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Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.

Blog: On Health. On Writing. On Life. On Everything.

Have You Coddled Your Hippocampus Lately?

February 2, 2011
Tags: Movement, water, herbs, food, Alzheimer's, blood fats, bone loss, brain, brain function, cold – common, cold shower, cold stimulus, daylight, diabetes type II, flu, freezing temperatures, Have You Coddled Your Hippocampus Lately?, high blood pressure, hippocampus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ice, immune function inflexibility – mental, junk food, longevity, lunch hour, Memory, Menopause, metabolic syndrome, mood, mood booster, muscles, New England, obesity, osteoporosis, pebbles, plasticity – mental, Parkinson’s, PMS, snow, vitamin D, walking, weight
A recent study shows that brisk walks boost memory in older adults. And makes your hippocampus swell visibly on MRI. I bet this also applies to younger people. The hippocampus is a worm-like structure deeply buried in your brain that is involved in memory formation. In Alzheimer, it is the part of your brain that will show the first signs of degeneration. A youthful hippocampus gives you mental plasticity, the opposite of which would be the obnoxious inflexibility that some older people show. About six to nine miles a week in this study was linked to better brain function. Walking even more did not seem to have more effect on the brain. It comes down to walking ten minutes in one direction, turning around and walking back ten minutes, which can be done during lunch hour. Another study showed that people who walk faster live longer. That bodes badly for me – I am a slow poke. But we can safely deduct that people who don’t walk will not make it long at all. Walking also boost mood. If I would be a moody person (which I am not), I would do three things: go for a daily walk during daylight, end every hot shower with a cold one, and take herbal preparations – in women particularly, herbs against PMS or helping with post-menopause. Not to mention that I would turn to fresh, nourishing food and away from junk. Walking per se is good for you. Two other studies have shown, that the effect is even better if you walk on uneven surface – like on pebbles, at a beach or in hilly terrain. Walking on pebbles decreases high blood pressure, and makes you less likely to get Parkinson’s. Using more muscles and consequently more brain can explain these results. The most dramatic effect, I think, that daily walking can have – besides on memory, longevity, hypertension, Parkinson’s and mood – is that light boost vitamin D production under your skin – even if it is just the pale little area of your face reaping the rays. Vitamin D has become an important research focus as it wards off bone loss, cancer, multiple sclerosis and infections. Walking will also lead to less weight and fight the dreaded metabolic syndrome (diabetes, high blood fats and hypertension) better sleep – all exercise does. And better sleep has been shown to increase overall performance, mood and resistance to infections. In New England presently, walking the icy streets among huge snow banks is not that enticing. But I bet snow shoveling has all the above benefits, too – if you avoid hurting your back and don’t slip on the ice. At least I hope. Because I spend the morning digging out our walkway and garage driveway. At least this I know: The cold stimulus is a trigger for better immune function: Snow-shoveling in freezing temperatures improves my ability to better fend off flu and the common cold. Read More 
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The Old Boring Calcium Question

October 25, 2010
Tags: Movement, food, Bone Health, boron, British Medical Journal, calcium, cancer, chromium, dairy, Diabetes, fruit, grains - whole, heart attack risk, heart disease, hugging and kissing, legumes, light, manganese, magnesium, milk, nuts, obesity, osteoporosis, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, skin – dark-skinned people, sleep – sufficient, sulfur, sun, Supplements, The Old Boring Calcium Question, vegetables, vitamin D
Chances are you are taking a calcium supplement because are health-conscious? But do you really need it – or are you even harming yourself with your calcium pill? It is true that bones need calcium for growth. What is not true is that calcium alone gives us stronger bones. Bones need far more than just calcium: Other minerals like potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, chromium, sulfur, selenium, boron – and others – are necessary for bone health. Without these other minerals, calcium alone is pretty useless. Besides, calcium pills – those fat bummers that are hard to swallow because of their size – are also hard to digest. As a physician, I have seen my share of undigested calcium pills popping up on x-rays, somewhere