Treating High Cholesterol

Do you have high cholesterol? Has your doctor suggested you take a statin drug? Are you taking one now? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then you are among a growing number of individuals considered at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Though in some cases elevated cholesterol does increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, there is evidence that total cholesterol and even LDL and HDL levels do not indicate your true risk. Is cholesterol good or bad? Does eating a low or cholesterol-free diet actually lower your risk? Are statin drugs the panacea for reducing cardiovascular disease?

Cholesterol is essential in the body. It’s found in every cell, playing an essential role in many biological functions. It is an important part of brain and nerve cells, the prime communication system of the body. From cholesterol the body makes essential hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Cholesterol is also essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin from sunlight. Without cholesterol we could not survive. High levels of cholesterol can be bad, but so can low levels. We must look at cholesterol in the context of other risk factors.

It is now clear that about 50% of heart attacks occur in individuals who have “normal” cholesterol levels, or levels determined to be in the healthy range. Don’t gloss over that last sentence without really understanding what it means. In other words, using the most common screening test for cardiovascular disease actually misses half the people who are at risk. Fortunately there is a test that can identify those at risk whether they have high or normal cholesterol. Called a lipoprotein subfractionation test, it looks closely at what type of LDL you have. Considered the “bad” cholesterol, LDL or low-density lipoprotein is actually a class of cholesterol carrying molecules. In some, LDL may be larger and less dense, whereas in others it might be smaller and denser. The bottom line is that your risk depends on what type of LDL you have. With this test you can find out if you have high-risk or low-risk LDL. You can also see if you have the most protective HDL..

With the list of potential side-effects from taking a statin; including muscle damage, hormone deficiencies, low vitamin D, liver damage, depression, diabetes, and congestive heart failure; it is important to know whether your cholesterol levels really warrant taking this medication. Not only do statins block the synthesis of cholesterol, but also a very important molecule, Coenzyme Q10, which is necessary for energy production, especially in the heart and muscles.

Cardiovascular disease is strongly associated with lifestyle factors. Genetics play a role, but only in terms of how sensitive you are to external factors. Nutritional deficiencies, being sedentary, and toxic exposures are often important factors. Kids with poor diets can have atherosclerosis (calcification and hardening of the arteries). A number of natural interventions can reverse and cure cardiovascular disease if implemented early enough. This is with substantial cost savings to both individuals and insurance or government paid health care. For example, Crestor, one popular statin, costs $124 per month or more than $4.00 per dose. A natural approach to obtaining and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels will yield many other health benefits besides just reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

The advice to avoid dietary cholesterol is really misguided in most cases. Avoiding unhealthy animal products, such as nitrate laden meats, fried or charred meats and eggs, is better advice. Eating free-range meat, poultry and eggs that are cooked so as not to damage or oxidize the cholesterol and fats can be part of a healthy diet. It has long been known that dietary cholesterol intake does little to directly affect blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol in the blood stream is controlled and synthesized by the liver. Cholesterol levels climb more from a refined diet of simple carbs and sugar, not enough fiber, lack of exercise, and states of chronic stress.

Whether you know you have high cholesterol or not, it’s a good idea to be screened to determine your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Instead of getting the standard cholesterol test from you doctor, consider getting the subfractionation test and take control of your health. Contact Dr. Graves for more information on the test and natural approaches to cholesterol management.

Radio Interview on KKUP

Click this link to listen to my discussion with Jeannette Schreiber on KKUP, regarding the topic of Leaky Gut syndrome. Listen here

Allopathic Paradigm... according to Weird Al

Caution: This is only for those with a sense of humor... and who may have grown up in the eighties.

Balancing Female Hormones

The endocrine system is one of the main control mechanisms of the human body. Whereas the nervous system sends lightning fast signals to get your hand away from a hot pan, the endocrine system uses chemicals called hormones that affect numerous functions in the body. While some effects are felt quickly, such as the adrenalin surge from a close call, most hormones cause slow changes at the cellular level. Over time these effects are quite powerful; they keep your body working properly, but when imbalanced they can lead to health problems. Unfortunately modern life can conspire to disrupt our hormone systems. The result is widespread hormone related diseases such as hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, PMS, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, infertility, and unpleasant menopause symptoms. Hormone imbalances can affect the cardiovascular system, blood sugar control, energy levels, and aging. Thankfully you don’t have to simply live with hormonally related health problems; something can be done about it, but you may have to look outside of conventional medicine.

