Plants have been used in various medicinal cultures for centuries with great results. Ayurvedic and Chinese medical cultures have taken these medicinal plant abilities to another level, but still, the root lies in their ability to impact various medical conditions and improve health. The topic is complex to say the least, but yet, it is basic and known to everyone at a certain level. I discovered the potential of herbal therapy on overall health improvement during my cancer recovery, but after talking with our clients over the years, I realized that this information was being used on a rudimentary level to help improve certain problems. For instance, one client had mentioned to me how she gave her mother Cinnamon to help reduce her blood sugar, which resulted in her ability to stop certain medications. She had always heard that Cinnamon was beneficial, but never understood why. She just did what family tradition dictated.
You have to remember that upwards of 80% of all pharmaceutical medications are derived in some way or form from herbs or plant materials. The reason for this is that scientists realize the potential of plants, but target that activity and try to concentrate it for a perceived higher effect. There are good sides and bad sides to this approach and I, for one, tend to opt for herbs in more chronic cases to avoid the side effects of some medications.
Herbs can impact blood circulation, lower sugar levels, improve cellular energy production, improve digestion, improve cognition, reduce inflammation and mitigate pain. Each herb has its noted abilities and generally, not a single one can improve every condition, but it is more a combination approach that works best. The other beautiful thing about many herbs is that they are wonderful sources of vital nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals that help to improve cellular health and encourage repair of tissue. Take for instance Spirulina blue green algae. This herb or actually organism, is a great source of needed protein, vitamins, minerals and has been used in various cultures to improve health and vitality in undernourished individuals or those that are recovering from prolonged illness. Spirulina also has touted anti-inflammatory abilities, detoxifies the blood and can improve cellular energy production. Various mushrooms are also in this same category as being a vital source of nutrients as well as helping to promote a health immune response. Certain mushroom species and their extracts have been used in Chinese medical cultures for centuries to improve recovery and even impact cancer progression. Curcumin or it's parent herb, Turmeric, is yet another heavily researched herb that has shown the ability to impact cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation and pain as well as impact the progression of various cancers. On another level, we have a grouping of herbs referred to as 'adaptogens', which include Ashwaghanda, Bacopa, Schisandra, Hawthorne and Ginseng. These herbs help the body to cope with stress by reducing cortisol levels and improving cellular health. They have also been shown to improve cardiovascular health and are a vital source of antioxidants to quench free radical damage.
The list goes on and on in terms of the abilities that herbs can offer to improve health, not only for us but for our animal companions as well. They are a part of my everyday life as well as that of our family. I encourage you to explore all options when it comes to your health, as well as that of your animal companion. There are options out there, you just have to find them!
Best Wishes,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Power of the Mind
Humans and animals encounter very similar disease conditions ranging from arthritis to kidney disease to cancer. Do the conditions themselves vary between the species in terms of manifestation and cause? Possibly on one end, but not the other. After all, a broken bone is a broken bone and a failing kidney is a failing kidney...right?
After 18 years of clinical veterinary practice, it has never ceased to amaze me the conditions that animals tolerate that humans would never endure, at least not without major pharmaceutical intervention. I have been witness to dogs that have been hit by vehicles with pendulous rear limbs due to femoral fractures, but yet they are often times fully ambulatory and wagging their tails. Almost as if they know they have had a mishap in life, but are just looking for a quick fix to get them back into the game. The same often times holds true for other conditions such as arthritis, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. In many of these situations, by the time the pet is presented to us, the disease is far advanced and leaves one wondering how in the heck they managed all along based on human standards?
This raises, at least in my eyes, the power of the human mind and how we need to learn from our animal counterparts. I think in many instances, we are often times so consumed in our lives that we become very distraught and lose focus over what is truly important. Our animal companions are focused on the moment, the next treat, the next ball toss and an opportunity to get out and chase the neighbor's cat. They don't worry too much about their next meal, the weather, their jobs or what the neighbor's dog is saying about them, much less about what they are going to wear tomorrow when they go outside. They are focused on the moment and most of the time, that revolves around happiness and what they can do to please us as their caretakers. Now, I know this doesn't hold true for all pets or even horses and some of them do seem to worry about their next meal and whether or not it will be there. Some even get concerned about the weather and express dissatisfaction that they have to go outside when the weather is cold. As veterinarians, we often times see pets that really don't know what the hard surface of the ground is like and prefer to be carried every where they go. Is this normal? Nope, but when you think about it, these behaviors are produced as a result of humans. I don't feel that it is natural for a pet to worry, but it is an inferred trait by their owners. We create these situations, which are manifestations of our own feelings and beliefs.
Now, I am not immune from this as my own horses are accustomed to coming in from pasture at a set time each nite, which I try to keep, but if I am late, they are quick to start pawing at the gate and arguing with one another due to impatience. Did I mean to create this schedule? Did I mean to create a 2000 lb. draft horse monster that is a little peeved that she is 10 minutes late getting to her nightly grain? Nope, but it was created as a manifestation of my own schedule. Guilty as charged!
What I do question is how these animals deal so wonderfully with medical conditions that you, I and many others would never tolerate. How does an aged Golden Retriever deal with severe hip arthritis to the point that radiographically, there is no recognizable hip joint, yet she still goes about her business, wags her tail and never complains? How does a beagle with obvious breast cancer involving a tumor the size of a grapefruit, dragging the ground, still continue to go about her business as if the tumor is only a major hindrance not a systemic disease? And most recently, how does a Coonhound mix go for almost 4 weeks with a broken front leg to the point of nerve impingement, continue to go about life playing with his housemates while dragging his injured limb with no complaints?
I think the answer to all of these questions lies in the mind and how we, as humans, interpret life's events and circumstances. We often times look at our animals companions as being the lesser species, but in fact, we have a lot to learn from them.
Just my thoughts.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
After 18 years of clinical veterinary practice, it has never ceased to amaze me the conditions that animals tolerate that humans would never endure, at least not without major pharmaceutical intervention. I have been witness to dogs that have been hit by vehicles with pendulous rear limbs due to femoral fractures, but yet they are often times fully ambulatory and wagging their tails. Almost as if they know they have had a mishap in life, but are just looking for a quick fix to get them back into the game. The same often times holds true for other conditions such as arthritis, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. In many of these situations, by the time the pet is presented to us, the disease is far advanced and leaves one wondering how in the heck they managed all along based on human standards?
