Placebo effect should be embraced as real medicine
Doctors are increasingly discussing how the placebo effect, long relegated to the realm of scientific research, can be harnessed for actual treatment.
"In the last 10 years we've made tremendous strides in demonstrating the biological veracity of the placebo effect," said Ted Kaptchuk of Harvard Medical School. "The frontier is, how do we utilize what is clearly an important phenomenon in a way that's consistent with patient-practitioner trust, and informed consent?"
Recent research has shown that placebos -- biologically inactive treatments presented as real cures -- can actually produce biological changes that begin the body's healing process. Yet modern medical ethics frown on giving patients any treatment, even a fake one, without full and informed consent.
Some researchers have suggested that doctors could ethically combine placebos with biologically active treatments. For example, a study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that psoriasis patients who were alternately treated with a pharmaceutical skin cream and a placebo improved just as much as patients given up to four times as much of the real drug. This may occur, in part, because the body learns to associate the cream with healing. If the placebo effect works partly on conditioning, doctors might even be able to tell patients they are receiving a dummy pill.
The honest approach might also work because, some researchers believe, the trappings of medical care are more important than the actual content. They point to a study that compared three groups of irritable bowel syndrome patients -- one treated with sham acupuncture by a brusque caregiver; one treated with sham acupuncture by a friendly, empathic caregiver; and one kept on a waiting list. While only 28 percent of the patients on the waiting list and 44 percent seen by the brusque doctor improved, 62 percent of those seen by the empathic doctor reported "adequate relief."
This rate of improvement is equivalent to that seen with modern pharmaceuticals.
"It's amazing," Kaptchuk said. "Connecting with the patient, rapport, empathy ... that few extra minutes is not just icing on the cake."
Sources for this story include:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/05/09/the_magic_cure/
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5 Amazing Benefits of Natural Childbirth
The wondrous experience of birth is often destroyed by the routine practice of medicine, with many medical professionals and mothers alike assuming that birth needs pharmaceutical interventions (i.e., epidural). In reality, nothing could be further from the truth! While there are certainly instances when assistance is required, the vast majority of births do not require medical intervention. Still, a natural birth can be successful and rewarding for many mothers.
There are many astounding benefits when delivery is done the way nature intended. [1] Giving birth is the ultimate expression of femininity. Sure, giving birth is difficult, that’s why it’s called labor. But work and effort certainly have their rewards, and bringing a new child into the world has its joyous aspects. Handing the process over to a doctor and a bunch of strangers who, with the commonplace coldness inherent in modern medicine, probably think of your delivery as just a job and not a triumph or miracle.
5 Benefits of Natural Childbirth
Childbirth is a liberating, empowering, challenging, and joyful experience. Giving birth fully aware and in a warm and comforting environment, like your own home, may provide memories for years to come. Here are five incredible benefits giving birth the old-fashioned way.
1. Empowerment
Yes, there is pain involved, but women who have opted for natural childbirth http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=34050 often take a different view, thinking of the pain as a rite of passage. Studies have shown that it helps prepare a woman for her new role as a mother and also helps her facilitate the birth process. What could be more empowering than being in charge? The process of birth produces endorphins, nature’s pain reliever. If pain isn’t felt because of unnatural intervention, then safe and joyous natural pain relief can’t happen. [2] [3]
Women are usually denied the right to refuse episiotomies during childbirth. This unneeded intervention is associated with excessive bleeding and, though it’s claimed that the practice prevents tearing, the reality is that tearing is safer and heals more rapidly. Epidurals also increase the use of other medical interventions. The more interventions, the greater the risks to both mother and baby. A woman who chooses natural childbirth assures that this unnecessary intervention does not happen. [4]
2. Safety
Why should you or your baby unnecessarily take the risk of a hospital-acquired infection? The fact is that you are more likely to end up with a life-threatening illness by giving birth in a hospital—and that’s just one of the risks you’ll avoid by choosing a natural delivery. [5]
Bleeding is one of the greatest risks during birth and is often given as a reason for validating the safety of hospital deliveries. The reality, though, is that a woman is more likely to bleed to death as the result of a hospital birth than if she chooses a natural birth. [6] The best way to assure safety in childbirth is to do it the way nature intended.