The interplay of hormones
Balance is the key when it comes to hormones. Estrogen and progesterone levels, for example, change over the course of a month, a year, and one’s life. These varying levels affect different cells in different ways. They influence growth, metabolism, sexual function, affecting the actions of one another and other hormones. At high levels a hormone may have a completely different effect than at low levels. To keep hormone levels appropriate, there are feedback mechanisms that help the body self-regulate this bio-chemical dance. An important aspect of steroid (sex and adrenal) hormones is that they are made from cholesterol. This much vilified substance is essential for health and not getting enough of it is bad. Because these hormones share a common pathway, in situations of prolonged stress, the body will preferentially use cholesterol and pre-hormone molecules to make cortisol, our stress hormone. This commonly contributes to sex hormone deficiencies. Also of note is that high cortisol levels can cause low thyroid hormone activity and therefore the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Xenohormones, estrogen pretenders
I wish excess stress was the only problem affecting our hormone health. Unfortunately there is now a legion of chemicals in our world, which can mimic hormones, namely estrogen. This is similar to how naturally occurring isoflavones in soy can affect health by interacting with the estrogen receptor on our cells. The effects of soy is usually mild and for some may be beneficial. Not so benign are environmental chemicals that can act like hormones, sometimes referred to as xenohormones or xenoestrogens. These synthetic chemicals can be found in pesticides; plastics, namely phthalates and bisphenol A; and in industrial organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), dioxins, furans, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Another source of potentially harmful synthetic hormones is from pharmaceuticals such as birth control pills, HRT, fertility drugs, and synthetic hormones given to livestock. Because of the widespread use of hormone drugs, there are now detectable levels in many waterways, contributing to breeding dysfunction in wildlife.

Many of these chemicals are only later determined to be xenohormones or what are referred to as “endocrine disruptors.” It’s one thing to know that industrial chemicals are harmful, but many don’t realize these chemicals are often in consumer products that are placed on and in your body! Parabens are the latest suspect, which along with other xenohormones are in lotions, sunscreens, cosmetics, nail polish, hair products, spermacides, shaving foams, soaps and detergents. Interesting, but disturbing is the fact that one’s home is often the place of highest exposure to toxins! The consequences of all this is anything but trivial. Along with the conditions mentioned above, this chemical onslaught is associated with increased rates of cancer, birth defects, sexual dysfunction, uterine fibroids, anemia, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety disorders, just to name a few.

Step One
So besides obviously trying to avoid exposure to xenohormones what else can you do? Step one is getting a proper assessment. Sadly the conventional medical approach to women’s hormonal health has totally missed the boat. The indiscriminate use of synthetic hormones to treat female reproductive ailments often causes more harm than good. In addition, testing a woman’s hormone levels through a single blood test rarely gleans meaningful information. Since hormones rise and fall throughout a woman’s cycle, to get the full story you must take a series of samples throughout the month. One of the best ways to do this is through saliva testing, with samples properly staggered. This test can detect the subtle imbalances that often occur. Most importantly it can guide treatment to restore proper hormone balance. Specific saliva tests are also available for peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women, as well as for men.

Step Two
From a naturopathic perspective effectively treating hormone issues requires looking at the whole person and her unique story. After all, isn’t the point to restore the body back to a state of health? A synthetic hormone prescription will not help the body find its own natural hormonal rhythm. Unlike most prescription hormones that are synthetic, bio-identical hormones, when prescribed appropriately, can provide relief, but require additional treatments to help the body restore its ability to self-regulate. After properly identifying a hormonal imbalance, many women can find relief through dietary adjustments, nutritional interventions, supporting detoxification, and through herbal medicine. Because our mood, emotions, and spirit have such a powerful impact on our physical bodies and hormone health, these areas must be nurtured as well.

Step Three
Although figuring out what is wrong and how to fix it is half the battle, in order to actually get well one has to commit to follow a new course of action. The health challenges that many face are the result of slowly accumulating insults that may take time to reverse. When the foundations of health are addressed; one is eating better, eliminating better, weak organs are nourished, and proper hormone balance is being restored; a new level of health can be achieved that would never be possible by just taking another prescription drug. Once you start feeling better you will be motivated to keep moving forward.

If you have health problems that you think may be hormonally related, consider contacting Dr. Graves for an assessment and get started rebalancing your hormonal health.

