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  • Writer's pictureDavid S Klein, MD
    • Oct 11, 2023
    • 2 min read

Melatonin Helps Lower Blood Sugar: Good news for Diabetics and pre-diabetics!

One more piece of a very complicated diabetes and pre-diabetes puzzle.




Quan X , Wang J, Liang C , et al: Melatonin inhibits tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun . 2015 Aug 7;463(4):1102-7.



Melatonin is a Pituitary Weight Loss Hormone


Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone. Blood levels decrease as we age, as less and less is secreted by the pituitary. By no means is melatonin 'just for sleep.' It is a small hormone that finds its' way into many aspects of physiology, including blood sugar balance, insulin balance and weight control.


Melatonin is an Anti-Depressant, as well as a sleep aid, weight loss medication and maybe more!


Melatonin use has been demonstrated to have anti-depressant effects. The question is, "Is Melatonin a direct acting anti-depressant, or is restoration of sleep and normal sugar/insulin levels the effect that relieves depression?" Regardless, melatonin has demonstrated measurable effects as an anti-depressant.


More to come.

Melatonin is CHEAP


The most interesting problem with melatonin is that most of the products on the market are of such poor quality that they are unlikely to be effective. In spite of the fact that it is inexpensive, the vast majority of the melatonin products may not have any melatonin in them, at all. Sad as it is, the industry is not well-regulated.


The best products are manufactured to pharmaceutical specifications. Oddly, the finest products cost little more than the worst of the lot. Be careful and wise in your choices.


OK, now that I know some of the benefits, how is it used properly, what are the risks?



  1. The typical dosage of melatonin in my practice is 10 mg at bed time, for starters. Some individuals will find that they need 20 mg, but 80% of the time 10 mg does the trick for sleep.

  2. It is taken EVERY NIGHT at bed time. If it is taken 'as necessary for sleep,' it does not train the system to be regular and the outcome is inadequate.

  3. In situations where a little 'extra kick' is necessary to induce sleep, use GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) 750 mg at bed time.

Risks:

  1. When starting Melatonin, some individuals will get vivid dreams. When this occurs, it may indicate that the sufferer is having difficulty entering REM sleep, often due to some type of trauma.

  2. The mind tries to avoid the recurring nightmare and avoids REM. When the melatonin is administered it PUSHES the brain into REM and this can result in a nasty dream or two. It most frequently resolves after 3 to 4 days of use.


The very highest quality melatonin costs about twenty five cents a night!


Ours is manufactured for us by a GMP pharmaceutical company, assayed for purity and content.




David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM

copyright 2023 Stages of Life Medical Institute To become a patient, follow this link



Stages of Life Medical Institute 1917 Boothe Circle Longwood, Florida 32750 Tel: 407-679-3337 Fax: 407-678-7246



  • Writer's pictureDavid S Klein, MD
    • Oct 5, 2023
    • 2 min read

What is the Optimal Cholesterol for Longevity? The answer will surprise you.

The Optimal Level of Cholesterol is much higher than the doctor may be telling you.


The article referenced below is very interesting and insightful. Your doctor will likely disagree with their data, even after observing over 12.8 million adults over a period of greater than 10 years.



Pubmed link
National Library of Medicine

Life Expectancy


Life expectancy or longevity is a 'U' shaped curve when plotted against cholesterol level. That is, there is a range whereby the 'optimal total cholesterol' is associated with the lowest all-cause mortality. It is slightly different between men and women, and there is an age factor, as well. Click on the above graph to go to the article from the National Library of Medicine.



One thing to consider when listening to opinions on cholesterol levels and 'statin' use is that statin trials were mainly performed in persons at a high risk of heart disease, especially in men with manifest CVD, in whom heart disease mortality constituted approximately 50% of all deaths.


According to the authors, "Total cholesterol (TC) had U-curve associations with mortality in each age-sex group. TC levels associated with lowest mortality were 210–249 mg/dL, except for men aged 18–34 years (180–219 mg/dL) and women aged 18–34 years (160–199 mg/dL) and 35–44 years (180–219 mg/dL). The inverse associations for TC < 200 mg/dL were stronger than the positive associations in the upper range."


Critical review of the graphical data would show that a patient is at greater risk of death having 'low cholesterol' than having a very high level. Somewhat at odds with the general consensus?


When you are told "the lower the cholesterol, the better," you may not be getting the very best advice.

 

The Functional Medicine Difference.


Functional medicine doctors have a unique approach to health care. The number one pillar of functional medicine is a prevention-based approach.


We want to create the best conditions for your health to prevent chronic diseases so you can enjoy a long, healthy, high-quality life.

.

A functional medicine doctor also takes a comprehensive approach to patent care, focusing on the root causes of conditions instead of just treating the symptoms.





David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM

copyright 2023 Stages of Life Medical Institute



Stages of Life Medical Institute

1917 Boothe Circle

Longwood, Florida 32750

Tel: 407-679-3337

Fax: 407-678-7246





  • Writer's pictureDavid S Klein, MD
    • Oct 3, 2023
    • 3 min read

Know your Uric Acid Level! It could prolong your life. Long Ignored Cardiac Risk Factor.

Updated: Oct 23, 2023

Managing High Uric Acid, Naturally, for a Healthier Life. Levels over 5.5 increase risk of heart attack and death.


High uric acid is more than an indicator of gout. It has classically only been associated with gout, a severe, inflammatory joint condition that often manifests initially in the big toe. However, recent research has linked high uric acid levels with many other chronic health conditions.


Elevations of Uric Acid over 5.5 mg/dl are associated with dramatic increases in cardiac disease & mortality. The risk is far greater than the risk associated with elevated cholesterol, yet most patients never have their uric acid level tested, and fewer still receive treatment to lower it to safe levels!


This article reviews the topic nicely:




This article is one of the best that I've reviewed on the topic.


Over 66 million people in the United States have high uric acid levels, even though most do not know it. It can go undetected because many people do not have symptoms until it is well advanced and presents as an acute gout attack.


A significant problem with modern health care is that most primary care physicians do not screen patients for uric acid levels, even those that are at high risk.


What is Uric Acid?


Uric acid is a breakdown product from purines, a protein component, as well as component of DNA. There are foods that contain higher amounts of purines than others. Furthermore, our body will raise uric acid after ingestion of fructose (corn syrup), sugar, or from alcohol consumption.


Once purines metabolize to toxic uric acid, the body needs to eliminate uric acid from the body largely through urine and to a lesser extent, through feces. Elevation of Uric Acid will damage the kidneys, damage the lining of the arteries & arterioles resulting in disease in the kidneys themselves and to other end organs such as the heart.


Certain health conditions or genetics can make elevations in uric acid more likely to occur, but the best management practice for high uric acid is a functional medicine approach.



The Functional Medicine Difference.


Functional medicine doctors have a unique approach to health care. The number one pillar of functional medicine is a prevention-based approach.


We want to create the best conditions for your health to prevent chronic diseases so you can enjoy a long, healthy, high-quality life.

.

A functional medicine doctor also takes a comprehensive approach to patent care, focusing on the root causes of conditions instead of just treating the symptoms.



What can be done?


Allopurinol is a prescription medication that has been used for many decades to treat gout. The approach that is taken at Stages of Life Medical Institute (SOLMI) is to start with 100 mg taken twice daily. Repeat blood work in 90 days, adjust the dosage to achieve a level between 5.3 and 5.5. If the level is lower, all the better.


Uloric is another prescription medication used to treat elevations in uric acid (hyperuricemia). The dosage there is 40 mg, daily.\


Alternatively, we use an over the counter preparation called "Uric Acid Balance" in patients that prefer to use 'all natural approaches,' and it works very well. The dosage is 3 capsules every morning.


Combining intelligent choices in diet and life-style, achieving a safe level of Uric Acid is easy and delivers lifelong dividends.


In short, elevations of Uric Acid over 5.5 mg/dl will result in atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and joint disease.


David S. Klein, MD, FACA, FACPM

copyright 2023 Stages of Life Medical Institute








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