Long Island Naturopathic

Licensure in HY

2011-05-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Please read these articles and 'like' them and/or leave some comments, and spread them around as much as you like. It will help support our licensing efforts!

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Naturopathic-doctors-seek-New-York-recognition-1384201.php

http://blog.timesunion.com/healthcare/naturopathic-docs-want-license-to-practice-in-ny/2147/

http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/may/19/naturopathic-physician-or-herbal-remedy-practitioner/

Raising awareness of naturopathic medicine

2011-05-12T14:48:00.000-04:00

This is important to raise awareness of Naturopathic medicine. Only 2% of the US knows Naturopathic medicine exists! lets change this!

http://www.therun.org/

Women's Health and Chemicals

2011-05-03T18:08:00.001-04:00

This is an interview of Dr. Marchese discussing the impact of chemicals in the environment on women's health.

http://www.blip.tv/file/5066226

Lbboy Day!

2011-04-18T16:14:00.000-04:00

Lobby Day for Licensing NDs is MAY 17th in Albany, NY!

Be a part of Naturopathic Medicine Awareness at the state capitol. Come and share your voice with legislators. Luncheon will be sponsored. Event will be videotaped. Media will be present.
This life-changing event is a must for every person who uses naturopathic medicine in NY. Go to http://nyanp.org/lobbyday.aspx for details.

Also, congratulations to North Dakota! It is about to become the 16th state in the US to license naturopathic doctors. It only awaits the Governor's signature, which will happen in the next few days. Hopefully New York will be number 17!

On Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, and more

2011-04-07T14:24:00.002-04:00

This is part one of a many part video. After you watch this part, you can see the following parts.

This powerful video about how mental disorders are treated contains interviews with experts, parents and victims. It discusses how most psychiatric drugs have no real support for use. How did these drugs, with no target illness, no known curative powers and a long and extensive list of side effects, become the go-to treatment for every kind of psychological distress? This set of videos explains it well.

There are many harmful effects from these drugs, yet they give little to no value to most patients. Luckily there are many other, more natural ways, to help with these issues. Different types of talk therapy, especially types that give tools to deal with problems patients run into, can be very helpful. Basic lifestyle factors also help to overcome depression:

Exercise

Addressing stress

Eating a healthy diet

Getting plenty of sunshine

New approaches to cancer treatment

2010-05-18T17:12:00.001-04:00

This is a very interesting short talk on treating cancer:

Haiti and NDs

2010-01-25T12:26:00.002-05:00

Because Doctors without Borders refuses to accept NDs (even though they always need more doctors), a number of years ago a few NDs started NDI, Natural Doctors International. They do not have anywhere near the resources that Doctors without Borders or many other groups have, but they still have made a great difference in the lives of many people. Now NDI is trying to help the people of Haiti. If you would like to support them, the 1st link is info about NDI, and the 2nd is a link to donate:

http://www.ndimed.org/

https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=28255

In Dec, the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), http://www.nuhs.edu/ has graduated its 1st ND class since the 50's! They were able to re-start their ND program back in 2006. This was a big achievement for them, especially because they are in one of the unlicensed states.

Fructose

2010-01-07T18:47:00.002-05:00

I have posted before about high-fructose corn syrup, but I feel I need to follow up with the following information.

There is even more evidence now that sugars, and especially fructose, are the major cause of fat deposition and weight-gain, not fats. As least with glucose, the liver can process it and store it as glycogen. The liver can not process fructose as it does glucose. It is processed in the liver much like alcohol is, leading to insulin insensitivity and fat deposition. All the long-term health effects of fructose are the same as the long-term health effects of alcohol consumption. The only difference is fructose doesn't get into the brain, so there are no mental effects. "Fructose is ethanol without the buzz" is a quote from the video below, and is very fitting.

The following video does an excellent job at explaining what happens with fructose, so I will let it do most of the talking.

This is part one of nine parts. It is very worth seeing all nine parts (approx 70mins total time). Just click on the video when it is running and it will bring you to the rest of the videos.

Best Alternative Doctor of the Year

2009-12-10T13:11:00.001-05:00

I am close to being 1st in the voting for best alternative doctor this year. Polls close on the 15th, so if you haven't voted, please do so before then!

http://www.longislandpress.com/bestof/

(remember to click on 'green' category. For some reason alternative docs and health clinics got put there instead of in the 'health' category)

Co-Sleeping

2009-12-09T16:21:00.005-05:00

Co-Sleeping, or having your infant sleep with you in your bad, has gotten much bad press over the years. It is the official AMA stance that it is more dangerous than having an infant sleep in a crib. This however, is based on some false data, and on a lobbying effort by the JPMA (the crib manufacturer's lobby).

Infants sleeping on a safe surface with sober, nonsmoking parents respond to their parents, and the parents respond to them. The chance of SIDS occurring in this situation are close to zero. Babies in a crib or in a room away from their parents, on the other hand, will breastfeed less and are at greater risk of infections, including life-threatening ones.

The medical profession, as it often does, is approaching the entire idea of the family bed backward. A baby in the same bed with his or her parents is surrounded by the best possible surveillance and safety system. It must be the responsibility of the manufacturers and proponents of cribs and separated sleep to prove that such disruption is safe, not the other way around.

Newborn babies breathe in irregular rhythms and even stop breathing for a few seconds at a time. To put it simply, they are not designed to sleep alone.

In a recent Mothering magazine article, the statistics show that co-sleeping is about twice as safe as letting an infant sleep alone. It also seems that if the mother is breastfeeding, the infant is even safer in bed with the mother.

The following is a list of things to do if you sleep with your infant:

·Never leave an infant or toddler unattended on an adult bed. Co-sleeping or family bed sharing consists of an adult and a child. Babies can roll off of beds (even when using a co-sleeping device), can become tangled in blankets, or otherwise need the attention of an adult. We recommend babies not be left unattended in the early months.

·Never sleep with your baby on a water bed or on a couch. Water beds and couches are associated with suffocation of babies.

·Avoid adding railings or putting furniture next to the side of your bed. Baby could become lodged next to railing or furniture and suffocate

·Avoid pushing your bed against a wall. Baby could also be lodged between the bed and wall causing suffocation.

·Never let another sibling sleep next to your baby. Children sleep deeply and may roll over on baby. Baby is best placed next to Mom or Dad only.

·Never sleep next to your baby if you are intoxicated or have been using drugs, are taking medications, are overly tired or in any other way feel that your ability to be aroused could be affected.

·It is not recommended that you bed share if are currently smoking. This has been associated with higher incidence of S.I.D.S.

·Use a firm mattress for bed sharing. Soft mattresses can allow baby to accidentally roll over causing suffocation.

·Make sure all bedding fits snugly on the mattress. Fitted sheets that come loose could cover baby's face.

·Make sure mattress is flush against head- and footboards. If there are any gaps baby could become lodged between head or footboard and mattress and cause suffocation.

·Always place baby to sleep on her back. This has been shown to reduce the risk of S.I.D.S.

·Avoid over-dressing your baby. Overheating is also associated with an increased risk of S.I.D.S.

·Avoid strings or ties on night clothes or blankets. These could cause strangulation. Be sure to remove toys or other objects from bed before sleep time, to avoid suffocation.

·If you have long hair tie it in a pony tail or braid it. Long hair could cause suffocation or strangulation.

New Office Number

2009-12-07T17:11:00.001-05:00

My office now has a new, toll-free, number. Please use 1-888-339-8683 to contact my office.

Quality is VERY Important

2009-11-16T16:40:00.006-05:00

The article I link to below is exactly why I, and other qualified naturopathic doctors, will only use supplements made by nutracutical companies with exacting standards and testing. The raw material discussed in the article that the company below declined to use, and then sent back to the manufacturer, was sent off to be used by other companies that do not have the exacting standards of the companies I use as a naturopathic doctor.

If you do not have proof that what you are taking IS what you are taking, and has no contamination, you have no idea what it may or may not be doing to your health.

http://doctorprego.com/Betaine.pdf

Radio interview on the flu

2009-10-27T15:16:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share a short but excellent interview a colleague of mine in Canada has done on the flu:

http://www.chfi.com/onair/morning/media.jsp?content=20091021_095738_8668

One note, the way they measure blood levels of vit-d in Canada is different than in the US. Dr. Dempster quotes levels of 120-160. In units we use in the US, this would be 55-65.

Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

2009-10-19T17:28:00.002-04:00

There has long been debate over the possibility of cell phones causing increased cancer risk. Some studies support the connection and others show no connection. It is interesting to note that most of the studies showing no connection are funded by the cell phone industry. Studies independent of industry funding have more consistently found higher risks for brain tumors when exposure was 10 or more years.

A new report, "Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern. Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone,"(click on the title of this entry for the link) was released in August by the International Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Collaborative, a group that includes Powerwatch and the Radiation Research Trust in the United Kingdom, and the EMR Policy Institute, ElectromagneticHealth.org, and The Peoples Initiative Foundation in the United States.

