up to a total of 8 weeks until it completely clears up, but it usually goes away within 2 to 4 weeks.  It all depends on how much of that urushiol oil your skin is exposed to, the more oils, the longer you will have the rash, unfortunately.  And, as I said earlier, there are a few reasons why you would want to see an HCP:

-If the reaction is severe and covers a good percentage of your body

-If the rash is IN your eyes or in/around your genitals (watch out when using leaves to wipe when you camp!)

-If the blisters start oozing pus or appear to be infected, and are not showing signs of improvement in a couple of weeks.

-If you get a fever of 100.4F or higher, and generally don’t feel well.

What is the treatment?

Usually the “treatments” are methods to prevent discomfort from the reaction. You can always take an antihistamine, such as Benadryl, which can help to decrease the reaction and help with the swelling and itching.  Oatmeal baths can help to soothe the skin, and decrease the itchiness.  Benadryl Gel or Calamine lotions are sold over the counter at pharmacies and help with the itchiness of the rashes.  If you have blistering, cold compresses can help to soothe the skin.  If you have a widespread rash, and it is severe, your HCP may prescribe prednisone, a steroid, which can help reduce swelling and itching. Also there is a plant called Jewelweed that the Native Americans used as a treatment for poison ivy rashes, a large study found that it was ineffective in helping diminish the rashes BUT a large study in the 1970’s found that 5% Bovine Cartilage Cream is very effective in treating the rashes when applied daily.

How can you prevent it?

Know what the plants look like and stay away!

Poison Oak 

Poison Sumac

Poison Ivy

Also, a study found that if you spray your clothes and skin with spray deodorant that contains aluminum cholorohydrate, it can prevent the urushiol from getting onto your skin and causing a reaction.  It’s like a clear skin barrier!  But always make sure to wash your hands and clothes if you suspect that you have been exposed!

So, obviously prevention is key, but if you are exposed, get that calamine lotion (which is chalky and white) or the clear Benadryl gel to help with the itchiness, take those oatmeal baths, and try not to itch!!

Yours in Good Health

B

There have been multiple new stories and articles about the popular hair loss treatment medication, Propecia, has been reported to cause sexual dysfunction, to which it is not reversible.  Yikes!  But, is that really true?  Does this drug that have a few different medical uses cause this irreversible sexual dysfunction?  I want to make sure that people understand the uses of the drug, the side effects, and long-term effects.

What is Propecia used for?

Most people know about Propecia as a treatment for male pattern hair loss; a gradual thinning of the hair over the scalp leading to a receding hairline and/or balding at the top of the head.  It has never been shown as effective with other hair loss, such as around temples, but it has been very effective with male pattern hair loss.  It is also used for the treatment of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy); a swelling/inflammation of the prostate gland that occurs naturally with age in some men.  It can help to treat BPH and prevent surgery from being necessary as well as treat the symptoms of BPH, such as frequent urination (due to inability to fully empty the bladder), and acute urinary retention (the sudden inability to urinate at all.)  The way the drug works in BPH is that it blocks the body’s production of testosterone.  And in male pattern hair loss, the drug prevents the body’s production of testosterone in the scalp, which stops hair loss.  Propecia actually reverses the effects of testosterone, by stopping it, at the source of the issue.

What are the side effects?

First, women who are pregnant (or intending to be pregnant) should not be around this drug at all, even touching the pill with a bare hand can cause pretty significant birth defects in a maturing fetus, especially causing problems if it is male. So that ‘s more of a warning, than side effect, but something people really ned to be aware of because of the devastation that could occur. Otherwise, there are side effects as in an allergic reaction, like: swelling, rashes, hives, itching, difficultly breathing or swallowing, which need immediate medical attention because you are reacting to the drug and we would need to reverse the effects.  If you notice that you have breast swelling, tenderness, or nipple discharge,this can also be a serious side effect and you ned to see your HCP (health care practitioner) as soon as you can.  Due to the effects of blocking/decreasing testosterone, it may also cause a decrease in sexual desire, pain in the testicles, and depression.  The company does warn that it may cause difficulty obtaining and maintaining an erection as well as difficulty ejaculating, but that was mandated by the FDA after all of these alleged incidences of sexual dysfunction with the drug.

What does the research show?

