HI all! Hope you are having a great week! Very windy here in Davis!
Research published this month in the highly regarded journal, “Neurology”, this month supports that the risk of having a first MS attack was reduced in individuals who had more sun exposure
(UV) and higher serum vitamin D levels. This lends support, but not proof, that vitamin D has immunomodulating properties that may be protective of developing MS. Those with the most
sun damage (and thus, presumably the most UV exposure) had a 60 percent reduction in likelihood of developing a first MS event.
This is why we need to take vitamin D more seriously than what conservatives teach us. Although not proof, the literature time and time again supports a role for vitamin D as a broad
spectrum hormone that impacts immune, cardiovascular, metabolic, cancer prevention and bone health. More research needs to be done, but until then, I recommend people shoot for
serum 25-OH vitamin D levels between 45-75, give or take. This often requires anywhere from 2000 to as much as 10000 iu depending on sun exposure, skin pigment and concurrent
medication use. Main issues include watching for kidney stones and higher serum calcium levels, which are fairly rare occurences. Simple blood and urine tests can help determine this.
Thanks for checking in. Please check out our shopping cart at www.4irh.com to look at our vitamin D and other nutritional products that are of the highest quality in the country.
Take care!
Eric Hassid, M.D.
CEO/Medical Director
IRH/NCCAM
Higher vitamin D levels equal lower risk of multiple sclerosis |
IRH health tip of the weekFebruary 2, 2011Hi all! Dr. Hassid here. Hope you are having a nice week. As the cold and flu season is upon us, many of us are looking for ways to prevent the development of these nasty bugs or at least shortening the duration (colds, flus, sinus infections, pneumonias…). Over the counter supplements that we carry at IRH that may have an impact on shortening the duration of colds include zinc, vitamin D, colloidal silver, vira clear homeopathic and possibly high dose oral vitamin C. However, the amount of oral vitamin C that our bodies can absorb from our intestines is limited to about 1 gram at a time. This only allows a small bump in serum levels.
At IRH, we have been very successful at counteracting a multitude of infections by providing moderate to high doses of intravenous vitamin C which allows for very high serum levels that cannot be achieved through the oral route. Typically, we would recommend an infusion 2 days in a row if possible, preferably early on in order to truly cut the infection intensity and duration significantly, whatever that infection is. Furthermore, high dose IV vitamin C can improve energy and adrenal function as an added bonus. We are excited to have been quite successful at managing a wide variety of medical conditions and ailments by the use of a variety of intravenous nutrient protocols.
To learn more about intravenous vitamin C and other outstanding intravenous nutrient protocols, please call IRH at 530-758-4474 and ask Julie or Ella. Have a great week and keep tuning in!
Eric Hassid, M.D. Functional Neurology and Anti-aging Medicine IRH/NCCAM IRH Health tip of the weekJanuary 25, 2011Hi all! Hope you are all having a nice week. Very often, many of us do not get enough quality sleep. Many have questioned what negative effects could come about from all this. I have always taught that sleep deprivation could result in poorer health and a greater risk of obesity and even diabetes. Well, a recent trial conducted at the University of Chicago on children 4-10 years of age confirmed this assertion. Children who got 9 or less hours of sleep had a higher likelihood of obesity and pre-diabetes blood work potential than those who slept more. Furthermore, catching up on weekends helped prevent obesity a little. This confirms our notion that porper sleep and stress reduction are critical components of an effective weight management program as well as healthy living program. The mechanism of this predisposition probably has to do with increased stress and hunger hormone production. See below for details of this interesting article: Kids who get recommended sleep least likely to be obeseNanci Hellmich 01-24-11
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Parents, here’s another good reason to make sure your kids get enough shut-eye: Children who get sufficient sleep are less likely to be obese, a new study shows. Other research shows sleep affects kids’ academic performance, mood and attention span. For the latest study, scientists at the University of Chicago and the University of Louisville compared the sleep patterns of 308 children, ages 4-10, with their body mass index, a number that considers height and weight. The children wore special wrist-band devices for a week to track the amount they slept. Some of the kids had blood work done to look at their glucose, insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, which are markers for the risk of type 2 diabetes and future cardiovascular disease. The study, out online today in Pediatrics, shows: *Kids slept an average of eight hours a night. This is far less than the nine or more hours recommended for this age group. *Kids who slept at least 9 1/2 to 10 hours were the least likely to be obese or to have unhealthy blood work. *The children who slept the least and had the most irregular sleep schedule (they didn’t go to bed at a set time) had a substantially greater risk of being obese and having unhealthy blood work. *Those who got caught up on sleep on the weekends somewhat reduced their risk of being obese or having unhealthy blood work. *Obese children were less likely to get caught up on their sleep on the weekends. “Good sleep routines and sleeping the right amount is the best healthy proposition,” says lead author David Gozal, chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Chicago. About one-third of children and adolescents in the USA weigh too much, putting them at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and other health problems. Previous research shows that not getting enough sleep may contribute to weight gain partly because it affects hormones that control hunger and feeling full. To see more of USAToday.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.usatoday.com IRH Health Tip of the WeekJanuary 18, 2011Hi all! Dr. Hassid here. Hope you are having a nice week. I wanted to give you all a heads up about a new second edition version of my book that should be available for purchase very soon entitled: Anti-aging and Functional Medicine: A User’s Guide to Optimal Brain Health I am very excited about this book because it serves as a solid foundation to understanding the new medical model of health care that we preach about. It goes over the cornerstone principles of anti-aging and functional medicine to include nutrition, exercise, emotional health, sleep, detoxification, anti-aging principles and hormonal balancing. It then goes on to present a holistic approach to commonly encountered conditions (with a neurological slant) such as migraine, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, fatigue/fibromyalgia, neuropathy, successful weight loss principles, and finally optimal brain health. Pertinent resources and references are presented at the end of the book. This book is ideally suited for the novice health care provider in the field and the educated consumer. It’s not too long, yet it is detailed enough to get a solid foundation. I believe it is one of a kind…..of course, I am not biased!! I look forward to your feedback on it. Please look out for it by checking out our website homepage from time to time in the next few weeks. It will be available for sale through our on-line store and amazon.com at the least.
