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DEDICATED TO FREE
THOUGHT AND FREE SPEECH IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD
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- The life you save
may be your own.
Picture yourself alone,...
Maybe driving in your car. All of a sudden you start experiencing
severe pain in your chest, that starts to radiate out into your
arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the
hospital nearest your home, unfortunately you don't know if you'll
be able to make it that far. What can you do?
You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course
neglected to tell you how to perform it on
yourself.
HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART
ATTACK WHEN ALONE: Many people are alone when they suffer a heart
attack,... what can you do? Without help, a person whose heart
stops beating properly begins to feel faint and has about 10
seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly
and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each
cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing
sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be
repeated about every two seconds without let up until help
arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements
squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing
pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this
way, heart attack victims can get to a phone and, between breaths,
call for help.
You'll be giving yourself
CPR with this technique.
Tell as many other people as
possible about this, it could save their life!
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- This came to my attention from a friend,
please give it your attention . It's important for you
.
- As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This
cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of
cancer; but it is, essentially, Ovarian Cancer. Both types of
cancer are diagnosed in the same way (with the "tumor marker"
CA-125 blood test), and they are treated in the same way (surgery
to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and
Carboplatin). Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save
others from the same fate. That is why I am sending this message
to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via
e-mail to everybody you know.
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- One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL
responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that
because I always had an annual physical, had my annual mammogram
and PAP smear, did monthly Self Breast Exam, went to the dentist
at least twice/year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a
bone density test last year.
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- When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did
not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive
organ cancers. LITTLE DID I KNOW! I don't have ovaries (and they
were HEALTHY when they were removed!), but I have what is
essentially ovarian cancer.
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- Strange, isn't it? These are just SOME of the things our
Doctors never tell us: ONE OUT OF EVERY 55 WOMEN WILL GET OVARIAN
OR PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER. THE "CLASSIC" SYMPTOMS ARE AN
ABDOMEN THAT RATHER SUDDENLY ENLARGES AND CONSTIPATION AND/OR
DIARRHEA.
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- I had these classic symptoms and went to the Doctor. Because
these symptoms seemed to be "abdominal," I went to a
gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine
whether there was a bacterial infection; these tests were
negative, and I was diagnosed with "Irritable Bowel
Syndrome."
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- I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been
for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5
months pregnant! I, therefore, insisted on more tests. They took
an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was, again, assured
that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my
scheduled month-long trip to Europe. I couldn't wear any of my
slacks or shorts because I couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW
something was radically wrong.
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- I INSISTED on more tests, and they (reluctantly) scheduled me
for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean
by taking charge of our own health care.
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- The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal!).
Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of
fluid drawn off at the hospital (not a pleasant procedure) but
NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me because tests revealed
cancer cells in the fluid.
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- Finally, finally, finally, the Doctor ran a CA-125 blood test
and I was properly diagnosed. I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR
OVARIAN CANCER AND, YET, THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER
BEEN RUN ON ME NOT AS PART OF MY ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM AND NOT WHEN
I WAS SYMPTOMATIC. THIS IS AND INEXPENSIVE AND SIMPLE BLOOD
TEST!!!
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- PLEASE, PLEASE, P-L-E-A-S-E TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND
RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF
THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS. BE FOREWARNED THAT THEIR DOCTORS
MIGHT TRY TO TALK THEM OUT OF IT, SAYING "IT ISN'T
NECESSARY."
- BUT HAD THEY DONE THIS SIMPLE TEST WE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT MY
CANCER MUCH EARLIER (BEFORE IT WAS A STAGE 3 CANCER)!!!
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- INSIST ON THE CA-125 BLOOD TEST; DON'T TAKE "NO" FOR AN
ANSWER.THE NORMAL RANGE SHOWING FROM THIS TEST SHOULD BE ZERO AND
35. (MINE WAS 754 (THAT'S RIGHT, 754!) IF THE NUMBER IS SLIGHTLY
ELEVATED, YOU CAN HAVE ANOTHER ONE DONE IN THREE OR SIX MONTHS AND
KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON IT JUST LIKE WOMEN DO WHEN THEY HAVE FIBROID
TUMORS.
