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| Newsletter 1 | Newsletter 2 | Newsletter 3 | Newsletter 4 | Newsletter 5 |
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| Newsletter 2 |
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| OVERCOMING BODY TOXICITY |
| It is important to look at your nutrient intake when you are overcoming the ravages of any toxic lifestyle, as poor lifestyle not only impairs the mind, but depletes the body of essential nutrients as well. Some of these helpful nutrients are as follows: Essential fatty acids, the amino acids, especially glutamine and l-methionine help in detoxifying the brain. Trace minerals such as magnesium, manganese, chromium and zinc are elements that may be depleted. Vitamin C with other antioxidants can be beneficial, and works synergistically with quercetin. Lecithin also helps improve brain and liver. Milk thistle, Valerian Root, and Siberian ginseng can also support liver function. Talk to your natural health practitioner for dosage recommendations. |
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| Ginseng |
| Are you purchasing those over the counter energy enhancement or libido enhancement products containing ginseng? Don't.[i] (Over-the counter versions may or may not contain any Ginseng.)[ii] In addition, although there is an extensive amount of literature dealing with the effects of ginseng on the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine system, metabolism, and immune system, a review in Sports Medicine in 2000, found that there is "generally a lack of controlled research demonstrating the ability of ginseng to improve or prolong performance in fatigued humans". |
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| If you are going to use natural energy enhancement products such as Ginseng, buy from a reputable vitamin company with standardized extracts, and include as a supplement to a healthy diet and lifestyle regimen, including exercise, plenty of water, and plenty of sleep as well.[iii] [iv] |
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| Suggested Dosage: 200 mg per day.[v] |
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| VIRAL TIREDNESS?! — EAT ESSENTIAL FATS!! |
| Eat your essential fats if you've been sick: a fatty acid preparation containing linoleic, gamma-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids was given as 8 x 500 mg capsules per day and improved the fatigue that often accompanies a viral illness. The study concludes that essential fatty acids provide a rational, safe and effective treatment for patients with the post-viral fatigue syndrome. |
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| Use of glutathione may also be important in viral infection as well. For example, in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome glutathione is important for immune cellular function, and depleted glutathione in the muscle needed for contraction, may also cause fatigue and muscle pain. Generally glutathione is given intravenously, but oral "dosage ranges from 50 to 600 milligrams daily. New oral absorption formats may increase the absorbability, but check the bottle for the proper way to take it." (Don't take if you're pregnant or nursing.) Some doctors use intravenous glutathione for whole body detox, and some in combine glutathione with the essential fats for better treatment. High intake of fruits and vegetables may decrease risk of certain cancers from glutathione deficiency. In addition, it is thought by some that regular supplementation with such nutrients as vitamin C, alpha-lipoic acid, glutamine, methionine, SAMe, Vitamin B6, riboflavin and Selenium can help the body produce its own glutathione naturally. Check with your natural healthcare provider for recommendations on dosage guidelines for each of these nutrients. |
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| REPRODUCING?! GET YOUR GREENS!! |
| Be sure you get enough folate during pregnancy!! Lack of this specific nutrient can cause megaloblastic anemia, a blood disorder where red blood cells enlarge, and can also lead to cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap smears), neural tube defects (the tissue in the baby that eventually becomes the spinal cord and the brain), and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). |
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| Dosage recommendations are as follows: Women who have a family history of neural tube defects or who have had a baby with a neural tube defect should take 5mg of folate daily and other women should take 0.5mg of folate daily. |
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| Folic acid is needed in every dividing cell (why it is used heavily in pregnancy) for processing of proteins. |
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| "Folic acid works along with vitamin B12 and vitamin C and are found in dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, escarole, chard, arugula, beet greens, bok choy, dandelion green, mache, radicchio, rapini or broccoli de rabe, Swiss chard), oranges, lentils, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, asparagus, orange juice, broccoli, cauliflower, liver and brewer's yeast. Good food sources of folic acid include asparagus, beets, broccoli, avocados, Brussels sprouts, beans, dried, chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, oranges, peas, fresh, turkey, cabbage, savoy, bok choy, and spinach. Beans, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beets, wheat germ, and meat are good sources of folic acid. Leafy greens such as spinach and turnip greens, dry beans and peas, fortified cereals and grain products, and some fruits and vegetables are rich food sources of folate." |
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| SCLERODERMA? A MORE NATURAL APPROACH |
