Hi Everyone, Here is GHC's Quote of the Month:
"You!
are responsible for all situations in your life. Look for the good or
the lesson in any situation, good or bad. This is how we grow. If you blame
someone else for your problems you are only covering up your own insecurities.
Be well, Be happy, love and work on yourself. Life requires constant
work
and never-ending improvement."
--Dr. Edward F. Group, III, DC, PhD, ND,
DABCN
|
|
Table
of Contents for July 2004:
1.
Editorial: As August Nears
2.
Featured Products - 15% Off Aquaspirit, Super Phos, Intramax
3. Low-Calorie Diet Slows Aging
4. Study Links Vaccine Ingredient to Autism in Mice
5. Review of Treatments for Constipation
6. Fibromyalgia in Children
7. A Natural Approach To Managing Acne
| Editorial: As August Nears |
Hi
Everyone!
As August
nears and the heat of summer continues we welcome you
to
the July issue of the Alternative Health & Healing newsletter. In this issue,
we discuss diet and aging, vaccinations and autism, the treatment options for
constipation,
fibromyalgia
in
children,
and treating acne naturally.
We
hope you enjoy this edition of Alternative Health & Healing.
Wherever the rest of the summer may lead you, be safe, be healthy and do
something fun!
Take Care and Be Well,
Global Healing Center, Inc.
2040 N. Loop West Ste
108
Houston, Texas 77018
Natural Medicine for the New
Millennium
713.476.0016
http://www.ghchealth.com
http://www.oxypowder.com
| Featured Products for July |
| Low-Calorie Diet Slows Aging |
Low-Calorie Diet Slows Aging
by
Susan Okie
Putting elderly mice on a very low-calorie diet for as little as four weeks
reversed many of the changes in the activity of various genes that had occurred
during normal aging, according to a new study.
The research, which used a new technology to pinpoint which genes are active
in mice at different ages, may help scientists to understand how calorie restriction
extends animals' lifespan and, eventually, to develop longevity therapies for
humans.
"My work shows that calorie restriction not only prevents [age-related]
changes" in gene activity, "but very quickly reverses the majority
of the changes that take place with age," said Stephen R. Spindler, a
professor of biochemistry at the University of California at Riverside and
an author of the study.
Huber
Warner, associate director of the biology of aging program at the National
Institute on Aging, said the results were
interesting but needed to be confirmed.
Until recently, he said, scientists have been able to examine aging's effects
on relatively few genes, but the new technology allows a "vast number
of genes [to] be looked at" simultaneously.
Severe calorie
restriction is the only treatment that consistently has been
shown to extend mammals' lifespan, although its effectiveness in people is
unproven.
In animals, it lowers the incidence of cancer and delays the onset of other
age-related diseases.
Although scientists have theorized that low-calorie diets may reduce age-related
cell damage and decrease levels of cancer-promoting growth factors, they have
only recently been able to examine how such diets affect the function of many
of the approximately 30,000 genes present in a mouse or a person.
Spindler and colleagues used a method called microarray technology to analyze
which of 11,000 different genes were expressed -- or used to provide instructions
for making proteins -- in the livers of young and old mice.
They also tested the effect of calorie restriction on gene expression. Some
mice were fed a low-calorie diet -- providing just enough food to prevent starvation
-- from the time they were weaned, and others were switched from a normal to
a low-calorie diet for four weeks starting when they were 34 months old.
In microarray technology, chemical probes for identifying the instructions
from various genes are laid out in a checkerboard array on a silicone chip.
Scientists isolate messenger RNA -- the chemical that carries instructions
from genes -- from the cells they wish to study and apply it to the chip.
When a gene is being expressed, the instructions from that gene bind to the
corresponding probe and make it light up. The light signal is analyzed by a
computer.
The scientists found 20 genes whose expression increased with age.
Several were associated with inflammation, a process that in the liver can
contribute to the development of cirrhosis or cancer. Others were genes involved
in protecting and repairing cells and in preventing cell suicide. In 14 of
the 20 genes, long-term calorie restriction completely or partially prevented
the age-related changes.
