Summer 2011 Newsletter

From the Doctor’s Desk…

Understanding Sugars

Young lettuce in the Mountain Peak garden

There is a costly health price to pay for having a sweet tooth these days. Trying to make sense of the conflicting information that circulates about various sugars makes it even more difficult to understand what is ok and what might be harmful. Although all sugars are sweet, they are not chemically created equally:

• Fructose is a monosaccharide naturally found in fruits, and the sweetest of the naturally-occurring sugars.
• Glucose is a monosaccharide, or simple sugar, and is the breakdown product of ingested carbohydrates
• Sucrose (table sugar) is a disaccharide composed of one molecule of glucose bound to one molecule of fructose, linked together in a long chain at a 1:1 ratio.
• Sucrose is considered the healthiest sugar because it is what the cells in our bodies use for fuel.
• Sucrose is not used as a sweetener in processed foods. The typical American now consumes 123 pounds of sugar per year, roughly half (63 of those 123 pounds) coming from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS was discovered in Japan in 1966 and introduced in 1975 to the U.S. marketplace. HFCS became more popular when table sugar (sucrose) was getting negative attention for being unhealthy and causing tooth decay, cavities and diabetes. Fructose (the predominant sugar in fruit) seemed a more natural option (gentler and kinder) and was an easier sell to uninformed consumers. Basically, it was a marketing scheme to confuse the American consumer… and it worked.

The media is telling us today that HFCS is the culprit in the rise of obesity and diabetes, and that sugar is now the preferred sweetener of choice. The truth is that table sugar (sucrose) is no better than HFCS. They are both to blame for the current health crisis. The main difference between HFCS and sucrose is this: In sucrose, the fructose and glucose units are joined while in HFCS they are detached. Since the small intestine promptly breaks down the bond in sucrose, there becomes little difference between the two forms.

In 1986 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a task force to assess various sweeteners that included sugar and HFCS. The FDA concluded “that sugars do not have a unique role in the etiology (origin) of obesity.” The lead author of this FDA report was Walter H. Glinsmann, who is now a paid consultant for the Corn Refiners’ Association. In September of 2010, after spending more than $30 million on ads aimed at saving HFCS’ faltering reputation, the Corn Refiners’ Association threw-in the towel and petitioned the FDA to re-brand its product as “corn sugar.”

The bottom line is that the modern diet contains way too much refined sugar. Prior to 1900, about 4 percent of our calories came from fructose. Today’s teens get roughly 12 percent, and that number continues to rise. Statistics indicate these severe health implications resulting from the over-consumption of fructose: Obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, immunity issues, gout and heart disease; all directly linked to the over-consumption of sugar. Another worrisome reality is that high consumption of fructose can lead to insulin resistance, a hormonal snafu that makes you feel hungry even when you’re full. Is there really any wonder that more than 25 percent of Americans are now obese? Consequently, an obesity epidemic exists even among six-month-olds in the U.S. who are being fed formulas containing sugar. Obesity is simply the result of poor eating habits and eating too much sugar.

MPN uses the all-natural sweeteners CitriSweet®, Lo Han and Stevia in our Energy™ formula, suggested as a complete daily multivitamin and mineral supplement, electrolyte replacement, and energy boost. Our Glycemic™ formula provides key nutrients, which help prevent complications associated with diabetes.

About our Cholesterol™ formula…

Click the image to see this formula on mpn8.com

I recently read a question from an ND in a naturopathic chat room regarding CoQ10 and whether patients on statin drugs need to take more CoQ10. Statin-induced CoQ10 depletion is well documented in both animal and human studies, with detrimental cardiac consequences in those studies. Furthermore, this drug-induced nutrient deficiency is dose-related, and more notable in pre-existing CoQ10 deficiency, such as in the elderly and in heart failure.

CoQ10 serves as the coenzyme for mitochondrial enzyme complexes I, II and III and is essential for mitochondrial ATP (adenosine tri phosphate) production. CoQ10 is also a clinically relevant fat-soluble anti-oxidant that is known to be synthesized de nova (anew).

At MPN, we use specific red yeast rice extract that is standardized to contain 0.4% mevinic acids. This is substantially less than the amount of statins contained in most cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs.
There is no severe muscle pain and cramping when taking red yeast rice extract, which typically occurs with other drugs and causes 20% of patients to discontinue use of those medications.