More than 40 scientists and officials from 14 countries endorsed the report, which concluded that:

* Studies that are independent of the telecom industry consistently show there is a "significant" risk for brain tumors from cell phone use.
* The EMF exposure limits advocated by industry and used by governments are based on a false premise that a cell phone's electromagnetic radiation has no biological effects except for heating.
* The danger of brain tumors from cell phone use is highest in children, and the younger a child is when he/she starts using a cell phone, the higher the risk.

Simply using a wired headset or the speakerphone when using your cellphone will help greatly since the phone can be kept away from the body. Greatly limiting children's use of cellphones, having them keep it off unless in-use, and texting instead of talking will help to limit exposure.

Swine flu vaccine revisited

2009-09-24T14:11:00.007-04:00

I have posted before about how to avoid colds and flu, about the swine flu, and about the vaccine. Since there is a push in NYS to force all healthcare workers to get the swine flu vaccine, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the topic.

For starters, even state healthcare workers, including the NYS nurse's association, are protesting at Albany to keep the swine flu vaccine from being made mandatory.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/li-nurses-to-rally-against-mandatory-swine-flu-vaccines-1.1465858

They understand that it is a bad idea to make an untested vaccine mandatory.

The ingredient squalene is frightening. When injected, such as part of a vaccine, it is connected to the autoimmune disease guillain-barre syndrome and is implicated as being a contributor to Gulf War Syndrome. The ingredients aluminum and formaldehyde are not very good for your body either. People with egg allergies may also have issues because an egg base is used to develop the vaccine.

I also find it curious that pregnant women are told to get the vaccine, but in the vaccine insert it states that it may be hazardous to use in pregnant women.

To avoid getting sick, I suggest looking over some of my past posts on preventing colds and flu, and on vitamin D:

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2008/10/preventing-colds-and-flu.html

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2008/11/vitamin-d-and-flu.html

One thing I would add that is not mentioned in these articles is a good quality probiotic. 60% of your immune system is associated with your digestive tract, and probiotics support this part of the immune system.

Also, my article on how we get sick, and my previous post on the swine flu:

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-we-get-sick.html

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2009/04/swine-flu.html

Comments to my blog

2009-08-08T23:56:00.004-04:00

This has happened a few times so I would like to clarify something. I can not post comments to my blog that contain advertisements as part of the comment. My blog is for informational purposes only, and I do not endorse any specific companies or brands in my blog, especially if I do not use them nor have detailed knowledge of them.

I am very happy to allow comments on my blog, and I ask for them, but please refrain from putting advertisements in your comments.

Detox Program in Sept.

2009-07-30T15:40:00.003-04:00

I will be running a 4-week detoxification program in Sept. See below for details. Please let your friends and family know. If you would like to register, the deadline is Aug 25th, and there are only 15 seats available. Call 516-431-9355 for more information and to register.

"In this informative 4-week program, Dr. James Prego, naturopathic doctor, teaches about our body’s systems of detoxification and how to support them. Each week focuses on a different system:

Week 1: Loving your Liver
An introduction to detoxification and the role of the liver in eliminating toxins from the body.

Week 2: GI Support
Caring for the digestive tract. Introduction to Food allergies/sensitivities and how to promote GI tract healing and repair.

Week 3: Calming Down the Troops
How to control inflammation with diet. What does it mean to be inflamed?

Week 4: Bring it All Home
Guidance for reintroducing foods back into your diet and how to reduce exposure to toxins in your environment after the detox is over.

This program meets weekly, Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm, starting Sept. 1st.

Space is limited! Call 516-431-9355 for more information and to reserve your spot in the program. Deadline to register is Aug. 25th. "

As always, any testimonials would be greatly appreciated, as is suggestions on topics to write on in my blog..

How we get sick

2009-07-29T16:05:00.005-04:00

Recently there has been many articles in the local papers about things such as west nile virus and the flu. There is alot of focus on how to stop the organisms that cause these infections, for instance, using highly toxic pesticides to kill mosquitoes, and potentially toxic vaccines for the flu, which may or may not grant a level of immunity to some who take it.

This is not a very smart way to go about combating infections. The organism is not the problem, the health of the individual being infected is. Even Louis Pasteur, the creator of the germ theory of disease, admitted at the end of his life: "...(Dr.)Bernard was right; the Terrain is everything, the Germ is nothing." Terrain refers to the people the germ is infecting. This is why some people do not get sick when others do, and why some people get sick for a very short time and recover easily, while others suffer. If you live a healthily lifestyle, eat well, and take care of yourself, you create an environment inside of you that germs can not get a foothold in, or a very minor foothold which you can fight off easily.

The problem is, many people are convinced that they are healthy, and they still get sick. What they are being told is wrong! Lack of a diagnosable illness does not equal being healthy. Health is a wide spectrum, from optimal health all the way down to death. Most Americans sit about mid-way in the spectrum. This area is one where you barely are healthy enough to not currently be sick. You many have mild symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, constipation, headaches fatigue, etc or generally feel 'ok'.

We are convinced that being in the middle of the spectrum is a healthy state. It is not. The closer to optimal health you go, the easier it will be prevent and easily fight off infections. We are told 'there is nothing you can do', or 'eating well only goes so far', etc. We are put on highly expensive and toxic drugs that create all kinds of side effects that need other drugs to combat.

In naturopathic medicine, it is our job to guide you on moving closer and closer, and getting to, optimal health. I have many personal experiences, and experiences of my patients, were everyone around us seems to get sick yet we avoid these illnesses, or they are much more mild than in others. Please do not believe that this is just the 'luck of the draw', it is actually a deliberate effort on our parts to live healthily and to move towards optimal health, with the wonderful side effect of resisting things like west nile virus infections and the flu.

It is not difficult to reach a high level of health. It simply take time, knowledge and a willingness to change habits.

Fertility

2009-07-20T18:11:00.006-04:00

There has been many articles in the news lately about fertility clinics and the large amounts of money and effort spent on helping couples become pregnant. Like in many other areas of mainstream medicine, they miss doing the simple solutions first

Infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of trying to become pregnant. What many people do not realize is that 'infertility' is often like other symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, constipation, etc. In other words, it is a sign that something is 'off' or not working as well as it should in the body. Many times, infertility is simply a result of a digestive issue, stress, improper diet, or some of many other lifestyle factors that can be easily corrected.

A good suggestion before having drug or surgery fertility treatments is to see a naturopathic doctor who can help to improve your health and you will often find your fertility issues will resolve on their own over time.

Bottled water safety

2009-07-14T17:20:00.010-04:00

As some may have read in the news recently, there is much less regulation on bottled water than there is on tap water.

It turns out, bottled water is regulated by the FDA, which has lower standards and less ability to enforce those standards than does the EPA, which regulates tap water but not bottled water. Also, many state tap water regulations tend to be even more stringent than the EPA's.

Currently, some legislators are looking to get bottled water companies to give out as much information about what is in their water as municipalities have to about tap water.

This is yet another good reason for filtered tap water to be used instead of bottled water. Bottled water is more expensive, creates more waste, and is often less healthy for you.

When going to the store, look at the price for bottled water, and compare it to the price of a home water filter system (be sure to take into account how much water the filtration system filters) and you will see the second option is usually much cheaper.

When we use bottled water, we tend to just throw away the empty bottle. Even if it is put into recycling, there is much raw energy used to make and to recycle the bottle. By using filtered tap water, you can use a re-usable container, such as a high-quality stainless steel, glass, or ceramic container.

As mentioned in my post about plastics, the plastic of the water bottle itself can be very harmful. The container alternatives I mentioned above do not have any of those issues. Yes, in a filter system, some parts are plastic, but the water spends a minuscule amount of time exposed to it, and it is at a low temperature.

Bottled water isn't a horrible choice, but you will do better by yourself, and your environment, by making your preference be for filtered tap water, in a re-usable container.

How clean are our cleansers?

2009-07-07T16:06:00.005-04:00

When we think of health, we often think of exercise, what we eat and drink, and possibly herbs and supplements. One thing many of us miss is the impact our cleaning products can have on our health.

Many cleaning products have ingredients that can have a very bad effect on our bodies. Currently, there is no laws that say ingredients in cleaners have to be listed. Many cleaners have compounds that can increase breast cancer risk, cause kidney or liver damage, cause nerve damage, and also create general feelings of ill-ease.

Interestingly enough, the industry thinks it is not necessary to list the ingredients of their products. I also find it interesting that whenever any industry (food, cosmetics, etc) is asked to list their ingredients, they usually try to block laws that make it happen. I wonder what they have to hide?

If you do not like the toxic ingredients in most cleansers, you can find alternatives that are much less damaging to our family's bodies. Baking soda and water make for great general cleaners. Citrus oil acts as a disinfecting cleaner, and vinegar works well for windows and other similar surfaces. There are also numerous companies that have fully biodegradable ingredients in products such as laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, dish soap, and other cleaners.

Remember, our health depends not just on the food we eat, but on what we surround ourselves with.

Alzheimer's test information

2009-06-24T13:35:00.002-04:00

According to First Watch, "A 10-task test ("Test Your Memory," or TYM) that takes about 5 minutes to perform can detect over 90% of Alzheimer cases, BMJ reports."

This test is likely to become popular among doctors and laypersons given its ease of administration and the frequency with which the important question "Do I have Alzheimer's" arises.