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- HAVING THE CA-125 TEST DONE ANNUALLY CAN ALERT YOU EARLY, AND
THAT'S THE GOAL IN DIAGNOSING ANY TYPE OF CANCER - CATCH IT
EARLY!
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- I hope I haven't bored you with all of this. But I hope I HAVE
scared you enough to motivate you to action. Do YOU know 55 women?
If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer
and maybe, just maybe, it will be YOU. I hope not.
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- Please, go to your Doctor THIS WEEK and insist on a CA-125
test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life. And
forward this message to every woman you know and tell all of your
female family members and friends. As the Nike ads say, "JUST DO
IT!"
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- Please don't think youth will protect you, either. Though the
median age for this cancer is 56 (and, guess what, I'm exactly
56), women as young as 22 have it. Age is not a factor.
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- The Rediscovery of a Super Antibiotic?
- Colloidal silver appears to be a powerful, natural antibiotic
and preventative against infections. Acting as a catalyst, it
reportedly disables the enzyme that one-celled bacteria,viruses
and fungi need for their oxygen metabolism. They suffocate without
corresponding harm occurring to human enzymes or parts of the
human body chemistry. The result is the destruction of
disease-causing organisms in the body and in the food.
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Early Research
- Colloidal silver was in common use until 1938. Many remember
their grandparents putting silver dollars in milk to prolong its
freshness at room temperature. At the turn of the century,
scientists had discovered that the body's most important fluids
are colloidal in nature; suspended ultra-fine particles. Blood,
for example, carries nutrition and oxygen to the body cells. This
led to studies with colloidal silver. Prior to 1938, colloidal
silver was used by physicians as a mainstream antibiotic treatment
and was considered quite "high-tech." Production methods, however
were costly. The pharmaceutical industry moved in, causing
colloidal research to be set aside in favor of fast working, more
toxic and potentially dangerous drugs. The Food and Drug
Administration today classifies colloidal silver as a pre 1938
drug. A letter from the FDA dated 9/13/91 states: "These products
may continue to be marketed . . . as long as they are advertised
and labeled for the same use as in 1938 and s long as they are
manufactured in the original manner." Some of the manufacturing
methods used before 1938 are still used today. An
electro-colloidal process, which is known to be the best method,
is used.
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Contemporary Studies
- While studying regeneration of limbs, spinal cords and organs
in the late 1970s, Robert O. Becker, M.D., author of The Body
Electric, discovered that silver ions promote bone growth and kill
surrounding bacteria. The March 1978 issue of Science Digest, in
an article, "Our Mightiest Germ Fighter," reported: "Thanks to
eye-opening research, silver is emerging as a wonder of modern
medicine. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen different
disease organisms, but silver kills some 650. Resistant strains
fail to develop. Moreover, silver is virtually non-toxic. "The
article ended with a quote by Dr. Harry Margraf, a biochemist and
pioneering silver researcher who worked with the late Carl Moyer,
M.D., chairman of Washington University's Department of Surgery in
the 1970s: "Silver is the best all-around germ fighter we
have."
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How It Works
- The presence of colloidal silver near a virus, fungus,
bacterium or any other single celled pathogen disables its oxygen
metabolism enzyme, its chemical lung, so to say. Within a few
minutes, the pathogen suffocates and dies, and is cleared out of
the body by the immune, lymphatic and elimination systems. Unlike
pharmaceutical antibiotics which destroy beneficial enzymes,
colloidal silver leaves these tissue-cell enzymes intact, as they
are radically different from the enzymes of primitive
single-celled life. Thus colloidal silver is absolutely safe for
humans, reptiles, plants and all multi-celled living matter.
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Product Quality
- Many brands of colloidal silver are inferior. The highest
grade is produced by the electro-colloidal / non-chemical method
where the silver particles and water have been colloided, i.e.,
dispersed within and bound to each other by an electric current.
The superfine silver particles are suspended indefinitely in
demineralized water. The ideal color of colloidal silver is a
golden yellow. Darker colors indicate larger silver particles
which tend to collect at the bottom of the container and are not
true colloids. If a product contains a stabilizer or lists trace
elements other than silver, or if it needs to be shaken, it is
inferior. If a product requires refrigeration, some other
ingredient is present that could spoil. The container and dropper
must be glass, as plastic cannot preserve the silver in liquid
suspension for any length of time. Some brands are actually
unsafe. High concentrations of silver do not kill disease germs
more effectively than the safe range of 3 to 5 parts per million
(ppm).