Swine Flu 2009, Victims of Paranoia

The news started coming out last week about a new flu threat, being a doc I took notice. As I read the reports, checked with the CDC, and read the posts from health professionals I tend to respect, I took the position that the threat was unlikely to represent much real concern. As days past the outbreak level was raised as more countries confirmed cases. When schools began to close, including one in my town, I initially thought, “hummm, maybe this is cause for concern.” Now we have the issuing of the recommendation for schools previously closed to reopen and there is a growing consensus that this flu does not pose a serious threat.

This morning I began digging a little deeper into the sordid world of infectious diseases, public health policy, and the “business of health,” and have solidified my belief that most of the media and governmental information on health is often distorted and misleading at best. Though I’m not one drawn to conspiracy theories, I think there is an inherent sense of superiority and need to protect and inform the masses while maintaining power and some degree of control over the population. Most Americans are educated no doubt, but perhaps our down fall is a bit of laziness. We like the headlines, the bullet points, the Cliffs Note version of information. Few read the fine print and information overload is everywhere. Determining what is real… or at least what is really important, is hard to find.

With the swine flu, aka H1N1, this is a great case in point. Without going into detailed virology, it is clear that this epidemic is just another excuse for the media to blow bad news out of proportion. More concerning is that the statistics being reported are not entirely accurate. Essentially there is no way to know how many cases of swine flu there actually are (or deaths due to it) because the testing used to determine who’s infected is not specific to this supposed new flu. H1N1 is the virus family that typically causes the flu in humans. The PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing that is commonly being used cannot determine conclusively that all of these cases occurring in Mexico, the US and elsewhere are actually the same “new” virus. The CDC claims that they are able to confirm the virus by genetic testing of the RNA in the virus, but this is not available for most collected samples. In other words, if a person has flu-like symptoms and tests positive for the flu virus, they are being counted as likely infected with swine flu, which of course really isn’t the swine flu, but simply the latest mutation-du-jour. Confused? You’re not alone.

The CDC’s web site states the following:
If reactivity of real-time RT-PCR for influenza A is strong (e.g. Ct <30) it is more suggestive of a novel influenza A virus. Confirmation as swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is performed at CDC currently, but may be available in state public health laboratories soon. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/specimencollection.htm

In other words, most cases are deemed positive or “confirmed” if they are positive using the standard H1N1 PCR testing, which is like saying that everyone who happens to have the untimely onset of a typical flu has swine flu. Of course some cases are being confirmed by the CDC, but since this isn’t standard practice during the normal flu seasons, we have no way of knowing if cases of this strain were already circulating. Given its relatively mild virulence, this particular flu wouldn’t be much different then any other. A couple of points to remember about the flu is that it is highly prone to genetic mutation and it typically kills about 36,000 per year (or at least is the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” in weakened/immuno-suppressed individuals). The CDC states:
36,000 people die from influenza-related complications each year in the United States. In addition, about 11,000 people die per year from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections primarily in young children and older adults. Most deaths caused by RSV occur in the elderly. http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030107.htm

Wikipedia describes H1N1 this way:
Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, also known as A(H1N1), is a subtype of influenzavirus A and the most common cause of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans, including the strain(s) responsible for the 1918 flu pandemic which killed 50–100 million people worldwide. Less virulent H1N1 strains still exist in the wild today, worldwide, causing a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a large fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all flu infections in 2006.[1] Other strains of H1N1 are endemic in pigs and in birds. In March and April 2009, hundreds of laboratory-confirmed infections and a number of deaths were caused by an outbreak of a new strain of H1N1.[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1N1

Again, remember that “new strain” simply means that there is a new flavor of human flu virus circulating that has been identified. Every year a random sampling (and then guessing) is used to determine the next season’s flu vaccine cocktail. Remember that genetic reshuffling is the rule when it comes to flu viruses, one reason that flu vaccine development is such a losing battle (for those who get the injection; it’s a sure-fire win for the drug companies that manufacture them).

So what is the moral of my story? As many other holistic minded individuals have pointed out, real immunity is natural immunity. It is developed over your lifetime, beginning in early life, but continues as you adapt to your environment. There are certain habits that can help and some that can hinder your ability to face the microbes. Most micro-organisms are harmless, and many in fact are essential for our own survival and good health. Protection against “bad” bugs out there is going to come from fostering your own immune competence. This includes what you eat & drink, how you sleep, your physical activity, and your exposure to chemicals that suppress health. Vaccines, Tamiflu, the government, drug companies, perhaps even your doctor can not protect you from disease. The most important factors are how you live, who you listen to, and what you believe. Hopefully they are based on love and truth.