3. Healthier Baby
Natural delivery assures that babies are born on schedule—the real schedule, the one nature intended for both infants and their mothers. Now more than ever, deliveries are scheduled for the convenience of doctors and hospitals. Scheduled deliveries are usually earlier than natural ones, resulting in babies that may be deprived of development time.
Recent studies have documented that home deliveries produce slightly better outcomes than hospital births. One of the most important thing a woman can assure through home delivery is that the umbilical cord not be cut right away. [7] Yet, that is the standard procedure in hospital deliveries. This single intervention may do more harm than any other, and it may also be the reason so many babies are oxygen-deprived or jaundiced. Waiting just a short time to cut the cord allows the baby’s own blood to flow from the placenta into his or her own body. Premature cord cutting is said to steal a baby’s blood cells, antibodies, iron, and even stem cells. A natural childbirth can prevent all of those losses.
Some people argue that natural-born babies–or babies born without medical intervention–are more alert and vital. Whether this is true or not, many women feel that they would rather have a baby born without direct exposure to medications as soon as they enter the world. Not only can they gain the advantage of maintaining their own blood, but they are also fortunate enough not to suffer the adverse effects of drugs, forceps deliveries, or any other routine interventions. Finally, the process of a natural childbirth helps prepare the newborn for life outside the womb.
4. Healthier You
Many women believe avoiding medical interventions during and after delivery results in healthier mothers. The woman who opts for natural birth often avoids all of the adverse effects of drugs and interventions. She avoids the risk of arachnoiditis–a permanent, debilitating, and horribly painful condition–for the temporary relief of an epidural. [8] The new mother, undrugged and non-hospitalized, can recover from labor more quickly and move into the role with vigor and strength.
5. Money in Your Pocket, Not the Medical System
In this time of tight budgets, one of the best things about natural childbirth is the low cost. It’s a shame that saving money should be considered one of the most amazing benefits of natural birth, but the amount involved makes it so. Instead of seeing your hard-earned money lining the pockets of a medical system that, in all likelihood will do more harm than good and will assuredly steal any sense of empowerment, you can use it to provide a more comfortable life for your baby, yourself, and the rest of your family.
Surely there are times when modern medicine can do wonders and even save lives, but the fact is that natural childbirth enriches the lives of both mother and child and possibly provides a more rewarding experience. Natural birth is truly the most awesome experience life can provide, empowering each mother in her new role as caretaker of that most precious of things–a new being.
by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Judith A. Lothian. Why Natural Childbirth? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595040/ The Journal of Perinatal Education, 2000 Fall; 9(4): 44-46.
2. Nicky Leap, Jane Sandall, Sara Buckland, Ulli Huber. Journey to Confidence: Women’s Experiences of Pain in Labour and Relational Continuity in Carehttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526952310000450. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2010.02.001.
3. Olsen O, Clausen JA. Planned hospital birth versus planned home birth (Review) http://almenpraksis.ku.dk/nyheder/oleolsen/Hjemmef_dsel.pdf/. Issue 9. Art. No.: CD000352. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD0003 52.pub2.
4. Elizabeth R Cluett, Cheryl VC Nikodem, Rona E McCandish, Ethel Burns. Immersion in water in pregnancy, labour and birthhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub3/abstract. The Cochrane Library. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub2.
5. Ank de Jonge, Jeanette A J M Mesman , Judith Manniën, Joost J Zwart, Jeroen van Dillen obstetrician, Jos van Roosmalen. Severe adverse maternal outcomes among low risk women with planned home versus hospital births in the Netherlands: nationwide cohort study http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f3263. BMJ 2013;346:f3263 doi:10.1136/bmj.f3263 (Published 13 June 2013).