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Ingesting Colloidal Silver
- Taken orally, the silver solution is absorbed from the mouth
into the bloodstream, then transported quickly to the body cells.
Swishing the solution under the tongue briefly before swallowing
ensures fast absorption. In three to four days the silver will
have accumulated in the tissues sufficiently for benefits to
begin. Since colloidal silver is eliminated by the kidneys, lymph
system and bowel after three weeks, a regular daily intake is
recommended as a protection against dangerous pathogens. In cases
of minor burns, an accumulation of colloidal silver can hasten
healing, reducing scar tissue and infection. The lives of millions
of people susceptible to chronic low-grade infections can be
enhanced by this powerful preventative health measure.
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Chronic or Serious Conditions
- Take double or triple the recommended amount for 30 to 45
days, then drop to the maintenance dose. If your body is extremely
ill or toxic, do not be in a hurry to clear up everything at once.
If pathogens are killed off too quickly, the body's five
eliminatory channels, i.e., the liver, kidneys, skin, lungs and
bowel, may be temporarily overloaded, causing flu-like conditions,
headache, extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea or aching muscles.
Ease off on the colloidal silver to the maintenance amount and
increase your distilled water intake. Regular bowel movements are
a must in order to relieve the discomforts of detoxification.
Resolve to reduce sugar and saturated fats from the diet, and
exercise more. Given the opportunity, the body's natural ability
to heal will amaze you.
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Topical Uses
- Colloidal silver is painless on cuts, abrasions, in open
wounds, in the nostrils for a stuffy nose, and even in a baby's
eyes because, unlike antiseptics, it does not destroy tissue
cells. It's excellent as an underarm deodorant, since most
underarm odor is caused by bacteria breaking down substances
released by the sweat glands!
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Tolerance To Disease Organisms
- It is impossible for single-celled germs to mutate into
silver-resistant forms, as happens with conventional antibiotics.
Therefore no tolerance to colloidal silver ever develops. Also,
colloidal silver cannot interact or interfere with other medicine
being taken. Inside the body, silver forms no toxic compounds nor
reacts with anything other than a germ's oxygen-metabolizing
enzyme. Colloidal silver is truly a safe, natural remedy for many
of mankind's ills.
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Satisfied Users
- Satisfied users have taken one tablespoon daily, for four
days, to establish a level, then one teaspoon daily for
maintenance (proportional to body weight for children). Also,
colloidal silver can be applied directly to cuts, scrapes, and
open sores, or on a bandage for warts. It can be applied on
eczema, itches, acne or bug bites. To purify water, add one
tablespoon per gallon, shake well and wait six minutes. Mixed this
way, it's tasteless. It is not an allopathic poison.
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Veterinary and Garden Use
- Colloidal silver has worked just as well on pets of all kinds.
Used in proportion to body weight, it brings the same, sure
results. In the garden, field or greenhouse, add enough to the
water or soil and the plants will do the rest.
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- Additionally, there has never been a drug interaction with any
other medication, nor can you overdose. Colloidal silver has
proven to be both a remedy and a prevention for all infections,
all colds, all flu and all fermentation due to any bacteria, virus
or fungus, even the nonapparent low-grade, general body infections
most people have. All living things are in the colloidal chemical
state, not the crystalline. Substances already in that form are
more readily assimilated by the body. Colloidal silver is the most
useable form of the most effective disease fighter there is.
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Colloidal Silver in Advance of Illness
- When taken orally each day, and applied topically when there
is a skin problem, it's like having a second immune system. Older
folks feel younger because their body energies are used for other
than fighting disease, and digestion is better. Medical research
has shown that silver promotes rapid healing, with less scar
tissue, even in the case of severe burns. Fantastic successes have
been reported in many cases previously given up by established
doctors. Colloidal silver is tasteless and won't sting even a
baby's eyes, and won't upset your stomach. It is produced today by
a modernized, original process, at a tiny fraction of the pre-1938
cost, and is more concentrated. The silver acts only as a catalyst
and is stabilized. It is absolutely non-toxic, except to one cell
plants and animals, and is non addicting. It also kills parasites
because they have a one cell egg stage in their reproductive
cycle.
