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Super Bugs: No Problem! Supercharge Your Immune System!

Ebola, AIDS, MRSA, Vancomycin-resistant Pseudomonas, chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium (cause of Malaria). These are just a few of the super bugs that we could all possibly encounter in our world that’s rapidly getting smaller every day due to air travel. In recent times when sea travel was the main mode of transportation, people who were still asymptomatic would usually show signs and symptoms before they arrive at their destination. In today’s world of faster air travel, people infected may not show signs and symptoms until they arrive somewhere. This can cause the rapid spread/transmission of communicable diseases. This is especially true in a stressed-out, nutritionally-deficient, and unhealthy population.

What is the traditional answer to this issue? I think that we all know the answer to that. Suffice it to say, this reactionary approach (the race to find cures) doesn’t work well because these bugs are smarter than we think. By the time so-called cures are available, they’ve already mutated to a form that’s resistant to the “cure”. That’s one of the reasons why we have MRSA and Vancomycin-resistant Pesudomonas, among many others.

There is no one to blame for this scenario. Health care practitioners (by indiscriminate use) and patients (by insisting that they be given a medication) alike are responsible for the proliferation of super bugs.

What then can we do about it? I would say that we adopt what the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners did in earlier times. A doctor at the time would only get paid or compensated when their clients are healthy. If their clients get sick, the doctors don’t get paid. It does make a lot of sense to do this. This preventive approach would save billions of dollars in health care.

What are the things we can do to fortify our immune system? Let’s start with the basics before we even discuss specifics. Having a healthy diet, adequate water intake, enough exposure to sunlight and the earth’s electromagnetic energy, rest, exercise, good relationships and stress reduction all go a long way in building our immune defenses.

There are ways to strengthen the immune system with the use of dietary supplements. Here are just a few examples;

mixed carotenoids (natural vitamin A)- good for the mucous membranes (respiratory and intestinal tract protection)

vitamin C complex (natural vitamin C with bioflavonoids)- traditionally used to boost the immune system against infections and tumors but also good for formation of collagen, along with L-lysine and L-proline

vitamin D3- studies show that it could protect against the flu (low levels of exposure to sunlight during the winter months make one vulnerable to the flu) and against certain forms of cancer

selenium- one of the co-factors in the formation of glutathione, which is abundant in the spleen and lymphocytes, both involved in immune system health

zinc- has antimicrobial properties and also good for prostate health in men

manganese- helps in the production of SOD, one of the antioxidants endogenously produced in our bodies

probiotics- an essential nutrient especially if one has taken antibiotics in the past, helps prevent bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the intestine

clove- has the highest ORAC (antioxidant levels) level among all natural substances, has antimicrobial properties as well

thyme- its constituent thymol has antifungal properties

lemon- has d-limonene which has anti-carcinogenic properties, has anti-viral properties as well (along with other citrus oils)

cinnamon- has antibacterial properties, also regulates blood sugar

rosemary- antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

oregano- antimicrobial

chlorella and spirulina- immune stimulants

raspberries- rich in ellagic acid, which has anti-carcinogenic properties

apricots- rich in vitamin B 17, also has anti-carcinogenic properties

wolfberries- also stimulates release of HGH from the pituitary

broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables- lowers xenoestrogens, cleanses liver

frankincense- helps repair DNA

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on December 1, 2010

Telomeres: What Is It And Does It Influence Aging?

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Besides looking at the mirror, another objective way of telling how fast a person is aging is through telomere testing. Before anything else, what are telomeres? Telomeres are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome that serves as a cap to your genetic material. Every time a cell replicates, its telomere will become shorter. Shorter telomeres imply a shorter life span for the cell.

What effect does telomere length have on my health and wellness? Age adjusted telomere length is the best method to date to assess biological age using structural analysis of chromosomal change in the telomere. Serial evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to a normal population. Therapies directed at slowing the loss of telomere length may slow aging and age-related diseases.

Does diet have any effect on telomere length and repair? An inflammatory diet, or one that increases oxidative stress will shorten telomeres faster. This would include refined carbohydrates, fast foods, processed foods, sodas, artificial sweeteners, trans fats and saturated fats. A diet with large amount and variety of antioxidants that improve oxidative defense and reduces oxidative stress will slow telomere shortening. Consumption of 10 servings of fresh and relatively uncooked fruits and vegetables , mixed fiber, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, cold water fish and high quality vegetable proteins can prevent premature shortening. In addition, caloric restriction is advised combined with an exercise program. Fasting for 12 hours each night at least 4 days per week may also be protective.

