I admit to being an environmentalist, and a pretty “far out” one, too – I was raised with a Mother Earth News / Organic Gardening type of father who instilled a ton of basic environmentalism in me, and I try very hard to reduce my environmental footprint. Let me put it this way: one of the biggest things I’m looking forward to when having my own house is having a few giant compost bins in the backyard with potato peels and coffee grounds and yard clippings and earthworms and so on.
Today, Yahoo! launched their Yahoo! Green initiative, which lets you choose from an enormous list of minor lifestyle changes that can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions. It has a slick, cute interface that lets you drag and drop the options from the big list onto one that lists the items you’re willing to do, and it automatically calculates how many tons of carbon dioxide per year that you would save by doing those things.
So why write about this on a personal finance site? It’s because a lot of these items on the list not only reduces your personal carbon dioxide emissions, they also save money. I went through the entire list of items and selected the ones that were really simple to do and also clearly saved money in the long run (I didn’t include ones that were ambiguous to me about money savings). Here they are:
1. Switch 3 lights that you use for 4 hours a day with compact fluorescent bulbs.
2. Replace a porch light that’s always on with a compact fluorescent bulb.
3. Turn your heater thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in the summer.
4. Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your home’s heating and cooling automatically.
5. Make sure your walls and ceilings are well-insulated.
6. Air-dry your clothes in the spring and summer instead of using the dryer.
7. Set your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 F.
8. Replace bathroom and kitchen sink facets with low-flow models.
9. Install low-flow showerheads.
10. Go from 500 sheets of 0% recycled computer to 200 sheets of 100% recycled paper.
11. Drive less aggressively — don’t accelerate and brake rapidly.
12. Drive the speed limit.
13. Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated. Check them monthly.
14. Drive 10 miles less per week.
15. Carpool, take public transit, or telecommute one day per week instead of driving to work.
16. Replace your old refrigerator with a new Energy Star one.
17. Replace an old TV with a new Energy Star one.
18. Replace your old dishwasher with a new Energy Star one.
19. Replace an old computer, monitor, and printer with new Energy Star ones.
20. Replace your old washing machine with a new Energy Star one.
21. Recycle all steel (”tin”) cans, aluminum cans, and glass containers.
22. Take one less short domestic round-trip flight this year.
23. Take one less cross-country round-trip this year.
24. Use a washable mug for your morning coffee instead of a Styrofoam cup (assuming you can get a freebie coffee mug).
25. Get a reusable water bottle instead of disposables (again, assuming you can get a freebie water bottle).
26. Buy products in the largest size you can use to avoid excess packaging.
27. Use washable plates and utensils for takeout dinners and parties instead of paper and plastic goods.
28. Buy vintage clothes instead of new stuff at the mall.
29. Unplug electronics when you’re not using them.
30. Turn out the light when you leave the room.
31. Shut down your computer and peripherals each night.
32. Run the clothes washer with only full loads.
33. Wash your clothes in cold water.
34. Run the dishwasher with only full loads and let dishes air-dry.
35. Take showers instead of baths.
36. Take shorter showers.
37. Insulate your water heater.
38. Clean or replace dirty air-conditioner filters every three months.
39. Replace old windows with double-pane windows.
40. Use a push lawn mower instead of gas or electric.
41. Change your car’s air filter and check it monthly.
42. Turn off the car instead of idling.
Whew! All together, these options would save 7.38 tons of carbon dioxide per year, and all of them would save money in some fashion, either by reducing your energy bill, reducing your water bill, improving your gas mileage, cutting down on unnecessary things (like trips), reusing things more often, or by literally making money by recycling items. It’s very difficult to calculate exactly how much money you would save because of the variables, but these items will save money.
You could also use these items as the basis for your own 101 Goals in 1001 Days list. Just make sure to think about which of these items would work well in your life, and also be sure to quantify them so that the goal is clear, like “Move to taking five minute showers” and then using a wind-up timer to ensure that you’re doing this.
Author: Trent
Source: www.thesimpledollar.com
Saturday, December 05, 2009
The Dave Ramsey Baby Steps Budget
It seems a bit like a rite of passage for every personal finance writer to share their opinion of Dave Ramsey. That alone speaks volumes about Ramsey’s reach in the personal finance sector, but not all of the reviews have been glowing. I personally consider his book, The Total Money Makeover, one of my all-time top three favorite personal finance reads. The book is not overly technical, and is written with an inspirational, “can-do” tone. It is hard to argue with his success in motivating people to finally pay attention to their finances.
Is it time for Ramsey to Update His Plan?
Just last week Jennifer wrote about her issues with Dave Ramsey’s plan in, Falling Off the Dave Ramsey Diet. I have my own issues with some of the numbers, but basically agree with the concept of following “baby steps” towards financial freedom. Here is a look at the original baby steps, as they appear on Dave Ramsey’s website:
1. 1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5. College funding for children
6. Pay off home early
7. Build wealth and give! Invest in mutual funds and real estate.
It’s hard to argue with the simplicity of Dave Ramsey’s approach, however I have found by tweaking a few of the baby steps, and rearranging them slightly, the plan has worked well for our family. We tried the original baby steps as written several times, but struggled to reach beyond baby step 2. It didn’t take much of an emergency for us to blow through the $1,000 baby emergency fund, and large emergencies still required us to use credit cards to cover. We would restart our savings plan from $0, and kicked ourselves for turning to credit cards again. This also made us hesitant to get rid of credit cards entirely because it was our only safety net against a complete financial meltdown. Here is a look at the approach my family has taken.
The Baby Steps, Frugal Dad Style
1. Cut up all but one credit card. This card should have the highest limit, and lowest interest rate, and should only be used for genuine emergencies. The older the card the better, as keeping your oldest trade line active will improve your FICO score. I recommend removing if from your wallet and stashing it in a sock drawer at home. Do carry the card with you on vacations or extended trips, but again, only use it in an emergency.
2. Six months of expenses in an emergency fund. As I mentioned above, $1,000 just didn’t provide enough safety net for our family. A dead transmission, busted hot water heater, or serious medical emergency could easily wipe out your entire emergency savings, forcing you to turn to credit cards to keep your head above water. This is counterproductive. Instead, we are working to save a full six months of expenses in an emergency fund. Three months may be enough for some families, but since we live on just one income we have little to fall back on. A shaky job market, or general angst over the broader economy may influence the amount you decide to save.
3. Cut up the last (emergency) credit card. With six months of savings in place you are “self-insured” against emergencies and can cut up your last credit card. If you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit, but now have $10,000 in savings, you have essentially replaced the need for an emergency credit card by building your own personal line of credit.
4. Implement the debt snowball. For this step, we follow Dave Ramsey’s plan as written. Pay off debts smallest to largest, regardless of the interest rate. Some will argue this is bad math – higher interest rate cards should go first. Well, we’ve already experienced the momentum Dave Ramsey writes about by paying off several small debts, quickly. These quick wins motivate us to keep going. If you prefer to pay off high-interest cards first, do it. It’s really not worth getting heartburn over. The point is to get busy getting out of debt, one way or another. Get a part time job, snowflake every single amount you can find, have a yard sale, look for “wasted money” in your budget, and make getting out of debt a top priority. Whatever you do, don’t give up! There will be many obstacles in your path to debt freedom, but clearing each one will make it that much sweeter when you reach the finish line.
4a. Invest in your retirement plan up to an employer match. This step should be happening at the same time you are working baby step 4, so I have labeled it step 4a. If your employer offers a match of 401(k) contributions, invest in the minimum percentage to receive that match. Three or four percent of your income isn’t going to make or break your get-out-of-debt plan, and passing up “free” money from your employer just doesn’t make much sense, financially. You’ll also benefit from the added months of compounding growth.
4b. If your employer doesn’t offer a match, skip the 401(k), open a Roth IRA and contribute 3% of your income. The earnings grow tax free! Many people will say it is impossible to save and get out of debt at the same time. True, you divert some financial resources that could be used to pay down debt, but by getting into the habit of saving you are setting yourself up for a much brighter financial future.
5. Max Roth IRA contributions. Now that you are debt free, use the money you were spending to pay off debts to fully fund Roth IRA contributions for you and your spouse. Check the IRS website for maximum contribution amounts and eligibility information. Again, if your employer offers to match 401(k) contributions, continue making the minimum contribution required to get the match. With any amount above that, fund Roth IRAs.
6. Save for kid’s college. With credit card debt behind you, and retirement savings on track, now is the time to focus on saving for your children’s education. Many people, myself included, feel compelled to move this step up in the process because we care so much about our children’s future. However, unless we want to become a burden to our kids in retirement, it is important to get our own finances in order before concentrating on saving for children. We are currently investing gifts and the occasional “found” money in 529 College Saving Plans for both our kids, and will ramp up these contributions when the previous baby steps are complete.
6a. Save for non-educational expenses for kids. In addition to college savings, we have also invested a small amount in single stocks for our kids, allowing them to help in the selection process and in monitoring the stock’s performance. My son now owns a few shares of McDonalds and my daughter owns shares of Disney. Both were purchased with birthday money from relatives. I don’t think they will ever become rich with their investments, but it has sparked an interest in saving and investing. We also set up a sub-account at ING in our names, but labeled for each of our kids, and contribute $50 a month or so for expenses we know are coming down the road: orthodontics, prom dresses, cars, etc.
7. Pay off the mortgage early. Probably the most controversial of Dave Ramsey’s baby steps, this one causes math geeks to go into hysteria! And this hysteria runs even higher in periods of super-low interest rates. Trying to justify to a financial guru paying off a mortgage early at 5.5% versus investing in the market is like trying to pull teeth from a hippopotamus – it just isn’t going to happen! I generally like the idea because one day I hope to “retire” early, and to do that I’ll need to eliminate as many of my monthly expenses as possible. Without a mortgage, it is quite possible for passive income streams to cover our basic expenses, and we could live off a much-reduced salary or income from freelance jobs.
8. Build non-retirement wealth. The problem with only investing inside retirement accounts is that it is nearly impossible to get to your money before age 60. What if I don’t plan on working until age 60? Short of paying penalties, or turning to a 72t distribution (which is based on life expectancy and is nearly impossible to change or stop), there isn’t much choice other than waiting for the magical retirement age to arrive. When we reach this step I plan to invest money above and beyond retirement savings in low-cost, low-turnover index mutual funds such as the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index fund and the Vanguard International Index Fund. Both offer incredibly low expenses, and with low turnover, do not produce high capital gains taxes at the end of the year. It might also make sense to investigate other types of financial products such as low-cost annuities, or bond funds to hedge against fluctuations in the equities market. These funds may then be tapped early to allow for a comfortable lifestyle between an early retirement and the minimum age to access funds from retirement accounts.
I’ll wrap this up by saying that while I am a fan of Dave Ramsey and other financial advisors, no one should blindly follow advice they read in a book, on a blog, or on television (nope, not even on Frugal Dad!). I’ve shared with you what works for our family, but take time to investigate the different options yourself, and implement the best financial plan for you and yours. The great thing about finances is there is rarely only one way to do something, but opinions abound when it comes to money matters so take each one with a grain of salt.
Source: frugaldad.com
Is it time for Ramsey to Update His Plan?
Just last week Jennifer wrote about her issues with Dave Ramsey’s plan in, Falling Off the Dave Ramsey Diet. I have my own issues with some of the numbers, but basically agree with the concept of following “baby steps” towards financial freedom. Here is a look at the original baby steps, as they appear on Dave Ramsey’s website:
1. 1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5. College funding for children
6. Pay off home early
7. Build wealth and give! Invest in mutual funds and real estate.
It’s hard to argue with the simplicity of Dave Ramsey’s approach, however I have found by tweaking a few of the baby steps, and rearranging them slightly, the plan has worked well for our family. We tried the original baby steps as written several times, but struggled to reach beyond baby step 2. It didn’t take much of an emergency for us to blow through the $1,000 baby emergency fund, and large emergencies still required us to use credit cards to cover. We would restart our savings plan from $0, and kicked ourselves for turning to credit cards again. This also made us hesitant to get rid of credit cards entirely because it was our only safety net against a complete financial meltdown. Here is a look at the approach my family has taken.
The Baby Steps, Frugal Dad Style
1. Cut up all but one credit card. This card should have the highest limit, and lowest interest rate, and should only be used for genuine emergencies. The older the card the better, as keeping your oldest trade line active will improve your FICO score. I recommend removing if from your wallet and stashing it in a sock drawer at home. Do carry the card with you on vacations or extended trips, but again, only use it in an emergency.
2. Six months of expenses in an emergency fund. As I mentioned above, $1,000 just didn’t provide enough safety net for our family. A dead transmission, busted hot water heater, or serious medical emergency could easily wipe out your entire emergency savings, forcing you to turn to credit cards to keep your head above water. This is counterproductive. Instead, we are working to save a full six months of expenses in an emergency fund. Three months may be enough for some families, but since we live on just one income we have little to fall back on. A shaky job market, or general angst over the broader economy may influence the amount you decide to save.
3. Cut up the last (emergency) credit card. With six months of savings in place you are “self-insured” against emergencies and can cut up your last credit card. If you have a credit card with a $10,000 limit, but now have $10,000 in savings, you have essentially replaced the need for an emergency credit card by building your own personal line of credit.
4. Implement the debt snowball. For this step, we follow Dave Ramsey’s plan as written. Pay off debts smallest to largest, regardless of the interest rate. Some will argue this is bad math – higher interest rate cards should go first. Well, we’ve already experienced the momentum Dave Ramsey writes about by paying off several small debts, quickly. These quick wins motivate us to keep going. If you prefer to pay off high-interest cards first, do it. It’s really not worth getting heartburn over. The point is to get busy getting out of debt, one way or another. Get a part time job, snowflake every single amount you can find, have a yard sale, look for “wasted money” in your budget, and make getting out of debt a top priority. Whatever you do, don’t give up! There will be many obstacles in your path to debt freedom, but clearing each one will make it that much sweeter when you reach the finish line.
4a. Invest in your retirement plan up to an employer match. This step should be happening at the same time you are working baby step 4, so I have labeled it step 4a. If your employer offers a match of 401(k) contributions, invest in the minimum percentage to receive that match. Three or four percent of your income isn’t going to make or break your get-out-of-debt plan, and passing up “free” money from your employer just doesn’t make much sense, financially. You’ll also benefit from the added months of compounding growth.
4b. If your employer doesn’t offer a match, skip the 401(k), open a Roth IRA and contribute 3% of your income. The earnings grow tax free! Many people will say it is impossible to save and get out of debt at the same time. True, you divert some financial resources that could be used to pay down debt, but by getting into the habit of saving you are setting yourself up for a much brighter financial future.
5. Max Roth IRA contributions. Now that you are debt free, use the money you were spending to pay off debts to fully fund Roth IRA contributions for you and your spouse. Check the IRS website for maximum contribution amounts and eligibility information. Again, if your employer offers to match 401(k) contributions, continue making the minimum contribution required to get the match. With any amount above that, fund Roth IRAs.
6. Save for kid’s college. With credit card debt behind you, and retirement savings on track, now is the time to focus on saving for your children’s education. Many people, myself included, feel compelled to move this step up in the process because we care so much about our children’s future. However, unless we want to become a burden to our kids in retirement, it is important to get our own finances in order before concentrating on saving for children. We are currently investing gifts and the occasional “found” money in 529 College Saving Plans for both our kids, and will ramp up these contributions when the previous baby steps are complete.
6a. Save for non-educational expenses for kids. In addition to college savings, we have also invested a small amount in single stocks for our kids, allowing them to help in the selection process and in monitoring the stock’s performance. My son now owns a few shares of McDonalds and my daughter owns shares of Disney. Both were purchased with birthday money from relatives. I don’t think they will ever become rich with their investments, but it has sparked an interest in saving and investing. We also set up a sub-account at ING in our names, but labeled for each of our kids, and contribute $50 a month or so for expenses we know are coming down the road: orthodontics, prom dresses, cars, etc.
7. Pay off the mortgage early. Probably the most controversial of Dave Ramsey’s baby steps, this one causes math geeks to go into hysteria! And this hysteria runs even higher in periods of super-low interest rates. Trying to justify to a financial guru paying off a mortgage early at 5.5% versus investing in the market is like trying to pull teeth from a hippopotamus – it just isn’t going to happen! I generally like the idea because one day I hope to “retire” early, and to do that I’ll need to eliminate as many of my monthly expenses as possible. Without a mortgage, it is quite possible for passive income streams to cover our basic expenses, and we could live off a much-reduced salary or income from freelance jobs.
8. Build non-retirement wealth. The problem with only investing inside retirement accounts is that it is nearly impossible to get to your money before age 60. What if I don’t plan on working until age 60? Short of paying penalties, or turning to a 72t distribution (which is based on life expectancy and is nearly impossible to change or stop), there isn’t much choice other than waiting for the magical retirement age to arrive. When we reach this step I plan to invest money above and beyond retirement savings in low-cost, low-turnover index mutual funds such as the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index fund and the Vanguard International Index Fund. Both offer incredibly low expenses, and with low turnover, do not produce high capital gains taxes at the end of the year. It might also make sense to investigate other types of financial products such as low-cost annuities, or bond funds to hedge against fluctuations in the equities market. These funds may then be tapped early to allow for a comfortable lifestyle between an early retirement and the minimum age to access funds from retirement accounts.
I’ll wrap this up by saying that while I am a fan of Dave Ramsey and other financial advisors, no one should blindly follow advice they read in a book, on a blog, or on television (nope, not even on Frugal Dad!). I’ve shared with you what works for our family, but take time to investigate the different options yourself, and implement the best financial plan for you and yours. The great thing about finances is there is rarely only one way to do something, but opinions abound when it comes to money matters so take each one with a grain of salt.
Source: frugaldad.com
Cure for the Common Cold
This totally unnecessary disease is preventable AND quickly relieved.