| "Patients with scleroderma (PSS) are usually treated with antifibrotic, antiinflammatory and/or vasoactive drugs." Mild scleroderma is characterized by red scaly patches of skin and surface scarring, but more dangerous scleroderma can affect internal organs and blood vessels. Ask your doctor if this more natural treatment might be right for you: (100 I.U. salmon calcitonin/day for 10 days, two or three times a year). Calcitonin is formed in the thyroid in humans, and is involved in calcium metabolism in the body. The author of a 1993 German study states: "Our results strongly suggest that intravenous calcitonin treatment is of therapeutical benefit in the majority of patients suffering from PSS (progressive systemic sclerosis)." Calcium channel blockers can be used for some of the effects of Scleroderma, such as renal involvement and Raynaud's phenomena, which results in cold hands and feet. Calcium channel blockers in themselves can be dangerous (including increased risk of death and heart attack). Although the use of calcitonin can have side effects, they are rare. |
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| OBSESSIVE — GET SOME FAITH! |
| If you are suffering from OCD, your faith may make you well. Apply your religious convictions to your belief that you'll get better and you have a win-win combination. In one study, a woman who applied her religious faith to her desire to overcome her OCD, was able to stay completely well for five months (the length of the study). In addition the authors say a concurrent behavioral therapy approach can be used with the faith approach. In a more in depth study, the authors discuss the 'efficacy of a 7-week behavioral treatment program administered in a group format' which addresses the following issues: that individualized behavioral exposure and response prevention therapy is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ask your therapist if he would be willing to tailor a faith based behavioral approach to help you overcome your OCD. |
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| The daily use of inositol has also been shown to improve symptoms of depression and OCD. The depressed patients took 12 g daily of inositol, and the OCD patients took 18g daily of inositol. |
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| THISTLE WHILE YOU WORK |
| Occupational toxic hepatopathy (or liver toxicity) caused by various toxic substances mostly solvents, paints and glues. Was helped by silmarin, or milk thistle treatment in people who were exposed for short periods of time. |
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| Gary Null's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing states that, milk thistle is also "the best herbal support for hepatitis, and vitamins to support and replenish the liver during hepatitis... are C, B, E, Selenium, and Glutathione." Also, "Ozone therapy can sometimes reverse hepatitis in a matter of a few sessions." |
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| Dosage Recommendations by Dr. Daniel Cosgrove are as follows: "12 to 15 grams of dried herb (200 to 400 mg silymarin) per day or silymarin-phosphatidylcholine complex 100 to 200 mg two times per day. For liver protection, 120 mg silymarin (about 2 capsules) two times per day. For liver damage from alcohol, drugs, or chemicals, the recommended dosage of silymarin-phosphatidylcholine should be increased from two times per day to three times per day. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult." |
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| GULF WAR DISINFORMATION |
| In a 1997 study, Gulf War veterans who were initially thought to have PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder, were shown in reality to have symptoms of other illnesses which had gone undiagnosed. If you're one of our patriotic gulf war soldiers, don't believe the hype by the media that its all in your head. Squalene may be another culprit in the etiology, or list of causes for Gulf war illness, because nearly all soldiers, either deployed of undeployed, with symptoms of GWS, have antibodies to squalene. |
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| A study of 249 gulf War vets, of the 175 who attributed severe health consequences to the war, the study concludes that "Gulf War veterans represent ...syndromes that appear to reflect a spectrum of neurologic injury involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems." Another study says that soldiers have generalized nervous system injury. |
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| VITAMIN A, ANYONE? |
| COPD is chronic emphysema and bronchitis, commonly experienced by heavy smokers. For patients with COPD-or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Vitamin A supplementation improved lung function. The dose was 1000 RE/d. Chronic nutrition depletion is characteristic of people with COPD. Ray Sahelian states that the following nutrients and herbs could be considered: "Creatine may help with muscle strength and endurance. Ginseng in very low dosages [could help] and Omega- 3 fatty acids can be anti-inflammatory agents. Glutamine is an amino acid [that also could be helpful]". Ask your health care practitioner for advice on dosages. NAC, or n-acetyl cysteine is also cited by another website as a helpful nutrient. |
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| DEATH BY EXERCISE |
| We keep hearing about kids who die suddenly while in gym class. For the gym teachers out there, train your overweight and out of shape kids slowly, and teach them how to exercise for a lifetime by starting slowly and building up tolerance to exercise. Don't force a kid who is overweight and who eats junk food to run several laps. Teach him or her proper walking technique instead, and build up to running. |
