Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 08:52:39 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Winter conditions
To: heath at iinet.com.au
Message-id: <01HM9ACVPF368XIQWJ at delphi.com>
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> Steve Chalmers <fsc at core.rose.hp.com> writes:
>> >Perhaps in another 20 years modern medicine will have an answer on
> >this one -- but I've got my own answer now.
>> The answer is now. The use of a dopamine agonist (preferably in conjunction
> with a serotonin will do the job. I use fenfluramine and phentermine for my
> patients. However, I also use precursors such as l-dopa and 5-hydroxytryptopha
n.
> Accentuate the dopamine agonists.
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>Sir --
>>How can I find out more about this? It seems to me fundamental:
>>lines of sick people in the winter, and here you are providing
>>an answer. (The only one I've ever seen.)
>>Jim,
There are other answers. Those of Norm Rosenthal of the National Institute of
Mental Health has been advocating the use of lights in association with an
antidepressant. He prefers Paxil.
The darkening of winter with its short days increases an compound in the eye
called melatonin. Melatonin decreases a very crucial neurotransmitter called
dopamine. Dopamine, and its companion, serotonin, appear to control many
systems in the body. Those that are pertinent here are mood and the immune
system.
The decrease of dopamine leads to depression and fatigue. It also leads to a
decrease in the metabolic rate. The decrease in dopamine also leads to a
craving for sweets, chocolate and caffeine. These increase dopamine and
partially resolve depression.
Decrease in dopamine also leads to a decrease in certain cytokines. Cytokines
are newly discovered compounds that perform crucial immune functions. When
the dopamine decreases, there is a decrease in Interleukin-I, II.
Interferon-gamma go down as does tumor necrosis factor alpha. These cytokines
fight against cancer cells, viruses, yeast and bacteria.
We note, therefore, increased viral illnesses. Also such problems such as
asthma, hay fever and hives are controlled by dopamine. These problems thus
go up in the winter.
The patients who take my combination of dopamine increasers (phentermine and
L-dopa) and serotonin increasers (fenfluramine and 5-hydroxytryptophan) have a
marked decrease in the common cold and other bacterial and viral illnesses.
Whether there is a decrease in cancer remains to be seen.
If you want some reprints, send a stamped self-addressed envelope and we will
send some. If you can't get Yank stamps, send it and we will stick on the
stamps. Identify yourself as a E-Mail friend.
By the way, the combination also stops alcoholism, cocaine addiction,
obsessive/compulsive behavior all psychoneuroses. Relieves asthma better than
anything else. Stops many more conditions including post traumatic stress
syndrome, chronic fatigue, etc, etc, etc. Are you a physician? Drop me a
follow up.
>>Is there literature on the treatment you suggest?
Yes, but it is scattered throughout many journals. I do not write
specifically about it but you are welcome to the reprints. >> Why don't we
hear more about it? Too new? Or in too >>specialised an area?
Many specialized areas. All in the literature but I had to put the pieces
together. Since I do not come from the academic world, and since I haven't
spent government money and finally because the National Institute of Health
and academia are threatened, I cannot get it out. I do have friends in many
places, including somebody who works at the White House. I will be presenting
in Switzerland at a prestigious meeting on stress. Maybe it will come out.
>>Jim Heath
>>Perth, Australia
>>heath at iinet.com.au
Pietr Hitzig, MD
9515 Deereco Road
Timonium, MD 21093 USA
Voice 410 360-5733, Fax 410 252-5262
P.S. Feel free to post this anywhere if you want to.
