Macular Degeneration and Bioidentical Hormones

As the number of baby-boomers who reach retirement continues to grow, an eye disease called macular degeneration -- or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) -- is an ever-increasing health issue for millions of people. In fact, AMD is statistically found in nearly one-third of American adults over the age of 65, and is the leading cause of blindness in this age group. Scientists are predicting a whopping 18 million cases of AMD by the year 2050, and until recently, this disease was thought to be incurable and irreversible. However, researchers have recently conducted studies that indicate great hope for preventing and potentially healing AMD through the use of supplementation with bioidentical hormones.

What is AMD?

AMD is literally deterioration of a part of the eye, located in the center of the retina, called the macula. The retina is a critical part of the eye that is composed of millions of specialized structures known as photoreceptors that capture light as they receive signals from the brain via the optic nerve and convert these signals into images. AMD most often occurs when tiny yellow particles made of cholesterol called drusen begin to collect at the back of the eye and damage the macula and the photoreceptors. This type of AMD is called dry macular degeneration, and is by far the most common, accounting for about 90% of cases. Wet macular degeneration is the result of tiny blood vessels that grow abnormally in the retina and leak, causing damage and potentially rapid and irreversible blindness. Wet AMD always begins as dry, and progresses into wet, although not all cases of dry will turn into wet. AMD causes loss in the center of your vision, while peripheral vision is not affected. For many years, drusen have been identified as the culprit in AMD, and researchers thought they were probably the result of inflammation, cellular waste product, or reduction in blood flow to the retinal area due to aging.

Certain risk factors for AMD have been identified as well. These include smoking, a high fat diet, obesity, insufficient physical exercise, high blood pressure, family history, and others. If these risk factors sound a lot like those for cardiovascular disease, it is because they are identical. What’s the connection with heart disease? One word: Hormones.


How Can Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Help With AMD?

An exciting discovery was made about 10 years ago that is a boone for the care of AMD and for the overall understanding of hormone therapy. Researchers conducted several studies that led them to conclude that AMD can be prevented, and even reversed in some cases, by the use of bioidentical hormones. This journey began when cholesterol was pinpointed as the main ingredient in drusen, and the link between macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease was factored in. This link is very clear. In fact, it is estimated that a person with AMD has 5 times the chance of dying from coronary disease and 10x the chance of dying from a stroke than individuals without AMD. This led researchers to speculate that drusen form because the retina is trying to compensate for a lack of critical hormones in the blood by making its own. When it is unable to accomplish that, drusen (cholesterol) increases, causing AMD and increasing risk for cardiac disease.

The theory turned out to be correct, and it has been proven in clinical studies that supplementation with bioidentical hormones -- not synthetic ones -- has significant healing effects on both AMD and heart disease. These hormones include: dhea, progesterone, testosterone, pregnenolone, and others.

The retina is technically part of the brain, as an extension of the optic nerve, and hormones such as pregnenolone, estrogen, and progesterone are critical for proper brain and nervous system functioning. Dhea is also important in preventing AMD and heart disease.

What Else Can Help Prevent AMD?

While hormone therapy has the most significant effect, certain other substances have also proven therapy themselves to be useful for treating and preventing AMD. These include:

• Bioactive substances that are found in many raw vegetables called carotenoids. Examples include zeaxanthin and lutein.
• Vitamins and minerals high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, zinc, and beta-carotene. When Mom told you that eating your carrots would help your eyes, she was right!

The discovery of hormonal links to AMD has reinforced the concept that proper hormonal balance, and the use of supplemental bioidentical hormones, plays a major role in wellness and disease prevention of all types.

More Information

Preventing Macular Degeneration A New Theory

Natural Remedies for Indigestion

It goes by many names -- acid reflux, heartburn, acid indigestion -- but this malady is so widespread in our culture -- as indicated by prescription meds and over-the-counter meds -- due mainly to a poor diet along with damaging lifestyle choices. That's the bad news. The good news is that if you suffer from indigestion, it can be turned around and avoided by making some good preventative health choices.

What is Indigestion?

Technically, heartburn and acid indigestion are not exactly the same, but both are caused by either too much or too little acids and other digestive enzymes in the abdominal area. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, and acid indigestion takes place in the lining of the stomach. If these are ongoing, another chronic condition known as GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease) can result.

There are many causes of indigestion and heartburn, mostly involving poor dietary choices and the development of harmful bacteria in the stomach. But the root of the concern is found in the digestive tract. Indigestion is literally "in (or poor)-digestion." When the food we eat is ineffectively digested, it indicates that the digestive juices, enzymes, and helpful bacteria in the gut are out of balance. The result is what we call indigestion or heartburn.

What are the Symptoms of Indigestion?

