Improving lymphatic flow will help prevent muscle soreness and also strengthen the immune system. You may wish to consider a series of lymphatic massages by a therapist trained to move the lymphatic fluids and toxins out of the lymph system. This is done by stroking the hands in the direction of the lymphatic vessels without any downward movements and always toward the heart. Drink extra water after this type of massage. Speed up healing by using your own lymphatic massage with the following three methods:
1. Pressure
2. A massage motion
3. A light fast stroke
If you have a lot of pain use a light fast stroke as though were brushing dust from your shoulder, finger, knee, hip or wherever pain is located. If it is your finger and it too painful to hold, us a light fast stroke, wait 15 seconds, then try massage. Repeat the light fast stroke followed by massage before the pain comes back. You can also apply pressure with your fingers by pushing on each side of where the pain is located. Repeat these self-help pain techniques every 15 minutes to keep the excess fluid and acidic lactic acid out of the tissues.
If you could get all the generators turned on in the cells of your body, would you be healthy? According to Dr. C. Samuel West, the answer is “Yes.” To do this, he recommends a basic lymphasizing program. The idea for the program came from Dr. Norman Walker.
Walker West Walk--Oxygenation
Walker had an exercise that could move the lymphatic system and help remove trapped proteins. He named it the “Walker West Walk,” and it is so simple, that anyone can do it. Children like to call it the Choo-Choo Train.
Exhale as deeply as you can, then using the “SHHH” sound, inhale as deeply as you can. Do this through your teeth. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, completely emptying your lungs by the last exhale. Repeat this process over and over again. You may alternate by doing: Inhale, inhale, inhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, exhale, and exhale. Only do the first part once or twice because some of you may become dizzy or light-headed.
The second part involves swinging you arms and stepping lively along with the breathing exercise. If you can’t do that yet, just sit down and swing your arms as you inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. If you can do it, step as lively as you can while you swing your arms, but do not get tired or cause any negative stress on your body. The more you are able to do it, the better you will feel. You may need to do this gradually. Increase the number of times and the length of time you do this exercise as you feel like it. You will get more oxygen to the lungs and to the cells and your body will become more alkaline.
Dr. Stephen E. West, in his book, “The Golden Seven Plus Two,” says lack of oxygen causes most pain. As you sit on a hard chair for a while, you will come to know this is true because it blocks circulation. Deep breathing is important. Also, as you move around the blood becomes more oxygenated and it helps take the pain way. Unhealthy cells contribute to fluid retention. That is why it is important to eat alkaline foods and avoid sugar, too much salt, bad fats and high cholesterol foods. Body fluids follow the blood proteins (acid). If we put too much water on a crop, we kill the crop.
These proteins must be removed by the lymphatics and we need movement to get the lymphatics moving. Doctors use electrical stimulators to help heal fractures, knees, etc.
Remember, the lymph system pumps fluid and proteins out of the tissue spaces each time the tissues are compressed or moved in some other way.
MOVEMENT- Mini Trampolines
Jumping on a trampoline is a form of lymphasizing. As you move up and down something magical begins to happen in your body. Research reveals that the lymph system pumps fluid and protein (acid) out of the tissue spaces each time the tissues are compressed or moved in any way. If you have a bad back, you may want to sit on a mini-trampoline and gently bounce. Consult your physical therapist or physician before beginning jumping on a mini tramp.
At the bottom of a bounce the one-way check valve closes. At the top, they open and the lymph fluids are propelled through the system, just like they are when you breathe in deeply. If you just walk around without breathing deeply at the same time, it is impossible to get the benefits of lymphasizing. If you can get the body to the aerobic zone (and some of you can’t right now), you are breathing deeply and flooding the cells with oxygen which enables them to convert glucose into A.T.P. (adenosine triphosphate which helps transfer energy into the cells) and also into glycogen. The goal is to convert glucose into glycogen inside your muscle cells.
If you have a lot of toxins, start slowly and drink a lot of water after any type of exercise.
Exercise Ball If you have chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia you may not be able to jump on a mini-trampoline. Use wisdom and do not overdue. However, you may be able to sit on a large exercise ball and bounce and that will also get the lymphatics moving. Make sure that you place the exercise ball in a safe place, like up against a sofa, so it won’t move sideways or backward on you. When I had Chronic Fatigue, my balance was off and I was frequently dizzy.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Free Yourself from Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
My book has only been on Amzon.com a few weeks and already I have a review.
