I am a retired ER physician and father of many. After graduating from Chicago Medical School in 1990, I embarked on a 23-year career in Emergency Medicine. Medical interests include wilderness medicine, addictionology, and trauma psychology. I currently teach health and medicine online. DISCLAIMER: Accept all medical advice with a jaundiced eye. Before following my suggestions, do your own research and consult with your physician first. Enjoy & Learn!
My Quora Answer to "What Does Sepsis Feel Like?"
Honestly, I only had a handful of septic patients. If you count them as "Lives I've Saved," that puts me past 100. Not brag. Just fact:
To the patient, they all felt like they were burning in Hell. Because sepsis also causes neurological problems, a lot of them reported hallucinations. Being in Hell was one of them.
https://bit.ly/3GRVDlz
We used methylene blue to test dialyzers when I worked at Baxter-Travenol Labs in Round Lake, IL a few lifetimes ago. If I had known then when I know now, I would have been taking it daily since. Dosing is in the article.
The article is the transcript of an interview with Scott Sherr, M.D. entitled "Methylene Blue – The Magic Blue Pill for Energy and Brain Performance." I edited this excerpt for clarity.
It is well worth your time to read, especially if you are concerned about Aging Gracefully:
“Methylene blue is one of these very unique compounds that helps you make more energy in your mitochondria which is the powerhouse, the energy production center of your cell. But at the same time, it also increases antioxidant capacity… The electron transport chain is just an energy gradient that is created in your mitochondria so that you can make energy. And what you need for that to happen are electrons. And these come from our food, but they can come from molecules like methylene blue that donate electrons to the electron transport chain, induce the gradient, which allows you to make more energy. And that is how it works. Interestingly enough, there are other things that also donate electrons to the complex four. One of the major things is red light, near-Infrared light at 660 nanometers does the same thing.”
A name for the 4th Baby Step in "Aging Gracefully" eludes me. The previous one is Adult Steps, but I want to go beyond it. I think "Anti-Aging Steps" could work, especially since my recommendations include cutting-edge techniques for longevity.
This then is my first entry into the 4th Step:
NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme that is involved in many cellular processes, such as energy metabolism, DNA repair, and immune function. NAD+ levels decline with age, and this may contribute to various age-related diseases and conditions. Some of the potential health benefits of NAD Plus are:
It may slow down aging by activating sirtuins, a group of proteins that regulate gene expression and cellular health.
It may increase energy by enhancing mitochondrial function, the powerhouses of the cells.
It may improve cognitive function by protecting neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation.
It may reduce cholesterol by modulating lipid metabolism and lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels .
It may reduce cancer risk by repairing DNA damage and preventing genomic instability.
The optimal dosage of NAD+ supplements is not yet established, as different forms of NAD precursors may have different bioavailability and efficacy. However, some studies have suggested that doses ranging from 100 mg to 1000 mg per day may be effective and safe for most people. The most common forms of NAD precursors are nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide (NAM), and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). Each of these forms has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as side effects, cost, and absorption rate. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any Niacin-related supplements.
I have severe osteoarthritis in my right wrist and knee, and milder OA on the left. There is a painful Morton's Neuroma hiding in my right foot. Four discs are bulging in my lower back on both side of my spine. That damned spine is also getting narrower, a condition called "spinal stenosis." That's a lot of pain to deal with, but now I rarely take any prescription pain medication.
There are other benefits of turmeric/curcumin. Enjoy the summary and learn all about it!
Turmeric and curcumin are widely used for their health benefits, especially for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here are some some of turmeric's benefits:
- Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with medicinal properties, such as curcumin, which is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
- Curcumin may help reduce joint pain and inflammation in people with arthritis, as well as improve knee function and reduce NSAID usage. It works well for me. I haven't taken an NSAID in 4 months. Well, except for the daily baby aspirin.
- Curcumin may also boost memory and mood, as it can protect the brain from harmful free radicals and mitigate the effects of depression and anxiety.
- Curcumin may support heart health by improving endothelial function, which is the lining of the blood vessels. Curcumin may also lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Curcumin may have anticancer potential, as it can modulate various molecular pathways involved in cancer development, growth, and spread. Curcumin may also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Curcumin may help prevent or treat type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity, lowering blood sugar levels, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
The optimal dose of turmeric and curcumin may vary depending on the health condition you’re trying to treat, as well as the form and quality of the supplement you’re taking. However, some general guidelines are:
- The curcumin content of turmeric is around 3% by weight, so you would need to consume a large amount of turmeric to get a significant dose of curcumin.
- Most studies use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day. It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using turmeric as a spice in your foods.
- Curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream, so you need to enhance its bioavailability by consuming it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine can increase the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%. Alternatively, you can look for curcumin supplements that contain piperine or other bioenhancers.
- Curcumin is also fat soluble, which means it dissolves in fat or oil. Therefore, it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements with a meal that’s high in fat. The minimum amount of fat for optimal absorption is 15 grams. I take it with my Bulletproof coffee every morning. Usually I blend in a tablespoon of coconut/MCT oil plus one TB of butter or ghee. That's about 28 grams.