This raises, at least in my eyes, the power of the human mind and how we need to learn from our animal counterparts. I think in many instances, we are often times so consumed in our lives that we become very distraught and lose focus over what is truly important. Our animal companions are focused on the moment, the next treat, the next ball toss and an opportunity to get out and chase the neighbor's cat. They don't worry too much about their next meal, the weather, their jobs or what the neighbor's dog is saying about them, much less about what they are going to wear tomorrow when they go outside. They are focused on the moment and most of the time, that revolves around happiness and what they can do to please us as their caretakers. Now, I know this doesn't hold true for all pets or even horses and some of them do seem to worry about their next meal and whether or not it will be there. Some even get concerned about the weather and express dissatisfaction that they have to go outside when the weather is cold. As veterinarians, we often times see pets that really don't know what the hard surface of the ground is like and prefer to be carried every where they go. Is this normal? Nope, but when you think about it, these behaviors are produced as a result of humans. I don't feel that it is natural for a pet to worry, but it is an inferred trait by their owners. We create these situations, which are manifestations of our own feelings and beliefs.
Now, I am not immune from this as my own horses are accustomed to coming in from pasture at a set time each nite, which I try to keep, but if I am late, they are quick to start pawing at the gate and arguing with one another due to impatience. Did I mean to create this schedule? Did I mean to create a 2000 lb. draft horse monster that is a little peeved that she is 10 minutes late getting to her nightly grain? Nope, but it was created as a manifestation of my own schedule. Guilty as charged!
What I do question is how these animals deal so wonderfully with medical conditions that you, I and many others would never tolerate. How does an aged Golden Retriever deal with severe hip arthritis to the point that radiographically, there is no recognizable hip joint, yet she still goes about her business, wags her tail and never complains? How does a beagle with obvious breast cancer involving a tumor the size of a grapefruit, dragging the ground, still continue to go about her business as if the tumor is only a major hindrance not a systemic disease? And most recently, how does a Coonhound mix go for almost 4 weeks with a broken front leg to the point of nerve impingement, continue to go about life playing with his housemates while dragging his injured limb with no complaints?
I think the answer to all of these questions lies in the mind and how we, as humans, interpret life's events and circumstances. We often times look at our animals companions as being the lesser species, but in fact, we have a lot to learn from them.
Just my thoughts.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Respiratory Disease in the Horse
Anyone that has owned a horse has probably experienced respiratory disease in some shape or fashion. Much the same as humans, horses are prone to developing upper and respiratory infections due to viral and bacterial invasion, but the two most common and troubling conditions affecting horses in today's industry is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (reactive airway disease) and exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). Being a veterinarian working on horses for over 18 years, I have certainly encountered my fair share of COPD patients as well as EIPH athletes.
The respiratory tract plays a vital role in health, performance as well as day to day activity. In the horse, air is taken in through the nasal passages, down the trachea and into the lungs were carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen to fuel cells. Any problems encountered during this course of airflow can impact oxygen flow to the body and overall performance. Now, you have to understand that despite the ongoing research with these two conditions, we still not know the exact causes and how to best manage COPD or EIPH. What I can say is my personal opinion as a veterinarian as to what I feel is the cause or contributing factors, which are substantiated by research. I feel it is vital that we take a different approach to these conditions, using a combination of therapies to best provide relief.
COPD is an allergic type airway condition in which the horse develops difficulty breathing, usually at set times of the years when allergens are high. The condition can result in coughing, flared nostrils indicating labored respirations as well as decreased performance. In mild cases, the condition can come and go in relation to various allergen levels but in chronic cases, the condition can become persistent with little change in respiratory patterns throughout the year. In many cases, once the condition is diagnosed, therapies include inhaled medications to dilate airways, injectable or oral steroid medications to control inflammation as well as antibiotics to tackle secondary infections. In addition, usually there are changes made to the environment to help reduce allergen load. COPD has been shown to have a dramatic inflammatory component which results in the over response of the immune system to allergens, as well as airway constriction and mucous production which plugs up the airways. The bottom line in my eyes is the inflammatory reaction that is taking place and whether or not we can address this more effectively.
EIPH is a condition in which there is bleeding within the lung tissue, generally associated with higher levels of exertion seen in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, but can affect any horse during competition. The bleeding in the airways produces coughing, affects performance and usually results in evident blood in one or both of the nares. The exact cause of the condition is not known but it is theorized that multiple factors play into the problem including changes in airway pressures, high pulmonary blood pressures, upper airway obstruction and small airway disease. Current therapies are essentially targeted at reducing the amount of bleeding and thus improving performance. The most common medication used is a diuretic called Lasix or Salix. Again, just as in COPD, there is plenty of research out there discussing how inflammation is associated with EIPH, which not only can impact air flow due to airflow constriction, but also impact healing of airways with scar tissue formation. Considering the overall impact of inflammation on the body and cellular function, I question what the impact is on the overall health of the cells composing the pulmonary vessels, which may lead to a weakened state and a vessel that is likely to fail under certain conditions resulting in bleeding. It is just a theory in my mind, but seems plausible but needs to be explored.
In my practice, I have conducted several field trials evaluating inflammation and oxidative stress in a variety of conditions affecting horses. What I have found is that in both COPD and EIPH, there is a definite inflammatory component which is also accompanied by oxidative stress. Now, one has to remember that the basics of oxidative stress is that there is an abundance of free radicals generated which can result in cellular damage. In most cases, the free radicals are neutralized per se by the presence of antioxidants. What I feel is occurring is that either these horses are not consuming enough antioxidants or the right combination of antioxidants or they are experiencing an overwhelming level of free radicals that is quickly depleting the stores. I believe that one of the most important aspects of these conditions to address is the inflammation, which I don't feel is being addressed adequately with today's therapies. Race horses are under a tremendous amount of physical and mental strain, which can contribute to inflammation levels. Those horses afflicted by COPD are generally systemically inflammed in my opinion, in which we are just seeing the evidence manifested in the respiratory disease. Today's therapies are helping to control a small percentage of these patients and given this, we must ask what more can be done especially considering the potential side effects of the medications being used. In the race horse industry, medication debates are constantly being raised. We need to seek out other viable options not only in terms of therapies, but to also potentially use as preventative to improve the health of these animals. What we are seeing clinically is a direct manifestation of what is occurring deep within and a sign of imbalance to one degree or another.