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• A burning feeling in the stomach, esophagus, breast bone, and/or throat
• Gas
• Belching
• A feeling of fullness (bloating)
• Nausea
• Stomach aches/pains
• Abdominal bloating and discomfort

These symptoms are more than just uncomfortable. They are indicators of significant bowel and digestive system dysfunction that, especially if chronic, can lead to more serious illnesses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, malnutrition, cancers of bowel, esophagus, throat, and others. When the body is acidic like this, it is a very unhealthy environment that attracts and enables disease.

How Can I Treat and Prevent Indigestion?

Here are some ideas on how to naturally deal with indigestion and heartburn:

• What you eat
  
  The first weapon against indigestion is an organic, whole-foods based diet. Choose organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and mainly vegetable sources of protein such as beans and other legumes. Stay away from what, unfortunately, many Americans eat: a high-fat diet, fried foods, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, sugar, and excessively spicy foods. Gluten intolerance, or Celiac disease, is also an issue. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Many Americans suffer from gluten intolerance and don't realize that their health concerns are being caused by Celiac disease. Gluten intolerance can cause allergies, skin concerns, insufficient digestion, etc.
  
  
• How you eat
  
  Learn to eat smaller amounts of food and eat slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly.
  
  Avoid drinking water or other beverages with your meals. This only dilutes digestive juices and can encourage indigestion due to poor digestion.
  
  Take a tip from other cultures, such as the French, for example, who treat meal time as an event to be savored and enjoyed. Stress is always destructive, but while eating it can disrupt digestion and lead to heartburn. Put some quiet, peaceful music on while you dine and enjoy the company of others in a calm, unhurried way.
  
  Keep the TV off when eating a meal.
  
  Try not to eat after sunset.
  
  It is also important to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity can contribute to indigestion as well.
  
  Other tips include avoiding intense exercise after eating, and never lying down after a meal. A slow walk would be a much better idea.
  
  Wear loose fitting clothes both during and after meals.

  

• Other preventative measures
  
  About 30 minutes before eating, try drinking a glass of room temperature purified water with 1-2 teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar mixed in. This does wonders for your digestive system, and helps to balance your pH levels too.
  
  Enzymes. Take 20-30 minutes before a meal to help food to be digested and assimilated properly.
  
  Raw, organic garlic will help to keep a bacteria called H. pylori under control that can result in indigestion.
  
  Eat a bit of fresh pineapple after meals.
  
  Digestive tract cleansing. Keeping the digestive tract cleansed by using an oxygen-based digestive tract cleanse and working effectively will help resolve most concerns with indigestion.
  
  After eating, there are many herbal treatments that can help with indigestion. One of the most effective is a cup of delicious mint or chamomile tea after dinner. Minced ginger root or ginger tea are also excellent choices to soothe the stomach and prevent indigestion.

Beware of Drugs for Heartburn/Acid Reflux

One way you don't want to combat indigestion is with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications. Your doctor will probably offer such drugs, as there are over 95 million prescriptions written annually for these drugs. However, they have some dangerous side effects, and may actually worsen your acid reflux. These medications can become addictive, in the sense that once a person stops using them, the symptoms increase. They also can cause bone damage by blocking the absorption of calcium. The good news is that there are so many natural, healthy ways to avoid indigestion and no one really needs to use these toxic chemicals, despite the propaganda of Big Pharma.

Why You Need Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Optimum Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most powerful preventative health factors available in the human (and animal) diet. The body cannot produce them on its own, so these wonders of wellness must be gotten through healthy diet and supplementation.

One of omega-3's most notorious benefits is its ability to reduce inflammation in the body, which is realized as a major cause of almost all disease. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is very deficient in omega-3's, and includes excessive amounts of harmful fats/oils as well. Both of these factors are likely a major reason why debilitating conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and others are skyrocketing in the U.S. and in the Western world in general.

How Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work?

Without getting into too much technical jargon, omega-3's basically work at the cellular level in the body, allowing all cellular functions to be optimized before increasing the efficiency of what goes in and comes out of the cell membranes. In other words, omega-3's work to improve the absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and communication within cells and between cells. Effective cellular communication improves literally every organ and system within the body and enables us to access the body's natural ability to heal and maintain itself, thus preventing disease.

Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Reduce inflammation
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost immune system
• Combat chronic illnesses
• Reduce blood clots by clearing arteries
• Keep fluids flowing between cells
• Increase body's natural response to insulin
• Improve production of hormones and enzymes
• Discourage and prevent growth of cancer cells
• Reduce obesity and help with weight loss
• Aide healing of wounds and skin conditions
• Reduce fatigue by promoting efficient use of energy
• Improve brain function
• Relieve pain

Detailed Benefits of Omega-3's To Be Aware Of

• Cardiovascular: Omega-3's are great for your heart and associated organs. They raise levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol), lower LDL ("bad" cholesterol), improve blood flow, increase the flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, lower blood pressure, and reduce risk for heart attacks and strokes.
  
