Category: General Health

5 Reasons The Most Dangerous Drug Is Not Illegal

alcohol-5-reasons
 

Marco Torres

Hundreds of millions of people indulge in one of the most dangerous drugs which is sold right over the counter. When it comes to harm done to other people and the users themselves, not heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana or even tobacco come close to the health and safety hazards caused by this one depressant.

Drug harms fall into two broad categories: those that affect you, and those that affect others. The personal ones include death, health problems (including mental health), accidents, addiction, relationship breakdown and legal trouble. Harms to other people include violence, financial problems, crime and environmental damage — both at home and where the drugs are produced.

One rule of thumb is that risks become more serious with repeated use. Take addiction, for example. According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, it can take only “a few” uses of a drug to become addicted to it, although the potential for addiction varies between drugs and people. What’s interesting is that cannabis is one of the most demonized “drugs” yet there is no evidence of it’s addictive nature in human beings.

Perhaps the best guide to the harm comes from the UK’s Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD), which analysed 20 drugs on 16 criteria. It found the most harmful illicit drug to be heroin, with an overall rating of 55 out of 100, with crack cocaine on 54 (see diagram). LSD and magic mushrooms are among the least harmful, and also carry the lowest risk of dependence.

Another rule of thumb is that mixing drugs amplifies the risks. Taking cocaine with ecstasy or amphetamines, for example, raises the risk of acute toxicity over and above the sum of their parts.

Many factors determine whether you’ll become addicted to a drug: your genetic makeup, social history, the drugs your friends take, how much money you make. But the chemical makeup of drugs guarantee that certain drugs are more addictive than others.

30233701-addictive

5 Reasons Alcohol is Legal

 

1. IT’S HEALTH RELATED COSTS ARE HIGHER
Health-related costs for alcohol consumers are eight times greater than those for cannabis consumers, according to an assessment recently published in the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal. More specifically, the annual cost of alcohol consumption is $165 per user, compared to just $20 per user for cannabis. This should not come as a surprise given the vast amount of research that shows alcohol poses far more — and more significant — health problems than any other drug and most drugs combined. There results in more medication, therapy and medical expenses which the health system profits handsomely from.

2. DEATH IS A GREAT BUSINESS
The official publication of the Scientific Research Society, American Scientist, reported that alcohol is one of the most toxic drugs and using just 10 times what one would use to get the desired effect could lead to death. According to the CDC, hundreds of alcohol overdose deaths occur in the United States each year. Again this leads to increased revenues and funding at the expense of lives.

3. CANCER CLINICS ARE MAKING A KILLING
Alcohol use is associated with a wide variety of cancers, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, lungs, pancreas, liver and prostate. Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) have shown that alcohol is a major contributor to cancer and drinking even small amounts of alcohol, as little as one drink, can increase the risk of developing cancer. Alcohol, regardless of its type (i.e. beer, wine, liquor, etc) is a class A1 carcinogen which are confirmed human carcinogens. Alcohol consumption has been causally related with breast cancer for some time. Increasing evidence indicates a stronger association with neoplasms, though the risk is elevated for other types of breast cancers too.

4. IT’S ADDICTIVE NATURE FUELS OTHER ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS WHICH FUEL THE ECONOMY
Alcohol use can result in significant and potentially fatal physical withdrawal. Those who use alcohol are also much more likely to develop dependence and build tolerance. Because alcohol is legal and often consumed in social settings, alcohol addiction is complicated. But as an addictive agent, it’s remarkably simple–and effective. Alcohol’s withdrawal syndrome is so severe that it can cause death, and its effects on the brain’s reward system cause well-documented and intense craving in heavy drinkers. Alcohol is proven to exacerabate other addictive tendencies such as gambling, smoking, overeating, other drugs and many other physical and psychological dependencies which drive economies worldwide. Research published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, found that 36 percent of hospitalized assaults and 21 percent of all injuries are attributable to alcohol use by the injured person which alone increases overall revenue of hospitals, clinics and many different health professionals.

5. IT CREATES ABUSERS AND PUTS MORE PEOPLE IN PRISON
Once again, it’s a business. Alcohol is a major contributing factor in the prevalence of domestic violence and sexual assault. This is not to say that alcohol causes these problems; rather, its use makes it more likely that an individual prone to such behavior will act on it. For example, a study conducted by the Research Institute on Addictions found that among individuals who were chronic partner abusers, the use of alcohol was associated with significant increases in the daily likelihood of male-to-female physical aggression. Specifically, the odds of abuse were eight times higher on days when men were drinking; the odds of severe abuse were 11 times higher. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) website highlights alcohol as the “most commonly used chemical in crimes of sexual assault” and provides information on an array of other drugs that have been linked to sexual violence. This one drug alone is estimated for at least 12% of all incarcerations.

By Marco Torres – June 04 2015

About the Author

Marco Torres is a research specialist, writer and consumer advocate for healthy lifestyles. He holds degrees in Public Health and Environmental Science and is a professional speaker on topics such as disease prevention, environmental toxins and health policy.

Sources:
nytimes.com
columbia.edu
rt.com
newscientist.com
csun.edu
drinkaware.co.uk

No Comments

Categories: Abuse Addiction Alcohol Cancer Do's & Don't's Drugs Drugs Eating Healthy General Health Inflammation Kidney Health Life Lessons Liver Disease Money Personal Health Suicide Well Being Your Body

Tags:

Baking Soda – Helped to Cure Cancer

sodacancer

“Cancer is a fungus, called candida albicans, and it can be treated using sodium bicarbonate”. So says Tulio Simoncini

Simoncini is a former Italian oncologist in Rome who developed a theory that all cancer is caused exclusively by a fungus called candida albicans.  His alternative cancer treatment is simple: To alkalise the body and tumour by the use of a cheap, common compound, sodium bicarbonate, tackling the candida, shrinking the tumour and stopping metastases. Thus it is also a natural cancer cure.

Candida, beneficial bacteria, acid bodies and cancer

The background to Simoncini´s work involves the following theoretical elements:

Firstly, acid bodies are known to be linked to ill health and cancer.

Secondly, sodium bicarbonate can alkalise your body. It has been used in many preparations as an antacid; an indigestion aid. You can buy a small pot of it in high street chemists for a little over one pound.

Thirdly, the beneficial bacteria in your intestine are now known to direct up to 85 per cent of your immune response, to release anti-cancer vitamins (like biotin, B-12, folic acid, vitamin K) from your foods and even to produce a compound (sodium butyrate) which causes cancer cells to self-destruct. Beneficial bacteria work imperfectly if the acidity of the gut increases.

However, fourthly, at night when you sleep, beneficial bacteria digest vast quanities of microbes, fungus and yeasts that you consumed during the day with your food. In fact their favourite food is the yeast or fungus, Candida albicans. So, they are your first line of defence.

So how might candida cause cancer?

Candida albicans is known to be able to escape the intestine and travel around the body in the blood stream. Oregano oil and cinnamon can kill the yeast in the blood stream. About 25 per cent of type-2 Diabetics were shown to improve when given cinnamon. This is because the fungus sits on the outer membranes of cells, preventing crucial receptor sites from working properly – in the case of diabetes, those receptor sites are for insulin. However, candida also produces a sugar-like waste product. people with higher blood sugar levels develop more cancer; and survive less.

But there is a second potential problem. Yeasts like candida are anaerobes – this means they generate their energy in the absence of oxygen. Once in the blood stream they can colonise certain local areas of the body and greatly reduce the oxygen levels in that area. The result is that the local cells do not die, but switch their own energy production from an oxygen-based system to one that doesn´t use oxygen.  This is the system employed by cancer cells, which also do not use oxygen to generate their energy from food molecules. In fact, Otto Warburg won a Nobel Prize in 1931 for telling the world this property of cancer cells and that oxygen was their enemy!

Is it, then, any surprise then that women who had taken antibiotics more than 25 times during their lifetime had twice the risk of breast cancer, according to research covered in CANCER actives research service Cancer Watch? Their friendly bacteria were reduced allowing candida more chance to survive in the gut and move to the blood stream. Their immune systems were weak, indicated by the illnesses that required the antibiotics. And so on.

