Last year, my daughter struggled with some health problems that were annoying and challenging. With a variety of guesses to the cause, she and I had almost given up that she would ever get her body back in balance again. This was particularly disturbing and frustrating for me. Considering all the nutritional and health information that I know about, it was hard to accept that I could not zero in on her problem. In October, James F. Scheer, author of many books and articles on health and nutrition, contacted me about reading and reviewing his latest book "Solved: The Riddle of Illness", which he had co-authored with Stephen E. Langer, M.D. I really did not think much about it, and being busy, I gave it to my daughter to read first.

I was surprised when, after a few hours of reading, she came to me and said she felt that hypothyroidism might be her problem. The more she read, the more certain she became. We had previously had her checked for hypothyroidism, but the results had been negative. She decided to try the more accurate method of testing, as described in the book. This test proved that her thyroid was sluggish. Soon thereafter, we were able to get her into her health care professional for a supply of natural desiccated thyroid. She has responded favorably to the treatment.

This fascinating book is the subject of my review in this month's newsletter. Following will be an article by James F. Scheer on the dangerous effects of "fluoride". Jim has authored or co-authored over fifteen published books. One of these books "Foods That Heal" sold over a million copies. He has written more than one thousand nutrition and health articles, which have appeared in magazines around the world. He has also been an editor for three health publications: "Let's Live", "Food-Wise", and "Health Freedom News". It is an honor to have Jim write for this month's AHS Journal.

For your best health...

Tamara

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Every now and then, information falls into my lap when I need it the most, and expect it the least. This time, the information came from "Solved: The Riddle of Illness - Your Amazing Thyroid . . .", by Stephen E. Langer, M.D. and James F. Scheer. From the beginning pages, this book was so full of remarkable information that I was unable to put it down. Fortunately, it was well written and easy to understand.

The "Riddle of Illness" refers to an all-too-common (unfortunately) ailment called hypothyroidism, the under-functioning of the thyroid gland. With more than 40% of the population displaying symptoms of hypothyroidism, the majority of people do not know they have it, and even less, the cause.

The book begins with an explanation of Broda O. Barnes, M.D., PhD., and his life's work. Both, Dr. Langer and James Scheer were fortunate to know him personally and be familiar with his crucial discoveries about low-functioning thyroid glands. These discoveries influenced Dr. Langer's experiences with his own hypothyroid patients. Many case histories are given, along with suggestions for strengthening the thyroid.

Typically, traditional medical tests may not be sensitive enough to detect minor deficiencies in the thyroid. Even a slight deviation can cause a myriad of symptoms, which effect the physical, emotional, and mental health. Thorough instructions are given for an easy, at-home, temperature test - called the Barnes Basal Temperature Test, which is a more accurate reflection of low thyroid activity.

This test is taken in the morning. Simply, shake down a thermometer before going to bed at night, and leave it on the bedside table, within easy reach. When you first awaken in the morning, reach for the thermometer (moving as little as possible), and place it tightly under the armpit for a minimum of ten minutes, while still lying in bed. This reading should be done two to three consecutive days to get an accurate temperature average. For women, the most accurate readings are taken when menstruation is not occurring.

A normal thyroid reading will be in the range of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower reading suggests hypothyroidism. The treatment recommended to balance the thyroid is a natural desiccated (dehydrated) thyroid supplement, which can be obtained from your holistic health care provider or your medical physician.

In the case of hypothyroidism, lower production of the thyroid hormone decreases the metabolism: the heartbeat slows, blood pressure drops, circulation becomes sluggish, energy lessens, and digestion is less efficient. Every cell in the body is affected by hypothyroidism. The following symptoms may sound familiar.

• Tiredness, lethargy, weakness
• Weight gain, inability to lose weight, sluggish digestion, constipation
• Cold hands and feet, difficulty staying warm
• Depression, temper tantrums, lack of patience, general emotional instability
• Skin problems: acne, psoriasis, dry flaky skin
• Abnormal water retention - in particular the face, hands and feet
• Frequent vaginal or urinary tract infections
• Poor memory, inability to think clearly, frequent acute headaches
• Menstrual problems - irregularity, severe PMS, irregular bleeding
• Sexual dysfunctions
• Low immune system
• Thinning hair, brittle nails, and overall early aging
• Extra low blood pressure
• Severe muscle cramps - particularly at night
• Persistent low back pain; joint stiffness
• Blood abnormalities such as easy bruising, difficulty healing, anemia
• Labored breathing, heart palpitations

These are just some of the indications of hypothyroidism. With these very broad symptoms that can fall under other illness categories, it is hard to imagine that the root cause of these ailments may be a poorly functioning thyroid gland.

