DR. CHRISTINE NORTHRUP, IN CONJUNCTION WITH DR. STEPHEN SINATRA, MD, FACC..... ABOUT HEART SUPPLEMENTS, SYMPTOMS, RISKS, LIFESTYLE, AND MORE.....
Heart health also has an emotional component. If you want to truly heal your heart—or protect it at midlife—you need courage to look closely at any source of emotional pain, and then heal this brokenness with compassion, faith in the Divine, and emotional release. You were meant to have an open heart—to give and receive love, and to live joyfully.
I also suggest eating an alkaline diet, getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, and considering bioidentical hormones or plant hormones (phytoestrogens) that have estrogenic effects.
Bioidentical hormones are created to be an exact match in molecular structure to a woman’s body. That is what makes them “bioidentical.”
In contrast, non-bioidentical (synthetic) estrogen, such as the estrogen in Premarin, is bioidentical only if your native food is hay. That’s because it is made from the urine of pregnant horses. Hence the name Pre (pregnant) Mar (mares) in (urine).
Progestin is a synthetic form of progesterone that is derived from bioidentical progesterone. The reason for this is that you can’t patent a bioidentical hormone that naturally occurs in nature. And so—to make progesterone marketable—it was changed into a compound not native to the female human body.
For about two decades, Premarin (just estrogen) and Prempro (Premarin plus Provera, a synthetic form of progesterone) were the gold standard for many doctors. And the one-pill-fits-all-women approach was the only option women were given. Then, in 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Studies showed that women who supplemented with synthetic estrogen or Progestin had more incidences of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots than those who were given a placebo. Once thought to confer heart health and other benefits, women suddenly became wary of these drugs. 9
The best approach for hormone therapy is one that is unique to you. Women can have their levels of estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, and other hormones tested. Or simply pay attention to how you feel — which I find is a far more accurate way to assess hormone balance than testing your levels. The results (and how you feel) allow you and your doctor to customize a treatment plan that is right for you.
Start with the lowest dose possible and see how you do.
Better yet, change your diet to a low sugar, organic food approach. Add a natural herbal remedy such as Pueraria mirifica, maca, black cohosh, ground golden flaxseed, or chasteberry. And if that doesn’t work, then try the bioidenticals.
Remember that hormone therapy can take a few trials and errors. It’s a work in progress — just like you are at menopause.
You aren’t destined to wind up on various preventative medications. My mom is in her 90s and she isn’t on any medication! Neither is my doctor friend Gladys who likes to say “93 and prescription free.” Before you take any medications regularly, make sure you are informed about all the risks and benefits. Does the drug cause nutritional deficiencies? Are you increasing your risk of cancer or heart disease? If so, seek out some alternatives that won’t put your health at risk.
Studies reported by The NNT.com on statins given over a five-year period to people with no known heart disease is a good example of why you need to be aware of the NNT and NNH for any drug. Over 5 years, the NNT for statins showed that no patients had their lives saved. In addition, only one patient in 104 had a heart attack prevented, and only 1 in 154 had a stroke prevented. However, these same studies showed that 1 in 100 were harmed because they developed diabetes as a direct result of stains, and 1 in 10 developed muscle damage as a direct result!
The report on statins also summarizes that the risk of harm may still be underestimated and that diet and lifestyle interventions are substantially more powerful than medication in protecting your heart and preventing heart attacks and stokes– something I have been saying for decades!
You can also look to NNT for some popular non-drug therapies. For example, The NNT.com reports that 95% patients with infectious diarrhea who were given probiotics had the duration of their diarrhea decreased by 25 hours where the duration of the control group was between 2-7 days. Probiotics also decreased the proportion of patients with diarrhea lasting longer than 4 days from 45% to 19%. This means there is an NNT of 4. Finally, there were no adverse effects reported. So a NNH of 0!
For more information on NNT, you can go to the NNT.com therapy review page and look up therapy reviews by specialty. Use this to help you determine whether a drug is right for you.
PPIs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world – and some of the most dangerous because most people have no idea how many vital roles stomach acid plays in our bodies. And the Catch-22 of these drugs is that when you stop taking them, the amount of acid your stomach releases surges, causing your symptoms to worsen.
Here’s why I won’t take PPIs:
Here are my 5 tips:
Some antacids contain magnesium hydroxide, which can cause diarrhea. Antacids made from calcium carbonate (like Tums) can cause acid rebound over time and may also contribute to kidney problems.
Heart Failure in Women
A serious and insidious condition
BY STEPHEN T. SINATRA, MD, FACC
We often fall short when it comes to caring for ourselves.
Stephen Sinatra, M.D., has been one of my medical heroes for many, many years. His work on coenzyme Q10 for prevention and/or treatment of heart disease has highly influenced my thinking and my behavior. (I take about 100 mg of this supplement every day!) In this informative article, Dr. Sinatra illuminates some critical matters of the female heart—and what to do to love and protect yours!
Please read this and pass it on. All women need to know this stuff! – C.N.
Heart Failure in Women
A serious and insidious condition
By Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, FACC
Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, right? This old book title has been used to describe the differences between the sexes in almost every way you can imagine. You might even be tempted to say it holds true when it comes to cardiovascular disease, too—and to some extent you’d be right. Heart attack symptoms often manifest in dramatically different ways for men and women. But many other forms of heart disease, like heart failure (HF), have relatively few differences.
HF is a serious, chronic condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood. It’s most often caused by coronary artery disease that chokes off oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Even with considerable progress in conventional treatments—medication, pacemakers, and defibrillators—HF remains one of cardiology’s toughest challenges. It severely erodes quality of life, and, sadly, up to 40 percent of patients die within a year of diagnosis. Seventy percent die within a decade.