As this self-assessment test becomes popular, I wanted to warn against over-worry. If you look deeper into the actual study done with this test, you will find it has a very high amount of what is called 'false positives'. A false positive is when a test says you have something when you really don't. In this case, when crunching the numbers, you will find that for every actual Alzheimer's diagnosis found on this test, there are 11 false positives.

The dissemination of the test would be unfortunate, because the potential for misunderstanding of its results is high (because of the false positives), and will cause many people to incorrectly self-assess or be told that they have a cruel disorder for which there is little hope. Remember, as with any screening test, results are not very accurate. If you have any concern of Alzheimer's, please be sure to have full testing done by professionals.

Osteoporosis and Calcium

2009-06-04T19:41:00.002-04:00

Osteoporosis is a very common problem. It’s characterized by porous and fragile bones, which over time increases your risk of fractures. Many people are lead to believe calcium will resolve all your osteoporosis problems, or a drug is needed to 'fix' the problem.

But what is really going on? Osteoporosis is not a calcium deficiency disease. It is a complex issue of lowered bone density, and more importantly, bone strength, that can be from many varied sources such as improper digestion, lack of physical activity, hormonal changes, dietary problems, etc.

The usual treatment for osteoporosis is to use bisphosphate drugs like Fosamax, Actonel, or Boniva. This is one of the worst strategies for treating this condition, because even though it will increase your bone density, it will not increase your bone strength. These drugs actually kill certain cells in your bone called osteoclasts. These are the cells that destroy bone as part of your natural bone regeneration process.

When these cells die off, you’re left with only osteoblasts, which build bone. Hence you get bigger bone that is denser, but NOT stronger. Your bones actually become weaker, and in the long term increase your risk of developing a fracture.

Your bone undergoes a dynamic process, constantly being remolded based on the forces in your body, and you need to have both osteoblasts and osteclasts to remove old bone and rebuild new bone.

Another drug you want to avoid, especially if you have asthma or any other autoimmune disease, is steroids. Steroids are very detrimental for bone density, and will increase your risk of osteoporosis

Bone is composed of at least a dozen minerals, and if you focus exclusively on calcium supplementation you are likely going to worsen your bone density, and will actually increase your risk of osteoporosis. The over-consumption of calcium in the goal of preventing osteoporosis creates other mineral deficiencies and imbalances that can also increase your risk of heart disease, kidney stones, gallstones, osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Sea salts, and other salts containing a multitude of trace minerals can be very helpful to provide many of the minerals needed for healthy bones. Vitamins such as K and D are also needed, but the most important thing you can do to keep your bones strong is regular exercise. Exercise stimulates bone regeneration and strengthening. It will also be important to fine and resolve any underlying problems that may be contributing to weaker bones, such as the ones I have mentioned earlier.

Swine Flu

2009-04-28T15:20:00.005-04:00

Swine flu is getting alot of news lately. Swine flu is not a very fun sounding name, is it? It is also not fun to be infected with it. You have undoubtedly seen alot of information on what it is, and on the importance of hand-washing, so I will skip that and get right into the reason for this article: Preventing you from getting the flu.

First, I want you to read my post on prevention of colds/flu, and the role of Vitamin D in preventing flu. These cover almost all of the best things to do to prevent getting the flu.

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2008/10/preventing-colds-and-flu.html

http://drprego.blogspot.com/2008/11/vitamin-d-and-flu.html

It would also be a good idea to do a constitutional hydrotherapy treatment a few times each week, or an abdominal castor oil pack each day, to stimulate your immune function. I also suggest daily use of a neti-pot, and adding in a product such as alk-olol can be of extra benefit. An herb not mentioned in my prevention post is elderberry extract. This can be very useful in prevention of the flu.

Prevention of the swine flu is really the same as prevention of any other illness: the main idea is to improve your overall health via diet and lifestyle to bring yourself up the stairway of heath so that a small slip will not mean becoming infected.

IBS, Anxiety, and supplements

2009-04-21T16:25:00.003-04:00

This topic is from a question a commenter asked about IBS and anxiety. IBS is 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome'. It is not technically a disease, in that no one has found an organism or a single structural deformity that causes IBS. IBS is a group of symptoms that people may have, without any recognisable cause. Stomach pain, constipation and/or diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea, lack of appetite, and anxiety or depression are all symptoms of IBS. Someone who has IBS may have some of all of these symptoms.

Anxiety is a common symptom of IBS. Any illness, especially digestive illness, makes living life harder, and that increased difficulty can often come out as anxiety. When you are sick it is no surprise you are anxious or depressed! One thing to remember is many neurotransmitters in the brain were 1st discovered in the digestive system, and have functions there as well. There are more connections between nerve cells in the digestive system than there are in the brain. It is no surprise then that your digestive state has an effect on your mental state, and vice-versa.

Many people get caught in the trap of looking for the 'magic bullet' supplement (or drug) that will cure all their issues. That is always a recipe for failure. Some people will see benefit from a single herb or supplement for a while, then they will lose that improvement, or get to a point where they feel better, but not 100%, or will feel bad the moment they stop the supplement. The best way to treat IBS, and any illness, is a whole body approach. Treat the person, not the illness. By looking at your specific situation, we can create a program specifically for you and your concerns which will improve your health, your mood, your energy, your digestive system, your sleep, your ability to focus, etc. As you move along this path, you will see your IBS symptoms and issues dissipate, and as you keep going on your path to health, you will feel better and better, and be able to do all the things you love, without fear of suddenly relapsing. That is what true health is about.

As always, feel free to continue to bring up any topics you would like me to discuss.

Triglycerides

2009-03-09T16:16:00.007-04:00

Some people reading my blog are interested in how to lower their triglycerides. First I would like to explain exactly what triglycerides are and what they do; then we can discuss how to have optimal levels of triglycerides in the blood.

Triglycerides are the form in which most fats exist in our bodies, as well as in the foods we eat. They consist of 3 fatty acid chains connected to a glycerol molecule. We need a certain amount of fats in our bodies for proper nerve function, skin health, digestive health, menstrual health, and for many other functions.

What is measured in the blood is how many triglycerides are being transported in your blood at that given moment. Their levels are often reported as part of a cholesterol panel. Too high a level of triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) can be a marker of cardiovascular risk.

High triglyceride levels are also point to diabetic problems. High levels of triglycerides can show sugar imbalances over a length of time. if your levels are high, it may mean you have had numerous occurrences of blood sugar regulation problems. This, along with Hemoglobin A1c, show long-term issues with blood sugar.

Doing things to keep triglyceride levels from becoming too high will both lower your cardiovascular risk, and give you better sugar control to help stave off diabetes, or to manage it better. There are numerous factors that can increase triglyceride levels, and avoiding these factors would be a good idea to help lower triglycerides: alcohol consumption, sugar and simple carbohydrate consumption, excess weight gain, trans-fats, and hydrogenated oils.

There are also numerous things that can help lower levels. Replacing sugars and simple carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates such as nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains like amaranth, buckwheat, barely, brown rice, etc are major ways to have healthy triglyceride levels. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels by losing weight and having protein at all meals (especially cold water fish) will greatly help triglyceride levels. Also, cook with oils that can withstand higher temperatures such as olive and coconut oils.

Some supplements that help lower triglycerides are: fish oils, vitamin-E, Niacin, Carnitine and Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs). Which of these supplements, and how much of each, to take is very dependent on each individual person's health status. Talk to your ND about which ones may best help you.

Quick Update

2009-03-05T15:28:00.002-05:00

Apologies for my lack of posts these 2 weeks. I have been busy looking into more locations to expand my practice into. I will discuss them if they do pan out. They could be very beneficial to many people, since they are wellness centers that have many different therapies available in a single location.

I will start posting on health topics again next week. If you have any topics you would like me to discuss, please make a comment here.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

2009-02-19T16:13:00.009-05:00

There has been a renewed interest in HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), especially with what are called 'bio-identical' hormones. Many people forget that hormones are very powerful substances, and can have very strong, and possibly unwanted, effects on the body.

About 8 years ago, we have discovered the harmful cardiovascular effects of synthetic HRT. Now there is new information that synthetic HRT can shrink the brain. In two studies from the arm of the WHI Study in the January 13 issue of Neurology. The studies analyzed brain scans of about 1400 women who had taken synthetic prescription hormones for 4-6 years. According to Dr. Miriam Weber, of the University of Rochester’s Department of Neurology, the hormones had a degenerative effect on the brain, shrinking it, rather than affecting the brain lesions that cause “silent strokes.” The areas involved with memory and cognitive function shrank as did the total brain volume.

This brings us to Bioidentical hormones. Its it really any safer? There haven't been studies done on bioidentical HRT and potential side effects. It may not be a good idea to give women estrogen and progesterone at doses which are not naturally available to women of a certain age. We need to wonder more about the way the body was designed, and why, and what the advantages of lower estrogen and progesterone might be. We need to question the role of added estrogen and progesterone, its effect on other endocrine hormones, and other systems of the body. How can we be sure we are not throwing some other system out of balance?