What lifestyle modifications are likely to be helpful? One should achieve ideal body weight and body composition with low body fat (less than 22% for women and less than 16% for men). Decreasing visceral fat is very important. Regular aerobic and resistance exercise for at least one hour per day, sleeping for at least 8 hours per night, stress reduction, discontinuation of all tobacco products and bioidentical hormone therapy may decrease the rate of telomere loss.

How do you measure telomere length? The Patient Telomere Score is calculated based on white blood cells (T-lymphocytes). This is the average compared to telomere length on lymphocytes from a sample of the American population in the same age range. The higher the telomere score, the “younger” the cells. A Telomere Score that is above the average line is desirable.

What can I do to reduce my rate of telomere loss? Shorter telomeres have been associated with metabolic abnormalities, obesity, and several degenerative diseases including cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. In vitro studies have shown that telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which will shorten telomere length and enhance cellular aging. Minimizing associated risk factors that are linked to shortened telomere activity is recommended and include:

Reduce oxidative stress

Correct micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamin D

Change sedentary lifestyle, increase physical activity

Avoid weight gain or obesity

Correct insulin resistance

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Written

on November 29, 2010

Breast Care

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Breast cancer can be caused by a lot of things. These include hormonal imbalance (due to environmental toxins among others), ionizing radiation and trauma to the breast area, toxin build-up in the breast due to poor lymphatic drainage, tight bras (by impeding lymphatic circulation), genetic causes, etc. In a recent article on yahoo.com, it was noted that breast cancer rates dropped with a decrease in the use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). The study was done in Canada on postmenopausal women in the earlier part of the decade. However, there is no mention whatsoever on what kind of hormones these women were put on. Synthetic hormones (non-bioidentical, derived from animal sources) could cause more hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body because the body is not used to processing these substances (unlike bioidentical hormones whose structure is similar to what the body produces and therefore is not recognized as foreign). It’s a good thing that there are bioidentical hormones available commercially now (at your regular pharmacies) as well as compounding pharmacies. All the risks and benefits should be taken into consideration before a person is placed on hormones. And for those women who prefer not be be on any hormones whatsoever, there are alternatives available including the use of herbal medications to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with menopause. Homeopathic/spagyric remedies have also been used to help women go through perimenopause and menopause. As far as treatment for breast cancer is concerned (or any cancer, for that matter), I believe that an individualized, holistic approach should always be taken. In Europe, they are able to test cancer cell sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic agents (whether synthetic cancer drugs or natural agents), similar to how we are able to test infectious agent’s sensitivity to antibiotic medications. This test takes the guesswork out of what medication to use. For more information on this as well as other integrative approaches to cancer, please check out Suzanne Somer’s most recent book called “Knockout”. Check out http://www.breastcancerfund.org for more useful information on this subject.

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Detoxification and Biochemical Individuality

Detox day

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Everybody needs to detox. True. Everybody should do the same detox program. False. We are all different and therefore, a cookie-cutter or a one-size-fits-all approach at detoxification would not work at all, ever! Fortunately, there are genetic tests available to determine if a person can tolerate a detoxification program. If a person’s tests turns out to be homozygous positive for one of these genes, then they better be careful when they’re undergoing a detox program. It’s better for these people to start slowly and perhaps work with a holistic health care practitioner who considers each person’s biochemical individuality. Other things to consider when going on a detoxification program, it’s important to focus downstream (on the bowels) before treating the upstream (liver, kidneys, etc). Otherwise, toxins would be recirculating into the body, practically making things worse. Ever wonder why some people experience a lot of side-effects or worse, deathly- ill when they’re undergoing a cleanse? Indeed, there is a truth to the the adage, death begins in the colon. So, it’s really important to focus on gastro-intestinal health. Whatever we put in our mouths affects everything else in the body. Don’t believe the “party-line” advise to eat whatever you want. I’ve heard it from “healthy” people and people with chronic degenerative disease (such as cancer) being told by their health care practitioner to do so. No wonder our country ranks only #17 as far as the healthiest industrialized nations in the world even though we spend the most in health care. Just something to ponder about.

