Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: To profile complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization patterns in the municipality of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. METHODS: The study consisted of a cross-sectional household survey conducted in 2008. A multi-stage probabilistic sampling method was used to obtain a total of 203 household interviews. The survey used was based on a culturally adapted version of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The statistical analysis included means, frequency distributions, and a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of CAM use ranged from 55.7% to 92.1%, depending on the modalities included under CAM. The most frequently reported medical conditions treated with CAM included back problems, headaches, allergies, anxiety, and depression. Sixty-four percent of the respondents had not informed their physicians that they used CAM. The results showed a marginal association 0.05

High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C Treatment for Zika Fever.

The Zika Fever is a viral disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus from the Flavivirus genus, Flaviviridae family, from the Spondweni group. Its transmission occurs through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes Aegypti. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. As of now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is a case report of a 54 year-old Hispanic female who arrived at the clinic with symptomatology congruent with the Zika fever. The patient was treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C over three days. The symptoms resolved after the infusions without any side effects at day four. Recovery from this viral infection takes normally around two weeks. Based on the positive outcome in this case, we propose that intravenous vitamin C should be studied further as a potential treatment for acute viral infections.

Archaic RDA Methodology for Vitamin C.

Frei et al's 2012 review entitled "Authors' Perspective: What is the Optimum Intake of Vitamin C in Humans" is both flawed and misleading. RCTs are ill suited to determining the RDA, it is debatable that there is sufficient scientific evidence to determine the optimum intake of vitamin C in humans, observations regarding high-doses of ascorbate have been ignored, and there are inaccuracies of fact with respect to the saturation of blood plasma following low dose intake. Until the limitations of current knowledge are recognised it is unwise to set limits on the dose.

Metabolic correction: a functional biochemical mechanism against disease--Part 2: mechanisms and benefits.

A healthy physiology depends on a plethora of complex interdependent biochemical reactions. In order for these reactions to occur suitably, the enzymes and cofactors that regulate their flow must be present in the proper balance. The term metabolic correction is used to describe a biochemical-physiological process that improves cellular biochemistry as a means to an individual's achieving metabolic or physiological optimization. Part 2 discusses how metabolic correction, through the increase of cofactors, can supply unmet enzyme needs and compensate for nutritional deficiencies induced by improper nutritional intake or by the increased demand for nutrients caused by genetics, health conditions, medications, or physical or environmental stressors. Nutrient insufficiencies are causing an increase in morbidity and mortality, at great cost to our society. In summary, metabolic correction improves enzymatic function and satisfies the increasing demand for nutrients. Metabolic correction can have a significant impact on the reduction of morbidity and mortality and their financial cost to our society and contribute to improving health and well-being.

Metabolic correction: a functional biochemical mechanism against disease--Part 1: concept and historical background.

Human physiology depends on countless biochemical reactions, numerous of which are co-dependent and interrelated. The speed and level of completion of reactions usually depend on the availability of precursors and enzymes. The enzymatic activity depends on the bioavailability of micronutrient cofactors such as vitamins and minerals. In order to achieve a healthy physiological state, the organism requires that biochemical reactions occur at a controlled rate. To achieve this state it is required that metabolic reactions reach what can be considered an optimal metabolic equilibrium. A combination of genetic makeup, dietary patterns, trauma, disease, toxins, medications, and environmental stressors can elevate the demand for the nutrients needed to reach this optimal metabolic equilibrium. In this, part 1, the general concept of metabolic correction is presented with an elaboration explaining how this concept is increasing in importance as we become aware of the presence of genetic variants that affect enzymatic reactions causing metabolic disturbances that themselves favor or promote the disease state. In addition, part 1 reviews how prominent scientists have contributed in fundamental ways to our understanding of the importance of micronutrients in health and disease and in the development of the metabolic correction concept.

Metabolic Correction as a tool to improve diabetes type 2 management.

Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a metabolic disease that develops by a decrease in sensitivity of insulin receptors as an effect of the disruption certain metabolic functions in the processing of glucose. DM2 patients have, uncontrolled glucose levels, and commonly have problems with obesity and cardiovascular disease. Patients are treated with standard diet, insulin, diabetic oral agents and antihypertensive drugs, but this approach does not completely stops tissue deterioration since it does not address the metabolic root of the disease. Metabolic correction is proposed as a suitable adjunct treatment to improve clinical outcomes. Metabolic correction is based on diet modification, proper hydration and scientific supplementation directed to improve cellular biochemistry and metabolic efficiency. In addition, other possible benefits may include reduction in medication use, disease complications and medical costs. To test the results of a metabolic correction program, 25 patients with DM2 participated in an education program about adequate food consumption that promoted control of blood glucose levels. Anthropometric measurements and blood tests were performed during a 13 week program based on a low carbohydrate diet, proper hydration and magnesium supplementation. The metabolic correction program implemented by a proprietary educational system resulted in significant reductions in glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, weight and waist circumference. Improvements in these values could represent an important reduction of coronary heart disease risk factors as well as other chronic degenerative diseases. In addition there was medication dosage reduction in one or more medications in 21 of the 25 participating patients, which suggest that the program has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

[Metabolic correction: a biochemical option against diseases]. / Corrección metabólica: Una opción bioquímica contra las enfermedades.

Human development and its physiology depends on a number of complex biochemical body processes, many of which are interactive and codependent. The speed and the degree in which many physiological reactions are completed depend on enzyme activity, which in turn depends on the bioavailability of co-factors and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. To achieve a healthy physiological state, organism need that biochemical reactions occur in a controlled and specific way at a particular speed and level or grade fully completed. To achieve this, is required an optimal metabolic balance. Factors such as, a particular genetic composition, inadequate dietary consumption patterns, traumas, diseases, toxins and environmental stress all of these factors rising demands for nutrients in order to obtain optimal metabolic balance. Metabolic correction is a biochemical and physiological concept that explains how improvements in cellular biochemistry of an organism can help the body achieve metabolic and physiological optimization. We summarize the contribution of several pioneers in understanding the role of micronutrients in health management. The concept of metabolic correction is becoming a significant term due to the presence of genetic variants that affect the speed of reactions of enzymes, causing metabolic alterations that enhance or promote the state/development of multiple diseases. Decline in the nutritional value of the food we eat, the increase in demand for certain nutrients caused by normal development, diseases and medications induce, usually, nutrients consumption. These nutritional deficiencies and insufficiencies are causing massive economic costs due to increased morbidity and mortality in our society. In summary, metabolic correction improves the enzymatic function, which favors the physiological normal functions, thus, contributing to improving health and the welfare of the human being. The purpose of this paper is to describe and introduce the concept of optimal metabolic correction as a functional cost-effective mechanism against disease, in addition, to contribute to diseases prevention and regeneration of the body and health.

High Dose Intraveneous Vitamin C and Chikungunya Fever: A Case Report.

The Chikungunya (CHIKV) fever is a viral disease produced by a single-stranded RNA Alphavirus from the Togaviridae genus. Its transmission occurs only through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. It requires a human-mosquito-human transmission cycle. It is associated with severe arthritis/arthralgias, myalgias, high fever, headache, and maculopapular rash. Joint ache appears to be symmetrical. The virus has an incubation period of 2 to 7 days, where the high fever is typically presented. It is followed by arthralgias and myalgias, and rashes, which last for 3 to 5 days. However, the arthralgias can persist for months after the infection, which can contribute to severe arthritis. As of now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is a case report of a 54-year old Hispanic individual that reported left shoulder pain, left knee pain and fever. The symptoms started on a Saturday in September 2014 in middle of the night. The patient was treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C over two days. The symptoms resolved after the infusions without any side effects. Based on the positive outcome in this case, we propose that intravenous vitamin C should be studied further as a potential treatment for acute viral infections.

Schedule Dependence in Cancer Therapy: Intravenous Vitamin C and the Systemic Saturation Hypothesis.

