Radio Show MP3 Audio Files
2017 "The Doctor and the Pharmacist"

12-16-17 Click here to play this MP3

12-9-17 Click here to play this MP3

12-2-17 Click here to play this MP3

11-11-17 Click here to play this MP3

11-4-17 Click here to play this MP3

10-28-17 Click here to play this MP3

10-21-17 Click here to play this MP3

10-14-17 Click here to play this MP3

10-7-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest Speaker - Dr. Sarah Zielsdorf, MD, MS, Internal & Functional Medicine
http://ipd.md/doctor/sarah-zielsdorf-md-ms-internal-functional-medicine/
  
Studies of interest: Focused on the LDN conference highlights
  
Discussion topics:

1. The devastation in Puerto Rico will most likely impact drug availability as Puerto Rico is one of the top three manufacturers of pharmaceuticals. Thirteen drugs are single sourced, only made in Puerto Rico, which means there will be shortages. The major issue is not that the factory was destroyed but the problem with the electrical grid functionality.
2. Cigna will no longer cover Oxycontin, starting in 2018.
3. The conference presented studies which ultra Low Dose Naltrexone increased the effectiveness of several painkillers. This can reduce the need for opiates by up to 60%. This reduces the potential for opiate addiction and opiate side effects.
4. Dr. Brian Udell showed progress using LDN for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
5. Dr. Angus Dalgleish presented data on LDN usage with late stage cancer patients.
6. Some of the topics covered were: Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Intestinal Permeability, Thyroid and Autoimmunity, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
7. Presentations showed that High Dose Naltrexone can reverse traumatic brain injuries.
8. Low Dose Naltrexone can reverse cancer, but high dose Naltrexone (typically used for treating drug addiction), has long term has potential for stimulating bad side effects.
9. To stop pain: Opiates are highly effective but can be abused as shown by the opiate crisis we have in the US.
10. Each thyroid patient has unique set of symptoms and it can take investigations to diagnose.
11. Dr. Mark will have several of the LDN conference presenters on future shows.
    

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9-16-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guests  - Amy McDowell, physical therapist and Kevin Cronin President of ARC Physical Therapy.
Studies of interest: 
1.  The Journal Lancet study – Diets with higher fat and lower carbohydrates intake were associated with lower mortality. Higher carbohydrate intake was associated with higher overall mortality risk. The study did not show a  relationship between higher intakes of saturated fat and adverse cardiovascular events. This study covered 135,000 people across 18 countries, with a range of income levels over a 7 year period. The study adjusted for smoking, diabetes physical activities, and city vs rural locations. 
 Discussion topics: 
1.  ARC Physical Therapy (http://arcphysicaltherapy.com/) has a process called Fascial Counterstrain. Fascia is the connective tissue that holds the body together such as the outer covering of veins and arteries in the body or the tissue that holds your organs in place and many other areas of the body. Fascia has sensitive nerve endings throughout and will trigger inflammatory responses to stress. Often pain is associated with tight muscles, which is the response to stressed fascia nerves. Conventional Physical Therapy has often addressed the tight muscles, whereas Fascia Counterstrain addresses the fascial dysfunction which is the underlying cause. Fascial Counterstrain has been around for eleven years and  is very low impact, as it is an indirect technique that is very gentle.  One analogy is to think of a chain that is tangled – if you loosen the chain and wiggle it the chain it will often unravel. They have found that with this technique, the response is much faster recovery since you are addressing the underlying cause. 
2.  When should you consider using Fascial Counterstrain?  If you have a painful condition, it is very likely that you could benefit from Fascial Counterstrain. ARC PT offers free 30 minute consultations at one of the clinics. The consultation does not require a referral but treatment will require a referral.
3.  Is Fascial Counterstrain covered under insurance? Yes, it is covered under manual therapy for insurance. As long as your insurance offers Physical Therapy coverage, this will most likely be covered. 
4.  Congress Bill HR 2871: The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act. This allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded solutions.  Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill. Please call your congressmen. This bill will allow Autistic children to receive Vitamin B12 injections which are highly effective.  There are numerous other uses of supplements that can be very beneficial for unique situations which currently are not allowed by FDA rules. You can find your congressperson using the following link:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Callers: 
1.  Christina has neuropathy: What is alpha lipoic acid? How can I get it from food? Alpha lipoic acid is an anti-oxidant which means it repairs tissue in the body.  Dr. Mark is not aware of any foods that contain this. It is only offered as a supplement.  Kevin suggests that Fascial Counterstrain works very well for idiopathic neuropathy.  When taking alpha lipoic acid you must gradually ramp up the dosage levels. 
2.  Gary - his wife has severe scoliosis: Would Fascial Counterstrain help her? Yes, there are exercises combined with Fascial Counterstrain that will help with this.
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9-9-17 Click here to play this MP3
 Guest  - No guest speaker today
 Studies of interest:

1. Study on Traumatic Encephalopathy – This is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy CTE. This study asked the question: Can Repetitive Brain Injury produce a  progressive neurodegenerative disease such as CTE? 
   Not all individuals exposed to TBI lead to a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The study looked at deceased football players or military personnel and interviewed family members to access the extent of brain trauma that each was exposed to.87% of professional football players showed some level of brain injury. 48 of 53 of College football players had brain injury. High school players had lesser impacts. Many showed the beginnings of Alzheimer’s. 
2. GERD  - Gastroesophageal reflux disease – The primary medications  used for GERD are proton-pump inhibitors. The British Medical Journal study asked if the use of these drugs lead to early death. The study does not show causality between proton-pump inhibitors and death. The study followed proton-pump inhibitor consumers for six years, and the study members were more likely to die than the standard population. The proton-pump inhibitors do increase the risk of death, the longer you take them. They should be for short-term use only. Mark Drugs offers an alternative product, Heartburn Away.  It combines probiotics and enzymes to protect the GI tract and is a great solution for GERD patients.
3. The Standford Study of patients with Autismn Spectrum Disorders - (ASD) : Oxytocin nasal spray was administered for 4 weeks. The lower the levels of Oxytocin in the patients before beginning treatments, the greater the benefits of Oxytocin. Daily Oxytocin usage improved social functions. Dr. Mark had six calls for Oxytocin during the last week!
4. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Research Therapy Article: The burden of ethical anticholinergic drugs. These drugs dry out tissues in the body. Older patients can be more sensitive to the effects of drugs in general.

 Discussion topics:

1. Congress bill  HR 2871: The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act: Allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded solutions.  Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill. Please all your congressmen. This bill will allow Autistic children to receive Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) injections, which are highly effective.  There are numerous other uses that supplements can be very beneficial for unique situations, which currently are not allowed by FDA rules. You can find your congress person using the following link:
   http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
2. Genacol supplies collagen for the body to do repair of the bones, cartilage, etc. This can be an excellent supplement to take during recovery from bone breaks or other body strains. It also helps recover from extra hard workouts. Mark Drugs has a 35% off sale on this Genacol product, while sup[plies last.
3. Sleep problems – MetaRelax:  This is a calming agent which can let you relax to sleep at night, by "taking the edge off". This incorporates magnesium and B vitamins to calm your system. It is also good for Restless Leg Syndrome. There is no hangover effect that many other sleep aids may have.
4. Estrovera can help men with BPH - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and women with menopausal symptoms. It is a natural herbal product that costs about 80 cents per day, and there is a money back guarantee on the first bottle. This product has minimal side effects as compared to alternative products. It can also help with PMS around the middle to end of a woman's menstrual cycle.
5. Casey Kephart will review your supplements and provide a 30 minute free consultation on nutritional products.
   Call Mark Drugs to schedule a consultation with Kasie.

Callers:
1. Debbie: Cautions on Genacol – Stomach sensitivity caution is on the label. If you have no problems consuming protein then most likely you will not see any problems taking Genacol.  You can take Genacol either by itself or with a snack. Dr. Mark has seen benefits from Genacol after a single dose but some patients require a week or 2 before experiencing the benefits.

8-26-17 Click here to play this MP3

8-19-17 Click here to play this MP3
No guest speaker today
Studies of interest:

1. The Clinical Journal of Endocrinology study suggests that Vitamin D levels lower than of 12ng/ml, compared to the current level of 20ng/ml, should be the definition of low Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels cause issues such as osteoporosis and other bone diseases. The study showed that Calcium levels dropped significantly if the Vitamin D dropped below 12. This study claims that excessive Vitamin D can lead to other problems.
   Dr. Mark disagrees with this conclusion as he has seen many benefits from higher Vitamin D levels, at an optimal level of 60-8-ng/ml, especially for use in sports to reduce recovery time and decrease the incidence of sustained injuries.
     
