Articles

Vitamin C: Anti Viral

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:55:00 GMT

The following is an article from the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, October 26, 2005 (article title has changed)

Please note, this article is for information purposes only and that Vitamin C should be taken under directions from a qualified health practitioner. Take extra caution if you have stomach ulcers and make sure your Vitamin C supplement is buffered.

Vitamin C: Protection from the Flu Virus?

High dose vitamin C is a remarkably safe* and effective treatment for viral infections. [1,2] In high doses, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, helps kill viruses, and strengthens the body's immune system. Taking supplemental vitamin C routinely helps prevent viral infections.

The Avian Flu (or Bird Flu), so often mentioned by newspapers, magazines and other news sources, is a particularly severe form of influenza. It should probably be called Poultry Flu, since almost all of the 150 or so human infections have come from domestic poultry. [3] Interestingly, the symptoms of avian flu include haemorrhages under the skin, and bleeding from the nose and gums. These are also classical symptoms of clinical scurvy, which means a critical vitamin C deficiency is present.

This means that vitamin C (ascorbate) is needed to treat it. Severe cases may require 200,000 to 300,000 milligrams of vitamin C or more, given intravenously (IV) by a physician. This very high dosing may be needed since the Avian Flu appears to consume vitamin C very rapidly, similar to an acute viral hemorrhagic fever, somewhat like an Ebola infection.

What should you do if you think you have a viral infection - any viral infection - coming on and IV vitamin C is not readily available? Nobel laureate Linus Pauling said that as soon as you feel the symptoms of sniffles, a cold or the flu, take oral doses of thousands of milligrams of vitamin C.

For best results, take vitamin C in evenly divided doses during the waking hours. Continue taking vitamin C on this schedule until, Pauling says, you have loose stool (just short of diarrhea). After having loosened stool, reduce the vitamin C dosage reduce by about 25 per cent. If you have another loose stool, reduce the vitamin C again, but if the symptoms of the viral infection begin to return, increase the dosage. You will quickly learn how much vitamin C to take; even children can learn to do this. Continue until you are completely well. Vitamin C greatly shortens the severity and duration of viral illnesses.

Vitamin C expert Robert Cathcart, M.D., specifies very high therapeutic doses of vitamin C. For a severe cold: 60,000 to 100,000 milligrams/day. [4] For most influenza (flu), 100,000 to 150,000 mg/day. [5] For Avian (Bird) Flu, 150,000 to 300,000 mg/day.[6]

Remember:

Vitamin C replaces antiviral drugs at saturation (bowel tolerance or loose stool) levels.

The reason very high doses of a vitamin can cure an illness is because a disease-induced deficiency of that vitamin can be a cause of the illness.

As for the safety of this approach: There is not even one death per year from vitamins. Pharmaceutical drugs, properly prescribed and taken as directed, kill over 100,000 Americans annually. Hospital errors kill still more. Unlike drugs, with vitamins, the range of safe dosages is extraordinarily large.

*Seek medical advice from your health practitioner regarding the safe levels of use for any and all supplements.

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The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

Editorial Review Board:
Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.
Harold D. Foster, Ph.D.
Bradford Weeks, M.D.
Carolyn Dean, M.D. N.D.
Erik Paterson, M.D.
Thomas Levy, M.D., J.D.

References:
1. Gorton HC, Jarvis K. The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Oct;22(8):530-3. "Vitamin C in megadoses administered before or after the appearance of cold and flu symptoms relieved and prevented the symptoms in the test population compared with the control group."
2. Smith L. (Ed) Clinical guide to the use of vitamin C. (Also published as: Vitamin C as a fundamental medicine: Abstracts of Dr. Frederick R. Klenner, M.D.'s published and unpublished work) 1988. F. R. Klenner, M.D., "reports cases of influenza, encephalitis, and measles easily cured with Vitamin C injections and oral doses." http://www.seanet.com/%7Ealexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm
3. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/112/110522.htm
4. Cathcart RF. Vitamin C, titrating to bowel tolerance, anascorbemia, and acute induced scurvy. Medical Hypotheses, 7:1359-1376. http://www.orthomed.com/titrate.htm
5. Cathcart RF. Treatment of the flu with massive doses of vitamin C. http://www.orthomed.com/mystery.htm#treatment
6. Cathcart RF. Avian (bird) flu. http://www.orthomed.com/bird.htm

