Research at Washington University shows that people with osteoporosis (bone thinning) may be up to 22 times more likely to suffer from celiac (an autoimmune reaction to gluten) than people with normal bones.

“Our results suggest that as many as 3 to 4 percent of patients who have osteoporosis have the bone disease as a consequence of having celiac disease, which makes them unable to absorb normal amounts of calcium and vitamin D,” says principal investigator William F. Stenson, M.D.
“(In our study) bone density — which is the way bone health is measured — improved dramatically on a gluten-free diet,” Stenson adds. “We believe the diet allowed intestines to heal and that permitted normal absorption normal of calcium and vitamin D to reverse bone loss.

“One of our conclusions is that the incidence of celiac disease in patients with osteoporosis is high enough to justify screening for everybody with osteoporosis,” Stenson notes. “The idea is that if a patient has osteoporosis as a consequence of celiac disease, the most direct way to correct their bone loss would be to put them on a gluten-free diet.”

Scientists don’t really understand why some groups of people have weaker bones than others. But they at least now know which countries suffer the most hip fractures due to bone thinning from osteoporosis: Research by the International osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) shows that people in North Western and Central Europe are at highest risk for broken hips due to bone deterioration.  In the United States, Caucasian women are at high risk while Hispanic, Asian and black women are at low risk. The two countries with the very highest risk are Denmark and Norway.

Most of these osteoporotic fractures occur in women. And the economic and physical toll is huge. In the U.S. alone, medical costs linked to osteoporosis top $17 billion a year.

Physical Vitality

Most of us don’t think of meditation as being important in maintaining physical vitality. We know that healthy diet, proper supplementation, regular exercise and a positive social support system are important for our health on all levels — physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. However, despite these healthy habits, many of us still struggle with managing our stress levels. Science is proving over and over that chronic stress can be deadly, contributing to our most serious health conditions.

This direct mind-body connection is something that Eastern philosophies have taught for millennia, and recent research has supplied us with a revealing new technical perspective. Clinical studies demonstrate that chronic stress may have a profound effect on our DNA by shortening our DNA telomeres. Telomere deterioration puts us at higher risk of developing cancer and other harmful conditions. The good news: There’s an ancient and well-known mind-body practice which is now proving successful in physically repairing this telomere DNA damage, while restoring peace of mind at the same time. What is this practice? Simple meditation.

What Are Telomeres?

Our genes are located on twisted, double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres. These are essentially caps that protect our genetic data, allow for cells to divide properly and reflect how we age. Similar to the plastic covers on the ends of shoelaces, telomeres protect chromosomes from fraying due to aging, poor health and environmental influences. Telomeres are shortened every time the cells divide; and when they become too short, the cells are not able to divide properly. While researchers are already aware that telomeres shorten and deteriorate with aging, new studies demonstrate that chronic stress also contributes to their reduction. Further research shows that as telomeres shrink, cancer risk grows.

Telomeres And Cancer

There is a scientifically established correlation between shortened telomeres and the incidence of many types of cancers, including pancreatic, bone, prostate, bladder, lung, kidney, head and neck tumors. Shortened telomeres and reduced telomerase activity have also been identified as important contributing factors in prostate carcinogenesis, ovarian cancer, genomic instability and breast cancer pathogenesis.

Without telomeres, chromosome ends can fuse together and cause the health of the cell to deteriorate, making the cell malfunction, become cancerous or die. Research is showing more and more evidence that loss of telomere function, either by altering telomere-binding proteins or by loss of telomeric sequences, is associated with the deterioration of cellular health leading to increased aging and disease.

Meditation Protects Telomeres

The inevitable wear and tear of your telomeres cannot be halted altogether, but it can certainly be delayed and even reversed through the activation of a key enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase protects the ends of telomeres from weakening and fraying. So how do you reap the benefits of this super-charged enzyme? Studies show that psychological changes associated with regular meditation improve your ability to cope with stress and contribute to increased telomerase activity.

“We have found that meditation promotes positive psychological changes, and that meditators showing the greatest improvement on various psychological measures had the highest levels of telomerase,” says Clifford Saron, associate research scientist at the UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain.

Regular, mindful meditation promotes relaxation, stress relief and improved circulation. This allows for advanced telomerase activity, naturally promoting cellular health and longevity.

Simple Practice For Beginners

If you’re not sure how to begin meditating, studies show that even just 10 minutes a day can provide significant mental, emotional and physical health benefits. Here’s a simple technique to get you started: Simply sit quietly and focus your attention, as well as your breathing, on a particular object such as a small stone. As thoughts and emotions arise, simply acknowledge and release them, bringing your attention back to your breath. As your practice unfolds, you may find that there is more and more space between your internal monologues, allowing for a sense of openness and freedom from everyday stresses and distractions. This is where the meditation and healing process truly begins. Initially, you should notice tangible benefits like better mental focus, improved emotional balance and increased energy.