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- More Than 650 Diseases
The following is a partial list of the more than 650 diseases that
colloidal silver has been used successfully against: acne,
allergies, appendicitis, arthritis, athlete's foot, bladder
inflammation, blood parasites, blood poisoning, boils, burns,
candida, cholera, colitis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, dermatitis,
herpes, impetigo, indigestion, keratitis, leprosy, leukemia,
lupus, lymphangitis, Lyme disease, malaria, meningitis,
neurasthenia, parasitic infections: viral, fungal and bacterial
pneumonia, pleurisy, prostate pruritus ani, psoriasis, purulent
opthalmia, rhinitis, rheumatism, ringworm, scarlet fever, septic
conditions of the eyes, ears, mouth, and throat, seborrhea,
septicemia, shingles, staphylococcus and streptococcus infections,
stomach flu, syphilis, thyroid, tuberculosis, tonsillitis,
toxemia, trachoma, all forms of virus, warts, whooping cough,
yeast infection, stomach ulcer, canine parovirus and other
veterinary uses, and all fungal and viral attacks on plants.
Simply spray diluted silver on the leaves and add to the
soil.
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- A colloidal suspension is ultra-fine particles of one
substance, suspended by an electric charge in another substance.
Homogenized milk and aerosol sprays are colloidal
suspensions.
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- Colloidal silver is pure, metallic silver (not a chemical
compound) of particles 15 atoms or fewer, each with a positive
electric charge, and attached to a molecule of simple protein.
This new particle floats in pure water. The electric charge is
stronger than gravity so the silver particles don't sink.
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References
- 1. "Use of Colloids in Health and Disease." Colloidal silver
has proven particularly effective in cases of intestinal troubles.
Dr. Henry Crooks found that "silver in the colloidal state is
highly germicidal, quite harmless to humans and absolutely
non-toxic. Rather than in a chemical compound, the silver in the
colloidal state may be applied in a much more concentrated form,
with correspondingly better results. All virus, fungus, bacterium,
streptococcus, staphylococcus, and other pathogenic organisms are
killed in three or four minutes upon contact. There are no side
effects whatsoever from the highest concentrations."
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- 2. Dr. Robert Becker, "The Body Electric," recognized a
correlation between low silver levels and sickness. He said the
silver deficiency was responsible for the improper functioning of
the immune system. Dr. Becker's experiments conclude that silver
works on the full spectrum of pathogens without any side effects
or damage to any part of the body. He also states that the silver
was doing something more than killing disease organisms. It was
also causing major growth stimulation of injured tissues. Burn
patients and elderly patients noticed more rapid healing. He
discovered that all cancer cells change back to normal cells. All
strains of pathogens resistant to other antibiotics are killed by
colloidal silver. Yet at that time he couldn't find a silver
supplement on the market.
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- 3. "Silver, Our Mightiest Germ Fighter," Science Digest, March
1978. As an antibiotic, colloidal silver kills over 650 disease
causing organisms, and resistant strains fail to develop. Silver
is the best all-around germ fighter we have and is absolutely
non-toxic! Doctors report that, taken internally, it works against
syphilis, cholera, malaria, diabetes and severe burns. Richard L.
Davies, executive director of the Silver Institute which monitors
silver technology in 37 countries, reports: "In four years we've
described 87 important new medical uses for silver."
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- 4. Dr. Bjorn Nordstrom, of the Karolinska Institute, Sweden,
has used silver in his cancer treatment method. He says the whole
thing is quite simple. This brought rapid remission in patients
given up on by other doctors.
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- 5. The FDA has stated that because colloidal silver is
accepted as a pre-1938 medication, it may continue to be marketed.
Letter, 13 September 1991, received from consumer safety officer
Harold Davis, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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- 6. "Colloidal Preparations of Silver in Pharmacy," British
Medical Journal, February 1923: "Pure Silver is entirely
nonirritant. In tests at very high concentrations, it has been
shown repeatedly that the rapidly exerted disinfectant action is
of considerable therapeutic value."
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- 7. Dr. Otto Warberg (Nobel Prize Winner, 1932) stated that
"Cancer is caused by the lack of oxygen and the fermentation of
sugars."
