Diabetes ranks among the most common chronic diseases of childhood with high risk of morbidity and premature mortality. But routine use of insulin typically prevents hyper- and hypoglycemic crises, and death in childhood from diabetic ketoacidosis is rare. So, kids with diabetes typically glice through childhood with few impairments. They and their families can be unaware or forget that diabetic vascular pathology progresses silently through childhood. Tragically it roars in the middle an late years with high risk of kidney failure, blindness, impaired wound healing with consequent amputations, painful neuropathy, and premature death from heart disease and stroke. Currently, kids with diabetes are dying on average 10-years earlier than normal kids. Fortunately the morbidity and mortality of diabetes is largely preventable by kddping blood glucose and lipid concentrations under control throughout childhood and middle age. Physicians are permitted to inform the school nurse on the status of kids' blood chemistry. The nurse can then advise the students and their parents on how to maintain or improve their blood chemistry, and, in this way, reduce risk of harm in later life. The nurse can also notify child protective services when necessary changes are neglected. Kids in homeschool deserve this protection. Let's mandate school nurse oversight for kids in homeschool. 

Some 600,000 Americas are destined to die of cancer in 2026 and many of these will confront a terminal diagnosis. Some will be worn out by a long fight. They'll embrace hospice, which will ease their deaths. But others will want to fight to the end. What would you do in this situation? Fighting terminal cancer is a losing battle unless you find some weapons. But oncologists say there are none. When cancer has spread throughout the body and grown resistant to all available drugs, there isn't anything that can slow or stop the cancer, or so they say. Would you be up for that kind of fight, going head-to-head with cancer against impossible odds? Is there a benefit to such a fight even when you lose? YES! In a fight for life, attitude is everything. In the end, all remissions or cures are temporary. Death always wins in the end. But people are more than death can kill. Fighting impossible odds unleashes the human death-defying spirit that resides within each of us. There are hints that this spirit, once unleashed, can live forever. So, try the folate-free diet, and unleash your invincible spirit. 

All addictions are about getting high, and all highs involve dopamine in the brain's reward center. So therapy for addiction should be similar, if not identical, for all forms of addiction. There's lots of talk about addiction being a brain disease, but not much data to support the notion. Much more data supports psychosocial factors as causal. Contingency Management is based on the observation that our actions are dictated by the reward we derive from them. If we make a reward contingent upon an addict doing or not doing a particular action, we help the addict break the addiction. And the larger the reward and the faster it is given relative to the desired action, the more effective it is at breaking the addiction. Whether by cold turkey or tapering at a tolerable pace, abstinence is the goal. 

Experts say diabetics can enjoy sweets in moderation. That's like saying alcoholics can enjoy alcohol in moderation, They can't, and neither can you enjoy sweets, if you're diabetic. Most diabetics live shortened lives filled with misery from heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, impaired wound healing, and amputations. If you're diabetic and you want a long, healthy life, you're going to have to fight hard for it, and that means boycotting sweets. Live on brown rice, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread without a topping, and low sugar, low salt, whole grain cereal in addition to non-starchy vegetables. And it means becoming an athlete. Don't fool yourself. An enjoyable walk won't get the job done. You're going to need to sweat and breathe deep, And don't let stress wreck the effort you put into diet and exercise. It raises blood glucose and blood pressure. Stay cool.

A folate-free diet should be as effective as Methotrexate with the added features of being irresistible and crossing the blood-brain barrier. Anemia will be the principal side-effect, but you can tolerate anemia when it's mild and treat it with transfusions when it's worse. Boycott sugars, starches, vegetables and fruits. Eat only the white meat of turkey breast or swordfish steak. Use olive oil, parmesan or romano cheese, or small amounts of butter for calories. Use salt and vinegar for flavor. Use sugar-free, non-digestible fiber to prevent constipation. Ignore vitamins and minerals for a few months, but if your cancer survives for this duration, you'll have to take all vitamins and minerals other than folate in a carbohydrate-free form. Ask your doctor for help with this. Check your LDL cholesterol and ask your doctor for advice if it's higher than normal. 

Doug Dix, Ph.D. (Biochemistry)

Professor of Health Science (retired) University of Hartford

The chance for remission or cure for late cancer, early diabetes, and addiction centers around the same strategy: Fighting the craving for pleasure. For late cancer and early diabetes, this toxic craving is for food. For addiction, it's the substance or behavior that makes the high. In all three diseases, success depends on self-denial. Patients can have a chance at relief, but they must fight hard for it. I'm here to help them win. Listen to the episodes that fit your need, and, then, give me a call at 959 274-3382. Don't leave any identifying info. I'll give you an ID number.