Why is it called bioidentical? Is it made from hormones from young women? Is the hormone exactly the same as the ones produced by each women's body, and in the same dose that she would have produced it in, and released in the same balanced and cyclical fashion? These kinds of questions need to be answered, and answered well, before we start just handing out hormones to everyone. We all know very well the bad effects of giving people male hormones, why do we think female hormones are inherently safer?

Women should not be having periods until they die. At the same time, they should not have to suffer with hot flashes, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and the like. However, we have many more ways of dealing with this than giving a pill with serious side effects. For women with PMS, perimenopausal symptoms, menopausal symptoms or symptoms related to aging, we should look to basic, natural treatments. Treatments which nourish, balance and heal the adrenals and ovaries (and all related systems) so that a women's own body can be restored to health, and her own body produce the correct amount and type of hormones it needs. Getting off statins is also a good start, as all the sex hormones are made from cholesterol.

Yes, usually these ways of healing take longer, and yes, sometimes it isn't easy to figure out the whole picture. Sometimes it must seem easier to just prescribe some hormones and make the person feel better, but, in the long run is that really the best we can do?

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Mercury

2009-02-12T15:23:00.002-05:00

As if high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) wasn't already bad enough for us, such as ties to obesity and a cause of fatty liver, there are now studies that show HFCS contains levels of mercury high enough so that the average american consumption of HFCS gives them 10 times the amount deemed the maximum safe daily dose of mercury.

The research is very damning of HFCS: when you look at the average of 70 grams per day that young America eats and drinks it becomes a very significant source of dietary mercury: there was a maximum of .57 micrograms of mercury in 1 gram of HFCS. Multiply that by the average of 70 grams of HFCS per day and that totals an exposure of 39.9 mcg. of mercury per day. This is 10 times the reference dose of 3.9 mcg/day(aka maximum exposure that is "safe").

The Corn Refiners Association state that the above study was flawed in that it tested HFCS and not finished foods. They ignore the fact that David Wallinga published a study that looks at actual mercury in food right off the shelf. What he found is that one third of the food sampled contained significant amounts of mercury as a result of the HFCS it contained.

I think it is safe to say that HFCS should be avoided at all costs for the multiple bad effects it can have on everyone's health.

Why See a Naturopathic Doctor?

2009-02-11T14:16:00.005-05:00

I wanted to share with you an except from a patient letter explaining why she is happy to go to an ND, and to pay out of pocket for naturopathic medicine:

"I went to a pediatric urologist last week for 10 minutes, he was a total jerk, didn't answer my questions, and treated me like a paycheck. It will still cost me several hundred per visit! You know what I realized?? NDs have job security! As long as there are people like him, I am happy to pay an ND out of pocket. NDs DO answer my questions, They DO offer compassion, They DO care about what I want. We should put a higher value on that, not lower! The same people that complain about the cost of becoming healthy are still getting $120 highlights in their hair and wearing $100 shoes. The MD I used to see is still booking laser cosmetic treatments left and right. When I was in college, I lived on discounted farmer's market produce which I bought after donating plasma for $20 twice per week. I walked instead of driving when I didn't have money for gas. When I called my Naturopath for a follow up, I paid him full price and never complained because he changed my life."

Splenda

2009-02-10T15:48:00.004-05:00

Splenda has become popular as a sugar substitute. There may be some health effects that no one has told you about however. Splenda is sucralose, a chlorinated artificial sweetener similar to aspartame and saccharin, and with detrimental health effects to match. Sucralose is permitted as a general-purpose sweetener for all processed foods. Even though approval was given based on 110 studies, only 2 of them were on humans, and neither lasted more than 4 days. Certainly not enough time to notice anything but immediate allergy reactions.

There is overwhelming evidence that consuming artificial sweeteners will likely wreak havoc on your body. Previous news has centered mainly around artificial sweeteners’ ability to impair your appetite regulation and leading to weight gain. For example, it’s been discovered that diet soda increases the risk of metabolic syndrome (a precursor to diabetes) and, ultimately, heart disease. One study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, found even further disturbing news besides weight gain. Splenda reduces the amount of good bacteria in your intestines by 50 percent, increases the pH level in your intestines, and affects a glycoprotein in your body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you’re on certain medications

Splenda, and other artificial sweeteners, actually stimulate appetite, increase cravings of simple carbohydrates, and stimulate fat storage. Because of these factors, artificial sweeteners double your risk of obesity.

Common complaints from ingesting splenda include: Gastrointestinal problems, Migraines, Seizures, Dizziness, Blurred vision, Allergic reactions, Blood sugar increases, Weight gain, and others. You can read more about the effects of splenda/sucralose at www.truthaboutsplenda.com

If you are interested in ways to break sugar/artificial sweetener addictions, or even just a few healthy alternatives to these toxic compounds, feel free to contact me.

Is a little dirt good for you?

2009-02-09T16:16:00.006-05:00

Over the last few decade we have been seeing an increase in allergies, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic problems. In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system. Several continuing studies suggest that worms may help to redirect an immune system that has gone awry and resulted in autoimmune disorders, allergies, and asthma.

“What a child is doing when he puts things in his mouth is allowing his immune response to explore his environment,” Mary Ruebush, a microbiology and immunology instructor, wrote in her new book, “Why Dirt Is Good” (Kaplan). “Not only does this allow for ‘practice’ of immune responses, which will be necessary for protection, but it also plays a critical role in teaching the immature immune response what is best ignored.”

The immune system of an infant need 'instructions', similar to muscles needing to do work so they can grown. Health measures like cleaning up contaminated water and food have saved the lives of countless children, but they also eliminated exposure to many organisms that are probably good for us. Children raised in an ultraclean environment are not being exposed to organisms that help them develop appropriate immune regulatory circuits.

Studies conducted with Dr. David Elliott, a gastroenterologist and immunologist at the University of Iowa indicate that intestinal worms, which have been all but eliminated in developed countries, are likely to be the biggest player in regulating the immune system to respond appropriately. He added that bacterial and viral infections seem to influence the immune system in the same way, but not as forcefully. Most worms are harmless, especially in well-nourished people. There are very few diseases that people get from worms. Humans have adapted to the presence of most of them.

Immunologists now recognize a four-point response system of helper T cells: Th 1, Th 2, Th 17 and regulatory T cells. Th 1 inhibits Th 2 and Th 17; Th 2 inhibits Th 1 and Th 17; and regulatory T cells inhibit all three. A lot of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and asthma, are due to the activity of Th 17. If you infect mice with worms, Th 17 drops dramatically, and the activity of regulatory T cells is augmented.

Dr. Ruebush, the “Why Dirt Is Good” author, does not suggest a return to filth. But she correctly points out that bacteria are everywhere: on us, in us and all around us. Most of these micro-organisms cause no problem, and many, like the ones that normally live in the digestive tract and produce life-sustaining nutrients, are essential to good health. “The typical human probably harbors some 90 trillion microbes,” she wrote. “The very fact that you have so many microbes of so many different kinds is what keeps you healthy most of the time.”

The current fetish for the hundreds of antibacterial products convey a false sense of security and may actually foster the development of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria. Plain soap and water are all that are needed to become clean. Washing your hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after changing a diaper, before and after handling food, and whenever they’re visibly soiled is still a good idea.

Children should be allowed to go barefoot in the dirt, play in the dirt, and not have to constantly sanitize themselves. Children who grow up on farms and are frequently exposed to worms and other organisms from farm animals are much less likely to develop allergies and autoimmune diseases. These things give the immune system a 'workout' so that it is ready to attack what may be harmful, and will be able to keep from falsely reacting to cells within its own body.

(Portions of this entry are from the NY Times Health section)

Plastics

2009-02-04T18:17:00.005-05:00

Plastics are very convenient, but they also cause some problems. The environmental impact is one, but there is also the direct impact on human health. For example, we know that the 'softer' plastics leach out carcinogenic and esterogenic chemicals, and when microwaved, all plastics release large amounts of these toxins into the food being microwaved.

One specific compound getting recent attention is bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic or items marked with the number 7 on the bottom. Some plastic dishes, cups, reusable water bottles and baby bottles are made out of polycarbonate. Heating foods in polycarbonate plastic increases the amount of BPA that leaches into food. In animal studies, BPA has been found to cause the early onset of puberty and stimulate mammary gland development in females. The estrogen-like properties in BPA are so strong that even when male rodents were exposed to it, they had an increased risk of mammary tumors. BPA also is used to line the inside of metal food and soda cans and can leach from the can liner into the food, especially acidic foods such as sodas and tomatoes.

BPA is an endocrine disruptor and in numerous animal studies it’s been linked to cancer, infertility, obesity and early puberty.

The plastics with the most BPA are: #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 other. The other #'s have BPA, but lesser amounts. Good alternatives to plastics are to drink from glass or stainless steel containers, cook in glass, ceramics, or paper, use wooden cooking utensils an use wooden, ceramic, or bamboo cutting boards.

Forms of Fish Oil

2009-01-27T17:36:00.004-05:00

Many of us know that fish oil such as cod liver oil is very beneficial for our health. It is needed for nerve function, proper digestive function, heart health, skin and hair health, it is very anti-inflammatory, and has many other functions.

Recently, there has been a prescription form of oil put on the market called 'Lovaza'. Besides being much more expensive than good quality fish oils (please see my discussion on finding good quality supplements http://doctorprego.com/quality.html), it contains such things as hydrogenated oils, and the ethyl form of fish oils.