• Skin: Omega-3's keep your skin, the largest organ of your body, healthy and efficient, largely due to boosting fluid transfers between cells. Omega-3's also help keep a healthy balance of proteins in the body, and reduce inflammation. All of these factors combine to help the skin stay well and to heal quicker from wounds and conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and others.
  
• Diabetes: Diabetes is helped by Omega-3's by reducing inflammation (a major trigger for diabetes and all debilitating conditions) and by helping the body to more efficiently process sugars and insulin. Studies have also shown Omega-3s to lower certain markers in the body for diabetes such as triglycerides and apoproteins.
  
• Cognitive health: The brain and nervous system are highly dependent on a steady supply of Omega-3's in order to operate well. Thus, these EFAs can improve brain function (memory, concentration, etc.); increase the effectiveness of nerve communications (affecting every part of the body); be of great help to sufferers of depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and related conditions; and improve brain and nervous system health for pre-natal and newborn children.
  
• Cancer: Numerous studies have linked sufficient levels of Omega-3's to a reduction in risk for several types of cancer including breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Omega-3's help to stabilize hormones in the body and improve bowel function, both major factors in reducing these forms of cancer and others.
  
• Weight control: Because of Omega-3's abilities to efficiently handle blood sugar and other types of body fats, many people find that they are able to lose weight more easily and keep it off better too.

Getting Omega-3's Into Your Diet

Supplementation with fish oil capsules, flax seed oil, green-lipped mussel oil, and other products is one way to increase your intake of Omega-3's, and for most people this is an advisable component of their wellness routine. However, I would urge caution with fish oil because of our toxic oceans. If you take a fish oil product make sure it is from clean, cold-water fish. Flax seed oil and hemp seed oil is one of the best ways to get a good balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9.

In addition, there are many excellent dietary sources for these EFAs including:

• Cold-water fish like halibut, salmon, sardines, and others
• Pumpkin seeds
• Flaxseeds -- organic and freshly ground
• Walnuts
• Sea Buckthorn oil
• Krill
• Algae

Whether it is foods or supplements, be sure to choose organic, toxin-free sources that will provide the benefits of omega-3's without the hazards of harmful chemicals and additives.

Benefits of Raw Almonds

Raw almonds, with their rich, buttery flavor and multiple benefits to your health, are a powerhouse of taste, nutrition, and preventative medicine that truly qualify them as a first-class superfood.

In reality, the almond is technically a seed, of the almond tree, rather than a nut, similar in that manner to cherry or apricot pits. However, fortunately for us, the almond seed/nut is edible and quite nutritious. People have been enjoying almonds since ancient times with references to them in the Bible and the Romans labeling almonds "the Greek nut." It is thought the almond tree was originally native to North Africa and areas of Western Asia, but is now cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as in California in the United States. Almonds are available and popular worldwide.

Importance of True Raw Almonds

Before we discuss the many health benefits of almonds, it is critical to stress that not all almonds are "created" equal. When choosing almonds to include in your diet, make sure they are both organic and raw. Almonds that are cooked or processed not only lose many of their benefits, but can actually become harmful. However, you need to be aware that almonds labeled raw are not always truly "raw." Most commercially grown almonds in the U.S. are sterilized by one of two methods: either using high temperatures (such as steaming) or fumigated with a chemical called propylene oxide. You don't want almonds that have undergone either of these procedures. Heat treatments destroy many of the life-giving bioactive ingredients in almonds. Propylene oxide is a toxic carcinogen that has been banned for use on food products in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

Know the source of your almonds carefully, being sure to choose only almonds that are legitimately organic, raw, and untreated. Make sure they are fresh and not rancid, as this can cause free radicals to be present that are very harmful. Almonds in the shell are best, but shelled ones are OK as long as they have been kept cool and protected from moisture, air, and the sun.

How Can Raw Almonds Help Me Stay Well?

Almond nuts (seeds) are packed with numerous nutrients, and studies have shown that the almond is an excellent example of how a whole food, like almonds, can provide cumulative benefits, as the various components compliment one another. In other words, when it comes to the effects on your health, the whole (combined ingredients) is greater than the sum (individual ingredients).

According to a study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, following a diet that includes almonds effectively lowers not only LDL cholesterol levels but also C-reactive protein levels, a key marker of inflammation.

Benefits of Almonds:

Vitamin E: This powerful vitamin is an excellent antioxidant.

Monounsaturated fat: This is the "good" kind of fat that your heart and arteries love -- same type as found in olive oil.

Protein: A quarter cup of almonds has over seven grams of protein.

Magnesium: This important mineral helps your cardiovascular system to be more efficient, thus delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the body. It also protects the heart from free radical damage and acts as a natural channel blocker. One-fourth cup of almonds contains 99 mg of magnesium and 257 mg of potassium. When levels are high, your veins and arteries relax, allowing an increase in the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood.