Just my thoughts.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
The respiratory tract plays a vital role in health, performance as well as day to day activity. In the horse, air is taken in through the nasal passages, down the trachea and into the lungs were carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen to fuel cells. Any problems encountered during this course of airflow can impact oxygen flow to the body and overall performance. Now, you have to understand that despite the ongoing research with these two conditions, we still not know the exact causes and how to best manage COPD or EIPH. What I can say is my personal opinion as a veterinarian as to what I feel is the cause or contributing factors, which are substantiated by research. I feel it is vital that we take a different approach to these conditions, using a combination of therapies to best provide relief.
COPD is an allergic type airway condition in which the horse develops difficulty breathing, usually at set times of the years when allergens are high. The condition can result in coughing, flared nostrils indicating labored respirations as well as decreased performance. In mild cases, the condition can come and go in relation to various allergen levels but in chronic cases, the condition can become persistent with little change in respiratory patterns throughout the year. In many cases, once the condition is diagnosed, therapies include inhaled medications to dilate airways, injectable or oral steroid medications to control inflammation as well as antibiotics to tackle secondary infections. In addition, usually there are changes made to the environment to help reduce allergen load. COPD has been shown to have a dramatic inflammatory component which results in the over response of the immune system to allergens, as well as airway constriction and mucous production which plugs up the airways. The bottom line in my eyes is the inflammatory reaction that is taking place and whether or not we can address this more effectively.
EIPH is a condition in which there is bleeding within the lung tissue, generally associated with higher levels of exertion seen in racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, but can affect any horse during competition. The bleeding in the airways produces coughing, affects performance and usually results in evident blood in one or both of the nares. The exact cause of the condition is not known but it is theorized that multiple factors play into the problem including changes in airway pressures, high pulmonary blood pressures, upper airway obstruction and small airway disease. Current therapies are essentially targeted at reducing the amount of bleeding and thus improving performance. The most common medication used is a diuretic called Lasix or Salix. Again, just as in COPD, there is plenty of research out there discussing how inflammation is associated with EIPH, which not only can impact air flow due to airflow constriction, but also impact healing of airways with scar tissue formation. Considering the overall impact of inflammation on the body and cellular function, I question what the impact is on the overall health of the cells composing the pulmonary vessels, which may lead to a weakened state and a vessel that is likely to fail under certain conditions resulting in bleeding. It is just a theory in my mind, but seems plausible but needs to be explored.
In my practice, I have conducted several field trials evaluating inflammation and oxidative stress in a variety of conditions affecting horses. What I have found is that in both COPD and EIPH, there is a definite inflammatory component which is also accompanied by oxidative stress. Now, one has to remember that the basics of oxidative stress is that there is an abundance of free radicals generated which can result in cellular damage. In most cases, the free radicals are neutralized per se by the presence of antioxidants. What I feel is occurring is that either these horses are not consuming enough antioxidants or the right combination of antioxidants or they are experiencing an overwhelming level of free radicals that is quickly depleting the stores. I believe that one of the most important aspects of these conditions to address is the inflammation, which I don't feel is being addressed adequately with today's therapies. Race horses are under a tremendous amount of physical and mental strain, which can contribute to inflammation levels. Those horses afflicted by COPD are generally systemically inflammed in my opinion, in which we are just seeing the evidence manifested in the respiratory disease. Today's therapies are helping to control a small percentage of these patients and given this, we must ask what more can be done especially considering the potential side effects of the medications being used. In the race horse industry, medication debates are constantly being raised. We need to seek out other viable options not only in terms of therapies, but to also potentially use as preventative to improve the health of these animals. What we are seeing clinically is a direct manifestation of what is occurring deep within and a sign of imbalance to one degree or another.
Just my thoughts.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Metabolic Syndrome and Berries
There are not many of us out there that don't enjoy some fresh blueberries, especially in the form of a muffin, which is probably not the best route of consumption, but still quite tasty! There are several fruits out there that have been given the term "superfood" for their ability to replenish and support health, and blueberries are one of them. Various fruits such as blueberries, bilberries and Noni Fruit contain potent antioxidants, including polyphenols such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and anthocyanins which give the fruits their vibrant color. All of these chemical constituents helps to protect us against free radical damage in one form or another.
Blueberry extracts have been shown to not only provide protection against free radicals but have also been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels as well as lipid or triglycerides, not to mention anti-cancer properties. In one study, a blue berry rich diet improved outcome in rats with experimental myocardial infarction by 22% with a noted unchanged size in the myocardial infarct as compared to a control. This improvement in cardiovascular health was likely attributed to an improved function of the mitochondria possibly due to antioxidant effects and free radical reduction (Ahmet, 2009). Blueberry anthocyanin intake was also associated with reduced incidence of Type II diabetes (Wedick, 2012).
Metabolic syndrome is quite common in today's society not only in people but in horses as well. This condition, to the best of my knowledge, has not been diagnosed in companion pets, but is likely present. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and increased fat levels in the blood stream (hyperlipidemia). Blueberry extracts have been sho to reduce triglycerides, fasting insulin and glucose values. A diet high in blueberries have also been shown to reduce abdominal fat mass and improve fat (adipose) tissue metabolism which results in a reduced body weight and overall fat mass.
Another potential 'superfood' is the Noni Fruit, which has been used in various cultures for centuries for its healing properites. Noni has demonstrated marked liver protective abilities as well as the ability to lower blood sugar levels in rats (Nayak, 2011). It has also been shown to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels (Mandukhail, 2010).
When considering the level of free radical damage that we are all incurring on a daily basis as a result of diet, environmental influences, lifestyle factors as well as genetics; protection of the body becomes a necessity. What better way to protect the body than through what nature has provided? The syndromes are all the same, whether if we are talking about you or I, our pets or our equine companions. Research has demonstrated what is occurring at a cellular level, now all we have to do is put the wheels in motion. Become informed and be your own health advocate!