One thing that is interesting is that the form of fish oil appears to make a significant impact on its absorption. The ethyl ester form of fish oil, which is the form most cheaper fish oil comes in, is more poorly absorbed than the triglyceride form. Lovaza contains exclusively the ethyl ester form. That is one reason that high quality fish oil from companies that know how to process the oil correctly, rather than using Lovaza, would be preferred.

Below are excerpts, and links for, a few studies discussing this topic.

"The n-3 fatty acids from fish appear to be more efficacious, in terms of cardioprotection, than equivalent amounts provided as capsules. Volunteers were given, for 6 wk, either 100 g/d of salmon, providing 383 mg of EPA and 544 mg of DHA, esterified in glycerol lipids, or 1or 3 capsules of fish oil/d, providing 150 mg of EPA and 106 mg of DHAor 450 mg of EPA and 318 mg of DHA, as ethyl esters. Increments in plasma EPA and DHA concentration after salmon intake were significantly higher than after administration of capsules. The same increments would be obtained with at least two- and nine-fold higher doses of EPA and DHA, respectively, if administered with capsules rather than salmon."

In other words, it take 2x as much EPA, or 9X as much DHA, in ethyl ester capsule form to equal the blood concentration provided by the triglyceride form.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12848287

Another study:"We conclude that under our experimental conditions specific M-n3-M with EPA and DHA predominantly in the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerols was a more readily absorbed source of EPA and DHA and in this context should be investigated further for the potential use in clinical nutrition."http://grande.nal.usda.gov/ibids/index.php?mode2=detail&origin=ibids_references&therow=105451

Remember, it is important when using fish oils, or any other supplement, to use the forms that are most beneficial to your body. Also, supplements should not contain things that can be harmful, such as hydrogenated oils.

Aloe vera

2009-01-15T18:39:00.002-05:00

May people know Aloe for its ability to help heal burns. It has various other uses. What you get when you buy Aloe is usually just the gel from the inner part of the leaves. The gel contains certain polysaccharides that has a soothing and healing effect on burns. It can also be used on most types of skin irritations and small wounds. Aloe gel also can relieve itching.

Aloe gel can be used internally. It has a pleasant taste. The gel can be used to heal gastric ulcers. It has a similar effect on the stomach lining as on the skin. Aloe has also shown some ability to enhance immunity, fight microbes, and stabilize blood sugar.

The whole leaf has different effects than the gel. It has a more bitter taste. It has a stimulating effect on the digestive tract and can enhance digestion. In larger doses it has a laxative effect and can help in cases of constipation. The whole leave is not meant for long-term use, as it can deplete minerals, especially potassium over long periods of time.

January Talk on Digestive Health

2009-01-07T18:06:00.001-05:00

Next week, I will be giving a talk at the Holistic Wellness Healing Arts Center in St. James. Below is the information on the talk. Please be sure to tell friends and family who are interested in improving their digestion and health.

Improving Digestion to Improve Your Looks and Health

Your digestive system is a key part of your health. Your digestive system needs to be in good health to take in all the nutrients you need, keep your skin, hair and nails looking good, and it has the important job of eliminating toxins from your body so they do not build up and cause damage. Symptoms and chronic illness can be cured or greatly improved just by optimizing your digestion. Dr. Prego will discuss how naturopathic doctors assess your digestive health, and how naturopathic medicine can improve your digestive health. Some specific substances will be looked at, and there will be ample time for questions and answers on this and other related topics.

This talk will be on Wed. Jan 14th from 7pm - 8:30pm. The cost for the talk is $10. You can reserve a seat by calling 631-245-6620, or register online via http://www.holisticwellness.com

Information Gathering

2009-01-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

I am gathering information for a project. If you could reply and answer the 2 questions below, it would be very helpful! Answers can be as long or as short as you need.

1. What frustrates you about the health care industry?

2. What frustrates you about naturopathic doctors?

For the second question, "I have no idea what a naturopathic doctor is" is a perfectly acceptable answer.

Thank you!

Welcome Back / Folate and Depression

2009-01-06T17:05:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone's holidays were as happy and healthy as my own. Before we get started on today's topic, I would like to make two reminders:

1. For anyone living on Long Island, the Jan 15th issue of The Long Island Press will be listing me as a winner in their 'Best of LI' series. At that time, you can also go to the discount card program on their website to get a special discount for one visit.

2. As always, please comment with any health topics you may like me to discuss. (Please remember I can not give specific treatments for you on this blog)

Now, on to Folate and Depression:

There have been some recent links between folate and depression that I wanted to share with you. Folate is one of the B vitamins and is water-soluble, so the body does not store much folate. The active form of folate (5-MTHF) is needed by our bodies to create neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine.

High homocysteine levels are associated with many risks, such as cardiovascular problems, brain dysfunction, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. High levels have also been found to be associate with depression. We know that folate is needed to reduce homocysteine levels in the body. It seems that elevated homocysteine may be a side effect of insufficient folate intake

About 60% of people on antidepressants still have symptoms of depression. In many of these individuals, folate helps the symptoms of depression and also lowered homocysteine levels. Folate is also found to be helpful in depressed individuals who are not on medication. It is believed that higher levels of folate allows the body to produce more neurotransmitters when needed.

Treating S.A.D.

2008-12-23T18:17:00.002-05:00

I have been featured on the health portion of News 12 (local Long Island news station) about natural treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Best of LI

2008-12-23T15:38:00.002-05:00

I have been voted 'Best Alternative Doctor' in the 'Best of LI 2009' series from the Long Island Press!

Thank you to all my patients and others who have voted for me!

I will be listed in their Jan 15th 'Best of LI' issue.

Avoiding Weight Gain in the Holiday Seaosn

2008-12-23T15:37:00.001-05:00

A Holiday Gift

2008-12-10T17:27:00.002-05:00

I want to do something nice for the community, and since this is the time of giving, I thought I would make a very special offer. My usual 2-part New Patient Visit costs $280 (not including herbs/supplement cost). What I am doing, as a gift to the community, is this: If you schedule a new patient appointment between now and Dec 23rd, I will waive the total cost of the New Patient Visit (not including herbs/supplement cost). The offer only applies for this time period, and available appointment times are limited. Please contact me by phone or e-mail via the means below:

Dr. James Prego
631-650-0268
drprego@odctorprego.com

Interview on News 12

2008-12-10T14:30:00.003-05:00

For my readers on Long Island who have cablevision, you can see an interview of me on News 12. It is a 2 minute segment on seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.). It will air Monday Dec. 22nd throughout the daily news cycle.

Inflammation and Statin drugs

2008-12-09T16:16:00.007-05:00

We often hear all the news about how statin drugs (cholesterol-lowering drugs) help to reduce cardiovascular risks. Recently there was a a study called JUPITER that found crestor to be helpful with lowering cardiovascular risk.

What reports on the JUPITER study do not tell you however is that the benefit is very low. 1.5% of the people taking placebos had a stroke or heart attack, where 0.72% of the people on crestor (a statin drug) did. That correlates to having to give crestor to 100 people to avoid only 1 heart attack or stroke.

We may ask "well, isn't it worth it to give a statin drug to 100 people to avoid even just one heart attack or stroke?". The answer to that question is a definite NO! Crestor, and all statin drugs, increases the changes of severe liver damage, muscle degeneration, and nerve degeneration, to just name a few of its effects.

It has been found that the way statin drugs helps lower cardiovascular risk is not by lowering cholesterol, but by lowering inflammation. Cholesterol will not have a damaging effect if you have little or no inflammation in your body. There are many natural ways to lower inflammation in your body, and this will have at least as much benefit as statin drugs, and often even great benefits.

Here is what you can do instead of taking statins to greatly lower your chances of heart attack or stroke:

Stop smoking. After 10 years of not-smoking, you will have reversed most of the inflammatory damage smoking has done.

Take more omega-3 oils from natural sources. Omega-3 oils decrease inflammation (and also help your skin, hair, nails, and nerves!). Raw nuts and seeds are good sources, as are oils like olive oil. Cod, salmon, mackerel, and other wild-caught cold water fish are also good sources. Taking liquid cod liver oil every day is a great way to get plenty of healthy omega-3 oils.

Exercise. the more regular exercise you get, the more you will decrease inflammation in your body. You also get other excellent side effects such as more endurance, better moods, and better sleep.

Lose the extra pounds. Extra fat tends to cause extra inflammation. This is especially true of men with waists of 40 inches or more, and women with waists of 35 inches or more.

Sleep. Less than 7.5 hours of sleep each night increases your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Lower your stress. High stress over long periods of time increases inflammation and causes weight gain.

Avoid highly heated foods with cholesterol or oils. This changes the cholesterol and can cause oils to become trans-fats. Have a hard-boiled egg instead of fried or scrambled. Cook your oils at lower temperatures.

These are just some of the ways we can avoid heart attacks and stroke, AND have the healthy side effects, instead of taking statin drugs and having the unhealthy side effects.

