Pain Doctor: No Need to Suffer. Pain Center of Orlando

New Herbal Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer?

David S. Klein, MD---------      Pain Center of Orlando, Inc.
225 W. SR 434 Suite #205
Longwood, Florida  32750

www.suffernomore.com


Thymoquinone, the major constituent of the oil extract from a Middle Eastern herbal seed called Nigella sativa, exhibited anti-inflammatory properties that reduced the release of inflammatory mediators in pancreatic cancer cells.

Nigella sativa seeds and oil are used in traditional medicine by many Middle Eastern and Asian countries.  Previous studies have also shown it to have anti-cancer effects on prostate and colon cancers.

Based upon their previously published findings that thymoquinone inhibits histone deacetylases (HDACs), Dr. Arafat and her colleagues compared the anti-inflammatory properties of thymoquinone and trichostatin A, an HDAC inhibitor that has previously shown to ameliorate inflammation-associated cancers.

The herb also inhibited the activation and synthesis of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that has been implicated in inflammation-associated cancer. Activation of NF-kappaB has been observed in pancreatic cancer and may be a factor in pancreatic cancer's resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. When animal models of pancreatic cancer were treated with thymoquinone, 67 percent of the tumors were significantly shrunken, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the tumors were significantly reduced.

Inflammation has been implicated in the development of several solid tumor malignancies. Chronic pancreatitis, both hereditary and sporadic, is associated with the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with approximately 32,000 deaths a year. Only five percent of individuals with pancreatic cancer live for at least one year after diagnosis.

Early Self-Treatment for Influenza

Very important: Get stocked up on Licorice Root Extract and Colostrum capsules and NAC for what might be a swine flu epidemic. Needs to be taken at first sign of difficulties. I ordered up a bunch, but it needs to be 'on hand' to be effective.

I will be happy to provide the dosages and regimen.  Needs to be individualized, a bit.  Better, however, to over-treat than to under-treat.

FDA Acts Against Unapproved Narcotic Drugs

FDA Acts Against Unapproved Narcotic Drugs

By John Gever, Senior Editor, MedPage Today Published: March 31, 2009 .

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 31 -- The FDA has taken steps to pull 14 unapproved painkillers containing immediate-release morphine sulfate, oxycodone, and hydromorphone from the market. The agency has warned nine companies that make the unapproved products to stop manufacturing them within 60 days and to cease distribution within 90 days. Among the drugs affected by the enforcement action are two branded products containing morphine sulfate and oxycodone (Roxanol and Roxicodone, respectively) as well as generic versions of the three painkillers. All the affected products are tablets or oral solutions. Oxycodone capsules were not among the products targeted in the action, Deborah Autor, J.D., director of the compliance office in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, emphasized at a press briefing today. Extended-release opioids were also unaffected by today's action. Patients who have been taking the unapproved medications are urged to seek prescriptions for equivalent or similar approved products. "We believe [the action] will not disrupt patient care," Autor said. She said some patients may have to switch to products not exactly identical to the unapproved drugs. Seven of the letters cited immediate-release 20 mg/mL morphine sulfate solutions. There is no approved version of morphine solution at that concentration, although 20 mg/5 mL is available. Autor said supplies of alternative products were sufficient to replace the unapproved products, even though immediate-release oxycodone appears on the FDA's most recent drug-shortage list, updated March 25. "There will be no shortage for consumers," she said. The companies told to pull their products are Mallinckrodt, Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane, Roxane Laboratories, Glenmark Generics, Lannett Company, Lehigh Valley Technologies, Physicians Total Care, Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, and Cody Laboratories. Autor said the companies must submit responses to the warning letters within 15 days or face sanctions. At a press briefing announcing the action, Autor said the companies may seek approval for the products, but in the meantime they still must be pulled from the market.

Weight Gain, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome "X"

Pain Center of Orlando, Inc.
225 W. SR 434 Suite #205
Longwood, Florida 32779
www.suffernomore.com
407-679-3337
407-678-7246

Weight Gain, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome “X”

Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS), sometimes referred to as Metabolic Syndrome “X” is a medical condition affecting as many as one in four Americans. Considered to be a ‘pre-diabetic’ state, IRS precedes the development of diabetes by as much as 10 years.

Insulin is a hormone, secreted by the pancreas. Insulin has two principal functions: (1) control of blood sugar, and (2) deposition of free fatty acids into the fat cells. If the insulin receptor becomes dysfunctional, it takes more and more insulin to maintain normal blood sugars. Unfortunately, the increase in the Insulin level results in fat deposition, mostly in the abdomen.