About 2.5 million American women have HF, and they account for about half of HF-related hospital admissions. Other HF facts specific to women include:
Women tend to develop HF later in life.
Women with the disease tend to live longer than men with the disease.
The condition is under-diagnosed and under-treated in women; the tendency of women to minimize symptoms may be a contributing factor.
Clinical research is another area of difference. Despite the fact that women make up nearly half of HF patients, they represent only one-quarter of patients studied by researchers. Consequently, most HF treatment protocols are developed according to how men respond to them—pretty much the same as with heart disease in general. Given this, it’s imperative that women be proactive about their heart health: learn about HF and its causes, be able to identify the symptoms, and know their treatment options.
Types and Risks for Heart Failure
There are two main types of HF: systolic and diastolic, depending on which phase of the cardiac cycle is affected. It’s important for women to understand the differences between these types. The systolic phase refers to when the heart contracts, pushing out blood. The diastolic phase occurs when the heart relaxes and fills with blood (believe it or not, the diastolic phase requires the most energy).
If you have systolic HF, your heart has difficulty contracting forcefully enough to pump out blood. The risk factors for this type of HF are similar for both men and women. They include a history of coronary artery disease (with or without high blood pressure) and a previous heart attack. These ailments cause changes to the structure of the left ventricle (LV)— the largest of the four cardiac chambers, and the one responsible for generating the pressure that opens the aortic valve. After a heart attack, scar tissue forms on the LV where blood and oxygen were cut off during the attack. Because this tissue lacks the pliability of healthy cardiac muscle fibers, it reduces the heart’s ability to expand and contract. If enough tissue is involved, the stiffened heart muscle becomes so weak that it may begin to fail.
If you have diastolic HF, your left ventricle has become stiff as the result of diastolic dysfunction (DD). This is the primary cause of HF in women, making up about half of cases. DD may be related to women’s smaller blood vessels and a state of low energy in the heart. Without adequate energy stores, the heart’s muscle fibers stiffen. DD is grossly under-diagnosed, and women who are unaware they have it fail to receive early, optimal treatment. As a result, damage progresses unnoticed.
During my years of clinical practice, I have identified two conditions that seem to contribute to DD: mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and high blood pressure. As women age and develop more hypertension, they also tend to develop more DD and unfortunately, more complications then men.
Another kind of heart failure, broken heart syndrome (BHS) or “stress cardiomyopathy,” is an acute condition that affects women far more than men. Heartbreak is a real component in “matters of the heart,” from hypertension and arrhythmia to heart attacks and HF.
BHS is abrupt-onset heart failure that is precipitated by emotional trauma—such as an unexpected death, a close brush with death, or domestic abuse or violence. Symptoms are almost identical to those of a heart attack: chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of impending doom. However, the person’s EKG reading will be normal, as will the level of cardiac muscle enzymes in the blood and the function of the coronary arteries on angiography. The only problem is an echocardiogram pattern that shows the apex of the heart—the part that sits on the diaphragm—is ballooning outward. The underlying physiology of BHS is unclear. But if there’s anything positive to be said about it, it would be that the symptoms are so intense that lifesaving medical attention is almost always sought immediately.
In my book, Heartbreak and Heart Disease (Keats, 1996), I wrote about what can happen to the vulnerable heart after the sudden, unexpected loss of a vital connection. Acute activation of catecholamines, or “stress hormones” can literally cause necrosis (death) of heart cells.
Cardiomyopathy Causes HF
Cardiomyopathy is another cause of heart failure, and a small number of women can be vulnerable at younger ages than men.
Postpartum cardiomyopathy can strike women of childbearing age, although, thankfully, it rarely does. Cardiomyopathy, a form of HF with elusive causation, occurs when the heart muscle becomes increasingly enlarged as it struggles to pump blood. Postpartum cardiomyopathy can occur during the last month of pregnancy or during the first five to six months after delivery. The cause is still unclear. However, I believe that nutritional deficiencies play a key role. One of my patients, a 29-year-old woman, developed sudden heart failure following the birth of her son. Her cardiomyopathy was so severe that she was placed on the transplant list in the state of Virgina. However, after I treated her with CoQ10, she had a remarkable recovery. She is indeed my poster child of metabolic cardiology and the messenger for hundreds of cases I've treated over the years. Almost three decades later, she is still taking CoQ10 daily and enjoying a good quality of life.
General cardiomyopathy may also be related to the poisoning of the heart muscle by toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Excessive alcohol intake and viruses can also be contributing factors.
Be a “Squeaky Hinge”
My wife and former cardiac nurse, Jan, has co-authored numerous articles with me about women’s heart health. During her research on HF, she learned that women tend to under-report their symptoms. It didn’t surprise her. She said, “My own experience as a woman, and those of female friends, family, and colleagues, provide countless examples of us ‘toughing it out’ when needed, especially if a loved one needs care. As women, this nurturing instinct is one of our greatest strengths; however, as the saying goes, your greatest strength can also be your greatest weakness. We often fall short when it comes to caring for ourselves.”
Jan’s mom survived a cardiac arrest over 30 years ago. One of her mom’s favorite expressions is, “Remember, it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!” And she’s right. Women need to squeak louder and more often.
Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra is a board-certified cardiologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Certified as a bioenergetic psychotherapist, and nutrition and anti-aging specialist, Dr. Sinatra integrates psychological, nutraceutical and electroceutical therapies in the matrix of healing. He is the founder of heartmdinstitute.com, an informational website dedicated to promoting public awareness of integrative medicine, and the author of a monthly written newsletter entitled, Heart, Health & Nutrition. Dr. Sinatra is a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Nutrition. His latest books are The Sinatra Solution/Metabolic Cardiology and Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.
LEARN MORE | RECOMMENDED READING
Heartbreak and Heart Disease: A Mind/Body Prescription for Healing the Heart, by Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C.