All our best,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Blueberry extracts have been shown to not only provide protection against free radicals but have also been shown to improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels as well as lipid or triglycerides, not to mention anti-cancer properties. In one study, a blue berry rich diet improved outcome in rats with experimental myocardial infarction by 22% with a noted unchanged size in the myocardial infarct as compared to a control. This improvement in cardiovascular health was likely attributed to an improved function of the mitochondria possibly due to antioxidant effects and free radical reduction (Ahmet, 2009). Blueberry anthocyanin intake was also associated with reduced incidence of Type II diabetes (Wedick, 2012).
Metabolic syndrome is quite common in today's society not only in people but in horses as well. This condition, to the best of my knowledge, has not been diagnosed in companion pets, but is likely present. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and increased fat levels in the blood stream (hyperlipidemia). Blueberry extracts have been sho to reduce triglycerides, fasting insulin and glucose values. A diet high in blueberries have also been shown to reduce abdominal fat mass and improve fat (adipose) tissue metabolism which results in a reduced body weight and overall fat mass.
Another potential 'superfood' is the Noni Fruit, which has been used in various cultures for centuries for its healing properites. Noni has demonstrated marked liver protective abilities as well as the ability to lower blood sugar levels in rats (Nayak, 2011). It has also been shown to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels (Mandukhail, 2010).
When considering the level of free radical damage that we are all incurring on a daily basis as a result of diet, environmental influences, lifestyle factors as well as genetics; protection of the body becomes a necessity. What better way to protect the body than through what nature has provided? The syndromes are all the same, whether if we are talking about you or I, our pets or our equine companions. Research has demonstrated what is occurring at a cellular level, now all we have to do is put the wheels in motion. Become informed and be your own health advocate!
All our best,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Amino Acids and Health
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and we all need protein to maintain overall health, cellular repair and function as well as strength. Protein is essential for the body in all cases on a daily basis and without it or sufficient levels, we begin to deteriorate quickly. Protein comes in many shapes and sources, but the question is whether or not the source is providing an adequate array of amino acids to cover the body's requirements. The scope of this topic is well beyond this blog, but today, I'd like to discuss three amino acids in particular: L-glutamine, L-carnitine and L-arginine.
L-glutamine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid and is found in heavy concentration in skeletal muscle, liver, lung, stomach and brain tissue. L-Glutamine has been found to positively impact immune function, cellular metabolism, protect agains oxidative stress and improve gastrointestinal permeability. In many cases the body is able to biosynthesize adequate concentrations of L-glutamine and thus not necessarily dependent on dietary sources. However, in cases of stress and recovery, which many include: recovery from illness, trauma, disease and even surgery; there may be an increased need or demand for L-glutamine that biosynthesis and diet cannot provide. L-glutamine is commonly added to 'total parenteral nutrition' for hospitalized patients in order to aid in recovery and support overall health. L-glutamine has also been shown in one research trial to improve muscle strength and contractile force when given as a supplement to mice(Waddel,2005). It is also known that continuous training and exercise may lead to overall low levels of glutamine. L-glutamine has been shown to reduce blood ammonia levels in athletes when supplemented, which may aid in overall recovery(Carvalho-Peixoto 2007). Patients enduring various forms of cancer have also been noted to be glutamine depeleted due to the fact that many tumors are viewed as "glutamine traps". This can lead to an overall depletion of glutamine from the body, which then can impair recovery. The question then comes as to what happens if L-glutamine is routinely supplemented? There does not appear to be a downside with routine L-glutamine supplementation, based on research data and in fact, the improvements in overall health may be positive. Personally, I have seen some pretty promising results when glutamine has been supplemented in patients with a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to cancer. I feel that by making Glutamine more readily available, we may improve the outcome.
L-carnitine is an amino acid that is involved with the transportation of various fatty acids across the cellular membrane and into the mitochondria for energy production. Various medical conditions such as chronic fatigue, anorexia, cardiovascular disease as well as various myopathies appear to benefit from L-carnitine supplementation. L-carnitine supplementation was shown to improve peripheral artery disease, enhance exercise time, improve patient survival with dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics, aids in management of chronic fatigue and even can be beneficial in kidney failure patients (Alt Med Rev, 2005).
L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is involved in the production of Nitric Oxide, which has direct impact on vascular and immune function. Arginine is biosynthesized by the body, but can be easily depleted during times of stress or recovery, requiring supplementation. The main areas of interest with L-arginine revolve around the production of Nitric Oxide, which results in the dilation of blood vessels resulting in lowered pressures, but is also tied into overall cardiac health,immune function and protection against oxidative stress (Alt Med Reve, 2005).
So, this is a brief overview of some research regarding these important amino acids. I feel they are important to discuss and be aware of in terms of implications on overall health, whether if you or a pet are dealing with a particular condition or just trying to improve your athletic performance. I believe that their importance is very high and thus have incorporated these amino acids into our Immune Formulas. I see a difference clinically and our patients seem to do better in the long term. Overall body support is crucial to recovery and health.
Here's to your health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
L-glutamine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid and is found in heavy concentration in skeletal muscle, liver, lung, stomach and brain tissue. L-Glutamine has been found to positively impact immune function, cellular metabolism, protect agains oxidative stress and improve gastrointestinal permeability. In many cases the body is able to biosynthesize adequate concentrations of L-glutamine and thus not necessarily dependent on dietary sources. However, in cases of stress and recovery, which many include: recovery from illness, trauma, disease and even surgery; there may be an increased need or demand for L-glutamine that biosynthesis and diet cannot provide. L-glutamine is commonly added to 'total parenteral nutrition' for hospitalized patients in order to aid in recovery and support overall health. L-glutamine has also been shown in one research trial to improve muscle strength and contractile force when given as a supplement to mice(Waddel,2005). It is also known that continuous training and exercise may lead to overall low levels of glutamine. L-glutamine has been shown to reduce blood ammonia levels in athletes when supplemented, which may aid in overall recovery(Carvalho-Peixoto 2007). Patients enduring various forms of cancer have also been noted to be glutamine depeleted due to the fact that many tumors are viewed as "glutamine traps". This can lead to an overall depletion of glutamine from the body, which then can impair recovery. The question then comes as to what happens if L-glutamine is routinely supplemented? There does not appear to be a downside with routine L-glutamine supplementation, based on research data and in fact, the improvements in overall health may be positive. Personally, I have seen some pretty promising results when glutamine has been supplemented in patients with a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to cancer. I feel that by making Glutamine more readily available, we may improve the outcome.