Dr Simoncini was a respected Italian Oncologist until he developed his theory … His theory is that all cancer is caused by the fungus, candida albicans. His cure is to alkalse the body to produce conditions in which the candida could not thrive. His main weapon is the inexpensive, sodium bicarbonate. He was struck off, in Italy.

Source: http://www.canceractive.com/

No Comments

Categories: Bone Health Cancer Cancer Cures Cleansing Cleansing Disease & Prevention General Health Healthy Choices Inflammation Information Organic Foods Pain Relief Personal Health Your Body

Tags:

15 Health Conditions Helped By Drinking Lemon Water In the Morning

lemon-drink

1. Helps Heal Acne

Consuming lemon water, helps metabolize the acidic temperament of the body alleviating and preventing acne breakouts.
You can also rub the juiced lemons on your face to help with acne.

 

2. Appetite Suppression and Weight Loss

The vitamins and enzymes in lemons help regulate blood sugar in order to maintain normal weight levels.  Pectin fiber helps fight hunger cravings. Lemon juice is also a digestive aid. It encourages the production of bile, which is what breaks down food during digestion.

3. Flushes Out Kidney Stones

Potassium in lemons helps increase citrate levels in the urine to prevent oxalate from forming.

 

4. Boosts your immune system

Lemon water is a great support to the lymphatic system, which works in conjunction with your immune system to trap and eliminate pathogens.

 

5. Gall Bladder Pain

Drinking lemon water while eating has helped some deal with painful gall bladder stones.

 

6. Cold and Flu Remedy

Lemons are high in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that enhances the immune system and has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

 

7. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

One reader used to go through TUMS like candy and since drinking lemon water, two weeks later, she hasn’t needed them.

 

8. Harder Finger Nails

Several people mention they feel lemon water has increased the hardness of nails and cleared up white spots seen on them.

 

9. Fights Off Food-Borne Illnesses

This might be handy while traveling. Drink lemon water to avoid food poisoning.

10. Helps Deal With Fibromyalgia

A combination of lemon water and yoga stretches helps a reader deal with exhaustion due to fibromyalgia.

11. Reduces Inflammation

Lemons have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help neutralize acidity which is the main cause of tissue inflammation.

 

12. Relieves Sore Muscles After Exercise

Have a hard workout? Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water and feel the pain ease.

 

13. Reduces Joint Swelling And Pain

Lemon water can help reduce uric acid in our joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation, especially as related to arthritis.
One reader suffered a compressed vertebrae and the doctors were surprised that she was in less pain than is normal–she credits drinking lemon water.

 

14. Reduces Alcohol Cravings

Whether you’re in recovery or just cutting back, one reader reports success by drinking lemon water at parties to help kick a craving for alcohol.

 

15. Helps With Colitis

Colitis is an imbalance of acid/alkaline levels in the body so it’s no wonder that lemons can help with this. Drinking a glass of lemon water a day is a great way to bring your pH levels back into balance and reduce acidity.

Source: Living Traditionally

No Comments

Categories: Cleansing Cleansing Colon Diabetes Folklore General Health Healthy Choices Immune System Inflammation Kidney Health Lowering Cholesterol Natural Antibiotics Natural Cures Personal Health Reversing Diseases Water Your Body

Tags:

How to Optimize Turmeric for Maximum Bioavailability and Therapeutic Potency

 

Turmeric BoostCountless studies have demonstrated the medicinal benefits of this amazing herb which you can view here. Once you see the irrefutable proof that turmeric has a plethora of important health benefits  you will be eager to work it into your everyday diet. However, before you begin consuming this potent food medicine, you need to understand how to fully unlock its powerful healing potential.

Turmeric, is a rhizome (A type of horizontal, usually underground stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes; AKA as a rootstock.)  It’s related to ginger root (also a rhizome) both are classified as members of the Zingiberacaea family; it has been a stellar staple in the pharmacopeia of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine for eons; It’s been in continuous use for thousands of years as a medicine, spice (curry) and yellow dye.

 Curcumin and Curcuminoids

curcumin

 

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the yellow pigment found in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin is one of three known curcuminoids present in turmeric, the other two being desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin.

 

Scientists have still not identified all the constituents in turmeric. Researchers continue to discover new curcuminoids. Current estimations are that turmeric contains well over a hundred chemical compounds which are primarily located in the essential oil of this complex medicinal spice.

 

A major problem with Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is curcumin’s (CUR) low bioavailability. Curcumin is the key active constituent of Turmeric.  A preponderance of animal and clinical studies reveal that the concentrations of CUR in blood plasma, urine, and peripheral tissues, if detectable at all, are extremely low regardless of dosage size.

tumericroot

What is Bioavailability?

According to the Merck manual, “Bioavailability refers to the extent to and rate at which the active moiety (drug or metabolite) enters systemic circulation, thereby accessing the site of action.”

 

Essentially, bioavailability is about how much of an ingested substance is actually absorbed by our bodies. It follows that substances with poor bioavailability will not be effective for healing purposes.

 

Research Confirms Turmeric’s Low Bioavailability

Key Points:

Numerous curcumin studies confirm that very low blood serum levels are reached when curcumin is orally administered. The majority of orally ingested curcumin gets metabolized before it reaches the bloodstream. Increasing the dose does not result in greater absorption.

The route of administration and method of preparation are major factors affecting the bioavailability or serum levels of turmeric.

Turmeric’s bioavailabity can be enhanced with the addition of specific Adjuvants.

 

Studies

Low Serum Concentratiions

A study on the fate of curcumin in the rat (1978) by Whalstrom and Blennow showed oral curcumin was poorly absorbed in the gut. When 1g/kg of curcumin was orally administered to the rats only a negligible amount of curcumin was found in their blood plasma. About 75% of it was excreted via the feces.

 

A study in 1980 by Ravindranath et al found when rats were orally administered 400 mg of curcumin, no trace of curcumin was found in the heart blood while only a small trace was found in the portal blood within 15 min to 24 hours of administration.

 

Another recent study by Yang et al found that when 10 mg/kg of curcumin was orally administered only 0.36 µg/ml of curcumin was found in the blood serum.

 

A pilot study conducted by Sharma et al. on patients with colorectal cancer. The patients were given Curcuma extract which contained 36–180 mg curcumin in proprietary capsule for 4 months. After 29 days of oral curcumin: Neither curcumin nor its metabolites were detected in the plasma, blood and urine. Although traces of curcumin and curcumin sulfate were found in feces.

 

Tissue Distribution

In another study: Absorption and tissue distribution of curcumin in rats. Ravindranath et al found after orally administering 400 mg of curcumin to rats: “only traces of the unchanged molecule were found in the liver and kidney. At 30 min, 90% of the curcumin was found in the stomach and small intestine, but only 1% was present at 24 h. [hours].”

NOTE: Very few studies have been done on Curcumin and tissue distribution.

 

Metabolites

Metabolites are the intermediate and final products of the process known as metabolism, which is from the Greek word for “change.” Metabolism is a step-wise series of life-sustaining chemical transformations within the cells of living organisms. The term metabolites commonly refer to small molecules.

 

Primary metabolites are necessary for the normal growth and maintenance of life. Secondary metabolites support primary metabolite activity indirectly and serve other important ecological functions. Metabolites are a natural occurrence formed when as part of an inherent biological process that breaks down and eliminates various compounds.

 

curcuminmetabolites

 

Research indicates that metabolites of curcumin, instead of curcumin itself, are detected in plasma or serum following oral consumption.

 

The majority of studies have shown that these metabolites are actually less active or potent compared to curcumin itself.
Bottom Line: when curcumin is metabolized the potency of its metabolites are less potent than curcumin.

 

The intestine and liver, is where oral curcumin is conjugated (the formation of a water-soluble derivative of a chemical by its combination with another compound, such as glutathione, glucuronate, or sulfate.) into metabolites.

 

Based on various studies the metabolites produced are: curcumin glucuronides and curcumin sulfates or, alternately, reduced to hexahydrocurcumin(HHC) and Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC). Again most studies have shown that these metabolites are less biologically active compared to the parent compound curcumin.

 

Short Half-life

Half-life is the time it takes for a drug or other ingested substance to lose half its strength. Medications with a short half-life must be taken several times a day, to maintain therapeutically effective concentrations of blood serum levels.
In contrast, medications with longer half lives maintain effective blood serum levels for much longer periods of time and can be taken less frequently.

