Friday, May 31, 2013

Ayurvedic Herbs Treat Brain and Lung Cancers: Some with 90% Success Rate

Ayurvedic Herbs Treat Brain and Lung Cancers: Some with 90% Success RateAyurvedic Herbs Treat Brain and Lung Cancers: Some with 90% Success Rate

May 27th, 2013 
Updated 05/27/2013 at 3:35 am
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With cancer cures seeping into mainstream media from natural health practitioners almost weekly now, it makes one wonder why anyone would subject themselves to chemotherapy and radiation, since there is growing evidence that it poisons the body and simply causes the cancer cells to become temporarily dormant only to return later in fuller force. While these treatments are often used unnecessarily to ‘treat’ cancer patients, there are other, less invasive cures being used by Ayurvedic clinics all over India and in other parts of the world – some solutions having as much as a 90% success rate.
In several clinics, lung and brain cancers have been treated with an over 90% success rate, and in almost every single case, the cancer was lessened. According to a clinical research test conducted in one Ayurvedic Clinic, lung cancers were minimized so effectively that only .09% of the participants in one 500-plus-person study still remained ‘uncured’.
Dr. Vikram Chauhaun, M.D. recommends a whole list of Ayurvedic treatments to effectively treat brain tumors caused by cancer, including herbs like Hirak Bhasma, Swarna Bhasma, Swarn Vasant Malti, and Abhrak Bhasma Sahasar Puti. Other Ayurvedic remedies work on immunity and attempt to reverse metastasizing cells. These include Divya Sila Sindura, which aids in treating lung cancers by supporting bronchial health – specifically by increasing red blood cell count, which is counterproductive for growing cancer cells. Much cancer research states that cancer cannot grow in a well oxygenated cellular system. The herb Heerak Bhasma has also been shown to support cancer prevention and reversal as well.

Dr. Garcia, M.D. states that chemotherapy only has an effectiveness rate around 3%. Many clinical studies are proving this is to be no exaggerated truth, though it is shocking. According to less slanted evidence that doesn’t exaggerate the improvement rate based on only a few cancers that have responded better to chemo than the rest, the most common cancers have much more disparaging recovery rates, like breast cancer 1.4%; prostate cancer 0.0%; lung cancer 2.0%; and colon cancer 1.0%.
A journal published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2004 even admitted that chemotherapy had a 98% failure rate. While this rate is arguable amongst medical practitioners and scientists, it is obvious that chemo is very hard on an individual and often causes them to feel sick for months at a time, lose their hair, have terrible headaches, and lose tons of weight. If there are more natural cures, such as those offered by a 5000-year old science, why not use them instead?



Large doses of fish oil don't prevent heart attack or stroke


May 31, 2013
Large doses of fish oil don't prevent
heart attack or stroke
I've been embroiled in a controversy about marine oil efficacy for several years. I've warned against pharmacological doses of fish oil. And I was the first in integrative medicine to do so. A new report in the New England Journal of Medicine has closed the case, in my favor, according to eminent Scripps Institute cardiologist Eric Topol.


Let me tell you first who he is, and then, his conclusions of the latest study. Dr. Topol was voted as the number one "Most Influential Physician Executive" in the United States in a 2012 national poll conducted by Modern Healthcare. He is editor-in-chief of Medscape and theheart.org. He won't make recommendations without significant consideration.
Now for the study and Dr. Topol's analysis. The study began in 2004 and included 12,000 people. Over 800 primary care doctors participated. The researchers followed the participants for over five years. These patients were at high risk for heart disease. About 60% had diabetes, 70% had hypertension, and 70% had high cholesterol - but none had suffered a heart attack. They gave them either fish oil or a placebo (olive oil).
At first, the end point was death, heart attack, or stroke. They later changed it to death or hospitalization from cardiovascular disease. Dr. Topol says that though the investigators changed their primary end point, that it "really didn't matter." Dr. Topol analyzed a graph study showing "primary events" in the two groups. Amazingly, the line looked single, but a closer look shows that it was double, to include both experimental and placebo groups. Topol comments, "There's no difference. There's no difference on any end point: death, stroke, heart attack, hospitalization, you name it." So, the lines looked single.

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Dr. Topol went on to stress that these were high-risk patients. The trial was therefore "loaded." That means if fish oil were to work, this trial should be biased toward success.
He closes his blog with "Fish oil is a "no-go.'" If it doesn't work in this group, "it's hard to imagine in lesser-risk groups that it's going to have any salutary impact."
You heard the story on fish oils in Second Opinion first, and years ago. I credit my fatty acid mentor Prof. Brian Peskin with showing me the huge holes in the flawed hypothesis and research on marine oils.
This study in the prestigious NEJM should close the controversy. If you are taking fish oil, I definitely suggest stopping it. Dr. Topol stated that he "implores" his patients to stop taking the stuff. "Fish oil does nothing, and we cannot continue to argue about either 'the right dose' or 'the right preparation.' It's a nada effect."
This NEJM report was so stunning that Prof. Peskin was contacted by and appeared on national radio Coast to Coast AM the evening of May 9, right after the story broke. Prof. Peskin and I are collaborating on a new book to address the fatty acid issue from two perspectives - his as a carnivore, and mine as a vegetarian. It's due out in several months, and I'll let you know when it's released.
This report doesn't specifically say that fish oils are harmful. However, I've addressed that in past issues showing how marine oils make rancid liver cell membranes in primates and exhausts all the vitamin E reserves in the organ. What this report does confirm is that marine oils are worthless in protecting you from vascular disease. So why use them at all?
There is one fault with the study as I see it. Olive oil was the control oil. Olive oil benefits heart disease with its polyphenols. It is loaded with omega 6, but no one credits that. So the fish oil pundits could claim that fish oil protects as well as olive oil. Well, why pay for fish oil and its rancidity and possible aging effects when you can enjoy the wonderful taste and economy of olive oil simply in your food?
Bottom line, your body needs parent oils. Parent oils will manufacture "fish-oil-like-fatty-acids" as needed. Don't overdose with marine oil supplements and risk premature aging (see my website). My choice of parent oils remains Advanced EFA Formula.
Yours for better health and medical freedom,

Robert J. Rowen, MD
REF: NEJM 5-09-13.

The Four Essential Vitamins for Radiant Skin

by CARLA HERNANDEZ, NUTRITIONAL THERAPY PRACTITIONER on MAY 31, 2013




The beauty business, a $43 billion industry, is filled with topical solutions to make skin healthier and clearer. Improvements in complexion and tone and even promises of miracle anti-aging effects lure consumers to buy, buy, buy.
As large as the beauty industry is, however, only a very small part is focused on the very important internal factor that contributes to skin health.
As a Nutritional Therapist, skin care is a subject near and dear to my heart. For years I suffered with skin issues, specifically acne and red, dry bumps, also known as keratosis pilaris, on the back of my arms and upper thighs. It has taken me years to understand the cause of my skin issues, even with a healthy diet in place.