L-carnitine is an amino acid that is involved with the transportation of various fatty acids across the cellular membrane and into the mitochondria for energy production. Various medical conditions such as chronic fatigue, anorexia, cardiovascular disease as well as various myopathies appear to benefit from L-carnitine supplementation. L-carnitine supplementation was shown to improve peripheral artery disease, enhance exercise time, improve patient survival with dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics, aids in management of chronic fatigue and even can be beneficial in kidney failure patients (Alt Med Rev, 2005).
L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is involved in the production of Nitric Oxide, which has direct impact on vascular and immune function. Arginine is biosynthesized by the body, but can be easily depleted during times of stress or recovery, requiring supplementation. The main areas of interest with L-arginine revolve around the production of Nitric Oxide, which results in the dilation of blood vessels resulting in lowered pressures, but is also tied into overall cardiac health,immune function and protection against oxidative stress (Alt Med Reve, 2005).
So, this is a brief overview of some research regarding these important amino acids. I feel they are important to discuss and be aware of in terms of implications on overall health, whether if you or a pet are dealing with a particular condition or just trying to improve your athletic performance. I believe that their importance is very high and thus have incorporated these amino acids into our Immune Formulas. I see a difference clinically and our patients seem to do better in the long term. Overall body support is crucial to recovery and health.
Here's to your health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Upcoming Products
Hello again to all of our viewers. Thank you for trusting in us at Nouvelle to provide quality products to assist in the health of your pets, horses and even yourself! As you are aware, natural therapies interest me and I believe that the answers to common medical conditions are out there...we just need to find them.
The purpose of this blog is to put out a quick note to let you know that we have new products in the pipeline and being added gradually over the next few weeks to our website. We have put a lot of research into the development of these products and have pulled from years of feedback from our patients. We are working on new formulas for companion pets, horses and people...much of which model after formulas that my family and I are taking on a daily basis to support our overall health.
As these products hit our website, I will take to the blog again to discuss research and reasoning behind their creation and how your health (or the health of your pets/horses) can be enhanced.
As an aside, I have started a personal blog to discuss various other health related issues and research. Just a place for my personal opinions on various issues. Feel free to visit at http://www.tschelldvm.blogspot.com/
To your health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Equine Cruelty
As a practicing veterinarian, we, as a whole, are often presented with animals that are neglected in some way or form. This can be a thin, underfed animal or even an animal that is overfed and experiencing health problems due to excessive weight. It all qualifies as neglect in my book to varying degrees. The economy has impacted everyone, especially animals. Their owners may be experiencing financial difficulties themselves, which often then manifest in the quality of care received by the pet or even the horse that once was a treasured family member.
This past weekend, we received a call from our Sheriff's department requesting medical care for a neglected horse. The story we were told was that the owner was often out of town working and had put this horse in a stall for the past 6 months with little food or water. The story was confirmed by the neighbor that reported the incident. She had not seen the horse out on pasture in that time frame. The owner was no where to be found and the Sheriff seized the animal and brought him to our facility. This is what was presented to us.
As you can see, the poor horse was emaciated. He stood a little over 14 hh and weighed about 500 lbs wet. He was covered with dried manure, the mane and tail were matted and full of debris. You could visably see every bone in his body and his hooves were overgrown to the point of forming abscesses under the overlapping hoof wall. His spirit was depleted and overall he was weak, but yet seeking help. We admitted him, did some bloodwork, which indicated not only malnutrition but also severe muscle damage.
We cleaned him up, trimmed the hooves and gave him a slow introduction to quality nutrition. The next morning, he was more perky but his spirit was still depleted. His walk was weak, but yet he had the energy to go outside and talk with other horses while nibbling some grass. The problem that developed quickly was that he would tire easily and would then lie down in his stall, but was unable to stand up. He was just physically too weak to even make more than one attempt to rise. We resorted to using an overhead hoist to aid his standing, which worked a couple of times with much effort on his end. After 48 hours in our care, he literally gave up on life. He had a good walk outside in the morning light, nibbled some grass, but then lied down in his stall and surrendered. Despite our efforts to help him get up, he physically and emotionally quit. In his eyes, you could see that his time had come and that he was "okay" with departing. I think it was most important to him to have had a couple of days in paradise, compared to his other living conditions. We let him go and helped him along.
It is a real shame in today's day and age that this type of situation happens. There are no excuses in my book for this. It is also unfortunate that many of these cases go unprosecuted. In either case, I guess this poor gelding is finally at peace. Here is a picture of him after the bath and cleanup.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Curcumin Benefits
Curcumin... the powder gold from my perspective and the main herb behind my research and product development. A wonderful and powerful herb indeed. Life Extension magazine just recently released an article regarding the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin for tackling the inflammation behind arthritis. It was cited how curcumin beat out most common pain medications in combating pain associated with arthritis.
So, why is curcumin so remarkable on so many aspects? Well, the inflammatory cascade is very complex and complicated. Traditional therapeutic medications commonly only address a single target or event in the inflammatory cascade, which often leaves much to be desired in terms of results as well as often triggers side effects. Herbs, such as curcumin, often address multiple targets in the inflammatory cascade, often producing much better and more complete results. While various pharmaceutical medications often inhibit their targets close to 100%, herbs such as curcumin do not, but instead often modulate their targets by reducing their action back to a more normal level. By doing this, we are often able to obtain results clinically but without the side effects. All to often, if you listen to the TV commercials closely, you will notice the fine print side effects associated with some prescription medications. The reason behind many of these side effects is due to the level of inhibition on certain pathways that they impose. Curcumin does not appear to be this way, based on research, and instead modulates many pathways, instead of just one, in order to obtain results.
The potential impact of curcumin on overall health is incredible, but the exact capabilities are beyond this blog. Let's just say that through curcumin's ability to reduce inflammation, there are clinical applications in the symptomatic control of conditions ranging from asthma to arthritis to cancer. Given that in today's research, the link with inflammation is being made to many diseases, the capabilities and potential for curcumin is endless.
