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www.DrMicozzi.com 1
DR. MICOZZIS INSIDERS CURES
still the most effective pain killer ever Aspirin has faced its share of
Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D., is a
criticism (much of it misinformed, as
worldwide leader in nutritional and 1827 by Merck, which was a small Ive mentioned many times before,
complementary/alternative medicine. chemists shop at the time. both here in Insiders Cures and in my
He has had a distinguished career as a
The reason morphine and its Daily Dispatch e-letter). But the truth
researcher and physician executive at
UIF/BUJPOBM*OTUJUVUFTPG)FBMUIBOE derivatives are so effective is that our is, its much safer than most other pain
8BMUFS3FFE/BUJPOBM.JMJUBSZ.FEJDBM brains and central nervous systems relievers. Especially acetaminophen,
Center in Washington, DC, and the have built-in receptors for the opiates which you should avoid at all costs.
$PMMFHFPG1IZTJDJBOTJO1IJMBEFMQIJB in these medications. Its a match (In the November 18, 2013, Daily
1")FIBTQVCMJTIFEPWFSNFEJDBM
made in pain-relief heaven. Dispatch I told you about recent
BOEUSBEFCPPLT
BOEGPVOEFEBOE research linking acetaminophen to
edited the first scientific journal, and Thus, morphine has since been autism, ADHD, and asthma. Its also
UIFSTUUFYUCPPL
PODPNQMFNFOUBSZ formulated into drugs using every the leading cause of acute liver failure
alternative and nutritional medicine, possible method of delivery,
now going into a 5th edition (2014) and
in the US).
including oral tablets, rectal
continuously in print since 1995. Historys best blood sugar x
suppositories, intravenous (including
self-administered drips for patient- Diabetes has become a modern-day
Dr. Micozzis Insiders Cures is published
monthly by OmniVista Health Media, L.L.C., controlled pain relief), and transdermal epidemic. And the pharmaceutical
819 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 for patches. industry is doing its best to keep
$74 per year ($6.16 an issue). cashing in, with a whole slew of new
But, unfortunately, like many good
blood sugar drugs from which to
POSTMASTER: Send address changes things, opium also has a history of
to Insiders Cures, 819 N. Charles St., choose. But just because theyre new
abuse. And thats where the focus has
Baltimore, MD 21201. doesnt mean theyre improved. In
been for the past century. So outside of
fact, the new, expensive anti-diabetes
Author: Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D. a hospital setting, youre less likely to
Publisher: Katherine Wheeler drugs are proving to have a number of
get this gold-standard pain-reliever. At
Executive Editor: Amanda Angelini problems with safety (see the October
least, not without extensive scrutiny.
All material in this publication is
2013 issue of Insiders Cures for
The good news is, there are also more). Which is why the oldest blood
provided for information only and may
not be construed as medical advice or
many other effective natural pain sugar balancing options are still the
instruction. No action should be taken relievers. In fact, Ive devoted an best choices.
based solely on the contents of this entire report to this topicThe
First and foremost, you have
publication; readers should consult Insiders Ultimate Guide to PILL-
insulin. Of course, insulin is a natural
appropriate health professionals on any FREE Pain Cures. You can learn
matter relating to their health and well- substance made by the pancreas to
more about it or order a copy on my
being. The information provided in this drive glucose from the blood into the
website, drmicozzi.com.
publication is believed to be accurate "
and sound, based on the best judgment In the meantime, aspirin is yet in the mid-1800s, but it wasnt until
available to the authors, but readers another great grandfather drug for the 1920s that it was isolated for
who fail to consult with appropriate pain. Originally derived from the bark therapeutic use. Canadian medical
health authorities assume the risk of any of the willow tree, aspirin also occurs student Charles Best, working under
injuries. The opinions expressed here do naturally in meadowsweet grass, a his professor, Frederick Banting,
not necessarily reect the views of the
much more abundant and harvestable was awarded the Nobel Prize for this
publisher. The publisher is not responsible
source. Aspirin has been marketed ground-breaking discovery.
for errors or omissions.
