News & Updates

They found out that from 19.5% to 79.9% of the women in the survey used complementary therapy at least once following their diagnoses. Majority of those therapies were used on a daily basis. 73.9% of the women surveyed had low commitment to complementary therapies and those were more likely to be older and less educated compared to the women with a moderate-to-high commitment. The study clearly points to the popularity and need of adding complementary therapies to the medical therapy during breast cancer treatment.(Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached atkasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:

In my opinion this study does not demonstrate popularity of complementary medicine, it just shows that people are scattered in their commitment to whatever therapy they are pursuing. Whenever we speak to people challenged with cancer, we always say to them that whatever therapy you choose you need to be 100% behind it. You need to believe entirely in the treatment or when the going gets tough it will be easy for you to bail emotionally and spiritually. This study says to me that people are not behind either treatment and it is this scattered devotion that causes people to fail the challenge. When it comes to cancer we do not suggest an alternative approach, we suggest a complementary approach. This is only the case if you truly understand natural medicine and agree in the healing properties of natural products. You better believe that there are benefits to natural products in complementing conventional chemotherapy and radiation. The science is there, you just need to decide to learn about it.

They found no evidence that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects percentage of preterm deliveries, the rate of low-birth weight infants, the rate of preeclampsia/eclampsia, or birth weight and length. However, they did conclude that omega-3 may enhance pregnancy duration and the infant’s head circumference. (Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached at kasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Using the DNA technology, the researchers found that heat receptors within cells can block pain receptors when temperature rises to 104°F or above. The heat seems to be able to stop the pain signal from being sent to the body. That works for about an hour. In short, apart from providing comfort, a hot water bottle can indeed alleviate that menstrual pain. Let’s not forget, though, that pain is an important messenger that we should not ignore! (Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a licensed nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health. She can be reached atkasia@illnessisoptional.com)

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments: Though interesting, this just simply supports what most people already know…heat makes you feel a little better. This may also be one additional benefit of far infrared saunas which send head deep into the tissues.

The study is ongoing and is already getting attention from drug companies. Scientists are hoping to be able to manipulate the plant to remove the burning component from it so that it can be used medicinally by people with arthritis.

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments: Good luck in trying to remove the hot from one of nature’s hottest creations. If you do succeed, good luck in having any therapeutic effect! Look, you don’t need to wait for these researchers to fail in improving a product perfected by millions of years of evolution. Get the chili pepper in capsule and give it a try! For the scientists who are doing the research, if you can’t stand the heat just get out of the laboratory.

Environmental Protection Agency released Excessive Heat Event Guidebook this month. Once our flooding rainy weather gives way to the summer humid heat again, here is the information you need to know!

People especially at risk are over 65, infants under 1year of age, the homeless, the poor, and socially isolated people, those with mobility restrictions, on certain medications like high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, those exercising vigorously or working outdoors, those consuming alcohol.

Here are symptoms to watch:

Heat stroke: altered mental state, possible throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, 106 F or higher body temperature, rapid and strong pulse, possible unconsciousness, possible hot and dry skin, sweating. You must get to hospital immediately. A delay may be fatal.

Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, cool skin, pale. Normal temperature possible. Other possible symptoms:: muscle cramps, fainting, vomiting, dizziness, nausea. Get out of sun,  apply cool wet cloths, sip water, if nausea starts, discontinue water intake, if vomiting continues, seek medical attention.

Heat cramps: painful muscle cramps and spasms (usually legs and abdomen), heavy sweating. Apply pressure/massage to relieve the cramps; give sips of water, if nausea starts, discontinue water intake.

On hot summer days, bear these in mind:

• Avoid dark color, heavy, tight clothes or clothes that expose a lot of skin
• Stay hydrated, especially when involved in outdoor activities
• When using alcohol, know that it limits the needed perspiration, and your awareness of need of hydration, so limit your exposure to sun and heat outdoors
• Avoid heavy meals, especially high protein, as this will increase metabolism and body heat that needs to be dissipated
• The more elevated the housing, the higher the heat, so use fans, air conditioning, and plenty of water to drink

(Summary by Kasia Kines, MS, CN, CNS, LDN. Kasia is a nutritionist at Your Prescription for Health 888-794-4325)