Every week, Dr. Saputo offers tips for another health care condition.
This is a quick and easy way to get an overview about health issues that may interest you or your loved ones.
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Each week, Dr. Saputo covers a new health care issue on this page. Below is a list of the subjects that are on this page.
Heart Disease, Lifestyle, Type 2 Diabetes
Hypertension, Pain Management
Health Care Reform, Depression
Cancer Screening Tests, Insomnia
Stress and Anxiety
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Nutrition"
Holistic Nutrition with Geoffery Marx
Nutrition is important in itself, but it needs to be applied to the whole person to meet them where they are. There is a lot of conflict in the "right" diet. Starting with how people relate to food is often complicated but very necessary. Nutrition is about healing through food. Local, seasonal, organic food is important but who you eat with and how you feel when you eat is important in assimilation.
Holistic Nutrition with Ed Bauman, PhD
Holistic nutrition looks are how everything fits together; this includes all aspect of food. It is important to appreciates how food interrelates with our culture and with nature. This provides great insights into how the world works and how we can influence how it functions.
Conscious Nutrition with Geoffry Marx
Food is central to life and conscious nutrition is more than about biochemistry. It also relates to the environment at dinner time. Our culture is built on speed and fast food is a real problem. Appreciation of the soil, environmental impacts, and connections with family are integral factors. We are in relationship with all that there is.
Conscious Nutrition with Geoffry Marx
Food, Longevity, and the Anti-aging Diet with Dr. Richard Kunin
Is there a medicine or drug, any where, that has ever been invented, that does what lifestyle does to maintain wellness and restore health? Dr. Kunin's answer: Anything that can be treated by nutrition should not be treated by any other means.
Good food, good nutrition, taking care of yourself, and living a healthy lifestyle go a long way in helping with longevity and anti-aging.
Food, Longevity, and the Anti-aging Diet
Nutrition and Cancer with Donald Abrams, MD
About 40% of all cancers is caused by bad diets. Plant-based, organic foods are the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Cruciferous veggies, heavily pigmented fruits, berries, certain spices such as turmeric are important.
Link Between Mother's Diet and Childhood Obesity
Medical researchers have discovered that a mother's nutrition during pregnancy can affect a child's risk for obesity many years later. They show that diet can change how DNA expresses itself with regard to appetite regulation. These epigenetic changes suggest that measures to prevent childhood obesity should also target on improving the mother's nutrition during pregnancy.
Link Between Mother's Diet and Childhood Obesity
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Wellness City Challenge with Raymond Francis
Nutrition is essential for wellness. There are three simple dietary rules to follow that are critical for health. Walnut Creek is setting the example of what a city and county can do to help our kids get and stay healthy.
Wellness City Challenge with Raymond Francis
Common Health Problems that Can Be Solved with Nutrition with Bruce Wapen, MD
Nutritional medicine can do a lot to help with the common cold that conventional medicine cannot. Early treatment for colds with oral doses of vitamin C of 30-50 grams per day can help. Selenium is also helpful by boosting antioxidant levels. Osteoarthritis is another condition that nutritional medicine helps.
Common Health Problems that Can Be Solved with Nutrition
Do You Need to Supplement Your Diet?
Do we really need supplements such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and important nutrients? If you live a healthy lifestyle you may not need supplements; if you don't you likely need supplements. You can overdo supplements and megavitamins have their downsides. Toxic exposures are a good reason to consider supplementation. The best sources of antioxidants, essential nutrients, etc. are from foods. When we are ill, our need for supplements goes up and we often don't eat well...nutrition is especially important from supplements.
Do You Need to Supplement Your Diet?
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Conscious Nutrition with Geoffrey Marx - Premium Video
Conscious nutrition relates to the relationship we have with food and includes its growth, harvesting, preparation, and consumption. It is more than about how it is assimilated by the body. It also includes social factors that encourage community.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Stress and Anxiety"
Americans Are Struggling with Life
Dr. Len and Nurse Vicki discuss many of the challenges we face in the US that cause stress, anxiety and depression. Life in the fast track with materialistic rather than service oriented values lead to confusion and frustration regarding what life's purpose is. We have lost our sense of what life is about and generally aimlessly pursue goals that are off the mark.
Uncertainty Causes Anxiety
When you don't know the outcome of a medical test, the uncertainty of not knowing can be more stressful and anxiety provoking than the worst possible outcome. Our minds tend to worry and we need to learn to "worry well." Chronic stress suppresses immunity and sets the stage for further inflammation and progression of whatever disease one may have. MDs tend to detach from their patients so they can remain objective. However, patients need more than good science; they need compassion and support from a caring MD who is caring and involved personally.
Reduce Stress to Treat Hypertension
Stress and anxiety are the most common causes for high blood pressure and is treatable. We tend to rely on medication to treat high blood pressure and the underlying stress. Americans are over-stressed. Relaxants lower blood pressure as well or better than antihypertensive drugs.