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| Include lifestyle issues as well in class. For example, encourage healthy eating and help kids to substitute junk food with healthy fruits and vegetables instead. The same goes for overweight adults who are just starting out. Start slowly, and include a healthy diet along with your exercise, and build up gradually. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and take your antioxidants before and after the exercise. Worthy of note—there is another subcategory of sudden death among overexerted teenagers, and it includes those who are very well trained athletes who have no idea that they're unfit. Some are prone to a genetic heart condition called HCM, and they have to refrain from strenuous exercise (presence of HCM can be determined in some cases by medical screening). |
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| Symptoms in the case of HCM may include "Lightheadness, fainting (or nearly fainting), fatigue, chest pain/pressure, palpitations and shortness of breath or have survived a 'sudden cardiac death'". Other risk factors include: "If you have a family member who has died under the age of 50-55 suddenly of heart related issues. If you have been diagnosed with at heart murmur – some murmurs are of no significance but it is always a good idea to have them investigated. If you have been told you have IHSS or HCM or if you have a relative with HCM." |
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| Although the conclusions are mixed with regards to HCM and the use of CoQ10, one study suggested there were "no important adverse effects have been reported from experiments using daily supplements of up to 200 mg Q10 for 6-12 months and 100 mg daily for up to 6 y", meaning, supplementation with COQ10 could not hurt with regards to the illness, and in another, "All patients noted improvement in symptoms of fatigue and dyspnea with no side effects noted [with supplementation]." |
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| We should not just be concerned about over exertion if we are unfit, be we should be concerned about exercising too much as well. Women, for example may lose their monthly periods if they exercise too much, and although this may seem convenient, it can be very depleting to the body, and the hormonal disruption can increase secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair and increase arm and leg musculature. |
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| For men, the hormonal disruptions may not be as obvious, but relentless training can damage musculature and cause difficulty in the body's ability to repair damage, maintain delicate body pH, and sustain normal organ processes such as proper kidney function. Signs of over exertion may be dizziness, fatigue that does not go away after a day or two of rest, headache, nausea, dry mouth, dehydration. If you are training hard for a big event, such as a marathon, rest a day or two between long workouts to aid in the body's repair and replenishment. Be sure to maintain a healthy diet while you are training, which means a plant based diet, with plenty of fresh juices and antioxidant supplements and herbs. Please take your antioxidants before and after workouts. |
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| TRY AN EXOTIC RECIPE!! |
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| Thai Soba Peanut Noodles |
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- 1 cup diced yellow onions
- ½ cup sliced scallions
- ½ cup diced celery
- 7 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 cup stemmed and sliced shitake mushrooms
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
- 2 drops hot chili oil or Tabasco sauce and Gomaiso to taste
- ½ pound cooked Soba noodles
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Combine a tablespoon of the oil, garlic, peanut butter, maple syrup, lime juice, water, and hot chili oil in a blender and mix until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes and set aside. In a large sauce pan, heat the oil over medium heat then saut? the scallions and mushrooms for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Gomaiso and peanut sauce. Toss the Soba noodles with the sauce in a large bowl until all the noodles are covered. Chill for an hour and a half and serve cold.
Serves 2-4 |
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| ARTHRITIS |
| Arthritis in this country affects at least forty million people. Of that, the largest single group suffers osteoarthritis, which is an inflammatory condition that affects the joint at the spongy cushioning at the end of the bone, (or the cartilage). Cartilage starts to wear away, and friction of bone against bone causes pain and inflammation. Symptoms in the beginning include joint pain, and people associate it with exercising or carrying heavy things. Other signs may be difficulty in getting up, or noticing more when the weather is damp. Leg cramps after heavy exercise, after a long period of inactivity may also be a sign of osteoarthritis. |
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| Rheumatoid arthritis however, afflicts about half the number of those who suffer osteoarthritis, and affects the entire body, including the joints. It is characterized by swollen sinovium, which are the sacs that contain the cartilage, and provide lubrication to the entire joint. Other symptoms of this illness include fatigue, weakness, fever, and anemia. Symptoms worsen gradually, with vague feelings of ill health. Then specific symptoms appear, including stiffness, swelling, and redness. Joints can become stiff, particularly after inactivity, and may feel warm to the touch. Psoriatic arthritis is a subset of rheumatoid arthritis that affects the fingers and toes. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis attacks the large bone joints in children, and can also result in deformity. |
