Glutamine: The ultimate healing supplement

The healing powers of glutamine are vast and understated. This completely safe and natural amino acid supplement has been studied for the past 15 years for its unique and compelling healing properties. It is now clear to researchers that glutamine is key in healing the body from certain diseases and ailments.

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood stream, and while the body is able to produce the amino acid, it becomes unable to produce sufficient amounts of it during times of stress. This makes it a conditionally essential amino acid. Conditionally essential amino acids must be obtained from dietary sources or supplements when the body is unable to produce enough of them. Times of stress include anytime the body has undergone trauma or contracted illness or disease that it must heal from.

Healing stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal diseases

It is estimated that 6 percent of people carry the ulcer causing bacteria their stomach, H. pylori. The antibiotics typically used to treat H. pylori can cause side effects and create a resistance in the bacteria. Research now shows that glutamine supplementation can safely and effectively protect against and repair the damage caused by H. pylori. Glutamine is the single most prescribed ulcer medication in Asia.

Glutamine plays an important role in strengthening the lining if the gut. With the many chemicals the human stomach is exposed to these days, there is a good chance your gut may require some maintenance and repair. Gut health is necessary and essential for overall health and well being.

Even serious gastrointestinal and digestive diseases such as Crohn's, IBS and Colitis can see substantial improvement with glutamine supplementation. Glutamine supplies fuel for fast multiplying cells, such as those in the gastrointestinal systems. Many of the drugs used to treat these diseases only mask the symptoms, while causing serious side effects. On the other hand, there are studies in which patients of these diseases have seen nearly complete recovery with glutamine supplementation alone.

Glutamine is also useful for treating diarrhea, as it decreases loss of electrolytes and water from the small intestines. Glutamine's role in the health and healing of the gut and intestines is unparalleled.

Glutamine for post surgery, wounds, burns and illness

Hospital acquired infections greatly increase the mortality rates of post surgery patients and are responsible for up to $33 billion in preventable health care costs. A 2010 meta-analysis of 14 studies (published in "Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition") where intravenous glutamine was administered in critically ill surgical patients, showed that glutamine significantly reduced hospital duration of stay and infectious complications compared to control groups.

Glutamine is known for its ability to enhance immune function and to decrease healing time in burn patients. Glutamine is the major amino acid lost during any tissue injury, implying that it has a significant role in the healing and recovery process.

Glutamine for muscle recovery

Athletes who are interested in preserving muscle tissue and decreasing recovery time from training sessions can benefit from glutamine. Two thirds of the glutamine stores in the body reside within the muscle tissue. During times of stress and intense physical exertion the body releases high levels of the muscle wasting hormone cortisol, which can decrease glutamine stores. Supplementing glutamine can help keep the body in an anabolic state, making it easier to build and maintain muscle mass.

Supplementing glutamine

It is necessary to supplement glutamine if you are interested in its healing and anabolic benefits. The wound healing properties of glutamine are only present in amounts 2 to 7 times greater than required in healthy persons.

Daily dosage recommendations

Ulcers - 2 grams
Anabolic purposes - 5-15 grams
Gastrointestinal diseases - 5-20 grams

Glutamine, which can be purchased online and at health-food stores, is far less expensive and much safer than most medications that it can be used as a substitute for.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.naturalnews.com/033532_l-glutamine_gut_health.html
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/glutamine-000307.htm
http://www.lef.org/protocols/health_concerns/trauma_02.htm
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/131/9/2543S.full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11151079
http://americannutrition.wordpress.com

About the author:
John Mckiernan is a health and fitness writer. He is the owner of http://Supplementhelper.com/ where he writes about supplements, health, fitness and more.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035956_glutamine_supplements_healing.html#ixzz1vmDh6b3L

Astragalus, the unsung cancer fighter

Astragalus is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been around for over 4,000 years. Astragalus is an adaptogenic, nontoxic herb and plant extract that helps the body resist the damaging effects of stress while restoring normal physiological function. Astragalus aids adrenal function, digestion, metabolism, combats fatigue and increases stamina. Astragalus is very effective in helping people with AIDS and has even proven to have an anti-tumor effect and can increase the efficacy of chemotherapy.

A native plant of China, astragalus is officially known as astragalus membranaceus: AKA Milk Vetch Root and Huang Qi. Astragalus is a perennial plant that grows up to 4 feet tall. The root of the plant has a sweet taste and contains choline, flavonoids, amino acids-gamma aminobutyric acid, canavanine, beta-sitosterol, saponins (astragalosides) and oil. The primary actions of astragalus are adaptogenic and immunomodulating. The secondary actions are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, cardiotonic, diuretic and hepatoprotective.

Medicinal Use

Astragalus is an herb that has actions in nearly all of the body systems. It is used to treat chronic colds, Epstein Barr Virus, HIV and candida by preventing infection recurrence. Astragalus stimulates bone marrow blood cells while enhancing deep immune strength. Studies show that the polysaccharides in astragalus increase phagocytosis (the engulfing of microorganism invaders by the immune system), increase production of immunoglobulins and macrophages and modulate the pituitary-adrenal cortical activity. Astragalus protects the kidneys and lungs from damage from autoantibody complexes, regulates sweating, decreases fatigue and increases tolerance to stress.

Astragalus protects against oxidative damage by increasing mitochondrial function without increasing the mitochondrial oxygen consumption. In the liver, astragalus is a mild choleretic and also increases repairs in chronic viral hepatitis while reducing inflammation and other symptoms. Astragalus also lengthens telomeres for longevity (TA 65 is a very pricey extract made from Astragalus that is touted to reduce all the effects of aging and mimics pretty much all the benefits of the inexpensive herb form of astragalus). Astragalus even increases motility of human sperm.