There have been no studies showing that red yeast rice powder actually robs the cells of CoQ10 as is the case with statin drugs. Clinical studies need to be done to address this issue, however, we have added 30 mg of CoQ10 in each serving of our Cholesterol™ formula to address the possibility of any CoQ10 depletion that may occur with the red yeast rice extract.

This is the Dream

This is the dream we carry through the world
that something fantastic will happen
that it has to happen
that time will open by itself
that doors shall open by themselves
that the heart will find itself open
that mountain springs will jump up
that the dream will open by itself
that we one early morning
will slip into a harbor
that we have never known.

From The Dream We Carry by Olav H. Hauge
Translated from Norwegian by Robert Hedin and Robert Bly

MPN Features…

Click the image to see this formula on mpn8.com

Tranquility™ is a natural anti-anxiety formula and contains key ingredients that help restore the delicate brain chemistry balance.

Phenibut is a form of GABA with an added phenyl ring and allows absorption across the blood-brain barrier. Anxiety reduction is a direct effect of phenibut.

Taurine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its main use has been to help treat epilepsy and other excitable brain states.

Vitamin B6 allows for amino acid metabolism. This allows for maximum absorption of both phenibut and taurine.

Tranquility™ formula is also an effective natural sleep aid and can be safely used in conjunction with MPN’s Sleep Easy.™

Proper Storing and Preserving of MPN Formulas

As summer temperatures soar we send this reminder for the proper storing and preserving of MPN Formulas.

Quality assurance is a fact of life at Mountain Peak Nutritionals. Our formulas are created using only the highest quality of raw materials for maximum results.

No preservatives are used in the process of making MPN formulas, which means they must be stored in a cool, dry location—no windowsills, sunny countertops or dashboards.

Certain raw materials are hydroscopic, which means they are very sensitive to moisture and may possibly pick up such moisture, resulting in color changes or spots. This hydroscopic nature and the resulting spotting does not effect the health benefit of that particular ingredient.

That little packet beneath the cotton ball is called a dessicant and it absorbs moisture. Keeping the dessicant and the cotton ball inside the bottle will help preserve freshness. Additionally, probiotics must be stored below 70 degrees in order to survive. If room temperature exceeds 70 degrees, probiotics must be refrigerated.

The expiration date is an accurate guide for unopened MPN products. Please call if we can answer any questions 1-877-686-7325 Thank you for your order.

What We’re Up to…

Flowers blooming in the Mountain Peak garden

Doctor and Karen Massey celebrated with NCNM the opening of the new Min Zidell Healing Garden on Saturday, June 18th… a gala evening with champagne reception, garden tour and dinner with keynote
speaker Anne Jaeger, Master Gardener and Journalist. Music was provided by Portland Chamber Orchestra Ensemble. Proceeds from the gala will establish a scholarship fund for NCNM naturopathic and
classical Chinese medicine students who show a particular affinity for botanical medicine.

MPN is gearing-up for the Portland Marathon on October 9th when our walking team will participate in the half-marathon, a 13-mile trek along downtown streets and over bridges to the finish line.

New Condition Specific Formulas® Anti-Inflammatory™ and Tranquility™ are now available and quickly becoming very popular.

Developing new formulas is often the result of recommendations and new formulations brought to us by other doctors. Dr. Tom Kruzel, a close friend and colleague, has been a key contributor to formula ideas and specific ingredients considered in the formulation. Dr. Kruzel developed the new Permeable Gut formula that MPN will offer later this summer. Presently, Dr. Massey is collaborating with Dr. Steven Sandberg-Lewis and Dr. Allison Siebecker to formulate an acid reflux formula. Dr. Konrad Kail played an instrumental role in helping Dr. Massey create many of our early formulas. He was always willing to share his ideas and knowledge of clinical nutrition with MPN to help create our Condition Specific Formulas®.

“Like” us at facebook.com/mountainpeaknutritionals to stay updated on MPN and other health news. When we get to 50 fans, we will begin posting discounts and promotions available only to our facebook fans! Help us reach this goal by encouraging your friends and associates to ‘Like’ our page. We can also be followed on Twitter at MtnPeakNut. Thanks for your calls during our website difficulties. We are making some improvements and apologize for our ‘mess’ during re-construction.

