Flaxseed (Freshly Ground) is Good For Blood Pressure!

A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials with 1302 participants showed significant reductions in both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) following supplementation with flaxseed products. Reduction of SBP was significant with flaxseed powder but not oil and
lignan extract. DBP was significantly reduced with powder and oil preparations, but not with lignan extract.

Even though this study used all different kinds of flaxseed products I would use only freshly ground flaxseed in foods like oatmeal, salads and smoothies. If you have a very strong blender you can add whole flaxseed (like a quarter cup). I would not use pre-ground flaxseed because it can go rancid. If you do, keep it in the freezer, but I would advise against purchasing flaxseed pre-ground.

“Effects of flaxseed supplements on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trial.” Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;35(3):615-25. 51343 Dr. Maciej Banach. Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland. Tel./fax: +48 42 639 37 71 maciejbanach@aol.co.uk

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday

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Infertile? Slow Moving Sperm?...Try Zinc!

Asthenospermia means slow sperm motility...a risk factor for infertility. If this happened to you, you could try zinc sulphate 220 mg (50 mg elemental zinc) 2 tablets daily after food for 3 month which helped infertile men by increasing semen volume, progressive sperm motility, total normal sperm count, catalase-like activity in spermatozoa and seminal plasma, without any side effects.

I would also add other "energy producing" (and antioxidant) nutrients for the sperm including CoQ10 200 mg/d, magnesium 200-300 mg/d, carnitine 1000 mg (have your TMAO checked) and ribose 5 grams 3 x day for several months.

“Oral Zinc Supplementation Restores Superoxide Radical Scavengers to Normal Levels in Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients”  International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (2015), 85, pp. 165-173. 51263

Be and Stay Well,
Kirk

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Vitamin E Helps Chronic Periodontitis Healing from Scaling and Root Planing

Chronic periodontitis (CP) healing from scaling and root planing was improved with the addition of vitamin E 200 mg (300 IU) daily, as was the antioxidant defense of the gum tissue.

“Vitamin E supplementation, superoxide dismutase status, and outcome of scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial.” J Periodontol. 2014 Feb;85(2): 242-9. 51343 Dr. Neha Singh, Department of Periodontics and Oral Implantology, Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India, 124001. drneha2424@gmail.com

Be and Stay Well,
Kirk

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Consuming Sweetened Beverages Increase the Risk to Heart Failure!

In asking 42 400 men, 45–79 years of age from Sweden who were followed from
1998 through 2010 and asked “How many soft drinks or sweetened juice drinks do you drink
per day or per week?” (Fruit juice was not included in the definition of sweetened beverages)
During a follow-up time of 11.7 years, a total of 4113 heart failure events occurred.
There was a positive association between sweetened beverage consumption and risk
of heart failure after adjustment for other risk factors. Men who consumed two or more
servings of sweetened beverages per day had a statistically significant higher risk (23%)of
developing heart failure compared to men who were non-consumers (Sweetened beverages
includes artificial sweeteners it looks like to me in this study).

“The relationship between sweetened beverage consumption and risk of heart failure in men.” Heart. 2015 Dec;101(24):1961-5. 51337 Dr Susanna C Larsson, Unit of Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Susanna.Larsson@ki.se

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

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"Whole" Carbohydrates with Fiber Show Benefit in Successful Aging

Whole carbohydrates with fiber (not processed) show benefit in successful aging (i.e. eat your grain in a bowl). It really is that simple. Carbs are "bad" when you take the fiber off and add sugar and oil (baked and confectionery foods)!

In studying 1,609 adults aged 49 years and older who were free of cancer, coronary artery disease, and stroke at baseline who were followed for 10 years the dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), and carbohydrate intake were not significantly associated with successful aging. The highest versus lowest quartile of total fiber intake had greater odds of aging successfully than suboptimal aging. Those who remained consistently below the median in consumption of fiber from breads/cereal and fruit compared with the rest of cohort were less likely to age successfully. Consumption of dietary fiber from breads/cereals and fruits independently influenced the likelihood of aging successfully over 10 years. These findings suggest that increasing intake of fiber-rich foods could be a successful strategy in reaching old age disease free and fully functional.