Alkaline/Acidic Foods

2008-12-04T15:46:00.005-05:00

Many people have heard about 'acidic' foods being bad for you and 'alkaline' (or 'basic') foods being good for you. But what do these terms really mean? You are told that some foods make your body more 'acidic' and some foods make your body more 'basic'. You should eat more of the 'basic' foods, and less of the 'acidic' foods.

Many mainstream medical professionals think the ideas of acidic and alkaline foods are nonsense. The pH (the measure of how acidic or basic you are) of your body needs to be kept in a very tight range. Even a slight change to more acidic or basic can be quickly lethal. The actual problem however is from an inexact definition of what acidic and basic foods are doing.

'Acidic' foods do not make your body more acidic, but they DO force your body to make alterations so that your body's pH stays where it should. These changes also have side effects, if they have to happen often, such as: loss of calcium and other minerals, lowered immune function, increase in kidney stones and gallstones, increased chance of caners, and other bad effects.

'Basic' foods do not make your body more alkaline, but they DO force your body to make alterations to keep your body's pH at the right level. The side effects of this tend to be helpful: storage of calcium and other minerals, increased bone density, increased immune function, lower cancer rates, less kidney stones and gallstones, lower cardiovascular risk, and other good effects.

With a proper understanding of what these foods are actually doing, acidic and alkaline foods makes much more sense.

Another thing to keep in mind is just because the food itself has an acidic pH, doesn't always mean it is an 'acidic' food. For example, an orange has an acidic pH, but in the body it has the effect of a 'basic' food. There are plenty of charts to find online which tell you what foods are 'acidic' and what foods are 'basic', but here is a simple, general list:

'Acidic' foods: sugar, most meats, hydrogenated oils, dairy, eggs, alcohol, coffee, white bread, white rice.

'Basic' foods: most fruits and vegetables, coconuts, sea salts, cold-pressed oils, fresh (not cooked) tomatoes, sprouts, whole grains (amaranth, millet, buckwheat, etc).

You should have about 80% of your foods be 'basic'/'alkaline', and 20% be 'acidic.

Prescription Drugs and Nutritional Deficiencies

2008-11-26T14:39:00.003-05:00

One aspect of prescription drugs that you may not know about is their ability to deplete certain vitamins and minerals. Some of the side effects of drugs are from this depleting ability. When on prescription drugs, it is a good idea to take more of the vitamins or minerals that are being depleted, so you can avoid more health complications.

What makes things a bit complex is that different drugs will deplete different nutrients. Below is a list of some of the more common drugs, and the common deficiencies they can cause.

Antacids/Ulcer medications, such as Pepcid, Tagamet, Prilosec, and others deplete B-12, Folic acid, Vit-D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc. This can lead to effects such as: anemia, depression, tiredness, birth defects, increased cancer risk, osteoporosis, weakness, fatigue, brittle nails, lowered immunity, problems with taste/smell, and sexual dysfunction.

Many antibiotics can deplete B vitamins and Vitamin K. This can lead to digestive issues, lowered ability to absorb other nutrients, and other health problems. Tetracycline antibiotics can deplete Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, B-6, and Zinc, leading to many of the same problems as antacids.

All cholesterol drugs lower CoQ10 levels, which lead to lowered immunity, low energy, and various cardiovascular problems.

Anti-depressants can deplete CoQ10 and B-2. This can lead to lowered immunity, low energy, various cardiovascular problems, skin and mucus membrane problems, and eye and nerve problems.

HRT and birth control pills can deplete all the B vitamins, Folic acid, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc. This can lead to birth defects, memory problems, nerve dysfunctions, depression, irritability, swollen tongue, scaly skin, mucus membrane problems, anemia, weakness, lowered immunity, reduced antioxidant protection, smell/taste problems, slower wound healing, sexual dysfunction, and other problems.

Anti-Inflammatories, including aspirin, motrin, corticosteroids, and others, can deplete a large number of vitamins and minerals, causing a very wide range of health issues including most of those mentioned above.

High blood pressure drugs deplete CoQ10, B-6, B-1, and Zinc. This can lead to cardiovascular problems, low energy, weakened immunity, depression, sleep problems, depression, memory loss, edema, sexual dysfunction, and slower wound healing.

This is just a small example of nutrients depleted by prescription drugs and the effects these depletions have. If you are taking any drugs it is a good idea to seek the advice of a Naturopathic Doctor, or other health care professionals trained in this area, to help you maintain health levels of your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Problem with Zicam

2008-11-20T14:36:00.002-05:00

You may have heard of a product for colds called 'Zicam'. Zicam is labeled as a homeopathic preparation of zinc gluconate, but if you know how to read homeopathic abbreviations, you will realize that Zicam is actually a 10% solution of zinc gluconate. This is much higher than the near-nonexistent levels of a compound that homeopathic medications usually contain.

What this means is that Zicam is really a way to take zinc inter-nasally. The problem with this is inter-nasal zinc can cause loss of smell, which can be permanent.

My suggestion would be, if you find zinc to be helpful for your colds, take it by mouth. This way you will still get the zinc, but avoid the possibility of losing your sense of smell.

New Radio Interview

2008-11-20T14:31:00.004-05:00

I have been interviewed by an on-line radio show. Use the link below to listen to this 30 minute interview.

Click Here

Vitamin D and the Flu

2008-11-17T16:28:00.002-05:00

Many people know about vitamin-D as a part of healthy bone development. What you may not know is that vitamin-D is also a very important factor in brain/mood function and immune function. This excerpt below explains some possible connection between flu outbreaks and low vitamin-D levels.

Influenza does not follow the predicted patterns for infectious diseases. In fact, there are several conundrums associated with influenza epidemics, such as:

1. Why is influenza both seasonal and ubiquitous -- and where is the virus between epidemics?
2. Why are influenza epidemics so explosive?
3. Why do epidemics end so abruptly?
4. What explains the frequent coincidental timing of epidemics in countries of similar latitudes?
5. Why did epidemics in previous ages spread so rapidly, despite the lack of modern transport?

A theory gaining weight in the scientific community explains influenza epidemics as a result of a dormant disease, which become active in response to vitamin D deficiency. This theory provides answers for many of the above questions. A disease that remains dormant until vitamin D-producing sunlight exposure is reduced by a winter or rainy season would explain a widespread seasonal disease with a rapid onset and decline.
There is compelling epidemiological evidence that indicates vitamin D deficiency is just such a "seasonal stimulus." Recent evidence confirms that lower respiratory tract infections are more frequent, sometimes dramatically so, in those with low levels of vitamin D. Researchers have also found that 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day abolished the seasonality of influenza, and dramatically reduced its self-reported incidence.

Supporting Naturopathic Medicine Nationally

2008-11-13T16:50:00.001-05:00

With a changing national administration and legislature who are both interested in fixing our healthcare system, now is an optimal time to contact our representatives to let them know our wishes.

The incoming administration has said that preventative medicine will be a key component of a new health care plan. In fact, preventative medicine has been shown in studies to dramatically reduce the risk (and economic burden) of all major killers in this country.

Naturopathic physicians (ND) are currently licensed in 16 states with varying degrees of flexibility to practice. NDs fight for licensure state-by-state, in hard-fought battles against those who fear the loss of their dominance.

Naturopathic physicians are this country's only professionals that are trained to a primary care level in preventative medicine, along with treating existing illness.

We can write to our representatives to give naturopathic physicians national licensure and include them within a national health care coverage plan. It costs billions less to prevent diseases than to treat them. With national licensure, our medical system could be transformed from a disease management system to one that actually cares for health.

Please use any of the above information in a letter. To contact the incoming executive branch, use their website: http://www.change.gov/page/s/yourvision

For the our senators, you can contact them via: http://clinton.senate.gov/contact/ and http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/contact/contact.html

Your Representatives to the house depend on where in the state you are. This site will help you figure that out: http://www.house.gov/ At the website, enter your zip code in the upper left of the web page and it will tell you your representative.

Thank you for your help. Together we can change healthcare in this country for the better.

Talk on Digestive Health

2008-11-13T16:47:00.003-05:00

In December I will be giving a talk at the Holistic Wellness Healing Arts Center in St. James. Below is the information on the talk. Please be sure to tell friends and family who are interested in improving their digestion and health.

Improving Digestion to Improve Your Health

Your digestive system is a key part of your health. Your digestive system needs to be in good health to take in all the nutrients you need, and it has the important job of eliminating toxins from your body so they do not build up and cause damage. Symptoms and chronic illness can be cured or greatly improved just by optimizing your digestion. Dr. Prego will discuss how naturopathic doctors assess your digestive health, and how naturopathic medicine can improve your digestive health. Some specific substances will be looked at, and there will be ample time for questions and answers on this and other related topics.

This talk will be on Wed. Dec. 3rd from 7pm - 8:30pm. The cost for the talk is $10. You can reserve a seat by calling 631-245-6620, or register online via http://www.holisticwellness.com

Sleep

2008-11-06T15:38:00.000-05:00

Sleep is one of the core factors needed for a healthy life. All too often in our society we neglect sleep, cut down on sleep time because we "don't have the time", or we think we can survive on 5-6 hours each night.

