Dear Colleagues
I hope you all are doing well. It is a long newsletter this time so we’ll start.
Academic tidbits
1. Jonathan Wright in a recent newsletter had an article about Ashwaganda. To refresh your memory on Ashwaganda I will quote what was written on the Supreme Nutrition website page: Withania (Ashwagandha) is an adaptogen working on the endocrine system and the HPA. The Sanskrit implies it gives the user the strength and stamina of a horse- some doctors saying that taking it in the morning will allow you to run 20 miles while taking it at night will allow you to sleep like a baby. I am sure that is an exaggeration (at least in my case), but you get the idea. It is most well known to decrease fatigue, allow you to handle stress more effectively, increase strength and stamina, increase libido, improve memory and clarity, and produce restful sleep when needed. The various conditions it has been used for include arthritis (it is anti-inflammatory), chronic lung conditions and immune deficiency, hypertension, auto-immune problems, hypo-thyroidism, and many others. Animal studies have shown it may be useful in treating drug-induced dyskinesia. In one animal study, ashwagandha increased brain levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. This could easily be the mechanism of how it improves cognition, memory and perhaps longevity. Other studies have shown it increases acetylcholine receptor activity, stimulates the growth of axons and dendrites and has GABA-like activity. In most cases we prefer it to GABA because it is a “whole food” and has many complementary properties.
According to Dr Wright’s newsletter recent clinical trials showed significant reductions in serum cortisol and C-reactive protein and increases in DHEA in subjects taking ashwaganda. It also boosted testosterone levels and may help in male infertility as well as older men whose testosterone has dropped too low. Supreme Nutrition (1-800-922-1744) came out with Ashwaganda Supreme because it is one of the herbs that has widely varying results with AK testing depending on the batch, point of origin, etc. and they felt it was extremely important to offer supplies that pre-passed AK testing to assure quality and performance.
I’d like to thank my friend Michael DeFino DC for bringing this article to my attention.
2. Another article in Dr Wrights newsletter (a previous issue) spoke about a trial that showed that Coptis and other berberine compounds (Coptis tincture by Thorne (1-800-228-1966) as well as Berbercap capsules by Thorne, Golden Thread capsules by Supreme Nutrition), controlled glucose metabolism in diabetics as effectively as the drug Metformin and also had positive effects controlling blood lipid levels. Considering it is also a superb broad spectrum anti-microbial (my primary use)- it has a wide range of uses for many patients.
CASE HISTORIES SUBMITTED BY SOME GREAT DOCS
- 54 year old female school teacher, complaints of left hip pain, unable to walk more than 15 minutes without pain. She also had some fatigue and high blood pressure. I first saw her in May 2010 and the left hip pain had started November 2009. She tested positive on fungus, parasite composite vials (AK Test Kits 1-888-323-0625). Both were blocked by Morinda Supreme (1-800-922-1744). Copper also weakened (blocked by Takesumi Supreme) as did wheat. I also put her on Ashwagandha Supreme (Supreme Nutrition) and B Complex #6 (Thorne 1-800-228-1966). I treated her hip several times before we re-checked dysbiosis 3 weeks later. She was clear on dysbiosis that visit, her energy was better, she was sleeping through the night which she hadn't been doing. She stayed on the Ashwagandha, Takesumi, and B Complex#6, continued to avoid wheat, and began Perfusia (Thorne). Despite many improvements her hip pain had not diminished. The next time I saw her was in September and she still had the hip pain, her energy was still good and her blood pressure was normal. I tested everything again. She continued to need Takesumi and B complex #6 and also tested positive on ovalbumin (from the Food Toxin Kit). She also tested positive on Camu Supreme. 2weeks later her hip pain was completely gone, she could resume walking with no problems at all. Her husband is a pharmacist and began looking into ovalbumin. Her hip pain had started November 2009 right after her flu shot at school. He found the ingredients to the flu shot and ovalbumin was in the shot! Thanks Michael for the latest additions to the protocol. My patient continues to do well, she says people are getting sick all around her, but she will not get a shot this year, just staying with the great supplements.
Brett Morgan DC - WV
2. A patient came in complaining of a severe rash and hives, which was spreading from her face into her eyes. For a two week period of time we had only minimal success. I then asked her about pets. She has two dogs, a cat and a bird. Sure enough she reacted strongly to the pet hair vial. The only thing that negated the weakness was Morinda Supreme. I was concerned that the effect would be minimized since she was in constant contact with the hair and dander, which I was informed, was not going to change. Thankfully, I was more than pleasantly surprised. After two days she had more than 50% improvement and then by day five had full resolution. Remember, Morinda Supreme was the supplement that eliminated my dog allergy five years ago (we have a 4 ½ year old Golden Retriever now). Blessings,
Dr. Scott Monk, Centennial, CO
Clinical Tidbits
- I have had a significant number of patients who had been doing well for many years on prescription thyroid hormones but when switched to the generic brands started having many symptoms. The generics would not test positive (they would weaken a strong indicator muscle), while at least one of the brand names would strengthen. Often they would have to “fight” their doctor or pharmacist to switch them back to the brand name and once they switched back they were fine again. We do not know if this is a filler/binder/excipient issue or why it is occurring but in the past week I had 3 such patients. Also using the distance test (taught at our seminars), sometimes adding Cytomel (T3) to a patient just taking T4 (e.g. Synthroid) it will not only test better but they will feel better. If you can’t prescribe you may have to find a sympathetic MD or DO to help or let the patient talk to their physician. I rarely comment on patients medications but I have seen this often enough that I felt it was warranted.