LEARN MORE | RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Dr. Sinatra’s Web site is Heartmdinstitute.com
Last updated: August 26, 2010
As a physician, author, mother, inspirational speaker, and pioneer in women’s health, I’ve dedicated my life to teaching women how to flourish.
Imagine this. You go in for a mammography, and the technician finds a mass that looks suspicious. The mass is biopsied, and it’s cancer. Your doctor, who’s been sympathetic and encouraging, sits you down to talk with you about your prognosis and says, “There’s a good chance your breast cancer will disappear.” If you’re like most women, you would be stunned and confused.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in November 2008 suggests that some breast cancers will go into remission without any treatment. Zahl¹ Like the study’s title, this just may be “The Natural History of Invasive Breast Cancers Detected by Screening Mammography.” The study was headed by one of Dr. Northrup’s favorite researchers, H. Gilbert Welch, M.D., along with Perh-Henrik Zahl, M.D., Ph.D., and Jan Mehlen, M.D., Ph.D.
This study followed a group of more than 200,000 Norwegian women ages 50–64 over two consecutive six-year periods. Half received regular, periodic breast exams or regular mammograms; the other half had no regular breast cancer screenings. Researchers found that the women who received regular routine screenings had 22 percent more incidents of breast cancer than the other women.
Dr. Welch and his colleagues concluded that the most likely explanation for their findings was: The women in the second cohort (those who didn’t have regular breast cancer screenings) actually had the same number of occurrences of breast cancer, but these abnormalities were resolved by the body naturally and without intervention. Other doctors unrelated to the study analyzed the data and concurred that this conclusion makes sense.
Dr. Northrup was intrigued by the study and found it heartening. “My colleague H. Gilbert Welch, M.D., has written numerous articles about the pros and cons of today’s mammography, which can pick up anomalies smaller than a pencil point. (He also wrote a wonderful book that I highly recommend called Should I Get Tested For Cancer?: Maybe Not and Here’s Why [University of California Press, 2004]). Dr. Welch believes we owe it to our patients to explain that too much testing can lead to excessive, invasive procedures.
“For example, studies show that if you get a mammogram 10 years in a row, you have a 100 percent chance of being told you need a breast biopsy. The emotional and financial repercussions of believing you may have cancer when you don’t are staggering. And the experience can drain a person so much that it weakens their natural immunity. This is why I suggest that you make judicious decisions about medical testing and approach it with a bit of skepticism.”
When asked how this spontaneous regression can occur, Dr. Northrup said, “People believe that it takes a miracle for cancers to disappear, but it happens more often than you think. Although doctors can’t say why and when, I think the hypothesis of spontaneous regression brought to light by this study is plausible. After all, one of the body’s natural functions is apoptosis—scourging cancer cells and encouraging the growth of healthy cells.
“Scientific studies document this, as in the example of Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring substance in the body (and is widely available in supplement form). It has been shown to play a significant role in causing cancer cells to self-destruct without killing healthy cells or harming their DNA.”
“I hope that, as a result of learning about this study, my readers will put more faith in the body’s ability to heal itself and see that excessive medical testing doesn’t really provide them with better health.”
References
- Zahl, P., Maehlen, J., Welch, H. G., 2008. The natural history of invasive breast cancers detected by screening mammography, Arch Intern Med. 2008;168 (21):2311-2316.
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Why I Won’t Take These ‘Safe’ Drugs
4 Classes of Drugs With Serious Side Effects
There is nothing “side” about side effects—they are the direct result of the drugs.Updated July 2016
— Christiane Northrup, M.D.
In Western Medicine, drugs are created to treat symptoms as opposed to the root cause of the condition. If you only suppress your symptoms, instead of also addressing the cause, your body will often protest by developing so-called “side effects” to medication—or even by developing another dis-ease. This is how our bodies talk to us. But, there is nothing “side” about side effects—they are the direct result of the drugs.
Many of the most popular drugs being prescribed for millions have significant side effects that just don’t outweigh the risks. There are four drugs, which are frequently prescribed to women, that fall into this category—and which I personally would not take.Statins for Heart Health
Statin drugs are prescribed to lower cholesterol. And the myth is that lowering cholesterol is the key to preventing heart disease. But the latest research has shown that things are far more complex than that. The truth is that statins deplete the body’s CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10)—a vital nutrient for producing energy in the cells.1 Of all the organs, the heart requires the most energy and CoQ10 to function properly. So why take a medication for heart health that depletes a vital nutrient shown to support the heart—as well as every cell in your body?Importance of CoQ10
Low levels of CoQ10 have also been linked to depression and dementia, as well as muscle weakness, fatigue, pain, and nerve damage—all of which are also known side effects of statins.2 And because your body makes less CoQ10 as you age, taking any medication that lowers CoQ10 is not advisable. Further, fat—and fat in the form of cholesterol—has been vilified as the enemy of a health heart. Actually, sugar is the real culprit, not fat, because sugar causes inflammation. And this inflammation taxes the cardiovascular system and the entire body.How to Protect Your Heart
If you want to protect your heart, start by reducing inflammation. This means a healthy diet and supplements that are high in antioxidants. Taking vitamin E has been shown to keep blood platelets slippery (so fewer blood clots) and reduce inflammation.3 (See The Wisdom of Menopause for a complete list of heart-healthy supplements and foods.)Heart health also has an emotional component. If you want to truly heal your heart—or protect it at midlife—you need courage to look closely at any source of emotional pain, and then heal this brokenness with compassion, faith in the Divine, and emotional release. You were meant to have an open heart—to give and receive love, and to live joyfully.