6. Romero-Arias AI, Luján-Prior M, Alcázar de San Juan. Incidence and factors related to excessive intrapartum blood loss http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21944931. Enfermería Cliníca. 2011 Sep-Oct;21(5):256-63. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2011.07.010.
7. Tonse N. K. Raju, M.D., D.C.H., Nalini Singal, M.D., D.C.H. Optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord after birth http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835342/. Clin Perinatol. Dec 2012; 39(4): 10.1016/j.clp.2012.09.006.
8. Susan Donaldson James. Epidural Steroid Injection Risks Include Incurable Arachnoiditis http://abcnews.go.com/Health/epidural-steroid-injection-risk-incurable-arachnoiditis/story?id=17552260. ABC News. October 25, 2012.
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EPA and FDA Issue New Warnings to Pregnant Women About Fish
Recently, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration issued new recommendations regarding seafood consumption limits for women who are pregnant or nursing. This release marks the first update on recommended fish consumption since 2004.
In this update, recommendations were made in regards to the minimum amount of low-mercury fish a pregnant woman should eat. Past recommendations were non-specific and only recommended a maximum amount. Recommendations from these organizations often based their guidelines on the fact that most fish can be a prime source of dietary mercury and other contaminants which may harm the developing fetus.
Updated Fish Consumption Recommendations for Women and Children
The new report officially advises pregnant and breastfeeding women to eat at least eight ounces—and no more than 12 ounces—of low-mercury fish each week. It also recommends that young children should consume three to six ounces of low-mercury fish per week. [1]
This report marks the first time the EPA and FDA have made recommendations regarding a minimum level of fish consumption for expectant mothers. Previous reports included only recommendations for maximum levels. In the past, officials advised pregnant women to avoid mercury http://bit.ly/Dangers-of-Mercury because of its effects on brain development and a child’s nervous system. In a developing fetus, too much mercury consumption can cause irreversible brain and neurological damage.
As the EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Water, Nancy Stoner pointed out that we now understand that “Eating fish with lower levels of mercury provides numerous health and dietary benefits.” These benefits include improving fetal brain development and increasing IQs in children. In addition, fish are excellent sources of high-quality protein and they contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and key vitamins and minerals.
Which Fish to Consume
According to the National Resources Defense Council, fish with the lowest levels of mercury include:
- Anchovies
- Crab
- Herring
- Oyster
- Pacific sole
- Salmon
- Tilapia
- Trout
When it comes to the four high-mercury fish that pregnant and nursing women should avoid, the new report is exactly in line with the report from 2004. [2] Fish with the highest levels of mercury include:
- Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
- Shark
- Swordfish
- King mackerel
Since new and expectant mothers want nothing more than to ensure the health of their children, it’s vital that they receive accurate information for their own nutritional needs as well as those of their children. In my opinion, it’s better for mothers to avoid fish altogether, instead opting for mercury-free omega-3 options, like chia seedhttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=33536, flaxseed, and walnuts.
What are your thoughts on eating fish during pregnancy? What are your favorite types of low-mercury fish to eat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Marla Cone, Brian Bienkowski. Children and Pregnant Women Should Eat More Fish http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/children-and-pregnant-women-should-eat-more-fish/. Scientific American. June 10, 2014.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What You Need to Know About mercury in Fish and Shellfish (Brochure)http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm110591.htm. FDA. Consumer Report.
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Panera accelerates clean food movement; removes artificial colors, flavors and preservatives from its soups
Last year, Panera announced its promise to ban artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors from its foods by the end of 2016. The popular food chain even made publicly available its "No-No" list https://www.panerabread.com/panerabread/documents/panera-no-no-list-05-2015.pdf, which details not only what unhealthy ingredients are being removed, but specifically which items on their menu they're being removed from.