For additional reading on this see:
http://www.thedoctorwithin.com/swine/swine-flu.php
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/05/05/Swine-Flu-Update.aspx
http://www.undiplomatic.net/2009/04/27/swine-flu-and-air-pollution-connecting-the-dots/

The Symptoms No Man Should Ignore

The Symptoms No Man Should Ignore
Though it seems politically correct these days to portray men as de-masculinized buffoons in TV commercials, no man should add credence to these portrayals by ignoring the signs of prostate trouble. It’s easy to tune out health advice, but ignoring urinary tract symptoms can have dire consequences. Do you have trouble urinating, feel like you can’t completely empty your bladder, have the urge to go frequently, awake during the night repeatedly to urinate, or have chronic pain or discomfort? If so you’d be wise to see your doctor.

Men are notorious for ignoring symptoms and avoiding doctors. Perhaps it’s our drive to be self-sufficient, or subconsciously we are fearful of learning something is seriously wrong. Maybe it’s pride or the fact that our culture has conditioned us to think we need to be bulletproof and doctors are for woman and children. Ironically, it is when early symptoms occur that things are usually most treatable. Just hoping a problem will go away is not a good self-care plan. Knowledge can remove fear, so let’s remove some of the mystery surrounding men’s health.

BPH
BPH is very common in older men, affecting about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90% of men over the age of 80. It develops slowly and may never produce symptoms, but can make it difficult to urinate, cause dribbling, increased frequency, urgency, and the need to strain. Hormones play an important role, namely testosterone, DHT, and estrogen, along with sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In aging men BPH increases in association with increased SHBG and estrogen. Men can have increased levels of estrogen due to excess weight and environmental exposures. BPH causes the prostate to enlarge around the urethra, affecting the bladder’s ability to empty. Left unchecked, backpressure on the kidneys can lead to permanent kidney damage. It can even cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis. Reducing an enlarged prostate naturally can be challenging. Using lifestyle modifications and plant medicine, the progression can be slowed or stopped. Prevention is the best medicine.

Prostatitis
It’s estimated as many as 10% of men currently experience prostatitis-like symptoms and up to 16% of men have had a diagnosis of prostatitis. Whereas BPH affects older men, prostatitis can affect men of any age, but often is seen in men in their 30’s and 40’s. Like a bladder infection in women, prostatitis can be associated with a urinary tract infection, but can become a recurring problem with no infection detectable. Men with prostatitis may experience the sensation of pressure in the rectum, pain in varying areas, or symptoms associated with urination and sexual function. It is important to see your doctor to rule out an infection and to determine the best treatment. Many factors can contribute to prostatitis, including a weakened immune system or nutritional deficiency. Naturopathic treatments can help decrease symptoms and avoid recurrence. In can be as simple as increasing water intake, getting regular exercise, and reducing chronic stress. Foods that can contribute to prostate inflammation include sugar, wheat, milk, hydrogenated oils and fried foods. Substantially limiting these foods, while consuming colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, is beneficial. I have found herbal medicine to be helpful in these cases. Identifying the unique factors that contribute to your health is what sets naturopathic medicine apart from conventional approaches that have failed.

Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in men in North America and is less likely to cause symptoms like BPH or prostatitis. As it becomes advanced it may cause some of the symptoms discussed above. It is rare in men under age 40 and like other conditions of the prostate, certain environment and lifestyle factors increase your risk; for example a diet high in animal fat and low in nutrient-rich plant foods. As with any cancer, prevention is everything. Talk to your doctor about how you can reduce your risk and ask him if screening is appropriate for you. There are now a number of large studies showing that the conventional medical approach to detecting and treating prostate cancer hasn’t improved overall long-term outcomes, while substantially reducing quality of life. For many cases ‘watchful waiting’ is appropriate. Taking a holistic approach by utilizing naturopathic medicine can be of great value, whether you are undergoing aggressive conventional treatments or just ‘watchful waiting’.

Low testosterone & hormone health
Hormone imbalances are epidemic. Modern life has conspired to disrupt the delicate balance of communication within the body. Hormones are like data lines within your body. Imagine what happens if something disrupts your cell phone signal or internet connection. Information exchange can slow to a crawl or stop all-together. When hormones are disrupted by chemical pollutants, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, or excess weight, the effects can be widespread. Do you have low energy, low libido, and difficulty losing weight or building muscle? You may have low testosterone, too much estrogen, or imbalances of cortisol, the stress hormone. There are simple tests to determine your hormone levels, as well as ways to correct common imbalances.