The expression of 26 other genes decreased with age. Some of those were normally
responsible for putting the brakes on cell growth and division, and an age-related
reduction in their activity could explain why mice of the strain studied often
die of cancer. Some other affected genes were responsible for detoxifying foreign
substances such as drugs.
Long-term calorie restriction partially reversed the age-related changes in
13 of the 26 affected genes.
Switching mice to the low-calorie diet at 34 weeks of age reproduced about
70 percent of the effect of keeping animals on a low-calorie diet lifelong,
Spindler said. That suggests that if there are health benefits of calorie restriction
in humans, some of those benefits could be obtained by reducing calories even
in old age.
Spindler said he hopes to develop the technique for studying gene activity
and use it to screen other potential anti-aging treatments. He said he is chief
scientific officer and a stockholder of a company, LifeSpan Genetics, which
holds a patent on the testing method. However, he added, funding for the study
came from a nonprofit foundation.
Spindler
emphasized that it is likely to take years for
researchers to determine what the various age-related changes in
gene expression mean and which genes
might be targets for therapies to retard aging. "It's hard to infer what
the long-term consequences of any of those changes will be," he said. "But
we're going to find out."
Washington Post September 4, 2001; Page A10
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 11, 2001 98:10630-10635
| Study Links Vaccine Ingredient to Autism in Mice |
Study Links Vaccine Ingredient to Autism in Mice
Wed Jun 9, 6:24 PM ET
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A study of specially bred mice suggests that a mercury
preservative in vaccines could potentially cause some of the brain changes
in autism, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.
The publication of the study gives fuel to an alliance of environmentalists,
parents of children with autism, anti-vaccine advocates and politicians who
say they will continue to fight to prove that vaccines can cause autism in
susceptible children.
But experts who issued a report last month saying there was no link between
vaccines and autism said they had already seen the study and rejected it.
Dr. Mady Hornig of Columbia University in New York said her study shows the
possibility that a genetic predisposition could leave certain children vulnerable
to a range of toxins in vaccines, including a mercury-based preservative called
thimerosal.
Writing in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, Hornig said specially bred mice
that have deficient immune systems did show changes in behavior after getting
the equivalent of the childhood vaccinations given to U.S. babies and toddlers.
"I think that these findings suggest that it is very plausible that there
could be a genetic factor that creates risk for some individuals with autism," Hornig
said in a telephone interview.
INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE REPORT
Hornig presented her findings in February to an Institute of Medicine (news
- web sites) committee examining the potential link between vaccines and autism.
The institute is an independent body that advises the federal government on
health matters.
The committee issued a report last month saying there was no evidence that
vaccines or thimerosal could cause autism and advised that research funds looking
for the cause of autism would be better spent elsewhere.
Hornig said her research could at the very least be used to reassure parents
worried about the safety of vaccines.
Her study was done using a combination of private and federal funds, including
money from SafeMinds, a group pursuing the link between all types of mercury
and brain disease.
But Dr. Marie McCormick of Harvard University's School of Public Health, who
chaired the panel, said Hornig's research stretched credibility. For instance,
it is not clear that children with autism have impaired immune systems.
And using specially bred mice takes research a long way away from real-life
situations in people.
"Even though she says these behaviors are like autism, it is not clear
that these behaviors are analogous to autism," McCormick said.
| Review
of the Treatments for Constipation |
Review of the Treatments for Constipation
By Dr. Edward F. Group, III
If you’re suffering from constipation, you are no
doubt looking for some answers to bring relief. Treatments for constipation
vary with the type of constipation from which you’re suffering. Most
people do not know that they should have 1 bowel movement for each meal they
eat. At a minimum people should have two bowel movements daily. If you experience constipation for more than 1 week, you should consult your
healthcare provider to determine the cause of your problem. Most people are
suffering as a result of lifestyle changes and choices. For some people, though,
constipation can signal a more serious problem such as a bowel obstruction
or even colon cancer. If your bowel movements smell foul it is your body giving
you a warning signal! Listen to your body.
