The Truth About Culturelle Probiotics

My Story

I bought Culturelle some years ago at the recommendation of a friend, who was giving this to her autistic son to treat his leaky gut syndrome. Costing approximately SGD40 for a 30 day supply, this product did not come cheap. But I decided to give it a try anyway, hoping that it would ease the digestive troubles I was experiencing at that time. To cut the long story short, I did find relief from my indigestion three days after taking Culturelle , but did not understand or appreciate why or what makes it so effective then.

Recently I became highly interested in the topic of probiotics and started doing research on Culturelle for some time. My relentless pursuit in the jungle of information that is the internet finally revealed some fascinating facts about this product.

What Places Culturelle Apart From Other Probiotics Supplement?

Culturelle is a probiotics supplement that contains the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (strain ATCC 53103), a bacterium that occurs naturally in the human digestive tract. This bacteria strain was discovered in 1985 by two Boston based scientists, Professors Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin, who were looking for a strain that could satisfy the following stringent criteria:- 

1) The bacteria should be of human origin; 2) It must be capable of attaching to human intestinal lining 3) It must be capable of colonizing the gut to prevent competition from invading pathogens; 4) It can withstand stomach and bile acid in order to survive the journey from the stomach to the intestines; and 5) The strain should have health-promoting benefits in the human body 6) It needs to be safe for human consumption. LGG satisfies all of these criteria and is the best-studied and most extensively documented probiotic lactic-acid bacteria strain in the world. At present, Lactobacillus GG has the most extensive safety assessment record of any other probiotic strain. Few other strains in the Lactobacillus rhamnosus species have received this kind of scientific attention.

Pretty amazing, I would say. But I wasn't satisfied yet. Not until I see some real scientific data behind these claims. Below is what I uncovered....

LGG proves effective for acute and traveler's diarrhea

 o LGG is an effective form of treatment for diarrhea caused by the clostridium difficile bacteria. (a) This type of bacteria is also responsible for more serious intestinal disorders like colitis. In one study of 32 patients carried out in 1996 in Boston and Baltimore the LGG treatment success rate is a significant 94%.

o LGG also significantly reduced the duration of diarrhea in another study particularly in rotavirus-caused diarrhea.(b) Professor Gary Huffnagle, renowned author of "The Probiotics Revolution" also cited a study carried out at European medical centers on 287 children (ages 1 month to 3 years) that "the duration of the diarrhea was reduced by an impressive 13 hours.."(refer to page 128 of "The Probiotics Revolution")

 o The incidence of traveler's diarrhea is lower in people who consumes Lactobacillus GG .(c)

 LGG moderates milk-sensitivity

o LGG prevents inflammation in individuals sensitive to cow's milk.

o In a double-blind, crossover study, it was found that LGG eliminated inflammatory response in the milk-sensitive subjects to a significant degree. In non-sensitive subjects, LGG stimulated their immune system.(d)   LGG decreases the incidence of atopic eczema

o Lactobacillus GG has been clinically shown to prevent occurrence of atopic eczema in children.

o In a 6 months trial of 159 infants who are at risk of developing atopic eczema, it was found that infants administered LGG were only half as likely to develop the skin disorder compared to the placebo group during the first 2 years of life.(e)   o The protective effect of LGG continued to for at least 4 years.(f)

Other Proven Therapeutic Effects of Lactobacillus GG

o Reduce H.pylori antibiotics side effects. LGG significantly reduced sided effects such as bloating, diarrhea and metallic taste in the mouth while on triple therapy, the standard treatment for H. pyloric infections.(g)

o Anti-Tumor Effects.Lactobacillus GG was observed to slow down the development of colon tumors in rats on a high-fat diet.(h)

o Prevents relapse in ulcerative colitis patients.(i)

What Else Do I Like About This Product? A check at Culturelle's website shows that they guarantee 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs) of Lactobacillus GG at the time of use-the scientifically researched amount proven for beneficial clinical response. Most manufacturers only list the number of viable bacteria cells at the time of manufacture.

Another point worth mentioning here is that each capsule in Culturelle "is individually double-foil protected and nitrogen flushed to assure maximum potency and stability, as well as to act as an effective barrier against light, moisture, heat, and air."This makes it very convenient for travelling as well as people who have limited space in their refrigerator.

Culturelle is proven safe for infants and children and pregnant women. It has no known adverse interactions with medications.

What To Watch Out For....

Milk-sensitive people be aware

Although the scientific data I presented above claims that LGG is safe for milk-sensitive individuals, I personally feel there may still be potential for allergies since Culturelle contains trace level of casein and whey which are milk protein. A search on some review sites shows that a very small minority of users experience digestive disturbances and colon irritation when taking Culturelle. Well, I suppose nothing works perfectly well for everyone, since every human being has a unique makeup in their biochemistry.

You might to consider other brands like UAS Lab's Probioplus and Natren's Healthy Trinity which are good non-dairy options.

No one type of bacteria strain works for everything

Due to the huge amount of attention place on the LGG strain by the scientific community, it is easy to neglect the potential benefits other strains of bacteria may have on the human body. In the words of Professor Gary B. Huffnagle, a highly respected immunologist and microbiologist, "all members of a bacteria species share many microbiological and biochemical traits, and others might be just as beneficial as - or even superior to-the GG strain....Until all the information is in, variety is your best bet."

My Verdict

Overall, Culturelle is a good all-rounder at an affordable price, so I would give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 star rating. Despite its flaws, I would still purchase this once in a while to create a diverse probiotics colony in my gut. It would very likely be my first choice should I ever need to fight a bad bout of gastrointestinal infection.

Fertility And Chiropractic Care

When you decide you are prepared to have a baby, you may be one of those people who are lucky to conceive in a few months' time or you may be one of those who find themselves in a fertility challenged situation. Despite the time you have been trying, you need to increase your chances of conceiving with a method that is inexpensive, fast, non-invasive and painless. Whether you believe it or not, chiropractic care can help you in conceiving.

Many researches have shown that chiropractic treatment results in good outcome when treating infertility despite of the age of the woman, previous medical intervention or health history like blocked fallopian tubes, colitis, miscarriages, trauma or amenorrhea and also the number of years of infertility.

The spine is a central highway of nerves. Just like it is important for an electrical cord to be properly plugged in for any appliance to work, the reproductive system also needs the nerves connected to them to be working properly and not be blocked away in any way.

Your chiropractor will identify pressed or pinched nerves and can treat the spinal distortions which are known as subluxations. These distortions can be a result of many things like illness, stress, childhood falls, poor posture and accidents. After the subluxations are corrected or eliminated, the menstrual cycle of a woman gets strengthened, the action of the delivery of the eggs through the fallopian tubes gets improved and some cases of endometriosis start to be reversed.

Chiropractic patients, holistic websites and chiropractors have many pregnancy success stories to tell. It has happened that some women who went to their chiropractors for other reasons found themselves pregnancy and also some women who have been fighting infertility for more than ten years have found themselves pregnant within a few visits or few months of visits to the chiropractor. These results have found to be the same despite of the method used by the chiropractor for treatment.

It works mostly for many women but it does not mean that it WILL work for everyone. It is definitely an option which is worth giving a shot alone or in combination with other treatment options for infertility especially if you have had an illness or accident. Visiting a chiropractor is a good idea even if you do not want to conceive as the nerves in the spine are not only connected to the reproductive organs but also to other body parts.

Natural Cures For Colitis - Causes and Symptoms

When there is an inflammation in the colon then this condition is termed as colitis. Autoimmune reactions, poor blood supply, and also infections are some of the major causes of colitis. Colon is a long muscular tube and pushes the food which is undigested towards the anus for natural elimination as bowel movement. It is the colon which is responsible for collection and storage of the waste products of digestion. The location of the colon is in abdominal cavity.

Various parts of the colon are cecum, ascending colon, transverse, descending colon, the sigmoid, the rectum and the anus. There are numerous layers in the wall of the colon. The layer which wraps the outside is known as smooth muscle. It squeezes the undigested food through the length of the colon. Mucosa is the inner layer which helps in solidifying the feces. An inflammation of the colon occurs in the mucosal layer which is responsible for the symptoms of colitis.

An infection and the variety of illness cause the inflammation of the colon. Most common causes of the colitis are - infectious colitis, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis and chemical colitis.

Usually according to the type of colitis the symptoms of the colitis will occur. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are its common symptoms. There are some other symptoms also.

1. A constant feeling of having bowel movement. It is also called Tenesmus.

2. Constant pain

3. Inflammation, infection, chills and fever.

4. In the bowel movement there may be the presence of blood.

5. Abdominal pain occurs in waves which causes diarrhea.

Various types of natural cures are available to cure colitis.

1. Best way to control colitis is to shift on liquid diet. Diet plays an important role in curing colitis. Fluid diet is best for colitis as it allows the colon to rest and nothing is passed into the colon to be processed as stool.

2. Intake of excess water is very necessary to cure colitis. With each diarrheal bowel movement an individual loses a significant amount of fluid. So adequate fluid should be taken to maintain the balance otherwise it will lead to dehydration and an individual will suffer from the problem of abdominal pain and cramping.

3. Try to avoid the food which causes allergies as it is also one of the important causes which result into colitis. Especially take care before using milk and dairy products, chocolate, corn, wheat, gluten etc.

