PGs are known to be present in all organs, tissues and cells. They are transient, hormone-like chemicals that regulate cellular activities. They fall into into three series- PG1, PG2 and PG3. PG1 and PG3 series are beneficial to health, whereas the PG2 series is considered detrimental.

Our body makes PGs from essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are available only from our diet. Our body cannot make them. There are two EFAs: alpha-linoleic acid (LA) which is an Omega-6 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) which is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Both series1 and 2 PGs are derived from LA. The precursor to PGE1 is Dihomogammalinoleic acid (DGLA).

The effect of the good PG1 (PGE1)is to keep blood platelets from sticking together thereby preventing heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots in the arteries. It also has a diuretic effect in the kidneys by removing sodium and excess water thereby lowering blood pressure. It can also be anti-inflammatory . 

The effect of the bad PG2 (PGE2) is to promote blood platelet aggregation (the first step in clot formation) and salt retention which leads to water retention and high blood pressure. It also causes inflammation. So PGE2 opposes the function of PGE1. Actually, one member of the PG2 series (PGI2) is beneficial in that it keeps platelets from sticking together. The precursor to PGE2 and PGI2 is Arachidonic Acid (AA).

An important point: The good PGE1 inhibits the release of AA from cell membranes where AA is stored. As long as AA stays in the membranes, it cannot be converted to the PGE2 and its detrimental effects.

We will continue this discussion of PGs in my next post.

Aloe Vera is very well the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature. Of all the herbs I’ve ever been introduced to, aloe vera is the most impressive herb of them all. (Garlic would be a close second.) There is no other herb/plant on this planet that offers such an amazing variety of healing benefits than aloe vera. In a single plant, aloe vera offers potent, natural medicine that:

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.

Not only does aloe vera prevent these ailments, it also helps with weight control as in my previous blogs and is a natural absorbent. Any vitamins you take with an aloe product is absorb more rapidly into your system than without. What a great benefit.

Drink Real Aloe offers a line of amazing products that highlight all the benefits of Aloe. Our signature product AloeAdvanced™ was engineered to support increased energy, stamina, and cardiovascular health while promoting healthy cholesterol, maintaining blood sugar levels, and providing your body with the building blocks it needs for maximum performance.

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Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s response to defend itself against outside antagonists. But, as we know, too much of a good thing can do harm. While inflammation is doing its job, there may be a redness, pain or a swelling. Ideally, when its job is complete, the pain goes away and your body has healed itself. However, if it doesn’t shut itself off, as in the case of Hashimoto’s Disease, thyroid antibodies actually attack the thyroid gland thinking its protein is a foreign invader.  So, inflammation in one form or another that isn’t subdued can actually lead to diseases such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease), cancer and diabetes.

Here is where you can take a pro-active approach to reducing the incidence of inflammation: it’s in the food you choose to eat. Foods can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. The foods that you should choose to avoid are: Sugary cereals and sodas, alcohol, junk foods, fatty red meat and processed meats. For now, that’s enough. There are others. The foods that you should choose to enjoy are: fruits and veggies (especially highly-colored ones), cold-water fatty fish, whole grains, canola oil, olive oil, nuts, poultry and grass-fed beef.

 The Pro-Active Approach is a Process that will be worth the effort. I began my process 15 years ago by switching from margarine (trans fats) to Smart Balance (zero trans fat). I’ve come a very long way since then and enjoy my food just as much.

My next post will continue on the subject of inflammation.

Recent animal experiments suggested that an ingredient in beer may actually help prevent prostate cancer in men and lower the risk of developing breast cancer in women.

Scientists are saying that the bitter polyphenol flavoring agent in beer know as Xanthohumol may actually help prevent prostate cancer in men and also help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. News of the potential miracle ingredient made headlines after its findings were first presented at a December 9^th conference held by the American Association for Cancer Research in Houston, TX.

Xanthohumol is referred to as a flavonoid. In men, the flavonoid compound binds with the testosterone receptors and blocks the effects of the male sex hormone known as testosterone, which plays a large role in the development of prostate cancer. In women the effect is similar, except instead of affecting testosterone, the xanthohumol inhibits the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen. Like testosterone in men, estrogen has also been found to play a significant role in the development of breast cancer in women.

Many men and women are unaware that our hormones, namely estrogen and testosterone play such a large role in the development of cancer. Hormonal imbalance has been linked to the onset of an array of diseases and conditions. When men and women hit age 35, their hormones begin to decline. In menopausal women the decline is much more abrupt than seen in men going though andropause (the male menopause). When this decline occurs, metabolic fluctuations and hormonal imbalance manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, the symptoms that surface such as hot flashes, weight gain, depression, low libido and mood swings are only the beginning of a turbulent cycle.

Although hormonal imbalance is not a disease and has not been directly related to the development of cancer, hormonal imbalance has however been proven to cause inflammation, a known catalyst for nearly all forms of cancer. One thing is for certain, you can significantly reduce inflammation by balancing your hormones and by reducing inflammation you’re also lowering your risk of developing cancer.

