Fall 2008
Fall is here and, after flying half way around the world in the last month, I’m now back for a while. While accumulating frequent flyer miles, I also managed to stay healthy despite the inherent health risks of modern air travel, such as viral-laden re-circulated air, recycled pillows and blankets, and non-disinfected surfaces.
To protect myself from theses infectious micro-organisms, I applied, inhaled, and ingested an amazing immune-enhancing essential oil system developed by the lovely and brilliant French naturopath and aromatherapy expert, Corinne Israelsen. For more information on this wonderful product, THE SHIELD Essential Oil Protection Kit™, click on the picture below.
(For a $10 discount on the kit - and $3 off individual bottles -
be sure to enter DCSK08 when placing your order.) |
Immune Support for Colds and Flu
 While traveling I kept my immune system in top shape by taking all my immune support supplements regularly, especially ImmunoPhase, which is based on the formula that was used so successfully in Hong Kong during the SARs epidemic. It’s effective both for prevention and, if you happen to get sick, just take a higher dose to shorten the course and severity of the illness.
Now that the cold and flu season is upon us, I am being asked about flu shots. My answer is – do it at your own risk! Please consider the following: Since scientists can’t accurately predict the exact viruses that will be coming each year, the vaccines are based on a selection of last year’s viruses. This non-specific approach is not only ineffective, but exposes you to a host of side effects, some quite dangerous, plus those from the toxic chemicals used in preparing the vaccines. My advice for flying and for flu season in general is: wash your hands often, drink a lot of water, take ImmunoPhase daily, and use The Shield program as needed (in crowds, after exposure, when flying, etc).
More in-flight tips: In addition to staying well hydrated, I wear long support socks (available at pharmacies), and make a point of getting up and walking around to keep my circulation flowing during the flight. Staying seated during long flights can lead to the formation of dangerous blood clots in the legs due to immobility. Of course, if you’re taking your fish oil supplements regularly, you are less vulnerable to this problem.
Dallas, London, Las Vegas, Toronto
My travel began in September with a trip to the Parker College Seminar in Dallas, Texas where I spoke on “Natural Approaches to Treating Anxiety and Depression.” The conference was attended by two thousand chiropractors and related professionals. Dr. Fabrizio “Fab” Mancini, Parker College president, opened the conference with a rousing address on the importance of maintaining good health in all spheres – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and communal. The Parker Research Institute is also looking at issues related to wellness and health promotion, in collaboration with other institutions. I'll be returning to speak again at the Parker College Las Vegas conference Jan 15-17, 2009.
Then in October, I flew to London, England, to give a presentation at the “Food for the Brain” conference sponsored by my dear friend and co-author of Natural Highs, Patrick Holford. London is one of my favorite cities, and though its famous for its fog and rain, the weather was perfect – with warm sunny days and comfortable evenings. One such evening I strolled with my cousin Willow, a noted English artist (my grandparents came to Canada via England), along the Thames River, past Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and other sites steeped in history and culture. What a treat!
The next day I gave my presentation, entitled Natural Alternatives: Treating Depression & Anxiety Without Medication, based on the practical application of research in my clinical experience. My talk was well received by the health professionals attending the conference, and I was honored to share the podium with a renowned group of experts in the area of brain nutrient research. For the full program, click here. You can also purchase the proceedings as online downloads.
From London I traveled to Las Vegas (now there’s a contrast!) for a Board of Directors meeting and conference of the Association for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) , one of the first medical organizations founded to seriously explore integrative, or functional, medicine. While the organization has its roots in chelation therapy for removing plaque from arteries and heavy metals from cells, it has grown and expanded to include a whole range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications for treating illness from a “root cause” and natural standpoint, instead of simply covering up symptoms with potent and often dangerous drugs and procedures.