It is my most passionate subject to address and work with in regards to health. The one thing I have learned from clients with skin issues is that there is no one way to address them, yet I have always seen improvement when targeting internal health rather than the pure focus being externally.
Addressing deficiencies of particular nutrients beneficial to skin health is a great starting point, but may not be the sole answer.  Any internal inflammation can also affect the appearance of the skin. This could include consuming inflammatory foods, food sensitivities, parasites or digestive distress that can lead to leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption, and make one more susceptible to infections.
Dr. Georgiana Donadio, founder of the National Institute of Whole Health states:
“Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are the manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional needs.”
The first step to start working on improving your skin is most definitely through diet. This will begin to address the root problem, as using special creams and soaps is only treating symptoms, and even then does a minimal job at best. Poor nutrition in many cases can be the answer for many people. Even if it may not be the only solution one may need, it is crucial for allowing the skin to heal and reduce inflammation.
Your skin needs many nutrients: vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and antioxidants to keep it looking it’s best.  Lets take a look at four specific vitamins to make sure you are getting in your diet as they are critical to skin health.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also known as retinol is frequently used in conventional skin treatments, both topically and internally, especially in regards to acne.  Deficiencies of vitamin A can exacerbate skin conditions and can cause symptoms such as dry, flaky, rough and scaly skin. A common sign of vitamin A deficiency is keratosis pilaris, which results in red bumps on the back of arms. I personally had this for years, and recently have been able to successfully address it by supplementing with vitamin A, but also by treating the deeper cause of why there was a vitamin A deficiency in the first place.
Beta carotene is commonly mistaken as true Vitamin A. The main difference is that true vitamin A is the active form that can be used by the body, where beta carotene needs to be converted into the active form.  The conversion of beta carotene to retinol in the body is inefficient at best and in those with gut problems, may not occur at all.
In marketing there is no distinction between these forms and therefore many people think they are getting vitamin A through plant foods, such as carrots, leafy greens and sweet potatoes, when they are really only receiving beta carotene.
Food Sources: True sources of vitamin A come form animal sources such as organ meats like liver and kidney, pastured cream, butter and egg yolks, as well as cod liver oil. It is also important to note that vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which means you need to consume fat with it to absorb it, especially with plant sources. It is much easier for the body to use the straight form of vitamin A, rather than relying on needed co-factors to make the conversion from plant sources. It is these nutrient dense sources of Vitamin A from animal foods that can really help to improve overall skin health with increased dietary intake.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has many benefits and truly is a super nutrient. Being an antioxidant, it helps to repair damage caused by overexposure to sun or toxins, especially when consumed with vitamin E. It also helps to support collagen and overall skin tone- a natural anti-ager and rejuvenator. You can safely take a whole food vitamin C as a supplement from 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Just be aware that high dosages of vitamin C can cause loose bowels, so adjust accordingly.
Food sources: Citrus, acerola cherries, camu camu berries, bell peppers, guava, leafy greens, broccoli, parsley, strawberries.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is another common nutrient and antioxidant in mainstream skin treatments. It is helpful in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and like whole food based vitamin C, helps to repair damage. Like vitamin A, it is a fat soluble vitamin, but the most abundant found in the skin. Be sure to eat whole food sources with healthy fats to absorb and utilize.
Food sources: Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, chard, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados and olive oil.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 is a lesser known vitamin in mainstream health, and therefore has been a missing link in the modern diet. It is known to help with calcium utilization and absorption, the key factor in maintaining both bone and cardiovascular health.
More recently research has shown Vitamin K2’s importance in activating proteins responsible for healthy tissues, making it imperative to prevent and reduce wrinkles. It is also critical for the proper absorption of Vitamins A and D. Vitamin A is recommended frequently by dermatologists, but when was the last time you were told to supplement with vitamin K2 in conjunction? Food sources are best as they will have a natural synergy with vitamin A and D.
Food sources: Fermented foods like sauerkraut and natto along with full fat pastured dairy products such as butter and cream, egg yolks, and liver. Note that conventional dairy products from grain fed animals will NOT contain vitamin K2 unless they are fermented which adds K2 via the fermentation process. Fermented cod liver oil mixed with butter oil is a great way to supplement.
Make sure that you take into consideration food sensitivities, as many people may not be able to tolerate some food sources of these vitamins, such as pastured dairy. Always listen to your body and watch for reactions, immediate and delayed.  Stay tune for more nutrients and underlying causes of skin conditions to come!
Additional Information

About the Author

Carla is a  Board Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) who uses nutrition, diet and lifestyle interventions to support physiological mechanisms within the body. She is the founder of Wise Roots Nutrition, which is an integrative approach that focuses on customized plans to support the root cause of a person’s health challenge.
Carla educates and empowers you to make responsible and healthful food choices that restore balance and proper function to your body, as well as offers lab testing to provide accurate recommendations and effective solutions. She believes in finding the root cause of a condition, rather than just treating the symptoms. Carla works with people locally in San Francisco, as well as long distance via phone and Skype. She specializes in Digestive Issues, Weight Loss and Skin Conditions.
Sign up to get Carla’s weekly nutrition tips, ideas, and the latest health information on her site, wiserootsnutrition.com or connect with her on Facebook.