lying in the bowels, useless. That milk is an unsuitable source of calcium, you have heard here before. Besides being an unhealthy food, the calcium from milk is also not as readily available as the calcium from vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains and nuts. The plant world is so abundant in calcium that adding vitamin D to milk as a selling argument comes close to a joke: Dairy is a cause for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and so on. For good bones you need a host of minerals – all conveniently available in plant foods – plus sun and exercise. Not so much sun, actually, as light. Even on an overcast day, a midday outdoors walk will trigger the necessary amount of vitamin D production beneath your skin. Inner-city people with dark skin are mostly at risk of osteoporosis because they need more sun exposure. And if you don’t move, you will lose your bone strength fast. A little known fact: We are losing some bone every night, from being inactive during sleep. An active person will rebuild that loss (and more) the next day. An inactive person won’t. A study in the British Medical Journal recently found that calcium supplement could increase the risk of a heart attack by thirty percent. Clearly, we have to rethink health: Health does not come from pills. It comes from a lifestyle that uses our body for which it is intended: joyful activity, fresh foods, sufficient sleep. And hugging and kissing, if you ask me. Read More 
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Gluten-Related Symptoms and Diseases

September 24, 2010
Tags: order, abdominal pain, acanthosis nigricans, Addison’s disease, ADHD, Alcoholism, alkaline phosphatase (bone) elevated, allergic rhinitis, alopecia areata (patchy hair loss), amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period), anemia, anemia – iron deficiency, anemia – refractory, anemia - vitamin B12 deficiency, anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA), anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA), anti-tissue-transglutaminase antibodies (tTG), antiphospholipid syndrome (frequent miscarriages and other problems), anxiety, aortic vasculitis, apathy, aphthous ulcers, appetite – poor, arthritis, arthritis – enteropathic, arthritis - juvenile idiopathic, asthma, ataxia, ataxia - progressive myoclonic, atherosclerosis, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism, learning disorders, autoimmune cholangitis, autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune thyroid disease, balding – premature, bipolar disorder, Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on whites of eye), bleeding – unexplained, blepharitis, bloating, blurred vision, bone fracture, bone pain, brain atrophy, brain fog, bronchiectasis, cachexia (general wasting), calcium – low, cancer - small cell of the esophagus, cancer (adenocarcinoma) of the small intestine, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the pharynx, Candida infections – recurrent, cardiomegaly, casein intolerance, cataracts, cerebral perfusion abnormalities, cheilosis (cracked lips and corners of mouth), cholesterol – low, chorea, chronic bullous dermatosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, colitis, common variable immunodeficiency, complications during pregnancy – labor - delivery and post-partum period, congenital anomalies, constipation, copper deficiency, coronary artery disease, cortical calcifying angiomatosis, cow mill “allergy”, cutaneous vasculitis, cutis laxa, cystic fibrosis, dairy intolerance, delusions, Dementia, depression, dermatitis herpetiformis, dermatomyositis, diabetes type I, diabetes type II, diarrhea, disorientation, Down syndrome, dry eyes, duodenal ulcers, dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), early menopause, easy bruising, ecchymosis, eczema, edema, Enteropathy Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL), epilepsy, erythema nodosum, esophageal motor abnormalities, eyes – dry, eyes – bloodshot, erythema elevatum diutinum, failure to thrive, fatigue, fatty liver, folic acid (folate) deficiency, food allergies - blood-mediated and cell mediated, food cravings, gall bladder – impaired motility, gas, gastric emptying – delayed, gastritis, GERD - Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, glucose abnormalities - too low or too high, gluten, Gluten-Related Symptoms and Diseases, Grave’s Disease, growth retardation, gums – bleeding and swollen, hair loss, hallucination, headache, Heartburn, heart disease, hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis - idiopathic pulmonary, hepatic granulomatous disease, high blood pressure, homocysteine elevated, hyperactivity, hyperkeratosis – follicular, hyperparathyroidism, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypocalciuria, hypogonadism, hypoparathyroidism, hyposplenism (atrophy of