Reduce Stress to Treat Hypertension
Embracing Stress with Dan Dunphy, PA
Stress induces cortisol production. There are three general types of stress: emotional, hypoglycemic, and pain. Over the short haul, this is a powerful protective mechanism, but over the long haul it causes immune supression, lowered serotonin levels, anxiety and insomnia.
Dealing With Stress and Teenage Alcohol
The reasons why many teenages are stressed out and choose alcohol to relieve stress are reviewed. Our dysfunctional cultural values are the driving force leading to anxiety, frustration, and depression. Our educational system is discussed and solutions offered.
Dealing With Stress and Teenage Alcohol
Why Sport Injuries Occur with Julie Motz
Injuries are never just physical; emotional explanations will become apparent if you investigate more deeply. Early anxiety or tragedy often is responsible for injuries. When the mind of the body is pulled out by some other concern it cannot be present in the body and that is when we injure ourself.
Living Life Lightly to Reduce Stress with Sue Walden
Stress is universal, some internal and some external. Our minds can turn life events into something stressful and we dwell in the past. Identifying stress is the first step. Most stresses are internally generated and controllable. Worry and fear sustain stress.
Living Life Lightly to Reduce Stress
The Role of Stress in Our Lives with Francesco Garri Garripoli
Stress needs to be balanced; we need just the right amount or there is trouble. There is always a certain sense of chaos in our lives as human beings. Trust is necessary to have a live with reasonable quality. Life's lessons are opportunity for growth and development. The National Institutes of Health has shown that over 70% of all disease is caused by stress. Simple exercises such as tai chi and Qigong have been proven to help manage stress and empower the individual. For more information on Qigong, please click here
The Role of Stress in Our Lives
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Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD Overview
Stress in the short term boosts our ability to cope with stress, but when it becomes longterm it creates major problems with our health. When we're stressed and don't have the tools to deal with it, we repress the situation but it remains in our bag of problems. This can lead to PTSD. It is possible to identify and re-address these problems at a time later in life when we might have developed the tools we need to resolve the problem. We discuss how this can be achieved. Unfortunately, in today's HMO medicine, we have turned to....
Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD Overview
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Insomnia"
The Importance of Sleep
This is a video that is an extensive overview on the importance of sleep. Sleep is critical for quality and length of sleep. Most Americans are sleep deprived because we're living in the "fast track." There are profound effects that can lead to osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and accidents.
Adequate sleep is absolutely essential for good health and we all need between 7-8 hours every night. Lack of sleep leads to a state of inflammation and high levels of stress hormones that lead to a wide range of diseases that include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, obesity and much more. It also aggravates any health care condition we might have. In our fast paced lives we don't get enough sleep and many of us resort to using sleeping aids that cannot solve the underlying problems.
Are Sleeping Pills the Answer to Insomnia?
Sleeping pills are a short term solution, but addiction and tolerance develop and they're not much better than placebo, especially over the long haul. Relaxation is the key to allowing sleep. Pain, stress, hot flashes, depression, and sleep apnea are discussed. Treatment with drugs, herbs, supplements, essential oils are reviewed.
Sleeping Pills: The Answer to Insomnia?
Treating Insomnia
Many of the most common reasons for insomnia are reviewed. Treatment should be directed to the underlying cause. Sleeping aids are addicting and only effective for short periods. Alternatives are reviewed.
Insomnia and Hypertension
Insomnia causes a variety of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and inflammation. Pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea are the most common root causes. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety and sleeping pills are not a good solution. Patterns of insomnia are discussed.
Qigong and Insomnia with Michael Mayer, PhD
The roots of insomnia should be dealt with rather than just treating with drugs. There are many natural methods to enhance sleep. Qigong can activate relaxed energy by noticing how we breathe. Dr. Mayer shows us how to do this.
Insomnia is More Common in Women
Poor sleep does more harm in women than in men with regard to developing heart disease according to a Duke Medical Center publication. It leads to a higher incidence of a lot of chronic diseases such as arteriosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, etc. Women deal with life more emotionally and men more rationally. Women are more concerned with how they feel and men more about being right. Men tend to repress their emotions and women feel them.
Insomnia is More Common in Women
Nutritional Solutions for Insomnia with Ed Bauman
Most people rely on a sleeping pills or alcohol. All too often we consume too many excitotoxins and blame high cortisol is the problem. Melatonin is used in megadoses. We look to putting bandaids on problems and they don't work. Bad food, medications, excitotoxins, and stress all add up.