UPDATE 23/12. This application was awarded a $50,000 grant by ACT Health and Medical Research Council.

A new exercise and diabetes research project, including Honours student opportunities, will get underway in 2010. The project which will include scholarships for two Honours students will look into diabetes, exercise and dietary anti-oxidants.

Chronic disease relating to lifestyle contributes a large portion of public expenditure but can be reduced considerably through physical activity.

Cycle ergometer, Image by KMJ

In Australia, physical inactivity is attributable to ~$400m per year in direct health care costs, although the indirect costs on society are estimated to be double that figure. Physical activity can improve chronic disease risk factors including inflammation, insulin sensitivity and improve health outcomes, although exercise compliance is typically poor. Mechanisms for optimising the efficacy of exercise are then important in modern day life. This project will investigate the potential increased efficacy of eccentric exercise, over conventional physical activity, in addressing this issue.

Eccentric exercise differs from conventional concentric exercise in that work is performed whilst the muscle is lengthening, as opposed to shortening, akin to downhill walking compared to uphill walking. This work performed during muscle lengthening can provide a powerful stimulus for adaptation. Eccentric exercise can also overcome many of the hurdles accompanying the treatment of complex disease states by enabling a powerful stimulus for adaptation at lower heart rates and blood pressure than conventional exercise.

Dietary manipulation is also used to treat chronic disease and this project will additionally consider the impact of a common nutritional practice on the adaptation to exercise. Recent research suggests that inappropriate antioxidant supplementation may counteract the beneficial effects of exercise on health rather than enhance it.

We propose to investigate the efficacy of eccentric exercise and interaction of antioxidant supplementation on inflammatory markers and insulin sensitivity in early stage diabetes. This project promises to provide insights in to an improved exercise treatment of chronic disease, specifically in a diabetic population. Enhanced knowledge on the use and misuse of dietary manipulations will also assist in overall population health.

Interested students should contact Ben Rattray. Further information about the UCNISS Honours program is also available.

This blog post is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. In short: you are free to share and make derivative works of the file under the conditions that you appropriately attribute it, and that you distribute it only under a license identical to this one. Official license

I have suffered with lung conditions since I was a child and as I grew, the frequency and duration of these episodes also increased to where I would have several bouts of illness a year.  When I reached my adult years the severity of the condition worsened and I finally reached a state to where I could not stay well.  I would recover from one bout of this illness and in less than one week, I was down sick again.  This continued year after year and finally my white count dropped to a dangerously low level so my doctor started referring me to specialists – one after the other – but to no avail.  I still got sick, in spite of all of their attempts to figure out what I had.  I was finally diagnosed with chronic bronchitis about 5 years later and have been treated for this condition for the last 20 years.

I had become so skeptical about trying any products whether they were natural or prescription because nothing kept me from getting sick..  It seemed that as soon as I got back on my feet, in about a week, I was back down sick again.  So, needless to say, when I was introduced to Ceres Living, a division of NeoStem,  and their product, AIO, I was not interested in it and I had literally given up hope that any product could work for me.  I had resigned myself to settle for a life of sickness.  I guess this seems pretty silly to some of you reading my story….but, there are others of you who can identify with me and are walking in these shoes right now.  Let me just say that there is hope for you and you will see what changed my mind.

I had a very dear friend who was really concerned about me and had received information about Ceres Living, a division of NeoStem, and their AIO product.  As she was researching the product and the benefits, it became very apparent to her that this product which supports our adult stem cells, is 100% natural, and promotes premium cellular health, could definitely restore me to better health.  Although she was convinced, I was not…and I was definitely tired of having my hopes raised and then dashed to pieces when products failed to provide relief.  I just wanted to be left alone as I thought that there was no hope for me – ever!  Thankfully, my friend did not give up on me and kept reaching out to me until I finally consented to try this product, AIO.

I started on this AIO product in May of 2009.  I really did not expect it to do anything, but to my surprise, in one week’s time, I was feeling stronger.  I continued taking the AIO and could tell that I was sleeping better, I had more clarity when I woke up in the morning and I definitely had more energy.  I was definitely seeing some results so I continued taking the AIO.  Now, at 3 weeks, I was still well….that was a record!  As a matter of fact, I have not had a bout of chronic bronchitis since.  I know this is hard to believe but, I have not even had the H1N1 flu that everyone is worried about – and I did not get the vaccine!  I call this nothing short of AMAZING!!!

I now know why it works so well for me.  You see, our adult stem cells are responsible for keeping the body healthy – but if they are not healthy, then they cannot promote better health.  That is where I was – my adult stem cells needed help!  They needed nutrition that would make them healthy so they could keep me healthy at the cellular health level.  One thing I really like is the fact that AIO is 100% natural – no side effects like the prescriptions I had been taking.