 

The studies by Whalstrom and Blennow demonstrated curcumin’s rapid systemic excretion from the body or short half-life. As mentioned when 1g/kg curcumin was given orally to rats  around 75% of the curcumin was excreted via the feces with only trace amounts found in the urine.  A short half -life decreases Turmeric’s therapeutic effect in the body. More studies are needed in order to draw  definitive conclusions about Turmeric’s half-life.

 

 Three Easy Kitchen Table Strategies that can Skyrocket Turmeric’s Bioavailability

NOTE: Always use fresh organic, non-irradiated Turmeric powder or whole, organic turmeric root.

 

 

1) Add BLACK PEPPER to Your Turmeric

black pepper benefits

 

Black Pepper is a powerful medicine in its own right  and a Potent Turmeric Adjuvant.

 

How does Black Pepper Enhance the Bioavailability of Turmeric?

“Piperine is a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism. One of the ways our liver gets rid of foreign substances is making them water soluble so they can be more easily excreted. But this black pepper molecule inhibits that process.” –Michael Greger, M.D. (Michael Greger, M.D., is a physician, author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important public health issues.)

 

How much Black Pepper?

Not much!

“If people are given a bunch of turmeric curcumin, within an hour there’s a little bump in the level in their blood stream. We don’t see a large increase because our liver is actively trying to get rid of it. But what if the process is suppressed by taking just a quarter teaspoon’s worth of black pepper? Then you see curcumin levels skyrocket. The same amount of curcumin consumed, but the bioavailability shoots up 2000%. Even just a little pinch of pepper—1/20th of a teaspoon—can significantly boost levels. And guess what a common ingredient in curry powder is besides turmeric? Black pepper.” – Dr. Michael Greger

 

Black Pepper’s Side-effects

The compound Piperine in pepper significantly increases curcumin and thus Turmeric’s overall bioavailability. When pepper is freshly ground from whole peppercorns the essential oils in the pepper are more available.

Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper; it’s what causes black pepper’s spiciness and heat.

 

Black pepper Chemistry

“The sharp aroma of black pepper is due to its essential oil content. Black pepper contains approximately 1.2 to 3.5% essential oil.  Its key chemical constituents include: d-limonene (up to 20%), a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, b-caryophyllene and δ-3-carene.  It is an essential oils rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (e.g. b-caryophyllene).

 

As a herb: Black pepper contains 5-10% pungent acid-amides (pseudoalkaloids), with piperine as its main compound and several others including piperyline, piperoleines, and piperamine.  Pharmacological studies show that piperine is analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and exhibits a depressant effect on the central nervous system.”

 

One Study entitled: Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers
demonstrated that when piperine was co-administered with curcumin and given to human subjects the bioavailibity of curcumin increased 2000%.

 

2) Add a Healthy Fat to Turmeric

Since turmeric is fat-soluble, in order for your body to fully absorb it and experience its amazing health benefits, Turmeric needs to be combined with a fat.

 

“When it doesn’t dissolve properly, curcumin has a tough time getting into the gut, which is where most of the immune system lives. “80 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive system, making a healthy gut a major focal point if you want to maintain optimal health,” explains Dr. Joseph Mercola.

‘Another way to boost the absorption of curcumin is to consume it in the whole food, turmeric root (fresh or dried as a powder) because natural oils found in turmeric root and turmeric powder can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin seven to eight fold. When eaten with fat, curcumin can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lymphatic system thereby in part bypassing the liver.’ –Dr. Michael Greiger, MD

 

3) Heat Increases Turmeric’s Bioavalibility

DrSaraswatiSukumar

Dr. Saraswati Sukumar explains how to enhance Turmeric’s bioavailability

“The potent ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which, despite its power, is not easily absorbed by the body without assistance. This is where the sauté pan and a little warm oil come into play.” Dr. Sukumar explains “I use it [turmeric] in every sauté, just a quarter teaspoon, a half teaspoon is enough. But you don’t have to use it sparingly – use it lavishly.”

 

“The problem with the pill is that it is very insoluble in water,” she said. “The better way to take it, I feel, is to use it in your cooking very extensively. If you have any sauté, just sprinkle it in. The moment you heat oil and add turmeric to it, it now becomes completely bio-available to you.” –Dr. Sukumar

 

SUMMARY: To extract the optimum benefit when consuming turmeric as a medicine

1. Activate turmeric with some cooking heat.

2. Boost turmeric’s absorption 2,000% by combining it with some freshly ground black pepper.

3. Skyrocket turmeric’s bioavailability and healing potential by mixing it with a healthy fat (such as coconut oil or ghee) some fresh ground black pepper and then gently cook cycle on medium low heat (never boil). Ghee has been used as a vehicle for medicine and as a medicine itself by Ayurvedic doctors for thousands of years.

Dosage guidelines according to the University of Maryland Medical Center

• Cut root: 1.5 – 3 g per day
• Dried, powdered root: 1 – 3 g per day

 

Note: If you make the Turmeric Golden Milk Recipe (above) be sure to put a teaspoon or so of  the paste in a full fat milk of your choice or add some to a saute with fat to fully activate the turmeric. And make sure some black pepper to add black pepper to the paste as you make it.

Note: Do NOT use flaxseed oil. It’s toxic when heated. Best oils to use are ghee or coconut oil. The video recipe instructions advise  using 70 ml oil. To keep it simple use 1/3 cup of your chosen oil.

PAUL FASSA

Paul Fassa is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. His pet peeves are the Medical Mafia’s control over health and the food industry and government regulatory agencies’ corruption. Paul’s valiant contributions to the health movement and global paradigm shift are world renowned.

 

Additional Sources:
http://www.healthfreedoms.org/how-to-improve-bioavailability-of-turmeric/
http://www.stepin2mygreenworld.com/healthyliving/greenfoods/the-best-tips-on-how-to-enhance-turmeric-absorption/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-benefits-turmeric/#axzz3Q5ifCQUR
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/lifestyles/the-superman-of-spices/nTzGf/
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/boosting-the-bioavailability-of-curcumin.html#ixzz3Q5dSreeI
http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/students/turmeric
http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2012/01/turmeric-medicine-cabinet-in-curry-bowl.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-black-pepper.html
http://margaret.healthblogs.org/life-with-myeloma/discovery-of-curcumin/bioavailability-of-curcumin/general-bioavailability/
http://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/health-benefits-of-black-pepper-and-turmeric/

No Comments

Categories: Cleansing Disease & Prevention Flaxseed Folklore General Health Herbs Immune System Inflammation Lowering Cholesterol Organic Food Organic Foods Pain Relief Personal Health Reversing Damage

Tags:

Chinese Face Map Reveals What Your Body Fights With!

When problems begin to appear on our skin, it is usually a symptom of a problem we are having within the body.According to Chinese medicine, different parts of the face represent different organs of our body, when something is wrong within the body it will manifest itself on the face.Forehead: bladder and small intestine
Cause: Too many unhealthy foods, alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation and sugar cause slow digestion or stress.

Cure: Raw foods, lots of water, abstaining from alcohol, sugar in moderation and good sleep.

 

Between the eyebrows: liver
Cause: Your stomach is not getting sufficient rest or you are eating too much meat and might also be allergic to some ingredients (bear in mind the high amount of antibiotics animals are fed today).

Cure: Healthy and fresh foods, exercising, aerobic activity, getting outdoors to get some fresh air and meditation.

 

Eyebrow arch: kidneys
Cause: cigarette and alcohol abuse and lack of exercise.

Cure: A lot of clean water, avoid caffeine, sweetened drinks and alcohol.

 

Nose: heart
Cause: Not enough clean air and poor blood circulation or high blood pressure.

Cure: Check your blood pressure, follow the cholesterol level. Organic green tea can help you get rid the toxins. Start some form of physical exercise.

 

Upper part of the cheeks: lungs
Cause: Not enough clean air or cigarette abuse.

Cure: Physical training, jogging outside in a clean environment would be best.

 

Cheeks: lungs and kidneys
Cause: Excessive smoking, stress, sleep deprivation and bad diet.