The study that all of the news shows were talking about and referring to, is a study from George Washington University.  Now, I am not at all saying that the study is without merit, but there are some significant limitations, such as they only studied 54 men, and they considered side effects with sexual dysfunction, greater than 3 months; the way the news spins it, it makes it seem as if you have sexual dysfunction for life (that was found in one rat study in rats that took a similar drug in extremely high doses).  Also, it was reported that the men, prior to taking Propecia, had no sexual dysfunction, psychological disorders (i.e. depression, etc) but the men for the study were recruited through a website called propeciahelp.com, thus they clearly were having some side effects front he medication (that they noticed) and were looking for help/research on the topic.  Obviously, you don’t just want to start someone on a medication to see what it does to them, but that would be the only clear answer here: did these men have some sort of sexual dysfunction and/or depression due to the fact that they were having male pattern hair loss and now taking a medication to treat it OR is the drug causing that reaction?  With this study we will not know.  Even the conclusion for the study is very weak saying that they are unsure if there is a link but people should be aware that there may be a n increased risk of sexual dysfunction with this drug; that is NOT a strong statement, and not one that everyone should freak out and stop taking Propecia, especially if it works for you and you don’t have side effects.

What does this mean for me?

Well, there are risks and side effects with every drug, the sexual dysfunction with Propecia is a risk, but I don’t think it is as big of a risk as everyone is making it seem.  It is worth the discussion with your HCP if you are about to start taking Propecia to treat your hair loss, there may be other options for you, especially if you have a current history of sexual dysfunction. As we know, sexual dysfunction can be caused by many different factors, but obviously a medication that stops testosterone production will have some effect on your masculine health, but you need to weigh the risks vs. benefits.  Some people may have improved sexual function because they feel better about themselves once they have that luscious, full head of hair!

Bottom line: talk to your HCP and it is not a medication that you should jump into taking without a conversation and some thought.  There will be further studies at this point, so we should stay tuned, but I would not stop a medication that is working for you, especially if you have no/few side effects.

Yours in Good Health

B

Very rarely do you see little kids and/or adults walking around sporting a super sunburn in these early summer months as we did years ago, with the increased use of sunblock…which is awesome that people are using sunblock to prevent skin cancer and sunburns but it can lead to a lack of vitamin D, which has its own set of issues. There is an increase in prevalence, specifically in children, of rickets, which has been more of a rarity of a childhood disease.

What is Rickets?

Rickets is  a deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate which leads to a softening or weakening of bones. Vitamin D assists with the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the GI tract, so when a vitamin D deficiency is present, we cannot adhere as much calcium and phosphate to our bones and they become weakened.  If left untreated, it can lead to long-term bone deformities, dental issues, failure to grow appropriately, breathing problems and chronic pneumonia, and seizure disorders.

Some common signs and symptoms of rickets:

Delayed growth

Pain in pelvis, spine, legs (different from growing pains which are quick and go away)

Muscle weakness

Curved legs (bowed)

Curvatures of the spine

Thickened wrists and ankles

Breastbone projection

What are causes and prevention?

Well, obviously the cause is a lack of vitamin D and that can be due to a lack of absorption of sunlight by the skin. When sunlight is absorbed by the skin, it produces Vitamin D, and when people lather up in SPF 50 at all times and avoid direct sunlight, they can become deficient, as SPF helps to block the rays that can trigger vitamin D production.  Also we can be missing vitamin D in our food sources.  Milk, cereal, and some juices are fortified with Vitamin D to ensure that kids are taking in enough, but it is also naturally present in egg yolks, fatty fish, and fish oils.  Sometimes getting fish (especially fatty fish) in kids can be tough, but eggs can be easier, which is one of the reasons other foods were fortified.  Any diseases that prevent absorption of foods can cause a vitamin D deficiency, like; celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and cystic fibrosis.

What are risk factors?

Children between the ages of 6 and 24 months old are at higher risk due to fast skeletal development

Exclusively breastfed babies are not getting vitamin D from breast milk (formulas are fortified)

Dark skinned people, as darker skin doesn’t react to produce as much vitamin D as lighter skin does

Living in Northern latitudes because there is less available sunshine throughout the year due to being further from the equator.

Premature babies, they don’t seems to absorb the vitamin d from GI tracts as well and are at higher risk

Some anti-seizure medications can interfere with vitamin D absorption.

