From eNewsletter 8/24/2022
DID YOU KNOW the House of Representatives needed to pass a resolution calling on medical schools to offer instruction on basic nutrition? Astounding. H.Res.1118 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States recognizes the mounting personal and financial burden of diet-related disease in the United States and calls on medical schools, graduate medical education programs, and other health professional training programs to provide meaningful physician and health professional education on nutrition and diet.
Announcements
Update to Long COVID Action Plan! Steve: Based upon an extensive literature review of studies on complementary and alternative therapies for Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection or "Long COVID," as well as drawing upon the successes of clients we have worked with, I have updated our Action Plan. See below for details.
Text Us We accept text messages. Type (847) 498-3422 and text away!
Virus Prevention and Support SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is here to stay. Moreover, we are exposed to many other viruses including influenza (flu), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), monkeypox, and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. We recommend supporting your immune system year-round. For more information, refer to our Prevent and Fight Viruses 2.0 Protocol here.
NEW! Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection or "Long COVID" Action Plan 3.0 Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or "Long COVID" includes symptoms that can last for 12 weeks or more. If you, a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor are suffering from PASC, follow our Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Action Plan 3.0. It is available for purchase here (password: discount2018).
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Our opinion can be found at this link and is continually updated.
Have a happy, healthy day! Steve and Bonnie Minsky
In Today's Issue...
Well Connect Feature: The Herbs of Summer*
Public Health Alert
August 20% OFF Sale Items
Chiro Corner NEW!
Pure Genomics
Blog Briefs
Well Connect Member Benefits *Paid Member Access Only
Public Health Alert
Steve: It's been three months since we've updated you on public health concerns other than COVID-19. You may have heard about the state of emergency declared for the monkeypox virus outbreak. More on that below. Medications
According to a study in The Journal of Nutrition, statin use may lower serum concentrations of iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
A study in Mathematical Biosciences found that taking a diuretic and a renin-angiotensin system (RSA) inhibitor for hypertension with ibuprofen could result in acute kidney injury.
A study from Science Translational Medicine found using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids to relieve pain could increase the chances of developing chronic pain. By blocking inflammation when acute pain occurs may lead to the injury never resolving properly.
If you are taking bone drugs, do not take NSAIDs. A study from Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found signs of NSAIDS counteracting the effects of bisphosphonates on bone.
Vuity, a new eye drop that may limit the use of reading glasses, has just been approved by the FDA, and local ophthalmologists say it can be a life-changer for those dealing with presbyopia, an age-related eye issue that causes blurry vision.
Despite warnings about side effects of Cipro, Levaquin, and other so-called fluoroquinolones, including risks for tendon and ligament injuries, doctors are still overprescribing them. Moreover, a simple genetic test can be done to screen those at most risk (this is in our Pure Genomics genetic screening).
A prescription-strength steroid-free nasal spray for indoor and outdoor allergies (brand name Astepro) is now available over the counter nationwide. We do not recommend it. The ingredients are awful.
Dietary Supplements
On the internet, especially at Amazon, there is an epidemic of counterfeit, adulterated, and purposely mislabeled dietary supplements. A recent study from JAMA Network Open found that half of immune products analyzed from Amazon had labels that did not match the contents.
The number of children in the United States who unintentionally ingested melatonin supplements over the past 10 years has skyrocketed. Health officials are warning parents to store melatonin where kids cannot access it.
Cannabis and CBD
Nearly 1 in 4 CBD products deemed THC-free contained detectable levels of delta-9 THC—the cannabinoid with euphoric effects, according to researchers at University of Kentucky. While most of these products contained minute levels of THC, they could still lead to positive drug tests.
Cannabis may invoke direct allergic reactions, as well as the potential to provoke allergic cross-reactions to plant foods. If you are grass pollen allergic and using cannabis medicinally, we suggest speaking with your allergist.
Diet and Lifestyle
Yo-yo dieting increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to findings presented at the American Physiological Society annual meeting. Researchers suggest that dramatic swings in calories consumed have long-term impacts on cardiovascular health and metabolism.
A worldwide study from JAMA Network Open found that special taxes placed on sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with lower sales of those taxed beverages.
A study in JAMA Cardiology purported that high amounts of sitting time were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Chlorine in swimming pools readily reacts with natural organic matter that are introduced in the water mainly through the swimmers, leading to the formation of potentially harmful chlorination by-products (CBPs). The higher the concentration of volatile CBPs in the water, the higher their concentration in the air above the pool, and different routes of exposure to chemicals in swimming pools (water ingestion, skin absorption, and inhalation). Some CBPs may affect the respiratory and skin health of those who stay indoor for long periods, such as swimming instructors, pool staff, and competitive swimmers, according to a study in Allergy.
Monkeypox Virus When a person contracts monkeypox, they can develop flu-like symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes and distinctive fluid-filled lesions on their skin. It is painful but not deadly. Testing is mostly done through local health departments at this time. It spreads by prolonged contact, especially with a person’s skin lesions (which are teeming with the virus) during sexual contact. Most patients presenting with monkeypox also have a preexisting sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes. Symptomatic treatment with antivirals and vaccines are now available. How worried should you be about monkeypox? Not very. A public health emergency declaration is a measure the government uses to increase health agency access to funds and allow the government new avenues for increasing production and use of existing vaccines. Apart from the obvious preventive measures, such as practicing safe sex, not drinking out of the same glass, among others, adhering to your viral immune protocol as you have been since the pandemic is suggested.
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