Monday, September 15

Month: April 2019

21Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Botanicals

Kratom: To opioid users, it’s a miracle; to the FDA, a menace

The steep rise in the number of people suffering opioid addiction has helped spawn the widespread use of another substance: kratom, a green powdered herbal supplement that is widely available and virtually unregulated. Derived from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia and sold in the United States online and in bodegas and head shops, kratom has long been used as a mood booster, energy supplement and pain reliever. It is also increasingly being used by those who swear by it as a curb for opioid addiction. Some veterans also say it helps control symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Several million Americans are now believed to use kratom. One is Andrew Turner, whose PTSD, herniated discs and movement problems affecting his face and neck were so severe after multiple deployme...
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The Key To A Healthy Diet: Protein And Water
21Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Diet

The Key To A Healthy Diet: Protein And Water

Diets come and go. Advice on water, supplements, energy drinks, and food choices vary like the wind. There are two key principles, however, that have withstood the test of time in our clinic: Protein and water should make up most of your diet. Here is why. Fats and carbohydrates (sugars) are also essential parts of diets, yet almost everyone gets an excess of both. It takes effort to get protein—but if it is consumed in the morning, protein carries most people through the day’s activities longer than the other choices. It is a protein that builds muscle, provides the longest-lasting energy supply, and helps the immune system resist infection. Protein allows bones to build mass and helps tissues repair injuries. The hard part is what to reach for when you are hungry between meals. The...
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14Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Botanicals

Is Kratom, an over-the-counter supplement, contributing to overdose deaths?

In an age where energy boosters, fat loss supplements, and pain relieversare easy to get over the counter, little is known about a supplement known as kratom – an herbal extract which has been linked to at least 91 deaths, according to the CDC. It has become a go-to for many people suffering from opioid withdrawal and substance abuse, and as kratom becomes more popular in the U.S., scientists are trying to better understand how it affects the body, and how to test for it in people who overdose. Kratom is derived from a plant by the same name from Southeast Asia. It can be swallowed as a pill, brewed as tea, or crushed and smoked. Kratom’s key ingredient, mitragynine, can cause “stimulant” or energizing effects -- similar to caffeine and amphetamines. At higher doses, it can cause opi...
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12Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Botanicals

Kratom is linked to more overdose deaths than previously reported

Overdose deaths involving the herbal supplement kratom are more common than previously reported, according to U.S. health officials. A government report released Thursday said kratom was a cause in 91 overdose deaths in 27 states. Officials previously said they knew of 44 nationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the numbers after combing through death certificates and toxicology reports from an 18-month period. Most who died had also taken heroin, fentanyl or other drugs. But kratom was the only substance detected in seven of the deaths. Kratom comes from a plant native to Southeast Asia. It is sold as kratom capsules and powders with claims that it helps ease pain, anxiety and drug dependence. But kratom is not regulated by the FDA and health officials ...
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11Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Botanicals

Herbal drug kratom linked to almost 100 overdose deaths, CDC says

An over-the-counter herbal drug has been linked to more deaths in recent years, federal health officials say. Kratom – a plant grown naturally in Southeast Asia and often sold in powder capsules – was a cause of death in 91 overdoses in the United States from July 2016 to December 2017, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In seven of the overdoses, kratom was the only substance to test positive in a toxicology report, though the CDC says other substances couldn't be ruled out. Health officials looked at numbers from state overdose reporting databases and found that of the 27,338 overdose deaths in that time period, 152 of the deceased people tested positive for kratom, even if it was not a cause of death. Read more at USA Toda...
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Dry Skin on the Face? The Causes and Remedies to Treat It
10Apr By CatherineNo Comments
Remedies

Dry Skin on the Face? The Causes and Remedies to Treat It

Some people are more prone than others to dry skin on the face. Gentle treatments and home remedies can relieve dry facial skin and prevent it from coming back. People may experience dry skin on their face as a result of many factors, including changes in temperature or humidity, using soaps with harsh chemicals, and skin conditions, such as eczema. In most cases, people can get rid of dry skin using home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. What causes it? A person can moisturize daily to treat dry skin on their face. The skin naturally produces an oil called sebum. When the skin produces too much oil, this can lead to pimples. However, having some sebum on the skin is important for keeping it hydrated and protecting the cells from infection. Skin that is not cre...
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