Dr. Arturo M. Volpe

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that grows in lakes and other bodies of water. In recent years, it has become popular as a dietary supplement because it has been found to be a rich natural source of nutrients.

The sudden outbreak of SARS led to a flurry of research to find an antiviral agent that could reduce the severity of the disease and promote recovery. The virus responsible for SARS was found to belong to the coronavirus, a family that also includes the cold and flu viruses.

A German study evaluated the efficacy of various agents, including interferon, to inhibit viruses isolated from SARS patients. One of the agents evaluated was glycyrrhizin, an extract of the herb licorice root, and this particular substance proved to be the most effective one of all those tested.

Researchers found that, in addition to inhibiting replication of the virus more effectively than any other drugs, glycyrrhizin also inhibited ability of the virus to infect healthy cells. The authors also commented that glycyrrhizin had previously been used in the treatment of patients with HIV and chronic hepatitis C. Compared with the other agents tested, glycyrrhizin has the lowest occurrence of side effects: only increased blood pressure in susceptible individuals with long-term use. (The Lancet, June 2003; 361 (9374): 2045-6)

Licorice root standardized for its glycyrrhizin content can be purchased in the United States over the counter as a dietary supplement. Although the SARS epidemic seems to be behind us, glycyrrhizin can be considered as part of a strategy to address a variety of chronic and acute viral conditions in both children and adults.

Other herbal extracts have also been shown to be active against viruses. These can be combined with glycyrrhizin to obtain a synergistic effect at lower doses, thus reducing the risk of side effects and possibly even increasing effectiveness.

I will review a few of these herbs briefly:

Elderberry extract has been used traditionally to protect from the flu and other viral conditions.

Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) has been shown to inhibit the replication of influenza viruses A and B (Boil Pharm Bull 1995;18(2):295-9). It has also been shown to inhibit HIV proliferation in animal studies (Cell Mol Biol Res 1993;39(2):119-24), and Epstein-Barr virus in humans (Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1992;40(2):531-3).

Astragalus has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine for a variety of viral conditions. Research has shown its ability to correct deficient T cells (immune cells) in cancer patients (J Clin Lab Immunol 1988;25:119-23).

Berberine, an extract of several herbs, has been shown to have strong inhibiting effects against various fungal, bacterial and viral organisms (Can J Microbiol 1969;15(9):1067-76, J Prosthet Dent 1990;64(6):691-4).

Hypericin, extracted from St. John’s wort, has been shown to be effective against herpes simplex virus I and II and Epstein-Barr virus, among others. It received a European patent as an antiviral drug, but is available in this country as a dietary supplement.

Tags: Viruses
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A large new health-care bill recently passed the Texas legislature and was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry. The law contains a provision to allow parents not to vaccinate their children on the basis of “philosophical objections.” Details can be found at www.vaccineinfo.net.

The passage of this law was a huge victory for all of us who believe that individuals should have the freedom to make critical decisions regarding their health and the health of their children. It also specifically prohibits any punitive action towards parents who choose not to vaccinate and guarantees that unvaccinated children can remain anonymous.

Unfortunately, as soon as it was passed, the law stirred a great deal of controversy that culminated in a new bill being submitted to repeal it. This bill was to be debated beginning on July 10 and at the time of this writing the outcome is unclear.

The controversy stemming from the new vaccine law is described in an article published on July 4 in the Houston Chronicle (see http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/health/1979746 ). The article quotes several prominent Texas physicians as saying that parents cannot be trusted to make such important decisions regarding their children’s health because they do not follow rational scientific criteria.

I think I am as much a fan of science as anyone, but I also recognize that current scientific knowledge reflects just our present best estimate of a given issue, not necessarily the truth. Somehow medicine has consistently failed to distinguish between truth and current scientific knowledge.

As a result, for example, for more than twenty years physicians strongly urged that all women past menopause take hormone replacement therapy because the studies of the day showed it would protect their bones as wells as their hearts and improve the quality of their lives. Later, more in-depth studies showed that these same hormones actually did the opposite. They caused heart disease, stroke, dementia and cancer, and did not even protect women from osteoporosis. I think a little humility in medicine might be appropriate.

If you are interested in reading about a safer alternative vaccination schedule I recommend the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children’s Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave, MD available from your local bookstore or www.amazon.com.

Tags: Vaccines
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Seasonal allergies are a widespread problem affecting a growing number of American children and adults, currently estimated at 23 million.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a dietary supplement that contains organic sulfur and so-called methyl groups. Both of these help the body rid itself of toxins and can have a protective effect for the liver and the body’s immune system.

