Health expert ready to listen

Published July 24, 2007 at midnight

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When Dr. Andrew Weil speaks, more and more people are paying attention.

The proponent of "integrative medicine" has written five best-selling books and been called an "extraordinary phenomenon" by the Washington Post.

Starting today, Rocky Mountain News readers can share his insights in his column, "Ask Dr. Weil." Each week Weil answers reader questions about everything from medical conditions to drugs, surgery to diet. He also fields questions about meditation, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal remedies and supplements.

"I don't claim to be an expert in every sphere of health," Weil writes. "When I encounter a topic outside of my experience, I pose the question to a colleague who can address it, or admit that I am out of my depth.

"But people approach me with such varied questions because they know I've studied hundreds of therapies in my 40 years as a doctor, including many unconventional treatments that weren't covered in my Harvard Medical School education."

Weil called integrative medicine as "a system that prudently evaluates and uses the best, scientifically validated therapies from both conventional and alternative systems, and that takes account of the whole person - body, mind and spirit."

He says most medical conditions are chronic, e.g., diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, depression and low back pain. "Usually, neither drugs nor surgery - conventional medicine's bulwark therapies - is the best choice for turning these around. Treating these non-emergency conditions like emergencies often makes them worse, and leaves the patient financially drained as well."

Chill with green tea

Question: I've read that L-theanine is a good anti-anxiety product. It is a form of green tea extract. What are your thoughts on using this for anxiety?

Answer: L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea plants, is responsible for the unique flavor of green tea. This compound is said to promote relaxation and modify the stimulating effects of the caffeine present in green tea.

Some research has suggested that L-theanine has calming effects. In one study, young women were given either water, 50 mg of L-theanine or 200 mg of L-theanine once a week. Afterward, their brain waves were measured.

Those who received the highest dose (200 mg) produced more alpha waves, an indication of increased relaxation, about 40 minutes after getting the L-theanine. Results of this study were published in the June 1999 issue of Trends in Food Science & Technology. However, more research will be needed to confirm the findings.

As far as combating anxiety is concerned, I recommend breathing exercises, which are the most effective and fastest-acting method I know. Aerobic exercise is also helpful, and I would recommend avoiding caffeine because its stimulating effects can heighten anxiety.

You might try tincture of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), which is mildly relaxing. The dose is one dropperful in a little water, up to four times a day, as needed. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is more powerful - use a capsule of the standardized extract only as needed.

For the calming and relaxing benefits of L-theanine, I recommend drinking green tea in moderation rather than taking a supplement. If you find the tea too stimulating, look for a decaffeinated form.

Q: I've seen conflicting articles about milk consumption and cancer. Does it raise or lower the risk?

A: You raise an interesting question. Recently, a Harvard researcher gave a provocative talk on the association between cancer and cow's milk and other milk products. The scientist, Dr. Ganmaa Davaasambuu, Ph.D., a native Mongolian, noted that ingestion of natural estrogens from cows (particularly from pregnant cows) in milk may be linked to breast, prostate and testicular cancers in humans. All are "hormone-dependent" tumors, meaning that they need sex hormones to grow.

She also linked rising rates of dairy consumption to the increased death rates from prostate cancer and noted that breast cancer also appears to be linked to milk and cheese consumption.

In the United States, among women, milk consumption has been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Organic milk is still better in many respects than conventional milk, but still may be full of natural hormones.

My advice: Cut down on dairy products except low-fat ones. Substitute soy milk when possible.

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