If you’re diagnosed with a bowel obstruction, you and your physician
will have to make a decision about appropriate treatment. If you’re suffering
from constipation as a result of lifestyle, there are several treatment options
for you.
Changing your diet. People who have chronic constipation will almost certainly
need a change in diet. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet can help
relieve chronic problems with constipation. Eating raw fruits and vegetables,
brown wild rice, flaxseeds, bran and whole grain cereals will provide a good
source of fiber.
Adding exercise. It’s also important to increase the amount of activity
you’re getting. Starting an exercise program can help regulate your bowels.
Exercise can be as simple as taking a brisk 20 minute walk every morning of
evening.
Keeping your body hydrated. People who suffer from constipation are often
dehydrated. Make sure to drink 6-8 glasses of purified water each day. Avoid
tap water! Tap water can contain harmful chemicals, viruses and bacteria. I
recommend adding raw organic apple cider vinegar to the water you drink. Organic
apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a remedy for all sorts of
health problems.
Check your medications.
Many medications are the cause of constipation. Check with your healthcare
provider to make
sure that you’re not making your
problem worse with prescriptions. Be aware that there are natural alternatives
available if you know where to find them. A good source of information and
high tech natural alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery can be found
at www.globalhealingcenter.com
Be wary of laxatives. Try to avoid over-the-counter laxatives. They are often
very harsh on the large intestine and overuse can actually cause more problems
with constipation. Laxatives can cause serious health problems such as diarrhea,
bloating, dehydration and damage to the intestinal lining.
Herbal remedies. Many herbal
supplements are designed to aid in constipation. If you decide to try an
herbal remedy,
make sure that you talk with your physician
first. Some herbal remedies interfere with prescription medications you may
be taking. We suggest the following: Pure aloe vera, ginger, senna, yerba mate.
The best is a concentrated green formula such as “Perfect Food OM” manufactured
by Garden of Life.
Improve your bowel habits. Try to go the bathroom at the same time every day,
after meals and as soon as you feel the urge. Give yourself enough time to
go to the bathroom. Never, Never hold in a bowel movement.
Cleanse the colon weekly.
It may be a good idea to begin a colon-cleansing program every week that
will help
remove impacted feces from the large intestine.
It’s best to participate in a program, such as using oxygen colon cleansers
such as “Oxy-Powder”, that is non-invasive and will not remove
the good bacteria in the large intestine. Oxy-Powder will also deliver oxygen
into your system. This is the secret used by the stars in Hollywood.
It’s always best to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before
beginning any treatment option. Everyone’s body is a little different.
You’ll want to make sure that your treatment choice is safe and will
be effective for your body.
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Excerpted
from Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach by Miryam Williamson
Copyright 1996. Permission is granted to download, print, copy, and distribute,
but not to sell. Support group leaders: I don't consider accepting donations
to cover copying costs to be the same as selling.
Until recently,
fibromyalgia was considered an adult disorder; children were thought not
to get it. Then, in a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 1993,
a team of doctors in Israel reported that 6.2 percent of 338 healthy schoolchildren
between the ages of nine and 15 met the criteria for the fibromyalgia syndrome.
At nearly the same time, a rheumatologist in the US asserted that 45% of
the children referred to him had FM. Of these 15 children, nine had been
diagnosed incorrectly with juvenile chronic arthritis, three had been told
they had growing pains, and two had been given a psychiatric diagnosis. Since
then, doctors have been paying more attention to children's complaints of
pain and are diagnosing FM with increasing frequency. [...]
Children's
complaints of pain must be taken seriously, lest they grow up with untreated
FM. Growing pains are a particularly pernicious myth. It should not hurt
to grow, and the child whose pain is brushed off that way is a very unfortunate
little person. FM is often a family affair [...]That is not to say that your
children are sure to have FM if you do, but I hope it will motivate you to
be extra vigilant. Children need us to take their complaints of pain seriously.
Fibromyalgia can make a child's life miserable at school and on the playground.
The child with FM needs a great deal of special help and understanding.