2. August issue of Multiple Sclerosis magazine: The earlier that you start MS treatment the better the results. The study concludes that if you wait three years for MS treatment, your disability can increase by 20%. Dr. Mark has had MS patients go from complete debilitation to being able to walk with LDN.  LDN has similar benefits to more expensive treatments, such as Beta interferons, etc without some of the nasty side effects of the more traditional treatments. 
   
   
3. Autism study – measured the effects of intra-nasal oxytocin spray with children with Autism. This study used nasal spray and showed improved social behavior on children between 6 and 12 years old. The oxytocin spray did not change repetitive behavior. Oxytocin nasal spray is a prescription, compounded medication available at Mark Drugs in Roselle and Deerfield.

1. Mark Drugs is offering 30% off Genacol products, while supplies last. 
   
   
2. Congress Bill HR 2871 The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act: Allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded solutions and prepare compounded products for use in a physician's office. 
   Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill. Please call your congressmen.
   This bill will allow Autistic children to receive Vitamin B12 injections, made from methylcobalamin, which are highly effective, and otherwise unavailable to patients. There are numerous other uses that supplements can be very beneficial for unique situations that currently are not allowed by FDA rules.
   You can find your congressperson using the following link:
   http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
   
   
3. The LDN conference is in Portland, Oregon on September 21 – 24, 2017.
   This conference is open to both the public as well as medical professionals.  More info can be found at this link:
   https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017.
   There are more than 40 hours of information available at this conference. LDN is inexpensive and costs will be typically less than $30 per month for this solution. There are speakers from all over the world and US at this conference. The conference website will have details on all the speakers. You can participate live in person in Portland or via the web from your office or the comfort of your home. If you purchase the Livestream of the conference, you will have access to the information for a full year following the conference.
   
   
4. Genacol supplies collagen for the body to do repair of the bones, cartilage, etc This can be an excellent supplement to take during recovery from bone breaks or other body strains. It's best to take three (3) capsules at bedtime for the most optimal effects.
   Click here to play this MP3
   

8-12-17 Click here to play this MP3
My guest today is David Gerhardt, president of the Genacol USA company. They specialize in topical products containing collagen that address muscle and joint pain.
David has been in the Natural Products Industry for over 30 years.
  
• Mark Drugs Genacol Capsule Sale: 90 & 180 ct Bottles on sale
(while supplies last)
• August & September 2017: 30% off regular retail price
Check out our other in-store Supplement Sales!
  
Studies of interest:

1. Article in the Lancet: Training family members to give post stroke care giving. No difference was found in patient outcomes with Family Caregiver of home care  six months after a stroke, with the study including 1200 patients in India.  It seems that family care after stroke IS NOT a viable option unless extensive and appropriate training and support are provided to the FAMILY CAREGIVER.

 Discussion Topics:

1. Congress Bill HR 2871: The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act.
   This bill allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded preparations.  Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill. Please call your congressmen. This bill will allow autistic children to receive vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) injections, which are highly effective.  There are numerous other uses that supplements can be very beneficial for unique situations, which currently are not allowed by FDA rules. You can find your congressperson using the following link:
   http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

2. Collagen makes up 70% of our bodies mass and includes muscle, skin, ligaments, cartilage and more.  After age 30 our body slows in making collagen, which is needed to create cartilage. This cartilage cushions bone on bone contact inside the body.
3. Too many carbs and sugars make the body acidic, which upsets the mineral content of the body.  Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables along with reducing the carbs and sugars will help reduce this.  Prescription drugs can also leach out minerals from the body.
4. After the age of 30 an outside source of collagen is needed, which can particularly impact vegans and vegetarians. Gelatin (Jello) was a good source of outside collagen. Today's sources are fewer and less available.
5. Genacol is derived from cattle and is taken orally, providing an external source of collagen.
6. Dr. Gerhardt's studies show that taking Genacol will help build muscle and cartilage. Body scans of people taking Genacol show that cartilage mass increases for patients taking Genacol.
7. Dr. Gerhardt recommends that you take Genacol at night, as that is when the body repairs itself.
8. Collagen can be used to alleviate joint and bone pains and is recommended to be taken on a daily basis.
9. Genacol has noninflamatory benefits and can be used to reduce inflammation as it helps the body repair itself. It is already broken down digestively so that very little work is required by the digestive system to be absorbed into the body. Other collagen based products are targeted towards rejuvenating the skin and will need to be broken down by the digestive system.
10. Can Genacol be used to help repair a broken bone to increase healing? Over 60% of people in the clinical studies show improvement in healing. The studies can be seen on the Genacol website at: 
    https://www.genacol.com/clinical-studies/
11. Kasie Kephart, nutritionist at Mark Drugs Roselle can assist with Genacol usage and questions.

 Callers:

1. Cal – Does Genacol come is capsule or powder?
   It comes in a capsule. You take three capsules at night with a glass of water. 
     
   Are there any side affects from this? 
   The studies have shown no adverse effects and no interactions with other prescription drugs.
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8-5-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest: Kylia Faulisi - Is a Board Certified mastectomy prosthetic specialist, licensed cosmetologist and director/manager of the Rose Garden Mastectomy boutique at Mark Drugs.
Studies of interest:
1. July 26 issue of Pediatrics Journal: Two neonatal cases who had tremors or shivers. The first case was born full-term via vaginal delivery without complications and was breastfed – that is a healthy newborn baby. The mother noted that the baby seemed to be "shivering" like it was cold. At the 12 day checkup the mother reported the shivering was worsening and after numerous tests – the only issue noted was that Vitamin D was very low in the baby. Putting the baby on 800 mg D3 resolved the shivers within two weeks.
The second baby was similarly a healthy baby at delivery and was found to have low vitamin D3. 800 mg of vitamin D3 was prescribed for the baby.
This study confirms Dr. Mark's view that pregnant mothers should take supplemental vitamin D3.
2.  A large study shows that women are not aware of mammogram harm such as over diagnosis of the condition resulting on over-treatment. Several decades of this screening has not reduced the incidence of breast cancer mortality. If you are in good health and have no family history of cancer, this reduces the need for regularly scheduled mammograms. However, this DOES NOT eliminate the need for breast self-examination, which can be very useful in discovering any breast changes or abnormalities.
Discussion topics:
1.  The Cannabis Expo is Sunday, August 6th. Find out the answers to your medical cannabis questions by attending. You do not have get high to get the benefits of medical cannabis. Find out more by attending the expo.
2.  The Rose Garden Boutique has been remodeled and now incorporates natural light along with an even more welcoming atmosphere in which to be cared for.
3.  Alexian Brothers Hospital gives AMITA credit at the Rose Garden for wigs and other cosmetic items. They are partners in providing wigs for cancer patients. Having a wig can greatly improve a woman’s self esteem when  she is fighting cancer and it helps in the recovery process.
4.  Kylia will be rotating between Mark Drug Roselle, Mark Drug Deerfield and Alexian Brothers facility.
5.  Chemotherapy will often result in the loss of hair. If getting chemo a patient should plan on getting a wig.
6.  Insurance coverage – Medicare covers up to twelve bras per year and two prosthesis per year unless there is a weight change of about 8 to 12 lbs. Changes in the chest wall due to infection or other changes allow a new prosthesis. You need a new prescription once a year for prosthesis.
7.  Kasey Kephardt is the nutritionist on staff at Roselle Drug and she will help with people fighting cancer and other health conditions.
8.  Kylia has psoriatic arthritis, which is an auto-immune disease. "You can get skin conditions and lots of pain". A doctor recommended Vitamin D3, which had a marked improvement in her life.
9.  Kylia was on Prednisone when she started at Mark Drugs three years ago. She switched to LDN and no longer is taking Prednisone, with its side effects. Recently she shifted her vitamin D to Mark Drugs as her previous product contained corn oil. The corn oil aggravated her condition. Since switching to the Mark Drugs vitamin D3, she has noticed a marked improvement.
10. The LDN conference is in Portland, Oregon on September 21–24, 2017. The LDN conference is open to both the public as well as medical professionals.  More info can be found at the link below:
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017.
***There are dozens of hours of information available at this conference. LDN is inexpensive and costs are typically less than $30 per month for this product.
There are speakers from all over the world and the US at this conference.
The conference website will have details on all the speakers.
NOTE: You can participate live in person in Portland or by via the web from your home or office.
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7-29-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest  - Dr. Akbar Kahn -  Dr. Khan is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine (1992) and is located in Toronto Canada.  He completed his certification in Family Medicine in 1994 (also at University of Toronto). After completion of his family medicine training, he immediately joined a palliative home care team at his local hospital. This is how his focus on cancer patients began. In 1999, Dr. Khan co-founded P.A.L.I.N., a registered charitable corporation that addressed the growing needs of cancer patients requiring at-home symptom control and enhanced quality of life.
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/content/dr-akbar-n-khan