My passion now is to try to help others to find the amazing relief that I have found.  I encourage you to research NeoStem and Ceres Living and investigate their product AIO.  Look at why AIO promotes better health at the premium cellular level.  Look at the ingredients of this 100% natural product and see how they work to strengthen your adult stem cells and help you find better health.  I almost missed my chance to return to better health, so I hope you don’t miss yours!

Having an Aromatherapy bath is so healing on many levels. 

Bathing can be used for reducing stress, tension, anxiety and depression. Other conditions that can be treated muscular aches and pains, skin conditions for example very dry skin, a tepid bath can be used to reduce inflammation.

When using essential oils in a bath, 6 – 10 drops of essential oil in total is recommended. Add your chosen essential oils just before hopping in and make sure you agitate the water to break up the oils. If you have sensitive skin,you may choose to use a dispersent. A dispersant can be milk, vegetable oil or a product specifically made for use with essential oils, known as a disper. Always add your oils to the disper, milk or vegetable oil first, then pour into the bath and gently agitate. If vegetable oils used be sure to have a non-slip mat in your bath.

To receive the most benefit you only need to soak for 10 – 15 mins.

When bathing you have 2 methods of absorbtion they are through your skin known as the integumentary system and your olfactory by breathing in the oils.

For some of us, it may not be practical to have a full body bath due to lack of water.  We live in the Hunter Valley and rely on rain water, other areas have water restrictions.

Foot baths are a great alternative and are very enjoyable and relaxing. The temperature of the water depends on what you are treating, the same amount of essential oil is recommended as in a full bath. When you have finished pour the water into your pot plants or garden.

 I am happy to discuss any questions you may have regarding any of the topics I post.

Please join me on my Facebook page and become a fan.

www.facebook.com.au/aromatiqueessentials

www.aromatiqueessentials.com.au

Sunny Waikiki, Hawaii

December 21, 2009

Registration fee now just $99

THE 10-MINUTE TRIGENICS SHOULDER ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT SYSTEM

• Learn how to become a master diagnostician of shoulder conditions!
• Learn how to treat shoulder conditions for immediate results!
• Learn about the science of Trigenics® Functional Neurology.

Learn how to analyze and diagnose shoulder conditions within 5 minutes or less and to treat for immediate results within another 5 minutes. You will learn how to become a master diagnostician by systematically drawing a functional neurokinetic map of the shoulder using a specific series of strength and length testing procedures. Shoulder ligamentous or capsular damage and instabilities will be “ruled-in” should they exist and require further investigative procedures. A brief introduction to the science and theory of Trigenics Applied Functional Neurology will also be presented.

3 hours

• 30 minute lecture
• 2.5 hour workshop with demonstrations on audience volunteers.

Course Instructed by Founder of Trigenics

Dr. Allan Oolo Austin

DC, DO, DAc, CCSP^Ò, CCRD, PhD

CE CREDITS Sponsored by National University Health Sciences

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Fill it and fax back to us at 416-322-1593

To register by phone call: 416-481-1936

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info@trigenicsinstitute.com

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Kim Burnham, MT, PhD Bio at Mission Hills PT

Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner

January 5th – 15th, 2010  at Mission Hills Physical Therapy – San Diego, CA

Kimberly Burnham, MT, PhD

In 2006, Kimberly Burnham added a PhD in Integrative Medicine to her 15 year as a
 manual therapy practitioner. This added to the richness and breadth of her experience and
 specialization in working with people dealing with neurological and visual disorders. Her
 dissertation topic was “The Effect of Integrative Manual Therapy on the Symptom’s of 
Parkinson’s disease.  ”
Kim is certified in Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT). Her 10 plus years at the Center for 
Integrative Manual Therapy and Diagnostics (CenterIMT) were spent treating clients at the 
headquarters in Bloomfield, CT and as the clinical manager in Boulder, CO. Her job titles
 included, instructor for the Connecticut School of Integrative Manual Therapy; Director of
 Knowledge Management, Director of Neurodegenerative Disorders, and Director of Vision IMT.
A licensed Massage Therapist, Kim graduated from Sutherland-Chan (Toronto,1993)
where she later taught clinical courses. She also studied cranial work focused on holistic healing, headaches, back pain, fatigue, neurological conditions, cranial circulation and more through the
 Upledger Institute, The Milne Institute, Canadian College of Osteopathy and had a private 
practice in Toronto for 5 years before joining the staff at CenterIMT.
The thing Kim loved most about working for CenterIMT was the opportunity to see
positive changes in clients with a dismal medical forecast. She has had the good fortune to see
 so many positive changes, changes that many would consider miraculous or impossible. That 
experience has really ignited her ability to see that anything is possible.
 At CenterIMT, Kim enjoyed traveling and broadening her global perspective on health.  
She consulted with clients in Hong Kong, Israel and Italy, as well as treating people from all
over the world in Bloomfield, CT. One highlight was speaking at the “Defeat Autism Now” 2007
conference in Verona, Italy. In 2008, she spoke about “Using Complementary and Alternative 
Medicine for Alzheimer’s Disease” at the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association annual meeting.  To her clinical practice, Kim brings expertise as a Certified Hypno-therapist and Certified
 Matrix Energetics Practitioner. These tools allow her to interact with the client holistically,
 focus on shifts and help clients see significant improvements in symptoms. She has a strong 
grasp on reference material, research and morphic fields, which she taps into during treatment sessions.
  Familiar with a wide range of nutritional therapies, Kim is a nutritional specialist (2006)
and studied homotoxicology (2004) with Heel and phyto-therapy (2009) with Kerry Bones  .
A proficient writer with the ability to clearly explain health concerns and hands-on
 approaches, Kim is the editor of The Burnham Review, a twice monthly e-newsletter reviewing 
the medical and scientific evidence supporting the use and benefits of manual therapy, energy
 medicine and other forms of complementary and alternative medicine  .
Referring to the first time working with an individual, Kim says, “I believe, what we
expect and observe, influences what we get. People in my practice can expect my full attention
 as well as positive changes and progress with their goals. It is best to come to the first session 
having thought about your goals. If anything, truly anything, can shift about your health, you r
life, your relationships, your way of being in the world, what do you want? What does “better” 
look and feel like for you.”

