Promising Treatments for Tinnitus -Part 2

In my blog, “Ringing in Ears Affects Fifty Million,” I gave you some background and some startling statistics about tinnitus, commonly referred to as ringing in the ears. I also stated that, currently, there is no cure. This is frustrating and disruptive to the 10–12% of Americans, roughly 50 million, who suffer from tinnitus.

Once thought to be a disease of the ear only, research indicates that tinnitus has a neurological component as well. The brain tries to fill in sounds that the ears can’t pick up. However, often this compensation is faulty, and the tinnitus sufferer is left hearing sounds he or she shouldn’t hear at high decibels and for prolonged periods of time.

If this continues for a while, the patient can also experience a stress response. While a “Fight or flight” response is helpful when faced with a real threat, in this case, it does more harm than good. Instead of sending a message to the brain to stop filling in the missing noise, it does the opposite. The internal noises get louder, thereby contributing to additional neurological and physiological responses. This further explains why patients report anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, and so forth.

Tinnitus is often triggered by loud noises. For example, many soldiers returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan were exposed to gunfire and explosions without proper ear protection. Over the past ten years, MRIs of the brain (imaging of the brain) have been able to pick up differences that can be attributed to tinnitus. It is possible that brain images taken before and after combat will help doctors diagnose and treat tinnitus in years to come. 

Currently, there is no standard treatment for tinnitus. Some doctors prescribe medication, even though none has been approved specifically for the condition. If you seek medical help for tinnitus, your treatment may include: sound therapy, acupuncture, hearing aids, cochlear implants, electrical brain stimulation, mindfulness training, and neck exercises. Here are some highlights:

•    Electrical Brain Stimulation
Jay Piccirillo, a professor of otolaryngology at Washington University in St. Louis, has conducted research with electromagnets to keep the brain from overcompensating when hearing loss is present. He told National Public Radio (NPR), “We think that perhaps that electrical stimulation just clears away that pathological, or that faulty, connection,” Piccirillo says, “with the hope that the reconnections are more normal and more healthy.” (http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/138163304/tinnitus-why-wont-my-ears-stop-ringing)

•    Sound Therapy
A man who was suffering from extreme tinnitus symptoms and unable to work was interviewed by NPR, after an unsuccessful trial of electromagnetic therapy. He went on to try a form of sound therapy that involved listening to radio static. Although it was annoying at first, after a while, he was able to tune out the radio static. As time went on, the phantom sounds he heard as part of his tinnitus faded to background noise, like the radio static. Although it didn’t go away, he experienced enough relief that his quality of life improved. 

•    Neuromonics—Sound and Neural Stimulation
Neuromonics, www.neuromonics.com, makes a device that has been approved by the FDA. It addresses the neurological component of tinnitus, but delivers treatment via sound. According to their Web site, “The treatment utilizes a customized neural stimulus combined with specific music, delivered according to a coordinated program. The treatment is designed to interact, interrupt, and desensitize tinnitus disturbance for long-term benefit.” Each treatment is unique to the patient and each teaches the brain to filter out the extraneous, “inner” sounds.

The therapy usually takes place daily, for two or more hours, during the times of day when the sufferer is most affected. Treatment typically takes six months and can be done when relaxing, reading, working on the computer, cooking, and during other activities. The best results have been achieved when the patient follows a multi-stage process.

•    Mindfulness Training
Mindfulness training, which includes the practice of being present and of meditation, has been used very successfully for pain management. As I said in my first blog, there is often a similarity in the mindsets of chronic pain sufferers and tinnitus patients. The lack of control over their lives and the disease creates psychological struggles, such as anxiety and depression.

Currently, phase 2 of the “Mindfulness Based Tinnitus Reduction (MBTR): A Symptom Perception Shift Program” is being conducted. In Phase 1, researchers verified that cognitive behavior therapy and MBTR relieved distress and reduced symptoms caused by tinnitus. The researchers believe that mindfulness training alone will also benefit participants significantly. (http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT01229709)

•    Nutritional Supplements
Several nutritional supplements have been found helpful for people with tinnitus.
Ginkgo biloba has been found in seven studies to show clear improvement over placebo. It is believed that Ginkgo's mechanism of action is because of glutamate antagonism and neuroprotection. In addition, ginkgo increases circulation because it acts as a vasodilator allowing the capillaries to carry more blood.