My friend, Joyce said I should post it,...so....
Customer Review EXCELLENT FOR ANYONE WITH FATIGUE, August 20, 2008
By D. Heath "busy mom" (Salt Lake City, UT) -
Author tells her story of her battle with Severe Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. She documents her many years of research and what treatments and supplements worked for her.
I have suffered with Chronic Fatigue for 16 years. I've seen several Dr.s and none were able to offer any real help or information. After reading this book and following several of the suggestions I can now manage my Fatigue and Fibromyalgia symptoms.
My friend, Joyce said I should post it,...so....
Customer Review EXCELLENT FOR ANYONE WITH FATIGUE, August 20, 2008
By D. Heath "busy mom" (Salt Lake City, UT) -
Author tells her story of her battle with Severe Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. She documents her many years of research and what treatments and supplements worked for her.
I have suffered with Chronic Fatigue for 16 years. I've seen several Dr.s and none were able to offer any real help or information. After reading this book and following several of the suggestions I can now manage my Fatigue and Fibromyalgia symptoms.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Trust in a Higher Power
The Need to Trust
As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because he was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help in ways
That were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow?"
"My child," he said, "What could I do?"
"You never would let go."
-author unknown--
As children bring their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
Because he was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help in ways
That were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow?"
"My child," he said, "What could I do?"
"You never would let go."
-author unknown--
Friday, August 22, 2008
Worry
"For every problem under the sun,
There is a remedy or there is none;
If there be one, hurry and find it,
If there be none, never mind it."
"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something
to do, but doesn't get you anywhere."
There is a remedy or there is none;
If there be one, hurry and find it,
If there be none, never mind it."
"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something
to do, but doesn't get you anywhere."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sadness
"You cannot keep the birds of sadness
from flying over your head, but you
can keep them from nesting in your hair."
--author unknown
from flying over your head, but you
can keep them from nesting in your hair."
--author unknown
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cancer and "The China Study."
THE CHINA STUDY—a book review by Patty Butts, Ph.D.
“The China Study,” by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, one of the world’s most respected nutrition authorities, is the largest and most comprehensive study ever done on diet, disease and nutrition. The New York Times called it the “Grand Prix,” of nutrition. After 34 years of solid scientific research, findings indicated that advanced heart disease, relatively advanced cancers of certain types, diabetes and a few other degenerative diseases can be reversed by diet. The China Study was the culmination of a twenty year partnership with Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Campbell’s interest was peaked about the effect of diet on disease when he was doing a nationwide project in the Philippines working with malnourished children. Their goal was to have the children consume more corn and peanuts to improve the consumption of protein. At the time, the Philippines had a high prevalence of liver cancer among children and it was assumed this was among the poor children. At first, the team working with Campbell thought the cause could be a mold toxin called aflatoxin found in peanuts and corn (also in stored wheat and grains), something they had not been aware of prior to the study. Aflatoxin has been called one of the most potent carcinogens ever discovered. The project to feed more corn and peanuts was soon abolished and more research was done. Collin found the children who ate the highest-protein diets were the ones most likely to get liver cancer. They were from the wealthiest families.
Dr. Campbell then found research from India that had studied two groups of rats. In one group, they administered high doses of aflatoxin and fed them a diet of 20% animal protein, a level that many of us consume in the West. In the other group they gave the same carcinogenic amount of aflatoxin, but fed this group of rats a diet of 5% protein. Every animal that consumed the 20% protein diet had evidence of liver cancer, and every single animal that consumed a 5% animal protein (sometimes casein from milk), avoided liver cancer. Dr. Campbell and his group replicated this study over and over, always with the same results.
The team then studied the diets of over 6500 people from 64 counties in China. This was a longitudinal study. Blood and urine tests were taken from all participants. Researchers spent time in the homes to determine the diets and foods participants were eating. Environmental issues were examined. There were over 8000 statistically significant results from this study.
The evidence to support that animal protein increased tumor development while nutrients from plant-based foods decreased tumor development was statistically significant throughout all of the studies.
Campbell writes, “We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole foods, plant-based diet is best for cancer.” But, he doesn’t stop there; he includes heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, kidneys, bones, eyes and brains.