Take care and have a great week!
Eric Hassid, M.D. Medical Director IRH and NCCAM
IRH Health Tip of the WeekJanuary 6, 2011Hi all! Hope you all had a wonderful new year. Hopefully, you all did not over indulge. Speaking about food… a recent study found that consuming a Mediterranean style diet reduced cognitive decline in older adults. This is not surprising since this diet includes a lot of healthy oils, fruits and vegetables. Bery anti-inflammatory diet. This goes to show how diet can really impact our physiology. See below for details. Have a wonderful and safe week!
Mediterranean diet slows cognitive declineUnited Press International 01-05-11
Copyright United Press International 2011 The Mediterranean diet, which reduces the risk of heart disease, some cancers and diabetes, may also reduce cognitive decline, U.S. researchers say. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago say the Mediterranean diet — lots of vegetables, fish, olive oil, legumes, non-refined cereals and moderate consumption of wine and other alcohol — is associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in older adults. Lead author Christy Tangney says the study involved 3,759 older residents of the south side of Chicago who are part of the Chicago Healthy Aging Project. The study subjects — age 65 and older — had a cognitive assessment that tested memory and basic math skills and they also completed questionnaires on the frequency with which they consumed 139 food items ranging from cereals and olive oil to red meat and alcohol. Out of a maximum score of 55 — indicating complete adherence to the Mediterranean diet — the average study participant scored 28. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found those with higher scores for the Mediterranean diet had cognitive tests that showed a slower rate of decline, even after factoring for education. “The more we can incorporate vegetables, olive oil and fish into our diets and moderate wine consumption, the better for our aging brains and bodies,” Tangney says in a statement. IRH Health Tip of the weekDecember 16, 2010Hi all! Dr. Hassid here for another health tip. We all know how exercise can help us feel better and be healthy. Now, it appears that it may even promote longevity potential by increasing muscle stem cell production. This comes from a Tel Aviv study looking at the effects of aerobic treadmill exercise in rats on muscle stem cell production. They claim this may be why older people who do aerobic exercise look better. Maybe? Take a look below. This comes for Life Extension Foundation. Have a great week!
Eric Hassid, M.D. Functional Neurology and Anti-aging Medicine A fountain of youth in your musclesNewsRx.com 12-09-10
2007 NewsRx.com. All Rights Reserved.Copyright 2010, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com Working out can help you shed pounds – but that’s just the beginning. New research from Tel Aviv University has found that “endurance exercises,” like a Central Park jog or a spinning class, can make us look younger. The key, exercise, unlocks the stem cells of our muscles (see also Stem Cell Research). Prof. Dafna Benayahu and her team at Tel Aviv University’s Sackler School of Medicine say their findings explain for the first time why older people who have exercised throughout their lives age more gracefully. They have discovered how endurance exercise increases the number of muscle stem cells and enhances their ability to rejuvenate old muscles. The researchers hope their finding can lead to a new drug to help the elderly and immobilized heal their muscles faster. The results of the study were recently published in the journal PLoS ONE. The real rat race The muscles and skeleton in our bodies work together, explains Prof. Benayahu. “When we age, we experience sarcopenia, a decline in mass and function of muscles, and osteopenia referrers to bone loss,” she says. As a result, our musculoskeletal system is more susceptible to daily wear and tear, which also explains the increased risk of falling in the elderly. Investigating a rat population, Dr. Gabi Shefer from the research team says that the finding shows that exercise increased the number of satellite cells (muscle stem cells) – a number which normally declines with aging. The researchers believe that a decline in the number of these cells and their functionality may prevent proper maintenance of muscle mass and its ability to repair itself, leading to muscle deterioration. Comparing the performance of rats of different ages and sexes, they found that the number of satellite cells increased after rats ran on a treadmill for 20 minutes a day for a 13-week period. The younger rats showed a 20% to 35% increase in the average number of stem cells per muscle fiber retained – and older rats benefited even more significantly, exhibiting a 33% to 47% increase in stem cells. A good reason to get up and dance Endurance exercise also improved the levels of “spontaneous locomotion” – the feeling that tells our bodies to just get up and dance – of old rats. Aging is typically associated with a reduced level of spontaneous locomotion. The combination of aging and a sedentary lifestyle significantly contributes to the development of diseases such as osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as a decline in cognitive abilities. If researchers can discover a method to “boost” satellite cells in our muscles, that could simulate the performance of young and healthy muscles — and hold our aging bones in place. “We hope