Advanced Integrative Manual Therapist Kim Burnham, MT, PhD at MHPT

Hi all

We are fortunate to be able to bring in to our clinic Kim Burnham, MT, PhD, advanced practitioner in Integrative Manual Therapy © and Matrix Energetics Certified Practioner.

She has advanced skills in Integrative Manual Therapy with neurodegenerative disorders and vision therapy and will be working with us January 5th – 15th, 2010.    Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who may need her help.

In particular people with vision problems, and neurodegenerative disorders;   Her PhD was in Integrative Manual Therapy and the results with a Parkinson’s patient.  You can go to her website www.TheBurnhamReview.com   Her website has a lot of information on a variety of research and information about integrative manual therapy.

We will be taking clients for her schedule on a first come / first serve basis, but will give special consideration for people with more involved conditions.  Multiple hour sessions will be available.  Please call Susan as she is setting up Kim’s schedule and can give you more details. We may have the opportunity to have her here for 2 weeks if the client load warrants this.

This is a big opportunity to get the help people need.

Ralph Havens, PT OCS IMTC
, Susan Williams, office manager
 Mission Hills Physical Therapy 
928 Ft. Stockton dr. Ste 201
San Diego, Ca 92103

619.543.1470

Related to the last blog post on diet induced inflammation, is the nutritional approach of eating low on the glycemic index.  The Glycemic Index is a measure of a food’s impact on blood sugar.  If one were eating in the style suggested above, you would most likely be eating in a way that would have your blood sugar maintaining a stable level, your energy would be consistently good and if you needed to lose body fat due to being overweight/overfat, then that would also probably take place. 

When we eat foods such as colorful, fibrous vegetables and fruits, healthy fats such as nuts, avocado & olive oil, and low fat proteins then our body’s response is a slow, steady rise in blood sugar, rather than the quick rise and fall that is felt after eating a candy bar on an empty stomach.  It helps us to burn body fat as our fuel, as well as reduce storage of additional fat.  This method of eating minimizes the focus upon breads, pastas, crackers/cookies, baked goods, sweets/candies, white flour, potatoes and rice to name a few.  Emphasizing whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, good fats and low sugar fruits will aid your body in reducing dietary induced chronic inflammation, so that the potential for insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity and other diseases of lifestyle is lowered.  You can make changes in your diet and lifestyle that will have a great impact on your health status!

The nutrition and lifestyle program that I teach in my office in a group or individual setting uses the approach of low Glycemic Index eating.  It is called the Transitions Lifestyle System   www.transitionslifestyle.com   If you have any interest in participating in a group or individual class of this nature, please contact me for futher information.

12/13/09

Http://AboutRainNutrition.Com

Do you have a son, or daughter, who is in high school or college and could use additional income? Do you know of a young entrepreneur who would appreciate or benefit from a fantastic opportunity to make extra income and possibly build a career? Are you a high school or college student? Are you looking for an opportunity to make some extra cash.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then Rain Nutrition may be just the opportunity you’re looking for. Rain Nutrition was launched in late July of 2009 and immediately began their ascent to the top of the health and wellness industry. Rain Nutrition is built as a network marketing company offering membership and the opportunity to not only improve your health, but also build an income through 1 of the 7 different methods of getting paid, and possibly building a lucrative career.

The foundation for Rain Nutrition incredible product line and opportunity is built on over 50 years of research and nearly 2 decades of clinical studies by Dr. Arnold S. Leonard.

Who is Dr. Leonard?

Dr. Arnold S. Leonard is the current founder and chairman of the ASL (Arthur S. Leonard) Cancer Research Fund, professor emeritus of surgery at the University of Minnesota, and former head of pediatric and thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota, who has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, and most recently was the recipient of the Congressional Health Care Committee’s annual appointment for outstanding research and study in preventive health care.

