A couple of Suggestions About the Cookie Mix

I've been playing around with the Pamela's chocolate chip cookie mix.  It's very good, but I always like to see if I can improve on any prepared mixes.

The directions say to add one large egg and, if need be, add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry.  I have found it to be too dry, so this time I added 2 medium sized eggs and didn't need the extra water.  Now, what that does is to yield a softer cookie on the inside while allowing the crispy outside to remain.  For me, that's the perfect chocolate chip cookie.

The next time, I'm going to try adding peanut butter instead of the one stick of butter that the recipe calls for.  The addition of the macadamia nuts makes for a really tasty cookie.  One thing; my husband likes the nuts put on the top of the cookies so that they get a little roasted while baking.  Yum.  You could also try doing the same with walnuts or pecans, if your preference is for those nuts.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

How Effective is this year's Flu Vaccine?

According to the CDC, this year's flu vaccine is the most effective in years...almost 59%.  Wow, has something changed to offer these results?  Not really.  The reason the vaccine is "so effective" (but, ineffective for over 40% of those vaccinated) is that the formula is very close to this year's virus strain.  In years past, that wasn't the case.

Here's what the statistics bear out.  If you decide to get the vaccination, you'll have a 60/40 chance of not getting the flu...or, a 40/60 chance of getting it.  If you keep your immune system strong and healthy, what do you suppose the odds would be of not getting the flu? 

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

So, You Think Drinking Diet Soda will Help You Lose Weight?

The beverage industry has been inundating us for years with the idea that drinking diet soda will help us to lose weight because it doesn't contain sugar. Smart consumers know that all chemical sugar substitutes...aspartame, sucralose, xylitol.... may cause many unintended health consequences.  Now, we have some interesting research that is giving the soda industry some much needed heartburn.

Susie Swithers, a behavioral scientist at Purdue University, has published a study in, "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism," that indicates that people who drink diet sodas are more likely to overeat, gain weight and show more health problems than those who drink regular soda.  They are also twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a precursor to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It appears that the sugar substitutes are counterproductive to both the weight loss and "better" health results claimed by the beverage industry.

Interestingly enough, for those who just have to have their soda fix, Coke has begun production on a stevia-sweetened version.  How interesting that they are trying to offer a "healthier" version of their diet soda.  Now, that's an oxymoron if I've ever heard of one!  There just is no good reason to drink soda. And, now, we have additional proof that diet soda will not help people to lose weight.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

The Most Important Item in Your Medicine Cabinet

What would that item be?  Silver water colloidal silver.  Why?  Because colloidal silver is the strongest, safest broad-spectrum germ killer known to man. It's non-toxic, non-addictive and offers no side effects.  The body builds no tolerance for colloidal silver and it's virtually impossible to overdose on it.  The single most important factor is the purity of the silver.  It absolutely must be 100% pure silver, or it will have impurities that can, indeed, cause problems.

It works by basic chemistry.  Silver is a positive ion and, as such, it attracts the negatively charged particles found within all viruses, fungi, bacteria and free radicals.  Once bound by the silver, these pathogens are suffocated because their oxygen metabolism enzymes are disabled.  The silver particles then release the offending entities and they are cleared from the body by the immune, lymphatic and elimination systems.

We have used colloidal silver both internally and externally.  It is a fantastic mouthwash because it actually does kill oral bacteria, viruses and fungi without causing susceptibility to mouth and tongue cancer (see May 20, 2013 blog).  It can be used on burns, rashes, acne, cuts and even warts. For topical use, soak a clean cotton ball and apply it to the affected area for 10 minutes...you'll be amazed at the results.  Colloidal silver is very effective for Sitz baths, too.

Be especially careful as to the source of the colloidal silver.  If any of you are interested, you can contact me for recommendations.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

A Really Good Cookie Mix

As most of you know, I normally bake from scratch.  I do use Pamela's Baking Mix as a gluten free flour base for my cakes, brownies and cookies, but that's normally as far as it goes.  However, I decided to take a leap and try a chocolate chip cookie baking mix the other day.

I have to confess that I'm somewhat of a chocolate chip cookie snob.  I'm very particular about them as they are my all-time favorite cookie.  They need to be a bit crispy (not hard) on the outside, a bit soft on the inside and full of chocolate chips and chocolate flavor, preferably dark chocolate.  That's a rather tall order and since I must admit failure on my own as well as an extreme dislike for any of the purchased varieties, it was with little expectation that I tried the mix.

I am announcing that I have found the perfect mix: Pamela's Chocolate Chip Cookie mix.   Who knew?  I only added a bit of cinnamon and unsalted macadamia nuts to the mixture and, whodathunkit, but victory!  My husband ate 4 of them, he liked them so much.  So, for those of you looking for a GF chocolate chip cookie that is very, very tasty...this one's it.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

Sad Results for theTraditionalTreatment of Auto-Immune Dysfunction

I was surprised to hear about the death of Glenn Fry, leader of the musical group The Eagles, at almost 68.  I know that seems old to those of you around 40 and younger, but it truly is young.  Look at Betty White...going strong at 94 and Cloris Leachman is close behind at 90!  What killed him...cancer, heart attack, drug overdose?  No.

