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* Dr. Pinna cannot answer personal questions about your health. Answering such questions is against state and federal laws. He can and will answer general questions about any topic. For personal problems please see your personal physician. Thank you.
“Many readers have questions about health and would like unbiased answers. It is technically impossible and morally incorrect to attempt to treat anyone over the internet. However, information, in a generic sense can be provided. I will answer questions about anything I think I know with the disclaimer that I am not treating anyone. Questions and answers will be posted on this site if they are deemed appropriate.”
- Dr. Pinna
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I enjoyed reading your commentary on American children lacking vitamin D.
What vitamins would you recommend to adults on a daily basis? I understand it varies depending on diet and individual, but what are the essentials?
Thanks Dr.P!
Hi, John,
Each individual is a special case. However, I favor very large doses of everything except Vit. A.
All B vits are water soluble and have very small toxicity–practically unknown. Vit C is water soluble. I take 2 grams daily. Vit E 1000 units. Vit D 2000 units. Vit K 300 mcg.
Vit D has gained special importance because of its great effect on the immune system.
It is my personal opinion that Vit K can prevent arthritis. I will write an article on this within a few days.
If you have any fears get a Vit D level.
A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DR PINNA, Have a great day and many more. My son Douglas Lowery has the same day birthday as you so that is how I remember your Birthday. Holsonback said to wish you the same.
Doug LOWERY
Also my son is an Emergency Doctor at Emory and worked some for you at ST ANTHONYS.
Doug Lowery
I am truly enjoying reading your well written content articles. It looks like you invest a lot of work and time in your weblog. I’ve bookmarked it and I am looking ahead to reading new content articles. Maintain up the great operate!
Doctor, you seem progressive in most areas. What about your comments on 911?
What comments?
IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU YESTERDAY.
WE HAD A GOOD FLIGHT FROM LA TO ATLANTA.
LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU AGAIN SOMETIME.
RAHIM
THANK YOU. I ENJOYED OUR CONVERSATION VERY
MUCH, ESPECIALLY ABOUT NOTHERN PAKISTAN.
I AM ALREADY LOOKING UP THE CUISINE IN THAT
AREA.
HAVE A HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR.
DR. PINNA
i have been having a ring and roar sound in my right ear they say its tinnitus i heard cordyceps can get rid of it is this true or at least help it?
This should be first checked out by an ENT specialist.
An inflamed nerve or gland could be causing pressure against the auditory nerve.
dr. pinna
hello and thank you for answering I have been to er and ent ct scan looked good and ent said evrything looked good sending me to audioligist. Seenig a cardioligist monday as well. If all comes back ok will cordyceps work.along with ginkgo?
Hi Dr Pinna,
I posted this under your Peak Exercise comment, wasn’t sure if you reply from there – sorry for the repeat:
Instead of purchasing equipment like a treadmill or recumbent bike, would dancing to music be a good substitute for peak exercising?
Would it provide ALL the same benefits?
I’m asking because even though I am listening to fast beat club dance music, I need to dance for 60-75 seconds to get a very fast heart rate (not measured, but felt with my hand to my chest); then I dance normally for 90 seconds; then repeat 7 more times).
But I am not to the point of “out of breath” which is what I understand is where I need to be?
I can only dance to the beat of the music; which is quite fast for dance music – but perhaps no dance music is fast enough for peak exercises?
Your answer is important to me because I enjoy dancing and this keeps me motivated to do this 2-3x per week, in addition to pilates and yoga exercises.
Thank you.
Bob
Thank you for providing such an interesting collection of articles. I read your bio and hope you will be a great source of further factual info on a number of subjects. I am a retired physician with an interest in astrometeorology. I am also very interested in the knowledge of ancient cultures.
Re: Current extreme weather events
At the moment, most politicians and scientists attribute extreme global weather conditions to global warming caused by man – a causality I tend to call the “Cars and Cows” weather theory. Do you think this is likely?
I tend to think mankind is enormously vain to believe that we could cause such events. On the other Hand, the solar system and the geomagnetic core of the earth are scientifically linked. A full moon alone can cause changes in weather and tides. (it will be interesting to see what the weather is like on the 19 / 29 March when there is a so-called super ful moon due to occur. )
The earth (and other solar masses) is known to alter it’s geomagnetic polarity (magnetic north alters its position) in the course of 100s of thousands of years; and much more rarely will spin on it’s axis. There is an item on CNN which says that the current cluster of earthquakes in Japan has caused the earth to shift.
