Healthcare Hacks

Apple Cider Vinegar and Diabetes

Fred Lee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:43:51 -0400

The popularly held notion that apple cider vinegar has healthful qualities is gaining acceptance in the scientific community. In fact, this commonly held household item may help people suffering from type-2 diabetes while also helping to lower blood glucose levels and lose weight.

Type-2 diabetes, also known as adult onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is the most common form of the disorder, affecting an estimated 90%-95% of the over 21 million diabetics. In the past, it has primarily affected adults, but children now account for an alarming number of cases.

Type-2 diabetics, unlike type-1’s, still produce insulin, except that they either produce too little, or their bodies are resistant to it. When insulin doesn’t do its job, our bodies can’t break down sugar, and instead of getting used up by our cells, the glucose builds up in the blood, leading to a number of health problems. Though there is no cure for type-2 diabetes, it can be managed with medication and by maintaining proper glucose levels through exercise and proper diet.

In an article published in the journal, Diabetes Care, researchers found that apple cider vinegar was effective at tempering the rise in blood sugar after a high carbohydrate meal. In addition to the subjects who had fully diagnosed type-2 diabetes, the beneficial effects were seen in participants who had a pre-diabetic conditions (i.e., insulin resistance) as well as the control group.

In another study, apple cider vinegar was found to lower the fasting levels of blood glucose (during sleep) in people with type-2 diabetes, with the most substantial drops occurring in the subjects with the highest initial glucose levels.

The researchers point out that due to the small scale of the studies, more work needs to be done before any concrete conclusions can be made, but the findings are intriguing, nonetheless, especially in light of the fact that not all vinegars are created equal. Indeed, it seems that only apple cider vinegar works.

Because of this, some researchers speculate that the secret lies not in the vinegar itself, but in the apples, which are known to carry a whole array of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar is derived from the juice squeezed from apples, and whether or not it’s the fermentation process or the juice itself, nobody knows.

Before embarking on an apple cider vinegar diet, consult a dietician or speak with your physician, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. And keep in mind, many of the nutrients in apples are lost to processing, so if you are shopping around for a good apple cider vinegar, look for something less processed and more natural, even organic if you can find it.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider

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Music Is Good For Your Brain

Fred Lee — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:26:36 -0400

By Fred Lee

Music is good for the soul, as the saying goes, and most of us are familiar with its influence on our moods. There is, however, a growing understanding of music’s palliative effect on a number of brain-based conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, aphasia, and Alzheimer’s disease, whereby music seems to aid in restoring motor coordination, communication, as well as cognition.

The brain is an exceptionally complex organ, which makes treating neural conditions particularly difficult. Music, however, is an ideal complement to conventional therapies in that it is simple, non-invasive and, at least for most people, enjoyable. Experts believe that listening to music, besides making us feel good, might possibly rewire the brain and find new pathways for neural signals to travel.

According to the National Aphasia Foundation, patients suffering from strokes are encouraged to sing words rather than say them as part of their speech therapy. The treatment, known as melodic intonation therapy (MIT), is used regularly in people suffering from brain injuries and is believed to bridge the divide between the left and right sides of the brain, where language and music are processed, respectively.

A study published in the journal Brain found that when stroke patients combined music (of their choice) with their regular therapy, not only was their mood lifted, but their verbal memory and focused attention benefited. Researchers believe that music directly stimulates recovery of the damaged regions while also enhancing parts of the brain that are responsible for pleasure, arousal, motivation and memory.

Researchers have also found that music can benefit people suffering from other neural afflictions. At Colorado State University, they are using music as a therapy for Parkinson's disease because it seems to influence the balance center of the brain while stimulating the production of dopamine, which is known to be deficient in people suffering from the disorder. Music and its rhythmic cues are also used as a means for patients to improve their movement and balance.

Musical memory also seems to be more resilient than other forms of memory, especially in the aftermath of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As a consequence, music can be an effective tool in helping these individuals, as well.

All of these events are increasing the potential for a fundamental change in the approach to mental rehabilitation, though for now, because the health benefits are largely anecdotal, music therapy remains somewhat on the fringe of standard neurological care. That may very well change as more clinical evidence is obtained and the field of music therapy gains credibility as they fine tune their methods.

