Nutrition & Blood Clotting

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There is a growing awareness amongst health care practitioners that what one eats can influence the ability of the blood to clot. Although this may not be tremendously important to the average healthy person, it may be critical to people on drugs like coumadin. For example, foods that are high in vitamin K increase blood coagulability (clotting capacity). These foods include all the dark green vegetables like spinach, alfalfa, broccoli as well as cauliflower, egg yolks, liver and red meats. Butter consumption reduces fibrinolytic activity, making the blood more coagulable while garlic does the opposite (thins the blood).

Green food supplements like blue green algae, spirulina, chlorella, barley green, green kamut and others are all potent sources of vitamin K and can interfere with coumadin, the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant drug. Lactobacillus acidophilus, a friendly bacteria which resides in the large bowel of most healthy people, manufactures vitamin K as well as B vitamins, enzymes and other nutritional factors. Taking supplements of lactobacillus acidophilus could theoretically increase the body’s reserves of vitamin K. To date, however, there have been no adverse clotting reactions associated with lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation.

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids prevent excess bleeding anywhere in the body by strengthening the integrity of capillaries and arteries, making them less likely to rupture or leak. This is one of the reasons why vitamin C and bioflavonoids are so effective at preventing bruising. They do not, however, have any direct impact on blood clotting.

Calcium, on the other hand, contributes to increased blood clotting because of its role in the activation of of prothrombin as a cofactor with Factor XIII-a as well as in the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Lecithin (from eggs or soy) is a phospholipid with a high phosphorus content. Theoretically, high intakes of lecithin could reduce blood coagulation due to its high phosphorus content which antagonizes or binds calcium in the body.

There are a many nutrients which work like anticoagulants in high doses. Some of these work by preventing blood clotting factors called platelets from sticking together, while others work by decreasing the blood levels of certain clotting factors or proteins. The net effect is referred to by most laymen as blood thinning.

The best documented natural anticoagulants are nattokinase (derived from soy), garlic oil and omega-3-EPA oils (from flax seed oil, rice bran oil, cod liver oil, salmon or shark oil). Onions, wheat germ oil, primrose oil, black currant oil, olive oil, soybeans, sunflower seeds, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, ginkgo biloba, ginger root extract, various Chinese herbs and butcher’s broom also help decrease the blood’s ability to clot. The same is true of copper, cayenne and bromelain. If one is on coumadin and wants to take natural supplements, consult a health care practitioner familiar with drug-nutrient interactions before embarking on any major changes in diet or supplements.

Dr. Rona

Curing Adult Acne

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Adult acne is almost always associated with low or absent stomach acid production. Low stomach acidity prevents a person from completely digesting their foods, especially the high protein, high fat foods. As a result, partially digested foods may get absorbed into the blood eliciting an allergic/inflammatory response. In essence, the food which is partially digested behaves as if it were an allergen that needs to be attacked by the immune system. Even so-called healthy foods can turn into allergies when hydrochloric acid is inadequate and thus rashes like acne and hives can result.

To make matters worse, the undigested foods in the gastrointestinal tract can putrefy. Thus foul smelling gas, bloating, constipation and bowel toxemia occurs.? Some of these bowel toxins can reabsorb via a beleaguered liver into the bloodstream leading to a worsening of acne as the body tries to eliminate the waste products through the skin.

Aside from its role as a protein digester, hydrochloric acid boosts immunity by activating sluggish white blood cells to gobble up bacteria, viruses, parasites and other invaders.? Candida (yeast) overgrowth is yet another complication of low stomach acidity and candida toxins (fungal mycotoxins) can suppress the immune system making it easier for the individual to catch one infection after another. For more information on candida and how to treat it, see The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook (Prima Publishing, 2000) co-written by Jeanne Marie Martin and myself. To reverse adult acne, correction of the low stomach acidity is mandatory.

Low stomach acidity can be caused by stress, heredity, drugs like Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, Losec and other antacids, excessive intake of dairy products and high gluten containing grains (especially wheat, rye, oats and barley) or other unsuspected food allergies. Wheat, other grains, corn, sugar, chocolate, caffeine, eggs, citrus and other common foods are the likeliest food triggers. Isolating and eliminating the offending foods can do a lot to control acne. Supplementing with stomach acidifiers (e.g. stomach bitters, betaine and pepsin hydrochloride, plant enzymes, apple cider vinegar, glutamic acid, B complex vitamins, vitamin C) would be the next step. The type and amount of acidifiers can be determined by a health care practitioner through a combination of trial and error and laboratory tests (e.g. comprehensive digestive and stool analysis).

Dr. Rona

Reversing Immune System Impairment with Colostrum

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Colostrum is a special non-milk breast secretion produced by all mammalian mothers during the first 48 hours after birth. Colostrum contains special antibodies, immunoglobulins, complex proteins and growth factors capable of triggering at least 50 processes and functions in the newborn. Recently, researchers have discovered that colostrum from bovine sources has many health benefits for adults.

Therapeutic Benefits

  • -> antiviral factors in colostrum can help to inhibit influenza, herpes and other viruses
  • -> colostrum glycoproteins can help to inhibit Helicobacter Pylori bacteria which can cause stomach ulcers
  • -> interlukin-10, an anti-inflammatory agent found in colostrum, helps to improve arthritis
  • -> can have effective anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral effects in the gastrointestinal tract
  • -> helps to correct immunodeficiency by stimulating lymphoid tissue
  • -> can help to accelerate wound healing and cartilage repair through various growth factors
  • -> colostrum PRP (Proline-Rich Polypeptide) helps to modulate immunity by activating an underactive immune system through the thymus gland while suppressing an overactive immune system as seen in autoimmune disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Type I diabetes, Graves? disease, myasthenia gravis and others)
  • -> can be effective against chronic fatigue and leaky gut syndrome
  • -> colostrum growth factors can help to enhance athletic performance naturally by optimizing lean muscle mass while burning excessive fat

Preventive Benefits

  • -> can help to provide adults with immunization preventing acute intestinal infections and inflammation (e.g. colitis, Crohn?s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, candidiasis, etc.)
  • -> can help to prevent viral and bacterial infections in immunodeficiency states (e.g. bone marrow recipients, AIDS patients, premature babies)
  • -> can help to provide safe natural immunity for those at high risk for damage by conventional vaccinations high concentration of iron transporting proteins lactoferrin and transferrin in colostrum
  • -> can help to prevent iron deficiency in both newborns and adults
  • -> helpful in reducing severity of allergies and infections of all types
  • -> can help to prevent some cancers by promoting normal cell growth and DNA synthesis

For more information on colostrum see ?Colostrum: Life?s First Food? by Daniel G, Clark, M.D. or ?Colostrum: Man?s First Food, The White Gold Discovery? by Bernard Jensen, Ph.D

Dr. Rona

What is Naturoprathy?

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Naturopathy is a non-traditional health modality that seeks to improve overall health and treat diseases predominately by stimulating the body?s innate ability to heal. Naturopathic treatments are non-invasive and developed to stimulate the body?s own immune system. A Doctor of Naturopathy (or N.D.) focuses on prevention, achieving wellness and dealing with chronic problems that traditional medicine may have failed to cure.

Dr. Linda

Understanding Folic Acid

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Folic acid (folate) is a water soluble B complex vitamin which acts as a co-enzyme in the conversion of glucose to energy. It is important in the synthesis of the purines found in DNA (guanine, adenine, pyrimadine and thymine) and the formation and maturation of red and white blood cells. Deficiency can be caused by inadequate intake, malabsorption (e.g. celiac disease), exclusive ingestion of boiled foods, infant nutrition limited to goat?s milk or anti-folate drugs. Folic acid is the only vitamin whose requirement doubles in pregnancy (RDA adults: 400 mcg.; pregnancy: 800 mcg.; lactation: 400 mcg.).

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS
anemia (megaloblastic type)
neural tube defects
cleft palate
restless leg syndrome
abnormal pap tests (cervical dysplasia)
depression
increased bowel cancer risk in ulcerative colitis

BEST SOURCES
broccoli, brussels sprouts, romaine lettuce, spinach, black-eyed peas, brewer’s yeast, beets, wheat bran, spirulina, chlorella and blue green algae

FOLIC ACID DRUG ANTAGONISTS:
- phenytoin
- phenobarbital
- methotrexate
- sulfasalazine
- aminopterin
- aspirin
- cholestyramine
- colestipol
- oral contraceptives

TOXICITY
None known but rare folic acid supplement hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with oral doses of 1-10 mgs; although also rare, long term folic acid supplementation must be balanced with vitamin B12 levels to avoid folic acid induced B12 deficiency.

Dr. Rona

The Blessing of Challenges

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I was thinking, either Law of Attraction works or it doesn’t, right? There really is no “in between” about it. If everything is energy, and one of the laws of energy is that if you put your attention on a subject, it will get bigger… then that’s just the way it is. So yesterday I had a big challenge (mostly in my mind, not in reality). I could feel myself being a little angry and afraid… then when I realized if I focused my attention on the desire that came out of the challenge, and the that the Law of Attraction already delivered that desire… I felt much better.

“If you didn’t have challenges, you wouldn’t have desires. Without desires, you have nothing to live for.”

Jennifer Hough

Controlling Seasonal Allergies Naturally

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Prescription and over the counter antihistamines can cause death due to serious cardiac arrythmias (heart beat irregularities). Other negative reports on the long term side effects of antihistamines (weight gain), decongestants (strokes) and steroids (ulcers) have prompted many with environmental allergies to seek safer, more natural alternatives. Whether these commonly used drugs that suppress the symptoms of seasonal allergies are swallowed, inhaled or rubbed onto the skin, they have long term deleterious effects on the immune system. Dependency is a common problem and no drug really offers a cure for allergies to grasses, trees, molds, pollens, dust and environmental pollutants. There is a better way to control seasonal allergies and it happens to have virtually no side effects.

To begin with, several good studies have shown a positive correlation between sugar consumption and allergic symptoms. Eliminating refined sugar and foods containing chemical additives from the diet is a good place for most allergy sufferers to start. The diagnosis and elimination of unsuspected food allergies (usually to dairy and wheat products, yeast, corn, chocolate and eggs) can also have a significant beneficial effect for environmental allergies. Although one does not necessarily notice any specific allergic reactions on an immediate basis after consuming certain foods, there may be delayed reactions, the net effect of which cause an abnormal immune response in the form of chronic sinus congestion, runny nose, wheezing and sneezing. Dark circles and swelling around the eyes are common signs of unsuspected delayed food allergies, especially in children.

Environmental allergies can also be lessened by correcting nutritional deficiencies, especially to zinc, selenium, carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E. Studies on vitamin C have shown that in very high doses, it has antihistaminic effects but without the weight gain and the adverse cardiac consequences. The only side effect of vitamin C is loose bowel movements or diarrhea if the dose taken is too high for the given individual.

Deficiencies in essential fatty acids (omega-3 from fish oils and omega-6 from evening primrose oil) can aggravate most allergic conditions as well as cause dry skin, eczema or, in women, worsening premenstrual syndrome. Several other food supplements may be of help to chronic allergy sufferers: vitamin A, pantothenic acid (vitamin B 5), vitamin B 6, and the bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, grape seed extract or pycnogenol. Bicarbonate powder (calcium, magnesium and potassium bicarbonate mixture) is another drug alternative that can be used to neutralize acute allergic reactions in many individuals.

Stinging nettle is a very effective remedy for allergy symptoms. So is the natural food extract MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane). Curcumin, an extract of tumeric, has been shown to be as effective an anti-inflammatory remedy as prescription cortisone. Unlike steroids, curcumin has virtually no side effects. In selected cases, treatment of bacterial overgrowth, parasites or a chronic candida (?yeast syndrome?) infection improves allergies. A personalized natural allergy relief program can be determined through testing available from a natural health care practitioner.

Dr. Rona

Healing Psoriasis Naturally

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Psoriasis is a common skin condition that results in red, scaly plaques. Affected areas include the arms, the points of the elbows and knees, the legs, the trunk and the scalp but rarely the face. The nails become dull and develop ridges and pits. The cause is unknown and sufferers respond to a variety of conventional medical treatments including coal tar, steroid creams, vitamin D cream, stress reduction techniques such as meditation and ultraviolet light. The disease lessens in severity in the summer or goes into remission from time to time for no apparent reason. Stress, anxiety, surgery, cuts, other illnesses, infections, drugs such as lithium, chloroquine and beta-blockers may all trigger attacks.

Some studies suggest that psoriasis benefits from different types of fasting, a gluten-free diet, complete vegetarian diets and other restrictive regimes. Food allergy detection and control may be very important in some cases. Psoriasis sufferers have abnormal serum levels of free fatty acids. Long term dietary changes with respect to fat intake may produce improvement. Animal fat, especially from red meat and dairy products, must be reduced or eliminated while fresh fruits and vegetables should be increased. Fats from fish, sesame seeds, flaxseed or soybeans improve most skin conditions including psoriasis. Supplementation of the diet with flax seed oil, evening primrose oil or fish oils is recommended.

Greenland Eskimos who consume a high amount of the omega-3-EPA oils found in fish have a very low incidence of psoriasis despite limited exposure to the sun. Many recent double-blind studies have shown that supplementation of the diet with 10 - 12 grams of these oils results in significant improvement in psoriasis. This is roughly equivalent to a daily intake of 150 grams of mackerel or herring. Cod liver oil or salmon oil capsules are more palatable for those with less enthusiastic appetites for fish. These high essential fatty acid foods interfere with the body?s production of inflammatory chemicals, the ones causing psoriasis lesions to swell and turn red. Fats from red meats and dairy products have the opposite effect.

Other supplements that have been reported to be helpful for psoriasis include vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B 12, selenium, zinc, digestive enzymes and vitamin E. It may take 3 - 6 months to see the full benefit of supplementation with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Herbal remedies of help to psoriasis sufferers include silymarin, dandelion, goldenseal, sarsaparilla, yellow dock, lavender and chaparral. Poultices made from these herbs for topical application are beneficial as well. Some cases of psoriasis benefit from anti-candida treatment. For more information on natural remedies for psoriasis, see a naturopath or holistic medical doctor.
Dr. Rona

Whole Foods vs. Vitamin & Mineral Tablets

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The science of nutrition has not yet discovered the complete range of vital nutrients found only in natural foods. Live, whole food concentrates have the unique advantage of supplying the body with enzymes and cancer preventing phytochemicals like carotenoids, indoles, isothiocyanates, isoflavones and phytosterols which do not exist in any vitamin or mineral supplement. Additionally, they provide the body with amino acids, polypeptide hormone precursors and other nutrients that support the vital life force needed by all cells for optimal health.

Using a whole food supplement with the widest possible range of nutrients is preferable to just taking vitamin and mineral tablets. Examples of whole food sources of vitamins, minerals and other food factors not supplied by the typical multivitamin and mineral tablet are:

spirulina
chlorella
blue green algae
other green drinks or green food concentrates like barley green and green kamut
bee pollen
whole leaf aloe vera juice
nutritional yeast
garlic
desiccated liver
wild yam extract
kelp, dulse and other seaweeds in powder, tablet or capsule form
various tissue concentrates like pancreatin and raw adrenal glandular concentrate
wheat germ
lecithin granules and other soybean derivatives
milled (groud) flax seed
whole food concentrates of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc.)
all herbs

A combination of three or more of these (e.g. whole leaf aloe vera juice + bee pollen + a green drink) will provide any healthy individual with all the vitamins, minerals and enzymes they might need for optimal health. Eating a highly varied diet with plenty of green vegetables, soy products and other legumes should help supply other vital nutrients. Typical multivitamins and minerals pale in comparison to the nutritional completeness of natural foods or whole food concentrates.

Dr. Rona

Treating Depression Naturally

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Depression is an illness of the entire body, mind and spirit. Its symptoms vary from person to person in severity and can last for weeks, months or years. The most common form is termed ?dysthymia?, a chronic low-grade depression that is not necessarily disabling but prevents normal functioning, relationships and enjoyment of life.

SYMPTOMS
~ chronic fatigue
~ sleep disturbances
~ appetite changes
~ irritability, sadness or chronic anger
~ loss of interest or pleasure in life
~ feelings of despair, worthlessness or inadequacy
~ increased thoughts of death or suicide

CAUSES
~ traumatic life events, stress or tension
~ heredity; in up to half of all cases one or both parents had depression
~ chemical imbalances in the brain involving the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, melatonin or serotonin
~ thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism (low thyroid)
~ nutritional deficiencies in B vitamins (especially B6, B12 and folic acid), vitamin C, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, magnesium or potassium
~ excesses of magnesium or vanadium
~ hypoglycemia caused by excess caffeine or sucrose
~ food allergies

NATURAL ANTIDEPRESSANTS
~ Lithium, especially in manic depression
~ D,L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine (nutritional precursors to dopamine and norepinephrine)
~ L-tryptophan or 5-hydroxytryptophan (nutritional precursors to serotonin and melatonin)
~ Hypericin, an extract of St. John?s Wort (mimics the action of MAO inhibitor class of prescription antidepressants)
~ Ginkgo biloba, kava kava, licorice root, ma huang and Siberian ginseng all have mild to moderate antidepressant effects
~ Light therapy to regulate melatonin levels if edepression is seasonal (Seasonal Affective Disorder = SAD); recent research implicates vitamin D dficiency as another cause of SAD

Dr. Rona

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