But I think it more likely that the plate tectonics that was associated with the breaking up and reconstruction of large land masses over the ages is currently very active and it is likely caused by our changing position in th solar system relative to other solar masses, coupled with changes in the geomagnetic core of the earth.
It is conceivable to me that even a minor change in the degree of magnetism of the earth’s core or effects of changes in magnetism reaching earth from other solar bodies could cause the earth’s plates to move. At the very core of the earth there is a firey center said to be as hot as our sun. If the earth’s plates move even a little (like the cover being opened slightly on on a fireplace, the atmosphere will get hotter and the oceans get slightly warmer (with accelerated melting of land masses). Surely this is a more plausible cause of climate change (albeit I do think we should be a lot more careful with
how we interact with our environment).
What is your opinion on this?
Thank you.
Debbie from New Zealand
plates to shift – with the resultant severe earthquakes.
Dear Dr. Debbie,
Your question implies an excellent knowledge of
climate and, also, cosmology.
I believe your hypothesis might easily be
valid.
However, the majority of scientists involved
in climatology concur with the hypothesis that
the conbustion of hydrocarbons, directly through
their various forms of heat, including heat
produced by electricty and the retention of
that heat by the so called “green house” gases
has produced “Global Warming” with all the
ramifications of that scenario.
I, firmly believe that is the case.
The earth is covered with billions of humans,
like ants on a pile of sand, and they, unfortunately,
have the technology to greatly magnify their
actions.
The historical sequence cannot be ignored.
The increased warming plus the increased CO2
occurred in tandem with the Industrial Revolution.
The warming is not isolated, such as in a geophysical
perturbation, but has steadily increased for
several centuries.
We can always speculate as to other causes,
but just as we speculate about the cause of
cancer in a patient, we must operate, under
the very reasonable premise that speculation
may be erroneous and if so, the patient will
die.
This is an appeal to emotions, but still
remains a valid mode of dealing with an
unknown future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pinna
Dear dr. Pinna,
Re: Multiple autoimmune diseases
Thank you for your articles on treatment of autoimmune diseases. I have an overactive immune system (MS, ITP, ?LE). I am looking for an immune modulator.
1. Do you know of any reliable sources for Cordyceps (preferably ones that do not charge outrageous prices)?
2. Do you have to eat the larva/worm plus the fungus in addition to the soup?
3. is the weight per dose you mention the raw weight of the organic material?
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Debbie from New Zealand
4. There is a drug that has supposedly been based upon Cordyceps? Do you know anything about it?
Dear Dr. Debbie,
We have purchased a supply of Cordyceps Militaris from a laboratory in
China. These are not the “Wild” Cordyceps and they have no worms or larvae.
They are the fungus grown in laboratory cultures inside of glass containers.
They will be sold on this website at cost, shipping and a small percentage
to cover the costs of this website.
I hope to have them available within 30 days, m.o.l.
If you have the wild specimens, I recommended eating the insect and the fungus.
This is the traditional Chinese method. I believe the insect contains molecules
changed by the infection of the fungus. Unfortunately, the price is out of reach
for most mortals. The Chinese and myself make a chicken soup, cook for
approx 2-3 hours and eat everything. (It’s really not that ghastly.)
Do not buy capsules or pills or extracts.
Buy only the entire fungus.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pinna
I understand about not consuming sugar after a workout for 2 hours to maximize HGH release. I was using a protein powder which had stevia as one of the ingredients. I like the protein powder and the rest of the ingredients but I stopped using it until I find out if stevia has the same effect on HGH release as sugar. Do you know if it does? Thank you for your help and have a great day! – Bob
Bob,
Please read the last few paragraphs of my comment to Dr. Mercola in “Lose a pound of fat a day.”
HCG and all other hormones are irrelevant to weight loss!
You may or may not have more HCG in your bloodstream with Stevia.
But, it is of no importance.
Simply eat less and you will lose weight!
“Self control” not “HCG” is the name of the game.
Dr. Pinna
Dear Dr. Pinna,
I have been trying to find information on figs. I can’t find any published journals on figs. Can you help me with scientific information that I can read myself. I am getting a lot of mixed information. Are fresh figs good for diabetics? Since the fresh does not have that much sugar compared to the dried ones would fresh be a better choice? Yes they have fiber, but a diabetic person can get fiber from other sources, why would all of these sites say it is good for diabetcs. Please clearify that for me or give me reputable sites I can read myself.