America’s health is failing even though we spend more per capita on health care than any other society in the world. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third or our children are either overweight or at risk of becoming so. More than 15 million Americans have diabetes and we fall prey to heart disease as often as we did thirty years ago. The War on Cancer is a continuous battle. “The issues all come down to three things, breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
“The China Study,” by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, one of the world’s most respected nutrition authorities, is the largest and most comprehensive study ever done on diet, disease and nutrition. The New York Times called it the “Grand Prix,” of nutrition. After 34 years of solid scientific research, findings indicated that advanced heart disease, relatively advanced cancers of certain types, diabetes and a few other degenerative diseases can be reversed by diet. The China Study was the culmination of a twenty year partnership with Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Campbell’s interest was peaked about the effect of diet on disease when he was doing a nationwide project in the Philippines working with malnourished children. Their goal was to have the children consume more corn and peanuts to improve the consumption of protein. At the time, the Philippines had a high prevalence of liver cancer among children and it was assumed this was among the poor children. At first, the team working with Campbell thought the cause could be a mold toxin called aflatoxin found in peanuts and corn (also in stored wheat and grains), something they had not been aware of prior to the study. Aflatoxin has been called one of the most potent carcinogens ever discovered. The project to feed more corn and peanuts was soon abolished and more research was done. Collin found the children who ate the highest-protein diets were the ones most likely to get liver cancer. They were from the wealthiest families.
Dr. Campbell then found research from India that had studied two groups of rats. In one group, they administered high doses of aflatoxin and fed them a diet of 20% animal protein, a level that many of us consume in the West. In the other group they gave the same carcinogenic amount of aflatoxin, but fed this group of rats a diet of 5% protein. Every animal that consumed the 20% protein diet had evidence of liver cancer, and every single animal that consumed a 5% animal protein (sometimes casein from milk), avoided liver cancer. Dr. Campbell and his group replicated this study over and over, always with the same results.
The team then studied the diets of over 6500 people from 64 counties in China. This was a longitudinal study. Blood and urine tests were taken from all participants. Researchers spent time in the homes to determine the diets and foods participants were eating. Environmental issues were examined. There were over 8000 statistically significant results from this study.
The evidence to support that animal protein increased tumor development while nutrients from plant-based foods decreased tumor development was statistically significant throughout all of the studies.
Campbell writes, “We now have a deep and broad range of evidence showing that a whole foods, plant-based diet is best for cancer.” But, he doesn’t stop there; he includes heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, kidneys, bones, eyes and brains.
America’s health is failing even though we spend more per capita on health care than any other society in the world. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and one-third or our children are either overweight or at risk of becoming so. More than 15 million Americans have diabetes and we fall prey to heart disease as often as we did thirty years ago. The War on Cancer is a continuous battle. “The issues all come down to three things, breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Depression and Medication
After writing the blog on depression, I thought it best to add a caution. If you are on prescription medication for bipolar disorder, don't ever go off medication quickly. You need a doctor's help and advice before going off medication. As a counselor I have seen too many patients stop their medication immediately and become suicidal. Fish oil will enhance the effectiveness of some medication (The Omega 3 Connection). An alkaline diet and some nutrients will help relieve symptoms of bipolar and depression, but that doesn't happen overnight. Consult your physician.
If you are not on medication, some doctors recommend supplements and diet. Dr. Carl C Pfeiffer, an expert in orthomolecular psychiatry, author of "Nutrition and Mental Illness," did extensive research into nutrition and mental illness and treated more than 25,000 patients successfully. They did blood work on patients, checked the thyroid and other significant factors to determine what a patient needed to recover.
In his book, "Natural Prozac," Dr. Joel Robertson, a doctor of pharmacolgy has other recommendations.
If you are not on medication, some doctors recommend supplements and diet. Dr. Carl C Pfeiffer, an expert in orthomolecular psychiatry, author of "Nutrition and Mental Illness," did extensive research into nutrition and mental illness and treated more than 25,000 patients successfully. They did blood work on patients, checked the thyroid and other significant factors to determine what a patient needed to recover.
In his book, "Natural Prozac," Dr. Joel Robertson, a doctor of pharmacolgy has other recommendations.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bipolar Disorder and Depression, is there new hope?