Meditation And Healing Retreat

My own two-year meditation sabbatical has been profound for me; and, as this process winds down, it is my deepest desire to share what I have learned with anyone seeking deep healing and rejuvenation. In this spirit, I invite you to join me April 26 to 29 for a meditation and healing retreat at the Institute of Noetic Sciences in Petaluma, Calif. (For more information, go here.) During this retreat, I will be guiding participants through the practical aspects of meditation and healing, based on my extensive experience in the field combined with insights and techniques I’ve gained from years of dedicated meditation practice. My previous retreat, held in September, was a great success among participants. I am honored to have the chance to share this important aspect of healing again in 2012.

Meditation Can Benefit Anyone

No matter your age, health or belief system, simple regular meditation practice can benefit you on all levels. More and more doctors and health practitioners are recommending this ancient, time-tested practice; and meditation now holds a well-deserved, positive reputation in the medical field. It is a simple yet powerful and safe modality for supporting health, preventing illness and increasing overall quality of life.

Back Pain Redux

Recurring, chronic back pain is nobody’s friend, although it offers a tough-love educational experience. In the search for relief, this type of pain can too often lead to drug addiction, depression, disability and many more problems if you let it get out of control. But you have to remember that neck pain, upper back pain, low back pain and tail bone discomfort can each have quite different causes. Consequently, each comes with its own lesson.

I became an uncomfortably close friend to low back pain during my college years. In those days, I was a constant athlete. I was a competitive swimmer from age 5 to 13. Then I got serious about tennis, football, basketball, skiing and distance running. During all those activities, I never had a problem with my low back until the beginning of my first year at Brigham Young University (BYU).

I distinctly recall my first low back strain. I had arrived at BYU after a long drive from the San Francisco area. I started unloading my personal items, including some fairly heavy boxes, from my car. Suddenly, I felt a deep and sharp pulling pain in my low back (without radiation to my lower extremities) that stopped me in my tracks for a few moments. Initially, the pain was not disabling, so I did not think much of it. I continued lifting boxes, not knowing I was making my condition worse with each box.

Inflammation Hits The Back

The inflammation started in my lumbosacral spine area, but it was not until hours after lifting boxes that the stiffness and pain became seriously intense. That evening, I felt like I had aged decades, reduced to cautious walking and very careful sitting or bending. The stiffness and pain continued for several more days. I used the conventional treatment of icing my back 15 minutes before bedtime, heating it in the morning and taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen twice daily to dull the pain. Within days, the pain stopped.

For me, this has been a common scenario — my recurring low back strain is only a temporary hindrance. It heals within just a few days if I just go easy on bending and lifting and remain patient. At those times, though, I ponder more deeply the possible psycho-emotional causes of my discomfort. What financial stress am I under? What worries or fears do I harbor?  Do I trust that I am supported in my life?  It always helps to take an honest look at myself and shift my attitudes. As Louise L. Hay, author of You Can Heal Your Life, writes, “The back represents our support system. Problems with the back usually mean we feel we are not being supported. Too often we think we are only supported by our job or by our family or spouses. In reality we are totally supported by the universe, by Life itself.”

In my case, I am grateful that I can heal quickly and return to normal functions rapidly. My back problem provides me with a fresh new perspective on health. I get back into stretching, strengthening and an active lifestyle. Within two weeks, I’m as good as new as well as re-motivated to keep fit and to eat for longevity and not just pleasure. I also contemplate more seriously what I am doing for others in this world.

Pain That Lingers

For some, however, back pain can be chronic, and last longer than three months. Occasionally, the pain is linked to infection or cancer, but these cause less than 2 percent of chronic back pain. Rather, back issues almost always stem from a musculoskeletal problem that involves compressed nerves. Such nerves are trapped by subluxations (slipped vertebral bones), disc herniation (material between vertebral bones), strained muscles themselves or degenerative arthritis of particular bones. These irritated nerves then fire pain impulses.

Take neck pain for example. Neck pain can result from irritating interactions among the top vertebrae on the spine and the neck as well as their articulation with the base of the skull. Nerves can become irritated anywhere along their pathway from the spinal cord out to the peripheral joints and surrounding cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles. There’s a lot that can malfunction and lead to pain.