Rain Nutrition’s product line is loaded with free radical fighting antioxidants designed to neutralize and eliminate oxidation and inflammation, boost your immune system, slow the aging process, increase energy, endurance, power and mental focus, and assist in rapid recover after strenuous exercise or events.

What makes Rain Nutrition such an incredible opportunity for the young entrepreneur?

Now, more than ever before, health and wellness is a critical issue in society. Energy drinks are a staple of today’s young society and the majority of them are extremely unhealthy. Rain Nutrition’s product line is 100% healthy and based on proven results through nearly 2 decades of clinical studies, and designed of the absolute highest quality and potency ingredients available. In today’s economy, promising career opportunities are more difficult than ever before to find. Rain Nutrition offers that opportunity and provides a support staff designed ensure the success of the young entrepreneur. Although you will own and operate your own Rain Nutrition business, the concept is designed around building a team of distributors not only below you, but those above you, who will be consistently assisting you in helping you build your business, as the more successful your business is, the more successful their business is. Rain Nutrition’s membership is extremely cost effective with complete startup packages available for as little as $160.00 and includes everything necessary for the young entrepreneur to build a successful business, including membership, replicated website, and product. Lastly, with under 1000 members worldwide, this is the opportunity to start at the absolute top and as the membership grows into the tens of thousands, the young entrepreneur’s membership will grow also.

Complete details on the Rain Nutrition opportunity are available at http://aboutrainnutrition.com.

Live Your Best Life Today!

Earlier this week I attended the Rutgers Equine Science Update and got a peek into some of the research they are doing on horses. I have to hand these people a lot of credit for exposing themselves before a research project is complete. They are one of the few groups I know who really do try to be transparent, to use a word-of-the-moment.

The Equine Science Center looks at ways to prevent disease, as opposed to a veterinary hospital, which researches ways of treating and curing a disease. Throughout the years I’ve seen the Center produce some valuable information, and since they discuss the projects while “in progress” it gives the layperson, like myself, a better in-sight as to the complexity of research. A while back they did some research on the efficacy of supplements for joint pain. It took them a year to identify specific blood markers that would accurately predict joint inflammation.

Then they spent considerable time on sourcing specific ingredients in their pure form. After all, you may think it’s the yogurt in your daily dose of strawberry yogurt that makes you break out, when in fact, it may be the strawberries! Same with a supplement, you want to test the active ingredient by itself to eliminate the possibility that it really is the alfalfa meal that is providing all the benefit.

No wonder some medical cures take so long to come about.

So I was intrigued by one of the research studies the Center is sponsoring. Dr. Janet Onishi is actually a plant biologist with a pharmaceutical background. Doesn’t know a thing about horses and I wonder how she came out of the woodwork. How she came upon laminitis as an equine pathology and why it peeked her curiosity remains a mystery to me.

Janet Onishi, Mike Fannell, Dr. Michael Fugaro

Her interest is in the chronic laminitic situation. Chronic laminitis differs from the acute form in that the horse is never really free form it. The disease continually flares up in the horse’s life. An acute case can turn chronic, but many acute cases are one time events, are treated and the horse remains free from it afterward.

She also approached the question in a different light. The traditional thinking on causes of laminitis involve a carbohydrate overload killing-off bacteria and creating endotoxins, which churn up inflammation with a result of  laminitis in the hoof. Endotoxins are a structural component of the wall of gram-negative bacteria and are only released when the bacteria die.  What caused a big ‘Hmmm” from Onishi is that injecting the endotoxins directly in the horses blood stream does not create the same scenario. In fact, injecting these endotoxins in the blood stream doesn’t cause any laminitic conditions at all.

Coming from the outside, Onishi had no preconceived notions about the disease and her ponderings gave her wings. Looking at human literature she found evidence that microbes (bacteria) can cross out of the gastro-intestinal track into the lymph system and from there cross into the blood stream and have full access to the body. So she had a thought “What if the microbes were playing a different role in the disease then we imagined? Perhaps it is not the products of the microbes that are causing the problem, but the bacteria itself.”

So she got initiated into the world of animal research protocol, ethics and oversight and is working closely with area veterinarians on a current study. She has some initial findings that are showing there might be merit in her hypothesis. Lamina taken from horses who were euthanized due to causes other than laminitis had no, or very minute, bacteria counts in their hoof lamina. Horses euthanized due to chronic laminitis had significantly high bacterial counts in their hoof lamina.

There are over 77,000 horses suffering from chronic laminitis in the U.S. and I suspect there are an equal number of horse owners who are praying for a way to prevent or control this havoc in the lives of their animals.

The study has just started and even if the results prove the hypothesis, there is still the question of identifying the bacteria, what causes the movement, and how do you affect or interrupt the cascade. But, I find this project replicates one of the purposes of this blog. Talking to people in different mind-sets, careers, and experiences; crossing sectors of science, art, and sociology; going away from horses to bring back to them the best thoughts from other sectors, and not being afraid to say,  “I wonder, what would happen if…”

Getting older is tough enough.  Watching your body change as you get older is a gradual process.  A gray hair here, a gray hair there.  A wrinkle here, a wrinkle there.  As the days move forward, at least you know everyone else is in the same boat.