Bisphosphonate Drugs for Bone Loss
Your body is constantly renewing itself. Older or damaged cells are eliminated by the body, so that newer, healthier cells can take their place. Your bones go through this cycle, too. If you have decreased bone mass, that means that your body is breaking down bone faster than it is creating new bone.Treating Lower Bone Density with Bisphosphonates
The most popular treatment for lower bone density is a bisphosphonate, such as Actonel, Boniva, or Fosomax. These medications prevent bone breakdown and therefore bone loss. Although this sounds like a good idea, these drugs interfere with the natural cycle of breakdown and restoration.4 The result is older, porous, brittle bone—and brittle bone means an increased likelihood of fractures.5Side Effects of Bisphosphonates
Bisphosphonates have significant side effects, too, including back pain, joint pain, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and constipation.6 And some women have suffered osteonecrosis of the jaw—death of bone tissue—a condition that is not treatable7 We’re also seeing atypical fractures of the femur that don’t heal! All because of dense bone that doesn’t remodel and allow in a good blood supply. Many dentists are also seeing an increasing need for root canal surgery because of these drugs.About 50 percent of women prescribed a biphosphonate will stop treatment because of these side effects.Even with these side effects, bisphosphonates may offer some benefit for women over 70 who already have osteoporosis. But I want you to protect your bones much earlier than that! And that means promoting bone health naturally.
Promote Bone Health Naturally
Be sure to get plenty of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. (Studies suggest that to keep your vitamin D levels in the optimal range requires 5,000 IU/day!)I also suggest eating an alkaline diet, getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise, and considering bioidentical hormones or plant hormones (phytoestrogens) that have estrogenic effects.
Premarin, Prempro, and All Other Synthetic Hormones
I’ve been talking about bioidentical hormones for nearly three decades. And it still surprises me when women — and doctors — don’t know the difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic ones.Bioidentical hormones are created to be an exact match in molecular structure to a woman’s body. That is what makes them “bioidentical.”
In contrast, non-bioidentical (synthetic) estrogen, such as the estrogen in Premarin, is bioidentical only if your native food is hay. That’s because it is made from the urine of pregnant horses. Hence the name Pre (pregnant) Mar (mares) in (urine).
Progestin is a synthetic form of progesterone that is derived from bioidentical progesterone. The reason for this is that you can’t patent a bioidentical hormone that naturally occurs in nature. And so—to make progesterone marketable—it was changed into a compound not native to the female human body.
For about two decades, Premarin (just estrogen) and Prempro (Premarin plus Provera, a synthetic form of progesterone) were the gold standard for many doctors. And the one-pill-fits-all-women approach was the only option women were given. Then, in 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative Studies showed that women who supplemented with synthetic estrogen or Progestin had more incidences of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots than those who were given a placebo. Once thought to confer heart health and other benefits, women suddenly became wary of these drugs. 9
The best approach for hormone therapy is one that is unique to you. Women can have their levels of estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, and other hormones tested. Or simply pay attention to how you feel — which I find is a far more accurate way to assess hormone balance than testing your levels. The results (and how you feel) allow you and your doctor to customize a treatment plan that is right for you.
Start with the lowest dose possible and see how you do.
Better yet, change your diet to a low sugar, organic food approach. Add a natural herbal remedy such as Pueraria mirifica, maca, black cohosh, ground golden flaxseed, or chasteberry. And if that doesn’t work, then try the bioidenticals.
Remember that hormone therapy can take a few trials and errors. It’s a work in progress — just like you are at menopause.
You aren’t destined to wind up on various preventative medications. My mom is in her 90s and she isn’t on any medication! Neither is my doctor friend Gladys who likes to say “93 and prescription free.” Before you take any medications regularly, make sure you are informed about all the risks and benefits. Does the drug cause nutritional deficiencies? Are you increasing your risk of cancer or heart disease? If so, seek out some alternatives that won’t put your health at risk.
What You Need To Know About “Safe Drugs” — The Numbers!
Every drug that you are prescribed or can purchase over-the-counter goes through randomized controlled trials to determine its benefits. The measurement used to determine treatment benefits is called the number needed to treat, or NNT.Number Needed to Treat (NNT)
The number needed to treat refers to the number of patients who need to be treated in order to prevent one bad outcome, such as heart attack or stroke. So, if a drug has an NNT of 10, it means you have to treat 10 people with the drug to prevent one person from having a bad outcome. The ideal NNT is 1. This means that every patient who is treated will benefit. But, this is hardly ever the case with drugs. In fact, the NNT for many drugs is often very high.Number Needed to Harm (NNH)
Another number you need to know is the NNH — or number needed to harm. This indicates how many patients need to be exposed to a risk factor for it to cause harm to one patient who would not otherwise have been harmed. The lower the NNH, the worse the risk factor.Studies reported by The NNT.com on statins given over a five-year period to people with no known heart disease is a good example of why you need to be aware of the NNT and NNH for any drug. Over 5 years, the NNT for statins showed that no patients had their lives saved. In addition, only one patient in 104 had a heart attack prevented, and only 1 in 154 had a stroke prevented. However, these same studies showed that 1 in 100 were harmed because they developed diabetes as a direct result of stains, and 1 in 10 developed muscle damage as a direct result!
The report on statins also summarizes that the risk of harm may still be underestimated and that diet and lifestyle interventions are substantially more powerful than medication in protecting your heart and preventing heart attacks and stokes– something I have been saying for decades!
You can also look to NNT for some popular non-drug therapies. For example, The NNT.com reports that 95% patients with infectious diarrhea who were given probiotics had the duration of their diarrhea decreased by 25 hours where the duration of the control group was between 2-7 days. Probiotics also decreased the proportion of patients with diarrhea lasting longer than 4 days from 45% to 19%. This means there is an NNT of 4. Finally, there were no adverse effects reported. So a NNH of 0!
For more information on NNT, you can go to the NNT.com therapy review page and look up therapy reviews by specialty. Use this to help you determine whether a drug is right for you.