Permalink | 2 comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Outside the Medical Box, Mind and body

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Gene Therapy to Help Fight Obesity

Fred Lee — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:31:31 -0400

By Fred Lee

Researchers out of Ohio State University are experimenting with gene therapy as way to help control obesity by tapping into the key feeding and weight control centers of the brain. The procedure involves the use of the gene that expresses hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which has been shown to help reduce fat mass and body weight by increasing insulin sensitivity.

BDNF is a neural growth factor, or neurotrophin, that acts on the neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous system, though it has been found in a variety of organs, including the kidneys and prostate. In the brain, it is most active in areas that are responsible higher thinking processes, including learning and memory. BDNF also functions to support existing tissue while encouraging growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses.

While most of the cells in the human brain are formed at birth, certain areas retain stem cells that are able to differentiate into mature neurons, a process that is stimulated and controlled by neurotrophins like BDNF. It has been suggested, based on work done in animal models, that exercise increases the secretion of BDNF in human brains.

In the gene therapy study, a BDNF expressing gene was injected directly into the hypothalamus of three test groups of mice: a normal group, a diabetic group, and a group that was fed a high fat diet. The genes produced BDNF until a stable target weight was successfully reached. The expression of BDNF was modulated by a special micro RNA technique that kicked into gear in response to BDNF induced physiological changes so that excessive weight loss would not occur, mimicking the feedback loop mechanism that occurs naturally in our bodies.

The authors of the study feel the results are encouraging and are in the process of seeking FDA approval to begin testing the procedure in humans. And while they feel that further studies need to be done, the findings nonetheless represent a potentially promising new method to help combat the problem of obesity.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), obesity rates over the past 25 years have doubled in adults and tripled in children. Currently there are more than 72 million people who are obese, which includes more than one third of U.S. adult population and over 16% of the children. Obesity can reduce one’s life expectancy and is linked to a number of diseases which include heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Patient Insider

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Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: When Being Negative Isn't So Positive

Liora Hess — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:10:48 -0400

By Liora Hess

So you've gotten your test results: triple-negative breast cancer. Negative--that's good, right?

Unfortunately, this is one of those times that negative results aren't so positive. This form of breast cancer is named "triple-negative" because the tumor lacks the three receptors for the hormones estrogen, progesterone or Her-2/neu. Some other facts about TNBC:

Approximately 15% of the 180,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer every year have triple-negative breast cancer.

Younger premenopausal women and black, Latina, and Asian women account for a disproportionately high percentage of women diagnosed with TNBC.

Treatment options are more limited than with other types of breast cancer. Because the tumor is not being fed by hormones, treatment options are limited to lumpectomy or mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Hormone receptor-targeted treatments, such as Tamoxifen and Aromasin, have no effect.

Depending on staging at diagnosis, triple-negative tumors tend to be aggressive and have a much higher rate of distant recurrence (metastasis) than other breast cancers. The rate of recurrence continues to be higher for the first five years after diagnosis.

The facts can be scary, but don't assume all is lost if you're diagnosed with TNBC. Because these cancers tend to be very fast growing (also called "high-grade"), they tend to respond well to chemotherapy.

A new class of drugs called PARP-inhibitors targets the damaged cancer cells, resulting in their death or increased vulnerability to chemotherapy. In a high percentage of cases in which PARP-inhibitors were added to the treatment regimen, tumors shrank.

Furthermore, research is currently being conducted that offers the hope of a vaccination that targets the MUC-1 protein found in breast cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer. Researchers seem to agree that within 5 to 10 years, the medical community will have a much better understanding of this subtype of breast cancer as well as specific, targeted therapies available to treat women who are diagnosed.

Support abounds for women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. The Young Survival Coalition is dedicated to issues surrounding breast cancer in women age 40 and younger.

Additionally, there is support specifically for those diagnosed with TNBC. The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 2005. Its mission is to "to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their effort to determine the definitive causes of triple negative breast cancer, so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved."

Other groups, like Susan G. Komen for the Cure, are helpful for general support, research and funding for all breast cancers.