10 FAQs To A Detox Diet

1. What is detox?

Detox is the popular short form for detoxification. It describes a natural process that goes on in your body. The detox process neutralizes toxic wastes which accumulate in your bodies, chemically transforming them into relatively harmless compounds and then eliminating them from the body via stools or urine. Toxins enter your body when you breathe in air full of pollutants, consume junk food, smoke cigarettes or use products that are harmful. The removal of toxins from your body is a crucial process in order to maintain good health.

2. What is a detox diet?

Detox diet is a diet that helps our bodies to eliminate harmful toxic wastes. There are many types of detox diets. In general, many people refer the term "detox diet" to mean a dedicated detox diet plan program that is undertaken to remove toxins from a specific part of the body. For instance, there can be detox diet programs for cleansing of the colon, liver or the GI tract.

Dedicated detox diet programs are short-term diets. Detox diets are also recommended for losing weight. They work by giving your body various organic chemical compounds required for detoxification, such as vitamins, antioxidants and other necessary nutrients. Some of these organic compounds help elimination of waste products from your body by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

3. Why undergo a detox diet program?

Regular consumption of unhealthy food substantially reduces the natural ability of your body to detoxify and eliminate toxic chemicals. There are certain indications when you have a toxic body. They include feelings of sluggishness, frequent colds, digestive problems, allergies, eczema, etc. The presence of toxins further lead to conditions like hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency and inefficient metabolism. Undergoing a detox diet program can help repair, maintain and maximize the natural detoxification abilities of your body.

4. What are the benefits to adopting a detox diet program?

Some of the benefits of detox diets include increased stamina and energy, enhanced mental alertness, clearer skin, better immune system, improved digestion and lots more.

5. When is a detox diet program not advised?

You should not be going through a detox diet program if you are pregnant. Also, if you are suffering from diseases such as anemia, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lowered immunity, hypothyroidism, low blood pressure, ulcers, epilepsy, cancer or ulcerative colitis, some detox diets may not be appropriate for you. Detox diets are also not meant for children.

6. Are there any side effects to a detox diet?

Yes, there can be a few. For example, within the first few days of starting a detox diet, you may suffer from headaches. Or you may feel extremely exhausted especially if you need to purge a few times. Most side effects or symptoms should disappear after a few days.

You may also experience excessive diarrhea, if you are doing a detox diet program for the first time or if the detox diet program is too harsh for you. Hence it is best that you go under the guidance of a health care practitioner for this.

7. Do I need to consult a doctor before trying a detox diet program?

Yes, you are advised to. Just because you are facing symptoms like tiredness, irritability, acne, weight loss, and hunger, it does not mean that you need a detox diet. Sometimes, there might be other medical reasons that require different treatment. Therefore, do consult a doctor and get a thorough check up done before you start taking detox diet.

8. What foods are normaaly included in a detox diet?

A detox diet includes high fiber foods and consumption of adequate amount of water. It normally includes fresh and green vegetables like broccoli, spinach etc and other healthy foods like garlic, artichokes, beets, cauliflower, rice, beans, nuts and seeds. It also includes plenty of fresh fruits except grapes.

9. Can I continue medication during a detox diet?

No, you should generally be undertaking a detox diet program during a period when you are feeling well. As such, if you are having your period, do not go on a detox diet program either during this period.

10. What can I eat once the detox diet is over?

Once you have finished a course of a detox diet, you should not be eating unhealthy foods like deep fried chicken wings for the first meal. You should gradually ease back into a less restrictive yet healthy diet.

Guinea Pig Diarrhea Treatment

Diarrhea is a very common condition in guinea pigs. But it isn't usually serious and can be remedied quickly with the right kind of treatment.

Symptoms

Guinea pig diarrhea is liquid and sometimes runny, and always soft. It is very distinguishable from regular feces which are rounded and hard. Diarrhea is often accompanied by a number of other symptoms. You might notice that the cavy isn't eating as much as usual, is showing signs of pain in the stomach area and is having trouble getting through daily activities.

If you find that the diarrhea is very frequent or that it smells really bad, you should rush your pet to a vet immediately. This might be a severe case and you should treat it urgently; in such a time, you might also find the pig feeling very weak or inactive.

Causes

Diarrhea is usually caused by indigestion due to eating the wrong food, and isn't too hard to treat. However, it can also be caused by a host of other factors which, although not as common, pose a real threat. One of these causes is parasites: bacteria or fungus can sometimes be ingested with food and cause diarrhea.

Ironically, diarrhea can be also caused by medication. If your pig is currently being treated for any condition with drugs, those may very well be the cause as well. One other common cause is not eating enough hay. Hay is extremely important in maintaining the digestive health of your guinea pig and a shortage of it will almost certainly lead to diarrhea.

Treatment

The first thing to do is stop feeding your pig fruits and vegetables. Until the diarrhea is gone, the pig should mostly eat timothy hay (with maybe some food pellets) and drink lots of water. You should personally make sure that food and water are being ingested, or hand-feed if necessary. It is essential to keep the pig fed and well hydrated at this time.

If you haven't already, you should be filling your cavy's cage with an abundance of fresh hay; this is vital is containing the diarrhea. Some of the hay might have gotten spoilt and might have caused the problem in the first place, so if you can, you should replace all the hay with a fresh batch.

You should be able to see a drastic improvement within a day. If you don't, take it as a serious condition and see the vet immediately.

Faster, Quicker Stronger: Intravenous Nutrient Therapy for Optimal Health

As a Naturopathic Doctor, I am privileged with education and experience using a multitude of treatment options for my patients, including various natural medicines as well as conventional medicines. However, the exact therapy or "tool" used to treat patients is not as important as what the goal of treatment is.... That is, to treat the underlying cause of disease. In the many treatment modalities I utilize, one particular therapy I find exceptionally helpful in treating both chronic and acute conditions, using natural vitamins, minerals, botanicals, antioxidants, homeopathics, and other nutrients. The therapy I am referring to is called Intravenous Nutrient Therapy, or IVNT. There are times when various factors inhibit the body's usual ability to heal itself, such as exceptional stress, nutritional deficiencies, certain medical conditions, etc, where the immune system is unable to function at its best level. In certain situations, IVNT provides the missing link in achieving optimal health benefits from natural medicine. Before continuing to explain why IVNT is so beneficial, first we need to discuss why oral supplementation and healthy diet alone may sometimes need a boost to achieve results.

Nutrient Depletion Despite Super-Supplementation

Very often, I encounter patients who have modified their diets, are taking high quality and appropriate supplements and nutrients, yet still are not experiencing expected improvements. Sometimes they are already on these programs when they show up to my office, yet sometimes they are established patients that have not achieved desired result from treatments. Is the answer that they are taking the WRONG supplements and nutrients? Maybe. Is it possible that they are taking low quality, minimally absorbable supplements? Perhaps. Is it possible that there is something else causing their symptoms? Possibly. However, perhaps they are taking the right type of supplements and treatment plan, the diagnosis is correct, but something else going on....

The Problem of Absorption

In order to have a therapeutic effect, nutrients need to be adequately absorbed and delivered to the cell. Even with the very best, highest quality, most expensive supplements there are issues that prevent adequate absorption nutrients derived through oral supplementation and foods. For some people, these issues can be corrected over time with natural medicine, yet for others, malabsorption may be a long-term condition.

Many factors are needed to elicit optimal absorption and delivery of nutrients, including:

• Optimal gastrointestinal health: when nutrients are taken orally, the gastrointestinal track needs to break down foods and supplements to release the core nutrients, and transport those nutrients to the blood for delivery to the cells requiring them. This requires many steps and is dependent on numerous variables to be intact, including optimal enzyme activity, proper acid production, healthy gut flora, healthy gastrointestinal lining free of inflammation and irritation, absence of "bad" bacteria, healthy parastaltic tone (pumping action of the GI tract), as others.


• Healthy liver function: after the nutrients are transported to the blood, they are then delivered to the liver for filtering and detoxification before having opportunity to reach other cells in the body. This is referred to as "first pass metabolism." A compromised liver can make certain nutrients inactive, ineffective, or bound for excretion before given the opportunity to have their effect in the body.


• Healthy cell membranes: cell membranes contain energy requiring pumps to maintain proper levels of essential nutrients inside the cells. Often nutrients need to be in higher concentration inside the cells compared to outside the cell. In any mixture of substance, there is a natural predisposition for solutes (aka nutrients, minerals, etc) to flow from levels of high concentration to lower concentration, which is called the "concentration gradient." This is analogous to an overcrowded train. People in the overcrowded train will tend to move to an empty train if one is available, so there is more space to breath. However, it would take a little force to squeeze in additional people into an over packed train, requiring some shoving and pushing to make room. Similarly, in order to keep higher levels of nutrients inside the cell where they can do repair and healing, the cell membrane needs to be healthy, and have enough energy (ATP) to fuel the pumps to transport the nutrients from outside the cell (the empty train) to the inside of the cell (crowded train) against the "concentration gradient." This is called "active transport".