One More Drug I Won’t Take — Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid
It is estimated that over 15 million Americans use proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, to treat heartburn, acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or peptic ulcers. PPIs, including Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium, are often prescribed as a first line of treatment because they reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.PPIs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world – and some of the most dangerous because most people have no idea how many vital roles stomach acid plays in our bodies. And the Catch-22 of these drugs is that when you stop taking them, the amount of acid your stomach releases surges, causing your symptoms to worsen.
Here’s why I won’t take PPIs:
- Increases Your Risk of Bacterial Overgrowth. Your stomach acid is what keeps harmful bacteria, such as H Pylori and many others, in check.
- Impairs Your Ability to Absorb Nutrients. You need stomach acid to absorb nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B12, from food.
- Causes Magnesium Deficiency. With a calcium imbalance, some people experience magnesium deficiency along with leg cramps, and muscle weakness.
- Puts You at Risk for Osteoporosis. Some studies show that long-term PPI use can put you at risk for osteoporosis.
- Weakens Your Immune System. Your bowel wall contains nearly two-thirds of your body’s immune defenses. You need a healthy bowel with enough acid to keep harmful microorganism and toxins from reaching other organs in your body. If you constantly take PPIs, you are changing the ecology of your gut. This can ultimately affect your immunity, putting you at risk for diseases such as cancer and dementia.
My Tips for Eliminating Heartburn, GERD and Other Acid-related Problems
Making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, and eliminating food triggers, can go a long way towards healing acid-related problems.Here are my 5 tips:
1. Try an Elimination Diet
Food triggers – such as gluten, corn, soy and others –may be the cause of your discomfort. Try eliminating suspected food triggers, as well as alcohol and caffeine, for 30 days. Be sure to eliminate all forms of sugar! Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and high-quality protein sources. Also be sure to drink lots of fresh water. Add foods back one at a time to determine if a suspected food is the cause of your problem.2. Take a Hydrochloric Acid Supplement
Most acid-related symptoms are caused by too little acid, not too much. Try adding a hydrochloric acid (HCL) supplement. You can get these in health food stores. You can also try digestive enzymes. Look for a ph-balanced full spectrum formula such as Wobenzym. Finally, try adding a good-quality sea salt.3. Add a Probiotic
Probiotics can help restore your gut if you have been taking PPIs. Once your gut is restored, it will be able to destroy harmful bacteria, such as H Pylori.4. Get Off the Antacids
I also do not recommend long term use of antacids such as TUMS, Mylanta or Pepto–Bismol or H2 receptor blockers, such as Zantac, Pepcid, and Tagamet! If you need to take one, make sure it does not contain aluminum as these can cause constipation, and may reduce phosphate levels, which can result in fatigue and loss of appetite (not to mention that aluminum consumption may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.)Some antacids contain magnesium hydroxide, which can cause diarrhea. Antacids made from calcium carbonate (like Tums) can cause acid rebound over time and may also contribute to kidney problems.
5. Listen to Your Gut
Your gut health and your emotions are so closely linked. Listen and learn what your gut is trying to tell you. Butterflies or nausea are often your inner wisdom speaking to you. Keep a journal of your symptoms to help you determine what factors may be associated with your symptoms. And remember, while no drug is 100 percent safe, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take one if you need it. But you should continually weigh the risks and benefits.References
- Langsjoen, P.H., & Langsjoen, A.M. (2003) The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion or coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications. Biofactors, 18 (1-4), 101-111.
- Scott, R.S., et al. (1991). Simvastatin and side effects N Z Med J, 104, 493-495. Laise, E. (Nov 2003). The Lipitor dilemma. Smart Money: The Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business, 12(11), 90-96.
- Golumb, B.A., et al. (2007) Physician response to patient reports of adverse drug effects: Implications for patient-targeted adverse effect surveillance. Drug Safety, 30, 669-675.
- King, D.S., et al. (2003). Cognitive impairment associated with atorvastatin and simvastatin. Pharmacology, 23, 1663-1667.
- Stampfer, M.J., et al. (1993). Vitamin E consumption and the risk of coronary artery disease in women. New Engl J Med, 328 20), 1444-1449.
- Odvina, C.V., et al. (2004). Severely suppressed bone turnover: A potential complication of alendronate therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 90, 1294-1301.
- Parker-Pope, T. (July, 15 2008) Drugs to buil bones may weaken them. New York Times, available online www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/health/15well.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss National Osteoporosis Foundation, http://nof.org/articles/22
- Ruggiero, S.L. et al. (2004). Ostenecrosisof the jaws associated witht the use of bisphosphonates: A review of 63 cases. J Oral Maxillofacial Surg. 62, 527-534.
- Neviaser, A.S., et al. (2008). Low-energy femoral shaft fractures associated with alendronate use. J Orthop Trauma, 22, 346-350.
- Writing Group for the Women’s Health Initiative Investigators (2002). Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: Principal result from the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288, 327-333.
Comments
Heart Failure in Women
A serious and insidious condition
BY STEPHEN T. SINATRA, MD, FACC
We often fall short when it comes to caring for ourselves.
Stephen Sinatra, M.D., has been one of my medical heroes for many, many years. His work on coenzyme Q10 for prevention and/or treatment of heart disease has highly influenced my thinking and my behavior. (I take about 100 mg of this supplement every day!) In this informative article, Dr. Sinatra illuminates some critical matters of the female heart—and what to do to love and protect yours!
Please read this and pass it on. All women need to know this stuff! – C.N.
Heart Failure in Women
A serious and insidious condition
By Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, FACC
Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, right? This old book title has been used to describe the differences between the sexes in almost every way you can imagine. You might even be tempted to say it holds true when it comes to cardiovascular disease, too—and to some extent you’d be right. Heart attack symptoms often manifest in dramatically different ways for men and women. But many other forms of heart disease, like heart failure (HF), have relatively few differences.