As a veterinarian, I have prescription medications at my disposal and use them often. They are wonderful tools to have for our patients, but all to often, we are left with a void or gap in the treatment of certain conditions. I feel that diseases of chronicity are all too often not addressed appropriately and more often than not, we are left with prescribing multiple medications for those patients just to keep them comfortable but not necessarily improving their quality of life. Herbs, like curcumin, to me are potential life savers when used properly. They not only potentially allow us to reduce the demand for various prescription medications, but overall, they improve the quality of life more dramatically for the patient and that is what is important.
Again, just food for thought and my opinions.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Ringbone and Arthritis
A common problem to see in our equine patients is what is termed ringbone. Many may be familiar with this term, but unfamiliar with exactly what it is. Ringbone is essentially arthritis formation in pastern region of the front or rear limbs of the horse. To be even more technical, the ringbone is defined as either "high" or "low". High ringbone is arthritis associated with the pastern joint while low ringbone is associated with the coffin joint. Even further, it is delineated as either intra-articular (involving the joint) on non-articular (not involving the joint). Intra-articular ringbone leads to more pain development due to being involved with movement. In many cases, we will clinically diagnose non-articular ringbone in a clinically sound patient, which in most cases is more a cosmetic deformity or swelling in the pastern region. There are many causes for ringbone formation, which are: conformation, genetics, foot balance as well as injury to the region due to excessive use. I would like to demonstrate a few factors in a case involving a patient seen at our clinic. This is a 15 year old warmblood gelding that had a jumping career for the majority of his life.
This is the x-ray image of the RF digital region of the warmblood. Here we can see several things. First, we need to look at overall conformation or alignment of the phalangeal bones, which are P1, P2 and P3. P1 is the bone directly below the fetlock joint, P2 is the middle bone and P3 is the coffin bone which is held inside the hoof capsule. In ideal cases, all three of these bones are in alignment with each other at an angle, which is shown by the red line. As you can see, the bones don't correspond to this line, but essentially have a concave type of architecture in their alignment. This type of alignment leads to increased stress on the joint, which then contributes to joint damage. The arrow in the photo helps to point out the new bone formation or arthritis that has developed in the coffin joint and surrounding area. In this case, the ringbone is intra-articular as well as extra or non-articular.
Here is the x-ray image of the left front digital region. Again, here we have a red line which indicates more or less what the alignment of the three phalangeal bones should be. As you can see, in comparison to the other x-ray, in this foot, the bones are more closely in alignment with one another. However, there is rotation of the coffin bone, which is indicative of laminitis in the chronic sense. The white arrow indicates intra-articular ringbone formation in the coffin joint as well, but to a lower degree than in the left front foot.
So, the question comes as to how to treat this patient and reduce his pain levels. In this particular case, we have opted to change the angles of his feet by trimming to help align the bones and change the angle of P3. One has to be careful in terms of trimming and changing angles because many of these guys have adapted to their current angles and the arthritis has somewhat "fused" the joint in that position. The pain that these horses feel comes from not only poor angles but also movement of the arthritis or boney spurs as he moves. In most cases, once the arthritis has bridged the joint and fused, the pain is reduced dramatically. The hard part comes in getting that joint to fuse. That is another story. Aside from trimming, he is being managed on low dose bute therapy once daily in conjunction with a special custom blend of our Cur-OST EQ Green product. He is also receiving initial doses of Adequan to aid in overall joint health. When he presented initially, he was a grade 4/5 in terms of lameness but within one week, he was more comfortable at a grade 2/5.
I hope this helps to improve the understanding of ringbone in horses.
Best,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Cancer Thoughts
Cancer...the word is becoming all to common in today's society. Honestly, ask yourself how many individuals do you know that have or have been affected by cancer. In my world, that number is all too high given the number of clients that come in and out of our doors and that's not including those individuals that I am not aware of. I think the last estimate that I read was 3-4 out of 10 individuals are affected by cancer in some fashion. That is 30-40%, which may be a low estimate.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to report to my doctor for my yearly cancer re-evaluation. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006 and have been in remission since then. This would be year number 6 in remission if all went well. Those affected by cancer directly know what it is like going in for this annual or bi-annual examination. The fear, the worry, the sleepless nights the week before wondering what the findings would be. I have to admit that I do have one advantage in that I am able to evaluate myself throughout the year if I felt a problem was present. I had no problems the year prior and all my own testing was normal. I had no reason to fret, but yet I still did. Sitting in the lobby of the doctor's office was difficult as well as the time spent waiting in the exam room. The triage nurse had commented that my blood pressure was slightly elevated. Gee...I wonder why?
The funny thing is that I soon found peace as I was awaiting the doctor. How? I realized that we literally create what we fear. I changed my mindset and focused on a good outcome, which I knew was reality. The peace then followed and soon I was scheduling my next yearly exam with a clean checkup.
When I was diagnosed in 2006, it was a traumatic event for everyone involved in my life. I look at my diagnosis as a positive turning point in my life, which interestingly enough I am not alone in feeling this way. Many cancer patients report that their cancer diagnosis was a "wake up" call and a life changing event, resulting in positive outcomes on different levels. Out of everything bad comes something good. My change was that I realized how much emphasis I was placing on work and so little on my family. I realized how the stress in my life was impacting me physically and mentally. I realized that a change was in order. My diagnosis also led me to the development of our Cur-OST line of products, which were based on a formula that I developed to aid in my own recovery. We learn so much throughout our lives and I am just pleased to share what I have learned with others.
The topic of cancer is its own blog and too lengthy to get into here. There are a few interesting points that I'd like to make if possible. I encounter several individuals (humans) with cancer as they come in with their pets or horses. The one thing that I have noted with the majority of them is that their doctors are not discussing the importance of their overall health in their recovery. This includes diet, reducing environmental stressors as well as exercise. The patients literally feed off of every word their doctors says and follow their instructions explicitly. Too much is known about the influences of stress, poor health and poor diet on cancer development to ignore. The patients are exposed to deadly chemotherapy and radiation, but little is done to aid in that patient's recovery. It is sad to me to hear the patient's stories as they visit our clinic and my words of advice are often ignored. In end, no matter what your illness or diagnosis...I firmly believe that you have to be your own advocate in your treatment. Research your condition until you are exhausted. Investigate the treatments, their side effects as well as success rates. Look into alternative therapies and consider all your options.
