Dr. William Shevin MD DHt

I’ve received a posting from Dr. Cannell, of the Vitamin D Council, regarding several studies on Vitamin D and Cancer.  While in general higher levels of Vitamin D are associated with lower risks of cancer, the effect appears to be blocked by high intakes of “pre-formed” vitamin A (retinol).  This form of vitamin A is found in high doses in Cod Liver oil.   Daily intake of 5000 Units of Retinol are probably OK (for adults,  correspondingly lower for children), for those who feel strongly that they should take Cod Liver Oil.

Beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A which must be converted in the body to the active state, and (as far as we presently know) is not a problem.

The newsletter from Dr. Cannell (available on the website above) also contains the statement that “it takes the elderly up to ten times more time in the sun that the young to make an equivalent amount of vitamin D.”   I’m not aware of the data that backs this statement up but do consider Dr. Cannell to be authoritative and certainly current on vitamin D research.

The following link just came across my computer screen:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20043074?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1

It describes an experiment with breast cancer cell lines exposed, in vitro (test-tube) to 4 homeopathic remedies, showing definite adverse effects on the cancer cells.

The state of Minnesota has a highly effective public health system and an interesting notice came to my email today.  Their posting of this week can be found here.   The “Novel H1N1″ is still present, and there is no sign of the usual “seasonal flu.”

The notice of this report that I received also states:  Also, a story in the Minneapolis Star Tribune noted that seasonal flu viruses have been almost absent this winter and said experts are increasingly confident that pandemic H1N1 will be the only virus around for the rest of the winter. The experts also said the pandemic virus is likely to continue to predominate next fall.

Also of interest is another notice regarding evident suppression of respiratory syncytial virus (a common cause of viral respiratory disease) during this flu epidemic:  Pandemic virus may have interfered with RSV
Writing in Eurosurveillance, French researchers report that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulation in France in late 2009 was reduced and delayed compared with a year earlier, and that this might be explained in part by H1N1 flu. “The influenza pandemic wave of 2009 seems to have partially overcome the RSV epidemic,” they write. Viral interference and/or increased hygiene measures in response to H1N1 might have affected RSV activity, they suggest.     [Feb 11 Eurosurveillance report]

It is still too early to stop watching for more flu, but if we pass through March without difficulty, we should be set at least until the fall.  Then,  as always, basic good health, common sense, hygiene, and good vitamin D status will be very important.

As of a week ago, the CDC is showing progressively less Novel AH1N1 (“swine flu”) across the country, but it is still present.  I see no real mention of the seasonal flu as yet.

The mortality (deaths) from influenza and pneumonia has spiked up a bit, however, and is still above the epidemic threshold, so the problem is still with us.

It is too soon to say if there will be a so-called “third wave” of the Novel AH1N1 flu, so I’m continuing to recommend vitamin D in doses of 5000 units daily, or 1000 units /25 lb body weight for children, and to continue Influenzinum.

11/7/2009 — Many people use Echinacea and Astragalus products as “immune enhancers” during acute infections.  This may not be a good idea with the current Novel H1N1 influenza (also known as “swine flu”)

These products exert their action by increasing the immune response of the organism.  But, especially in younger adults and children who naturally may already have a strong immune response, this may be harmful if the response becomes too strong.  One theory of why young people may have more serious illness and death from influenza is that they produce a lot of “cytokines” (natural promoters of the immune response) and if excessive, a condition known as “cytokine storm” can ensue, with a very rapid progression of the inflammation, very high fever and severe respiratory manifestations of the disease.

The main cause of death in the current epidemic is from “acute respiratory distress syndrome” which can be rapidly fatal and in its more severe forms requires a very specialized set of treatments which can only be administered in a hospital setting.  This may include mechanical ventilation and/or “extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.”

If anyone has a flu-like illness (fever, aching in the body, sore throat, nausea or diarrhea, sore throat) during this time of widespread H1N1 influenza, and feels that they are getting any kind of respiratory distress, they should go immediately to the hospital.

Flu is now widespread in every state in the country.
I’ve only seen a couple of patients, and have worked with a couple more on the telephone.
So far, the most frequent remedy has been Bryonia alba.
   The most common characteristic of acute Bryonia states is that the person wants to be still, with definite aggravation of symptoms from motion.  They tend to want peace and quiet, to be undisturbed, and are likely to be irritable if disturbed. 

My colleagues in other states have not seen one or a small number of remedies emerge as consistently effective in swine flu (and they’ve seen more cases, as Connecticut is one of the last states to report widespread disease). 

So, if you wind up having a flu-like illness (fever, body aches, nausea, respiratory tract symptoms) and use this remedy, please email me and report your success.

I’ve updated the following pages (or sections):
My practice — regarding what I am studying (see “my teachers”)
Nutrition and homeopathy — to include some newer aspects of my use of therapeutic nutrition
Soy as food for humans — (one important link still missing, and should be up by the end of the weekend)

In the vein of yesterday’s post, here is more from Dr. Jefferson regarding the H1N1 flu.  There is also a link to a similar cultural phenomenon regarding osteoporosis.

This article, from the online edition of the Atlantic, is a review of the effectiveness and use of influenza vaccines, and of the controversy around these issues.

A colleague, Dr. Louise Sanchione, sent me a link on homeoprophylaxis, the use of homeopathic medicines to prevent epidemic disease.

I think that this is an interesting presentation.  The comparisons to conventional treatment are a bit problematic, however, since conventional care has improved greatly since the majority of these epidemics happened.  The epidemic of meningitis in Brazil is the best documented of all these examples.

Another colleague, Molly Punzo, MD, in Baltimore, has seen a few Novel H1N1 cases recently and has had good results with the remedy China officinalis (commonly known as China).  I haven’t seen any cases in my practice as of the present time, although there are always a few people with fevers, so I may have.  I’ve certainly seen nothing serious or long-lasting.