Eat Fat to Lose Fat

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:35:00 GMT

Obesity

It is well known that there is an epidemic of obesity. Obesity causes a number of health problems such as inflammation, high triglycerides and insulin resistance. These obesity related conditions should not be ignored, as they can be life debilitating.

Many people believe that dieting will solve everything. In one sense this is true, but it is vitally important that a correct fat loss program is followed, preferably by a well trained Natural Health Practitioner.

The reason for this, is that many who start a diet, can easily fall into the trap of the following bad habits:

Start to skip meals
Eat the incorrect foods
Lose not just fat tissue but also the needed muscle mass tissue.
Begin over strenuous exercising
Follow incorrect advice
Start self prescribing - Taking the incorrect or unnecessary supplementation.

These can hinder the success of fat loss; and in many cases increase fat tissue / obesity.

What should I know about weight loss diets?

Many weight loss diets can be harmful, such as low calorie diets. These can suppress the thyroid function, thus lowering metabolic rate. This results in easier weight gain.
Weight loss programs usually, advise the incorrect carbohydrate intake with very low fat intake.
Please note that fats do not put on fat. It is the carbohydrates (usually the refined and processed such as white bread, white pasta, etc.) that convert into bad fat.
Excessive exercising, increases inflammation, which contributes to more weight gain. One needs to be guided according to their unique, individual needs.

It is important to identify the cause of obesity, as there could be a number of reasons.

A person may be eating well, exercising and taking supplements and still find it difficult to lose fat.

Examples:

Stress
Hormonal imbalances
Deficiencies
Chemical toxicity

Excessive fat tissue and the need for protein

· As fat cell stores increase, the fat tissue starts to misbehave. Secreting chemicals (known as cytokines) that increase inflammation, compounding health issues, e.g. insulin resistance and fat gain.

· Fat cells (Adipose tissue) release free fatty acids into the circulation which inhibits insulin action, e.g. blood glucose control (blood glucose control is a vital part of maintaining weight loss)

· Fat tissue uses both free fatty acids and glucose (sugar) for fuel. But, by restricting dietary carbohydrates (sugar availability); the tissues are forced to utilize free fatty acids as an alternative source of energy. In short, your body has to use its own fat as a source of fuel.

· High intakes of carbohydrates, especially the refined carbohydrates, will stimulate an increase for the need of insulin release. Insulin is a hormone that in excess makes fat cells fatter. At the same time Carnitine Palmtyl Transferase (CPT), an enzyme activity that supports fat burning, is suppressed. For example, eating 2 slices of bread (carbohydrate), which is approximately 60gms of sugar (glucose), will suppress fat burning.

The importance of protein

Protein intake is so vital for promoting healthy fat loss, as it aids in fat burning / fat loss (it increases thermogenisis) and preserves the needed lean muscle mass. A good point to note is that protein increases thermogenisis by 100% over carbohydrates, as it improves body composition and prevents weight regain.

The importance of the “Good Fats”

Flaxseed oil and coconut oil are known as medium chained fatty acids

These medium chained fatty acids assist the “Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor” (PPAR), which is very important in assisting in healthy fat loss.

Examples:

These are receptors which stimulate fatty acid uptake and metabolism.
Its activation has an insulin-sensitizing effect by clearing fatty acids from the blood.
It reduces insulin resistance and inflammation.
It is anti inflammatory.

Inflammation is a driver of many health complaints such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, arthritis and endocrine imbalances. So an interesting way to block this inflammatory drive is by supporting PPAR with healthy fats such as

- Flaxseed oil

- Coconut oil

- Sesame oil

- Olive oil

The omega 3 essential fatty acids.

