A COUNTRY ROAD

A COUNTRY ROAD

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Walking the Line - Northfield Clinic, Texarkana, AR

When I think back over the years since I became interested in nutraceuticals and natural health in general, very few influences were of any more importance than that of Dan Martin in Texarkana, AR. Down in the Red River Valley just east of the state line separating Arkansas and Texas, not to mention the bike ride from Louisiana, is a true pioneer of alternative health in Arkansas. His clinic, Northfield Clinic, is named for the Girl Scout Council that used to own the building he practices in today. He has been practicing for over 12 years and I'm proud to say our relationship is now approaching its 6th year. He practices Oriental Medicine, graduated from Beijing University, China and has written several books on advanced Oriental Medical procedures. His integrative approach to intravenous nutrition, chelation, oxidative medicine as well as photophoresis make him one of kind. Alot of my approach to formulating products and my position on professional guidance in nutraceutical use can be attributed to my relationship with Dan. My exposure to Oriental Medicine is almost exclusive of his input, he is a valued friend and in more than one instance, has been a great mentor in developing quality products that make a difference. He has a very successful track record in treating Cancer (12 years), Heart Problems, Yeast/Candida issues, HIV/AIDS and headaches/migraines. He has publicly championed improved regulations in the Arkansas State legislature as President of the Arkansas Association of Oriental Medicine. There are more patient references for Dan Martin, OMD, DOM than any one person should need. Contact Him at 619 E. 6th Street, Texarkana, AR 71854 or call him 870-772-8622 either way you'll be glad you did.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Comment: Vitamin C - Cancer - Chemotherapy

Don,

As a former Biochemist, I appreciate you clarifying the media’s continual misinterpretation of scientific studies. It is a pervasive problem. I would like to add as you suggested that the concentrations of Vit. C the cells are exposed to is still very high from my understanding and not likely to occur in the body. Most oral Vit. C is quickly disposed of in the body in excrements. Circulatory blood concentrations have not been established. In fact, there is no definitive data at all on Vit. C except that it may cause problems for females taken at high doses due to its acidic nature. This is due to a pH balance which needs to be maintained in the female urinary/reproductive tract.

Nobel Laureate, Linus Pauling was a big proponent of mega doses of Vitamin C and studies in his later life were dedicated to Vit. C and health. He was unable to find definitive answers. In fact today, scientists within the Pauling Institute continue these studies with no clear recommendations.

Tammy Rechtin, Ph.D.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Full Examination of Vitamin C - Cancer - Chemotherapy

Recent headlines and stories about the adverse effects of Vitamin C on the efficacy of chemotherapy have been taken to task by such credible health organizations as the Health Science Institute, as well as several universities with well established cancer research centers. The argument is that not only is the study and its resulting conclusion wrong, but that many other researchers are drawing a vastly different conclusion: that vitamin C therapy might turn out to be a very effective way to fight cancer. A recent study from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center stated "Vitamin C Reduces Benefits of Cancer Drugs" . For the record Sloan-Kettering is a top-notched organization committed to the control and treatment of cancer. They are one of those organizations that don’t get it wrong very often. But a comprehensive Q & A has not been done, every news organization has accepted and ran with the findings without asking one question. Things that make you go Hmmmm.
More and more agree that the argument that antioxidants disrupt chemotherapy has one major element left out: diet. Chemotherapy creates free radicals that attack cancer cells. Antioxidants subvert chemotherapy by subverting free radicals. So if your one of the those people who work hard to get a diet consisting of a large variety of whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, that diet will be abundant in antioxidants. So, as put forth by Jenny Thompson of Health Science Institute - “during chemotherapy, should you change your diet and eat all your meals at McDonald's to avoid antioxidant intake?” And I agree with her conclusion to her own question: preposterous. As reported by Ms. Thompson, the Sloan Kettering study is actually a two-parter. In part one, a lab study, researchers exposed cancer cells to DHA (which they say is the form of vitamin C that reaches cells) while other cancer cells were unexposed. When several types of cancer drugs were applied to the cells, the drugs were less effective in killing DHA-treated cells. In part two, mice induced with cancer were given vitamin C, then chemotherapy, which was less effective compared to mice that were not given vitamin C.The mouse, is one of many animals whose bodies naturally produce vitamin C. You and I, our bodies don't produce vitamin C. But mice do, so any vitamin C study involving mice really has no bearing at all on what vitamin C does in a human body. She goes on to cite an editorial in The Gazette (a Montreal newspaper), “McGill University cancer researcher L. John Hoffer, M.D., shot down part one of the SK research, noting that DHA was mixed with cells "in a concentration that never exists in nature." According to Thompson, Dr. Hoffer goes on to note the 23 studies in which vitamin C has inhibited or killed cancer cells. In 13 of those studies, vitamin C (sometimes coupled with other antioxidants) actually INCREASED the efficacy of chemotherapy. Some of those studies also showed that noncancerous cells were protected. In addition, there are nearly 20 clinical trials in which antioxidant supplementation didn't compromise chemotherapy, while several trials showed a clear benefit. In one study where vitamin C improved chemo efficacy, added DHA decreased the benefit. In Thompson’s article Dr. Hoffer makes a statement that is a fact that should be shared as the gospel; "Flawed reports…alarm and mislead patients and can undermine the credibility of the serious and valid clinical research that is so necessary to improve cancer therapy."

Like my father always said, “Boys don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see, - without asking all the right questions.

Keep eating fruits and vegetables and when necessary supplement with Vitamin C – Better safe than sorry. DwB†

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Head For The Mountains - Fain's Herbacy, Eureka Springs

What drives a brillant PhD out of a lucrative practice in California to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Most people in Eureka Springs don't care, they're just glad he and his herbacy are on Main St.. Dr. Jim Fain has not only operated his herbacy, but taught at the High School, wrote for the local paper, and been the number one advocate for natural health in that beautiful little town of 1,200 and surrounding area for many years. His expertise and consistent record of advice have made him the "go to guy" for many in these parts for years. I have worked with Jim since March of 2003, I throughly enjoy our near weekly conversations about our industry, the Ozarks, Arkansas, cooking, the lakes, homemade wine & brandys, etc.....

His ability to understand people who seek him out is uncanny, his depth of knowledge on health alternatives incredible. If you find yourself in Eureka Springs, Arkansas stop by Fain's Herbacy, 61 N. Main St., or call him 479-253-5687. on the web: http//stores.ebay.com/defyaging