to understand the mechanisms for the activation codes of muscle stem cells at the molecular level,” says Prof. Benayahu. “With this advance, we can let ourselves dream about creating a new drug for humans — one that could increase muscle mass and ameliorate the negative effects of aging.” Keywords: American Friends of Tel Aviv University, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cells. This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com. To see more of the NewsRx.com, or to subscribe, go to http://www.newsrx.com . IRH Health tip of the weekNovember 30, 2010Hi all! Dr. Hassid here. Hope you all had a wonderful, yet not overindulging thanksgiving. This morning, I woke up, got showered, had my breakfast and read parts of the Sacramento Bee as I usually do. What do I see on the front page of the main section…an article reviewing a concensus report on vitamin D and calcium as put out by the “esteemed” Institute of Medicine. Mind you, these guys get a lot of weight and credibility because of their title, not necessarily because they are truly experts in any particular field, in my opinion. Anyway, they talk about how we are over talking vitamin D and that pushing doses higher than RDA can be dangerous and that we are essentially doing the public no good. However, what they fail to tell you (at least from the Bee interpretation) is that they are talking about vitamin D and bone health studies. We know that vitamin D levels necessary for bone health are much lower than that that may be necessary for all other presumed effects of this versatile hormone that are only now being realized. They claim that vitamin D’s effects on other systems have not been conclusively proven, therefore, we should do nothing (I am paraphrasing). They also claim that doses above RDA can be dangerous! Sure, anything has potential of danger in the wrong patient at the wrong dose. But, with this statement, they better show the data before making that broad stroke claim.
We have to be very cautious about these so-called consensus statements because they base their conclusions on very strict high end conclusive data. The rest of the supportive data (albeit not conclusive) is thrown out. Although, they have the responsibility to protect the claim from frivilous claims of benefit or potentially harmful products, they also have the responsibility to introduce data that may support a beneficial role but state that it is not conclusive. That is the definition of fair and balanced. I believe that withholding potentially valuable information is just as dangerous as making a false and misleading statement.
Please beware and keep your mind open minded and keep thinking out of the box!
Thanks for tuning in!
Eric Hassid, M.D.
IRH health tip of the weekNovember 19, 2010Hi all! Dr. Hassid here. As you all may already know, my practice has morphed over the years to an integrative, holistic, functional medicine practice. This means, I, along with my colleagues at IRH approach patients with a goal of trying to get to the core of issues and find real physiological solutions to complex problems. The one pill, one disease model does not work as evident by the severity of chronic illness in America despite the amount of money spent on health care. Focusing on proactive health restoration is the key to long term success. This requires a true partnership between patient and doctor. It also requires the doctors to obtain a knowledge of functional and anti-aging medicine that most unfortunately do not. At IRH, we truly do our best to provide all that we can to improve people’s health and function. This requires time and dedication on behalf of the IRH team and the client. I encourage you all to look at our website and learn more about our unique approach and philosophy. Feel free to contact our administrative staff to learn more about our center or to just make an appointment.
Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Eric Hassid, M.D. IRH health tip of the weekNovember 8, 2010Hi all! Hope you had a great weekend. I ran into some editorials and comments about some negative studies supported by mainstream medical research. I wanted to present those editorials below provided by Life Extension Foundation because it describes well how we have to be careful in how we interpret results in any direction. I think you will find them interesting. Enjoy!
Eric Hassid, M.D.
IRH health tip of the weekNovember 2, 2010Hi all! Dr. Hassid here. This week, I want to invite you all to IRH’s yearly interactive and experiencial open house on Thursday, 11/4 from 6-8 PM, 1460 Drew Avenue, Suite 300, Davis, California, 95618. This is an opportunity for you all to learn about our unique integrative model of health care that emphasizes functional and anti-aging medicine. We believe this is the model of the future. You will be exposed to wellness medicine in general, appropriate supplement use, bio-idential hormone replacement therapy, functional movement and chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, functional nutritional, intravenous nutrient and chelation therapies, personal training, mind-body medicine.
I and my whole team will be there to guide you through our clinic and our philosophy. We have offered this experiencial event to the community for three straight years and they all have been quite well received and successful. Light food and beverages will be served. Hope to see you all there! Have a wonderful week!
Eric Hassid, M.D.
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