Often, if a patient has these symptoms and opts to go through the usual battery of medical exams and expensive tests, the answers come back as, "there is nothing wrong with you, or test results have proven inconclusive". Sometimes doctors see these patients as psychosomatic cases or hypochondriacs.

Even as early as 1959, in the "Journal of the American Medical Association", Dr. A.S. Jackson stated: "the thyroid function is the most common disease entering the doctor's office, and the diagnosis most missed." With the current battery of medical tests available, the amount of hypothyroidism that is misdiagnosed is still high.

An intriguing explanation is given about the causes of so much hidden hypothyroidism (even with the abundance of iodine in our diets) including:

• chemicals in our water supply (ex: fluoride - refer to the following article by James Scheer)
• the poisons of plastics that hold our food and drink products
• environmental pollutants and chemicals
• heredity versus environment

One chapter thoroughly describes the proper "care and feeding of the thyroid". This includes a list of the appropriate nutrients and minerals, along with foods to enjoy and foods to avoid, for the support of a healthy thyroid. Some recommendations made are:

• Include plenty of lean protein in the diet
• Vitamin A is required for a healthy thyroid. Even though many vegetables may be consumed, they contain carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A. When the thyroid is sluggish to begin with, the body cannot effectively convert this to Vitamin A.

  Also, certain vegetables consumed in large quantities daily (such as: cabbage, turnips, rutabagas, cauliflower, turnips, etc . . .) can actually make the thyroid even more sluggish. Remember, however, these are very nutritious vegetables, and most of us are not in danger of eating too much of them.

• The full Vitamin B complex is needed with special emphasis on Vitamin B-2, B-6, and B-12. Foods such as bananas, barley, wheat bran and germ, brewer's yeast, eggs, and fish - particularly, sole and haddock, can help.
• Vitamins C and E, along with a daily dose of Essential Fatty Acids, are also necessary for keeping the thyroid in balance.

Many other suggestions for nutrients necessary to improve the function of the thyroid are given throughout the book.

Most are aware of a common symptom of hypothyroidism - that of cold hands and feet. As the metabolism slows down, due to lack of thyroid activity, circulation becomes sluggish, too. Body heat diminishes and blood pressure runs too low. This means all systems do not function at their peak. When body temperature lowers, this lessens the production of both red and white blood cells. Being a vicious circle, the reduction in red blood cells leads to lower metabolic activity and lower body temperatures. White blood cells fight infections and viruses, so the immune system is hampered when the white blood cell count is low.

I must admit. I was definitely skeptical as I reviewed chapter headings that covered topics on how a properly functioning thyroid can affect:

• Diabetes
• Cholesterol levels, blood pressure, circulation problems - including gangrene
• The prevention of heart attacks
• Skin condition - When circulation slows, the body is unable to get rid of waste as effectively, consequently acne, psoriasis and other skin problems occur.
• The prevention of Cancer - (The biggest surprise to me was this chapter. After contemplation, I realized it did make sense - if the circulation is healthy, the balance of red and white blood cells will be appropriate. Thus, the immune system will function properly, which will lessen the risk of cancer and other debilitating diseases.)
• The symptoms of menopause
• The adrenal glands
• Libido for both men and women

Mental and emotional problems, including depression and even Alzheimer's, can be caused by hypothyroidism. The book references H.F. Stoll, who discovered that patients with "chronic hypothyroid invalidism" exhibited a marked increase of irritability, lying, suspiciousness, delusions, inability to think or concentrate properly, and even introversion.

Mark Gold, M.D., found that depression often is the first sign of low-level thyroid dysfunction, even though it may not be detected through the usual tests. He believed this should be taken into account by all psychiatrists when working with their patients. If the Barnes Basal Temperature results are borderline, it is still probable that patients will respond to treatment.