Cure: Start a healthy diet that consists largely of fresh vegetables, drink lots of water and get some rest.

 

Mouth and chin: stomach
Cause: Poor diet or excessive caffeine and alcohol use.

Cure: Start a healthy diet that consists largely of fresh vegetables, drink lots of water and get some rest.

 

Jaw and neck: hormones
Cause: Dehydration.

Cure: Drink more water.

 

As you can see, smoking cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine abuse, along with poor diet, stress and lack of exercise are major problems, by changing these things around you can dramatically improve the quality of your life. If problems do persist though, it is recommended to go see a doctor.

 

No Comments

Categories: Chinese Face Map Coffee Colon Diabetes Energetic Healing Folklore General Health Healthy Techniques Heart Line Holistic Healing Immune System Kidney Health Liver Disease Lowering Cholesterol Myths Your Body

Tags:

4 Inexpensive Potent Protective Potions Against Cardiovascular Disease

4 tonics to prevent the number one killerGuess what, despite cancer concerns, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death by disease in America, including both heart attacks and strokes, in men and women. But it’s wise to stay away from statin drugs if you have any of the “considered” warning signs of poor heart or cardiovascular health.

Reducing overall cholesterol encourages early dementia as your brain is constructed with cholesterol. It also reduces the capacity for your skin to begin its conversion of sunlight into vitamin D, a process which relies on the cholesterol in your skin. Besides, more and more MDs, even some cardiologists, are convinced that cholesterol is not the primary villain for cardiovascular disease.

Daily low dose aspirin has mixed results: Slightly less heart attacks with a higher incidence of fatal attacks; higher stroke events; lots of gastrointestinal side effects.

So here are three proven herbal approaches for maintaining cardiovascular health and a vitamin C with an essential amino acid formulation from Linus Pauling that has proven to help even those who have had heart attacks. I’m sure the name Linus Pauling will attract Big Pharma shills to troll and attack this article.

The Linus Paul Solution for Heart Health

This is my current favorite because it’s so easy to use, the ingredients are very accessible, and lots of daily vitamin C is beneficial for overall health. Linus Pauling recommends high daily doses of Vitamin C as ascorbic acid with lysine or L-lysine, an essential amino acid.

Vitamin C is a source of collagen, a vital building block for arterial walls strength and flexibility. There is a certain type of lipoprotein that is never screened with normal cholesterol tests, it’s lipoprotein or Lpa, which is sticker, smaller, and denser than LDL. Some experts believe this Lpa is a derivative of heavy sugar and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) consumption, not healthy saturated fats.

Either way, it’s small and heavy enough to borough into the outer layers inside arteries and create arterial fractures. The other cholesterol tries to patch up those fractures and then plaque builds up. Since Lpa molecules have lysine receptors, enough lysine in the blood can remove them.

But that’s like ripping off the scab on a wound before it heals. You need an abundant amount of vitamin C with its collagen production to heal the arterial wall itself. I use 3,000 to 6,000 mgs of China free, GMO free, corn free ascorbic acid with 1500 mgs of lysine daily.

The Vitamin C Foundation has a product called Cardio-C which contains the mixture, but I prefer using their pure powder with L-lysine capsules. I am not an affiliate, just a happy customer. You can explore more details on the Linus Pauling approach from the sources below.

 

Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn Berry has been used as a tonic for the heart and cardiovascular system for quite some time. It is used considerably as a heart condition remedy in Europe, and the tea has been used in China or by Chinese families elsewhere as a heart tonic.

The New York Heart Association has had success with using Hawthorn for functional congestive type two heart failure (CHF) in clinical trials. Hawthorn Berry tea has been a bedrock of heart tonics for many years. If there is a Chinese food market nearby, it may have Hawthorn Berry tea available.

But for therapeutic doses tinctures or extracts are recommended. Those forms are available from health food stores, herbalists, or online. For realized heart conditions, consult with a holistic health practitioner or herbalist for proper dosage.

 

Cayenne

The famous herbalist Dr. John R. Christopher, was nicknamed Dr. Cayenne because of the extent that he had advocated cayenne. He even declared that by using large doses of cayenne, he had stopped heart attacks in progress! There are other health benefits as well, including even aiding the digestive system!

Dr. Christopher recommended one teaspoonful of cayenne powder in warm water taken three times a day. Herbalist Dr. Richard Schulz recommends a half teaspoon twice a day with a higher heat rating. I was using a heat rating of 40 SHU (Scoville Heat Units), but Schulz recommends 90 SHU. These Scoville heat ratings are important. Anything under 35 SHU is useless.

Capsaicin is the essential ingredient of cayenne. You may be able to acquire capsaicin in a supplemental form by itself. Capsaicin is considered a powerful overall immune system stimulant, along with its well established effects on cardiovascular activity and its unfailing ability to revive organ secretion.

 

Jamaica (huh-my-ka) or Hibiscus Tea

Served cold, this is the ideal chaser for that hot cayenne pepper solution. This inexpensive flower tea is popular in Mexico, the Caribbean, and throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia, including Taiwan. It’s very easy to purchase the dried flower leaves used to make the brew here from Mexican stores, but you may have to go online to order online.

Simply fill the bottom of a pan or pot liberally with the dried leaves, add hot water and let it steep for several minutes. It’s a good idea to make two quarts or liters (or more) at a time and refrigerate. It tastes somewhat like cranberry juice, though not nearly as bitter. The stronger the brew, the better the benefits. Make it so it turns out a deep, dark red brew. Sweeten with honey or real grade A or B maple syrup if desired.

The American Heart Association’s research has concluded that natural anthocyanins, which help strengthen collagen and improve capillary function are present in this brew. Jamaica or Hibiscus tea aids in the removal of triglycerides, which contribute to high blood pressure, blood clotting or blockage, and subsequent heart problems.

Any combination, even just one of the described tonics will give you a substantial cardiovascular health boost if you are consistent with them or it.

by PAUL FASSA

Paul Fassa is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. His pet peeves are the Medical Mafia’s control over health and the food industry and government regulatory agencies’ corruption. Paul’s valiant contributions to the health movement and global paradigm shift are world renowned.

 

Sources for more information:

http://www.heartdiseasecauseandcure.com/the-pauling-therapy.html

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/03/28/linus-pauling.aspx

http://www.naturalnews.com/028954_cayenne_tonic_herbs.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/026285_health_cayenne_tea.html

Image

No Comments

Categories: Cardiovascular Disease Cleansing Disease & Prevention Healthy Techniques Herbs Natural Cures Organic Foods Personal Health Statins

Tags:

Why You Should Never Take Statins

Statin DrugsA March 4, 2015 issue of Time magazine report on heart health featured a Finnish study that concluded men on statin drugs for six years had a 46% increased risk for developing diabetes. A Time response from a doctor interviewed left me cold, because it’s based on the conventional medical myth that sells statin drugs.

‘ “It’s a good news-bad news scenario,” says Dr. Robert Eckel, past president of the American Heart Association and professor of medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine. “Although there is convincing evidence that patients on statins are at increased risk of new-onset diabetes, the benefit accrued [from statins] in reducing risks of heart attack, stroke and fatal heart disease trumps the effects of being new onset diabetics.” ‘

 

Well, Dr. Eckel authority guy, statins are based on the bogus theory that high cholesterol readings lead to heart attacks. More and more health experts, even cardiologists, are recognizing this. Despite decades of low fat foods and diets to lower cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems have been on the rise.

Instead, high added sugar and fructose (HFCS) added to sodas and processed foods are the major sources of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease along with all those hydrogenated trans-fatty acid oils that were and still are considered wise substitutes to saturated fats like real butter and coconut oil. Old lies don’t die so easily.

Statin Drugs

Here’s an excerpt from Health Impact on cholesterol/saturated fats:

The biggest study to date examining the scientific literature on saturated fats was the meta analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2010: “Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease”. This analysis looked at 347,747 patients from clinical studies during a 23 year period and found that there was no link between saturated fat and heart disease.

Now, in May of 2013, we have another excellent study analyzing the existing medical literature regarding dietary fats and heart disease just published in Advances in Nutrition by Glen D. Lawrence, PhD, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY: Dietary Fats and Health: Dietary Recommendations in the Context of Scientific Evidence

(…) the science actually points to only Omega 3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oils, as being heart healthy, and not Omega 6 fatty acids, such as those found in corn and soybean oil, which comprise more than 90% of the dietary oil market in the U.S.