Zinc is one of the most important mineral supplements. In one study in January 2003 patients treated with zinc daily for three months had a significant improvement in their tinnitus. This was true for people without or with zinc deficiency. Its benefit is thought to be due to the antioxidant properties of zinc.

Deodorized Garlic improves blood circulation and helps prevent arteriosclerosis. It is a natural antibiotic and antiviral. Several studies have shown that garlic reduces plaque and improves blood flow. It is also natural antioxidant.

***
At the time this blog was written, the Fifth Tinnitus Research Initiative Conference, “The Neuroscience of Tinnitus,” was being held. Scientists were expected to introduce a new drug, which had been used effectively to treat tinnitus in animals.

I will keep you posted as I learn more.

 

Forks Over Knives- The Movie and the Book

Forks Over Knives is a movie and a book that will change your life. Here are some facts from the movie, which will probably surprise you:
•    The average American carries an extra 23 pounds of weight.
•    Heart disease and stroke claim the lives of 460,000 American women per year.
•    There are 215,000 new cases of prostate cancer per year in American men.
•    “We have a growing problem and the ones who are growing are us.” – Katie Couric.
•    40% of Americans today are obese.
•    Almost one in five American four-year-olds are now considered to be obese.
•    “This could be the first generation of children in the United States that lives less than its parents.” – Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General of the United States.
•    “We have an unprecedented amount of type II diabetes in our children, and we are starting to see hypertension in our children in grammar school.” – Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General of the United States.
•    About half of all Americans are taking some form of prescription drug.
•    We spend $2.2 trillion on health care, over five times the amount we spend on the defense budget.
•    We pay more per person for health care than any industrialized country in the world yet we are sicker than ever.
•    Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure are all diet-related health issues that cost this country more than 120 billion dollars per year.

As most of my readers know I took a six-week intensive training course in the spring of this year at Cornell University (online) called "Whole Food Plant Based Nutrition." This course was taught by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., and several other prominent physicians who have been leading the charge for documenting the benefit of a whole food, plant-based diet.

After taking the course I changed my own diet from being a vegetarian for the last 39 years to being a pure vegan. It has helped my own energy and vitality. And even though I am quite slender it helped me reduce the belly fat, which had accumulated over the last several years.

In August of this year a new study was published in Lancet magazine entitled "Health and economic burden of the projected obesity trends in the USA and the UK.” Researchers point out that excessive weight gain in populations forecast an increased burden from several diseases, most especially cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. They use a simulation model to project the probable health and economic consequences for the next two decades from the continuing rise in obesity in the United States and the UK.

The researchers project an additional 65 million obese adults in the United States and 11 million more obese adults in the UK by the year 2030. This is expected to lead to an additional 6.0 to 8.5 million cases of diabetes, 5.7 to 7.3 million cases of heart disease and stroke, and 492,000 to 699,000 additional cases of cancer. They predict that this will lead to  a loss of an additional 26 to 55 million quality—adjusted life years for the United States and England combined.

The researchers also predict that the medical costs associated with these preventable diseases are estimated to increase by $48 to $66 billion per year in the United States by the year 2030. They recommend that effective policies to promote healthier weight be put in place as soon as possible because of the economic benefits.

It is because of all these statistics and studies that I urge you to watch Forks Over Knives. It is a simple way to learn the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet, which has been documented to help improve ALL of the conditions mentioned in this article.

I can also recommend that you read the book associated with the movie, because it is loaded with recipes to help you get started on this diet.

The DVD for the movie is available at Amazon.com, as is the book. Also check out the Forks over Knives website HERE

Those of you with a Netflix account can watch Forks Over Knives on Netflix for free.

Let me know what you think about the movie and/or the book. Is it possible for you to implement this for even two or three months to see if it makes a change in your lives? What are your stumbling blocks? What are your roadblocks?

You can leave a comment here, e-mail me at questions@askDrSoram.com, or leave me a voicemail message at 310-499-0275. I look forward to hearing from you.

LANCET ARTICLE

 

Ringing in Ears Affects Fifty Million-Part 1

One of the most prevalent conditions affecting Americans today is tinnitus. In fact, more than 50 million people in the U.S. alone have been diagnosed with tinnitus, a term used for hearing a sound (or sounds) in your head when no sound exists. These phantom sounds are usually annoying, the way that radio static or high-pitched emergency signals are bothersome. About 12 million Americans are disturbed enough to seek medical help for the ringing in their ears; 2 million are literally disabled by their tinnitus, unable to work, sleep, or function normally.