Headaches

Neck pain can give rise to headaches, too. For example, your typical tension headache of the forehead or temple area originates in a strained or irritated neck. This is because the nerves that run through all these muscles and connective tissues are interrelated. I have heard from many of my own patients that the best chiropractic results for neck pains and/or headaches are the simple and gentle realignment of the top two vertebrae on the spinal column with what are called NUCCA procedures. These are noninvasive chiropractic techniques endorsed by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA).

Thoracic, lumbar and even tail bone pains almost always originate from a problem of the spinal column and the associated nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord. Resolution of these problems is not as straightforward as dealing with neck pain. The weight-bearing joints of the spine can become diseased from the prolonged consumption of a poor diet, emotional stress and physical injury.

Healing Is More Than Banishment Of Pain

Certainly, when back pain won’t go away, you must consider how to effectively heal the underlying difficulties and not only how to quell the pain. For example, when arthritis causes chronic back aches, the use of narcotic pain relievers is not your best solution. Narcotics dull your brain, cause constipation and can lead to addictive cravings for the high feelings they create. After a short time, narcotics up-regulate the sensation of pain so that, when you are off them, your pain is even more unbearable. I have seen this type of situation even lead to drug dealing or use of highly addictive drugs in patients. Narcotic use for pain relief is a typical first step to drug addiction.

Instead, consider the benefits of yoga exercises and diet. Yoga poses help you regain flexibility and boost circulation to supporting musculoskeletal structures. Yoga meditations help you appreciate that your body temple needs to be honored with a diet of mostly raw whole food nutrition. it also helps you recognize that the body suffers from soft drinks, refined sugar, dairy products, fried food, processed food and all other junk foods that clearly contribute to chronic inflammation. Massage therapy and chiropractic interventions are often necessary to promote healing, too.

Other successful recipes for soothing chronic back pain combine daily traction (with a calibrated mechanical table or a home inversion table), stretching, exercise, excellent nutrition and a positive mental-emotional focus. Even disc herniation can eventually heal, much like a sprained ankle repairs itself if you treat it right. New tissue forms and nerves gradually become less and less irritated.

Comparisons

Compare this type of healing, conservative approach to back pain with surgical intervention. The main surgeries for disc herniation and spinal stenosis include a discectomy (removal of fragments of a herniated disc), spinal fusion and a laminectomy (removal of spinal bone). Contrary to what spine surgical centers claim, a 2009 review of back surgery studies reported in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Spine found that surgery is only moderately more effective than conservative, non-surgical treatments, and that the benefits of surgery usually decline eventually.¹

Lessons To Learn From Back Pain

What can back pain teach you? First of all, take a look at your own psycho-emotional challenges. What are you not dealing with that needs looking after? Healing from back pain is definitely impeded by worries, fears or other emotional issues that need to be addressed.

Next, consider what this pain teaches you about yourself. For example, do you turn to pain pills immediately, or do you have the confidence to work through the pain and take responsibility to get on the active road to healing? Instead of growing more resentful and ill-tempered with others, let the pain show you the value of being more appreciative and patient with those around you.

In the years that have followed my college years I have had many sudden and unexpected episodes of low back strain. Each one is a wake-up call to my own path of health and happiness. For this, I am thankful and healthier.

To your continued health and learning,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Options

Authors of the study observed a group of overweight or obese premenopausal women who were on diets consisting of high, medium or low intake of dairy products, and differing amounts of protein and carbohydrates.

The team reported that volunteers on high-dairy and high-protein diets lost about the same amount of weight as the other participants, but improved their markers of bone density and had less abdominal fat than their counterparts on different eating plans.

The scientists said that maintaining bone density is especially important for women who have not yet reached menopause.

"These women are not only at the age when achieving and maintaining peak bone mass is of great importance, but in whom adequate dairy consumption would offset sub-optimal intakes of calcium and vitamin D," said senior author Stuart Phillips.

Considering that dairy products sometimes contain added hormones and high amounts of fat, individuals on weight-loss plans may want to consider consuming organic, low-fat, unpasteurized dairy products or natural nutritional supplements containing calcium and vitamin D in order to maintain bone health while dropping body fat.
 

Consider these case histories and see if they don’t convince you of the importance of dealing with dental pathology.

Arthritis Pain

Sam C. was a 10-year-old boy with a diagnosis of severe JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). He struggled to walk due to the pain and arthritis that afflicted his major and minor joints. His doctors offered him treatment with high doses of corticosteroids and gave him a poor prognosis, predicting stunted growth and early death. His mother took him to a chiropractor who recognized that his arthritis started when he had an upper right tooth root canal with a stainless steel crown.

His mother went back to the dentist who had performed the root canal. This dentist refused to extract the tooth because he could not find anything abnormal on his X-rays, and the boy denied any pain in the tooth, surrounding bone or gums. Two more dentists were consulted and both also refused to extract the tooth.

