Letter from the Publisher

Hypothyroidism Type 2: A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem
by Nenah Sylver, PhD
With Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic by Mark Starr, MD, as her starting point and reference, the author explores the manifestations, diagnostic techniques, and treatments available for a much under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed ailment, categorized by Starr as Type 2 hypothyroidism, also labeled "thyroid hormone resistance."

Sleep Deprivation, Diseases, and Dissonance
by Stephen Holt, MD, LLD (Hon) ChB, PhD, ND, FRCP (C), MRCP (UK), FACP, FACG, FACN, FACAM, OSJ
Loss of sleep impacts health on every level, and standard allopathic approaches to insomnia often create additional adverse health effects. Dr. Holt's ten-point Sleep Naturally Plan utilizes effective mind-body interventions that can restore healthy sleep patterns and strengthen the body, without the damaging side effects seen from hypnotic drugs and over-the-counter sleep preparations.

Reproductive Failure and Adrenal-Thyroid-Immune Dysfunction
by Alfred J. Plechner, DVM
In his work as a clinical veterinarian, the author has discovered a link between hormonal-immune dysfunction and a deficit in cortisol production, primarily in cases of low fertility and miscarriage. The use of low physiologic dosages of cortisone with these patients has resulted in a dramatic turnaround in the health of his patients. A similar approach has been put forward by William Jeffries, MD, for use in human patients with chronic fatigue, allergies, and autoimmune conditions, as well as those with cortisol deficiency who are experiencing infertility and miscarriages, and warrants further study.

Save the Gorillas
by Owen Fonorow and Sally Snyder Jewell
Just as in the human population, gorillas in the world's zoos suffer from inadequate diets supplemented all too often by junk food and so experience a range of diseases associated with low vitamin C absorption. This article makes an impassioned case for the role of vitamin C in human and primate health and pleads with zookeepers to restore a level of vitamin C to gorillas in captivity equal to that they would attain by foraging in their natural habitats.

New Perspectives on Insulin: Contributing Influences on Body Fat and Insulin Resistance
by Jade Teta, ND, CSCS, and Keoni Teta, ND, LAc, CSCS
The role of insulin in weight gain and loss has been widely debated, with insulin's role as a fat-storing hormone leading some practitioners to recommend patients simply lower insulin levels for weight loss. However, lower insulin levels can lead to other medical problems. The authors argue that patients should instead fine-tune insulin management to improve metabolic conditioning with a modern-day diet and exercise program that mimics, among other things, human response to seasonal changes.

Inhalation Insulin and Oral and Nasal Insulin Sprays for Diabetics: Panacea or Evolving Future Health Disaster: Part I
by T.R. Shantha, MD, PhD, FACA, and Jessica G. Shantha
In this abridged excerpt from Part 1 of a two-part article, the authors present the fundamentals of diabetes – including an explication of diabetes types and the crucial role of insulin -- and discuss in detail the questionable safety and efficacy of alternative insulin delivery systems such as inhalation insulin and insulin sprays. (Part II is also online.)

Iodine or Iodide: Functions and Benefits Beyond the Thyroid
by Shana Rheault, MS, Stephen Olmstead, MD, Janet Ralston, BS, and Dennis Meiss, PhD
Iodine is essential not just for preventing hypothyroidism but for whole-body health including "maintaining the integrity of the mammary gland, antioxidant functions, anti-tumor activities, detoxification, immune system strengthening, and protection against potentially pathogenic bacteria." With dietary changes, iodine consumption in the US has plummeted, while, understandably, iodine deficiency is skyrocketing. A reconsideration of both the reference daily intake (RDI) for and readily available sources of iodine and iodide is overdue and crucial.

Biochemical Studies of Uraemic Toxins with Special Reference to Hydraulic Permeability
by R Pandey, HP Pandey, K Tripathi, M Mishra, Lokesh Upadhyay, PhD
The focus of this study was an investigation of how uraemic toxins, such as urea and creatinine, affect hydraulic permeability within cells. Using an artificial bilayer membrane, the authors observed cell water-retaining capacity once toxins are introduced.

"Sub-Laboratory" Hypothyroidism
by Alan R. Gaby, MD

. . . the regular features, commentary and opinions we can count on each month from our distinguished columnists.