Nutritional Solutions for Insomnia with Ed Bauman
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Insomnia Overview
Insomnia is absolutely essential for good health and we all need between 7-8 hours every night. Lack of sleep leads to a state of inflammation and high levels of stress hormones that lead to a wide range of diseases that include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, obesity and much more. It also aggravates any health care condition we might have. In our fast paced lives we don't get enough sleep and many of us resort to using sleeping aids that cannot solve the underlying problems.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: June 6th - June 12th "Cancer Screening Tests"
Breast Thermography
The greatest loss of life from breast cancer occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. Fortunately, women today have more options available to them to help in the detection of breast cancer than in the past decades. Unfortunately, education and awareness of these options, and their effectiveness in detecting breast cancer at different stages in life, are woefully deficient.
Breast thermography, or "MammoTherms," involve using a heat-sensing scanner to detect variations in the temperature of breast tissue. The technology has been around since the 1960s, however, early infrared scanners were not very sensitive and they were insufficiently tested before being put into clinical practice. This resulted in misdiagnosed cases.
Modern-day technology is vastly improved and more extensive scientific clinical breast thermography research is available, with data from major peer review journals and research on more than 300,000 women who have been tested. It has been successful in detecting breast cancer more accurately than other methods, and the technology is also gaining ground among more progressive practitioners, such as the Health Medicine Center.
Breast thermography has demonstrated a higher degree of success in identifying women with breast cancer under the age of 55 in comparison to other technologies, and it's also an effective adjunct to clinical breast exams and mammography for women over 55. Finally, it provides a non-invasive and safe detection method, and if introduced at age 25, provides a benchmark that future scans can be compared with for even greater detection accuracy. The Health Medicine Forum is dedicated to raising awareness of this diagnostic option among women and health care professionals, alike.
This thermal imaging technology has been validated as effective and approved by the FDA for breast cancer risk assessment. Recent studies have documented that thermography, as a single test, has 99% accuracy in identifying breast cancer in women in the 30 to 55 age group. For women over 55 the accuracy is still an impressive 95%.
The Health Medicine Center has embraced this improved technology, and is proud to offer MammoTherms as a part of its clinical practice.
How to Screen for Breast Cancer
Screening for breast cancer is confusing and mammogams in younger women are simply not reliable. The screening tool that does work very well is breast thermography. The early work on this is reviewed
Is Breast Thermography Underutilized?
The FDA published information in Journal Watch in June of 2011 that is packed with presumptive and incorrect information about breast thermography and they have to know it! Breast thermography was approved in 1982 as an adjunct to mammography to evaluate for breast cancer. In 2004 the FDA rejected breast thermography as a stand alone test for breast cancer screening by a vote of 5-4. Three of the members voting against it had a conflict of interest because of ties to the mammography industry.
Nonetheless Helen Barr, MD, the director of the Division of Mammography Quality and Radiation Programs in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health stated, "While there is plenty of evidence that mammography is effective in breast cancer detection, there is simply no evidence that thermography can take its place." Come on, Dr. Barr, keep up with the current and the old literature on this much needed test!
Is Breast Thermography Underutilized?
Breast Cancer and MRI's
MRIs overdiagnose cancer but are too sensitive to be used as a primary screening tool, however, they are useful in assessing the extent of a cancer, once it is identified. They are costly but do not have radiation.
Mammograms at Age 50
In a recent report on mammograms published in the New York Times, they say that most women should start breast cancer screening at age 50 not 40 according to new guidelines. They also recommend mammograms be done every two years rather than every year. The new recommendations are aimed at reducing harm from over treatment. The report also suggests that doctors should stop teaching women to examine their breasts on a regular basis. The report makes no mention of using breast thermography which can be much more accurate.
Mammograms: A Ten Year Study Shows no Benefit Under age 50
Many studies show that mammograms in women under 50 are not useful. The US is the only country that does mammograms in this age group. The reasons are explained. Too many biopsies result and many cancers are missed that lead to stress and unnecessary costs.
Screening Does Not Reduce Prostate Cancer Deaths
Screening does not significantly reduce prostate cancer deaths but it does lead to overdetection and overtreatment. The cancer detection rate is 40% higher with testing, but to prevent one death from prostate cancer more than 1400 men would need screening and 48 would be unnecessarily treated. The era of the PSA is over.
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Mammogram Overview
There is considerable confusion about the role of mammograms in breast cancer detection in premenopausal women. The US is the only country in the world making the recommendation that they be done on women under the age of 50. The people standing to profit from doing mammograms in this age group are the mammogram industry, Big Pharma in the sale of chemotherapy, and health care practitioners who treat people for cancer. Too many early cancers are found that do not progress and which do not kill are found and unnecessarily treated (DCIS). Recent data shows that it is necessary to do 1800 mammograms to save a single life. This would lead to far too many biopsies and treatment.
Do You Really Need a Colonoscopy?
Dr. Len and Nurse Vicki discuss the pros and cons for a routine colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. In asymptomatic people without a family history of cancer, the risks of doing a colonoscopy may exceed the benefits. Bowel perforations and severe GI bleeding are complications in 1 in 200 tests. Other screening tests are reviewed too.
