More on Motrin and Stevens-Johnson syndrome - Los Angeles Times

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More on Motrin and Stevens-Johnson syndrome Los Angeles Times - 11 hours ago Unlike ear infections or strep throat or chicken pox, Stevens-Johnson syndrome isn't one of those conditions that most parents worry about. Drug Company Found Not Liable in Girl's Blindness FOXNews Drugmaker Not Liable in Motrin Case WebMD San Francisco Chronicle - Boston Globe - San Jose Mercury News - dBTechno all 164 news articles

You may well have heard the word 'probiotic' bandied around a lot lately in popular advertising and marketing campaigns! When you notice something like this happening you need to be aware of a couple of important things that is why this article could save you time, dicreatine malate and money...

Doctors have stated that is probable that ALL people over the age of 65 living in countries like the US and the UK should regularly take a probiotic supplement product to boost the function of their digestive system. It seems that the eating patterns, and other bad habits common to western societies can decimate the 'internal bacteria' we NEED in our gut in order to obtain all the nutrition we should be getting from our food.

Major food companies especially makers of yoghurt-type products have not been slow to see the marketing potential for new ranges containing so-called 'good bacteria'. You may ask - why has this been popular within this food sector?

It is now clear that the some of the most effective, and most resilient, 'good bacteria' are the members of the Lactobacillus 'family'. There are 13 strains of Lactobacillus which can all aid better digestive processes when present in your gut in an appropriate concentration. Lactobacillus are also the strains of bacteria that are used to ferment milk and create products such as yoghurt.

Some people have experienced benefits from regularly consuming the small, and not inexpensive, yoghurt style drinks that have been launched onto the market. It seems that some of the benefits may be psychological as much as anything but for some there may genuinely be enough of a boost to their digestive 'flora' (as the good bacteria are sometimes referred to it is the same root from which the word 'flower' comes in English) to make them feel as if their system is working better.

In general, however, it may be that there is hardly enough of a 'dose' of probiotic bacteria to help the majority of people substantially. The jury is still open on this to some extent - because thorough experimental work has been limited.

You may well find that if you are suffering from the many, varied symptoms that can signify that you have an impaired digestive process you will fare better taking a proper probiotic product with a guaranteed high count of appropriate 'good bacteria'. Such products are available usually in a powdered form that can be blended with juices, or even just with water, and should be taken daily to 'maintain' a healthy balance of bacteria in your digestive system.

What you must look out for, though, if you are to avoid wasting your money on ineffective products is that the probiotic product you choose contains the range of Lactobacillus bacteria. There are other 'good bacteria' but this genus (or family) is the strongest and can get through the acidity of your stomach, and past other 'chemical challenges' in your diet (such as alcohol, and caffeine!) to get into the intestines where they are needed.

It is a sad fact that when we lived as primitive creatures, and for many millennia, whilst we ate fresh foods that we hunted and farmed in an organic and natural way, our diets supported our bacterial needs. Nowadays, with so many processed foods and chemicals in our environment our digestive systems have become badly impaired. This can ultimately lead to a wide range of health problems form just feeling listless, and lacking in energy right through to setting the scene for serious diseases such as cancer to establish itself.

For this reason it may well be that choosing to use a reliable and high quality probiotic supplement could be the best thing you could do to support your health. This is especially so as you get older. However you must satisfy yourself that the product you buy contains the best bacterial sources and is produced by a reliable company. Otherwise you could simply be wasting your money and getting no real benefit in the long term.

Article by A. Graham Smith MSc BSc The author has many years experience in the food industry and teaching students studying food production and nutrition at degree level. He now regularly contributes articles to the non toxic lifestyle website http://www.GoNandO.com where additional information about choosing effective probiotic supplements can be found. You can also claim a complementary copy of the latest "Toxic Ingredients in Skincare Products Desktop-Directory" also prepared by A Graham Smith, via 'GoNandO'.

Congress, Overriding Bush, Blocks Pay Cut for Doctors - New York Times

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Congress, Overriding Bush, Blocks Pay Cut for Doctors New York Times - Jul 16, 2008 Lawmakers backing the bill held a Capitol Hill rally on Tuesday before the veto override. By ROBERT PEAR WASHINGTON - President Bush on Tuesday vetoed a bill protecting doctors from a Medicare pay cut, but both houses of Congress swiftly overrode the ... Some Las Cruces Medicare Patients Applaud Congress KFOXtv.com Medicare sweeteners turn into good politics The Associated Press Bloomberg - Bizjournals.com - Reuters - Kansas City Star all 1,121 news articles

Neurotransmitters (NTs) are essential chemical messengers that regulate brain, muscle, nerve and organ function. The most common NTs are serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Low levels of these important chemicals is extremely common in the general public and is due to innumerable lifestyle, environmental, and dietary factors. This article is intended to help the reader determine whether they may be deficient in NTs and how evaluation and treatment of this disorder can help.

People with neurotransmitter deficiency disorder can suffer from one or more of the following conditions: obesity, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, insomnia, buy l-arginine hydrochloride dosage deficit, learning disorders, panic attacks, migraines, pms, menopausal symptoms, digestive complaints and many more.

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs working on the neurotransmitter biochemistry such as Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin, etc. are currently some of the most commonly prescribed drugs. They work by artificially increasing the amount of serotonin in the synapse of the nerve which allows a temporary improvement in the chemical messaging system.

The problem with this approach is that these drugs DO NOT increase serotonin levels and in fact deplete reserves of the NT. This occurs because the SSRI class drugs cause an increase in an enzyme called MAO. It is common for people to experience only temporary improvement due to this effect.

The most effective way to correct a neurotransmitter deficiency is to perform a simple urine test to measure the NT levels. The treatment for optimizing the neurotransmitter levels is to provide the basic amino acid precursors or building blocks so the body can replenish the inadequate levels.

The true value of any treatment is the results it produces. Using this approach over the last year, I have helped coach many patients to a higher level of wellness. Patients with chronic depression, anxiety, and or insomnia have experienced a new sense of wellbeing while continuing their prescription, others have successfully weaned themselves off their prescription SSRI drugs after their symptoms have improved. Weight loss patients using slightly higher amino acid dosing consistently lose 1.5-2.5 lbs. per week without hunger while improving their lean muscle/body fat ratios.

FAQs regarding Dr. Nelsons NT program for anxiety and depression

Q. If I am already taking SSRI drugs, can I safely use this amino acid approach?

A. In my clinical experience I have seen great results with patients who have been on SSRI drugs for many many years. First, we get the person feeling better, then if the patient chooses, we slowly wean them off their prescription drugs.

Q. How does amino acid therapy increase NT levels? A. 5HTP is converted into serotonin and then melatonin. Phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine, then dopamine, L-Dopa, norepinephrine, and lastly epinephrine.

Q. How do you measure for the neurotransmitter levels in order to determine appropriate treatment?

A. The levels for epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, PEA, histamine, and many others can be measured with a simple urine test. An initial urine test can be given and then repeated after 6 to 12 weeks of therapy to determine optimal neurotransmitter levels have been obtained.

Q. Are there any side effects associated with the amino acid neurotransmitter therapy?

A. Not only are there no side effects, but there are numerous side benefits. People with depression often find relief not only from depression but also insomnia, fatigue, GI symptoms, chronic pain, pms, menopausal symptoms, obesity, food cravings, etc. In a small amount of people (less than 5%) people could have gastro intestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, etc. This occurs in people with severe neurotransmitter deficiency. This usually occurs within the first three days and is solved by stopping all amino acids. Therapy is continued at very low dosing after symptoms abate and then slowly increased to therapeutic levels over three to six weeks.

Q. How long will it take until my symptoms of depression/anxiety improve?

A. Each individual responds differently to treatment. Some patients have noticed incredible improvements in moods in a few days, others dont notice any improvements for a period of time (sometimes 3-4 months) and then notice gradual improvements over the following 3 to 6 months, most patients notice gradual improvements beginning after 1 month of treatment and then continue to improve.

Q. What should I expect during a normal course of evaluation and treatment?

A. Evaluation involves an initial office visit to determine overall health history, prescription drug levels, severity of symptoms, and any related health concerns. There is an optional urine test for neurotransmitter levels. Treatment consists of the following:

1. Conditioning Phase a one to two week period to prepare the patient for higher levels of therapeutic amino acid dosing.

2. Therapeutic Phase a period lasting anywhere from two months to 1 year+ where high levels of amino acids are given to restore the neurotransmitter levels.

3. Maintenance Phase ongoing treatment with a small amount of amino acids to maintain the levels of neurotransmitters. This provides enough amino acids to replace the neurotransmitters excreted throughout the day.

Q. Will I need to stay on amino acid therapy indefinitely?

A. Most people need to stay on a low level maintenance dose in order to continue to feel well after their 2 month to 1 year plus treatment phase. If people stop taking the amino acids, their neurotransmitter levels will slowly decrease over time.

Q. What amino acids are used in this therapy?

A. The amino acids used depend on the unique situation. The therapy will include any number of the following: 5HTP, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cysteine, mucuna (herbal L-Dopa), theanine, glutamine, taurine, methionine, GABA, phosphorylated b vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.

Q. What is the approximate cost of the therapy?

A. The cost of the neurotransmitter replacement therapy can range from $80 to $120+ during the therapeutic phase. After the patients symptoms have improved and the urine tests show optimal levels, the cost for the maintenance therapy is significantly less.

Q. Whats the success rate for anxiety and depression using this approach?

A. Anxiety and Depression are conditions that are multi-factorial. Patients that follow the dietary recommendations, take the supplements and dont give up before the neurotransmitters levels have been restored have a very high success rate. This natural therapy corrects the biochemical imbalance associated with these conditions. Patients working with a qualified counselor or therapist to address the mental and emotional aspects of these conditions have an even higher success rate.

William Nelson, NMD is a Naturopathic Medical Doctor in private practice in North Scottsdale. He specializes in the treatment of depression/anxiety and weight loss using amino acid therapy. Dr. Nelson combines time honored natural therapies with the latest advances in medical science for the treatment and prevention of all other chronic and acute health concerns. 7500 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. A207 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 480-563-4256