If the patient has low thyroid function but has never been on medication or has only been on it a short while I often find that L-Tyrosine (on awakening and between breakfast and lunch), Iodine-Tyrosine, or Thyrocsin (all Thorne) can be a better option. Tyrosine is also fairly brand specific and I have seen patients switch from Thorne to the health food store brand and come back complaining that it no longer works when in reality it was a quality issue. Alaria Supreme is an effective whole foods iodine source and Endo Supreme is a great endocrine adaptogen (including thyroid).
- Biomagnetic Tester (Mid American marketing 1-800-922-1744)
Besides the 2”x5” magnet I use routinely from them I often use the Biomagnetic Tester- a small want with a strong north pole on one side and a south on the other. I find the south pole placed on a neurolymphatic brings up many subclinical weaknesses (like the test we do with red in our protocol) and is a quick and easy screening. I also use it to screen acupuncture points and individual teeth. It is a nice little tool to have in your practice
3. In carrying calcium, magnesium and cal-mag products I think it is essential to carry both in the citrate and citramate form (Thorne). The citrate form (mag) is amazing for helping constipation while I use the citramate (mag or cal-mag) more for hypertension and muscle cramps. Occasionally testing dictates the opposite but this holds in most cases. If people have insomnia taking 2 magnesium at bed can work wonders (sometimes adding 5HTP or Pharma-Gaba is necessary too). The citramate form (cal or cal-mag) shows often in osteoporosis or osteopenia patients. Almost all of Thornes minerals I carry in 2 forms as often only one tests and sometimes it is hard to predict which one it will be.
4. Camu Supreme has become a favorite of mine with colds, flu, allergies, anything you would need Vit C and or flavinoids with. It tests positive on a higher percentage of patients than I anticipated and I test it on everyone.
SALE OFFER
For those of you that did not hear about this by email -Thorne is offering a one time 10% discount on an order placed before the end of the year if you tell them you read about it in Dr Lebowitz's newsletter. It is a great offer to take advantage
MATERIAL AVAILABLE FROM DR. MICHAEL LEBOWITZ
1.DVD: Treating the Complex Patient 2010:This DVD seminar, approximately 3 1/2 hours long will teach the physician a simple to apply, effective protocol to treat patients with chronic fatigue, allergies, chemical sensitivities, intestinal dysbiosis, (fungal, bacterial, parasitic, spirochete, and viral infections), food sensitivities, food toxin intolerance, altered intestinal permeability, toxic metal problems, endocrine dysfunction, nutritional imbalances, chronic pain and subluxations, fibromyalgia, etc. Knowledge of basic muscle testing is helpful. The DVD set is suited for both the novice and the advanced practitioners in our work. A complete set of advanced notes accompanies the DVD. This DVD supersedes our previous ones and was taped at our office. Price is only $180ppd. You can send a check or go to our website if you wish to use a credit card. Dr. Lebowitz is available to answer questions about the procedures after you watch the seminar, or to consult with on difficult patients.
2. Clinical Indications of Thorne Research Products: This handout, over 22 pages long, has both academic and clinical observations on well over 100 products I use in my office. The majority of the products I carry are by Thorne Research. Reasons are given. This handout is free. Also see it on our website www.michaellebowitzdc.com NEW EDITION ON WEBSITE
3. Clinical Indications of Supreme Nutrition Products can also be downloaded from our website or obtained by calling Mid American Marketing 1-800-922-1744.
4. Personal Seminars with Dr. Lebowitz: Dr. Lebowitz teaches seminars to one or two doctors at a time in his home/office in Grand Junction, CO. It is approximately 4 miles from the airport serviced by United, Delta and Continental Airlines. Seminars run from 9:00-4:00. These classes are tailored to meet your individual needs and can be as basic or advanced as you would like. Treatment for you and/or your family can be included in the teaching. Lunch is provided and this is a great place to vacation all times of the year with nearby attractions in both Colorado and Utah. Colorado continuing education hours can be provided. Best days are Sundays, Mondays or Wednesdays. Call to schedule exact dates. Cost is $300
5. Test Kits for Dr. Lebowitz protocol. Call AK Test Kits at 1-888-323-0625 or see our website http://www.michaellebowitzdc.com for more details. Info is also available on CD-Rom. These new kits will greatly simplify and speed up your testing making you more efficient and accurate in patient assessment. Thorne Research and Supreme nutrition also have test kits available for their products.