Stress - even mild to moderate - can tip the delicate balance of the thyroid, causing a person to experience acute anxiety or depression. In fact, "sub-clinical hypothyroidism" may go unnoticed for years, until severe stress causes the person to have emotional and mental symptoms. As energy levels and stamina decrease, irritability may increase, headaches can become more frequent, and the person may seem neurotic. The difference between genuine neurotics and hypothyroid patients is that the hypothyroid person usually accepts responsibility for their actions, while a true neurotic will blame others for their problems. When these symptoms are due to low thyroid activity, they will dramatically lessen or disappear when thyroid supplementation is added.

Professor Robert Rivera found that an increase in oxygen and blood supply to the brain, supported by a properly functioning thyroid and its influence on healthy circulation, could significantly increase a person's I.Q. Oxygen reduction may instigate emotional instability and a depressed nervous system. This can also have an effect on Alzheimer's disease, as explained in a chapter that includes recommendations for treatment.

Thyroid and pituitary glands in children are what encourages the growth of the bones, teeth, sex organs, and brain development. Dr. Herman H. Rubin, M.D. reported "a few grains of thyroid may be the difference between a captain of industry and the office boy who is always dragging his feet." That is a scary thought when we think of the influence a sluggish thyroid has on thinking power and (possibly) ambition. Would our society be more productive, if everyone had properly functioning thyroid glands?

Other chapters in the book provided surprising information on:

• Hypothyroidism and the closely related symptoms of Candidiasis
• The correlation between hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia
• The similar symptoms of both hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism
• HAIT (Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroididtis)
• The negative effects of tobacco, alcohol, and anti-depressants on the thyroid

Though each chapter refers to the positive results of treatment for hypothyroidism with natural desiccated thyroid, there is a separate chapter specifically devoted to the controversy between the synthetic and desiccated thyroid therapy. The arguments are presented fairly for both sides, but with strong evidence weighing heavily in favor of natural desiccated thyroid supplementation.

If you are suspicious that you may have hypothyroidism, you will want to read this book to be completely aware of pertinent information. Three steps are recommended for determining if your thyroid is sluggish:

• Take the Barnes Basal Temperature Test
• Review your symptoms
• Review your medical history

Doctors, today, are more familiar with the Barnes Basal Temperature Test, so if you report your temperature test results to a medical doctor, you should be able to confidently request treatment. If your doctor is unclear as to what you are talking about, show him the last chapter in the book, which is written specifically for doctors. If you find your doctor is still uncooperative about treatment, or the natural desiccated thyroid, you may want to find a new doctor.

Without a doubt, this book was one of the best I have read in a long time, especially because of its useful and practical information that is so applicable to my family, my friends, and myself. I highly recommend it for anyone who thinks that they have some of the symptoms reflecting hypothyroidism. Even those who have had the medical blood tests done previously with negative results can benefit from reading this book.

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References:

Stephen E. Langer, M.D. and James F. Scheer, "Solved: The Riddle of Illness".
Keats Publishing. 4255 West Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood, Illinois 60712.
Copyright 2000. ISBN #0-658-00293-7

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Let the following words about the trace mineral "fluoride" serve as a yellow caution light that precedes a red stoplight - particularly if you live in a community that fluoridates its water. Several years ago the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raised the amount of fluoride permissible to add to water supplies from one part per million to a maximum of four parts per million.

For this reason, you may be an endangered species. Sadly, no government agency is looking out for your welfare as it does for animal life on wings or four legs. That is reason enough to learn the facts and how to defend yourself and loved ones against fluoridation hazards.

The purpose of fluoridated city water is to protect the teeth of children from cavities.

Is fluoridation achieving its primary purpose? On my desk are three professional publications that say a resounding "No!" They are "Community Health Studies", "The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association", and the report "Fluoride", Volume 23, stating that tooth decay is not reduced by fluoridation. Further, all recent large-scale studies show no difference between the number of cavities in fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.

One study by University of Arizona researchers that appeared in "Chemical & Engineering News" reported additional negative news: "The more fluoride a child drank, the more cavities appeared in the teeth."

Four publications, the respected "Science, the Journal of the American Dental Association, Journal of Public Health Dentistry", and the National Research Council's "Health Effects of Ingested Fluoride", state that dental fluorosis, (permanent white spots or yellow discoloration of teeth) affects eight to 51% of children who drink fluoridated water. Fluorosis is the initial sign of fluoride poisoning.