Astragalus is considered to be a cardiac tonic. In the cardiovascular system, the saponins in astragalus inhibit lipid peroxidation in the myocardium and one study using patients with angina revealed that cardiac output increased after two weeks of treatment. Astragalus strengthens left ventricular function and reduces free radical damage in patients after a heart attack and increases super oxide dismutase activity in cardiac muscle.

Astragalus: the unsung cancer fighter

Studies at the University of Houston have shown that astragalus can improve immune function in cancer patients by increasing T-cell counts. Astragalus increases the ability of NK cells and T-cells to kill cancer cells while switching on the anti-tumor activity of Interleukin-2. In chemotherapy treatments astragalus provides anti-neoplastic activity and decreases immunosupression. Astragalus reduces the consequences with both chemo and radiation of fatigue, weight loss, anemia, nausea and loss of strength while increasing WBC production for leucopenia (a common side effect of immunosuppressive therapy), thereby decreasing life-threatening infections.

Even though this incredible herb is listed on the Botanical Herbs Board Exams and in the Compendium of Pharmacological Actions of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents, naming the benefits of astragalus can bring a warning letter from both the FDA and FTC, as Dr. Andrew Weil found out when he listed the benefits of taking astragalus to prevent the swine flu. So don't expect to see any of this information on a vitamin or herb label. Despite what modern medicine and the FDA says, healing did occur long before pharmaceuticals were invented. True health comes by good foods, minerals, herbs, fasting and cleansing. Astragalus is a good guy for natural health!

Sources:

Compendium of Pharmacological Actions of Medicinal Plants and Their Constituents, Compiled and copyrighted by Eric Yarnell, ND Actions of Medicinal Plants 2007 Eric Yarnell, ND

Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, Chen JP, Liang XM. "In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms." J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98(3):295-300.

Nutrition 740 notes Spring 2006, Dr. Mona Morstein, SCNM

http://www.cancertutor.com/WarBetween/War_Cure_Rates.html http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/pdfs/121581-151.pdf

About the author:
Craig Stellpflug is a Cancer Nutrition Specialist, Lifestyle Coach and Neuro Development Consultant at Healing Pathways Medical Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. With 17 years of clinical experience working with both brain disorders and cancer, Craig has seen first-hand the devastating effects of vaccines and pharmaceuticals on the human body and has come to the conclusion that a natural lifestyle and natural remedies are the true answers to health and vibrant living. You can find his daily health blog at www.blog.realhealthtalk.com and his articles and radio show archives at www.realhealthtalk.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035924_astragalus_cancer_prevention.html#ixzz1vUNySH9q

Try these natural foods and herbs for treating upset stomach, ulcers

If you are one of the millions of people that suffers from a stomach ulcer, or even if you just occasionally get an upset stomach after eating, there is hope beyond simply taking antacids or other pharmaceutical drugs, all of which merely address the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause. Instead, you may want to try incorporating one or more of these all-natural, stomach-healing foods and herbs into your everyday diet for lasting, curative relief.

Raw cabbage juice

A study dating back to 1949 found that ulcer patients who supplement with raw cabbage juice can heal -- yes, heal -- from their condition within as little as ten days (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1643665/). And numerous studies conducted after that, including a double-blind study out of California involving prisoners with duodenal ulcers (http://www.naturalnews.com/027454_cabbage_ulcers.html), have confirmed these findings.

Raw cabbage juice contains a little-known compound called S-Methylmethionine, which is also sometimes referred to as "vitamin U," that is particularly potent at healing gastrointestinal ulcerations. Instead of just treating ulcerative symptoms, vitamin U, as well as the many other probiotic and healing enzymes found in cabbage, help to literally repair damaged stomach lining, and restore proper digestive function.

Aloe vera

Though commonly used to help heal sunburns and other skin issues, aloe vera is a potent digestive aid that can also help heal gastrointestinal dysfunction of various types when consumed. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), for instance, a condition that leads to poor absorption of minerals and nutrients from food, can derive much benefit from supplementing with aloe vera juice, gel, or dried flakes.

The synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, lignans, amino acids, anthraquinones, saponins, fatty acids, and other amazing nutrients found in aloe vera have been shown to effectively heal damaged intestinal tissue. Drinking just a few spoonfuls of whole-leaf aloe vera juice or concentrate before or with meals, for instance, can help spur the release of pepsin, a stomach enzyme responsible for digesting food (http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-aloe-vera.html).

Bitter herbs

Consuming "bitter" herbs just before a meal can help promote digestive secretions which, of course, aid in proper digestion. According to The Herb Companion, herbs like gentian (Gentiana lutea), barberry root (Berberis vulgaris), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) are all useful in helping to reduce gas, bloating, and other digestive discomfort associated with indigestion (http://www.herbcompanion.com).

To go along with this, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), dill (Anethum graveolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), caraway (Carum carvi), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) all help warm up the digestive tract, which facilitates the easy digestion and passage of food through the digestive tract.

Be sure to read The Herb Companion's fascinating and comprehensive explanation of digestive herbs and how they work here:
http://www.herbcompanion.com

Prickly pear, also known as nopal cactus

A 2011 study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that extracts from the nopal cactus flower, also known as the prickly pear or the cactus pear, contain compounds that protect against stomach ulcers (http://www.peoplespharmacy.com). Drinking nopal cactus juice or eating nopal cactus gel can also heal existing ulcers, as the mucilage compound found in the fruit soothes the stomach lining and fights stomach inflammation (http://drinknopal.wordpress.com).

Since it is high in fiber, prickly pear fruit also absorbs toxins from the gut, and aids in the elimination of waste from the colon. You can purchase nopal cactus fruit as a liquid juice or in capsule form, or you can juice it yourself (http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=6952BD89F1F8EC25756D84DBF43BDFA3).