An MD's Perspective On How To Avoid, Treat And Reverse Diabetes

An MD's Perspective On How To Avoid, Treat And Reverse Diabetes

Posted on: Friday, May 31st 2013 at 5:00 am

Diabetes matters. One in three children born today is projected to develop the condition, based on current trends.[i] This condition already afflicts over a quarter of a billion people worldwide, including 25 million Americans. Within the U.S., insulin resistance and prediabetes (also known as metabolic syndrome and syndrome X) affect another 79 million adults.[ii] Accelerated rates of heart, vascular, and brain diseases, cancer, vision loss, impotence, and amputations are among diabetes-induced complications. Of every three people with diabetes, two will die early of heart disease or a stroke. Today, diabetes   is the major cause of heart disease & stroke as well as being the seventh most common cause of death ii  and yet, diabetes is both preventable and treatable, as detailed in this article. 
Diabetes epidemiology confirms that millions of people are overfed yet undernourished, overstimulated and underactive, overstressed and underadapted. Ironically, diabetes is "famine in the midst of feast."
In essence, diabetes is a defect in converting blood sugar into energy. The defect in type 1 diabetes is due to a failure of insulin production by the pancreas, the endocrine gland that is also the source of digestive enzymes. In Type 2 diabetes, the defect is due to an abnormal response to insulin, in which the cells of the body are unable to take up the glucose they need for basic metabolic functions. This causes high levels of blood sugar that cannot be used effectively. In both types, impaired glucose uptake occurs, although the mechanisms are different.
In this article, we'll look at some less appreciated antecedent or causal factors in diabetes, including:
  • Acid-forming diets and other causes of cellular metabolic acidosis
  • Delayed allergies (hypersensitivities) that burden immune and repair systems
  • Glycemic load as an effective measure of how foods affect blood sugar
Acid-Alkaline Balance and Diabetes
Research at the Health Studies Collegium indicates that acid-forming diets have a key role in chronic and autoimmune illness, including diabetes. Over the past two decades, studies from our group have defined our approach to acid-alkaline balance and confirmed great promise through application of the Alkaline Way. 
The Alkaline Way is a comprehensive program that encompasses what people eat and drink, think and do. While the primary focus in this article is on dietary aspects of the program, this approach also includes stress management and restorative physical activity, meaningful work, healthy relationships, and engagement with the community and environment. We have found that the more stress an individual experiences, the greater the body's immune burden and metabolic acid production.
Diet is another major source of metabolic acidity. When the diet provides insufficient minerals to buffer metabolic acids, the alkaline reserves of the cells can be gradually depleted, often over decades.[iii][iv] Buffering-mineral deficits can result in chronic intracellular metabolic acidosis. Excess cell acid shuts down energy production and impairs the ability to safely remove toxins from the cell.
Acid-forming diets are those with more than 25 percent of calories from fat and more than 75 grams of total daily protein intake[v]. When fat and protein intake increases above the body's needs, there is a reduction in both dietary fiber and essential nutrients.[vi] This leads to a state of being overfed and undernourished.
The Alkaline Way approach to nutrition is designed to neutralize the extra metabolic acids produced in the body daily, by providing adequate levels of minerals and other biochemical buffers. A metabolically alkaline diet is composed of foods that have a buffering effect on cellular chemistry.[vii] This can be different from the food's ash residue chemistry.[viii] For example, citrus fruits are alkalinizing because the process of metabolizing them generates more than twice as much bicarbonate buffer as there is acid in the food.[ix]  This means that citrus fruit and similar foods are acidic before consumption, yet alkaline-forming in the body. 
Our approach includes a health-promoting, nutrient-dense, and fiber-rich diet along with targeted supplementation, based on the needs of the individual.[x]  Priority is given to locally vine-ripened, organic, or biodynamic sources of foods. Mineral-rich 'hard' water and herbal beverages made with this water complete the program.
Metabolic Acidosis Precedes Prediabetes
A recent Japanese study addressed the question of optimal diet. Researchers at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo traced the effects of metabolic acidosis on cardiovascular and metabolic risks.[xi]  The study assessed the health of more than 1,000 female Japanese dietetic students 18 to 22 years of age, and found that a high intake of protein and low levels of minerals resulted in metabolic acidosis. The research reported that acid-forming diets were associated with an increase in cardiometabolic risks due to:
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Elevated total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol
  • Increased body-mass index (BMI) and waist circumference
These markers are also among the top five risk factors for prediabetes. This implicates an acid-forming diet as a primary cause of prediabetes. Doctors now track prediabetic insulin resistance with five related criteria: high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), visceral obesity (based on height-to-waist ratio, with a BMI of 30 or above considered obese), elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Each of these criteria is also a risk factor for cancer.[xii]
Self-Testing for Alkaline Status
Metabolic acidosis indicates a lack of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and zinc, which are needed to buffer and safely remove excess acids from the body. As mineral stores are depleted, risk of damage to the kidneys and urinary tract increases.
At night, while we sleep, the body routinely concentrates excess acids for excretion.[xiii] This capacity varies based on toxin load and individual ability to produce energy and inactivate and excrete toxins.[xiv] You can track your own acid-alkaline status using special, color-reactive test strips. Using this test to assess the first urine of the morning provides a surprisingly good measure of metabolic acidosis, the body's mineral reserves, and its acid/alkaline state.[xv] Only the first urine after six or more hours of rest is useful in measuring metabolic acidosis risk. At all other times, there are numerous influences on urine pH—including the degree and intensity of mental or physical work, as well as dietary factors—that affect the relevance of the outcome.[xvi]
Use only high-sensitivity pH 5.5-8.5 test strips. A value of 7.0 indicates neutrality, neither acid nor alkaline.[xvii]  Healthy first morning urine pH should be in the range of 6.5 to 7.5.ix  Values below that range are considered acidic, and values above it are alkaline. A neutral or slightly acidic urine pH after rest indicates that the overall cellular pH is appropriately alkaline because the small amounts of metabolic acids have been concentrated for easy excretion.
Allergies, Sensitivities, and Diabetes
Allergies are potentially another underlying factor in diabetes. Both acute allergies and delayed allergies (hypersensitivities) describe possible immune responses to specific foods, chemicals, or contaminants. For decades, the conventional approach to allergy has focused on immediate allergic reactions, which are triggered by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies (think E for emergency). These antibodies are a form of "ammunition" that our bodies use when needed to protect us against microbes and allergens.
IgE antibody reactions can trigger a harmless case of hives or life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Eight types of food account for over 90 percent of these immediate, intense IgE-mediated allergic reactions—milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.[xviii] A recent study in the U.S. showed an 18 percent rise in the prevalence of food allergies in children in the decade from 1990 to 2000.[xix] These immune reactions increase the metabolic acids produced in the body.
Within integrative medicine, doctors have also focused on the role that delayed hypersensitivities can play in chronic health issues. Typically, these sensitivities are caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactions. Plasma cells are the antibody factories that produce short-term (IgM), long-term (IgG), and mucosal (IgA) antibodies. Long-term antibody memory may be protective and helpful, or reactive and harmful, depending on the individual's state. When we are healthy, our homeostatic, self-rebalancing mechanisms induce beneficial, neutralizing antibodies. When we are distressed, harmful, symptom-provoking antibodies can form. 
Delayed sensitivities tend to increase the level of repair deficit within the body, resulting in higher levels of inflammation. This contributes to such diverse conditions as joint diseases, eczema, and digestive disorders. Since these reactions are delayed, the symptoms only become apparent hours to weeks after exposure. Consequently, it is difficult (and nearly impossible at times) to identify reactive substances based on history alone.
Testing for allergies varies with the type of antibody and the specific allergens that are being targeted. IgE antibodies relate to acute histaminic reactions, while IgG antibodies carry long-term memory of delayed immune reactions. IgG antibody tests measure the presence or absence of antibodies. However, these tests do not distinguish helpful from harmful antibodies.  Newer, more predictive tests, such as lymphocyte response assays (LRAs), are recommended because they detect only reactive antibodies, which indicate a true burden on the immune system. The LRAs by ELISA/ACT are a breakthrough in functional testing for delayed allergic reactions because they target several different types of immune reactions that cannot be distinguished by standard antibody detection systems—antibodies, immune complexes, and direct T-lymphocyte responses.
Delayed Allergies and Diabetes
A study by the Health Studies Collegium evaluated the association between diabetes and sensitivities to foods and environmental allergens. When both insulin resistance and hypersensitivity develop, there is a major increase in the burden on the immune defense systems, as well as excess metabolic acid production. To evaluate stress on the immune system, participants were given an LRA by ELISA/ACT[xx] to identify reactivity to more than 400 substances. This testing has a greater than 97 percent reliability and reproducibility in blind split-sample tests.[xxi]
The study involved 27 participants with type 1 diabetes and 26 with type 2. In each group, half the patients were randomly selected to receive testing for delayed sensitivities. The controls for each group received no testing, but were provided with conventional diabetes nutritional counseling and asked to avoid a certain number of foods (without any specific knowledge of foods to which they might be reactive).
Once participants in the test group received the results of their evaluations for food and chemical causes of sensitivity, they were coached on how to develop a hypoallergenic, repair-stimulating, nutrient-rich diet. The diet was individualized to the needs of each participant. This meant eating a wide variety of whole foods, according to their preference, selected from foods shown to be non-reactive in their test. About 80 percent of the volume of food consumed consisted of alkaline-forming fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Food and chemical effects on acid/alkaline body chemical balance [about here]
Intervention. For the group receiving antigen testing, support group meetings were held biweekly with qualified nutritionists who provided ongoing guidance to help participants implement their individualized nutrition plans. Supplements included antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential cofactors.[xxii] Participants were also counseled on avoiding exposure to unusual or hidden sources of antigens from foods or environmental chemicals to which they were found reactive.
Control subjects attended separate support groups in which the nutritionists provided guidance consistent with American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for controlling sugar consumption. Long-term glycemic control was assessed over the six-month study period in both groups, using a blood test for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, a primary marker of diabetes.
Reactions. In most cases, antigen testing showed more reactivity in type 1 than in type 2 diabetics (see Figure 2). The single most common type of immune reactant was pasteurized cow's milk dairy products, which induced hypersensitivity in 69 percent of type 2 and 28 percent of type 1 diabetics. Food additives and environmental chemicals were other major causes of immune burden.