Most People Have Suboptimal Absorption

Nutrient, vitamin and mineral absorption from both foods and supplements are suboptimal in most people. Many essential minerals have as little as 1% absorption, and most only have 10-25% absorbed and available to the cells in healthy adults. This is often related to suboptimal functioning of the systems involved in absorption due to various causes.[i] [ii]

• Most people have some degree of gastrointestinal compromise, even when that is not their major complaint. As a naturopathic doctor, I always look to gastrointestinal health as an initial cause of disease. So many diseases and symptoms have direct correlation with gastrointestinal compromise because this leads to malabsorption of nutrients necessary to maintain health! If the body is starving for nutrition, it starts to decay and breakdown. There are numerous factors in modern society contributing to such widespread gastrointestinal dysfunction, which cannot always be avoided. Poor diet, inflammatory foods, processed foods, transfatty acids, environmental toxins (heavy metals, PCB's, pesticides, dioxins, smog), chronic medication use, synthetic hormones, bacteria, viruses, Candida, fungus, chronic stress, and so on all engender decreased gastrointestinal health. With sub-par gastrointestinal function, is it a surprise that most people are unable to absorb nutrients requiring optimal gastrointestinal function?


• We as a society tend to ascribe to the thinking of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." As a naturopath, I hope to change this thinking to "If it ain't broke, lets keep it that way!" Not as catchy. However, until this paradigm shift fully occurs, people tend to seek healthcare when they are already sick or starting to have symptoms. By that time there is already diminished function down to the cell itself, with decreased energy production causing compromised membrane function. To recall, membrane pumps require energy to bring in essential nutrients and transport out toxins. This becomes a Catch 22 situation: nutrient depletion and toxins lead to cellular dysfunction, decreased energy production and "disease"; this leads to impaired membrane pumps required to maintain optimal intracellular nutrient levels and export of toxins (the cellular trash); often the nutrients may be present in small concentration surrounding the cell; if the cell could take those nutrients inside the cell, they would help promote healing and repair; however, the cell may be too sick or energy depleted to fuel the pumps required to bring those nutrients in! This is why many people taking wonderful supplements and eating a whole food diet may not experience the improvements they expect. Their cells are not healthy enough to get healthy!!!!

Some Medicinal Effects of Nutrients Only Achieved At High Levels

Though nutrients may have numerous effects in the body, some of these effects are only attained after reaching very high levels. For example, vitamin C has been demonstrated to have an antiviral effect at high serum concentrations of 10-15 mg/dL.[iii] These levels are not achievable via oral route even in a healthy individual. The highest plasma concentration achieved through oral administration of vitamin C is 9.2 mg/dL. [iv] This means that no matter how much vitamin C someone ingests, they will be unable to raise their blood levels beyond a certain point. To put that in perspective, a standard, preventative dose of 2.5 grams/day of vitamin C will only raise the serum concentration to about 1.2-1.5 mg/dl. Even if we could achieve higher and higher serum concentrations from super dosing of vitamin C, such high oral dosing often causes disagreeable gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea and nausea. A similar effect is found with magnesium supplementation, where oral supplementation has a peak serum concentration beyond which even super-dosing with oral magnesium cannot surpass.

Playing The Game of Nutritional "Catch-Up"

Another factor hindering fast and significant improvement from healthy diet and supplementation is that by the time healthy regimens are implemented, the body may be so depleted that it needs a long time to "catch up". In addition, many people are basing adequate supplementation levels on the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) guidelines, which are levels intended to avoid deficiency induced diseases, but have little to do with levels promoting optimal health. Therefore, most individuals are nutrient deficit, which requires even higher amounts and longer periods of time to "catch up". This effect is further compounded when considering the multiple factors that hinder absorption discussed above (gastrointestinal health, cellular absorption capacity, etc). Often nutrients are used therapeutically in levels over and above what are necessary for baseline function (homeostasis), so it follows that before one can achieve such benefit, they must first raise their levels to baseline. The body needs to be out of debt before it can make a nutritional profit!

Overcoming The Obstacles Using Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: A Safe, Effective, and Natural Method To Achieve Optimal Health

With so many obstacles to achieving therapeutic benefit from vitamins, minerals and nutrients, does that mean we should just throw in the towel and have a Big Mac? Absolutely not. Most of the obstacles presented can be addressed and remedied using natural medicine over time. A very effective therapy to help circumvent these obstacles is called Intravenous Nutrient Therapy, or IVNT.

While oral supplementation and diet requires adequate gastrointestinal absorption and "first pass metabolism" through the liver, IVNT delivers nutrients directly to the circulation and to the cells where the nutrients are needed. In addition, whereas oral absorption may be 1-25%, IVNT provides 100% of nutrients delivered to be available to cells for repair and health. This circumvents the problem of malabsorption, gastrointestinal disease, and liver dysfunction to allow the nutrients to have immediate and direct action promoting improved health and function.

IVNT provides a "kick start" by making nutrients more readily available and easier to transport inside the cells. By providing higher nutrient concentration in the blood than can be achieved with oral therapy, cells are no longer reliant on energy dependent mechanisms to transport nutrients inside. Nutrients can enter cells via "passive transport" requiring less energy than "active transport". Using the train analogy, IVNT supersaturates the surrounding blood, so that the inside of the cell is more like the empty train, and the surrounding blood is like the overcrowded train. The nutrients require less work to travel from high concentration (packed train, or bloodstream) to lower concentration (empty train, or inside the cell). Furthermore, nutrients delivered via IVNT can provide high enough concentrations to elicit pharmacological (drug-like) effect on cells which can only be achieved at such high levels. For example, Vitamin C can have a virus killing effect but only at very high plasma concentrations. Thus, IVNT allows for natural substances to have drug-like effect without the side effects and dangers of using synthetic and toxic drugs!

IVNT can be used as a crutch to fast track nutrient delivery which allows the body to become healthy enough to better utilize nutrients, drugs, or other therapies. As discussed, there is a therapeutic Catch 22 in cellular health, where the cells need to be healthy enough to have enough energy to bring in the nutrients required for repair, but a sick cell may not be able to do so even if those nutrients are around. IVNT provides a method of increasing nutrient absorption so that the body can become healthy enough to heal itself. For some, it is a therapy used temporarily to accelerate the healing process. For others, IVNT should be utilized long term to overcome their health challenges. ?簪

Conditions Treated with IVNT[v] [vi] [vii]

IVNT is a safe and effective therapy using natural substances in high quantities which enables accelerated healing for optimal health. Most any condition can benefit from high dose nutrient therapy, from general health optimization, acute cold symptoms, to caner, migraines, and viral infections. The many conditions which benefit from IVNT include:

• Cancer


• Chronic fatigue syndrome


• Fibromyalgia


• Depression


• Parkinson's Disease


• Migraine Headaches


• Macular degeneration, Cataracts and certain Retinopathies


• Autoimmune conditions




• Rheumatoid Arthritis


• Lupus


• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis




• Lyme Disease and other chronic infections


• Hepatitis


• Herpes Virus


• Environmental Toxicity


• Malabsorption problems (i.e. gastritis, ulcers, IBS, Crohn's, colitis, diverticulits)


• Asthma


• Flu symptoms


• Peripheral Artery Disease


• Macular Degeneration


• Heavy metal toxicity


• Post traumatic/post operative wound healing


• Heart disease


• Diabetes


• Parkinson's disease


• Alzheimer's disease


• Dementia


• Multiple Sclerosis


• HIV

Therapeutic Effect of IVNT

Benefits seen by patients vary and depend on the severity of the illness and individual response to treatment. The desired goals expected include:

• Stimulates and increases immune system function


• Encourages cellular repair and regeneration


• Accelerates the process of recovery


• Provides preventative immune support


• Inhibits disease progression


• Enhances treatment efficacy


• Bolsters cancer-fighting capacity


• Increases energy


• Improves circulation


• Increases cellular detoxification


• Enhances sense of wellbeing


• Decreases symptoms related to chronic or acute illness


• Alleviates nutritional deficiencies


• Hydrates the body


• Increases body's ability to heal

Natural Substances Used in IVNT

繚 Amino Acids

繚 Glutathione

繚 Vitamin C

繚 Phosphatidylcholine

繚 Chelating agents

繚 Sodium Bicarbonate

繚 Minerals

繚 Multi-vitamins

繚 Antioxidants

繚 Herbal and homeopathic medicines

繚 Meyer's Cocktail (including)

• B complex


• Vitamin C


• Magnesium


• Dexpenthanol (Vitamin B5)


• Calcium


• B12


• B6

Complications/side effects and safety

Intravenous delivery of nutrients, when administered by a trained and qualified doctor, is extremely safe and efficacious. Some potential short term side effects include a warm sensation due to some of the minerals, hypotension (lowered blood pressure), and changes in blood sugar. There are some rare but potential side effects that occur with any time of IV administration, such as phlebitis (inflammation of the vein), allergic reaction (rare), or minor discomfort. Overall, IVNT is a very safe therapy. It is essential to let the doctor know if you are taking any medications or have any additional health complaints that were not discussed during the office visit to rule out any possible contraindications to treatment.

Conclusion

Intravenous infusions of certain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, homeopathics, botanicals and other nutrients can often be the missing link in achieving optimal health. It can be used as a short term accelerator towards therapeutic goals, or longer term to provide more efficient delivery of needed substances for maximal effect. It is one treatment amongst many within the realm of natural medicine, and when used appropriately, can provide astonishing results!

[i] Turnland JR. Bioavailability of dietary minerals to humans: the stable isotope approach. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 1991;30(4);387-396

[ii] [28] Schumann K, et al. Bioavailability of oral vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals in perspective. Arzneimittelforshcung

[iii] Harakeh S, Jariwalla RJ, Pauling L. Suppression of human immunodeficiency virus replication by ascorbate in chronically and acutely infected cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990;87:7245-7249

[iv] Blanchard J, Tozer TN, Rowland M. Pharmacokinetic perspectives on megadoses of ascorbic acid. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:1165-1171

[v] Gaby A (2002). "Intravenous nutrient therapy: the "Myers' cocktail"". Altern Med Rev

[vi] Shrader W (2004). "Short and long term treatment of asthma with intravenous nutrients". Nutr J 3: 6.

[vii] Massey, Patrick B. (May/June 2007). "Reduction of fibromyalgia symptoms through intravenous nutrient therapy: Results of a pilot clinical trial". Alternative Therapies 13 (3): 32-34.

How To Reverse Fatty Liver Disease - This Is How To Treat Fatty Liver The Natural Way!

Fatty liver is a disease in which too much fat gets accumulated inside the liver cells. The disease is also known as steatosis. The abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver was first observed in alcoholics, but later it was found that the condition also occurs in non-alcoholics. It usually appears in people who are obese or diabetics or to those who suffer from hypertriglyceridemia.

The exact reason that causes this condition is not fully understood. It seems that is some people, excessive fatty acids do not get stored in the fat cells, where they are usually stored and end up in the liver. Fats remain outside the cells and they cause the onset of a series of reactions leading to damage of hepatocytes. Women are affected more often, and the disease can occur in all age groups including children.

The condition has no symptoms, but in some rare cases the individual can experience abdominal pain, fever or swelling in the stomach. Due to the fact that the condition is usually asymptomatic, the reason for the visit to the doctor is the discovery of fatty infiltration of the liver ultrasound or an increase in the transaminases in blood tests. The frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver varies, but in some countries it is between 15-20% of the population and it increases with age and the presence of obesity or diabetes.

More specifically, the causes of the hepatic steatosis are the following:

• Alcohol: The regular consumption of alcohol is one of the most common causes of this condition. Practically all patients who report long-term alcohol consumption suffer from hepatic steatosis.


• Medication: steroids, synthetic estrogen, oral contraceptives and more can cause hepatic steatosis, when taken for long periods of time.


• Diabetes: the risk of the disease increases when diabetes remains untreated.


• Obesity: Obesity and mainly abdominal obesity can be responsible for the disease.


• Sudden weight loss, crash diets resulting in rapid weight loss and can cause fat deposition in the liver.


• Other causes: A number of diseases such as hepatitis C, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis and Wilson disease can also cause hepatic steatosis.

How to treat fatty liver disease:

The treatment of the disorder includes the shedding of excessive pounds and the maintenance of normal body weight. Losing weight is the most important step you could take to eliminate this condition. Some studies have shown that 20% to 40% of overweight or obese patients will develop hepatic steatosis. You should also include some physical activity in your lifestyle and take medicines to lower blood cholesterol. Your diet should include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and it would be a good idea to avoid junk food.

Aloe Vera Magic - You Can Now See Ulcerative Colitis Disappearing

Are you a victim of ulcerative colitis? Have you experimented with sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, immuno-suppressive drugs and even considered partial removal of your colon to treat your ulcerative colitis? The permanent solution is here. Aloe Vera. It is an all natural, non-toxic medicine with no negative side effects. It can rid you of the abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, fever, dehydration, arthritis, constipation, liver inflammation or skin sores; whatever your ulcer symptoms are. Aloe vera has the ability to heal internal diseases thereby reinforcing the health of your digestive system.

For the quick recovery from first degree burns aloe gel is the best external cure. It is also used to shrink warts and reduce pain caused due to shingles. Psoriasis, another skin disease can be treated with the use of aloe gel. Bleeding gums, denture somatitis and other dental problems can all be solved using Aloe Vera. Cleansing your bowels and clearing constipation are internal diseases that aloe-vera can cure. Its antioxidant properties are also much famed. In European alternate medicine aloe is used to cure heart burns and ulcers. It has also been speculated that it can be used in the treatment of diabetes. Patients who suffer from Irritable bowel disease (IBD) benefit significantly from use of aloe vera. Bowel residue accumulated in the colon is tackled by aloe when it is used regularly. Aloe-vera is also used to heal internal lesions and ulcers.

The soothing, anti-inflammatory capability of aloe is used to treat colitis, peptic ulcers and other irritations of the digestive tract. Another function of aloe vera is its acidity removal. Its anti-inflammatory fatty acids such as alkalize digestive juices keep acidity well under control.

Yeast Infection Treatment

Candida species are common and are present in human oral and intestinal environments. Yeast infections can be effectively treated using anti-fungal drugs. These include:

(a) Amphotericin. This is a polyene antibiotic that is administered through infusion. It is indicated for the treatment of progressive disseminated yeast infections. It is administered in a dosage of 0.25mg/kg of body weight with 5% glucose for children and increased to 1mg/kg of body weight with 5% glucose for adults. Amphotericin's side effects include nausea and vomitting, shock and pseudomembranous colitis. It is available in 50mg/vials and goes by the trade name Fungizone, manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb.

(b) Fluconazole. This is indicated for the treatment of persistent yeast infections unresponsive to common drugs. It is very effective in treating recurrent vaginal candidiasis. It can be taken orally or through I.V., starting with 150mg at a go, followed by 50mg daily for seven days. For non-vaginal infections, it is taken 50mg daily for 7-30 days, depending on the infection. In serious infections like those of the nails, the dose can be doubled. For children over one year but below five, it is administered 1-6 mg/kg body weight, depending on the infection. It is contraindicated for use in pregnancy, lactating mothers and those with hepatic impairment. Its side effects include rashes, renal disturbances and hepatic disturbances. It is available by trade names such as Diflucan by Pfizer in caps of 50mg, 150mg, 200mg and dry suspension, Flucozal by Aegis, Logican by Wincare and Zorcan by Cipla.

Other yeast infection drugs include Griseofulvin tablets, Itraconazole tablets and oral solution, Ketoconazole tablets, Terbenafine tablets and Nystatin oral drops, tablets, suspension and for injection. Other topical creams are also available.

Spontaneous Remission of Cancer - A Personal Story Part One

Spontaneous remission of cancer occurs when a person recovers either temporarily or fully from the disease of cancer (or other condition) in a way that cannot be solely attributed to medical care. The power of belief is so strong, but can it really help to halt the growth of destructive tumours?

Sometimes NLP practitioners and clinical hypnotherapists have the experience of spontaneous remission in their patients. One practitioner's mother was admitted to hospital suffering serious symptoms of cancer. The doctors didn't expect her to live as she was in a coma which would likely result in brain damage. She recalls that it was hard to treat someone so close to her with hypnosis, however, she persisted and kept talking to her using special techniques and telling her that if it was her time to come back, she could do so and recover. If it was her time to leave, then she could pass away comfortably and peacefully as they would always be together.

Knowing the healing value of something for patients to look forward to, she repainted her mother's bathroom and kitchen telling her she could return home to her own house or come and live with her. She had taken some before-and-after photos and noticed an 'after' photo had captured a strange phenomenon on the bathroom mirror. Somehow the Christian symbol of the fish had appeared on the mirror which wasn't there before. How ever it manifested, this provided a source of hope especially because the mirror had belonged to her grandfather who had recovered from his terminal cancer and was kept in the room where he convalesced. It seemed to be a sign that everything would be fine.

Through her mother's coma, she told her about the auspicious symbol on the mirror describing in detail as at this time she couldn't speak,or even see the photos. Sure enough, slowly but surely, her mother recovered, inspired by the appearance of the auspicious symbol and greatly helped by the regular NLP and hypnotherapy treatments from her daughter.

After nine days, she awoke from her coma which had served as a complete rest, giving the body a chance to heal and repair itself. She did suffer from a variety of other illnesses,including diabetes,angina,high blood pressure, ulcerated colitis and crones disease but had survived the cancer and experienced spontaneous remission which her daughter believes was due to her belief, her hope and the NLP and hypnotherapy treatments.

Read more about this practitioner's personal stories of spontaneous remission of cancer in Part Two by clicking here http://ezinearticles.com/?Spontaneous-Remission-From-Cancer---A-Personal-Story-Part-2&id=6616638

Prescription Acne Treatment

There are many prescription medicines to control moderate to serious acne. Some are topical (applied to the skin surface); others are taken orally, as pills, or subcutaneously (under the skin), as shots. All necessitate at least one visit to a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in skin problems. While your general physician can and may prescribe these medications and treatments, it is recommended that you see a specialist (dermatologist). Fortunately, the majority of these treatments have pros and cons that are comparatively simple to delineate.

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Accutane is a synthetic Vitamin A derivative that creates potentially long-lasting change in the cells lining the pore. This allows cells to slough off naturally without clumping and clogging the pore - the first step in the development of acne. The quantity of oil produced is decreased, as Accutane temporarily regulates the oil gland to produce less.

Accutane has been the most important drug to date in the arsenal of prescription medication to treat severe and persistent nodular, cystic acne. It has provided dramatic improvement to millions who have been treated with it. More than half of patients treated respond satisfactorily with one course of Accutane; after a second course, only 10% failed to permanently respond. If you have severe acne that has not responded to other treatments, your dermatologist may advise that you are a candidate for a 5- to 6-month course of Accutane.

One of the advantages of Accutane is that its benefits may last years, and in some cases are permanent. In the last decade, however, it has been linked to serious side effects, such as depression and suicidal thoughts. If you are taking Accutane, or have a teenager taking it, you need to be hyperaware of these side effects. Other severe, but rare, side effects include nosebleeds and joint and muscle soreness. Another downside is that it causes drying of the skin, and not just facial skin. However, severe side effects are rare, and most patients who take Accutane suffer only from dry skin and chapped lips.

If your dermatologist has recommended Accutane, don't be afraid to ask questions about its side effects. The dermatology medical community is well aware of the pros and cons and they are prepared to answer questions about it.

Oral Antibiotics

Acne is caused, in part, by a bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). Oral antibiotics work by removing this bacteria and decreasing inflammation. One of the growing problems, however, is that overprescription of antibiotics is leading to a growing resistance of bacteria to these drugs, and antibiotics should be used only under the direction of a physician, and only as directed by that physician. Do not "borrow" other people's leftover antibiotics or buy them online.

Typically, the first antibiotic a physician will prescribe is tetracycline. It's a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is very inexpensive. Tetracycline has been prescribed for decades to reduce acne inflammation. It is easy to tolerate, with few side effects. Erythromycin is also frequently prescribed; however, it has been so ove prescribed for a variety of conditions that 50% of people are resistant to it. Both have value for moderate to severe acne, because of their anti-inflammatory potential. Side effects include primarily intestinal upset, sun sensitivity and discolored teeth. Patients will be advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to sun and to use sunscreen for necessary exposure, and to take the antibiotic with food. If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant or actively trying to get pregnant, you should consult your obstetrician before taking any medication, as these antibiotics are contraindicated for women who are pregnant.

Clindamycin is a second-line antibiotic used in treatment of acne, but can cause reactions such as serious skin allergies and bone marrow suppression, as well as the digestive tract upset and possible colitis.

Your dermatologist will typically prescribe antibiotics for a course of one to six months, with regular followups to check progress. Oral antibiotics may also be used in conjunction with topical treatments.

Topical Treatments

A few topical antibiotics can attack the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria directly through the surface of the skin. They are typically employed to address less serious cases of acne. They may even be utilized in cases of acne vulgaris, a mild form of acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is probable one of the most popular over-the-counter acne treatments, because it attacks the P. acnes bacteria very effectively. There is also evidence that it may penetrate the oil in the plug, control excess sebum production and less skin inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide has been used for over 40 years, without any evidence that the P. acnes bacteria has developed any resistance to it. If you use it and it works, it will continue to work because the bacteria cannot become immune to it. If you are trying benzoyl peroxide for the first time, buy the lowest-strength (2.5%); only progress to stronger compositions if the lowest strength doesn't appear to work, but give it at least 2 weeks.

Topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin, erythromycin and sodium sulfacetamide, remove bacteria. However, topical erythromycin loses effectiveness within a few months, because bacterial resistance develops quickly. Clindamycin is a favorite topical antibiotic, but it also is showing more and more bacterial resistance.

Benzoyl peroxide and erythryomycin (benzamycin), and benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin (Benzaclin or Duac) are formulas combining an antibiotic with benzoyl peroxide; they may work better than either medication used alone.

Retinoids are another topical treatment in the acne treatment arsenal. These stop the formation of microcomedones, the precursors of pimples. The brand name most people are probably familiar with is Retin-A. All retnoids cause dryness, redness, chapping, irritation, flaking, and sometimes an initial worsening of acne. In the first months of treatment, acne impurities are brought to the surface and these will cause a flare. However, it improves over the next three to four months.

Anyone who has attempted over-the-counter medications or treatments and not experienced acceptable results has numerous additional alternatives. Almost all acne can be treated medically with success.

What Has Inflammation Got to Do With Colitis?

Inflammation is the underlying cause of Colitis. Colitis literally means inflammation of the colon. The chances are that if you have Colitis you will also have other signs of inflammation in the body as a whole such as skin rashes and joint pains. What is going on is that your body's immune system has got out of control and is working to hard - it's forgotten when to take a break! And it starts attacking your body by mistake. The main place this is happening if you have Colitis is in your colon, but there may be signs of inflammation elsewhere in the body as well.

Why You Need to Lower Your Inflammation Levels

o Inflammation is the root cause of Colitis

o When we become inflamed our body is literally attacking itself

o If you lower your inflammation levels you will have less aches and pains

o Inflammation is now thought to be the trigger for many other modern chronic diseases

Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Omega 3 Fish Oils

Omega 3 fish oils are one tool we can use to reduce inflammation in the body, not only that - they are good for your brains as well! There have been several studies showing positive results from the use of Omega 3 Fish Oils in people with Ulcerative Colitis. I take 4 grams of Omega 3 Fish Oils a day, and as an added bonus I find that my eyesight is clearer as a result of taking them.

Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Boswellia - is a herb that is often used in Ayurvedic Medicine from India. It has been found in studies to block chemical reactions involved in inflammation. It is safe to use and a study in 1997 of people with Ulcerative Colitis found that 82% of the people in the study who took 350mg three times a day experienced remission.

Turmeric - is spice often used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also used in Indian cooking. It contains a flavanoid called Cur cumin that is showing promise in the treatment of Crohn's and Colitis. It inhibits an inflammatory agent called NF kappa-B that has been linked to autoimmune diseases.

I take a combination supplement of Boswellia and Cur cumin daily as part of my treatment plan as well as the fish oils, I find both to be very beneficial to my Colitis and overall wellness.

Acne Pills And Supplements - Will They Help Me Or Can They Hurt Me?

Acne Pills and Supplements Are They Good For Me?

There are many acne pills and supplements which can both help to clear existing acne and prevent future flare-ups. One of the most well-known acne pills is Accutane (isotretinoin). Often used for severe acne, Accutane has several serious side-effects but is also very effective for acne treatment.

Some of the possible side effects from using Accutane:

• Ulcerative colitis


• Crohn's Disease


• Inflammatory Bowel Disease


• Liver damage


• Birth defects


• Depression


• Suicidal thoughts

There are many other side effects that are slightly less severe but also very concerning. Accutane is a retinoid that is similar to Vitamin A and works by altering DNA transcription which decreases the size and output of sebaceous glands which produce sebum. It also reduces the amount of bacteria and makes sloughed off cells less sticky. All of these properties account for huge successes in the treatment of acne, but it should never be used without full awareness of the possible effects. It is usually taken for 4-5 months, often after several rounds of unsuccessful antibiotic treatment.

Other acne pills that may be prescribed are antibiotics. Some of the more commonly prescribed are:

• Clindamycin


• Erythromycin


• Tetracycline


• Amoxicillin which also come in creams.

These help reduce acne bumps and inflammation, in addition to treating any pimples that may have become infected. Dietary supplements also may help reduce acne.

Zinc supplements will likely be beneficial for acne sufferers. Zinc is found in many different foods, but since there is only as much zinc in foods as there was in the soil the food was grown in, and modern day farmers use fertilizers with little to no zinc, many people need more of this mineral in their bodies. Zinc is important in keeping the immune system healthy and functioning. It also minimizes scarring that may result from acne, because it aids in tissue healing.

If the immune system is working at less than 100% efficiency, a hormone imbalance may easily occur. Hormone imbalances are often blamed for causing acne, because hormones are responsible for producing sebum which clogs pores.

Vitamin A is recommended for acne sufferers because it promotes skin healing, but like Accutane it can be very dangerous in excess. To clear up skin, Vitamin A must be taken in mega-doses. BUT Vitamin A in mega doses can cause depression and liver malfunction for some individuals. Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, the body does not break it down very easily, so toxicity build-up must be carefully monitored.

Vitamin E is also a good supplement if your body is not getting enough of it, because it is good for the skin, oxidizing free radicals which cause havoc for the skin. Omega-3 fatty acids should also be supplemented in one's diet, if fish is not a regular part of someone's diet. These acids have anti-inflammatory impacts on the body and also provide antibacterial effects. Therefore, they help transportation of nutrients to the cells remain normal and unimpaired and keep cell membranes healthy and intact.

For Information: http://www.acneridguide.com

Finding a Qualified Classical Homeopath

Homeopathic Services - when you need a Professional Classical Homeopath with the letters DCH, CCH or HMC?

Recently at a presentation I was speaking at, it became very obvious what a confusing struggle it is to know when you've found the appropriate holistic practitioner for your specific health concern. In Vancouver, North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, East Vancouver, Burnaby and all of the Lower Mainland, this is a particularly challenging.

The positive aspect of the fact that this is such a challenge in Vancouver is that there are many holistic practitioners to choose from. There are many highly qualified Homeopaths, Naturopaths, TCM practitioners, TCM Doctors, Acupuncturists, Shiatsu, Craniosacral Therapists, Osteopaths, Reiki Masters etc... in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Within the different modalities to choose from, there are various levels of education. Usually this is indicated by the letters behind the practitioners' name.

When choosing a well educated and experienced Homeopath, look for the following letters: DCH, CCH and HMC. They will often be shown somewhat in this order. The significance of these letters is that they have received four years of up to date/contemporary education. That is what the DCH stands for (Diploma of Classical Homeopathy).

I will define the significance of the term 'Classical Homeopath' in another article. The CCH signifies that the Homeopath has completed the Board exams for Certification as a Classical Homeopath that apply to all North American Homeopaths. The CCH letters are very important when looking for a properly trained Homeopath. CCH stands for Certified Classical Homeopath.

In the Vancouver area (specifically Bowen Island and West Vancouver), we are fortunate to have an upper level Homeopath and Professional Teacher, Louis Klein. Between the Vancouver Homeopathic Academy (DCH) with Murray Feldman and Louis Klein's Homeopathic Master Clinician (HMC) courses, the Vancouver area is brimming with the best trained Homeopaths in North America.

Louis Klein's HMC course is an excellent three year follow up to the Diploma years. After these seven years of focussed, professional training - a Classical Homeopath is well equipped to help you with any range of health concerns - even the ones that conventional medical doctors might not know how to address (undiagnosed).

Seek Homeopathic Treatment from a Classically trained, professional homeopath for any chronic or acute health concerns. At Access Natural Healing Centre, we have the highest calibre, professional Homeopaths to serve you and your families natural health care needs.

We offer homeopathic treatment for, but not limited to: Allergies, Asthmatic Bronchitis, Headaches, Many psychological problems and disorders including Anxiety and Depression, Constipation, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, ADD, Autism, Weight Control, Menopausal symptoms, Chalazion, Eczema, Hepatitis-C, IBS, Psoriasis, Tonsillitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Urticaria, Vitiligo.

Good luck and remember to research responsibly. The internet can be a great first start to your research but follow it up with grounding contact with a professional of your choice.

Sincerely,
Elena Cecchetto ("El" for short) DCH, CCH (pending), HMC (pending)

Ulcerative Colitis - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are usually addressed together as irritable bowel syndrome because of the similarity of their symptoms and treatment.

A chronic pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and rectal bleeding are clear symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Another disease with similar symptoms is the Crohn's disease. Most medical journals together classify these diseases as the irritable bowel syndrome. These diseases can lead to weight loss and anemia as well. The Crohn's disease and the ulcerative colitis cause inflammation in the digestive tract and their symptoms are so similar that sometimes doctor's are unable to directly diagnose both at an early stage.

These two diseases are positively not caused due to any external infection and there is evidence that they are autoimmune disorders. This means that the body's own defense or immune mechanism starts acting against the digestive process and ulcers or small pus cells get formed and in acute ulcerative colitis perceptible rectal bleeding is noticed. The process of diagnosis normally involves a stool examination and also a colonoscopy which will establish the ulcerations. The cause of the disease is not known till date and the only alleviation from the symptoms is possible through medication. Usually anti-inflammatory drugs are administered to restore good health in the patients.

The aim of the medical practitioners is to limit the inflammatory response. As there is rectal bleeding in ulcerative colitis, oral iron therapy and even blood transfusion in rare cases may be needed. When the colon is affected there is discomfort. Normally pan colitis or universal colitis is a condition that involves the inflammation of the entire colon. This is an unhealthy condition to deal with and caregivers of the patients as well as the patients themselves get easily depressed and disillusioned by their state. Crohn's disease can also affect the liver, the joints, the lungs and even the kidneys at some time.

At this time it is known that both crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are rampant in Canada and many Canadians are known to be affected by the disease. They are often treated with Cannabis or medical marijuana. The irritable bowel syndrome caused by either crown's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause fever and vomiting as well as pain in the abdomen and rectum. The simplistic symptoms of these two ailments are easy to ignore, however an early diagnosis can save the pain and the disillusionment that comes from a chronic lifetime ailment.

Bid Bye to Ulcerative Colitis With the Help of Aloe Vera

Does Ulcerative Colitis trouble you? Does a permanent solution for Ulcerative Colitis elude you? Your search is about to end. May we interest you in nature's own solution? Aloe vera. Aloe has the capability to heal you internally nurturing your digestive system back to good health. It is a completely natural, non-toxic drug with no unwanted side effects.

The significant feature of Aloe is that there is no internal resistance that builds up in your body against aloe vera and using it daily can only help in regularizing functions of your body. Also being safe for use in the elderly, adults and even children is only one advantage. Another benefit is that it can be used by people in all health conditions. Also, it can be used along with any other medication prescribed to you without any side effects.

All the medicinal qualities of Aloe are because of one of its components called Aloe Mucilaginous Polysaccharides (AMP). Aloe mucilaginous polysaccharides are sugar molecule compounds made up of separate mannose and glucose sugar molecules united together. Though the most powerful, AMP molecules form only one of approximately 200 different ingredients found in the Aloe plant. Finding out the medicinal values of AMP was a significant breakthrough in areas of medicine including autoimmunity and gastrointestinal fields.

Ulcerative Colitis is a disease of the lower small intestine which causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is categorized under irritable bowel disease (IBD). This ailment often results in dilation of the affected area or even grave effects like perforation of the colon which could prove fatal. Why aloe vera is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This particular property will help calm the angry inflammation present in the digestive tract. Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial functions are also supposed to aid the condition.

Dealing With the Symptoms of Colitis

Colitis is a serious condition affecting many today. It is not only a painful and sometimes embarrassing health problem to go through, but it can also be life threatening if allowed to reach a cancerous state. Individuals are always encouraged to nip this illness in the bud before it reaches that stage. Talk to your doctor about methods of early detection so that treatment can be well underway before it gets worse. These treatments include prescription drugs and changes in one's diet. In the most serious of cases these treatments are done along with the surgical removal of the affected part of the colon.

Specifically, Colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine, or the colon. Reasons for this occurrence include a poor blood supply - which inevitably contribute to diarrhea, dehydration, anemia and shock- infections, and autoimmunity of the body. Colitis usually results in diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, as well as a bleeding ulcer producing mucus and pus at intervals. Diarrhea causes the body to lose far more fluids than usual. Diarrhea is usually the symptom that is seen in every type of colitis known to man. Cramps and sporadic abdominal pains are also a common feature of this condition. Other signs include fever and chills, the constant urge to use the bathroom, and the presence of blood in one's stool.

Now as mentioned earlier, this occurrence can be quite embarrassing for the victim and often times requires a support system such as close relative and friends. This becomes a greater concern where in almost all cases of colitis, one's daily activities have to be changed to necessitate the demands of this terrible ailment. A great way in which help can be given to someone dealing with the symptoms of Colitis is by being available to them during tests and examinations of this disease. Such tests include examining the blood to check the factors that might lead to this condition, conducting a colonoscopy to scrutinize the walls of the colon and finally, by way of a computerized tomography that visualizes the colon and abdomen.

Many people suffering from colitis have gotten to the point that they have difficulty leaving the house. They never know when they'll have to find a bathroom. This can make work and travel very difficult. Helping a friend or family member discover that colitis is the problem and that there are ways to treat it can help them get their life back again. It is helpful to research and talk about treatment methods with the colitis sufferer, and to carry out proactive measures such as encouraging a doctor's visit for medicinal aids to the aches and pains (which people might easily mistake as just ordinary abdominal pains and diarrhea) and eating healthy foods that don't cause colon distress!

Why Your Doctor Can't Cure IBS?

Many of my clients ask me the question, "Why can't my doctor cure IBS?" When referring to IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), the client is referring to the other names by which IBS is known, including colitis, UC, leaky gut, Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and others. In the medical community, there are many questions and much misinformation as to what these conditions are and what causes them. In turn, many patients are getting inaccurate information and are being misled, which causes frustration and fear in these patients. Because of this fear, several individuals seek out alternative medicine to cure IBS.

The inability to understand IBS and its cure are primarily due to the fact that the same "old paradigm" is being used to try and understand it. Older forms of medicine state that most diseases are caused by germs, but IBS is not. Therefore, there exists much misinformation and confusion about the issue, which exacerbates the IBS problem.

The most common method to cure IBS symptoms is to prescribe antibiotics, which is the polar opposite of what should be done, and I believe that this one action is the primary cause of IBS.

Another common treatment includes putting the patient on steroids, which does little but mask the patients' symptoms but doesn't cure any actual problems. Moreover, pumping in steroids can lead to various toxic side effects, which can prove to be fatal in some cases.

A third misdirected choice is to perform surgery to cure IBS. All this accomplishes is simply cutting out the patient's intestines. This treatment stems from a commonly held belief in the traditional medical community of, "if you can't fix the problem, simply cut it out."

Because the actual cause of IBS is the use of antibiotics, it becomes much clearer why your physician (the prescriber of the antibiotics) is unable to explain its cause or to cure it.

The most effective way to treat and cure your IBS is through a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic gastroenterology. The only way to cure IBS is to fix the problem by completely rebuilding the GI tract tissues, and this is done by using organic substances from which the tissues are made, and not drugs or other medications that most traditional doctors use to cure diseases and illnesses.

Since the wrong diagnosis has been made and the wrong medicines have been used to try and cure the illness, your doctor is not going to have the ability to fix your GI problem. Instead, seek out an alternative solution to your problem, like a holistic gastroenterologist, who can outline the steps you need to take to cure IBS.

Chron's Disease

Crohn's disease is often confused with other inflammatory bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, thus making it difficult to diagnose. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's disease is characterized by an inflammatory reaction throughout the entire thickness of the colon and bowel wall. This inflammation can penetrate deeply into the affected organ, causing pain and diarrhea.