Permalink | 1 comment | Liora Hess's blog | Channel: Patient Insider

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Stem Cell Regeneration in Muscles

Fred Lee — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:20:12 -0400

By Fred Lee

Scientists may have found a novel method to help regenerate muscle by stimulating the formation of stem cells responsible for growth, repair, and regeneration of damaged tissue. The findings out of Canada could open up powerful new ways in which to treat degenerative conditions such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia

Stem cells give rise to all of the tissue and organs in our body. Specialized ones known as satellite stem cells actually reside in the muscles and are precursors to new tissue. Under normal, healthy circumstances, they are dormant and do not undergo cell division or growth. However, they become activated in the event of trauma or disease and undergo differentiation to become mature cells.

By exploiting a specialized protein known as Wnt7a, researchers were actually able to increase the number of active satellite stem cells in animal models, resulting in bigger and stronger muscles, with tissue mass increasing by as much as 20%. Though there is still a lot work that needs to be done, the research may help scientists develop important new ways to treat muscular degeneration, or atrophy, which is becoming a growing problem in a society where inactivity is becoming more common.

Most people experience some degree of muscular decline with age, a condition known as sarcopenia. As we grow older and are less active, the regenerative process becomes less efficient and muscle is gradually replaced with fat, which can lead to weakness and frailty. Though the condition is generally not life-threatening, it can severely limit a person’s mobility and range of motion, thus increasing their risk for accidents and injury.

In addition to the normal aging process, the most common causes of atrophy are diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, and injury. However, lifestyle choices are becoming an increasingly significant problem. Even though for many people, being inactive is simply a part of the recovery process from injury or disease, a growing number of people are choosing to be sedentary, opting to spend time in front of the TV or computer rather than be active. Coupled with unhealthy dietary choices, the situation can worsen over time and could adversely affect their quality of life.

Whatever be the cause, the new findings represent hope to people suffering from muscular degeneration, but there are in fact ways to help lessen the severity of these conditions and maybe even avoid them altogether. Exercise is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to build strength and stamina, and a healthy diet is a means to this end. Together they can potentially prepare you body for any unforeseen injuries or illnesses that seem to be an inevitable par of life.

Best of all, it doesn’t take much, and could simply require sacrificing an hour or two of “screen time” for a few days a week, and eating a healthier diet. So consult an expert about your options. Speak with your physician or talk to a nutritionist to get some advice about an exercise plan that best suits you, and whatever you do, get out there and move around a little. Break a sweat, if you can, and surround yourself with other active people.

Chances are you could very well look and feel better, and you just might have a lot of fun. You never know, stranger things have happened.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Stem cells

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Moving Forward, Climbing Rocks

amybscher — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:14:18 -0400

By amybscher

I’ve been trying to update this blog for a few weeks now since I know some of you have been wondering what happened after my last post with the somber’ish mood. As a reminder, it was the one where I was consuming ridiculous amounts of food and trying to decipher if the short period of pain I experienced was instigated by an overzealous exercise program or possibly by a Lyme flare. I’m still not positive of what caused the very temporary (five-day) madness I experienced. Times like last month test me in so many ways, but ultimately it is the trust in myself I am reminded I must I hold tight to.

A few people last month commented on my reaction to what I went through as being a test of my faith in the stem cells, my health, etc. They have somehow decided if I were to even briefly consider that once in awhile, things may not be perfect in a body that has just recently stabilized from a living hell, I have lost faith or given into fear. I believe whole-heartedly that the only fear that can injure you, is fear that is repressed. Stare it in its face, acknowledge its presence and then let it go - and it will dissolve. Pretend it’s not there, and it will kick you down. Despite my amazing mind-body connection and the absolute confidence that I know myself better than anyone else ever could, I got well meaning advice galore from those around me who insisted it was definitely not Lyme, but rather one of various other possibilities from a long list (from the full moon to “retracing,” which is a process that can be likened to the healing crisis). Many people tried to lovingly reassure me (good) but there are always the 'know it alls' who are telling you (bad). It's funny how people can take such a defensive ownership...in someone else's life.

