Too much of a good thing
There’s a fine line between prevention and paranoia when it comes to performing colonoscopies — and a recent study indicates that many U.S. doctors regularly cross that line.
After a benign polyp is removed, the recommendation for follow-up colonoscopy is every 10 years for people over 50. But a survey found that 24 percent of gastroenterologists and 54 percent of general surgeons are ordering them at a rate of every three to five years instead.
On one hand, it’s understandable. We know that 147,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year and 57,000 will die from it.
Still, conducting more invasive testing more often doesn’t necessarily change these numbers. In fact, the American Journal of Gastroenterology reported last year that people are dying from this disease at the same rate as they were in the late 1980’s. Further, the number of patients surviving five years after their cancer diagnosis did not improve, either.
My guess is that relying on more frequent colonoscopies provides a false sense of security — both for the doctor and the patient — when what is really needed is a proven prevention and treatment plan that includes the diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that could more effectively alter the course of the disease. These are all critical factors that many doctors don’t spend time reviewing with patients. Instead, they use expensive, invasive procedures more often than they should and convince themselves they’re doing everything they can.
But you can do more. Dr. Wright wrote an extensive article in the January 2001 issue of Nutrition & Healing on preventing breast, prostate, and colon cancer. The recommendations are too extensive to do justice to in this space, but I suggest you take the time to look it up on the Nutrition & Healing website when you have a minute. The recommendations are too extensive to do justice to in this space, but I suggest you take the time to look it up on the Nutrition & Healing website when you have a minute (www.nutritionandhealing.com — current subscribers can download this article for free by entering the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent issue).
In the meantime, what is more helpful in the intervening ten years between colonoscopies is the old-fashioned and low-tech stool sample. You might recall from the 8/9/04 e-Tip (subject line: “The Bum’s Rush”) that a simple stool sample will measure your butyrate level. Without enough butyrate, your colon won’t do a very good job of resisting carcinogens. If your butyrate comes back normal, you should be in good shape. But if the rate comes back low, odds are you aren’t getting enough dietary fiber or your digestion is imbalanced in some way, and you should get checked out.
Warm-up exercise
Q: With another winter around the corner, I am dreading the prospect of suffering through the spasms I get in my extremities due to Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Can you suggest any natural or nutritional protocols that might bring me some relief?
JVW: There are two types of Raynaud’s Phenomenon — primary and secondary — and the amount of relief you are able to get will somewhat depend on which of these you have. Primary is when you have Raynaud’s alone, and secondary is when you have it in conjunction with another disease. As with any disease or condition, when you uncover the root cause, you have a better chance of eliminating the symptoms. However, the causes for both of these are scientifically unknown. Here’s what we do know
Primary Raynaud’s is often associated with hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism, so checking for either of these conditions may shed some light on how to alleviate your Raynaud’s. Secondary Raynaud’s is often found in conjunction with other autoimmune disorders, carpal tunnel, and vascular disorders.
A few specific natural treatments you might try (under the supervision of a nutritionally oriented physician, of course) include:
* magnesium — preferably delivered intravenously, although an oral magnesium supplement might also help dilate blood vessels.
* niacin — also helps to dilate blood vessels
* gingko biloba — increases blood flow
* essential fatty acids (EFAs) — decrease platelet aggregation, which can limit blood flow
A few lifestyle changes that may also make a difference include keeping your extremities warm and limiting exposure to low temperatures, stop smoking if applicable, practice stress management, and exercise regularly. These actions will all help to control the spasms, and maximize the blood flow you get to your extremities.
What is…ginkgo biloba?
Ginkgo biloba is the world’s longest living species of tree: It can survive for as long as 1,000 years in many cases. With that sort of longevity, how could it NOT have healing properties?
From improved memory function to enhanced sexual function, ginkgo biloba can remedy a wide range of diseases and conditions. The Chinese have used it for a variety of ailments for over 5,000 years. Much of this herb’s effectiveness comes from the boost it gives to your circulation. But more recent research suggests that it also has a high level of antioxidants, which makes it that much better for you.
Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing
Sources:
Mysliwiec PA, Brown ML, et al. “Are physicians doing too much colonoscopy? A national survey of colorectal surveillance after polypectomy.” Ann Intern Med 2004; 141(4): 264-27.
Rabeneck L, El-Serag HB, et al. “Outcomes of colorectal cancer in the United States: no change in survival (1986-1997).” Am J Gastroenterol 2003; 98(2): 471-477