These good fats activate the PPAR receptors, which also does other wonderful things like increase thermogenesis, (increase fat burning), inhibits fat storage, it takes hold of the bad fat and aids in it’s elimination, reduces triglycerides, raises the good fat HDL and improves insulin sensitivity.

Just a note about long chained fatty acids and why they need to be avoided

1. Adrenoleukodystrophy

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare fatal degenerative disease, caused by a build up of long chained fatty acid (c22 to c28) which destroys the myelin (protective sheath) of the nerves, resulting in myelin sheath degeneration, i.e.: it destroys the myelin (protective sheath) of the nerves. An example of myelin sheath deterioration is Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Long chained fatty acids, usually found in processed foods and many eateries, including canola oil are known to be a long chained fatty acid of (c22).

Essential Fatty ACIDS

EFA’s are essential for the promotion of optimal neurological & immunological development & function, especially with regard to vision & the control of inflammatory immune responses.
Supplementation will improve learning & behaviour, and help in the control of allergies & infections.

Coconut oil

It is a medium chain fatty acid, with a host of health supporting benefits, such as assisting in thyroid function therefore improving metabolic rate and blood glucose support.

These are just some of the reasons it is important to eat good fat to support fat loss, and simultaneously avoid bad carbohydrates and sugars.

Oils like coconut oil support healthy fat loss.

The Salt Myth

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:44:00 GMT

Don’t be conned by those who tell you that salt is harmful…

Have you ever heard the saying that:

“Oils ain’t Oils”

Well, the same goes for

“Salts ain’t Salts”….

There is a huge difference between “refined sea salt”, known as the common table salt that consist of only 2 minerals and the true salt called “unrefined Celtic sea salt”, that consists of 84+ minerals.

The common refined salt

It is refined where they extract most of the minerals and all that is left is two minerals, known as sodium and chloride, (NaCl).
Chemical additives such as aluminium hydroxide and aluminium silicate are then added to bleach the salt whiter and prevent water absorption, to keep it dry, so it is easier to sprinkle onto foods.

This process that stops water absorption is one of the reasons why salt is harmful to consume.

Refined salt can deposit in our joints or in our blood vessels and urinary tract. This refining process reduces healthy vitality and function of our body.
It literally behaves like a poison within the system.

The unrefined Celtic Sea salt

Organic and pure

Celtic Sea salt consists of more than 84 minerals that are highly beneficial to maintaining healthy body function and to promote wellness.
It is needed energy and nutrition.
Just like there are essential fatty acids and essential amino acids that the human body requires daily, the same goes for Celtic sea salt, we need it in our diet daily.
The minerals are as nature intended, in an organic form that is completely and easily absorbable and utilized by our body.

It’s all about maintaining a balance…homeostasis, in this case, with our diet.

An amazing biochemist known as Dr de Langre has studied the powerful benefits of consuming Celtic Sea salt, for over 30 years, He has written two amazing books,

“Sea Salt’s Hidden Powers” and

“Sea Salt, the Vital Spark for Life”

There are other books and information available today on this topic.

Dr de Langre actually recommends unrefined sea salt for all people with High Blood Pressure, Heart Problems and for many illnesses.

This approach defies some orthodox medical logic, because they only understand the harmful effects of table salt, thus putting all salt including the needed unrefined sea salt, into the bad books.

That is because it is well known that sodium chloride does stress the cardiovascular system. (This is well documented).

In Dr de Langre book, he explains the reasons why

The heart muscle works harder on a low salt diet
When consuming the incorrect refined salt it results in a breakdown of cellular tissue.
You can’t digest food.
It is a set up for kidney stress, respiratory and blood sugar imbalances, just to mention a few.

(In other words it causes all organs to work harder.).

He emphasizes that a rich mineralized unrefined sea salt makes it easier for the heart to pump and to contract.