 Studies of interest:

1. Weight loss – An article in the journal Lancet studied 400+ studies worldwide covering nearly 4 million people – The study analyzed the risk of dying as a function of Body Mass Index (BMI)and looked at the risk of death in a 5 year period. Those people with a BMI between 20 and 24.9 had the lowest risk of dying. The risk of death increased significantly and linearly - as your weight increased your risk of death increased. Mortality risk was greater in men and consistent across regions. People with lower than 20 BMI had increased mortality. 

 Discussion topics:

1. Dr. Kahn published a paper showing a patient with tongue cancer. He was 58 years old with ½ inch mass on the tongue. It was a rare form of cancer with most doctors recommending the complete removal of the tongue including lymph nodes in the neck. Post surgery, the patient would not be able to eat via mouth or speak after the operation, resulting in a very low quality of life. Dr. Kahn started him on a vitamin D3 and LDN regime. After 2 years the patient showed a scan in which the mass on his tongue had completely disappeared. After 5 years the patient has no evidence of cancer and continues the LDN/vitamin D3 regime.  
2. Dr. Kahn has been practicing for 21 years and has been educated by patients in the use of LDN in fighting cancer. The standard LDN dose is 4.5 mg. 
3. Sodium Dichloroacetate, (DCA), the sodium salt of dichloroacetate, is a cheap chemical compound that has shown some clear potential as an alternative cancer treatment. DCA has lab and human evidence that this fights cancer. DCA is only available via a compounding Pharmacist. Dosing for this drug is based on body weight – 20 to 25 mg per KG of body weight. This drug has some side effects and has been used on numerous types of cancer. 
4. Both DCA and LDN are considered broad spectrum cancer fighters which means they can be used on a range of cancers. They can be used in conjunction with each other. One patient with pancreatic cancer used both LDN and DCA with good success which shrunk the cancerous tumor over a 6 month period. 
5. Dr. Kahn can see patients in the US via tele-medicine. Dr. Kahn can be contacted via the website
   http://medicorcancer.com/medical-director/
6. Oncoblot  tests – this test looks for a certain protein in a patients blood. It can detect cancer, which is just getting started in the body – a tumor the size of a pin-head. The benefit of this test is that you catch the cancer early and it can be treated more easily. The test will tell you which organ has the cancer, which helps track down the cancer in your body. This test is in the process of getting FDA approval but is approved for use on humans. More info at: http://oncoblotlabs.com/enox2pr/

 Callers:

1. Mary – Question on DCA – Does DCA  it help diabetes? It can help diabetes by lowering blood sugar slightly. LDN can be useful in type 1 diabetes but must caught early.  LDN may help reduce inflammation in type 2 diabetes. LDN does help with reducing weight, which can help reduce diabetes effects. 
2. JoAnn – Have you treated thyroid patient with LDN?  For neuropathy DR Kahn recommends high dose B vitamins and carnitine or alpha lipoic acid. Dr. Kahn has no experience with thyroid issues. Dr. Mark recommends about 300mg of alpha lipoic acid to start out.