Sources for this article include:

http://www.raysahelian.com/ulcer.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035911_upset_stomach_ulcer_food_remedies.html#ixzz1vTaaKKLs

Banking giant HSBC 'a criminal enterprise'

The global banking giant HSBC is a “criminal” operation, charges a former officer for the company’s southern New York region in a video interview with WND.
John Cruz, a former vice president and relationship manager, has turned over to WND more than 1,000 pages of documents, including customer account ledgers for dozens of companies through which, he charges, the financial institution was laundering money each month.

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Cruz told WND that as a relationship manager, it was his responsibility to look up various accounts in the HSBC computer system and visit the account holders in person to offer additional banking products and services.
“I pulled these documents because I thought they were evidence of suspicious activity taking place,” Cruz affirmed when presented by WND with various HSBC computer ledgers of customer accounts. “These same documents I brought to bank security and my managers in the bank.”
To his surprise, HSBC management and security did not welcome his reports of suspicious activity.
“My managers told me I was crazy and I didn’t know what I was talking about,” he said. “They told me it was none of my business what goes on in transactions. But that’s my job.”
WND showed Cruz the HSBC account ledger for a business named United Express, as seen redacted in Exhibit 1 below:

Exhibit A: United Express account ledger

“It was supposed to be a shipping company that does over $2 million a year in transactions,” Cruz said, recognizing the HSBC computer-generated account ledger. “But the ledger shows millions and millions of dollars in transaction, but the transactions are all through PayPal and American Express.”
Cruz also described his visit to see the company in person.
“There were two employees on site that didn’t speak English,” he recalled. “The only evidence of any packaging being done was a couple of small boxes in the corner.”
Suspicious activity
WND presented Cruz Exhibit B, showing a redacted HSBC account ledger for a company with over $1.34 million in deposits and $1.23 million in withdrawals in a one-month period from July 21, 2009, to Aug. 20, 2009.

Exhibit B: HSBC account ledger, monthly transaction summary

“The account does not say where the money comes from or where it is going to,” Cruz noted. “It’s just a transaction. But the money gets transferred out of the account. Where does it go? The bank won’t explain it, but they know exactly where it goes. If it from here down to Malaysia, Brazil, Columbia, Hong Kong – the bank knows exactly where it’s going because the bank owns the branches in those countries.”
Next, WND showed Cruz Exhibit C, showing an HSBC account ledger documenting hundreds of thousands of dollars transferred into and out of a company in the account statement beginning July 20, 2009, and ending Aug. 20, 2009.

Exhibit C: HSBC account ledger, detail of monthly account transfers

“Money comes in daily, thousands of dollars, always in even amounts,” he noted. “You look at a statement and it says ‘transfer,’ but where did it go? There’s no account number or tracking number that documents where the transaction went.”
Cruz contended that HSBC was running what amounted to a “shell game.”
“So many of these businesses are conducted out of a person’s home,” he commented. “I would walk into these homes. There’s a couch, there’s a chair, a desk – but the house is empty, a couple of Mercedes sitting out front, but where is the business? It’s only online transactions of money in and money out.”
Identity theft
Cruz charges that the 1,000 pages of customer account records suggest HSBC relied on identity theft to capture legitimate Social Security numbers that were then used to create the bogus retail and commercial bank accounts through which employees systematically deposited and withdrew hundreds of millions of dollars on a daily basis, apparently without the knowledge of the identity theft victims.
“When an individual finds out they got a loan they never knew about, 5 percent of that loan went to the accounting firm that made up the phony tax returns, and the other 95 percent of that loan went to the manager,” he said.
“One manager was involved in the transaction, another manager was involved in notarizing the transaction, and senior management was involved where they signed off permission to give the loans even when the loans get rejected by underwriting.”
A criminal enterprise
Cruz told WND he recorded meetings he conducted with HSBC management and bank security personnel in which he charges various bank managers were engaging in criminal acts.
“I have hours upon hours of voice recordings, ranging from bank tellers, to business representatives, to managers, to executives,” he said. “The whole system is designed to be a culture of fraud to make it look like it’s a legalized system. But it’s not.”
Cruz explained that even when he let bank managers know he was taping the conversation, the managers were not interested in what he was saying.
“HSBC is a criminal organization,” he stressed. “It is a culture of crime.”
In January, Reuters reported that the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations had begun investigating money-laundering activity at HSBC with the intention of scheduling hearings later this year.
Last week, Reuters reported the U.S. unit of the London-based HSBC Holdings Plc has been under investigation by federal law enforcement officials since 2003 for the bank’s lax attitudes toward enforcing anti-money laundering statutes.
Reuters reported that confidential documents examined from the offices of two U.S. Attorneys’ offices allege that from 2005, “the bank violated the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering laws on a massive scale” by not adequately reviewing “hundreds of billions of dollars in transactions for any that might have links to drug trafficking, terrorist financing and other criminal activity.”
In an attempt to make his charges public, Cruz in 2011 published a book about his experiences titled “World Banking World Fraud: Using Your Identity.”

http://www.wnd.com/2012/05/banking-giant-hsbc-a-criminal-enterprise/

10 tips for companion planting for natural pest control and organic sustainability - Increase vegetable yields and improve flavor

Companion planting for pest control and to encourage plants to grow with more vigor has fascinated men for centuries; however, few backyard gardeners know how to use these natural methods for organic sustainability and how to improve your garden. Plants that work together to help one another grow; plants that repel insects for organic pest management; and plants that repel other plants for natural herbicide control are of great value to both small backyard gardeners and commercial growers.