I love your site and I trust all the information you post for the public.
Thank you.
Dr. Pinna
I was wondering what journal was used for the “Aspirin lowers melanoma risk” article?
I was told dfogs do better on a raw food diet..Is this true?
I had 2 lumbar fusions, 2008 and 2008. I now have severe cronic leg and back pain. during a follow up, visit to my Dr. a year of more for the last surgry date, he told me that there is notning that he can do for my severe back and leg apin. Since then I have not been able to work and am taking Opana, Oxycodone, Nurontin and muscle relaxers daily. My quality of life sticks.
I am wondering if Dr Ara Duekmajon, Viera Spine Clinic was one who accepted monies from Medtronics. The Bone Growth Stimulator I used post surgry was made by them. I had to send them a check every month to pay for it.
Please Help,
Don Bourlier
Indialantic Fl
Dear Don,
Fusions are very problematic.
However, not knowing the details I cannot comment.
I would definitely consult a different Neuerosurgeon or an Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery.
Dr. Pinna
Dr. Pinna,
I read your THE 100 YEAR DIET – ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS article. In the middle of the article there was mention of “a distorted ratio of essential fatty acids in the body with a vast array of serious health conditions…”
I’m concerned that there was no recommendation to reduce omega-6, lenoleic acid intake to balance omega-3s and 6s(1). I am further concerned that excessive intake of both omega-3s and 6s appears to be associated with accelerated aging(2).
I’ve had problems with too much omega-6 intake. I am now recovering(3).
David Brown
Kalispell, Montana
References
1. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201103/your-brain-omega-3
2. http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/unsaturatedfats.shtml
3. http://theconsciouslife.com/omega-6-friend-or-foe.htm
David,
You are totally correct.
I neglected the balance of omega 3 and Omega 6.
I tried to rectify the problem in the chapter on Essential Amino Acids, by pointing out the use of corn
as food for cattle.
I do not believe that you can eat too much Omega 3 and 6 if they are in balance.
The Japanese and other fish cultures eat large quantities and live quite long and they look young.
What evidence do you have of “accelerated aging?”
I am quite curious.
Dr. Pinna
Hi, doctor
Iam takening lansopresol 30 mg capsule daily, and iam afraid from it may it cause cancer and i do not want to take all my life , iam saffering from the acidity most time.
Rose,
If you have abdominal discomfort, you need gastroscopy.
Dr. Pinna
Hi!
I am a member of the Thurmont Lions Club (www.thurmontlionsclub.com ), a nonprofit 501c3 service organization. We are preparing a cookbook as a fund raiser for our club. The proceeds from the sales will be returned to the community and for vision projects. We hope to sell from 200 to 400 copies in our local community.
In developing our cook book, we would like to use photographs for the divider sections between the various types of foods. These photographs would only be used in the printed book and we do not plan on posting the photographs on our web site.
In looking for appropriate photographs on Google Images, it appears that one of your photographs of a fish entree would be an excellent choice for our divider page introducing this section of the cook book.
May we have permission to use your photograph for this one time use? If so, we would certainly be pleased to add brief language thanking you for the use of the photograph and noting that, if appropriate, the photograph is copyrighted. Thanks for your consideration!
Tim Stuart, Ph.D.
1st Vice-President
Thurmont Lions Club
Thurmont, MD USA 21788
e-mail: t.stuart@comcast.net
How do you ask a question? The FAQ & Help link just goes back to this page, which has no link for asking questions.
Your article about beets, nitrates, & blood pressure was informative. If there are many vegetables that contain nitrates, which is healthy, how does this reconcile with the study that smoked meats, etc., which contain nitrates, is linked to Alzheimer’s? i.e. why would bacon, etc. be linked to Alzheimer’s, but beets & spinach are not?
Good question!
The answer is all over the internet.
Veggies contain POTASIUM nitrate AND cured meat contains SODIUM nitrate.
The Potassium ion separates easily from the nitrate. The sodium ion does not.
Dr. Pinna
I read the article “Dr.Mercola-no sugar after exercising)”. Im a young bodybuilder looking to put on muscle as fast as possible. I read on bodybuilding.com that consuming dextrose(d-glucose) along with my whey protein immediately after weight lifting or sprinting will spike insulin levels, pushing the amino acids into my muscles effectively recovering as fast as possible(with a liquid meal as opposed to a whole meal.) Ofcourse i follow it up with many whole meals afterwards. What do you think about this?