Thankfully, Panera isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
The latest good food news to come from Panera is that its soups no longer have any artificial colors, preservatives or flavorings. Those typical ingredients found in commercial soups like soy and corn protein, sodium phosphate and maltodextrin? Gone, says the company. Another feather in their health-conscious cap is the fact that, according to the company, they're the first national restaurant to provide such "clean" soups http://www.cleanfood.news/.(1)
'All of our soups are catching up now,' says Panera director
According to Sara Burnett, the director of wellness and food policy at Panera, "No matter which soup you dunk your spoon into, you'll never slurp a single artificial preservative, sweetener, color or flavor." She explains that while their All-Natural Turkey Chili and Low-Fat Vegetarian Black Bean have always been clean soups, the entire soup menu – from the Unami Broth in their broth bowls, to their Broccoli Cheddar – is clean. "All of our soups are catching up now," Burnett says.
She explains that the company basically took a long, hard look at its soup ingredients and changed them for the better by asking themselves three key questions: Is an ingredient absolutely necessary for the taste and texture? Are there healthier alternatives, similar to what one might find in a home pantry? Is it too processed? After much taste-testing and analyzing based primarily on these questions, the soups were vastly improved.
For example, plain corn starch, much like what you may have at home, is used to thicken soups instead of modified corn starch. When it comes to flour, Panera nixed its bleached kind in favor of unbleached flour. Additionally, they now use natural flavors that come from the likes of chives and onions instead of relying on hydrolyzed soy and corn proteins. Considering that hydrolyzed soy protein is linked to weight fluctuations, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, that's a wise move. Furthermore, bleached flour is heavily processed and severely nutrient-deficient. It's been associated with cancer, constipation and diabetes. So, kudos to Panera for being so cognizant of consumer health and more so, for taking action instead of merely talking about it.(2,3,4)
Food transparency large part of Panera's clean food movement
Panera has likened their initiative to a kind of "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," in which its ingredients and related efforts reflect utmost quality. When their effort to rid the likes of preservatives and additives from their menu was announced last year, Panera's CEO Ron Shaich said, "This is truly the first, real salvo in the effort for food transparency. I want to serve everyone the food I want my daughter to eat. And if I feel uncomfortable about serving her some of this stuff, I don't want anyone else to eat it."(5)
Before the recent news about their clean soups, the restaurant had already removed ingredients like propylene glycol alginate and a generic spice blend that was used in their Greek salad dressing. They also omitted the titanium dioxide that used to reside in their tomato mozzarella flatbread, as well as the cellulose gel that existed in their poppy seed dressing, to name just a few significant changes.(5)
Panera's healthy initiatives well-received by public
Reaction to Panera's clean food movement regarding their soups – and overall health initiatives – has been extremely favorable.
On Twitter, the company (@panerabread) proudly boasts that "The world's most talked about soup just got even more talked about," undoubtedly a reference to their latest news. In reaction to their healthier soups, HuffPost Lifestyle (@HPLifestyle) tweeted that "Panera Bread's soups are 'cleaner' than Progresso's and Campbell's," while others on Twitter mentioned how their soups are a source of happiness or that they're so tasty, they could live off them.(6,7)
Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.marketwatch.com/story/panera-bread-removes-artificial-colors-flavors-and-preservatives-from-its-soups-2016-01-06
(2) https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/articles/bowled-over.html
(3) http://www.healthforworld.com/soy-protein-isolate-dangers/
(4) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=35039
(5) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31282
(6) https://twitter.com/panerabread
(7) https://twitter.com/search?q=panera%20soups&src=typd
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Over-hyped 'smart drug' actually impairs brain function, shocked scientists discover
While some individuals -- mainly students striving to excel in classes and on exams -- have claimed that the drug Modafinil, more commonly known as the popular "smart" drug," has the ability to boost brain power, a new study shows that the drug actually does the opposite. That's right. It impairs brain function.
