Probiotics and other Complementary and Alternative Medicines

I first heard a useful audi digest medicine tape a year ago out of California.  The topic was 'probiotics' and the researcher had discussed the pros and cons.  The principle problem was that whatever benefits were gained by change in bowel flora this didn't appear to last.
Further, a major problem with the 'alternative health care' products is lack of 'standardization'.  There is very little 'quality control' in the "health food industry' because they have generally refused accept the rigorous and costly evaluation process that the pharmaceutical industry deals with.  Hence when a 'product' is said to be beneficial all manner of questionable 'knock offs' occur.  The desire of physicians generally is that we have access to the products from reputable sources such as the Germans have where alternative health care products like St. John's Wart for instance are subjected to the same 'quality control' regimens other 'medicinal compounds' are subjected to. Right now the mayhem in the Canadian 'health food industry' has been highly lucrative for the manufacturers though not at all beneficial for consumers and those of us who want to prescribe compounds proven to be benefical.
 
Professional's Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines, third edition, by C.W. Fetrow Pharm D and Juan R. Avila Pharm D, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004 was the best resource for my as a physician. Each product is listed with the standard information but with any of the 'scientific evidence' and listing and discussion of studies, double blind or other regarding products.  Previously I'd enjoyed "Tyler's Honest Herbal, A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, by Steven Foster and Varro E. Tyler , PhD, the Haworth Herbal Press, New York, 2000.  Both and newer studies show products of benefit but the problem is being able to find the equivalent compounds in the local stores given so much quackery and snake oil masquerading as 'real stuff'.  It's been with this history I read the Medical Post today and was delighted to read in the Nutrition section the probiotics article.  Get it.

Dr. Gregor Reid, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Surgery, at the University of Western Ontario, London has published a superb article Probiotics, The Medical Post, April 19, 2011.  In this article he delineates each of the various products.  He admits that the clinical scientific evidence is limited but in general puts forward which products by name and specifically are beneficial in a number of clinical conditions. Probiotics have been shown to be benefical in collick, diarrhea conditions, urogenitial infections, even ulcerative colitis (VSL#E, Ferring Pharma, Dried formula in Sachets and Mutaforlor, Medical Futures Inc. Capsules,) .  I was even pleased to see a yogurt I like, Yoplait is beneficial as an adjunct when using antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori.  There is further information on irritable bowel syndrome,  inflammatory bowel disease and vaginosis. Great article.  Well done Dr. Gregor Reid!

Equilibrium movie

Just watched Equilibrium, the movie, on DVD.  Can't figure how I missed it when it first came out. It's futuristic, like Matrix.  Highly believable.  Stars Christian Bale, Emily Watson and Taye Diggs.  It takes political correctness to it's extreme where one is not allowed to 'feel'.  A wonderful movie about the real meaning of freedom.  It's a terrific thriller with great action and a truly moving love story. What  I liked most though was that it told the truth like Gattaca did.  Definitely a must see.

Tokenism

Tokenism is a principle divide and conquer technique of politics.  Tokenism says that there are too few midgets in basketball games so that recruiters must have more midgets.  Tokenism says that freckled people form 50% of the electoral group so that 50% of elected people should be freckled. It is the lowest form of discrimination.  It is anti women, anti black, anti first nations, anti midgets, and anti freckled people.  It says that 'merit' is not as important as colour of skin or eyes or sexual preference. It says that a percentage of nuclear scientists should be brain damaged, uneducated or arts majors.  Tokenism uses fancy words like 'elitist' to refer to other tokenist groups while not looking at what they have done for discrimination by adding reverse discrimination to the age old tribalism that maintains the distribution by status quo.

Equavoice is a women's political organization that defines the Marxist Lennist, Communist, and Animal Activist parties as superior to the Conservatives because those former groups had the greatest percentage of women. Interesting the marijuania smokers group had the least women representation thereby denying them that excuse.  Similiarly the Conservatives in the 2008 election put the most women of all parties in power however because other parties had more female losers they were somehow seen as superior to the Conservatives. 25% of the 2011 elected will be women. Conservatives had women in Labour and Health Care cabinet positons in their last goernment. They had Kim Campbell as prime minister.  The women in the Conservative Party are not tokens. They are winning women of merit and distinction.

Elizabeth May became the only Green Party member of parliament.  She complained that she was teased as 'bucky' by another candidate given her teeth. She complained that someone commented on her unhealthy overweight appearnce. She suggests that women are 'hot house plants' who can't succeed in politcs because it's a 'testosterone stew'.  That's a real put down of Indira Gandhi who did succeed.  Margaret Thatcher was certainly called far more names than May.  She's a 'lawyer'.  She should know that behind 'niceness', the "courtlness" of the Borgias and Louis Court of France there was the greatest ugliness.  Psychopaths and sociopaths are the greatest chameleons. They are particularly good at well mannered behaviour and notoriously infiltrate churches and country clubs to take advantage of women who see these 'well mannered' people as 'trustworthy.'  There's shallow and there's deep.  Women have depth and it's a shame that so many women leaders treat them as blond and stupid just because a greater proportion of women prefer soap operas to men.  Soap Operas now according to tokenist standards must have more content to appeal to men.  A few car chases and terrorist bombs in Days in Our Lives would do just nicely..

Yet somehow Equalvoice - how can gender make something equal - argues that by Tokenism women will be served.  Ironically the tokenists hated Margaret Thatcher.  Tokenist deny that their group have 'merit' and insist that they must be 'given' positions based on their gender, height, eye colour or blood type.  It doesn't matter with tokenists.  They have no faith in their own and insist that were it not for their work criticizing the system and insisting on percentages of represenation by sexual orientation

Jews are roughly 1% of the population but anti semetic tokenists would insist that they have only 1% of the wealth.  Tokenism is that antisemetic. By tokenism if a Ukranian had more farm land than a Jew then the Ukranian would have to redistribute his land with a Jew whether the Jew wanted to be a farmer or not.

Christians represent 77% of Canadians.  Are 3/4's of the Supreme Judges in Canada Christian.?  Are 3/4's of the members of parliament Christian?   Tokenists would have us believe that without them Christianity would be a 'hot house plant' that couldn't thrive on it's own.  Good things grown when they're allowed in the light.  Clear the weeds but don't 'dictate' to the garden.  Tokenists are dictators but they present as sheep. Underneath every tokenist is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Tokenism is un Canadian.  Tokenism is frightening. Tokenism is central planning experiments, extremely controlling and authoritarian.  It's fascist and communist as the two go hand in hand. It is undemocratic.  Yet it's pervasive.  It is destroying the beurocracies that are supposed to be an extension of the democracy this country aspires to.

There are too few Bill Hay's as Prime Minister. Based on Tokenism since no Hay Clan member has been Prime Minister in Canada it is time for us to be Prime Minister.  Forget about elections. And if there are elections restrict the choices. You can choose Bill Hay or Gilbert Hay.

Beware of tokenism.  Tokenists hate themselves and their constituents and want you to believe that they need to be 'rescured' and 'appointed' and put in power.  Historically barriers to positions have been removed.  Hence blacks were given the right to vote along with whites.  Today there is an American black president. That occurred without tokenism.  Look at the countries where tokenism was used. Tokenism was South African Apartheid and the South African anti white system that exists today in the devolving South Africa is increasingly  'tribal'  and tokenist..

Divide and conquer.  So what's it going to be Bill Hay or Gilbert Hay for Prime Minister.  I want to be a token Hay prime minister. Hey!

 

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in May 2011

Laura, Gilbert and I came to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April.  The daffodils were extraordinary then. The tulips were great but now they're spectacular.  I was in the area on my motorcycle so drove by and took these pictures. What tremdenous eye candy as far as the eyes can see!

Northwest Harley Davidson, Olympia, Washington

http://www.nwharley.com/
I love Northwest Harley Davidson.  I was having a minor  problem with my luggage fitting so I stopped by at service. I told the Harley guy I'd just come up from the Gorge and was on my way back to Vancouver, Canada. The guy comes out with a screw driver and in minutes has the problem solved. I won't even mention what it was because once you've seen how easy it is to fix you might think me stupid for not figuring it out myself.  Suffiise it to say the North West Harley guy was great.  Didn't even ask if I was blond before I  went grey.
I've now got another t shirt. Got one for Laura too.  Gilbert got a ball on a rope. He won't care that it's from Harley.  He fetches tennis balls and old socks. You throw it. He fetches it.
Northwest had a lot of accessories we don't get up north.  They've got a Harley Shirt for dogs.  Pretty spiffy.  Gilbert is wearing hoodies but I thought about the shirt for when he rides the Harley to work or church.  I'd been to the Northwest Harley a couple of years back when I drove back from Portland. Well worth the stop.  Of course I looked at all the new bikes.  Now that I have the Electra Glide I sometimes think I'd like to save that for the highway.  I do miss my Roadster and Buell. They were more city and country bikes. Of course while I'm dreaming I could use a helicopter and lear jet too.  But were it not for dreaming I'd not have the Electra Glide. I love my Electra Glide.

Sound Harley Davidson Washington

http://www.soundharley.com/
I was barrelling up the I5  after attending church in Everett at Trinity Lutheran  when I saw the big Maryville Harley Davidson sign. I caught the next turn off and looped back.  The joy of owning a Harley and being a member of the Harley Owner's Group is that all their stores become a kind of club house.  My concern today was socks. I'd not packed enough socks so hoped I'd find a pair at the Harley. Any excuse works.  Just a reason to stop and look at bikes.
I liked the Sound Harley Davidson because they did have socks and now my feet are feeling a whole lot better. Besides they had a coffee bar with a kiwi manning it. She served me up a mean Mocha.  I wouldn't want to be a latte Harley Driver.  The whiskey drinking riders die young whereas us coffee drinkers can live long and enjoy the best of Harley's mean machines.
 I'm sure enjoying mine. Nothing like the ride. Sunshine today and time to get out on the road. I'll mix it up with some winding slower roads but I sure am enjoying the freeway speed.  You sure appreciate the extra power my Harley Electra Glide  has on the freeway. Last night a big truck changing lanes almost squeezed me in with a passing car. Thanks to the Harley power I lit out of there like my tail was on fire. I'm am not a pancake today. I told the minister at church today that motorcycling was a prayerful time.  Loving the ride. Thanks you Harley Davidson !  Thank you Jesus!

Trinity Lutheran Church, Everett, Washington

Spending the night at the Cascadia Best Western, I looked up churches in Everett  on line.  Trinity Episcopalean was my first choice but it was listed as 'family' oriented.  As a single biker walking into 'family churches' I could feel 'less than'.  I know I'm part of the family of Christ. I know I have a family elsewhere.  My dad goes to the Anglican Church. Mom and the family went to the Trinity Baptist Church. I'm trinitarian.   I attend Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. It's listed as 'inclusive'.  Everyone is welcome.  Even sinners.  Best churches have their share of sinners though. Mostly people think of "inclusive"  as "gay' friendly.  After the last divorce I stopped judging myself based on marriage or sexuality.  There's no marriage in Canada except a thing called "prenuptial agreements'.  I lost faith when the church stood by and watched the courts prey on  the married while protecting the common law and players. . So much for elitism.  Today I'm working on forgiving my society for the corruption of the justice system which seems only to serve the strong.  Perhaps as it should be.  Otherwise there'd be no reason for the church where outsiders like me can find a place inside.

Trinity Lutheran Church was that sort of place.  I arrived late. The service starts at 10 am.  Immediately a fine gentleman had a program in my hand and showed me where we were.  Next a lovely lady moved over and gave me a song book when the next hymn happened. These people really are welcoming.  I'm carrying my helmut dressed in armour and leathers and they treat me like I'm a child of God. The minister, Jocylyn made a point of welcoming us all to the communion table.  There were three visitors like me and they gave us a welcoming package. Just some information, a church mug  with a single tea and cocoa package to get you using the mug.  It meant alot. Last time I got something given to me in church like that right off was in a Pentecostal Church in Honolulu.  I'm always giving money to the church because they do good work for the truly needy..  But they didn't know that.  I was glad too that I'd given well at collection.  I think I covered the cost of the mug and then some.  It's not even necessary for visitors to the church to add to the collection baske.t.  I like the church because when I didn't have hundreds to give they welcomed me. I just put a buck in the basket when I could back then.   Always the way with Christians.  Best entertainment in town for a buck any Sunday morning.

Lutherans can sing.  My friend George is a Lutheran but attends Christ Church with me. He's a jazz pianist so doesn't appreciate my cowboy yodelling and wailing while singing church hymns.  Add a bit of gospel Bob Dylan nasal stirrings to Handel and I've given George reason for prayer and forgiveness. He;d like this church.  Good harmony.

Meanwhile I'd come into Everett  doing over  70 mph listening to Mercy Me on the Harley Electra Glide Stereo system..  Third Day sounds good too over the pipes.

At least three people invited me for coffee.  Normally I arrive late and split early.  Asked if I'd have coffee or tea, I said "Tea, in honour of the Royal Wedding".  Just loved doing that.  We've still got royalty when America only has Hollywood.    Everett is a navy base.  Once when I complained to an American sailor about the delay the Americans took coming to the aid of England during WWII , he answered,  "Alot of Americans weren't happy about that at the time." Some Americans still remember 1776.

Reverend Jocylyn joined us at the table where I'd sat down and was talking with a young man who like myself was new to the church.  She was warm and sincere and smart.  She told us her husband was the tall one at the next table.  She recognised the young fellow's name as "lutheran'.  Icelandic origins.  Next we were talking about Finns.  I was fascinated. I'd thought Lutherans were just German radicals.  Martin Luther had been the priest that started Christianity as something separate from the Catholic Papal Authority.  Bonhoffer was the Lutheran who stood up to Hitler when so many were kowtowing to authority and the reign of terror.  Always made me admire Lutherans.

The Anglicans have been doing alot of eposcopal work with them.  I could understand why.  The people I met at Trinity Lutheran Church like my friend George are the kind of people Christ would want as disciples.  I'm never too sure that they'd want me but I do like Christians.  Salt of the earth. Jesus even accepted tax collectors in his midst so I figure I can be included in the family of Christ. I certainly felt included at Trinity Lutheran Church in Everett.