If it is working, I see nothing wrong with it.
Good luck.
Dr. Pinna
i have stomach problem. we used medicines. Ganaton, Nexum, Protium, Zantac, Vazol and other. But we have problem. Please choose medicine for me. And advise me.
I am trying to cut down on sugar in tea and coffee I mistakenly went onto honey to sweeten my drinks and have put on weight I recently read that Glucose was a better sugar for the body to utilise is this true are there negative consequences in swapping to glucose rather than sucrose or fructose?
Honey which is glucose, has been used for thousands of years.
It tastes so sweet that people rarely misuse it.
If you are not diabetic, use it.
Dr. Pinna
Very interesting information on extra virgin coconut oil and its possible effect on H.Pylori.
Does extra virgin coconut oil also have the potential to control a bowel overgrowth of streptococcus? Also what is its effect on inportant bacteria like E.coli?
Warm regards from the UK
How does someone buy the Greek default swaps?
What constitute a “default” by greece on that insurance policy, If bondholders take a “haircut” is that a default. It seems like they want to recapitalize the banks to get them ready for a default!!
Is <1 insulin bad in a blood test?
Hey Dr. Pinna, how do we contact you if we are media and want to set up at interview?,
Thanks, monique
Dear Sir/Madam,
As I have observed in your website, pineal gland is the third eye for the human beings,I would like to know how to stimulate the pineal glands.Your immediate response is highly appreciated.
Regds,
Shibu Abraham K
Dr. Pinna,
I would like to send you a sample of our new water soluble curcumin ( made in USA) for your evaluations.
Mewa Singh
Director Research
Tempest Biotech LLc.
mewasinghsandhu@hotmail.com
You were quoted in Dr. David Eifrg’s latest report regarding the ability of the Federal Reserve
to take money out of 401k accounts. Do you have a bill I can read or a website that gives this claim some validity?
Thanks,
Bill
Can u please give details of total quantity of gold bought by soveirgn countries world wide in 2011 and compare it with 2010.
yo man wussup r u indian or sumthin
Dear Dr. Pinna,
I have type 2 diabetes and recently was taken off my meds as they were making me ill.
I was put on Lantus and am supposed to increase every 3 days till my blood sugars are between 130 & 140 in the morning. Tonight it was 414!! I’m scared and don’t know what to do. Tonight my friend told me to increase it to 6, but I only did it to 2 units. That’s a total of 18 units. This is a weekend, and no one is available to help me. Please advise??
Mrs. Wade
P.S. I’ve been a type 2 for over 20 years. I am 64 years old and my weight is 167
Is it possible that lipitor could cause numbness in hands, along with your fingers feeling dry and tinglely all the time and it feels as though you need to shake them. Also, you can’t grasp objects because of loss of feeling and at night you wake up and they are burning?
Dear Dr. Pinna,
You didn’t answer my question about diabetes. You gave me an answer to the person above my question! No thanks to you, I’m still going. I stayed up all night waiting for you feedback.
Can we use the union worker image for a brochure? Please advise. kelebek@att.net
Not meant to publish – just trying to contact you: Dr. Pinna, I would like to publish your article on coconut oil and stomach acid in the next edition of our book, which already has over 85,000 copies in print. http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/book_virgin_coconut_oil.htm We would also be interested in interviewing you sometime. Please contact me. Brian Shilhavy http://healthimpactnews.com/contact/
what happens if you were taking prednasone far 10 years because of autoimmune disease
and now I have stopped taking it, but my hands and fingers also, my thumb and my little
finger on my left hand is looking funny. I had a condition with my lung. Could it cause me to have rheumatoid .
Mrs M.
DR PINNA, MY DAUGHTER HAS JUST RECENTLY GOT SOME BIG TATOO’S AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT HER GETTING CANCER FROM IT DOWN THE ROAD…MY QUESTION TO YOU IS: ARE THEIR INKS OUT THERE THAT ARE NOT CANCEROUS? I’M REALLY UPSET WITH HER AND SHE WANTS MORE TATOO’S
CINDY
So, its now Feb. of 2012, and things are getting hot in the world. In your opinion, how much longer can we last, before collapse?