But getting older with an autoimmune disease, in my opinion, is far more difficult.  You plunge head first into a scary world, and you imagine this must be what it feels like to be 90.  Losing abilities, taking pills daily, watching your body change at a very fast rate can be not only frustrating and painful, but detrimental to your mental health.  Each day is different.  You might notice new rashes on your skin, new bumps or bruises, or another task left uncompleted because of lost ability or weakness.  I remember clumps of hair falling out in the shower.  I felt sort of like a cancer patient.  The kinds of things you go through are just not meant for daily conversations.  So you feel alone and trapped in your own skin.

Luckily however, I have been able to get my Rheumatoid Arthritis under control with alternative medications that don’t have side effects.  My hair no longer falls out in clumps.  I rarely get new bumps or rashes.  And I am able and agile enough to once again live a full and productive life.

But that’s not why I’m writing this post.  This post is about the unknown and that gripping fear that although everything seems ok at the moment, the likelihood that more problems are in your future, especially as you grow older, is likely to occur.  And don’t say that I’m living life with a glass half-empty.  I am optimistic that whatever arises, I’ll be able to handle and possibly even get control of by taking more supplements.  But my point is, is that it is likely that if you get one autoimmune disease, there may be more to follow.

My first autoimmune disease was a skin disease.  It’s located on my shins and called Necrobiosis Lipoidica.  At first I was told it was Granuloma Annulare and the doctor showed me a picture of a woman with it all over her body.  This conclusion of course, was horrifying to me because for the next five years, I worried I’d be covered with shiny, scaly scars.  Fortunately, the doctor was wrong and instead, I was diagnosed later with Necrobiosis Lipoidica, which is a skin disease that only affects the shins.  Both skin diseases usually accompany diabetes, so the doctor was confused why not only did I not have diabetes, but it did not run in my family.  Later, in my research of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I learned that Necrobiosis Lipoidica sometimes is associated with RA.  Around those same years that I developed this, I also got pleurisy, which is a painful inflammation of the lining between your lungs and your ribs.  Antibiotics seemed to clear it up and it was probably a result of living in such polluted air.  Pleurisy, however,  is a frequent symptom of Lupus and it sometimes accompanies RA.  Fast forward four years and I’m diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.  My gynecologist caught it, otherwise this would have probably gone on for years without me realizing.  Then seven years later I was diagnosed with RA.

The reality is, most people with an autoimmune disease like RA or Lupus, usually have many more autoimmune diseases.  It can be a ripple effect.  Whether it’s the diseases themselves, the lifestyles that accompany the diseases, or the medications, more and more seem to pile up.  I’m glad to be on alternative medications because I know I’m taking things that might just possibly reverse the disease process.  But there’s always that side of me, that terrified side, like a voice in the back of my head that says, “What’s next?”  This time at least, I know that I’m doing all that I can do.  I’m armed with knowledge.  I’m taking supplements that improve my health.  I’m eating better, sleeping more and consuming fewer toxins.  There’s nothing more that we can do besides enjoy every day for what it is, knowing life is uncertain, so whatever each day may bring, let it be the best that it can be.

British Researchers: Little Evidence Tamiflu Works (PhysOrg)

Researchers at the Cochrane Review, an international nonprofit that reviews health information, looked at previously published papers on Tamiflu as used for seasonal flu. They found insufficient data to prove whether the antiviral reduces complications like pneumonia in otherwise healthy people but concluded the drug shortens flu symptoms by about a day. The papers were published online Tuesday in the British journal, BMJ.

The researchers said the benefits of Tamiflu were small and that authorities should consider its side effects before using the drug in healthy people. While the reviewed studies only looked at Tamiflu use for seasonal flu, the experts said their conclusions raised questions about the widespread use of the drug in people with any flu-like illness, including swine flu… More…

Brushing Your Teeth Could Reduce Your Risk of Dementia (The Daily Mail)

Keeping your teeth clean could help your mind to stay sharp into old age, research suggests.

Those with poor oral hygiene and swollen, bleeding gums are more likely to suffer memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, a study found.

And the worse the condition of their gums, the higher their risks of memory blanks…More…

Study Shows Nearly 1/3 of Human Genome Is Involved in Gingivitis (ScienceBlog)

Research conducted jointly by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Procter & Gamble (P&G) Oral Care has found that more than 9,000 genes — nearly 30 percent of the genes found in the human body — are expressed differently during the onset and healing process associated with gingivitis. Biological pathways associated with activation of the immune system were found to be the major pathways being activated and critical to controlling the body’s reaction to plaque build-up on the teeth. Additionally, other gene expression pathways activated during plaque overgrowth include those involved in wound healing, neural processes and skin turnover.