My default thought for times like those are.....'it's probably not Lyme, but what if it is?' I live by the motto, however sometimes lackadaisically, 'better safe than sorry.'

I kind of feel like this deserves an explanation to clarify the difference between post disease fear-driven paranoia and basic common sense. I do not constantly worry about Lyme. In fact, it rarely crosses my mind as an option for any physical symptom that may arise anymore. Headache? I must be dehydrated. Stomach hurts? Too much candy. Tired? I do too much and sleep too little. So, when I wonder about Lyme, it is because I refuse to be the hero that ‘missed all the signs’ because she was so busy trying not to worry about it that she lost all logic. I’ve met those people and they don’t win the race any faster. I had a short nine months of antibiotic therapy before I went to India for stem cells. I know people who have been on antibiotics for 5+ years that still have an active infection. It’s not unreasonable of me to consider that I might need more along the way to maintain where I am. I would rather be honest than stupid.

So, armored with ‘I know best’ ammunition, I ended up making an appointment with my doctor to decide what to do about the ‘whatever happened’ incident (which I have now officially renamed the entire episode). By the time I had the appointment, my only remaining symptom was intuition. It wasn’t necessarily intuition that the Lyme was back, but rather intuition that a short dose of antibiotics would be the right thing – protection IF there was a Lyme flare and peace of mind if there wasn’t.

Even with my doctor’s aggressive treatment style, it was decided I’d go on only 7 days of antibiotics a month, the week before my menstrual cycle which is when ‘whatever happened’ last month, happened. This month was a breeze – no symptoms, no reactions to the meds, no nothing. I am full of energy, still chasing random stem cell craving induced concoctions, and traveling and working without consequence.

Wanting to go back on meds brought me back to so much of how I struggled over the years with the concept that if I simply believe the Lyme could not conquer me, it couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea. I believe in it to a great extent; and live my life in a way where Lyme attacks cross my mind only very occasionally anymore, because I do believe a strong body and mind cannot be conquered. But, there is also reality. There is reality that I simply cannot forget (nor would I want to) how much of the disease is a part of me, in a historical sense really. How it has helped mold me into the person I am, the survivor I knew I’d one day be. Because of that, I have come to a place where I refuse to abuse this amazing blessing of health by simply ignoring the delicateness of it all. This is a brand new place for me.

Six months ago I had a scathing face anytime a dose of 'maintenance' or 'safety' medication was brought up, or I came to a situation where I didn’t think I was strong enough physically or otherwise. But one of the sweetest people in my life has recently said something to me that I'm not sure I've ever considered with my eternal stubbornness. She said that sometimes not being strong, is the strongest thing you can be. The inability to be weak has always been one of my greatest weaknesses but it suddenly seems so much less scary. It’s a lesson that no doubt is hard for me to swallow, but I get it. And coming from one of the strongest people I know, I’m going to take it as absolute truth. Thank you C for making me see things in a new light (we know it's a challenge).

So, I have decided this: I will do ANYTHING to never get back to where I once was. Let it be fueled by a healthy amount of fear that reminds me I am not invincible. Let it be powered by enough strength to let me live without the worry but also enough to admit when I do. But most importantly, let me be patient enough with others to just listen to them and realize they are well meaning but this is still my body and my life. I am thankfully grounded enough to continue on the path I am on despite the rocks in the road – for I have taken a few wrong turns but many many more right ones.

By my sister-in-law’s encouragement (ok, borderline nagging) one day while watching her at her rock climbing gym, I caved into her pleas for me to try it with a hesitant “okay, I will.” Fully unprepared in jeans, I put on the harness, listened to a quick lesson from her and went for it. I was floored by my ease in scaling up the wall even with my slight setback last month. I was totally fearless about the height despite being scared to dizziness on a gondola ride just weeks before at the Santa Cruz pier (albeit being securely fastened in the seat). I think it reconfirmed how much I trust myself (ok, and my sister-in-law too as she was holding the safety rope in case I fell). It reminded me that I am safe in my own hands; that I have gotten myself this far, to a place where I was pulling my own weight up a wall of rocks. The same weight that just a couple of years ago, I could hardly lift off the couch some days.

