Challenges |
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ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER (ADD)
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LOST CAUSES NO MORE
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Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is another blood sugar imbalance that developes from poor dietary habits and a long history of sugar abuse. In diabetes there is a shortage of insulin, whereas in hypoglycemia there is too much insulin produced. Over time the pancreas becomes overworked from this excess production. This results in it being ineffectual in producing adequate or effective insulin supplies. This hypoglycemic condition may be a precursor to diabetes. In order to deal with this condition one must get insulin production into balance. Avoiding high fat and denatured foods that are mineral-deficient is one way to approach this condition. These unhealthy foods just do not have the needed nutrients to maintain proper metabolic function. The body must rob these needed nutrients from its own tissues and cells. Instability is thus created and little or no deep reserves are available. Blood sugar levels will fluctuate wildly depending on what is eaten. Besides mineral deficiencies, hypoglycemics are also lacking in adequate essential fatty acids. Many times a diet that is high in meat will be a factor in excessive sugar consumption. This happens in an attempt to establish a balance of proteins and carbohydrates. This excess meat eating generates prostaglandins which cause inflammation, pain and depression. Sugar and alcohol will be craved inorder to temporarily reduce these conditions. According to Dr. Bernard Jensen, hypoglycemic symptoms occur in at least half of the population of America. Hypoglyemic symptoms may include: insomnia, sweating, fast pulse, hot flashes, noise and light sensitivity, ringing in the ears, temper tantrums, dry or burning mouth, worry, anxiety, dizziness, restlessness, lack of concentration, hyperactivity, pale skin, headache, low blood pressure, craving for sweets, cool wet skin, mental disturbances, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, constant hunger, blurred vision, depression, crying spells, numbness, irritability, loss of sex drive, impotence, weakness of the legs, muscle pains and cramps, fluttering feelings in the chest, drowsiness, swollen feet, eye-ache, distorted judgement, tightness in the chest, fatigue and cold hands and feet. A high protein diet seems to work for hypoglycemia since proteins digest slowly and will gradually supply energy without triggering excess insulin production. A diet high in chlorophyll-type proteins seems to work the best. These include foods such as spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae and cereal-grass products. Grains, vegetables and legumes are also good food choices as they break down slowly and contain adequate nutrition to regulate insulin production. These foods should be adequate in essential fatty acids (EFA), though it would not hurt to add extra EFAs in the form of fresh cold-pressed flax seed oil. You can tell if you are dealing with an EFA deficiency when symptoms such as dry hair and skin, low body weight, poor glandular function, irritability, depression, pain, nervousness, and cramps are present. Chewing food well, having frequent small meals and using simple food combining is also recommended. If you are not overweight, then fatty foods such as cheese, nuts, seeds, avocado and butter can be added in small quantities. These foods provide long lasting energy. Protein and mineral-rich seaweeds are a good choice as a salt replacement. Salt tends to lower sugar levels so it is a must to avoided in the already low blood sugar levels of hypoglycemics. Fruit juices are too concentrated in simple sugars and are void of needed minerals. Consider eating whole fruits only. It is best not to over consume these whole fruits, in any case. Citrus lowers blood sugar quickly and therefore is best to be completely avoided. Healthy concentrated sweetners that metabolize slowly include molasses, rice syrup, barley malt and honey. You can eat these in moderation and on an occasional basis. Stevia is high in minerals and can be used as a sweetener without restrictions. You can read more about stevia on my web page: here. All of the foods that I have recommended for diabetes are good for hypolycemia, with the exception of: citrus fruits, plum, radish, spinach, sweet rice, yarrow flowers and dandelion leaf (the root is fine to use as a tea). You can read more about these foods on my webpage here. Low blood sugar can be at the root of many of the ills that plague us today. These include mental disorders, drug addiction, obesity, distractions, mental fogginess and schizophrenia. In children, the lack of adequate blood sugar levels can lead to retardation. Sweeten up your life by takng charge of your health. Prevent the causes of hypoglcemia by altering your diet and providing yourself with the bounty of good health. |