Results of the study are published today in the December 2009 edition of the Journal of Periodontology. This study is the first to successfully identify gene expression and biological pathways involved with the onset and healing process of gingivitis….More…

Young Adults’ Blood Lead Levels Linked to Depression, Panic Disorder (ScienceDaily)

Young adults with higher blood lead levels appear more likely to have major depression and panic disorders, even if they have exposure to lead levels generally considered safe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

* * *

Low-level lead exposure may disrupt brain processes, such as those involving the neurotransmitters catecholamine and serotonin, that are associated with depression and panic disorders, the authors note. Exposure to lead in individuals predisposed to these conditions could trigger their development, make them more severe or reduce response to treatment.

“These findings suggest that lead neurotoxicity may contribute to adverse mental health outcomes, even at levels generally considered to pose low or no risk,” they conclude. “These findings, combined with recent reports of adverse behavioral outcomes in children with similarly low blood lead levels, should underscore the need for considering ways to further reduce environmental lead exposures”…More…

Dirty Babies Get Healthier Hearts (New Scientist)

Affluent, modern babies live in a sanitised world. This has already been blamed for a high incidence of asthma and allergies, but might also up the risk of developing a host of other conditions common in rich countries, such as stroke and heart disease.

According to the “hygiene hypothesis”, our immune system evolved to handle a germ-laden world. If we don’t encounter many pathogens during infancy, it doesn’t learn to keep itself in check, and turns on inflammation – normally a response to infection – in inappropriate situations. This reaction, the hypothesis goes, is responsible for the recent increase in asthma and allergies, both associated with inflammation.

Recently, it has emerged that chronic inflammation may also increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart diseases. So might the hygiene hypothesis be implicated here too?…More…

Stem cells are the building block cells which will eventually develop into the many different types of cells that comprise most living things. They have the ability to renew themselves after long periods of dormancy. They can also become a specific type of cell for organ renewal under the right conditions. These conditions vary depending on which cells need to be replaced.
There are two types of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are those commonly found in an embryo only days old. An embryo three to five days old, called a blastocyst, contains stem cells just before they differentiate into the organs. The properties described above are the keys to replenishing the old, dying cells damaged by the daily pounding the take from the outside elements and improper diet.
The AIO supplement contains AC-11, the key ingredient to activating the processes of cellular and DNA repair. Because it activates the stem cells, this is how the supplement is capable of DNA repair. By stimulating the small number of stem cells adult humans have, the repair process can begin. That is the beauty of the AC-11 compound.

Green is Gold
By Debbie Dixie C. Duraliza, B.S.N., R.N. (The Freeman) Updated November 30, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines – Green tea, that is. And it’s true. There is a whole treasure trove of health benefits in this little green leaf.

Ancient Chinese people knew the benefits of green tea for health. They have always used it for medical purposes. In Ancient China, it was used especially against headaches and depression.

What’s in a tea leaf

Fresh-cut tea leaves consist of 75 to 80 percent water. A variety of green tea flavors are formed through the combination of three main components which are responsible for its taste: Catechin for bitterness and astringency; Caffeine for bitterness; Theanine and Amino Acids for its flavor and sweetness. The green tea leaf also contain Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, trace minerals, pectin and saccharides.

Catechin is a tannin peculiar to green tea because the black tea fermentation process reduces catechins in black tea. Catechin is a powerful, water soluable polyphenol and antioxidant that is easily oxidized. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins. EGCG as an antioxidant is about 25 to 100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.

Because green tea leaves are young and have not been oxidized, green tea has up to a 40 percent polyphenols content, while black tea contains only about 10 percent. One cup of green tea provides 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries.

Do you know that green tea can ward off diseases? The catechin in green tea prevents viruses from adhering and causing harm. Catechin reacts with toxins created by harmful bacteria (many of which belong to the protein family) and harmful metals such as lead, mercury, chrome, and cadmium.

Caffeine. A cup of green tea contains about 15 to 30 mg of caffeine, a stimulant affecting the central nervous system. It is an important quality in green tea providing some of its astringency.

If you have a hangover, try drinking green tea. Japanese people have been drinking green tea for centuries to soothe hangovers. This is because the caffeine in green tea encourages metabolization of alcohol. Caffeine is considered a good remedy for hangovers because caffeine blocks absorption of alcohol and enhances its metabolization. It has a diuretic effect (you urinate more), which encourages detoxification and the discharge of toxins from the body.

Green tea only has one-third the caffeine of black tea but it’s been shown to yield the same level of energy and attentiveness. Just don’t drink milk with it. Making your tea English just won’t do since the casein in milk has been shown to inhibit the beneficial effects of tea.

Theanine sedates and relaxes by suppressing the stimulant function of caffeine. Theanine also helps to protect nerve cells in the brain, lengthening the life of these cells. It is linked to increased alpha brain wave production and is considered a natural antidepressant and stress reliever. Japanese studies link consumption of L-theanine with strengthening the immune system.