Certain protective botanicals don't always act instantaneously, and must be planted several years or seasons in advance to be of utmost cumulative effect. For example, companion planting pest control using marigolds to prevent nematode growth should be done at least one season ahead before expecting to see great results.

It's important to remember that both secretions and odors from various plants are valuable traits for organic pest control and companion planting where repelling or attracting certain aspects and effects is attempted.

Ten easy companion planting tips for you to use now

Companion planting for chemical free pesticides and organic sustainability is a huge subject that can take years to master; however, there are a few easy things you can do in your own garden right now to make use of this intriguing method of gardening.

1. Protect carrots by planting them with leeks to repel both carrot and onion flies. They won't even lay their eggs and your yield will increase tremendously.

2. Growing radishes or kohlrabi? Plant them with lettuce to repel earth flies that hate the smell of lettuce and make them take flight.

3. Aphids will injure almost all plants, causing headaches for gardeners everywhere. To repel aphids, plant nasturiums around broccoli and bunches of chives among sunflowers and tomatoes to discourage infestations.

4. Ladybugs are natural enemies to aphids and are excellent for use in organic pest management. Order ladybugs in bulk online or buy them from gardening centers. If you're wondering how to improve your garden and reduce the aphid population, this is one of the most effective methods of doing so.

5. Asparagus and tomatoes complement one another and improve the vigor of both plants. Place a row of asparagus between two rows of tomato plants.

6. Beans and potatoes work in concert for organic pest control. Planting bush beans with potatoes in alternating rows protects the spuds from the Colorado potato beetle and the beans from the Mexican bean beetle.

7. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables belonging to the cabbage family do well when companion planted with celery, dill, peppermint, sage and rosemary; as well as potatoes, onions and beets.

8. Repel moles around a vegetable garden with a border of castor beans; mice with a border of daffodils; and yarrow makes a wonderful boarder for an herb garden as it encourages the growth of essential oils in the herbs.

9. Remember that companion planting for pest control includes keeping those cute little rabbits out of the garden. Onions repel rabbits and can be inter-planted with peas, beans, lettuce and cabbage.

10. If your garden attracts raccoons, plant corn and pumpkins together so that the large pumpkin leaves grow around the base of the corn stalks. Cayenne pepper sprinkled on the corn silk will also act as a deterrent.

Because some plants are poisonous, it's important to keep unattended young children away from the garden. Natural organic pest control may be a complex subject; however, there are many simple things you can do in to improve your garden for increased vegetable yield and organic sustainability.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting

http://www.seedsofchange.com

http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/companion-planting.html

Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Charlotte: Garden Way Publishing, 1975

Mayer, Dale. The Complete Guide to Companion Planting: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Garden Successful (Back-To-Basics Gardening). OcalaL: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc., 2010

About the author:
JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035853_companion_planting_garden_vegetables.html#ixzz1upk1HGnX

Chinese herbs prevent hair loss & stimulate natural hair restoration without the need for baldness drugs

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries on their own and in conjunction with other alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure and Ayurveda to prevent hair loss, re-grow hair and restore natural pigment to gray hair.

Hair loss has many causes, such as the genetic male pattern baldness and diseases affecting glands and hormones. Lack of circulation to the scalp and vitamin deficiencies play a major role in hair health. Chemotherapy is the primary cause of hair loss in patients suffering from cancer.

Hair loss prevention with Chinese medicine

Certain herbs help bring the body into balance and are used for thinning hair treatment and as baldness cures. The first steps toward hair restoration is increasing the quality of the blood and circulation to the scalp. The key to limiting thinning hair and promoting hair re-growth is early intervention. Natural hair loss treatments may extend from 3 to 12 months or longer, depending on the severity of the problem, the length of time the condition has persisted, and on the response of each individual being treated.

Best hair restoration products using Chinese herbs

Below are listed some of the best hair restoration treatments using Chinese herbs. An herbal specialist should be consulted for additional information on how to prepare a tonic.

1. The best natural hair restoration herbal remedy is Fo-Ti, also known as He Shou Wu, or by its Latin name, Polygonum Multiflorum. This herb has shown efficacy for hundreds of years in not only helping with hair restoration, but also for restoring gray hair to its original color. It strengthens hair, builds the blood and reverses the process of aging throughout the body.

2. Ganoderma lucidum or Reishi mushroom is known in TCM for enhancing kidney energy which effects blood flow. This highly touted herbal cure is known in China as a cure for immune disorders and helps protect against aging. In China, Reishi mushroom is so well respected it has been called the "mushroom of immortality."

3. Ligustrum lucidum or Nu Shen Zi improves circulation to the scalp and is considered a Yin kidney and liver tonic. In China it is said that this herb extends life and acts on the immune system as a blood tonic helping with hair restoration and hair loss prevention.

4. Schisandra chinensis or Wu Wei Zin is a well known herbal tonic used to enhance beauty and as a baldness cure. It is one of the most widely used natural hair restoration products, enhancing skin quality on the scalp and on the rest of the body.

5. Additional Chinese herbs used in natural hair restoration products and herbal tonics include Thallus algae, a type of seaweed high in micronutrients; Morus albus or Mulberry fruit spike, used to prevent the premature graying of hair; Stinging nettle, which provides important minerals and nutrients to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair re-growth; Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica sinensis, Eclipta prostratea, Sesame indicum, and Salvia miltiorrhiza.

A variety of hair loss tonics are available in health food stores; however, they may not work. Chinese apothecaries and herb stores are the best places to purchase tonics for hair restoration. The herbs are usually fresh and a trained herbal practitioner can properly diagnose and choose the best products for each individual need. Some herbs can cause side effects and should be administered only under supervision.