The study also correctly vindicates the negative bias against saturated fat found in coconut oil and dairy products: “Several recent analyses indicate that SFAs [saturated fatty acids], particularly in dairy products and coconut oil, can improve health. (Emphasis added)

That includes butter over margarine, incidentally.

 

Statins Are Mostly Risk with Little If Any Heart Protection

Well they do reduce cholesterol, which is actually a bad thing. We need cholesterol as building blocks for our cell walls and myelin sheathing on nerve conduits, brain cells, and epidermal. Over the past few decades, we have seen a significant rise in brain and neurological diseases that include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Statins Kill

These increased neurological diseases coincide with the cultural dedication to reducing fat from our diets, and taking statin drugs. Dr. Stephanie Seneff, the MIT researcher who predicted by 2025 half our children will be autistic, has published research looking at the effects of a low-fat diet and statin drugs in relation to Alzheimer’s Disease.

 

She noticed a strong correlation between insulin resistance in the brain and early Alzheimer’s Disease, suggesting that Alzheimer’s might be considered a neuroendocrine disorder of the brain or so-called “type 3 diabetes”. Interestingly, this corresponds to the recent Finnish study regarding statin use and onset diabetes.

 

Dr. Seneff’s study included that following: The brain represents only 2% of the body’s total mass, but contains 25% of the total cholesterol. Cholesterol is required everywhere in the brain … as a structural scaffold for the neural network, and a functional component of all membranes. Cholesterol is also …. plays an important role in the formation and functioning of synapses in the brain.

 

Isn’t that great, Dr. Robert Eckel heart health authority guy – one can be a drooling stumbling idiot with no memory, merely a minor side effect of statins. But here’s the kicker, lowering cholesterol doesn’t do squat for longevity or lowering heart attack risks.

 

It’s been observed that people with high cholesterol readings live longer than those with lower cholesterol. And their minds and brains are more intact as well. A 2011 VA (Veterans Administration) study concluded: “… after adjusting for other factors associated with longevity, higher HDL cholesterol levels were significantly associated with survival to 85 years of age.”

 

Here’s more on how lowering cholesterol messes up your health. Vitamin D from the sun is considered the best way to benefit for vitamin D. That’s where those epidermal cholesterol levels come in handy. That epidermal cholesterol is the first phase of transforming UVB (ultraviolet B) rays from the sun into vitamin D in the liver.

 

man in hospital

So statin drugs also contribute to vitamin D deficiency, which has been associated with several adverse health conditions, especially those that take advantage of lowered immunity. That’s a lot of diseases, including cancer. Oh, statins also diminish CoQ10 absorption, a vital heart nutrient.

 

There may be a small segment of statin users, estimate at around five percent, who MAY benefit from statins. But for sure, all the rest are harming themselves while feeding Big Pharma annual multi-billion dollar revenues from statins, one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. Ca-ching, ca-ching – keep that cholesterol myth going!

 

A couple of cardiologists who have written books deconstructing the cholesterol myth are Dr. Dwight Lundell and Dr. Stephen Sinatra. Google those guys and their books and ignore that heart health authority guy. And there’s Dr. Jack Wolfson who spoke out aggressively against the MMR vaccine mob. He had stopped writing statin prescriptions as well.

 

By the way, there are more natural ways to protect oneself against heart disease.

By Paul Fassa

Paul Fassa is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. His pet peeves are the Medical Mafia’s control over health and the food industry and government regulatory agencies’ corruption. Paul’s valiant contributions to the health movement and global paradigm shift are world renowned.

 

Sources:

http://time.com/3732605/statins-may-seriously-increase-diabetes-risk/

http://www.naturalnews.com/032262_cholesterol_fats.html

http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/new-alzheimers-drugs-continue-to-fail-where-coconut-oil-shines/

http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/study-saturated-fat-not-associated-with-risk-of-coronary-artery-disease-coconut-oil-and-dairy-fat-healthy/

Images: meminerals, healthyprotocols, mercola, flickr/upton

No Comments

Categories: Cancer Cures Cleansing Cleansing Diabetes Disease & Prevention Drugs Folklore Healthy Techniques Inflammation Natural Cures Reversing Damage Statins Sugars Well Being

Understanding Cannabis Oil

cannabis-oil_2

Although I’ve been aware of the recent positive discussion  of cannabis oil as a treatment for various serious diseases, I was still skeptical to consider this as a viable solution for certain health disorders. After all, so many people these days are looking for the perfect miracle pill to solve their health issues! Is this another panacea? Is this another way of buying into the mentality of one-size-fits-all treatments that come in  a  bottle without making any necessary dietary and life style changes?

In the end, it all depends on how we really make use of these extracts that nature provided us and how clearly we see the “big picture” of true healing.

So it was time I found out more! I interviewed one of my colleagues with extensive knowledge on the matter – Steven Sinay, VP of Nutritional Science for Empower Genetics and a fellow Metabolic Typing practitioner.  This article is what  he kindly shared with me on  the  very interesting topic of cannabis oil.

Understanding Cannabis Oil

Raluca Schachter: What is cannabis oil and how does it work?

Steven Sinay: Cannabis Oil is a thick, sticky, resinous substance that is extracted from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativaor Cannabis indica). Cannabis oil is a base product that is prepared by separating the resins from the cannabis flowers (buds) using a solvent extraction process. Cannabis oil contains several Cannabinoids including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component, and Cannabidiol (CBD), the medicinal component of cannabis.

For legal purposes becoming more commonly used over Cannabis oil, is Hemp oil which is being grown in Europe to have higher levels of CBD and with no THC. In 2001, the DEA issued a rule banning all import and cultivation of industrial grade hemp. In 2003, the Hemp Industries Association filed an Urgent Motion for Stay in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2004, the Ninth Circuit Court sided with the Hemp Industries Association.

In the decision, Judge Betty Fletcher wrote, “[T]hey (DEA) cannot regulate naturally occurring THC not contained within or derived from marijuana-i.e., non-psychoactive hemp is not included in Schedule I. The DEA has no authority to regulate drugs that are not scheduled, and it has not followed procedures required to schedule a substance. The DEA’s definition of “THC” contravenes the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and cannot be upheld.”

Judge Fletcher is essentially saying that the DEA cannot regulate hemp or the chemicals within it because hemp contains no THC, is not marijuana, and is therefore not covered under  the controlled substances act; and the DEA cannot regulate substances that have not been scheduled. This is why you can purchase and sell CBD hemp oil.

Over the last 20 years Cannabis has been at the center of one of the most exciting and underreported developments in recent modern science. Research on marijuana’s effects led directly to the discovery of an unknown biochemical communication system in the human body, the Endocannabinoid System, which plays a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood, and everyday experience.

The discovery of receptors in the brain that respond pharmacologically to Cannabis and the subsequent identification of endogenous cannabinoid compounds in our own bodies that bind to these receptors has significantly advanced our understanding of human biology, health, and disease.

It is an established scientific fact that cannabinoids and other components of cannabis can modulate many physiological systems in the human brain and body. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that trigger cannabinoid and other receptors. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the marijuana plant. Of these, THC and CBD have been studied most extensively. In addition to cannabinoids produced by the plant, there are endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide and 2AG) that occur naturally in the body, as well as synthetic cannabinoids created by pharmaceutical researchers.

Cannabinoids promote homeostasis at every level of biological life, from the sub-cellular, to the organism, and perhaps to the community and beyond. Here’s one example: autophagy, a process in which a cell sequesters part of its contents to be self-digested and recycled, is mediated by the cannabinoid system. While this process keeps normal cells alive, allowing them to maintain a balance between the synthesis, degradation, and subsequent recycling of cellular products, it has a deadly effect on malignant tumor cells, causing them to consume themselves in a programmed cellular suicide. The death of cancer cells, of course, promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire organism.

Scientists associated with the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) have elucidated a number of molecular pathways whereby CBD exerts a therapeutic impact. A preclinical study by Dr. Sean McAllister and his colleagues at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco reports on how CBD kills breast cancer by down regulating a gene called ID-1, which is implicated in several types of aggressive cancer. Silencing the ID-1 gene is thus is an excellent strategy for a cancer treatment.