Before I learned to practice Holistic Medicine, I suffered the "occupational hazard" of frequent colds and flu because I was constantly exposed by close contact with my patients in the office who were infected. However, I have not had a cold, or flu, for the past 16 years. Part of this has to do with simply improving my immune system through Aerobics, Whole-Foods Diet and Skilled Relaxation. There are three other major factors that would stop this problem in the majority of those who tried them. These are:
1. humidification of the air
2. Vitamin C
3. zinc lozenges
Of course, changing these factors would not provide the substantial benefits of the lifestyle changes I mentioned above.
Humidification of the Air
First, the main reason there are more colds and flu in the "winter" is because of the low humidity caused by the heating of the inside air; not because of the exposure to the cold of the outside. The first line of defense to airborne invaders is the mucus, lining the upper respiratory tract, which traps them as they are breathed in. The normal upper respiratory tract makes a quart and a half of mucus every 24 hours. That is why we swallow every few minutes. The invaders (viruses, bacteria, allergens, etc.) are swept into the stomach, before they have a chance to get through the lining into our blood, and are pretty easily destroyed by the powerful acid in the stomach.
This system uses very little energy and is EXTREMELY effective. It is only when this system fails that the virus, etc., has to be dealt with by the immune system which takes a LOT more energy. The immune system is the second, and last, line of defense.
The average indoor humidity, in the heating season, is 10%. The average humidity of the Sahara Desert is 25%. I nspired air must be 100% humidified by the time it reaches the lungs. ALL of this moisture is provided by the mucus I mentioned. When the air is this dry, the mucus dries out so that it is MUCH thicker and flows MUCH more slowly into the stomach. All of this additional time is used to good advantage by the invaders, to get through the lining before getting swept into the stomach. Then, there is only our immunity to protect us. If you have great immunity, the invader doesn't have a chance and you don't "catch a cold".
Using an indoor humidifier, attached to your heating system, will not only solve this problem (research shows an 80% reduction of viral infections in school children in schools with heating system humidifiers) but also greatly reduces the cost of heating. Sixty-seven degrees at 40% humidity feels as warm as 75 degrees at 10% humidity. That top 8 degrees is the most expensive part of your heating costs. The typical homeowner (or school) that installs a whole house humidifier saves the cost of that installation, in heating costs, the very first season--a pretty good investment. Forget about the cost of medications, missed work and productivity, the misery of being sick, etc.
Vitamin C
The second factor is Vitamin C. Since the availability of ESTERIFIED Vitamin C, we can get enough of the C into the White Blood Cell (WBC) to, in effect, "Supercharge" it for fighting viruses and bacteria. Esterified Vitamin C gets 4 times as much of the C into the WBC, per dose taken orally, as regular C. By taking 2-4 grams of Esterified Vitamin C daily, during the "Cold Season", most viral infections will be prevented. If you should feel a virus coming on, just start taking 4 grams 3 times a day. Loose stools mean that you need less. Ordinarily that will stop the virus within 24 hours. I would keep up the dosage for 24 hours after the last symptom to be sure it was gone.
The interferon factories of the body are put into "overdrive" once the equivalent of 50 grams of Vitamin C, daily, are used. It is really impossible to do that orally with regular vitamin C. However, it only takes 12 grams of ESTERIFIED Vitamin C to get to that point.
Anyone who tries this will know of its effectiveness. Best results happen if this is started at the first sign of symptoms. It will still work pretty well even if the cold has been coming on for 48 hours. After that, it may, or may not, work.
Zinc Lozenges
The third factor is zinc lozenges. For the past 10+ years research has indicated that the average length of a "cold" can be cut in half by using zinc lozenges. Since then, they have been available in health food stores and drugstores. A large study in 1996 has substantiated previous research. If this were advertised 1/10th as much as those medications designed only to relieve symptoms, there would be a lot less need for symptomatic medications. Does anyone wonder why it is not common knowledge?
I would be interested in feedback! I was raised with the adage of Build a better mousetrap and, though you build your house in the woods, the world will beat a path to your door! The same was said to be true of the "cure for the common cold." However, there is a LOT of money to be made TREATING the SYMPTOMS of viral infections. Those who are making the money will be VERY slow to spread the news. Unfortunately, they are the ones with the wherewithal to do it. The only way I can see to help people is to let them find out what works and they can vote with their dollars.
Of course, this is more completely covered in my book, along with what people can do to improve their immune systems enough to prevent other infectious diseases. The above recommendations work best for viral upper respiratory diseases.
Source: http://askwaltstollmd.com
Before I learned to practice Holistic Medicine, I suffered the "occupational hazard" of frequent colds and flu because I was constantly exposed by close contact with my patients in the office who were infected. However, I have not had a cold, or flu, for the past 16 years. Part of this has to do with simply improving my immune system through Aerobics, Whole-Foods Diet and Skilled Relaxation. There are three other major factors that would stop this problem in the majority of those who tried them. These are:
1. humidification of the air
2. Vitamin C
3. zinc lozenges
Of course, changing these factors would not provide the substantial benefits of the lifestyle changes I mentioned above.
Humidification of the Air
First, the main reason there are more colds and flu in the "winter" is because of the low humidity caused by the heating of the inside air; not because of the exposure to the cold of the outside. The first line of defense to airborne invaders is the mucus, lining the upper respiratory tract, which traps them as they are breathed in. The normal upper respiratory tract makes a quart and a half of mucus every 24 hours. That is why we swallow every few minutes. The invaders (viruses, bacteria, allergens, etc.) are swept into the stomach, before they have a chance to get through the lining into our blood, and are pretty easily destroyed by the powerful acid in the stomach.
This system uses very little energy and is EXTREMELY effective. It is only when this system fails that the virus, etc., has to be dealt with by the immune system which takes a LOT more energy. The immune system is the second, and last, line of defense.
The average indoor humidity, in the heating season, is 10%. The average humidity of the Sahara Desert is 25%. I nspired air must be 100% humidified by the time it reaches the lungs. ALL of this moisture is provided by the mucus I mentioned. When the air is this dry, the mucus dries out so that it is MUCH thicker and flows MUCH more slowly into the stomach. All of this additional time is used to good advantage by the invaders, to get through the lining before getting swept into the stomach. Then, there is only our immunity to protect us. If you have great immunity, the invader doesn't have a chance and you don't "catch a cold".
Using an indoor humidifier, attached to your heating system, will not only solve this problem (research shows an 80% reduction of viral infections in school children in schools with heating system humidifiers) but also greatly reduces the cost of heating. Sixty-seven degrees at 40% humidity feels as warm as 75 degrees at 10% humidity. That top 8 degrees is the most expensive part of your heating costs. The typical homeowner (or school) that installs a whole house humidifier saves the cost of that installation, in heating costs, the very first season--a pretty good investment. Forget about the cost of medications, missed work and productivity, the misery of being sick, etc.
Vitamin C
The second factor is Vitamin C. Since the availability of ESTERIFIED Vitamin C, we can get enough of the C into the White Blood Cell (WBC) to, in effect, "Supercharge" it for fighting viruses and bacteria. Esterified Vitamin C gets 4 times as much of the C into the WBC, per dose taken orally, as regular C. By taking 2-4 grams of Esterified Vitamin C daily, during the "Cold Season", most viral infections will be prevented. If you should feel a virus coming on, just start taking 4 grams 3 times a day. Loose stools mean that you need less. Ordinarily that will stop the virus within 24 hours. I would keep up the dosage for 24 hours after the last symptom to be sure it was gone.
The interferon factories of the body are put into "overdrive" once the equivalent of 50 grams of Vitamin C, daily, are used. It is really impossible to do that orally with regular vitamin C. However, it only takes 12 grams of ESTERIFIED Vitamin C to get to that point.
Anyone who tries this will know of its effectiveness. Best results happen if this is started at the first sign of symptoms. It will still work pretty well even if the cold has been coming on for 48 hours. After that, it may, or may not, work.
Zinc Lozenges
The third factor is zinc lozenges. For the past 10+ years research has indicated that the average length of a "cold" can be cut in half by using zinc lozenges. Since then, they have been available in health food stores and drugstores. A large study in 1996 has substantiated previous research. If this were advertised 1/10th as much as those medications designed only to relieve symptoms, there would be a lot less need for symptomatic medications. Does anyone wonder why it is not common knowledge?
I would be interested in feedback! I was raised with the adage of Build a better mousetrap and, though you build your house in the woods, the world will beat a path to your door! The same was said to be true of the "cure for the common cold." However, there is a LOT of money to be made TREATING the SYMPTOMS of viral infections. Those who are making the money will be VERY slow to spread the news. Unfortunately, they are the ones with the wherewithal to do it. The only way I can see to help people is to let them find out what works and they can vote with their dollars.
Of course, this is more completely covered in my book, along with what people can do to improve their immune systems enough to prevent other infectious diseases. The above recommendations work best for viral upper respiratory diseases.
Source: http://askwaltstollmd.com
Friday, December 04, 2009
Affordable Herbs - Dry Them Yourself
+(with+frame).jpg)
Herbs are a great way to flavor almost any food dish, but buying them at the store can be expensive. A more cost effective option that adds money to your pocket and flavor to your meals is to grow and dry your own herbs. It can also be tons of fun, especially if you have children who can help.
Fresh herbs have a benefit over the dried ones you buy in the store. If you have a sunny spot and some good soil, you can grow your own herbs at home. Choose the ones that you use most to season food and grow them in small planters.
When growing herbs, treat them like any other plant. Pruning and cutting back the leaves brings even more leaves. As you cut and use fresh basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, they will continue to grow. In fact, the herbs may grow faster than you can use them, so share some with friends and neighbors.
Another alternative to letting the extra go to waste is to dry your fresh herbs. Dried fresh herbs lose their moisture, but still retain the entire flavor of a fresh plant. You’ll now have herbs to last for months to come and you can pass them on to others once they are dried as well.
Begin with your equipment. You’ll need a place to dry them. You can use wooden or wire racks. That cooling rack you use in the kitchen for cookies and cakes would be perfect for drying herbs. Gather together a colander, some cheesecloth, paper towels, and some string.
All herbs to be dried should be washed and rinsed in cold water. A colander is perfect because the water can drain out the bottom. Use paper towels to pat each leaf and stalk until dry of any visible moisture.
Herbs can be dried in many ways. If you only want the leaves, remove the stalk and lay the leaves on a drying rack. Depending on the size of the leaves, you may need a wire rack for them as opposed to a cooling rack from the kitchen.
Herbs can also be dried in bunches. Tie them with string at the stalks and hang them upside down on a nail to air dry. This can be accomplished outside or indoors, but should be done in an area that is ventilated with no humidity. Humidity will help your herbs to retain their moisture and prevent drying. Use cheesecloth to cover herbs on a cooling rack if you plan on letting them dry outside.
Use the oven for faster drying. The temperature should remain low (around 120 degrees). Gently touch the leaves every half hour to test for dryness. The microwave oven is an alternative, but you will have to be careful not to shrivel them up.
Dried herbs will keep for a six months. After that, the flavor begins to wane. Herbs should be stored in Mason jars or plastic containers, just be sure to label them so you know which herb is which. In order to keep the herbs dry and avoid molding during storage, seal the containers air tight.
Herbs season food in many unique and yummy ways. Drying herbs allows you to savor the flavor while saving money and having fun all at once.
Source: www.hillbillyhousewife.com
Frugal Kitchen Staples
I keep the following on hand:
Powdered milk, for the coffee when I run out of cream or milk, and to cook with.
Another amazing staple is Corn Meal. Dredging chicken or pork loins with it, and making cornbread or cornmeal patties for breakfast.
Brown Sugar - this can be used to sweeten fruit and vegetable to cook or baste with, make marinades, and for baking.
Corn Meal. Another staple for making various things like cornbread, coating foods for frying and making cornmeal mush and polenta. It is cheap and can be made into many other things.
Article:
Ever wonder how our ancestors always seemed to have food on the table even in lean times? When we are visiting the grocery store every week to the tune of hundreds of dollars, we long to know their secret. In fact it isn’t a secret at all. It is actually good planning and preparation on their part. Once we realize this and begin doing as they did, we too will see our dollar stretch further.
The items that we have on hand are what determine how far our food will go. Filling your cabinets or pantry with a few useful staples can be the difference between a trip to the grocery store each and every week versus once or twice a month. Stocking just a few choice items is all you need to create wonderful meals.
1. Flour. Flour is a starter item for many recipes. You can add it to some water and make gravy in the pan for many meat dishes. Flour is used to make bread (biscuits, rolls, loaves) and to coat chicken. It can also be used to coat a round or square cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking. Of course, one of the favorite uses for flour is in cookie recipes that make scrumptious desserts.
2. Rice. My husband loves rice so much that we once bought a fifty pound bag from a grocery store in his hometown. Fifty pounds! Rice is a side dish, but it doesn’t have to be plain. It can be jazzed up with veggies to accompany dinner. My mother uses leftover rice for a dessert called sweet rice. Just add evaporated milk and some sugar to a bowl of rice and warm it in the microwave. It is a tasty treat for after dinner. Another popular dessert is rice pudding. Rice can also be mixed with leftover meat and a cream soup to form a casserole. Rice has many uses and your sure to find a few that your family will love.
3. Pasta. There are many different pasta choices and all have great uses. Manicotti can be stuffed with tomato sauce and cheeses. Macaroni can be used to make a creamy salad and also is great combined with cheese or spaghetti sauce. Spiral pasta is used in many different pasta salads. Spaghetti can be used in a casserole topped with cheese or in the traditional way with tomato sauce and meat.
4. Spices. There are other ways to season food besides salt and pepper. In fact, many spices taste better than salt. Even diehard salt-a-holics won’t miss the salt in foods if other seasonings are used. Cayenne pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano, and garlic powder are all useful tools in your flavor arsenal to give foods a fresh new taste.
5. Beans. There go those beans again. Beans can top your salad (edamame), make an awesome dip (black beans), and go well with grilled foods (baked beans). They provide a good source of protein with very little fat. Beans are good in soups, stews, and over rice for a simple yet filling meal.
Do you have these staples in your kitchen? You can probably think of several more that will enhance your pantry and save money. Start with these and grow your own list of basic kitchen staples that are versatile and economical.
Source: Hillbillyhousewife.com
Powdered milk, for the coffee when I run out of cream or milk, and to cook with.
Another amazing staple is Corn Meal. Dredging chicken or pork loins with it, and making cornbread or cornmeal patties for breakfast.
Brown Sugar - this can be used to sweeten fruit and vegetable to cook or baste with, make marinades, and for baking.
Corn Meal. Another staple for making various things like cornbread, coating foods for frying and making cornmeal mush and polenta. It is cheap and can be made into many other things.
Article:
Ever wonder how our ancestors always seemed to have food on the table even in lean times? When we are visiting the grocery store every week to the tune of hundreds of dollars, we long to know their secret. In fact it isn’t a secret at all. It is actually good planning and preparation on their part. Once we realize this and begin doing as they did, we too will see our dollar stretch further.
The items that we have on hand are what determine how far our food will go. Filling your cabinets or pantry with a few useful staples can be the difference between a trip to the grocery store each and every week versus once or twice a month. Stocking just a few choice items is all you need to create wonderful meals.
1. Flour. Flour is a starter item for many recipes. You can add it to some water and make gravy in the pan for many meat dishes. Flour is used to make bread (biscuits, rolls, loaves) and to coat chicken. It can also be used to coat a round or square cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking. Of course, one of the favorite uses for flour is in cookie recipes that make scrumptious desserts.
2. Rice. My husband loves rice so much that we once bought a fifty pound bag from a grocery store in his hometown. Fifty pounds! Rice is a side dish, but it doesn’t have to be plain. It can be jazzed up with veggies to accompany dinner. My mother uses leftover rice for a dessert called sweet rice. Just add evaporated milk and some sugar to a bowl of rice and warm it in the microwave. It is a tasty treat for after dinner. Another popular dessert is rice pudding. Rice can also be mixed with leftover meat and a cream soup to form a casserole. Rice has many uses and your sure to find a few that your family will love.
3. Pasta. There are many different pasta choices and all have great uses. Manicotti can be stuffed with tomato sauce and cheeses. Macaroni can be used to make a creamy salad and also is great combined with cheese or spaghetti sauce. Spiral pasta is used in many different pasta salads. Spaghetti can be used in a casserole topped with cheese or in the traditional way with tomato sauce and meat.
4. Spices. There are other ways to season food besides salt and pepper. In fact, many spices taste better than salt. Even diehard salt-a-holics won’t miss the salt in foods if other seasonings are used. Cayenne pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano, and garlic powder are all useful tools in your flavor arsenal to give foods a fresh new taste.
5. Beans. There go those beans again. Beans can top your salad (edamame), make an awesome dip (black beans), and go well with grilled foods (baked beans). They provide a good source of protein with very little fat. Beans are good in soups, stews, and over rice for a simple yet filling meal.
Do you have these staples in your kitchen? You can probably think of several more that will enhance your pantry and save money. Start with these and grow your own list of basic kitchen staples that are versatile and economical.
Source: Hillbillyhousewife.com
Vitamin C As An Antiviral
It's All About Dose
(OMNS, December 3, 2009) One of the most frequent questions from Orthomolecular Medicine News Service readers is, Just how much vitamin C should I take?
Our bodies cannot make vitamin C (ascorbate), although most animals can. We must get it from our food and from supplements. But how much do we really need? Persistent arguments on this question may be settled by looking at how much vitamin C animals manufacture in their bodies. The answer is: quite a lot. Most animals make the human body-weight equivalent of 5,000 to 10,000 milligrams a day. It is unlikely that animals would have evolved to make this much vitamin C if they did not need it and use it. Indeed, cells in many human body tissues concentrate vitamin C by 25-fold or more over blood concentration.