For those who have unsuccessfully used conventional hair restoration methods such as pharmaceutical drugs, laser treatments or surgery, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers options that may be helpful for hair restoration, reversing gray hair and overcoming health disorders resulting in successful hair replacement treatment.

Sources for this article include:

Ageless Herbs: Ageless Herbs Formula List
http://www.agelessherbs.com/hairlossremedy.html

Family Doctor.org: Hair Loss and Its Causes
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/081.html

Vitaminsdiary.com: Information on Fo-Ti (Polygonum Multiflorum)

Wikipedia.org: Polygonum Multiflorum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonum

Ohio State University: Vitamin A (Retinol)
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5551.html

McKinley Health Center: Vitamins and Minerals
http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/vitamin_minerals.html

University of Louisville: Frequently Asked Questions about Alopecia
http://fornix.louisville.edu/alopecia/AlopeciaFAQ.html

University of Maryland Medical Center: Hair Disorders
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hair-disorders-000071.htm

About the author:
JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035817_Chinese_herbs_hair_loss_baldness.html#ixzz1uSRU0Tc5

Essiac: A formula to fight cancer and other chronic disease conditions

Since the 1970's when the war on cancer formally began cancer rates have steadily increased. In the past decade modern medicine has heralded the increase in survival rates owing to breakthrough scientific research instead of admitting it was a change in the definition of "survivor" that accounted for a vast majority of the survival rate increases. Part of the reason for this subterfuge regarding survival rates and definitions is to cow the public into believing that western medicine has a better answer today in regards to cancer treatment.

In addition, modern medicine has not addressed why it has not stemmed the epidemic rates of cancer that continue to increase. Heredity is often to blame and environmental toxins are rarely a part of any public discourse in a meaningful way. The World Health Organization has already established that some 90 percent of all cancers are based on environmental toxins. So our medical response today is to fight toxin-related cancers with more toxins?

History of Essiac

Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, helped to bring Essiac into prominence in the early 20th century (Essiac is Caisse spelled backwards). She was instrumental in its use in clinical settings after witnessing the healing powers of Essiac, which could be described as nothing short of a miracle.

Her first patient was her aunt that had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer and given 6 months to live. After two months of drinking an Essiac brew she had recovered fully and went on to live another 20 years. Another of Nurse Caisse's patients not only reversed her cancer but her insulin-dependent diabetes as well.

In 1959 Rene Caisse began treating terminally ill patients at the Brusch Medical Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts while supervised by no less than 18 doctors. After three months of treating these patients it was determined that, on average, the size of their tumors shrank due to a change in cellular formations and the patients began to regain weight noticeably. None of the doctors proclaimed Essiac to be a cure but once the research had concluded they did state essiac was of definite benefit. Dr. Brusch of the aforementioned Brusch Medical Center wrote a notarized letter in 1990 attesting to the efficacy of Essiac formula and how it alone cured his very own cancer some years after the research had concluded.

What is Essiac?

Essiac is a natural formulation passed on to Nurse Caisse from a Native American herbalist of the Ojibwa tribe. It consists of turkey rhubarb, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and burdock root. Each of these herbs has its own special abilities to aid our bodies. For example, burdock root increases liver function and insulin production, sheep sorrel is good for liver function as well and toning the heart, turkey rhubarb cleanses the bowels and slippery elm is great for wound healing and protecting the body from toxins that are released as the body heals itself. Herbalists believe that these four herbs, while being awesome individually, work together synergistically to reverse devastating disease conditions such as cancer and diabetes.

Essiac today

Essiac formulas are in no short supply these days. You can now find it in capsules, liquids or tea form produced by many different companies. The most popular way of taking Essiac during the 20th century was to have it as a brew daily as a therapy or tonic.

Medical science definitely has its place in our lives. There is no question that the best acute care in the world can be found in nations that have a western medical model but we can ill afford to be one sided or narrow minded in our approach to devastating chronic disease conditions. Consider essiac as a part of your health care regimen to give your body a healing chance in a non-toxic way.

Sources

Boik, J. Cancer and Natural Medicine. Oregon Medical Press; 1st edition 1995

Murray M.T. The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants. Gramercy; 2 Rev Exp edition 2004

http://www.healthfreedom.info/Cancer%20Essiac.htm

About the author:
Derrell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant. His mission is to assist as many people as possible during a time when great health is stolen instead of fostered. Follow Derrell at thoughtfulhealth.blogspot.com or email him at thoughtfulhealth@gmail.com. If you are interested in toxin free nutritional and personal care products please visit thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035794_essiac_cancer_medicinal_herbs.html#ixzz1uGNR0YC1

Vaccine bombshell: Baby monkeys given standard doses of popular vaccines develop autism symptoms

If vaccines play absolutely no role in the development of childhood autism, a claim made by many medical authorities today, then why are some of the most popular vaccines commonly administered to children demonstrably causing autism in animal primates? This is the question many people are now asking after a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh (UP) in Pennsylvania revealed that many of the infant monkeys given standard doses of childhood vaccines as part of the new research developed autism symptoms.

For their analysis, Laura Hewitson and her colleagues at UP conducted the type of proper safety research on typical childhood vaccination schedules that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) should have conducted -- but never has -- for such regimens. And what this brave team discovered was groundbreaking, as it completely deconstructs the mainstream myth that vaccines are safe and pose no risk of autism.

Presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR) in London, England, the findings revealed that young macaque monkeys given the typical CDC-recommended vaccination schedule from the 1990s, and in appropriate doses for the monkeys' sizes and ages, tended to develop autism symptoms. Their unvaccinated counterparts, on the other hand, developed no such symptoms, which points to a strong connection between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders.