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- 8. Provo Herald, 13 February 1992, page D1: "Colloidal Silver
as a Remedy for AIDS. quot;
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- 9. American Drug Index, section on Inorganic Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, recognized silver for its germicidal action, calling a
stabilized form: Mild Silver Protein. There are several
concentrations of Mild Silver Protein.
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- 10. The Condensed Medical Dictionary, 6th Edition: Mild Silver
Protein is listed for medicinal use. The 4s protein-2 is the trace
used as a stabilizer.
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- 11. Medicinal Silver Home Remedies, Maurice Worthington, M.D.,
1928.
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- 12. "Colloidal Silver Preparations of Silver in Pharmacy,"
British Medical Journal, 1932.
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- 13. Royalty, worldwide, have been called "Blue Bloods,"
because of the silver content in their blood, even from birth.
They used real silverware, ate from silver dishes, and stored
their food in silver containers. There were no doctors. The common
people were often sick with something.
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- Nothing stated here should be considered as medical advice for
dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care
professional for individual guidance for specific health
problems.
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- This page on colloidal silver is simply a collection of
information in the public domain, and presented strictly for
informational and educational use only. Information conveyed
herein is based on pharmacological and other records both ancient
and modern. No claims whatsoever can be made as to the specific
benefits accruing from the use of colloidal silver. Anyone with
knowledge of additional information on colloidal silver is highly
encouraged to e-mail that information so that it can be shared
with others who may be interested.
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- Make Your Own Colloidal Silver | Experiences of Colloidal
Silver Users Natural Health and Longevity Home Page | Complete
Index to Body / Mind / Spirit
-
- Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center http://www.all-natural.com/silver-1.html
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A Natural Approach To Chronic
Disease
Many scientific researchers have come to believe that dietary
supplements can offer traditional medicine a hand in helping people
live longer lives without the day-to-day burden associated with
chronic diseases. There are four chronic conditions-cardiovascular
disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis-where various
dietary supplements have shown promise.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
The most well-known cardiovascular condition is arteriosclerosis.
The development of atherosclerosis is dependent on the oxidation of
lipoproteins. Antioxidants-such as vitamins A, C, and E, beta
carotene, grape seed extract, and pine bark extract-may help slow or
stop this process by scavenging free radicals that cause
oxidation.
The most well-known and well-documented antioxidant for the heart
is vitamin E. One study conducted two years ago revealed that after
18 months, the heart attack risk of the group receiving vitamin E was
reduced 75%.
CoQ10 deficiencies have been confirmed among patients with
congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, and
hypertension.
Garlic has been indicated to lower blood pressure, lower blood
cholesterol, and act as a general tonic for the cardiovascular
system.
CANCER
Beta carotene has been the subject of a number of clinical trials
in which it has shown anticancer capabilities.
Lutein, found in kale, spinach, broccoli, and marigold flowers,
has been studied in regard to cancer risk.
Lycopene, found in tomatoes, watermelon, and guava, has been the
subject of research related to its role in reducing risk of certain
cancers.
In a recent study, a team of scientists found that grape seed
extract significantly inhibited and even killed human cancer cells in
vitro, while increasing the growth and viability of normal healthy
cells.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association showed that intake of organic, high-selenium yeast by a
subject group showed a 50% decrease in cancer deaths, 63% fewer cases
of prostate cancer, 58% fewer cases of colon cancer and 46% fewer
incidents of lung cancer.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
For more than a decade, a number of clinical studies have been
conducted to test the efficacy of glucosamine as a therapeutic
treatment of osteoarthritis.
Supplemental glucosamine works by penetrating joint cartilage. The
recommended dosage for glucosamine is 1,500 mg daily.
Often paired with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate may protect
existing cartilage from premature breakdown by inhibiting certain
enzymes that destroy cartilage or prevent the transport of
nutrients.
MSM (methyl-sulfonylmethane) is an important building block that
has been recommended for helping ease inflammation and pain
associated with arthritis and gout.
OSTEOPOROSIS
An adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D by Americans has been
reported to possibly reduce the risk of hip fractures by almost
20%.
Significant bone mineral density increases were seen in studies of
more than 400 patients who have been treated with ipriflavone.
