Know The Cause
By Doug Kaufmann

Q…Hey Doug, I work for a company that distributes healthy alternatives for people, and we have just recently released a product called curiolus versicolor with PSP & PSK. I am a bit concerned in using and promoting this product as it is derived from the curiolus mushroom.

The package says mycelia derived. After several years of avoiding fungus, is it safe to take a product that is mushroom derived? I’m not sure if there are mycotoxins in this derived supplement. As I understand there are over 400 studies independent of our company that support the improvement of one’s immune system by taking such as product. Confused and concerned! Jim

A…Great question, Jim! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that certain fungi possess the ability to kill, while others possess compounds that have the ability to heal. Keep in mind that the fungus (mold) Penicillium readily heals bacterial infections. We may one day find that the very same phenomenon applies to Curiolus mushrooms. Perhaps the diseases that these mushrooms have successfully treated are bacterial in nature, and just like Penicillin, these fungi may cure bacterial infections. I don’t know that to be true, but there certainly is scientific precedence.

Given that mold has already been proven to reverse bacterial infections, my concern for 38 years has been focused on the ability of mold (Penicillin) to ignite yeast or fungal infections. What if an antibiotic were used to “treat” a fungal infection? Physicians today do not routinely search for a differential diagnosis, because they have been taught to treat first and then see if it works. As a result, we have colds being treated with antibiotics every second of every day, although antibiotics are ineffective against the common cold. Unfortunately, lawyers likely have more to do with the “hurried treatment” mentality than physicians do but that is another story.

Recall that beta glucan, one of my favorite supplements, is derived from mushroom or yeast cell walls. Decades of research show that this supplement favorably impacts the human immune system. The word “versicolor” means changeable colors, like this mushroom does. Ironically, a very common skin disorder called Tinea Versicolor is due to a type of yeast (Pityrosporum ovale) growing on the skin. Your letter opens readers’ eyes of the many faces of fungus: it’s ability to heal and to cause human misery.

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Q…Dear Doug, How can interstitial cystitis be treated and cured? I take beta glucan, oregano oil, magnesium, probiotics, and fish oil. I was told there was enterococcus and micrococcus in the urine broth culture. Please help. Mary

A…Mary, As is the case in most everything in medicine, physicians label interstitial cystitis as “etiology unknown.” That’s a polite way of saying “we have no idea why you have it.” I’m going to be adult here, so kids have to leave the room…

You see from the letter above that fungus readily grows on our skin. Athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch are classic examples of skin fungal conditions. But what might occur if these same skin fungi (actually a genera of three types of fungi that commonly cause skin disease in humans) grew on the skin of the penis? Again, little is published about this, but refer back now to the “unknown etiology” of interstitial cystitis. Fungus prefers warm, moist environments to cool, dry ones. Another type of female cystitis is called “honeymoon cystitis,” and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out why female newlyweds are left with such a painful condition.

Mary, I believe it is possible to prevent recurrence by using a barrier to prevent skin on skin contact. Anatomically, the female vaginal tract as well as the opening to the bladder would be subject to infection from a male skin fungal condition during sexual intercourse. A supplement called cranactin, or drinking a good amount of a non-sweetened cranberry juice, might assist you in clearing the current condition. I believe that it is less impressive to accurately pinpoint the pathogen and blame it (eg… enterococcus and micrococcus), than it is to “know the cause” and prevent it.

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Q…Doug, My husband has just been to the doctor for his yearly physical. The doctor states that his cholesterol is too high (233) and the LDL is also high at 156. We are on a healthy diet of vegetables, fish, fruit, and fiber, but it doesn’t seem to bring about the best results. We are Scandinavian and love seafood. Should we be alarmed? We are just in our 60s and don’t like to take the chemicals that doctors prescribe. We do not smoke and only have a glass of wine once a week. We walk daily and are not at all overweight. I think it is just the natural process of aging, but we would appreciate your input. Thank you, Linda

A…Linda, Decades ago, after watching our friends and parents be diagnosed with diseases, I came to the conclusion that I’d rather live my life without knowing I was actually sick! I have, and I’m not! My last physical exam was my exit physical from the military in 1972. I am currently reading a book titled Selling Sickness. It was published five years ago, but the introduction tells the story of the content of this book. Apparently, 30 years ago, one of the CEO’s of a huge drug company told of his jealousy that his company, unlike the chewing gum giant Wrigley, only sold their products to sick people. What he envisioned was a pharmaceutical company in the future that would “treat” both ill and well people! Welcome to statin drugs!

Many of you know that drug companies, with full approval of our FDA, are now sanctioning stating drugs for not only our young children, but for those of us with normal cholesterol levels as well. You simply will not believe what is coming a few years down the line for those who will allow themselves to become what I call drug company chattel.

FYI, my cholesterol level has been in excess of 250 ever since I first took it long ago. Initially, this concerned me, but I was (and am) unwilling to place very questionable blood fat level research, often done by the very companies that benefited from my use, in esteem. I felt great (just like your husband). I exercise regularly (just like your husband). I took no drugs that might artificially elevate my blood pressure or cholesterol levels (just like your husband), and I was not overweight (nor is your husband).

Friends, I’m going to come clean with you. I do not believe that high blood fat levels are conclusively linked to heart disease or death from heart disease. Now that millions of Americans are taking statin drugs, why has heart disease surpassed cancer as the number one killer in America? Wouldn’t logic dictate that heart disease should be at the bottom rather than the top of the American death rate chart? What concerns me even more than that is that if Linda’s husband succumbs to the pressure from his physician to take statin drugs for questionably elevated cholesterol, this healthy, robust man may very well end up paying dearly for his decision. In January 2005, this statement was published in USA Today newspaper: Statins have killed and injured more people than the government has acknowledged.” That was five years ago. Imagine the number today!

Linda, 60 years ago, four out of five physicians smoked Camels. They were wrong. Last year, we were told that the H1N1 virus would kill and injure millions of Americans. American drug companies hit the financial jackpot with their H1N1 “education” process. They were wrong. I have no problem with “wrongness” because often, I am. Please, however, when your husband’s health or life is at stake, don’t let them be dead wrong.

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E-mail your questions to knowthecause@lakeshoreguardian.com or mail to Know The Cause!, c/o The Lakeshore Guardian at P.O. Box 6, Harbor Beach, MI 48441.?Due to the overwhelming response, please note only a limited number of questions can be forwarded to Doug Kaufmann each month for him to review. To order one of Doug’s books, please call 972-772-0990. To learn more about Doug Kaufmann and his research, go to www.knowthecause.com.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Please consult with your physician or other licensed healthcare professional for medical diagnosis and treatment.