Potassium: Necessary for optimal nerve and muscle functions. Also helps to stabilize the heart muscle and blood pressure.

Copper and manganese: These trace minerals are key components of an enzyme produced by the body called superoxide dismutase. This powerful substance is an excellent weapon against free radicals. It also stimulates the production of energy at both the cellular and bodily levels.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): B2 also plays an important role in energy management, especially in areas such as the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs that are highly dependent on a rich oxygen supply.

Almonds have probiotic properties. Finely ground almonds seem to significantly increase the levels of beneficial bacteria. However, this effect is not seen when the fat content was removed from the almond preparation.

Lowered gallstone risk. Some studies have shown that consuming nuts can lower the risk of developing gallstones by 25 percent.

Weight Loss. A study, reported in an WHFood's article about almonds, involving 8865 adults found that those who consumed nuts at least two times per week were 31% less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom consumed them.

Vitamin B17 Source. Raw and unpasteurized almonds are a good source of Vitamin B17.

How to Consume Raw Almonds

There are many creative ways to eat your daily supply of almonds. Some people shy away from almonds and other nuts because they are high in calories and they are afraid of gaining weight. Not to worry. Almonds are so nutrient-dense, that even one handful (approximately one quarter cup) per day can provide significant amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients without excessive calories.

Try organic, raw, chopped almonds on salads, steamed vegetables, in yogurt and smoothies, on cereal, or just plain as a nutritious snack to boost your energy and help prevent disease. You can also use a food processor to make your own almond butter from raw almonds. This is delicious served on a celery stick or as a sandwich on whole grain bread.

Why You Need Chiropractic Care

Seeing a chiropractor is a wise choice that can be a key component of one's overall health routine. Not only can chiropractic care treat a variety of conditions, but it is also an excellent preventative measure that will do wonders for maintaining wellness and avoiding disease. Many people only think of seeing a chiropractor if they have back or neck pain or are recovering from an accident. However, once you understand the benefits of chiropractic care and the philosophy behind it, you may come to see that this drug-free and surgery-free method of holistic health care has many exciting applications.

How Does Chiropractic Work?

The science of chiropractic is based on the premise that our bodies have been created with the ability to heal, restore, and maintain themselves if we are aware enough to enable them to. Basically, chiropractors address the health and condition of the nervous system, focusing on the spine and the network of nerves that run from it to all parts of the body. A doctor of chiropractic seeks to bring wellness to his or her patients by adjusting and manipulating the components of the spinal cord and its associated nerves, bones, and muscles. In fact, the term chiropractic comes from the Greek, and means "effective treatment by hand."

Chiropractic has been recognized as one of the healing arts for over 100 years, but it has been a struggle for it to gain acceptance in conventional medical circles. In the past, many chiropractors were considered "quacks" by some because they rejected both surgery and pharmaceutical drugs, instead focusing on spinal manipulation and taking a holistic approach to healing and wellness including nutrition, exercise, and other natural means. However, the field has finally gained more acceptance in mainstream medicine, with physicians often working alongside chiropractors to serve their patient's needs. In addition, most insurance companies now cover chiropractic care as well.

When the spine and related structures are not aligned or operating properly, people can experience pain, swelling, numbness, and/or tingling throughout the body, depending on which nerves are affected. Such problems result in pressure or irritation on the spinal nerves, and chiropractors call these structural distortions subluxations.

When subluxations are present, the complex communication network that is dependent on the spinal nerves is disrupted, and instructions cannot flow efficiently between the brain and the rest of the body. This impaired nervous function interrupts the body's natural ability to heal and maintain itself.

How Can Chiropractic Care Benefit Me?

There are many potential benefits from chiropractic care, and some of the major ones include:

• Relief from pain in the back, neck, and head is the reason most people visit a chiropractor.
• Such treatments can often prevent surgery and help individuals to get off pain medication. Back surgery does not have a very successive success rate as surgeries go, and the ongoing use of pain medication is toxic and dangerous to the body.
• Chiropractic care can significantly improve the effectiveness of the immune system. As nerve function improves, the body is better able to fight off disease and keep itself well.
• Improved cardiovascular health, as a properly aligned spine can lead to better blood flow and nerve communication to and from the heart.
• Better respiratory health can also be realized through chiropractic care. This includes improved lung function and a reduction in viral infections, allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.
• Better digestive tract function. Every organ in your digestive system -- mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus, pyloric valve, stomach, intestines, glands, pancreas and others -- needs a healthy nerve supply from your spine. In fact, as early as 1921, it was discovered that spinal abnormalities could cause stomach, esophagus, duodenum and intestinal disorders.
• Greater emotional health. Chiropractory may help to improve your ability to sleep and relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. It can also help you to relax more effectively.
• Children. Chiropractic is great for children. Knowledgeable chiropractors are able to adjust for issues such as ADD/ADHD, asthma, autism, bed wetting, "birth trauma," hypertension, cerebral palsy, Crohn's disease, colitis, colic, the common cold, constipation, ear infections, epilepsy, headaches, low immunity, sinus and respiratory infections, eczema, psoriasis, sleep disturbances, stuttering, tonsillitis, Tourette's Syndrome. In fact, many states are allowing chiros to be primary care practitioners. Utilizing chiropractic for well-children care proves to be very beneficial.

