Sunday, March 19, 2017

Preventive Nutrition

There are many causes for chronic illness, but two of the most critical components are: inflammation and fungal overgrowth. These two components feed one another in a vicious cycle that never ends unless you address the real cause.

Wellness and illness are based on the basic principles of biochemistry and biophysics. 

Understanding and following these principles will lead to optimal health. Good nutrition starts with the use of organic foods and clean water. The next step is to become aware of the role of intestinal flora. There are trillions of microorganisms and a hundred different species that live in the intestines. In a healthy digestive system, the majority of flora is beneficial to your body. 

In a healthy individual, the digestive tract has a lot of beneficial flora, a few commensals (organisms that are neutral in function) and a few “recyclers” to clean up the garbage.

Disease strikes when the rules of nature are broken. Eating undesirable toxic foods, refined sugars along with a “fast and toxic lifestyle” is the prescription for ill health. 

In terms of simple biochemistry, the “recyclers” (microorganisms in the gut that take out the garbage) become huge in numbers and are no longer harmless but pathogenic (capable of producing disease). These pathogens in the gut are created by our own disregard for the “basic rules” stated above. As these pathogens gain control, they create inflammation of the gut and promote fungal overgrowth. Once the undesirable fungi (called Candida) get established in your body, they start a never-ending cycle of toxicity and disease.

Systemic candida yeast overgrowth is at the root of many of the most common health concerns such as: fatigue, loss of willpower, abdominal distension, fluid retention, gas and bloating, chronic headache, skin rashes, itching, brain fog, nail and skin fungal infections, sinus infection, muscle and joint pain, uncontrollable food cravings (especially for sweets and starches), irritable bowel, food allergies, lowered immune response leading to frequent infectious illness, disturbed sleep, etc.. 

When these chronic conditions are left untreated or are suppressed through the use of pharmaceutical drugs, the general health of the body will deteriorate, allowing more serious degenerative illnesses to develop at a later stage.

Fortunately, the science of Integrative Medicine can help you regain your vibrant health. 

There are two key components to recovery. This consists of reduction/elimination of inflammation and reduction and control of the hidden fungal overgrowth. Clinical experience using these methods to treat thousands of children and adults for hidden infections shows that once the infections (especially fungus) are under control, vibrant health soon follows.

The rules are simple. One must stop eating the common, nutritionally bankrupt foods and start using the proper nutritional supplements to control fungus. While fungus cannot be completely eradicated – it can be controlled through metabolically correct nutrition and lifestyle changes.


Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Women Are Treated As Second Class Citizens When It Comes To Healthcare

When a woman becomes irritable or depressed prior to her monthly cycle, people around her tend to be intolerant. If a woman goes to a doctor with a health issue (that cannot be detected through diagnostic tests), she is often categorized as being a hypochondriac or is told, “It’s all in your head”. Men are treated differently.

These are not character flaws but biochemical imbalances which can affect mood and behavior in specific ways. 

One cause of imbalance is today’s toxic lifestyle, which leads to an excess of estrogen in the body (called estrogen dominance), causing a host of “female” problems:

Fibrocystic Breasts, Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovaries, Menopausal Hot Flashes and Night Sweats, infertility and many other disorders.

Why? Because estrogens are able to produce fibrosis, a condition which leads to the painful disorders mentioned above. (Fibrosis is a thickening and scarring of connective tissue).

So, what causes estrogen dominance?
·         Breakdown of petrochemicals, pesticides, herbicides, plastics, sodium lauryl sulfate from cosmetics and vehicle exhaust produce substances that mimic estrogen activity (known as pseudo-estrogens)
·         Injecting cattle and poultry with estrogenic hormones to make them grow faster and bigger.
·         Use of powerful pharmaceutical estrogens (i.e. synthetic hormones) and oral contraceptive pills that magnify the existing estrogen excess in the female body.
·         Misuse of estrogens in therapy as a sole agent instead of combining natural estrogen with safe natural progesterone, which nullifies the adverse effects of “estrogen-alone” therapy.
·         Diets high in sugar and dairy products result in recycling estrogen into the body instead of eliminating it. These diets also interfere with proper production of progesterone.

Many women cease ovulation 10 or more years before menopause due to estrogen dominance. The heavy intractable bleeding they experience often leads to hysterectomy. Uterine fibroids tend to develop and enlarge under the stimulation of excess estrogen.

To make matters worse, excess estradiol (a form of estrogen), promotes the Bel 2 oncogene which blocks a natural phenomenon called ‘programmed’ cell death (apoptosis), leading to cancer.

On the other hand, both testosterone and progesterone promote the p53 gene leading to normal healthy cell death (apoptosis)...a phenomenon that protects the body from cancer.
There are natural therapies that can create hormonal balance and stop the development and enlargement of existing uterine fibroids and in certain cases assist in dissolving them without surgery.


So, let’s stop the PMS jokes, now that we are aware that hormonal balancing can generate normal menstrual cycles, create a smooth transition into menopause, protect a woman from various cancers and greatly improve overall quality of life regardless of age.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Inflammation, Infection and Heart Disease

Research has consistently revealed the significant role inflammation plays in the development of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key marker for inflammation that many mainstream researchers now regard as a far more reliable predictor of atherosclerosis than elevated LDL cholesterol.

But now, CRP may have met its match…White Blood Cells (WBCs).

The new red flag

WBCs (also known as leukocytes) are an important part of the immune system; WBC count rises when the body is fighting infection due to bacteria or viruses. A new study shows that white blood cell count may provide doctors with an accurate and easy-to-use tool for predicting heart disease.