What are the treatments?

Rickets are diagnosed through x-rays, physical assessment, and blood and urine samples to assess vitamin D levels.  Once diagnosed, the treatment is vitamin D and calcium supplementation.  You can also get sunlight exposure (outside of the hours of 10am-2pm when the sun is strongest).  If the bones are very deformed, your HCP may order special braces to correct the deformities.

As with any disease, prevention is key!  Make sure that you and your children are taking in adequate amount of vitamin D through fortified foods (milks, cereals, juices) and through taking in egg yolks, fatty fish, and/or taking fish oil supplements.  Also, I am totally behind the whole prevention of skin cancer, do not get me wrong, but at 4pm, if you kid is going out to the park, you can lay off the SPF 50 and let them absorb some direct sunlight, I promise they will appreciate not being super lubed up AND it is actually healthy for them so they can absorb some of that vitamin D….actually when they don’t have bowed legs, they will really give you a thank you for skipping the late day SPF!  Keep it in the back of your mind, and think about your child’s nutritional status and what they eat, if you are at all concerned talk to your HCP and they can test them for their vitamin D and calcium levels and add some supplementation if you re worried they aren’t getting enough.  I know, one more thing to think about!

Yours in Good Health

B

OK, I really thought that the whole tampons soaked in vodka trick was an inventive (albeit creepy) way for teenagers to get drunk without getting caught with bottles of booze on their persons, but this trend of drinking hand sanitizers, not only turns my stomach, but warning lights are going off in my head.  Things that are made to kill viruses and bacteria on the OUTSIDE of your body, should not be ingested….I’m just saying.

What’s the deal?

Hand sanitizers, such as Purell, have about 62% ethyl alcohol as a base (which is the equivalent of 120 Proof alcohol) so one shot of sanitizer on a lightweight teenager that is pretty novice to the world of alcohol, can do a LOT of damage.  But, let us not forget the other ingredients in hand sanitizers, that help to kill of viruses and bacteria, besides the alcohol, and the effects that they can have on your body.  Most sanitizers also contain: Triclosan (an antibacterial) and Benzalkonium Chloride (an antiseptic like bactine).    Triclosan has no reports of adverse effects in small amounts, whereas, if ingested, even in small amounts, Benzalkonium Chloride can lead to death, by causing damage to the GI tract, Central Nervous System, heart, kidneys, liver, and the entire cardiovascular system.  Doesn’t sound worth it to me!  One hospital in California has reported over 2,600 cases of severe intoxication from ingestion of hand sanitizers since the middle of 2010, and that is a lot of teens requiring treatment for severe intoxication.

How do you drink the sanitizers?

These kids are pretty crafty, I will tell you that!  They figured out how to distill the hand sanitizers, not only to remove all the goo-balls of antibacterial/antiseptic treatment, and to make it taste better.  A quick google search brought me right to an answer forum from one person to another asking how to distill the sanitizers (which apparently does not take a ton of science/chemistry know how like I thought it would): merely mix the ethyl based hand sanitizer with salt, mix, and filter through cheesecloth to get rid of all of the goo.  Then they add flavoring (AKA a mixer) and drink away.  Now despite taking out the large bits of the antibacterial and antiseptic treatment, there are still bit of the compounds within the leftover “alcohol”, so not only are they ingesting 120 proof alcohol, but some of the Benzalkonium Chloride as well: It’s like a double attack on your liver!

What can I do?

Well, I think that if you have teenagers in the house, I would just watch how much hand sanitizer you are going through, if it seems like mass quantities, something might be amiss OR your teen is really into squeaky clean hands. Of course you cannot stop them from going to a supermarket, pharmacy, etc to purchase hand sanitizer, but at least you can be aware of anything seems wrong at home. There are some alcohol free sanitizers available, they are as tough on bacteria as the alcohol based but apparently less effective on killing viruses. If you are really into having alcohol based hand sanitizer at home, the foam forms of hand sanitizers are much more difficult to distill, and the bitter taste should be more off-putting and deter teens from drinking them.  Just be aware of change in behavior of your teen and/or their friends, and talk to them about the dangers of drinking hand sanitizers: organ damage and death are pretty scary.