Figure 2. Delayed allergies in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
(Evaluation by LRA from ELISA/ACT Laboratories at www.BetterLabTestsNow.com)
Improvement
Type 1 Diabetics
  • 11 of 14 type 1 diabetes test subjects reduced their HbA1c levels, thus achieving a level acceptable to the American Diabetes Association.
  • Importantly, 6 of 14 type 1 test subjects had a reduction in HbA1c levels that was greater than 1 mg/dl, while only 3 of 11 control subjects had this degree of reduction.
Type 2 Diabetics
  • The fall in average HbA1c levels was significant among type 2 diabetics—a more than 13 percent decrease vs. a less than 3 percent decrease in control subjects.
  • Average insulin levels were reduced by 18 percent in test subjects compared with 12 percent in controls.
Food for Thought
Reactive foods and chemicals play a role in sustaining diabetes by triggering a chronically distressed immune state.[xxiii] Our finding of much higher immune reactivity to pasteurized cow's milk products among type 2 diabetics than among controls is of interest. A number of studies have reported an association between pasteurized milk consumption and insulin resistance.[xxiv],[xxv] Synthetic bovine hormones, commonly found in commercial milk, are an additional, separate risk factor.[xxvi]
In this study, we found that immune control was improved by reducing the immune load for the individual, providing sufficient nutrients, and reducing neurohormonal distress (by eliminating allergens such as cow's milk).
Rationale for a Non-Reactive Diet
Given the addictive properties of allergenic foods, testing for sensitivities becomes doubly important. With allergic reactions and sensitivities, an almost immediate sense of relief is experienced when an allergenic food is consumed, because the symptom-provoking antibodies are neutralized temporarily by the uptake of digestive antigens. Without specific awareness of delayed sensitivities, the individual may continue to regularly consume reactive foods. When people react to gluten or any fraction in wheat flour, the immune and metabolic consequences often cause spikes and dips in blood sugar.[xxvii],[xxviii] Diabetes and celiac disease are found in the same person more often than would be suggested by chance occurrence. Both often include autoimmune responses to gluten-containing grains, including wheat, barley, oats, kamut, teff, spelt, and rye, although the glutens in each grain are immunologically distinct.
One of the variables in these sensitivities is intestinal permeability (also known as leaky gut syndrome). Hyperpermeability is often due to maldigestion and repair deficits, and is now frequently linked to diabetes. Minimizing dietary allergens is an important step in reducing intestinal hyperpermeability through enhanced immune defenses and repair mechanisms.
Glycemic Load rather than Glycemic Index
A third important factor in diabetes is the level of carbohydrates in the diet. High-carb diets have been linked to diabetes in numerous studies, including research from the Harvard School of Public Health. Walter Willett and his team reviewed data from three major studies that lasted over five years and involved more than 150,000 health professionals.[xxix] The foods most predictive of diabetes in all the studies were refined carbohydrates—white bread, white rice, French fried potatoes, and sweetened carbonated beverages.  These simple carbohydrates break down quickly and release glucose rapidly into the bloodstream without the nutrients needed to metabolize them, causing large fluctuations in blood sugar. Complex carbohydrates are broken down slowly during metabolism, providing the steady release of glucose without a rapid change in blood sugar levels.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. All foods that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels have a high glycemic rating. In addition, the GI often reflects the nutritional value of food. Refined foods typically have a higher rating on the GI, and tend to be less nutrient dense, since the nutrients have been stripped away in the process of refining.
A GI rating of 70 or more is considered high, 56 to 69 is medium, and 55 or less is low. Comparing the glycemic ratings of foods in their natural state with those of the same foods after processing offers a series of nutrition snapshots. For example, corn flakes have an average glycemic rating of 81, while cooked sweet corn has an average rating of 52.  Likewise, the rating for instant mashed potatoes is 87, while the rating for new potatoes is 54.[xxx] A healthier diet includes foods that have GI ratings of 55 or less. Foods that have lower GI ratings are described as "insulin sparing," because they raise blood sugar gradually and therefore require less insulin to process.
A major limitation of the index is the wide variability in reported food values across cultures and from one research team to the next. In addition, the degree to which a specific food raises blood sugar may vary from person to person, depending on the degree and type of immune reactivity. An example of this confusion is reflected in a series of articles on the glycemic index published by an Australian research team.[xxxi] In 2008, they took on the daunting task of correlating all the data on the index into a single set of guidelines.xxix Although the glycemic index they compiled was theoretically helpful, some of their findings were diametrically opposed to other research findings over the past several decades. For example, the tables developed by these researchers gave high ratings for whole grain wheat products and low ratings for refined pasta, the opposite of earlier versions of the index. The authors offered no explanation for this change. Their finding was in contrast to a large study from the Harvard School of Public Health, which reported that people who ate whole grains were 25 percent less likely to develop diabetes.[xxxii]
Another limitation is that the GI is most applicable to whole foods.  It becomes less useful and even confusing when applied to processed foods and beverages. In addition, the index does not take into account portion size. Large servings of a food low on the index can represent a large glycemic load, indicating demand for insulin. 
Glycemic Load
The glycemic load (GL) is a more advanced method of assessing the impact of carbohydrate consumption. GL takes the glycemic index into account but provides a fuller picture of what goes on in the body.[xxxiii] A GI value indicates how rapidly a particular food turns into sugar. In contrast, the GL includes how much of that food is being consumed, as well as what proportion is complex carbohydrates and how much is simple sugars. This provides a better prediction of blood sugar levels and metabolic stress from the food.[xxxiv] A GL of 20 or more is considered high, 11 to 19 medium, and 10 or less low. Foods with a GL of less than 10 are recommended. Foods with a GL above 20 should be avoided.
The Role of Fiber
Important and frequently overlooked, dietary fiber is also key to blood sugar management. Preferred fibers are unprocessed and comprised of 80 percent soluble or fermentable fiber and 20 percent insoluble or viscous fiber. The density of fiber-rich foods slows sugar release into the bloodstream. Thus, dietary fiber helps keep blood sugar levels constant. Good sources of carbohydrate with low GL ratings and high soluble and insoluble fiber content include dried peas, beans, and lentils. Fresh, low-starch vegetables that are ample sources of fiber include green beans, asparagus, most leafy greens, and cruciferous plants such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. These foods lower blood sugar levels, improve insulin response, promote weight loss, and improve blood lipid levels. A low glycemic diet can also support measurable improvement in markers of inflammation such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). These factors are all associated with lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.[xxxv]
Foods high in fiber also tend to provide more magnesium and antioxidants. Oat bran flour and barley are good examples of foods high in beta-glucan fibers. Beta-glucans are specialized complex carbohydrates that improve sugar and insulin responses in diabetics.
Most people can benefit from increased dietary fiber to improve digestive transit and to reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks through improved glycemic response. Elevated blood sugar decreases available repair factors. This leads to what is known as systemic inflammation, which can gradually damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. A high-GL diet also promotes weight gain, typically increasing fat tissue around the midsection (belly fat). Belly fat can produce harmful estrogens that are associated with higher cancer risk.
Conclusion
The standard American diet tends to promote metabolic acidosis. This increases the level of acidity in our cells due to a corresponding insufficiency of minerals.  The evidence is increasingly clear that acid-forming lifestyles induce degenerative, autoimmune, and chronic conditions. It is equally clear that a nutrient-rich Alkaline Way program is associated with increased resilience, health, and vitality.
Of all the illnesses in industrial society, diabetes takes the greatest toll. Over 100,000 people die from complications of diabetes each year. Another million lose quality of life due to metabolic syndrome. Diabetes adds $135 billion to the annual cost of healthcare in the U.S.1 Yet diabetes remains avoidable, treatable, and reversible. In an era with greater availability of nutrient-rich, organic, and biodynamically grown foods, it has become easier to choose "healthy" low-GL foods. The approach discussed here can effectively address both causes and effects of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

About the Author
Russell Jaffe, MD, PhD, received his MD (with Senior Thesis Honors), and PhD in biochemistry and physiology from Boston University. He has held a United States Public Health Service Officer Commission and has served on the permanent senior staff of the NIH Clinical Pathology Department. He is board certified in both clinical pathology and chemical pathology. Dr. Jaffe is a Fellow of the Health Studies Collegium and Director of ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies, LLC, and PERQUE, LLC, in Ashburn, Virginia.  He may be reached at 800-525-7372 x 5101 and by email at clientservices@ELISAACT.com or rjaffe@PERQUE.com.