Drink to shrink the waist

Here’s a tip for the gym bunnies: Throw your energy drinks into the trash bin. Green tea packs a more powerful punch in losing those unwanted pounds. Research shows that sipping several cups of green tea daily can do wonders for the waist.

In a study, overweight adults who engaged in an exercise program for 12 weeks lost more belly fat if they also drank green tea daily. The green tea seemed to boost overall weight loss in the study group, too. Researchers think that catechins in green tea might blast tummy fat by acting on enzymes that influence the body’s calorie – and fat – burning mechanisms. And catechins and caffeine together may boost the body’s metabolism.

The amount of green tea needed for the effect? Enough to get about 625 milligrams of catechins plus a little caffeine every day, roughly seven cups daily. So ditch your energy drinks and fill your thermal mugs with the bitter fat-busting brew.

Green knees

Green tea drinkers have youthful knees. Potent compounds in green tea — EGCG and ECG — have been shown to help battle cartilage and collagen destruction in arthritic joints.

The EGCG and ECG found in green tea helps fight inflammation, as well as some of the underlying mechanisms at work in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Of course, drinking a few cups of green tea each day is no guarantee against knee pain, so if you have them, it’s still best to consult your doctor.

Hearty drink

Here’s to your heart. If those previous healthy benefits aren’t enough, here’s a kicker for your ticker. Studies have also shown that the polyphenols in green tea destroy free radicals and improve artery function.. Drinking about half a liter a day can cut the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease by 26 percent. And the more green tea people drank, the more protection they got. Although both men and women were shielded, the benefits were more pronounced in women. Yey, snaps for women!

Not just in the crystal ball

Wondering what the future holds? Professor Trelawney taught Harry Potter and the students of Hogwarts how to read tea leaves. Well, tea leaves at the bottom of your cup really can reveal your future, and they are more dependable than some wispy fortune-tellers.

Drain several cups of green tea until you see the tea leaves settle at the bottom. If you do that everyday, you’d be sure to have a long bright future ahead. No need to consult your crystal ball. All signs point to long-term benefits for your ticker. Research shows that just two 8-ounce servings a day of polyphenol-rich green tea can dramatically reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and can cut the risk of stroke in women as well.

If you don’t fancy the bitter brew that much, don’t despair. Drinking at least half a cup (4 ounces) a day was still linked to some reduction in mortality risk.

So grab a teacup and point that little pinkie. Here’s to a healthy future. Cheers!

Also check out this blog and others at http://www.greenteapros.com/blog-1/

Phytonutrients are organic parts of plants which promote good health in animals. While common sources of phytonutrients are vegetables, nuts, teas, etc., there is another source that is unlike any other on Earth. The rain forests of Peru and Brazil have a uniquely rich supply of phytonutrients that have not been found anywhere else.
Th results of years of research have yielded a compound known as AC-11. It is a plant root extract from South America that has shown promising results in repairing the damage left behind from improper sun exposure and various forms of pollution. It has also shown the ability to reduce and reverse the effects of premature aging.
Carboxy Alkyl Esters (CAE) are complex molecular chains which are the primary components of AC-11 which repair DNA. People who take AC-11 will also see a noticeable, measurable increase in Collagen III as well, which helps keep the skin looking healthy and youthful. Finally, the AC-11 has a direct effect on the body’s lymphocytes, such as improving their lifespan, thereby increasing the body’s ability to fight disease.
Ronald W. Pero Ph.D., Chief Science Advisor to Optigenex, is the inventor of the AC-11 compound. Dr. Pero is world renown for his studies and publications related to the field of human biochemistry and DNA research. For more than 30 years, he conducted his research on the remarkable plants in the Peruvian and Brazilian rain forests, as well as advocating the increase of knowledge and understanding of human DNA.
The only natural supplement to repair DNA, AC-11 is also backed by various government institutions for safety, including the FDA and GMP guidelines.

Every year when flu season rolls around, doctors recommend getting the flu shot as the best way to protect against influenza. With the extra flu scare this year, more people are looking for ways to protect themselves against this virus. 

An effective vaccination that is commonly used to protect children, adults and the elderly against the flu is the live trivalent cold-adapted reassortant influenza vaccine (LAIV).  However, this vaccine has no advantages in the induction of serum antibodies, which are the disease-fighting proteins found in blood. A study was done on adults aged 18 to 48 to determine if the lipid extract of the New Zealand green lipped mussel raise serum antibody as well as cellular immune responses in human after being vaccinated.

The lipid extract contain a potent form of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation. According to the study, the lipid extract of the New Zealand green lipped mussel, “…possesses significant immunostimulating effects with a prolonged action on post-vaccination antibody and cell mediated immune response to live influenza vaccination.”

In addition to the immunomodulating effects of this supplement, no side effects or adverse clinical reactions were reported at any time during the study. The study also concluded that the supplement was particularly advantageous in helping the elderly with age-related immune conditions.

Source:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3906351/IMMUNOMODULATING-EFFECT-OF-LYPRINOL-IN-HUMANS-VACCINATED-WITH-LIVE-INFLUENZA