Tinnitus affects patients differently. Some notice changes in cognitive abilities, equilibrium, and ability to sleep soundly. Although patients do not typically experience pain with tinnitus, like pain syndromes, there is a feeling of helplessness associated with the condition. This often leads to secondary medical problems, such as depression, anxiety, and exacerbated stress levels.

Obviously, these primary and secondary conditions can impact one’s personal and professional relationships and one’s ability work—even inside the home.

For some, the ringing, whooshing, and/or buzzing, which can occur in one or both ears, is caused by an event. The actor William Shatner has suffered from tinnitus since an explosion on the set of Star Trek occurred decades ago. He is now a spokesperson for the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), helping to raise awareness of the disease and funding for research.

Shatner and others (including me) are particularly concerned for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Respected tinnitus researcher Richard Salvi, Ph.D., of the University of Buffalo says, “As many as 50 percent of combat soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who come back have tinnitus. In 2010, the Veterans Administration paid out more than $1 billion for tinnitus disability claims alone. It’s become a huge problem for military and VA hospitals.” (http://www.buffalo.edu/news/12768)

You don’t have to go to war or be around an explosion, though. Some individuals develop tinnitus for no apparent reason. Others will experience it after an ear infection, especially a severe one. Tinnitus is very prevalent in younger people. In fact, 75% of people aged 18 to 30 experience tinnitus from listening to very loud music at live venues or through headphones. (Holmes S, Padgham N. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2009; 18(21): 2927.)

To date, there is no cure for tinnitus, no pill to take, although there are some treatments which provide relief. I will discuss these options and an exciting new treatment in my next blog.
 

Essential Fatty Acids for Pregnant Women Means Fewer Infant Colds

If I ask a pregnant patient whether she wants a boy or a girl, she is likely to answer: Either is fine. I just want my baby to be healthy. The results of a study conducted at Emory University shines a light on how to make my pregnant patient’s dream come true. When pregnant women take 400 mg of DHA (found in fish oil or extracted from algae) during pregnancy, they deliver children who have fewer colds and related symptoms in the first six months of life.

The study followed nearly 1,100 pregnant women and more than 800 infants in Mexico. The women were given either 400 mg of DHA or a placebo from 18 to 22 weeks gestation through the end of their pregnancy.

After childbirth, the mothers were asked to keep a diary about any symptom of illness their baby had for the first six months of life. They also completed questionnaires about their baby’s health at one, three, and six months of age.

All the infants were breastfed. Not surprisingly, the mothers who took DHA had more of it in their breast milk than the moms in the group given a placebo.

Researchers determined that the infants whose mothers took DHA supplements were 24% less likely to have cold symptoms at one month of age. The authors concluded, “DHA supplementation during pregnancy decreased the occurrence of colds in children at one month and influenced illness symptom duration at one, three, and six months.”

Here is a summary of the findings. When compared to the placebo group:

•    At one month of age: 24% fewer colds; shorter duration of cough, phlegm, and wheezing.
•    At three months of age: 14% less time showing signs of illness.
•    At six months: shorter duration of fever, runny nose, difficult breathing, rash, and “other illness.”

It was not all positive results for the DHA group, though. These babies suffered slightly more rashes and significantly more vomiting.
 
According to lead author Usha Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., “This is a large scale, robust study that underscores the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy. Our findings indicate that pregnant women taking 400 mg of DHA are more likely to deliver healthier infants.”

Dr. Ramakrishnan previously reported on research showing that the birth weight and head circumference was greater in babies whose mothers took 400 mg of DHA during the pregnancy with their first child. These same children were also taller at 18 months.

I have known for decades that eating a healthy diet during pregnancy is good for both the baby’s and mother’s health. Twenty or thirty years ago, research proved the importance of getting enough calcium during pregnancy to protect mom’s bones, especially long-term. More recent studies have shown the importance of getting enough folic acid (for prevention of birth defects) and iron (for keeping the blood oxygenated and nutrient-rich)..

I began prescribing DHA to pregnant women in the late 1990’s as the evidence in the medical literature was already strong then. Thank goodness that in the last ten years, many more studies have  shown that one of the active ingredients in fish oil or algae, DHA, is good for babies brain, eye, and immune system development. This is why baby formulas are finally being supplemented with DHA now. DHA has also been show to support immune function. This is the first study to link a mother’s intake of DHA during pregnancy to her child’s immune system, though.