Reference: Journal of the American Medical Association, December
25, 1997.
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The Miracle Of Ginger
Ginger, like cayenne, is the preferred warming remedy in Oriental
herbalism, where it is used for cold hands and feet, chills,
weakness, poor digestion, nausea, and weak circulation.
Ginger is useful for colds, mucus, coughs, and bronchial
infections. The Chinese use it when the weather or climate is cold
and damp, and to prevent and treat viral infections.
Ginger does not specifically attack the virus or bacteria. Nor is
it an expectorant that loosens secretions of mucus. Instead, it
brings body fluids to the area, warming it up. This mobilizes the
body's defenses.
The best known use of ginger is on the digestive system.
Herbalists describe ginger as a "stimulating carminative." A
carminative is an herb that calms and supports the digestion. It
soothes the stomach, relieves gas, eases cramps, and generally
encourages normal digestion and absorption.
In 1985, 80 healthy naval cadets sailed off to the seas of the
Skagerrak. Most were seasick. The doctor handed out seasickness
pills. The cadets didn't know that some contained powdered ginger
while others contained a placebo. The ginger cut in half the symptoms
of nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats, compared to the placebo.
This kind of study has been repeated several times and has put
ginger on the map as an effective natural remedy for motion
sickness.
Ginger tea, capsules, or tablets are effective for morning
sickness experienced during pregnancy. The European Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology recently reported the results of a clinical
trial involving women with the most severe kind of morning sickness,
termed "hyperemesis gravid arum." Among the women taking one gram of
powdered ginger per day, the symptoms were either greatly reduced or
eliminated altogether.
In a remarkable study of 60 patients as St. Bartholomew's Hospital
in London, ginger was used against postoperative nausea and
vomiting.
One of the reasons why ginger is added to so many prescriptions in
Chinese or Indian traditional medicine is that it helps in the
absorption of other constituents.
Reference: Fulder, Stephen, Ph.D., The Ginger Book.
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Lycopene: A Powerful Carotenoid
The carotenoids are a large family of vitamin-like pigments found
in fruits and vegetables. Early research focused on the carotenoids,
such as beta-carotene, that were converted in the body to vitamin A.
Many other carotenoids, including lycopene, do not have pro-vitamin A
activity and their potential benefits to health are only recently
being uncovered.
Harvard Medical School researcher Steven Clinton, M.D., Ph.D.,
pointed out the importance of understanding lycopene, since it "is
one of the major carotenoids in the diet of North Americans and
Europeans," being found primarily in tomato-based foods.
Lycopene levels are known to decline with advancing age, which
could adversely affect health status. "Current studies suggest that
lycopene is a more potent scavenger of oxygen radicals than other
major dietary carotenoids," said Dr. Clinton.
Several diseases may be influenced by lycopene intake.
Cancer-particularly prostate, esophageal, stomach, and cervical
cancers-appears to be less prevalent in those with higher lycopene
consumption. Lycopene has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and
protect against oxidative damage to LDL cholesterol. Preliminary work
has also been conducted in the areas of AIDS, Alzheimer's disease,
and multiple sclerosis.
Reference: Clinton, S.K. Lycopene: Chemistry, biology, and
implications for human health and disease. Nutr. Rev.
1998;56:35-51.
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Natural Antidepressants: Safe And Effective
Affecting millions of Americans each day, depression can strike
anyone at any time. For years, Prozac has been the treatment of
choice in treating the illness. However, vitamins, amino acids, and
herbs are being utilized in the fight against the "blues."
The American Psychiatric Association bases its definition of
clinical depression upon the following criteria: 1) marked change in
appetite; 2) insomnia or hypersomnia; 3) loss of interest or pleasure
in usual activities, or decrease in sexual drive; 4) fatigue; 5)
feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or self-reproach; 6)
physical hyperactivity or inactivity; 7) diminished ability to
concentrate or think; 8) anxiety; 9) feeling sad, empty, or
despondent; and 10) recurrent thoughts of death and suicide. The
presence of four or more of these traits for a period of at least one
month indicates clinical depression.
Many people become depressed only during the winter months.
Environmental, psychological, genetic, and physiological factors
all can cause depression.
Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and smoking increase the likelihood of
depression.