References
  • [i] American Diabetes Association. Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007: ADA Statement. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:1–20.
  • [ii] CDC. National Diabetes Fact Sheet 2011. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf. Accessed 03-21-11.
  • [iii] Jaffe R. Brown S. Acid-alkaline balance and its effect on bone health. Intl J Integrative Med. 2000; 2(6): 7-18.
  • [iv] Lim S. Metabolic Acidosis. Acta Med Indones. 2007; 39(3):145-50.
  • [v] Jaffe R, Food and chemical effects on acid/alkaline body chemical balance in The Joy of Food: The Alkaline Way Guide, HSC, 18th ed. 2010.
  • [vi] Abramowitz MK, Hostetter TH, Melamed ML. Association of serum bicarbonate levels with gait speed and quadriceps strength in older adults. Am J Kidney Dis. 2011 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print.]
  • [vii] Budde RA, Crenshaw TD. Chronic metabolic acid load induced by changes in dietary electrolyte balance increased chloride retention but did not compromise bone in growing swine. J. Anim. Sci. 2003;  81:197-208.
  • [viii] Gonick HC, Goldberg G, Mulcare D. Reexamination of the acid-ash content of several diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1968; 21:898-903.
  • [ix] Brown SE, Trivieri L Jr., The Acid Alkaline Food Guide: A Quick Reference to Foods and Their Effect on pH Levels. Garden City Park, New York. Square One Publishers, 2006.
  • [x] Health Studies Collegium, The Joy of Food: The Alkaline Way Guide, 18th ed. 2010.
  • [xi] Murakami K, Sasaki S, Takahashi Y, et al. Japan Dietetic Students' Study for Nutrition and Biomarkers Group. Association between dietary acid-base load and cardiometabolic risk factors in young Japanese women. Br J Nutr. 2008 Sep;100(3):642-51. Epub 2008 Feb 18.
  • [xii] Erol A. Systemic DNA damage response and metabolic syndrome as a premalignant state. Curr Mol Med. 2010;10(3):321-34.
  • [xiii] Shafiee MA, Kamel KS, Halperin ML. A Conceptual approach to the patient with metabolic acidosis: application to a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. Nephron. 2002;92 (Suppl.1):46-55.
  • [xiv] Bazhin N. Proton gradient energy in the catalytic ATP synthesis. Reaction Kinetics and Catalysis Letters. 2007;90(2):401-404.
  • [xv]  Whiting SJ, Bell J. First morning urine measured with pH paper strips reflects acid excretion. Presentation, 2002 Conference. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
  • [xvi] Jaffe R. Understanding metabolic acidosis in practice. Health Studies Collegium CME, 1990-2011.
  • [xvii] Lehninger AL, Nelson DL, Cox MM (eds.) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 4th ed. 2005. New York: WH Freeman & Co.
  • [xviii] Centers for Disease Control. Health Topics: Food Allergies.  Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/foodallergies/. Accessed 03/02/11.
  • [xix] Branum AM, Lukacs SL. Food allergy among US children: Trends in prevalence and hospitalizations. NCHS Data Brief, no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2008. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db10.pdf.
  • [xx] Jaffe R. Improved immune function using specific nutrient supplements and ELISA/ACT "immunologic fingerprint" to detect late phase responses ex-vivo. J Am Coll Nutr. 1989;8:424.
  • [xxi] Jaffe R. LRA by ELISA/ACT Tests: Lymphocyte Response Assays ( LRA) are more sensitive, specific, predictive, and accurate for determining delayed allergy to foods and chemicals. Townsend Letter. 2010; Aug/Sep:91-92.
  • [xxii] Deuster PA, Jaffe RM. A novel treatment for fibromyalgia improves clinical outcomes in a community-based study. J Musculoskel Pain. 1998;6:133–49.
  • [xxiii] Solly NR, Honeyman MC, Harrison LC. The mucosal interface between "self" and "non-self" determines the impact of environment on autoimmune diabetes. Curr Dir Autoimmun. 2001;4:68–90.
  • [xxiv] Adler K, Mueller DB, Achenbach P, et al. Insulin autoantibodies with high affinity to the bovine milk protein alpha casein. Clin Exp Immunol. 2011 Mar 1.
  • [xxv] Leung AK, Sauve RS. Whole cow's milk in infancy. Paediatr Child Health. 2003 Sep;8(7):419-21.
  • [xxvi] Vaarala O. Is it dietary insulin? Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Oct;1079:350-59.
  • [xxvii] Simell S, et al. Fate of five celiac disease-associated antibodies during normal diet in genetically at-risk children observed from birth in a natural history study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007 Sep;102(9):2026-35.
  • [xxviii] Fröhlich-Reiterer EE, et al. Screening frequency for celiac disease and autoimmune thyroiditis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Data from a German/Austrian multicentre survey. Pediatr Diabetes. 2008 Dec;9(6):546-53. Epub 2008 Aug 18.
  • [xxix] Willett W, Manson J, Liu S. Glycemic index, glycemic load, and risk of type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(suppl):274S–280S.
  • [xxx] Atkinson FS,  Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values. Diabetes Care. 2008.
  • [xxxi] Foster-Powell K, Holt SHA, Brand-Miller JC. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(1):5-56.
  • [xxxii] Liu S, Willett WC, Stamfer MJ, et al. A prospective study of dietary glycemic load, carbohydrate intake, and risk of coronary heart disease in women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(6):1455-61.
  • [xxxiii] Riccardi G, Rivellese AA, Giacco R. Role of glycemic index and glycemic load in the healthy state, in prediabetes, and in diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jan;87(1):269S-74S.
  • [xxxiv] Jenkins DJ, Kendall C, Marchie A, et al. Too much sugar, too much carbohydrate, or just too much? Am J Clin Nutr. May 2004;79(5):711-12.
  • [xxxv] Meyer KA, Kushi LH, Jacobs DR Jr, et al. Carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and incident type 2 diabetes in older women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Apr;71(4):921-30.




Russell Jaffe, MD, PhD, received his MD (with Senior Thesis Honors), and PhD in biochemistry and physiology from Boston University. He has held a United States Public Health Service Officer Commission and has served on the permanent senior staff of the NIH Clinical Pathology Department. He is board certified in both clinical pathology and chemical pathology. Dr. Jaffe is a Fellow of the Health Studies Collegium and Director of ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies, LLC, and PERQUE, LLC, in Ashburn, Virginia.  He may be reached at 800-525-7372 x 5101 and by email at rjaffe@ELISAACT.com or rjaffe@PERQUE.com.

Natural Allopathic Sleeping Protocol


Natural Allopathic Sleeping Protocol

About 42 million sleeping pill prescriptions were filled in 2005, according to the research company IMS Health, up nearly 60 percent since 2000. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia at least a few nights weekly. Insomnia is defined as an “inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time.”[1]
In September of 2010 the New York Times reported that, “People with chronic pain who took just a puff of marijuana three times a day got some mild pain relief and, with rare exceptions, did so without getting high, a Canadian study reports. (Yes, they inhaled.) The patients, who suffered from persistent nerve damage that did not respond to other pain drugs, also reported better sleep and less anxiety, the researchers said.” One can now get CBD, which is medical marijuana without the THC, meaning even if you take a lot of it you will not get high.
According to the National Sleep Foundation approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected with sleeping disorders. Approximately 12 million Americans have restless legs syndrome, (a sleep and movement disorder characterized by unpleasant tingling, crawling, creeping and/or pulling) feelings in the legs, which cause an urge to move in order to relieve the symptoms.
Magnesium supplementation is usually helpful for relieving
restless leg syndrome (RLS) and for treating insomnia.
In another chapter we quoted a patient with PTSD who takes marijuana and she now shuns the array of medicines and sleeping pills she took because of the side effects. “If you take sleeping pills, you will bring yourself into sleep mode, you will succeed in getting yourself into bed and shutting off the light, but in the morning you are not the same person. You don’t function. The quantity of pills I need in order to fall asleep will turn me into a zombie the next day. My brain is erased; people speak to me but I don’t function. How can you live like that? How can you work like that, study, go out of the house, communicate with people?”

Lack of sleep is a health concern because it can cause attention and memory problems, depressed mood and body chemistry changes that foster heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. As many as 47 million adults may be putting themselves at risk for injury, health and behavior problems because they aren’t meeting their minimum sleep need in order to be fully alert the next day. Sleep deprivation and sleep disorders are estimated to cost Americans over $100 billion annually.
In an effort to combat this, as many as 25% of the people in the United States use medications to help them sleep. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems. Yet, scientists have proven that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging.
The newest generation of sleep aids causes strange side effects including sleepwalking and short-term amnesia. Ambien, the nation’s best-selling prescription sleeping pill, shows up with regularity as a factor in traffic arrests, sometimes involving drivers who later say they were sleep-driving and have no memory of taking the wheel after taking the drug. Steven Wells quit using the drug Ambien after becoming concerned about several episodes in which he woke up to find he had messily raided the refrigerator and after an incident in which he tore a towel rack out of a wall.
The problem is that pharmaceutical sleep aids do not resolve the underlying cause of the problem, plus they stay in the bloodstream, resulting in a hangover the next day along with impaired memory and performance on the job or at home. More than half of all people aged 65 years and older have sleep problems.[2]  Yet, scientists have proven that poor sleep is not a natural part of aging. A risk factor for low magnesium status in older women is the use of calcium supplements without sufficient magnesium for bone health. High calcium intakes can make magnesium deficiency worse.
We find none of these side effects when taking magnesium to help one relax and sleep. Animals placed on magnesium-deficient diets will commonly develop disorganized sleep and periods of wakefulness.[3] Sleep problems occur more frequently in adults as they age, making it increasingly difficult to deal with stress. Magnesium supplementation partially reverses age-related sleep abnormalities.[4] Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a major role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Magnesium allows the muscles to relax, providing a calming effect that allows for deeper relaxation and better sleep.
Magnesium Deficiency and Sleep Disturbance.
Animals placed on magnesium deficient diets will commonly develop disorganized sleep and periods of wakefulness and so will humans. Magnesium is one of the root causes of sleep disturbances. Magnesium supplementation partially reverses age-related sleep abnormalities. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a major role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Magnesium allows the muscles to relax providing a calming effect that allows for deeper relaxation and better sleep.
Insomnia is one of the central, or neurotic, symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency. A number of parasomnias (night terrors, nocturnal verbal and motor automatisms, restless leg syndrome) are highly correlated to magnesium deficiency. When we lose magnesium we lose sleep and then we lose our balance emotionally and then depression or even hyperactivity can set in.
According to a 2008 survey[5] of 1137 employed U.S. adults, most Americans are losing sleep over news of a declining economy, increased cost of food and energy, rising unemployment, mortgage foreclosures and plunging home values. The study said 9 of 10 respondents were losing sleep over economic turmoil. The vicious cycle of economic stress, lack of sleep, diminished immunity and magnesium depletion is fully evident in the medical literature and the problem is getting worse as the stress mounts and magnesium deficiencies continue to deepen.
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and is considered the “anti-stress” mineral and a natural tranquilizer. In the elderly, magnesium supplements were found to improve sleep by decreasing the release of cortisol, a known cause of sleep disruption. Stress depletes magnesium and magnesium relieves stress.
When we are under stress our
need for magnesium skyrockets.
Chronic mental or physical stress serves as a trigger for heart attack or stroke. A study of college students, sleep deprived while studying for final exams, found that stress cut the concentration of magnesium in red blood cells in half and impaired the ability of blood vessels to widen (dilate) to control blood pressure.[6] Lack of sleep can lead to chronic fatigue, which is associated with sudden-death heart attack. Chronically sleep-deprived adults commonly develop magnesium shortages, which are also associated with a tendency for blood cells to clot, which is what causes strokes and heart attacks.[7] Several studies show a lack of magnesium can alter electrical activity in the brain, causing agitated sleep and frequent awakenings.
Sleep disorders caused by magnesium deficiency are
usually agitated with frequent nocturnal awakenings.
Magnesium helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
Insomnia is one of the central, or neurotic, symptoms of chronic magnesium deficiency. A number of parasomnias (night terrors; nocturnal verbal and motor automatisms; restless leg syndrome) are highly correlated to magnesium deficiency. When we lose magnesium we lose sleep and then we lose our balance emotionally and then even depression or even hyperactivity can set in.
Magnesium deficiency in children is characterized by excessive
fidgeting, anxious restlessness, psychomotor instability
and learning difficulties in the presence of normal IQ.
Dr. Mildred Seelig
People with poor quality sleep or sleep deprivation exhibit increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL6), the chemical that causes inflammation throughout the body. According to Dr. J. Durlach, the biological clock and magnesium status are linked, and a balanced magnesium status is important for the function of the mysterious pineal gland. Dr. Durlach[8] sees the psycholeptic sedative effects of darkness amplified by magnesium.
Take a Magnesium Bath Before Bed
Simply put, there is nothing like a hot soak in a magnesium chloride bath before bed. The only thing better is when you add sodium bicarbonate to the magnesium. Such soaks are heaven on earth for people who suffer from insomnia and the feelings of restlessness in the limbs. Instead of ingesting further chemical toxins in the form of pharmaceutical sleeping pills, which further deteriorate health, one bathes in a deep relaxing hot magnesium bath similar to what is available at some of the most famous spas around the world. Not only will you sleep better but your entire health will be elevated. All you have to do is pour in some magnesium chloride. Nothing could be simpler except that you should also put in a pound of sodium bicarbonate and some sodium thiosulfate (a few tablespoons), if there is any chlorine in your bath water.
For decades, statisticians have demonstrated that the majority of Americans do not get the government’s minimum daily requirement for magnesium and unfortunately we pay for it when it’s time to go to sleep.
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and is considered the “anti-stress” mineral and a natural tranquilizer. In the elderly, magnesium supplements were found to improve sleep by decreasing the release of cortisol, a known cause of sleep disruption. Stress depletes magnesium and magnesium relieves stress. When your magnesium levels are low, your nervous system gets out of balance and you feel on edge, naturally resulting in tightening muscles.
When we are under stress,
our need for magnesium skyrockets.
Chronic mental or physical stress serves as a trigger for heart attack or stroke. A study of college students who were sleep deprived while studying for final exams found that stress cut the concentration of magnesium in red blood cells in half and impaired the ability of blood vessels to widen (dilate) to control blood pressure.[9]Lack of sleep can lead to chronic fatigue, which is associated with sudden-death heart attack. Chronically sleep-deprived adults commonly develop magnesium shortages that are also associated with a tendency for blood cells to clot, which is what causes strokes and heart attacks.[10]Several studies show a lack of magnesium can alter electrical activity in the brain, causing agitated sleep and frequent awakenings.
Sleep disorders caused by magnesium deficiency are
usually agitated with frequent nocturnal awakenings.
Magnesium helps people fall asleep faster and stay asleep.
In a study by Dr. W. Davis, MD, 99% of his patients who used magnesium chloride had rapidly induced sleep that was uninterrupted. Dr. W. Davis used magnesium chloride as a means of combating insomnia. The researcher reported that sleep was induced rapidly, was uninterrupted, and that waking tiredness disappeared in 99% of the patients. In addition, anxiety and tension diminished during the day.[11]
Magnesium oil (chloride), when applied transdermally to the legs, is effective in relieving restless leg syndrome (RLS). Approximately 12 million Americans have restless leg syndrome, a sleep and movement disorder characterized by unpleasant (tingling, crawling, creeping and/or pulling) feelings in the legs, which cause an urge to move in order to relieve the symptoms, disrupting sleep.
Breathing Retraining Will Help You Sleep
Most do not know it but in reality we can use our breath as an ally in good health and sleep. Soviet and Russian MDs found the following relationship between automatic (or unconscious) breathing patterns (how you breathe during sleep), the morning results for the body-oxygen test and the quality and natural duration of sleep.