HF is a serious, chronic condition in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood. It’s most often caused by coronary artery disease that chokes off oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Even with considerable progress in conventional treatments—medication, pacemakers, and defibrillators—HF remains one of cardiology’s toughest challenges. It severely erodes quality of life, and, sadly, up to 40 percent of patients die within a year of diagnosis. Seventy percent die within a decade.
About 2.5 million American women have HF, and they account for about half of HF-related hospital admissions. Other HF facts specific to women include:
Women tend to develop HF later in life.
Women with the disease tend to live longer than men with the disease.
The condition is under-diagnosed and under-treated in women; the tendency of women to minimize symptoms may be a contributing factor.
Clinical research is another area of difference. Despite the fact that women make up nearly half of HF patients, they represent only one-quarter of patients studied by researchers. Consequently, most HF treatment protocols are developed according to how men respond to them—pretty much the same as with heart disease in general. Given this, it’s imperative that women be proactive about their heart health: learn about HF and its causes, be able to identify the symptoms, and know their treatment options.
Types and Risks for Heart Failure
There are two main types of HF: systolic and diastolic, depending on which phase of the cardiac cycle is affected. It’s important for women to understand the differences between these types. The systolic phase refers to when the heart contracts, pushing out blood. The diastolic phase occurs when the heart relaxes and fills with blood (believe it or not, the diastolic phase requires the most energy).
If you have systolic HF, your heart has difficulty contracting forcefully enough to pump out blood. The risk factors for this type of HF are similar for both men and women. They include a history of coronary artery disease (with or without high blood pressure) and a previous heart attack. These ailments cause changes to the structure of the left ventricle (LV)— the largest of the four cardiac chambers, and the one responsible for generating the pressure that opens the aortic valve. After a heart attack, scar tissue forms on the LV where blood and oxygen were cut off during the attack. Because this tissue lacks the pliability of healthy cardiac muscle fibers, it reduces the heart’s ability to expand and contract. If enough tissue is involved, the stiffened heart muscle becomes so weak that it may begin to fail.
If you have diastolic HF, your left ventricle has become stiff as the result of diastolic dysfunction (DD). This is the primary cause of HF in women, making up about half of cases. DD may be related to women’s smaller blood vessels and a state of low energy in the heart. Without adequate energy stores, the heart’s muscle fibers stiffen. DD is grossly under-diagnosed, and women who are unaware they have it fail to receive early, optimal treatment. As a result, damage progresses unnoticed.
During my years of clinical practice, I have identified two conditions that seem to contribute to DD: mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and high blood pressure. As women age and develop more hypertension, they also tend to develop more DD and unfortunately, more complications then men.
Another kind of heart failure, broken heart syndrome (BHS) or “stress cardiomyopathy,” is an acute condition that affects women far more than men. Heartbreak is a real component in “matters of the heart,” from hypertension and arrhythmia to heart attacks and HF.
BHS is abrupt-onset heart failure that is precipitated by emotional trauma—such as an unexpected death, a close brush with death, or domestic abuse or violence. Symptoms are almost identical to those of a heart attack: chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and a feeling of impending doom. However, the person’s EKG reading will be normal, as will the level of cardiac muscle enzymes in the blood and the function of the coronary arteries on angiography. The only problem is an echocardiogram pattern that shows the apex of the heart—the part that sits on the diaphragm—is ballooning outward. The underlying physiology of BHS is unclear. But if there’s anything positive to be said about it, it would be that the symptoms are so intense that lifesaving medical attention is almost always sought immediately.
In my book, Heartbreak and Heart Disease (Keats, 1996), I wrote about what can happen to the vulnerable heart after the sudden, unexpected loss of a vital connection. Acute activation of catecholamines, or “stress hormones” can literally cause necrosis (death) of heart cells.
Cardiomyopathy Causes HF
Cardiomyopathy is another cause of heart failure, and a small number of women can be vulnerable at younger ages than men.
Postpartum cardiomyopathy can strike women of childbearing age, although, thankfully, it rarely does. Cardiomyopathy, a form of HF with elusive causation, occurs when the heart muscle becomes increasingly enlarged as it struggles to pump blood. Postpartum cardiomyopathy can occur during the last month of pregnancy or during the first five to six months after delivery. The cause is still unclear. However, I believe that nutritional deficiencies play a key role. One of my patients, a 29-year-old woman, developed sudden heart failure following the birth of her son. Her cardiomyopathy was so severe that she was placed on the transplant list in the state of Virgina. However, after I treated her with CoQ10, she had a remarkable recovery. She is indeed my poster child of metabolic cardiology and the messenger for hundreds of cases I've treated over the years. Almost three decades later, she is still taking CoQ10 daily and enjoying a good quality of life.
General cardiomyopathy may also be related to the poisoning of the heart muscle by toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Excessive alcohol intake and viruses can also be contributing factors.
Be a “Squeaky Hinge”
My wife and former cardiac nurse, Jan, has co-authored numerous articles with me about women’s heart health. During her research on HF, she learned that women tend to under-report their symptoms. It didn’t surprise her. She said, “My own experience as a woman, and those of female friends, family, and colleagues, provide countless examples of us ‘toughing it out’ when needed, especially if a loved one needs care. As women, this nurturing instinct is one of our greatest strengths; however, as the saying goes, your greatest strength can also be your greatest weakness. We often fall short when it comes to caring for ourselves.”
Jan’s mom survived a cardiac arrest over 30 years ago. One of her mom’s favorite expressions is, “Remember, it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!” And she’s right. Women need to squeak louder and more often.
Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra is a board-certified cardiologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Certified as a bioenergetic psychotherapist, and nutrition and anti-aging specialist, Dr. Sinatra integrates psychological, nutraceutical and electroceutical therapies in the matrix of healing. He is the founder of heartmdinstitute.com, an informational website dedicated to promoting public awareness of integrative medicine, and the author of a monthly written newsletter entitled, Heart, Health & Nutrition. Dr. Sinatra is a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Nutrition. His latest books are The Sinatra Solution/Metabolic Cardiology and Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever.
LEARN MORE | RECOMMENDED READING
Heartbreak and Heart Disease: A Mind/Body Prescription for Healing the Heart, by Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C.
LEARN MORE | RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Dr. Sinatra’s Web site is Heartmdinstitute.com
Last updated: August 26, 2010
Health isn’t just the absence of disease. It’s being physically and emotionally able to live joyfully and in alignment with your deepest self. You have the ability to build health every day. Just be open to new ideas and to adopting new habits.
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Flourishingly yours,
CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP, M.D.
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Protect Your Breasts With Vitamin D RELATED CATEGORIES BREAST CANCER BREAST HEALTH VITAMIN D
There’s a paradigm shift going on in medicine as new research reveals a far greater role for vitamin D. Vitamin D is not just for kids—or the prevention of rickets. Optimal levels of vitamin D (40–80 ng/ml) enhance the creation and functioning of healthy cells throughout the body.1 In addition to protecting the bones and boosting the immune system, studies show that vitamin D helps prevent certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal.2345 Exciting new research shows that in the U.S. alone, thousands of new cases of breast cancer could be prevented every year if more women had optimal levels of vitamin D.6 A study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml!7 Garland (et al) estimates that 58,000 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S. could be prevented per year by raising vitamin D levels to 52 ng/ml. Imagine what the global impact could be! A simple blood test is all that’s needed to find out your vitamin D level. Five years ago, a range of 20–100 ng/ml was considered normal. Just recently, this range was raised to 32–100 ng/ml. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what your actual vitamin D level is. Too often women are told that their levels are normal, which is not the same as optimal. If you’re deficient, the best way to boost your vitamin D quickly is to supplement with vitamin D-3. Initially, you may need to take 5,000 IUs per day. After establishing a healthy level, I recommend supplementing with1,000–2,000 IUs per day—it’s hard to get all you need from food. Some healthy fish provides 300–700 IUs, but milk only provides 100 IUs per glass. You may be surprised to learn that the sun is actually the best source of vitamin D. The sun’s UVB rays enable our bodies to manufacture vitamin D in the fat layer under the skin, as long as we don’t use sunscreen. The body can make enough vitamin D from sun exposure to last the entire year! And it will never create toxic levels, regardless of how long you expose your skin. Although we are taught to fear the sun, sunbathing in moderation—exposing but never burning the skin—is good for us. This may explain why the incidence of breast cancer is higher in northern latitudes than at the equator. I encourage every woman to check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range. This is easily done by supplementing with about 2,000 IUs of vitamin D-3 per day and getting regular, safe sun exposure. (You can even visit a tanning salon that offers UVB tanning rays.) Your breasts and your entire body will benefit. This is preventive medicine at its finest. REFERENCES Staud, R., 2005. Vitamin D: more than just affecting calcium and bone. Curr Rheumatol Rep, Oct;7(5):356-64. Staud, R., 2005. Vitamin D: more than just affecting calcium and bone. Curr Rheumatol Rep, Oct;7(5):356-64. Cannell, J.J., Hollis, B.W. 2008. Use of vitamin D in clinical practice, Altern Med Rev, Mar;13(1):6-20. Cannell, J.J., et al. 2008. On the epidemiology of influenza, Virol J, Feb 25;5:29. Holick, M.F., 2003. Vitamin D deficiency: what a pain it is. Mayo Clin. Proc., Dec;78(12):1457-9. Garland, C.F., et al. 2009 Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective, Ann Epidemiol. Jul;19(7):468-83. Garland, C.F., et al. 2007. Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis., J Steroid Biochem Mol BiolMar;103(3-5):708-11. Last updated: August 25, 2009**************************************************** From Dr. Weil.....* Exercise Cuts Breast Cancer RiskWe've long known that regular exercise - specifically aerobic exercise - reduces the risk of breast cancer, but until now, we haven't known how physical activity confers its benefits. A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul may have solved the mystery. They have confirmed that exercise influences the way women's bodies break down (metabolize) estrogen - more activity yields more "good" metabolites that lower breast cancer risk. For their study the researchers recruited 391 sedentary but healthy, young premenopausal women and randomly assigned them to a control group or an exercise group. The women in the exercise group worked out at moderate to vigorous intensity five times a week for 16 weeks. On three consecutive days before and after the study, the researchers collected 24-hour urine samples from all the women. Analysis of these samples showed a favorable increase in the estrogen metabolites that lower breast cancer risk in the women who exercised, and no change during the 16 weeks in the women who didn't. Some forms of estrogen stimulate the growth of many types of breast cancer cells. The study was published in the May 2013 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &Prevention. My take? Over the years, a number of studies have shown that exercise can lower the risk of breast cancer and can also boost survival rates for women who have been diagnosed with the disease. In the past, we have assumed that regular physical activity helps limit exposure to estrogen by reducing fat stores in which estrogen is produced. While defining the mechanisms that drive cancer or help prevent it increases our understanding of the disease, the bottom line remains clear: exercise can lower breast cancer risk as well promoting fitness and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. It's the Journey Not the DestinationMake each day count, with an outlook that is both serene and inspired. Dr. Weil's new website, SpontaneousHappiness.com, has everything you need to get on the path to emotional well-being. From articles and checklists to exclusive videos featuring Dr. Weil, we can help you make each day a little brighter. Learn more - take the tour today!Surprising Way to Cut Health Insurance CostsWhat would you do to reduce your health insurance premiums? How about walking at least 5,000 steps a day? That worked for a group of 6,548 adults who chose stepping up to the challenge rather than seeing their health insurance costs shoot up by 20 percent. Researchers from the University of Michigan Health System and Stanford University reported that only three percent of the participants in this study failed to meet the goal of 5,000 steps a day or 450,000 steps per quarter to hold down their insurance costs. The financial incentive program came from the Blue Care Network, which required policyholders who were obese and were enrolled in the Healthy Blue Living Program to participate in a fitness plan to defer an increase in their premiums.One of the programs involves use of a digital pedometer and uploads daily steps walked to a tracking web site. The researchers reported that one-third of the participants characterized the financial incentives as coercive, but all the rest liked the program. Helpful Videos from Dr. WeilThe written word is wonderful, but sometimes, the best way to learn about healthy living is to see it in action! From delicious recipes to walking to breathing, Dr. Weil has you covered with great information. Join Dr. Weil on Vimeo today.
