Category: Sue Research

 

 

When the heart begins to fail, symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, ankle swelling, or fluid retention show up and require immediate attention.

Early if not unusual body indicators can help to prevent some of the familiar aspects of cardiovascular disease. In some cases lumps and bumps or painful swelling can even warn you about the presence of deadly bacteria in your bloodstream.

1 Increasing waistline

Insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes are directly connected to heart disease. Look at yourself in the mirror and check your waistline. Is it spreading? For ladies the upper limit is 88 cm, for men it is 102 cm. Is there excess belly fat? Take a diagonal skinfold between the belly button and the waistline. If the fingers can’t squeeze down to closer than 1-2 cm then your body mass index is too high.

2 Erectile dysfunction

This is noticeable and may be an early indicator of the problems that lead to poor circulation with inflammation, such as a build-up of plaque in the arteries.

3 Changes in skin can indicate arterial fibrillation

Cameras and scanners can detect skin changes that indicate uneven blood flow caused by arterial fibrillation. An irregular or sometimes rapid heart rate can affect circulation when the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat out of sync. If left untreated it increases the risk for blood clots and stroke.

4 The iris indicates triglyceride levels, lymphatic conditions and heart lung defects

We can see that fats are accumulating in the blood stream  by the white ring that appears around the iris as we get older. Another white circle around the iris can show at a glance how congested the lymphatic system is. People who have had serious heart or lung problems will have a darkened spot where these zones are represented on the left iris.

5 Yellow bumps around the eyes or on the body

Xanthomas are deposits of fat that build up under the skin. They may appear as small yellow bumps or as flat, wide appendages on your elbows, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks. A type of xanthoma called “xanthelasma palpebra” appears on the eyelids. They may indicate insulin resistance or high cholesterol levels. Eruptive xanthomas appear as crops of yellow-orange papules with reddish borders on arms, legs and usually the buttocks when triglyceride levels are greater than 11 mmol/L (1000 mg/d).

6 Skin tags indicate insulin resistance (HBP, cholesterol and diabetes)

Skin tags are protruding growths on the skin, especially on the neck that look like warts or sacks. They are often darker in colour. These are called skin tags. They are unsightly and irritating yet are harmless. They will increase to the extent you are insulin resistant. You may already have high blood pressure.

7 Swelling under the eyes, blue rings may indicate kidney dysfunction and fluid retention.

Blue smears under the eyes or blackened rings (raccoon eyes) indicate dehydration and  food allergies – especially to wheat or gluten. Carbon dioxide gets trapped in the tiny blood vessels and so the skin appears to be blue.

8 Clubbing or bulbous fingers and toes caused by low oxygen in the blood

If the nails are clubbing or becoming round and bulbous at the tips it may be connected to a chronic shortage of oxygen. This can indicate aortic valve disease especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, a chronic cough, fatigue and chest pain.  If extremities feel numb it may be associated with diabetes – another cause of poor circulation and nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy.

9 Fingers that warn us about bacterial endocarditis

Splinter haemorrhages happen when tiny blood clots form in the capillaries beneath finger and toe nails. If this occurs in a person with a heart murmur and an ongoing low grade fever it could indicate an infection of the heart valves called bacterial endocarditis. Osler’s nodes and “Janeway” lesions are red painful little lumps most commonly found on the pads of the fingers and toes and as well as on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They are not painful and are usually associated with acute bacterial endocarditis. (Page 36, 99 )

10 Swelling of the feet and lower legs

Oedema refers to swollen areas, especially around the ankles due to fluid retention. Most people with peripheral oedema do not have heart disease, but when combined with other conditions it can indicate heart failure.

11 Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration due to a lack of haemoglobin

It is usually seen on the lips, nail beds, earlobes, and cheeks. This happens when the absolute concentration of reduced haemoglobin exceeds 5 g/dL. In peripheral cyanosis, a slowing of blood flow and over extraction of oxygen from blood can be caused by reactions to shock or congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease or Raynaud’s syndrome.

12 Red, purple or black skin patches

Warfarin and other aggressive anticoagulant drugs can cause painful areas of erythema (redness) that may become purpuric (purple) and necrotic (black, stagnant or dead). An imbalance in the levels of anticoagulant and pro coagulant vitamin K–dependent factors causes the leakage of blood into tissues. (Pages 53-60, 105, 121) It affects subcutaneous fat: for example breasts, abdomen, buttocks, thighs or calves.

13 Skin tone pale or red, spider veins

Red spots, like patches of blood pooling beneath the skin is an early indicator of a vitamin C deficiency. It is usually is accompanied by bleeding gums – another sign that collagen is breaking down and not being replaced. The skin shows easy bruising and bleeding and small spider veins form, usually on the cheeks. Blood vessels begin to weaken and degenerate. Red-faced people have a lot of blood racing through their system while pale-skinned ghostly white complexions are associated with anaemia. They lack haemoglobin, the substance needed by red blood cells to carry oxygen. As a result they are tired and are short of oxygen.

14 Yellow, grey or coppery skin tones

Excessive iron accumulation within the organs and tissues results in a disease called haemochromatosis. It can also be caused by a genetic quirk in people who absorb over 4 times the amount of iron they need from food sources. Haemochromatosis is dangerous for the heart because iron oxidizes and can damage heart muscle. If left untreated congestive heart failure is usually the result.

15 Bulging eyes indicate hyperthyroidism and irregular heart beat

Ocular proptosis (bulging or “pop eyes”) are evident in people with Graves disease or other hyperthyroid abnormalities that affect the heart rate, cardiomyopathy, supraventricular arrhythmias, or atrial fibrillation.