Several years ago, parents of a young boy in the United Kingdom sued the manufacturer of a fluoride toothpaste for their son's "severe dental fluorosis," claiming that this firm's product caused it. The mother explained that her son never ate sweets, and she made sure he brushed his teeth twice daily, using only the pea-sized amount recommended on the product's label. He used to swallow the toothpaste. The mother stated, "I rang up the company, but they said that would be all right."

After receiving the boy's diagnosis by an independent medical specialist, the toothpaste company paid the couple one thousand pounds. Media stories about this incident released a flood of lawsuits by hundreds of other British couples whose children have dental fluorosis.

Repercussions of this drama occurred in the United States, and consumer advocacy groups urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to order companies to place a poison label on fluoridated toothpastes. However, after numerous committee meetings, the FDA watered down the labeling to this: "WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately."

Rampant decay and gum disease among children of low-income families in New York City's fluoridated Borough of Harlem attracted attention of the American Dental Association (ADA), which expressed concern about the rise in dental fluorosis in the nation's children. However, this concern did not deter the ADA's continued endorsement of water-fluoridation.

Perhaps the most frightening demonstration of discolored, cavity-ridden, rotten and missing teeth -- plus many other symptoms -- was reported to me by a writer who visited the village of Kizilcaoern, Turkey. Upon seeing wrinkled and bent people painfully hobbling around the village square, this writer instantly thought that this was a colony of progerics, individuals who are old when born and rarely live past age 10 or 11. Both men and women in their thirties and forties had such deep wrinkles, loose, flabby, and hanging skin that they looked ancient.

Why? The village's sole supply of water was a well with five parts per million fluoride, one more part per million than permitted in USA fluoridated water. Threatening as this is, citizens of our fluoridated communities have even more reason for concern than the citizens of Kizilcaoern. Their beverages - soft drinks, watered-down juices and beer - as well as canned fruits and vegetables, soups, jellies and jams and TV dinners produced in cities with fluoridated water, bring them a bonus value of fluoride. Even that is not the end. Toothpastes and mouthwashes add to the parts per million of the fluoridated water.

Seven articles from medical and dental publications report that fluoride causes cancers - mainly of the bone - in rats, mice and human beings. Four articles from different issues of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" reveal that hip fractures are substantially higher for people living in fluoridated communities than in non-fluoridated.

A research project by scientists at Harvard Medical School, the Eastman Dental Center, Iowa State University, and the Forsyth Research Institute reported in "Neurotoxicology and Teratology" reveals that fluoride adversely affects the central nervous system, causing "motor dysfunction, IQ deficits, and/or learning disabilities in human beings."

Several decades ago dentist, Casimir R. Sheft, summed up the hazards of mass fluoridation - "It is inconceivable that a toxic prescription drug listed as a cumulative protoplasmic poison could be taken from the cradle to the grave, sick or well, young or old, in the same dose given to a six pound baby and a 230-pound man without somebody being harmed."

Fluoride started out as a rat poison and has moved up in the world. A byproduct of the aluminum and synthetic fertilizer industries, fluoride wastes formerly piled mountain-high in storage yards of industrial firms. They could not even pay people to haul it away. Then a public relations genius of an aluminum company created a plan to protect Junior's teeth and sold the idea to government officials and dental societies. Now a poisonous waste product has been transformed into something apparently desirable and definitely profitable.

As long ago as 1854, chemists steeped in the history of their profession, knew that fluoride was a poison and an antagonist to the healthy function of the thyroid gland - particularly in areas where soils are deficient in iodine, the major nutrient of the thyroid gland. Could the expanding use of fluoridated water be contributing to the rising statistics for hypothyroidism (low thyroid function)?

In the third edition of the best-selling book "Solved: The Riddle of Illness" on undiagnosed hypothyroidism, Stephen Langer, MD and I point out that approximately 40 percent of the people suffer from this condition -- many of them totally unaware of this fact. Major symptoms of this condition are dragging fatigue, cold hands and feet, menstrual and menopausal problems, high cholesterol levels, overweight, sexual dysfunction, depression and difficulty in thinking and remembering.