7-22-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest  - Linda Elsegood - Linda is the founder of the LDN Research Trust established in 2004. She runs the trust raising awareness of LDN, answering with the help of the medical adviser’s, questions from users and the medical profession, helping people around the world find an LDN prescribing doctor.
Studies of interest:
1.  Opioid addiction is too costly – Communities across Ohio are facing fiscal increases and emotional issues in fighting the opioid epidemic. Last year over 4000 people died from opioid overdoses in Ohio, with one city seeing a 10-fold increase in expenses over last year. City council members have introduced a resolution to not treat overdoses with Narcan after the 3rd overdose. The drug companies have responded by increasing the cost of treatments. Officials say that some residents have overdosed 6 times or more. Baltimore is rationing Narcan to where it is most needed. 
Discussion topics:
1.  The LDN conference is in Portland Oregon on September 21 – 24, 2017. The conference is open to both the public as well as medical professionals.  More info can be found at the link below: 
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017.
There are hundreds of hours of information available at this conference. LDN is inexpensive and costs will be less than $30 per month for this solution. There are speakers from all over the world and US at this conference. The conference website will have details on all the speakers. You can participate live in person in Portland or by via the web from your office.
2.  Dr. Pradeep Chopra has transitioned 70% of his pain patients from Opioid painkillers to LDNwith great success. Applying this solution to the opioid epidemic could reduce the cost of treating opioid addicted patients. He will be presenting a prerecorded lecture at the LDN conference. LDN does not work for all pain patients but does work for many. 
3.  Some of the diseases that LDN can work with which will be covered during the conference are: Chronic fatigue, allergies and asthma, Chrohn's Disease, colitis, gluten sensitivity, and lupis.
4.  The LDN conference may be attended in person, and live over the internet. (The premium version allows post conference access and submission of questions during the 5 Q/A sessions) or post conference access. 
5.  The LDN trust can be accessed at https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/. This has 2 major sections – one for care providers and one for patients. 
6.  Congress Bill HR 2871 The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act: Allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded solutions.  Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill.  Please call your congressmen. This bill will allow Autistic children to receive Vitamin B12 injections, which are highly effective. There are numerous other uses that supplements can be very beneficial. This incluces unique situations which currently are not allowed by FDA rules. You can find your congressperson using the following link: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
7.  The one possible side effect of LDN is sleep issues. If you take LDN in the morning these issues go away in the vast majority of patients. Currently LDN id prescribed with a gradual increase of the LDN dosage and this has reduced side effects considerably.
8.  Often thyroid patents need a very low dose of LDN to show effectiveness.
9.  LDN is often used in conjunction with other drugs.
10.  Many doctors have seen results where diseases have been reversed with LDN.
Callers:
Nacy won premnium access to the LDN conference! Her dog has an autoimmune disease. Could LDN work for this?
Response: Linda believes that it could work. Dr. Mark's dog had lung cancer with less than 10 days to live and after taking LDN the dog lived for 3 months. The typical dose for a thirty pound dog is 2 to 3 mg and will take several weeks to have an effect. LDN does not have the side effects of steroids.
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7-15-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest - Casey Kephart – nutritionist at Mark Drugs Roselle – graduated from Northern Illinois University and is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist candidate to get the CCN designation. She is planning to take the CCN test in the fall.  Casey's extension at Mark Drugs in Roselle is #128 
Studies of interest:
EPI pen pricing – A new class action lawsuit is targeting three Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) for their rebate practices. The lawsuit alleges that the three PBM's have practiced price gouging by increasing EPI pen pricing over 500% between 2007 and 2016 by demanding increased manufacturer rebates for being placed on their formularies, and not passing any of the rebates on to consumers or the insurers. This can be characterized as pay to play, which is illegal. 
Discussion topics:
1. Congress Bill HR 2871: The Preserving Patient Access to Compounded Medications Act.
This bill allows compounding pharmacists to incorporate dietary supplements into compounded solutions.  Dr. Mark recommends that we support this bill. Please call your congressman. This bill will allow autistic children to receive vitamin B12 injections, which are highly effective.  There are numerous other uses that supplements can be very beneficial for unique situations, which currently are not allowed by FDA rules.
You can find your congressperson using the following link:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
 2. Casey is offering a no cost, 30-minute consultation to review patients supplement usage. Dr. Mark and Casey often find that patients will be taking various supplements, some of which are duplicative. Part of the review process will be to streamline and optimize your supplement usage.
3. Mark Drugs offers high quality supplements which are more bio-available (your body will absorb them better) from the following companies: MetaGenics, OthoMolecular, Integrative Therapeutics, Pure Encapsulations, and Metabolic Management. All of these companies use Current Good Manufacturing practices (CGMP), which are the current FDA best practices for human pharmaceuticals manufacturing.
4. Detox products – Inflammation is often the cause for many medical issues and the Clear Change Detox kit can help. This is a 10-day process. The kit contains a shopping list and bottles to mix up the various solutions as part of the Detoxification process. Clear Change Detox is a 10-day detox process that has been clinically tested. One of the major benefits is that the kit will convert toxins to be water-soluble, so they can be easily removed from the body. With the current 20% off special, this kit will be less than $100.
5. BPH and Menopausal issues – Estrovera: This can help men with BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and women with menopausal symptoms. This is a natural herbal product that costs less than $1.00 per day and has a 90 day money back guarantee on the first bottle, if you do not get relief. This product has minimal side effects, as compared to alternative products. This can help with PMS around the middle of a menstrual cycle. This is hormone free and can be used in conjunction with hormones.
6. Serenagen – This product calms and takes the edge off of your day. This anti-anxiety product and can be coupled with MetaRelax. This is 50% off – about $10 a month. It can be used with hormones and other medications, and no interactions with blood pressure, cholesterol or stomach medications.
7. MetaRelax – This is a calming agent that can let you relax to sleep at night, by taking off the edge off. This incorporates magnesium and B vitamins to calm your system. It is also good for Restless Leg Syndrome. It is 20% off. Dr. Mark has had numerous patients purchase this product after trying a sample, as it is highly effective.
8. The LDN conference is in Portland Oregon on September 21–24, 2017. This conference is open to both the public as well as medical professionals.  More info can be found at the link below:
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017.
There will be hundreds of hours of information available at this conference. LDN is inexpensive and costs will be less than $30 per month for this solution. There will be speakers from all over the world and US at this conference. The conference website will have details on all the speakers. You can participate live in person in Portland or by via the web from your office.
9.Mark Drugs in Roselle has the Metagenics sale continuing as long as supplies last.
Callers:
1. Karen: Magnesium question: What is the better magnesium to take - Magnesium Glycinate vs Magnesium Taurate? There are many magnesium salts which effect how easy it is absorbed. Magnesium Taurate is very good for MS and Chronic Fatigue Symptom. Magnesium Glycinate is also good for muscle spasms and sleeping issues.
2. Arlene: Question on heavy metals and hair analysis. Hair analysis will require a doctor’s prescription.
The Clear Change Detox product can assist with eliminating heavy metals. 
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7-8-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest - No guest today
Studies of interest:
1.  Vitamin D consumption – This United States based study included over 39,000 participants for a 2 year cycle from 1999 to 2014 with an average age of 47. The recommended Vitamin D consumption is 600 units for under the age 70 and 800 units over age 70. Patients believe that taking does higher than recommended daily amounts have additional benefits. 18 % of 2014 participants took doses of 1000 units and 3.2% took doses of over 4000 units. Women were more likely to take higher doses than men. Over the course of the survey, the percentage of participants taking higher does steadily increased across the years. Other studies have shown higher risk of fractures and other issues with patients taking high doses of D2. The typical person will have D3 levels in the 20 to 30 ng/ml range, but Dr. Mark believes that if your Vitamin D3 level is less than 100 it is ok.And, a blood level of 60-8-ng/ml is likely optimal. Note: Dr. Mark takes 5000 units of vitamin D daily.
2.  Mammograms – American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have revised mammogram guidelines. Previously the group recommended that women over 40 get annual breast screenings. Now they are recommending women over 40 be offered screenings after a discussion with the patient. After age 50 the women should have annual screenings up to age 75. After age 75 the doctor and the patient should decide how to proceed.
The screenings can be annual or bi-annual. Women between 25 and 40 can be offered screenings every 3 years. Dr. Mark believes this consultative approach is good as it involves the patient and doctor communicating more.
3.  Journal of Appetite had an article on fathers role in household food The study conducted 109 interviews in the SF bay area. 
The study concluded that:
Fathers dietary food habits are less healthy than mothers food habits.
Fathers were less skilled in meal preparation and therefore prepared less healthy meal options.
The Fathers were less concerned about the healthiness of the meal and more concerned with getting the family fed.
When fathers grocery shop they typically chose less healthy options.
4.  Journal of American Medical Associationa; Sodium levels in packaged goods has been dropping. Many soft drinks have reduced sodium but some preservative-free items such as Soy Sauce have increased sodium as a result of removing preservatives. Watch your labels.
Discussion topics:
1.  LDN conference in Portland Oregon on September 21 – 24, 2017: 
This conference is open to both the public as well as medical professionals. More info can be found at the link below:
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017
There will be almost ONE Hundred hours of Direct information available at this conference. LDN is inexpensive and in many cases costs less than $30 per month for this solution. There are speakers from all over the world including the US at this conference. The conference website will have details on all the speakers. You can participate live in person in Portland or by via the web from your office.
2.  Mark Drugs in Roselle has the Metagenics sale of 20-30% off the entire Metagenics Product Line continuing as long as supplies last.
3.  Kasie at Mark Drugs is available for consultations for supplement usage.
Callers:
1.  Richard – Read article on Vitamin D  and Calcium buildup. Studies have shown that Vitamin D2 can cause calcium buildup in the Aorta. Vitamin D2 is a synthetic vitamin while Vitamin D3 is not synthetic and does not cause the calcium build up. The study had patients taking 2000 units D3 per day and indicated that D3 had similar side effects with calcium. Dr. Mark's experience has not shown any negative issues with D3 but Dr. Mark has not seen the study. The caller indicated he is taking 5000 units daily in the winter and 2000 units daily in the summer. Dr. Mark thought this was an appropriate amount.
2.  Carlos – This caller is concerned about the cost of seeing a doctor and he often does not have complete confidence in the doctor.
Dr. Mark recommends that he see an integrated medicine doctor who will treat you holistically.
3.  Bruce – Caller has IBS and has had good results using Metagenics Ultra GI replenish.
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6-24-17 Click here to play this MP3
  

6-17-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest - no guest today
Studies of interest:
1. British Medical Journal article on short-term steroid use downsides. The study focused on oral Carotid Steroid use for less than 30 days and noted that it is associated with excess risk of sepsis infection, venous thrombosis and fracture. The study is from insurance data covering 1.5 million people from 18 to 64 with a mean age of 45. Nearly 300,000 people took at least 6 days of steroids and had a 80% increase in sepsis and 80% increase in Venous thrombosis and an 50% increase for fracture. The study recommends that doctors be very careful when dispensing Carotid steroids. 
2. British Medical Journal article on blood pressure lowering diet. The DASH diet helps to reduce hypertension. The Dash diet is rich in vegetables and fruits and low in salt, red meat and processed meats. The study looked at whether the DASH diet would reduce the incidence of gout also. The results of this study are inconclusive on whether it reduces risk of gout.  Dr. Mark highly recommends following a DASH type Diet and if you permanently change your diet and lifestyle you will have benefits for your remaining life. Casey at Mark Drug can help with this.
Discussion topics:
1. A friend of Dr. Mark had digestive issues and finally had a colonoscopy for a checkup. After reviewing the colonoscopy, her doctor recommended removing the colon due to multiple blockages. Dr. Mark recommended Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)  and after 5 months use, the friend's next colonoscopy was significantly better and described as "within normal parameters" thereby no longer requiring surgery. LDN will work on many issue that depress the immune system or cause it to be dysfunctional.
2. The LDN conference is in Portland, Oregon on September 21 through September 24.
You can attend the conference via the web for a reduced price.
More info can be found at:
https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017
Callers:
1. Marilyn – Husband had a lazy eye condition – Doctor proscribed a steroid and brominidine also.  Doctor Mark indicated that this was likely a good solution for the lazy eye.  Doctor Mark thought there was another option to make a Guaifenesin cream and apply it locally near the eye, as this could reduce localized muscle spasms.
2. Linda – Could LDN be used for Diverticullitus and Irritable Bowel Symptoms?
Yes, is is highly recommended for this.
3. Dr. De La Cruz – His practice focuses on Lyme's disease while using LDN with great success. The current medical system is great for acute issues and not good for chronic diseases. Most chronic diseases are related to inflammation. He recommends LDN for numerous inflammatory diseases.
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6-10-17 Click here to play this MP3
My guest today is Kasie Kephart. Kasie is a Nutritionist at Mark Drugs Roselle. She graduated from Northern Illinois University and is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist candidate to get the CCN designation. Kasie is planning to take the CCN test in the fall.
Studies of interest:
1. New England Journal of Medicine article – combining aerobic and resistance exercise for dieting obese elders. Three times a week of combined aerobic and resistance exercise resulted in better conditioning than either exercise type when performed singly. Lawn/yard work is aerobic and resistance, so you can get benefits of this from working in your yard and garden! The trial was performed on obese people over 65 and after 6 months the combined exercise of the  group had a better response. We presume that this would apply to younger people also.
Discussion topics:
1. Dr. Mark will be in Washington DC to lobby congress to cover compounding products in Medicare Part D.
2. One of Casey's activities is researching the best supplements with good prices into Mark Drugs store.
3. DETOX - Clear Change Detox is a 10 day detox process which has been clinically tested. One of the major benefits is to convert toxins to be water soluble so they can be easily removed from the body. Dr. Mark recommends that people starting a diet perform a detox as it will reset the body for the new diet. Many people have related to Dr. Mark that they feel so much better once they complete the 10 day detox.
Casey recommends that people consider a detox regime once or twice a year. More info can be found at:   
http://markdrugs.com/CMC087-MarkDrugs-Malvina.pdf
4. Estrovera – This can help men with BPH Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy and women with menopausal, peri-menopausal or PMS symptoms. This is a natural herbal product that cost about 80 cents per day and you can have a money back guarantee on the first bottle. This product has minimal side effects as compared to alternative products. This can help with PMS around the middle of their menstrual cycle.
5.    Meta-I-3-C - Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C)  – This aids in the metabolic pathway of estrogen by guiding that process towards the the elimination of the more dangerous forms.
6.     MetaRelax -  this is a calming agent which can let you relax to sleep at night by taking off the edge off. This incorporates magnesium and B vitamins to calm your system. Also good for Restless Leg Syndrome.
7.     Serenagen – this calms and takes the edge off of your day. This removes anxiety and can be coupled with MetaRelax.
8.     PhytoMulti – This adds fruit and vegetable components to the multi vitamin in a ready absorbable format which helps you get more of the benefits of fruits and vegetable  along with the vitamins.
9.     SPM active – works on the heart and joints – no burp fish oil – good for inflammatory issues including arthritis. 
10.   All of the products above are 20 to 30 percent off the regular price while this supply lasts.
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6-3-17 Click here to play this MP3
No Guest today
Studies of Interest:
1. National Academy of Sciences Study showed that microbiome functioning (the gut) can affect other human body functions. High Glycemic diets (high carbohydrates) have shown a link to AMD – Age Related Macular Degeneration. The study showed that low glycemic diets stopped or slowed progression of AMD. Altering your diet may allow you to alter the use of AMD related pharmaceutical products or enhance their effects.
Discussion topics:
1. Upcoming LDN conference in Portland Oregon on September 21–24, 2017: This conference is open to the public, as well as medical professionals. More info can be found at the link below: www.LDN2017.com https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017
2. Radicava is a new product to treat ALS. Radicava has just been approved on May 5th 2017 by the FDA. A phase 3, twenty-four week trial was used to gain approval, which focused on mild ALS cases. This is an antioxidant-based product. Dr. Mark noted that he is skeptical of this product as the data was not overly convincing. But time will tell on the effectiveness.
Callers:
1. Does the shingles vaccine stop herpes infections?
No it does not. The shingles vaccine may trigger a herpes outbreak. Dr. Mark noted that LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone ) can help people suffering from herpes as it will strengthen the immune system, which can lower the frequency and duration of herpes outbreaks. The cost of LDN treatments is inexpensive.
2. Where can Carlos get highest amount of probiotics in a pill form?
Mark Drugs Pharmacy. We have probiotic pills that have 5 Billion to 500 Billion organisms per dose. Dr. Mark reminded the caller that it is more important to get the type of probiotic that you need than just the quantity.
3. Why must a physican prescribe LDN?
Federal law requires that LDN be prescribed by a medical professional. The Sinclair method uses full dose Naltrexone for treatment of alcohol abuse.
4. Is LDN good for quitting smoking?
Yes, this can be very effective with an alternative nicotine. LDN helps with the compulsion of "needing a cigarette".
5. Caller named Mark: What is a good safe effective weight loss product?
Dr. Mark recommends the HCG diet. This is available as either a prescription or as an over-the-counter, Homeopathic product, available at Mark Drugs. With the prescription product you will lose more fat per pound of weight loss and that results in a longer duration of weight loss (less subsequent weight gain necessitating yo-yo dieting) but both approaches are effective.
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5-13-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest – Dr. Sarah Zielsdorf is an MD/MS Internal Medicine board certified physician and a candidate for the Functional Medicine certificate.
Specific Topic – How does one become empowered in an Allopathic Hospital Model?
http://ipd.md/dr-zielsdorf.htm
Studies of Note:
1. Epipens work for up to 4 years after the expiration date. The study analyzed 40 unused expired Epipens that were 50 months past he expiration date and found that all Epipens contained at least 84% of Epinephrine which is enough to be effective. Don’t throw away those old Epipens as they may save a life.
Guest Discussion: Dr. Mandel noted that he gets calls from patients whose doctors indicate that nothing can be done for their issues. Integrated medicine can solve some of these issues. Dr Zielsdorf stated that the cornerstone of holistic medicine is healthy eating. Standard western medicine is very good at solving immediate health issues but not good at helping chronic issues. Some doctors are resistant to adding integrative options.
Dr. Z’s daughter is currently in the hospital after sudden infection in her salivary gland. She is responding well to antibiotics. They are complementing the antibiotics with probiotics to keep her daughter's gut operating at peek capabilities.
What you can do to help doctors accept an Integrative or Complementary approach to a hospital stay Be organized - be an advocate but do not overwhelm the doctor. Dr Z. suggested that you keep a document which contains the following: medical history, family history, food sensitivities, adverse reactions to vaccines any allergies, chronic illness, autoimmune diseases, any medications or supplements that you are currently taking. When you talk with a doctor as or about a patient, brevity is needed to keep things concise and do not overwhelm them with a bunch of google documents.
Dr. Z noted that a doctor would need to be read 250 meta analyses per day to keep up with all the medical literature. Dr. Mandel noted that he limits his reading to 150 articles per week. Typically most doctors are comfortable prescribing 30 medications and trying to keep up with all the innovations is hard for doctors.
Callers:
David – has nerve problem with his hands shaking. This has been going on for about 5 months. Dr. Z recommends finding doctor to look at his family history and review his data. They recommend that a bone density test be completed. Much analysis will be required to solve this. They recommend a healthy diet and exercise which can help with this.
Gary – interested in treating blood pressure with functional medicine. She recommends that you lose weight and gain muscle with an anti inflammatory diet. Sometimes hyperthyroidism can cause high blood pressure if undetected. Sleep apnea can be a cause of high blood pressure. With PTSD – medical cannabis can help
Dr. Mark H. Mandel Pharm D,IACP Compounding Pharmacist
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4-29-17 Click here to play this MP3
David Ernhardt, our scheduled guest from the Genacol company failed to appear on the show because he contracted food poisoning. He will be re-scheduled for a future show as his company produces an outstanding, highly absorbable oral collagen capsule that is extremely effective for joint pain and over-exertion as well as clear, more elastic skin that reduces wrinkles and has other cosmetic benefits.
Discussion about an article from Biological Psychiatry: Aim at the Gut, Hit the Brain. An animal study shows that Prebiotics ameliorate mild stress responses. Probiotics are friendly microorganisms that we can consume. They stabilize the intestinal track, get rid of inflammation, and get rid of gastro-intestinal problems. These prebiotics improve the overall functioning of those live organism probiotics that alter the intestinal microbiome.
In contrast to probiotics, prebiotics, are the fast food for the friendly bacteria. They are soluble, non-living fibers that stimulate the beneficial intestinal bacteria. Investigators in Ireland studied whether prebiotics might be effective in animal models for depression and anxiety.
The researchers gave it to mice for three weeks and exposed the mice to very chronic social and other forms of stress. Compared to water, the prebiotics altered the type and number of intestinal bacteria. It showed no effects on cognition, pain perception and sociability but reduced anxiety behaviors. We have talked a lot about the benefits of probiotics, but prebiotics are just as important. Prebiotics have effects on stress, anxiety and pain.
The scheduled topics for today are joint, inflammation and pain.
Another of today's articles is about Body Dissatisfaction also called Body Dysmorphia. We always want our children to have a good sense of themselves, and a positive image of their bodies.
In the latest study, both girls and boys are equally dissatisfied with their body appearances, and the negative impact of body dissatisfaction is similar for both girls and boys.
Our scheduled guest:
David Gerhardt from Genacol has developed natural products for pain management which don't have drug interactions or any known side effects. He has worked extensively with collagen for bone and joint pain.
The product, Genacol, a modified collagen, and a protein that is really important in the inflammatory process, is sold at Mark Drugs Roselle and is on a 30% off sale while initial supplies last or at least until the end on May.
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4-22-17 Click here to play this MP3
Article 1: There is a changing understanding of GERD-related cough. This is particularly interesting as my wife has a GERD related cough and has had good success using Heart-Burn Away, which is a chewable probiotic digestive enzyme that Mark Drugs sells. This product is called Heart-Burn Away.
 
In this particular article, they are looking at how proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) would have an impact on the cough. Although a cough is a well-recognized extra esophageal manifestation of GERD, it does not respond well to acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Especially with patients who do not have typical GERD symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation.
 
To identify determinates of cough in GERD, researches in Europe evaluated 24 hours esophageal pH pressure and monitored results when people were off their PPIs. In 49 patients identified with reflex induced cough, they compared characteristics of reflex episodes with and without an accompanied cough burst. A reflex episode is an orally sequential drop by less than 50% of base line value. When pH goes down it becomes more acidic. Although the acid is an extremely important contributing factor in GERD, this study indicates its lack of causal importance in GERD-related cough. With a chronic cough, doctors may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor, but if it is a GERD-related chronic cough, it is not going to work. Something that will stimulate the muscles from mouth to south, will have a much better response. Something like our Heart Burn Away product may help more with GERD, the cough and getting the digestive tract stabilized.
 
Article 2: Late life mentally stimulated activities, an incident of mild cognitive impairment, MCI. As you age, you need to keep your brain active and alive. Which brain activities are the best and most beneficial? A study from The Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology evaluated which activities are the best for reducing mild cognitive impairment. The median age was 77. After adjusting for age, sex, and education, mentally stimulating activities performed 1-2 times per week were associated with a decrease in mild cognitive risk of:
22% reduced risk when playing games
28% reduced risk when doing craft activities
30% reduced risk when computer usage
22% reduced risk when participating in social activities
 
The moral to the story? Keep active, keep social and challenge your mental capacities for the greatest benefits.
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4-8-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest – Dr. Zielsdorf is a MD/MS Internal Medicine board certified physician and a candidate for the Functional Medicine certificate.
Topic – Insulin Resistance
http://ipd.md/dr-zielsdorf.htm
Studies of Note:
1. National Academy of Science Journal: Nutritional therapy for post partum blues may be effective to reduce Post partum blues. Post partum blues are most likely to develop 5 days after birth in about 75 % of women and can lead to depression in 13% of women. The researchers created a dietary supplement containing L-Tryptophan + Tyrosine and blueberry juice that was given just before delivery and on days 3, 4, and 5 days after delivery. Women were tested for depression 5 days after delivery, women in the control group had lower depression scores while the women receiving the supplement had average depression scores about the same as before delivery. This was a small study of 41 women and was not randomized or blinded study.
2. Journal of the American Medical Association: Does direct to consumer advertising affect behavior? In the case of testosterone, the answer is yes. From 2000 to 2011 testosterone prescriptions rose 4x. Many males taking testosterone do not have proper testing. Testosterone can cause complications and often the consumer demands it from the Doctor irrespective of whether it is truly indicated.
Guest Discussion:
Dr. Mark asked how to counter patients demanding specific treatments. Dr. Zielsdorf responded: 1. Determine the motivation for the request: 2. Education about what the patient is asking: 3. Do proper testing: Dr. Zielsdorf does functional testing which starts with an initial one hour consultation followed by a second hour after the test results are returned. Patient preference is one factor that she will consider prior to subscribing. She is currently booking appointments in August but can work patients into cancellations prior to that.
The number one contributing health factor as a killer of people in the US is Metabolic Syndrome. Patients have the following criteria to be diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome: 1. Elevated waist line – typically shown with an apple shape (Carrying extra weight in the waist line is dangerous fat ); 2. High blood pressure; 3. High fasting blood sugar; 4.Low good cholesterol (HDL) and high bad cholesterol (LDL). The diseases that result from this are: diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer and fatty liver. One out of 3 people have fatty liver and do not know it. They expect this to be the #1 reason for liver transplants by 2025.
During pregnancy women can become insulin resistance due to the baby needing higher levels of blood sugar.
Dr. Zielsdorf learned about the HPA axis - Hypothalamic - Pituitary - Adrenal in medical school but in her practice she adds the thyroid + gut + ovarian/testicular to the equation. The amount of hormone that a gland secretes in normal operation is equivalent to a drop in the Atlantic ocean. Blood sugar issues are often cornerstones to inflammation issues in the body.
Insulin is the carrier that is allowed to come through the cell wall and delivers sugar (energy) to the cell. If cells do not need energy then blood sugar will rise in the blood stream and the cells will become resistant to insulin. Over time insulin resistance can lead to diabetes.
Preventive care options:
1. Change your diet, eat more healthy and stay away from fast food. Seek out a Functional Medicine coach. Remove processed food and include monosaturated fats. Mediterranean diets are good. Eat grass fed beef and eat the colors of the rainbow to get a variety of vitamins.
2. Supplements – Fish oil (omegas -3) are good. Flax seed is not good for some people.
Dr. Zielsdorf noted that she sprained her ankle and took high dosages of SPM's (Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators). Three days later the swelling in her foot was gone.
She does not recommend carb loading for athletes: The spike of blood sugar is not good for you. She treats a marathoner that took nut butter instead of taking sugar packs during the race. She recommends taking extra carbs after the race but not getting crazy about carbs. She likes complex carbohydrates – quinoa and sweet potatoes – non-glutinous grains.
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4-1-17 Click here to play this MP3
Guest topics - autoimmune diseases, LDN , autism
Linda Elsegood from England – a returning guest
Studies of Note:
1. Molecular Psychiatry: How often does Autism and ADHD co-occur? 48% of people with autism have ADHD and 17% of people with ADHD have Autism. Some genes are associated with both diseases and typically effect males more often than females. The study covered a Swedish population of 1.9 million. People with mental disabilities are less likely to have ADHD with ASD than those with normal or high mental capacities.
 
2. The Journal of American Medical Association. - Vitamin D supplementation of cancer prevention. The study showed a slight but not statistically significant improvement in outcomes. A longer term study is underway to study this further. Dr. Mark noted that the study group started the study period with higher than typical vitamin D blood levels (over 30ng/ml) which may have effected the outcome. Dr Mark notes that with his patient group, he has seen improvement once the Vitamin D concentration is between 60 - 80ng/ml. Even exceeding these levels will typically not cause any harm to most patients.
 
LDN conference in Portland: September 21 – 24 which occurs every 18 months. You can participate in the conference in person or subscribe to the live steam of the event. Dr. Mark Mandel will be attending the conference as the moderator. For more information, to look at the list of speakers or topics: 
http://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/conference-2017
 
Some of the more popular conference topics are Lyme Disease solutions, autoimmune diseases, and more.
The live stream offers multiple options: Live streaming premium includes the pre-recorded content (70+ hours of information) and allows access to download the conference presentations for up to a year after the conference. This includes a total of almost 24 hours of live presentations and close to 100 hours of total content.
There are early bird specials if you purchase before May 21. Doctors (ND's & MD's) can get continuing education for some of the conference events.
 
Guest discussion:
Linda Elsegood was diagnosed with MS in 2000 and went through several miserable years after the diagnosis. She was diagnosed after an MRI showed lesions on her brain in early 2000. She recently had another MRI and is hoping that it will show the status of the lesions will be. Early in life she had experienced some indications that her body was not comparable to her husband's and she speculates that this was an early indication of MS.
 