Symptoms associated with Crohn's disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding (which may lead to anemia), weight loss, malabsorption syndrome and nutritional deficiencies. The onset of Crohn's disease is typically between the ages of fourteen and thirty. Cases of this disorder tend to be 2-4 times more common in Caucasian whites than non-Caucasian, and 4 times more common in Jews than non-Jews.

Crohn's disease is typically experienced as flair-up, with attacks occurring every few months to every few years. Over time, if the disease is active, bowel function can gradually deteriorate, with the risk of cancer increasing by 20 fold.

Scientists believe that chronic imbalances in the intestinal flora set off a chain of events that, in the end, damages the intestinal mucosa. This theory is strongly supported by the parallel in the number of cases of Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel disorders and use of antibiotics over the last 50 years. In turn, it has also been found that the incidence of Crohn's disease is higher in cultures consuming a "western diet", while it is virtually non-existent in cultures consuming a more primitive diet. Studies also reveal that patients with Crohn's disease were found to be individuals who habitually ate, prior to the onset of symptoms, more refined sugar, less raw fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber when compared to their healthy counterparts.

While the exact causes of Crohn's disease is still unclear, there is much that can be done to lessen symptoms and even put this disorder into remission. The goal for treatment of this disorder is to control inflammation, correct nutritional deficiencies and relieve symptoms such as pain, diarrhea and rectal bleeding.

Recommendations for Wellness

1) An elimination diet, such as Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet have been shown to reduce the symptoms experienced within 3 - 12 weeks.

2) Avoid sugar, both white sugars, and the sugars contained in white flower, white rice etc.

3) Keep a food/flair-up journal. Identify foods you are eating, or your emotional state just before and during a "flair-up". In time, you may find a pattern forming

4) To reduce intestinal inflammation and begin the healing process, try products such as UltraInflamx - by Metagenics, Robert's formula - by Phytophamric, or aloe vera juice.

5) Flax seed or fish oils (Omega 3 Oils) have been known to greatly reduce the inflammatory process. If you find you have a hard time digesting them, try freezing the gel caps before taking them.

6) Extra vitamins and minerals are important at this time, especially if you are not absorbing nutrients correctly. Incorporate a liquid meal replacement (one that is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein, and low on sugar!) into your diet as well as taking a high quality vitamin and minerals supplement. Try to find one that is in a gel casing or capsule.

7) Find a good mineral supplement such as Alfalfa, barley greens, liquid chlorophyll or colloidal minerals. Many of these come in a powdered form that you can mix with water or juice.

8) Because of blood loss due to rectal bleeding, and the anemia associated with it, incorporation of additional iron is important. Look to find an herbal iron alternative, especially one that comes in liquid form for better/easier assimilation. If you decide to look to a single herb, Yellow Dock would be my choice. (Consult with your health care provider before introducing additional iron into your diet.)

9) Starting a program of re-inoculating the intestinal tract with Friendly Bacteria, namely lactoacidopholis can enhance recovery and restore bowel function to normal.

© Copyright 2001 Body, Mind & SoulHealer, All Rights Reserved.

Diet Advice For People With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is when a chronic inflammation is present in the colon (large intestine), which is a part of our digestive system. This chronic inflammation causes ulcers or open sores to form. In most cases, people suffering from this condition do not display any symptoms, and even when warning signs do exist (such as fatigue, weight loss, loss of nutrients, joint pain), they will diminish on their own. Contrary to what most people believe, environmental factors contribute greatly to the development of this disease, not poor diet. But having said that, dietary modification can actually help lessen the effects caused by ulcerative colitis.

If you have ulcerative colitis, it is very important for you to modify your diet. Although there is no specific ulcerative colitis diet, many people find that avoiding or increasing the intake of certain foods can greatly reduce the symptoms.

People suffering from this condition should maintain a well balanced diet, preferably a balanced combination of complex carbohydrates, good fats, whole grains and protein. Soluble fiber is very helpful for this condition and is better than insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can be found in foods such as peeled apples, peeled potatoes, oat bran, and white rice; while insoluble fiber can be found in cabbage, wheat bran, sweet corn, and fruit and vegetable skins. You are advised to avoid insoluble fiber because it can't be digested by our body, and it will irritate the colon even more. Fish oils that come from sardines or any other oily fish will help you treat ulcerative colitis. The fatty acids contained in fish oils are believed to reduce inflammation in general. Do include more oily fish in your diet to help heal the ulcers in your colon. If you are a vegetarian, you can include dairy products or high protein plants in your diet. Soy products can be a good replacement for meat, fish, or poultry, and it gives the same benefits to the body.

As mentioned previously, poor diet is not the cause of ulcerative colitis. However, there are foods that may worsen inflammation or cause previously unseen symptoms to occur; these foods are often referred to as food triggers. The types of food that might be considered as food triggers vary among sufferers. One individual might be highly sensitive towards coffee or caffeine in general, while others are not. The most common foods which can cause further irritation are alcohol, carbonated beverages, popcorn, raw vegetables, nuts, pepper, or spicy foods in general.

Acid Reflux - Self Help Treatment

According to a research conducted in the United States, it has been proved that over sixty million american people suffer from stomach acid reflux symptoms and heartburn. Some of these symptoms include a burning sensation, pain in the stomach, behind the breast bone, bloating, nausea, gas and shortness of breath.

These symptoms occur as soon as the hydrochloric acid used to digest food backs up and began to irritate the esophagus lining.

In case, you suffer from a hiatus hernia, you may get to experience frequent heartburn. There are many other causes of heartburn and these include frequent consumption of fried foods, fatty foods or acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes.

There are many herbal remedies one can try to prevent symptoms of acid reflux. One of the most common remedy is chamomile tea. It relieves esophageal irritation. All you require to do is to pour a cup of boiling water over two to three teaspoons of fresh or dried flowers and then allow it to steep for fifteen or twenty minutes. You can easily drink three cups on a daily basis. Fennel tea is also known to be very effective remedy for acid reflux.

Another remedy is to have raw potato juice mixed with equal portions of fresh water thrice daily. Some people also get good relief via mixing a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar inside a glass of pure water. This concoction is supposed to be consumed with meal. Here, one needs to stay away from having any other beverage or alcohol.

Here are some other tips for self help treatment for acid reflux:

a) Tip 1 - Eat smaller meals

If you eat large meals, it tends to remain in the stomach for many hours and this in turn, increases the chances for gastro esophageal reflux. Hence, if you have gastro esophageal reflux, try to distribute your food intake over four to five smaller meals on a daily basis.

b) Tip 2 - Relax while eating
Stress tends to enhance the acid production inside the stomach. Hence, it is important to make meals a soothing experience. Try to sit down and relish your food via eating slowly. Make sure that you chew your food completely. If possible play soothing music.

c) Tip 3 - Relax between meals

You may try many of the relaxation therapies such as meditation, massage, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi in order to prevent as well as relieving heartburn.

d) Tip 4 - Sit upright after meals

Make sure that you maintain postures that tend to minimize the risk for reflux for at least three hours after the meal. Try not to bend over or lift heavy objects.

e) Tip 5 - Nothing within three hours of going to bed

Avoid eating bed time snacks completely.

f) Tip 6 - Loosen up
Do not tie tight belts or waist bands that tend to put excess pressure on your stomach.

g) Tip 7 - Abstain from smoking

It is very important because Nicotine tends to stimulate stomach acid and disturbs LES functions.

h) Tip 8 - Lose weight

Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach and can even push acid on your stomach.

What to Do When You Are Experiencing Abdominal Pain

If you happen to be having abdominal pain, there is a high probability you will want to go to the medical professional to get yourself checked out. Pain in the abdominal area could be a sign of a variety of diseases, ranging from the harmless (overeating) to the cancerous (stomach cancer). The important thing in determining how you get the pain is to take note of its frequency, its area, its severity, and all other details you may notice about it.

Clinically speaking, the abdomen area is defined as the vicinity from the bottom part of the ribs to the pelvic bone. This includes your liver, stomach, bowels, bladder, gall, as well as some other internal organs. Due to the wide array of very important internal organs associated with the abdominal area, it is critical to pay attention to the exact area of your abdominal problems.

Your kidneys and lungs are not in the abdominal area. And for women, be aware that the ovaries are not really considered to be portion of the abdominal area either. Yet all of those organs may cause pain that feels like it's in the abdomen, and that kind of pain is something worth noting too.

Probably the most typical causes of pain in the abdominal area are inflammatory illnesses such as diverticulitis, colitis, and appendicitis. Each of these diseases distends or stretches the afflicted organ. Other factors that cause abdominal pain, for example gallstones, create a blockage, which in turn triggers painful signs and symptoms. Furthermore, other conditions such as ischemic colitis result in a reduction in circulation to a particular organ, which in turn leads to pain.

Nevertheless, swelling, inflammation and blood loss may not be the sole factors that cause abdominal pain. IBS, which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is often a chronic source of abdominal pain for lots of people; nonetheless it's one with no clear cause or method of remedy. Some physicians have postulated that muscle jerks are in fact the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, although some have indicated nerve hyper-sensitivity could be to blame. In either case, no conclusive evidence has been discovered one way or the other, yet the health care industry do believe that IBS is a serious, significant problem that affects countless Americans each year.

