Pathway Formulas

05/04/2021

Absolutely true for a short period of time. If the stress persists the trouble begins.

Stress may have some important cognitive benefits, new study suggests

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/stress-may-have-some-important-cognitive-benefits-new-study-suggests

01/04/2021

So true!

The health of the community of microbes living in and on our bodies—100 trillion single-cell organisms, outnumbering human cells 10 to 1—has become a top priority.⁣
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Modern living and our bad lifestyle choices have been hard on those little bugs. The standard western diet is impoverished of the things our beneficial gut bacteria require. All the chemicals from processed foods and the environmental toxins we take in only make the situation worse. ⁣⁣⁣
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Our guts become damaged when we eat a processed diet that’s high in sugar and starch, don’t eat enough of the right fiber and prebiotics, or take too many gut-busting drugs (like antibiotics, acid blockers for reflux, anti-inflammatories, hormones, and more). Think of your gut as an inner garden; just as with any garden—when you let the weeds take over, you get into trouble.⁣⁣⁣
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It’s our job to encourage the good microbes by feeding them the things they need and avoiding the things that damage them. Not surprisingly, good bacteria love healthy whole, organic, plant-based foods, ones that are high in fiber and nutrients and contain no artificial ingredients. ⁣⁣

30/03/2021

Medication cards do save lives. It is all about making sure we as patients communicate our medications list and allergies to our healthcare providers and pharmacies. We can’t leave that job to our privatized healthcare system, which doesn’t have a reliable way of doing this for us.

The medication wallet card helps promote safer medical visits by giving you a very simple and effective way of informing your health providers and pha...

22/03/2021

Keeping pharmaceuticals around the house comes with risk, especially when there are children in the picture. Don’t put off properly disposing of old or unneeded drugs preemptively.

Do you have old or unused medication around the house?

Read todays blog post and learn what to do with it.

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/disposal-of-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know

15/03/2021

Kind of makes sense.

Experts Suggest No Alcohol Before Your COVID Vaccine

If you’re planning to get vaccinated soon, health experts suggest that you take it easy the night before so that you’re

well-rested and your immune system is in the best shape possible. You might also want to avoid any alcohol the night before your vaccine appointment.

Read our blog post here:

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/experts-suggest-no-alcohol-before-your-covid-vaccine

03/03/2021

It seems so simple but Medication Cards actually save lives.

28/12/2020

Don’t put off taking Vitamin D and Zinc. Then if you have an unfortunately high COVID mortality risk then consider taking the following other preventative supplements:
1. Beta Glucan (or medicinal mushrooms with lots of beta glucans.
2. Probiotics.
3. Vitamin C, 1,000 or 2,000mg daily (or more).
4. Vitamin A (not just beta carotenoids).
5. BioAstin (astaxanthin).
6. NAC (m-acetyl cysteine)
7. Make sure to take Vitamin K2 (in the form of mK7) with your vitamin D. They usually come combined in the same pills.
8. Drink more water than you think you need. Make sure it is purified.

If you really want an even more powerful preventative immune boost try the following:

1. Grow broccoli seed sprouts and eat then at the 48-73 hour growth window. Or take Sulforaphane (the active ingredient).
2. Take Andrographis.
3. Intermittent fast regularly.
4. Cut down a lot on sweets and carbs (potatoes, rice, cereals and many grains), and keep fruit to a minimum.

That’s a start. if you do any one of these things it will be a step the right direction, and I believe that and the more of these items you add I the better chance you have recover Covid unscathed.

Justin Groode MD | Patient Advocate Alliance

You Can Now Calculate Your Own RISK OF DYING from Covid-19.

Johns Hopkins University and the CDC have created a new tool that anyone can use to estimate individual risk of dying from Covid-19. This calculator factors in age, gender, pre-existing/underlying health conditions, body mass index (BMI), and even geography.

While there is perhaps something slightly morbid about the concept, it is actually pretty cool, for lack of a more medical term to describe the calculator. This is would probably have be a good method of deciding who should to be first in line for vaccination. Our current Phase 1 through Phase 4 strategy for distributing the vaccine does not appear to directly factor geography into the algorithm, which is likely due to the politics involved in decisions pertaining to health equities. But because there is an undeniable relationship between risk and geography, it is my opinion that Covid-19 could be subdued faster with a geographical approach that factors Covid hot-spots as an independent risk factor.

In summary, Phase 1 contains three sub-phases (a, b, and c). This effectively makes the vaccine distribution process spread out over 6 phases. Though I agree with the prioritization algorithm in general, I'd like to see geography taken into stronger consideration for risk stratification.

Here's the Calculator, for those who dare to know their actual statistical risk of dying of Covid-19.

https://covid19risktools.com:8443/riskcalculator

To read about the calculator's algorithm and how the data were derived, click the following link.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-01191-8

As always, don't hesitate to post questions or comments for the PAA community.