There are 64 different symptoms of hypothyroidism, and conventional doctors often diagnose one or two symptoms and treat them without diagnosing the basic cause. This is why endocrinologist Gerald S. Levey, MD, chief of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, calls hypothyroidism "a treacherous masquerader."

The problem of misdiagnosis compounds itself, because most doctors order only tests for the amount of thyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone in the blood. Dr. John C. Lowe, research director for the Fibromyalgia Research Foundation, has studied in this medical area for 15 years and finds that cellular resistance to thyroid hormone is a widespread problem. Unless there is enough thyroid hormone to penetrate the cells - and this amount differs in all of us - it merely continues to circulate in the blood in the manner of a Federal Express truck circling a housing development and not delivering a package.

During public appearances and radio call-in shows, Dr. Langer and I constantly hear the following complaint in various words:

"I am over-fatigued, have cold hands and feet and female problems - obvious symptoms of hypothyroidism - and my doctor will not prescribe thyroid hormone for me, because my blood tests are normal."

A generation ago, the main reason for hypothyroidism was insufficient iodine in the soil in what is called Goiter Belts, and consequently, in fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts grown and eaten there. Now produce is grown in many parts of the nation and shipped everywhere. Further, people in the nation are much more mobile, today.

Fluoride in the environment does more than diminish thyroid function. An article in the Journal of the International Society for Fluoride Research states that it also acts as an antagonist to the mineral magnesium, essential to the function of more than 300 enzyme systems:

"The amount of fluoride assimilated by living organisms constantly increases, and magnesium absorption diminishes as a consequence of progressively advancing industrialization. An increasing intake of magnesium plays a protective role by countering and reducing the toxic effects of fluoride."

Not only do we swallow fluoride in water, we also breathe it if we live in areas where aluminum and synthetic fertilizers are produced. Added to fluoride in foods, beverages and tooth pastes, our intake of this chemical can be frighteningly high - above the four parts per million authorized by the EPA and near, or above, that in the Turkish village of Kizilcaourn.

With the U.S. Public Health Service promoting fluoridation, the United States is in a distinct minority among medically advanced nations of the world. Water fluoridation has been rejected or abandoned by Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.

Countries that do not fluoridate are Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. After 16 years of study and negative findings, Sweden banned its use in community water. After 20 years of study, Holland condemned its use. Likewise, Finland abandoned water fluoridation after 20 years of research, which revealed that there are higher than normal rates of osteoporosis in fluoridated water areas!

Widespread condemnation of fluoridated water by dentists started a resistance movement against it in Japan. The "Japan Times" (of Osaka) reported the following:

"Sodium fluoride, a poisonous crystalline salt widely used for the prevention of tooth decay, may be carcinogenic, as revealed by animal tests by a Nippon Dental College team. Their findings raise doubt about the safety of fluoride."

Because fluoride is an environmental hazard in so many places, it is difficult to avoid. However, for this purpose, many of us buy bottled spring water. Even at that, it is "buyer beware", and "be sure to read the fine print," inasmuch as some spring water contains added fluoride.

For the traveler, most hotels sell bottled spring water. There is some talk in the home filter industry about filters that may remove fluoride, but, thus far, those on the market do not.

Investing a few minutes of time can be insurance against buying food and beverages made with fluoridated water. Many processors of these products show addresses on labels or containers and can be questioned about this problem.

It is now possible to find toothpaste without fluoride in your health food store, drugstore or supermarket. Check the labels, thoroughly, to be certain.

One of the sad stories relative to fluoride is that, despite the widespread knowledge about its hazards, the federal government continues to promote its use in community water. So do most professional dental societies.

Government agencies supported by our taxes that should be protecting us, and our health, seem more concerned about protecting the bottom line of industrial firms that produce fluoride.

Please send questions for the author to:

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References:

• Oldenburg, Don, "Poison Warning Mandatory on Fluoride Toothpaste," Washington Post, June 16, 1997.
• Yiamouyannis, John, Fluoride: The Aging Factor, Acton, Ohio. Health Action Press, 1993.
• "Japanese Dentists Condemn Fluoride," Japan Times, Osaka, Japan, August 3, 1982.
• Shelley, John, "Brits Uncover Fluoride Cover-Up," Health Freedom News, September/October, 1997.
• Stevens, Julianne, "Advanced Countries Shun Fluoridation," Health Freedom News, September/October, 1997.

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