In a recent study, 50 adults were given 2,600 mg of MSM daily, an easy and inexpensive dose for people to take on a regular basis. By the seventh day, the adults’ upper and total respiratory symptoms were reduced significantly and a further improvement in lower respiratory symptoms was observed by the third week. Improvements were also maintained at day 30 when the study was concluded.

Interestingly, participants also reported improved energy levels occurring by day 14 that were maintained at the conclusion of the study. (J Altern Complement Med, 2002; 8 (2): 167-73)

Tags: Allergies & Asthma
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Even if we don’t actually see the difference, the composition of many foods we eat on a daily basis has been altered in recent years through genetic engineering.

I don’t think anyone knows for sure that genetically modified foods are always safe for human consumption, although our government’s position is that they are safe unless proven otherwise and routine safety studies are not required.

A hint regarding possible heath risks associated with genetically engineered foods comes from a grass story I received from a subscriber.

Until I read this story I thought that all grass was the same and cattle raised on grass was the best. Not so, as apparently industry has been developing grasses with higher sugar contents to fatten up beef faster.

Industry may care much more about the weight of beef cattle than their health, but when horses that are expected to live longer also graze on these high-sugar grasses, they develop various types of metabolic disorders – like diabetes – that were previously rare. Now doesn’t this sound a bit like what’s been happening to people?

To read more about the horse story, visit www.safergrass.org.

Tags: Diet
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Lactobacillus GG is a type of beneficial bacteria that helps promote intestinal health. It is marketed here under the name Culturelle (see http://www.culturelle.com). This product may or may not be preferable to any of the many similar ones found in health food stores, but its manufacturer – ConAgra – has very deep pockets and has been regularly funding studies on it.

In the newest study from Finland, approximately 50 pregnant women were given Lactobacillus GG and fifty others were given a placebo. At two years and four years after birth, all children were evaluated. In both cases there were half as many children with eczema – an allergic skin condition – in the lactobacillus group than in the placebo group.

This shows not only that lactobacillus given to expectant mothers protects their children from later developing allergies, but also that the protection lasts past infancy (The Lancet, May 2003; 361 (9372): 1918).

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and wonder which other supplements besides lactobacillus and folic acid may help your child, fish oil has also been shown to be beneficial. However, you must be sure that the fish oil you take has undergone molecular distillation and is free of mercury and PCBs.

Tags: Eczema, Pregnancy, Skin Conditions
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Water fluoridation has long been a controversial topic, and a Google search brings up thousands of sites discussing the pros and cons of this practice. In theory, fluoride is added to drinking water to protect us from cavities.

In reality, there is little evidence that water fluoridation does any good. Although there are studies showing the protective effects of fluoride, they are based on its topical application to teeth, not adding it to drinking water.

Fluoride is actually an industrial by-product that is toxic and would normally be disposed of as any other environmental hazard. Critics of water fluoridation hold that fluoride should be
carefully eliminated from the environment, not added to drinking water and thus endangering our health and adding to the burden of pollutants in our bodies.

An interesting and well-referenced article on this topic can be found at www.suite101.com/article.cfm/11749/109036

The author – a self-appointed fluoride researcher – discusses a recent study showing that fluoridation causes children to absorb more lead and retain it longer in their bodies.

Lead is not only known to lower IQ and cause hyperactivity, autism, and more, it is also – believe it or not – itself a cause of cavities. This may be the reason why, when fluoridation
was discontinued in some European countries cavity rates went down (see Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, Oct. 2000; 28: 382-9 also reported at
www.mercola.com/2000/oct/29/fluoride_cavities.htm).

Tags: Chemicals & Environmental Issues
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Amino acids are natural building blocks of protein. They can be obtained from food and some, including carnitine, can also be made in the body from other amino acids. Carnitine plays a critical role in the metabolism of fatty acids, a process whereby fats are burned for energy. This particular process can be disturbed in individuals with ADHD, leading to a buildup of toxic fatty acids.

Some experts consider carnitine deficiency to be rare because this amino acid is plentiful in food and the body can also make its own. In reality, deficiency may be far more common than believed, either because of poor diet, or because carnitine production may be inefficient in certain people.

The beneficial effect of carnitine supplementation depends on the presence of B complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Without enough of these vitamins carnitine is ineffective, so it makes sense that these nutrients should always be supplemented together to improve outcomes.
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Tags: ADD/ADHD
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