16 Dry hair, coarse skin, clammy hands associated with Hypothyroidism – low cardiac output

Hypothyroidism is associated with an increased resting heart rate, decreased contractility, and decreased cardiac output. Diastolic pressure is increased and pulse pressure is narrowed. Cardiac output may be reduced by up to 30%-40% as a result of decreased stroke volume and heart rate. There is increased systemic vascular resistance plus arterial stiffness. Higher homocysteine levels, increased C-reactive protein and higher blood viscosity are usually present to a degree. About 90% of patients with overt hypothyroidism have elevated total cholesterol and LDL levels.

17 Diagonal ear lobe creases

An earlobe crease combined with fatty deposits on the eyelids (xanthelasmata), a receding hairline or baldness and a larger waistline all indicate cardiovascular problems. The crease can also be seen on younger people with a high potential for cardiovascular problems. They are said to be associated with an increased heart attack risk of 57% and ischemic heart disease by 39%. Diagonal creases were present in 123 (72%) of 171 men and 88 (67%) of 132 women in heart disease assessment. They are more common on the left ear. (This is the reflex pathway of the heart meridian.)

18 Mercury fillings increase the toxic potential

An alarming study found patients with advanced congestive heart failure to have up to 22,000 times the mercury levels in the heart of those without amalgam fillings.

19 Gum Diseases and sources of direct bleeding like leaky gut

Swollen, sore, and or bleeding gums (gingivitis) are usually a sign of poor oral hygiene, but may also be an important indicator of heart disease. Any lesions in the mouth act as channels for bacteria that can directly enter the bloodstream. Dentists may accidentally cut the gum tissue or cause a wound. This is one of the reasons why they prescribe antibiotics – to protect the heart! People who have a leaky gut are also more prone to bacterial infections that affect the heart due to the direct access the intestinal microbes have to the bloodstream when the lining is damaged. (See endocarditis pages 36, 99)

References from Healthy Happy Heart by Dr James Liddell and Sue Visser

Chapter 9 pages 111 – 116 Visible signs of heart problems

To order your copy at a special promotional price of R185:

Click here to get from Takealot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet warning about X ray protection for thyroid

On Wednesday 17 August 2011, Dr. Oz had a show on the fastest growing cancer in women, thyroid cancer.

It was a very interesting program and he mentioned that the increase could possibly be related to the use of dental x-rays and mammograms. He demonstrated that on the apron the dentist puts on you for your dental x-rays there is a little flap that can be lifted up and wrapped around your neck. Many dentists don’t bother to use it. Also, there is something called a “thyroid guard” for use during mammograms. By coincidence, I had my yearly mammogram yesterday. I felt a little silly, but I asked about the guard and sure enough, the technician had one in a drawer. I asked why it wasn’t routinely used. Answer: “I don’t know. You have to ask for it.” Well, if I hadn’t seen the show, how would I have known to ask? Do you know about iodine ?

Someone was nice enough to forward this to me. I hope you pass this on to your friends and family.

WHAT HAS IODINE DONE FOR YOU TODAY?

1 Most iodine is stored in the thyroid gland. Iodine is used to kill microbes in the bloodstream and is a primary infection fighter. Constant infections indicate low iodine reserves long before thyroid hormone deficiencies show up.

2. Iodine is required to make thyroid hormones in order to maintain an optimal metabolic rate. If potassium iodide levels are too low the thyroid gland swells up to absorb more of it from the bloodstream. Iodine is provided from food sources like kelp. Extreme deficiencies cause a goitre.

3 Iodine is stored in breast tissue. Iodine deficiency causes: fibrocystic breast disease (painful breasts with nodules and cysts and often more symptomatic prior to menstrual periods.

4 20% of all iodine in the human body is stored in the skin, specifically in the sweat glands. Lack of iodine in the sweat glands manifests as dry skin with a decreased ability to sweat. Iodine zaps odour from sweat that contains urea and organic waste material when it decomposes on the skin.

5 Iodine is also present in the stomach tissue. It is used by specialist cells, also known as parietal cells, to concentrate chloride (from salt) to make hydrochloric acid. A lack of salt and iodine causes weakened stomach acid symptomatic of heartburn, constant infections, hair loss, weak fingernails and poor food assimilation.

6 Iodine is concentrated in the tear glands of the eye, and a lack of iodine can cause dry eyes.

7 Iodine is present in the salivary glands of the mouth. A dry mouth means you need more iodine. A lack of saliva speeds up tooth decay, mouth infections and bad breath. Starches are poorly digested because people do not chew dry food properly. They drink water with meals instead. Fluoride in oral hygiene products depletes your iodine reserves. The bromide in bread also displaces iodine. So does chlorinated water.

8 Iodine and the ovaries. Iodine deficiency is directly proportionate to the presence and amount of cysts in the ovaries. In its extreme form, this condition is known as polycystic ovarian disease.

9 Cancer and iodine deficiencies. People who neglect their iodine intake are more vulnerable to thyroid cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

More resources

Article on bromide poisoning

 

The xylitol challenge for Nature Fresh fans who take Calcium Complex

A sweet approach to preventing tooth decay and boosting calcium

A spoonful of this sugar is a medicine in its own right.

Here is a new challenge in terms of calcium uptake. As a health researcher, I have worked with calcium supplementation for over 12 years. Our CALCIUM COMPLEX by NATURE FRESH has walked its talk over the years, and does it taste like chalk! We usually advise people to take a teaspoon of the powder in a little water at bedtime. As such people have managed to overcome fragile bones and even reverse osteoporosis in a few cases. A delicious bedtime beverage now holds the key to improving your calcium status: cocoa powder, xylitol and a calcium supplement. Call it hot chocolate with a difference!