In reality, nearly all humans need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. 100 years ago we would get 9 hours each night on average. Now the average is under 7 hours. This is bad for numerous reasons, for example: people who sleep 6 hours/night have a 15% greater chance of getting in a car accident than people who sleep 8 hours/night. Also, less sleep causes loss of muscle, gaining of fat, faster aging, worse short-term memory, depression, worsening of chronic pain, and many other unhealthy effects.

There are 4 stages of sleep, and it is important to get all 4 stages. Stage 3 and 4 is when the body repairs itself, when immune function is increased, and when children have the most growth. A healthy adult spends about 18% of sleep in these stages. Some unhealthy people may not have any stage 3 and 4 sleep. Alcohol and sleeping pills both inhibit stage 3 and 4 sleep.

There are many reasons for having problems with sleep, but there are some basic things that can help almost everyone. The first, and most important, is to make enough time for sleep. Expect to sleep 8 hours each night. Even sleeping more when you have the time is excellent. Sleep debt is held on to by the body and the body will try to make it up even years after the sleep loss. This is why some people feel tired if they 'sleep too long'. With longer sleep the body now tries to sleep even longer to make up for lost sleep. This should be supported whenever possible.

There are numerous good sleep habits that are easy to create. Consistent bedtime and wake time is important. Calming down and lowering lights about 30 minutes before bedtime is good. Avoid caffeine after 3pm, and do not drink alcohol before bed. When sleeping, keep the room quiet, as dark as possible, and at a cool, comfortable temperature. If you wake to urinate, drink more of your water in the AM. Never use your bed for activities such as eating, watching tv, or doing work. Eat your last meal about 3 hours before bed.

Dealing with specific illnesses and conditions that affect sleep are beyond the scope of this article, but conditions that disrupt sleep can create a cycle where they both re-enforce each other. I suggest seeking out an ND to assist with sleep health if you continue to have sleep problems.

Quality of Naturopathic Doctors

2008-10-24T13:00:00.007-04:00

Quality and safety are two very important concepts when dealing with your health. It has recently come to my attention that on Long Island there are a few people portraying themselves as NDs or Naturopaths without having the training. In many states there are laws to make sure this doesn't happen, but in New York there are no laws that cover this, so anyone can call themselves an ND. This is one error the ND licencing law in NYS will resolve once it is passed.

In the meantime however, it is up to each person to check and make sure someone who uses an 'ND' after their name, or calls themselves a Naturopath is properly trained. The CNME is the only accrediting body recognised by the U.S. Dept. of Education to accredit naturopathic medical schools and to administer ND board exams (the NPLEX). Ask what school the person received their degree from and if it is not accredited, they are not trained as a naturopath. You can find a continuously updated list of accredited schools at http://cnme.org/links.html

Most people who are not fully trained as a naturopath will call themselves a 'board certified' naturopath or a 'traditional naturopath' (both terms created in the 1980's by mail-order degree schools).

When it comes to your health it is very important to make sure of what you are getting. As with your health, it is very important to be involved and informed. I will always be happy to help you find any information you need on any Naturopath you are curious about.

Dr. Prego's Patients

2008-10-23T21:53:00.001-04:00

Preventing Colds and Flu

2008-10-23T19:09:00.018-04:00

As we head into cold and flu season I would like to talk about ways to stay healthy so that you can be the one in the office or the classroom that doesn't get the cold/flu that is going around, or if you do, its much less severe than usual.

There is no fancy magic pill that prevents colds and flu. The basics of good health is the prevention: good sleep, dealing well with stress, drinking water, avoiding smoking, and eating well are the keys.

Good quality sleep: Many think they can get away with 5-6 hours of sleep, but that impacts the immune system and weakens its ability to fight infections. 8 hours of solid sleep will go a long way to keeping the immune system strong. Some people use over the counter sleep aids, or things like tylenol PM to get to sleep. The drawback of this is it inhibits your REM sleep. Its your REM sleep that rejuvenates the immune system. Things such as sleeping pills, antihistamines, and alcohol interfere with the body's' ability to go into REM sleep. Gentle, natural ways are more ideal: consistent bedtimes, calm pre-bed time, herbs such as chamomile, and minerals such as magnesium all help to bring about healthy sleep.

Dealing with stress: High stress means high levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol. Besides increasing fat deposition, long-term higher cortisol levels inhibit the immune system and also interfere with sleep. Meditation and visualization, and simple relaxation all help to decrease stress. Regular exercise has the effect of reducing stress and enhancing the immune system

Drinking water: The body needs water for almost everything it does. Water replenishes the body and helps to move toxins out of the body. Most people need at least 68oz (8 glasses) of water each day and many people need more.

Avoid smoking: One cigarette can paralyze the cilia in the lungs and sinuses for 40 minutes. It is the job of the cilia to move invading organisms and debris up and out of the lungs and sinuses.

Eating well: Sugar, white flour, and white rice all inhibit the immune system and feed bacteria because of their high sugar content. Dairy tends to be mucus producing, and artificial flavors and colors put a strain on the body's ability to detoxify. Staying with whole foods and more natural foods will help replenish the body. Having protein with all meals will be helpful because it provides building blocks for the immune system.

If you are anemic or have a chronic illness, it harder for your immune system to fight off colds and flu. It would be good to reverse the anemia, and work on improving any chronic illnesses to improve your immune function.

Some vitamins and minerals are also helpful. Most people know about zinc. Many people are chronically low in zinc, which is why taking zinc improves symptoms of many people's colds. The combination of vitamin A and D are excellent at improving immune function, and many people in the U.S. are at least slightly deficient in both. If you take very high doses of vitamin A, it is a good idea to accompany it with vitamin D. Talk to a naturopathic doctor about what amounts of both would be ideal for you to take.

There are numerous herbs such as echinacea, astragalus, baptisia, oregon grape, and elderberry which are all excellent for supporting immune function. Talk to a naturopathic doctor about which may work best with your individual health concerns.

Following these basic diet and lifestyle tips, even though they make take a bit of time, will save much more time and suffering in your life by helping you to get less clods and flu.

Health Fair and Nominations

2008-10-15T16:42:00.002-04:00

I wanted to share some information with you.

First, I will be at a health fair in Huntington this Sunday the 19th, from 10pm to 4pm. Located at the Huntington Hilton on Rt 110 in Melville. I will be giving a 45min talk on avoiding colds and flu. There will be other speakers there as well. Call 631-385-7321 for more information.

Second, I have been nominated by the LI Press as a "Best on LI". If you would like to vote for me, you can go to http://longislandpress.com/ and click on the Best in LI banner, and click on the 'green' category, and I am listed in the 1st group.

Keep a look out within a few weeks for a 3 minute video being made of me and my practice on islip.tv I will send another message when it is up, and I should have copies available upon request. You can show it to anyone interested.

Environmental Toxins' Effects on Health, Part 2

2008-10-09T17:03:00.011-04:00

Today, in part 2, we will discuss some ways to test toxin levels in your body. We will also discuss some ways to lower these levels in your body.

There are a few ways to test for heavy metals: hair analysis, provoked urine challenge, unprovoked urine challenge, and blood levels. Blood levels are usually used when one is directly exposed to a large amount of a heavy metal. This test is useless however in chronic low-level exposures as it doesn't test for what is stored in the body, only what is circulating in the blood. The best test for seeing what is stored in the body is the provoked urine test. In this test, one is given a substance that frees heavy metals stored in the body, then it enters the urine and can be tested for. The amount in the urine corresponds to how much is stored in the body.

For non-metal chemicals, testing hormone levels and testing the body's detoxification ability will show if there are problems. Some chemicals can be directly tested for, but there are too many to test them all. Most have effects on hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. They also overwhelm the body's detoxification systems, so we can see their effect by testing levels of detoxification ability.

If the levels of toxins are high, there are a number of things we can do. If the problem is heavy metals, something called chelation therapy is very helpful. Using chemicals such as DMSO, DMSA, or others (given either orally or IV) we can pull the metals out of the body, bind them, and then the body excretes them in the urine. This process needs to be watched careful. If it is done too fats, it can worsen symptoms. Often time, people going through chelation therapy need to be supported with extra minerals, as they can also be pulled out of the body. Often times we will want to support kidney function, liver function and bile creation and secretion to make sure the bound toxins move out of the body.

For other toxins, we often focus on the liver and bile. We will give nutrients, co-factors, and herbs that strengthen the liver and support its ability to detoxify the body. Also, we use herbs and supplements to make sure the bile is of good consistency and flows well. This is important because anything the liver processes needs to be put in the bile to be moved out of the body. We also want to support adrenal function. The stresses on the body from toxins can have an effect on adrenal function, which can cause problems of low energy and fatigue.

In the long-term, we want to decrease exposures to toxins, and also support all 5 systems of detoxification in the body: the liver, the kidneys, the skin, the bowels, and the lungs. We can also include emotions as a detoxification system. Healthy expression of emotions is needed to keep mental toxins from building up and effecting mental and emotional health.

Enviromental toxins' effects on health, Part 1

2008-10-01T17:08:00.018-04:00

Many people have chronic illnesses that are exacerbated by, or can be caused by, toxins in the environment. There are two major categories of toxins in the environment that can affect your health: heavy metals and chemicals. One does not need to have a single large exposure to get sick. Many times people can feel sick from repeated exposure to low levels of these toxins that exist in many areas of our daily environments.