A few days ago a young mother in our neighborhood, suffering from postpartum and Bipolar Depression committed suicide. In my early years as a counselor I came to believe that nutrition and diet has a major role in depression and mental illness. I counseled brothers who were Bipolar, yet I had known them when they were younger, and mentally healthy—normal , outstanding young men. Their diet was terrible—lots of sugar, meat, soft drinks and junk food. A very acidic diet. Now they are unable to function normally in the community. I watched with sadness the results of their medication. Constant drooling, slowness of speech, periods when they went off the medication and the ups and downs of their disorder. I wanted desperately to help them. It was then I decided that I would pursue a Ph.D.degree in Holistic Nutrition.
I have long believed that candida has a role in depression and Bipolar Disorder and I am not alone. Dr. William Crook, author of The Yeast Connection, and Dr.C .Orian Truss, author of The Missing Diagnosis and other physicians suggest this is the case, although more research needs to be done.
According to Dr. Sherry Rogers, author of Depression Cured at Last, says depression always involves a seriously malabsorptive state and gut that needs to be "cleaned out". or needs to be "fixed"as soon as possible.Celiac disease and candida contributes to malabsorption.
Yeast is a vegetable, not an animal and is a strong invasive parasite that attaches itself to the intestinal wall and becomes a permanent resident of your internal organs. It is an integral part of life. It is present in food, and is found on exposed surfaces and in the air we breathe. Candida yeast intake and exposure cannot be avoided. Only when yeast becomes dominant in various parts of the body does it begin to present a serious health problem, resulting in disease, pain, and discomfort.
Yeast can become a hardy fungus. It multiplies very rapidly, can assume long periods of dormancy and when necessary, becomes cannibalistic. Candida is very sensitive to sugars, foods and other specific substances as they pass along the digestive tract. Yeasts cells thrive on sugar and have an aggressive appetite.
Minor increases in intestinal yeast are usually not a problem, but if yeast overgrowth is left unchallenged it can change into a mycelial fungus with rhizoids (tentacle-like projections) that penetrate the lining of the intestinal tract. These projections can cause intestinal permeability and leak toxins across the cellular membranes. This can cause a disruption in the absorption of nutrients and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to reduced immunity and weaken the body’s defense systems.
Without proper nutrition, the body can’t heal or regenerate its tissues and if you
cannot digest and assimilate food, the tissues will eventually starve, states Dr. Robert Young, author of The pH Miracle.
Cleansing the body and taking probiotics, and other anti-candida measures is a step toward healing.
Cleansing the Body
You should have three bowel movements a day. To help this process, juice lots of raw vegetables—especially spinach and carrots, eat lots of fiber, take a good bowel cleanser such as Naturlax 2, drink ½ cup aloe vera juice both morning and night, and drink lots of water.
Milk thistle helps cleanse the liver and aids in enhancing bile output to soften stools. Enzymes help digest foods and speed up elimination. Alfalfa tablets aid in detoxifying the body. Magnesium and a high dose of vitamin C, (the two "bowel loosening" nutrients), help constipation.
Depression involves a state of fairly broad essential nutrient and amino acid deficiency almost 100% of the time. It is suggested that consuming carnitine and phospatidyl choline is helpful when taking a therapeutic dose of amino acids.
Thyroid Function & Bipolar Disorder
There is currently an investigation on low thyroid and candida relationships connecting bipolar disorder and celiac disease. There is a clear connection between the process of thyroid hormone regulation and bipolar disorder. The problem is, this connection is only just now beginning to become evident, and how the connection works is basically a mystery. Two studies recently showed a strikingly high rate of autoimmune-caused thyroid problems in people with bipolar disorder, far more than you would expect to find.Vonk, Kupka Thyroid problems are more common in the complex forms of bipolar disorder (mixed states and rapid cycling) than in classic bipolar manic patients.Chang Signs of thyroid auto-immunity are much more common in people with anxiety and depression, particularly the forms of anxiety which don’t easily fit into typical “anxiety disorder” labels.Carta
Poor intestinal flora can contribute to depression by altering the immune system. Let’s examine this relationship a bit closer. Cytokines are produced by our immune system. In depression, there is an increase in inflammatory cytokines called IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. These same cytokines can be increased by exposure to the LPS in the cell wall of gram-negative intestinal bacteria. By increasing these cytokines, intestinal bacteria have been shown to induce depression, anxiety and cognition impairment.
