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Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) has long been known to contain antibacterial cannabinoids, whose potential to address antibiotic resistance has not yet been investigated. All five major cannabinoids (cannabidiol (1b), cannabichromene (2), cannabigerol (3b), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (4b), and cannabinol (5)) showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance. Activity was remarkably tolerant to the nature of the prenyl moiety, to its relative position compared to the n-pentyl moiety (abnormal cannabinoids), and to carboxylation of the resorcinyl moiety (pre-cannabinoids). Conversely, methylation and acetylation of the phenolic hydroxyls, esterification of the carboxylic group of pre-cannabinoids, and introduction of a second prenyl moiety were all detrimental for antibacterial activity. Taken together, these observations suggest that the prenyl moiety of cannabinoids serves mainly as a modulator of lipid affinity for the olivetol core, a per se poorly active antibacterial pharmacophore, while their high potency definitely suggests a specific, but yet elusive, mechanism of activity.

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Celiac disease — a genetically inherited digestive and autoimmune disease — affects an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. It is the only autoimmune disease of which the trigger is known. That trigger is dietary.

An autoimmune disorder, by definition, is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different autoimmune disorders. Examples of other autoimmune disorders include type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In the case of celiac disease, the dietary trigger is the consumption of foods with wheat, rye or barley (in particular, the proteins in these grains called prolamins). These grains are in most mainstream types of spaghetti, bread, cereal, crackers, flour, beer, imitation fish, seasoned chips, soups, soy sauce, french fries, communion wafers, cookies, pizza crust and more. There are many obvious sources of prolamins, while others may be more hidden such as in vitamins, medicines, envelope adhesive and condiments.

On a side note, the word “gluten” is generally used to identify the prolamins in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), even though the gluten protein itself is only found in wheat.

When the gluten source is from an unsafe grain, it must be avoided by those with celiac disease.

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By Dr. John Briffa

In the world of nutrition, not everyone shares the same opinion. Perhaps the most stark and common example of this concerns the relative amounts of carbohydrate and fat we should have in our diets.

The conventional view is that the diet should be low in fat and high in carbs. Fat, we are told, makes us fat, so eating less of it is the sure-fire way to keep lean and healthy. On the other hand, some argue that it’s not too much fat that makes us fat, but too much carbohydrate. Such individuals will advocate a low-carb diet, which may (but may not) end up being quite rich in fat.

In this column I have referred to studies that show that low-carb diets outshine low-fat ones in the weight-loss stakes. I’m not aware of one single study that found a low-fat diet to be superior in this respect.

Those that cling to the idea that low-fat is the way to go will very often resort to claiming that low-carb diets are unhealthy, often on the basis that their sometimes high-fat content will put people at risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. I have to say I’m unmoved by this argument for two main reasons.

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By Ingrid Pincott

The word is getting around that naturopathic physicians offer pre- and post-surgery care.

Sometimes surgery is unavoidable or highly desirable and patients want as much support as possible to speed the healing time and make the experience as painless as possible.

This care is also very effective for dental procedures and surgery.

1. The first goal is to aid with pain management. The two homeopathic remedies that provide great support are Arnica and Hypericum.

Arnica is a well-known remedy used to treat trauma of any kind including emotional trauma. Hypericum is a great remedy to help with nerve trauma and pain and is used commonly after dental surgery.

Another remedy I use with good success is a natural anti-inflammatory composed of a mixture of bromelain, curcumin and quercitin.

This remedy is usually only required in therapeutic dosages for the first few weeks post operatively.

2. The liver is the major blood filtration organ of the body. It takes quite a hit from the anesthetic drugs used during surgery.

Providing liver supporting herbs such as milk thistle and chelidonium will increase the metabolism of these drugs for speedier recovery. For some the most traumatic part of surgery is getting over the anesthetic. I suggest that people take these remedies up to two weeks before surgery as well as afterwards for several months.

3. The adrenal glands are the major organ to help deal with stress and of course surgery is a very stressful event for the body. These glands can take longer than the liver to recover post-operatively.

There are many very effective remedies for the adrenal glands including the wonderful Russian herb, rhodiola. However vitamin C can be a simple and useful remedy to aid the adrenal glands and healing in general when taken post operatively in therapeutic dosages for months at a time.

Sue, 45, was heading in for microscopic surgery to remove her gallbladder. I outlined the remedies (mentioned above) for her and also suggested that she make up ginger juice to help with the nausea and digestion after surgery.

Two cups of raw ginger are boiled in one gallon of purified water for one hour then consumed either hot or cold with a little stevia and lemon or lime to flavour. This can also be mixed with organic gingerale.

If her appetite was low I suggested she use the Greens First Smoothie mixed with a protein powder to provide her with the antioxidants equivalent to 10 cups of fruits and vegetables.

Once Sue recovered I added a bile supplement to her nutritional program to take the rest of her life.

This aids the production of bile by the liver, now that she no longer had the gallbladder where the bile is stored for fat metabolism.

Several months later I suggested a two-week cleansing program to further aid the function of the kidney, liver and bowel.

She told me her surgeon was delighted on how quickly she bounced back and she was glad that she was one of those patients who felt a lot better having her gallbladder removed.

Q I’m 53 and have reached the menopause. My periods are lighter and less frequent, and I feel tired most of the time because my sleep is disturbed by several hot flushes during the night. I’m also irritable, forgetful and often feel anxious. What can I do to help myself get through this?

A What you are experiencing are normal symptoms of the menopause - that time in our lives where hormone levels decrease and periods eventually stop.

Your symptoms will improve naturally as your menopause progresses, but to help you along there are a number of things you can do.

Treat yourself with herbs that contain phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds similar to the oestrogen and progesterone produced naturally by the body.

They will not act as quickly as synthetic hormones, but they do have lasting effects and will help in balancing out lowered hormone levels. Red clover, chaste berry, Chinese angelica, wild yam, Motherwort and Schizandra are just some of the herbs available.

Try Motherwort or chamomile for anxiety. Oats are also useful and can be easily incorporated in the diet as muesli, porridge or flapjacks.

Passion flower, valerian or Californian poppy are all helpful where sleep is a problem. Try any of these herbs, taking a dose just before you go to bed. If you are using a tincture, then 5ml to 10ml at bedtime should be enough, but you can repeat the dose once in the night if needed. A few drops of essential oil of lavender on your pillow will also help relax you and assist sleep.

On a practical note concerning flushes: Low blood sugar can also make hot flushes worse, so eat regularly throughout the day, avoiding food high in sugar.

Eat foods that will slowly release sugars, such as nuts, fruit and whole grains; Stress can affect flushes, so reduce levels by taking regular exercise and include time for relaxation. Exercise is also essential for maintaining strong bones; Summer can make flushes worse, so avoid tight clothes and wear layers to allow you to remove some clothing when you get hot.