Xylitol is a sugar that comes from wood. Yes, birch wood to be specific that is broken down by a natural process using methanol. We too, make our own xylitol when insoluble fibre breaks down and as such this sweet white stuff is no stranger to the human constitution. By now many people know that xylitol is used in chewing gum and oral hygiene products like our BREATH BUSTER. This is because it kills bacteria, especially streptococcus mutans, the critter that causes tooth decay. One trial found it to be effective against a biofilm of 8 strains of pathogens contained within the oral cavity. We know they grow in our saliva and thrive on sugar and carbohydrates. We all know how to cause tooth decay. It is easy enough to use products that contain xylitol and use it as a substitute for sugar.

The really good news is that xylitol is now being sold as a sugar substitute and some restaurants offer sachets of xylitol as an alternative sweetener. A spoonful of this sugar is a medicine in its own right. Xylitol helps to improve calcium uptake, boost collagen and improve our bones. People may not know that weak, brittle fingernails have a lot to do with how effectively we utilise the calcium we ingest from our diet as well as supplements.

Some people have such weak stomach acid by the age of 40 that although they get enough calcium it is of no benefit. They complain about hair thinning, weak fingernails, poor digestion, heartburn and kidney stones. These are common symptoms of weakened stomach acid. Daily supplementation with Betaine HCL will make a big difference but it is not the total solution. High intensity stomach acid chelates (binds) dietary calcium to carrier proteins that release the calcium to the areas in need of ph control, detoxification and maintenance. Finally we excrete the calcium that has been bound to toxic particles and send the rest back to the bone reserves for future use.

For many years my long strong fingernails have been my pride and joy. 10/10. If a fingernail breaks during a round of gardening or household maintenance it grows back in no time. A thick mop of hair, a positive bone density and my long talons bear testimony to adequate calcium usage after menopause. The big surprise came when I took up a new habit. A cup of cocoa with a difference: sweetened with xylitol and fortified with a teaspoon of calcium supplement. (When you think about it, bedtime cocoa is a comforting drink but the sugar we add sabotages our mineral uptake.)

Within two weeks my fingernails became even longer and stronger. They just keep on growing, despite my digging in the garden, cleaning the paint brushes, scrubbing the house or doing the laundry. Needless to say, the fingernails double up as tweezers and other tools. The only problem is with typing, let alone sending text messages with a fingernail that is now already over 7mm long! Yes, to me xylitol and cocoa have been hiding in the grocery cupboard, unappreciated for too long. I hope you have similar experiences to share with us some time soon! People who are insulin resistant have a very poor calcium and magnesium uptake. This makes them more prone to osteoporosis. When you have inflammation (acidity) and take cortisone it inhibits immunity and? It also speeds up calcium loss from the bones. (CALCIUM in the search box on our website).

My husband Jim is now the expert on our cocoa drink and makes this beverage to perfection. He can only cut his toenails after a hot bath, they are so tough. For the CALCIUM COMPLEX fans, here is the magic formula:

NATURE FRESH Bone Boosting Nightcap

5ml Nature Fresh Calcium Complex powder

5ml Xylitol (from the health shop or supermarket)

5ml Cocoa powder

Add to 1 cup of boiling water

Optional: a little milk but only if you are dairy tolerant. (Or a little Cremora or rice milk substitute.)

References:

Research info from the internet on xylitol. Compiled by Sue Visser

http://www.livestrong.com/article/440139-xylitol-health-effects/

Xylitol also appears to increase the absorption of calcium, increase the formation of collagen, accelerate bone repair, and reduce bone mineral loss. Due to these effects, preliminary research done on rats, suggests that it may help to prevent and treat osteoporosis

Xylitol helps to promote oral health and prevent a build-up of bacteria and plaque on your teeth.

The recommended dose of xylitol varies between 6 g and 20 g daily. Xylitol is generally considered safe, and it is approved for consumption in pregnant and lactating women. It has a glycaemic index rating of 7 as compared to glucose at 100. In other words, it requires very little, if any glucose which is good news for blood sugar stability. Adverse effects are rare, but in high doses exceeding 40 g per day, nausea, bloating, gas and diarrhea have been reported.

Read more:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/440139-xylitol-health-effects/#ixzz1TmLaxv9I

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8677173.htm

Mom can also decrease the impact of transmissions by chewing gum made with xylitol, a sugar-alcohol sweetener that fights Strep Mutans in several ways.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry cites a study in which mothers chewed xylitol-flavoured gum two to three times a day from three months after delivery until the children were 2 years old. Researchers found that the effect of the xylitol was not only immediate, but long-lasting; at 5 years old, the xylitol children had 70% fewer calories than other groups

In the past, infant dental care wasn’t stressed until the first tooth erupted, because Strep Mutans normally lives in the spaces and cracks between gums and teeth. But recent studies have found the bacteria in the crevices of the tongue, sometimes months before the first tooth. This means that transmitting the bacteria to the infant is possible much earlier than possible.

Dentists recommend that caregivers wipe the gums of young infants with a wet cloth after feeding. This helps remove liquids that can nourish the bacteria and also trains the child from to accept post-feeding dental care long before toothbrushes. After teeth erupt, parents should continue the regimen, but using a soft brush designed for infants. Also, just as it does with Mom, xylitol can help battle Strep Mutans in infants and children. The dental products manufacturer Spry, for example, produces a xylitol-sweetened gel designed for the gums and teeth of infants.

http://www.raysahelian.com/xylitol.html

What is xylitol?