Each person's need for vitamin C differs because of differences in genetics and individual biochemistry [1,2,3]. Further, our bodies undergo different stresses, and we certainly eat different foods. Therefore, the daily need for ascorbate to maintain health for an adult varies between 2,000 - 20,000 mg/day. Linus Pauling personally took 18,000 mg of vitamin C daily. Although he was often ridiculed for this, it is interesting to note that Dr. Pauling had two more Nobel prizes than any of his critics. He died at age 93. Abram Hoffer, MD, a colleague of Pauling's, took megadoses of vitamin C and successfully gave it to thousands of patients over 55 years of medical practice. Dr. Hoffer died at age 91.
Antiviral Function
When we are challenged with a viral infection, our need for vitamin C can rise dramatically, depending on the body's immune function, level of injury, infection, or environmental toxicity such as cigarette smoke [4,5]. Ascorbate at sufficiently high doses can prevent viral disease and greatly speed recovery from an acute viral infection. Surprising to some, this was originally observed by physicians in the 1940s and has been verified and re-verified over the last 60 years by doctors who achieved quick and complete recovery in their patients with ascorbate mega-doses [5]. The effective therapeutic dose is based on clinical observation and bowel tolerance. Clinical observation is essentially "taking enough C to be symptom free, whatever that amount may be." Bowel tolerance means exactly what you think it means: the amount that can be absorbed from the gut without causing loose stools. [5,6]. Very high doses, 30,000 - 200,000 mg, divided up throughout the
day, are remarkably non-toxic and have been documented by physicians as curing viral diseases as various as the common cold, flu, hepatitis, viral pneumonia, and even polio. [4,5,7]. On first reading this may sound incredible. We invite interested persons to read further, starting with the references listed below, and especially Dr. Frederick R. Klenner's Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C.
To read further, this short book is posted in its entirety at:
http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm
(OMNS, December 3, 2009) One of the most frequent questions from Orthomolecular Medicine News Service readers is, Just how much vitamin C should I take?
Our bodies cannot make vitamin C (ascorbate), although most animals can. We must get it from our food and from supplements. But how much do we really need? Persistent arguments on this question may be settled by looking at how much vitamin C animals manufacture in their bodies. The answer is: quite a lot. Most animals make the human body-weight equivalent of 5,000 to 10,000 milligrams a day. It is unlikely that animals would have evolved to make this much vitamin C if they did not need it and use it. Indeed, cells in many human body tissues concentrate vitamin C by 25-fold or more over blood concentration.
Each person's need for vitamin C differs because of differences in genetics and individual biochemistry [1,2,3]. Further, our bodies undergo different stresses, and we certainly eat different foods. Therefore, the daily need for ascorbate to maintain health for an adult varies between 2,000 - 20,000 mg/day. Linus Pauling personally took 18,000 mg of vitamin C daily. Although he was often ridiculed for this, it is interesting to note that Dr. Pauling had two more Nobel prizes than any of his critics. He died at age 93. Abram Hoffer, MD, a colleague of Pauling's, took megadoses of vitamin C and successfully gave it to thousands of patients over 55 years of medical practice. Dr. Hoffer died at age 91.
Antiviral Function
When we are challenged with a viral infection, our need for vitamin C can rise dramatically, depending on the body's immune function, level of injury, infection, or environmental toxicity such as cigarette smoke [4,5]. Ascorbate at sufficiently high doses can prevent viral disease and greatly speed recovery from an acute viral infection. Surprising to some, this was originally observed by physicians in the 1940s and has been verified and re-verified over the last 60 years by doctors who achieved quick and complete recovery in their patients with ascorbate mega-doses [5]. The effective therapeutic dose is based on clinical observation and bowel tolerance. Clinical observation is essentially "taking enough C to be symptom free, whatever that amount may be." Bowel tolerance means exactly what you think it means: the amount that can be absorbed from the gut without causing loose stools. [5,6]. Very high doses, 30,000 - 200,000 mg, divided up throughout the
day, are remarkably non-toxic and have been documented by physicians as curing viral diseases as various as the common cold, flu, hepatitis, viral pneumonia, and even polio. [4,5,7]. On first reading this may sound incredible. We invite interested persons to read further, starting with the references listed below, and especially Dr. Frederick R. Klenner's Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C.
To read further, this short book is posted in its entirety at:
http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thyroid Health and The Coconut Diet
Many Americans suffer from symptoms such as cold hands and feet, low body temperature, sensitivity to cold, a feeling of always being chilled, headaches, insomnia, dry skin, puffy eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, joint aches, constipation, mental dullness, fatigue, frequent infections, hoarse voice, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of libido, and weight gain, which is sometimes uncontrollable. Approximately 65 percent of the U. S. population is overweight; 30 percent is clinically obese. Research is pointing to the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the US today.
Hypothyroidism Reaching Epidemic Proportions
In 1995, researchers studied 25,862 participants at the Colorado statewide health fair. They discovered that among patients not taking thyroid medication, 8.9 percent were hypothyroid (under-active thyroid) and 1.1 percent were hyperthyroid (over-active thyroid). This indicates 9.9 percent of the population had a thyroid problem that had most likely gone unrecognized. These figures suggest that nationally, there may be as many as 13 million Americans with an undiagnosed thyroid problem.1
In her book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know, Mary Shomon quotes endocrinologist Kenneth Blanchard, M.D., of Lower Newton Falls, Massachusetts as saying, “The key thing is . . . doctors are always told that TSH is the test that gives us a yes or no answer. And, in fact, I think that's fundamentally wrong. The pituitary TSH is controlled not just by how much T4 and T3 is in circulation, but T4 is getting converted to T3 at the pituitary level. Excess T3 generated at the pituitary level can falsely suppress TSH.”2 Hence, many people who are simply tested for TSH levels and are found to be within “normal” range are, in fact, suffering from thyroid problems that are going undetected.
Ridha Arem, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Baylor College of Medicine, agrees. He says that hypothyroidism may exist despite "normal range" TSH levels. In his book The Thyroid Solution he says:
Many people may be suffering from minute imbalances that have not yet resulted in abnormal blood tests. If we included people with low-grade hypothyroidism whose blood tests are normal, the frequency of hypothyroidism would no doubt exceed 10 percent of the population. What is of special concern, though, is that many people whose test results are dismissed as normal could continue to have symptoms of an under active thyroid. Their moods, emotions, and overall well-being are affected by this imbalance, yet they are not receiving the care they need to get to the root of their problems. Even if the TSH level is in the lower segment of normal range, a person may still be suffering from low-grade hypothyroidism.3
Thus, if we were to include those who may be suffering from “low-grade hypothyroidism,” the number could well be double the 13 million estimate from the Colorado study.
What is Causing This Epidemic?
While more research needs to be done, it is generally accepted that diet plays a major role in thyroid health. For decades we have known that low iodine intake leads to low thyroid function and eventually to goiter. Iodized salt was intended to solve this problem, but it has not been the answer. There are a number of foods known as goitrogens that block iodine. Two goitrogens are quite prevalent in the American diet—peanuts and peanut butter and soybeans used most often in prepared foods as textured vegetable protein (a refined soy food) and soybean oil.
The rise of industrialization, corporate farming, and mass production of food has drastically changed our food supply from what our ancestors ate. Many studies show the detrimental effects of refined sugars and grains on our health. These foods are very taxing on the thyroid gland, and we consume them in large quantities.
Environmental stress such as chemical pollutants, pesticides, mercury, and fluoride are also tough on the thyroid. A growing body of evidence suggests that fluoride, which is prevalent in toothpaste and water treatment, may inhibit the functioning of the thyroid gland. Additionally, mercury may diminish thyroid function because it displaces the trace mineral selenium, and selenium is involved in conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3.
The Truth About Fats and Oils
Many dietary oils can negatively affect thyroid health. We cook with them almost every day and they are plentiful in commercially prepared foods. Expeller-pressed or solvent-extracted oils only became a major part of the American diet in the last century. It is possible they are among the worst offenders when it comes to the thyroid. They are known as vegetable oils or polyunsaturated oils. The most common source of these oils used in commercially prepared foods is the soybean.
Large-scale cultivation of soybeans in the United States began after World War II and quickly increased to 140 billion pounds per year. Most of the crops are produced for animal feed and soy oil for hydrogenated fats such as margarine and shortening. Today, it is nearly impossible to eat at restaurants or buy packaged foods that don’t have soy oil in the ingredients. Often labels simply state “vegetable oil.”
Ray Peat Ph.D., a physiologist who has worked with progesterone and related hormones since 1968, says that the sudden surge of polyunsaturated oils into the food chain post World War II has caused many changes in hormones. He writes:
Their [polyunsaturated oils] best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen. The thyroid hormone is essential for making the ‘protective hormones’ progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid. The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything which blocks the thyroid function.4
There is a growing body of research concerning soy’s detrimental affect on the thyroid gland. Much of this research centers on the phytoestrogens ("phyto" means plant) that are found in soy. In the 1960s when soy was introduced into infant formulas, it was shown that soy was goitrogenic and caused goiters in babies. When iodine was supplemented, the incidence of goiter reduced dramatically. However, a retrospective epidemiological study by Fort, et al. showed that teenaged children with a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease were significantly more likely to have received soy formula as infants (18 out of 59 children; 31 percent) when compared to healthy siblings (nine out of 76, 12 percent) or control group children (seven out of 54; 13 percent).5
When healthy individuals without any previous thyroid disease were fed 30 grams of pickled soybeans per day for one month, Ishizuki, et al. reported goiter and elevated individual thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (although still within the normal range) in thirty-seven healthy, iodine-sufficient adults. One month after stopping soybean consumption, individual TSH values decreased to the original levels and goiters were reduced in size.6
Traditionally, polyunsaturated oils such as soybean oil have been used for livestock feed because they cause the animals to gain weight. These oils are made up of what is known as long chain fatty acids—the kind of fatty acids that promote weight gain. In the North Carolina State University's Extension Swine Husbandry 1998-2000 Departmental report, for example, was a study entitled “EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT SOURCE, LEVEL, AND FEEDING INTERVAL ON PORK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION” by M.T. See and J. Odle. Ironically, since the market in its low-fat dogma of recent years is demanding leaner meats, this study showed that one could produce leaner meat and reduce the weight on swine by reducing their intake of soy oil and substituting it with saturated animal fat!7
According to Dr. Ray Peat, the fattening effect of polyunsaturated oils (primarily soy and corn) is due to the presence of Linoleic and linolenic acids, long-chain fatty acids, which have an anti-thyroid effect. Peat says:
Linoleic and linolenic acids, the "essential fatty acids," and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are now fed to pigs to fatten them, in the form of corn and soy beans, cause the animals' fat to be chemically equivalent to vegetable oil. In the late 1940s, chemical toxins were used to suppress the thyroid function of pigs, to make them get fatter while consuming less food. When that was found to be carcinogenic, it was then found that corn and soy beans had the same antithyroid effect, causing the animals to be fattened at low cost. The animals' fat becomes chemically similar to the fats in their food, causing it to be equally toxic, and equally fattening.8
Of course in the 1940s the fat from pigs (lard) was highly desirable, as were most saturated fats. Today, saturated fats are fed to pigs to keep them lean, while most people buy polyunsaturated soy and corn oils in the grocery stores as their primary cooking oil! So we have a population now characterized by lean pigs and obese people…
Coconut Oil: A-Healthy Choice for the Thyroid
Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This is good news for people who suffer with low thyroid function. We have seen many testimonies to this effect.
Coconut Oil and Oxidative Stress
One of the reasons the long chain fatty acids in vegetable oils are so damaging to the thyroid is that they oxidize quickly and become rancid. Food manufacturers know about this propensity towards rancidity and, therefore, highly refine their vegetable oils. Considerable research has shown that trans fatty acids, present when vegetable oils are highly refined (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated), are especially damaging to cell tissue and can have a negative affect on the thyroid as well as health in general. Because the longer chain fatty acids are deposited in cells more often as rancid and oxidizing fat, impairment of the conversion of thyroid hormone T4 to T3 occurs, which is symptomatic of hypothyroidism. To create the enzymes needed to convert fats to energy, T4 must be converted to T3.
Dr. Ray Peat says:
When the oils are stored in our tissues, they are much warmer, and more directly exposed to oxygen than they would be in the seeds, and so their tendency to oxidize is very great. These oxidative processes can damage enzymes and other parts of cells, and especially their ability to produce energy. The enzymes which break down proteins are inhibited by unsaturated fats; these enzymes are needed not only for digestion, but also for production of thyroid hormones, clot removal, immunity, and the general adaptability of cells. The risks of abnormal blood clotting, inflammation, immune deficiency, shock, aging, obesity, and cancer are increased. Thyroid [hormones] and progesterone are decreased.
Since the unsaturated oils block protein digestion in the stomach, we can be malnourished even while "eating well." There are many changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats. Their best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant.9
Because coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.
More research in this area is necessary. In the meantime, those switching from polyunsaturated oils to coconut oil are reporting many positive results. For example, Donna has experienced encouraging improvements in her thyroid health. She writes:
A coconut oil user writes:
I have experienced thyroid problems . . . body temperature not going above 97 degrees, cold hands and feet, can't lose weight, fatigued, slow heart rate, can't sleep some nights, dry skin, etc..... My doctor did the thyroid test and it came back normal. I am 46 and peri-menopausal. My Naturopath symptomatically diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. She explained the blood tests currently used by allopathic medicine are not sensitive enough. I started on the coconut oil 5 weeks ago. In the first week I noticed my body temperature had risen and my resting heart rate had gone from 49 to 88 beats per minute. This has since settled to 66. My energy is now really high and I am slowly losing the weight - 3 lbs. in the past 5 weeks. I also had been taking flaxseed oil and gamma linoleic acid oil but have stopped eating every other oil but what Dr. Raymond Peat recommends, which is coconut oil, olive oil and butter… I take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil daily. Cindy (Coconut Diet Forums)
Was this article helpful to you? Share it with others:
Find this article and MORE in the best-selling book: Virgin Coconut Oil How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! eeCoconutRecipes.com
References:
1. Gay J. Canaris, MD, MSPH; Neil R. Manowitz, PhD; Gilbert Mayor, MD; E. Chester Ridgway, MD The Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:526-534.
2. Mary Shomon, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know (New York Harper Collins, 2002)
3. Ridha Arem, The Thyroid Solution : A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health, (New York: Ballantine Books,1999)
4. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
5. P. Fort, N. Moses, M. Fasano, T. Goldberg and F. Lifshitz “Breast and soy –formula feeding in early infancy and the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children”’J. Am. Col. Nutr. 1990;(9):164-167.
6. Daniel R. Doerge, Hebron C. Chang, “Inactivation of thyroid peroxidase by soy isoflavones in vitro and in vivo” Journal of Chromatography B Vol. 777 (1, 2); 25; September 2002: 269-79
7. M.T. See and J. Odle, “EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT SOURCE, LEVEL, AND FEEDING INTERVAL ON PORK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION” 1998-2000 Departmental Report, Department of Animal Science, ANS Report No. 248 - North Carolina State University
8. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
9. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
Source: http://www.coconutdiet.com/thyroid_health.htm
Hypothyroidism Reaching Epidemic Proportions
In 1995, researchers studied 25,862 participants at the Colorado statewide health fair. They discovered that among patients not taking thyroid medication, 8.9 percent were hypothyroid (under-active thyroid) and 1.1 percent were hyperthyroid (over-active thyroid). This indicates 9.9 percent of the population had a thyroid problem that had most likely gone unrecognized. These figures suggest that nationally, there may be as many as 13 million Americans with an undiagnosed thyroid problem.1
In her book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know, Mary Shomon quotes endocrinologist Kenneth Blanchard, M.D., of Lower Newton Falls, Massachusetts as saying, “The key thing is . . . doctors are always told that TSH is the test that gives us a yes or no answer. And, in fact, I think that's fundamentally wrong. The pituitary TSH is controlled not just by how much T4 and T3 is in circulation, but T4 is getting converted to T3 at the pituitary level. Excess T3 generated at the pituitary level can falsely suppress TSH.”2 Hence, many people who are simply tested for TSH levels and are found to be within “normal” range are, in fact, suffering from thyroid problems that are going undetected.
Ridha Arem, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Baylor College of Medicine, agrees. He says that hypothyroidism may exist despite "normal range" TSH levels. In his book The Thyroid Solution he says:
Many people may be suffering from minute imbalances that have not yet resulted in abnormal blood tests. If we included people with low-grade hypothyroidism whose blood tests are normal, the frequency of hypothyroidism would no doubt exceed 10 percent of the population. What is of special concern, though, is that many people whose test results are dismissed as normal could continue to have symptoms of an under active thyroid. Their moods, emotions, and overall well-being are affected by this imbalance, yet they are not receiving the care they need to get to the root of their problems. Even if the TSH level is in the lower segment of normal range, a person may still be suffering from low-grade hypothyroidism.3
Thus, if we were to include those who may be suffering from “low-grade hypothyroidism,” the number could well be double the 13 million estimate from the Colorado study.
What is Causing This Epidemic?
While more research needs to be done, it is generally accepted that diet plays a major role in thyroid health. For decades we have known that low iodine intake leads to low thyroid function and eventually to goiter. Iodized salt was intended to solve this problem, but it has not been the answer. There are a number of foods known as goitrogens that block iodine. Two goitrogens are quite prevalent in the American diet—peanuts and peanut butter and soybeans used most often in prepared foods as textured vegetable protein (a refined soy food) and soybean oil.
The rise of industrialization, corporate farming, and mass production of food has drastically changed our food supply from what our ancestors ate. Many studies show the detrimental effects of refined sugars and grains on our health. These foods are very taxing on the thyroid gland, and we consume them in large quantities.
Environmental stress such as chemical pollutants, pesticides, mercury, and fluoride are also tough on the thyroid. A growing body of evidence suggests that fluoride, which is prevalent in toothpaste and water treatment, may inhibit the functioning of the thyroid gland. Additionally, mercury may diminish thyroid function because it displaces the trace mineral selenium, and selenium is involved in conversion of thyroid hormones T4 to T3.