Despite the significant number of in vitro and in vivo studies to assess vitamin C effects on cancer following the application of large doses and its extensive use by alternative medicine practitioners in the USA; the precise schedule for successful cancer therapy is still unknown. Based on interpretation of the available data, we postulate that the relationship between Vitamin C doses and plasma concentration x time, the capability of tissue stores upon distribution, and the saturable mechanism of urinary excretion are all important determinants to understand the physiology of high intravenous vitamin C dose administration and its effect on cancer. Practitioners should pay more attention to the cumulative vitamin C effect instead of the vitamin C concentrations to account for observed discrepancy in antitumor response. We suggest that multiple, intermittent, short-term intravenous infusions of vitamin C over a longer time period will correlate with greater antitumor effects than do single continuous IV doses of the same total exposure. This approach would be expected to minimize saturation of renal reabsorption, providing a continuous "dynamic flow" of vitamin C in the body for optimal systemic exposure and clinical outcomes. This prevents the "systemic saturation" phenomena, which may recycle vitamin C and render it less effective as an anticancer agent. Nonetheless, more pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are needed to fully understand this schedule-dependence phenomenon.

Intravenous ascorbic acid to prevent and treat cancer-associated sepsis?

The history of ascorbic acid (AA) and cancer has been marked with controversy. Clinical studies evaluating AA in cancer outcome continue to the present day. However, the wealth of data suggesting that AA may be highly beneficial in addressing cancer-associated inflammation, particularly progression to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multi organ failure (MOF), has been largely overlooked. Patients with advanced cancer are generally deficient in AA. Once these patients develop septic symptoms, a further decrease in ascorbic acid levels occurs. Given the known role of ascorbate in: a) maintaining endothelial and suppression of inflammatory markers; b) protection from sepsis in animal models; and c) direct antineoplastic effects, we propose the use of ascorbate as an adjuvant to existing modalities in the treatment and prevention of cancer-associated sepsis.

The Effects of Vitamin C on the Multiple Pathophysiological Stages of COVID-19.

Currently available anti-viral drugs may be useful in reducing the viral load but are not providing the necessary physiological effects to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 complications efficiently. Treatments that provide better clinical outcomes are urgently needed. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) is an essential nutrient with many biological roles that have been proven to play an important part in immune function; it serves as an antioxidant, an anti-viral, and exerts anti-thrombotic effects among many other physiological benefits. Research has proven that AA at pharmacological doses can be beneficial to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other respiratory illnesses, including sepsis. In addition, High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C (HDIVC) has proven to be effective in patients with different viral diseases, such as influenza, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue. Moreover, HDIVC has been demonstrated to be very safe. Regarding COVID-19, vitamin C can suppress the cytokine storm, reduce thrombotic complications, and diminish alveolar and vascular damage, among other benefits. Due to these reasons, the use of HDIVC should be seriously considered in complicated COVID-19 patients. In this article, we will emphasize vitamin C's multiple roles in the most prominent pathophysiological processes presented by the COVID-19 disease.

Mitochondria, Energy and Cancer: The Relationship with Ascorbic Acid.

Ascorbic Acid (AA) has been used in the prevention and treatment of cancer with reported effectiveness. Mitochondria may be one of the principal targets of ascorbate's cellular activity and it may play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. Mitochondria, besides generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), has a role in apoptosis regulation and in the production of regulatory oxidative species that may be relevant in gene expression. At higher concentrations AA may increase ATP production by increasing mitochondrial electron flux, also may induce apoptotic cell death in tumor cell lines, probably via its pro-oxidant action In contrast, at lower concentrations AA displays antioxidant properties that may prevent the activation of oxidant-induced apoptosis. These concentration dependent activities of ascorbate may explain in part the seemingly contradictory results that have been reported previously.

Pharmacokinetics of vitamin C: insights into the oral and intravenous administration of ascorbate.

There is a strong advocacy movement for large doses of vitamin C. Some authors argue that the biological half-life for vitamin C at high plasma levels is about 30 minutes, but these reports are the subject of some controversy. NIH researchers established the current RDA based upon tests conducted 12 hours (24 half lives) after consumption. The dynamic flow model refutes the current low-dose recommendations for dietary intakes and links Pauling's mega-dose suggestions with other reported effects of massive doses of ascorbate for the treatment of disease. Although, a couple of controlled clinical studies conducted at The Mayo Clinic did not support a significant benefit for terminal cancer patients after 10 grams of once-a-day oral vitamin C, other clinical trials have demonstrated that ascorbate may indeed be effective against tumors when administered intravenously. Recent studies confirmed that plasma vitamin C concentrations vary substantially with the route of administration. Only by intravenous administration, the necessary ascorbate levels to kill cancer cells are reached in both plasma and urine. Because the efficacy of vitamin C treatment cannot be judged from clinical trials that use only oral dosing, the role of vitamin C in cancer treatment should be reevaluated. One limitation of current studies is that pharmacokinetic data at high intravenous doses of vitamin C are sparse, particularly in cancer patients. This fact needs prompt attention to understand the significance of intravenous vitamin C administration. This review describes the current state-of-the-art in oral and intravenous vitamin C pharmacokinetics. In addition, the governmental recommendations of dose and frequency of vitamin C intake will also be addressed.