Pure 100% pharmaceutical-grade xylitol is a white, crystalline carbohydrate that is classified as a sugar. It is found naturally in fibrous vegetables and fruits. Xylitol is produced by the human body during normal metabolism. It is a naturally occurring form of the 5-carbon sugar, xylose. The main sources of commercially produced xylitol are corncobs and wood scraps from the lumber industry.

Summary of Xylitol benefits

Xylitol is a sweet-tasting sugar substitute that has been approved for use in more than 40 countries. Consumption of xylitol is associated with a significant reduction in tooth decay, resulting in fewer cavities. This sugar has been shown in early studies to contribute to increased bone density, weight loss, stabilization of blood sugar and lowering of insulin levels.

Xylitol gum and dental cavity prevention

Xylitol containing chewing gum may significantly reduce the growth of mutans streptococci and dental plaque which are associated with dental caries.
Gummy bears containing the sugar substitute called xylitol reduce cavity-causing bacteria on young children’s teeth. Research has shown that the sugar substitute reduces levels of mutans streptococci bacteria, which are known to cause cavities. Xylitol differs from others sugars, like table sugar and glucose, which mutans streptococci bacteria use for energy. Mutans streptococci bacteria “take in” xylitol, but can not break it down to use for fuel.

Effect of xylitol on an in vitro model of oral biofilm.

Oral Health Prev Dent. 2008; Badet C, Furiga A, Thébaud N. Laboratoire de Microbiologie, UFR d’Odontologie, Université Victor Ségalen Bordeaux 2, 33082 Bordeaux cedex, France.

The aim of the present study was to examine whether xylitol, at different concentrations, inhibits the formation of an experimental model of oral biofilm. Biofilms of six bacterial species (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were prepared on hydroxyapatite discs. Xylitol was tested at two concentrations, 1% and 3%. Xylitol has a clear inhibitory effect on the formation of the experimental biofilms. This study shows that xylitol is not only efficient in inhibiting the acid production of cariogenic bacteria, but also in preventing the formation of a multispecies biofilm; it confirms the relevance of the use of this polyol for the prevention of oral diseases caused by dental plaque.

Dear Friends,

This article will help people who still eat bread and then wonder why they get sick to think again! It also highlights the need for gluten and wheat lectins avoidance and adequate probiotics during infancy to set up mental health for life! Aargh! See what went wrong before we could even talk.

Love, Sue Visser

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/04/can-eating-this-common-grain-cause-psychiatric-problems.aspx

3 Ounces of This a Day May Be Harming Your Brain

Posted By Dr. Mercola | July 04 2011 | 221,839views

Most people believe that grains are a wholesome part of a healthy diet, particularly whole grains, such as whole wheat. Whole grains are also one of the relatively few foods that are allowed to make health claims on their labels, relating whole grains with a reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Unfortunately, there’s a large body of evidence indicating that whole grains, and whole wheat in particular (yes even organic), can contribute to significant health problems—both physical and mental. This evidence, however, has not registered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—the first two of which developed the dietary guideline to consume three or more ounces of whole grain products per day.

When you begin to review the evidence stacked up against whole grains, it becomes rather self-evident that our reliance on wheat and other grains may be one of the primary culprits for the poor health of so many.

The Toxic Effects of Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA)

Wheat contains high amounts of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA); a glycoprotein classified as a lectin, which is largely responsible for many of wheat’s ill effects. Other grains high in lectins include rice, spelt, and rye.

Interestingly enough, the highest amounts of WGA is found in whole wheat, including its sprouted form, which is touted as being the most healthful form of all… Aside from high amounts of WGA, wheat also contains a number of other potentially health-harming components, including:

Gliadin (an alcohol soluble protein component)

Gliadorphin (exorphins, or group of opioid peptides that form during digestion of the gluten protein)

Enzyme inhibitors

The traditional ways of addressing many of these anti-nutrients is by sprouting, fermenting and cooking. However, lectins are designed to withstand degradation through a wide range of pH and temperatures. WGA lectin is particularly tough because it’s actually formed by the same disulfide bonds that give strength and resilience to vulcanized rubber and human hair.

Furthermore, because lectins are so small, and hard to digest, they tend to bioaccumulate in your body, where they can interfere with biological processes. WGA is particularly troublesome in this regard. Studies indicate it has a number of health-harming characteristics and activities:

Wheat—A Real “Downer”

One mechanism that can help explain the mysterious connection between wheat and mental health problems is the fact that wheat inhibits production of serotonin.

Neurotransmitters like serotonin can be found not just in your brain, but also in your gut. In fact, the greatest concentration of serotonin, which is involved in mood control, depression and aggression, is found in your intestines, not your brain!

Therefore, it actually makes perfect sense to nourish your gut flora with probiotic foods and supplements to maintain optimal serotonin function, as it can have a profound impact on your mood, psychological health, and behaviour. This conclusion is supported by a recent animal study, which found that the absence or presence of beneficial gut microorganisms during infancy permanently alters gene expression—specifically genes and signalling pathways involved in learning, memory, and motor control.

This suggests that gut bacteria is closely tied to early brain development and subsequent behaviour!

These behavioural changes could be reversed as long as the mice were exposed to normal microorganisms early in life. But once the germ-free mice had reached adulthood, colonizing them with beneficial bacteria did not influence their behaviour. According to Dr. Rochellys Diaz Heijtz, lead author of that study:

“The data suggests that there is a critical period early in life when gut microorganisms affect the brain and change the behaviour in later life.”