The Truth About Fats and Oils
Many dietary oils can negatively affect thyroid health. We cook with them almost every day and they are plentiful in commercially prepared foods. Expeller-pressed or solvent-extracted oils only became a major part of the American diet in the last century. It is possible they are among the worst offenders when it comes to the thyroid. They are known as vegetable oils or polyunsaturated oils. The most common source of these oils used in commercially prepared foods is the soybean.
Large-scale cultivation of soybeans in the United States began after World War II and quickly increased to 140 billion pounds per year. Most of the crops are produced for animal feed and soy oil for hydrogenated fats such as margarine and shortening. Today, it is nearly impossible to eat at restaurants or buy packaged foods that don’t have soy oil in the ingredients. Often labels simply state “vegetable oil.”
Ray Peat Ph.D., a physiologist who has worked with progesterone and related hormones since 1968, says that the sudden surge of polyunsaturated oils into the food chain post World War II has caused many changes in hormones. He writes:
Their [polyunsaturated oils] best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen. The thyroid hormone is essential for making the ‘protective hormones’ progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid. The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything which blocks the thyroid function.4
There is a growing body of research concerning soy’s detrimental affect on the thyroid gland. Much of this research centers on the phytoestrogens ("phyto" means plant) that are found in soy. In the 1960s when soy was introduced into infant formulas, it was shown that soy was goitrogenic and caused goiters in babies. When iodine was supplemented, the incidence of goiter reduced dramatically. However, a retrospective epidemiological study by Fort, et al. showed that teenaged children with a diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease were significantly more likely to have received soy formula as infants (18 out of 59 children; 31 percent) when compared to healthy siblings (nine out of 76, 12 percent) or control group children (seven out of 54; 13 percent).5
When healthy individuals without any previous thyroid disease were fed 30 grams of pickled soybeans per day for one month, Ishizuki, et al. reported goiter and elevated individual thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (although still within the normal range) in thirty-seven healthy, iodine-sufficient adults. One month after stopping soybean consumption, individual TSH values decreased to the original levels and goiters were reduced in size.6
Traditionally, polyunsaturated oils such as soybean oil have been used for livestock feed because they cause the animals to gain weight. These oils are made up of what is known as long chain fatty acids—the kind of fatty acids that promote weight gain. In the North Carolina State University's Extension Swine Husbandry 1998-2000 Departmental report, for example, was a study entitled “EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT SOURCE, LEVEL, AND FEEDING INTERVAL ON PORK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION” by M.T. See and J. Odle. Ironically, since the market in its low-fat dogma of recent years is demanding leaner meats, this study showed that one could produce leaner meat and reduce the weight on swine by reducing their intake of soy oil and substituting it with saturated animal fat!7
According to Dr. Ray Peat, the fattening effect of polyunsaturated oils (primarily soy and corn) is due to the presence of Linoleic and linolenic acids, long-chain fatty acids, which have an anti-thyroid effect. Peat says:
Linoleic and linolenic acids, the "essential fatty acids," and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are now fed to pigs to fatten them, in the form of corn and soy beans, cause the animals' fat to be chemically equivalent to vegetable oil. In the late 1940s, chemical toxins were used to suppress the thyroid function of pigs, to make them get fatter while consuming less food. When that was found to be carcinogenic, it was then found that corn and soy beans had the same antithyroid effect, causing the animals to be fattened at low cost. The animals' fat becomes chemically similar to the fats in their food, causing it to be equally toxic, and equally fattening.8
Of course in the 1940s the fat from pigs (lard) was highly desirable, as were most saturated fats. Today, saturated fats are fed to pigs to keep them lean, while most people buy polyunsaturated soy and corn oils in the grocery stores as their primary cooking oil! So we have a population now characterized by lean pigs and obese people…
Coconut Oil: A-Healthy Choice for the Thyroid
Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This is good news for people who suffer with low thyroid function. We have seen many testimonies to this effect.
Coconut Oil and Oxidative Stress
One of the reasons the long chain fatty acids in vegetable oils are so damaging to the thyroid is that they oxidize quickly and become rancid. Food manufacturers know about this propensity towards rancidity and, therefore, highly refine their vegetable oils. Considerable research has shown that trans fatty acids, present when vegetable oils are highly refined (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated), are especially damaging to cell tissue and can have a negative affect on the thyroid as well as health in general. Because the longer chain fatty acids are deposited in cells more often as rancid and oxidizing fat, impairment of the conversion of thyroid hormone T4 to T3 occurs, which is symptomatic of hypothyroidism. To create the enzymes needed to convert fats to energy, T4 must be converted to T3.
Dr. Ray Peat says:
When the oils are stored in our tissues, they are much warmer, and more directly exposed to oxygen than they would be in the seeds, and so their tendency to oxidize is very great. These oxidative processes can damage enzymes and other parts of cells, and especially their ability to produce energy. The enzymes which break down proteins are inhibited by unsaturated fats; these enzymes are needed not only for digestion, but also for production of thyroid hormones, clot removal, immunity, and the general adaptability of cells. The risks of abnormal blood clotting, inflammation, immune deficiency, shock, aging, obesity, and cancer are increased. Thyroid [hormones] and progesterone are decreased.
Since the unsaturated oils block protein digestion in the stomach, we can be malnourished even while "eating well." There are many changes in hormones caused by unsaturated fats. Their best understood effect is their interference with the function of the thyroid gland. Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. Coconut oil is unique in its ability to prevent weight-gain or cure obesity, by stimulating metabolism. It is quickly metabolized, and functions in some ways as an antioxidant.9
Because coconut oil is saturated and very stable (unrefined coconut oil has a shelf life of about three to five years at room temperature), the body is not burdened with oxidative stress as it is with the vegetable oils. Coconut oil does not require the enzyme stress that vegetable oils do, preventing T4 to T3 hormone conversion, not only because it is a stable oil, but also because it is processed differently in the body and does not need to be broken down by enzyme dependent processes as do long chain fatty acids. Also, since the liver is the main place where damage occurs from oxidized and rancid oils that cause cell membrane damage, and since the liver is where much of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, eliminating long chain fatty acids from the diet and replacing them with medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil can, in time, help in rebuilding cell membranes and increasing enzyme production that will assist in promoting the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones.
More research in this area is necessary. In the meantime, those switching from polyunsaturated oils to coconut oil are reporting many positive results. For example, Donna has experienced encouraging improvements in her thyroid health. She writes:
A coconut oil user writes:
I have experienced thyroid problems . . . body temperature not going above 97 degrees, cold hands and feet, can't lose weight, fatigued, slow heart rate, can't sleep some nights, dry skin, etc..... My doctor did the thyroid test and it came back normal. I am 46 and peri-menopausal. My Naturopath symptomatically diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. She explained the blood tests currently used by allopathic medicine are not sensitive enough. I started on the coconut oil 5 weeks ago. In the first week I noticed my body temperature had risen and my resting heart rate had gone from 49 to 88 beats per minute. This has since settled to 66. My energy is now really high and I am slowly losing the weight - 3 lbs. in the past 5 weeks. I also had been taking flaxseed oil and gamma linoleic acid oil but have stopped eating every other oil but what Dr. Raymond Peat recommends, which is coconut oil, olive oil and butter… I take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil daily. Cindy (Coconut Diet Forums)
Was this article helpful to you? Share it with others:
Find this article and MORE in the best-selling book: Virgin Coconut Oil How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! eeCoconutRecipes.com
References:
1. Gay J. Canaris, MD, MSPH; Neil R. Manowitz, PhD; Gilbert Mayor, MD; E. Chester Ridgway, MD The Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:526-534.
2. Mary Shomon, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know (New York Harper Collins, 2002)
3. Ridha Arem, The Thyroid Solution : A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health, (New York: Ballantine Books,1999)
4. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
5. P. Fort, N. Moses, M. Fasano, T. Goldberg and F. Lifshitz “Breast and soy –formula feeding in early infancy and the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children”’J. Am. Col. Nutr. 1990;(9):164-167.
6. Daniel R. Doerge, Hebron C. Chang, “Inactivation of thyroid peroxidase by soy isoflavones in vitro and in vivo” Journal of Chromatography B Vol. 777 (1, 2); 25; September 2002: 269-79
7. M.T. See and J. Odle, “EFFECT OF DIETARY FAT SOURCE, LEVEL, AND FEEDING INTERVAL ON PORK FATTY ACID COMPOSITION” 1998-2000 Departmental Report, Department of Animal Science, ANS Report No. 248 - North Carolina State University
8. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
9. Raymond Peat Newsletter "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic” 1996
Source: http://www.coconutdiet.com/thyroid_health.htm
What To Do If Force Vaccinated
What To Do If Force Vaccinated
By Dr. Russell Blaylock
Dr Blaylock's List of suggestions on How to Reduce the Toxic Effects of the A/H1N1 Vaccine, is as follows:
1. Number one on the list says Dr Blaylock, is to bring a cold pack with you and place it on the site of the injection as soon as you can, as this will block the immune reaction. Once you get home, continue using a cold pack throughout the day. If you continue to have immune reactions the following day, have cold showers and continue with the cold press.
2. Take fish oil. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements, is a potent immune suppressant. If you take high dose EPA you will be more susceptible to infections, because it is a powerful immune suppressant. However, in the case of an immune adjuvant reaction, you want to reduce it. Studies show that if you take EPA oil one hour before injecting a very powerful adjuvant called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it would completely block the ability of the LPS to cause brain inflammation. Take a moderate dose everyday and more if needed to tame a cytokine storm.
3.Flavonoids are third on the list, namely curcumin, quercetin, ferulic acid and ellagic acid, particularly in a mixture. The curcumin and quercetin in particular have been found to block the ability of the adjuvants to trigger a long-term immune reaction. If you take it an hour before the vaccination, it should help dampen the immune reactions says Dr Blaylock.
4. Vitamin E, the natural form that is high in gamma-E will help dampen the immune reactions and reduces several of the inflammatory cytokines.
5. An important ingredient on the list is Vitamin C at a dose of 1000 mg, taken four times a day between meals. It is a very potent anti-inflammatory and should be taken in a buffered form, not as absorbic acid, says Dr Blaylock.
6. Also use astaxanthin as it's an anti-inflammatory. According to Dr Blaylock, fatal reactions to vaccines in aboriginal and African children occurred in those who were deficient in carotinoids, like astaxanthin. It is a good protection against the toxic effects of the vaccine.
7. Likewise, it was found that children who were deficient in zinc had a high mortality rate. Zinc is very protective against vaccine toxicity. (Do not use zinc mixed with copper however, as copper is a major trigger of free-radical generation according to Dr Blaylock).
8. Ensure you avoid all immune-stimulating supplements, such as mushroom extracts, whey protein and
9. Take a multivitamin-mineral daily one that does not contain iron. This multivitamin-mineral is to make sure your body has plenty of B vitamins and selenium. Selenium, said Dr Blaylock, is very important for fighting viral infections and it reduces the inflammatory response to vaccines.
10. Magnesium citrate/malate 500 mg of elemental magnesium two capsules, three times a day. (This was not mentioned during the show, but was posted at Dr Deagle's website,ClayandIron.com).
11. What is very important is vitamin D3, which is the only 'vitamin' the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB). It is a neural hormone, not really a vitamin says Dr Blaylock and helps if you are over-reacting immunologically by cooling down the reaction. Similarly, if you are under-reacting, it helps to boost your immune response. In addition it also protects against microorganism invasion.
Black people and those in colder climates are particularly deficient, so they will almost certainly require supplementation.
Dr Blaylock recommends that following vaccination it will help to keep the immune reaction under control if:
i) All children get 5,000 units a day for two weeks after the vaccine and then 2,000 a units a day thereafter;
ii) Adults get 20,000 units a day after the vaccine for two weeks, then 10,000 units a day thereafter;
iii) And with that adults should take 500-1000 mg of calcium a day and children under the age of 12 years should take 250 mg a day, as vitamin D works more efficiently in the presence of calcium.
12. Ensure you avoid all mercury-containing seafood or any other sources of mercury, as the heavy metal is a very powerful inducer of autoimmunity, is known to make people more susceptible to viral infections and will be in H1N1 vaccines.
13. Avoid the oils that significantly suppress immunity and increase inflammation - such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola and peanut oils.
14. Drink very concentrated white tea at least four times a day. It helps to prevent abnormal immune reactions.
15. Pop parsley and celery in a blender and drink 8 ounces of this mixture twice a day. Dr Blaylock says the parsley is very high in a flavonoid called apigenin and that celery is high inluteolin. Both are very potent in inhibiting autoimmune diseases, particularly the apigenin, so go and plant some parsley in your garden now.
Source: rense.com
By Dr. Russell Blaylock
Dr Blaylock's List of suggestions on How to Reduce the Toxic Effects of the A/H1N1 Vaccine, is as follows:
1. Number one on the list says Dr Blaylock, is to bring a cold pack with you and place it on the site of the injection as soon as you can, as this will block the immune reaction. Once you get home, continue using a cold pack throughout the day. If you continue to have immune reactions the following day, have cold showers and continue with the cold press.
2. Take fish oil. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements, is a potent immune suppressant. If you take high dose EPA you will be more susceptible to infections, because it is a powerful immune suppressant. However, in the case of an immune adjuvant reaction, you want to reduce it. Studies show that if you take EPA oil one hour before injecting a very powerful adjuvant called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it would completely block the ability of the LPS to cause brain inflammation. Take a moderate dose everyday and more if needed to tame a cytokine storm.
3.
4. Vitamin E, the natural form that is high in gamma-E will help dampen the immune reactions and reduces several of the inflammatory cytokines.
5. An important ingredient on the list is Vitamin C at a dose of 1000 mg, taken four times a day between meals. It is a very potent anti-inflammatory and should be taken in a buffered form, not as absorbic acid, says Dr Blaylock.
6.
7. Likewise, it was found that children who were deficient in zinc had a high mortality rate. Zinc is very protective against vaccine toxicity. (Do not use zinc mixed with copper however, as copper is a major trigger of free-radical generation according to Dr Blaylock).
8. Ensure you avoid all immune-stimulating supplements, such as mushroom extracts, whey protein and
9. Take a multivitamin-mineral daily one that does not contain iron. This multivitamin-mineral is to make sure your body has plenty of B vitamins and selenium. Selenium, said Dr Blaylock, is very important for fighting viral infections and it reduces the inflammatory response to vaccines.
10. Magnesium citrate/malate 500 mg of elemental magnesium two capsules, three times a day. (This was not mentioned during the show, but was posted at Dr Deagle's website,
11. What is very important is vitamin D3, which is the only 'vitamin' the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB). It is a neural hormone, not really a vitamin says Dr Blaylock and helps if you are over-reacting immunologically by cooling down the reaction. Similarly, if you are under-reacting, it helps to boost your immune response. In addition it also protects against microorganism invasion.
Black people and those in colder climates are particularly deficient, so they will almost certainly require supplementation.
Dr Blaylock recommends that following vaccination it will help to keep the immune reaction under control if:
i) All children get 5,000 units a day for two weeks after the vaccine and then 2,000 a units a day thereafter;
ii) Adults get 20,000 units a day after the vaccine for two weeks, then 10,000 units a day thereafter;
iii) And with that adults should take 500-1000 mg of calcium a day and children under the age of 12 years should take 250 mg a day, as vitamin D works more efficiently in the presence of calcium.
12. Ensure you avoid all mercury-containing seafood or any other sources of mercury, as the heavy metal is a very powerful inducer of autoimmunity, is known to make people more susceptible to viral infections and will be in H1N1 vaccines.
13. Avoid the oils that significantly suppress immunity and increase inflammation - such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola and peanut oils.
14. Drink very concentrated white tea at least four times a day. It helps to prevent abnormal immune reactions.
15. Pop parsley and celery in a blender and drink 8 ounces of this mixture twice a day. Dr Blaylock says the parsley is very high in a flavonoid called apigenin and that celery is high in
Source: rense.com
Protective Remedies Against Forced Vaccination
Have you ever known anyone who HAS NOT had a single dot of indent or scarring at the site of an injection/immunization (your arm)? Can you imagine the same thing – swelling – in your brain? Think that’s NOT possible? Think again!
“Mercury (thimerasol) is highly toxic in even very small doses. And vaccines have mercury and aluminium amongst other risky food additives.”
If you ever find yourself forced to take a vaccine injection (if the health authorities force mandatory vaccinations at gunpoint, for example), you can help protect yourself NOW!! Don’t wait till the day of the vaccination itself! I strongly feel we need to take responsibility for our personal health now more than ever. Starting now, we all should be paying extra attention to our immune system!
Forced A Vaccination You Don’t Want or Need? Here’s Your Plan for Protective Shield Against Forced Vaccinations, especially against the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and future Vaccinations! First, make sure you go over Steps 1 to 5 here. Then read below!
Many Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables not only cure infections but are also capable of preventing the ailments they treat – so load up on some of these (best to do this a few weeks to a few months before the day of your H1N1 Flu Vaccination; Inflammationis a critical part of the body’s immune response – but when it goes awry – it can lead to serious physical and mental problems. Many natural foods mentioned in this list are “anti-inflammatory”.):
1. Superfoods such as micro-algae: although chlorella has a great affinity for mercury and other heavy metals but it will also extract mercury from the water it is grown in. Organic spirulina is a better choice and is rich in gamma carotene (the body automatically converts gamma carotene to natural vitamin A).
2. Seaweeds, aloe vera (leaves). Seaweeds have #a. Sodium Alginate (a probiotic that kills at least 9 harmful strains of gut bacteria), #b. beta-glucan also found in seaweeds (otherwise found in whole grains, and in lesser amounts in edible mushrooms like the ^Shiitake mushrooms that has an anti-cancer compound “lentinan”), and #c. iodine (natural prescription antibiotic). Fresh seaweeds are more nutritious than dried ones – if you can get them. Aloe vera helps protect your digestive tract while supporting protein digestion and assimilation.