If you are pregnant, I strongly recommend you speak with your physician and obstetrician about the benefits of supplementing with fish oil. Start now eating right and taking the right supplements for your baby. You will be glad you did. 

References:

Beth Imhoff-Kunsch, Aryeh D. Stein, Reynaldo Martorell, Socorro Parra-Cabrera, Isabelle Romieu, and Usha Ramakrishnan. Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Infant Morbidity: Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics, September, 2011, published online August 1, 2011: 10.1542/peds.2010-1386.

Ramakrishnan U, Stein AD, Parra-Cabrera S, Wang M, Imhoff-Kunsch B, Juárez-Márquez S, Rivera J, Martorell R. Effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during pregnancy on gestational age and size at birth: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Mexico. Food Nutr Bull. 2010 Jun;31(2 Suppl):S108-16.

 

Multiple Sclerosis and Multiple Risk Factors

Multiple sclerosis (MS) researchers have often suspected that there are multiple factors that cause MS. New research published in Neurology on April 19, 2011, reports that the combination of two circumstances, little exposure to sunlight and a history of having the Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis), increases your risk of developing MS.

There are few diseases as disruptive and debilitating as multiple sclerosis. MS affects your ability to walk, speak, and see. When you have MS, the protective coating around the nerves, called the myelin sheath, is damaged. This causes your nerve impulses to act irregularly and also for the nerves to be inflamed. In addition to being painful, this inflammation triggers an autoimmune dysfunction, resulting in more nerve damage.

Doctors have determined that, like many other medical diseases, if you have a family history of MS, your likelihood of developing the disease is higher than someone who does not have the same medical background.

Scotland has the highest incidence of MS in the world; in Africa there is virtually no one with t he disease. This phenomenon doesn’t have as much to do with one’s DNA, though, as it does to one’s exposure to sunlight.

George C. Ebers, M.D., of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and a member of the American Academy of Neurology reported on a prospective study (mentioned above) conducted in hospitals all over the United Kingdom (where the prevalence of MS is high). After fellow researchers identified 56,681 cases of multiple sclerosis and 14,621 cases of infectious mononucleosis, they found that 61 percent of all patients with MS had low vitamin D; 72 percent had both a low vitamin D and a history of Epstein-Barr.

Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus causes no symptoms in some and infectious mononucleosis (mono) in others. Often called the kissing disease, mono presents with a high fever, swollen glands, and extreme fatigue. Regardless of whether someone’s experience with mono is symptomatic or non-symptomatic, an individual will carry antibodies for the virus.

Dr. Doug Brown, head of biomedical research at the MS Society notes, “Vitamin D has been closely studied in recent years and is thought to be a key factor in the development of MS.” Other well-respected researchers, including J.J. Cannell. M.D., of the Vitamin D Council, concur that low vitamin D levels put one at a higher risk for MS (and many, many other conditions).

Dr. Ebers concluded, “It’s possible that vitamin D deficiency may lead to an abnormal response to the Epstein-Barr virus,” Ebers said. Based on this study, it seems likely that this response could also increase your risk of MS.

Reference: Ramagopalan, S.V., et al. Relationship of UV exposure to prevalence of multiple sclerosis in England, Neurology, April 19, 2011; Pages: 1410-1414
 

How to Remember to take your Suplements!

Many patients have trouble remembering to take their prescribed supplements. This system will help you organize your vitamins so they are easy to take. With this system you will only have to open your supplement bottles once a week!

Watch as Heather Shows you how: [simple_video]

Dairy Aggravates Acne

John McDougall, M.D., wrote an article called “Acne Is Caused by Diet, Especially Dairy Products” in his March 2011 newsletter. Although it has long been debated whether or not diet plays a role in acne, Dr. McDougall wrote about two studies that clearly show the connection. The typical Western diet does aggravate acne.

A study published in November 2010 in the European Journal of Dermatology examined the diets of 783 Koreans with acne to see if their outbreaks were aggravated by certain foods. Researchers concluded “A high glycemic load diet, dairy food intake, high fat diet, and iodine in Korean foods appear to play a role in acne exacerbation.”

