Newsletters
by Marina J. Rose:

December 2002
Tips for Eating Healthy through the Holidays, Considering the Flu Shot?, Natural Supports for the Immune System, Cure for Sugar Cravings!

January 2003
Hormones, Soy Products, Patient Success Story, Childhood Immunizations

February 2003
How safe are Tylenol and Advil?, Dysbiosis (Imbalance of good and bad bugs), Success Story - IBS, severe bloating, cramping

December 2006
Tips for Healthy Eating through the Holidays, Cure for Sugar Cravings!, Welcome Dr. Anjali, Reimbursement for Healthcare Costs through Flex Plans, Children's Spinal Health, Special for Pediatric Evaluations

January 2003 - Health and Nutrition Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your positive feedback on last month's newsletter. I hope it inspired you to make vibrant health one of your goals this year. To help make that easier I'll give you Free Stuff when you purchase one of our Nutrition Packages.

This month's focus is on Healthy Hormone Balance for women, with related information about the risks of soy in the diet. The December article on the flu vaccine prompted questions about childhood immunizations. Be sure to read Judy's Success Story - she came in for Irritable Bowel and her headaches, PMS and cat allergies went away too!

Why do I write this newsletter? Because I want to support you in keeping your health a priority and make it easy for you to share this information with others.

Yours in health,
Dr. Marina J. Rose

HORMONES

By now you've heard that Hormone Replacement Therapy is NOT the cure all it was thought to be. Now scientists are sure that it actually increases the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, gallbladder disease and heart attacks. This increased risk is associated with combination therapy - that is estrogen combined with progesterone (either synthetic or derived from horses' urine).

Many women, looking for natural remedies for symptoms of menopause or PMS are diligently trying to increase soy in their diets. There is a lot of controversy about the use of soy. (See next article).

The use of a natural plant-based progesterone crème has been recommended by some as a first line defense against hormone imbalances. In my practice I have found that when digestion is improved by an appropriate diet and use of enzymes - hormonal symptoms frequently disappear completely. (See Success Story)

I always start with dietary recommendations based on an exam of the individual before recommending any direct intervention to hormones. If diet and enzymes are not enough, then the addition of progesterone crème and herbal combinations using black cohosh, dong quai and wild yam can be very effective.

Summary: HRT - very risky. Soy - very questionable. Diet and supplements - low risk and very effective. Not on a Nutrition Program? Call (650) 949-3636 to find out how to get a customized nutrition plan.

SOYMILK, Soybeans, soy powder…

The soy products that are available today contain substances (isoflavones) that act like estrogen in the body. People who sell soybeans say that this is a benefit. Many people have a different opinion (including me).

Concerns:

·Studies have shown that children who eat large amounts of soy show early sexual development in girls and delayed sexual maturation in boys. http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/darkside.html
·Studies show a link between soy, Alzheimer's and accelerated brain aging. http://starbulletin.com/1999/11/19/news/story4.html
·Soybeans are high in phytic acid which can block the uptake of essential minerals - calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc - in the intestinal tract.
·Soy is goitrogenic (which means it suppresses thyroid function)

Soy proponents claim that soy has been used as a staple in Asia for thousands of years. However, the traditional soybean was quite different from the mass-produced soybean of today. It was lower in protein and also had lower phytoestrogens such as the soy isoflavones, which are now thought to be a defense mechanism in response to pests.

In 1991, Japanese researchers reported that as little as 30 grams (two tablespoons) of soybeans per day for only one month resulted in a significant increase in TSH, indicating low thyroid function. Hypothyroidism appeared in some subjects and many complained of constipation, fatigue and lethargy.

In 1997, researchers from the FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research made the discovery that the goitrogenic components of soy were the very same isoflavones that were touted for their hormone benefits. For more information click: http://www.healingcrow.com/soy/soy.html

Patient Success Story

Judy, a 31-year-old who does public relations, was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome three years ago. She had constant abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea to the point that she had to take frequent time off work. A co-worker referred her to me in November 2002.

The Nutrition Evaluation showed deficiencies in amylase, lipase, minerals and small intestine toxicity. Within one week of starting a diet and supplement program her symptoms started to improve. Within one month the bowel problems were completely gone, and she was amazed at what else got better:
·"I used to take pain killers for headaches 2-3x/ week. Now I have no more constant headaches. No more migraines before my period.
·Absolutely NO pain during periods. I was taking prescription strength Motrin and sometimes Vicodin for the pain and still needed to take a day off from work.
·No more hay fever and my cat allergy seems to have gone away
·My blood pressure is normal again, although my medical doctor doesn't want to go off the drugs just yet.
·Generally sleeping better and no more low back pain or neck pain
·Oh yeah, and I have full movement in my neck now! Very useful when driving."

Childhood Immunizations

In response to last month's article about flu vaccines, some patients have asked about mercury in child immunizations. Thimerosal, used as a preservative in some vaccines, contains mercury. Mercury is a known neurotoxin and has been linked to brain disorders including autism, Alzheimer's and other chronic neurological dysfunction. Multiple immunizations raises the risk of adverse effects.

Today most but not all infant vaccines are mercury-free. It is still added to formulations for influenza (flu vaccines), diphtheria-tetanus, tetanus, hepatitis B, pneumococcal and rabies. No flu vaccines are available that are completely mercury-free, although two brands contain only trace amounts. To view the Center for Disease Controls list of flu vaccines containing mercury see: http://www.909shot.com/Issues/mercury.htm.

This newsletter is designed to provide you with information to improve the quality of your life. It is not meant to replace individual healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. Information provided should not be used to diagnose or dispute a qualified healthcare professional's judgment.

I encourage you to schedule a consultation with my office for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions.

Phone: (650) 949-3636
E-mail comments/ feedback: Marina@MarinaJRose.com