Today we will discuss what some of these toxins are, and how they can affect your health. Next time, in part 2, we will discuss some ways to test for these toxins, and general ways to help with these issues.

Some of the heavy metals in our environment are mercury, lead, and aluminum. Mercury can be found in rainwater and freshwater ponds and lakes, incineration of coal by-products, and large fish such as tuna. Mercury can cause changes in the mucosal layer of the digestive system, and can affect the kidneys, the liver, adrenal tissue, and the brain. Lead can be found in soil near foundries, in old paint, in some products from China, and other sources. Lead is much more of a problem in children than adults, as lead binds to the phosphorous in bone, blocking its ability to grow and repair. Aluminum is found in many products such as aluminum cans and anti-perspirants. Aluminum has been found to be a neurotoxin in animal studies, high levels of aluminum and Alzheimer's are connected, and it may also alter acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) metabolism.

Chronic heavy metal toxicity has a cascade effect on health. The 2 main areas it can affect are the digestive system and the endocrine system. Heavy metals can disrupt these systems to an extent where you start to feel symptoms such as fatigue, chronic infections, IBS, yeast overgrowth, muscle cramping, autoimmune diseases, weight fluctuations, insomnia, stiffness of joint, and 'skipped' heart beats. On labs, you may see low white blood cells, low blood proteins, low iron, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

Chemicals in the environment can also have harmful effects on your health. They mostly seem to have effects on the endocrine system. Compounds that mimic estrogens (found in plastics and pesticides) can disturb estrogen balance and lower testosterone. A group of compounds called Phthalates can be found in plastics, detergents, soaps, vinyl flooring, and some medication coatings. These compounds also have effects on cells in the testes of males and in the ovaries of females. Symptoms people can feel from these toxins are hyper-acidity, fatigue, autoimmune issues, PMS, food allergies, gallbladder problems, and urination problems.

Part 2 will be posted next week.

PBS special about Naturopathic Medicine

2008-09-22T16:40:00.002-04:00

This is an excerpt from the recent AANP newsletter:

"PBS Creates Naturopathic Medicine Series

It's true, we've been asked by a PBS producer to collaborate on a thirteen part series on naturopathic medicine. Our schedule has filming starting in January 2009. The series will be co-owned by the AANP, which will allow us to use each episode as we deem appropriate for marketing and education purposes. The show will first air in parts of California, Washington and Oregon, after which any PBS region has the right to air it. Kudos to our ND community for pledging more than $8,000 at the AANP Awards Banquet during the convention. A total of $80,000 is required to see this effort through and fundraising efforts are underway. Individual and institutional contributions are needed now to ensure this amazing opportunity to educate millions of Americans on the benefits of naturopathic medicine. Send your pledge today to member.services@naturopathic.org with the Subject Line "PBS PLEDGE."

I suggest supporting this effort in any way possible, even by simply telling your local PBS stations that you want to see it shown.

Interview Podcast

2008-09-21T19:05:00.003-04:00

A podcast of saturday night's interview is available by clicking here

Radio Interview

2008-09-18T16:04:00.002-04:00

I will be interviewed on the radio this Saturday night 9/20 at 1am - 2am (technically early Sunday morning). You can listen on-air on 1240am or online at http://offthetopradio.com/

It should be an interesting and informative show. Be sure to tell everyone to listen in.

Turmeric

2008-09-15T18:39:00.008-04:00

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the next herb I would like to talk about. You may know it as a spice used in food. It is what gives curry its distinctive color. It is also often used to give other foods a certain color, such as mustard.

It is the root, or rhizome, part of the plant which is used. It is usually boiled, dried, then ground into a fine powder. Like Chamomile, Turmeric is a mild herb that is useful for many conditions. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, a liver supportive herb, and a digestive herb.

I will use turmeric any time I want to support liver health, or support the liver's ability to detoxify compounds. Its antioxidant ability protects liver cells from damage. It also helps to bring down liver enzymes levels by its anti-inflammatory effects. It can help prevent gallstones by both increasing bile output and increasing solubility of bile, which makes it harder for gallstones to form.

Its anti-inflammatory effects are also useful in arthritic conditions. It can be made into a paste, or poultice, and be applied externally to the joints or areas of pain. It can also be taken internally, to have a widespread anti-inflammatory effect. Because of its mild nature, usually levels of between 1 gram for mild pain, and up to 4 tablespoons for more sever acute pain may need to be used.

Turmeric has a wealth of benefits for the digestive system. Historically, this medicine has been used to reduce gas. Another compound in this herb increases the production of several important secretions in the digestive tract. With its ability to suppress inflammation, increase mucin content of the stomach, and stop bleeding, turmeric prevents and treats ulcerations of all types, including gastritis, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome/ colitis. Its properties are perfectly suited to colitis, as it treats the pain, inflammation, mucous membrane damage, and diarrhea.

Turmeric also seems to show some benefit in raising HDL and lowering LDL, as well as being somewhat antimicrobial.

As we can see, turmeric is not only a flavorful and colorful herb, but it has a long history of medicinal uses. You will see that many of our culinary herbs started out as medicinal herbs, and were first added to food for their health benefits.

Chamomile

2008-09-09T16:30:00.003-04:00

I wanted to start with talking about herbs, and Chamomile is one of the best herbs to start with, as it is easy to use, very safe, and can be useful for many conditions.

The flowers of Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) are the parts that are used. It is great for use with children as well as adults, and is a jack-of-all-trades. It is helpful for sleep, for digestive issues, for calming, for inflammation, and for pain and fever. This herb is great to have handy to use as a tea. Because of its mildness, it can also be useful when used in smaller amounts over longer periods of time. Besides a tea, Chamomile can be used as a tincture, in capsules, and topically as an ointment or poultice

I tend to think of this herb when dealing with children and with any mild digestive upset, including some diarrhea and constipation. When infants have colic or young children have the generalized 'upset stomach', Chamomile helps by relaxing smooth muscles in the digestive tract. Because of this it can also be helpful when children have upset stomachs from nervousness or anxieties. It is great to help calm children when they are over-excited close to bedtime.

Because of its smooth muscles relaxing effects, it can also be used in some cases of menstrual cramps and menstrual irregularities. Its pain-reliving and fever reducing effects make useful in mild fevers and mild aches and pains.

Chamomile is great to 'take the edge off' after a long stressful day, or if there is some calming needed to help get to sleep at night, for both adults and children. It is one of the mildest calming herbs, so there is no concern of grogginess the next morning.

Chamomile can be used on the skin for minor cuts, inflammations, eczema, and psoriasis.

Chamomile is overall a very safe herb for adults, children, during breastfeeding, and even during pregnancy as long as the dose is not very high.

This herb would be excellent to have as part of a set of natural first-aid supplies in the house.

Topics for Discussion

2008-08-29T14:59:00.003-04:00

I have my own topics which I will be talking about through this blog, but I also want to know what you would like me to discuss. If you have questions or topics you want discussed, please post a comment to this post stating what you would like covered, and I will cover as many of them as I can.

Please note that I can't give specific plans for specific individuals on this blog. For a specific plan tailored to you as an individual, you will have to schedule an appointment.

Welcome message

2008-08-27T18:08:00.012-04:00

Greetings! Since this is the 1st post on my blog, I will tell you a bit about who I am and what naturopathic medicine is. In future posts I will be discussing various health topics, numerous herbs, foods, supplements, and other therapies that we use in the field of naturopathic medicine and how they can be of benefit to you.

I am a naturopathic doctor practicing in Islip NY. I received my medical degree from Bastyr University in Kenmore WA in 2004. I opened my own practice here in Islip, NY in 2005. At Long Island Naturopathic I have been seeing patients with various conditions. I have helped to improve the health of people with conditions such as: autoimmune diseases, cancer, digestive disorders, allergies, and many others. In New York, the main therapies I use are: herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, dietary and lifestyle modifications, vitamin and mineral supplements, and short-term counseling.

A bit about naturopathic medicine: As a separate form of medicine, naturopathic medicine started about 100 years ago in New York City by Dr. Benedict Lust, and spread very fast thoughout the U.S. and Canada. We are trained as primary care doctors. We examine and diagnose as any other western doctor would (some NDs are also trained in traditional Chinese medicine and will use those diagnostic skills as well). Our philosophy of healing is a major area which sets us apart. We work from the idea that the body inherently tries to heal itself and our job is to support and assist that process. We look at the body as a whole, sometimes treating multiple parts of the body to bring about healing. We also treat people on an individual basis, for example we may use different treatment plans for 2 people who both have IBS.

The most important aspect in the field of naturopathic medicine is your involvement. You are the most important part of your healing process. Many may ask: "What does it mean to be active in improving my health?" It means more than just popping a pill now and then. It means making the choice to give your health a high priority in your life. It means repeatedly making the choice to alter how you live so that you may improve your health and have a more enjoyable life. It is being aware of what is going on in your body, and how it is affecting you at any given time. It is knowing what your body is doing, and learning what is causing your body to have these reactions. It is having a willingness to not identify with and become your diagnosis. That is what it means to take an active part in your own health.