The finding has shocked scientists and users of the drug, who have learned of the negative impact it has on response time regarding cognitive task performances.
"We looked at how the drug acted when you are required to respond accurately and in a timely manner," says study lead Dr. Ahmed Dahir Mohamed of the School of Psychology at The University of Nottingham's Malaysia Campus. "Our findings were completely opposite to the results we expected."
"Smart" drug not such a smart choice after all
The journal where the findings are published, PLOS ONE, states that for the study, " . . . participants in both groups made a similar number of errors . . indicating that modafinil did not enhance the accuracy of performance of the task relative to placebo." Not only was performance not improved, but when tasks called for a timely response, the drug slowed down reaction times rather than quickened them.
For the study, 32 participants were given the drug while another 32 were given a placebo. A famous neuropsychological task known as the Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT) was administered to the participants, all of whom were asked to respond quickly and accurately by providing missing last words to sentences that made it rather obvious as to what the needed word should be. According to the journal:
The HSCT is used because it is a highly sensitive neuropsychological measure of frontal lobe function that tap into response initiation and suppression of words. These are important cognitive functions that need to be investigated with a putative cognitive enhancing drug. In this experiment, the task was used to measure the effects of modafinil on cognitive flexibility, response inhibition and response initiation in the domain of language retrieval, semantic activation and selection in semantic search.
Boost brain power safely with healthier, more effective alternatives
Modafinil, while it's been popularized as a drug to increase brain power, is actually licensed to combat narcolepsy and other disorders that disrupt wakefulness.
Rather than turn to drugs to boost brain performance, individuals might be wiser to turn to more natural -- and truly effective -- measures. Several foods have been shown to help create healthier brain function.
For example, foods such as maca, cacao and reishi mushrooms help improve mental clarity and overall mood as can coconut oil, blueberries, omega-3 fatty acids and consumption of pure water.
In studies involving coconut oil, immediate positive cognitive and memory results have noted when participants with memory issues consumed coconut oil versus a placebo. All subjects in one particular study for example, had better paragraph recall shortly after taking a dose of coconut oil. So effective is coconut oil that when Dr. Mary Newport gave it to her husband, who was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease so badly that he could not even draw simple pictures, tremendous changes in the fight against his dementia occurred such as the ability to recall events and engage in tasks he once could not.
As for blueberries, they too, are an effective way to increase brain function. According to the World's Healthiest Foods web site, blueberries have the potential to improve memory. The site mentions a study in which blueberries that were turned into juice form had positive effects shown to delay the development of cognitive problems.
Sources for this article include:
(1) http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=147184&CultureCode=en
(2) http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0110639
(3) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=35013
(4) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=35014
(5) http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=35016
(6) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=8
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What is Kava? 10 Must-Know Facts
A few years ago, my wife and I were on Hawaii’s big island and walking through a quaint shopping area when I noticed a small, hole-in-the-wall establishment that served kava. For the uninitiated, kava is a relaxing, non-alcoholic beverage made from the root of the kava plant, it’s popular in the Pacific islands. I’d heard of it but hadn’t tried it and figured it’d be a good opportunity. I walked up, paid $6 for a coconut shell of liquid that resembled dirty dishwater, and down the hatch it went. It didn’t take long before I was enveloped in a feeling of clear relaxation and realized why Polynesian culture appreciates it so much. Kava isn’t some big secret, but it’s not terribly mainstream on the mainland, so let’s take a look at the top 10 things you need to know about kava.
1. What is Kava?
Kava, also known as piper methysticum, kava kava, and ‘awa, is a small shrub native to the islands in the South Pacific. The root and stems are made into a non-alcoholic, psychoactive beverage that has been used socially and ceremonially for hundreds of years in Hawaii, Fiji, and Tonga. [1]
Kava is traditionally prepared by placing ground root and stem into a porous sack, submerging in water, and squeezing the juice into a large, carved, wooden bowl. Coconut half-shell cups are dipped and filled — punch bowl style. After drinking a cup or two a feeling of heightened attention combined with relaxation begins to come on. Although it is soothing, it is unlike alcohol in that thoughts remain clear. The flavor is largely inoffensive, but some find that it takes getting used to; it really depends on your preference for earthy flavors.
