Vice Squad

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Vice Squad

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:16:33 -0500

 

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Vice Squad

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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January 31, 2006

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

Vice President Cheney recently visited the hospital when he

experienced shortness of breath. This was apparently a minor crisis,

but it demonstrates the dilemma of treating pain with non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

Representatives for Mr. Cheney told the New York Times that the VP's

shallow breathing was the result of fluid buildup in his lungs, caused

by an anti-inflammatory drug. He'd been using the drug to address pain

from chronic foot problems that include tendonitis and possibly gout.

 

As most people are aware, Mr. Cheney's health is complicated by a

serious heart condition that's being treated with a host of drugs,

according to the Times. But if his foot pain is mostly gout related,

maybe someone from his medical team will have the wisdom to add a

simple home remedy to his drug regimen.

 

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Bowl of cherries

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An HSI member named Max apparently has something in common with the

Vice President. Max recently sent an e-mail with this simple request:

" What is good for Gout? "

 

To answer that question I'll start with the culprit: uric acid.

 

Most gout patients have inherited a genetic condition that inhibits

the excretion of uric acid. Kidney failure and a high intake of

diuretic drugs or diuretic foods (such as liver) can also cause this

problem. The other precursor of gout - the excessive production of

uric acid - is triggered by hereditary factors too, as well as

excessive alcohol consumption and obesity.

 

In the e-Alert " Bowl of Cherries " (1/28/04), I told you about a

colleague of mine here at HSI named Ramsey who has coped with gout for

several years. When Ramsey was first diagnosed he did some research

and came across what was described as an old wives tale: Cherries

relieve gout. The source he found said to eat two pounds of cherries

at the onset of an attack. That's a lot of cherries, but when he tried

it, the duration of his gout attacks was cut in half.

 

Ramsey also found helpful advice from a book, titled " Getting Rid of

Gout: A Guide to Management and Prevention " by Bryan Emerson (Oxford

University Press, 1996), which has information about foods that can

trigger gout attacks (such as fish, broccoli, asparagus, coffee and

orange juice), and tips for lessening the effects of an attack (such

as drinking cherry juice, in addition to eating cherries). Drinking

lots of water also helps flush uric acid from the system.

 

Organ meat is another trigger that Ramsey has to steer clear of. In

fact, high protein diets in general can increase uric acid production

and aggravate gout symptoms.

 

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Cherry helpers

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In previous e-Alerts I've shared messages from HSI members who have

found natural ways to treat gout.

 

A member named Ernie wrote: " Celery seed will stop gout attacks, and

it has many other benefits. " Several other members wrote to suggest

using celery seed, which can be taken in extract form. In addition to

gout relief, celery seed is also reputed to reduce inflammation, calm

muscle spasms and fight bacteria.

 

Another botanical used to reduce gout pain is extract of juniper, rich

in antioxidant flavonoids. A member named Lee writes: " A friend who

also has gout suggested Juniper. It works well for me and relief is

usually within a few hours! I take 2,500 mg capsules 2 or 3 times the

first day. I then take 1 cap. 3x/day until the pain is gone

completely, rarely more that 3 days. "

 

A visit to the chiropractor was so effective for a member named Kris

that she categorizes it as a cure. And practicing yoga might lead to

relief, according to a member named CL who says, " I teach the Bikram

Style of Hatha Yoga and I have seen many students heal their gout pain

thru Yoga. "

 

I find it hard to picture Vice President Cheney doing yoga, but you

never know; pain is a powerful motivator.

 

 

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....and another thing

 

In the e-Alert " Safety Measured " (12/25/05), I told you how thousands

of unintentional acetaminophen overdoses account for about 100 deaths

each year - most of them as a result of liver failure.

 

Fortunately, in treating headaches, fever, muscle aches, menstrual

cramps and toothaches, there are many alternatives to acetaminophen

that are much safer for this critical organ.

 

For instance, the herb white willow is an anti-inflammatory pain

reliever that has compounds similar to aspirin. In fact, white

willow's salicylic acid is the parent compound of aspirin

(acetylsalicylic acid). Salicylic acid, however, has the benefit of

being less abrasive to the stomach and intestine. And a 2002 study

published in the journal Rheumatology, showed an extract of willow

tree bark to be as effective as a prescription drug in the treatment

of lower back pain.

 

Other herbs that have been used to treat headache pain include

meadowsweet, valerian, passionflower, skullcap, chamomile, and ginkgo.

A standout among these is feverfew, which has been used with success

to alleviate the effects of migraine headaches. As with white willow,

feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Another study, published in the journal Phytomedicine, showed that an

extract of the herb devil's claw successfully treated hip, knee, and

lower back pain. And once again, it's the herb's ability to curb

inflammation that makes it effective.

 

Finally, there are some common nutrients that are useful in preventing

headaches: calcium, magnesium and niacin may help relax muscles that

often contribute to headaches. And supplements of omega-3 essential

fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 both deliver antioxidants that can ease

the stress of headache and muscle pains.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

 

 

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Sources:

 

" Cheney Makes a Morning Trip to the Hospital " David E. Sanger and

Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times, 1/10/06, nytimes.com

 

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