Nearly one in seven people in the U.S.A. have arthritis. Overall, arthritis is an affliction of the middle-aged (29%) and elderly (50%), though it can affect young people (1%), as well. This condition in youths under the age of seventeen is called "juvenile arthritis." However, as more and more people eat poorly and take less care of their physical health we are seeing the increase of arthritis in younger and younger adults. Arthritis seems to strike women more than men, along with associated conditions, such as lupus and fibromyalgia. Associated conditions such as gout and arthritis of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis) are more common in men. Arthritis really is a term that includes more than one hundred diseases that strike the joints. Other forms, such as lupus, can attack the skin, internal organs, blood and circulatory system. There are two main types of arthritis that we hear of most frequently. Sharing the same "arthritis" name, they tend to confuse people who do not realize they are actually two different conditions. One is osteoarthritis and the other is rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis there is a wearing-down of the cartilage affecting the weight bearing joints. There are calcified deposits that are formed in these joints and the associated bones. The cartilage, which cushions the joints, is broken down and unable to protect the ends of the bones. There is generally a slow process of a wear and tear, with an eventual grinding of bone on bone at the afflicted joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is an auto-immune disease, which can progress rapidly. Here the joints are destroyed by the body itself as it perceives them as foreign invaders. There is marked inflammation of the connective tissue which may affect other areas of the body such as the skin, lungs, blood vessels and heart. Sufferers may have fever and extreme fatigue as well.Conditions such as gout, bursitis, neuritis and sciatica are related disorders. For years doctors have thought these aches and pains were just part of the inevitable aging process. We now know this process can be relieved, halted and reversed by following a health program that creates balance. Work with your health care professionals to create a program best suited for you. I will give you some ideas and guidelines in these pages that you may want to discuss with them. Let's start with osteoarthritis. About 35 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis. Even though the word osteoarthritis literaly means bone/joint inflamation, there is usually not a problem with inflammation in his condition. For most people PAIN is the main symptom. This can be a mild constant ache to excruciating pain, with an increased lack of mobility in the affected joint(s). Since the cartilage is no longer allowing the bones to glide easily over each other friction arises. The "gel like" cartilage tissue is made up mostly of water. It is like a sponge that soaks up fluid and releases it when the pressure of movement is applied. When there is no pressure on a joint this liquid, called synovial fluid, brings nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage. This keeps the tissue healthy and flexible. You can see what would happen if there was little or no fluid in the cartilage. This is why exercise is so important. It stimulates the flow of synovial fluid in and out of the cartilage, keeping it from drying out. Once dried out, pressure is no longer being cushioned and the bones are damaged. This will lead to more impact on the bones and continued damage to both the bones and cartilage. Along with pain, you may also experience crackling (crepitus), a reduction of joint movement, hardening of the bones, bone spurs, cysts, inflammation, bone deformity, joint enlargement and general immobility. The traditional treatment for osteoarthritis is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatry drugs (NSAIDs) and/or acetaminophen (Tylenol, Liquiprin and Datril). Acetaminophen is an anti-inflammatory and also can reduce fever. The NSAID's can be sold over the counter or as prescription strength drugs. Over time, acetaminophen can be harmful to the liver and kidneys while the NSAID's can be even more damaging. NSAID's work by blocking certain inflammation producing enzymes without addressing the enzyme imbalance which is the underlying cause of the problem in the first place. Enzyme preparations have been shown to be as effective in treating arthritis as NSAID's, with very little (if any) side effects. They are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. These NSAID's have a long list of side effects which include; nausea, drowsiness, dizzness, depression, edema of the hands, feet and face, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, rapid weight gain, dry mouth, ringing in the ears, tremors, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, ulcers in the mouth, blurred vision, rashes, confusion, convulsions, black or bloody stools, bloody urine, other unusual bleeding, excessive bruising, jaundice, fainting, chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, weakness and fatigue. Some of these side effects are common (e.g. nausea and dizziness) while others, such as convulsions and bloody urine are rare. These are harmful drugs. This statement is represented by the fact that there are more than 75,000 hospitalizations per year directly related to NSAID's, with 7,500 deaths attributed to these drugs. They are also the number one reported cause of drug interactions every year. We can see these drugs create a large problem. There are even some reports suggesting these drugs may interfere with the production of proteoglycans, which attract and hold the essential fluids to the cartilage in the first place. This is a sad state of affairs as many doctors do not think they have anything else