 “Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years.” J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Jun 1. pii: glw091. [Epub ahead of print] 51318 Bamini Gopinath, BTech, PhD Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales 2145, Australia. Email: bamini.gopinath@sydney.edu.au
 

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday

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IV Vitamin C in the Treatment of Acute Sepsis...A Paradigm Shift That Will Save Lives!

I just recently did a podcast with Dr. Ramesh Natarajan (and YouTube) on his work with Dr. Alpha Fowler and colleagues from Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care, on their pioneering work on the use of intravenous Vitamin C between 3.5 - 15 grams IV in 3-4 divided doses which resulted in a rapid reductions in multiple organ injury (SOFA) scores an a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein and procalcitonin indicating a reduction in systemic inflammation. 

Sepsis is a massive acute "autoimmune response" from an infection in which the immune system attacks one's internal organs, resulting in their failure and death from vascular collapse. Low plasma vitamin C levels increase the risk to sepsis. 41% percent of hospitalized patients are deficient in vitamin C and 19% have scurvy (classic vitamin C deficiency).

Sepsis costs 20 billion dollars a year in the U.S. to treat. A day treatment in the hospital can cost $18,000-20,000. A single dose of intravenous vitamin C may cost $50.00.

Vitamin C may work in reducing sepsis incidence and prevent death by:

• Vitamin C is required for normal endothelial function.

• Vitamin C can reduce endothelial permeability in sepsis.

• Vitamin C reduces leukocyte plugging of microvessels.

• Critical pro-inflammatory proteins are attenuated by vitamin C .

• Vitamin C stabilizes immune function in sepsis.

• Vitamin C may relieve hypotension associated with sepsis.

• Vitamin C preserves lung barrier function and improves alveolar fluid clearance in sepsis.

• Vitamin C normalized the coagulopathy of sepsis.

• Vitamin C is anti-infective and has profound bacteriostatic effects.

“Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis: a rationale for vitamin C administration in severe sepsis and septic shock?” Crit Care. 2015 Nov 27;19:418. 51301 (5/2016) Ramesh Natarajan, Ph.D. Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University Box 980050, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA ramesh.natarajan@vcuhealth.org

Expert Interview by Kirk Hamilton PA-C with Alpha A. Fowler, III, MD Sepsis in the Hospital and High Dose Intravenous Ascorbic Acid

“Phase I safety trial of intravenous ascorbic acid in patients with severe sepsis.” J Transl Med. 2014;12:32. 50917 (8/2015) Alpha A Fowler, III, MD, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980050, Richmond, VA 23298-0050, USA, (804) 828-9071/ (804) 828-2578 (FAX) afowler@mcvh-vcu.edu

“Intravenous Vitamin C – Integrative Therapies” a first-time conference sponsored by the University of Kansas Medical Center, September 30 – October 1, 2016. (See Dr. Drisko interview). Dr. Ramesh Natarajan will be speaking at this conference.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday

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NAC (N-acetylcysteine) Helps Reduce Tobacco Cravings!

SUMMARY: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) may have benefit in treating tobacco use disorder (TUD) by reducing cravings and smoking reward. In a 12-week double blind randomized
controlled trial of NAC at 3 g/day versus placebo, NAC treatment significantly reduced
the daily number of cigarettes used (-10.9) and CO (exhaled) (-10.4 ppm). 47.1%
of those treated with NAC were able to quit smoking. NAC treatment significantly
reduced the Hamilton Depression Rating Scalescore in patients with tobacco use disorder.

“N-acetylcysteine for therapy-resistant tobacco use disorder: a pilot study.” Redox Rep. 2015 Sep;20(5):215-22. 51328Dr. Michael Maies, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine Deakin University, PO Box 281, Geelong 3220, VIC, Australia dr.michaelmaes@hotmail.com.

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday

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Safe, Rapid and Healthy Weight Loss...Start Today!

If you are interested in safe, rapid weight loss watch this video by Thomas Tadlock
regarding the SmoothieSHRED Challenge. He is a fitness expert who has worked with thousands of clients, including many celebrities, to have them lose weight, sculpt their bodies, and get more fit in a short period of time. No gimmicks. Just results. Check out his bio and join the FREE SmoothieShred Challenge! (Watch program video)

More about signing-up!