I know you need strength and balance to rock climb – two things I didn’t have before my stem cell treatments. But, it also reminded me of some very important lessons that perhaps are more instrumental than muscles and important for more than just times on a rock:

Try to reach the top, no matter how high it may seem.

Always wear comfy clothes so you are ready for whatever may come.

Never ever look down; it’s the wrong way.

Rock climbing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvfbszjqSfY.

Permalink | 1 comment | amybscher's blog | Channel: The India Story, Amy's journey, Stem cells

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Wading Through the Maze of Medical Contradictions

Fred Lee — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:58:57 -0400

By Fred Lee

When it comes to understanding what all the medical research is telling us, sometimes it can feel akin to finding your way through a maze of medical contradictions, as touched upon in an article in the New York Times. At one point we’re told that one thing is good for our health, only to be told later that it simply wasn’t the case.

The example used in the article is that of beta carotene, but one need look only so far as the health headlines over the years to find countless examples which include coffee, margarine, oat bran, omega-3 fatty acids, and of course, red wine. So why the world of discrepancy, and what’s the general public supposed to believe?

Well, the answer, unfortunately, is not always so simple, and the issue of who to blame is equally unclear.

Medical science seeks to answer the questions of an exceptionally complex system, the human body, but it cannot test their theories directly in people (heaven forbid), and must instead rely on models to answer their questions.

Medical models can be incredibly informative and can yield enormous amounts of useful information, but they are limited by the fact that they can only look at one issue at a time in order to be truly valid. In other words, to understand why diets rich in fruits and vegetables are healthy, they cannot possibly study all the different vegetables in unison, there would be too many things to consider, and the conclusions would be useless.

Instead, they must decide what the one common factor is that all fruits and vegetables might share, and then look at that one component while keeping all other issues (or variables) constant.

In studying the effects of beta carotene between two people, you could compare different levels of its consumption, but you would have to try your best to keep all other things equal, including lifestyle, culture, demographics, and consumption of all other foods. After all, if one person drank alcohol, smoked, and led a stressful life while the other did not, you can see how different the results might be. Then again, you can also see where this might fall short in terms of understanding something as complex as the human body. Medical models ultimately suffer because they oversimplify what goes on inside of us and make assumptions that aren’t necessarily true in real life.

This, of course, was the case with beta carotene, whereby the clinical trials refuted and even contradicted the conclusions drawn from the models.

Unfortunately, medical science is filled with examples of this. In fact, it might even be said that it is more common than not, and it is the public who ultimately suffers from the inundation of contradictory information designed to help us be healthier, when it actually muddles the issues, leaving us scratching our heads in confusion.

The situation is aggravated by the media, who have a profound influence on our perceptions and, by extension, our decisions. While it may be said that they are simply reporting the information that is presented to them, they can also be guilty at times of taking things out of context, as well as selectively sensationalizing certain topics and catering to certain interests.

So what are we supposed to do?

It is important to always remember that medical science yields a great deal of relevant and pertinent information that we as a society have benefited immensely from. In fact, medical science has changed the course of human existence and allowed us to live the quality of life that we enjoy today.

But like all information, it is important to embrace it with a grain of salt and rather than jump on every bandwagon that comes your way, stop and consider where the information came from and what it means to you, especially when it sends you conflicting messages.

It is instructive to bear in mind that in the past, good health had a lot to do with time tested traditions that our parents, and their parents and so on, passed along for generations, and can be traced to a few simple concepts of eating a variety of healthy foods, having strong communities, and surrounding yourself with friends and family while avoiding too much stress; concepts that are just as valid today and can be found in practice in many parts of the world.

In the end, our goal should be to live long, healthy, and happy lives, and medical science’s goal is to help us achieve that end. It’s just that in many instances, it simply boils down to a little common sense.