Justin Groode MD | Patient Advocate Alliance LLC

18/09/2020

Big development. Has the potential to deem Covid no longer a deadly pandemic. May be more important than a vaccine, depending on when it is approved and is available for hospitals.

Promising News: Major Covid Breakthrough.

University of Pittsburgh scientists discover antibody that ‘neutralizes’ the Coronavirus.

They have isolated a very tiny part of an antibody that “completely and specifically neutralizes” SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This discovery has not been studied in humans yet, but the excellent results in mice and hamsters are extremely exciting.

We are inching our way closer to dramatically reducing the risk of death from Covid-19.

This has the potential to end the pandemic, along with a myriad of other emerging treatments that may be used in conjunction with one another, which could be called a ‘Corona Cocktail.’

Justin Groode MD & Ms. JENN landers | Patient Advocate Alliance LLC
-19

15/07/2020

Face shields get my vote, especially for those who are at highest risk for severe infection, because offer more protection of the wearer. It is also a good solution for those who believe that are unhealthy due to carbon dioxide (Co2) build up.

Are face masks more effective than clear plastic face shields in protecting from infection with coronavirus? Here's advice from public health experts.

25/06/2020

Goal: Buying time and staying healthy until we know who's at the greatest risk and have more preventative and treatment options.

The Mask Controversy ….. To Wear or Not to Wear; What is The Evidence?

Social distancing, face masks, hand washing, and other prophylactic measures have been promoted as effective, but what is the evidence?

An MIT study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recently illustrates how coronavirus can travel much further in the air than we realized.

These findings do not prove that the virus can still be infectious after a distance, but it raises concerns that the 6-feet rule may not be sufficient, at least when indoors.

Another recent study in the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet, performed a systemic review of 172 studies. The results indicated a large reduction in infection with at least 1 meter (3 feet) of physical distancing, and distancing of up to 2 meters (6 feet) “might” be even more effective.

There is a very recent and disturbing publication in the journal Physics of Fluids about aerosolized (airborne) virus due to flushing toilets.

For more information on this hot topic and for a synopsis of the subject check out our blog post:

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-a-mask

Dr. Justin Groode | Patient Advocate Alliance LLC

10/06/2020

Antibiotic over-prescribing isn't a new problem but has become an even bigger problem during the pandemic. [See the shared post below].

Taking probiotics is a good idea for a general microbiome boost, which is important for protecting us against viral infection, especially when taking with Vitamin A (not beta carotene) and a number of other nutrients.

When actively taking antibiotics, there is a probiotic called Sacchromyces boulardi (also called Boulardi) that is a beneficial yeast flora rather than the typical bacterial probiotic. Boulardi is therefore not killed by antibiotics, which only kill bacteria.

During the pandemic, it is not a bad idea to preemptively take a broad spectrum probiotic that includes Boulardi.

Justin Groode, MD | Pathway Formulas LLC

Antibiotic Over-prescribing Intensifies During COVID Pandemic.

Covid-19 pneumonia is a viral pneumonia. We know this is not treatable with antibiotics, which only kill bacteria, not viruses.

Severe viral pneumonia can (sometimes) develop into a secondary bacterial infection, which is presumably why antibiotics are being used for virtually everyone with Covid-19.

This doesn’t make prescribing antibiotics the right thing to do however, for most cases. Antibiotics can cause harm and should be used with caution, especially in a patient with a severe viral infection.

“New data suggest that efforts to curb antibiotic over-prescribing have taken a step backward during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.”

Long before Covid-19, the CDC had published that about 1/3 of all antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are unnecessary. This figure is very likely underestimated.

Read the rest of this post, written by Dr. Justin Groode, here:

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/antibiotic-overprescribing-intensifies-during-covid-pandemic/

Extensive Covid resources can be found at the link below:

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/covid-19

Patient Advocate Alliance LLC

05/06/2020

Check out my latest blog post with Patient Advocate Alliance. This applies to natural supplements as well as pharmaceuticals, in particular when used together in combination.

Questions are most welcome!

Justin Groode MD | Pathway Formulas LLC

A New Tool Identifies Interactions Between Common Medications and Experimental Drugs for Covid-19.

Over the years, scientists have learned that even a single medication can either block — or hasten — the body's elimination of other medications. This “drug metabolism” occurs primarily in the liver and the kidneys, and can be quite different from person-to-person depending on variables such as genetics, gender, body weight, diet, alcohol intake, and more.

Certain medications can occupy the body’s resources, making it less available to metabolize other medications, toxins, and even the body's own molecules, such as hormones. Some medications can even influence the body to metabolize other things faster than normal.

This is generally how medications interact with each other and cause side effects.

In other words, taking one medication can slow-down (or speed up) the process of metabolizing another medication. The slowing-down and speeding-up of the body's detox metabolism ultimately leads to changes in the concentration of the medication in our blood, which can cause the concentration to be either too low to be effective, or can sometimes cause the concentration to be dangerously elevated.

The interaction tool (link below) helps us identify these potential interactions, and is a really innovative timely contribution to the world right now.

http://ow.ly/eZcD50zZ4oI

The article below, entitled “Drug-Drug Interactions Could Imperil Covid-19 Treatment” provides a good discussion and commentary on this new drug interaction checker tool, and the data it emerged from.

http://ow.ly/MIBq50zZ4oG

Justin Groode MD | Patient Advocate Alliance LLC

26/05/2020

Learn what you need to know to have a successful Telemedicine Appointment.

Tami Rockholt RN and myself will be presenting on this topic tomorrow, Wednesday May 27th @10:00am Hawaii time.

You can register by clicking this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-CqqTgjG9deDYe0t7tXaWijwS0FEN_8

We will also give tips about what you can expect from medical bills during the pandemic, and medication safety.

I hope to see you there!

Justin Groode MD | Pathway Formulas LLC

Just what is Telemedicine…
And how do I do it?

The COVID pandemic has turned healthcare upside down. You may be asking yourself:

How will my doctor continue to manage my healthcare?
How do I do an online doctor visit?
What should I do to prepare for my online doctor visit?
How can I make sure I get my medications refilled?
How much will it cost me to see my doctor online; will my insurance pay for a telemedicine visit?

Tami Rockholt, RN and Justin Groode, MD are passionate about helping people navigate the healthcare system, protecting people from unaffordable and unfair medical bills, and helping to prevent one of the most common forms of preventable death, medication error.

Tomorrow at 10am Hawaii time, they will cover what you need for a Telemedicine appointment and will give you tips so that you’re well-prepared and ready.

You will also learn how to avoid any surprise billings for your online visit. This part is not trivial right now, as many people are beginning to receive large hospital bills after treatment for coronavirus.

Join Tami & Justin tomorrow, Wednesday May 27th at 10:00am Hawaii, 1:00pm West Coast, 4:00pm East Coast.

Register for this live online presentation by clicking below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtf-CqqTgjG9deDYe0t7tXaWijwS0FEN_8?ct=t()

We hope to see you there!

You can also read about Tami and Justin on PAA's website, by clicking below:

https://patientadvocatealliance.com/about

Patient Advocate Alliance LLC

18/04/2020

Beware of Numerous Corona Scams
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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that approximately $12 million were stolen from citizens by Coronavirus related scams since January.
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There have been more than 16K Coronavirus-related fraud reports from consumers, with a reported median loss of $570 per individual.
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To read fuether check out PAA's Blog at https://patientadvocatealliance.com

Justin Groode MD | Co-Founder of PAA

-19 -COV2 ,

16/04/2020

As most of us know, the primary reason for social distancing is to slow down the rate of infections in our communities, in order to avoid overwhelming our hospitals.
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[This is based on Justin Groode MD's March 29th, 2020 post on Patient Advocate Alliance's Blog @ https://patientadvocatealliance.com/social-distancing-quadrupling-ventilator-capacity]
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Preventing our hospitals from overload will ensure that there are sufficient hospital beds and mechanical ventilators available for the critically ill. We are trying to avoid a situation where doctors must to choose which patients get ventilated and which do not.
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This would mean that the patient who does not get the ventilator will surely perish.
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This sounds far fetched but it has been happening for well over a month in Italy already, causing thousands of deaths, which can be directly attributed to a shortage of mechanical ventilators in particular, but also due to a major shortage of hospital beds and medical providers.
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Thankfully, the FDA just granted emergency approval for a device that converts one ventilator machine into the equivalent of four ventilator machines.
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It is a relatively simple valve device that connects the mechanical ventilator to four different tubes, which can be used for four patients at a time.
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While this is highly suboptimal, with regard to adapting the settings so that each patient can be managed according to their own ventilation requirements, the ability to quadruple ventilator capacity is unprecedented and very well may save thousands of lives.
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Check the valve out @
https://www.prismahealth.org/vesper

Justin Groode MD | Pathway Formulas

14/04/2020

Corona Antibody Testing Finally Available!

Iinitial Chinese data are not encouraging but the data set is too small.

Read more about this on my patient advocacy blog @ https://patientadvocatealliance.com/covid-19-antibody-testing-finally-available-but-is-it-reliable

Justin Groode MD

23/03/2020

45-Minute Corona Test Just Approved!

Will only be available in hospitals and ERs.

Can only be read by this company's machine (there are 5,000 in the US and 23,000 globally).

Can only test 1 at a time.

Takes 45 minutes to get results.

This is an enormous improvement but we can and will do better yet.
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https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN218105
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Justin Groode MD | Pathway Formulas