We owe it to ourselves as well as those in our family to do everything possible to ensure our optimal health. I just recently discussed this topic with a client that was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. I visited his farm to care for his horses and noted that he was not the individual I had remembered from the fall. He was winded and overall tired, not to mention pale. We discussed his condition and the fact that his doctors had attempted various treatments with no results. In the end, I believe he felt he was left with no options to improve his condition. He had made the comment that his doctors didn't seem to care or offer any suggestions. That is a tough pill for me to swallow as a caregiver myself.
I hope and pray that cancer has not affected you, but if it has, think things through. Do you have thoughts on cancer?? I'd love to hear them. Email me!
More thoughts on cancer to follow...
Yours in health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
tschelldvm@gmail.com
A couple of weeks ago, I had to report to my doctor for my yearly cancer re-evaluation. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2006 and have been in remission since then. This would be year number 6 in remission if all went well. Those affected by cancer directly know what it is like going in for this annual or bi-annual examination. The fear, the worry, the sleepless nights the week before wondering what the findings would be. I have to admit that I do have one advantage in that I am able to evaluate myself throughout the year if I felt a problem was present. I had no problems the year prior and all my own testing was normal. I had no reason to fret, but yet I still did. Sitting in the lobby of the doctor's office was difficult as well as the time spent waiting in the exam room. The triage nurse had commented that my blood pressure was slightly elevated. Gee...I wonder why?
The funny thing is that I soon found peace as I was awaiting the doctor. How? I realized that we literally create what we fear. I changed my mindset and focused on a good outcome, which I knew was reality. The peace then followed and soon I was scheduling my next yearly exam with a clean checkup.
When I was diagnosed in 2006, it was a traumatic event for everyone involved in my life. I look at my diagnosis as a positive turning point in my life, which interestingly enough I am not alone in feeling this way. Many cancer patients report that their cancer diagnosis was a "wake up" call and a life changing event, resulting in positive outcomes on different levels. Out of everything bad comes something good. My change was that I realized how much emphasis I was placing on work and so little on my family. I realized how the stress in my life was impacting me physically and mentally. I realized that a change was in order. My diagnosis also led me to the development of our Cur-OST line of products, which were based on a formula that I developed to aid in my own recovery. We learn so much throughout our lives and I am just pleased to share what I have learned with others.
The topic of cancer is its own blog and too lengthy to get into here. There are a few interesting points that I'd like to make if possible. I encounter several individuals (humans) with cancer as they come in with their pets or horses. The one thing that I have noted with the majority of them is that their doctors are not discussing the importance of their overall health in their recovery. This includes diet, reducing environmental stressors as well as exercise. The patients literally feed off of every word their doctors says and follow their instructions explicitly. Too much is known about the influences of stress, poor health and poor diet on cancer development to ignore. The patients are exposed to deadly chemotherapy and radiation, but little is done to aid in that patient's recovery. It is sad to me to hear the patient's stories as they visit our clinic and my words of advice are often ignored. In end, no matter what your illness or diagnosis...I firmly believe that you have to be your own advocate in your treatment. Research your condition until you are exhausted. Investigate the treatments, their side effects as well as success rates. Look into alternative therapies and consider all your options.
We owe it to ourselves as well as those in our family to do everything possible to ensure our optimal health. I just recently discussed this topic with a client that was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. I visited his farm to care for his horses and noted that he was not the individual I had remembered from the fall. He was winded and overall tired, not to mention pale. We discussed his condition and the fact that his doctors had attempted various treatments with no results. In the end, I believe he felt he was left with no options to improve his condition. He had made the comment that his doctors didn't seem to care or offer any suggestions. That is a tough pill for me to swallow as a caregiver myself.
I hope and pray that cancer has not affected you, but if it has, think things through. Do you have thoughts on cancer?? I'd love to hear them. Email me!
More thoughts on cancer to follow...
Yours in health.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
tschelldvm@gmail.com
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Everyday Inflammation
If you watch the nightly news at all here recently, I am sure that you have heard the latest research findings behind the protective benefits of aspirin not only against cardiovascular disease but cancer as well. The findings that various NSAIDs, aspirin included, actually decrease the incidence of cancer have been around in human research for a while now but here recently have just made the national news. Not sure why this is, but it seems that research findings actually take a while to make it the status of public knowledge. A shame actually, as many could have possibly benefited over the past few years. In any case, the question comes as to how aspirin could decrease the incidence of various cancers?
Inflammation is actually thought to be at the root of the aspirin intervention. The concept of inflammation being a major component of many forms of cancer has been known for a while now. It appears that many types of cancer have an up regulation of pro-inflammatory proteins or cytokines, that help to encourage the right conditions that foster cancer promotion and progression. The concept of inflammation is also tied into cardiovascular disease as well as strokes, thus the benefits of aspirin.
This brings up the whole concept of inflammation, how it comes to be and how it impacts us and our animals overall. Inflammation is a very complicated topic and beyond the scope of this blog, but is an ongoing process in our bodes as well as that of our animal companions. Inflammation is the result of exercise, the process of breathing, diet, environmental influences, various medications as well as even the mindset. The overall point is that this process exists to varying degrees in individuals and animals, but needs to be monitored and controlled.
In our veterinary patients, the inflammatory condition is rampant from my point of view and manifests in various problems ranging from repetitive injuries, to skin conditions, diabetes or insulin resistance, arthritis, laminitis as well as ocular problems. Unfortunately, monitoring the process of inflammation is difficult and does not have a parameter that can be monitored routinely. Various research studies have parameters that are measured, but these are not easily tested in the real world of medicine. At our practice, we can monitor oxidative stress levels, lactate levels as well as insulin levels in various patients to gain a better perspective of inflammation.
In the end, we have to assume that inflammation may be present in a chronic form in many of our patients, especially if there is a chronic disease that we are treating. The question of treatment then comes into play, which raises the point about aspirin. Many NSAID medications have shown potential to decrease the incidence of inflammation to varying degrees. The problem with most NSAIDs is that there are potential side effects and they are not for every patient due to interactions with certain exisiting medical conditions. Given this, we must rely more on diet and herbal therapy from my perspective. Research has shown the ability of various herbs; including curcumin, boswellia and ashwaghanda to both reduce inflammation and the incidence of certain cancers, all with minimal to no side effects.