Coming from a girl who didn’t pay enough attention in chemistry in high school, clearly, I am totally stunned that this is occurring, and I really think this is a horrible trend that we (as HCPs) are seeing in hospitals from teens trying to be sneaky getting drunk/high/etc.  So stay in tune with your teens, talk to them, and if you think there is a problem, bring them to their HCP to get a check up, and that way we can show them the damage they are doing to their bodies and what the long-term effects are.

Yours in Good Health

B

There is a new brand of flip flop on the market that yogis and health fanatics alike are touting as the “best” flip flops, not only because the flips are supposed to let you “ground” (I’ll give you more scoop on that in a bit) but the company also gives back.  They donate to a bunch of non-profit organizations that are pro-earth, and pro-health; I can get behind that, but do the flip flips actually help you to be healthier?

What is grounding?

Grounding is the how you make an electrical connection in harmony with the electrical current of the earth.  WHAT?  Basically, it is the idea of rooting yourself to the earth.  It was once believed that the earth was neutrally charged, but apparently it is negatively charged, and humans, and all of the electronics we use, are positively charged.  So, by disconnecting from electronics, and basically standing with bare feet in grass (or on sand, etc.) you are becoming a neutral being.  You are grounding yourself with the earth, as a positive and negative charge equal each other out.  I know that some of you are reading this thinking that it is super hippie talk, but think abut it: we all live in insulated homes, we wear shoes and other forms of footwear, so we rarely connect with the earth, unless we take time out to actually connect.  Plus, we all are surrounded by so much electricity from phones, TVs, computers, etc. it is merely another way to disconnect form electronics, and reconnect with the earth and nature. The theory is that grounding and neutralizing the electromagnetic field around you, will promote health, decrease inflammation from chronic illness, and overall make you feel better.  If you are unhealthy or unwell when you first start grounding, you supposedly will feel tingling with the change in the electric pull around your body, and then the benefits will start becoming more apparent, as long as you ground for about 20 minutes a day.

Where do Pluggz come in to play?

Well, Pluggz are these flip flops that have a black plug that is made from a custom carbon and rubber compound that help to ensure electrical contact between the most weight bearing part of your feet and the earth.  They supposedly conduct a free flow of electrons front eh earth to our bodies and assisting with reducing that positive electron effect on our bodies.  People who wear pluggz report feeling more balanced, a sense of well-being, more energized, some are calmer, and fewer aches and pains.

What’s the rub?

There is no research to support Pluggz, but they are a new product, and there are tons of people that really support the use of pluggz and report feeling better and more grounded when wearing them.  There is also nothing saying that it is all crap either!  I am honestly very intrigued by this product and actually willing to give them a go, and see if I feel better?  Although, I must say, I am pretty healthy with no complains of daily aches and pains, but I am willing to do anything that will promote calmness, energy, and balance?!?  I am usually running round like a lunatic and tripping over myself! I’m kidding, but it would be interesting, because flip flops really have no support for your feet at all, and most ortho’s always tell people with back pain, joint pain, etc not to wear them because of the lack of support, but as one who fully supports barefoot running and strengthening your foot muscles, I feel like this is something I should try.

I wish I had an answer for you all whether they are worth the $39 and actually promote well being, and a feeling of health, but it is just such a new product that besides word of mouth, there is not a lot of “science” behind it, but I do like the fact that the company supports other healthy non-profits from shoe sales…..maybe I just like the idea?  Well, I think I will purchase a pair and let you know how grounded I feel, but until then, I will walk barefoot in grass and on the beach as often as possible, not so much to “ground” but just because it feels good and I love it!

Yours in Good Health

B

I am asked frequently about various alternative therapies, some of which I know a lot about and some that I have never heard of.  The other day I got a couple of emails asking me about Reiki and if it is worth trying for chronic and acute illness treatment. I do know quite a bit about Reiki as I do have known a few Reiki Masters over the years, although I must say, I did not know the true efficacy of it, as he research states.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a spiritual practice created by a Japanese Buddhist in 1922, and it involves palms (or hand) healing as a form of complementary therapy.  The Reiki practitioners use their energy, transferring it through their palms to the patient. This transference of energy allows for self-healing and a state of equilibrium.  There is Traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki, in which the main difference is hand placement; the Japanese technique relies on the practitioner sensing where the body needs energy versus the Western technique tends to use systemized hand placement.  Either way, the energy is being transferred from the practitioner to the patient, and promote self-healing.  There are three levels of practitioners: First, Second, and Master level.