Do You Really Need A Colonoscopy?
Prostate Cancer Overview
The PSA era is over. Modern research has shown that it leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment and far too many surgeries, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Prostate cancer is very common, but only about 2% need to be treated. Preventive measures and environmental toxins are reviewed. The relationship of various hormones is discussed.New tools for diagnosis and treatment are offered reviewed. We don't have good tests to assess the extent or even presence of prostate cancer let alone its degree of malignancy. Unfortunately screening and diagnostic testing for prostate cancer is inadequate and creates a lot of fear over having low grade cancers that are not serious. PSA testing should be reserved primarily to follow prostate cancer patients. Specialized testing with MRI, spectroscopy, and sonography is discussed.
DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)
Ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, makes up 25% of breast cancers and is lethal in only 1-2%. Failure to differentiate leads to massive overtreatment, significant emotional and physical disability, and unnecessary treatment and costs. There is a desperate need for better screening tests. Many of these cancers spontaneously disappear.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Heath Tip: "Depression"
Depression Overview
This video reviews what depression is, how it is manifested, and what can be done to treat it. The underlying psychological causes for depression cannot treated by anti-depressants. Yet psychiatrists have become psycho-pharmacologists rather than therapists. Current literature now questions that antidepressants are any stronger than placebo. Big pharma sponsored research outcomes have become transparent and conflicts of interest are now clear. The cause of depression is debated between challenging life situations, neurotransmitter levels, and genetic factors. Alternative therapies are reviewed and the importance of somatic psychotherapy is defined and explained.
Drugs for Depression and Heart Risks
Newer antidepressants are being promoted as better than the older ones. The bottom line is that when drugs go off patent, the drug companies have a need to convince MDs and the public that they should purchase their newer, more profitable products. There are problems with antidepressants that include increased risk of suicide, osteoporosis, and heart rhythm disturbances. The older tricyclic antidepressants have now been shown to have cardiac rhythm disturbances. A much safer way to treat depression is with a placebo!
Drugs for Depression and Heart Risks
The World of the Person in Pain with John Leonard, PhD
Pain causes a stress reaction as the first response. The world of the pain patient begins to shrink down and our capacity to function does too. It also shrinks the world of the important people in their lives. Ultimately this leads to depression and withdrawl.
The world of the Person in Pain
Exercise for Depression
Exercise works at least as well as antidepressants for depression. The side effects of exercise are good for us; the side effects of SSRI antidepressants can be serious. The long term effects of exercise are superior to drug therapy.
Anti Depressants
Balancing neurotransmitters may make us feel better, but it does not solve the underlying reasons for depression. Today's psychiatry We must do the hard work of dealing with issues in our lives that are substantial enough that we cannot resolve them without profound despair.
The True Role of Antidepressants in Healthcare with Meg Jordan, PhD, RN
SSRIs have been shown to be no better than placebo in a large metaanalysis. Psychiatry has taken a huge step backwards by turning to psychopharmacology. Treating symptoms rather than looking at the deeper causes of depression is naive except in rare occasions. Placebo is a powerful tool that evolkes the neurobiology of the body.
The True Role of Anti Depressants
Beyond psychotherapy: Amazing applications of mind-body medicine
There is an epidemic of anxiety and depression. Today's world is filled with emotional challenge. How many families do you know that aren't dysfunctional? And who do you know that has not spent time with a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist at some time in their life? In some circles it is almost a status symbol to be in psychotherapy! And, it is not unusual to be in therapy for years. We keep our trusted therapists very busy!
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Depression management
This overview of depression reviews what depression is, how it is manifested, and what can be done to treat it. The underlying psychological causes for depression cannot treated by anti-depressants. Yet psychiatrists have become psycho-pharmacologists rather than therapists. Current literature now questions that antidepressants are any stronger than placebo. Big pharma sponsored research outcomes have become transparent and conflicts of interest are now clear. The cause of depression is debated between challenging life situations, neurotransmitter levels, and genetic factors. Alternative therapies are reviewed and the importance of somatic psychotherapy is defined and explained.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Heath Tip: "Real Health Care Reform"
What is Real Health Care Reform?
What is real health care reform? It is not what happened with the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Our present level of health care will now be available to 30 million more uninsured people, but as far as health care itself is concerned, we lost ground. It will be difficult to maintain the same poor standard of care now existing (we are ranked 37th in the world by the World Health Organization) as there are no additional funds coming into health care services and there are a lot more people who will be covered. The rich will continue to get the best health care in the world...they can pay out of pocket for it.
It is time for the American people to stop listening to advertisements for products we don't need but continue to purchase. If we spent our dollars wisely, corporate America would be at our feet. We cannot afford today's health care system, more than 50% of us have a chronic illness, and the safety of modern medicine has come into serious question.