Can Virgin Coconut Oil Help the Thyroid
Celiac disease, triggered by gluten proteins from wheat in susceptible people, can damage the central nervous system. The cell walls of Candida, the yeast responsible for oral thrush, vaginal infections and intestinal Candidiasis, contain the same protein sequence as wheat gluten and may trigger or stimulate Celiac Disease.
For the last ten years we have known that celiac disease is associated with hypothyroid disease, specifically Hashimoto’s Disease. About 10- 14% of celiac patients are hypothyroid. Celiac patients are about ten times as likely to have thyroid nodules. [5,6,7] Is it the same genetic predisposition making people overly prone to develop autoimmune diseases that causes both conditions? Or is it the chronic bowel inflammation that stimulates these autoimmune reactions? At this point it isn’t clear.
Since the unsaturated oils block protein digestion in the stomach, we can be malnourished even while "eating well." There are many changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats. Their best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant.9
Because coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.
More research in this area is necessary.
Omega 3 deficiency contributes to Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Omega-3s are a safe, simple, natural treatment for depression, mental health, and enhancing mood without side effects. Andrew Stoll, a psychiatrist and director of the Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McClean Hospital, is author of the book The Omega-3 Connection. The book is designed to educate about benefits of fish oil and help readers restore their natural balance of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in high concentrations in the brain.
Over the past century, people in the United States have largely eliminated omega-3 fatty acids from their diet, due to the huge consumption of processed foods and a low-fat diet craze.
However, there is reason to be concerned about bad fats. Some fats are absolutely required for good health, while others detrimental. The most dangerous fats are those found in margarines, shortenings, heated oils, cheese, and some meats, but we need the healing fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential for optimal function of every cell in our bodies and we cannot manufacture them internally. They can be obtained only through our diet.
Stoll, on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, was interested in alternatives for bipolar patients. He conducted extensive searches on medical research papers to find substances with properties similar to standard mood stabilizers, lithium and valproate. After he and his colleague, Dr. Emauel Severus, reviewed hundreds of papers, they pulled up one match time and again—common fish oil.
Fish oils are already known for their roll in preventing heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. They may also be responsible for protecting against arthritis, diabetes, and some psychiatric disorders. The brain requires more omega-3 and fatty acids than any other system in the body. According to Dr. Stoll, without omega-3s, the brain cannot function normally, so even the most powerful antidepressants will be unable to improve mood. For optimum health, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids should be eaten in nearly equal proportions. Omega-6 fatty acids are contained in vegetable and seed oils, including olive oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oils. Omega-3s are more difficult to obtain, and are most often from fish oil. Flax oil and seed contains some Omega-3s.
In addition, omega-3s are safe and effective supplements for pregnancy, nursing mothers, and postpartum depression. Blood levels of omega-3s decrease during the later stages of pregnancy and stay low, because the fetus receives these essential lipids preferentially (especially if there is a shortage). Lack of omega-3s can damage a mothers health after birth and cause major postpartum depression. These fatty acids are so important in cell-signaling pathways, and are vital to the function of many brain systems, including those neural systems regulating mood and emotions. Research indicates that a lack of omega-3s during pregnancy may impair development of the visual system of a fetus, and may also compromise future intelligence.
Evening Primrose is another Omega 3 that is particularly helpful for PMS (premenstrual syndrome), irritability, mood swings, and cramps.
There is some evidence that attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might be rooted in a deficiency of the omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers noticed that in two groups of children it was found that those who had omega-3 deficiency and ADHD had similarities. Both had excess thirst, greater frequency of dry hair and skin, and an increased need to urinate. When they tested the blood levels of the ADHD subjects they found that 40 percent had low levels of omega-3s.
Dr. Stoll recommends 1 to 3 grams (1000-to 3000 milligrams) of fish oil daily for health, mood, or cognitive improvement.
I have long believed that candida has a role in depression and Bipolar Disorder and I am not alone. Dr. William Crook, author of The Yeast Connection, and Dr.C .Orian Truss, author of The Missing Diagnosis and other physicians suggest this is the case, although more research needs to be done.
According to Dr. Sherry Rogers, author of Depression Cured at Last, says depression always involves a seriously malabsorptive state and gut that needs to be "cleaned out". or needs to be "fixed"as soon as possible.Celiac disease and candida contributes to malabsorption.