but these drugs to offer their patients. Many of the rheumatoid artritis patients have been given steroids both orally and as injecions. The sad thing is many of these remedies may only provide temporary relief. In a short time the pain and inflammation is back with a vengance. There is another approach to dealing with arthritis, one which relies on creating balance in the body/mind. This approach utilizes diet, exercise and some particular nutritional supplements. Let's take a look at some of these recommendations. At the top of the list is eating a good, alkalizing diet of fresh and natural foods. It is important to have the right complement of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and anti-oxidants. It is important to learn how to cook in a way that will preserve nutrients, to avoid over-eating and if overweight, to lose weight. This will happen organically when you eat in a wholesome well-balanced nutritious way. There are many suggestions within these pages. To read more, see this page on vibrant health, this page on environmental toxins, this page on whole food products, this page on natural liver therapy, this page on minerals, and this page on essentials on my web site. Mineral imbalance is marked in arthritic condtions. It is important to avoid calcium inhibitors: excess meat or protein, intoxicants (alcohol, tobacco, coffee, marijuana and others), refined and all excess sugars, and excess salt. For permanent results you will need a vigorous dietary program that consists of non-mucous and non-sediment forming foods. You can start with a brief liquid diet program, for several weeks perhaps, to detoxify the body and flush out inorganic mineral deposits. Start first thing in the morning during this phase with a glass of lemon juice and water or grapefruit juice. Potassium broths, carrot, beet, celery and/or cucumber juices and products such as Acid Defense, are also great ways to flush the system of these deposits and create an alkaline pH in your system. You can drink these throughout the day. At other times, apple, black cherry or papaya juices can be taken. Or green drinks such as those made from Perfect Food can be included. Chlorophyll-rich foods have many detoxifying and anti-inflammatory qualities. Miso soup with sea veggies is another good choice, as well as cleansing teas such as alfalfa/mint. Look on my mineral web pages to read more about the benefits of apple cider vinegar in your arthritis program. Follow the cleansing-detox program with a diet that is high in raw foods. Include all the foods you used during your cleansing liquid diet regime while adding more nutritious alkaline ash foods. These can include: organic green salads; other organic whole fruits and vegetables, especially parsley, yams, sweet onions, garlic, potatoes, squahes, cabbage and artichokes, fermented soy products (non-GMO) such as tempeh, other legumes such as black beans, unrefined grains such as rice, quinoa, millet, oat and non-GMO corn, nuts, seeds, lecithin, wheat germ, brewer's and nutritional yeast, organic yogurt, eggs, organic old-pressed oils such as olive, coconut and flax, cold water fish, non-cream soups and herbs such as yucca, aloe vera, gingko biloba, devil's claw, turmeric, alfalfa and green tea. FOODS TO AVOID include: refined foods; saturated fatty foods from meat and dairy products; wheat pastries and other high gluten, cholesterol-rich, sugary foods; caffeine; colas; chocolate; highly spiced foods and all nightshade family foods such as peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes (tobacco should also be avoided, as this is a nightshade family plant. It also tends to constrict small blood vessels, blocking adequate circulation, thereby, depleting oxygen and nutrient transfer to all cells). Foods high in oxalic acid should be restricted such as rhubarb, cranberry, plum, beet greens and spinach. Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, msm, shark cartilage, coral calcium, anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, enzymes, quercetin, bioflavinoids, anti-oxidants, Cellfood, essential silica with Cellfood, Cellfood oxygen gel, arnica gel, progesterone cream, FYI (for your inflammation), as well as flax, primrose and other omega-3 fatty acid oils, can all be powerful tools in your arthritis care program. You must work with a health professional to determine which products you may want to use and the amounts that are right for you. Every person has individual needs. You can read more about these products on this page, this page, and this page on my web site. The other important part of your arthritis plan needs to be an exercise program. This will help to re-hydrate and lubricate the cartilage. The "use it or lose it" adage is applicable in this case, just as it is with muscles. We can drop the "no pain no gain" adage however. Besides lubricating, exercise will strengthen the tendons, muscles and joints. Cartilage can break down from wear and tear, misaligned joints, accidents and trauma, poor nutrition, obesity and excessive strain on the joints. Osteoarthritis can begin with a small tear in the cartilage, which can be caused by an accident, the clogging of the blood vessels to the joint, excessive weight, dehydration or poor joint alignment. Maybe the cartilage begins to dysfunction because of infection or malnutrition. No matter how it happens, the cartilage is not able to properly absorb and disperse pressure, this impacts on the