Included in the mix were several vaccines containing the toxic additive Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound that has been phased out of some vaccines, but is still present in batch-size influenza vaccines and a few others. Also administered was the controversial measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which has been linked time and time again to causing autism and various other serious, and often irreversible, health problems in children (http://www.greenhealthwatch.com)

"This research underscores the critical need for more investigation into immunizations, mercury, and the alterations seen in autistic children," said Lyn Redwood, director of SafeMinds, a public safety group working to expose the truth about vaccines and autism. "SafeMinds calls for large scale, unbiased studies that look at autism medical conditions and the effects of vaccines given as a regimen."

Vaccine oversight needs to be taken from CDC and given to independent agency, says vaccine safety advocate

Adding to the sentiment, Theresa Wrangham, president of SafeMinds called out the CDC for failing to require proper safety studies of its recommended vaccination schedules. Unlike all other drugs, which must at least undergo a basic round of safety testing prior to approval and recommendation, vaccinations and vaccine schedules in particular do not have to be proven safe or effective before hitting the market.

"The full implications of this primate study await publication of the research in a scientific journal," said Wrangham. "But we can say that it demonstrates how the CDC evaded their responsibility to investigate vaccine safety questions. Vaccine safety oversight should be removed from the CDC and given to an independent agency."

Be sure to read this thorough analysis of the study by Catherine J. Frompovich of VacTruth.com:
http://vactruth.com/2012/04/29/monkeys-get-autism/

Sources for this article include:

http://vran.org

http://www.safeminds.org/

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035787_vaccines_autism_monkeys.html#ixzz1uAnnvTHl

Agriculture cooperatives could end hunger while boosting socio-economic development in impoverished regions

Monsanto and Cargill keep rolling on, leading a handful of other mega-corporations toward planetary food and farming control that ensures our demise. Meanwhile, important studies are ignored by our corrupt governments who are heavily influenced and infiltrated by those very same companies.

A world-wide study was initiated by the United Nations (UN) a few years ago to investigate solutions for world hunger as our population increases. This contradicts the efforts of certain elites who create humanitarian covers for their agenda of radically decreasing the population with unworkable and toxic large-scale agricultural programs.

The UN study's conclusion contradicts their plans completely.

The UN report involved many experts and took a few years to complete. The report's coordinator, Olivier De Schutter, presented this press release that received scant attention: "We won't solve hunger and stop climate change with industrial farming on large plantations. The solution lies in supporting small-scale farmers [and to] contribute to rural development. Each region must be able to feed itself."

Other reports ignored and marginalized

The UN report was not the only study conducted recently favoring small-scale organic farming. Feeding the Future, a report released by the UK's Soil Association, confirmed the UN study with the added focus of organic farming for soil preservation.

The Rodale Institute released their long study with the conclusion that locking farmers into GMO seed contracts was certain to destroy most farmers. Additionally, crop yields are less with GM farming than both conventional and organic farming (http://www.naturalnews.com).

Nevertheless, Monsanto and others get their "feeding the world" press releases out to the "lamestream" media to convince a majority of the public that GMOs and Big-Ag are the solutions for feeding the world. Their disinformation obscures the issues of less nutrition and more toxins going into our food.

This extremely tilted playing field for determining our food supply can be disheartening for participants of the "good fight". But resist we must for us and our progeny (http://www.naturalnews.com/033772_Monsanto_Roundup.html).

As farming activist Dr. Vandana Shiva of India points out: "Seeds controlled by Monsanto, agribusiness trade controlled by Cargill, processing controlled by Pepsi and Phillip Morris, retail controlled by Walmart - is a recipe for food dictatorship. We must occupy the food system to create food democracy."

The effort to create regional agricultural cooperatives world-wide

The rising price of food could be restrained by keeping Wall Street out of the mix. Greedy investors speculate with food commodities, driving prices up more than even supply shortages affect prices.

Large commercial farms create the need for large food broker/distributors such as Cargill who wield too much influence on pricing, distribution, and how agriculture should be managed.

Regional food distribution is a solution for creating support for local organic farming and decentralizing food distribution while restricting commodities market's latest game of derivatives trading that destabilizes prices.

The UN has declared 2012 as the "International Year of Cooperatives."

Agricultural cooperatives do exist currently. Now the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is pooling more resources to make the UN declaration for 2012 an eventual reality.

IFAD has created training programs for small rural farmers to understand better basic natural farming techniques with no GMOs or excessive chemical use. This ensures fresher, healthier food for consumers while enabling farmers to enjoy higher profits within regional direct marketing networks.

IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze asserts that farmers should be recognized as important small entrepreneurs for the future of our food. Having each region responsible for feeding itself is a viable solution for farmers and consumers.

Buying locally now as often as possible helps this cause if you can't get directly involved with the IFAD effort.

Sources for this article include:

PDF of UN agriculture report submitted December 2010: http://www.srfood.org

IFAD: http://www.worldwatch.org/node/10470

http://www.change.org

http://www.slashfood.com

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4060

http://www.soilassociation.org

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035770_agriculture_poverty_hunger.html#ixzz1u2pWlElb

Learn about the amazing health benefits of juicing raw cannabis (marijuana) leaves

Contrary to popular belief, the marijuana plant is a whole lot more than just a psychoactive drug that "stoners" use to get high. In raw form, marijuana leaves and buds are actually loaded with a non-psychoactive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer nutrient compound known as cannabidiol (CBD) that is proving to be a miracle "superfood" capable of preventing and reversing a host of chronic illnesses.

Though you may not have heard much about it, the CBD found in the marijuana plant -- marijuana is technically just a vegetable, by the way -- is a highly medicinal substance with unique immune-regulating capabilities. Since the human body already contains a built-in endogenous cannabinoid system, complete with cannabinoid receptors, inputting CBD from marijuana can help normalize the body's functional systems, including cell communication and proper immune function.