In February 2011, they consulted with Wendell Robertson, D.D.S. Robertson realized that the boy indeed did have dental pain but was in denial. He advised having the tooth extracted, and the socket thoroughly curetted and sterilized with ozone. In two days after this procedure, the tooth pain ended. The arthritic symptoms gradually eased and are now nearly completely gone except when he sprints or takes part in other strenuous exercises.

Seeing The Light

Dan M. was completely blind in August 2011 when he went to Dr. Robertson for dental work. Dan had two teeth extracted and two large mercury-alloy fillings properly removed. Two weeks later, he returned for a follow-up visit and reported he could see blurry outlines of windows and doorways and movement of large objects. A few weeks later, he successfully mowed his lawn with much less difficulty than before.

Although Dan is still seeking a complete cure of his blindness, he has had a near cure after his dental extractions. Further detoxification and cleansing may likely further improve his vision.

Cane Scrutiny

Samantha H. described her hip pain as feeling “like it is out of joint.” But her orthopedist could find nothing wrong on an MRI. Consequently, she was prescribed only pain medication. Samantha was using a cane when she went to Robertson for dental work. After two and a half hours of dental surgery to remove a benign lesion of chronic localized sclerosing osteomyelitis, Samantha could walk without her cane and hasn’t used it since. 

No Growth

Brandon, age 10, came to Robertson for dental work in hopes it could help alleviate his lack of growth. Robertson placed what is called an epigenetic orthodontic appliance in Brandon’s mouth. This device is intended to encourage undifferentiated bone stem cells to grow in parts of the bone plate of the upper mouth.

The appliance created space in the jaw bone. Brandon wore the appliance and began growing taller at the rate of one inch each month for four months. Robertson explains that the appliance relaxed the lower facial bones and allowed for normal pituitary function (inside the skull). The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone and other hormones important for the body’s development.

Late Expectations

These patients did not expect the wonderful results they got from being treated by a biological dentist. But when biological dentistry is combined with proper detoxification and cleansing, you may be able to combat a surprising number of chronic illnesses. Robertson’s clinic website is at www.robertsonbiologicaldentistry.com. You can visit http://www.holisticdental.org/find_holistic_dentist to locate a biological (holistic) dentist near you.

To your health discovery,

Michael Cutler, M.D.
Author, Easy Health Options

Diabetes is caused when a person has high blood sugar because their body does not respond well to insulin or does not produce enough of the hormone. Diabetes affects nearly 24 million people in the U.S., and close to 250 million people worldwide, and Avandia® is one of the most popular drugs taken by diabetic patients. However, major health risks associated with the drug, including death, started surfacing from the year 2000. Avandia® has been associated with a 40 percent increase in the risk of heart attacks, as well as an increased risk of congestive heart failure, bone fractures and in some cases, vision loss.

Because of Avandia®, the FDA changed the 80-year-old approval process for diabetes medicine in 2008, so that drugmakers must conduct clinical trials for two years before putting them on the market. But for many it was too late.

Fortunately, there are powerful nutrients that can help reduce your blood sugar safely, naturally and effectively:

• Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, primrose oil and even from flaxseed oil
• Digestive enzymes taken with meals
• Alpha lipoic acid
• Chromium
• Biotin, zinc and vanadium from a multivitamin

The following nutrients can prevent both the oxidative stress and the sugar coating on the cells (called glycosylation) that occurs in diabetics. I recommend getting these vitamins from whole-food sources instead of from synthetic vitamins.

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Selenium
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium. It is thought that a magnesium deficiency can interrupt insulin secretion and increase insulin resistance
• Manganese can activate the enzymes involved with glucose metabolism and is important for the production of both energy and antioxidants
• Inositol
• Conjugated linoleic acid increases your insulin sensitivity
• Omega-6 fatty acids may aid in the reversal of nerve damage
• CoQ10. Some studies have shown that CoQ10 can stimulate insulin production and reduce fasting-blood glucose and other blood sugar markers by up to 30 percent
• Folic acid
• Vitamin B12 is helpful in slowing—or even preventing—diabetic eye problems
• L-Carnitine helps you build muscle instead of fat

These natural herbs can help you control blood sugar problems:

• Garcinia cambogia reduces appetite and inhibits fat production
• Gymnema sylvestre (leaf) is a great way to stop sugar cravings
• Fenugreek decreases absorption of glucose in the small intestine
• Citrus aurantium (“orange bitters”) increases your metabolism
• Green tea also increases your metabolism. It can significantly reduce your food intake, body weight, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Other harmful effects of diabetes
Conventional wisdom about blood sugar and your health is wrong. Many people have blood sugar problems… but have no idea about the severity of their condition. Blood sugar problems can cause major health disasters, including damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels, as well as your teeth and gums.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the higher your blood sugar levels, the more elevated your risk of:

