new and quicker diagnostic test for Alzheimer's

This was just published in the British Medical Journal and reported on Medscape. This new test, according to the Medscape article , "is quick to use, examines ten different skills and reportedly detects 93% of Alzheimer's disease." The usual test given is known as the "Mini Mental State Examination" (MMSE) is only sensitive in 52% of cases. A nurse without experience working in memory clinics was able to evaluate the test as accurately as a specialist.

Worldwide 24 million people have dementia and it is estimated that the prevalence will double every 20 years. There is much that can be done to prevent Alzheimer's. More on that later.

Do Not Get The Swine Flu Vaccine!

My dear friend Edda West has been educating the public for over 20 years on the dangers of vaccinations. Much of the supposed safety of vaccines has no basis in scientific fact. The sheer number of vaccines- I believe it is 11- given to vulnerable infants starting at 2 months of age is of great concern. The link between measles vaccine and autism is also worrisome.

The business of making the swine flu vaccine is an industry with unlimited profit margin. It will be worth billions. It has however nothing to do with human health. In fact there is a dangerous additive to this vaccine that has triggered autoimmune disease. Please do your own research and by all means check out Edda's comprehensive website at vran.org

Fast ForWord Programme- exciting news for kids with learning problems

Thanks to my brother, Dr. Vince DeMarco for sharing the following information :"The Nature of Things was aired on Saturday, May 9th at 900am on CBC hosted by Norman Doidge. They showed the Fast ForWord program." According to Dr. Vince, this programme is so effective for ADD, slow learners and other learning problems, it has been adopted by many Ontario schools. Why are we using this technology everywhere?

The following is taken from their site at www.scilearn.com

The Fast ForWord® Program

The Fast ForWord program consists of a series of computer-delivered brain exercises to help educators improve academic achievement with a variety of student populations, meeting the individual needs and challenges of At-Risk, English Language Learners, and Special Education students.

When students can process more efficiently, every other instructional strategy a district invests in works better. Our results in schools throughout the country prove just that, with students achieving an average one- to two-year gain in reading skills in 8-12 weeks.

The Fast ForWord program is based on proven neuroscience research, validated by independent researchers, accepted by the scientific community, and most importantly, is school tested and district approved across the U.S. (and over 40 other countries).

losing inches instead of pounds

That so many women are permanently struggling with their weight is a sad commentary about our obsession with anorexic young models. I believe a high protein low carb diet is the best way to go. More important even then that is an exercise programme by Greer Childers called Body Flex. It helps you convert fat to muscle, is very easy to do, takes only 15 to 20 minutes a day, needs minimal equipment and best of all it works! Thanks Greer! See bodyflex.com

nutritional supplement big help for bipolar disorder

A recent study showed that a complex nutritional supplement can be immensely helpful for those that suffer from bipolar depression. The results of the study can be seen in the following news clip on global TV Edmonton. See truehope.com for further information

loss of smell early sign in 90% of Parkinson's patients

A certain type of sleep disorder, decline in sense of smell and depression may not only be preclinical signs of Parkinson's disease (PD)- they may be part of the disease itself.

"About 90% of patients have impaired olfactory function", says Dr. Harold Roberston, professor of pharmacology at Dalhousie Univeristy in an article in the Medical Post in April 2009.

Roberton is using a smell test known as the Univeristy of Pennsylvania smell test (UPSIT) to screen brothers and sisters of PD patients, If they have a decline in the sense of smell, they do a MRI and look at the olfactory tract to see if there are any changes.

It is still too non- specific to use as a screening test for Parkinson's. But certainly a symptom worth paying attention to if it does occur.

Essential oils that may help with loss of smells include basil, peppermint. rosemary, frankincense and golden rod. To order pure oils see my website drdemarco.com

Battling opiods bad rap

This is the title of an excellent article in the Medical Post dated April 21 2009. It is written by Dr. Roman D. Jovey, Program Director, CPM Centres for Pain Management. He quotes Henry Louis Mencken saying, " For every complex problem there is a simple solution...and it is usually wrong."

"Simple solutions for complex medical problems such as chronic pain rarely work, Jovey goes on to say, " rarely work. Simply banning or restricting certain opioids would likely cause great harm to the majority of people with pain who use opiods responsibly...

About 10 % of people will misuse the medications, that leaves a possible 90% improperly treated for severe pain.

"However ," continues Jovey, "what pain clinicians hear from our patients affllicted with intractable pain is that properly prescribed opiod medications in fact give them back their jobs, improve family relationships and enhance their quality of life by controlling their pain."

Opiates For Pain Control

A pharmacist friend told me recently that many patients have their lives completely destroyed by severe chronic pain. He felt they could lead relatively normal lives if their pain was well managed. He found that many doctors were afraid to provide adequate pain relief.