Role of treatment-modifying MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms in metformin-treated Puerto Rican patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to investigate potential association between MTHFR genotypes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in Puerto Ricans with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with metformin. The prevalence of major MTHFR polymorphisms in this cohort was also ascertained. METHODS: DNAs from 89 metformin-treated patients with T2DM and DPN were genotyped using the PCR-based RFLP assay for MTHFR677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms. Frequency distributions of these variants in the study cohort were compared to those reported for three reference populations (HapMap project) and controls (400 newborn specimens). Chi-square (or Fischer's exact) tests and odds ratios (OR) were used to assess association with DPN susceptibility risk (patients vs. controls) and biochemical markers (wild types vs. carriers). RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants carry at least one of these MTHFR polymorphisms. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected. The genotype and allele frequencies showed statistically significant differences between participants and controls (p<0.0001 and p=0.03, respectively). Results suggest that 1298A>C but not 677C>T is associated with DPN susceptibility in this cohort (p=0.018). Different patterns of allelic dissimilarities are observed when comparing our cohort vs. the three parental ancestries. After sorting individuals by their carrier status, no significant associations were observed between these genetic variants (independently or combined) and any of the biochemical markers (HbA1c, folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of major MTHFR variants in Puerto Rican patients with T2DM is first time ever reported. The study provides further evidence on the use of this genetic marker as an independent risk factor for DPN.

Supraphysiological cyclic dosing of sustained release T3 in order to reset low basal body temperature.

The use of sustained release tri-iodothyronine (SR-T3) in clinical practice, has gained popularity in the complementary and alternative medical community in the treatment of chronic fatigue with a protocol (WT3) pioneered by Dr. Denis Wilson. The WT3 protocol involves the use of SR-T3 taken orally by the patient every 12 hours according to a cyclic dose schedule determined by patient response. The patient is then weaned once a body temperature of 98.6 degrees F has been maintained for 3 consecutive weeks. The symptoms associated with this protocol have been given the name Wilson's Temperature Syndrome (WTS). There have been clinical studies using T3 in patients who are euthyroid based on normal TSH values. However, this treatment has created a controversy in the conventional medical community, especially with the American Thyroid Association, because it is not based on a measured deficiency of thyroid hormone. However, just as estrogen and progesterone are prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles in patients who have normal serum hormone levels, the WT3 therapy can be used to regulate metabolism despite normal serum thyroid hormone levels. SR-T3 prescription is based exclusively on low body temperature and presentation of symptoms. Decreased T3 function exerts widespread effects throughout the body. It can decrease serotonin and growth hormone levels and increase the number of adrenal hormone receptor sites. These effects may explain some of the symptoms observed in WTS. The dysregulation of neuroendocrine function may begin to explain such symptoms as alpha intrusion into slow wave sleep, decrease in blood flow to the brain, alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, fatigue, myalgia and arthralgia, depression and cognitive dysfunction. Despite all thermoregulatory control mechanisms of the body and the complex metabolic processes involved, WT3 therapy seems a valuable tool to re-establish normal body functions. We report the results of 11 patients who underwent the WT3 protocol for the treatment of CFS. All the patients improved in the five symptoms measured. All patients increased their basal temperature. The recovery time varied from 3 weeks to 12 months.

Metabolic Correction in Patients Sample with Diabetes: Clinical Outcomes and Costs Reductions.