As more and more insulin is needed to maintain blood sugar levels, the fat cells respond to the situation by becoming ‘fatter.’ This in turn results in even higher insulin levels. Eventually, blood sugar levels cannot be maintained, even with the very high insulin levels, and ‘diabetes’ is diagnosed. Clearly, the animals were well out of the barn by the time ‘diabetes’ was finally diagnosed.

The key to diabetes prevention is detecting ‘insulin resistance’ before things get totally out of control. In order to do this, serum insulin levels should be determined simultaneously with blood glucose.

NOTE: Healthy blood sugar to insulin ratio should be greater than 10 to 1.

The first step to restore more normal, lower insulin levels is to treat with a combination of trace minerals. The key here is balance. Chromium and vanadium are associated with insulin receptor dysfunction, but these should not be taken without adequate intake of zinc and selenium. I use a product called “Magic Minerals,” which is a mixture of organic mineral salts called ‘chelates.’

The mixture is less expensive than buying the individual components, so my patients seem to be a bit happier with it. For the average adult, two capsules are taken twice daily. A bottle of 120 will last 4 weeks. Many patients will experience some weight loss with “Magic Minerals.” Typically, patients will lose 4-8 pounds over the course of 6 to 8 weeks.

After 1-2 weeks of mineral use, blood sugar levels can be expected to drop. When weight loss ends, additional chromium is administered. Typically chromium 200 mcg, taken twice daily is added to the ‘Magic Minerals.’ Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) 500 mg taken twice daily will further sensitize the cells to insulin.

"Magic Minerals" is a balanced mineral chelate, and it is a very good value. It is soy, gluten and egg free.

David Stephen Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM, FACMIMS

Curcumin: Breast Cancer Treatment & Prevention

Curcumin:  Breast Cancer Treatment & Prevention

 

Cucumin is a spice extracted from turmeric root.  This commonly available spice may be a key to fighting cancer.

1.  Curcumin reduces number of lung metastases and makes the chemotherapy agent, Taxol, less toxic.

Taxol, as is true with many chemotherapeutic agents, provokes an inflammatory  response, which leads to drug resistance. When administered with the chemotherapy, curcumin inhibited Taxol's inflammatory response by blocking nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) which regulates inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis (cell death).

2. Curcumin shuts down the production of NF-Kappa B, the "Smoke-Sensor"

It was determined that curcumin suppresses  tumor necrosis factor (TNF), from activating NF-kappa B.  By inhibiting TNF-induced NF-kappa B activation, curcumin reduced the expression of genes that regulate every stage of cancer development.

3.  Curcumin inhibits cancer cell growth rate

By inactivating NF-kappa B, genes involved in cell proliferation, such as COX-2, cyclin D1, and c-myc, are inhibited. This means that curcumin suppresses production of proteins needed for uncontrolled growth and proliferation, inflammation and inhibition of PGE-
2.

4.  Curcumin restores normal control of  Apoptosis (Cell Death)

Cancer may be a condition that damages he normal control mechanism involved in normal cell death. Curcumin helps to restore normal programmed cell death. The chemotherapy agent Taxol induced NF-kappa B activation, which leads to cell immortality, reducing the drug's ability to kill cancer cells.  In that drug resistance is a huge problem, curcumin can help to make chemotherapeutic agents more effective.

5.  Curcumin assists in controlling cancer cell metastasis

By inactivating NF-kappa B, genes promoting metastasis,  curcumin inhibits cancer metastasis.

 

Summary:

1. Curcumin has been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
2. Curcumin acts at the gene-activating level, and is involved in pathways that are common in inflammatory conditions.

 

NOTES TO MY PATIENTS:

1. Curcumin is useful  not only for breast cancer issues, but for prostate cancer, pancreatitis, and arthritis. 
2. I am preparing a newsletter looking at the use of Curcumin as it may pertain to prevention of heart disease.
3. Curcumin may reduce elevated CRP levels, something of intense interest to patients with heart disease, cholesterol and stroke concerns.
4. Dosage of Curcumin depends upon the strength and purity of the curcumin preparation.
5. The top of the line curcumin costs pennies more than the garbage that is generally available at the ‘health store.’ Using curcumin for the purposes above requires ‘solvent-free’ curcumin, and I am aware of only one reliable source.
6. Currently, I am recommending Curcumin (Vital Nutrients, Inc.) 500 mg twice daily.  Cost per month is around $24.  The cheaper brands cost a bit less, but you get a lot less.
7. You can get it from our website, if you wish. 

The link is http://stages-of-life.com/Store/search.aspx?q=curcumin

 

David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM, FAAMIMS

Pain Center of Orlando, Inc. Suite #225 W. SR 434

Longwood, Florida  32750