as a drug since 1899 and is widely
For questions regarding your subscription, And then theres the medication that
available over-the-counter. In addition
please call reader services at 443-353-4398 set off the modern era of oral drug
to being the old standby for headache,
(8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT Mon.-Fri.) agents to lower blood sugar. Im
pain, and fever, modern research has
Copyright 2013 OmniVista Health referring to Glucophage, now available
found it to be effective in low doses
Media, L.L.C., 819 N. Charles St., Baltimore, as the generic form metformin.
for cardiovascular diseases, including
MD 21201. Reproduction in whole or
Like morphine and aspirin,
in part is prohibited without written
permission of the publisher. prevention of recurrent heart attacks metformin comes from nature. It is
and strokes. originally from an ancient herbal
2 www.DrMicozzi.com
DR. MICOZZIS INSIDERS CURES
remedy known as French lilac or sent to live in large institutional determined the chemical structure and
goats rue in Europe (in the US it treatment facilities. Because they fermentation process for tetracycline,
were so crowded, these places were which was then patented in 1955.
noxious weed by the USDA). also breeding grounds for chronic Within three years, it was the most
# infections such as tuberculosis (TB) prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotic
a drug in the 1920s but was initially and hepatitis. in the United States. Tetracyclines
overshadowed by the development of are used for urinary tract infections,
insulin as a treatment for diabetes. Metformin is the only chlamydia, anthrax, plague, and
Still in Europe, interest returned more. Minocycline and doxycycline
during the 1940s, and in 1957 it was drug that has been (originally tested for scrub typhus and
$
now Lyme disease) are also used for
not become available in the United
conclusively shown the treatment of acne. Current research
States until 1995, two generations later to prevent these properties and their potential for
(largely due to FDA fumblingwhich
persists to this day). deadly and disabling neuroprotection against Alzheimers
disease, stroke, Parkinsons disease,
As Ive said before, metformin is side eects of diabetes. and AIDS-related dementia.
a superior drug in terms of safety and
effectiveness. And its now taken by Of course part of the game today
is developing new antibiotics to
tens of millions of people worldwide. By 1945 doctors noted that patients overcome the bacterial resistance
Its main side effects are reducing the given isoniazid for mental illness were weve developed to old antibiotics
risk of other chronic diseases, such as '*'
that have been overused. During the
cancer, including the deadly pancreatic a major development as there was no antibiotic era of miracle cures for
cancer. Metformin does contribute cure for TB at that time, other than infections, magic bullets have turned
to depletion of Vitamin B12, so it is the Nature Cure (which nonetheless into
+
important to take a high-quality B was effective about half the time). But the growing problem of antibiotic
vitamin supplementwhich is also isoniazid was able to treat the other resistance by only taking them
good advice in general. half. In fact it was so successful that when necessary. Dont demand or
One of the big problems with its what we used, in combination take antibiotics for a viral infection.
diabetes is the damage to blood with other antibiotics, to treat TB Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that
vessels, which can eventually when I was in Southeast Asia in the should often be reserved for a life-
progress to blindness, dementia, heart 1970s. It is still used today in some threatening illness. Unfortunately, their
disease, kidney failure, and peripheral circumstances. overuse has lead to resistant strains
neuropathy. And while other diabetes Of course the other antibiotic that of truly life-threatening bacteria for
treatments lower blood sugar, they provided a miracle cure for infection which there is no cure.
do not prevent cardiovascular was penicillin. It was discovered The game-changer for coronary
complications. Metformin is the accidentally in 1928 when Alexander heart disease
only drug that has been conclusively Fleming noticed that colonies of Staph
shown to prevent these deadly and Coronary heart disease is a common
bacteria could not grow where mold
debilitating side effects of diabetes. form of heart disease caused by
spore contaminants had blown into
narrowing of the coronary arteries
Old-school antibiotics still do the them from an open window. Fleming
(theyre called coronary because they
job found that the bacteria-destroying
form a crown around the top of the
When the drug isoniazid
mold was Penicillium notatum and the
heart, sending descending branches
synthesized in 1912, it was used to world eventually took note indeed.