Sea salt lowers the blood pressure, because it removes the excess sodium from the tissues, and for those with low blood pressure it aids in stabilizing it.

So, without sea salt, there is no healthy exchange between the sodium on the outside of the cell and the potassium on the inside of the cell. For example, it stresses the cardiovascular system, and causes conditions like high blood pressure.

God put 84 plus minerals in salt, to act like a buffer, to protect us from pure “sodium chloride” as it is found in many food items sold in stores.

In the ocean the sodium is buffered. In our blood, sodium is buffered. How wonderful nature is…

In conclusion

An unrefined sea salt restricted diet causes nasty health problems.

You cannot function with refined sea salt that has only 2 minerals sodium - chloride, we need the unrefined sea salt with the 84+ minerals.
This is because most of our basic and complex functions of our internal world (our body), basic messages sent either electrochemically or via our hormones, rely on a medium that is chemically balanced. Thus, sea salt puts our bodies back into balance.
It is important to note that our cells constantly need to be bathed in a sodium-based, extra-cellular fluid environment.

Rene Quinton, the French physiologist stated, “….the internal environment, the unchanging environment of our own “internal ocean”, meaning our blood plasma and tissue fluids, has an amazing similarity to the chemical and mineral composition to that of sea water from the ocean.

We have the same mineral elements found in our bodies.

Our body demands that the sea salt concentration in the blood remain constant. This is what you call maintaining an internal ocean.

Every one of us is born in a salty solution (like a mini ocean) – our mother’s amniotic fluid.

God had a purpose in making our blood like the ocean.

This, as an example that explains why we all need all of the

Ocean’s minerals as part of our daily needs because it is our make- up.

E.g. how many people suffer from an illness that could be connection to a possible mineral deficiency?

Some points to remember:

Biochemically, without salt, your cells struggle and starve
Salt is an energizer, there is bio-electric energy in salt, charged minerals.
It is very healing
Without salt, we run out of electrolytes, e.g. our batteries run out.
In the 1900’s, a medical doctor named Jacques Loeb, did an experiment. He put fish in a tank of water mixed with refined salt but with the same concentration that exists in sea water. All the fish died. If fish are placed in a solution of refined salt and water, it poisons them.
Sea salt has biochemical intelligence. It ‘thinks’. It is totally different from the refined dead, lifeless salt.
Sea salt is a body cleanser within. It keeps your body biochemically clean.
It aids in longevity
Foods that you eat cannot be fully digested without sea salt
When cooking with sea salt best to add towards the end. Thus don’t boil it.
Adding a bit of sea salt to your herbal teas causes it to be more potent.
Remember, that without minerals one cannot utilize e.g. vitamins, fats or amino acids.
Our energy production from our mitochondria (power house of our cells) requires the need of minerals, for healthy ATP production.
Many enzymatic reactions that take place in our body need minerals to function. Have you heard the saying no enzymatic action = no life. Healthy enzymatic function high energy life. Thus enzymes = life.
Biochemical pathways in our body require the need of minerals, this is critical.
Every living cell in our body is dependent on minerals for proper function, e.g. minerals are needed for the formation of blood and bones, homeostasis, healthy nerve function, etc….
In short we require sea salt. We enable the body to be able to function healthily, to aid in growth, in repair, in detoxification, in healing and for the maintenance of over all good health.

The best salt to consume is the unrefined “Salt of the Earth”

Celtic sea salt

Minerals are essential for good health and energy. Unrefined Celtic sea salt is good for you. It comes in precise dosages that perfectly matches the mineral composition in our body.

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I Need Energy!

Fri, 23 May 2008 05:18:00 GMT

It’s 6am. The alarm is on the floor because you hit the snooze button too hard. You’re dazed and the enchanting smell of that delicious, dark bean fills your lungs before it even begins to grind. Coffee, everyone’s friend.... but is there another way? Some people drink up to 6 cups a day with no signs of slowing down. Over time, the effects can be quite draining to say the least.