We must take responsibility for our own health by living a healthy lifestyle...there is no other way to be healthy. Pogo was right, we have found the enemy... Unless we evolve to a higher level of consciousness we cannot evolve to the next level. Are we going to revolve or evolve?
Conflicts of Interest in Health Care
True health care reform will never make it to the table when the insurance industry and Big Pharma continue to pour billions of dollars into stopping Congress from addressing this issue. What we will see is a minimum of insurance reform.
Health Care Reform, or Not?
2009-10 was designated as the time when Americans would see Health Care reform. However, what we got was insurance reform, and not a whole lot of it. This was necessary but insufficient...we must shift from disease thinking to health thinking.
Congress and Lobbyists in Washington, DC
Lobbyists from Big Pharma and the insurance industry spent $500 million trying to bribe congress to limit health care reform. It worked. We must understand this and take action to stop the process.
Congress and Lobbyists in Washington DC
Health Care Reform 101 with Dr. Saputo
The first of three YouTube videos, Dr. Len Saputo explains the ins and outs of Health Care Reform.
Health Reform Over 50 Years with Lonnie Bristow, MD
In this premium video, is the story of a Pioneer in Health Care, Dr. Lonnie Bristow. Dr. Bristow is a former president of the national AMA and reviews the challenges he has faced in health care throughout his distinguished career.
Health Care or Disease Care?
Dr. Len and Byron travel to Washington DC for the "America's Future Now" conference (formerly the Taking Back America conference) and sit for an interview conducted by Paul Jay, Senior Editor of The Real News.com. The video discusses the Health Care Reform initiative in Part 1 and Part 2 talks about what people can do at the local level.
It's Time for Senator Max Baucus to Resign
This story comes from the "A Return to Healing" blog written by Byron Belitsos, dated August 25, 2009. Be sure use the link to the "Press Release: Senator Baucus. Read how Dr. Len takes a stand and asks for the Senator's resignation.
It's Time for Senator Max Baucus to Resign
Honor Ted Kennedy: Make Health Care a Right
In this very special "A Return to Healing" blog, they suggest American's honor Senator Kennedy by making Health Care a Right. He remained true to his almost religious passion for this cause even in his last year of life. There are several links in this blog and recently added, a special audio tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy.
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A Return to Healing Chapter 5
Big Pharma ties to Congress, physicians, and medical institutions. The FDA controls the way medicine is practiced. Big Pharma's advertising is a story of perfection in sales success. Direct to consumer ads, bribes to Congress, funding of research and of medical education, and even of the FDA are ways Big Pharma control the way medicine is practiced. It's devious, deceitful, and impersonal style of business supports business, not service.
A Return to Healing, Chapter 5
A Return to Healing, Chapter 1
"A Surprise Healing of My Wife's Illness" describes the factors leading to a turning point in my relatiohship to medical practice. I can no longer restrict my practice to conventional medicine and begin a new journey of natural healing of the whole person.
This video has links to ALL 9 chapters of "A Return to Healing" For members of the Doctor Saputo Wellness Program.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Heath Tip: "Pain Management"
Pain Management
We all suffer from pain and most of the time we rely on medications that are not safe. Integrative therapies work better than just one treatment style. New breakthroughs such as infrared light therapy are discussed. Insomnia, non-restorative sleep, poor concentration, accidents, depression, fatigue and irritability are common signs and symptoms of pain.
Treating Pain with Infrared Light Therapy
Infrared light therapy is a very powerful new technology that relieves pain from most conditions including neuropathic pain. The use of an infrared scanner to monitor skin thermal changes in real time is essential to achieve safe and effective treatment. This video gives examples of its application and the article below describes it. Its use in the treatment of cancer pain is surprising.
For more information on Infrared Light Therapy, Click Here
Infrared Light For Back Pain
The story of how Dr. Len discovered infrared light therapy and how it works is shared. The role of infrared imaging during treatment is discussed and its application in integrative medicine reviewed. Its mechanism of action is explained.
Managing Pain Without Drugs
Dr. Len and Nurse Vicki provide an extensive overview of pain management from the mainstream perspective and from that of complementary and alternative therapies. All drugs, even the over the counter medications, used for pain management have potential serious effects. So they are not ideal. Complications of NSAIDs are massive and should be taken off the market.
NSAIDs: The Myriad of Side Effects
The effectiveness of NSAIDS for longterm pain is questionable according to new research. Chronic use of these drugs shows their effectiveness is close to that of a placebo. There are many alternatives to drugs for pain management
The Myriad of Side Effects of NSAIDS
Infrared Light As Medicine with Maurice Bales
Infrared light therapy is perhaps the most impressive new scientific modality that spans many decades of medical breakthroughs. Its ability to improve or eliminate pain, often in minutes, is shocking. This treatment uses near infrared light to increase circulation, provide an increased supply of ATP (the energy to run the body), reduce inflammation, increase lymphatic drainage, reduce the sensitivity of pain fibers, and spead healing by 50%.