3. Red Reishi Mushrooms - the Reishi is known to Chinese as “Ling Zi” and is anti-cancer. (Reference: Plantcures.com )
4. Maitake Mushrooms are good for both cancer and diabetic sufferers
5. Probiotics and digestive enzymes. Live active culture in the food, creates nutrients that are of extraordinary value in promoting health. Many fermented foods and products have live active culture. In fact eat anything with probiotics – yoghurt (you can useKefir to make your own home-made yoghurt), sauerkraut (German pickled vegetables fermented in vinegar and fruit juice), fermented gherkins. The Malay’s (Asia) fermentedachar (pickled sliced carrots, cucumber and pineapples), and the Korean Kimchi (spicy stuff!) are equally healthy for the digestive system – helps to clean the intestine walls of plaque. Bacteriocins in probiotics kill or narrow the negative effects of prescription drugs found in prescription antibiotics and vaccines. More information on what and whys of probiotics here. ( You may wish to check out fellowblogger AlexmZolt’s Nuriche site or take his poll: Where do you get your nutrition? )
6. Glutathione found in Whey Protein – defends your cells against intra- and extra-cellular oxidative stress ie. kills free radicals that are attacking cells. Whey Protein (the liquid leftover after cheese is made) is also a good probiotic and encourages the human body to make its own natural glutathione. Whey protein has long been the favorite among athletes and bodybuilders; it is very inexpensive, and a couple small scoops can pack of 30 to 40 grams of protein. Whey protein also helps in weight loss: fat is reduced and lean muscle mass is increased.
7. Raw vegetables juices (for diabetics, please seek advise from a nutritionist, not a dietician who may recommend you fad diets or pills): add mangosteen juice orblueberry juice that are rich in anti-oxidants for example; add lemon or orange juice,or any Vitamin C-rich fruit juice; diabetics need to take whole fruits and avoid freshly-pressed fruits juice but 100%-vegetable juice is alright for everyone. Blueberries have been clinically proven to be more powerful than statin drugs in lowering LDL cholesterol (great for the heart).
8. Germanium supplements are good for adding oxygen into the body. The logic is that the more oxygen your body has, the lesser chances for impurities and toxins surviving inside your body. Oxygen will “burn” or “singe” the outer protein envelope of a flu virus (or any kind of virus), preventing it from attaching itself to a human cell, preventing it from multiplying and spreading. With the help of oxygen, your body will break down the damaged virus and use its amino acids, ect, for use in the body. The USA’s FDA outlawed these but you can get germanium naturally from tomato juices, garlic, beans, onions, ginsing, shitake mushrooms, comfrey and barley. (Cobalt, another supplement, is also used for the same purpose of maximising oxygen intake through body cells.)
9. Tumeric (looks like yellow or orange ginger) has a flavanoid known as “curcumin” and fights Cystic Fibrosis (tumeric is to be used under the gudiance of a naturpathic physician). You need VERY little of this tumeric; if you are already taking some tumeric supplements, you do not need to add your grounded tumeric powder into vege/fruits juice. Ginger is an alternative if you can’t find tumeric or tumeric supplements. Dr. Mercola highly recommends organic tumeric powder :: Why organic
10. Seeds of Grapefruits (or use whole Grapefruit) – anti-cancer, anti-leukemia, I usually add 1/8 of a grapefruit into my daily vegetable juice – with its skin unpeeled. Anything more may be too bitter. The whole grapefruit can be used.
11. Olive Leaves (or pure olive oil although this can come in powdered form or as a tincture).
12. Oregano Oil (aka Oil of Oregano) is one of nature’s natural antibiotic and is high in an antioxidant known as “rosmarinic acid”. ”Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.. For example, one tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple.” – Dr. Mercola Difference between natural antibiotic to prescription antibiotic
13. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – “raw” as in not cooked. Not many people can stomach undiluted apple cider vinegar. I usually cheat by holding my breathe while I down a tablespoon of this potent anti-detox stuff. Apple Cider vinegar is also known to clean the sticky plaque from the walls of your intestines so you absorb nutrients better without killing any benefician germs in your digestive system/guts.
14. Take sulfur-rich foods like ^Raw Garlics (botanical name is Allium Sativum; “raw” as in uncooked). The active “allicin” in garlic kills pathogenic bacteria, the Helicobacter pylori and rotavirus infections (which is responsible for many cases of diarrhea); garlic also lowers risk of heart diseases, is a natural probiotic and is also anti-cancer. Spinach,Kale and Garlic boost the immune system and treat cough, whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, fever, facial paralysis, flatulence, colic pain, constipation, atonic dyspepsia, worm infestations, duodenal ulcers, tuberculosis, eye diseases, cardiopathy, fatigue, leucoderma, leprosy, hysteria, piles, sciatica, otalgia, lumbago, swellings, splenopathy, hepatopathy, and dental caries! Alternative: odourless garlic capsules although not all of them are of good quality; consult a holistic or natoropathic doctor for advise.
15. onions Raw Onions are also sulfur-rich and anti-cancer, especially for the colon (intestines); you can eat sliced onions with satay for example.
16. Reservatrol (from Natural Unpeeled Red Grapes or Red Wine) has proathocyanidins (anti-cancer) or you can find the capsuled form in good health shops. Also a natural blood sugar regulator, reservatrol is great for those who are thinking of reversing their Type 2 diabetes.
17. Green Tea is also rich in cancer-fighting anti-oxidants and catechins such as EGCG; as evidenced in the China Study by Professor T. Collins Campbell and his research team.
18. Milk Thistle is ideal for supporting the liver from any onslaught of toxins and pathogens.
19. Anise Seeds may be the reason why India is one of the last countries to see deaths from H1N1/Swine flu. Their natural foods (spices) are rich in untainted un-modified anise seeds, shallots, garlic, onions, etc.
Different Types of Anise Seeds:
1. Anise in its original “star” pods (recommended).
2. Anise without its pods look like small oval and flat grains (recommended).
3. And ground Anise powder looks a little like curry powder. 4 oz of this costs US$2.75.
4. Anise Seed Essential Oil – add to lukewarm water for soaking and bath, this makes a natural anti-cold therapy (recommended)
5. Anise Seeds by Wholesale prices (recommended)Here’s a recipe Biscuits with Anise Seeds (although I highly recommend you do NOT microwave the anise seeds). I cannotrecommend Anise extract or Anise powder at this time because before one can do so, one needs to look at EVERY ingredient that has gone into the manufacture, and its storing and preparation processes. For example, it is very easy to add ground ginger powder to ground Anise powder, and IF ginger is not safe, the while food/Anise powder is questionable. Poor storage of food products can also diminish nutritional value of foods and herbs. If at all possible, try to get WHOLE (unground) and organically-grown foods. (Organic foods should be drug-free, hormones-free, aspartame-free, pesticide-free, mercury-free, yeast-free, toxic-free, etc. )
20. Cilantro prevents your body from absorbing thimerasol (mercury). If you want to keep something in your fridge to be drank or added to your soup everyday, organic cilantro is what you want. Get a ton of organic cilantro, chop it up, add pure water, simmer until you have a thick stew of it. You want the water to be a VERY dark green color. As you want organic nutrients, do not keep for more than a week in the fridge.
21. Roots of Yellow Dock removes harmful aluminium found in vaccines. You simply grind the roots and add to your favourite vegetable or fruit juice. One of the most affordable vege you can ever find for detoxification.
22. Gingko Biloba promotes mental alertness but if your gingko biloba supplement contains ginseng, don’t take it (bad reactions with vaccinations). Avoid any supplement product with ginseng as it may contain neurotoxin 4-O-methylpyridoxine.
23. Ban Zhi Lian (Chinese Barbed Skullcap aka Skullcap) help to moderate seizures in epilepsy and vaccine-related seizures. Not meant to be taken in large doses (please consult your nutritionist!)
24. Huang Qin (Chinese herb) causes apoptosis for leukemia cells. Anti-cancer (you don’t want cancer to weaken you for vaccines).
25. Black Cohosh (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizome) is also anti-cancer.
26. Bicarbonate Soda although found in baking powder, consumption of baking powder with MSG (monosodium-glutmate) is not recommended. You need very little of this in your one serving of water/vege juice everyday.
27. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense ) Used in alternative medicine for menopause, osteoporosis, cough and eczema. Ref: http://www.baldwins.co.uk/Supplements-And-Homeopathy/Viridian/Viridian-Red-Clover-400mg-30-Vegetarian-Capsules/14197/610
28. Chinese Astragalus Root: aka Huang Chi has been used for over 2,000 years to strengthen body’s immunity system.
29. Bugleweed supports the thyroid, heart and lung functions. Also used to treat upset stomach, gout, hemorrhoid bleeding and pain in breasts (for those breastfeeding). Also known by these names: Lycopus virginicus, Lycopus americanus, Lycopus europaenus, Archangle, Ashangee, American Bugleweed, Carpenter’s Herb, Common Bufle, Egyptian’s Herb, Farasyon Maiy, Green Wolf’s Foot, Gypsy-Weed, Gypsy-Wort, Menta de Lobo, Middle Comfrey, Paul’s Betony, Sicklewort, Su Ferasyunu, Water Bugle, and Water Horehound
30. Lobelia Inflata (aka Indian Tobacco): this plant originates from North America, the Lobelia has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and cough. First used for those who could not stand the smell of tobacco! Also known by other names: Cardinal flower, Red lobelia, Scarlet lobelia, Puke weed
31. Barestem Desert-Parsley (Lomatium dissectum) was used for treatment of tuberculosis.
32. Spearmint (or spearmint tea) can reduce flatulence and burping, reduce heartburn and nausea, intestinal distress. The tea (non-caffeine) also appears to block the action of androgen in the body, which can make it a natural treatment for hirsutism (excessive hair) in women and hair loss in men.
33. Marshmallow root is used for many years to relieve dry cough and sore throats (natural cough expectorant), as well as to treat chapped skin, minor wounds. Has been used in connection with heartburn, diarrhea, Cron’s disease, asthma, indigestion, pap smears, cystitis and hiatus hernia and peptic ulcer. Mildly stimulates the immune system.. Externally used as a stretchmark gel, and can be poulticed on bruises, sprains, burns, muscle aches, bee stings, boils, eczema and psoriasis. Not found in the USA, its peeled root is considered of higher quality than root with the outer bark.
34. Chanca Piedra (aka yerba de San Pablo; botanical name: phyllanthus niruri) is a herbal plant that can be used in whole to protect liver and support liver, reduce spasms, aid digestion, reduce blood sugar, expel kidney stones and worms, prevent cell mutations (anti-cancer) and even to treat malaria. However, those with diabetic and heart problems should not take this without first consulting their doctors, as Chanca Piedra has geraniin, which interacts with prescription drugs for diabetics and heart patients.
35. Natural Fibre: Reduce corn flakes (they’re nothing flattened genetically-modified corn with only carbohydrates and sugar anyway), and instead go for wholemeal (ground from whole grains), oatbran and psyllium breakfast treats. Psyllium (or Organic Psyllium Husk Powder) helps to cleanse your colon of the bad germs without killing the good germs.
36. Green peas are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and beta-carotenes (aka carotenes or carotenoids – converts to natural non-toxic safe Vitamin A in your body). Carotenes is a natural remedy for depression (mental health is important for physical health), helps slows progression of cataracts, prevents macular degeneration, high blood pressure, arthritis, helps asthma, bone development, reproductive health, and is anti-cancer, etc. Carotenes are also found indark green vege, orange-yellow vegetables (carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, apricots, and green peppers). Commercially available carotene are made from palm oil or fungi and so, pales in comparison to natural carotene-rich foods. Peas are preferred over beans partially because they have lesser calcium (refer to box below about calcium). Vitamin K, a stronger antioxidant than vitamin E or coenzyme Q10, prevents oxidative cell damage, promotes strong bones and heart, and are found in foods like brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, Swiss chard, broccoli, and mustard greens. Vitamin K works outside the liver (gives liver a break!) to regulate calcium, and gives proteins “claws” so proteins can “hold on” to calcium. (Vitamin K2 should not be taken by those who are taking blood-thinning medicines.)
37. Foods rich in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) are good for the heart. The best source of ALA is flaxseeds. Other sources: walnuts
38. Parsley and Basil Leaves have an obscure bioflavonoid called called “apigenin” thathelps to keep capillaries strong and cells strong. Basil leaves have ursolic acid (anti-cancer) too. Celery and green pepper are high in another flavonoid known as “luteolin” (luteolin disrupts inflammatory responses in your brain and has proved to be very good for preventing deterioration in Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis). Anti-inflammatory, food containing apigenin and luteolin are very potent in inhibiting/preventing autoimmune diseases. Dr. Russel Blaylock recommends at least a daily intake of 8 ounces of juiced parsley and celery to drank immediately after juicing.
39. Gamma-E, found ONLY IN Natural Whole Foods like nuts, whole grains, and wheat germ, helps reduce several of the inflammatory cytokines (”toxic storm” within the body). The other kind in your vitamin E capsules, aka alpha-tocopherol , is different because alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) may promote oxidation (free radicals), specifically in smokers who also eat a lot of foods with omega-6 cooking oils.
40. Rosemary contains Rosmarinic acid and makes strong anti-inflammatary agent (reduces swells, etc).
41. Borage (starflower) has GLA that inhibits the action of the cancer gene Her-2/neu (present in 30% of breast cancer). Primrose Oil (normally taken by women) also hasGamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that is is anti-cancer. Primrose oil and Borage regulate the metabolic rate of various tissues, division and growth of cells, secretions (including digestive juices and hormones), controls fertility processes, and supports your body’s immune system; also fight inflammation, arthritic pain and eczema. GLA is the perfect replacement for Omega-6 oils (you don’t need a lot of Omega-6 oils commonly found in cooking oil.)
42. Wild Alaskan Red Salmon is a natural source of Omega-3 oils and is least likely to be contaminated with industrial mercury waste (other than Krill Oil which is also rich in GLA).
43. Bromelain (an enzyme) found abundant in ^pineapples, blocks a defective protein found in all cancerous cells. (Ref: Queensland Institute of Medical Research)
44. The EGCG found in green tea and black tea, reduced the levels of reactive carbonyls commonly found in diabetics; also helps in treating /preventing Alzheimer’s disease, and possibly autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome (also known as one of the Invisible Diseases). A component called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in^Green Tea, can block the ability of the AIDS virus to hijack and destroy the immune system, protects the heart, blood vessels and prevents atherosclerosis and cancer. Polysaccharides in ^Black Tea helps to retard absorption of glucose, and is a natural scavenger of free radicals (which are involved in the onset of Cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis). These teas neutralize some of the toxins formed by high-fructose corn syrup(vaccines have high fructose corn syrup!) Ref: Sciencedaily and Institute of Food Technologists
1. Burdock Root, Synephrine (immature orange peel), Capsicum, Horehound herb, Althea root and Yerba Santa herb: magnesium, potassium, silicon, zinc, vitamins A and C, and thiamine. Dang Gui root, Epimedium leaf, Eucommia bark, Ganoderma plant. Lycium fruit, Rehmannia root, Achyranthes root, Atractylodes rhizome, Citrus peel, Hoelen plant, Ligustrum, Zeolites, H1X1 mushroom, sasa bamboo leaf, Ophiopogon root, Peony root, Polygala root, Schizandra, Licorice root, Rhodiola Rosea, Eleutherococcus Senticosus, Ashwaganda, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and schizandra, Dandelion Whole Plant (Taraxacum officinale)
Purslane Tops (Portulaca oleracea)
Indigo Leaves and Root (Indigofera tinctoria)
Thlaspi Whole Plant (Thlaspi arvense)
Bupleurum Root (Chinese Bupleurum)
Typhonium Rhizome (Typhonium flagelliforme)
Scute Root (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Cinnamon Twig (Cinnamomum cassia)
46. Vitamin & Mineral Supplements (see next part of this blog entry - coming soon so check back in a couple of days!!)
Anti-cancer. The main role of antioxidants (eg. flavoniods, isoflavones, bioflavonoids) is to prevent cell damage (or mutation) via free radicals. Free radicals cannot be avoided, they are found in almost everything, in our bodies and in air. Free radicals (a class of molecules/compounds) exist and act like microbes that react quickly to dead or decomposing material. Free radicals are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes – the very things that causes cancer so antioxidants are synonymous with anti-cancer and good health.
by Kelly at MyQute.com
I am not a doctor so PLEASE consult a Traditional Chinese Herbalist or a Naturopathic Nutritionist before buying anything from your health shop. Why you need to consult an expert? Over-load of antioxidants could also lead to heart failure!
“Mercury (thimerasol) is highly toxic in even very small doses. And vaccines have mercury and aluminium amongst other risky food additives.”
If you ever find yourself forced to take a vaccine injection (if the health authorities force mandatory vaccinations at gunpoint, for example), you can help protect yourself NOW!! Don’t wait till the day of the vaccination itself! I strongly feel we need to take responsibility for our personal health now more than ever. Starting now, we all should be paying extra attention to our immune system!
Forced A Vaccination You Don’t Want or Need? Here’s Your Plan for Protective Shield Against Forced Vaccinations, especially against the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and future Vaccinations! First, make sure you go over Steps 1 to 5 here. Then read below!
Many Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables not only cure infections but are also capable of preventing the ailments they treat – so load up on some of these (best to do this a few weeks to a few months before the day of your H1N1 Flu Vaccination; Inflammationis a critical part of the body’s immune response – but when it goes awry – it can lead to serious physical and mental problems. Many natural foods mentioned in this list are “anti-inflammatory”.):
1. Superfoods such as micro-algae: although chlorella has a great affinity for mercury and other heavy metals but it will also extract mercury from the water it is grown in. Organic spirulina is a better choice and is rich in gamma carotene (the body automatically converts gamma carotene to natural vitamin A).