Diabetes is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Diabetes complications produce profound impact on patient's quality of life and represent very significant economic cost to patients, their family, the government and society as a whole. Metabolic correction has been proposed as an efficient method to improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs in diabetes. Metabolic correction is a concept that supports health maintenance and promotes the healing processes by improving the body's biochemical-physiological mechanisms. This is done by helping activate the metabolic enzymes necessary to facilitate key physiological pathways. A group of 50 patients followed a simple metabolic correction strategy based on hydration, diet, and magnesium supplementation during a 6 months period. Outcomes measures included laboratory testing, anthropometric measures and medication use including its related costs. Patients had an average weight loss of 9.4 lbs (↓5.0%) from baseline at month 3 and 12 lbs (↓6.4%) at month 6. Waist circumference decreased on average 3.7 inches (↓9.0%) from baseline at month 3 and had further decrease to 5.5 inches (↓13.4%) from baseline at month 6. Laboratory testing of average triglycerides decreased from a baseline of 156.9 to 116.7 (↓25.6%) at month 3 and maintained a reduction of ↓24.2% by month 6. Total cholesterol concentration decreased from a baseline of 181.1 mg/dL to 173.9 (↓4.0%) in month 3 and to 171.1 (↓5.5%) at month 6. Average HgA1c decreased from baseline of 7.17 to 6.52 (↓9.1%) at month 3 and maintained 6.52 at months 6. The atherogenic index decreased from 4.18 at baseline to 3.85 at month 3 (↓7.9%) and then 3.47 (17.0%) at month 6. Medication use and cost was quantified in various ways. The average baseline monthly diabetes medication cost per patient of $124.10 was reduced to $ 78.23 (↓36.7% reduction) at month 3 and to $62.80 (↓49.4% reduction) at month 6. A simple and well structured metabolic correction program that includes a significant educational component, dietary modifications and dietary supplement intake was able to maintain or improve vital signs, anthopometric and laboratory measurements that correlate with improved clinical diabetes and cardiovascular health. This outcome was achieved while decreasing the use medications at month 3 and 6 at significant cost savings.

High dose intravenous vitamin c treatment in a patient with lung cancer: A case report.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. According to Dr. Abram Hoffer, patients with a better nutritional plan and daily Vitamin C supplementation improved their life quality. In this case report we present the case of a 56-year-old Hispanic male patient diagnosed with lung cancer on 2012. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, he started a high dose intravenous Vitamin C protocol on December 2013. The treatment continued until June 2015, when the patient decided to stop the treatment. A maximum of 75 gr of Vitamin C in 1,000 cc lactated Ringer's was given three times a week in a period over a year and a half. Patient's CEA levels continued to be within normal levels while high doses of Vitamin C infusions were given. Many case reports suggest that patients with lung cancer that received high doses of intravenous Vitamin C can live up to 10 years. A level of Vitamin C in plasma above 400 mg/dL is toxic to tumor cells, this can be achieved with periodic Vitamin C infusions. Our case support that the usage of high doses of IV Vitamin C can be effective in the treatment of patients with cancer without secondary effects.

Orthomolecular oncology review: ascorbic acid and cancer 25 years later.

The effect of ascorbic acid on cancer has been a subject of great controversy. This is a follow-up review of the 1979 article by Cameron, Pauling, and Leibovitz published in Cancer Research. In this updated version, the authors address general aspects of ascorbic acid and cancer that have been presented before, while reviewing, analyzing, and updating new existing literature on the subject. In addition, they present and discuss their own mechanistic hypothesis on the effect of ascorbic acid on the cancer cell. The objective of this review is to provide an updated scientific basis for the use of ascorbic acid, especially intravenously as adjuvant treatment in pharmacological nutritional oncology.

Effect of a dietary supplement combination on weight management, adipose tissue, cholesterol and triglycerides in obese children.

A dietary supplement combination consisting of vitamins, minerals and fibers was studied to determine its safety and efficacy on weight/fat loss, cholesterol and triglycerides in children between ages 7-13. This open label trial measured total body weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides before and after 6 weeks of treatment. The study population consisted of 25 mildly to moderate obese, otherwise healthy children of both sexes. After 6 weeks of treatment, the combination supplement had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) weight reducing effect. This weight reduction was associated with a corresponding statistically significant (p < 0.0001l) decrease in body fat percentage. In addition, significant decreases in total cholesterol (p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (p < 0.0001) were obtained, plus reductions in waist measurements. We conclude that the combination supplement studied herein is a safe and effective way to assist children in weight, fat percentage, cholesterol and triglyceride reduction.