Dear Dr. Pinna,
I am a student at the University of Manchester, England and am researching the circadian basis of mood disorders. I am currently creating an e-learning resource to deliver to medical students and clinicians introducing the biological basis of circadian rhythmicity. Would it be possible to use your diagram of the pineal and SCN in the resource. You would be referenced, and a link to your site would be available.
Thankyou very much
My email: powerfulbeats@hotmail.co.uk
I will provide further details through email correspondence.
Kind regards,
PB
I was interested in purchasing the cordyceps but was not able to add them to a cart. Are they still available?
Dear Dr. Pinna:
Currently I am writing a chapter about protein in a nutrition-related book. It will be written in Chinese and will only be published in Taiwan. I wonder if you allow me to use the photo in
http://drpinna.com/economic-rip-tide-introduction-2-18962/kwashiorkor
to show the readers the symptoms of Kwashiorkor.
Your reply is highly appreciated.
Sincerely,
H. Y. Hsia
Sorry, post to the wrong place. Repost below.
Does Pelligrino mineral water deplete one’s calcium supply?
Thank you
Dear Dr. Pinna:
Currently I am writing a chapter about protein in a nutrition-related book. It will be written in Chinese and will only be published in Taiwan. I wonder if you allow me to use the photo in
http://drpinna.com/economic-rip-tide-introduction-2-18962/kwashiorkor
to show the readers the symptoms of Kwashiorkor.
Your reply is highly appreciated.
Sincerely,
H. Y. Hsia
I would like to ask can we use your articles picture in our schoolprojects presentation? I’m talking about a picture in this page: http://drpinna.com/do-you-want-to-live-to-be-150-years-old-20830/happy-old-people
We are creating a project about elderly peoples healthcare and that picture would be good for our presentation, so can we used it please?
Best regards,
Mikael
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, FINLAND
Dr. Pinna,
One of my incredible contacts in India sent your story in about Burma, I was amazed to see that you were a Marine, we are Salem-News.com; a Human Rights news agency based out of Oregon, with volunteer writers in 22 countries, and 15 of us are current or former Marines! Please drop me a line when you have a moment, we are the group that turns blog content into news, we are highly ranked and have high integrity with regard to human rights, always looking for another Marine or former Marine for our team, we are also deeply involved in exposing the toxicity of Camp Lejeune and El Toro, very exciting to read your bio, and we did carry your current piece about Burma, it is very important needless to say, thank you.
Tim King
News Editor
Salem-News.com
Hello,
Would u ship cordyceps to The Netherlands Europe,
if so how much would the shipping cost
kind regard janice
Please see previous reply.
Dr. Pinna
Hi,
I have to check costs with UPS.
Dr. Pinna
I checked. UPS is about $100.00. No good.
U.S. Postal is under $10.00. No tracking number
but a Custom Scan when it enters the Nethertlands.
We will include U.S. Postal at no charge.
Dr. Pinna
Hello,
How do you go about ordering cordyceps to the netherlands?
Kind regards,
Aaron
Hello Dr. Pinna.
I read your article “GETTING RID OF POLITICIANS” with great interest. I live in CT, USA and had an interesting experience recently.
I posted on Facebook that our local Board of Finance is corrupt. I didn’t mention any names, but did exclude one member. Members of that board threatened me with a lawsuit, and now I don’t say anything. I was a critic before, but don’t anything for fear of being sued. I don’t understand how this can happen in our country. If we can’t freely express how messed up our politicians are, we’re doomed.
I am wondering if I should seek legal council, and if so, what should this lawyer specialize in?
Thank you.
I am seeking permission to use your photo of the three Eskimo children in a book I am writing called’ “Santa’s Ice is Melting”.
Thank you,
You have my permission.
Dr. Pinna
i am 17 years old.
however, i have a very short height as compared to my age. pls help……
Hi,
Look at your parents and grand parents. Height is
generally regulated by genes.
However, a lack of protein and milk (calcium) also
play a role.
However, hormones also play a role.
Ask your doctor.
Dr. Pinna
I deeply respect the rationality of your replies which suggest you have an “evidence based belief sysem” … understanding that our beliefs about reality drive the choices we make and our choices always have consequences. Ergo, we should base our beliefs on the best information available and be willing to change those beliefs if newer and better information becomes available…our world needs more healers like yourself.
Dear Dr. Korloff,
I am humbled by your words.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pinna
i have been told low magniesuim was the cause of my sons death after having a kidney transplant could this be true