Many adults
think of childhood as a carefree time, full of fun and excitement. Some find
it hard to comprehend the depth to which children can feel pain, both emotional
and physical. Small children want nothing so much as to please the adults
around them, and to gain their respect and affection. If parents place a
high value on stoicism, then their child will believe that the way to gain
approval is to grin and bear it, and is likely to miss badly needed medical
attention.
Detecting
FM in Children
FM in children
often starts with a flu-like illness from which the child seems never to
have fully recovered. Sometimes, particularly in children before puberty,
the ailment simply comes on gradually, without any obvious precipitating
event. Very young children may not remember a time without pain, and thus
may not complain at all. [...]
You should
suspect fibromyalgia in a child who sleeps restlessly, kicks or twitches
during sleep, and has a difficult time getting out of bed in the morning.
[...] Insomnia coupled with pains or aches is a trouble signal and should
not be ignored, particularly if one of the child's parents has FM.. Sometimes
an alert teacher is the first to notice a problem. [...]Children with fibromyalgia
often have trouble in school. A considerable amount of schoolwork requires
memorization. The cognitive difficulties that often accompany FM may make
this difficult, if not impossible.
FM for
me as a child consisted of intermittent severe diarrhea, difficulty controlling
my bladder, shooting pains in my legs, deep aches in my calf muscles that
felt as though my marrow was burning, frequent severe headaches, lack of
stamina, and insomnia. Some of my earliest school memories are of teachers
joining in with my classmates to taunt me because I wasn't always sure where
my feet were. Needless to say, I was never the first chosen for any team
game. [...]
Children
who squirm and fidget in class may be trying to keep themselves from falling
asleep. They may also find it painful to sit in one place for long periods
of time. Some symptoms of FM may manifest themselves in the classroom as
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Not all children with ADD are hyperactive,
as was once thought. There is a form known as "quiet-ADD." Some
pediatricians say this may be an early symptom of fibromyalgia in some children.
A sharp pediatrician can tell the difference between ADD and FM by performing
a tender point examination.
[...]Another
characteristic of children with fibromyalgia is that many of them have hypermobile
joints — that is, they are "double-jointed." [...] Being
double-jointed is not a sure sign of FM, but it should make a parent suspicious.
All parents,
particularly those with FM, should see to it that their children are examined
for fibromyalgia as soon as they are old enough to say if they feel pain
during a tender point examination. Early intervention is important; proper
treatment may save the child from a lifetime of suffering.
Tips
for dealing with FM in children
Some doctors
put children with FM on a very small dose of a tricyclic agent or muscle
relaxant. Others prescribe Benadryl at bedtime for sleep. A child who learns
good nutritional habits early in life, grows accustomed to going to bed at
the same time every night, and is encouraged to take part in a suitable exercise
program will be well equipped to avoid FM flareups throughout life.
If your
child is diagnosed with FM, you will need to do some explaining. What you
say and how you say it will have a profound effect on the child's reaction.
Children are particularly vulnerable to thinking that anything that goes
wrong is their fault. You must stress that FM is nobody's fault and that
nothing anyone could have done would have prevented it. How much you explain
about fibromyalgia will depend, of course, on the child's age and intellectual
development. Above all, the child must understand that FM can be controlled.
[...]
Raising
a child who has fibromyalgia is a real challenge. You will need to remember
that some days are worse than others, and allow the child to set the pace.
Household chores should be adjusted to fit the situation, and flexibility
should be the overriding principle. Teachers and school administrators should
be informed about your child's FM. They must understand that the child can
feel well one day and terribly the next, and that people with fibromyalgia
almost always look better than they feel.
Any condition
that interferes with a child's learning ability entitles the child to a special
needs assessment and education plan, according to US Public Law 94-142, which
provides for the education of children with special needs. If your child
is having trouble with schoolwork, you may have to be persistent in getting
the school to agree to this assessment, but it is your right and you will
eventually prevail if you keep at it. Among the accommodations that have
been granted to children with FM are two sets of school books so that the
child need not carry books to and from school; a tape recorder to eliminate
the need to take notes; and a flexible class schedule that allows the child
to take her most difficult classes at the time of day when she is feeling
her best.