Does Reiki actually heal?

I was pretty bummed to find no research that supports Reiki as a scientifically based healing method.  The American Cancer Society actually making a statement stating that Reiki is no clinical or scientific proof to support Reiki as a healing or curing treatment.  There is basically no scientific research to support it, and a review of all clinical research trials shows that there is insufficient evidence that Reiki is effective in curing or healing any illness BUT that is not to say that it isn’t helpful or useful.

What do I mean by that?  Well, people who are sick that get Reiki treatments, report feeling better, and swear by the fact that their Reiki is what is helping them heal and make them feel better.  I truly believe that healing is all about rest, relaxation, and doing positive things for yourself.  So, this is a case where you will ask 10 different HCPs their thoughts on Reiki as a healing treatment, and you will most likely get 10 different answers, but I fully support a non-invasive treatment, where you are not ingesting anything that may interact with your current medication regimen, and makes you feel great. I see it as a win-win.

I have had Reiki and I felt amazing afterwards, and for a week or so afterwards, plus little aches and pains that I had went away completely.  I always suggest talking to your own HCP for advice about changing your healthcare regimen, but I fully support the use of Reiki, even though the research isn’t out there yet!

Yours in Good Health

B

Camu camu is getting a lot of face time in health food stores and people in the health food world seems to be all buzzing about it.  I wanted to find out what the scoop is with this new, so-called, super fruit, as I had never heard of it, and I am always a little skeptical about these fruits that have been around for eons and then all of a sudden become super hip to ingest.  You know what I mean? Why haven’t we always known about these fruits?  is it big business driving this trend, or is it really good for you?

What is Camu Camu?

Camu camu is a small bushy tree found in the Amazonian rainforest in Peru and Brazil, that bear a small reddish/purple cherry like fruit.  The fruits from the Camu camu tree are actually very bitter and the local people who tend to harvest them by running their canoes down the river, and pick the berries directly into their canoes, tend to mix the berries with sugar, milk, and or ice cream to make it more palatable.  There are thoughts that the camu camu berries enhance mood, and that it has anti viral and anti inflammatory effects as well.    The camu camu berries are certainly high in Vitamin C, and have basically the highest amount of Vitamin C of any fruit.  They are really only topped by synthetic Vitamin C supplements, which aren’t as easily absorbed by the body.  The Camu camu is also thought to be high in antioxidants, which can prevent cancer.  The local people tend to eat diets high in camu camu and have the highest regard for the fruit saying it is the reason hey have silky hair, to being happy, to easing arthritis pain  So, they seem pretty good on paper, right?

Do they live up to the hype?

Just like any other fruit that is “new” to the mainstream market, there is very little true research on these fruits and nothing much is known, other than they really do have that high vitamin C content.  My concern is that the only way people can make the fruit palatable is to add significant amount soy sugar, milk, or ice cream, and basically making this fruit into a high calorie dessert to eat it…is it worth it?  You can also take it in pill form, like a supplement, so that would be ok.  But in these times of people being all about sustainable farming and being eco-friendly, camu camu farming is super bad: Japan is the highest importer of camu camu from South America, and now the Western world is starting to buy into the Camu camu, and we are running these poor camu camu farmers to the brink of extinction.  It is being over harvested, and it is super expensive to export.  So that part is a total bummer.  Plus, all of the hype about the anti viral and anti inflammatory effects are not founded.  As well, there is nothing that shows that the camu camu helps to enhance mood or balances moods.

I hate to be a Debbie downer, but with the cost associated with camu camu, and all you really know you are getting is high Vitamin C content, you might want to stick with adding acerola (rose hip) supplements to smoothies or foods to boost that Vitamin C intake, or eat those citrus fruits!  And honestly, the part that makes me the saddest is that people are over harvesting this fruit and we are putting the whole fruit/tree at risk for extinction.  I am sure at some point someone will start goring them for commercial sale, but will they have the same benefits and be the same fruits then? Maybe I am being skeptical, but I think there are other ways to get Vitamin C and antioxidants!

Yours in Good Health

B