- Research suggests 500–2,000 mg of turmeric per day may have potential benefits, particularly in extract form. However, different amounts may be recommended depending on the specific health condition you’re trying to address.
- The risk of side effects is minimal but turmeric supplements are unsuitable for some people. For example, people who have gallstones or bile duct obstruction should avoid turmeric supplements, as they may worsen their condition. Turmeric supplements may also interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners or diabetes drugs. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult your doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin supplements.
If you have any questions or concerns about your health or supplement use, please talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional.
I admit it. Researching "Aging Gracefully" overwhelms me. But today I serendipitously discovered a skeleton on which to hang the book's muscles. It is an article entitled "The Hallmarks of Aging," published 10 years ago in the scientific magazine "Cell." The link is at the bottom. These are the 9 Hallmarks:
Genomic instability
Telomere attrition
Epigenetic alterations
Loss of proteostasis
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Cellular senescence
Stem cell exhaustion
Altered intercellular communication
Researching "Aging Gracefully" is my newest passion. I am discovering new medicinal plants, cutting edge medical breakthroughs, and rediscovering old-fashioned foods, technologies, and wisdom.
Today's post is a nod back to 1983 when I started my own edible landscape in Lake in the Hills, IL. It's been updated to USDA growing zone 7a, here in Paducah:
This is an extensive list of edible perennial plants suitable for USDA Growing Zone 7A, which typically has a cold winter climate:
1. Asparagus
2. Rhubarb
3. Artichoke
4. Horseradish
5. Jerusalem artichoke (Sunchoke)
6. Strawberries
7. Raspberries
8. Blackberries
9. Blueberries
10. Currants
11. Gooseberries
12. Elderberry
13. Hops (for brewing)
14. Chives
15. Mint
16. Oregano
17. Thyme
18. Sage
19. Rosemary
20. Lavender
21. French tarragon
22. Lovage
23. Sorrel
24. Good King Henry
25. Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
26. Wild leek (Allium tricoccum)
27. Sea kale
28. Egyptian walking onion
29. Sweet cicely
30. Comfrey
31. Fennel
32. Lovage
33. Lemon balm
34. Wintergreen
35. Groundnut (Apios americana)
36. Watercress
37. Lovage
38. Skirret
39. Chinese water chestnut
40. Hosta (young shoots are edible)
41. Daylily (edible buds and flowers)
42. Alpine strawberries
43. Siberian pea shrub (edible pea-like pods)
44. Korean nut pine
45. Yacon (Peruvian ground apple)
46. Sunchokes
47. Wild strawberries
Remember that the availability of some plants may vary depending on your specific microclimate and local growing conditions. Always research the specific care and maintenance requirements for each plant to ensure successful cultivation.
https://bit.ly/40j95YG
Aging Gracefully one step at a time.
If you can walk despite achy and stiff joints, the recommended length of time is 20-30 minutes daily, for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. These are your Baby Steps. Literally. Of course, if you've been sedentary for awhile, work up to it gradually. Even one more step or an additional ten seconds each session will get you to your goal eventually.
I have several Teen Steps to add and I will post at least one every day. Today's is walking at a brisk pace for 11 minutes straight. "Brisk" simply means slightly winded. Recent research published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" reveals that "11 minutes a day (75 minutes a week) of moderate-intensity physical activity - such as a brisk walk - would be sufficient to lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and a number of cancers… Doing SOME physical activity is BETTER THAN DOING NONE." (Emphases mine)
— Soren Brage
I now walk meditatively for the first 5-10 minutes to warm up, get my brisk on for 11, then cool down for the remainder of the walk. More on Walking Meditation tomorrow.
Keep moving. Death is Very Very Still.
My Long COVID Story, Part 1. Pun intended
Before I begin, let me explain something. "Long COVID" doesn't mean you have the acute disease, but rather that you have negative physical and mental sequelae that can appear a year or two or three afterwards. I first caught the damned virus in March of 2020, but looking back in hindsight, I believe my Long Story started 15 months later. Because of this timeframe, I will break this down into several posts. I will also call my first acute episode "COVID1" and the second "COVID2."
The symptoms of COVID1 were annoying but not severe: fever and chills; muscle and joint aches ("myalgias" and "arthralgias" respectively); some nasal congestion and clear discharge ("rhinorrhea"); a minor sore throat ("pharyngitis"); a loss of sense of taste; and a strange change in olfaction. Everything smelled like smoke, eerily reminiscent of the time I went into the charred shell of a neighbor's house destroyed by fire. I would often awaken in a panic, thinking that something was burning up in my room at Motel Hell in Milwaukee. Needless to say, I lost my sense of smell for everything else, and it hasn't fully recovered over three years later.
I just recently realized how this ties acute and long COVID together.
My Quora Answer to:
Why does the inside of my left nostril smell?
"There are two major possibilities here, although there may be other less common ones. The first, and probably the most likely explanation, is that the first two antibiotics didn't work."
http://bit.ly/3lIFyrl