Male Disparity
CDC estimates indicate men make up less than 25% of all office visits to doctors. Sometimes it’s only after a serious problem occurs like a heart attack or severe pain that men seek medical attention. Recently, one naturopathic doctor wrote about how we might change this disparity this way, “It really comes down to love: if the man does not love himself enough to get help, does he love someone else enough to do it? If not for love, what about out of compassion?” Often a loving spouse who builds up her partner by communicating heartfelt admiration and respect for his inherent talents, increases his feelings of self-worth. Knowing you matter to others can be the motivation some men need to take better care of themselves. Having a belief in God and higher authority can also demonstrate the value and gift of one’s life. To take care of oneself is to respect and love others who count on you, and the one who created you….

The Naturopathic Paradigm
Are you ready to take the leap to be the prime mover in your health care? It has been my observation that those who thrive and become healthy do so by their own motivation. It is the will to be well. A naturopathic doctor (ND) attempts to harness scientific advances while respecting the fact that life has its own intelligence and healing power. Healing comes by removing obstacles to allow the healing power in all living things to do its job. Naturopathic medicine is a partnership between the doctor and patient. As your doctor I give you my expertise and time. As patient you must invest in yourself. For most illnesses there is no quick fix or pill. If you’re looking for a different approach, a second opinion, a doctor who is interested in figuring out what is going on with you, consider consulting with an ND. After all, how much is your health worth to you? To your family?

Don't Eat Organic...

Over the years I've been increasingly annoyed at Whole Foods Markets. First, there is the one nearest where I live in Los Gatos CA. It is so small you can only fit about one cart at a time down the aisle. And then there is the friendliness (lack thereof) of the average patron. Well, it's Los Gatos, what did I expect? Don't get me wrong; I've long loved Whole Foods, doing what no other health food store could, take health foods prime time. But then there was the new store they built in Bellevue WA some years back. This was a model 'mega-store' with aisles so wide you could fit 10 carts side by side. You almost need a motorized golf caddy just to get from the produce section to the diary aisle, three city blocks away (or so it feels). Then there was the frequent over charges from what was marked on the shelf; of course most of the time I didn't notice until I got home (who would with a bill that large). Some ad wizard there also had the bright idea to set some of the bulk whole grains out in wide open bins, not only for everyone to sneeze on, but to also hasten the oxidation of brown rice... can you say, "rancid?" I knew you could.

But what is really bugging me? It's not just a Whole Foods dilemma, though I think they've played a big part in Organic going mainstream. There is nothing wrong with Organic standards particularly, in fact I've been an advocate for it and eaten Organic when I can, but WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH ALL THE "ORGANIC" JUNK FOOD? I mean does it really matter? At the point you are eating Newman's Own Oreo-like cookies there is likely very little advantage to eating Organic. Yes, perhaps there are fewer chemicals, contaminates, preservatives, and slightly less harm to the environment, but is there any measurable health benefit to the consumer? If I'm going to have a processed, packaged cookie, all things being equal I'd pick the Organic, but I've noticed an ever increasing number of junk-foods labeled Organic crowding the once "holistic" shelves of Whole Foods and other like grocers. I think that Whole Foods may soon have to change their name or be charged with false advertising. How about, "Whole Foods hidden amongst oodles of unhealthy processed foods masquerading as quasi-health foods Market?"

I guest that's too cumbersome for the signage. I wouldn't care so much if it weren't for my little WF down the street that often doesn't carry or is frequently out of the actual "whole foods" I like to cook with, yet every end-cap is a masterpiece of some stockers snack food fantasy. So my advice... don't confuse the term "Organic" with "Healthy," in fact choose foods as close as you can to nature. Go to the local farmer's markets (just avoid the Kettle-Korn; you don't want to know the chemical concoction you're ingesting), find local grass-fed, free-ranged animal products, make a meal plan, try new recipes now and then, they are all over the internet, make a shopping list, stick to the list, ignore the beautiful "Organic" glazed old-fashion donut looking at you through the glass at the latte counter. In short, flee thee away from the abomination of white flour and white sugar (by the way, is Organic high-fructose corn syrup an oxymoron?). See you in the produce and bulk section.