Glenn died from pneumonia. What's even worse is that the pneumonia was the direct result of side effects to the pulmonary system caused by Humira.  This is not something I'm making up; it was the stated official cause of death (including the direct connection to the medication).  Glenn had RA or rheumatoid arthritis, one of the many, many autoimmune dysfunctions plaguing us in ever-increasing numbers.  Look up the possible side effects of long-term Humira usage or that of other autoimmune drugs...death is one of them.

It makes me so very, very sad to see how popular this drug is and how devastating it's side effects can be.  What other choice did he and millions of people have other than drugs for autoimmune dysfunction? Instead of taking the, "let's-destroy-that-pesky-immune-system-with-drugs" approach, I recommend the, "let's nutritionally support and balance the immune system" approach. This doesn't connect any claims of "curing, treating or diagnosing" to the dysfunction, but rather to complexly balance the body, nutritionally.

It's always a good choice to try the non-lethal approach, first, don't you think?

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-64713/humira-subcutaneous/details/list-sideeffects

Good News concerning Dementia

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine performed at Boston College of Medicine shows some interesting results concerning dementia.  Both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's dementia were studied.

As far back as 1948, researchers began following some 5,000 people who had signed up for the Framingham Heart Study, specifically targeting memory and dementia.  Additionally, many children of the original research participants were added in 1971 and their memory was tested beginning in 1975.

They found that on average, the incidence of dementia has been decreasing about 20% per decade and the incidence of vascular dementia has been decreasing about 29% per decade.  These numbers did not hold true for Alzheimer's. The researchers also looked at the numbers in terms of ethnicity.  In general, the incidence of vascular dementia is highest in African-Americans (27 cases per 1,000) and lowest in Asian Americans (15 cases per 1,000).  The incidence among Whites is 19 per 1,000.  African-Americans have a 65% higher incidence of vascular dementia than Asian Americans.

Detailed parameters of everyday life were followed and recorded over the years.  The results showed that education levels (above high school), diet, exercise, social interaction and smoking all are contributing factors.  Not only that, but it appears that ceasing smoking, adding high quality fruits and vegetables to the diet, exercising regularly and challenging the brain by continuously learning new things can lead to a reversal or even avoidance of vascular dementia. Again, these lifestyle changes don't appear to significantly affect either the onset or progression of Alzheimer's.

It appears that very simple changes can yield some spectacular results! 

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

Bipolar Disorder Affects More than Once Thought

The other day, I was listening to a psychologist connected with Johns Hopkins University speaking about studies concerning bipolar disorder.  She, along with other scientists, including neurologists, has been studying the long-term brain effects of multiple episodes of this disorder.

Since the technological development of detailed brain scans, most changes in brain function can now be mapped non-invasively and with great accuracy. The findings concerning bipolar disorder are immediately crucial:  With each episode, the brain, when subjected to both the manic and depressive cycles, is irreversibly affected.  This is a relatively new discovery, at least for me. We can see that someone suffering from this disorder needs immediate and consistent therapy to avoid repetitive cycles and further deterioration of the brain. Pharmacological, psychological and nutritional intervention should all be considered.

Some of our most creative people, from Poe to Tennessee Williams, Van Gogh and Cole Porter and artists, writers and musicians in between have all been thought to have struggled with the disorder.  Probably as a result of that, it has been thought that when a creative person controlled the disorder, his or her creativity diminished.  On the contrary, present-day studies show that once the disorder is properly treated, it allows the creative portion of the brain to function in a more productive, thoughtful and considered way.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

CDC Issues New Guidelines Concerning Zika Virus

For the first time, a person from the U.S. who traveled to Venezuela has infected his sexual partner with the Zika virus.  It isn't known how long the virus can live in sperm, so the CDC is studying that, right now.

The guidelines state that anyone who is pregnant and having sexual contact with a person who has traveled to areas known to be associated with this virus should have that partner use a condom.

Specifically, the following is the alert just released by the CDC:

"Men with a pregnant sex partner who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission and their pregnant sex partners should consistently and correctly use condoms during sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy," the CDC said in its latest advisory on Zika.
 
"Our priority here is to prevent a pregnant woman from becoming infected with Zika," CDC chief Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters.
"The bottom line for most people in the U.S. is that pregnant women should postpone travel to Zika-affected areas. Our new guidance is that pregnant women should use condoms during sex or abstain if their partner has traveled to an area where Zika has been spreading."

Zika has recently been identified in saliva, too.  This doesn't necessarily mean that it can be transmitted via kissing or sneezing (or other methods), but salivary transmission is presently being studied by the CDC.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

Incredible Brownie Recipe made Even Better

I have changed one ingredient in the recipe below, that I published in  December.  Since we love the taste of chocolate and peanut butter together, I thought, "Why not put some in the batter?" So, for those of you who like that idea, decrease the amount of butter to one-half a stick and add 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of peanut butter.  We like the chunky, but it'll work just as well with the smooth.  The result is the brownie is a bit "shorter" but that makes it even better, for us.  Enjoy!




If you use a good non-stick pan, you need do nothing in the way of preparing it.  If you use a regular 8 x 8 baking pan, then, grease and flour the pan, then cut two strips of parchment paper wide and long enough to stick up the sides by about 3 inches, placing the paper at 90 degree angles to one another and grease the parchment paper, again.

Set the oven temperature to 325 F.

Ingredients:

6 ounces of dark chocolate (minimum, 70%)  I use Divine or Chirardelli, 72%
1 stick of butter
1 tsp. ground coffee
3 eggs, room temperature and lightly beaten
1 tsp. real vanilla extract
3/4 cup of GF flour (I like Pamela's)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup of coconut palm sugar (this makes for low glycemic index brownies)
3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

Directions:

Melt the chocolate, butter and coffee in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside to cool a bit, and then whisk the eggs, vanilla and sugar into the mixture.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, salt and cocoa powder. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, then add in the nuts.  Pour the mixture into either a 10 inch non-stick pan or 8 x 8 prepared baking pan.

Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.  Do not over bake this recipe.  It's meant to be moist when you remove it from the oven as the eggs will keep cooking for a bit.  Cool completely before removing from the pan.

Two things to remember:  the quality and taste of the brownies depends upon the quality of the ingredients, especially the chocolate, and these taste so much better when they are cooled.  If someone just can't wait to try them, they will crumble if eaten warm.  The recipe is easy and simple; the taste is complex and incredible!  Happy Holidays.


Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

Thermography: Is this Test a Good Alternative to Mammograms?

Over the weekend, the topic of using thermography testing as a viable and reliable alternative to breast cancer screening via mammograms was raised.  Here is my response: "No, not yet."

If you research the topic of thermography breast cancer screening, you'll see lots and lots of claims about the safety of thermography and the dangers of mammography.  As one who prefers to rely on facts and good scientific research, I can tell you that any research that the "thermography people" claim as proof of their position is shaky to nonexistent.  My father used to like to tell me that in life, you'll find that, "Figures don't lie, but liars figure."  I'm sorry to say, that this is the case when it comes to thermography.  Let's do a little fact finding.

1.  Thermography proponents say that it is approved by the FDA for use in breast cancer screening.  That is partially true.  It is FDA approved in conjunction with mammograms, only.

2.  Thermographic studies result in many false positives and is highly non-specific.  The reason for this is that temperature changes follow blood flow and angiogenesis (development of blood vessels). There are many conditions that can result in increased blood flow to the breasts, including hormonal changes, pregnancy, fibroids, fatty tumors and the like.

3.  There have been no long term randomized clinical trials as to the efficacy of thermography.  This is really important as it will show whether or not thermography could become a viable alternative to mammograms.  We simply do not know that right now and a woman's life is nothing to trifle with.

4.  The only situation that I could think of that might warrant a women getting a thermography screening as her only choice would be for those under the age of 45.  Recently, the age guidelines were changed for recommendations for a woman's first mammogram.  That also means that insurance wouldn't pay for the test for the younger woman unless she tested positive for the breast cancer gene or she had a family history of the disease.  Then, if the thermography was positive, she could go to her doctor with the results and hopefully get her insurance to pay for further testing.

Please, don't be swayed by marketing and hype.  Thermography should never be used as the only method for breast cancer screening unless and until it has been conclusively shown to be as accurate as present day methods.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com

Should We be Concerned About Zika Virus?

I originally wasn't going to write a blog on this topic.  However, after listening to the hyperbole of horror stories covered by the television news medium, I couldn't remain on the sidelines.

Zika and dengue are strains of the same virus.  This is important to note because dengue has been around for decades and no large outbreaks of this virus have ever been recorded in this country.  The two strains of virus are transmitted by the same vector....the pesky mosquito. This pest is found in very warm climates...South America, Central America and the Caribbean....not in the U.S.

Here are the facts:
1.  Science does not know if the Zika virus causes birth defects; it has identified an association.  That means that there is research going on to determine if there is an actual cause and effect between the Zika virus-carrying mosquito and birth defects.

2.  Pregnant women should not travel to those areas of the world know to be associated with this virus-carrying mosquito.  That's just common sense.

3.  There is no significant danger to the general population concerning this virus.  An estimated 80% of those infected didn't even know they had been exposed.  Those who are immuno-compromised always need to be vigilant.

4.  It is highly improbable (although possible) that there will be significant outbreaks of the Zika virus in this country.  Localized pockets of some infections are possible...mostly in the Gulf Coast states.

5.  In order for this virus to become of any concern, someone would need to be bitten by a Zika mosquito, return to the U.S., be bitten by a local mosquito, which would then carry the virus, bite another person and transmit the virus to that other person and so on.

6. There is no need for anyone to panic about this virus, especially in the northern states.  For pregnant women traveling to those above-mentioned countries, keeping your immune system healthy is the best deterrent to succumbing to this or any virus because, as of now, there is no Zika virus vaccine.

Dr. Esther
drkollars@gmail.com
fixdhealthcare.com