Then again, steaming might be a healthier option. At least that’s what I’ve read.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Prevention, Outside the Medical Box, Things your doctor might not tell you, Beyond science

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Too Much Salt in Our Diets

Fred Lee — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:19:44 -0400

By Fred Lee

You may or may not be aware of this, but Americans eat too much salt. According to a recent article in Time, the American Medical Association (AMA) says we consume up to 9 to 12 grams per day, which adds up to twice our daily recommended intake. That’s a lot of excess sodium that we’re putting into our bodies, and as many of us already know, that can increase our risk of a whole host of serious health disorders, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

But even a slight reduction in our consumption could have profound benefits. By examining health trends in heart disease over time, the AMA has estimated that lowering our daily salt intake by as little as 1 gram (or 40 mg of sodium) could save as many as 30,000 lives from coronary heart disease over the next ten years.

Cutting our consumption in half could save as many as 150,000 people from premature death each year, with women and African Americans experiencing the biggest gains from such action.

Unfortunately, cutting back on salt may not be as simple as it seems. We’ve reached a point where we are either too accustomed to salty flavor that we crave it in our food, or we are unaware that it is even there because it is hidden away in processed and prepared foods.

Indeed, it turns out that elevated levels of sodium are sequestered in the most unlikely of places, from sliced bread to breakfast cereals. And when eating foods fast food or in restaurants, then it goes without saying that it’s difficult to know what you’re eating. It is a good bet, however, that in the interest of flavor, most eating establishments are not about to start putting health concerns first.

The situation is further aggravated by the fact that processed foods and fast foods have become so prevalent in our lives. Besides being widely available, they are tasty, and for the most part, cheap. This has lead some experts to feel that the only way to address the problem would be through a government led change in policy and education, which would require the cooperation of the food industry.

That might not be such an easy sell to restaurants and the makers of processed foods, who’s bottom line is money. Besides, the case can be made that they are simply catering to our demand for salty (and high fat) foods. Furthermore, our bodies actually need sodium to survive.

So the impetus lies with, the consumer, to be aware and know what we’re eating. The information is out there, it’s simply up to us to find it, and in most instances, it can be fairly intuitive. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables (provided that you don’t add excess salt to them) instead of fast food and processed foods, and whenever possible, cook meals from home, where you can keep track of what’s going in.

And whatever you do, don’t let the seductive lure of convenience deceive you, because in the long run it could end up costing you even more.

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Curry: The Ultimate Cure For Stem Cell Craziness

amybscher — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:28:13 -0400

By amybscher

These are not food cravings. This is food compulsion. I am convinced.

I am back in my pajamas at 2 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon watching the movie Seven Pounds (which makes me cry every time), and dripping in Indian food. It is the latest must have that strikes every couple of days like clockwork. Yesterday was Chinese food. The day before? Cottage cheese and chocolate; alternate bites. Afternoons bring coffee (decaf of course) desperation. It used to be one cup a week. Now, it's two a day with vanilla creamer in a regular glass, not a coffee cup. The intensity of the insanity comes in waves. There are times I can eat just anything and be fine. And then, there are the other times which belong in a category all their own. These times are ones like now, where I have curry much too close to my laptop, and enough food in the kitchen from an Indian restaurant I drove over 30 minutes in the rain to pick up food from, to feed four of me. These are ‘stem cell cravings.’ I have no one in my life these days willing to support my impulsive craziness for these needs. My family seems to see them as wants but it goes deeper so I am on my own – apparently in the rain and in the car and in my pj’s…just hoping no other urges strike tonight.

I have been riding an emotional (and possibly part hormonal) roller coaster lately. And in addition, my ankles and knees have decided to scare the hell out of me by hurting. I broke the one cardinal rude of Dr. Ashish’s which is most likely the reason for all of this: don’t overdo it. But alas, I never listen, and then I worry. I have an internal drive to overdo everything and anything because to me, that is the race to beyond post-Lyme. The finish line is the place where I almost can’t see it sitting in my past anymore; when I can get far enough ahead that the thoughts of what it could do if ever to return are gone, and I can feel totally safe. That point will be beyond a disease that destroyed relationships and my body and pretty much everything but my spirit. I have forgotten what it feels like to be sick. But, I still want more...to forget what it feels like to fear its return, even if the fear only visits on occassion now.