Drug Free Treatment for Headaches
Drugs are not necessary to relieve headaches. Chiropractic adjustment of the neck is effective, especially if there is misalignment. Treating the triggers of headache can relieve the pain within minutes.
Image from Tahoe City Chiropractic
Drug Free Treatmeent for Headaches
Finding the Cause of Pain with Alon Marcus, OMD
Dealing with pain is important but unless we determine the underlying cause, our treatment can be off base and lead to too many ineffective treatments. An inquiring mind is key to embracing this approach.
Qigong For Pain Management with Michael Mayer, PhD
There are alternatives to drugs using breath, movement, touch, sound, and imagery. Dr. Mayer incorporates both qigong and psychotherapy to deal with pain. He gives an amazing example of how he does this.
Treating Back Pain
Dr. Len and Nurse Vicki review the key strategies used to treat back pain. They discuss the use of DMSO, infrared light therapy, chiropractic, Chinese medicine, bodywork, imagery, as well as the mainstream approaches that use drugs, technologies, and surgery.
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Diabetic Neuropathy
After 10 years 50% of diabetics will have diabetic neuropathy. It is manifested by numbness, loss of balance, and in 25% severe pain. About 15% will develop ulcers that lead to amputations. Mainstream medicine relies on drugs to manage pain, but has nothing for the numbness or loss of awareness of where the feet are. There has been a major breakthrough in treatment that involves the use of near infrared light therapy. This is discussed and thermal images are presented
Hiatal Hernias
The anatomy and physiology of a hiatal hernia is described. Its complications are reviewed including pain, strictures, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Mainstream and alternative therapies are described as are their side effects and complications.
Arthritis Overview
Arthritis is a painful and disabling condition that is common, especially as we age. Risk factors are reviewed and both mainstream and CAM treatments are offered. The dangers of treatment are pointed out. Integrative strategies are reviewed. Lifestyle medicine is highlighted. Treatment for autoimmune forms of arthritis is also reviewed.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Heath Tip: "Hypertension"
Do You Have Hypertension?
Basic Principles of Hypertension with Dr. Saputo
You've just found out you have hypertension, what do you do now? What hypertension is, how you measure it and what the numbers mean, and how you make the diagnosis is reviewed. White coat syndrome is a very common cause of elevated blood pressure.
Basic Principles of Hypertension
Controlling Hypertension with Dr. Saputo and Nurse Vicki
Most hypertension is caused by chronic stress and an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Mainstream medicine uses drugs to suppress blood pressure numbers, but does not address the underlying causes except in a small minority of cases. This review of the causes and wide range of treatments is presented.
Insomnia and Hypertension
Insomnia causes a variety of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and inflammation. Pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea are the most common root causes. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety and sleeping pills are not a good solution. Patterns of insomnia are discussed.
Breathing for Hypertension with Deane Hillsman, MD
Hypertension can be helped by breathing properly. How we breathe affects our blood pressure as much as 10-15 points. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic breathing has a major effect on blood pressure. Slow abdominal breathing is relaxing. Relaxed breathing is more efficient, especially during prolonged exhalation. Breathing patterns can be taught that increase the efficiency of breathing
The ALLHAT Study on Hypertension, Diuretics, and Lifestyle
The largest study ever done on how we should treat hypertension showed that thiazide diuretics and lifestyle are what was recommended. It exposes the mercenary nature of big pharma in promoting their new designer drugs that work no better than older approaches that are cheap.
The Allhat Study
How to Manage Hypertension with Russ Jaffe, MD
There are many ways to treat hypertension. In the mainstream we tend to rely on medication to manage elevated bood pressure. By the time we reach 80 years old, 95% of people have elevated blood pressure. Natural approaches include fish oil, magnesium, exercise, relaxation, weight loss and more, and should also be used first. Yet there are still factors that are related to the underlying cause that often includes stress. Stay mindful and in the moment, don't worry be happy, stay non attached and you'll be more able to maintain a normal blood pressure.
How to Manage Hypertension
Coenzyme Q10 Improves Hypertension and Congestive Heart Failure
Recent data has documented once again that coenzyme Q10 improves hypertension and can prevent congestive heart failure. It can improve cardiac output by as much as 39% and significantly increases exercise capacity of patients with all levels of congestive heart failure. It has many other functions such as increasing HDL cholesterol, immunity, and arterial elasticity and has powerful effects on cancer cells. Coenzyme Q10 is essential in the production of ATP and is a potent antioxidant. The role of statins in blocking the production of coenzyme Q10 is also discussed.
