In pediatric medicine, antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed medications, with more than 30 million prescriptions written each year. A recent study analyzed antibiotic prescribing patterns in outpatient visits in the United States between 2006 and 2008. Antibiotics were prescribed in 21 percent of visits. Respiratory conditions accounted for most of the prescriptions (72 percent).

Prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics, those that target a broad range of bacteria, were prescribed in 63 percent of those cases, but they were prescribed for infections for which antibiotics were not indicated. That means they were inappropriately prescribed for conditions for which antibiotics don’t work, conditions like bronchitis, viral pneumonia, and influenza.

Though overall rates for antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient pediatric care have declined, it is obvious from this report that antibiotics are still being overprescribed. Certainly, antibiotics play an important role in helping to stop harmful, and even deadly, infections, but when they are prescribed for conditions for which they are not helpful, they only serve to increase antibiotic resistance, a considerable health threat to modern medicine.

Not to mention, inappropriate overuse of antibiotics can contribute to gut imbalance that can have health effects that extend throughout a lifetime. Remember that digestive health is the foundation upon which total-body health is built.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that DHA supplementation in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s did not slow the rate of cognitive and functional decline. The headlines that sprung from this study include: “No Benefit for DHA in Alzheimer’s Disease,” “DHA Does Not Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s,” and so on.

The problem with this study is obvious to me. First, they should have measured baseline DHA/EPA levels in the red blood cell membrane (RBC). This gives a better picture of long-term levels of DHA/EPA in the body, due to the slow turnover of these cells. This test is available from Genova Diagnostics. Johns Hopkins also offers a much more extensive one.

Next, there is always the problem of bad bacteria oxidizing the omega-3s in the gut. If this is occurring, the omega-3s will not be beneficial and may even be even harmful. A comprehensive stool analysis (CSA) or Stool Effect test (Metametrix) would be in order at the onset to make sure the omega-3s are being well received at the gut level. If gut imbalance exists, rebalancing the gut with probiotics is recommended.

There is still a chance of oxidation of omega-3s even after they are absorbed in blood, so oxidative blood markers like lipid peroxides, hsCRP (highly sensitive C-reactive protein), hemoglobin A1C, fibrinogen, and 8OHDG (measures oxidative stress to DNA) would be good to know. If there is a lot of intravascular oxidative stress, this certainly could mean there is some oxidation of the omega-3s. This is why some data supports combining antioxidants with omega-3s to minimize oxidation.

Before taking any measures of DHA in the red blood cell membranes, the first step should be cleaning up the gut and reversing or at least decreasing inflammatory markers as mentioned above.

A follow-up RBC membrane analysis near or at end of study would be crucial. If adequate repletion of omega-3s is not found you may be able to assume in all likelihood the brain has not gotten its fair share of omega-3s either. We can’t be certain, however, since the brain could preferentially take up omega-3s over blood, but I tend to doubt it since the blood would see the omega-3s first.

This study looked at patients who had already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but we know that the development of Alzheimer’s begins long before symptoms appear. Studies looking at fish oil supplementation BEFORE symptom onset have found a protective effect. Additionally, EPA is an important omega-3 also found in fish oil, but not used in the current study.

In addition, there are some small studies and anecdotal cases about the value of the saturated fat coconut oil reversing Alzheimer’s. It is thought this fat may be absorbed as a fuel by the brain, rather than glucose and may decrease insulin resistance in brain. Insulin resistance in the brain (also known as type 3 diabetes) is a major factor in all neurodegeneration, and especially Alzheimer’s disease.

I also think a person who has cleaned up vascular inflammation and gut issues could do well with stem cells for Alzheimer’s. I know of at least one woman who is doing quite well after stem cell therapy for her Alzheimer’s.

This was a typical medical study looking at one product and one end point. They found that when taking a lot of DHA, blood level and cerebrospinal fluid increased and yet, people with a significant degree of Alzheimer’s did not improve. That does not mean that fish oils are not beneficial for the brain. DHA is the most abundant fat in the brain, and resulted in positive effects when administered to patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.1

Single nutrients (and for that matter most drugs) ARE NOT MAGIC BULLETS! Medical researchers need to take a systems biology approach—think whole symphony orchestra, not just the piano player (regardless of how well he/she plays). The role of diet, digestive health, stress reduction, inflammation reduction, detoxification of heavy metals and fat soluble toxins, adequate sleep, good elimination, moderate exercise, and psycho-emotional-spiritual balance all play a role in a person’s overall health. We need a symphony—not just a piano player—to make truly complex and beautiful music just as we need a symphony of nutrients to sustain a biochemically balanced person!

Leonard Smith, M.D.
Dr. Leonard Smith is a prominent Board-Certified, general, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeon who had a successful private practice for 25 years. In addition to his active surgery practice, he also incorporated lifestyle, diet, supplementation, exercise, detoxification, and stress management into many of the therapies he would prescribe. Many of his patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious illnesses did so well under his treatment regimes that he began to devote most of his career to foundational health care and preventive medicine.

1. T. Hartmann, et al., “ Alzheimer’s disease: the lipid connection.” J Neurochem. 2007 Nov;103 Suppl 1:159-70.

Our friends at Nutraceutix were just honored with the 2010 Technology Innovation of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan, a global research firm that recognizes best-in-class practices and achievements in many industries. They won for their patented LiveBac process, which when combined with Bio-tract® delivery system, helps ensure that Renew Life’s FloraSMART™ line of probiotics are delivered right to the intestines where they are most effective.

Why the standing ovation? Well, probiotics are only effective if they can withstand the harsh conditions in the stomach to be absorbed in the intestines. Once in the intestines, they can help replenish helpful bacteria as well as strengthen immunities and support overall digestive health. Bio-tract technology is an advanced delivery system that creates a protective natural gel around each probiotic caplet to protect it from gastric acid, thus delivering more active probiotic cultures to the intestines over an optimal time frame.

And that means better overall digestive health! After all, 70 percent of the body’s immune defenses reside in the intestines. If the probiotics can’t make it there, they can’t do much good. If delivered intact where they can work their magic in the intestines, they can lead to optimal digestion, bowel regularity, and overall well being.

Hats off to Nutraceutix for building a better way to manufacture and deliver probiotics. Renew Life and our millions of customers thank you daily!

Every day I meet people who, after hearing what I do for a living, proceed to tell me their health issues. One of the most common complaints I hear is fatigue, and I mean extreme fatigue. People want to know ‘why do I feel so bad?’ or ‘Why don’t I have any energy?’ Most people don’t realize that this health issue can be stemming from your gut. What I mean is that your chronic fatigue may be the result of an unhealthy and unbalanced digestive system.

Join me as we focus on one such person who was suffering from prolonged, progressive chronic fatigue and her journey back to better health — my good friend and personal trainer, Katie. Just because you’re in the fitness business doesn’t mean you’ll be full of energy and vibrant health. Wait till you hear what Katie’s health was really like!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

It’s a subject you’ve heard me talk about before, but considering new research it’s definitely worth repeating. A recent CBS news segment revealed that not one but five new studies showed that using acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be potentially dangerous to your health, and that “more than half of prescriptions for these drugs are unnecessary”. Folks, this is an eye-opener if there ever was one!

Every year more than 100 million Americans are prescribed PPIs to help relieve symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux, but what many people don’t know is that these drugs often come with some pretty serious side effects—including a nearly 75 percent greater risk of developing a severe intestinal infection known as C. diff, according to new evidence. Essentially, taking PPIs upsets the healthy bacterial balance in your intestines (which is where the majority of your natural immune defenses can be found), leaving your body vulnerable to illness and infection.

Widespread PPI use has also been linked to higher rates of pneumonia, as well as esophageal candidiasis (yeast overgrowth), inflammation of the stomach lining, increased permeability of upper GI tract lining, and even osteoporosis-related bone fractures due to the fact that PPIs block calcium absorption in the body. Because long-term PPI use also leads to hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid secretion), bacterial overgrowth and acetaldehyde production, PPI users have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. 

The good news? There are simple things we can do every day to help prevent heartburn and acid reflux without relying on harmful drugs. Diet changes like limiting our intake of caffeine, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods can make a big difference, along with maintaining a healthy body weight, getting plenty of exercise and quitting smoking—all pretty good advice if you ask me! Natural supplements made with ingredients such as ellagic acid (from raspberries and pomegranates) can also provide soothing relief for occasional heartburn, and digestive enzymes with added HCl can help ensure complete digestion and reduce the chances of heartburn and acid reflux happening in the first place.

