Dr. Mark Sircus


I guess this has changed, as it really is just a story and commentary blog. If you look to the right, you can listen to all the past archived shows on the "Talk Shoe" box.


By Sigal Samuel May 14, 2019
Isabelle Holdaway, age 15, was out of options. After undergoing a lung
transplant necessitated by her cystic fibrosis, she’d gotten an infection
that wasn’t responding to antibiotics. Her liver was failing. Her skin was
covered in lesions. Her chance of survival was less than 1 percent.
But today, just a few months later, she’s doing much better — thanks,
apparently, to a virus scraped from the bottom of a rotten eggplant in
soil teeming with worms.
Holdaway, who lives in London, was treated with an experimental “phage
therapy,” devised by her local doctors and researchers at the University
of Pittsburgh. Phages — viruses that infect and kill specific bacteria —
are often found in really dirty places. Ditches. Ponds. Sewage.
The idea of purposely dosing your body with a virus found in such
conditions might provoke a shudder of disgust. But as more infections
become resistant to traditional drugs due to our chronic overuse of
antibiotics, more patients are turning to phage therapy as a last resort.
And some scientists are racing to meet the demand. They travel the world
to hunt for new viruses and then store them in freezers, assembling vast
phage libraries. Pittsburgh’s has more than 10,000 different viruses,
which can be used to target different strains of bacteria.
Holdaway was treated with a cocktail of three phages. One came from the
above-mentioned eggplant, which was found in South Africa in 2010. The two
others, found in the US, were genetically modified to become more
efficient killers of Holdaway’s bacteria. Her case marked the first time a
patient was treated with genetically engineered phages.
She’s still undergoing that twice-daily therapy, but her health has
already improved dramatically. The infection has been reined in. Her liver
has recovered. The lesions have mostly disappeared.
It’s a pretty incredible story, but it’s important to note that this was
not a full clinical trial, so scientists can’t say for sure that the phage
treatment is what saved Holdaway’s life. However, Benjamin Chan, an
associate research scientist at Yale University who was not involved in
the study of her case, told me there’s “a very, very good chance” that the
phages were responsible. “You saw improvement correlating with
administration of the phage,” he said.
And Holdaway is one of a number of other patients who’ve seen positive
results after undergoing phage therapy. This treatment provides a bit of
much-needed hope at a time when standard antibiotics are starting to fail
miserably. Already, 700,000 people around the world die of drug-resistant
diseases each year, including 230,000 deaths from multidrug-resistant
tuberculosis. And the problem is only getting worse.
How phage therapy was found, lost, and found again
This therapy might sound outlandish, but it’s not actually new — it dates
back to a century ago. Phages were often used to treat infections in the
first few decades of the 20th century, and in some places in Eastern
Europe and Russia, that’s still the case.
But in the West, phages were mostly abandoned when antibiotics came along.
The new class of drugs was easier to use, and more versatile: An
antibiotic can be used to treat many different infections, whereas a phage
is much more specific — it might only successfully infect a particular
strand of a particular species of bacteria.
Another advantage of antibiotics was that instead of hunting for them amid
pond scum and sewage, you could make them in the lab. It was a clean and
convenient solution, and it saved millions of lives.
The problem is that, practically as soon as a new antibiotic is
introduced, the bacteria it targets begin to evolve in response,
developing a resistance to the drug. And for decades, doctors, farmers,
and others have been driving the resistance by doling out an overabundance
of antibiotics.
The result? Not only infections like tuberculosis, but also common
problems like STDs and urinary tract infections are becoming resistant to
treatment. According to a major new UN report, if we don’t make a radical
change now, drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million people a year by
2050. That’s more people than currently die of cancer.
This is a looming emergency that has so far gone mostly unnoticed by the
US public. The big pharmaceutical companies, having determined that
there’s not much money to be made in researching and developing new
antibiotics, also tend to ignore it. But for patients already suffering
from drug-resistant diseases, the emergency is here and now. They’re
desperate for a treatment, even if it’s an untested one.
Enter phage therapy.
How the therapy works
A typical phage looks like a lunar lander. When it comes into contact with
bacteria, it uses its “feet” to grab onto it. It injects its own DNA into
the host and then starts to reproduce, making so many copies of itself
that it eventually bursts open the bacteria.
There are several advantages to the way phages work. Because a phage is so
host-specific, scientists can deploy phages that will only grab onto the
bacteria they want to eradicate — unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics, which
often kill the good bacteria in your gut along with the bad. Even better,
deploying phages can cause the bacteria to evolve in response, and that
evolution sometimes involves switching from being antibiotic-resistant to
being sensitive to antibiotics.
That’s a great result because it means patients have more treatment
options: After undergoing a round of phage therapy, they can complement it
with a course of antibiotics, which may now actually work for them — as
appears to be the case for one of Chan’s patients with cystic fibrosis.
Phages are believed to be the most abundant lifeform on Earth. At any
given time, there are an estimated ten million trillion trillion of them
drifting around. So how do scientists find the right ones?
“It’s informed guesswork,” said Chan, who has hunted for phages all over
North America, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.
Because phages are highly dependent on their hosts, which are certain
strains of bacteria, you have to go to places where you can find the
bacteria you’d like to be able to kill. For example, if you want to find
phages that’ll kill cholera-causing bacteria, you’d have to go to a
country that still has cholera outbreaks, perhaps a country that doesn’t
have a good water treatment system. You’d take a water sample, bring it
back to your lab, and genetically sequence the phages found in it. You’d
identify if and how a phage is attaching to cholera-causing bacteria. Then
you’d store it in vials in your freezer so it’ll be there, waiting, for
the day a sick patient calls and asks for help.
Chan’s globe-trotting work is not glamorous. “We often go to sewage
treatment plants and just scoop out sewage,” he said. “A lot of the phages
are in sewage because that’s where you find a lot of human-associated
bacteria.”
But he’s encouraged to see the dirty work paying off. Over the past three
years, he said, he’s noticed increasing excitement about phage therapy. At
Yale New Haven Hospital, he and his colleagues have treated 16 patients
with phage therapy as of last week. “That number is growing crazy
quickly,” he told me, adding that he receives new requests for treatment
daily. As his list of prospective patients grows longer, he’s hoping to
start a clinical trial by the end of this year.
Not every patient who requests phage therapy ends up getting it. Because
it’s untested, it can only be legally dispensed on a compassionate basis —
that is, only when all the standard treatments have failed. For each case,
scientists have to demonstrate to the FDA that other treatments haven’t
improved the patient’s health and explain how phages will get the job
done. In an emergency situation, FDA approval can be obtained within
hours.
Chan believes that once clinical trials have been completed, phage therapy
will quickly grow more popular. He acknowledged the yuck factor of getting
injected with a virus culled from sewage, but said that when someone has a
truly terrible infection, they get over that psychological hurdle pretty
fast. “In the cases we’re treating, people have these infections for years
and things are getting much worse,” he said. “These people are like,
‘Dude, just fix it.’”
But phages won’t fix every patient’s problem. Since they’re so
host-specific, the therapy is limited in a way broad-spectrum antibiotics
are not, some researchers have noted. It can take a long time — sometimes
too long — to find a phage that’ll work on a specific strain of specific
bacteria. The same London doctors who treated Holdaway also tried to treat
another girl with cystic fibrosis who suffered from a different strain,
but by the time the right phage was found for her, she had died.
Another hurdle will be getting pharmaceutical companies to invest in
research and development. But Chan said he’s already getting inquiries
from Big Pharma companies, some of which are “actively and aggressively
working in the phage space now.” These include heavy-hitters like Johnson
& Johnson and Merck.
Depending on how phage therapy gets regulated, that could increase or
decrease the financial incentives for companies to invest in phage
therapy. For now, there’s no across-the-board regulation, just ad hoc FDA
approvals or rejections for individual patients. This therapy is so new to
the West that it’s hard to say how big a role it will come to play. But as
the antibiotic resistance crisis worsens, it’s clear there’s appetite for
alternative treatments like this one.
May 13, 2019
(CNN) There's no effective treatment for dementia, which
affects 50 million people worldwide, but the World Health Organization
says there's much can be done to delay or slow the onset and progression
of the disease.
In new guidelines released Tuesday, the WHO released its first
recommendations to reduce the risk of dementia globally. They include
regular physical exercise, not using tobacco, drinking less alcohol,
maintaining healthy blood pressure and eating a healthy diet --
particularly a Mediterranean one.
The international health body also warned against taking dietary supplements such as Vitamins B and E in an effort to combat cognitive decline and dementia.
"While some people are unlucky and inherit a combination of genes that makes it highly likely they will develop dementia, many people have the opportunity to substantially reduce their risk by living a healthy lifestyle," professor Tara Spires-Jones, UK Dementia Research Institute program lead and deputy director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh told the Science Media Center.
"The WHO has looked at the available evidence and made recommendations that some lifestyle changes, in particular increasing exercise before any cognitive symptoms are present, can reduce dementia risk," she added.
"Other recommendations have a less strong evidence base but may have evidence that they do not increase risk or harm, and can therefore be recommended safely, although their impact on risk is less certain."
The WHO said there are 10 million new cases of dementia every year and this figure is set to triple by 2050. The disease is a major cause of disability and dependency among older people and "can devastate the lives of affected individuals, their carers and families," the WHO said.
The disease also exacts a heavy economic toll, with the cost of caring for people with dementia estimated to rise to $2 trillion annually by 2030, according to the WHO.
What will and won't help
The 78-page report outlined what the WHO believes will -- and won't -- help reduce the risk of dementia, which has been described by campaigners as the biggest health challenge of our generation.
It recommended physical activity, stopping smoking, consuming less alcohol and a healthy, balanced diet. In particular, it says committing to a Mediterranean diet (simple plant-based cooking, little meat and a heavy emphasis on olive oil) could help.
"The Mediterranean diet is the most extensively studied dietary approach, in general as well as in relation to cognitive function," the report said. "Several systematic reviews of observational studies have concluded that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, but modest adherence is not."
The report recommended proper management of weight, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia -- unhealthy or unbalanced cholesterol levels -- as measures that could potentially reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
While the report stressed that social participation and social support are strongly connected to good health and individual well-being, it said there was insufficient evidence linking social activity with a reduced of risk of dementia.
Similarly, it said cognitive training could be offered to older adults but the evidence linking it to a lower risk of dementia was "very low to low."
The report also warned against using supplements such as B vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 and ginkgo.
"The negative recommendation, advocating that people do not use vitamin or dietary supplements (unless they are needed for a clinical problem) is welcome, and it is to be hoped that it saves lots of people from wasting their money," said professor Tom Dening, director of the Centre for Old Age and Dementia, Institute of Mental Health at the University of Nottingham.
Experts said that the advice issued by the WHO was comprehensive and sensible but some cautioned that the evidence that these steps would reduce dementia risk was not always strong.
"Keep on doing the things that we know benefit overall physical and mental health, but understand that the evidence that these steps will reduce dementia risk is not strong," Robert Howard, a professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University College London told the Science Media Center.
"Like many colleagues, I already tell my patients that what is good for their hearts is probably good for their brains."
August 16, 2018
Chemotherapy and radiation might be the most common way to target and treat cancer, but it’s not the only option. With many patients and physicians taking a closer look at the negative effects of both treatments — some of which are believed to be worse than cancer itself — alternatives to chemo and radiation are becoming more and more mainstream, making fighting cancer without chemotherapy possible for some.
We share eight alternatives that are considered effective in treating
cancer without the help of chemotherapy and radiation.
Immunotherapy
Perhaps one of the most common alternatives to chemo and radiation,
immunotherapy helps train the body’s immune system to fight certain
diseases, including cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the
alternative treatment works by “stimulating your own immune system to work
harder or smarter to attack cancer cells” through immune system proteins.
There are a few different types of immunotherapy treatments — and others
currently being studied — that work to treat cancer in a few different
ways. Some of the treatments focus on boosting the immune system overall
while others train it to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Gerson Therapy and juicing
Some experts believe you can get rid of cancer naturally through diet —
and, in some cases, they are correct. For over 90 years, Dr. Max Gerson’s
“Gerson Therapy” has remained one of the most effective alternatives to
chemo and radiation and has helped hundreds of patients heal naturally.
Gerson Therapy calls for a massive diet change where patients can only
consume organic vegetables, fruits, and sprouted ancient grains. Also, it
asks patients to take certain supplements, perform coffee enemas, drink
raw juice, and eat beef liver, as it is one of the most nutritious foods
on the planet and contains high traces of vitamin B-12.
According to the Gerson Institute, the overall goal of the therapy and
diet is to activate “the body’s extraordinary ability to heal itself
through an organic, plant-based diet, raw juices, coffee enemas, and
natural supplements.”
Proteolytic Enzyme Therapy
Dr. Max Gerson wasn’t the only doctor to take a deep dive into the power
of plant-based. In 1906, a man by the name of John Beard came up with the
idea that pancreatic enzymes can serve as the body’s biggest protector
against cancer. Nicholas J. Gonzalez, MD later studied this proclamation
and found to have some success.
As it turns out, one of the suspected causes of cancer is the body’s
autonomic nervous system, which consists of two separate nervous systems
called sympathetic (fight or flight) and autonomic (rest and digest). The
goal in Gonzalez’s work is to balance both systems through a vegetarian
diet, as it can suppress the sympathetic system.
In addition to a diet change, the therapy focuses its efforts on reducing
inflammation through proteolytic enzymes. Physicians that use this
treatment recommend five grams of enzymes three times daily.
Diet
Many of the natural alternatives to chemo and radiation take a closer look
at diet — and for a good reason. While it is best to change your diet
under a physician’s watch, it doesn’t hurt to add cancer-fighting
ingredients and cut out things like processed foods and an abundance of
meat.