2. Kava as a Therapy for Anxiety
Kava has been marketed since the early 90’s as an herbal remedy for stress, anxiety http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=111&t=33294, and insomnia; its popularity has grown ever since. [2] [3] [4] The excitement is justified, as the clinical evidence supporting its use is quite extensive. [5] Kava contains compounds known as kavalactones, they’re responsible for its psychoactive qualities. In the brain, they operate on non-opiate pathways to offer a natural and non-narcotic action against anxiety. [6] Some clinical research even suggests that they’re as good or even better than pharmaceutical drugs like benzodiazepines. [7]
According to Duke University Medical Center, kava is beneficial for anxiety and doesn’t produce dependency or negatively affect heart rate, blood pressure, or sexual function. [8] In a 75-participant, 6-week, double blind trial conducted by the University of Melbourne Department of Psychiatry, kava was found to reduce anxiety and, aside from a few reported instances of headache, was well tolerated. [9] It’s even been described as a promising candidate for future research into improving attention disorders. [10]
3. Kava May Remedy Menopausal Mood Swings
For many women (and men), menopause http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=33619 is a time when hormone levels go haywire and lead to mood swingshttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=110&t=33297. Although hormone replacement therapy http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=122&t=34148 and mind medicines are frequently used, many women prefer natural therapies. In this regard, menopausal women may find kava to be an excellent option. It is known to help psychological status without affecting the therapeutic action of estrogen — this is especially important when osteoporosis http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=32424 and cardiovascular disease are a concern. [11] [12]
In 2003, a clinical study reported that kava encouraged a healthier, pleasant mood among menopausal women. [13] Coincidentally, or perhaps not, research conducted earlier this year also found that kava significantly increases libido in women. [14]
4. There are Questions Surrounding Kava and Liver Health
If you start researching kava, warnings about liver damage are the first you’ll discover. This is a subject with much contention. While some suggest it is toxic to the liver, most research indicates there is little evidence to support this notion. [15] [16] [17] Both Ohio State University and the South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy conducted animal studies and found that not only was kava non-toxic to the liver, but may even protect the liver. [18] [19] One of the primary arguments is that liver damage from kava is unpredictable, dose-independent, and not reproducible; thus individual metabolic differences are more likely. [20]
5. Kava May Turn You Into a Fish
Well, not really, but one noted side effect of long-term, heavy, consistent consumption of kava is development of a scaly skin rash known as dermopathy. There are several hypotheses concerning its cause. Some speculate it may be the result of interference with cholesterol metabolism. [21] Niacin deficiency, which can cause skin changes, has also been examined but cleared as a potential cause. [22] Another idea is that certain metabolites bind to skin proteins and cause an immune response. [23] Regardless, it’s often only associated with heavy, prolonged use and is reversible when consumption stops. [24]
6. Kava May Offer Therapeutic Support for Addiction
Substance abuse is a large and expensive problem in the United States and the chemistry of craving has become a focus within addiction research. Within this realm, kava may have significant value. Kava contains compounds known as kavapyrones that bind to brain locations associated with addiction and cravings. Although preliminary and exploratory, some clinical studies have shown that kava may be able to reduce drug cravings. Hopefully future investigations will continue to examine these potential benefits! [25]
7. Kava Shouldn’t Be Mixed With Prescription Drugs
This isn’t exclusive to kava, it applies to all herbal therapies. Your body is an ongoing chemistry experiment, and everything you consume can affect it. The metabolizing enzymes that process food and nutritional supplements are the same that metabolize prescription drugs and interactions can occur. If you’re taking prescriptions, talk to your prescribing doctor before starting supplemental therapies, including kava. [26]