What Can I Expect When Visiting a Chiropractor?

There are several different schools of chiropractic, but being adjusted by a chiropractor should never be painful or too aggressive. Keep in mind that after being manipulated, you may experience some soreness initially. When the spine and related tissues are moved, attaching muscles and ligaments may become temporarily tender as the body adjusts -- similar to how you might feel after a strenuous workout. Drinking at least 36-ounces of purified water before a chiropractic adjustment and then continuing to hydrate your body afterwards will help to ease, if not eliminate, most soreness.

Your chiropractor will initially examine you, which may or may not include x-rays (avoid them if possible). He or she should be able to clearly explain a treatment plan to you at this point. How many visits will be necessary? Each case must be taken on an individual basis, but generally, the longer your spine has been out of alignment, the longer it will take to correct. This is why children often respond quicker to chiropractic care than do adults.

The Truth About Vaccines and Your Immune System: Bringing On Future Health Problems

Vaccines have become somewhat of a sacred cow in many countries around the world with government regulators, drug companies, medical societies, and the mainstream media collaborating to suppress the truth about known hazards and false information regarding vaccinations. But despite all this misinformation, there are many organizations that continue to speak out about the short and long term dangers of vaccines and the undeniable amount of evidence that contradicts the lies of the vaccination industry. Many of these groups are composed of concerned parents who have seen their own children exposed to sometimes life-threatening reactions to various vaccines.

This battle for truth has been accelerating in the U.S., Britain, Japan, and other developed nations. The motivation for increase vaccination rates has always been profit-driven by this mega-industry. The U.S. Congress has established a fund to compensate families whose members, mainly children, have been injured or killed after being vaccinated, with particular focus on the link between vaccines and autism. Britain is currently embroiled in a scandal regarding government denial of evidence indicating the hazards that vaccines expose children to.

Vaccines and the Immune System

One of the most damaging effects of many vaccines, according to multiple studies, is the overall weakening of the immune system. This is especially alarming amongst infants and children, the part of the population that receives the vast majority of vaccines. We find, however, that vaccinations are pushed on infants who have a very under-developed immune system. Right now, by the age of six months, most babies have received at least 16 shots! By the time a newborn is 12 years of age, she/he will have received 30-35 doses of vaccines to protect her/him against 34 diseases.

Researchers are documenting a significant increase in the number of ear infections, respiratory infections, and other viral and bacterial ailments in newborns and infants. There are reputable health care practitioners and others who are putting the pieces together and deducing that wholesale vaccination of infants and children is the common thread in this increase in childhood infections.

Vaccines negatively affect the immune system in two major ways. First of all, a poor immune system, from vaccinations or for any other reason, increases risk for infections and diseases of all types, and can typically lead to many chronic illnesses. Secondly, and this is particularly true for vaccinated persons, damage to the immune system commonly results in autoimmune diseases such as lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and others. Autoimmune disease happens when the immune system begins to malfunction and turn on itself by attacking healthy cells. This causes many serious and chronic conditions.

Reasons To Avoid Vaccinations

One of the major problems with mass vaccinations, is that in the vast majority of cases, no medical history of patients is taken into consideration. People who are immuno-compromised are at much higher risk for serious side effects from vaccines. The 'one-size-fits-all' approach to vaccinations is a very dangerous and irresponsible practice. In our modern world, a large percentage of the population has a weakened immune system, both adults and children. Unfortunately, many babies are born immuno-compromised due to chemicals and toxins they inherit from the Mother, that have accumulated in her system from polluted air, food, water, and from vaccinations she likely received.

The vaccination concept (as are most in conventional medicine) is based on Louis Pasteur's germ theory, which is flawed. Germs in and of themselves do not make us sick. Germs change their function depending upon the kind of tissue they live in. If our tissues are full of toxins and not well nourished with vitamins and minerals, those germs will feed on this toxic tissue. If we are healthy, making sure we are eating organic and regularly cleansing the digestive tract, the germs will actually act in a maintenance and restorative way, thus helping our body to maintain health. If the immune system is functioning at optimum levels then germs will not be harmful.

Immunity is not guaranteed through vaccines. Most studies done on populations that have been vaccinated show that after vaccines are introduced, the incidence of the disease will eventually rise, thus the need for boosters. Before required immunizations were introduced in America, the rate of childhood infectious diseases were beginning to drop. Pharmaceutical companies like to convince us that their immunizations are responsible for this drop, but statistics clearly show different.