It seems that avoiding pizza and chocolate bars was sage advice after all.

Why is this? The answer may be in an article published by B.C. Melnik and G. Schmidt, which Dr. McDougall referenced in his e-letter. These researchers explained the systemic changes which result from eating high-glycemic foods as well as foods containing dairy.

When you eat a diet high in sugar, it causes your insulin levels to rise. These foods include highly processed foods, including junk food, which convert to sugar and cause surges of insulin in the blood stream. High levels of insulin create inflammation throughout the body. Since acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, anything that increases inflammation should be avoided.

These same highly processed foods (sometimes called refined carbohydrates) cause an increase in the growth hormone “insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).” An increase in IGF-1 has also been shown to encourage acne growth.

Dairy products affect hormones in two ways that contribute to skin problems. First, dairy contains a milk protein that causes IGF-1 to rise. Fat is not to blame, because studies show there are increases in insulin-like growth factor regardless of whether you drink whole milk or a low-fat version.

The same milk protein promotes a rise in androgen levels. Although a male hormone, androgens are present in women and men (girls and boys). Androgens cause an increase in oils and sebum (a greasy substance in the pores)—a perfect environment for bacteria growth, which often leads to breakouts and acne.

If you are concerned about your skin, particularly if you are plagued by teen or adult acne, consider removing dairy from your diet. Know that if you are eating a Western diet, which is high in fat, sugar, meat, dairy, and junk food, its inflammatory properties are likely affecting the condition of your skin.

References:

1. Jung JY, Yoon MY, Min SU, Hong JS, Choi YS, Suh DH. The influence of dietary patterns on acne vulgaris in Koreans. Eur J Dermatol. 2010 Nov-Dec;20(6):768-72.
2. Melnik BC, Schmitz G. Role of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, hyperglycaemic food and milk consumption in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Exp Dermatol. 2009 Oct;18(10):833-41.

 

Environmental Pollutants Linked to Insulin Resistance

Imagine. You add more fish in your diet, because you want to eat more healthfully, and after a month you notice you have gained belly fat. You go to your doctor, and after having some tests done, he or she tells you that you are now having trouble regulating your blood sugar. After asking you a few questions, your doctor discovers the culprit—you have been exposed to too many environmental toxins. 

This is exactly what happened to rats who ate fish oil contaminated with high levels of chemical pollutants. Although we look nothing alike, our makeup (as humans) has a lot in common with rats, which is why rats are studied so often. There have been numerous studies linking environmental toxins to weight gain in humans (and rats). However, the study I’m about to tell you about is the first to associate high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with the onset of insulin resistance.
Read more

Pesticides Linked to ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown in prevalence in the last twenty years, leaving many wondering why. One answer was determined in a study done on a group children aged eight to fifteen years of age. These children were significantly more likely to have ADHD if their urine had high levels of organophosphate pesticide metabolites.

Organophosphate pesticide metabolites is a fancy phrase for an organic compound containing phosphorous. Organophosphates are used in insecticides and pesticides. 

Researchers started with data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2002-2004) on a cross-section of children. At the time, this group was thought to be representative of all children in the United States. Parents of these 1,193 children were interviewed, and based on their input 119 met the criteria for ADHD. An additional 29 were being medicated for ADHD, bringing the total studied to 148—roughly 10 percent of the original cohort. 
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Zinc: Essential for Men With Prostate Cancer

A new, long-term, Swedish study shows that zinc is invaluable for men with prostate cancer. Researchers found, especially with early prostate cancer, that if men get enough zinc in their diets, they are more likely to die from other causes than from their prostate cancer.

The study was conducted on 525 Swedes under the age of 80, who had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Some of these men had tumors that were localized; in others the cancer was more widespread.

Men were asked to join the study as early as January 1989 and as late as July 1994. When the study’s results were analyzed in 2010, some of the men had been followed for 20 years, and the average was 6.4 years.

Each participant was given a questionnaire, which included 68 common foods eaten by Swedes. The men identified how often they ate the foods, and the scientists determined how much zinc was in their diet. None of the men were taking zinc supplements.

At the study’s conclusion:
•    218 men (42%) died of prostate cancer
•    257 men (49%) died of other causes
•    50 men were still alive

Among all cases of prostate cancer, patients  whose diets included the highest amounts of zinc were 36% less likely to die from prostate cancer than those ingesting the least amount of zinc.
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