A new study reported in Breast Cancer Research online concluded that women who drank at least five cups of coffee daily had a significantly reduced risk of postmenopausal breast cancer However, this association was most strongly observed with ER-negative (estrogen receptor) tumors.

Previous studies have had contradictory results on the association of coffee drinking and breast cancer. Thus, this study included both a large Swedish Study population and a large validation German Study population. The case-controlled studies included 2,818 postmenopausal women with breast cancer and 3,111 age-matched controls. All women were between age 50 and 74, born in Sweden, and living there between 1993 and 1995. The validation German study included 3,464 patients with cancer and 6,657 age-matched controls. Information on breast cancer risk factors, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic variables were provided by all participants. The strongest association of all risk factors for breast cancer was for heavy coffee drinking and ER-negative breast cancer. The combination of heavy coffee drinking and ER-negative tumors resulted in a 57% reduction in the risk for breast cancer. Analysis of the validation German data confirmed that heavy coffee drinking had a protective effect for ER-negative tumors.

A new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives reported more rheumatoid arthritis in women in northern latitudes such as Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and concluded that this may be a result of less sunshine in these areas which leads to a vitamin D deficiency. The researchers looked at data from the Nurses Health Study and collected residential addresses, health outcomes, and behavioral risk factors for subjects between 1988 and 2002. In the sample 461 women had rheumatoid arthritis compared to 9,220 who did not. In addition to finding more RA in the northern latitudes there was more in those who had lived there longer suggesting that long term exposure to less sunshine may be more important than recent exposure.
Although further research on the relationship of vitamin D deficiency and rheumatoid arthritis is needed, the researchers said the geographic association has also been observed for other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease.

New research to be published in the February issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism discussed a novel way to halt or reverse rheumatoid arthritis by using am imitation of a suicide molecule that floats undetected into immune cells that are responsible for this type of arthritis. Using this approach the researchers were able to stop the disease in 75% of the study mice without any observed toxic effects as is the case with current drugs. The mechanism is that healthy immune cells usually die after attacking an invading virus or bacteria. However, in rheumatoid arthritis the immune cells do not die but live on and go rogue proliferating in the blood, building up in the joints and invading cartilage and bone.

Researchers discovered that immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis are low in a critical molecule (Bim) that cause the immune cells to self- destruct. To correct this fault they developed an imitation of this molecule (called BH2) that was injected into study mice with rheumatoid arthritis that caused the immune cells to destruct, joint swelling was reduced and bone destruction decreased. Thus, they concluded that the molecule could prevent the disease and trigger a remission in those who have it. Further research is planned to develop a more precise method of delivering the drug.

Dr Jacob Teitelbaum (left) and Dr David Russell were interviewed by Dr Carl O. Helvie on the Holistic Health Show last night. Dr Teitelbaum, a Board Certified Internist and Medical Director of a National Chain of Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers (www.fibroandfatigue.com)suffered from and overcome these diseases. He is senior author of landmark studies in these areas and author of the best seller From Fatigue to Fantasy and also author of additional books mentioned earlier on this website. More information is available on www.Vitality101.com

My second guest, Dr Davids Russell, holds a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and is competing another Doctorate of Divinity and is the Founder and Director of the non-profit organization Caritas Traditionalis whose goal is to create a self-sustainable medical presence in economically depressed communities. He has studied classical medicine around the world including Europe, Nepal and the Middle East. More information can be found on an earlier blog here.

Their interviews follow. I hope they are informative for you.

ON SATURDAY MY GUESTS ARE DR. JACOB TEITELBAUM (LEFT) AND DR. DAVID RUSSELL. DR TEITELBAUM, A BOARD CERTIFIED INTERNIST AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF A NATIONAL CHAIN OF FIBROMYALGIA AND FATIGUE CENTERS (WWW.FIBROANDFATIGUE.COM) SUFFERED WITH AND OVERCOME THESE ILLNESSES IN 1975. HE SPENT THE NEXT 30 YEARS CREATING, RESEARCHING, AND TEACHING ABOUT EFFECTIVE THERAPIES FOR FATIGUE AND PAIN. HE IS THE SENIOR AUTHOR OF THE LANDMARK STUDIES EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA-A PLACEBO CONTROLLED STUDY AND OF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA WITH D-RIBOSE.
DR TEITELBAUM LECTURES INTERNATIONALLY AND IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING BOOK FROM FATIGUE TO FANTASTIC. HE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF THREE STEPS TO HAPPINESS:HEALING THROUGH JOY AND THE RECENTLY RELEASED PAIN FREE 1-2-3-A PROVEN PROGRAM TO GET YOU PAIN FREE BY MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHERS IN 2006. AS A PATIENT ADVOCATE DR TIETELBAUM HAS A POLICY OF NOT TAKING MONEY FROM ANY PHARMACEUTICAL OR NATURAL PRODUCT COMPANIES, AND 100% OF THE ROYALTIES FROM HIS PRODUCTS GO TO CHARITY. HIS WEBSITE IS: www.vitality101.com