I have your book and have read to cover to cover- I also love your radio show! I am 46 years old and have not had a period for 7 months. Previous to this, I had only 1 skipped period. At this time, (actually about 9 months ago )- I started to feel the “dark” mood you describe in the book- I used progesterone cream, and it helped a bit- but I still suffer from “not feeling myself”; forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, fuzziness, mood irritability, darker moods but some anxiety at times. Of course, all classic depression and anxiety sx’s, but remarkable since I have not had period. I do yoga, meditate, generally healthy diet, juice, walk on beach, vitamin D, et al! But this does not appear to keep up with the sx’s.
Due to the pressure of loved ones, I broke down and made an apt with my OBGYN. I wanted to due to the more holistic route- I had a feeling in the town I live in, I wouldn’t have results commiserate with your rec. in your book. First, the OBGYN (she) stated she does “not test for hormones” period. Second, she does not (“they” do not) in this practices Bio-identical, not enough research to support, and she just labeled the limitations of the research, but did not talk any of the other argument of the bioidentical pros or cons for the matter (I have a Ph.D., I know a bit about deciphering research). Third, she prescribed Fyavolv? and or suggested the following as this may be too expensive: gintelli, activella, prempro, combipatch and others I cannot spell (all synthetic). When I told her I was using progesterone cream, she URGED that I should be using both estrogen and progesterone, not just one. I asked her for hormone levels again, and she said they base it off sx’s, not tests. I asked her about testosterone levels as your book described, same answer. She offered no other solutions or blood tests, I know I currently live in a small town with an traditional way of looking at women’s health. Not the metro areas I have lived in previous.
Can you provide me any suggestions? Honestly, at the end of the appointment, as she hurried out and I still continued to have many questions, I felt helpless and wanted to cry. I am not used to asking for help for feeling “not to par”, and I just want to know what possibly could help or if I should just “muddle through it”. Doing progesterone cream as mentioned in your book and P- Mirifuica, ( that only for about 1 month on and off). I don’t feel I should have to suffer, but at the same time, do not want to just take meds that are handed to me with no real regard if they are of any use! She told me the pharmacist could discuss other options?
Anyway, thank you so very much for being such a wonderful resource on women’s health! :). I thought I would try on a whim to reach out to you and see what you said. My intuition says you would say “get a new OBGYN”- ! Can I get a bio identical from someone other than a Dr (like the progesterone cream)? How long does it take Mirifica to work? Do you think I could really get my period again, and should not even think about going on hormones yet?
I trust your judgment, experience, and knowledge (Experiential, spiritual, and otherwise)! Implicitly and your book is like a lit review, unlike the current Physicians recommendations.
With Gratitude,
Long Winded but confused,
Tracy
I have a miofibroma outside the uterus. It is 9 x 8 x 13cm, but I don’t have any painful symptoms. My age is 49. My doctor has recommended me to take ESMYA to reduce it.
I am reading you books and I am beginning to understand which attitudes and circumstances could have been the cause. I also had hipertyroidsm, which was treated with radioactive iodine, and now I have hypotiroidsm. I also have migraines from time to time. I have discovered the relation of this with food high in histamine and I am able to control them quite well with a good diet.
Would you recommend ESMYA, or try another kind of holistic treatment?
Can this miofibroma be dangerous?
Thanks a lot for sharing your wisdom.
Amparo
Barcelona
My 22 year daughter was prescribed prednisone in February of this year. She started by taking 6-10mg , decreasing to 10 mg on the sixth day. Shortly after starting this medication, she started with insomnia and then anxiety that led to prednisone induced psychosis. It is now late April and she has had 3 hospital stays, along with hours of therapy. She has been diagnosed with bipolar. My daughter, of which I’ve always had a very close relationship with ,stays in a constant rage. She literally hates her entire family. I don’t even know who she is anymore. It’s like she can’t feel any love for us. I am so confused, overwhelmed, and in such disbelief and despair over who she has become. I honestly don’t know what to do. All I know is every since she has had to come home. She’s not the same person.
What do you recommend for Hypertension? I have taken Losartan 100 mg for several years. It is not keeping the numbers down anymore.
Thank you,
Gayle M
I have htn also
I have been taking a Prolia shot every six months for two years to increase bone density luckily with no side effects so far. It has helped increase my bone density, but after reading your article I am concerned about brittle bones. If you stop taking Bisphosphonates medications will your bones start the natural cycle of breakdown and restoration again or do these drugs ruin you for life? I am a very small boned woman with no history of fractures.
Regarding the bioavailable’ Cal and Mag you take please let me know where I can purchase this bioavailable Cal and Mag. I tried to find this combo in the bioavailable form and the options made me dizzy! Please can you recommend a brand or better yet the brand you take. Thank you!