Listen to inspiring podcast with Dr. Goldner Here! (This approach saved her life/talks about this program at end of video)!

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Goodbye Lupus! Hello Green Smoothies! How a Medical Doctor Cured Herself with SuperMarket Foods!

Reversing Lupus Naturally with Supermarket Foods (Podcast 46:10 min)
Kirk's overview of his interview with Dr. Brooke Goldner (Youtube 5:08 min)
Starting June 13, 2016 - Take Dr. Goldner's FREE "28 Day SmoothieSHRED Challenge"!!! (VeganMedicalDoctor.com and SkypePsychiatrist.com)

All I can say is about my interview with Dr. Goldner is wow! Dr. Goldner is so passionate, alive and committed to helping people and her personal story of self-healing is so inspirational and educational! A must listen to this interview for you and your loved ones.

Dr. Brooke Goldner, a board certified psychiatrist, shares her self-healing from a life-threatening autoimmune illness, Lupus Erythematosus, which caused serious kidney damage and after 11 years of medical treatments with high dose steroids and chemotherapy, used nutrition alone, with her husband's help, to have a complete recovery requiring no medications for 10 years.

Dr. Goldner's energy, compassion, knowledge and clarity of living her life's purpose is infectious and inspiring in this podcast. The use of mostly raw foods, along with nutrient dense, concentrated green smoothies, designed to enhance cellular metabolism, result in case, after case of reversal of serious disease and the recovery of vibrant health.

I highly recommend listening to this inspiring podcast with simple and practical, whole food, plant-based approaches to self-healing. Her personal story of how she got Lupus, the lifestyle she had been raised with providing foods that can cause many of the devastating diseases of Western Society, including Lupus, and then the dramatic changes in her diet and lifestyle with subsequent disease disappearance within four months, will give hope to many with painful and exhausting chronic diseases.

Dr. Brooke Goldner (Dr. G.) is a psychiatrist, best-selling author, the founder of VeganMedicalDoctor.com, SkypePsychiatrist.com, creator of the Hyper-nourishing Healing Protocol for Lupus Recovery, and is the author of “Goodbye Lupus” and “Green Smoothie Recipes to Kickstart Your Health and Healing.”

Go to SmoothieSHRED.com for Dr. Goldner's FREE "28 Day Smoothie Shred Challenge" starting June 13, 2016.

You may see Dr. G's consulting programs here or contact Dr. G at DrG@VeganMedicalDoctor.com

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!

Fiber Helps You Age! Easy on the No Grain Approach!

In a total of 1,609 adults aged 49 years and older who were free of cancer, coronary artery disease, and stroke who were followed for 10 years thedietary glycemic index, glycemic load and carbohydrate intake were NOT significantly associated with successful aging. However, participants in the highest versus lowest quartile of total fiber intake had greater odds of aging successfully. Those who remained consistently below the median in consumption of fiber from breads/cereal and fruit compared with the rest of cohort were less likely to age successfully. Increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods could be a successful strategy in reaching old age disease free and fully functional. "Association Between Carbohydrate Nutrition and Successful Aging Over 10 Years." J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Jun 1. pii: glw091. [Epub ahead of print]. Dr. Bamini Gopinath, Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research and bamini.gopinath@sydney.edu.au

KIRK'S CONCLUSION: The simplest and most important rule in nutrition is eat whole, unprocessed foods. The rule for carbohydrates is that simple - eat the carbohydrate in its whole state and none of the fiber will be removed, you will get a slower release of blood sugar, and you will get full easier. Or, as I tell my patients frequently, "Eat your grain in a bowl". If you take any grain and put it into a bread, cracker, chip, etc. it is usually not a whole grain (meaning it has less fiber) and it usually has sugar and oil added to it. As long as you are not allergic eat whole grains, beans, lentils, peas, yams, sweet potatoes, whole fruits!

Be and Stay Well,

Kirk

You can call me for "brief" medical questions 8-9 a.m. PST Monday thru Friday
916-489-4400        KwikerMedical.com        StayingHealthyToday.com

"Sign-Up for Kirk's "Healthy Living Tips" Here!