2. Seaweeds, aloe vera (leaves). Seaweeds have #a. Sodium Alginate (a probiotic that kills at least 9 harmful strains of gut bacteria), #b. beta-glucan also found in seaweeds (otherwise found in whole grains, and in lesser amounts in edible mushrooms like the ^Shiitake mushrooms that has an anti-cancer compound “lentinan”), and #c. iodine (natural prescription antibiotic). Fresh seaweeds are more nutritious than dried ones – if you can get them. Aloe vera helps protect your digestive tract while supporting protein digestion and assimilation.
3. Red Reishi Mushrooms - the Reishi is known to Chinese as “Ling Zi” and is anti-cancer. (Reference: Plantcures.com )
4. Maitake Mushrooms are good for both cancer and diabetic sufferers
5. Probiotics and digestive enzymes. Live active culture in the food, creates nutrients that are of extraordinary value in promoting health. Many fermented foods and products have live active culture. In fact eat anything with probiotics – yoghurt (you can useKefir to make your own home-made yoghurt), sauerkraut (German pickled vegetables fermented in vinegar and fruit juice), fermented gherkins. The Malay’s (Asia) fermentedachar (pickled sliced carrots, cucumber and pineapples), and the Korean Kimchi (spicy stuff!) are equally healthy for the digestive system – helps to clean the intestine walls of plaque. Bacteriocins in probiotics kill or narrow the negative effects of prescription drugs found in prescription antibiotics and vaccines. More information on what and whys of probiotics here. ( You may wish to check out fellowblogger AlexmZolt’s Nuriche site or take his poll: Where do you get your nutrition? )
6. Glutathione found in Whey Protein – defends your cells against intra- and extra-cellular oxidative stress ie. kills free radicals that are attacking cells. Whey Protein (the liquid leftover after cheese is made) is also a good probiotic and encourages the human body to make its own natural glutathione. Whey protein has long been the favorite among athletes and bodybuilders; it is very inexpensive, and a couple small scoops can pack of 30 to 40 grams of protein. Whey protein also helps in weight loss: fat is reduced and lean muscle mass is increased.
7. Raw vegetables juices (for diabetics, please seek advise from a nutritionist, not a dietician who may recommend you fad diets or pills): add mangosteen juice orblueberry juice that are rich in anti-oxidants for example; add lemon or orange juice,or any Vitamin C-rich fruit juice; diabetics need to take whole fruits and avoid freshly-pressed fruits juice but 100%-vegetable juice is alright for everyone. Blueberries have been clinically proven to be more powerful than statin drugs in lowering LDL cholesterol (great for the heart).
8. Germanium supplements are good for adding oxygen into the body. The logic is that the more oxygen your body has, the lesser chances for impurities and toxins surviving inside your body. Oxygen will “burn” or “singe” the outer protein envelope of a flu virus (or any kind of virus), preventing it from attaching itself to a human cell, preventing it from multiplying and spreading. With the help of oxygen, your body will break down the damaged virus and use its amino acids, ect, for use in the body. The USA’s FDA outlawed these but you can get germanium naturally from tomato juices, garlic, beans, onions, ginsing, shitake mushrooms, comfrey and barley. (Cobalt, another supplement, is also used for the same purpose of maximising oxygen intake through body cells.)
9. Tumeric (looks like yellow or orange ginger) has a flavanoid known as “curcumin” and fights Cystic Fibrosis (tumeric is to be used under the gudiance of a naturpathic physician). You need VERY little of this tumeric; if you are already taking some tumeric supplements, you do not need to add your grounded tumeric powder into vege/fruits juice. Ginger is an alternative if you can’t find tumeric or tumeric supplements. Dr. Mercola highly recommends organic tumeric powder :: Why organic
10. Seeds of Grapefruits (or use whole Grapefruit) – anti-cancer, anti-leukemia, I usually add 1/8 of a grapefruit into my daily vegetable juice – with its skin unpeeled. Anything more may be too bitter. The whole grapefruit can be used.
11. Olive Leaves (or pure olive oil although this can come in powdered form or as a tincture).
12. Oregano Oil (aka Oil of Oregano) is one of nature’s natural antibiotic and is high in an antioxidant known as “rosmarinic acid”. ”Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.. For example, one tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple.” – Dr. Mercola Difference between natural antibiotic to prescription antibiotic
13. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – “raw” as in not cooked. Not many people can stomach undiluted apple cider vinegar. I usually cheat by holding my breathe while I down a tablespoon of this potent anti-detox stuff. Apple Cider vinegar is also known to clean the sticky plaque from the walls of your intestines so you absorb nutrients better without killing any benefician germs in your digestive system/guts.
14. Take sulfur-rich foods like ^Raw Garlics (botanical name is Allium Sativum; “raw” as in uncooked). The active “allicin” in garlic kills pathogenic bacteria, the Helicobacter pylori and rotavirus infections (which is responsible for many cases of diarrhea); garlic also lowers risk of heart diseases, is a natural probiotic and is also anti-cancer. Spinach,Kale and Garlic boost the immune system and treat cough, whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma, fever, facial paralysis, flatulence, colic pain, constipation, atonic dyspepsia, worm infestations, duodenal ulcers, tuberculosis, eye diseases, cardiopathy, fatigue, leucoderma, leprosy, hysteria, piles, sciatica, otalgia, lumbago, swellings, splenopathy, hepatopathy, and dental caries! Alternative: odourless garlic capsules although not all of them are of good quality; consult a holistic or natoropathic doctor for advise.
15. onions Raw Onions are also sulfur-rich and anti-cancer, especially for the colon (intestines); you can eat sliced onions with satay for example.
16. Reservatrol (from Natural Unpeeled Red Grapes or Red Wine) has proathocyanidins (anti-cancer) or you can find the capsuled form in good health shops. Also a natural blood sugar regulator, reservatrol is great for those who are thinking of reversing their Type 2 diabetes.
17. Green Tea is also rich in cancer-fighting anti-oxidants and catechins such as EGCG; as evidenced in the China Study by Professor T. Collins Campbell and his research team.
18. Milk Thistle is ideal for supporting the liver from any onslaught of toxins and pathogens.
19. Anise Seeds may be the reason why India is one of the last countries to see deaths from H1N1/Swine flu. Their natural foods (spices) are rich in untainted un-modified anise seeds, shallots, garlic, onions, etc.
Different Types of Anise Seeds:
1. Anise in its original “star” pods (recommended).
2. Anise without its pods look like small oval and flat grains (recommended).
3. And ground Anise powder looks a little like curry powder. 4 oz of this costs US$2.75.
4. Anise Seed Essential Oil – add to lukewarm water for soaking and bath, this makes a natural anti-cold therapy (recommended)
5. Anise Seeds by Wholesale prices (recommended)Here’s a recipe Biscuits with Anise Seeds (although I highly recommend you do NOT microwave the anise seeds). I cannotrecommend Anise extract or Anise powder at this time because before one can do so, one needs to look at EVERY ingredient that has gone into the manufacture, and its storing and preparation processes. For example, it is very easy to add ground ginger powder to ground Anise powder, and IF ginger is not safe, the while food/Anise powder is questionable. Poor storage of food products can also diminish nutritional value of foods and herbs. If at all possible, try to get WHOLE (unground) and organically-grown foods. (Organic foods should be drug-free, hormones-free, aspartame-free, pesticide-free, mercury-free, yeast-free, toxic-free, etc. )
20. Cilantro prevents your body from absorbing thimerasol (mercury). If you want to keep something in your fridge to be drank or added to your soup everyday, organic cilantro is what you want. Get a ton of organic cilantro, chop it up, add pure water, simmer until you have a thick stew of it. You want the water to be a VERY dark green color. As you want organic nutrients, do not keep for more than a week in the fridge.
21. Roots of Yellow Dock removes harmful aluminium found in vaccines. You simply grind the roots and add to your favourite vegetable or fruit juice. One of the most affordable vege you can ever find for detoxification.
22. Gingko Biloba promotes mental alertness but if your gingko biloba supplement contains ginseng, don’t take it (bad reactions with vaccinations). Avoid any supplement product with ginseng as it may contain neurotoxin 4-O-methylpyridoxine.
23. Ban Zhi Lian (Chinese Barbed Skullcap aka Skullcap) help to moderate seizures in epilepsy and vaccine-related seizures. Not meant to be taken in large doses (please consult your nutritionist!)
24. Huang Qin (Chinese herb) causes apoptosis for leukemia cells. Anti-cancer (you don’t want cancer to weaken you for vaccines).
25. Black Cohosh (Cimicifugae racemosae rhizome) is also anti-cancer.
26. Bicarbonate Soda although found in baking powder, consumption of baking powder with MSG (monosodium-glutmate) is not recommended. You need very little of this in your one serving of water/vege juice everyday.
27. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense ) Used in alternative medicine for menopause, osteoporosis, cough and eczema. Ref: http://www.baldwins.co.uk/Supplements-And-Homeopathy/Viridian/Viridian-Red-Clover-400mg-30-Vegetarian-Capsules/14197/610
28. Chinese Astragalus Root: aka Huang Chi has been used for over 2,000 years to strengthen body’s immunity system.
29. Bugleweed supports the thyroid, heart and lung functions. Also used to treat upset stomach, gout, hemorrhoid bleeding and pain in breasts (for those breastfeeding). Also known by these names: Lycopus virginicus, Lycopus americanus, Lycopus europaenus, Archangle, Ashangee, American Bugleweed, Carpenter’s Herb, Common Bufle, Egyptian’s Herb, Farasyon Maiy, Green Wolf’s Foot, Gypsy-Weed, Gypsy-Wort, Menta de Lobo, Middle Comfrey, Paul’s Betony, Sicklewort, Su Ferasyunu, Water Bugle, and Water Horehound
30. Lobelia Inflata (aka Indian Tobacco): this plant originates from North America, the Lobelia has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and cough. First used for those who could not stand the smell of tobacco! Also known by other names: Cardinal flower, Red lobelia, Scarlet lobelia, Puke weed
31. Barestem Desert-Parsley (Lomatium dissectum) was used for treatment of tuberculosis.
32. Spearmint (or spearmint tea) can reduce flatulence and burping, reduce heartburn and nausea, intestinal distress. The tea (non-caffeine) also appears to block the action of androgen in the body, which can make it a natural treatment for hirsutism (excessive hair) in women and hair loss in men.
33. Marshmallow root is used for many years to relieve dry cough and sore throats (natural cough expectorant), as well as to treat chapped skin, minor wounds. Has been used in connection with heartburn, diarrhea, Cron’s disease, asthma, indigestion, pap smears, cystitis and hiatus hernia and peptic ulcer. Mildly stimulates the immune system.. Externally used as a stretchmark gel, and can be poulticed on bruises, sprains, burns, muscle aches, bee stings, boils, eczema and psoriasis. Not found in the USA, its peeled root is considered of higher quality than root with the outer bark.
34. Chanca Piedra (aka yerba de San Pablo; botanical name: phyllanthus niruri) is a herbal plant that can be used in whole to protect liver and support liver, reduce spasms, aid digestion, reduce blood sugar, expel kidney stones and worms, prevent cell mutations (anti-cancer) and even to treat malaria. However, those with diabetic and heart problems should not take this without first consulting their doctors, as Chanca Piedra has geraniin, which interacts with prescription drugs for diabetics and heart patients.
35. Natural Fibre: Reduce corn flakes (they’re nothing flattened genetically-modified corn with only carbohydrates and sugar anyway), and instead go for wholemeal (ground from whole grains), oatbran and psyllium breakfast treats. Psyllium (or Organic Psyllium Husk Powder) helps to cleanse your colon of the bad germs without killing the good germs.
36. Green peas are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and beta-carotenes (aka carotenes or carotenoids – converts to natural non-toxic safe Vitamin A in your body). Carotenes is a natural remedy for depression (mental health is important for physical health), helps slows progression of cataracts, prevents macular degeneration, high blood pressure, arthritis, helps asthma, bone development, reproductive health, and is anti-cancer, etc. Carotenes are also found indark green vege, orange-yellow vegetables (carrots, broccoli, romaine lettuce, apricots, and green peppers). Commercially available carotene are made from palm oil or fungi and so, pales in comparison to natural carotene-rich foods. Peas are preferred over beans partially because they have lesser calcium (refer to box below about calcium). Vitamin K, a stronger antioxidant than vitamin E or coenzyme Q10, prevents oxidative cell damage, promotes strong bones and heart, and are found in foods like brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, Swiss chard, broccoli, and mustard greens. Vitamin K works outside the liver (gives liver a break!) to regulate calcium, and gives proteins “claws” so proteins can “hold on” to calcium. (Vitamin K2 should not be taken by those who are taking blood-thinning medicines.)
37. Foods rich in Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) are good for the heart. The best source of ALA is flaxseeds. Other sources: walnuts
38. Parsley and Basil Leaves have an obscure bioflavonoid called called “apigenin” thathelps to keep capillaries strong and cells strong. Basil leaves have ursolic acid (anti-cancer) too. Celery and green pepper are high in another flavonoid known as “luteolin” (luteolin disrupts inflammatory responses in your brain and has proved to be very good for preventing deterioration in Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis). Anti-inflammatory, food containing apigenin and luteolin are very potent in inhibiting/preventing autoimmune diseases. Dr. Russel Blaylock recommends at least a daily intake of 8 ounces of juiced parsley and celery to drank immediately after juicing.
39. Gamma-E, found ONLY IN Natural Whole Foods like nuts, whole grains, and wheat germ, helps reduce several of the inflammatory cytokines (”toxic storm” within the body). The other kind in your vitamin E capsules, aka alpha-tocopherol , is different because alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) may promote oxidation (free radicals), specifically in smokers who also eat a lot of foods with omega-6 cooking oils.
40. Rosemary contains Rosmarinic acid and makes strong anti-inflammatary agent (reduces swells, etc).
41. Borage (starflower) has GLA that inhibits the action of the cancer gene Her-2/neu (present in 30% of breast cancer). Primrose Oil (normally taken by women) also hasGamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that is is anti-cancer. Primrose oil and Borage regulate the metabolic rate of various tissues, division and growth of cells, secretions (including digestive juices and hormones), controls fertility processes, and supports your body’s immune system; also fight inflammation, arthritic pain and eczema. GLA is the perfect replacement for Omega-6 oils (you don’t need a lot of Omega-6 oils commonly found in cooking oil.)
42. Wild Alaskan Red Salmon is a natural source of Omega-3 oils and is least likely to be contaminated with industrial mercury waste (other than Krill Oil which is also rich in GLA).
43. Bromelain (an enzyme) found abundant in ^pineapples, blocks a defective protein found in all cancerous cells. (Ref: Queensland Institute of Medical Research)
44. The EGCG found in green tea and black tea, reduced the levels of reactive carbonyls commonly found in diabetics; also helps in treating /preventing Alzheimer’s disease, and possibly autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome (also known as one of the Invisible Diseases). A component called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in^Green Tea, can block the ability of the AIDS virus to hijack and destroy the immune system, protects the heart, blood vessels and prevents atherosclerosis and cancer. Polysaccharides in ^Black Tea helps to retard absorption of glucose, and is a natural scavenger of free radicals (which are involved in the onset of Cancer and Rheumatoid Arthritis). These teas neutralize some of the toxins formed by high-fructose corn syrup(vaccines have high fructose corn syrup!) Ref: Sciencedaily and Institute of Food Technologists
1. Burdock Root, Synephrine (immature orange peel), Capsicum, Horehound herb, Althea root and Yerba Santa herb: magnesium, potassium, silicon, zinc, vitamins A and C, and thiamine. Dang Gui root, Epimedium leaf, Eucommia bark, Ganoderma plant. Lycium fruit, Rehmannia root, Achyranthes root, Atractylodes rhizome, Citrus peel, Hoelen plant, Ligustrum, Zeolites, H1X1 mushroom, sasa bamboo leaf, Ophiopogon root, Peony root, Polygala root, Schizandra, Licorice root, Rhodiola Rosea, Eleutherococcus Senticosus, Ashwaganda, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and schizandra, Dandelion Whole Plant (Taraxacum officinale)
Purslane Tops (Portulaca oleracea)
Indigo Leaves and Root (Indigofera tinctoria)
Thlaspi Whole Plant (Thlaspi arvense)
Bupleurum Root (Chinese Bupleurum)
Typhonium Rhizome (Typhonium flagelliforme)
Scute Root (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Cinnamon Twig (Cinnamomum cassia)
46. Vitamin & Mineral Supplements (see next part of this blog entry - coming soon so check back in a couple of days!!)
Anti-cancer. The main role of antioxidants (eg. flavoniods, isoflavones, bioflavonoids) is to prevent cell damage (or mutation) via free radicals. Free radicals cannot be avoided, they are found in almost everything, in our bodies and in air. Free radicals (a class of molecules/compounds) exist and act like microbes that react quickly to dead or decomposing material. Free radicals are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes – the very things that causes cancer so antioxidants are synonymous with anti-cancer and good health.
by Kelly at MyQute.com
I am not a doctor so PLEASE consult a Traditional Chinese Herbalist or a Naturopathic Nutritionist before buying anything from your health shop. Why you need to consult an expert? Over-load of antioxidants could also lead to heart failure!
Mercury in High-Fructose Corn Syrup?
Researchers Say 17 Products Tested Had Some Mercury; Industry Group Says Syrup Is Safe
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Some foods and drinks rich in high-fructose corn syrup may contain detectable levels of mercury, a new report shows.
The report, published on the web site of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), shows detectable levels of mercury in 17 out of 55 tested products rich in high-fructose corn syrup.
But the researchers aren't telling people to avoid those products or other items containing high-fructose corn syrup, and they aren't sure what form of mercury those products contained.
The Corn Refiners Association stands by high-fructose corn syrup, calling it "safe."
Mercury and High-Fructose Corn Syrup
The new report comes from researchers including David Wallinga, MD, director of the IATP's food and health program. They bought 55 products that list high-fructose corn syrup first or second on their list of ingredients, which means high-fructose corn syrup was a leading ingredient in those products.