The theme of the ACAM conference was integrative Treatments of Cancer, and included presentations by world experts on safer alternatives and adjuncts to conventional therapy. For more information visit the ACAM website where you can also order recordings of past conferences (this one was not recorded). There is also a referral list of member physicians by city and state. While on the topic of cancer, an excellent resource for information on alternative cancer therapies is the Cancer Control Society based in Los Angeles.
And finally, I enjoyed a short trip to my hometown, Toronto, Canada, to attend the Science and Consciousness Energy Psychology conference, organized by Sharon Cass, who also happens to be my sister! It’s fun for us to share interests, colleagues and friends in this way. And more than a conference, it's an experience. Among many fascinating sessions, I heard research presented by Dawson Church on the physiology of the stress response and how the energy therapies work to reverse it in such cases as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I also attended a one-day workshop on EFT presented by Dr. Carol Look, who explained how to manage issues from traumatic memories, to creating success and abundance with this remarkable technique that I also use in my practice. You can find more information at the conference website.
I think that’s enough travel for now.
New Review Supports Efficacy of St. John’s Wort for Depression
A new review has concluded that St. John’s wort is more effective than placebo, and is as effective as standard antidepressants in the treatment of major depression with fewer adverse effects than standard antidepressant drugs. The authors looked at 29 trials (5,489 patients) and included 18 comparisons with placebo and 17 comparisons with synthetic standard antidepressants. They all used the standard Hamilton Rating Scale to determine the severity of depression.
In trials that compared St. John’s wort to standard antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs, both the herb and drugs were equally effective. However, there was a 76 percent lower drop out rate by patients receiving St John’s wort compared to patients receiving tri- or tetracyclic antidepressants. There was a 47 percent lower drop out rate in subjects taking St. John’s wort compared to patients receiving SSRI's.
I had shown similar positive results in my first book, St. John’s Wort: Nature’s Blues Buster (1998), based on both the research at the time and my own clinical experience. The herb has had it’s publicity ups and downs, but now it’s clearly been vindicated; i.e. it’s as good as the drugs, but without the side effects.
Reference: Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L. St John"s wort for major depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD000448.
To order a high quality St. John's wort click here.
Concern Over Quality of Vitamin D Tests
I have been testing my patients’ levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels for some years now, and would like to emphasize the importance of this, especially with winter approaching. All labs, though, are not equal, and Dr. Joseph Mercola has a well-done video explaining the differences. For details, see his video here.
There is no doubt that Vitamin D deficiency has a role in cancer, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and many other conditions. For prevention and even, treatment, you must take it on a regular basis, and in the D3 form, not the prescription D2 form. I have most of my patients on 5000 IU daily, and test every few months to be sure they their levels are high enough, at least above 50 and preferably to around 70 ng/ml. To order a high quality vitamin D3, go here.
 Brain Recovery Program
On the product front, like to introduce you to my revised Brain Recovery Program. I’ve been using this for my patients for quite some time, and I'm happy to announce that it is now available in a single convenient canister containing a full 30-day supply (30 AM packets and 30 PM packets). The Brain Recover Program is for individuals who are going through recovery from drugs and alcohol, from antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, and for those who simply want to enhance mood, energy, concentration, relaxation, and sleep.
I have combined a selection of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and other nutrients, in 2 daily packets of capsules, one taken with breakfast and one with dinner. You don’t have to be in recovery to use them, either: I take the packets with me on my travels as a simple “all-in-one” supply of the “basics plus.” Here’s the whole story.
Order the Brain Recovery Program by Nov 31st and get a 10% introductory discount by using the coupon code INTRO.
For practitioners only: Let's Talk! is a free online educational forum for all qualified Integrative Practitioners. Please join me on November 21, 12:00pm - 1:00pm (EST) when I will be presenting "Many Prescription Drugs are Nutrient Robbers! Can drugs deplete nutrients, and if so, how, and what can we do about this for our patients?" Click here to join.
That’s it for now.
Yours
in good health,
Hyla Cass MD
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