Most of these diseases, if contracted today, rarely, by themselves, cause death. They are absolutely not the threat that they were in the previous centuries. This is due mainly to proper sanitation methods. Active/natural immunity is the best type of immunity to have and is only gotten when the child contracts the disease itself. For children who are healthy and who have strong immune systems, contracting these diseases will not cause a problem and will, in fact, give them life-long immunity in most cases.

Your state's immunization requirements along with exemption options can be found at: http://www.oasisadvancedwellness.com/learning/vaccination-exemption.html

For those who have not been able to get the exemption you need, or need legal assistance pertaining to immunizations, vaccine injury or other related matters, there is a law firm which is dedicated to just these issues at Vaccine Exemption Alliance.

How Can I Boost My Immune System if It's Been Damaged?

In addition to avoiding vaccinations, consider the following:

• The first step to take is deciding to make lifestyle choices that lead toward wellness a priority, including eating an organic, healthy diet that is heavy on fresh fruits and vegetables. A good rule of thumb is to eat as close to nature as possible.


• Drink plenty of purified water every day. This helps to flush out impurities from the body, which stimulates healthy cell function and helps to keep your digestive tract operating efficiently as well.


• Speaking of the digestive tract, it is estimated that 80% of the immune system is found here. Keep your intestinal tract in tip-top shape through a healthy diet and by periodically performing a digestive tract cleanse and always use a quality spore-bearing probiotic to nurture helpful bacteria in the gut.


• Exercise is essential to a strong immune system. It increases the effectiveness of all your bodily systems, and is especially good for the lymphatic system, which is responsible for circulating disease-fighting white blood cells.


• Avoid chemical pollution in and around the home. Use only organic, toxin-free personal care products, cleansers, and lawn-garden products.


• Get at least 8-10 hours of quality sleep nightly. This accomplishes many benefits for your health, and sleep actually stimulates bone marrow growth which is where much of the immune system function originates.


• Be sure to take a good organic, multi-vitamin/mineral complex along with emulsified Vitamin D-3.


• Get lots of fresh air. When you are outside, the oxygen and sunshine both work to boost the immune system. In order to improve the quality of indoor air, use numerous house plants to decorate your home as well as considering ionic air purification.


• Avoid sugar. Ingesting sugar compromises your immune system very quickly and very significantly.


• Breastfeed your baby as long as possible. This is the most natural way to give your child a strong immune system.

Mexican Swine Flu - Natural Health Suggestions

Several people have asked me to blog about the Mexican Swine Flu and what I would recommend to have on hand as well as how to prepare for a possible flu pandemic.

Let's remember that we must not panic, no matter how much media-hype that we are exposed to, as any type of flu can kill. Nor do we need to become fearful as fear is not condusive in making good decisions and misplaced fear is almost always controlling. Some aspects of this flu seem to be following the trend of the 1918 flu in that it is striking younger people as well as older people. Health authorities say there is no vaccination for this unusual, mutant hybrid strain of flu, which is part pig virus, part bird virus and part human virus. Certainly this flu could reach pandemic status or it could resolve itself very quickly.

Below is some information from my e-book Surviving Flu Pandemics (currently being up-dated) that was actually written during the Avian Flu scare.

"The new Mexican Swine Flu has elements of DNA from the following: avian flu, human flu Type A, human flu Type B, Asian swine flu, and European swine flu. A strange combination never seen before and having less than 1/10% chance of being a natural event. Human and animal viruses from four or more continents suddenly recombine in a new flu during a non-flu season that spreads from human-to-human with a 10% fatality rating. Many believe this new flu is a lab created advanced biological warfare DNA genetically engineered virus that either: (1) Escaped accidentally from a lab; or (2) was deliberately released by a nation or non-state organization or a well-trained individual." (http://www.rense.com/)

Whether this is true or not, it is prudent to take precautions now.Your immune system is your basic defense against all illness and disease. When it is functioning properly, disease cannot get a strong-hold on the body. It does not mean that you will never get sick. It means that if your body takes on an invader the immune system will recognize it quickly and work on eliminating the invader quickly. Your down-time will be extremely less and your body will recover at a faster rate.

Right now, my concern is not so much with the actual flu but the condition of most peoples body. Most are toxic, acidic, dehydrated, oxygen-deficient, poor lymphatic system drainage and clogged with years and years of built-up, old fecal matter. Add to this the fact that between 40-50% of all Americans are taking at least one or more prescription meds. These situations keep the immune system from functioning at a healthy rate.