bones, causing damage and pain. Improper body mechanics, when done day in and day out, can lead to damaged joints over time. Learning how to move with correct biomechanic alignment is therefore very important to understand. The main principle is to distribute the force of movement in an even manner to avoid over-use or strain. Proper lifiting, standing, sitting, talking on the phone and sleeping all need to be done with conscious awareness to prevent damage. To learn more about these techniques check into Feldenkrais and Alexander technique information. Flexibility is important because without it, extra stress will be exerted on your joints as well as other areas. This can lead to over-compensation and osteoarthritis. When you are flexible and agile you are more likely to stay active. This keeps your joints lubricated, your weight down and helps you to be healthier in general. Stretching is something that is important to do on a regular basis. It keeps us supple and flexible so we will not injure our muscles joints or ligaments. A slow and steady stretch of 30 seconds or more is an important rule to follow. According to Valerie Hunt, in her book, Infinite Mind, stretching increases the electro-magnetic field creating more coherency in the body cells. This increases our health and vitality. Other considerations regarding stretching include: taking five minutes of moderate activity to warm your muscles before stretching breathing deeply and steadily, relaxing into, during and while releasing your stretch, never bouncing while stretching holding yourself in the stretch while feeling the tension release stretching with good form to your own limit--do not over stretch or hurt yourself starting on the tighter side of your body; you usually spend more time on the side you start with. As you practice stretching you will find your limits will increase, however, remember your flexibility can change from day to day. Do not think because you touched your toes one day you have to do it everyday. As with all things in life, take stretching from where you are on each particular day, not from where you think you should be. Besides stretching there are exercises to improve agility and balance. These will help to keep you from jarring when transferring weight from one side of the body to the next. Learn to walk more quietly and with out pounding. Slowly climb steps one at a time with the muscle contraction of your thighs pulling you up, rather then your momentum propelling you. Balance on one foot or on tiptoes. Run figure eight circles or do side steps, side shuffles and lunges. All of these will help you gain balance and agility. You need to design your exercise program to fit your own level of ability Check with your doctor or health provider before beginning any exercise program. It is important to include aerobic exercise in your program in order to build strength and stamina. It should not hurt to exercise, however, you want to push yourself to the edge. When your muscles are toned and strong your joints will be better stabilized. Do as much as you can and you will begin to increase your capacity as time goes on. You do not want to have your muscles shrink and stiffen up from lack of exercise. With aerobics you want to get your large muscles moving long enough to get your heart rate up to 70-85% of its maximum rate for about 20 minutes, minimally and 30 minutes, perferably. Do anything you like-- walk, dance, run, bike, swim, roller skate, jump rope, play at sports, ski�just keep up a rapid pace and do not stop. Again, start where you are, if you can only do five minutes then start there. You will build up as time goes on. Try to work out two to three times a week. Remember to drink plenty of water. If you start to feel thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Do low-impact exercise if you have severe osteoarthritis of the knees, ankles, feet, low back or hips. This could include swimming, biking or water aerobics. You can also include strength training in your program by lifting weights. This will make bones and connective tissue thicker, besides building endurance, muscle mass and strength. Remember to practice using good form and take your time without rushing through your routine. Breathe evenly and steady with the exhale taking place as you exert. It is good to cover all the muscle groups even though you do not have to do them all on the same day. Two or three sets for each exercise generally works well. Always have a spotter when you using free weights and never lift more than your limit. You can use lighter weights and do more repetitions rather than one or two heavy lifts. Create a routine you will stick to and learn to pace yourself so you do not overdo. Two to three times a week is good workout schedule. If you feel dizzy, faint breathless or light-headed take it easy because you are overdoing it. Always stop if you feel any pain or odd feelings in your joints. A good book called Maximizing the Arthritis Cure, by Jason Theodosakis, M.D., Brenda Adderly, M.H.A., and Barry Fox. PhD. includes many good diagrams and instructions for stretching techniques, aerobic exercise, weight training plans and exercises for achieving flexibility and balance.