The take home point is that many of today's diseases are linked with chronic inflammation and thus potentially treatable or at least manageable. As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Food for thought.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Inflammation is actually thought to be at the root of the aspirin intervention. The concept of inflammation being a major component of many forms of cancer has been known for a while now. It appears that many types of cancer have an up regulation of pro-inflammatory proteins or cytokines, that help to encourage the right conditions that foster cancer promotion and progression. The concept of inflammation is also tied into cardiovascular disease as well as strokes, thus the benefits of aspirin.
This brings up the whole concept of inflammation, how it comes to be and how it impacts us and our animals overall. Inflammation is a very complicated topic and beyond the scope of this blog, but is an ongoing process in our bodes as well as that of our animal companions. Inflammation is the result of exercise, the process of breathing, diet, environmental influences, various medications as well as even the mindset. The overall point is that this process exists to varying degrees in individuals and animals, but needs to be monitored and controlled.
In our veterinary patients, the inflammatory condition is rampant from my point of view and manifests in various problems ranging from repetitive injuries, to skin conditions, diabetes or insulin resistance, arthritis, laminitis as well as ocular problems. Unfortunately, monitoring the process of inflammation is difficult and does not have a parameter that can be monitored routinely. Various research studies have parameters that are measured, but these are not easily tested in the real world of medicine. At our practice, we can monitor oxidative stress levels, lactate levels as well as insulin levels in various patients to gain a better perspective of inflammation.
In the end, we have to assume that inflammation may be present in a chronic form in many of our patients, especially if there is a chronic disease that we are treating. The question of treatment then comes into play, which raises the point about aspirin. Many NSAID medications have shown potential to decrease the incidence of inflammation to varying degrees. The problem with most NSAIDs is that there are potential side effects and they are not for every patient due to interactions with certain exisiting medical conditions. Given this, we must rely more on diet and herbal therapy from my perspective. Research has shown the ability of various herbs; including curcumin, boswellia and ashwaghanda to both reduce inflammation and the incidence of certain cancers, all with minimal to no side effects.
The take home point is that many of today's diseases are linked with chronic inflammation and thus potentially treatable or at least manageable. As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Food for thought.
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thoughts
After recently attending a nationally known equine event over the past week, I have become very aware of several things. First, as a veterinarian, one develops an "eye" for horses in terms of overall health as well as lameness. In many instances this past weekend during the event, I was stunned at the obvious stress that these equine competitors were displaying. It was readily noted just in their mannerisms from the eyes to the ears as well as hearing in the background, several horses kicking at their stall walls and vocalizing frequently. I am not sure if this behavior was recognized by the owner, rider or even the groom, but it was obvious that nothing was being done to improve the situation for the animal aside from a brief walk around the premises. Now, you have to realize that I was at this event not as an onsite veterinarian, but one representing our Cur-OST line of products. During many instances of talking with interested riders and owners, I was continually amazed at the amount of, as well as the dependance on usage of various prescription medications. One in particular is a common and well known injectable joint medication. Many of the horses owners had commented to me that this medication was being injected at least once weekly if not twice weekly. This truly blows my mind in more ways than one. This medication, when first introduced, was to the best of my knowledge meant to be injected at the most every other month for in need horses after an induction protocol. To be injected on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis signals a real problem to me with that particular animal. This concerns me as the end result of stress are inflammation, not to mention a deterioration in overall health. Its logical, really. Look at how stress impacts human health, contributing to cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer....the list goes on and on. Everyone experiences the jitters, but the level of stress that these guys were under is unhealthy.
While at this same event, I was a spectator at a laminitis research event, in which the investors were being informed of how research dollars were being invested and what was being accomplished. What was obvious, but not new to me as a veterinarian, was that the research money was not being spent wisely. They were discussing the development of research models and inevitably how there would be patient variation in terms of causes in the real world. They were focusing on models, when in fact they should be studying the patient themselves. As a result of these models, pharmaceuticals are being developed which inevitably impact only a small percentage of patients and really don't change the course of the disease. I have been a veterinarian for over 16 years and the bottom line is that despite this research, the treatment for laminitis has not changed since my days in vet school.
We need a more logical approach to diseases such as laminitis and one that implements what research has already shown us. Inflammation and oxidative stress are huge factors that are being ignored. The inflammatory process is very complex and no one prescription medication can address it completely. Then on the other arm of the problem, we have oxidative stress, which is not evaluated or treated. Stress has been shown in human research to contribute heavily to inflammation, not to mention contributing to oxidative stress. The irony is that no matter how much research is completed, the bottom line is that the solution is not in pharmaceuticals, but more so in nature. Nature, in the form of herbs, addresses both inflammation and oxidative stress with no side effects. Food for thought.
Be healthy and wise,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
While at this same event, I was a spectator at a laminitis research event, in which the investors were being informed of how research dollars were being invested and what was being accomplished. What was obvious, but not new to me as a veterinarian, was that the research money was not being spent wisely. They were discussing the development of research models and inevitably how there would be patient variation in terms of causes in the real world. They were focusing on models, when in fact they should be studying the patient themselves. As a result of these models, pharmaceuticals are being developed which inevitably impact only a small percentage of patients and really don't change the course of the disease. I have been a veterinarian for over 16 years and the bottom line is that despite this research, the treatment for laminitis has not changed since my days in vet school.
We need a more logical approach to diseases such as laminitis and one that implements what research has already shown us. Inflammation and oxidative stress are huge factors that are being ignored. The inflammatory process is very complex and no one prescription medication can address it completely. Then on the other arm of the problem, we have oxidative stress, which is not evaluated or treated. Stress has been shown in human research to contribute heavily to inflammation, not to mention contributing to oxidative stress. The irony is that no matter how much research is completed, the bottom line is that the solution is not in pharmaceuticals, but more so in nature. Nature, in the form of herbs, addresses both inflammation and oxidative stress with no side effects. Food for thought.
Be healthy and wise,
Tom Schell, D.V.M.
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