If your
child's classmates are making his or her life miserable with teasing, a word
with the teacher is in order. Children generally take their behavior cues
from their teachers. If the teacher makes an offhand remark about the FM
child's clumsiness, or chides the child for being lazy when fatigue strikes,
the teacher's attitude will surely lead to teasing by the other children.
It is up to you to cultivate the kind of relationship in which your child
can confide in you about such problems. An appointment with the school's
guidance counselor can often set things right. Proper treatment can make
a world of difference. [...]
There
is evidence that fibromyalgia in children may not be a lifetime sentence.
One
study found that 30 months after diagnosis, 11 of 15 children with FM (73%)
were no longer fibromyalgic. "We suggest that the outcome of FM in children
is more favorable than in adults," the doctors who conducted the study
wrote. Guaifenesen has been found to bring some children to a pain-free state,
according to their parents. Early intervention seems to be the key in children
with fibromyalgia.
Copyright ©1997,
Miryam Ehrlich Williamson - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Be sure to visit our Fibromyalgia
Resource Center for
more informative articles.
| A Natural Approach To Managing Acne |
A
Natural Approach To Managing Acne
by
Dr. Rita Louise - article
syndicated from GoArticles
Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one
time or another in his or her lives. It is primarily
a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the
skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face,
the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become
clogged with the oily substance they create, the
accumulation results in pimples. There are several
forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris,
found primarily in adolescents.
The
exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that
contribute to this condition include
heredity,
oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies,
stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies,
liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants,
cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle.
In
addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion
of the body’s toxic waste by sweating. If
the body contains more toxins than the kidneys
or liver
can effectively discharge, the skin takes over.
In fact, some doctors call the skin the 3rd kidney.
As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt
the health and integrity of the skin, creating
issues.
Recommendations
for Wellness
Note:
Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks
before any results or improvements are experienced.
Apply
distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong)
to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit
for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
Lemon
or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate,
removing dead skin cells that may clog the pours.
As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon
(or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to
dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon
juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable.
Increase
water consumption. Water helps flush toxin out and
help transport nutrients in the body.
Eat
a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition.
Take
a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement
to make up for nutrients missing in today’s
foods.
Echinacea
or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system
and fight acne-causing bacteria.
Dandelion,
Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver
clear of toxic overload.
Herbal
combinations such as Natures Sunshine's Ayurvedic
Skin Detox and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and
detoxify the liver and reduce acne.
Historically,
large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully
used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however,
can be toxic and should be used when working with
your health care provider.
Consider
adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in
the healing of tissues and assists in preventing
scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting
infection and inflammation.
To
clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic Acne remedy.
It can help to dry up pimples & prevent future
outbreaks.
About the Author
Do you suffer from a chronic medical condition that defies diagnosis? Do
you feel “stuck” or dissatisfied with life? Whether it is a physical
problem, an emotional issue, a problem at work or a problem in a relationship,
medical intuitive, Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. can help you bring health, healing
and wholeness back into your life. You can find Dr. Louise at:
http://www.soulhealer.com.
Editor: Dr. Edward F. Group, III, DC, PhD, ND,
DABCN
Published monthly by:
Global Healing Center, Inc.
2040
North Loop West Suite 108
Houston TX
77018
713.476.0016
www.ghchealth.com
www.oxypowder.com
Questions or Comments? staff@ghchealth.com
Check out our
websites for more advice and information on improving your health at www.ghchealth.com, www.oxypowder.com, or www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com.
Required disclaimer: Any
statements in this newsletter have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or
prevent any disease.
“To the
ego, the present moment hardly exists. Only past and future are considered
important. The present moment holds the key to liberation. But you cannot
find the present moment as long as you are your mind. Thought cannot exist
without consciousness, but consciousness does not need thought.”
--Dr. Edward F. Group, III
|