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Burgers Breaking Bones….

The China Study

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I’m exaggerating! However, there’s this interesting piece of news that I read on AOL. Apparently, a lot of jaw problems has been associated with eating 3-inch thick burgers in Taiwan. A professor at the School of Dentistry at the National Yang-Ming University told China Post that his patients developed sore jaws after eating giant burgers. In the US, it hasn’t not been a problem (at least, not that we know of). The article also said that our mouth is designed to eat food only 1 1/2 inch high (interesting, huh?). Anyway, do you know that meat is acidic in general (compared to vegetables and fruits which are more alkaline in nature)? Having a lot of of meat can put our bodies into an overly acidic state that could contribute to chronic diseases associated with aging. One of these health issues is osteoporosis. When our bodies are overly acidic, minerals from the bone are recruited to buffer the acidity. This leads to softening of the bones (osteopenia) which makes them prone to breakage or fracture. In the book called “The China Study“, it chronicles how diet influences a person’s state of health. It has been shown that those places that adopt a fast-food/highly-processed/ primarily meat-based diet, have a higher incidence of chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. I would suggest eating more of an alkaline diet consisting of vegetables and fruits and if a person has a need for meat, eat the ones that are lowest in acidity such as fish, venison or wild duck. So, let’s eat (and drink) responsibly!

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The Darker Side of Beauty

Dermatology products

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What’s up with mercury in skin whitening agents, toluene in nail polish, lead in lipstick and other sorts of toxins found in beauty products? The fact is that a lot of personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, make-up and hair styling products contain ingredients that are linked to asthma, cancer, infertility and birth defects, among many others. Why do you think there’s a surge in incidence of chronic degenerative diseases? Aside from the fact that our food is not as nutritious (because of farming practices and the extensive use of pesticides), we are seeing a deluge of synthetic chemicals that have not been tested for safety. And even if they have, they’re usually tested singly and not in combination with other chemicals. This toxic soup of chemicals have harmful synergistic effects. Scary! Therefore, go natural as much as possible. Read labels too! Explore http://www.cleanbodycare.com for all natural body care.

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Toxic America

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Now on CNN….. Interesting how a taboo subject is now in the mainstream media. Remember watching the Julia Roberts’ movie called Erin Brokovich? In that movie, corporate polluters were getting away with it until a nosey woman starts meddling with their affairs. Movie ended well. Hope it happens in real life too. It appears that corporate polluters are getting a slap in the hand and pay a measly fee for their misdemeanors (compared to the billions they earn in profits). Anyway, it’s timely that Dr. Sanjay Gupta discusses about this growing problem of toxic pollutants affecting our environment. Among those mentioned are arsenic, chromium and dioxins. Unfortunately, what happens is that people just abandon toxic communities. I don’t blame them. Nothing is really being done to clean the affected areas. What happens when our environment is toxic? We should clean it up. What happens when our bodies are toxic? We should clean them up even more so. What are the symptoms of a toxic environment? Plants, wildlife and people get sick. What are the symptoms of a toxic body? Headaches, fatigue, brain fog, premature aging, autoimmune disease, cancer, etc. Too numerous to mention. Should symptom relief be the goal? Yes, but that’s not enough. How about detoxifying the body? That would be the smart thing to do. Our food, air and water are not as clean as they used to be. We need to detox regularly or else….

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Vitamin D

Okay, vitamin D has been so much in the news lately. And for good reason! However, we’re not just seeing a deficiency in vitamin D but also deficiencies in B vitamins as well, minerals (like magnesium and potassium), essential fatty acids and antioxidants like glutathione. What could be the reason behind these deficiencies? Besides our depleted soils, the refining of our food causes these problems. And then, there’s a small but significant fraction of the population who have malabsorption issues. As far as vitamin D is concerned, it’s our lack of exposure to the sun’s rays that’s causing this deficiency. We normally don’t see it in people living in the tropics but as the use of sun block (that are petroleum-based) gets marketed heavily (and people there use skin whitening agents!), we will see more deficiency states in those areas. Vitamin D, besides being good for your teeth and bones is an immune modulator. Research shows that is can actually protect against certain forms of cancer! To see if you have optimal levels, have your levels checked (OH-vitamin D) pronto!

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