Respiratory 
Frequency
Body oxygen
test result
Duration
of sleep
Quality
of sleep
>26 breaths/min
<10 p="" s="">
Often >10 hours
Often very poor
15-26 breaths/min
10-20 s
Often >9 hours
Often poor
12-20 breaths/min
20-40 s
6-8 hours
Insomnia possible
7-12 breaths/min
40-80 s
4 hours
Excellent
5 breaths/min
2 min
3 hours
Excellent
3 breaths/min
3 min
2 hours
Excellent
How we breathe is serious business especially if one has cancer. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published a study on "Sleep-disordered Breathing and Cancer Mortality." Medical scientists already know that Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been associated with total and cardiovascular mortality, but an association with cancer mortality had not been studied until now. Results from in vitro and animal studies suggest that intermittent hypoxia promotes cancer tumor growth. The new study suggests that baseline SDB is associated with increased cancer mortality.
If you're struggling with sleep, waning vitality and health and for sure if you have cancer you will want to have a direct way to combat the downward spiral of faster and faster breathing.  Expect to get fairly quick results if you train with the Breathslim breathing device, which was originally released in Russia for asthmatics. This simple device takes the place of your own personally yoga breathing teacher. With it you just cannot do it wrong and that makes all the difference in the world.
Breathslim users experience better sleep, improved energy throughout the day, and reduced food cravings. When used on a daily basis breathing retraining reduces chronic levels of stress, reduce the anxiety that accompanies that stress, and makes both going to sleep and staying asleep more likely.
Take a good look at the chart above. What this simple breathing device does is slow down your breath and when you take charge of breathing you are taking charge of your life. It really is impossible to not fall asleep if your breathing is slow. When used in the context of the rest of the Natural Allopathic Sleep Protocol you will experience dramatic results quickly. If however you use breathing retraining as your sole source of relief (and it goes without saying – you've got to use the device if you want results) allow 2-3 weeks of regular use for a fair test.
I recommend using Breathslim for anyone who is dealing with major stress or a disease such as cancer or diabetes and many others. (When you order a Breathslim use the code IMVA-0210 for a 10% discount.)
BioMats for Better Sleeping
Far infrared bedding is comfortable, warm and bathes your body in far infrared rays. Far infrared has been shown to improve circulation, enhance the immune system, improves the skin and will put you to sleep like nothing else will.

Everyone I know who has one loves BioMats and many people sleep on them every night. Most people can’t imagine life without them after they have one. Ninety-five percent of people experience pain reduction, relaxation, rejuvenation, and mental and emotional ease in just 15 minutes.
“I’ve been suffering from numerous ailments for many years. Some of my problems were sleeping and insomnia, sinus, tonsillitis, leg cramps, arthritis (especially a swollen right knee), and hair thinning. I was worried of going bald! Sometimes daily, I would suffer with severe headaches, coughing and right shoulder pain. Numerous times I visited specialty doctors and massage therapists. I ended up spending a lot of time and money, and I never got better.”
“One day a friend introduced me to the BioMat. After I lay down for about 30 minutes, my back pain was relieved. I have been using the BioMat for one good month now and all of my symptoms are alleviated. I have good sleep and my sinus problems are gone. My blood pressure is normal and my hair has stopped falling out also.”
Mila J.
Chicago, IL
A BioMat will put you to sleep faster than just about anything else. You can you sleep on them all night at low settings for deep relaxation, warmth and comfort, as you regenerate cellular energies all night. Instead of taking valuable time out of your day to do far infrared therapy you can make good use of sleep while promoting healthy relaxed sleeping patterns.
The Amethyst Bio Mat uses the healing and soothing abilities of Amethyst Crystals to help you get a deep night's sleep. Even if you only get a few hours of sleep, you will feel rested, and ready for the day. Regular use of the Amethyst Bio-Mat can provide long-lasting benefits.
The Amethyst Bio-Mat is the only mat of its kind to combine Far Infrared Rays, Negative Ions, and Amethyst for a true mind, body, and spirit healing experience. The Amethyst Bio-Mat is a unique innovation in bio technology containing 17 different layers and more than 28 lbs. of amethyst crystals, which naturally produce and are superconductors of Far Infrared Rays.The gentle warmth of the Amethyst Far Infrared BioMat gives an overall massaging effect, soothing jangled nerves and knotted muscles with natural healing, and cleansing of the body. You'll feel rejuvenated and renewed, restored in body and mind after sleeping on one.
Dr. Nobuhiro Yoshimizu, who features utilizes the BioMat for cancer treatment says, “When cancer patients utilize these treatment options, they experience good quality sleep during the night. That is when natural immunity is most strengthened.” In Japan doctors know that one can cook cancer right out of a person’s body and this one can do with a BioMat.
A special application for sleeping on BioMats is for safe and effective pediatric medicine. Not only can adults take advantage of the BioMats healing and restive powers, children also, when they are asleep, can be put on the BioMat when they are sick. Last night my 9 year old daughter had a fever for a fourth day having relapsed after she seemed to be almost better. All four of my children came down with a fever and we were getting worried that for Julia we would have to give some antibiotics.
Julia was sleeping next to us tossing and turning and moaning last night. So we slid the BioMat under her and my wife gave her some Reiki and this morning the fever was broken. When one realizes how the BioMat works—healing and nurturing with light, ions and electrons—then you understand how useful this is for our children. It strengthens their immune systems enabling them to fight off the hordes of viruses that are becoming a plague if you believe the World Health Organization. Far infrared yields coherence to the water in every cell while directly adding energy and strength. Sounds perfect because it is!
The Wrong Way to Treat Insomnia
Merck & Co's experimental insomnia drug suvorexant, which would be the first in a new class of sedatives that block chemicals in the brain called orexins that help keep people awake, moved close to FDA approval. The drug is designed to help people fall asleep and stay asleep. The FDA's internal reviewers published a report expressing concern about suvorexant's potential to cause next-day sleepiness and impaired driving. FDA staffers also pointed to an increase in the risk - especially at the higher doses - of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, impaired driving, and severe sleep disturbances.
Speaking for the FDA, Dr. Ronald Farkas noted cases in which patients had reported sleep paralysis and terrifying hallucinations. “Suvorexant's marginal benefit in extending overnight sleep time by a few minutes is achieved at the expense of prolonged, next-day drowsiness, with potentially fatal consequences," said Dr. Sammy Almashat, a researcher with Public Citizen's Health Research Group who noted that suvorexant stays in the body longer than all but one other sleep drug.
The FDA panel voted 13 to 3, with one abstention, that the drug could be used safely at the 15 and 20 milligram doses. It voted 8-7, with two abstentions, that the drug is not safe at 30 and 40 milligrams.
Merck can celebrate all it wants but the FDA is already concerned amid a broader review of the safety of sleeping pills following hundreds of reports of driving accidents involving people taking zolpidem, the active ingredient in Sanofi SA's Ambien. About 60 million prescriptions for these drugs were written in the United States in 2011, according to healthcare research firm I.M.S. Of those, roughly 40 million contained zolpidem.
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese healing system that mirrors very well what Christians consider ‘laying on of the hands.’ In my writings about the psychology of touch and therapeutic healing touch I consider Reiki as a pure form of touch. Healing and touch go together for some very good reasons that go right back to birth. Giving Reiki to a child or adult who is having sleep difficulties often brings miraculous results that should not be underestimated.