Wallinga's team sent samples of those products to a commercial lab, which checked the levels of total mercury in each sample.
"Overall, we found detectable mercury in 17 of 55 samples, or around 31%," write Wallinga and colleagues.
Here is the list of those products:
* Quaker Oatmeal to Go bars
* Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce
* Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
* Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
* Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
* Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe
* Market Pantry Grape Jelly
* Smucker's Strawberry Jelly
* Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry
* Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
* Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing
* Coca-Cola Classic: no mercury found on a second test
* Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt
* Minute Maid Berry Punch
* Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink
* Nesquik Chocolate Milk
* Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk
Wallinga and colleagues caution that their list was "just a snapshot in time; we only tested one sample of each product. That clearly is not sufficient grounds to give definitive advice to consumers."
Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. A form of mercury called methylmercury is particularly risky to a baby's developing brain and nervous system, according to background information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Wallinga points out that the lab only tested for total mercury levels, not methylmercury or other types of mercury. He also notes that the EPA has a "reference dose," or upper limit, for methylmercury intake but not for other forms of mercury.
Where Did the Mercury Come From?
Wallinga's report doesn't prove that the mercury in the tested products came from high-fructose corn syrup, but "I'm hard pressed to say where else it would come from," Wallinga tells WebMD.
Wallinga explains that mercury can be used to make caustic soda, which is one of the products used to make high-fructose corn syrup. That's outdated technology; mercury isn't needed to make caustic soda, notes Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, in a statement emailed to WebMD.
To continue reading the additional two pages, copy paste original link source:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090127/mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup
Reply With Quote
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
Some foods and drinks rich in high-fructose corn syrup may contain detectable levels of mercury, a new report shows.
The report, published on the web site of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), shows detectable levels of mercury in 17 out of 55 tested products rich in high-fructose corn syrup.
But the researchers aren't telling people to avoid those products or other items containing high-fructose corn syrup, and they aren't sure what form of mercury those products contained.
The Corn Refiners Association stands by high-fructose corn syrup, calling it "safe."
Mercury and High-Fructose Corn Syrup
The new report comes from researchers including David Wallinga, MD, director of the IATP's food and health program. They bought 55 products that list high-fructose corn syrup first or second on their list of ingredients, which means high-fructose corn syrup was a leading ingredient in those products.
Wallinga's team sent samples of those products to a commercial lab, which checked the levels of total mercury in each sample.
"Overall, we found detectable mercury in 17 of 55 samples, or around 31%," write Wallinga and colleagues.
Here is the list of those products:
* Quaker Oatmeal to Go bars
* Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce
* Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
* Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
* Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
* Manwich Gold Sloppy Joe
* Market Pantry Grape Jelly
* Smucker's Strawberry Jelly
* Pop-Tarts Frosted Blueberry
* Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
* Wish-Bone Western Sweet & Smooth Dressing
* Coca-Cola Classic: no mercury found on a second test
* Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt
* Minute Maid Berry Punch
* Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink
* Nesquik Chocolate Milk
* Kemps Fat Free Chocolate Milk
Wallinga and colleagues caution that their list was "just a snapshot in time; we only tested one sample of each product. That clearly is not sufficient grounds to give definitive advice to consumers."
Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. A form of mercury called methylmercury is particularly risky to a baby's developing brain and nervous system, according to background information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Wallinga points out that the lab only tested for total mercury levels, not methylmercury or other types of mercury. He also notes that the EPA has a "reference dose," or upper limit, for methylmercury intake but not for other forms of mercury.
Where Did the Mercury Come From?
Wallinga's report doesn't prove that the mercury in the tested products came from high-fructose corn syrup, but "I'm hard pressed to say where else it would come from," Wallinga tells WebMD.
Wallinga explains that mercury can be used to make caustic soda, which is one of the products used to make high-fructose corn syrup. That's outdated technology; mercury isn't needed to make caustic soda, notes Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, in a statement emailed to WebMD.
To continue reading the additional two pages, copy paste original link source:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20090127/mercury-in-high-fructose-corn-syrup
Reply With Quote
What To Do If You Contract Influenza
What To Do If You Contract Influenza Including H1N1 (Swine) Flu or the Common Cold
By William Faloon
With daily news reports warning of a swine flu pandemic, members have besieged our health advisors with questions about what they should do to protect themselves against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
The good news is that Life Extension® members obtain a considerable amount of immune support via the supplements they already use, especially those taking high-dose vitamin D.
An important question, however, is what one should do if they develop symptoms of a viral infection? As the days grow colder, the risks of contracting common flu and cold viruses increase. Each year, flu virus infections kill around 36,000 Americans and cause miseries for millions.1 An outbreak of the swine flu virus is expected this winter.
While certain supplements (and drugs) purport to shorten the duration of a viral infection, most of them fail to provide significant relief. Over the past 28 years, Life Extension® personnel have experimented with various nutrients, hormones, and drugs in order to minimize the impact of the common cold and typical flu viruses.
In this article, I will reveal what has worked for me personally to ward off common cold/flu viruses and what has been validated in the scientific literature to be effective.
I will also elaborate on some aggressive prescription drug strategies to consider in the event that you contract a severe form of swine flu or other type of influenza.
Don’t Wait for Full-Blown Illness to Manifest
People often wait until they are very sick before seeking influenza treatment. This delay can preclude rapid eradication of the infectious agent. In some cases, treatment delay can be lethal.
I have found enormous personal benefit by taking aggressive actions upon the onset of the very first cold-flu symptom. I respond to a mild symptom the way some people do after they have suffered days of agonizing flu virus miseries. My strategy is to not let the virus gain a foothold in my cells. Up until now, my approach has apparently succeeded inasmuch as I have not suffered more than a day of significant cold-flu illness since January 1983.
Don’t Wait for Full-Blown Illness to Manifest
I am going to reveal my personal program in the following paragraphs, but the key point I want to emphasize is to immediately address the very first symptom of a cold-flu viral infection like it is the most lethal agent you have ever encountered. I analogize this approach to dropping a nuclear bomb when conventional weapons might be adequate. While some people wait until full-blown viral symptoms manifest, I don’t have a choice. Life Extension® is a 24-hour/day operation with no room for down time. I don’t have the luxury of calling in sick just because a virus has invaded my body.
If you were to contract swine flu (H1N1) or other influenza types, it is especially critical that you immediately initiate the antiviral drug therapies I will discuss later in this letter. Antiviral drugs can be effective, but only when they are initiated within 24-48 hours of the manifestation of symptoms.
Unleashing the Nuclear Bomb
I typically work an intense schedule with frequent exposure to sick people, yet I have gone 27 years without suffering a serious cold-flu viral infection.
While it would be convenient to credit the supplements I take every day, the fact is that I follow an aggressive protocol as soon as I feel that a viral infection may be taking hold. Scientific studies substantiate the individual components of what I do, but there have been no clinical trials to support the use of this entire protocol. I’ll discuss some of the research that supports my rationale later, but here are the drugs, nutrients, and hormones I take as soon as the first symptom of common cold or flu manifests:
1. Cimetidine in the dose of 800 mg (and higher) each day. This drug is sold over-the-counter in pharmacies to combat heartburn, but its beneficial side effect is to boost immune function by reducing T-suppressor cells, thereby keeping the immune system in a hyperactive state.2 While sold over-the-counter, it would still be wise to read the package insert in case this drug is contraindicated for you. For most people, cimetidine provides a powerful immune system stimulation that is particularly effective against certain viruses.
2. High-Allicin garlic in the dose of 9,000 mg once or twice a day. This potent form of garlic will cause painful stomach-esophageal burning if you don’t eat food right afterward. The intake of 9,000 mg of this kind of garlic will cause you to reek of a strong sulfur odor, but saturating the body with this pungent garlic is the objective. Garlic has shown direct virus-killing effects in a number of published studies.3,4
3. DHEA in the dose of 200-400 mg early in the day. This is much higher than normal,5 but DHEA has shown some unique benefits in boosting one’s ability to mount a stronger immune response and also protecting against dangerous inflammatory cytokine responses that sometimes occur in response to viral infections.
4. Lactoferrin in the dose of 1,200 mg a day. This natural constituent of mothers’ milk boosts natural killer cell activity and can kill certain viruses.6
5. Zinc lozenges in the dose of two 24 mg lozenges every two waking hours. Please be aware that this is a very high dose of zinc and is considered toxic if taken over the long term.7,8 You should only do this for a few days. Zinc has shown a direct effect of inhibiting the ability of cold viruses to latch onto your cells.6
6. Melatonin at bedtime in the high dose of 10-50 mg (ordinarily, melatonin is taken at levels of just 1–3 mg per evening). Melatonin induces a powerful immune response and this high dose can facilitate the deep sleep one often needs to fend off an infection. This dose of melatonin will make you extremely tired, so please only take this before bedtime and do not operate any machinery or vehicles after ingestion.9
7. Aged garlic extract in the dose of 3,600 mg a day. There are unique immune-boosting compounds in aged garlic that work differently than those found in high-allicin garlic.10
It is important to note that I take the above doses in addition to the supplements I use every day. My personal program closely resembles the Top Ten most important nutrients, hormones and drugs Life Extension® recommends to its members plus 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 each day.11 (Refer to www.lef.org/vitamins-supplements/Top10 for the current Top Ten list.)
Garlic’s Unsung Benefits
With all the high-tech advances occurring in medicine, garlic would appear to be a relic of the past. Yet the scientific literature documents that garlic has powerful effects against certain viruses.
Garlic’s Unsung Benefits
For instance, a study tested one capsule daily of an allicin-containing garlic supplement from November thru February on a group of 146 volunteers.12 Half the group received the garlic while the unfortunate other half got a placebo. The garlic group suffered 63% fewer common cold infections compared to the placebo group. Even more significant, those in the garlic group who did catch a cold suffered symptoms for an average of only 1.52 days compared to 5.01 days for the placebo group. This placebo-controlled study corroborates the benefits I have personally derived by taking much higher doses of high-allicin garlic as soon as cold symptoms are present.
The conclusion of the doctors who conducted this garlic study was, “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.” Considering the number of people afflicted with a common cold each year, you would think this would have been the lead news story of the day. Instead, this study remains buried in a scientific journal, while the medical establishment still states “there is no cure for the common cold.”
Ribavirin is a prescription drug that has potent antiviral effects.13-26 Yet a Chinese study showed that at least in the test tube, garlic is more effective than ribavirin in inhibiting viruses that attack the intestinal track.27 Life Extension® has recommended ribavirin to treat various viral infections since year 1983, but in this particular study, garlic was shown to be superior.
A number of published studies indicate that both high-allicin garlic and aged garlic support healthy immune function while exerting antiviral effects.28-34 Low-cost garlic may be nature’s most powerful weapon against certain viruses.
Cimetidine’s Life-Saving Side Effect
A little-known side effect of the heartburn drug cimetidine is that it inhibits the production of T-suppressor cells.2 In doing so, it boosts immune function by preventing the immune system from turning itself down.
What You Need to Know: How to Combat H1N1 Swine Flu
* During the winter months, the risk of contracting a cold or flu increases.
* With the threat of a swine flu pandemic, people are more concerned than ever about how to protect themselves and their families.
* Many nutrients and drugs can help prevent viral infections and hasten their resolution when they do occur.
* Nutraceuticals that may protect against flu include vitamin D, garlic (both aged and non-aged forms), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), lactoferrin, zinc lozenges, and melatonin.
* Pharmaceuticals that can help combat flu include cimetidine, Tamiflu®, Relenza®, ribavirin, and amantadine.
* Individuals who suspect they may have the flu should take action as soon as possible to fight the viral infection. Antiviral medications are typically only effective if initiated within the first 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Cimetidine has shown other immune-modulating effects such as increasing natural killer cell activity and boosting levels of natural immune stimulants interleukin-2 and gamma interferon.35-38 Human studies demonstrate cimetidine’s efficacy against herpes and viral warts.35,39-42
Since cimetidine is safe for most people,43 taking 800-1,000 mg at night (or 200 mg three times a day and then 400 mg at night) seems like an effective way to temporarily turn up the immune system. Cimetidine in 200 mg tablets can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies. The directions in the over-the-counter package insert say that up to 800 mg a day is safe, but some published studies where cimetidine is administered as an antiviral agent have used up to 1000 mg a day.44
Mother’s Milk
It is well known that infants obtain protection against certain infections from components contained in mother’s milk. One such component is lactoferrin, which has well-documented immune-potentiating effects.45-47
Lactoferrin may stimulate macrophages, which in turn may help to induce cell-mediated immunity.48 Although many of the studies are on animals, lactoferrin is naturally present in many mucous membrane secretions in the human, suggesting an innate human antimicrobial function.6,49
A study showed that lactoferrin inhibits viral infection by interfering with the ability of certain viruses to bind to cell receptor sites.46
Immune-Boosting Hormones
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites have demonstrated powerful immune-enhancing and antiviral effects.50-54 The administration of 50 mg a day of DHEA to elderly men resulted in the following immune enhancements compared to placebo:55
* Increase of 35% in the number of monocyte immune cells
* Increase of 29% in the number of B immune cells
* Increase of 62% in B-cell activity
* Increase of 40% in T-cell activity
* Increase of 50% in interleukin-2
* Increase of 22% to 37% in natural killer cell number
* Increase of 45% in natural killer cell activity.
One reason that influenza can be so lethal to aging people is that their immune systems are weakened. A deficiency in DHEA appears to be partially responsible for the age-related decline in immune function.56 One study showed that a metabolite of DHEA augmented activation of T-helper cells and protected mice from a lethal influenza virus infection.54
Melatonin has broad spectrum immune-enhancing effects and has been specifically shown to decrease viral load and prevent death in mice infected with certain viruses. The conclusion of one melatonin study was:
“The immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of melatonin suggest that this indole must be considered as an additional therapeutic alternative to fight viral diseases.”57
Another study examined the immune function benefits of melatonin and found that melatonin activated interleukin-2 and gamma interferon, the body’s natural hormone-like agents that facilitate T-helper cell production.58
Taking high-dose DHEA in the morning (200-400 mg) and high-dose melatonin (10-50 mg) before bedtime would appear to be logical approaches to follow when battling a viral infection.
Preventing Cold Viruses From Lodging in Your Body
A number of published studies show that if zinc lozenges are taken within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms, the severity and duration of cold miseries are significantly diminished.59-62
Rhinoviruses are the medical term to define viruses that typically cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses attach to cell receptor sites in sinus and throat tissues, become lodged in nose-throat cells, and then replicate out of control.63 By binding to the same cell receptor sites as do cold viruses, zinc inhibits the ability of rhinoviruses to take hold in the body.
A meta-analysis of all the published literature on zinc lozenges was conducted in 2004 and the conclusion of the report was:
Dealing With Lethal Influenza Infections
“Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms. Additional clinical and laboratory evaluations are warranted to further define the role of ionic zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms through which zinc exerts its symptom-relieving effects.”59
The key here is to suck on two 24-mg zinc lozenges at the very first symptom of a cold and continue doing this every two waking hours. Once rhinoviruses bind to their receptor sites in the nasal tissues and begin replicating, zinc lozenges lose their efficacy. Considering how inexpensive zinc lozenges are, it makes sense to keep them in the medicine cabinet so that they are immediately available if cold symptoms manifest.
One caveat to remember is that chronic use of zinc in doses over 300 mg a day may suppress immune function.64 If one were to suck on two zinc lozenges every two hours over the course of a day, the amount of total zinc intake can easily exceed 300 mg/day. This does not appear to be a problem in the short term, but if you start taking zinc lozenges and your cold miseries do not subside, you would be better off ceasing it after a few days. Remember that less than 100 mg a day of zinc can improve immune function, whereas long-term use above 300 mg a day concerns some doctors.
Dealing With Lethal Influenza Infections
Be it the swine flu or a typical influenza virus, one should not take any flu virus infection lightly.
Way back in 2003, Life Extension® advised its members to take the prescription antiviral drug Tamiflu® if flu symptoms developed. A complete description of Tamiflu® can be found in the Influenza chapter of the Disease Prevention and Treatment (Life Extension Media, 2003) book or it can be accessed online at www.lef.org/flu.
Tamiflu® may be especially effective when initiated within 24-48 hours of contracting influenza or swine flu virus. Government health agencies stocked up on Tamiflu® a few years ago and rationed it when the avian flu raised concern. There is no longer a shortage and it should be available in most pharmacies as long as you have a prescription. Another antiviral drug called Relenza® may also be considered if you contract severe flu symptoms.
Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. Life Extension® discovered its unique benefits in 1983 by giving it to cats that contracted feline leukemia, a viral disease. Ribavirin proved highly effective in curing feline leukemia in our limited use of it, yet no studies have been published to validate our serendipitous finding. Since 1983, Life Extension® scientists have personally taken ribavirin when flu symptoms occur, and it has proven highly effective on an anecdotal basis.
Tamiflu® is safer than ribavirin, and ribavirin should only be considered in cases of severe viral infection that do not respond to conventional therapies.
The Life Extension Foundation® waged a multi-decade war against the FDA to get ribavirin approved in the United States. The FDA finally capitulated and approved ribavirin as an adjuvant treatment for hepatitis C.
A concern with using ribavirin is that it has been shown to cause anemia in some people.65 This always puzzled us at Life Extension®, since we were not hearing of our members encountering an anemia problem in response to ribavirin. A recent study may have solved the mystery as to why our members did not suffer ribavirin-induced anemia. It turns out that ribavirin induces anemia at least partially by causing excess free radical damage to red blood cells.66 Since Life Extension® members typically take loads of antioxidants, they were unwittingly protecting themselves against ribavirin/free radical-induced anemia.
Whether ribavirin has efficacy against swine flu is unknown at this time, though ribavirin’s mechanism of action against common influenza viruses indicates it might produce additive benefits to either Tamiflu® or Relenza®. If you are severely stricken with influenza that is not responsive to any other treatment, ask your doctor to consider prescribing 400 mg of ribavirin to be taken three times a day until viral symptoms subside.