The way CBDs work is that they bridge the gap of neurotransmission in the central nervous system, including in the brain, by providing a two-way system of communication that completes a positive "feedback loop," according to Dr. William Courtney, a medical marijuana expert and founder of Cannabis International. As opposed to a one-way transmission, which can promote chronic inflammation of healthy tissue, the unique two-way transmission system engaged by marijuana CBDs mimics the body's own natural two-way communications system.

So individuals whose systems are compromised by autoimmune disorders, cellular dysfunction, chronic inflammation, cancer cells, and various other illnesses can derive a wide range of health-promoting benefits simply by consuming CBDs. And one of the best ways to obtain CBDs is to juice raw marijuana leaves and buds, according to Dr. Courtney, who currently runs a clinic in Luxembourg that provides raw cannabis medicinal services to patients in need.

"CBD works on receptors, and as it turns out, we have cannabinoids in our bodies, endogenous cannabinoids, that turn out to be very effective at regulating immune functions, nerve functions, bone functions," says Dr. Ethan Russo, a Seattle, Wash.-area physician who is also a senior advisor to GW Pharmaceuticals, a British drug company that is utilizing CBDs in a new marijuana mouth spray known as Sativex.

"There's a tendency to discount claims when something appears to be good for everything, but there's a reason this is the case. The endogenous cannabinoid system acts as a modulator in fine-tuning a lot of these systems, and if something is deranged biochemically in a person's body, it may well be that a cannabinoid system can bring things back into balance."

Be sure to check out these amazing videos from Cannabis International that explain more about how raw cannabis, and specifically the CBDs found inside the plant, work to promote health and reverse disease:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa0nLdVJiIg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ4QR2NqgWU

As long as marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug with 'no currently accepted medical use,' most Americans will never realize its benefits

While some U.S. states like California and Colorado are beginning to recognize and accept that marijuana has legitimate therapeutic value, the federal government continues to classify marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug with "no currently accepted medical use." And as long as it remains classified in this way, most Americans will never have the opportunity to experience the healing potential of this vital superfood.

But Cannabis International and other groups are continuing to educate the public about why marijuana is a food essential, and how legalizing it could change the world. To learn more, be sure to visit:
http://www.cannabisinternational.org/

Sources for this article include:

http://www.washingtonpost.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035759_cannabis_juicing_health.html#ixzz1tt4tWLEN

Use vinegar to kill weeds naturally and give Monsanto's Roundup the boot

There's been lots written recently about the toxicity of Monsanto's poster child product Roundup, exposing how harmful it is for the earth and how poisonous it is on exposure for both animals and humans. However, what is not common knowledge to most organic gardeners and back yard enthusiasts is how they can manage weed control safely without the need for dangerous pesticides. Use vinegar to kill weeds naturally and safely, with no side effects to you, your pets, wildlife and mother earth. Killing weeds naturally with vinegar allows you to target exactly what weeds to eradicate, and it's cheap and easy to use.

Vinegar is not choosy and cannot differentiate between broad-leaf weeds, narrow-leaf weeds, grass, flowers or vegetables. If you're not careful when applying vinegar for weed control, it will kill whatever it touches. So although it's eco-friendly and biodegradable, it takes a little forethought to manage an effective application.

How to apply vinegar for natural weed control

The best way to apply vinegar for weed control is with a spray bottle or pump sprayer. These tools are most effective if you're wanting to eliminate large swatches of weeds on walkways, driveways or other areas where there are no other plants immediately at risk. Because vinegar is not selective, using it for killing weeds naturally should be done on a sunny day when there is no wind to prevent it from blowing onto other plants. Part of the killing process uses the sunlight to activate the vinegar; so check the weather beforehand to be sure it's not about to rain right after you spray. If you're trying to be very selective and kill small batches of weeds in among other plants and flowers, apply vinegar with an old brush only to the weeds being targeted.

Spray or paint the vinegar on liberally to kill weeds naturally. Leaves and stems should be soaked. Allow it to dry and wait for a day or two to see full results. You may have to reapply more vinegar periodically. Any type of vinegar will work to kill weeds and white vinegar is the least expensive. Keep several gallons in your shed so it's on hand when needed.

When to apply natural herbicides

Use vinegar to kill weeds before the weeds go to seed to prevent new weeds from growing. Catch them when they're small in the early spring. Alternatively, it's best to treat perennial weeds like dandelions in the early fall. Remove the seed heads throughout the summer when you see them. Spraying in the autumn uses the plant's natural cycle to absorb nutrients through the leave to the roots and allows the vinegar natural weed control to penetrate to the core of the plant killing it at the root.

Sources for this article include:

A Garden for the House: Got Weeds? Use Vinegar, Not Roundup
http://www.agardenforthehouse.com

About.com: Landscaping: Vinegar as a Natural Weed Killer
http://landscaping.about.com/od/weedsdiseases/qt/vinegar_weeds.htm

The Garden Counselor: Lawn Care -- Vinegar Weed Killer
http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/vinegar-weed-killer.html

About the author:
JB Bardot is trained in herbal medicine and homeopathy, and has a post graduate degree in holistic nutrition. Bardot cares for both people and animals, using alternative approaches to health care and lifestyle. You can find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001364941208&ref=tn_tnmn or on Twitter at jbbardot23

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035750_weed_killer_vinegar_Roundup.html#ixzz1tn6RlwwU

Artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers are dangerous

Due to our society's love of sugar, scientists have been able to synthetically produce artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers. These artificial sweeteners give us the same pleasure as sugar without the calories and dangerous effects on insulin signaling and triglyceride formation. This includes aspartame, acefultame potassium, monosodium glutamate, sucralose and many others. Unfortunately, these artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers break down into highly toxic chemical agents that damage important regions of the body.

