In a positive development, there is now some uncertainty about our move. In communication with us, the new building owners (Catholic Charities) contradicted their own comments published in the Press Democrat about expanding into the entire building as tenants lease terms expire. Hopefully we will get this worked out very quickly.

One of the pluses about this building is the potential for holding seminars in its meeting spaces. Taking advantage of that, we are sponsoring a session on March 6 from 3-5 pm entitled “Empowering Teens for the Adventure of Their Lives”. The seminar will be taught by Jeffrey Leiken, MA whom I have seen perform exceptional work with adolescent patients in my practice and who conducts trainings for teens all over the world. I encourage any of you with concerns about helping your child and family through this powerful transition to attend the free seminar. If you want more information, call Melanie at the office (545-1554) or look at http://www.mentorcounselor.com/. Jeff will be teaching a weekend seminar in Petaluma April 1-3 called Clean Communication for Teen Girls.

Best, Michael Carlston, M.D.
www.carlstonmd.com 
707-545-1554

One of the reasons I have little enthusiasm for flu vaccines is that the experts who decide which virus will be this years flu bug, guess wrong just about half the time in recent years. Unfortunately, guessing wrong means the companies work for months producing a vaccine for the wrong virus. OOOPS!

Those of you of you who have experienced this year’s flu will probably be quite surprised by the news I have for you. It turns out that the flu we in the Bay Area have been catching the past 2 months is a new strain (called Santa Clara for where it was first identified). So NEXT year’s flu vaccine will include this virus. If you have been locked inside your home without any human contact, this vaccine might be helpful to you next year. The two other strains in next year’s vaccine will be the same strains included this year. Thanks a lot.

Previously, many studies have demonstrated that St John’s Wort is effective for mild to moderate depression. The presumption was that SJW was not useful for more severe depression, certainly not as effective as the conventional antidepressants. Taking the next step, researchers studied patients with moderate and severe depression treated with a St John’s Wort extract (hypericum extract WS 5570). Half of the patients randomly received paroxetine (Paxil) and the other half St John’s Wort. One third of those receiving the paroxetine got better but half of those on St John’s Wort got better. They also found that patients taking the St John’s Wort extract had fewer adverse effects. So it worked better, had fewer side effects and cost less. Not too bad.

A few years ago we were upset to learn that so many samples of greens, including many that were grown organically, were contaminated with perchlorate (a component of rocket fuel). This chemical mostly comes from the defense industry and contaminates the water supply. One of its biological effects is that it blocks thyroid function. Deficient thyroid is a very serious problem in newborns because it causes irreparable brain damage.

A survey of breast milk samples from women from 18 states found that every sample contained perchlorate at least in traces. The average levels exceeded the safe exposure levels recommended by a National Academy of Sciences panel last month. The study authors recommended that pregnant and nursing women should take iodine supplements to block the antithyroid effects of perchlorate contamination. I would recommend a dosage around 150 micrograms.