Most clinicians believe that with MS you can only slow down progression of the disease and you can not make it better using conventional medications. Linda could not have a conversation in 2000 and would confuse things such as calling a dog a cat. At that time she was losing her memories and thought she might have Alzheimer's disease. When she was diagnosed she would have relapses 3 to 4 times a year. After each relapse she would be worse than before. It was a slow, steady degradation. Her doctors told her there was nothing they could do.
 
Within 3 weeks of taking LDN, her symptoms significantly improved. She has now been on LDN for 12 years with many fewer and less severe symptoms until this last year. Stress can intensify and increase the severity of MS symptoms.This past year she lost her mother and had her first severe MS relapse in 12 years and now is rebuilding from the relapse. LDN is the only medication that she is taking for MS.
 
For adult indications, LDN needs to have more clinical studies in order to get formal approval from the FDA. No Drug company will undertake this as LDN is very inexpensive and it would be difficult to get a rapid return on the costs.
 
Documentation for the successful use of LDN is currently up to 240 conditions.
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3-25-17 Click here to play this MP3
Kylia Faulisi: Cosmetologist at Mark Drugs specializing in post mastectomy/ surgery breast recovery.
Heather Dvoreck, IBCLC: (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant):
Breast Feeding Consultant from the Breastfeeding Center of Chicago located at: Address: 3325 N Arlington Heights Rd #100a, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 Phone: (847) 398-0400
http://thebreastfeedingcenterofchicago.com
 
Studies of Note:
1. Researchers have found that cochlear hair cells can be regenerated in living mice and also in human cochlear cells post-surgically removed from cancer patients. The researchers at Harvard and MIT have triggered stem cells to produce cochlear hair cells. Cochlear hair cells can be damaged by loud noise such as music, etc. The cochlear hairs also degrade with age. Possible downside? More cells than just cochlear cells may be affected with systemic administration. The possibility of limiting effects to just the cochlea might be obtained with local administration.
 
2. What days are best to have surgery? A study found that you have a ½ of one percent lower chance of dying from surgery if your surgery was within 3 weeks of an hospital credentialing inspection. The comparison was against patients having surgery 3 weeks prior to an inspection.
 
Guest discussion: Kylia manages the Rose Garden Boutique at Mark Drugs, which provides prostheses, bras, wigs, turbans, etc. for women recovering from breast surgery/cancer. Heather is trained to support mothers in breast feeding, including mothers recovering from breast surgery or cancer. Women with a single breast can still nurse but may need stimulation to fully support breast feeding a child. Mark Drugs has an all-purpose nipple treatment which can help keep the nipple supple as it will get much more attention in women with a single breast. Mark Drugs also offers an At-Breast supplementation and administration product called an SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) that allows a woman to supplement a child while nursing at the breast. This can be used to augment a mother's production of milk or completely replace her own milk production if necessary. Heather offers, among a variety of breast feeding services, guidance on "finger feeding" using a Supplemental Nursing System" if a mother has had a mastectomy, breast prosthetic or reconstructive surgery, as another feeding option to supplement a baby.
 
Donor Milk is an option for mothers who are having issues producing enough milk for their child. There are informal milk donors as well as more formal options. One formal option for donor milk is Mothers' Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes (http://www.milkbankwgl.org/). Dr. Mark believes that mother’s milk is far more beneficial than formula due to the HMO’s and other benefits we have previously discussed on the show.
 
Custom Prosthetics: These are meant to be worn on the chest wall as opposed to other solutions that are worn as part of a pocket bra. They can cast the current nipple and the custom prosthetics will incorporate this. They fit snugly up against the chest wall and are very realistic looking. Insurance will cover the cost of this including one shortly after surgery – you do not need to wait until the doctor is finished with his follow- ups. Mark Drugs is expanding the Rose Garden boutique to the Deerfield store. It is recommended that women with a single breast have prosthesis /bras in order to have a balanced body. An unbalanced body can cause neck and back pain in many women.
 
Breast Feeding benefits: There are breast feeding benefits to mothers as well as children. The longer mothers breast feed, the lower the risk of breast cancer. Mothers that breastfeed for 2 years total had ½ the risk of breast cancer compared to those who breastfed for one year or less. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of Type 2 diabetes in mothers and also lowers postpartum depression risk. The endorphins produced with breastfeeding strengthen a mother’s immune system.
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3-18-17 Click here to play this MP3
Claudia Christian is my guest today on the program to discuss alcohol disorders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Christian
http://www.cthreefoundation.org/
Studies of Note::
1. A British Medical journal article showed Vitamin D given daily or weekly dosages lowered risk of respiratory infections by 12%. The study included about 11,000 patients and included upper (head, nose and throat) and lower (lung) respiratory tract. Patients with the lowest Vitamin D concentration had the most impact. The Vitamin D dosage was given orally daily or weekly. Dr. Mark recommends taking 1000 units of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight when you feel the flu or cold coming on can help reduce or eliminate the infection.
Statistics relating to Alcohol Abuse:
In 2015, 26.9% of people aged 18 or older reported having engaged in binge drinking in the last month.
15.1 million (6.2%) of people over 18 years old people in the United States had AUD.
Only 8.5% of people with AUD received treatment.
Guest discussion – Claudia Christian's passion and focus is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Claudia Christian has supported the Sinclair method of treatment for over 8 years, since she used it to solve her own alcohol problem after trying all other approaches which did not work. She has a nonprofit which supports the Sinclair Method – see link above – and has produced a docmentary called One Little Pill. It can be found on Amazon and other streaming services which shows a person taking his first pill. It is very informative.
Sinclair Method - Many people do not seek treatment due to privacy concerns. The Sinclair Method can address this as you take the medication in the privacy of your own home. The Sinclair method requires the patient to take an opioid blocker - Naltrexone - 1 hour prior to the first drink of the day. Over the course of a few months (or less) your cravings and drinking will diminish. For other alcohol abuse treatments, the honeymoon period of treatment can wear off and patients will fall back into the old patterns which include alcohol abuse.
You must be opioid free before taking Naltexone as it may put you into detox if you are already taking opioid substances. It can work for most addictions including pornography, sex, etc. One issue that Claudia notes is that many doctors do not prescribe Naltrexone for Alcohol treatment as they are not aware of the treatment. The current FDA recomendation is to take Naltrexone daily whereas the Sinclair Method recommends only taking Naltrexone prior to drinking.
The FDA requires a retrial (about $20M) before changing the usage receomendation to follow the Sinclair Method approach which is a major roadblock. Patients must take Naltrexone for life if they continue to drink, but Naltrexone will prevent binges and eliminte the urges as it will produce targeted pharmacological extinction of alcohol addiction.
Mark Drugs Pharmacy can guide you to a doctor that is familiar with the Sinclair Method.
Future Show Topic: On March 25 we will have a panel on the air to discuss risk factors for breast feeding following mastectomy or cancer recovery.
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3-11-17 Click here to play this MP3
Probiotics are friendly bacteria that decrease inflamation and make you feel better.
Prebiotics are fast food for the friendly bacteria. HMOs ( Human Milk Oligosaccharides) are the latest prebiotic that is now commercially available.
Product Highlights:
Ultra Replenish GI – this probiotic has shown very good results for Dr. Mark's patients.
Low Dose Naltrexone can help for a variety of health related issues.
 
On March 25 we will have a panel to discuss risk factors for breast feeding following mastectomy or cancer recovery.
 
Studies of Note:
1. Journal of Gastroenterology study showed that probiotics can prevent Clostridium Difficile Bacteria (C. diff) in hospitalized patients. The study included over 3277 patients took probiotics and 2984 who did not take probiotics. Less than ½ of patients using probiotics got C. diff as compared to patients not taking probiotics. There was an 18% percent decline in effectiveness for every day delay in starting the probiotics after initiating the antibiotics. There were no adverse effects from taking probiotics. Dr. Mark recommends that if you are taking antibiotics you should start a probiotic as he has seen a rise in C diff infections.
 
2. An Annals of Internal Medicine study - or older patients (over 60) and the systolic number (the top one) less than 150 there is no need to take drugs to lower blood pressure unless they have a history of strokes or TIA. If a patient has had strokes or TIA then they recommend treatment if over 140.
 
3. Antibiotics use prior to dental surgery – When is it necessary – Only need antibiotics when moving tissues around in your mouth. There is not a lot of scientific research around this area. If you get an Antibiotic, Dr. Mark recommends taking a probiotic.
 