Extensive preclinical research much of it sponsored by the U.S. Government (see U.S. Patent below) indicates that CBD has potent anti-tumoral, antioxidant, anti-spasmodic, anti-psychotic, anti-convulsive, and neuroprotective properties. CBD directly activates serotonin receptors, causing an anti-depressant effect, as well.

The United States Government holds U.S. Patent 6,630,507 (filed 1999) on Cannabinoids stating in their patent: “Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia. Nonpsychoactive cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, are particularly advantageous to use because they avoid toxicity that is encountered with psychoactive cannabinoids at high doses useful in the method of the present invention.”

Raluca Schachter: Under  what conditions has cannabis oil proved to be most successful?

Steven Sinay: According to many CBD Researchers the following are a list of conditions that the use of CBD has been shown to improve: Acne, ADD/ADHD, Addiction, AIDS, ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, Anorexia, Antibiotic Resistance, Anxiety, Atherosclerosis, Arthritis, Asthma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Cancer, Colitis/Crohn’s, Depression, Diabetes, Endocrine Disorders, Epilepsy/Seizure, Fibromyalgia, Glaucoma, Heart Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Inflammatory Disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, Metabolic Syndrome, Migraines, Mood Disorders, Motion Sickness, Multiple Sclerosis, Nausea, Neurodegeneration, Neuropathic Pain, Obesity, OCD, Osteoporosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Prion/Mad Cow Disease, PTSD, Rheumatism, Schizophrenia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Skin Conditions, Sleep Disorders, Spinal Cord Injury, and Stress Stroke/TBI.

 

Raluca Schachter: What should we look out for, in terms of the quality of  cannabis oil?

Steven Sinay: Since cannabis oil products have only been in the market place for a short period of time, it is important to source these products just as you would your produce, meat, fish, etc. As far as I can tell there are not a lot of regulatory organizations monitoring the quality and purity of these sources. Be sure to look for a product that has gone through some sort of third party lab testing that detect contaminants like pesticides, fungicides, mycotoxins, microbes, etc. Equally as important consumers need to be aware of the concentration of their medicinal cannabis.

It is fundamental in allowing the consumer to choose the correct medicine for their symptoms, as well as determining the proper dose. It’s good practice to find a manufacturer that is not afraid to allow access to each Certificate of Analysis on every batch they produce.  Here in the United States a non THC CBD product is classified as a dietary supplement and is legal in all 50 states.

Raluca Schachter: The nutritional world is quite flooded with hypes these days. But as we know through Metabolic Typing ®, there is no nutrient, remedy or food that can be beneficial for everybody. Any nutrient has different effects in different metabolisms, biochemically speaking. So there are no one size fits all remedies, really. From your experience, have you had the chance to observe how this remedy had different effects in different metabolisms?

Steven Sinay: As previously mentioned, at the right dosage, CBD has been shown to significantly help with anxiety, pain, neurodegeneration, inflammation, etc. An appropriately high dosage of CBD will give you all the desired effects you need, and there is really no risk of overdose as CBD is harmless even in high concentrations. However, most people will feel little effect if they take too low a dosage, effectively wasting CBD’s powerful beneficial properties.

With the above in mind, the importance of correct CBD dosage becomes obvious. People with different requirements and different metabolisms will need accordingly different CBD dosages to experience CBD’s positive effects, and dosages can vary dramatically because there is no one-size-fits-all “typical CBD dosage.” While there is no such thing as “too much CBD,” you can in fact take too little to feel a difference. Dosage can range anywhere from 2-3 mg, up to 100 mg, 200 mg,  or 500 mg to 1000 mg on the super high end. Remember, you cannot overdose and there are no reported side effects from taking high concentrations of CBD. Most people only need around 2-3 mg per day to start feeling a difference. Yet people with stronger needs may need to start at a lower dose and work their way up until they find the right dose for their body.

Raluca Schachter: What are your thoughts regarding the future of cannabis in the medical field?

Steven Sinay:  This is the $64,000 Dollar Question! With our government holding a patent on several Cannabinoids, it leads one to be a little skeptical. Why? The forces that would keep cannabis illegal are vocal and very well-funded, but they are not impervious to persistent effort. The lynch pin in the War on Drugs has always been cannabis. Without the suppression and interdiction of this popular and widely used substance, there simply would not be enough “illegal drug use” going on to justify the huge amount of money and resources spent on “fighting drugs.” Once again all based on the all mighty dollar!

I feel CBD and other Cannabinoids with the persistence from those who can, and are truly benefiting from its medicinal properties, along with natural healers promoting its use, will find its place in future modern medicine. Time will tell.

By  Raluca  Schachter

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

No Comments

Categories: Cancer Cancer Cures Cannabis Cannabis Cannabis Oil Cleansing Cleansing Depression Disease & Prevention Energetic Healing Fertility Folklore Healthy Choices Immune System Insomnia Medical Marijuana Myths Natural Cures Your Memory

Tags:

Understanding Inflammation … and How To Eliminate It Naturally

LUS inflammation-busting Golden Milk recipe!

 

By Raluca  Schachter

Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

One of the most common physical symptoms people suffer is inflammation. It is a sign that the body has initiated self-healing, but when inflammation is prolonged, it can result in an excessive free radical activity and tissue damage.

There are numerous mechanisms in the body which can cause inflammation and it can show up in various forms, but most of the time it directly involves a dysfunction of the digestive system – like most ailments.

The immune response is one of the main mechanisms to initiate inflammatory processes. Citokines are one of the most well-studied molecules involved in the immune response, and are responsible for cellular apoptosis (cell death) and cascades of inflammatory processes. An excessive level of citokines in the body is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes and many other health problems.

Insulin, Cholesterol,  C-reactive Protein

One of the main markers of inflammation is hyperinsulinism. In medical literature this is a main factor associated with cardiovascular diseases. A high level of insulin (above 5) determines high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and is also associated with a high level of C reactive protein, a main marker for inflammation. Studies showed that the high level of C reactive protein is also associated with high consumption of the trans fats found in processed foods.

Cholesterol has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and a critical importance in regulating inflammation and free radical activity. A low level of cholesterol is associated with many auto-immune inflammatory conditions. (For more information, please read my previous articles: Debunking Cholesterol Myths and Cholesterol Behind The Numbers: Facts Your Doctors Don’t Tell You.)

As with a high cholesterol level, C reactive protein is a response to inflammation, not the cause of it. Causes are multiple and they are mainly generated by nutritional deficiencies, glucose metabolism malfunction, hyperinsulinism, toxicity and the body’s response to stress.

A level higher than 3 for this marker indicates a higher inflammation level. Analyzing C reactive protein in association  with homocysteine and insulin levels is essential to properly monitor inflammation in the body.

Intestinal Dysbiosis

Medical research showed that inflammation often involves digestive function. Autoimmune diseases, for example, mostly always involve intestinal dysbiosis and other multiple chronic infections, which are often not considered in allopathic, conventional treatments. That’s why it’s essential to follow a strategy which focuses on re-establishing the digestive function and immunity, in order to normalize the inflammatory response.

Reactive foods, pathogen infections, heavy metal toxicity are also directly responsible for mucosal barrier damage and inflammation.

Processed Foods and Incorrectly Prepared Food

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the processing of omega 6-rich vegetable oils such as corn, soybean, canola and safflower oils – which are so abundant in our collective diet today – the balanced ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids on which our human genome thrived for hundreds of thousands of years changed drastically in our diets.

These days, it is estimated that we eat one-tenth of the amount of omega 3 fatty acids required for normal functioning. This is one of the reasons why a high percentage of our modern population is susceptible to food-related health conditions like heart disease, cancer, insulin resistance and diabetes, obesity, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The elimination of toxic trans fatty acids alone could avert tens of thousands of coronary events each year, in the United States and around the world!

Disease is frequently caused by the consumption of processed foods which contain toxic and even carcinogenic substances, commercially-grown produce containing dangerous herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and rodenticides (2 billion pounds of such chemicals are used annually in the US alone!) and commercially farmed animals that are raised on steroids, antibiotics, food laden with mycotoxins (very poisonous toxins from mold and fungus) – and other toxic additives.