Vitamin D Boosts Immune Function and Suppresses Inflammation
Flu viruses (including swine flu) can induce a massive inflammatory response that can kill the victim in rare cases. In many cases, it is not the virus that kills, but the body’s hyper-reaction to the virus—in the form of uncontrolled over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.67
By downregulating excess pro-inflammatory cytokine production, vitamin D could save the lives of those stricken with acute flu viruses. Some other cytokine-suppressing agents include fish oil,68-85 green tea,85-91 borage oil,92-94 curcumin,95-107 and flavonoids.108-117
Severe swine flu infection sometimes causes dangerous Staphylococcus bacterial infections to occur in the lungs.118 In addition to the proper antibiotics, vitamin D may also help combat concomitant staph infections. Here’s how:
Antimicrobial peptides are components of the immune system that protect against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Secreted by immune cells throughout the body, antimicrobial peptides damage the outer lipid membrane of infectious agents (including influenza viruses), rendering them vulnerable to eradication.
Vitamin D upregulates the expression of these antimicrobial peptides in immune cells,119 providing a definitive biological mechanism to explain why vitamin D confers such dramatic protection against common winter illnesses. Those who contract concomitant bacterial infections with swine flu should also be prescribed antibiotic drugs.
Symptoms of Swine Flu
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of swine flu infections, like seasonal flu infections, can include:120
* fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
* cough
* runny nose or stuffy nose
* sore throat
* body aches
* headache
* chills
* fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
* diarrhea and vomiting, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu
For most people, swine flu symptoms will abate within a few days and not cause a serious problem. A tiny minority of victims, however, develop life-threatening pulmonary infections that require ICU hospital care. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications from flu; pregnant women with suspected or confirmed H1N1 influenza infection warrant close observation, according to the World Health Organization.)
Here are the warning signs that should signal to anyone with swine flu to seek medical care urgently.120
In children:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
Source: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/jan2010_What-To-Do-If-You-Contract-Influenza_01.htm
By William Faloon
With daily news reports warning of a swine flu pandemic, members have besieged our health advisors with questions about what they should do to protect themselves against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
The good news is that Life Extension® members obtain a considerable amount of immune support via the supplements they already use, especially those taking high-dose vitamin D.
An important question, however, is what one should do if they develop symptoms of a viral infection? As the days grow colder, the risks of contracting common flu and cold viruses increase. Each year, flu virus infections kill around 36,000 Americans and cause miseries for millions.1 An outbreak of the swine flu virus is expected this winter.
While certain supplements (and drugs) purport to shorten the duration of a viral infection, most of them fail to provide significant relief. Over the past 28 years, Life Extension® personnel have experimented with various nutrients, hormones, and drugs in order to minimize the impact of the common cold and typical flu viruses.
In this article, I will reveal what has worked for me personally to ward off common cold/flu viruses and what has been validated in the scientific literature to be effective.
I will also elaborate on some aggressive prescription drug strategies to consider in the event that you contract a severe form of swine flu or other type of influenza.
Don’t Wait for Full-Blown Illness to Manifest
People often wait until they are very sick before seeking influenza treatment. This delay can preclude rapid eradication of the infectious agent. In some cases, treatment delay can be lethal.
I have found enormous personal benefit by taking aggressive actions upon the onset of the very first cold-flu symptom. I respond to a mild symptom the way some people do after they have suffered days of agonizing flu virus miseries. My strategy is to not let the virus gain a foothold in my cells. Up until now, my approach has apparently succeeded inasmuch as I have not suffered more than a day of significant cold-flu illness since January 1983.
Don’t Wait for Full-Blown Illness to Manifest
I am going to reveal my personal program in the following paragraphs, but the key point I want to emphasize is to immediately address the very first symptom of a cold-flu viral infection like it is the most lethal agent you have ever encountered. I analogize this approach to dropping a nuclear bomb when conventional weapons might be adequate. While some people wait until full-blown viral symptoms manifest, I don’t have a choice. Life Extension® is a 24-hour/day operation with no room for down time. I don’t have the luxury of calling in sick just because a virus has invaded my body.
If you were to contract swine flu (H1N1) or other influenza types, it is especially critical that you immediately initiate the antiviral drug therapies I will discuss later in this letter. Antiviral drugs can be effective, but only when they are initiated within 24-48 hours of the manifestation of symptoms.
Unleashing the Nuclear Bomb
I typically work an intense schedule with frequent exposure to sick people, yet I have gone 27 years without suffering a serious cold-flu viral infection.
While it would be convenient to credit the supplements I take every day, the fact is that I follow an aggressive protocol as soon as I feel that a viral infection may be taking hold. Scientific studies substantiate the individual components of what I do, but there have been no clinical trials to support the use of this entire protocol. I’ll discuss some of the research that supports my rationale later, but here are the drugs, nutrients, and hormones I take as soon as the first symptom of common cold or flu manifests:
1. Cimetidine in the dose of 800 mg (and higher) each day. This drug is sold over-the-counter in pharmacies to combat heartburn, but its beneficial side effect is to boost immune function by reducing T-suppressor cells, thereby keeping the immune system in a hyperactive state.2 While sold over-the-counter, it would still be wise to read the package insert in case this drug is contraindicated for you. For most people, cimetidine provides a powerful immune system stimulation that is particularly effective against certain viruses.
2. High-Allicin garlic in the dose of 9,000 mg once or twice a day. This potent form of garlic will cause painful stomach-esophageal burning if you don’t eat food right afterward. The intake of 9,000 mg of this kind of garlic will cause you to reek of a strong sulfur odor, but saturating the body with this pungent garlic is the objective. Garlic has shown direct virus-killing effects in a number of published studies.3,4
3. DHEA in the dose of 200-400 mg early in the day. This is much higher than normal,5 but DHEA has shown some unique benefits in boosting one’s ability to mount a stronger immune response and also protecting against dangerous inflammatory cytokine responses that sometimes occur in response to viral infections.
4. Lactoferrin in the dose of 1,200 mg a day. This natural constituent of mothers’ milk boosts natural killer cell activity and can kill certain viruses.6
5. Zinc lozenges in the dose of two 24 mg lozenges every two waking hours. Please be aware that this is a very high dose of zinc and is considered toxic if taken over the long term.7,8 You should only do this for a few days. Zinc has shown a direct effect of inhibiting the ability of cold viruses to latch onto your cells.6
6. Melatonin at bedtime in the high dose of 10-50 mg (ordinarily, melatonin is taken at levels of just 1–3 mg per evening). Melatonin induces a powerful immune response and this high dose can facilitate the deep sleep one often needs to fend off an infection. This dose of melatonin will make you extremely tired, so please only take this before bedtime and do not operate any machinery or vehicles after ingestion.9
7. Aged garlic extract in the dose of 3,600 mg a day. There are unique immune-boosting compounds in aged garlic that work differently than those found in high-allicin garlic.10
It is important to note that I take the above doses in addition to the supplements I use every day. My personal program closely resembles the Top Ten most important nutrients, hormones and drugs Life Extension® recommends to its members plus 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 each day.11 (Refer to www.lef.org/vitamins-supplements/Top10 for the current Top Ten list.)
Garlic’s Unsung Benefits
With all the high-tech advances occurring in medicine, garlic would appear to be a relic of the past. Yet the scientific literature documents that garlic has powerful effects against certain viruses.
Garlic’s Unsung Benefits
For instance, a study tested one capsule daily of an allicin-containing garlic supplement from November thru February on a group of 146 volunteers.12 Half the group received the garlic while the unfortunate other half got a placebo. The garlic group suffered 63% fewer common cold infections compared to the placebo group. Even more significant, those in the garlic group who did catch a cold suffered symptoms for an average of only 1.52 days compared to 5.01 days for the placebo group. This placebo-controlled study corroborates the benefits I have personally derived by taking much higher doses of high-allicin garlic as soon as cold symptoms are present.
The conclusion of the doctors who conducted this garlic study was, “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.” Considering the number of people afflicted with a common cold each year, you would think this would have been the lead news story of the day. Instead, this study remains buried in a scientific journal, while the medical establishment still states “there is no cure for the common cold.”
Ribavirin is a prescription drug that has potent antiviral effects.13-26 Yet a Chinese study showed that at least in the test tube, garlic is more effective than ribavirin in inhibiting viruses that attack the intestinal track.27 Life Extension® has recommended ribavirin to treat various viral infections since year 1983, but in this particular study, garlic was shown to be superior.
A number of published studies indicate that both high-allicin garlic and aged garlic support healthy immune function while exerting antiviral effects.28-34 Low-cost garlic may be nature’s most powerful weapon against certain viruses.
Cimetidine’s Life-Saving Side Effect
A little-known side effect of the heartburn drug cimetidine is that it inhibits the production of T-suppressor cells.2 In doing so, it boosts immune function by preventing the immune system from turning itself down.
What You Need to Know: How to Combat H1N1 Swine Flu
* During the winter months, the risk of contracting a cold or flu increases.
* With the threat of a swine flu pandemic, people are more concerned than ever about how to protect themselves and their families.
* Many nutrients and drugs can help prevent viral infections and hasten their resolution when they do occur.
* Nutraceuticals that may protect against flu include vitamin D, garlic (both aged and non-aged forms), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), lactoferrin, zinc lozenges, and melatonin.
* Pharmaceuticals that can help combat flu include cimetidine, Tamiflu®, Relenza®, ribavirin, and amantadine.
* Individuals who suspect they may have the flu should take action as soon as possible to fight the viral infection. Antiviral medications are typically only effective if initiated within the first 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Cimetidine has shown other immune-modulating effects such as increasing natural killer cell activity and boosting levels of natural immune stimulants interleukin-2 and gamma interferon.35-38 Human studies demonstrate cimetidine’s efficacy against herpes and viral warts.35,39-42
Since cimetidine is safe for most people,43 taking 800-1,000 mg at night (or 200 mg three times a day and then 400 mg at night) seems like an effective way to temporarily turn up the immune system. Cimetidine in 200 mg tablets can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies. The directions in the over-the-counter package insert say that up to 800 mg a day is safe, but some published studies where cimetidine is administered as an antiviral agent have used up to 1000 mg a day.44
Mother’s Milk
It is well known that infants obtain protection against certain infections from components contained in mother’s milk. One such component is lactoferrin, which has well-documented immune-potentiating effects.45-47
Lactoferrin may stimulate macrophages, which in turn may help to induce cell-mediated immunity.48 Although many of the studies are on animals, lactoferrin is naturally present in many mucous membrane secretions in the human, suggesting an innate human antimicrobial function.6,49
A study showed that lactoferrin inhibits viral infection by interfering with the ability of certain viruses to bind to cell receptor sites.46
Immune-Boosting Hormones
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites have demonstrated powerful immune-enhancing and antiviral effects.50-54 The administration of 50 mg a day of DHEA to elderly men resulted in the following immune enhancements compared to placebo:55
* Increase of 35% in the number of monocyte immune cells
* Increase of 29% in the number of B immune cells
* Increase of 62% in B-cell activity
* Increase of 40% in T-cell activity
* Increase of 50% in interleukin-2
* Increase of 22% to 37% in natural killer cell number
* Increase of 45% in natural killer cell activity.
One reason that influenza can be so lethal to aging people is that their immune systems are weakened. A deficiency in DHEA appears to be partially responsible for the age-related decline in immune function.56 One study showed that a metabolite of DHEA augmented activation of T-helper cells and protected mice from a lethal influenza virus infection.54
Melatonin has broad spectrum immune-enhancing effects and has been specifically shown to decrease viral load and prevent death in mice infected with certain viruses. The conclusion of one melatonin study was:
“The immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of melatonin suggest that this indole must be considered as an additional therapeutic alternative to fight viral diseases.”57
Another study examined the immune function benefits of melatonin and found that melatonin activated interleukin-2 and gamma interferon, the body’s natural hormone-like agents that facilitate T-helper cell production.58
Taking high-dose DHEA in the morning (200-400 mg) and high-dose melatonin (10-50 mg) before bedtime would appear to be logical approaches to follow when battling a viral infection.
Preventing Cold Viruses From Lodging in Your Body
A number of published studies show that if zinc lozenges are taken within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms, the severity and duration of cold miseries are significantly diminished.59-62
Rhinoviruses are the medical term to define viruses that typically cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses attach to cell receptor sites in sinus and throat tissues, become lodged in nose-throat cells, and then replicate out of control.63 By binding to the same cell receptor sites as do cold viruses, zinc inhibits the ability of rhinoviruses to take hold in the body.
A meta-analysis of all the published literature on zinc lozenges was conducted in 2004 and the conclusion of the report was:
Dealing With Lethal Influenza Infections
“Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms. Additional clinical and laboratory evaluations are warranted to further define the role of ionic zinc for the prevention and treatment of the common cold and to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms through which zinc exerts its symptom-relieving effects.”59
The key here is to suck on two 24-mg zinc lozenges at the very first symptom of a cold and continue doing this every two waking hours. Once rhinoviruses bind to their receptor sites in the nasal tissues and begin replicating, zinc lozenges lose their efficacy. Considering how inexpensive zinc lozenges are, it makes sense to keep them in the medicine cabinet so that they are immediately available if cold symptoms manifest.
One caveat to remember is that chronic use of zinc in doses over 300 mg a day may suppress immune function.64 If one were to suck on two zinc lozenges every two hours over the course of a day, the amount of total zinc intake can easily exceed 300 mg/day. This does not appear to be a problem in the short term, but if you start taking zinc lozenges and your cold miseries do not subside, you would be better off ceasing it after a few days. Remember that less than 100 mg a day of zinc can improve immune function, whereas long-term use above 300 mg a day concerns some doctors.
Dealing With Lethal Influenza Infections
Be it the swine flu or a typical influenza virus, one should not take any flu virus infection lightly.
Way back in 2003, Life Extension® advised its members to take the prescription antiviral drug Tamiflu® if flu symptoms developed. A complete description of Tamiflu® can be found in the Influenza chapter of the Disease Prevention and Treatment (Life Extension Media, 2003) book or it can be accessed online at www.lef.org/flu.
Tamiflu® may be especially effective when initiated within 24-48 hours of contracting influenza or swine flu virus. Government health agencies stocked up on Tamiflu® a few years ago and rationed it when the avian flu raised concern. There is no longer a shortage and it should be available in most pharmacies as long as you have a prescription. Another antiviral drug called Relenza® may also be considered if you contract severe flu symptoms.
Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug. Life Extension® discovered its unique benefits in 1983 by giving it to cats that contracted feline leukemia, a viral disease. Ribavirin proved highly effective in curing feline leukemia in our limited use of it, yet no studies have been published to validate our serendipitous finding. Since 1983, Life Extension® scientists have personally taken ribavirin when flu symptoms occur, and it has proven highly effective on an anecdotal basis.
Tamiflu® is safer than ribavirin, and ribavirin should only be considered in cases of severe viral infection that do not respond to conventional therapies.
The Life Extension Foundation® waged a multi-decade war against the FDA to get ribavirin approved in the United States. The FDA finally capitulated and approved ribavirin as an adjuvant treatment for hepatitis C.
A concern with using ribavirin is that it has been shown to cause anemia in some people.65 This always puzzled us at Life Extension®, since we were not hearing of our members encountering an anemia problem in response to ribavirin. A recent study may have solved the mystery as to why our members did not suffer ribavirin-induced anemia. It turns out that ribavirin induces anemia at least partially by causing excess free radical damage to red blood cells.66 Since Life Extension® members typically take loads of antioxidants, they were unwittingly protecting themselves against ribavirin/free radical-induced anemia.
Whether ribavirin has efficacy against swine flu is unknown at this time, though ribavirin’s mechanism of action against common influenza viruses indicates it might produce additive benefits to either Tamiflu® or Relenza®. If you are severely stricken with influenza that is not responsive to any other treatment, ask your doctor to consider prescribing 400 mg of ribavirin to be taken three times a day until viral symptoms subside.
Vitamin D Boosts Immune Function and Suppresses Inflammation
Flu viruses (including swine flu) can induce a massive inflammatory response that can kill the victim in rare cases. In many cases, it is not the virus that kills, but the body’s hyper-reaction to the virus—in the form of uncontrolled over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha.67
By downregulating excess pro-inflammatory cytokine production, vitamin D could save the lives of those stricken with acute flu viruses. Some other cytokine-suppressing agents include fish oil,68-85 green tea,85-91 borage oil,92-94 curcumin,95-107 and flavonoids.108-117
Severe swine flu infection sometimes causes dangerous Staphylococcus bacterial infections to occur in the lungs.118 In addition to the proper antibiotics, vitamin D may also help combat concomitant staph infections. Here’s how:
Antimicrobial peptides are components of the immune system that protect against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Secreted by immune cells throughout the body, antimicrobial peptides damage the outer lipid membrane of infectious agents (including influenza viruses), rendering them vulnerable to eradication.
Vitamin D upregulates the expression of these antimicrobial peptides in immune cells,119 providing a definitive biological mechanism to explain why vitamin D confers such dramatic protection against common winter illnesses. Those who contract concomitant bacterial infections with swine flu should also be prescribed antibiotic drugs.
Symptoms of Swine Flu
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of swine flu infections, like seasonal flu infections, can include:120
* fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
* cough
* runny nose or stuffy nose
* sore throat
* body aches
* headache
* chills
* fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
* diarrhea and vomiting, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu
For most people, swine flu symptoms will abate within a few days and not cause a serious problem. A tiny minority of victims, however, develop life-threatening pulmonary infections that require ICU hospital care. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications from flu; pregnant women with suspected or confirmed H1N1 influenza infection warrant close observation, according to the World Health Organization.)
Here are the warning signs that should signal to anyone with swine flu to seek medical care urgently.120
In children:
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
In adults:
* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
Source: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/jan2010_What-To-Do-If-You-Contract-Influenza_01.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)