A couple of weeks ago, I started a new exercise program, in hopes of helping me sleep more soundly, and getting my body to a stronger place. Well, in true Amy style, I didn’t start slow – I jumping jacked and lunged myself a little too ambitiously perhaps, giving my body no time to adjust after years and years of tattered joints and tendons and destroyed muscles. I often forget how deconditioned I might be deep down on the inside. And I think I’m paying now. On the other hand, painful tendons and joints are one of my classic Lyme symptoms. And even though I started feeling the pain around the same time as I stepped up my exercise, it still pulls that part of me inside that….well, wonders ‘what if?’ The timing is slightly eerie as I’ve been feeling the invisible tug on my arm that tells me it’s time for more Lyme testing. It was agreed upon by my doctors not long ago that I’d do it again, around now. I finished a 6-week round of antibiotics about a month ago without a touch of a problem. No herx reaction, no Lyme? One would like to think. But I always toy with the question, “how much is enough?” Should I have done 8 weeks? Or another medication? And no one, even the best doctors in the U.S., have the answers.

As I was sitting and waiting for my Indian food drinking chai (offered to me by the owner after I divulged I’ve been to Delhi, three times now), I realized my cravings for Indian food represent so much more than just food. My body is craving the nutrients it needs to support my baby stem cells growth but also, it is craving more. It craves the absolute freedom and safety I feel in the other world I miss so much – India. I discovered so much of my life there – spirit, love, undying hope. Delhi is dirty and crowded and chaotic and everything I hate – but I am absolutely and utterly, taken by the city. I feel torn when I’m in the states, like something is missing. It can’t be explained unless you’ve been there, and maybe not even then. You either hate it, or love it. And even if you love it, you hate to love it. So unique, that even in its depths of despair and extremes, it has the most beautiful aura; one uniquely its own. Fellow patients and family members will be shaking their heads in agreement when they read this. The food, with it’s spiciness and sweetness and rich texture calms my cravings instantly, but also my soul. I feel at home. I am reminded that everything will be ok and that fear is no longer bigger than survival – of Lyme, or of anything else.

My energy and stamina are strong and although my ‘what if?’ worries fall by the wayside more and more with time, I realize I need reminders to keep them at bay. Sometimes it creeps in, at times like this. Times when I’m having trouble walking up and down the same stairs I was running on two weeks ago. Patients often ask me if I’m “totally normal” now and I, without thought, always say “yes.” But moments like today remind me I still have a little ways to go. This is a slow process and sometimes I think the body heals at a faster pace than the mind. Actually, I know it does.

I left the Indian restaurant with a box full of to-go food packed ironically, in a Corona beer box, and saw that I was getting a parking ticket as I walked down the street. In my chai induced state of bliss, I ran over to the officer and said “Wait….I was just getting Indian food. I really needed it. I miss India. I lost track of time.” She looked at me confused and said, “Well, your meter ran out.” I politely responded with, “I won’t try to argue. I get it. I really needed this food so I guess it's worth the ticket.” I put my hand out to take it. She looked at me with confusion, cocked her head to the side as if she were thinking deeply and bargained with me: “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to let you go but put some extra money in the meter next time, ok?” I thanked her and hurried into the car. While sifting through my wallet when I parked, I found more rupees than quarters, which is why there wasn’t more in the meter in the first place. I grabbed the garlic naan out of the Corona box, tucked it in the front seat with me for the drive home and giggled to myself, proud for having escaped a ticket. KARMA.

I am now fed and happy and re-charged. The Hindi music that was playing in the restaurant dances in my head. I still see the shades of pink and yellow that adorned the tables, and my answer of what to do next about the impending fear just came to me so clearly, it's like someone whispered it in my ear.

Her name is Neo.

I met her in India.

And it changed my life forever.

I know you want more, but I can't give an explanation that will do the experience justice at the moment.

She asked me the first time I met her what my biggest fear was. And I said, "Lyme returns," as if it is a horror movie which tries to keep itself alive with sequels. And she said two things with the most determined straight face:

"So what?? If it returns, you will heal yourself again just like you did before" and "the disease served its purpose in your life. You don't need it anymore so it has no reason to return."

They are the two most intelligent things anyone has ever said to me in all those years of struggle. Maybe the two most intelligent things anyone has said to me ever. When I remember her words and the absolute force in which she said them, my entire body relaxes into this safe place that I cannot even begin to explain.