MY SECOND GUEST IS DR DAVID RUSSELL WHO HOLDS A DOCTORATE IN NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE AND IS COMPLETING ANOTHER DOCTORATE OF DIVINITY AND IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CARITAS TRADITIONALIS, AN INTERNATIONAL PROJECT WHOSE GOAL IS TO CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINABLE MEDICAL PRESENCE IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED COMMUNITIES. HE ALSO MAINTAINS CONSULTATION ON INTEGRATED HEALTH IN TUCSON, ARIZONA AND DENMARK. . FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS HE HAS TAUGHT CLASSICAL MEDICAL DISCIPLINES IN EUROPE, NEPAL AND THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS DIAGNOSTICS AND HOMEOPATHY IN NATUROPATHIC SCHOOLS IN DENMARK AND NORWAY.
IN ADDITION TO HIS DOCTORAL DEGREE HIS EDUCATION INCLUDED STUDYING AND PRACTICING WITH CLASSICAL MASTERS IN EUROPE, NEPAL, AND THE MIDDLE EAST. HE HOLDS CERTIFICATION IN REFLEXOLOGY, HOMEOPATHY, ACUPUNCTURE, BIOCHEMISTRY, IRIDOLOGY, AND KNEIPP THERAPY. HE IS ALSO QUALIFIED IN CHINESE, TIBETIAN, AYURVEDIC AND ISLAMIC MEDICINE.
HE LIVED IN DENMARK FROM 1969 TO 1991 AND HAS WORKED IN THE HEALTH FIELD SINCE 1974, DURING THAT TIME HE BECAME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DANISH SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATED MEDICINE AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE THREE MAJOR CLINICS FOR INTEGRATED MEDICINE IN DENMARK. HE IS ALSO A MEDICAL CONSULTANT FOR A DANISH CLINIC FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
DAVID IS THE AUTHOR OF HEALTHY SOLUTIONS: A GUIDE TO SIMPLE HEALING AND HEALTHY WISDOM, FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED THE ARIZONA BOOK AWARD FOR BEST HEALTH/NUTRITION/WELLNESS BOOK. HE LECTURES WIDELY AND HAS BEEN FEATURED AT EVENTS AND CONFERENCES INCLUDING THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PROBIOTIC MEDICINE, INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY, CANCER COTROL SOCIETY, JUNGIAN SOCIETY, AND THE U OF ARIZONA.

Tocilizumab, brand-named Actemra, is a new biologic drug for treating moderate to severe rheumatoid arthtritis that is not well controlled by other medications. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should be available for patients during the week of January 18. It is the first drug that blocks a protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is overproduced in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The drug is given once a month by intravenous infusion and is powerful and fast acting. However, there are safety concerns so it must be used cautiously. Side effects experienced by people taking it during clinical trials included elevated LDL or bad cholesterol, high blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes and gastrointestinal perforations. Thus, its use is recommended only for those who have not responded to other therapies and the FDA is requiring the manufacturer to monitor it’s long term safety. Specifically the FDA is interested in evaluating the long term effect of elevated LDL, cholesterol and blood pressure on the cardiovascular health of those on the drug. If this drug is recommended, make sure you have frequent testing by your primary health care provider.