The bottom line is this: why take a potentially dangerous drug when smarter, safer alternatives exist? My hope is that the more people learn about PPIs and their side effects—including why they may not even need them in the first place—the more people will take steps to improve their digestive health naturally.

Parents Unite! Getting Your Children to Eat Right – Every parent knows it’s not always easy getting kids to eat healthy, especially since we can’t be with them every second of the day. But teaching children early on about the benefits of good nutrition is one of the most important things we as parents can do to help them grow into healthy adults, and the good news? It may not be as hard as you think!

On tomorrow’s Poop Scoop I’ll be talking with Dr. Tara Garlitz about simple and effective ways to helps kids make smart choices when it comes to food. Tara is a mom of three who’s been working with children and families for more than 10 years to help them understand the important connection between diet, digestive health and overall wellness, including the role of good bacteria in the gut and why daily probiotics are a must. So parents—don’t miss out on this valuable advice!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

Every day I meet people who, after hearing what I do for a living, proceed to tell me their health issues. One of the most common complaints I hear is fatigue, and I mean extreme fatigue. People want to know ‘why do I feel so bad?’ or ‘Why don’t I have any energy?’ Most people don’t realize that this health issue can be stemming from your gut. What I mean is that your chronic fatigue may be the result of an unhealthy and unbalanced digestive system.

Join me as we focus on one such person who was suffering from prolonged, progressive chronic fatigue and her journey back to better health — my good friend and personal trainer, Katie. Just because you’re in the fitness business doesn’t mean you’ll be full of energy and vibrant health. Wait till you hear what Katie’s health was really like!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive!

Are there days when you feel sluggish and tired, and you just don’t have the energy to do the things you enjoy? Do digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea or even gas and bloating seem to weigh you down? Or do you sometimes feel more scatterbrained and forgetful than usual and wish there was a way to feel like yourself again? It’s time to discover the natural solution that will bring back the vibrant health and energy you deserve.

I’ll share with you the secret to better digestion and a clearer mind and body, and it all begins with High fiber, Omega oils, Probiotics and Enzymes. These four nutritional supplements are the key to my H.O.P.E. Formula, and they have helped millions of people just like you live healthier every day. But where should you start? And how much do you need every day to get the most benefit? Join me and learn everything you need to know!

Log on and listen to Brenda’s Poop Scoop LIVE every Wednesday from 4-5 pm (EST) right from your computer. Missed an episode? Visit the Episode Directory on my website and listen to past shows from the archive.

Notable News – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that we don’t need our appendix and that it has no function. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand removing the appendix if someone has appendicitis (a potentially fatal inflammation of the appendix) but the appendix isn’t completely useless! Did you know that it actually plays an important role in digestive health?

Recently researchers have determined that the appendix acts as a safe storage area for good bacteria in the body—you know, the kinds that help with digestion and immune function? So after a case of diarrhea, or a bout of antibiotics, both of which wipe out populations of good bacteria, the bacteria hidden in the appendix can actually repopulate the colon and bring balance back to your digestive tract! 

It makes perfect sense, really. The appendix is a narrow tube that sits at the bottom of the first part of the large intestine (also called the cecum). A bacterial infection or antibiotics would easily bypass the appendix because of its small opening, so the beneficial bacteria inside would stay protected. But inside the appendix are still enough bacteria to repopulate the gut when needed… which is pretty important when you consider that chronic dysbiosis (or a lack of enough beneficial gut bacteria) can contribute to infection if bad bacteria reach the appendix and multiply. And what happens then? You guessed it! Appendicitis!

So take it from me, your appendix is important, and so is making sure you take probiotics every day to keep your digestive system in balance!

Health Links Wednesday – We’re always being told to do things like watch our weight, take care of our heart, and even protect our skin—but what about taking care of that part of our bodies where more than 70 percent of our natural immune defenses are?

That’s right—the gut is like the body’s good health powerhouse, so doesn’t it deserve a little extra love? I say yes! And to help you get started, here are a few tips for digestive health from The Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition:

• Eat plenty of foods rich in fiber (at least 35 grams a day!)
• Consume fish at least 3-5 times weekly
• Don’t rush while eating (that means slow down and chew your food)
• Maintain a healthy body weight

This site is right up my alley—talk about some great information! There’s even a quiz that helps you determine your level of “digestive distress,” and a section about the benefits of Omega-3s and probiotics, so be sure to check it out!