� Other therapeutic activities to include in your arthritis wellness program are: massage therapy using medicated oils, hot and cold hydrotherapy, castor oil packs on affected joints, epsom salt and essential oil baths, acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments will do much to bring relief and balance to your body. These therapies will support your immune system in healing and decreasing inflammation. Proper hydration is also important to remember. Being adequately hydrated will keep cartilage supple and the joints lubricated. One half ounce per pound of body weight is the ultimate guideline for daily water intake. For example, a 150-pound person would require 75 ounces of water during the day. Remember to increase the volume if needed because of strenuous exercising and increased sweating. There are some considerations that are specific to rheumatoid arthritis. There are about 2.6 million people in the U.S.A. with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since this is an auto-immune disorder, with inflammation as its primary symptom, RA seems to respond well to enzyme therapy. Inflammation which is a natural response in the body goes out of control and enzymes such as bromelain, trypsin, papain and chymotrypsin can be used as anti-inflammatory agents. You can read more about enzymes on my web page: here. These enzymes work to reduce swelling, break up the antigen-antibody complexes involved in auto-immune reactions and break down small clots of fibrin in the tissues. In some cases such as with trypsin and chymotrypsin, the enzymes will alter the receptors on the cells involved with inflammation. Oral enzyme therapy has been tested in trials, comparing it with both gold and NSAID's. These are considered the standard treatments for RA, along with immunosuppressive drugs such as methotrexate and cyclosporin. Gold, though effective, has side effects such as liver problems and blood disorders. We have already talked about the vast list of NSAID side effects. The immunosuppressive drugs have many risks as well, osteoporosis, liver damage and blood disorders, to name a few. With oral enzymes, taken two to three times a day, 30 to 40 minutes before meals, the most common side effect reported is a harmless change in the consistency, color or odor of the stools. You will need to work with a health professional to determine the dosages you will need. It is also important to make sure the brand you are taking has been coated or has a special delivery mechanism so it will not be broken down in the stomach. In the stomach it will only act as a digestive enzyme NOT an anti-inflammatory. Often times the effects of therapy may not be noticed for a week. It may even take up to three or four weeks. This is often the case with supplementation of glucosamine and chondroitin. Enzymes will not react harmfully with NSAID's, so if you are using them, you can continue taking them until the enzymes kick in. In time your pain will decrease and your RA laboratory blood test values will improve. You can then drop the more harmful NSAID's. If you take too many enzymes on an empty stomach you could feel a sense of fullness or gas in the abdomen. Allergic reactions to enzymes are rare. The only time they would be contraindicated is with bleeding problems such as hemophilia, severe liver disease, other clotting disorders and dialysis patients. Enzymes can increase clotting time. The only drug reactions that have been observed when using enzymes are an increase in certain antibiotic concentration levels. Enzymes are very well tolerated in general. They can also be taken with glucosamine and chondroitin and are a wonderful adjunct when inflammation is present. As with Osteoarthritis, the use of essential fatty acid oils will have anti-inflammatory benefits. Patients report less morning stiffness, joint pain and swelling. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) will reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and prevent platelets from sticking together when this clumping is not needed. It is found in borage seed, currant seed and primrose oils, borage being the highest of the three and primrose the lowest. A dose of 1.4 grams a day over a three month period has shown good results. GLA's are abundant in fish, vegetables, spirulina and other green foods. Start slowly if you are going to supplement, as these oils can worsen symptoms for the first few days. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is another beneficial omega-3 oil found in flax seed, fish and marine plants. A dose of 2.6 grams a day has been recommended when taking EPA. When buying oils, be sure you are getting a cold pressed product. Store it in the refrigerator or freezer and do not cook with it. Another product that has been achieving good results for RA sufferers are the COX-II inhibitors. They block certain enzymes that are associated with forming prostaglandins, which cause inflammation in the body.You can read more about FYI on my web pages to learn more about COX-II inhibitors. Oral type II collagen, which is also found in FYI, works to desensitize the immune reaction of the body, slowing the attack on the joints. This is similar to desensitization programs that allergists perform. Results of such treatments are encouraging and there do not seem to be any significant side effects. As you can see you will need to apply a vigorous program for arthritis recovery. It is not a condition that will respond to subtle lifestyle changes. Radical change is needed. All or any of these suggestions are part of a care plan that will improve health whether arthritis is present or not. So why not get started on your path to better health today? |