Strong evidence, supported by hundreds of studies, indicates that
exercise eases some mild cases of depression by raising levels of
endorphins in the brain. Exercise also has been shown to reduce
tension and improve mental outlook and self esteem.
The B vitamins are of particular importance in preventing
depression. A deficiency of vitamin B3, or niacin, has been shown to
lead to a number of psychological problems, including depression,
apathy, anxiety, mania, dementia, and delirium. Deficiencies of
vitamin B12 and folic acid may lead to depression. Deficiency of
vitamin C also can produce symptoms of depression.
Mood is affected by the body's levels of amino acids, which
function as neurotransmitters. Specific neurotransmitters that
function as antidepressants include tryptophan, taurine, tyrosine,
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA).
In the herbal category, the most well-known and well-studied
natural choice for depression is St. John's wort.
Many of the studies were conducted in Germany where the herb is
far more popular than Prozac and other antidepressants.
The October 1994 issue of the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and
Neurology contains 16 articles on St. John's wort.
The most common preparations of St. John's wort are standardized
extracts. The recommended daily dosage is 300 mg of St. John's wort
containing 0.3% hypericin. While Prozac costs approximately $80 per
month, St. John's wort is only about $20 per month.
Although supplements may effectively relieve feelings of
depression, they are not cures. Amino acids, drugs, and herbs are
symptomatic treatments and generally only work for as long as they
are taken.
Reference: Upton, R., et al. St. John's Wort Monograph. American
Herbal Pharmacopeia. July, 1997.
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Low Omega-3 Levels Linked To Depression
British research suggests that there is a link between the rise in
depression and the fact that people have been eating much less
omega-3 fatty acids.
The cell membranes surrounding red blood cells were analyzed in
depressed and non-depressed individuals to determine fatty acid
composition. The depressed group showed a significant depletion of
omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
The researchers suggested that the low levels of omega-3 fatty
acids may be related to greater oxidative damage to cell membranes in
the depressed individuals, which in turn may be associated with
inadequate antioxidant defenses.
A related study confirmed the depletion of omega-3 fatty acids in
the cell membranes of depressed people. In addition, those suffering
from more severe depression had lower levels of fatty acids and less
dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids.
According to the researchers, "the findings raise the possibility
that, for some people, depressive symptoms may be alleviated by
omega-3 supplementation."
Reference: Peet, M., Murphy, B., Shay, J., et al. Depletion of
omega-3 fatty acid levels in red blood cell membranes of depressive
patients. Bio. Psych. 1998;43:315-9.
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The Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Nettle Leaves
Urtica dioica, or Stinging nettles, has been found to contain
several anti-inflammatory compounds that affect cartilage
degradation, bone resorption, and acute rheumatic arthritis.
Previous research had established that 1340 mg of powdered extract
of nettle leaves allows a 50% reduction in the dose of non steroidal
anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAID) used to treat arthritis. In a
German study, 40 subjects participated in an open randomized study
comparing the effectiveness of a combination of stinging nettles and
50 mg of diclofenac to the standard 200 mg dosage of diclofenac.
Diclofenac is an NSAID commonly prescribed in dosages of 150 to 200
mg per day for the treatment of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The
subjects were randomly assigned to the nettle and 50 mg of diclofenac
group or the 200 mg diclofenac group.
Gastric bleeding is a common side effect of NSAID use. Both groups
received the same nutrition over the study period of 14 days.
The study concluded that 50 mg of Urtica dioica plus 50 mg of
diclofenac is as effective as 200 mg of diclofenac at reducing the
clinical symptoms of acute arthritis. This could be great news for
those who cannot tolerate NSAIDs because of ulcers or other gastric
problems.
Reference: Chrubasik, S., W. Enderlein, R., Bauer, and W. Grabner,
Evidence for Anti-rheumatic Effectiveness of Herba Urticae dioicae in
acute arthritis: A Pilot Study Phytomedicine, 1997; 4(2):105-8.
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Diabetes often leads to complications related to circulatory
health. A study of 10 diabetics and 10 healthy controls found that
vitamin C restored healthy blood vessel function in the diabetic
group. The benefit seen from vitamin C implicates free radical damage
to blood vessels as the likely culprit in diabetic circulatory
problems.
Journal Am. Coll. Cardiol., 1998;31:552-7.
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