Coenzyme Q10
The videos below are only availble to Members of the Doctor Saputo Wellness Program at DoctorSaputo.com. Click here to learn more about all the member benefits you will recieve by becoming a member of this unique program!Hypertension Overview
Are you one of the millions of people who have hypertension? Would you be surprised to find out that you may be a candidate for simple lifestyle changes that can get you off medication?
This overview of hypertension defines what it is, how to diagnose it, its complications, causes, and treatment. Hypertension is often over-diagnosed when taken in the doctor's office; home blood pressures are far more reliable. Pre-hypertension is defined and possible solutions for mild hypertension are offered. It is not usually a lifelong disease and lifestyle changes including diet and exercise can help.
Hypertension Overview
Blood Pressure Pills
The goal of Big Pharma is to sell drugs, whether safe or not. It is always advertising new on-patent drugs because they have the greatest potential for profit. The most effective drug for blood pressure control has been around for 50 years, is off-patent, is about $10 per month; it is called hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Even HCTZ causes problems that include elevated cholesterol, insulin resistance, loss of potassium and magnesium, and an increased risk for gout.
Exercise for Hypertension
Exercise is very powerful medicine that can treat hypertension, depression, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, and many other conditions that are reviewed. Exercise should be encouraged at every age and in every community. The type of exercise that is best is also reviewed.
Using Lifestyle to Manage Hypertension
Hypertension does not have to be permanent. It is related to the style in which we live our lives and we can modify that. Underlying causes and tools for treatment are described.
Using Lifestyle to Manage Hypertension
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Type 2 Diabetes"
Introduction to Type 2 Diabetes by Dr. Saputo
Diabetes is a disease where there is defective energy production because of insulin resistance. The physiology of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and the role of insulin and sugar levels are discussed. Risk factors and complications are reviewed. Treatment options are presented
Type 2 Diabetes, Its Prevalence is Growing with Dr. Saputo & Nurse Vicki
There is an epidemic of type 2 diabetes and of the metabolic syndrome. Nearly 25% of Americans now are at risk for this. Testing is discussed as are the factors leading to this epidemic.
Type 2 Diabetes, Its Prevalence is Growing
Breakthroughs in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes with Frank Shallenberger, MD
There is a pandemic of type 2 diabetes that may affect as many as 25% of the population. The defects in diabetes are reviewed. This is a preventable disease with diet, exercise, stress reduction and more. All diseases are associated with a defect in energy production. It is almost always associated with obesity. It is important to begin working early on the pre-diabetes that exists up to 15 years before outright diabetes develops.
Breakthroughs in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
A New Look at Diabetes with Russell Jaffe, MD
The chemistry of diabetes is discussed. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are autoimmune diseases and we're now learning about the specific chemicals that lead to this state. Leaky membranes and hyperacidity explain much of why diabetes develops. High levels of sugar are toxic to body proteins. High insulin levels and metabolic syndrome are also reviewed.
The videos below are only availble to Members of the Doctor Saputo Wellness Program at DoctorSaputo.com. Click here to learn more about all the member benefits you will recieve by becoming a member of this unique program!
Why Lifestyle Matters with Type 2 Diabetes
Lifestyle is a powerful antidote to inflammation. All the pharmaceutical drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes have significant side effects that are potentially serious. The common drug classes used to treat diabetes are reviewed. Some of these drugs increase the risk of heart attack and death by more than 50%.
Why Lifestyle Matters with Type 2 Diabetes
Type II Diabetes and Weight
Being overweight leads to inflammation, which causes insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and its complications. It also leads to leptin resistance, which leads to increasing our appetite center in our brain. High fructose corn syrup is especially powerful in causing resistance of insulin and leptin. Exercise is another huge factor that leads to being over weight.
Understanding the Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
The mechanisms of and possible complications of diabetes are reviewed. When blood sugar levels rise sufficiently they damage vital proteins and lead to heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, kidney disease, and neuropathy. Lifestyle is the most important treatment to prevent these complications. Certain supplements that can help control blood sugar levels are reviewed.
Understanding the Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
How Do We Get and Get Rid Of It Type II Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is largely a disease of lifestyle, especially diet and exercise. However, stress, sleep, and certain pharmaceutical drugs predispose to developing it. The metabolic syndrome is discussed and the concept of insulin resistance is reviewed.
How Do We Get and Get Rid Of It Type II Diabetes
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Lifestyle"
Tracking Lifestyle Changes:
Lifestyle is our most important prescription for good health. On DoctorSaputo.com you can track your progress over time using our unique tracking system on your very own Home Page. Once you become a Member you can follow your lifesytyle changes and your personal improvement over time relating to any health care condition you may have - or simply for preventative health maintenance - and through your personal assessments, enjoy vibrant health!