• Cavities (tooth decay)—The starches and sugars in food and beverages interact with the bacteria in your mouth, and a sticky film known as plaque forms on the outer surface, or enamel, of your teeth. The acids in the plaque attack the enamel, which leads to cavities. The higher your blood sugar levels, the greater the amount of sugars and starches—and the more acid wearing down your teeth.
• Gingivitis (early gum disease)—Diabetes can weaken your ability to fight bacteria, and this can cause more plaque to build up on your teeth. Without regular brushing and flossing, this plaque will harden under your gumline and become tartar. The longer the plaque and tartar are allowed to remain on your teeth, the more irritation they cause to the gum area along the base of your teeth—known as the gingiva. Eventually, your gums begin to swell and bleed—a condition known as gingivitis.
• Periodontitis (advanced gum disease)—If gingivitis is allowed to go untreated, it can lead to a serious infection that destroys the bone and soft tissue that support your teeth—a condition known as periodontitis. Periodontitis allows the gums to pull away from your teeth, causing your teeth to become loose—even to the point of falling out of your mouth. People who suffer from diabetes usually have more severe cases of periodontitis, because diabetes lowers your resistance to infection and slows the healing process.

However, you can make a commitment to manage your blood sugar imbalance through natural methods and lifestyle changes to decrease your chances of developing dental problems. I recommend you don’t smoke, because this bad habit increases the risk of serious blood sugar complications—including gum disease.

A common eye disorder among diabetic adults
Nearly 30 percent of U.S. adults with diabetes are estimated to have diabetic retinopathy, with about 4 percent having a vision-threatening form of the condition, according to a study in theJournal of the American Medical Association.

Diabetic retinopathy, which is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes, is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among adults 20 to 74 years of age in the U.S.

Researchers conducted a study consisting of more than 1,000 diabetics between 2005 and 2008 to determine the most recent prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in the U.S. population among those over 40 years old.

The current findings represent an increase of about 40 percent for diabetics who have the condition, and an increase of two-and-a-half times for diabetics who have a vision-threatening case of it compared to estimates from the last similar study, conducted from 1988 to 1994.

Researchers also found that the independent risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include being male, higher hemoglobin A1c level, longer diabetes duration, use of insulin and higher systolic blood pressure. Researchers say that this information is important for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Individuals with diabetes are advised to control their blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure to help prevent complications such as diabetic retinopathy.

Children with diabetes suffer from weak bones
Findings of a new study that links kids’ risk of diabetes with an increased risk of weak bones may give many parents a wake-up call to get their kids exercising. Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia report that overweight children at risk for developing type 2 diabetes before puberty may also have an increased risk for weak bones.

Scientists studied 140 overweight children between the ages of 7 and 11 who got little regular exercise for the study appearing in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. They found that the 30 percent with signs of poor blood sugar regulation had 4 to 5 percent less bone mass than those with regular blood sugar regulation.

The study found that higher amounts of visceral fat (around the abdominal area) were associated with lower bone mass, while more body fat overall was associated with higher bone mass. Researchers say increased physical activity may provide an all-natural remedy for both the threat of diabetes and weaker bones.

The cost of treating diabetes in the US
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) reports that United States hospitals spent $83 billion in 2008 caring for people with diabetes, and that one out of every five hospitalizations during that year involved a person with the disease.

The AHRQ found that there were more than 540,000 hospital stays specifically for diabetes, and roughly 7.2 million stays for diabetic patients who were admitted for other conditions such as heart disease, kidney damage, infection or foot or leg amputation during the year.

In addition, the study found that hospital stays for people with diabetes cost institutions 25 percent more than stays for people who did not have diabetes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for developing diabetes include family history, being overweight, leading an inactive lifestyle, and high blood pressure.

Exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet are among the best ways to prevent diabetes and control blood sugar levels naturally.

In summary
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously cited obesity as a primary factor in an individual’s risk for diabetes, a poor diet can play a much larger role in the chance of developing this condition.

Specifically, the foods that are high on the glycemic Index (GI) can be responsible for spikes in blood sugar levels that may lead to diabetes, as they are broken down into glucose very quickly. Many high-ranking items on the GI include refined carbohydrates or white flour.

So even if you’ve already have diabetes, you can take major steps to slow—or even reverse—the progression of your symptoms. All it takes is a handful of natural strategies and a powerful commitment to your own health and well-being.