The South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy warns that kavalactones inhibit several enzymes and block certain receptors and uptake channels. While this is not inherently a problem, it can be if taken with drugs that are metabolized by those enzymes or have similar pharmacological properties. [27]
8. Think Twice About Concentrated Extracts
As explained before, traditional kava preparation involves extracting the active compounds with water; it’s very similar to making tea. Some companies, however, have taken the chemistry a step further and offer concentrated extracts that are produced using harsh solvents such as acetone or methanol. Although some studies suggest that extracts are mostly void of toxic effects, others have raised the idea that perhaps extracts are what cause liver damage. [28] Solvents may react with kava to produce harmful, reactive metabolites. [23] Additionally, not only does water extract the kavalactones, but it also extracts glutathione — a compound that promotes liver health. [29] Besides, water is the traditional preparation medium and it’s more efficient at extracting the beneficial kavalactones. [30]
9. Some Folks are Tarnishing Kava’s Image
Unfortunately, there is always a seedy side of society that has to pervert the holistic use of herbs like kava. It can’t just be left alone and appreciated in its traditional form — some unscrupulous dregs always have to gunk it up. For example, the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy discovered a number of questionable online merchants whose marketing efforts have completely discarded the traditional attitudes regarding kava and simply promote it as a “legal alternative” to illegal drugs. [31] Certain brands of “herbal ecstasy” have included kava in the formula. [32] More recently, the antithesis to energy drinks, known as “relaxation drinks” have become available. They contain ingredients such as melatonin, valerian, kava, and tryptophan, which is fine… except that they’re lamely advertised as smooth, cool sedatives in a can. [33] To really top off the ridiculousness, some “bust enhancing” products even contain kava! (In case you’re wondering, they don’t work.) [34]
10. Be Safe — Don’t Drive
Concerns have been raised over the effect of sedatives — prescription and herbal — on driving ability. It’s a valid concern, safety is extremely important and kava does elicit a certain physically tranquilizing effect. To assess the situation, researchers at the University of Melbourne conducted a driving simulation experiment with 22 adults who were given a “small” serving of kava. Although no impairing effects were observed, researchers cautioned that “small” is relative and the conclusion was, by no means, conclusive; additional research is required before an all-out safety rating can be assessed. The best idea? Play it safe, if you’re going to enjoy kava, don’t drive. [35]
Supplementing With Kava
Kava isn’t found at many retail locations outside the Pacific islands, but it can be found online. If you give it a try, I recommend finding fresh ingredients and fixing a traditional preparation. I haven’t had much luck with dehydrated mixes and powders, but others might have had better experiences. Have you tried kava? What’d you think? Please leave a comment below and share your experience with us!
by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Shimoda LM, Park C, Stokes AJ, Gomes HH, Turner H. Pacific island ‘Awa (Kava) extracts, but not isolated kavalactones, promote proinflammatory responses in model mast cellshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22473598. Phytother Res. 2012 Dec;26(12):1934-41. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4652. Epub 2012 Apr 4.
2. O’Sullivan HM, Lum K. The poisoning of ‘awa: the non-traditional use of an ancient remedy http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16281702. Pac Health Dialog. 2004 Sep;11(2):211-5.
3. Baker JD. Tradition and toxicity: evidential cultures in the kava safety debate http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21879526. Soc Stud Sci. 2011 Jun;41(3):361-84.
4. Stacy S. Relaxation drinks and their use in adolescents http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22136095. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2011 Dec;21(6):605-10. doi: 10.1089/cap.2011.0026. Epub 2011 Dec 2.
5. Larzelere MM, Campbell JS, Robertson M. Complementary and alternative medicine usage for behavioral health indications http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20493333. Prim Care. 2010 Jun;37(2):213-36. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2010.02.002.
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