Underneath it all

Guess what landed on my desk the other day? Yet another article touting VeriChip, the implantable computer chip that acts as the key to unlocking your medical records. The company marketing the chip says that having one will allow healthcare personnel to quickly access your medical records in case of an emergency.

My dog has a computer chip, but that doesn’t mean I need one too — and he already had it when I adopted him from a rescue organization, or else I would say that he doesn’t need one either. In fact, the vet told me that sometimes he can’t even find the chips that have been implanted in dogs because the people who implant them don’t always place them in a uniform spot on each animal. For the record, he found my dog’s chip. But his remark brings up a concern for us humans. How will medical personnel know where and on whom to look for the device? You need to be within six inches of the implant for it to be readable.

When it is found and scanned, the device beams a 16-digit number that is linked to the person’s medical records. Since the FDA approved the VeriChip last year, about 2,000 pioneers worldwide have opted for it, says the manufacturer, Applied Digital.

But what I’m wondering is why in the world anyone would undergo a medical procedure unnecessarily, implant anything that was foreign into their bodies when they didn’t have to, and make it EASIER for the government or others to find out your most personal information?

Medical privacy may be going to the dogs, but that doesn’t mean we have to follow.

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What a pain

Q: My husband has severe osteoarthritis in both of his hips. Since he is a runner, this diagnosis has left him devastated. Is there anything you can recommend that will help him?

JVW: My first suggestion to all osteoarthritis sufferers is to eliminate nightshade vegetables — such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, paprika, and eggplants — from the diet.

I also suggest 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate three times a day — but stay away from chondroitin, since it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. A separate note of caution, in people with diabetes, glucosamine may elevate blood sugar. Along with the glucosamine, I recommend 1,000 milligrams of niacinamide three times daily. Many people report complete relief of their pain and swelling within three or four weeks of taking niacinamide.

Also quite effective, yet largely unknown to many, is boron. I advise taking 3 milligrams twice daily. As an added bonus, boron also is a treatment for osteoporosis and aids in cancer prevention.

If adjusting the diet and these supplements don’t bring relief, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may be worth trying. It can be expensive, but some patients — though not all — have been helped by it. I usually recommend 400 milligrams once or twice daily.

These supplements are all safe and natural, and I have been recommending them for years to relieve arthritis pain with great success.

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What is…arthritis?

Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint leading to the breakdown of cartilage, the material at the end of bones that allows for ease of movement. Most often, the larger joints of the body — the knees, hips, and spine — are involved, but arthritis can also form in the finger joints. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Although there are several forms of the condition, most people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, which is the type brought on by age and general wear and tear on the joints.

Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Editorial Director
Nutrition & Healing