Some foods to consider are:
High-dose vitamin C
It’s no secret that vitamin C does the body good — but can it cure cancer?
According to some reports, maybe. Researchers have found that high-dose
vitamin C treatments can prolong the life of cancer patients and even help
reduce certain symptoms. This type of treatment is often used by holistic
cancer doctors — and proven successful — but has not gone through proper
clinical trials to back that up on a conventional level.
Frankincense Essential Oil Therapy
Essential oils might also be beneficial for fighting cancer without
chemotherapy. German biochemist, Dr. Johanna Budwig believed frankincense
essential oil was a powerful tool in fighting off cancer, specifically
brain cancer. As it turns out, he might have been right.
Modern research trials show that Indian Frankincense might work as a
natural alternative to chemo and radiation for brain, colon, breast,
pancreatic, stomach, and prostate cancer. Researchers at Baylor University
Medical Center in Dallas believe the reason is that frankincense can
promote healing by influencing the genes.
Frankincense essential oil therapy requires an application of the oil on
the neck three times a day. Also, it asks patients to consume a mixture of
frankincense essential oil and water (three drops oil to eight ounces of
water) three times a day.
Oxygen Therapy and Hyperbaric Chambers
Another common alternative to chemo and radiation is oxygen therapy and
hyperbaric chambers. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of treatment
is linked to many different ailments and diseases, including AIDS/HIV,
Alzheimer’s disease, Bell’s palsy, and Fibromyalgia. But, perhaps one of
its most impressive abilities is the way it targets cancer.
According to Dr. Otto Warburg, the cause of cancer is oxygen deficiency,
as it creates an acidic environment in the body, which causes cancer to
thrive. Also, he believed that cancer cells can’t breathe oxygen and
therefore don’t survive in a more alkaline state. Through that idea,
oxygen therapy and hyperbaric chambers might be able to cure cancer
without harsher treatments.
Since hyperbaric oxygen chambers have an air pressure level 2.5 times
higher than average atmospheric pressure, the chamber forces the body to
hold more oxygens. As a result, the blood delivers higher levels of oxygen
to organs and tissues, which can have a damaging effect on cancer cells.
While this type of treatment is believed to have promising effects on
cancer patients, it’s not considered conventional yet. However, some
hospitals are looking further into its ability to fight cancer and even
purchased some chambers.
Integrative Medicine
Some cancer patients — and physicians — believe chemotherapy and radiation
are worse than cancer itself. And while that might be true, it doesn’t
take away from the success rate of both cancer treatments. However, with
alternative and holistic treatments becoming more mainstream, doctors and
holistic healers have worked together to create a balanced treatment plan
known as Integrative Medicine.
According to Oasis of Hope Hospital, Integrative Medicine “combines
conventional medicine with alternative interventions that help overcome
and compensate for the deficiencies of chemotherapy, radiation, and
surgery.” Traditional medicine — aka chemo and radiation — might still be
used to treat aggressive tumors, but the alternative approach works in
tandem to make tumors more vulnerable to the mainstream treatments,
helping to preserve the immune system and create a better tolerance to
chemotherapy.
BY SHAUL TURNER, UPDATED AT 10:41PM, MAY 1, 2019
DENVER -- The Centers for Disease Control reports one in three adults don’t get enough sleep.
More than 500,000 people take prescription drugs like Ambien or Lunesta to get the sleep they need, but the Food and Drug Administration is now requiring labels to warn patients about the possibility of dangerous side effects.
Robert Turner, clinical supervisor of Rose Medical Center’s Sleep Center said users of the medications may not know all of its effects.
“With Ambien, people can do things while they’re asleep and be unaware of it," he said.
Turner advises that anyone considering treatment for a sleep abnormality disclose all health information with their doctor so he or she can make the best decision for their health.
"(Sleep aids) have some interactions with other medications," Turner said.
He added that powerful sleep aids are designed for short-term use during times of depression, stress or anxiety.
“Your daughter is getting married and you’re worried about the wedding," Turner provided as an example.
Turner recommends anyone struggling to fall asleep on a regular basis first try cutting back on caffeine.
"There are people who are using caffeine at dinner time -- having a cup of coffee at dinner -- then wondering why they can’t get to sleep," he said.
Supplements like melatonin, if approved by a doctor, can help as well. Get plenty of exercise, but not within three hours of your bedtime, and stick to a regular sleep schedule, which means not sleeping in late on the weekends.
Doctors say we all should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Not doing so may eventually lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other health problems.
Ed Murrieta May 30, 2017 My dad spent the last two years of his life in a skilled nursing facility. He’d complain about the nightly nois...