Increased Cholesterol and Diet

Hi Dr Rajesh, Greetings from the BVI.

I am having a bit of a problem with my cholesterol level. One test rated me as having a 4.4 risk factor on a scale of 1 - 5.  I believe that you are the best person to consult with on any medical issue. About 14 years of my age, I had an operation in which a part of my colon was removed. One doctor told me that this did affect the elimination of fats.

I don't know anything about these matters. Please advise me soon. -Ishwar Deochand, Virgin Islands (UK).

My Response:

If your Doctors suggest that increased Cholesterol level is due to your Colon Surgery, it only means that your body is not able to throw out excess/ unnecessary fat. Stress is another factor where Fat Metabolism can be disturbed. But, whatever may be the reason for your increased Cholesterol, I have a few suggestions which will help you lower your Cholesterol naturally.

First thing you will need to understand is this Cholesterol. Cholesterol is a chemical name of the fat in which form it is stored/ gets circulated in your body. Circulating fat (also called as Lipid) gets transported in your blood with a Protein bond and together Cholesterol is otherwise known as Lipoprotein (Lipid + Protein). If the density of the Lipoprotein is higher means it takes less space and circulates easily in your blood (it is called Good Cholesterol or High Density Lipoprotein - HDL Cholesterol). If the Density is less, that means it takes more space and 'floats' in Blood (this is called Bad Chelesterol- Low Density/ Very Low Density Lipoprotein- LDL / VLDL Cholesterol).

In diet, if you depend on Red Meat, Eggs, Clarified/ heated Butter and fried food items- that will increase chances of having increased overall Cholesterol or Bad Chelesterol in your system. Increased Cholesterol is the leading cause of High Blood Pressure/ Hypertension, Heart Disease, Strokes and certain types of Cancer. So, it it is wise to limit or altogether remove many of the items I have already mentioned in this paragraph.

If you have recommended six daily servings of fruits and vegetables/ green salad- you can reduce the chances of having increased Cholesterol levels.

Regular dietary usage of fenugreek (methi) seeds and raw Garlic and Onion significantly lower the cholesterol levels.

Emphysema: Treatment Options

Emphysema is a progressive, chronic lung disorder which is recognized
as one of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)- others
from the group are- Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis. This
group of lung disorders are known for presenting symptom of 'shortness
of breath'.

In Emphysema, air sacs- medically known as alveoli- get functionally
or structurally destroyed to keep up their function to transport the
oxygen to blood. Combined with narrowing of air-passages (as it
happens in Bronchitis) it becomes difficult to breathe out.

Emphysema is generally an irreversible problem but functional
improvement is achievable in most cases. A physician would normally
prescribe Bronchodialators and/ or steroids and in extreme cases
recommend the surgical removal of most affected part of the lung/s.

In Naturopathy, however- there are are two lines of treatment.

One, a more general form of treatment- which in every case, recommends
a thorough detoxification or removal of toxins from the body. Luke
warm water Enema or Colon Therapy is the first step. A diet rich in
antioxidants and dietary fibres is recommended. Freshly squeezed
seasonal fruit/ vegetable juices (especially of the citrus fruits) are
of great help.

Two, specific treatments. Warm water bags on the back help with
breathing difficulty as also the Feet soaked in a bucket of bearable
hot temperature before retiring to the bed (if there is no associated
swelling of the feet due to Emphysema). Use of Jala neti pot twice a
day, calm the nerves and help in broncho-dialation.

Nutritionally speaking, there are food supplements which can be tried
in this case. 200 mg of N-Acetyl Cysteine thrice a day and 2 gm of L-
Carnitine twice a day help with repair/ prevention of further loss to
the lung tissue. These derivatives of Amino Acids have shown
consistent results with Emphysema cases.

Most important intervention however is, to stop 'SMOKING' any further,
without which an improvement can not be expected.

Nutritional Considerations in Kidney Diseases

Kidney diseases kill 60,000 Americans a year and afflict at least 8 million more. Dialysis and transplants are expensive, costing taxpayers over 2 billion dollars annually. To that, add the emotional and physical costs in pain.

How Do Your Kidneys Work?

The answer is, constantly! 24 hours a day, your two kidneys filter your blood somewhat like an aquarium filter filters the water in a fish tank. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron, a tissue unit that not only filters, but also recycles and excretes. The nephron filters blood (except red blood cells and protein); maintains the body's acid-base ion balance; recycles needed substances (water, minerals); and excretes wastes in a concentrated urine. In a manner of speaking, urine is filtered blood, or more exactly, blood is filtered urine.

Kidney Diseases and Problems:

Inflammation and Infection

The role of massive doses of vitamin C is profound in this case, providing prevention and treatment at saturation levels. Since vitamin C is filtered and "wasted" through the kidneys, it is a virtually custom-made therapy.

Degeneration (resulting from inflammation, etc.)

A chronic excess of dietary protein almost certainly taxes the kidneys and leads to gradual degeneration. (Williams, SR Nutrition and Diet Therapy, page 856, "The Aging Western Kidney"). Vegetarianism is a virtually automatic solution to our nation-wide pattern of protein abuse. Protein restriction is generally considered to be an important treatment for progressed glomerulonephritis. Reducing protein intake is obviously an ideal way to prevent a protein-breakdown induced nitrogenous overload in the first place.

Increasing carbohydrates is recommended. “Carbohydrates should be given liberally. This will also reduce the catabolism of proteins and prevent ... ketosis." (Williams) Again, a regular vegetarian diet, which is high in complex carbohydrates, will assure just this.

Nephrotic Syndrome (swelling and protein in the urine)

This condition results from tissue damage and impaired nephron function. Its association with collagen diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.) is hardly accidental, for chronic deficiencies of vitamin C (and vitamin C’s helpers, the bioflavinoids) cause the very event described by Williams on page 851: "The primary degenerative lesion is in the capillary basement membrane of the glomerulus which permits the escape of large amounts of protein into the filtrate." This is because capillaries, those tiniest and most numerous of all the blood vessels, get leaky in the absence of ample vitamin C. Easily-bleeding gums are a visible example of this, but easily-leaking glomeruli (part of the nephron) are a greater, hidden, but similar problem.

Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure

Early successful management of infectious disease greatly reduces the likelihood of renal failure. Saturation with vitamin C is very effective, broad-spectrum treatment for infectious diseases (Klenner, Stone, Pauling. Cathcart). Vitamin C does not cause kidney problems; it prevents them. For example, vitamin C stops the formation or oxalate stones, and actually dissolves phosphate and struvite kidney stones (see below). If kidney failure is suspected, see your doctor early in the game, and insist that vitamin C therapy is employed. Even conventional food-groups nutrition texts (correctly) mention the need for supplemental vitamin C and the B-complex for kidney tissue healing. Just up the doses if you want best results.

In early renal failure, no protein should be given. Vegetable juice fasting may work well here. If liquids are restricted, put the vegetables through a blender and eat as a salad puree. It tastes better than it sounds.

HOW TO MAKE A BLENDED SALAD according to Dr. Christopher Gian-Cursio, who was a New York City-based, circut-riding naturopath for over 50 years. I met Dr. Gian-Cursio some twenty years ago. Here’s his recipe:

1 each small tomato, red or green pepper

1/2 small cucumber

juice of 1/2 lemon or lime

5-6 leaves romaine lettuce

3-4 stalks fresh fennel or celery

Place cut up pieces of tomato, pepper and cucumber along with lemon juice into blender. Blend until smooth and liquid. Add romaine leaves one at a time. Add celery or fennel; blend additional 2-3 minutes. (The consistency depends upon personal taste; some like it smooth and watery, others thick and crunchy.)

I will add that you should eat your blended immediately. Fresh, wholesome food does not “keep,” and crushed raw food does not keep at all.

Chronic Renal Failure

Continued deterioration means loss of vital kidney participation in the activation of vitamin D-1. The result can be osteodystrophy (loss of calcium from bone or poor bone formation in childhood). Supplementation with vitamin D and calcium are therefore required.

Amino acid supplements have shown promise in treating chronic renal failure, when coupled with a greatly curtailed amount of dietary protein of only 20 to 25 grams/day. As an advocate of vegetable juice fasting, I personally think the protein restriction may have done as much as the amino acid supplementation. Why? Because typical hospital “protein restricted diets” provide 40g/day of protein!

Consider this: the typical American eats over 100g, and frequently exceeds 120g of protein daily, which is WAY too much. So a so-called “restriction” to 40 g/day is simply a correction. Most of the world’s peoples would be pleased as punch to be able to eat 40g/day of protein. But we happily chow down three times that, call it normal . . . and then line up for dialysis.

Dialysis

The cost of too much meat may ultimately be over $10,000 per year for dialysis at home... or more than $35,000 per year at a dialysis center. And these are 1990 prices.

During dialysis, the water soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are lost from the blood. Supplementation is essential, and must be both high-potency and FREQUENT.

Obstruction: Renal Calculi (stones)

There are five types of kidney stones:

1. Calcium phosphate stones are common and easily dissolve in urine acidified by vitamin C.

2. Calcium oxalate stones are also common but they do not dissolve in acid urine.

3. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite stones) are much less common, often appearing after an infection. They dissolve in vitamin C acidified urine.

4. Uric acid stones result from a problem metabolizing purines (the chemical base of adenine, xanthine, theobromine [in chocolate] and uric acid). They may form in a condition such as gout.

5. Cystine stones result from a hereditary inability to reabsorb cystine. Most children's stones are this type, and these are rare.

The Role of Vitamin C in Preventing and Dissolving Kidney Stones:

The very common calcium phosphate stone can only exist in a urinary tract that is not acidic. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C's most common form) acidifies the urine, thereby dissolving phosphate stones and preventing their formation.

Acidic urine will also dissolve magnesium ammonium phosphate stones, which would otherwise require surgical removal. These are the same struvite stones associated with urinary tract infections. Both the infection and the stone are easily cured with vitamin C in large doses. BOTH are virtually 100% preventable with daily consumption of much-greater-than-RDA amounts of ascorbic acid. Think grams, not milligrams! A gorilla gets about 4,000 mg of vitamin C a day in its natural diet. The US RDA for humans is only 60 mg. Someone is wrong, and I don't think it's the gorillas.

The common calcium oxalate stone can form in an acidic urine whether one takes vitamin C or not. However, if a person gets adequate quantities of B-complex vitamins and magnesium, this type of stone does not form. Any common B-complex supplement twice daily, plus about 400 milligrams of magnesium, is usually adequate.

Ascorbate (the active ion in vitamin C) does increase the body's production of oxalate. Yet, in practice, vitamin C does not increase oxalate stone formation. Drs. Emanuel Cheraskin, Marshall Ringsdorf, Jr. and Emily Sisley explain in The Vitamin C Connection (1983) that acidic urine or slightly acidic urine reduces the UNION of calcium and oxalate, reducing the possibility of stones. "Vitamin C in the urine tends to bind calcium and decrease its free form. This means less chance of calcium's separating out as calcium oxalate (stones)." (page 213) Also, the diuretic effect of vitamin C reduces the static conditions necessary for stone formation in general. Fast moving rivers deposit little silt.

Furthermore, you can avoid excessive oxalates by not eating (much) rhubarb, spinach, or chocolate. If a doctor thinks that a person is especially prone to forming oxalate stones, that person should read the suggestions below before abandoning the benefits of vitamin C.

Ways for ANYONE to reduce the risk of kidney stones:

1. Maximize fluid intake. Especially drink fruit and vegetable juices. Orange, grape and carrot juices are high in citrates which inhibit both a build up of uric acid and also stop calcium salts from forming. (Carper, J. "Orange Juice May Prevent Kidney Stones," Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal, Jan 5, 1994)

2. Control urine pH: acidic urine helps prevent urinary tract infections, dissolves both phosphate and struvite stones, and will not cause oxalate stones.

3. Eat your veggies: studies have shown that dietary oxalate is generally not a significant factor in stone formation. I would go easy on rhubarb and spinach, however.

4. Most kidney stones are compounds of calcium and most Americans are calcium deficient. Instead of lowering calcium intake, reduce excess dietary phosphorous by avoiding carbonated soft drinks, especially colas. Soft drinks contain excessive quantities of phosphorous as phosphoric acid. This is the same acid that has been used by dentists to etch tooth enamel before applying sealant.

Remember that Americans get only about 500 mg of dietary calcium daily, and the RDA is 800 to 1200 mg/day. Any nutritionist, doctor or text suggesting calcium reduction is in serious error.

5. Take a magnesium supplement of at least the US RDA of 300-400 mg/day (more may be desirable in order to maintain an ideal 1:2 balance of magnesium to calcium)

6. Be certain to take a good B-complex vitamin supplement daily, which contains pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6). B-6 deficiency produces kidney stones in experimental animals. Remember:

* B-6 deficiency is very common in humans

* B-1 (thiamine) deficiency also is associated with stones (Hagler and Herman, "Oxalate Metabolism, II" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26:8, 882-889, August, 1973)

7. Additionally, low calcium may itself CAUSE calcium stones (L. H. Smith, et al, "Medical Evaluation of Urolithiasis" Urological Clinics of North America 1:2, 241-260, June 1974)

8. For uric acid/purine stones (gout), STOP EATING MEAT! Nutrition tables and textbooks indicate meats as the major dietary purine source. Naturopathic treatment adds juice fasts and eating sour cherries. Increased vitamin C consumption helps by improving the urinary excretion of uric acid. (Cheraskin, et al, 1983). Use buffered ascorbate "C".

9. Persons with cystine stones (only 1% of all kidney stones) should follow a low methionine diet and use buffered C.

10. Kidney stones are associated with high sugar intake, so eat less (or no) added sugar (J. A. Thom, et al "The Influence of Refined Carbohydrate on Urinary Calcium Excretion," British Journal of Urology, 50:7, 459-464, December, 1978)

11. Infections can cause conditions that favor stone formation, such as overly concentrated urine (from fever sweating, vomiting or diarrhea). Practice good preventive health care, and it will pay you back with interest.

REFERENCES:

Cheraskin, Ringsdorf Jr., and Sisley: The Vitamin C Connection, Harper and Row, 1983.

Pauling, Linus "Are Kidney Stones Associated with Vitamin C Intake?" Today's Living, September, 1981.

Pauling, Linus "Crystals in the Kidney," Linus Pauling Institute Newsletter, 1:11, Spring, 1981.

Pauling, Linus How to Live Longer and Feel Better, Freeman, 1986.

Williams, S. R. Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 6th ed. Chapter 28.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Courtesy - Andrew W Saul. http://doctoryourself.com

Naturopathic Medicine for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative condition in which the bones become fragile, brittle, and prone to breakage. Fractures of these porous bones occur most frequently in the hips, wrists, and spine. According to naturopathy, osteoporosis results from an imbalance between the ingestion and absorption of calcium into the body and its excretion. This loss of bone-building materials occurs as the body ages, and is particularly prevalent among post-menopausal women. 

Osteoporosis may not be painful in its earliest stages; however, as the condition progresses symptoms may include severe back pain, loss of height, a stooping posture, and debilitating fractures. Osteoporosis more frequently occurs with advancing age, a more sedentary lifestyle, and with acceleration of mineral loss and the breakdown of bones.

In a healthy individual, bones are broken down and reformed about every three months, a process called remodeling. By age 25-30, an individual reaches what is called “peak bone mass,” after which more bone is lost than is formed. As the individual ages, the risk of osteoporosis increases. The onset of osteoporosis depends to some extent on the base level of peak bone mass achieved earlier in life. The early stage of this process of progressive bone loss is called osteopaenia.

Naturopathic Medicine Treatment for Osteoporosis

Naturopathic medicine offers a variety of natural treatments to help combat and reverse osteoporosis, including diet changes, nutritional supplementation, exercise, hydrotherapy, and herbal medicine.

With osteoporosis, the naturopathic principle of prevention through a healthy diet rich in bone-building nutrients and a routine of weight-bearing exercise is of primary importance. Bone strength reaches its peak by age 30 and decreases gradually as a person ages. Even after osteoporosis is diagnosed, applying naturopathic principles of diet and exercise can minimize the progressive loss of bone density and promote healing.

Diet and Nutrition for Osteoporosis

Naturopathic approaches to treatment of osteoporosis will first consider the individual’s dietary habits. Certain foods and drugs may slow the absorption of the calcium necessary for healthy bones. Osteoporosis is best prevented by adequate intake of calcium-rich foods and vitamin D, naturally available through sunlight.

Certain foods and supplements may help prevent or delay onset of osteoporosis or minimize its damage and should be included in the diet:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Green leafy vegetables such as collard, kale, turnip, and dandelion greens
• Salmon, halibut, tuna and sardines
• Flax seed oil
• Raw, unsalted nuts and seeds, particularly sesame
• Garlic, onions, eggs, avocado
• Nutritional supplements such as calcium, magnesium and Vitamins D and K-2 and Strontium citrate

Certain foods and substances that interfere with calcium absorption include:

• Nicotine products
• Carbonated sodas, alcohol and caffeinated drinks
• Excessive salt and sugar
• Foods high in oxalic acid (oxylates), such as spinach, rhubarb, beet greens, chard, and almonds
• Red meat and dairy products

Red meat and dairy products interfere with the absorption of calcium because they contain high amounts of protein. The more protein a person consumes, the less calcium is absorbed by the body. Most Americans eat a diet very rich in protein, primarily from animal products. Increasing calcium intake or decreasing protein intake can help offset this dietary imbalance.

Exercise for Osteoporosis

A diagnosis of osteoporosis may require some change in one’s exercise routine to minimize damage to a weakened skeletal structure. Continued exercise is important for overall health. It is best to consult with a naturopathic physician to determine one’s level of skeletal strength before initiating strenuous exercise routines. Following a diagnosis of osteoporosis, one should develop an exercise routine that includes:

• Flexibility exercises to increase joint mobility
• Low impact aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, swimming, dancing and bicycling
• Exercises to strengthen muscles and help slow bone mineral loss
• Yoga increases flexibility and balance

With osteoporosis, one should avoid high impact exercises such as jogging and jumping, as well as exercises that involve forceful twisting movements. These may lead to compression injuries of the spine.

Hydrotherapy and Osteoarthritis

Hydrotherapy is used extensively in naturopathic medicine and is particularly helpful in the treatment of osteoporosis. Constitutional hydrotherapy involves the application of hot and cold applications to detoxify the body and improve circulation.

Live and Dry Layered Blood analysis

Pure Blood – Why is this Important? Your blood could be viewed as the river of life; it is the substance that carries oxygen, water and nutrients to all your organs and tissues. It therefore makes perfect sense, that imbalances seen in the blood will affect the organs and tissues, leading to malfunction and atrophy. If the red blood cells are anything other than perfect in shape, structure, flexibility and fluidity, then their ability to travel around the body and deliver the vital level of oxygen and nutrients is severely compromised. This translates into low energy production, fatigue and a general sense of feeling unwell. There are obviously many degrees of this. Live and Dry Layered Blood Analysis Although these two evaluation methods have been in existence for many years, their practice and acceptance in the mainstream of medicine is still very much underestimated or neglected altogether. Their not being taught at medical school is the main reason for this; GPs don't have the time or inclination to study further, when they are often bogged down with administration and an ever increasing patient load. Apart from anecdotal evidence and an arbitrary sentiment that the patient feels a bit better so much of complementary or alternative medicine has very little evidence that a positive change has taken place, that is, one that is acceptable to the orthodox doctor. One could argue of course that orthodox medicine has very little proof that a positive long-term change has occurred, as often only the symptoms of 'dis-ease' have been suppressed, often to recur later as something more serious! When a patient sees their blood on a TV monitor and then compares it with a picture of the ideal, the response is often interesting. It varies from one of shock and horror to one of determination that their blood one day will look like that. Some, of course, resign themselves to the fact that they will never have perfect blood; these are often the ones not yet ready to make positive change in their lives, or have other priorities! The history of Live and Dry Blood analysis is a fascinating one and worthy of further research. It has been adopted by many eminent researchers over the last 80 years for the purpose of identifying the physiological and biochemical cause of disease processes. Images of Live and Dry Layered Blood have been captured and recorded and it has been the experiences of many researchers that certain medical conditions produce the same images in blood time and again. In many cases a patient can sound surprised when informed of a condition which they hadn't revealed to their practitioners. In a nutshell, we know what the healthy optimum blood sample should look like, and we know what is not healthy; most people are somewhere in between! Achieving perfect blood is not always the answer to everyone's ailments, but it can, in the long-term, go some way towards correcting the problem and maintaining their health for many years to come. In addition to this, knowing one has optimum blood provides for a certain degree of confidence and peace of mind, safe in the knowledge, that they are less likely to succumb to some chronic illness, although this is never guaranteed. Periodic monitoring of blood provides insights into the nutritional or lifestyle changes necessary to maintain healthy blood and thus a healthy body. It is important to point out that Live and Dried Blood analysis is not a diagnostic tool and will not say whether one has this or that disease! It will, however, identify and illuminate the imbalances which are leading to, or have already led to, a worsening of the current condition. Procedures Live Blood Analysis The clinical application of Live Blood analysis involves the accurate taking of a small drop of blood from the fingertip and placing it on a slide for observation under a special microscope. The images are then projected onto a TV monitor or a computer for the practitioner and the patient to observe together. This observation process tends to involve the patient more closely in their own unique physiological make-up and therapy, and increases personal interest in their own health program. The observations are recorded and a description of the implications of the picture is then transmitted to the patient. The results and images are then recorded for comparison at the next appointment. This provides the undeniable proof that a positive change towards the ideal blood sample has taken place. This invariably coincides with a noticeable reduction in signs and symptoms of ill health. The patient leaves the clinic happy and confident that their changes to diet and lifestyle have paid off and will contribute to their long-term wellbeing. Dry Layered Blood Analysis This test involves taking eight to ten spots of blood on a slide, allowing them to dry, and then observing the patterns that form under the microscope. The patterns that form provide us with insights into the imbalances present in the organs and systems of the body. The dry blood spot is considered to be a hologram of the human body, a little like the eye in iridology, i.e. the different rings in the sample represent a different part of the body. Therefore, wherever the abnormality appears in the bloodspot tells us approximately where the problem is occurring in the body. Another important aspect of this test is that each spot represents a time frame; the first and largest spot of blood taken reflects the current day, the latter spots provide a reflection of the patient's health, many months or even years ago, and will highlight the deeper seated or chronic issues underlying the current symptomlogy. How this historical view works is little understood; however, it has been the observations of many researchers that as a person heals, it is the first and largest blood spot on the slide that corrects itself towards the healthy sample first, followed by the second and then the third, etc., etc., over a period of months, as the patient's health problems reverse. These observations are cross-referenced with existing medical conditions or signs and symptoms. For example, if one sees evidence of irritation in the bowel, the patient will report symptoms of irritable bowel such as bloating, gas and alternating diarrhoea and constipation. The apparent symptoms support and confirm the observations made in the blood, and lead to more credible identification of the problem and thus more successful treatment protocols. Returning the Blood and Body to its Healthy State Blood cells can be likened to fish in a fish tank, i.e. if the fish get sick, then changing the water they swim in is a sensible first option. Therefore, healthy cells live in a healthy environment, i.e. one free of pollutants, harmful bacteria, parasites, etc. Healthy cells can also only survive in an environment that maintains an optimum pH. With Live Blood analysis, one can assess the terrain in which the cells are floating. For example, if the terrain is too acidic then the red cells will behave in a way which will compromise their ability to circulate freely around the body to deliver oxygen. This phenomenon is called Rouleau and shows the red cells sticking together in chains. As some capillaries are only one cell in diameter, the red cells cannot deliver their vital cargo of oxygen to the tissues. This naturally leads to fatigued muscles, lack of energy, brain fog, etc., etc. The body is equipped with many mechanisms to enable it to maintain the blood in a pure and healthy state. These are the elimination channels and filtering organs. These consist of the Lymph, Liver, Kidneys, Lungs, Bowels and Skin. The efficiency of these channels can alter over time and is perfectly illustrated by the changes observed as a human grows from a baby, with a very pure and untarnished blood stream, (dependent on the nutrition of the mother of course, during pregnancy and weaning) to that of a teenager with acne and then on to middle-age where the body is developing signs of toxicity and ageing. Many things can be observed in blood; some are very easy to identify and the causative factors are obvious to the trained eye. Other observations, particularly in the Dry Layered sample require more lateral thinking and are open to various interpretations. This is where back up testing is vital. For example, if three tests all point to the same imbalance, then one can approach the issues with more surety. The pictures throughout the article illustrate a number of common findings in Live and Dry Layered Blood. The pictures were taken from a variety of patients with various conditions, symptoms and signs of ill health. It is interesting to note, that whatever name the condition is given, the same imbalances appear in the blood, seemingly manifesting in different ways in different people. Further Reading Aloisio T. Blood Never Lies. Llumina Press. 2004. Young R. The pH Miracle. Warner Books. 2003. Coyle M. The Four Main Causes of Illness. Nu Life Sciences. 2000. Abdrushin. In the Light of Truth. Grail Acre Publishing. 1971. *Coutesy- David Parker, http://positivehealth.com

Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck (cervical vertebrae) with degeneration and mineral deposits in the cushions between the vertebrae (cervical disc). This condition is also known as Cervical osteoarthritis or Neck arthritis.

At the other extreme, cervical spondylosis may compress one or more of the spinal nerves branching out of the cervical vertebrae - a condition called cervical radiculopathy. Bone spurs and other irregularities caused by cervical spondylosis also may reduce the diameter of the canal that houses the spinal cord, resulting in cervical myelopathy. Cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy can lead to permanent disability. Fortunately, most adults with cervical spondylosis - nearly 90 percent - will not lose nerve function, even temporarily.

Symptoms

Neck and shoulder pain are the most common symptoms. Types of neck and shoulder pain include:

· Stiff neck, most often one of the very first signs. Neck stiffness tends to grow progressively worse over time.
· Radiating pain to the bottom of the skull (chronic sub-occipital headache) and/or to the shoulder and down the arm. This radiating pain may seem like a stabbing or a burning, or it might present itself as a dull ache.

Along with pain, cervical spondylosis can be accompanied by altered sensations and muscle weakness in the neck, shoulders, arms and hands, and a syndrome called “numb, clumsy hands”.

In cases of cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, the legs may be affected, leading to an interruption of stability while walking. Loss of balance might also occur. When myelopathy is present, incontinence may become a problem. Muscle wasting also accompanies cervical spondylosis with myelopathy.

Screening and Diagnosis

Your symptoms and history, along with an examination, may suggest that you have cervical spondylosis.

Neck flexibility assessment. Cervical spondylosis limits the range of motion in your neck. To observe this effect, your doctor may have you tilt your head toward each of your shoulders and rotate your neck from side to side.

Neurological exam. To find out if there's pressure on your spinal nerves or spinal cord, your doctor will test your reflexes and make sure you have sensation all along your arms and legs. He or she may watch you walk to see if spinal compression is affecting your gait.

Neck or spinal X-ray. An X-ray may show abnormalities, such as bone spurs, that indicate cervical spondylosis.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A CT scan of your spine uses X-ray technology, but produces a more detailed image than X-ray can. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves and can produce detailed, cross-sectional images of your spine. These tests may help your doctor determine the extent of damage to your cervical spine.

Myelogram. This test involves generating images using X-rays or CT scans after dye is injected into the spinal canal. The dye makes areas of your spine more visible.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cervical spondylosis results from chronic degeneration of the cervical spine including the cushions between the neck vertebrae (cervical disks) and joints between the bones of the cervical spine. There may be abnormal growths or "spurs" on the vertebrae (the bones of the spine).

These accumulated changes caused by degeneration can gradually compress one or more of the nerve roots. This can lead to increasing pain in the neck and arm, weakness, and changes in sensation. In advanced cases, the spinal cord becomes involved. This can affect not just the arms, but the legs as well.

A previous neck injury (which may have occurred several years prior) can predispose to spondylosis, but the major risk factor is aging. By age 60, 70% of women and 85% of men show changes consistent with cervical spondylosis on x-ray.

Prevention

You may not be able to prevent cervical spondylosis. However, you may be able to reduce your risk by:

. Skipping high-impact activities, such as running, if you have any neck pain
. Doing exercises to maintain neck strength, flexibility and range of motion
. Taking breaks when driving, watching TV or working on a computer to keep from holding your head in the same position for long periods
. Practicing good posture, with your neck aligned over your shoulders
. Protecting your neck from injury by using a seat belt when in a car

Self Care

For mild neck pain or stiffness:

. Take a long, hot shower every day
. Use hot fomentation aound the neck and shoulder
. Wear a cervical collar during the day
. Regularly walk or engage in low-impact aerobic activity

Treatment

The goal of treatment is relief of pain and prevention of permanent spinal cord and nerve root injury.

Symptoms from mild cervical spondylosis usually stabilize or regress with simple therapy including a cervical collar (neck brace) to restrict motion and doing prescribed exercises to strengthen neck muscles and stretch the neck and shoulders. Low-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or water aerobics, also may help. For acute cases, complete bedrest and traction for 1 or 2 weeks may be needed.

Naturopathy- Alternate Hot and Cold Compress over the affected region, Infra-red heat application, Massage and soft- tissue manipulation, Neutral Spinal Bath and Warm Immersion Bath are specific treatments. Naturopathy treatment regimen however, starts with detoxification process where neutral temperature Enema, Hip Bath, Mud applications etc. with a diet consisting of mainly fresh fruits and vegetables and juices are given for first 2 weeks.

Treatment can be complemented with Physiotherapy (intermittent traction in mild cases), Magnet Therapy and Acupuncture (for pain-relief).

Yoga Therapy- Forward bending postures or exercises should be avoided. Backward bending postures like Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Dhanurasana, Supta Vajrasana, Gomukhasana, Ardha-Matsyendrasana, Ushtrasana, Matsyasana and Ardha-Chakrasana should be slowly and gradually introduced. Long and Deep breathing, Nadi Shuddhi and Ujjayi pranayama are helpful. Yoga Nidra should be practiced on a daily basis for deep relaxation.

Osteoarthritis

Like age, osteoarthritis can creep up on you. It starts out quietly, with some occasional stiffness. Then, you may begin to feel some occasional joint pain.

What’s going on is ordinary wear and tear for the most part. Inside your body, it’s the smooth, rubbery cushioning called cartilage that starts to erode. The gliding surface that normally acts as a shock absorber between your bones can become compressed and irregular. As the underlying cartilage and bone disintegrate, painful bone spurs can form in the joint. Ordinary movements can produce a grinding symphony of creaks and crackles.

While no one really knows what makes cartilage break down, heavy use of the joint seems to be a contributing factor. That’s why osteoarthritis typically strikes the knees, hips, back and even fingers. Moreover, a joint injured in the past tends to develop arthritis later in life.

Among most people over age 60, signs of osteoarthritis show up in x-rays. But only about a third show any of the typical symptoms of pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, or inflammation. That’s one of the puzzling things about osteoarthritis. There doesn’t seem to be a relationship between the amount of pain and the degree of joint damage. Some people never have more than a mild ache. Others develop crippling pain.

Aspirin and other similar drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) focus on nursing arthritis pain, but that pain relief isn’t in your long-term interest. While NSAIDs are easing the pain, they can actually speed up joint deterioration.

Natural measures attempt to slow the progression of the disease and preserve cartilage and bone.

Holistic Approach to Osteoarthritis Relief

Although modern medical science view osteoarthritis as an inevitable part of growing older, naturopathic medicine contends that it is a metabolic disorder brought on by the body’s inability to regenerate bone and cartilage. Taking a holistic approach to treating arthritis, a naturopathic doctor looks at imbalances that may be occurring in the whole body, then attempts to correct those imbalances.

Among the factors that play a part are diet, exercise, and regular bowel movements to eliminate inflammation-producing toxins from the body.

Exposure to Sun for at least 20 minutes daily either between 9-10.30 in the morning or 4-5.30 in the afternoon will also be helpful to get adequate amount of Vit. D production. Underneath degenerating cartilage, bone also deteriorates. Vitamin D, a necessary nutrient for absorption of calcium, can help preserve bone and slow the loss of cartilage.

. Weight Management

Maintain a healthy weight since people with osteoarthritis are more likely to be overweight. Research shows that losing weight can significantly reduce the risk of developing it.

. Diet

Dietary changes can provide the proper nutrients needed to repair damaged joint tissue and eliminate foods that can damage joint tissue.

Removing foods in the nightshade family (solanaceae) from the diet may also be beneficial. The nightshade family includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco. They contain alkaloids (a plant constituent) that may interfere with joint repair and increase inflammation.

Eat- celery, turnips, sprouted items, whole grains and beans/ legumes, mustard greens, lettuce, millet, barley, almonds, figs, cherries, pineapple, blackberries, lemon, oranges, olive oil, carrots, papaya etc.

Avoid- sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk food, caffeine and the nightshade family.

Drink at least 4 litres of water a day.


. Exercise

Exercise is another essential. Low-impact activities like brisk walking, swimming, and biking are best at strengthening muscles and are easy on your joints. Stronger muscles help protect the joints by providing support and added stability.Exercise also helps the joints absorb fluid and needed nutrients. Unlike muscle or bone, cartilage doesn’t get its nutrients from blood. It soaks them up like a sponge from the fluid surrounding the joint. The more you exercise, the more you force fluid in and out of the joint.

. Hydrotherapy

Cold Sitz bath. A sitz bath is taken in just enough water to cover the buttocks, upper thighs, and lower abdomen. It powerfully affects the pelvic and abdominal organs. Very good to relieve constipation and balance functions of the internal organs and systems.

Heating Compress on the affected areas. The heating compress is an application of a cold compress to an area that is initially cooled by the water and then warmed by the influx of blood to the area. In three layers- first a wet cotton cloth, second a dry cotton cloth is applied and then covered with woolen blanket material to preserve the heat. Application is left to work for at least 40 minutes or till wet cloth goes dry.

Local Hot Fomentation is applied to reduce pain.

Molecules on the Bestseller List

Glucosamine is a word that’s pasted together from two words that may be familiar from biology or chemistry—glucose and amine. Glucose is just blood sugar, the 'energy food' that our body uses in its cells. As for amine—in chemistry it means that nitrogen and hydrogen are glued together in the same molecule. Put it all together, and you have a word that describes a simple molecule that combines the stuff of blood sugar, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

One theory holds that osteoarthritis results from the body’s inability as we age to make enough glycosaminoglycans, the major molecules that give cartilage its ability to bear weight. The second substance that may play a role, chondroitin sulfate, is actually built up from glucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate is a long chain of glucosamine molecules. It helps promote water retention in the cartilage, which is necessary for shock absorption. There’s a big difference in the way your body absorbs chondroitin sulfate, however. Studies show that if you take a supplement of chondroitin, your body absorbs less than 8 percent of it. By comparison, you absorb about 90 percent of glucosamine sulfate from a supplement.

Glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetylglucosamine and Glucosamine Sulfate are the common forms available in the stores. Most naturopathic physicians in USA typically recommend taking glucosamine sulfate because it is the type that has been tested most thoroughly in clinical trials. 500 mg of Glucosamine Sulfate twice a day is the recommended dose.

Antioxidant Relief

Antioxidants—especially vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene—are another means of preventing your cartilage from wearing away.

Arthritis is known to be caused by increased free radical production, so your need for antioxidant nutrients increases. Those free radicals are free-roaming, unstable molecules that can set off a chain reaction in the body, aging cells prematurely and sometimes harming the genetic material. While the healing powers of antioxidants may seem somewhat mysterious, the process is crucial when it comes to protecting your joints.If you have arthritis, antioxidants can protect joints from damage caused by oxidative stress, a process that speeds up cartilage breakdown. Joints damaged by osteoarthritis release the unstable free radical molecules that are missing an electron. These highly reactive compounds look for a place from which to snatch an electron in order to stabilize themselves. They usually attack the nearest healthy molecule, which then becomes a free radical itself.

Antioxidants help break this chain reaction and stop cell damage by offering up their own extra electrons. No one is sure exactly how this process occurs in the joints, but research has shown that diets high in antioxidants help reduce pain and cartilage deterioration.

The benefits of vitamins C and E extend beyond their antioxidant properties. Together, they enhance the stability of components called proteoglycans that help to protect your cartilage. Vitamin C helps to form the structural protein known as collagen, the single most important protein in connective tissues. Vitamin E offers relief from Inflammation.

To protect your cartilage and quell those aches and pains, 1,000 milligrams of buffered vitamin C three times a day is recommended. Include 600 IU of vitamin E and 10,000 IU of beta-carotene once a day in your daily antioxidant regimen.

Turn Off Inflammation

The word arthritis, derived from Greek, literally means "inflammation of the joint." While this definition certainly applies to another kind of arthritis—rheumatoid arthritis—the term is somewhat contradictory in referring to osteoarthritis. People with osteoarthritis generally have very little inflammation. Nevertheless, allopathic doctors do recommend anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen for pain relief. Are they effective?

Try increasing the intake of readily available herbs in our kitchen- Garlic, Ginger and Turmeric in your diet. They also relieve pain when applied warm on the joints and help repair the damage.


Just taking pills will not make someone healthy. It’s same as going into a really dirty house and just hanging a few pictures to try to make it look better. You’ve got to clean the house. What is suggested is to start with a low-fat diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and drinking at least eight full glasses of water a day.

General Advice on under- active Thyroid

Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, is 10 times more common in women than men. It is most common in women aged 40 to 50. In my experience, even while on medication, weight loss is slower than normal, so it is VERY important to stick closely to your diet plan AND take regular exercise.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Under-Active Thyroid)

The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary in severity and typically develop gradually over months or even years. They may include:

- Extreme tiredness
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Hoarseness of voice
- Intolerance of cold
- Water Retention (swelling of face: puffy eyes, dry, thickened skin)
- Thinning of hair
- Heavy menstrual periods (women)
- Some people with hypothyroidism develop a swelling in the neck (Goitre)
- Depression/ Mood swings

General Advice About Hypothyroidism

. Check Your Thyroid Levels Regularly
Make sure your thyroid levels are checked regularly, so your medication is kept at the correct dosage. Thyroid function can change quite quickly and needs to be monitored at least every 6 months.

. Get Active
Take regular exercise. Although you may not have much energy initially, get moving! The more you move the more energy you will have to exercise each day. Physical activity is especially important if you suffer from hypothyroidism. It is essential in order to help speed up your metabolism and increase weight loss. Individuals with hypothyroidism can have low levels of serotonin, the brain chemical involved in appetite control, depression, and sleep regulation. Just thirty minutes of aerobic exercise, five times per week can help increase serotonin levels to decrease these symptoms.

. Reduce Stress
Stress is a major factor and is believed to be a contributing factor to the development of hypothyroidism. Stress causes many people to make unwise food choices and overeat. Reactions to stress are controlled by the adrenal glands, which are overworked and under-functioning in hypothyroid patients. Stress also increases cortisol levels, increasing hunger and affecting insulin levels. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to take regular exercise. Similarly, deep breathing, swimming or doing anything you enjoy, will help reduce your stess levels.

. Check your Diet

-Reduce your use of stimulants
When trying to fight fatigue, stimulants like caffeine may be a way of life. Hypothyroidism makes the adrenal glands susceptible to overwork and burnout. The adrenal glands can only take so much stimulation before they begin to under-function. Weaning off of stimulants, including coffee, soda and tea, can help the adrenal system heal and recharge.

- Decrease the amount of carbohydrates you eat
Research shows that individuals with hypothyroidism are more successful when eating about 45-50% of total calories coming from carbs. At 50% carbs, your diet will probably result in about 30% protein and 20% fat.

-Choose more complex carbs
Enjoy plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, wheat germ). These foods are nutritionally superior to their refined counterparts. Complex Carbs are rich source of dietary fibres. People with hypothyroidism often experience sluggish digestion and constipation. A high-fiber diet can help move things along so to speak, while increasing satiety so that you never feel hungry.

- Drink lots of Water
Drink 8-12 glasses of water every day in between the meals. Metabolism requires water, so not drinking enough will hurt your weight loss potential as well. When increasing your fiber intake, water is even more important. Drink additional water to compensate for perspiration from exercise and hot weather.

More Information About Hypothyroidism and Diet

Iodine
It is well documented that a diet low in iodine is associated with hypothyroidism or under-active thyroid. However do NOT take ANY iodine supplements without first consulting your doctor because excessive amounts of iodine can also lead to hypothyroidism.

Selenium
It is also believed to help if you increase your selenium intake. This can be done by eating foods such as whole wheat bread, bran, Brazil nuts, onions and tomatoes. Include some of these foods on a regular basis.

Brassica Vegetables
Cabbage and other brassicas vegetables (eg. Chinese leaves, brussel sprouts, turnips, broccoli, kohirabi and kale) contain compounds known as 'thioglucosides' which, if taken in excess can disrupt the function of the thyroid gland. However, it should be stressed that this tends to occur only in people whose diets are already deficient in iodine.

Helpful Foods:
Foods that are helpful for the thyroid function are: carrots, spinach, apricots, asparagus, olive oil, avocado, sunflower seeds, whole grain cereals, bananas, oily fish etc. So choose meals that include these foods.

Unhelpful Foods:
Foods to eat LESS of as they may interfere with iodine uptake are: cabbage, kale, broccoli, kohirabi, mustard, lima beans, linseed, sweet potato, peanuts, soy products, so keep these to a minimum. You don't need to cut them out completely.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Steps in Psychotherapy

1. Re-label

Impartial Spectator- separating oneself from the streams of thoughts and feelings so that one can observe them and respond consciously instead of mindlessly- essentially the same mental action as the ancient Buddhist concept of 'mindful awareness'.

At the approach of an unwanted impulse, one should consciously take a note of of it and assertavely re-label it - "that is not something I really wish to do- it is just the prompting of a compulsion I want to be rid of".

2. Re-atribute

Affirm the true source of that urge. "It is not me, it is my OCD". Impress on the mind- the brain is generating this signal out of habit. It is a message that need not be acted upon.

3. Re-focus

To overcome compulsions, one then needs to refocus- to turn the attention away from the unwanted message by engaging in another activity.

Dr Shwartz suggests a '15-minute rule'. Find something wholesome that you enjoy doing and switch to it for at least 15 minutes. Hobbies are excellent choice for refocussing as are physical sports or exercising, reading, music or mentally absorbing game. After 15 minutes of new activity, introspect again. Has the urge diminished? "...because you are working to change the chemistry of brain".

4. Re-value

Revalue the meaning of one's unwanted impulses- "what a terrible person I must be for having such bad thoughts as nothing more than false messages coming from the brain ?".

The key is to realize that the 'thought is happening inspite of your will, not because of it'!

* Adapted from 'Brainlock'- Lawrence Martein, UCLA Medical School