Cooking foods at high temperatures, crust formation when barbecuing foods, frying, etc. can generate high inflammation in the body and carcinogenic compounds named advanced glycation end products – AGEs.

Neurological Inflammation

Neurological inflammation occurs when an inflammatory cascade releases inflammatory mediators. Neurological inflammation can be a result of the overexcitation of neurons, nerve pathways in the nervous system and brain, leading to misfiring, exhaustion, and ultimately the death of these nerves.

When neurons die, chronic inflammation results, leading to poor nerve signaling and health imbalances. For example, the red swelling that surrounds a bug bite is actually the body’s inflammatory process at work. A very similar process can occur in the areas surrounding our nerves, even if we can’t see that internal process as clearly as we can the red bite on our skin’s surface. (Dr. Amy Yasko, Ph.D – Neurological Research Institute)

The causes which determine the process of “neurological inflammation” resulting in autism and autistic-like behaviors including ADD and ADHD is multifactorial. Without a particular combination of genetic mutations, heavy metal toxicities, chronic viral infections, underlying bacterial and fungal infections, and excitotoxin damage leading to a negative cascade of neurological events, autism, ADD/ADHD and other neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease may not manifest. And the same underlying factors may also be responsible for the increase in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia as well as the increase in mitochondrial disease.

For example, excitoxins are stimulating chemicals present now in many common foods, that overstimulate brain chemistry via the neurotransmitters and nerve receptors. This over-stimulation can trigger nerve cell death, which results in poor signaling, contributing to “stims”, and language difficulties. Add to this all the other mentioned factors and it’s no wonder such conditions are on the rise in our society!

Dangers of Using Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Aspirin, Ibuprofen

Commonly used anti-inflammatory medications can cause ulcers, stomach bleeding, and other gastrointestinal complications. Research shows that 80% of deaths caused by ulcers occur in patients who take anti-inflammatories, and people who follow anti-inflammatory drug therapy have a 5-10 times higher risk of developing ulcers. Moreover, these drugs can also affect the kidney and liver function, especially when used over a long period of time. (For more information, please see the article: 9 Natural Alternatives to Ibuprofen/NSAIDs Without the Side Effects.)

Natural Alternatives to Eliminate Inflammation Long Term

The best long-term strategy to eliminate inflammation is to ensure you provide your body with the necessary nutritional support to maintain normal biological functions. This means to first follow a clean organic diet that fits your unique metabolism. A wrong diet, even if “organic”, can quickly become a stressor for the body if it doesn’t fit to your unique genetic and biochemical requirements. It is also essential to eliminate inflammatory foods (frying, sugar, processed foods, the above mentioned vegetable oils, reactive foods like gluten and dairy, additives and other toxic, industrial substances, etc.)

Proteolytic enzymes like bromelaine, pancreatin and serrapeptase contain powerful anti-inflammatory effects. These have been shown to be efficient at inhibiting fibroids formation, fibrinogen and excessive coagulation. Serrapeptase has very beneficial effects in joint inflammation, arthritis, fibroids, excessive blood coagulation, respiratory conditions, mucus excess, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibrocystic breast disease.

A large variety of plants have an anti-inflammatory effect, plus other health benefits; some of these are boswellia, willow bark, turmeric, ginger, cloves, rosemary, holy basil, arnica, yarrow.

Anti-Inflammatory ‘Golden Milk’ Recipe!

This turmeric-based drink has its origins in Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It has a special earthy taste, is very rich in anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties, and naturally supports the body’s elimination (detox) and immune systems. As with any other medicinal plants, overuse or misuse can lead to negative health effects. Consume the turmeric golden milk considering your dosha and metabolic type, and most importantly, carefully observing your body’s signs and symptoms. (For more information, check out my article: Listen To Your Body. Correct Food Ratios. Reverse Disease.)

You can use a previously-boiled turmeric paste for this recipe, but it is not mandatory to gain the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric. In my recipe, I’ll use turmeric powder.

 

Ingredients:

•   1 and 1/2 cups milk (ie. organic, grass fed milk from cow or goat, coconut milk, home made hemp milk or almond milk)

•   1/2 – 1 tsp organic turmeric powder

•   a pinch of black pepper (to enhance turmeric absorption)

•   1/2 – 1 tsp of cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg (a combination of these or all of them)

•   1/2 tsp organic, raw honey (optional)

•   1/2 organic coconut oil or coconut cream (optional)

Preparation:

•   Add milk together with all ingredients except honey.

•   Warm on a medium heat, without boiling.

•   Stir well and add honey at the end.

•   Drink this healthy “cocktail” with pleasure and intention!

Dealing With Inflammation?

Let us know how you naturally manage inflammation by leaving a comment below!

For specialized help to efficiently solve your inflammatory and other health problems, visit www.guide2health.net

Resources:

  • http://jn.nutrition.org/content/135/3/562.short
  • Mucosal Immunol. 2008 Sep;1(5):364-71. Epub 2008 Jul 9. Joint expedition: linking gut inflammation to arthritis.Jacques P, Elewaut D. Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Previous articles by Raluca Schachter:

About the author:

Long-time contributor Raluca Schachter is a passionate Nutritionist, Metabolic Typing Advisor, and a Weston A. Price Chapter Leader. She believes in the benefits of traditional unaltered food, ancestral wisdom, sustainable farming and simple living.

Raluca was able to naturally reverse chronic health conditions she was struggling with most of her life, and now uses her knowledge to help as many people as possible do the same. Her unique Metabolic Typing® Ecological Lifestyle Programs for Optimal Health offer a very unique and comprehensive approach to health, where individual nutritional and biochemical requirements are firstly met using specific nutrients and foods that each metabolism thrives on.

No Comments

Categories: Bone Health Cannabis Cleansing Cleansing Disease & Prevention Eating Healthy Energy Food General Health Inflammation Lowering Cholesterol Natural Cures Reversing Damage Your Body

Tags:

15 Plants & Herbs That Can Boost Lung Health, Heal Respiratory Infections & Repair Pulmonary Damage

 

healthy_lungs_herbsWhen it comes to taking herbs for medicinal purposes, it seems the mainstream belief is that they are not as effective and not worth taking. While the effectiveness of herbs has not been studied deeply to determine how well they work across the entire population, the same could be said for most pharmaceutical drugs. Much of the time, pharmaceutical drugs attempt to mimic a compound that occurs in nature (herbs), but often bring the risk of side effects in the process.

Safety is one of the most critical areas of review amongst herbs and drugs. According to stats released by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, no deaths have been reported due to the use and consumption of herbs.[4] However, pharmaceutical drugs and physician prescribed medications kill approximately one million Americans each year. While it is important to note that herbal medicines can be lethal in extreme doses, it appears their safety is much greater than that of pharmaceutical drugs. [2]

Interestingly, pharmaceutical drugs are actually adding to the world-wide issue of declining health due to their side effects and encouragement of viral resistance. Antibiotics in particular are adding to the wave of increased viral strength when it comes to certain infections. [3] Herbs, on the other hand, can be a useful tool in fighting infections that have turned into superbugs due to the overuse of antibiotics.

It is always useful to perform as much research as possible, or as you see fit, when it comes to both pharmaceutical drugs and herbs prior to taking them. Just as we approach the use of herbs with skepticism, so too should we approach the use of any pharmaceutical drugs with the same discerning eye.

Contrary to popular belief, our reluctance to use herbs in Western culture is not a result of their inefficacy. It is because pharmaceutical companies (and those who can benefit from the sale of pharmaceutical drugs) have done a great job of making them seem unsafe and inadequate. Herbs cannot be patented and owned, unlike synthetic drugs, which is why many pharma companies operate the way they do. Seek out the assistance of a naturopathic doctor, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, ayurveda practioner, or herbologist before you use herbs. Like any medical issue, each illness can have different root causes and it’s always important to understand them before relying on any treatment to solve the entire problem.

Below is a list of herbs that can not only boost lung and respiratory health but can also repair it.
Herb information is courtesy of John Summerly who is a nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner.