Yeast is a vegetable, not an animal and is a strong invasive parasite that attaches itself to the intestinal wall and becomes a permanent resident of your internal organs. It is an integral part of life. It is present in food, and is found on exposed surfaces and in the air we breathe. Candida yeast intake and exposure cannot be avoided. Only when yeast becomes dominant in various parts of the body does it begin to present a serious health problem, resulting in disease, pain, and discomfort.
Yeast can become a hardy fungus. It multiplies very rapidly, can assume long periods of dormancy and when necessary, becomes cannibalistic. Candida is very sensitive to sugars, foods and other specific substances as they pass along the digestive tract. Yeasts cells thrive on sugar and have an aggressive appetite.
Minor increases in intestinal yeast are usually not a problem, but if yeast overgrowth is left unchallenged it can change into a mycelial fungus with rhizoids (tentacle-like projections) that penetrate the lining of the intestinal tract. These projections can cause intestinal permeability and leak toxins across the cellular membranes. This can cause a disruption in the absorption of nutrients and nutritional deficiencies that can lead to reduced immunity and weaken the body’s defense systems.
Without proper nutrition, the body can’t heal or regenerate its tissues and if you
cannot digest and assimilate food, the tissues will eventually starve, states Dr. Robert Young, author of The pH Miracle.
Cleansing the body and taking probiotics, and other anti-candida measures is a step toward healing.
Cleansing the Body
You should have three bowel movements a day. To help this process, juice lots of raw vegetables—especially spinach and carrots, eat lots of fiber, take a good bowel cleanser such as Naturlax 2, drink ½ cup aloe vera juice both morning and night, and drink lots of water.
Milk thistle helps cleanse the liver and aids in enhancing bile output to soften stools. Enzymes help digest foods and speed up elimination. Alfalfa tablets aid in detoxifying the body. Magnesium and a high dose of vitamin C, (the two "bowel loosening" nutrients), help constipation.
Depression involves a state of fairly broad essential nutrient and amino acid deficiency almost 100% of the time. It is suggested that consuming carnitine and phospatidyl choline is helpful when taking a therapeutic dose of amino acids.
Thyroid Function & Bipolar Disorder
There is currently an investigation on low thyroid and candida relationships connecting bipolar disorder and celiac disease. There is a clear connection between the process of thyroid hormone regulation and bipolar disorder. The problem is, this connection is only just now beginning to become evident, and how the connection works is basically a mystery. Two studies recently showed a strikingly high rate of autoimmune-caused thyroid problems in people with bipolar disorder, far more than you would expect to find.Vonk, Kupka Thyroid problems are more common in the complex forms of bipolar disorder (mixed states and rapid cycling) than in classic bipolar manic patients.Chang Signs of thyroid auto-immunity are much more common in people with anxiety and depression, particularly the forms of anxiety which don’t easily fit into typical “anxiety disorder” labels.Carta
Poor intestinal flora can contribute to depression by altering the immune system. Let’s examine this relationship a bit closer. Cytokines are produced by our immune system. In depression, there is an increase in inflammatory cytokines called IL-1, IL-6, and TNF. These same cytokines can be increased by exposure to the LPS in the cell wall of gram-negative intestinal bacteria. By increasing these cytokines, intestinal bacteria have been shown to induce depression, anxiety and cognition impairment.
Can Virgin Coconut Oil Help the Thyroid
Celiac disease, triggered by gluten proteins from wheat in susceptible people, can damage the central nervous system. The cell walls of Candida, the yeast responsible for oral thrush, vaginal infections and intestinal Candidiasis, contain the same protein sequence as wheat gluten and may trigger or stimulate Celiac Disease.
For the last ten years we have known that celiac disease is associated with hypothyroid disease, specifically Hashimoto’s Disease. About 10- 14% of celiac patients are hypothyroid. Celiac patients are about ten times as likely to have thyroid nodules. [5,6,7] Is it the same genetic predisposition making people overly prone to develop autoimmune diseases that causes both conditions? Or is it the chronic bowel inflammation that stimulates these autoimmune reactions? At this point it isn’t clear.
Since the unsaturated oils block protein digestion in the stomach, we can be malnourished even while "eating well." There are many changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats. Their best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant.9
Because coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.
