The Medical Marijuana Oxymoron

The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect January 17, 1920 and was repealed by the Twenty-Third Amendment on December 5, 1933. During those 5,071 days of Prohibition, citizens found innumerable ways to obtain the adult beverages they fancied.

The more infamous efforts were criminal, usually resulting in mayhem. Yet there is one aspect of the alcohol ban that gets scant attention today because it wasn’t as exciting as the raids and police chases.

“Medicinal Alcohol” became a fashionable remedy, prescribed by doctors and dispensed by local pharmacies. Our twenty-first century version is “Medical Marijuana” – different substance, same conversation.

For most of the 1920s, a person could easily obtain a prescription for one pint of liquor every 10 days. All it took was cash — about $3, the equivalent of about $40 today — placed in the hand of an agreeable doctor. It cost another $3 to $4 to have it filled at the pharmacy.

Initially, the American Medical Association (AMA) rejected the use of alcohol for any health purpose. Practitioners involved in the prescribing and selling of “medicinal alcohol” experienced more vibrant practices while those who resisted found themselves less successful.

The December 3, 1921 issue of the AMA journal (JAMA) notified members that they would be receiving a survey on the use of alcohol. Half of the members, around 20,000, were polled. The JAMA article stated, “It is the duty of every physician who receives this questionnaire to express his opinion.”

By survey, not scientific testing, the AMA discovered no less than 27 conditions that benefited from alcohol use including diabetes, cancer, asthma, snake bite, lactations and “old age”. This speedy discovery prompted the AMA to issue their 1922 "Referendum on the Use of Alcohol in the Medical Profession", asserting their 1917 resolution against alcohol no longer had scientific value - so much for evidence-based medical practice.

“Medicinal" booze was perfectly legal – and supported by the powerful AMA. To some, though, it also made a mockery of the law, debased the dignity of the medical profession and encouraged rampant criminality, as mobsters eventually and inevitably took over much of the medicinal market.

What finally straightened out the liquor business was the legalization that came with the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1933, accompanied by a coherent and effective set of enforcement laws, a healthy boost in tax revenues and an honest recognition that, all too often, "medicinal" had been a cynical euphemism for "available."

In the first year after the repeal the federal government coffers were enriched by over $300 million (over $4 Billion today).

That brings us to modern legalized “medical marijuana”, a clear source of concern among politicians and the public in general. Focusing on the medical aspects of “the weed” and creating layers of

legislation to control it is a sham, as the honest objective should be legalization. Yes, legalizing marijuana will pose problems, but none more onerous than those presented by alcohol use. No, marijuana isn’t the gateway to harder drugs.

Rather than playing word games, shouldn’t we respond as thinking adults and advance means to control marijuana use – and “enrich the coffers” as an added gain?

We succeeded with alcohol almost a century ago. Writer Malcolm Gladwell defines tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, and the boiling point”. That point is here and there seems no better time to act. We can remove the issue from our collective plate and address more pressing issues.

Cold Hands and Feet?

Following a (trap shooting) match on a chilly October afternoon,

Jim and Jimmy shook hands. Jimmy commented that Jim’s hand was warm – despite the fact he didn't wear gloves. Jim replied that he takes cayenne pepper (active hot ingredient is capsaicin) once or twice daily.

I recalled that Cayenne pepper has a long history as a supplement support for cardiovascular and digestive health. For those who’d like more details about the reported benefits of cayenne (capsaicin) see Webmd.com for an extensive list of possible uses.

There’s a powerful sinus relief nasal spray (Sinus Buster) that is also known to quickly relieve headaches, even migraines.  I've used it often and can attest to its effectiveness. There’s a sharp initial burn that quickly subsides. The innovator of the product was a self-defense teacher who accidentally got a blast from a pepper spray during a demonstration. He reports that his migraine disappeared almost immediately after inhaling the pepper. That experience led him to develop and market the Sinus Buster product. The Compounder has stocked it for many years.

These pieces of data led to a simple experiment with someone who seems to always have cold hands. Ingesting cayenne pepper with meals is easy and it seems to be effective at raising the temperature of her hands. While I wouldn't claim that using cayenne would work for everyone, it certainly seems like a reasonable idea. Cayenne has a long history of safe use. The main warnings are about getting it in the eyes (people who use cayenne pepper in a topical cream should be particularly careful).

The Compounder stocks capsule form of Cayenne Pepper, 500 mg capsules.

It isn't expensive and it might work. 
An alternative is to eat more hot peppers.
Would you opt for the capsules or a few plates of heat daily?

Is Vitamin D a Fad?

I receive numerous health articles every week. As expected, the topics vary widely from acne

medicines to zinc deficiency. In the past few weeks, though I've noticed a steady stream of articles that declare the benefits of vitamin D and point out the many problems that can occur when our vitamin D levels are too low.