The implications could be profound when you consider how many processed wheat products are consumed today, and from a very early age… Not only may our addiction to grains be fuelling gastrointestinal diseases like celiac disease, along with wheat allergies, obesity, and diabetes; it may also contribute to deteriorating mental health, as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

It’s definitely worth considering… especially if you’re currently suffering with depression or any other psychiatric ailments.

Aside from that, ALL types of grains clearly contribute to insulin and leptin resistance, which are the primary underlying causes for most, if not all, chronic diseases—from diabetes to cancer. That alone is reason enough to restrict your intake of grains. But wheat may be of particular concern, for all the reasons discussed above.

Pro-inflammatory–WGA stimulates the synthesis of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers (cytokines) in intestinal and immune cells, and has been shown to play a causative role in chronic thin gut inflammation.

Immunotoxicity–WGA induces thymus atrophy in rats , and anti-WGA antibodies in human blood have been shown to cross-react with other proteins, indicating that they may contribute to autoimmunity . In fact, WGA appears to play a role in celiac disease (CD) that is entirely distinct from that of gluten, due to significantly higher levels of IgG and IgA antibodies against WGA found in patients with CD, when compared with patients with other intestinal disorders.

Neurotoxicity— WGA can cross your blood brain barrier through a process called “adsorptive endocytosis,” pulling other substances with it. WGA may attach to your myelin sheath and is capable of inhibiting nerve growth factor, which is important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of certain target neurons.

Cardiotoxicity—WGA has a potent, disruptive effect on platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, which plays a key role in tissue regeneration and safely removing neutrophils from your blood vessels.

Adversely effects gastrointestinal function by causing increased shedding of the intestinal brush border membrane, reducing the surface area, and accelerating cell loss and shortening of villi. It also causes cytoskeletal degradation in intestinal cells, contributing to cell death and increased turnover, and decreases levels of heat shock proteins in gut epithelial cells, leaving them more vulnerable to damage.

Disrupts Endocrine Function—WGA may contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance by blocking the leptin receptor in your hypothalamus. It also binds to both benign and malignant thyroid nodules , and interferes with the production of secretin from your pancreas, which can lead to digestive problems and pancreatic hypertrophy.

Excitotoxicity— Wheat, dairy, and soy contain exceptionally high levels of glutamic and aspartic acid, which makes them all potentially excitotoxic. Excitotoxicity is a pathological process where glutamic and aspartic acid cause an over-activation of your nerve cell receptors, which can lead to calcium-induced nerve and brain injury. These two amino acids may contribute to neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and other nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, ADD/ADHD and migraines.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Most people fail to realize that your gut is quite literally your second brain, and actually has the ability to significantly influence your:

Mind

Mood

Behaviour

As you can see from the listing of toxic influences above, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) can damage both your gut and your brain in various ways. But damage to your gut can also, by virtue of the gut-brain connection, alter your mind, mood and behaviour all by itself… Anxiety and depression are actually part of the signs and symptoms of celiac disease, for example.

The gut-brain connection is well-recognized as a basic tenet of physiology and medicine, so this isn’t all that surprising, even though it’s often overlooked. There’s also a wealth of evidence showing gastrointestinal involvement in a variety of neurological diseases. With this in mind, it should also be crystal clear that nourishing your gut flora is extremely important, from cradle to grave, because in a very real sense you have two brains, one inside your skull and one in your gut, and each needs its own vital nourishment.

Your gut and your brain are actually created out of the same type of tissue. During fetal development, one part turns into your central nervous system while the other develops into your enteric nervous system. These two systems are connected via the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve that runs from your brain stem down to your abdomen. This is what connects your two brains together, and explains such phenomena as getting butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous, for example.

Your gut and brain work in tandem, each influencing the other. This is why your intestinal health can have such a profound influence on your mental health, and vice versa. As a result, it should be obvious that your diet is closely linked to your mental health. Furthermore, it’s requires almost no stretch of the imagination to see how improper nutrition can have an adverse effect on your mood and subsequently your behaviour.

How Wheat May Sabotage Your Mental Health

As for the impact of wheat and other grains on your mood and mental health, a number of studies indicate that wheat can have a detrimental effect, promoting depression and even more serious mental health problems such as schizophrenia. One recent study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology last year, found that even those who do not present symptoms of celiac disease may have antigliadin antibodies, which was found to increase the risk of depression in elderly individuals.

Increased immune sensitivity to gluten has also been reported in schizophrenic patients, and the connection between gluten intolerance and schizophrenia has been established for over 20 years!

According to a 1984 study:

“If, as hypothesized, neuroactive peptides from grain glutens are the major agents evoking schizophrenia in those with the genotype(s), it should be rare if grain is rare. To test this, we analyzed the results of our clinical examinations (e.g., kuru) and observations of anthropologists on peoples consuming little or no grain.

Only two overtly insane chronic schizophrenics were found among over 65,000 examined or closely observed adults in remote regions of Papua New Guinea and Malaita , Solomon Islands, and on Yap , Micronesia. In pre neuroleptic Europe over 130 would have been expected.

When these peoples became partially westernized and consumed wheat, barley beer, and rice, the prevalence reached European levels. Our findings agree with previous epidemiologic and experimental results indicating that grain glutens are harmful to schizophrenics.”

Another more recent study found that:

“Individuals with recent-onset psychosis and with multi-episode schizophrenia who have increased antibodies to gliadin may share some immunologic features of celiac disease, but their immune response to gliadin differs from that of celiac disease.”

SAY NO TO RITALIN

Dear Parents and Teachers,

Should Ritalin be your first choice in making your child more “teachable?” According to a local newspaper report, over 80% of today’s cocaine and speed addicts took Ritalin at school. Not all children react well to brain stimulants due to the chain reaction they have on the body’s autonomic nervous system.

A concerned body of parents, teachers and doctors are trying to find better solutions to the growing problem of “attention deficit disorders”. We need a better understanding of the background to this term called: ADD and ADHD so we can draw up a constructive list of things to do to help our children without having to drug them.

Regards,

Sue Visser

WHAT HAS CHANGED FROM WHEN WE WERE PUPILS?

When we were at school, the only brain stimulants we had were good teachers, wooden spoons and the occasional taste of a cane. Exuberance and too much energy were dissipated with physical jerks, or vigorous runs around the field. If teachers sensed their pupils were losing concentration, the windows would be opened; we would run and jump around a bit and do deep breathing with flamboyant gestures. Often we could have something to eat or go to the toilet. Then it was back to work.

Today such gestures would be classified as” hyperactive or impulsive.” Children are not allowed to eat when they are hungry or when their blood sugar drops. They have to wait till break and then they eat sweets and junk foods that do not stabilize the blood sugar. This causes hypoglycemia, a condition whereby the brain runs out of glucose and shuts down. Ritalin may kick start the brain but it is not a cure for low blood sugar.

Hypoglycemic dementia is a temporary form of insanity that arises when the brain cannot get a vital supply of glucose from the bloodstream. The body’s mechanism of stimulating the release of adrenalin by aggressive behaviour in order to raise blood sugar form glycogen reserves in the liver is now being classified as ” hyperactivity” instead of hypoglycemia. The drug adrenalin is used to save the lives of diabetics who lapse into a coma as a result of low blood sugar. Did you know that the fastest way to raise blood sugar in such an individual is to make them angry or excited?

Breakfast was a substantial meal and Mom packed a good lunch to keep us well nourished. We regarded the tuck shop as a place to buy the odd little treat when we could afford it. Today’s children consume junk food that includes products robbed of nutrients and they are very rich in sugar, rancid oils, white flour, artificial flavours, colouring agents, toxic chemicals and highly irritating substances. Some of their diets contain over 40% of these foods. A full tummy is not an indicator of good nutrition. All I can say is: junk in, junk out. It is not essential to become a label nit-picker either. A little colour or flavour here and there is not nearly as harmful as swallowing fluoride toothpaste.

If you consume adequate vitamins, minerals, trace elements and healthy food your body can cope with a few additives. However, in a child who has major nutritional deficiencies, they do cause problems. All children with this elusive “attention deficit” have major nutritional deficiencies and all fingers point to the parents.

We are all to blame as we no longer eat according to the Adelle Davie’s norm of “adequate nutrition” for maintaining good health. I recommend you take a look at her book: “Let’s Get Well.” She says that allergies are directly related to nutritional deficiencies. She offers a treasure chest of information about how vitamin deficiencies influence behaviour. Perhaps you will find your child’s “ADD” and other disorders described in her wonderful book. It will help parents and teachers to cope with exuberant, “impulsive” or simply energetic children. It will also help you gain the stamina you need to survive the pressures of the 21st century where both parents usually work and often the child is shunted between two homes as over 30% of today’s couples are divorced. We also suffer from brain disorders that arise from low blood sugar and nutritional deficiencies.

Let us take a good hard look at Ritalin and other stimulants.

Can you answer the following questions both honestly and accurately?

1.) What is Ritalin? Is it safe to use? Does it have side effects? What of the long term use?

2.) What is Cocaine? Is it safe to use? Does it have side effects? What of the long term use?

3.) What are slimming drugs that control your appetite called? How do you feel when you take them?

4.) What happens when you drink more than ten cups of coffee? Do you sleep? Can you give it up?

5.) What is the cause of “attention deficit disorder”. Why does it affect boys more than girls?

6.) Is there a connection between hyperactivity or violent behaviour and blood sugar?

7.) We must give children lots of sweets and glucose to prevent a drop in blood sugar. True or false?

8.) Do our children get all the nutrients they need from the food at the table? Do they eat it all?

9.) Does discipline have an effect on your child? Do we need discipline?

10.) Do we spend at least two hours of time every day with our children? Do we know their dreams?

11.) Are our children suffering from nutrient deficiencies? What are the symptoms of the following deficiencies? Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, B vitamins?

12.) Are there natural remedies for the treatment of poor concentration? Are they safe? Do they work?

CAN WE SAY NO! TO THE DRUGS WE CALL “MEDICINE?”

We take drugs to feel “normal”, to overcome fatigue and depression, to make us sleep, to wake us up, to take away our appetites, to lower cholesterol and to control just about every gland and organ in the body. If you take any drug to maintain a homeostasis in the body, you are no better than any drug addict on the street. You cannot cope unless you take your daily drugs. You have withdrawal symptoms and get ill, if you do not take your medicine. This is blatant drug addiction, but we call it “medication.”

Remember that an opium or heroin addict is usually somebody who has been given morphine for pain during an illness or after an injury. When large, regular doses of morphine are given, the body stops generating its own neuropeptides, known as endorphins. These are endogenous natural painkillers and they are made out of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Likewise over 80% of the Speed or Cocaine addicts on the streets and in business today used amphetamines to help them concentrate when they were at school. They had to rely on Ritalin to help them to study and get through their exams. When you take a drug to achieve an effect, the body stops making that chemical. In the case of a stimulant, the body begins to rely on the chemical and the natural ability is suppressed. The principle is the same, whether you are taking slimming pills, amphetamines, antidepressants or tranquilizers, they are artificial or herbal substances that take over and you are not able to function without them. Unless, you take yourself in hand and embark on a process of “cleaning up your act.” You are quite capable of functioning without the use of drugs and medicines.

There are many institutions that provide complementary health techniques to help you to live a clean, healthy and abundant life. You can learn how to produce all the drugs you need every day, out of your own food and supplements. We need adequate vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, enzymes and other micronutrients to function normally. A child who cannot concentrate at school does not need drugs to correct a disorder that does not really exist. What we do find in these children are definite symptoms of: low blood sugar, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and blatant “junkfooditis” or “dysnutrition”.

In addition to not being fed correctly, these children are feeling the stress of being under the spotlight, of being judged according to the way they behave and are able to pay attention.

“Attention deficit” and “Hyperactive” are words they hear being bandied about and they begin to dread being one of “those kids.” Parents opposed to agreeing to use Ritalin are under even more stress. Especially as they have to put their children on special diets and rip away all the family favourites like fizzy drinks, sweets and chips. The child’s whole world falls apart and this creates a state of tension both at home and at school. Often this psychologically induced stress is alleviated by the use of Ritalin because then everybody relaxes. No more nagging and threats from the teacher and no more opposition and anxiety from the parents. The child relaxes, does better at school and has to face the consequences of becoming a drug addict one day.

People who have been pumping the Ritalin theory for all these years cannot explain that the number of amphetamine or “uppers” addicts rises in direct proportion to the prescriptions that are written for Ritalin at school over a period of time. In business today, most of the people in computers, advertising and other highly paid professions are cocaine or amphetamine addicts. Yet we give our little children amphetamines and we are led to believe that is safe, non-habit forming and essential for the child’s academic progress.

One of the symptoms of stress is a state of alarm, of confusion and the inability to focus. Giving amphetamines to an individual under stress creates more stress. An amphetamine like Ritalin triggers off the sympathetic nervous system and this alerts every system in the body to react as if it was about to be attacked. The fight or flight system kicks in and the heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, muscle tension increases, and pain perception is dulled. Cognition is sharpened due to the rise in blood sugar that is caused by the release of glycogen that is stored in the liver. Digestion stops, normal processes of growth, repair and regeneration grind to a halt, the blood begins to clot, the bladder retains urine, you cannot sleep properly and you begin to cry a lot. When you take Ritalin to improve your attention span, you have to accept all these consequences. Frequent doses prolong these effects.

If you were offered a way to improve concentration that did not produce all these adverse effects and it wasn’t a drug, would you accept it? Would the school be willing to let you try some natural alternatives to dangerous, habit-forming drugs? As a parent you have the right to say NO to drugs but you have the responsibility to find a good alternative. How about finding a suitable, enjoyable regimen that will make your child, the teachers and you happy, relaxed and no longer stressed out. It is possible!

Ironically, the child who cannot pay attention to school work is usually the one crying out for the most attention from both teachers and parents. We save time and dish out the pills because we say we have tried everything and it’s only Ritalin that saves the day. Really? A deficiency in attention or: “attention deficit” is a term glibly used to describe a child who has the following deficiencies: calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and essential fatty acids known as omega 3 and omega 6. Furthermore, they usually have inadequate levels of antioxidants like vitamin C, E and A as well as little or no evidence of B complex substances such as niacin or pyridoxine. All children with the “attention deficit disorder” have very low levels of these essential nutrients. This is a fact and is backed up by a number of clinically validated documents by highly respected research institutions.

Another common factor in children on Ritalin is their attitude to food. Known as fussy little eaters and junk food junkies, they seem to have an endless capacity for sweets, chips and fizzy drinks.

NATUAL DIETRY GUIDLINES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN

You may benefit from treating your child’s school hang-up along with all the other health related issues they have as one single problem. They may all be symptoms of a group of nutritional deficiencies you child may have. Professor Serfontein is very aware of this fact especially as most of our foods are depleted of the basic nutrients. To him, supplementation is the solution. He has made a special product to help boost your child’s brain and help cure all associated ailments including: asthma, allergies, frequent colds, irritability, etc. His product is called: “HYPERVITE” from NRF or MY vitamins as it was previously known. He also insists that a good diet along with the elimination of junk foods is the best thing to do for your child, even if Ritalin has to be used for a short while to establish a learning pattern whilst the nutrients kick in. His products are available at pharmacies and health shops and some of his consultants can analyse your diet and recommend a list of supplements you and your children should be taking.

Essential fatty acids like flax seed oil do not always appeal to children, but a delicious new fatty acid supplement has been formulated by Dr Robert Verner: tel (021) 976 8861. He is a Holistic Practitioner who is achieving stunning results with ADD kids by supplementing their diets with Omega3 and 6 essential fatty acids, minerals and amino acids. His product looks and tastes like ground up nuts. It can be sprinkled onto cereals, salads and sandwiches. Natural tasty foods are always a better alternative to rows and rows of pills. Milkshakes and banana or fruit smoothies can also disguise a lot of calcium and magnesium supplements!

Today many health companies are having a crack at supplements and herbal remedies for this disorder. To instantly cure ADD or ADHD is impossible. It is a complex subject and each child is different. There is no single drug or supplement that is going to turn everybody into both an angel and a genius within 30 minutes. Natural products aim at first correcting the nutritional deficiencies and this takes many weeks. Dietary changes often trigger off a volley of rebellion, so be warned.

Children deficient in zinc and other nutrients are fussy little eaters who crave sweets, fizzy drinks and chips. Perhaps you are the same? I have many complaints of osteoporosis from parents in their thirties. This tells me that none of you are getting enough calcium and magnesium, let alone zinc and copper! Without these minerals as a foundation, the brain and nervous system cannot function correctly.

Adequate Vitamin B complex is also important to stimulate the brain. A restless anxious child may benefit from a Vitamin E capsule in the morning before school. It is best to experiment with various combinations. Calcium and magnesium have a calming effect and help to prevent cramps and spasms. They also help you and your kids to sleep peacefully.

The best time to work with a new regimen for your child is during school holidays. If you can, take some time off work. This gives you time to correct eating habits, start a strict regimen of supplements and establish a good routine of healthy activities that help to balance, control and stimulate the child as well as the brain. Many of these children are merely manifesting a desire for more attention from you as their parents. Children will stop at nothing to extract attention that they feel is rightfully theirs. Being difficult, sick, naughty or downright obnoxious is all part of being acknowledged. Even getting a hiding, confirms that they are being noticed. A healthy, balanced and happy child may revert to such behaviour if they feel they are being ignored or taken for granted. They often copy naughty kids because they see them getting more attention. Be one step ahead and hug and cuddle them before they ask!

Have a look at Sue’s article on why all kids needs adequate calcium and magnesium for happy brains :

Do we need calcium

Our calcium is available in powder and tablet form. Click on the picture to go to the product page.

PROSTAGLANDINS

Impaired Prostaglandin function can result in:

Frequent fever, pain, redness, itching and swelling, headaches and migraines, sore muscles & joints, gout& arthritis, inflammation, ulcerous sores, acne and pimples with red swollen bumps, internal abdominal pains, water retention bad moods, depression, restlessness, PMS, vaginal complaints, constipation, asthma, allergies, excessive mucous output.

UNDERSTANDING PROSTAGLANDIN ACTIVITY.

All tissues in the body have a pre-programmed response that is activated by prostaglandins or messengers. These substances act like hormones and the group known as PGE1, PGE2 & PGE3 are associated with pain, redness, itching and swelling, headaches and migraines, sore muscles & joints, gout & arthritis, inflamed and ulcerous sores, acne and pimples with red swollen bumps, internal abdominal pains, bad moods & vaginal complaints.

Could we get rid of these ailments by eating different foods? Many diets are prescribed for certain reasons but if you can understand the characteristics of PGE1, PGE2 & PGE3, the dietary regimen included will make sense to you and it will be easy to follow. You can adapt the following guidelines to suit your blood group by avoiding anything that does not agree with you, or using a suitable substitute.

As your condition improves you can alter your current medications or stop taking some of them with approval of your doctor. For instance, when water retention is corrected, the need for diuretics falls away and taking them may cause complications. When high cholesterol is lowered by eating large amounts of oat bran and barley, the need for dangerous and expensive drugs must be reconsidered. If hypertension is alleviated with sufficient doses of magnesium, flax oil and vitamin E, your need for prescription for drugs must be reviewed. It’s up to you. Many people have been able to regain their health and vitality with natural foods and food supplements. The theory that dietary deficiencies are the major cause of such illnesses is proof enough that you can also share in the joys of good health.

Uncontrolled prostaglandin activity can make your life a misery. It causes excessive histamine formation and sodium retention of the cells resulting in bloating, weight gain or increased blood pressure. Swelling around joints causes aggravation to arthritis and other nerve endings under pressure. This then cause more pain and even headaches when blood vessels contract or dilate out of turn. The body becomes too reactive, you feel itchy, swollen, bloated, and hot under the collar. Some of you cough, sneeze and wheeze a lot and the complication of low blood sugar makes you confused, stupid and downright irritable.

Children with learning disorders often manifest these symptoms. PGE2 runs rampant when fatty acid metabolism is faulty. There is no single pill that you can take for all these conditions. We all react differently to prostaglandin dysfunctions and the only way out is to correct your diet and take the correct supplements at the correct time. You can do it! We can offer you all the online support you need.

The correct diet and food supplements can definitely help to remedy all these situations in the long term. PGE1 and PGE3 are the good guys and their action is to reverse the inflammation. To enhance their effectiveness, and to reduce the effect of PGE2 anywhere in the body, this special diet should be followed and all the appropriate food supplements can be taken in larger quantities than the RDA until the inflammation subsides.

A WAKE UP CALL OR PEP TALK IF YOU NEED IT!

The cyber doctor is ready to pep talk you into the realm of understanding about the role that correct eating and supplementation has to play in your life. Relax. All this information is based on scientific studies and extensive research by orthomolecular experts in the field of micronutrition. If you have the guts to say no to drugs and expensive medications and you have an iron fisted will to get well, no matter what, then you will! Only you can unlock yourself. Only you can make decisions about your life; what you want and how you are going to get it. There is ample proof that the correct mindset plays the most important role in getting well. With a strong mindset and the correct information, you can overcome any disease.

In cases where drugs, surgery and modern medical remedies have failed and all the best of complimentary medicines have failed, it is because the patient did not want to get well. They always wanted to put themselves at the mercy of therapists from all walks of life. Their basic fear was in making a decision, any decision. People who cannot make decisions will always be victims. If they force other people to make decisions for them, they will always have somebody to blame. This is very unfair to your doctor. You must make the decision for yourself. Eventually, the tag on your toe must be the result of your own decision as your life is your responsibility.