4. Testosterone therapy study of older men shows hemoglobin levels increased along with stronger bones. The study had 788 men with an average age of 72. The authors speculate that unexplained low hemoglobin may be due to low testosterone. Cardiovascular events were lower in the men taking testosterone which is in contradiction with prior results.
 
Todays Callers:
1. Our first caller has been taking a 5000 dosage of D3 for several years and developed a kidney stone. Can D3 turn into a kidney stone? D3 helps assist our bodies absorption of Calcium. D3 does not support formation of kidney stones.
 
2. A caller’s husband is 83, working in a automotive shop and considered a health nut. His PSA is 90. Should they be concerned? In general the PSA is not very reliable. Dr. Mark did not recommend any follow up unless other symptoms are showing.
Working in a automotive shop can expose a person to toxic chemicals but Dr. Mark does not believe that this is the direct cause of the high PSA.
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2-25-17 Click here to play this MP3
Studies of Note:
Dermatology Journal using a UK database, showed that the average length of oral acne antibiotics was 6 months with 12% lasting more than a year. The guideline treatment duration for acne is 3 to 6 months as there are side effects from long term usage of antibiotics to fight acne. There was minimal differences in drug use duration between dermatologists and general practitioners.
Practitioners should follow the guidelines and look to use topical antibiotics.
Events:
Mark Drugs NorthShore (Deerfield) is having a blood pressure screening and pharmacy review all your prescription and Over the counter products on March 11, 2017. There will be a presentation at noon on the synergy drugs products along with a free lunch.
All Synergy drugs products will be 30% off during this event.
Featured Products:
Mark Drugs has a new product called UltraGI Replenish which contains Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) and L-glutamine. HMO is a a prebiotic and combined with L-glutamine (trade name sustamine) help support the friendly bacteria along with stabilizing and repairing gut tissue. This can be used for Crohns, acne, IBS and a host of other medical issues such as chronics fatigue etc. UltraGI Replenish has been on the market for less than a year and price has been dropping – it started at $6 a day and now is down to less than $4 per day. http://www.metagenics.com/products/product-lines/ultra-gi-replenish
UltraInflamX can help reduce inflammation from over exertion. Use for short term acute situation.
http://www.metagenics.com/mp/medical-foods/ultrainflamx
AllFlex is a product that helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis and can be used for longer term issues.
MetaRelax is a powder that helps promote restful sleep. You take it about ½ hour before going to sleep. This can help with restless leg syndrome and allow you to get a good nights sleep. http://www.metagenics.com/mp/products/metarelax Todays Callers:
Carlos – How does Dr. Mark find a good functional medicine doctor?
Dr. Mark looks at a topic that is interesting and conditions that are underserved or treated by standard medicine. Next he locates health care professionals that are very good at what they do and know their area of expertise. He also looks at what that health care professional can offer that is not readily available elsewhere and how long have they been doing this.
Debra – Questions about Beta-Glucan:
This is a by-product of yeast. Dr. Mark has used it to treat melanoma and other skin issues for several patients as a topical cream. Dr. Mark also discussed Vitamin D3 benefits such as minimizing flu and asthma effects. He recommends keeping vitamin D3 on hand and take D3 when you start feeling ill.
Bruce – Question on Booklet to list out the doctors that Dr. Mark would recommend.
Dr. Mark stated that the problem is the info in the booklet changes too often to keep up to date...
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2-11-17 Click here to play this MP3
My Guests today are Dr. Sarah Zielsdorf and Nurse practitioner Roxanna Calpuss
(http://ipd.md/dr-zielsdorf.htm) Ph.(630) 226-9303
Roxanna will be assisting Dr. Zielsdorf
A current study showed that pregnant women with sub clinical hypothyroidism and receiving treatment had lower chance of pregnancy loss but a higher chance of pre-term delivery. The study did not differentiate between women having boys vs girls. Women carrying boys in general are more likely to have hypothyroidism, which is a weakness of this study.
Dr. Zielsdorf practices functional medicine. Functional Medicine works on how to make changes in the body given the products you are taking. A Mast cell is a form of white blood cell (granulocytes) produced by bone marrow containing granules that can be toxic. The body uses these for blood clotting, to fight infections, etc. Mast Cells have signals and if they contact a receptor (allergens or bad bacteria, etc.) they try to destroy it. Normally this works fine in the body but in some cases such as peanut allergies, the Mast Cells can overreact. Allergic reactions to pollen or other environmental toxins require that Mast Cells be inhibited. You do not want to suppress Mast Cells too much as they do good things in the body. There is some evidence that Alzheimer's may have a relationshop to Mast Cells, but this is not yet confirmed. There are numerous Mast Cell inhibitors available today, which effect specific allergic reactions.
Steps in allergic patient diagnosis are: patient history, blood analysis, cell lines, patterns contributing to inflammation, and gene testing. With an Anti-inflammatory diet, eliminate the following:
· Milk
· Eggs
· Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
· Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp)
· Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
· Peanuts
· Wheat.
· Soybeans.
Dr. Zielsdorf recommends the following to calm the immune system:
A wash out period of 4 to 6 weeks. During this period eliminate the following - grains, sugar and dairy. This is a good starting point prior to seeing a doctor for allergic issues.
Dangers of Mast Cell inhibitors: Mast Cells perform wound healing, new blood cell formation, immune tolerance, defense against bad bacteria and blood brain barrier. There are over the counter Mast Cell inhibitors available today, but you must be careful when taking these. It is recommended that you work with a skilled practitioner and use only vetted products. Many online products do not meet this standard – be careful.
Todays Call in Questions:
1. Our first Caller is sensitive to formaldehyde exposure causing severe distress. Your body must breakdown formaldehyde to eliminate it. The ability to break this down is genetic. We recommend an anti-inflammatory diet – see above information.
2. Would Dr. Zielsdorf want to take on a colon cancer patient? Dr. Zielsdorf would be a supporting doctor but not a primary care doctor for cancer patients. She specializes in Functional medicine...
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2-4-17  Click here to play this MP3
1. Fish oil consumption by pregnant women lowers the risk of ashtma in their children (study by New England Journal of Medicine). The Study includes over 700 women with their children being checked for asthma between the age of three and five. The lowest blood level for women taking fish oil cut the risk of ashtma by 50%. The fish oil was used in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy.
2. The FDA and EPA have produced guidelines for fish consumption by determining which fish are the safest to eat. This is a concern for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children. Their recomendation is:
a. Women of child bearing age: 2 to 3 servings per week, 4 oz. serving size.
b. Children: 1 to 2 servings per week, 2 oz serving size.
c. Fish to avoid are: King Mackerel, Marlin Orange Roughy, Shark, Tile fish, and Big Eye Tuna.
3. About my guest, Marla Fiengold:
Marla has a private practice centered on Detox named, Fit My Detox (http://www.FitMyDetox.com).
She works at Whole Health Chicago focusing on Functional Medicine.
Functional Medicine concentrates on the optimal functioning of the body and its organs.
We discussed prebiotics, which are fast food for the friendly (good) bacteria in your body. Prebiotics are food for microbes in your body and can be broken into three categories:
1. General prebiotics feed all microbes
2. Specific prebiotics feeds benefical microbes
3. Functional prebiotics target specific beneficial bacteria such as HMO
HMO is Human Milk Oligosaccharides, which are produced by mothers as components of breast milk. Infant formula does not contain HMO. HMO prebiotics are derived from human milk and then cultured to produce products. These are used to solve a multitude of gastro-intestinal problems.
Mark Drugs offers these products.
HMO's can do the folowing:
1. Prevent bad bacteria from growing inside the body
2. Prevent growth of bad bacteria
3. Kill some bad bacteria
4. Feed good bacteria inside your body
5. Repair your gut
6. Prevent diarrhea by killing bacterial causes
Marla recommends HMO's for most people as they strengthen the gut lining and can solve many health issues that convential medicine does not correct. Dr. Mark and Marla helped multuple patients with HMO's. We also discussed that HMO's might also help with ADD and ADHD symptoms.
Our first caller has been taking a probiotic for years and wondered if a prebotic would be helpful?
HMO's are available in a medicinal food.
Taking HMO's can increase the amount of beneficial bcaterai by nealry 20% after 6 weeks of usage.
Caller #2 has IBS plus constipation.
HMO's could help with this condition.
Caller #3 asked about buying probiotics and how they can help her...
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