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| Other types of arthritis include gouty arthritis, where uric acid crystallizes in the joints, which causes pain, inflammation, fever, and chills. It can cause crippling and degeneration of the joint. Anklosing spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae, that results in back pain and stiffness. |
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| Arthritis, although it can have a genetic component is usually brought on by trauma to the joint, nutritional deficiency, allergies to dietary intake, allergies and toxicity from the environment, and inflammation from chronic infections. If you eat the same foods all the time, you may be allergic: Milk, beef, corn, and wheat can be highly allergenic. Animal products can be especially toxic from contaminated feed, hormones used to generate size in the animal, and antibiotics used to keep infections down in herd areas. Ask your doctor to perform the blood and skin allergy tests, and eliminate the source of the problem, whether it is dietary or environmental. You may also do a dietary elimination test where you eliminate one food for four to eight weeks, to see if it reduces symptomology. Also a or a food rotation diet where you do not eat any one food more than once in a four day period can be very helpful as we tend as a society to eat one food all the time. |
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| While there is a genetic predisposition involved in those who suffer from arthritis, the same toxins that cause arthritis in one person may cause problems in the lung, the stomach, or the skin of another person. |
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| Constant exposure to contamination in the environment can weaken the immune system. This condition is called autotoxemia, and is caused by poisons in our environment such as pesticides, preservatives, synthetic colors and flavors, chlorine and fluoride in our water. Electromagnetic radiation from our many devices, including cell phones, TVs, major appliances, power lines, and nearby power plants can also disrupt the immune system enough to cause inflammation. |
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| Chronic infections, such as in our teeth, vaginal cavity, or sores left untreated can influence the immune system enough to cause an arthritic reaction. Poor diet can contribute to infection—high intake of carbohydrates and fats feed infections and allow them to fester. Systemic infections of yeast, which is an unhealthy bacteria, can start in the digestive tract and become systemic throughout the entire body. Heavy metal poisoning can harm the immune system and prevent the body from healing properly. Heavy metal poisoning can happen from lead in the environment from old paints, cadmium, and mercury that comes out of dental amalgams. Chelation therapy and/or colonic irrigation can help the body rid itself of toxins. An exercise routine is important for restoring mobility, function, and muscle mass. However, people should not push themselves beyond their limits. Pain is a warning signal to slow down. Be aware of the comfort of your own body. |
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| Conventional medicine believes that arthritis is an incurable illness, and traditional therapies are geared toward alleviating symptoms only. |
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| Natural treatments attempt to treat the symptoms as well as the causes of the illness. A specific diet that combats arthritis, includes the following: |
| Complex coarbohydrates with high quantities of fruits and vegetables and a small amount of high quality proteins and fats. Remove ALL " Alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) products containing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, colas, Mountain Dew, Excedrin, etc.)" |
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| Here are some good foods that can be protective in this case: |
- Foods rich in folic acid, such as lentils, split peas, barley, alfalfa, soy, and oats.
- Garlic and onions — their high sulfur content stops inflammation
- Deep sea cold water fish, such as salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. These contain omega fatty acids that lubricate the joints.
- Olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds are good for their oils as well. Soy products, such as tofu, tempeh, and miso, can be helpful as they are high in the amino acid methionine.
- Foods that help break apart and eliminate uric acid are dandelion greens, parsley, and alfalfa.
- Drink up to a gallon of pure drinking water a day.
- Six to eight times a day, take fresh juices from red, yellow, and green fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to get high levels of phytochemicals.
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| Here are some helpful juices: |
- Pineapple juice, which contains bromelain, which can be helpful against arthritis
- Potato juice—Juice it raw, dilute with water, and take in the morning
- Combination juice—mix aloe vera from the bottle with organic red cabbage, cucumber, dandelion, celery, mint, apple, and carrot
- Green juice can be healing, but dilute 2/3 green to 1/3 carrot or beet
- Some good combinations can be made from celery, broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, kale, parsley, and spinach. Mix with ginger root, apple, or carrot.
- Star fruit juice—dilute by half with water and take 3 times a day
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| The following herbs are also helpful: |
- Alfalfa, which is rich in chlorophyll, helps to purify the blood, eliminate joint pain, and relive the body of uric acid buidup. Take 20 tablets in the first month then decrease to 6 to 10 a day.
- Burdock root- helps cleanse the blood of people with gout. However, "burdock root may irritate the skin." Of the dried root take 2-6 grams or by infusion 3 times per day.
- Prickly ash bark helps with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis by helping get rid of deposits in the joints.
- Yucca can also be helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis
- Aloe vera — mix with juice or pure water
- Boneset- which helps relieve aches and pains in the bones
The Indian spring Herbal Encyclopedia suggests the following dosages for boneset: "To treat colds, flu, and arthritis, and for minor inflammation, use an infusion or tincture.Infusion: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. The taste will be very bitter. Add sugar or honey and lemon, or mix it with an herbal beverage tea.
Tincture: Dry plant - (1:5). 20 to 40 drops in hot water."
- Boswellia, which helps reduce inflammation, and increases circulation
- Cayenne, which can be taken as a capsule, a tea, or a tincture—lineaments use capsaicin, the heat producing characteristic of cayenne, as one of their main ingredients—When used in food, sprinkle on after cooking to prevent irritation
- Cayenne Cream Dosage: Apply topical cream to affected joints several times a day. Standardized to contain 0.025%-0.075% capsaicin.
- Comfrey—promotes healing of the bones' fibrous coverings
From Natural-Medicinal-Herbs.com "Fresh, peeled root or dried root, approximately 3.5 ounces (100 grams), is simmered in 1 pint (500 ml) of water for ten to fifteen minutes to prepare comfrey for topical use. 4 Cloth or gauze is soaked in this liquid, then applied to the skin for at least 15 minutes. Fresh leaves can be ground up lightly and applied directly to the skin. Alternatively, creams or ointments made from root or leaf can be applied. All topical preparations should be applied several times per day. Due to variations in pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, root preparations are unsafe for internal use unless they are guaranteed pyrrolizidine-free. Although comfrey root tea has been used traditionally, the danger of its pyrrolizidine alkaloids is significant. Therefore, comfrey root and young leaf preparations should not be taken internally."
- Nettles can be made into a poultice to stop rheumatic pain.
P. Topham writes, "a fresh nettle tea or eating nettles will offer the same long term benefits. Gently steam the young tender leaves, and enjoy as a vegetable.They do lose the stinging effect when cooked!"
- White willow bark—reduces inflammation
Susan Eagles writes, "You should be able to purchase white willow bark at a health food store, often in combination with other anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving herbs. The dried bark is available at Richters. To make a tea from the dried bark, simmer gently 1/2 teaspoon of dried bark to each cup of water, for 1 minute, then let the mixture steep for 15 minutes. The dose is 1/2 to 1 cup, three times daily."
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| SUPPLEMENTS |
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- Antioxidants A, C, and E are good for inflammation and free radical damage:
Dosages for C may range from 2,000 to 20,000 mg per day and can be taken in divided amounts throughout the day (according to bowel tolerance)
Orally, 400IU of E and 25,000IU of A (or beta carotene) may be taken to ease arthritis. In severe cases, however, megadoses may be taken intravenously (See your doctor for dosages).
- Chondroitin sulfate is important in holding together cartilage
- Cod Liver Oil can be helpful
- GLA, or gamma linoleic acid, can be found in evening primrose, borage, and black currant oils.
240 mg is the needed dose of GLA.
- Glucosamine, in the form of Glucosanmine sulfate, or glucosamine hydrochloride are very helpful. Dosages are 1500-2000 mg per day in divided doses.
- Grape seed extract supports endothelial and circulatory function
- Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon or flax seed oil. The vegetarian souces should not be cooked.
- Minerals needed:
Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium zinc, selenium, boron, potassium, copper, and manganese.
- A whole foods diet in combination with a good multivitamin containing these nutrients can be helpful.
- SOD, or super oxide dismutase can be taken on an empty stomach with water (dosage as directed), a half hour before meals. (SOD works synergistically with many of the other antioxidants)
- Niacinimide: 150-200mg taken before a meal, three times daily.
- B5, or Pantothenic Acid — one tablet (500 milligrams) daily for two days, then one twice a day for three days, then one three times a day for four days and, finally, one four times a day thereafter.
- B complex, containing:
B6 150 mg,
B2 50 mg
B1 15-50 50 mg
- Dietary enzymes: High-potency bromelain preparations contain at least 2,000 MCUs (or 1,333 GDUs) per gram. Some health authorities recommend taking 3,000 MCUs of bromelain 3 times daily. Papain, Amla, and Rutin can also be helpful for many conditions. Follow dosaging guidelines.
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| REFERENCES |
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| [i] Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders — Ginseng |
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| [ii] Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders — Ginseng |
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| [iii] Bahrke MS, Morgan WR. "Human Kinetics" Sports Med 2000 Feb;29(2):113-33 |
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| [iv] Scott H. Young — 10 Ways to Improve Your Energy |
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| [v] Gary Null dosage recommendation 2006 |
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| Disclaimer |
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