Interest in Vitamin might be a coincidence or a reflection of writing that gravitates toward a popular topic - a fad. It is also possible that research and study is pointing to a valuable lesson, that vitamin D (actually a seco-steroid, not a true vitamin) is one of the most important substances in our body.

We make vitamin D ourselves - and we can adsorb it in foods and supplements (the D3 form). In addition to recognizing how valuable it is, we must investigate why so many of us are sufferiong from the effects of a deficiency.

The basic issue seems to rest with two health theories that scare us into action. 

• One, cholesterol is bad for us. 
• Two, sunshine can cause cancer.

The fact remains that we make vitamin D in our skin through the interaction of cholesterol with sunlight. Making every effort to lower our cholesterol levels and avoid the sun might be exerting negative influence on our vitamin D production. Ya think? Therefore, blindly following modern medical wisdom is probably making us ill. 

Think about it.

The Compounder offers several quality Vitamin D products.

Here's a list of recent articles I've received.

• Vitamin D Deficiency Aggravates Asthma
• Vitamin D Might Help Kids With Eczema
• Finally: Missing link between vitamin D, prostate cancer
• More Evidence: Vitamin D Protects Cognition
• Vitamin D Deficiency May Be Linked With Aggressive Prostate Cancer

What Might be CAUSING Low-T?

Chances are good that chemicals in the environment are responsible for the increasing numbers of men reporting symptoms of Low T. 

According to the study published on August 14, 2014 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism there is “… evidence of reduced levels of circulating testosterone were associated with increased phthalate exposure…" study author John Meeker, of the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, said in a journal news release.

The findings "may have important public health implications, since low testosterone levels in young boys can negatively impact reproductive development, and in middle age can impair sexual function, libido, energy, cognitive function and bone health in men and women,".

• Phthalates are used in many products, from enteric coatings of pharmaceutical pills and nutritional supplements to viscosity control agents, gelling agents, film formers, stabilizers, dispersants, lubricants, binders, emulsifying agents, and suspending agents.
• Products include adhesives and glues, agricultural adjuvants, building materials, personal-care products, medical devices, detergents and surfactants, packaging, children's toys, modelling clay, waxes, paints, printing inks and coatings, pharmaceuticals, food products, and textiles. 
• Phthalates are also frequently used in soft plastic fishing lures, caulk, paint pigments, and sex toys made of so-called "jelly rubber".
• Phthalates are used in a variety of household applications such as shower curtains, vinyl upholstery, adhesives, floor tiles, food containers and wrappers, and cleaning materials.
• Personal-care items containing phthalates include perfume, eye shadow, moisturizer, nail polish, liquid soap, and hair spray. They are also found in modern electronics and medical applications such as catheters and blood transfusion devices. 
• The most widely used phthalates are DEHP, DIDP, and DINP. DEHP is the dominant plasticizer used in PVC. Phthalates are used as solvents in perfumes and pesticides.

Approximately six million tons of plasticizers are consumed globally every year, most of which is in the United States. Assume this is true – and the evidence seems clear that it is – what can we do about it? The sad truth is practically nothing. We can’t avoid all of the sources and it is unlikely that all the makers and users phthalates will change their ways just because the chemicals are destroying our health. Why, then, is it important to bring this to our attention?

This discovery supports many other studies that repeat the same warnings over and over again – the environment is degrading at an ever-escalating rate. 

While it is wise to be concerned about GMOs, it is unwise to ignore all of the other toxic substances that are everywhere. 

Merely adding testosterone supplements or applying creams/gels is not the answer to declining levels./ However, that seems to be the current trend, especially if you are inclined to  trust all the advertising for prescription replacements. Advertising is designed to sell something, not necessarily solve a health problem.
Buck the trend. 

• Eat better - steer clear of GMO, products packed in plastic, hot beverages in plastic/foam cups, organic. 
• Exercise - three to four days of moderate exercise (brisk walk) per week. 
• Drink clean water us use a reverse osmosis filter to remove as many toxins as possible. 
• Don't take drugs. 
• Avoid phthalates in its many sources.

Every little change can add up to improved health. 

Nothing is insignificant.

Potent Drug Recommended to Stop Child's Vomiting

A young mother called to tell me her 5 year old son was vomiting, and asked what she could do. I suggested the standard of rest, sips of Pedialyte or Gatorade , and time.

Later that day when the vomiting hadn't stopped, the mother called her pediatrician and was told to take the child to Urgent Care for some Zofran – a drug used to stop nausea and vomiting.

The nurse and the doctor stated that Zofran is safe and there are no side effects. That advice is contradicted by the drug maker’s own list of possible side effects. Note that current literature about Zofran states,  "Zofran is not for preventing nausea or vomiting that is caused by factors other than cancer treatment or surgery." Ironically, “nausea or vomiting that is new or worse” is on the list. That means using Zofran* to stop vomiting could actually make it worse – but not to worry because the doctor says its safe.

At that time the child had been ill for about 5 hours. A simple stomach “bug” or food poisoning commonly resolves in 24 to 48 hours – not five. I can fully understand how we expect instant satisfaction – and a quick resolution to an uncomfortable sickness. Realistically, it just doesn't work that way. That’s why they offer a drug to block the symptoms – not cure anything.

Vomiting is what a body often does to rid itself of a noxious substance (i.e., food poisoning and flu bugs). It has always been a bad idea to block a natural body action. It reminds me our collective mania to block a fever – another reaction that demonstrates how our body is working to build its defense system. Symptoms inform us that something is happening and don’t always mean we should do something to stop them – especially with drugs that pose health risks themselves*.

I didn't openly refute the advice from the doctor’s office, but I informed mom to relax and be prepared to wait out the problem – and offer sips of Pedialyte. However, if temperature rises – especially in the presence of dry skin – get to the Urgent Care center.

I understand all symptoms had resolved by supper time that evening.

There is a place for drugs like Zofran, especially in people who are nauseous from something they can’t get rid of; cancer treatment and other serious illnesses. Without something additional in the situation, it seems highly unlikely that a child who vomits for 5 hours needs a toxic drug to stop.

As predicted, time, rest, and electrolytes were all that was needed. The little guy was ready to roll the
next day.

*Here’s a brief list of the possible side effects from taking Zofran;

• Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: constipation; drowsiness; headache; irritation, redness, pain, or burning at the site of injection; tiredness.
• Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; wheezing; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; agitation; chest pain; coma; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness or light-headedness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; nausea or vomiting that is new or worse; seizures; skin tingling or numbness; stiff muscles; stomach pain; sweating; tremor; trouble urinating; uncontrollable or involuntary muscle movements; vision changes (including sudden temporary blindness).

Could We Actually Have TOO MUCH Health Care?

I recently read an article that claimed, “…the major problem associated with American healthcare has been a lack of access to it.” That’s clearly the basis from which our government has seen fit to approve and promote the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare). Because we are consuming ever increasing amounts of health related service our health care invoices continue to climb at an alarming rate. The ACA is a reasonable approach if increased health services are necessary and American citizens do not have equal access to it. Be clear that the ACA is about how we as a country will pay for the escalating costs of providing health services that are grounded in a belief that growing numbers of us are sick and in need of medical care.

Not too many years ago we went to see a doctor if we had a problem with our health. Today, healthy people visit the doctor on a regular basis and discover that they really aren’t as healthy as they had thought. This number is creeping up or that blood value is slightly abnormal. Forget the fact that blood levels and numbers vary throughout the day, the discoveries need treatment, starting immediately and probably continuing for the rest of our life. The prescribed treatments often cause symptoms we don’t like - side effects. For them, there are other treatments; often, more drugs.

We believe that every symptom or situation can be relieved by a drug or medical procedure. Modern medicine seems to be always on the lookout for the magic bullets – the ones that will eliminate our problems. While there is certainly “poison in every potion”, it is highly unlikely that there is a “pill for every ill”. Except

for anti-infectives, there is not a single drug that cures anything. At best, our drug cabinets only manage illness. Still, the search goes on and most of us believe that the next big breakthrough is just around the corner. And, we (individually or through the government) contribute to this program or that group to support their efforts in finding the cures we want.

The ACA is in the news and it calls our attention to the fact that we’re spending ourselves to death and a lot of it is being funneled to a dysfunctional system of health delivery. It is a mess from top to bottom and as a country we seem incapable of solving the problems. WE try, but every attempt seems to only add more costs while it further degrades our overall health. Look at any list conditions and you can see that the United States is rarely at the top when it comes to treatment, prevention, or safety. For all we spend, failures are common.

We find ourselves in this kind of a mess because we have learned to look outside ourselves for advice. We turn to doctors, hospitals, and even the government to take charge of our lives and keep us going. We take their prescriptions and submit to the surgeries with little reflection. We believe deeply that our lives are best handled by other people. We trust them over ourselves.

This is the season for making resolutions. Some of us decide to go to the gym, to stop smoking, to do any number of things that seem appropriate for the New Year. Yet, how many of us look deep into our lives and decide that our health depends only on us, that the doctors, insurance companies, laboratories, and drug makers are only out there to meet our specific needs? While there is nothing wrong with profit, there is something dramatically wrong when the desire for it trumps our need to have a healthy body that wards off disease, heals itself, and allows us to be happy.

The details about health are many and often confusing. At the root, however, is one basic decision; whether we want to live a healthy lifestyle or plod along doing what we’re told by people and companies who have ulterior motives for recommending their products and services.

Those who decide that their health is a right - and they are personally responsible - will face 2014 and beyond with the personal power to be healthy – and happy. I pray that masses of Americans will wake up to the problems and understand that the solutions are in their personal grasp, once that first decision to be healthy is made. The current system demands we have access to the health system. A superior alternative is for each of us to come to that place where we don’t need all the available services.