I’d like to begin by welcoming all new subscribers to this newsletter!  I have appreciated the interest and enthusiasm with which patients have embraced Biopuncture – a new therapy introduced into my practice for the treatment of symptomatic pain syndromes.  Read more about it here.  Schedule an appointment in August for Biopuncture at 30% off!

This week I am in Arizona at the American Association of Naturopathic Physician’s annual conference. I am looking forward to listening to some of the leaders in our profession speak such as, Michael Traub, ND; Jared Zeff, ND; Paul Herscu, ND and Tori Hudson, ND, just to name a few! The lineup is always impressive and I always come back enlightened with new therapies for my patients. Looking forward to visiting my old stomping grounds and meeting classmates from naturopathic medical school!

Coffee & Caffeine

It is either something you really enjoy, or something you do not understand the appeal of. I enjoy the occasional cup of coffee, usually when I haven’t slept well the night before. I limit my intake of caffeine, because my body is sensitive to it. When we talk about the benefits of coffee, we are not talking about the sugary coffee drinks with flavored syrups!

The health benefits of coffee include: heart and brain protection, blood-sugar control, gall bladder health, Parkinson’s disease prevention and lowering the risk of prostate cancer. A study in 2008 showed that those who consumed between two and five cups a day had about a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular death when compared with those who had less than one cup a month.  It might be the phenols, an antioxidant, found in coffee which has been shown to prevent blood clots from forming.  The phenols also help to regulate blood sugar levels. The caffeine found in the coffee seems to stimulate gall bladder function. Caffeine also increases the supply of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, and thus helping to prevent against Parkinson’s disease. In May 2011 a research study done at Harvard School of Public Health, showed that men who drank 6 or more cups of coffee per day for 20 yrs had an 18% lower risk of developing prostate cancer and were 60% less likely to die of it. Men who drank just one to three cups had a 30% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer.

On the flipside, the concerns of coffee include: sleep disturbances, weak bones, heartburn, stomach pains, pregnancy problems, and drug interactions. Caffeinated beverages can alter your sleep pattern, especially if you drink it later in the day. Caffeine also increases the excretion of calcium into the urine, leading to weakened bones and an increase in kidney stones. The acids found within coffee can inflame the esophagus leading to heartburn, along with other gastrointestinal issues. Caffeine in higher dosages may lead to lower birth weight babies. Antidepressant and antipsychotic medications will interact with caffeine and lead to a higher risk of side effects.

With the above health benefits and health risks should we drink coffee or not? The recommendation has to be individualized. This is where your Naturopathic Doctor can help you answer this question.