"The Wellness Buffer" with Dr. Saputo
The "wellness buffer" is a range on a spectrum between ideal / perfect health and when the symptoms of disease begin. It takes loss of considerable reserve function before things deteriorate to the point where you first develop symptoms. We should all be working hard to preserve this buffer between perfect functionability and where dysfunctionality begins to become apparent. Unfortunately we've been convinced by the business of health care to wait until we get sick before we take action to preserve our wellness
Creating Wellness Through Lifestyle with Dr. Saputo and Nurse Vicki
Primary care is lifestyle medicine and promotes wellness through prevention. Mainstream medicine depends on our getting sick and relying on medications, technologies and surgeries.
Creating Wellness Through Lifestyle
Sleep is Critical for Wellness
We don't get enough sleep even though it is a critical lifestyle factor for wellness. Getting less than four hours of sleep is the most predictive lifestyle factor predicting morbidity and mortality. Missing just four hours of sleep for one night reduces immunity by 30%. Sleep deprivation in the long term is a potent risk factor for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, plus we don't feel well and are fatigued.
Sleep is Critical for Wellness
Lifestyle Medicine with Sandy Severin, MD
Balancing vital energies, mind, body, and nutrition is needed for wellness. Exercise and good nutrition over time heals. Mindfulness and awareness in a regular program help people make lifestyle changes such as weight loss.
The videos below are only availble to Members of the Doctor Saputo Wellness Program at DoctorSaputo.com. Click here to learn more about all the member benefits you will recieve by becoming a member of this unique program!
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Lifestyle is our most powerful medicine, is safe, and within our control to use. Even our genetic code, DNA, is clearly modifyable through lifestyle practices. Our belief system also has a powerful effect on our health; examples are provided. Phamacological drugs can be lifesaving, but compared to lifestyle medicine they are usually minor players.
Managing Cancer with Lifestyle
Lifestyle is the most potent treatment we have for cancer. Exercise, weight control, and vitamin D levels may lower the risk for getting cancer and also prolong life. Increasing our "wellness buffer" is one of the best kept secrets in cancer prevention and treatment.
Managing Cancer with Lifestyle
Prostate Cancer and Lifestyle
Lifestyle has been shown to be a powerful way to change cancer genes. Dean Ornish did studies that are discussed. Flax seed oil, vitamin D deficiency, and exposure to environmental toxins are also reviewed.
Using Lifestyle to Manage Hypertension
Hypertension does not have to be permanent. It is related to the style in which we live our lives and we can modify that. Underlying causes and tools for treatment are described.
Dr. Saputo's Weekly Health Tip: "Heart Disease"
Preventing Heart Attacks with Dr. Saputo
Heart attacks are preventable through a healthy lifestyle. An unhealthy lifestyle leads to inflammation and the development of arterial plaque. Tests for early detection and risk factors are reviewed. Approaches for prevention are described.
The Best Heart Screening Tests with Beverly Rubik
There are a number of new tests that are not in the mainstream that take assessment of arteriosclerosis to a higher level. By measuring the pulse wave in a finger we can assess the state of vascular arteriosclerosis in the heart and brain and even reverse the amount of plague with interesting supplements. This simple and affordable test needs to be brought forward into medicine as a screening test at an early age and as a preoperative screening test as well.
A second test, called heart rate variability, is also very inexpensive, safe, and predictive of heart attacks, stroke, and all cause mortality. It assesses the sympathetic and parasympathetic balance as well. It predicts the hearts ability to adapt to different needs
The Best Heart Screening Tests with Beverly Rubik
Heart Attacks with Dr Len and Nurse Vicki
People with heart disease who don't fill their prescriptions have a much higher risk for death because of further heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and serious rhythm disturbances. Mainstream and complementary and alternative treatments are reviewed. There are many nutritional strategies that are also useful, but unfortunately physicians are not trained in nutritional medicine.
The videos below are only availble to Members of the Doctor Saputo Wellness Program at DoctorSaputo.com. Click here to learn more about all the member benefits you will recieve by becoming a member of this unique program!
Coronary Artery Stents: Do You Need One?
The logic of identifying blockages in the coronary arteries and opening them with either a stent or surgical bypass makes a lot of sense. However, logic does not always turn out to provide the correct answer. We do nearly 1 million stent procedures to open blocked arteries every year in the US but unless we do them in the acute setting of a heart attack they don't improve survival better than medications alone. They may improve angina, congestive heart failure and even heart rhythm abnormalities. too many MDs continue advising stents or bypass surgeries despite this data. What is not considered seriously is the benefit of lifestyle medicine for heart disease.
Coronary Artery Stents: Do You Need One?
Overview of Heart Attacks with Dr. Len Saputo
The causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and consequences of heart attacks are reviewed. Laboratory tests to assess the extent and dangers of arteriosclerosis are described and mainstream and alternative forms of treatment offered. Prevention and reversibility are reviewed.
Dr. Len's health clinic
Immune system boosting meditations and Qigong exercises