Making the Most of Summer…

Remember to enjoy the new season, to drop the “weight” we carry through winter, the worries, burdens and doubts, and to let go and trust that summer will bring recreation and rejuvenation. Summer will throw open its windows and blow fresh breezes through all the rooms of our house. Allow time for play, for being thoughtful, for looking within at any obstacles to happiness. We offer the following thoughts from Deepak Chopra for stepping into summer with purpose.

Deepak Chopra’s 7 Ways to Know “Who Am I”
Adapted from his book Life After Death (Harmony Books, 2006)

1. What is your story? More than just the details of your life, it is about your self-image, how you see yourself, what shaped your mind, which memories have imprinted themselves, and where you are in the cycle of life.
2. What are your expectations? Expectations are the seeds we plant which manifest into those things we gain from life, or lose. When you become aware of your own expectations, you discover the unspoken limits you have set on yourself. There is a huge difference between those who expect great things and those who don’t.
3. What is your purpose? This is the meaning you are trying to find. Purpose runs deeper than the superficial things we hope to get, which mostly center on money, possessions, status and comfort. If you know your purpose, you know the deeper project to which your life is dedicated.
4. What is your destination? This is about fulfillment. Human goals are endless; they unfold, not like a road that has an end but like a river that flows to join the sea, merging with ever-larger possibilities. If you know your destination, you can envision your highest fulfillment.
5. What is your path? Having identified your purposed and your destination, there must be a way to get there. “Path” has been adopted as a spiritual term, but in fact everyone, spiritual or not, follows certain ways to get where they want to go.
6. Who are your adversaries? Forward motion is never without obstacles. On your path, you will find yourself blocked. At times the adversary is external, but if you examine yourself deeply, you will find it is always internal as well.
7. Who are your allies? We all bring others with us on our journey. Just as your adversaries did, you may identify these allies as external, but they only reflect your own inner strength, just as an opponent reflects your inner vulnerability.

Issy-isms….

Issy in thought

Pets love summer too! We love the outdoors and having fun with our families, but we can get into a bit of trouble in all of the excitement. You can help us have a fun, safe summer by heeding these reminders.

Issy’s Pet Safety Tips for Summer

1. Remember we need extra water in the warmer weather. Fresh, cool water, inside and outside, thank you!
2. We might need a little help around the pool, on the boat or at the river, and anywhere else you think we might like to swim. We are not all great swimmers, fyi, and need to be supervised at the swimming hole.
3. PLEASE do NOT leave us alone in the car, even for a few minutes, because the car heats up faster than you can believe. This is one of the leading causes of death for pets in the summer.
4. Be careful that you don’t leave sunscreen, coolant, citronella candles, bug repellant or any other sweet smelling and interesting new ‘treat’ laying around. We love to get into new things even if they can make us sick, we can’t help ourselves!
5. You might be watchful for ticks this summer. They do not itch like fleas so you may not notice them unless you check our coats regularly. There are lots of great tips online for proper tick removal and follow-up care.

Finally, I’ve come to understand two things: The secret to life is enjoying the ride (nose in the wind), and this from Buck Brannaman Horse Whisperer, “Blessed are the flexible for they won’t get bent out of shape.”

In Closing…

Flowers on the deck at Mountain Peak

We would like to express our condolences to Dr. Konrad Kail’s family. Dr. Konrad Kail passed away at 9:30 am on July 18th after battling brain cancer for more than two years. He died peacefully at home with Petie, his wife of 38 years, by his side. He was 62. Konrad worked tirelessly for the profession. His accomplishments include Chair of the Arizona Naturopathic Board of Medicine for 10 years, President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, establishment of the Southwest College Research Institute, founding member of the Naturopathic Physicians Research Institute, National Institute of Health appointment to the Advisory Council to establish the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), co-founder and Chair of the Board of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona and 25 years of successful private practice at Naturopathic Family Care in Phoenix, co-founded with his wife. Memorial plans will be announced with the community as they develop.

Thank you for checking-in with us, and for your support of natural healthcare everywhere! Take good care, enjoy your summer, we’ll be back with more news in October… Jim, Karen, Trisha, Michelle and Issy.