Researchers examined data collected from the Women's Health Initiative, an ongoing study from the National Institutes of Health, USA. More than 72,000 women aged 50 to 79 participated, who had no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

After an average of six years of follow up, researchers found that:

  • Women with the highest WBC counts at the outset of the study were more than twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease compared to women with the lowest WBC counts

  • Those with the highest counts also had a significantly increased risk of stroke and nonfatal heart attack.

  • The highest WBC counts in the study did not exceed the upper end of the ‘normal’ range, (which means it was not an extremely high count)

  • The results demonstrate that WBC count may be just as reliable as CRP in predicting cardiovascular events linked to coronary heart disease.

The chicken or the egg dilemma

Inflammation however presents a chicken-or-egg dilemma. Researchers are not yet sure if atherosclerosis triggers inflammation or if inflammation sets the stage for atherosclerosis. In either case, inflammation presents a problem that won't be solved with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ quick fix. (But that won’t stop our friends at the drug companies from trying!)

A case in point: Drug companies have started positioning some of their products to treat patients with elevated CRP…even though CRP is considered a MARKER, not the CAUSE of inflammation.

Some natural solutions for inflammation

Enzymes such as Bromelain, Curcumin (an extract from the spice Turmeric), Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Fish Oil or Flaxseeds, are some of nature’s best anti-inflammatories. Raw walnuts are another good source.


Note: In cases of severe inflammation, therapeutic doses of Omega-3, certain amino acids and herbs (under the care of a knowledgeable naturopath) may be needed.

The next time you go for a check up, ask your doctor to check your CRP and WBC levels. Somewhere in those readings lies the spark that can ignite the potentially dangerous flame of heart disease.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

How to Use Biorhythms to Optimize Your Life

There are three natural biorhythm cycles that govern our lives; the Physical, the Emotional, and the Intellectual.  Each cycle has a unique period and therefore the interaction of these cycles constantly varies.
·         Physical Cycle = 23 days
·         The Emotional Cycle = 28 days
·         The Intellectual Cycle  = 33 days


They all start at the zero value on the day of birth and begin to climb the positive part of the cycle. Half way through the cycle, they again cross zero and move into the negative part of the cycle. This cyclic nature resembles a wave pattern.

At birth all three cycles begin at zero (day 1) and follow the above pattern. First going in the plus direction (upward), returning to zero (mid cycle), then going in the minus (downward direction), turning around and returning to the day 1 position to begin the cycle again.  During the upward swing, the physical, emotional and intellectual traits have the most energy and are "discharging".

The downward swing puts a person in the recuperative, "recharging" cycle.  The critical days are when the cycle crosses the zero point. That is when the trait is "switching" from the low, recuperating phase to the high, discharging phase (day 1 of the cycle) or when it is "switching" from the high, discharging phase to the low recuperating phase (mid-point of the cycle). On critical days your physical, emotional, or intellectual state is in flux and has a higher degree of instability.  
The physical and emotional cycles seem to have the most influence on one's state of being (disposition to human error or accidents).  Besides, the intellectual cycle is nearly 1.5 times as long as the physical cycle and has far fewer days of criticality.

THE PHYSICAL CYCLE (23 days)

The physical cycle is from your masculine side and affects your physical condition.  During the plus side of the cycle (day 2 through day 11), your physical condition is in a charged state and is discharging (i.e. expending energy).  Physical work is easier.  You feel more vigorous and have more vitality.  Your endurance level is higher.
During the minus portion of the cycle (day 13 through day 23) you are in a recuperative, recharging state and may tire more easily.  This period is conducive to recuperation.  Some athletes, depending on the state of other cycles and factors may have a slump during this time.
The critical points of the physical cycle are at day 1 and day 12 1/2.  You may be more prone to misjudge your physical energy or endurance while switching from one phase to the other.
THE EMOTIONAL CYCLE (28 days)

The emotional cycle governs the nervous system.  It is due to the influence on nerve cells from one's feminine side and affects the emotional level.  During the high end of the cycle (day 2 to day 14) one is more inclined towards optimism and cheerfulness.  Creativity, feelings, love and cooperation are favourably influenced.
During the low end of the cycle (day 16 to day 28), your emotions and emotional state are in a recuperative state.  You are more inclined to be irritable and negative.  The relative high and low of these two phases is definitely influenced by your general temperament.  An excitable person will have a wider swing than a more sedate or calm person.

THE INTELLECTUAL CYCLE (33 days)

When the intellectual cycle is in its high, "plus" phase (day 2 to day 16) one is more capable of absorbing new ideas and can think more clearly.  Mental responses are more spontaneous and memory functions well.  This is a good time for creative thought and studying new ideas.
During the low phase (day 18 to day 33) your capacity to think may be reduced. This may be a better time to rehearse and review known concepts.

HOW TO USE BIORHYTHMS

Biorhythm cycles can be used to explain why we have good days and bad days. The rise and fall of these cycles are relative levels, not absolute.  You can not predict the future with biorhythms, but you can give yourself the advantage of informed judgement.  With practice, your biorhythm cycles will help you to understand your day to day ups and downs and to prepare for them.

Note: The outcome of your day-to-day activities is, for the most part, in your hands. So don't hide on “low” days. Just be prepared to exercise some extra caution. Perhaps put off an important decision or activity for a day or two. Knowing that your energy level may be low during a certain period will allow you to be prepared for it.