God gave us our immune system to help the body fight off disease/infection, etc. It is the philosophy of conventional medicine that the immune system can be manipulated in order to fight disease. For instance, chemotherapy literally kills the one thing that God put in our body to fight disease. Yet, we are taught to believe that in this instance it is ok to kill the immune system. Personally, I think the idea about the flu attacking seemingly healthy people is junk science. What exactly is the definition of healthy people? Conventional medicine would most likely say the definition is absence of disease. However, one can have no disease but still hvae a compromised immune system. How do they know the person was healthy? Did they do a history? Was the person vaccinated, on any type of meds, have allergies, on chemical overload? These situations do not make a healthy individual. It's another instance of the medical community using a "lingo" that they know most people will take in an entirely different manner than which it is meant. This is done all the time with cancer patients.

Immune System Calculator - To rate your immune system function

http://www.glyconutrients-center.org/immune-calculator.php

What exactly is a cytokine storm? Does this mean I should not try to protect my immune system?

According to Jon Barron: As with the 1918-1919 pandemic, some types of flu seems to claim almost half its victims by using their own immune systems against them through a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome in which the victims own immune system unleashes a cytokine storm that literally chews up their lung tissue, ultimately causing the victim to suffocate.

In a cytokine storm, the immune system sees a virus that it has never seen before (which in this case will be true for every single person living on the planet), and it goes nuts, whipping itself into a frenzy in response to the invading virus. A biochemical cascade of immune cells and immune system bio-chemicals such as interferon, interleuken, monokines and cytokines literally pours into the lungs. The subsequent damage to the lung tissue caused by these cells and bio-chemicals leads to the condition mentioned above called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The net result is that the victim suffocates as a result of their own disease-fighting chemistry.

In fact, as discussed above, having a good immune system could be a major contributing factor in mortality rates. Does that mean I'm saying that you are better off weakening your immune system? Absolutely not!! It just means you can't rely on a healthy immune system alone. You still want the best immune system you can get, but you must take some of the burden off of your immune system so that it doesn't overreact and trigger a cytokine storm. You need to find a way to kill off most of the flu virus directly so that your immune system is only required to clean up a weakened virus rather than take it on entirely by itself. In other words, you will want to stock up on and use natural pathogen destroyers.

What Can I Do Now to Improve My Health?

• Make sure that you are eating very healthy -- very important.
  
• Get 30 minutes of sunshine every day.
  
• Eliminate stress. It brings the immune system down!
  
• Get enough sleep and rest. 8-10 hours. Go to bed by 10:30 PM every night.
  
• Try to walk every day. Use deep breathing techniques while walking.
  
• Make pure, clean water and herbal teas your only beverages.
  
• Eliminate as much sugar, pre-packaged foods, junk foods, fast foods, sugary drinks and hydrogenated oils as possible.
  
• Eliminate eating out at restaurants, etc. Sanitation is not always what we "think" it is in restaurants.
  
• Use healthy oils only such as flax seed oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil and olive oil.
  
• Stock up on foods such as organic frozen vegetables as well as staples such as beans, brown rice, etc.
  
• Thoroughly wash all produce, even the skins of fruits, before eating/storing.
  
• Have food supplies on-hand to make nourishing soups.
  
• Have access to clean, pure water.
  
• Wash hands frequently, before and after meals and after restroom visits. Do not touch your face or eyes with your fingers. Avoid shaking hands with people or hugging people, instead just smile, nod or wave. Teach your children to do the same. Avoid putting children in church nurseries, day care centers, play groups, etc.
  
• If you or a family member get sick or exhibit symptoms, STAY HOME. Do not be around people, ride in public transportation (buses, planes, etc.) or continue to go to work. Do not send your children to school/day care if anyone in your home has flu symptoms.
  

Precautions for Office Workers or Those Working in the Public

• Purchase a personal ionic air purifier to wear around your neck.
  
• Office air is usually recirculated. Purchase an air ionizer for your office area.
  
• Purchase an all-natural hand sanitizer spray or gel. Use it often.
  
• Keep hands away from face -- especially eyes, ears and mouth.
  
• Avoid shaking hands or hugging people.
  
• Keep tissue in your office and use for coughs or sneezes.
  
• Place some live plants in your office. They are good for air purification.
  
• Purchase some face masks for emergency use.
  
• Purchase your own personal mug or water bottle. Keep it clean and do not allow anyone else to use it.
  
• Purchase a car air ionizer especially if you carpool to work or chauffeur children to school, sports, music lessons, etc.
  
• Do not share food or drinks with friends. Prepare your own food for lunches, snacks.
  
• If you become sick GO HOME immediately and STAY HOME until you are completely well.
  

Below is what I recommend to have in your Natural Medicine Chest

Vitamin D-3 - VERY IMPORTANT! Begin using this now. It has been suggested that having adequate levels of Vitamin D-3 (around 50-70 ng/ml) may prevent the flu. As the amount of vitamin D circulating in blood climbs, risk of upper respiratory tract infections falls.* Most people do not/cannot get adequate amounts just from the sun especially if one lives in the northern latitudes. Tey to get at least 2000-5000 IUs per day in emulsified form.