1. Licorice Root – Glycyrrhiza Glabra

Licorice is one of the more widely consumed herbs in the world. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it occurs in more formulas than any other single herb because it is thought to harmonize the action of all other herbs. Licorice is very soothing and softens the mucous membranes of the throat and especially the lungs and stomach, and at the same time cleanses any inflamed mucous membrane that needs immune system support . It reduces the irritation in the throat and yet has an expectorant action. It is the saponins (detergent-like action) that loosen the phlegm in the respiratory tract so that the body can expel the mucus. Compounds within this root help relieve bronchial spasms and block the free radical cells that produce the inflammation and tightening of the airways. The compounds also have antibacterial and antiviral effects to them as well, which helps fight off viral and bacterial strains in the body that can cause lung infections. Glycrrhizins and flavonoids can even help prevent lung cancer cells from forming. For people with high blood pressure this should be taken with caution.

2. Coltsfoot – Tussilago Farfara

Coltsfoot has been traditionally used by Native Americans for thousands of years to strengthen the lungs. It clears out excess mucus from the lungs and bronchial tubes. It also soothes the mucus membranes in the lungs and has been shown in research to assist with asthma, coughs, bronchitis, and other lung ailments. Coltsfoot is available in dried form for tea or as an alcohol extract known as a tincture.

3. Cannabis

The toxic breakdown of therapeutic compounds in cannabis from burning the plant are totally avoided with vaporization. Extracting and inhaling cannabinoid essential oils of the unprocessed plant affords significant mitigation of irritation to the oral cavity that comes from smoking. Cannabis is perhaps one of the most effective anti-cancer plants in the world, shown in study after study to stimulate cannabinoid receptor activation in specific genes and mediate the anti-invasive effect of cannabinoids. Vaporizing cannabis allows the active ingredients to stimulate the body’s natural immune response and significantly reduces the ability of infections to spread. Vaporizing cannabis (especially with very high amounts of cannabinoids) opens up airways and sinuses, acting as a bronchodilator. It is even a proven method for treatment and reversal of asthma.

4. Osha Root – Ligusticum porteri

Osha is an herb native to the Rocky Mountain area and has historically been used by the Native Americans for respiratory support. The roots of the plant contain camphor and other compounds which make it one of the best lung-support herbs in America. One of the main benefits of osha root is that it helps increase circulation to the lungs, which makes it easier to take deep breaths. Also, when seasonal sensitivities flare up your sinuses, osha root, which is not an actual antihistamine, produces a similar effect and may help calm respiratory irritation.

5. Thyme – Thymus

Thyme is very powerful in the fight against chest congestion. It produces powerful antiseptic essential oils which are classified as naturally antibiotic and anti-fungal. Thyme is well known to zap acne more so than expensive prescription creams, gels, and lotions. Thyme tea has the power to chase away and eliminate bacteria and viruses, so whether your infection is based on one or the other, it will still work. Thyme has been used as a lung remedy since antiquity and is used extensively today to prevent and treat respiratory tract infections and bacterial infection pneumonia.

6. Oregano

Although oregano contains the vitamins and nutrients required by the immune system, its primary benefits are owed to its carvacrol and rosmarinic acid content. Both compounds are natural decongestants and histamine reducers that have direct, positive benefits on the respiratory tract and nasal passage airflow. Oil of oregano fights off the dangerous bacteria Staphylococcus aureus better than the most common antibiotic treatments. Oregano has so many health benefits that a bottle of organic oregano oil should be in everyone’s medicine cabinet.

7. Lobelia Inflata

Did you know that horses given lobelia are able to breathe more deeply? Its benefits are not limited to equestrians. It has been used as an “asthmador” in Appalachian folk medicine. Lobelia, by some accounts, is thought to be one of the most valuable herbal remedies in existence. Extracts of Lobelia Inflata contain lobeline, which showed positive effects in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tumor cells. Lobelia contains an alkaloid known as lobeline, which thins mucus and breaks up congestion. Additionally, lobelia stimulates the adrenal glands to release epinephrine; in effect, this relaxes the airways and allows for easier breathing. Also, because lobelia helps to relax smooth muscles, it is included in many cough and cold remedies. Lobelia should be part of everyone’s respiratory support protocol!

*Use with caution as too much can cause side effects.

8. Elecampane – Inula Helenium

Elecampane has been used by Native Americans for many years to clear out excess mucus that impairs lung function. It is known as a natural antibacterial agent for the lungs, helping to lessen infection, particularly for people who are prone to lung infections like bronchitis. Herbal practitioners often recommend one teaspoon of the herb per cup of boiling water, drunk three times daily for two to three weeks. Elecampane is also available in tincture format for ease.

9. Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus Globulus

Native to Australia, eucalyptus isn’t just for Koala bears! Aborigines, Germans, and Americans have all used the refreshing aroma of eucalyptus to promote respiratory health and soothe throat irritation. Eucalyptus is a common ingredient in cough lozenges and syrups and its effectiveness is due to a compound called cineole. Cineole has numerous benefits — it’s an expectorant, can ease a cough, fights congestion, and soothes irritated sinus passages. As an added bonus, because eucalyptus contains antioxidants, it supports the immune system during a cold or other illness.

10. Mullein – Verbascum Thapsus

Both the flowers and the leaves of the mullein plant are used to make an herbal extract that helps strengthen the lungs. Mullein is used by herbal practitioners to clear excess mucus from the lungs, cleanse the bronchial tubes, and reduce inflammation that is present in the respiratory tract. A tea can be made from one teaspoon of the dried herb to one cup of boiled water. Alternatively, you can take a tincture form of this herb.

11. Lungwort – Pulmonaria officinalis

As early as the 1600’s, lungwort has been used to promote lung and respiratory health and clear congestion. Pulmonaria selections come in all kinds so seek a herbologist for direction. Lungwort also contains compounds that are powerfully effective against harmful organisms that affect respiratory health.

12. Chaparral

Chaparral, a plant native to the Southwest, has been appreciated by the Native Americans for lung detoxification and respiratory support for many years. Chaparral contains powerful antioxidants that resist irritation, and NDGA, which is known to fight histamine response. NDGA inhibits aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis (the energy-producing ability) of cancer cells. Chaparral is also an herb that fights harmful organisms. The benefits of chaparral are mostly available in a tincture extraction but chaparral tea may support respiratory problems by encouraging an expectorant action to clear airways of mucus. [Source]

13. Sage – Salvia Officinalis

Sage’s textured leaves give off a heady aroma, which arises from sage’s essential oils. These oils are the source of the many benefits of sage tea for lung problems and common respiratory ailments. Sage tea is a traditional treatment for sore throats and coughs. The rich aromatic properties arising from sage’s volatile oils of thujone, camphor, terpene, and salvene can be put to use by inhaling sage tea’s vapors to dispel lung disorders and sinusitis. Alternatively, brew a strong pot of sage tea and place it into a bowl or vaporizer.

14. Peppermint – Mentha × Piperita

Peppermint and peppermint oil contains menthol — a soothing ingredient known to relax the smooth muscles of the respiratory tract and promote free breathing. Dried peppermint typically contains menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, menthofuran, and cineol. Peppermint oil also contains small amounts of many additional compounds including limonene, pulegone, caryophyllene, and pinene. Paired with the antihistamine effect of peppermint, menthol is a fantastic decongestant. Many people use therapeutic chest balms and other inhalants that contain menthol to help break up congestion. Additionally, peppermint is an antioxidant and fights harmful organisms.

15. Plantain herb – Plantago major and P. lanceolata

Plantain leaf has been used for hundreds of years to ease coughs and soothe irritated mucous membranes. Many of its active constituents show antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antitoxic. Clinical trials have found it favorable against cough, cold, and lung irritation. Plantain leaf has an added bonus in that it may help relieve a dry cough by spawning mucus production in the lungs.

Sources:

1. http://www.everygreenherb.com/lungs.html

2. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209183337.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

3. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/antibiotics-may-make-fighting-flu-harder

5. http://thegoodnewsnp.com.au/files/45th_Edition_small_file_size._pdf.pdf

No Comments

Categories: Cannabis Cleansing Disease & Prevention Eating Healthy General Health Healthy Choices Herbs Medical Marijuana Natural Antibiotics Natural Cures Personal Health Reversing Damage Well Being

Tags: