FIbromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue (including tender points) as well as sleep problems, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. These problems can be severe enough to disrupt a person’s work and daily activities. Fortunately, the condition does not permanently damage the muscles, joints, or internal organs.

There are theories as to what may cause fibromyalgia, but at this point there is not enough evidence to support any single cause. Some theories suggest that fibromyalgia may be related to oversensitive nerve cells, an imbalance of chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters), or an inability of the brain or spinal cord to dampen pain signals.
I have treated approximately 200 individuals over the years with such a problem here are the patterns noted:

1. Virtually all individuals suffer from weakness of the bladder and/or kidneys. Please note that weakness does NOT mean disease. It is referring to doing 50% or 60% of what it is capable of, instead of doing 100% which the organ should be doing. As such, uric acid is not being removed properly from the body. This builds over time and the common symptoms stated above are experienced.

2. Recent research has shown that a type of calcium, virtually identical to plaque (commonly formed on teeth) builds on the muscles themselves, causing symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. In either event, treatments focus on improving the functioning of the kidneys and the bladder.

A common protocol looks like this:

A – A-C Carbamide from Standard Process. This formula improves the functioning of the kidney/bladder region as well as acts as a diuretic. B – Albaplex also from SP. Removes any infections from the affected 2 areas.

C – Finally, one of the most powerful herbs in the materia media is used called Fo-Ti. It is considered the finest, long term kidney tonic known.

In addition, reduce the amount of water consumed for a while and focus on ingesting cranberry and pineapple juices. Foods such as cilantro and parsley are a must.

Keeping Your Eyes Health: Cataract Prevention

The British Journal of Nutrition reported that increased plasma levels of the carotenoid, Lutein and Zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of cataracts, particularly in older individuals.

Lutein is called a carotenoid vitamin. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Foods rich in lutein include broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, orange juice, zucchini, and squash. Lutein is absorbed best when it is taken with a high-fat meal.

Zeaxanthin is a bioflavonoid , which is a type pigment found in almost all herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Bioflavonoids provide the body with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection, and are one of the main reasons fruits and vegetables are so healthy to eat. Zeaxanthin belongs to a group of bioflavonoids known as carotenoids, a group that is further subdivided into two groups: carotenes and xanthophylls. Zeaxanthin is one of the xanthophylls, which are found most abundantly in dark, leafy green vegetables, and are crucial to the good health of the eyes. The retina of the eye actually contains a lot of zeaxanthin, which is why it is so important to include this carotenoid in your diet.

This combo, along with the herb Lycii is excellent as both treatment and prevention for many issues related to the eyes.

DHA and Brain Volume

Recently, the journal called Neurology published a report about the positive effects of DHA (omega 3) on brain volume and memory in older men and women.

The researchers measured red blood cell omega 3 levels in over 1500 dementia-free individuals. MRI assessed brain volume and cognitive tests were also taken, evaluating memory.

Researchers concluded that a low DHA level correlated with reduced memory, brain volume in general, visual memory and abstract thinking.

Doc’s Note: DHA also has the added benefit of lowering blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and reduced risk of blood clots. It is an excellent substance for overall health.

Avoid The Ice

Ice.

Great in tea or lemonade.  Fun to skate on. However, when in comes to injuries or injury prevention, ice treatments are to be avoided.

The theory as to why ice is used in situations such as post-marathon or shoulder soreness is that inflammation is present and thus, ice will assist the body in clearing inflammation.

It does not.

Ice or cold in general, based upon Natural Medicine principles, causes a lack of movement. In short, ice stops the flow of energy and reduces the flow of blood. Heat by contrast, does exactly the opposite.

The last thing you want to do in situations such as injury, inflammation or other “-itis” situations (Ex/ bursitis, arthritis) is to stop the flow of energy and blood to those areas. By applying ice or cold in general, you are stopping the flow of needed energy and nutrients to the affected area.

The one exception of course is applying ice in an acute situation. If a person sprains their ankle, ice for a 24 hour period is useful. It can reduce the amount of swelling in the given area. After 24 hours, it becomes problematic.

Bottom line. . . .save the ice for ice coffee, not for treatments.

HGH FACTS

HGH Products

The most common question from people is:

“There is so much interesting yet confusing and contradictory information about hGH. How do I chose what is right for me and my family?”

The anti-aging information listed below will clarify what is available and help you make the most appropriate choice. We are experts in this field and will happily serve as your Expert Educational Guides.

HGH or Human Growth Hormone Classifications

There are 4 basic “classes” of human growth hormone products. They are as follows:

1. The actual human growth hormone injection. This is available ONLY by prescription from an M.D.

Advantages: The major advantage to this is that HGH will get into your blood stream quickly.

Disadvantages: The cost is prohibitive for most people, ranging from $800 up to $4000 or more per month. It is by injection only. In addition, when the body depends upon an outside source of a hormone, the gland responsible for production of the hormone, has a tendency to atrophy or shutdown. This can be potentially dangerous.

NOTE: Who should be taking this form of human growth hormone? Individuals over the age of 70 with very low hGH levels. As an expert in this area, we support this use in these instances only.

Conclusion: Unless levels are extremely low and one is over 70, use the recommended method below.

2. Homeopathic. This is a micro-dose of growth hormone itself, prepared by vigorously shaking (a simple process called “percussing”) and is given in a tiny dose — 0.0025% of the normal amount in the body. (For additional details, Click Here.)

Advantages: It is less expensive than prescription GH and often comes in a painless spray form and can be be fun and entertaining to mist or spray around. The mist is easy to use and rather fun to spray.

Disadvantages: There is no data to suggest homeopathic growth hormone works to any degree. A recent letter written by a medical expert from UCLA and published in the L.A. Times, clearly stated that this way of preparing GH is “useless.” This idea has been reiterated time and again in professional journals as well as experienced, reputable clinicians throughout the world.

In addition to preparing growth hormone, the binders and fillers are also prepared, making this potentially dangerous for long term use. The body does not need additional toxins and is always working to get rid of them. Human growth hormone is a large molecule and will not pass through the membranes in the mouth. It is very unstable and breaks down in the mouth before ever reaching the blood stream with sprays.

Sprays are an ineffective means of delivery. For more information, please click here.

Conclusion: Useless and potentially dangerous as stated in many places by many experts, including us. Simply avoided. There is a much safer and more effective means.

As someone who has studies homeopathic medicine for a long time, Dr. David Orman can safely say that Homeopathic HGH is ineffective. I have used this style of medicine (homeopathy) for years and if done correctly, homeopathics can be effective. How?

Only one way — individualizing treatment.

One size fits all homeopathics is low level “medicine” and a waste of money. In addition, when you choose the WRONG remedy, symptoms can worsen. Do you want to roll the dice and take a chance like that?!

3. Precursors. These are substances, usually amino acids, that are broken down in the liver and converted into human growth hormone.

Advantages: For short term use (assuming the dose is correct and the ratios are correct), this can be an effective means of increasing HGH levels. They are generally less expensive than the above categories.

Disadvantages: Most formulas come in too high a dosage and ignore ratios. Once the formula is stopped, a person’s levels plummet below initial levels. Also, as with the actual human growth hormone, when an outside source of GH is provided, the gland responsible atrophies or shuts down.

Conclusion: Fine for short term use only with repeated blood tests. Must be cautious and be sure to use the exact combinations or sequence of amino acids. If not, the entire chain of aminos can be thrown out of balance and metabolic problems will occur.

4. Releasers. Substances which stimulate the release of the body’s own growth hormone.

Advantages: This is the safest and often most effective group by far. They work in sync with the body and are quite powerful.

Disadvantages: Overall, not very many but there are some. Formulas in this category do not use adequate dosages of releasers (the opposite problem compared to HGH Precursors). Processing methods can be poor.

Conclusion: Recommended group – RELEASERS.

What is the Solution?

With all of the facts and information from above, Hgh Plus™ is clearly the choice for people interested in safety and effectiveness in an hGH product. Why?

HghPlus™ is a Releaser, by far the safest category of products. Dr. Orman’s formula has all of the advantages of releasers and addresses all of the potential disadvantages:

Proper and safe dosages of the all-natural ingredients are included

The processing method is revolutionary and allows for safe and effective utilization of all of the ingredients to elevate human growth hormone levels. This processing method is only found in Dr. Orman’s formula from DMI.

Total and complete support from an expert in the field.

500 Words or Less

Look for our new eLibrary featuring “500 Words or Less” Wellness Warrior series lessons. Each lessons will focus on one particular aspect of Natural medicine and will be in easy to understand, even easier to apply format.

Our first half dozen will be available by June!

Fasting and Tumor Growth

An article published in Science Translational Medicine shows that the discovery of a reduction in the growth of cancerous tumors can be reduced by fasting. Even if a person chooses chemotherapy, fasting helped reduced the size. Of course, it worked well without chemotherapy as well.

Researched found that the key was to reduce glucose levels which sensitized cancer cells to treatment.

This simple method has much potential.

Doc’s Thoughts: Fasting has been an effective therapy for many things, from the aforementioned to systemic detoxification and much in between. The key is this question, “Who should pursue a fasting program?” The answer is those who have an “excess” constitution; that is, those who are large, lot of energy, sweat a great deal etc.  Contrast that with someone who has little energy or ambition, is 120 pounds and a weak voice. The former would benefit greatly while the latter would suffer.

Too Much of a Good Thing: Vitamin D

Vitamin D. It is all over the news and has been for at least a year now. You know it can be very helpful. People with higher Vitamin D blood levels have lower risks of degenerative disease. They have lower incidences of hypertension. It is helpful for belly fat loss. But can too much be a problem?

The short answer is a resounding YES. A bold type warning was issued by the American Heart Association stating that Vitamin D blood levels that exceed 100 ng/mL is dangerous. In fact, there have been significantly higher risks of atrial fibrillation when Vitamin D levels are this high.

Normal levels should be in the 81-100 ng/mL range. Obviously levels below this are considered low, particularly if a person is in the 20 ng/mL range.

The safest way to address the matter is via blood tests. It is simple and relatively inexpensive, and valuable to 2 reasons at least:

1. The obvious. The test of course, will identify your Vitamin D blood level and based upon this, you can adjust your protocol.

2. Since you are able to adjust your Vitamin D intake exactly, you will not waste money by taking too much, or using inferior products that are not working. You will know exactly.

Vitamin D is an excellent substances with tremendous benefits if used properly. It is those last 3 words of the sentence that are so very important.

Suffering from Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the continual feeling of “ringing in the ears.” An annoying, somewhat painful problem that can result from a number of issues including exposure to a sudden, loud noise. Tinnitus has many causes and very few management options.

Recent clinical trials have shown promise for one of the mos vital nutrients in the body — CoQ10.

A 16 week human clinical trial evaluated the effects of CoQ10 levels on patients with tinnitus and revealed the following:

“For chronic suffers of tinnitus, a near-100% correlation was found; this is nearly 100% of those with tinnitus has LOW levels of CoQ10.”

Thus raising blood levels of CoQ10 may help alleviate this problem.

Doc’s Thoughts: In addition to raising levels of CoQ10 which I think is very important for a number of health reasons, I found that acupuncture was also effective for alleviation of the symptoms of tinnitus. I treated quite a number of people via acupuncture and with this method alone, symptoms were significantly reduced. I did not use CoQ10 in conjunction at the time. It would have been interesting to see this combination though.

Why Cross Training Is a Bad Idea

Swimmers should cycle. Runners should bike. Cyclists should do aerobics.  On days off, do something differently.

You have heard it or perhaps even tried it. Little by little, people are finding out it is a bad idea. Here’s why. . . .

The best workouts are the ones which are specific to the sport or specific to the event. To prepare for a 5K, running intervals at a fast (almost 5K)  pace is better than a 10 milers. Running is better than biking at preparing for running competitions. Biking is better than running when a century ride is in the future.

Athletes are slowly but surely drawing the conclusion that  cross training is a not only a waste of time, it is detrimental to their sport. The pros already know this.

One main idea is that a cross training workout does not prepare you for the specific neuromuscular demands of your  sport. Why?  The musculoskeletal system and nervous systems work in contrasting ways in different sports, with differing accents on various muscle groups.

The second main idea is that for most  people, time is a prime factor. If you are cross-training, you are taking time away from your main sport or from your rest period. You are also increasing the risk of injury and of burnout.

Stretching and weight training are a great addition to any training program but this is much different from cross training. Both a stretching and a strength program should be geared toward your given sport, not just a generalize stretch or weight lifting plan. The former needs to focus on main and support muscles used in your given sport. The latter, aside from these same principles, needs to involve low repetitions and heavy weights. (If you are doing light weights and high reps, you are wasting your time and energy.)

If you are looking to simply exercise, get in shape or have fun, cross training is ideal. It is fun while challenging, and you can use the variety as a way of “testing” to see which events, sports or activities you enjoy the most.  Think of it as an exercise buffet.

If you are an athlete involved in a specific sport looking for a specific result, cross training is a bad idea. Work on your skill set. That is the best way to maximize your time.