Dr Carl O Helvie will interview Dr Ross Hauser (left) and Dr Thomas Lobe on the Holistic Health Show on Saturday. Dr Hauser received his M.D. from the University of Illinois, Chicago, completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Loyola-Hines VA-Marianjoy Hospitals, and received his baccalaureate degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaigne. He is currently the Medical Director, CEO, and Co-founder of the physician run, comprehensive natural medicine clinic, Caring Medicine and Rehabilitation Services in Oak Park, Illinois.
Dr Hauser is most well know for his expertise in the technique of Prolotherapy, a medical procedure that stimulates the body to repair painful, injured areas. He trained under Dr Gustav Hemwall who is the grandfather of this procedure. As a result of his expertise and books on Prolotherapy Dr Hauser sees patients from all over the USA and abroad.
Dr Hauser is a consultant for Beulah Land Nutritionals, a comprehensive nutriceuticals store and with his wife developed some of the products for optimal health.
Dr Hauser and his wife co-authored the national best seller Proto Your Pain Away! Curing Chronic Pain with Prolotherapy. along with a four-book topical mini series of Prolotherapy books. They also wrote the Anthology of Prolotherapy- Prolo Your Sports Injuries Away! Curing Sports Injuries and Enhancing Athletic Performance with Prolotherapy a 900 page sports book that discusses the use of Prolotherapy for sports injuries and other topics including nutrition, surgery, x-rays, cortisone shots, MRI’s, and other aspects of sports medicine.
They also coauthored Treating Cancer with Insulin Potentiation Therapy and more recently Prolotherapy: An Alternative to Knee surgery.
In additional to national lectures he is a preceptor for Bastyr University’s naturopathic medical students and also Midwestern University’s Physician Assistant Program. More information is available at: http://www.caringmedical.com

Dr Thomas Lobe, M.D., FAC’s, FAAP, is Founder and Medical Director of Beneveda Medical Group in Beverly Hills, California. He obtained his baccalaureate degree at George Washington U, and during his medical education studied with leading physicians at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University. He also studied with former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. and graduated from medical school cum laude and with honors in pediatrics. After medical school he trained at Ohio State University Hospital in general surgery and the Children’s Hospital in pediatric surgery.
He became Chief of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston following his residency and made national news as being the first to successfully separate a particularly difficult variety of Siamese twins and lead the nation in complex reconstruction of the airway.
He was recruited to the University of Tennessee in Memphis and LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center to start the first pediatric surgery training program in the south. There he lead the world in the development of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery in children. He also wrote the first textbook on the subject and pioneered many novel techniques. In addition, he established the first medical journal devoted to advanced surgical techniques in children and currently remains the editor. While in Tennessee he began his television career and remains the host and moderator of What’s Up Doc? a medical talk show on GHS-TV in Germantown, Tennessee.
Dr Lobe continued an interest in alternative and complementary Medicine throughout his career and convinced the Dean of the Medical School in Tennessee to begin a program of instruction for medical students. He remained in charge of that program for over a decade before leaving the area for a new challenge at
Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. There he was recruited to pioneer advances in minimally invasive surgery and with his associates he was the first to develop an advanced technique to perform major head and neck surgery such as thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Through a small incision in the armpit, the procedure leaves the patient with no visible, unsightly scar and no pain.
To strengthen his interest in alternative and complementary medicine Dr Lobe obtained an additional degree in naturopathic medicine and passed his boards in both medical hypnosis and medical acupuncture. He has traveled extensively and studies with leaders in this field of practice.
Dr Lobe has written more than 200 books, book chapters, and peer reviewed articles and has lectured world-wide on nearly every continent. He also found time to study law and completed an additional degree-Physician’s Executive Masters in Business Administration at the University of Tennessee.
He is a board member and founding advisor to Neatstitch, LLC, a laparoscopic instrument company based in Israel and now in the United States, and also co-founder for Visual Medical Solutions, LLC, the producers of BodyViz, a new medical imaging tool for surgical planning and medical education that makes use of virtual reality engineering to improve patient care.
Most recently, Dr Lobe followed his dream of putting together the most advanced medical practice in existence, focusing on the new medical specialty called energy medicine. Beneveda Medical Group (www.beneveda.com) offers the best integration of Western and Eastern Medicine and is the first practice in the United States to specialize in Energy Revitalization and manage problems many consider resistant to conventional approaches such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight loss, osteoporosis, and others. More information is available at www.beneveda.com

Research published in Nature on October 28 and carried out by Queen Mary, University of London, and Harvard Medical School researchers showed precisely why fish oil helps conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The research described how the body converts an ingredient found in fish oil (DHA*) into another chemical called Resolvin D2 and how this chemical reduces inflammation, a common condition in arthritis. Resolvin D2 seems to have additional value because in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties it does not suppress the immune system. This research is important because it explains how fish oil can help in different kinds of arthritis. The researchers plan to work further to see if this chemical can be used to prevent arthritis and be used for other diseases that are associated with inflammation.
*DHA (docosahexsenoic acid) is an omega 3 fatty acid. fish oil is a rich source of this.

Their interview follows: