Genome, Toxome, Deviceome: Ultimate Selfies for Health

My comment on the CDC Blog Post, The Ultimate Selfie.

The CDC cautions against overreliance on the genome and the dangers of the "narcissome."  Instead, it should accelerate equal attention to the toxome, the exposome, the dentalome, the deviceome.

Among the early adopters of genomics are those whom mainstream top line medicine failed for years, who got sick and tired of living with inexplicable chronic diseases, and doing the best they could with "medication management" and "chronic disease management." They are discovering new learning, medical practitioners, avenues and approaches to explore, and groups to seek out peers and share experiences, initially in person and increasingly online.

We learn that looking at both sides of the equation, genetics and toxicology together, are the keys to chronic diseases, and that one can remediate bad combinations and restore healthy functioning of the body and brain.  We learn that functional medicine physicians can be more helpful than specialists for various conditions because they see they body as a whole, an integrated symphony and set of systems.  We learn that the lack of attention to biocompatibility in the human body is a  gaping whole in medical practice and regulation of installed devices, as is lack of an integrated approach to body, brain, dental and mental health.

We are working to update regulations that are nearly 50 years out of date in which patients get no labels, no written informed consent, no prior biocompatibility screening for the individual before installation of permanent medical and dental devices (while it is recommended for temporary hair color products), no entry and updating of information on our installed devices such as we get for prescription drugs and OTCs at every doctor visit.

There is a Rosetta Stone of sorts, it is to follow basic engineering principles in the body. If genetic glitches impacts one's ability to methylate and clear everyday toxins, we must be vigilant in screening them and clearing them for health. These can be biotoxins like Lyme throughout its lifecycle and coinfections, chemotoxins, metallotoxins like mercury from fillings and fish, mycotoxins like mold, etc.

Health is a powerful motivator, and reward.  As important as genomics is toxicology. As important as Precision Medicine is Precision Devices, to ensure they are right for us. This is where the easy, quick wins and big payoffs for reducing chronic disease rates begins.

RACHEL LOUISE CARSON: Google lets fly a Doodle true to ‘Silent Spring’ writer’s nature - May 27, 2014

My Comment on Today's 
Washington Post Article on Rachel Carson's Google Doodle: 

We have many scourges we have unleashed upon ourselves. We need to pick up the mantle and continue fighting not just the silent spring from pesticides, but the rising tide of chronic cognitive, immune, neurological and psychiatric diseases caused by the hidden river of toxins within us. 

The greatest scourges of our time, stealthily ravaging our bodies and minds, are mercury, mold and Lyme. They are not significantly recognized, they are not sufficiently considered and screened and tested for, and when found, they are not properly treated by the vast majority of physicians. 

Please read and share the Issue Paper: For Good Health, Integrated Care, and Making Chronic Diseases History, posted on www.hiddenriverhealthchallenge.blogspot.com. It addresses the first scourge.  

Rachel Carson was, and is my inspiration, and my muse. I organized a 1970 Earth Day cleanup in my high school, founded a local environmental organization, set up a school-based recycling center, and collected pictures for the first Dirty Dozen Campaign while a college intern at Environmental Action. 

Now we need to organize a People Day. Hidden River Health Challenge is gearing up to launch a Fishing Expedition to land the worst offenders, and celebrate the champions, of ending the scourge of dental mercury installed without our knowledge or informed written consent. Think about that. No labels No informed written consent. For a medical device. Containing a known neurotoxin. That off-gases mercury vapor with heat and abrasion, in teeth made to chew. Genetically susceptible children and adults experience great harm. It is not on our radar screen. 

The media is silent. The FDA was sued March 5th by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and others, and no mainstream media covered the release. Congress is silent. The Obama Administration is silent. Apparently the media and politicians are even more sensitive to toxins - the ones called money, lobbying, and spin.