spleen), Hypothyroidism, hypotonia, ichthyosis – acquired, pulmonary hemosiderosis – idiopathic, IgA deficiency, IgA nephropathy, impotence, inability to concentrate, infertility, insomnia, intrauterine growth retardation, iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy – severe, irritable bowel syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, keratomalacia, kidney stones, lactose intolerance, lassitude, late menarche (late start of menstrual periods), leaky gut syndrome, liver enzymes elevated, loss of memory, lymphadenopathy, lymphoma - B-cell non-Hodgkin’s, lymphoma - cryptic intestinal T-cell (refractory sprue), lymphoma – non-Hodgkin, macroamylasemia, macrocytosis (red blood cells larger than normal), macrolipasemia, magnesium - low, malabsorption, melanoma, memory loss, migraine, miscarriage, monoarthritis – recurrent, multiple sclerosis (MS) – a possible link, muscle pain and tenderness, muscle spasms and cramps, muscle wasting, muscle weakness, nail problems, nausea, nervousness, neuropathy – peripheral, neutropenia (low white blood cells), nightblindness, nosebleeds – unexplained, obesity, occult blood in stool, ocular myopathy, osteitis fibrosa, osteomalacia, osteomalacic myopathy, osteonecrosis, osteopenia, osteoporosis, pancreatic insufficiency (poor digestion), panic attacks, parathyroid carcinoma, penicilllin V impaired absorption, phosphorus – low, pityriasis rubra pilaris, plasma proteins low, Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, PMS, pneumococcal septicemia, pneumonia – recurrent, polyglandular syndrome, polymyositis, potassium - low, premenstrual syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, prolactinemia, prothrombin time prolonged, prothrombinemia, prurigo nodularis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, puberty – delayed, purpura – idiopathic thrombocytopenic, rhabdomyolysis – hypokalemic, rheumatoid arthritis, rickets, sarcoidosis, Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders, scleroderma, seborrhea, short stature, Sjögren’s syndrome, skin rash – itchy, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, smell - loss of, sperm abnormalities, spina bifida, sprue – refractory (see: gluten), steatorrhea (pale, malodorous, floating, hard-to-flush stools), stomach ulcer, stroke – premature, sugar intolerance, swelling, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), taste - loss of, tetany, thrombocytopenic purpura – idiopathic, thyroid disease - juvenile autoimmune, tongue – red and/or burning, tremors, tuberculosis - increased susceptibility to, Turner’s syndrome, urinary tract infections – recurrent, urticaria - chronic hives, uveitis, vaginitis, vasculitis, vasculitis of the CNS (Central Nervous System), vitiligo, volvulus (twisted intestines), vomiting, weight gain – unexplained, weight loss – unexplained, xerophthalmia (dry eyes), zinc – low
Nearly one in one hundred people have gluten intolerance (gluten enteropathy, sprue, celiac sprue). In only fifty percent of them does the disease show with gastro-intestinal symptoms - the rest has non-intestinal symptoms. Be aware that many of these symptoms can also have other causes - this list does not replace a doctor who sees you! • Abdominal pain • Acanthosis nigricans • Addison’s disease • Alcoholism • Alkaline phosphatase (bone) elevated • Allergic rhinitis • Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss) • Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period) • Anemia • Anemia – iron deficiency • Anemia - refractory • Anemia - vitamin B12 deficiency • Anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA) • Anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) • Anti-tissue-transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) • Antiphospholipid syndrome (frequent miscarriages and other problems) • Anxiety • Aortic vasculitis • Apathy • Aphthous ulcers (mouth sores) • Appetite – poor • Arthritis • Arthritis – enteropathic • Arthritis - juvenile idiopathic • Asthma • Ataxia • Ataxia, progressive myoclonic • Atherosclerosis • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) • Autism, learning disorders • Autoimmune cholangitis • Autoimmune diseases • Autoimmune hepatitis • Autoimmune thyroid disease • Balding – premature • Bipolar disorder • Bitot’s spots (foamy patches on whites of eye) • Bleeding – unexplained • Blepharitis • Bloating • Blurred vision • Bone fracture • Bone pain • Brain atrophy • Brain fog • Bronchiectasis • Cachexia (general wasting) • Calcium – low • Cancer - small cell of the esophagus • Cancer (adenocarcinoma) of the small intestine • Cancer of the esophagus • Cancer of the pharynx • Candida infections – recurrent • Cardiomegaly • Casein intolerance (cow mill “allergy”) • Cataracts • Cerebral perfusion abnormalities • Cheilosis (cracked lips and corners of mouth) • Cholesterol - low • Chorea • Chronic bullous dermatosis • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Colitis • Common variable immunodeficiency • Complications during pregnancy, labor, delivery and post-partum period • Congenital anomalies • Constipation • Copper deficiency • Coronary artery disease • Cortical calcifying angiomatosis • Cow mill “allergy” • Cutaneous vasculitis • Cutis laxa • Cystic fibrosis • Dairy intolerance • Delusions • Dementia • Depression • Dermatitis herpetiformis • Dermatomyositis • Diabetes Type I • Diabetes Type II • Diarrhea • Disorientation • Down syndrome • Dry eyes • Duodenal ulcers • Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) • Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) • Early menopause • Easy bruising • Ecchymosis • Eczema • Edema • Enteropathy Associated T-cell Lymphoma (EATL) • Epilepsy • Erythema nodosum • Esophageal motor abnormalities • Eyes – dry • Eyes - bloodshot • Erythema elevatum diutinum • Failure to thrive • Fatigue • Fatty liver • Folic acid (folate) deficiency • Food allergies - blood-mediated and cell mediated • Food cravings • Gall bladder – impaired motility • Gas • Gastric emptying – delayed • Gastritis • GERD - Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease • Glucose abnormalities - too low or too high • Grave’s Disease • Growth retardation • Gums – bleeding and swollen • Hair loss • Hallucination • Headache • Heartburn • Heart disease • Hemochromatosis • Hemosiderosis - idiopathic pulmonary • Hepatic granulomatous disease • High blood pressure • Homocysteine elevated • Hyperactivity • Hyperkeratosis - follicular • Hyperparathyroidism • Hypertension • Hyperthyroidism • Hypocalciuria • Hypogonadism • Hypoparathyroidism • Hyposplenism (atrophy of spleen) • Hypothyroidism • Hypotonia • Ichthyosis - acquired • Pulmonary hemosiderosis - idiopathic • IgA deficiency • IgA nephropathy • Impotence • Inability to concentrate • Infertility (in both sexes) • Insomnia • Intrauterine growth retardation • Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy - severe • Irritable bowel syndrome • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca • Keratomalacia • Kidney stones • Lactose intolerance • Lassitude • Late menarche (late start of menstrual periods) • Leaky gut syndrome • Liver enzymes elevated • Loss of memory • Lymphadenopathy • Lymphoma - B-cell non-Hodgkin’s • Lymphoma - cryptic intestinal T-cell (refractory sprue) • Lymphoma – non-Hodgkin • Macroamylasemia • Macrocytosis (red blood cells larger than normal) • Macrolipasemia • Magnesium low • Malabsorption • Melanoma • Memory loss • Migraine • Miscarriage • Monoarthritis – recurrent • Mouth sores • Multiple sclerosis (MS) – a possible link • Muscle pain and tenderness • Muscle spasms and cramps • Muscle wasting • Muscle weakness • Nail problems • Nausea • Nervousness • Neuropathy - peripheral • Neutropenia (low white blood cells) • Nightblindness • Nosebleeds – unexplained • Obesity • Occult blood in stool • Ocular myopathy • Osteitis fibrosa • Osteomalacia • Osteomalacic myopathy • Osteonecrosis • Osteopenia • Osteoporosis • Pancreatic insufficiency (poor digestion) • Panic attacks • Parathyroid carcinoma • Penicilllin V impaired absorption • Phosphorus - low • Pityriasis rubra pilaris • Plasma proteins low • Plummer-Vinson Syndrome • PMS (premenstrual syndrome) • Pneumococcal septicemia • Pneumonia – recurrent • Polyglandular syndrome • Polymyositis • Potassium - low • Primary biliary cirrhosis • Primary sclerosing cholangitis • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy • Prolactinemia • Prothrombin Time prolonged • Prothrombinemia • Prurigo nodularis • Psoriasis • Psoriatic arthritis • Puberty - delayed • Purpura – idiopathic thrombocytopenic • Rhabdomyolysis - hypokalemic • Rheumatoid arthritis • Rickets • Sarcoidosis • Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders • Scleroderma • Seborrhea • Short stature • Sjögren’s syndrome • Skin rash – itchy • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth • Smell - loss of • Sperm abnormalities • Spina bifida • Sprue - refractory • Steatorrhea (pale, malodorous, floating, hard-to-flush stools) • Stomach ulcer • Stroke – premature • Sugar intolerance • Swelling • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) • Taste - loss of • Tetany • Thrombocytopenic purpura – idiopathic • Thyroid disease - juvenile autoimmune • Tongue – red and/or burning • Tremors • Tuberculosis - increased susceptibility to • Turner’s syndrome • Urinary tract infections - recurrent • Urticaria - chronic hives • Uveitis • Vaginitis • Vasculitis • Vasculitis of the CNS (Central Nervous System) • Vitiligo • Volvulus (twisted intestines) • Vomiting • Weight gain – unexplained • Weight loss – unexplained • Xerophthalmia (dry eyes) • Zinc - low I will add to this list as I come across new links –keep checking! Read More 
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