We recommend slow down on the coffee and add some products in your life that will not only give you energy, but promote a health body which is ultimately the source of your energy – and yes, one of these products is green. Coffee is like the casino that gives you betting money. Seems great at first but quickly becomes addictive and robs you in the end.

Products like Grainfields probiotics and AIM Barley Life will not only give you energy when you need it, but will actually help to fix the underlying problems that are causing your fatigue. If you want to discover real energy and see what it feels like to wake up with the spark that you used to then click on the links below and read more about these wonderful health foods.

And don’t forget, sleeping early will help your body recover and recharge (adrenals).

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What’s Your Transit Time?

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:50:00 GMT

The digestive system is more than just the breakdown and absorption of food and nutrients. One vital, and often ignored, part of the system is elimination of waste and cleansing of toxins from the body. AIM Herbal Fiberblend contains the fibre and cleansing herbs that are often lacking in our diets. This unique combination provides the perfect way to maintain your digestive health, keep your digestive system clean, and experience other benefits that are indicative of whole body health.

The role of fibre has long been recognised as the best food for maintaining bowel regularity and preventing constipation. Consuming fibre reduces transit time and results in a more thorough evacuation of waste materials and toxins that can clog our lengthy digestive tract and affect our overall well being.

Fibre has also been found to reduce overall cholesterol in the body, particularly bad cholesterol (LDL). In fact, in a meta-analysis of 67 controlled trials, it was found that some water-soluble fibre lower the bad cholesterol, without affecting the good cholesterol (HDL). Water soluble fibre (like psyllium) may also normalise blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood.

So why cleanse? A body overloaded with toxins can result in a number of symptoms. These include constipation, stomach bloating, poor digestion, gas, fatigue, weight gain, excessive mucus, poor concentration, headaches, poor skin, poor memory, depression, body odour and bad breath.

The body does have a system in place for detoxifying harmful toxins. The most important cleansing organ is the liver. Eliminative channels include the bowels (digestive system), kidneys, skin, lungs and lymphatic system. When the body is not over burdened with toxins and is performing well, blood carries toxins to the liver, which uses enzymes to detoxify harmful substances. They are rendered harmless or converted into a water-soluble form that is eliminated via the urine or faeces.

One table spoon of AIM Herbal Fiberblend contains about 4 to 5 grams of fibre. Psyllium, the main source of fibre in the product, has more than eight times the bulking power of oat bran. Psyllium is approximately 75 to 80 percent dietary fibre, 60 to 70 percent of which is soluble fibre. The herbs in AIM Herbal Fiberblend bring you powerful detoxification effects. It is one of the most valuable fibre and herbal products available today.

AIM Herbal Fiberblend is available in raspberry flavour or unflavoured. Try some today, your body will thank you!

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Juice Power

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:52:00 GMT

Juicing is a great way to get a concentration of fresh fruits and vegetables. When looking for the right juicer, we should be aware of a few factors; quality of the juice, efficiency and durability of the machine, juicing speed, ease of use and simplicity in cleaning.

We offer a wide range of juicers, some stronger in some areas than others. It really does depend on what you want and what suits your lifestyle. Some people want the absolute best quality juice their money can buy, while others have busy schedules and need a simple, fast solution. But whatever a person’s preference, one this is for sure: buying a juicer is a long term investment. In fact some people keep their juicers well over 10 years. For this reason, most high quality juicers come with a 10 year warranty on the motor. Another certainty is no matter the juicer, there will always be a great benefit from juicing, because fresh vegetable and fruit juices are jam packed with vitamins, minerals and enzymes; all in a highly available form. This means that the teeth and stomach don’t have to break the food down mechanically, so digestive juices and enzymes can work to their full potential.

Check out this video showing the value of cold press juices.

Don’t settle for cheap juicers that may only last a year or two. Browse our great selection of quality juicers and see which one is right for you.

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