Vitamin C - VERY IMPORTANT! Begin taking this now. I would suggest having a lot of this on hand. Try to find a tapioca-derived Vitamin C.

Colloidal Silver - VERY IMPORTANT! ACS 200 is the best that I have found and I have researched and tried many. I have seen excellent results with this one and the manufacturer has done extensive tests to prove its effectiveness.

LivaPure - VERY IMPORTANT! Begin taking this now. Helps support and keep the liver clean through the use of organic and wildcrafted herbs.

Transfer Factor - Transfer factors boost NK cell activity level over baseline by over 400%. Transfer Factor supplement is in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) 2008 pages 689 -690. Page 690 states, "Due to new studies conducted in Russia, the Russian Health Ministry has approved 4Life Transfer Factor and 4Life Transfer Factor Plus to be the first supplement to be used by doctors and hospitals in Russia. Many of these studies and papers can be accessed through PubMed or other clinical portals. Nano Factor research is currently in the forefront of immune science. It is also stated that No toxicity level of Tri-Factor has been found.

Nascedyne - Iodine used to be the therapy of choice becuase it got good results. Nascent Iodine is a potent anti-infective agent and, in fact, no virus, bacteria or parasite has been shown to be resistant to the correct use of iodine therapy.

Oregasil Oregano Oil - Contains at least 80% Carvacrol and made from Wild Mediterranean Oreganic Oregano Oil. Called Natures Purifier, Oregasil, is one of the most concentrated oregano oil products on the market today.

Germ Fighter Spray - All-Natural hand sanitizer that contains Wellness Water, Colloidal Silver, Essential oils of Lavender, Lemon, Tea Tree, Thyme, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.

Enzymes - Enzymes help to strengthen the digestive process thus lending support to the immune system itself. There are three basic enzyme forms: plant based (bromelain and papain), pancreatic enzymes (from animal pancreas), or mycelial based (from Aspergillus oryzae and niger as well as other microorganisms). The mycelial based enzymes can be more effective in protecting against the flu because they work in a wider range of pH environments. The pancreatic enzymes may be more flu effective for people who have diabetes or metabolic issues. When the proteolytic potential is raised inthe blood it provides an efficient therapy as well as preventionof viral infection. It has been suggested that successful inhibition of infection has been accomplished in many different viruses including six different influenza type A viruses.

NutriBiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract

Oscillococcinum - Homeopathic flu tablets.

Essential Oils - Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Tea Tree.

ParaPure - ParaPure is not only for parasites but also supports the immune system while working with the natural defense system of the body. ParaPure helps to create an unfriendly environment for invading parasites, harmful organisms and pathogens.

Lomatium dissectum

Thieves essential oil - There are web sites that have great thieves oil mixtures and also directions on how to make your own.

GlycoEssential 7 - The first Advanced Immune Support glyconutrient product containing seven essential sugars plus added Optimum Mushroom Complex (OMC) to provide ultimate immune enhancement and support. If one cannot do anything else, I would highly recommend using GlycoEssential 7 with OMC.

Oxy SC - Oxygen drops. Chlorine dioxide. Also great for washing produce. The cells of the body can utilize the chlorites from OXY-SE, particularly the leukocytes, as a substrate to increase the efficiency of a group of enzymes known as peroxidases. These enzymes are an important component in the immune system since they are involved in the oxidation of foreign material. Can also be used to purify water - Use 16 drops per gallon of water to disinfect and purify water sources

Himalayan Crystal Salt + Oasis neti pot - Keep sinuses washed out. This is also a good thing to be doing now. Can also add grapefruit seed extract or Nascedyne to it.

Hydrogen Peroxide - Can use it as a mouth wash and gargle. Do not swallow.

Spore-bearing Probiotic - Very important in keeping the digestive tract populated with friendly bacteria.

Pure Vegan Mag O7 - Oxygen digestive tract cleanser - I would highly suggest doing an Optimum Wellness Seven-day Digestive Tract Cleanse before flu season.

Ionic Air Purification - For use in all bedrooms. Ionic air purification helps to keep the air clean from viruses, bacteria, fungus, mold, etc.

NutriBiotic Ear Drops - Contain grapefruit extract and tea tree oil.

Bio-EZE - All-natural lotion that is great for aches and pains. Can be applied to the chest and back for lung congestion/colds/flu. Call us for special pricing.

Nebulizer - Several mouth pieces for different users will need to be purchased.

Essential oil diffuser / humidifier

Hot water bottles

Masks and Gloves

Anti-bacterial cleaning supplies - You can make your own or buy all-natural cleaning supplies.

Learning/Activity books, books on cd and videos - Just in case schools are closed.


More Information

Sunshine Vitamin Diminishes Risk of Colds, Flu
Epidemic Influenza And Vitamin D