Curry. A Skype appointment with Neo. And some more time in my jammies. Perfect.

If I can’t get to Delhi on this Saturday afternoon to bake in the humidity, marvel at the people packed streets where everyone still has room to smile, complain to Dr. Shroff and have her say “don’t worry, you are fine” in a tone that drives me crazy but screams you don't have to believe it but you do have to listen, and stop at my favorite flower stand for tuberose, then these are the next best things.

Oh yes. And one more plate of Indian food to seal the deal. Ahhh, I feel better already.

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Note: More information about Neo and her amazing EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can be found here: http://www.astrology-neo.com/index.html

Also, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail if you have any questions: editor@healthcarehacks.com.

Permalink | 3 comments | amybscher's blog | Channel: The India Story, Amy's journey, Stem cells

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A Novel Approach to Fighting Influenza

Fred Lee — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:03:33 -0400

By Fred Lee

Researchers at Harvard believe that they may have found a novel approach to battle influenza, the virus that causes both swine and avian flu, as reported in the New York Times.

Swine flu is caused by the influenza A virus H1N1 (avian flu is caused by the same family of virus, but is of a different subtype, H5N1) with the H and N referring to the surface proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, respectively. Both proteins reside on the surface of the virus and serve specific functions for it’s survival and propagation.

Antiviral therapy against flu include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Releva), which are neuraminidase inhibitors. They act on the neuraminidase protein and block the virus from leaving the cell and spreading.

The ideal situation, however, would be to have a vaccine that could be administered proactively before the outbreak of the disease. The current flu vaccine is based, like virtually all vaccines, on the concept of recognition. By exposing our bodies to an killed or weakened form of the virus, our immune systems are primed and ready when the actual exposure occurs.

This recognition is based on what the body can first “see” once we are exposed to the invaders. Unfortunately, there are two primary species of the flu virus (influenza A & B) to contend with, and within influenza A (which impacts humans the most), there are several different sub-types based on the variability in the hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). To date, there are sixteen different known types of hemagglutinin alone (H1-H16).

All this variability makes the decision on how to vaccinate the public a bit of a guessing game. Not only must they decide which species will appear (A or B?), but they must also try to determine which sub-type within the influenza A species it will be. Consequently, the actual vaccine, which must be changed every year, is a mixture that represents the best estimate of what might appear come flu season.

To complicate this matter further, the exposed region of the hemagglutinin surface proteins that is most readily visible to our immune system (think of it as a lollipop with the exposed region being the head) mutates constantly, so by the time a vaccine is chosen and distributed, the virus could have changed enough to render it ineffective.

Now, however, they may have developed a novel way to address these complications. It turns out that the while the tip of the hemagglutinin protein goes through a great deal of mutation, there is a sequestered region near the base that does not (the handle of the lollipop). Because this area is conserved, targeting it gets around the problem of mutation.

By exposing the base of the protein and then binding it with an engineered antibody (a protein that attaches to viral surface markers), the virus was able to enter the cell but incapable of reproducing. In fact, the antibody therapy proved effective against both the H1 and H5 subtypes and provided protection against the flu in 80% of the cases using animal models.

The approach is not without its limitations, however. There is, of course, the problem of exposing the “handle of the lollipop.” Furthermore, because the flu is so variable, there are other strains and subtypes to consider, including H3 and B, so a vaccine is still in the works. As a therapy, however, the researchers say the treatment is ready to go, though further testing for safety and efficacy in humans by the FDA will be needed.

Even still, the results represent a promising step in the right direction, and with the current swine flu outbreak reaching a pandemic level, timing is of the essence. With the influenza tied to an estimated 36,000 deaths per year, and the growing concern over a global pandemic of avian flu, the public health implications are enormous.

If you have questions or concerns about swine flu, check out the CDC website for more information. If you feel you may have been exposed to swine flu, consult your physician and find out what your treatment options are. In most cases in this country, the symptoms thus far have been manageable and treatable with oseltamivir or zanamivir.

Permalink | Comments | Fred Lee's blog | Channel: Prevention

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