Says Dr. Roman Jovey, a pain specialist, in a recent article in the Medical Post April 21 2009, Despite being an important tool in treating pain and despite strict usage guidelines, opiods have long been demonized for their addictive potential. Rather than denying patients relief out of fear, it's time to address gaps in knowledge on their use."

It is a disgrace that so many people are suffering needlessly and that doctors in turn are being intimidated by their governing bodies.

Quit Dieting and Declare A Truce on Your Body

Yesterday I heard Kate Harding interviewed on CBC radio. It is so true that most dieting is based on self loathing. It is very unhealthy to yo yo up and down on weight. I think it is much better to focus on self acceptance and adopting a healthier lifestyle by eating well and exercising more. I think it is ridiculous to consider being fat as a moral failing and a character flaw.

Kate Harding had co-authored a new book called Lesson from the Fat-O-Sphere, Quit Dieting and Declare a Truce with Your Body. I also recommend a book by Gina Kolata, the science writer for the New York Times called Rethinking Thin, The New Science of Weight Loss and the Myths and Realities of Dieting.

fatosphere

I do believe we have demonized those who are fat and that it doesn't serve us or them. sell the fatosphere.blogspot.com

flu shot no benefit for kids

Children Who Get Flu Vaccine Have Three Times Risk Of Hospitalization For Flu, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (May 20, 2009) — The inactivated flu vaccine does not appear to be effective in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially the ones with asthma. In fact, children who get the flu vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than their peers who do not get the vaccine, according to new research that will be presented on May 19, at the 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society in San Diego.

cancer chemo studies with major conflict of interest

Almost one third of studies on cancer chemo research studies have researchers with major financial ties to the drugs they are investigating. Cancer drugs are big business.

John DeMartini

I highly recommend the writings and teaching of Dr. John DeMartini. He is one of the most inspiring teachers on the planet today.

Swine flu- virus

The only pandemic is one of fear. High doses of Vitamin D will be helpful as well as other immune stimulants like immupower.

Transformational medicine

I just arrived in Melbourne and staying at the beautiful home of Dr. Margaret Ngu, an inspiring woman doctor who is doing exciting work with transformational medicine. She works with symptomns to eventually lead people to authenticity and embodying the divine.

on the road in oz

just watched a programme on the "grey tsunami" no one left to care for the aging, dangerous to get sick, most dangerous, sick old and poor.

True Hope For Bipolar

The remarkable effect of the true hope supplement on persons with bipolar disorder almost seems like a miracle. Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Charles Popper was at first skeptical then witnessed the remarkable effects on 100to 150 of his patients. See truehope.com for further information.

The Atkins of Diabetes

This is the title of an article in the Globe and Mail by Lorne Rubenstein describing the remarkable work of Dr. Bernstein who offers a real solution to diabetes. His way involves a very tightly controlled diet with very low carbohydrates. The results on blood sugars are remarkable.

pain relief

Patients with genuine pain problems are still having enormous difficulties getting aedequate pain control due to arcane attitudes towards pain relief.

guide to exercise for osteoporosis

the best researched guide to designing your own exercise programme if you have osteoporosis. designed by Ottawa physiotherapist Margaret Martin.

Vaccine Information

My friend Edda West provides information about the down side of vaccines- see vran.org for a wealth of information. The new HPV vaccine ( giardisil ) is being aggressively pushed on young women. The marketing campaign has been brilliantly successful. Details of side effects and problems with the vaccine can be viewed at Edda's site.

Dr. Ravi Devgan dies in prison

Sadly one of the great pioneers of alternative medicine died in Kingston on December 2nd. He was one of the first to practice homeopathy in Toronto and was a brilliant alternative practitioner. He treated cancer patients with leading edge alternative treatments. He treated people that no one else would treat, and that is at best a risky business.

Escaping Statistics

"In short the statistics we are shown on cancer survival don't distinguish between people who are satisfied with passively accepting the medical verdict and those who mobilize their own natural defenses" -Dr. David Servan-Schrieber

Indeed being a good patient and passively accepting what your doctor tells you will shorten your survival. Past research has shown that a feisty belligerent patient has a better outcome than a passive hopeless one.

Excellent anti- cancer book

Excellent well written and well researched book by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber about prevention for cancer survivors with 16 page removeable anticancer guide. The book is called "Anti-cancer: A New Way of Life."

Corruption and the Drug Industry

This is a must read, published in the New York Times Book Review section detailing the relationship between drug companies and medical research. Most research on psychiatric drugs is highly suspect, only positive results are reported, negative results are suppressed. Furthermore placebos are 80% as as effective as prescription drugs. Follow the following link:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22237

mission versus passion

What's your passion? This has become a popular pass word these days....there is a huge difference between a passion and a mission.