to supply blood to the constantly
treat mental illness. It was only after it Penicillin is still the best drug beating heart muscle). When the heart
was in use for some time that doctors today for most people against many muscle doesnt get enough blood and
eventually discovered it was also an infections (strep throat being one oxygen, it causes a crushing chest
antibiotic. common example) who do not develop pain. But since the brain is not used to
an allergy. perceiving pain coming from the heart,
" %&th century,
mentally ill patients were often During the 1950s, research Continued on page 4...
the pain is often referred, or felt, more simple chemical, nitric oxide. commonand exceptionally painful
as pain in the arm, neck, or jaw from Nitric oxide potently dilates blood disorder. And one of the oldest
' vessels like the coronary arteries remedies is colchicine, a compound
called angina pectoris, from the Latin to provide more blood supply and found in the Autumn crocus. Its use
pain in the chest. oxygen to the heart muscle. dates back as far as 1500 BC and it
Nitroglycerin (NG) is a simple Nitric oxide is now being
chemical compound used in mining studied for bone health (to improve 6;/
and excavation for its explosive bone formation and reduce <
properties when detonated. It was bone resorption) and for healing America it was grown in colonial
/
diabetic foot ulcers. It is also physic gardens of the 18th century.
Murrell realized it could treat being investigated for treatment Colchicine had been
angina pectoris. He published his of metastatic prostate cancer. This available generically after being
results in 1878. It became a standard just goes to show that research is grandfathered by the FDA.
symptomatic treatment for the
However, in 2009, FDA granted
growing problem of coronary heart old drugs. URL Pharma an exclusive license,
disease throughout the 20th century. Modern-day relief from Natures which increased the price of its
It wasnt until 2002 that an enzyme oldest gout reliever new branded version from 10
was found to convert NG to an even Gout is an exceptionally cents to $5 per tablet. While other
NEWS BRIEF
Red palm oil is everywhereand thats a problem
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palm plantations.
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4 www.DrMicozzi.com
DR. MICOZZIS INSIDERS CURES
treatments have been developed for commonly used anticoagulantbegan inhibitors) for treating depression.
gout, colchicine is still the best, most to emerge in the 1920s. Cattle that ate But more than 50 years ago, drugs
effective choice. And its also now moldy sweet clover hay were dying called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase
being researched as a treatment for of internal bleeding. In the coming inhibitors) were found to act on
cancer and cardiovascular disease. decades, that phenomenon led to serotonin, norepinephrine, and
(Which probably explains why Big the discovery of an anticoagulant dopamine to treat depression. Their
Pharma is interested in it again) compound in the mold growing on the use dropped dramatically after
Centuries-old diuretics relentless promotion of newer SSRIs
and exaggerated concerns about food
Many plants have a diuretic effect. Of course, now we reactions with MAOIs.
Early diuretic drugs were all herbal
derivatives, some in use since the have an abundance of Of course, now we have an
1500s. They were initially key for abundance of studies showing serious
treating edema due to congestive
studies showing serious adverse effects with SSRIs. So now
heart failure. When the heart is not adverse eects with people are taking a second look at
pumping effectively, it cannot move MAOI drugswith good reason.
blood into the circulation. As a result, SSRIs. So now people Its also worth noting that a number
of natural products also have MAOI
lungs, causing congestive heart are taking a second properties, including resveratrol,
failure. That leads to a backup, with curcumin, gingko, and coffee. St.
look at MAOI drugs Johns wort is well established as safe
causing a condition known as edema. with good reason. and effective for mild-to-moderate
depression.