Dr. Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD, DM (P)
Director International Medical Veritas Association
Doctor of Oriental and Pastoral Medicine
http://drsircus.com/

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Ayurvedic Herbal Formula Proven to Treat Hepatitis B



Posted on: Wednesday, May 29th 2013 at 5:00 am

Clinical and laboratory research from India has proven that an Ayurvedic formula used for liver infections halts the often deadly hepatitis B virus.
Indian scientists utilized a formula that has been referred to as HD-03/ES. This is an Ayurvedic herb liver formulation made up of the extracts of two herbs: Cyperus rotundus (also referred to as Java grass or Nut grass) and Cyperus scariosus (referred to as Cypriol or Nagarmotha).
The researchers tested four different concentrations of this herbal combination against the hepatitis B surface antigens using liver cells (PLC/PRF/5) infected with hepatitis and actually carcinogenic.
The cultures were tested for 24 hours each and then underwent enzyme assays to determine the results. In all four concentrations, which ranged from 125 micrograms per milliliter to 1000 micrograms – the herbal extract suppressed the cells' ability to produce the hepatitis B surface antigens – which allow the virus to infect other cells.
The research also found that that combination downgraded the ability of the HBV-infected cells' DNA to replicate. This of course is necessary for the virus to stay alive.
The researchers wrote
In conclusion, we have studied the in vitro anti-HBV effect of HD-03/ES in transfected human hepatocarcinoma cells. HD-03/ES suppressed HBsAg production with an IC50 of 380 μg/mL in PLC/PRF/5 cells for a period of 24 h. HD-03/ES also downregulated HBsAg gene expression in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Previous reports have clearly indicated the anti-HBV activity of HD-03/ES. The main thrust of the present study is that, besides other methods of interference, HD-03/ES is capable of suppressing HBsAg, and the action is targeted at the transcription level.
This is not the first study that has shown this conclusion. In 2007, medical researchers from India's Lifeline Rigid Hospitals treated 25 HBV patients with two capsules twice a day of the HD-03/ES formula. Liver tests, including HBV markers for the hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA were conducted at the beginning and then after four months and six months of treatment.
The researchers found that the treatment resulted in a significant improvement of symptoms, a 70% drop in average ALT enzyme levels, a 60% drop in hepatitis B surface antigen levels, and a 60% drop in HBV DNA. These all suggested a dramatic improvement and pathway of recovery for the HBV patients. The researchers concluded that:
The results of this pilot study indicate that HD-03/ES might be a safe and effective treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection and a long-term multicentric comparator trial is warranted and under way.
In 2009, researchers from India's Maulana Azad Medical College conducted a clinical trial with 51 patients with chronic liver disease and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.
The patients were also given two capsules of the HD-03/ES formula twice a day for six months. The patients were examined each month with liver function testing. The researchers tested blood levels of the hepatitis B surface antigens and HBV DNA, as well as liver enzymes and others.
The researchers also found significant improvement among the patients in liver function testing. They also found that the improvement was greater among those patients with the genotype A (about a third of the cases in this study). In these, the HD-03/ES formula resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms and viral load. Viral load was also reduced among the genotype D patients, but not to the degree of the genotype A patients.
About two billion people worldwide are estimated to have been infected by hepatitis B, and about 400 million have chronic infections. These astonishing statistics mean that approximately one of every three people have been infected, and the number of chronic infections worldwide is more than the entire U.S. population.
In the U.S. about 12 million people have been infected while about 5,000 people Americans die each year of hepatitis B. Worldwide, approximately a million people die every year of hepatitis B complications. 
Treating chronic HBV has proven extremely difficult, especially in second- and third-world countries. The virus replicates through RNA reverse transcription, making it a retrovirus. While an acute case may be resolved by the immune system, a chronic case can lead to severe liver inflammation and even cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV is significantly more transmittable than HIV.
Interferon and antiviral drugs are typically prescribed in conventional medicine, and their success often depends upon the genotype and the health of the patient. Interferon has a very low treatment rate for genotype D, for example.
It should be noted that both of these plants - especially the nut grass - are often considered common weeds by some. Not in Ayurveda, where an ancient history of clinical application has found that medicinal plants of many types have healing capacity in one respect or another.

References



Case Adams is a California Naturopath and holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health Sciences. His focus is upon science-based natural health solutions. He is the author of 25 books on natural health and numerous print and internet articles. His work can be found at http://www.caseadams.com.

Will this tuberculosis drug cure Parkinson's?


May 29, 2013
Will this tuberculosis drug
cure Parkinson's?
A few years ago I reported on an unusual cure for a toxin-induced form of Parkinson's disease. The mineral manganese, like its cousin iron, is toxic when in excess. It can accumulate in key neurons. Interestingly, it impairs those cells' ability to excrete iron! The metals literally rust away the affected cells. What's interesting is that manganese workers can get symptoms identical to Parkinson's.
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Well, at a recent meeting, a colleague told me that she treated a patient with "typical" Parkinson's with the manganese cure I reported. It's called PAS or para-amino-salicylic acid. Journals reported significant long-term, even permanent, improvement/cure with administration of intravenous PAS.
PAS is a tuberculosis drug. It has some toxicity, so it fell into disfavor. But it does have its uses.
My colleague reported significant improvement in her Parkinson's patient with PAS orally! This is exciting news. Her patient had been on an intravenous chelation program with little benefit after three weeks. Then when she added PAS, he saw significant improvement in days.
The IV PAS dose in the medical literature was 6 grams per day given in a 10% dextrose solution (four days on, three days off). It was given up to 3.5 months. During this time, manganese excretion in one patient's urine rose about 80% over baseline from 3.11 mcg/24 hours to 6.79 mcg/24 hours), falling to 2.8 mcg/24 hours after.
I've been called repeatedly about IV PAS and have been sad to say that I've never been able to find a source. Now with a case of Parkinson's improving with oral PAS, it might behoove integrative physicians to consider it in cases of hard to treat Parkinson's. Perhaps manganese might be involved even without overt toxicity.
PAS is lipid soluble so it can enter your brain rather easily to do its work. For the biochemistry buffs, some of the finest drugs for chelating excess copper have amino groups as the copper attractant. PAS has an amino group in addition to a carboxyl group, which also attracts metals.

Let's consider doses. The TB dose is two to four grams, four times daily (8-16 grams daily total dose). Considering that you absorb the entire IV dose (6 grams), and likely will absorb less orally, the IV dose used on the manganese-induced Parkinson's cases is quite similar to a usual TB dose.
Actually, oral PAS may be 80% absorbed according to its package insert. It's still available as a drug called "Paser" made by Jacobus Pharmaceuticals. You should take it with an acid food or drink like orange, apple, or tomato juice. I like the idea of pulsing the drug, as those getting the IV PAS did (four days on, three days off). Most of us doing chelation therapy believe pulsing a strong chelator enables your body to redistribute deeply imbedded metals when you eliminate a load of metal that's easy to grab.
I've long believed that Parkinson's is caused by a combination of toxins and nutritional deficiencies in susceptible individuals. The toxins include pesticides, organic solvents, intestinal bacterial toxins, and heavy metals. I wouldn't be surprised if fluoride was also involved. So, please know that not all cases of Parkinson's are the same.
Presently, I've been treating a Parkinson's case with oxidation, the PK (Patricia Kane) procedure, and supplements and he's doing just great. He's on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/RobertRowenMD. With the knowledge that oral PAS has worked well in at least one case, I'll consider it in future Parkinson's cases recalcitrant to non-toxic therapy.
Yours for better health and medical freedom,

Robert J. Rowen, MD