More research in this area is necessary.
Omega 3 deficiency contributes to Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Omega-3s are a safe, simple, natural treatment for depression, mental health, and enhancing mood without side effects. Andrew Stoll, a psychiatrist and director of the Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McClean Hospital, is author of the book The Omega-3 Connection. The book is designed to educate about benefits of fish oil and help readers restore their natural balance of omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in high concentrations in the brain.
Over the past century, people in the United States have largely eliminated omega-3 fatty acids from their diet, due to the huge consumption of processed foods and a low-fat diet craze.
However, there is reason to be concerned about bad fats. Some fats are absolutely required for good health, while others detrimental. The most dangerous fats are those found in margarines, shortenings, heated oils, cheese, and some meats, but we need the healing fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential for optimal function of every cell in our bodies and we cannot manufacture them internally. They can be obtained only through our diet.
Stoll, on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, was interested in alternatives for bipolar patients. He conducted extensive searches on medical research papers to find substances with properties similar to standard mood stabilizers, lithium and valproate. After he and his colleague, Dr. Emauel Severus, reviewed hundreds of papers, they pulled up one match time and again—common fish oil.
Fish oils are already known for their roll in preventing heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. They may also be responsible for protecting against arthritis, diabetes, and some psychiatric disorders. The brain requires more omega-3 and fatty acids than any other system in the body. According to Dr. Stoll, without omega-3s, the brain cannot function normally, so even the most powerful antidepressants will be unable to improve mood. For optimum health, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids should be eaten in nearly equal proportions. Omega-6 fatty acids are contained in vegetable and seed oils, including olive oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oils. Omega-3s are more difficult to obtain, and are most often from fish oil. Flax oil and seed contains some Omega-3s.
In addition, omega-3s are safe and effective supplements for pregnancy, nursing mothers, and postpartum depression. Blood levels of omega-3s decrease during the later stages of pregnancy and stay low, because the fetus receives these essential lipids preferentially (especially if there is a shortage). Lack of omega-3s can damage a mothers health after birth and cause major postpartum depression. These fatty acids are so important in cell-signaling pathways, and are vital to the function of many brain systems, including those neural systems regulating mood and emotions. Research indicates that a lack of omega-3s during pregnancy may impair development of the visual system of a fetus, and may also compromise future intelligence.
Evening Primrose is another Omega 3 that is particularly helpful for PMS (premenstrual syndrome), irritability, mood swings, and cramps.
There is some evidence that attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might be rooted in a deficiency of the omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers noticed that in two groups of children it was found that those who had omega-3 deficiency and ADHD had similarities. Both had excess thirst, greater frequency of dry hair and skin, and an increased need to urinate. When they tested the blood levels of the ADHD subjects they found that 40 percent had low levels of omega-3s.
Dr. Stoll recommends 1 to 3 grams (1000-to 3000 milligrams) of fish oil daily for health, mood, or cognitive improvement.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
How to Eat Alkaline
The question I am most often asked is, "What can I eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner that is alkaline? First of all, always have snacks that include foods like cucumber, celery, jicima, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, avocado, grapefruit, raw greeb, yellow or red pepper slices, almonds, pumpkin seeds and pine nuts to snack on. There is no limit to the number of vegetables you can eat.
For Breakfast: Grapefruit, soy milk smoothies,celery with almond butter, scrambled tofu, green drinks, tofu burritos wrapped in Ezekiel Sprouted Tortillas,wraps filled with spreads such as hummus,tofu eggless salad, sundried tomatoes, pesto and greens, bean spreads, tofu cream cheese, almond cheese, and veggie burgers. Topping can include sprouts, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, olives, shredded vegan cheese, peppers, red or yellow onions,avocado slices, tomatoes, and shredded carrot.
For Breakfast: Grapefruit, soy milk smoothies,celery with almond butter, scrambled tofu, green drinks, tofu burritos wrapped in Ezekiel Sprouted Tortillas,wraps filled with spreads such as hummus,tofu eggless salad, sundried tomatoes, pesto and greens, bean spreads, tofu cream cheese, almond cheese, and veggie burgers. Topping can include sprouts, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, olives, shredded vegan cheese, peppers, red or yellow onions,avocado slices, tomatoes, and shredded carrot.
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