;
kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Whats old is new again
But a more direct approach was hay. That compound, dicoumarol, was Some of the best drugs have
offered by digitalis from the purple approved for prevention and treatment been around for a long time as
foxglove plant. Used as a folk remedy of blood clots and embolism in the natural products. It turns out they
by a wise woman in 18th century 1950s. Now called warfarin, the drug
Shropshire, England, the physician can still be found on medicine shelves the historic uses we already knew
William Withering brought it into throughout the world. about. Of course, since they cant be
medical use. Warfarin sets itself apart from patented, Big Pharma has not had any
Digitalis acts by directly newer anticoagulants in a very real interest in continuing to make
strengthening the heart muscles, important way: It can be rapidly them available. That is, unless they
causing more effective heartbeats reversed to stop bleeding when
and blood circulation. It became necessary unlike the newer drugs. FDA to license them again.
the standard treatment for congestive If you have problems with blood The bottom line is that newer isnt
heart failure and is still one of the clots you need to consult with necessarily better when it comes to
most effective medications for it and be monitored by your doctor. drugs. If a medication has been around
to this day. Both blood clotting and bleeding for centuries and is still in use, its
Natures anticoagulants are dangerous conditions that can probably with good reason.
be rapidly fatal, which means its
As you can imagine, when So if circumstances call for it and
not something you should try to
blood backs up due to heart failure, you need to take medication, ask about
manage yourself. Also, be aware
ineffective heartbeats, or damaged the possibility of using older drugs.
that some common herbal remedies
veins, there is a tendency for the Theyre effective, and their side effects
may contribute to bleeding when
pooled blood to clot. Anticoagulants and safety have already been well
taken with other drugs or just before
prevent this clotting from happening. surgery or medical procedures. established after many years of use.
Thats why theyre given in many Bonus: These oldie but goodie drugs
heart and circulatory conditions. Say no to new antidepressants also have the oldie but goodie low
The clues that led to the discovery We hear a lot these days about prices to go along with them. IC
of warfarinthe worlds most SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake Citations available online at www.DrMicozzi.com
6 www.DrMicozzi.com
DR. MICOZZIS INSIDERS CURES
Finally, a point I could agree with For all these reasons, when available. And, as a biomedical
After shaking my head at the formulating my supplements I have anthropologist, I also know what
learned to perform due diligence. I to look for among traditional
@ " personally go to manufacturing and ethnobotanical remediesand how to
found myself nodding in agreement supplier facilities to perform personal recognize a good thing when I see it.
toward the end. on-site inspections and make sure Put that all together with a good dose
At the conclusion of the article, Dr. everything is being produced to of common sense and top it off with
David Baker of Stony Brook University
X 6 high standards and ethics, and you have
Medical Center describes the state of someone who developed laboratory supplements you can trust.
the supplement industry as the Wild methods for testing biologicals for the How much of the supplements
West. This characterization is actually NASA Sky Lab and Space Shuttle industry can say all of that?
one with which I agreeand in fact its projects, I know what to look for. In
fact, I helped develop some of the To learn more about how to
one I have used myself. recognize a high quality supplement,
analytical instruments and methods
While the main point of this New refer back to my Daily Dispatch
used today. These are the analytical
York Times article doesnt hold water, from July 9, 2012 Setting the (gold)
chemical methods that really are
its true that most of the supplement standard. You can read itand check
appropriate to assessing the quality, out the gold-standard formulas in my
"[ '
purity and identity of supplements. Smart Science Nutritionals supplement
lack of science affects both the basis of
their formulations and their standards I dont follow the latest marketing lineon my website, drmicozzi.com.
for quality control. Many have strong crazes. I always follow the latest And as always, remember to take
marketing teams that have learned science. And that starts with a basic anything that you see in the lame-
how to mouth some of the right words understanding of human biology and stream media with a grain of salt. If
and catch phrases. But that does not " you see something in the news that
mean their understanding or actions studies conducted in laboratories doesnt make sense, please write me
are consistent with high standards, or worldwide, many outside the US, about it. And remember, its not in the
science. as well as clinical trials whenever DNA. IC
enhance the risk of bleeding in some sugar. First, avoid all processed
Cancer Answers and The One-Word
individuals. foods, beverages and sugars.
Battle Plan for Crushing Cancer,
But remember, fruits (containing
which are available for free on my Sidestepping Metformins | }
website, www.drmicozzi.com. pitfalls helps a great deal. Take a short walk
Banish bruises naturally
A. First, congratulations on
being 86 years and not taking
any suggestions that I can bring to
the attention of my doctor?
that I helped develop, called Red
Joe, at www.drmicozzi.com. IC
8 www.DrMicozzi.com