Ideal sweeteners are formed in nature and are minimally processed. These would include organic sugar, stevia, raw honey, maple syrup, etc. The greater the processing the more dangerous the sweetener can potentially be. Artificial sweeteners are often devised completely in a laboratory or they begin as sugar and undergo massive processing. Some of the most dangerous artificial sweeteners & flavor enhancers include the following:

Aspartame: Originally approved in 1981 for use in food is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is composed of 50 percent phenylalanine, 40 percent aspartic acid and 10 percent methanol. Excess phenylalanine has been shown to disrupt normal serotonin levels in the nervous system which can lead to depressive, emotional & psychotic disorders. Individuals who continually consume aspartame will have elevated phenylalanine.

Aspartic acid: an excitotoxin that literally over excites neurons and destroys cells. Methanol is also a neurotoxin and its absorption is also increased when aspartame is heated above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This heating breaks methanol into formaldehyde which damages the nervous system and is highly carcinogenic.

Acefultame Potassium: This artificial sweetener is often times used in combination with other artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and/or aspartame to mask any form of after taste. This sweetener has been shown to stimulate insulin secretions even though it does not increase blood sugar. Elevated insulin increases inflammation and hampers immunity. Since Acefultame does not increase blood sugar this insulin response can stimulate reactive hypoglycemia. It has been linked to leukemia, breast cancer, thymus cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.

Sucralose: This artificial sweetener is marketed as if it came
from natural sugar. However, it is highly processed with three chlorine
atoms that damage the microflora within the human gut. The biochemist
Dr. James Bown says "sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar." Sucralose
has been shown to damage the thymus gland and inflame the liver and
kidneys. Chlorine is a natural anti-septic that harms the human gut and
destroys microflora leading to candida formation, irritable bowel
syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, obesity and cachexia.

Sodium Benzoate: This is a type of water soluble preservative salt that
is created by adding sodium hydroxide and benzoic acid. It is found in
many soft drinks, energy drinks and other processed foods and drinks.
Sodium Benzoate consumption has been strongly linked with
neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and inflammatory disorders
such as asthma. The combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid
(vitamin C) which is quite common in soft drinks and popular energy
drinks creates the highly carcinogenic substance benzene. Benzene is
linked with many serious cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Monosodium glutamate: This extremely dangerous flavor enhancer and preservative is used in many canned and packaged foods. The Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine has stated that it promotes the growth of cancer cells and is highly neurotoxic in the body. Other studies have linked it to liver damage, chronic inflammation, chronic pain and weight loss resistance. It is often included under deceptive names such as autolyzed yeast extract, natural flavorings, soy protein, whey protein isolate, etc.


Sources For This Article Include
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.livestrong.com/article/22015-dangerous-additives/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acesulfame_potassium
http://www.naturalnews.com/033914_Splenda_Essentials_sweetener.html

About the author:
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035752_artificial_sweeteners_flavor_chemicals.html#ixzz1tn5Huv9u

Chemist declares fluoride to be 'one of the greatest public health threats of modern times'

Ingesting artificial fluoride chemicals does not prevent tooth decay, but rather destroys your insides and leads to the development of cancer and other illnesses. These are the disturbing findings of an assessment recently compiled by award-winning chemist, author, and founder of ThePeoplesChemist.com, Shane Ellison.

Frustrating more than 50 years of bad science that has claimed the exact opposite, Ellison's appraisal of fluoride's negative effects on the body shows once again why removing fluoride from public water supplies is crucial to public health. And health freedom advocates must step up to be the educational catalyst for bringing about this change nationwide.

"Once ingested, fluoride compounds attack the structural integrity of our insides," says Ellison. "Collagen, a web-like network connecting our skeletal system to muscles, is torn apart by fluoride. We feel it as joint stiffness, ligament damage, and aching bones. This same mechanism leads to browning of teeth, an outcome known as fluorosis."

Ellison adds that laboratory studies dating back decades have shown that fluoride spurs the mutation of mammalian DNA cells, which can promote the growth of cancer cells. Various population studies, he says, have shown that fluoride ingestion can increase a person's risk of developing bone cancer by as much as 700 percent.

And finally, fluoride has never been shown to actually prevent cavities, which is the excuse most often used to continue lacing public water supplies with this toxic poison. On the contrary, fluoride ingestion actually promotes tooth decay, and even the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits that there is no verifiable, scientific proof that fluoride in any way prevents cavities.

So why does artificial water fluoridation continue to persist in many towns and cities across America today? A combination of ignorance and pride both appear to be factors, as the medical establishment largely refuses to accept modern science showing that fluoride is unsafe because it has been claiming for many decades that fluoride is safe.

John Garfield from The University Daily Kansan recently wrote his own assessment of the dangers of fluoride, noting that the best available science links fluoride consumption to thyroid disorders, endocrine disruption, reproductive damage, skin problems, brittle bones, immunodeficiency, premature puberty, and lowered IQ (http://www.kansan.com/news/2012/apr/26/water-fluoridation/).

The evidence is so strong against fluoride these days that nearly 40 U.S. communities stopped fluoridating their water in 2011 (http://www.naturalnews.com), and many more, including Albuquerque, N.M., Bolivar, Mo., and Myerstown, Penn., have ended water fluoridation in 2012.

To learn more about Shane Ellison's work, visit:
http://thepeopleschemist.com/

To learn more about the dangers of fluoride, visit:
http://www.fluoridealert.org/

Sources for this article include:

http://thepeopleschemist.com

http://www.newswithviews.com/Ellison/shane167.htm

http://www.ewg.org/fluoride

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035753_fluoride_chemistry_health_effects.html#ixzz1tmrnMax2