Among the many approaches to determine what causes the abdominal pain is to identify what eliminates the pain. With regard to something like constipation, or, obviously, IBS, you will discover short-term alleviation by having a bowel movement. On the other hand, if you have a blockage of the small intestine, vomiting may bring short-term relief. This is the type of details that your medical professional can use to triangulate and eventually identify the reason for your abdominal problem.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms - How to Prevent and Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids?

Unfortunately one of the first hemorrhoid symptoms is usually hemorrhoids bleeding. It can appear with both internal and external hemorrhoids. In case of internal hemorrhoids you must be even more cautious because bleeding can be a sign of additional gastro-intestinal troubles such as fissure, fistula, colorectal cancer, diverticulosis or colitis.

Cause of bleeding hemorrhoids

Usual reason for hemorrhoids bleeding is that veins in rectum grow to be so enlarged with blood that they rupture because of it.

Most often it happens either during or just after the bowel movement. With internal hemorrhoids it is usually caused by a pallet like, hard stool.

Stool this hard is difficult to push out and straining caused by this is responsible for hemorrhoids swelling with blood even more. Stool this hard can easily tear open the already injured, inflated hemorrhoid tissue and cause the bleeding.

And in case of hemorrhoid prolapse, the cause can be external (too much rubbing with toilet paper, extended sitting periods or even synthetic underwear).

With external hemorrhoids similar to hemorrhoid prolapse, anal bleeding is usually caused "mechanically" by excessive wiping and cleaning of an already irritated area.

Symptoms of hemorrhoid bleeding

First thing you are going to notice is going to be small blood streaks in your stool, on your underwear and toilet paper. Before bleeding starts sometimes you can also feel other hemorrhoid symptoms like general discomfort in your rectal area, anal itching and burning sensation.

But you can equally experience hemorrhoids bleeding as the very first symptom of hemorrhoids without experiencing any of the less alarming symptoms at first. In case of external hemorrhoids you will notice hemorrhoids symptom very easy and very fast.

Usually you are going to sense the bulge or swelling around your anus, you might also experience itching and burning feeling but with external hemorrhoids you always have the option to use the hand held mirror and check what is going on.

Treatment

Treatment is never quick, but you have more than a few methods that can help your body heal the damage faster.

First thing you have to do is to soften your stool in order to prevent the damage that can be done to your colon by hard stool. This is going to help the injured tissue restore to health quicker and stop the anal bleeding. This is crucial for internal as well as for external hemorrhoids.

You should also try to avoid using toilet paper, use instead moist wipes or better yet take a shower or wash up in a bidet after the bowel movement. This is essential for external hemorrhoids because most of the rectal bleeding in this case is caused by mechanical damage done to the damaged tissue by wiping, also try to use soft, cotton underwear.

You can also use suppositories and natural creams for speeding up the healing as well as for lubrication of the colon, this way it will be much easier for you to pass the hard stool.

Ulcerative Colitis, A Personal Experience

This is a record of my own, personal, experience with Ulcerative Colitis. In 1997 I was suddenly very sick with Colitis, or Crohns Disease (Doctors weren't sure at the time, and still are not), but I was pleasantly surprised when, after visiting a nutritional therapist, I made a fast and full recovery. This, despite being told there was nothing that could be done apart from downing a fistful of steroids (not at one sitting of course). Talk of possible surgery was not appealing either!!

I walked out of the hospital feeling very unrelaxed about their diagnosis and hopes for the future. I was informed that my condition was among the worst cases they had seen and I should take my pills. Well, I am a bit of a rebel so I decided to check out alternatives. And, soon enough, I was in the care of a natural health practitioner in a small Hampshire town called Brockenhurst. My weight returned to normal, skin regained its colour and I felt energetic again. Needless to say, I did not take the steroids, but this was a personal choice. Between then and now I have experienced one minor bout during a period of heavy stress.

Prior to my diagnosis I was in the "care" of my GP for 3 months and, now realise, was manifesting all the symptoms of Colitis/ Crohns, diarrhoea, blood in stools, major weight loss and vomiting. Two months into my "treatment" I was advised by my doctor to take a well known heartburn remedy, with no mention of my requirement for extra water to rehydrate myself. Three months into my "treatment" I begged to be seen by a specialist, was diagnosed, and the rest is history.

I was clear of symptoms for nearly 7 years until, during a period of stress, minor symptoms did re-appear, but on this occasion, armed with new knowledge returned to good health in record time. This seemed to be a clear indicator that stress and nutrition play an important part in illness and disease.

It is not fully understood what causes Colitis or Crohns. They are both inflammatory diseases, also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which, it is thought, might result in our immune systems mistakenly attacking the good bacteria in the bowels as it would normally attack invading organisms. This is known as an autoimmune response.

In the year leading up to my illness I was exposed to the heavy metals, tin and lead while working with solder on circuit boards. During this period I also ate more junk food along with 2 pints of milk per day. This was out of the ordinary for me and it may have been a factor leading to my illness. Of course, it is impossible to know for sure but it's a gut feeling (excuse the pun). The nutritionist advised me to cut out the usual suspects, wheat and dairy, for at least 6 months and to eat a varied, healthy diet. I followed the advice strictly and my weight and skin tone returned to near normal levels within a few weeks. I was symptom free for 7 years. I went through a period of heavy stress and neglected my diet, as a result minor symptoms did reappear for a week or two. But, this time, I was armed with valuable knowledge and knocked the IBD on the head in record time.

In my opinion, based on personal experience, environmental and nutritional factors play a large part in how you feel. Processed foods are laced with all sorts of toxic elements and our household environment, for example, is filled with chemical poisons. It is not surprising people get sick. Try your best to eat a diet consisting of whole foods and avoid toxic chemicals to the best of your ability. This is not to say you cannot eat the occasional junk meal but you will learn to read what your body is telling you. Just don't overdo it. You do not have to live like a monk, but in the early stages of your recovery you do need to follow instructions from your health practitioner to the T. Once you are fit and well again the occasional lapse should not be the end of the world.

Remember, this account is based on my own, personal experience and the road taken was my choice. I took the alternative route and it worked for me. I believe it was the correct decision. If you get nothing else from this article I hope it will encourage you to check out all the options available to you before making big decisions regarding surgery and drugs. Find out what you can about your condition before blindly taking the route of toxic drugs and irreversible surgery.

My personal experience with Ulcerative Colitis was very painful indeed but, if I knew then what I know now, I am certain I would not have suffered for so many months. And, in the words of my specialist, I had a very serious case. I now understand it can be overcome with certain lifestyle changes including nutrition, reducing exposure to environmental toxins and stress control etc. People have controlled, or eliminated UC and Crohns and you can too, but it takes determination and a commitment to be strict with yourself, at least until you have made a full recovery.

Living With Hypothyroidism the Natural Way

In today's fast food society and poor eating habits, have given way to serious health problems. One of these is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is an ailment where the thyroid gland doesn't produce the required thyroxine hormone useful in balancing the body's metabolic functions.

The human body is made up of many crucial elements; all of them performing a key part in the nurturing of human life and enabling the optimal functioning of the body system. Part of these important components are the different hormones. One of which is thyroxine. When the body lacks of these important hormones, the person begins demonstrating certain symptoms. However, symptoms evidenced as a result of hypothyroidism are as well common to other ailments. The symptoms may include weight loss, weight gain, sluggishness, extreme fatigue, dry flaky skin, and in a few cases, acute depression. Therefore you can see how that it might look like any other common ailment that you probably recognize. That's why it's important to check with your doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms.

The foods we eat can adversely affect our thyroid function. Individuals who suffer from hypothyroidism have been known to experience a slower metabolism and as a result, the food they eat doesn't get broken down fast enough resulting in weight gain. Also, some drugs used in treating extreme depression and mood swings have been known to restrict the amount of thyroxine created by the thyroid gland

Treating hypothyroidism with natural medication is a combination of eating a healthy diet with food that's free of pesticides and chemicals, approaching life with a positive attitude, and setting aside a time of rest and relaxation. Homeopathic remedies are made from natural products that include herbs, metals, and plants. Helping improve other organs to function properly has a positive impact on the performance of the thyroid. To operate at it's fullest, the thyroid gland needs iodine and amino acids.

Treating hypothyroidism with herbs are natural sources of iodine and minerals.

Here are some natural supplements that help to support overall thyroid health and function:

1. Ginger: Ginger is an herb that dates back to ancient times as a medicine for treating a variety of ailments such as inflammation (arthritis, colitis), upset stomach, nausea, and heart disease. Cholesterol levels are associated with healthy thyroid function and although studies are still being conducted, there's rising evidence that Ginger could help in lowering cholesterol.

2. Nori: Nori (porphyra, laver) contains iodine which is essential in helping replenish thyroid hormone T3 and T4. Nori, is a sea plant (or seaweed) that is high in calcium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, and rich in all the carotenes.

3. Guglipid: This is another ancient herb that dates back 3,000 years to India. An extract from the Guggal tree, studies report that Guglipid keeps bile acids in check, thereby regulating cholesterol metabolism. Guglipid is especially useful where T3 (Triiodothyronine) values of the thyroid are low.

4. Piper Longum (Indian Long Pepper or Pippali): This plant is grown in India and used for centuries treating digestive and respiratory ailments and is a powerful stimulant that plays a vital role in helping to increase thyroid hormone levels.

5. L-Tyrosine: Tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in protein foods such as fish, meats, vegetables, and dairy products. Tyrosine helps the body create neurotransmitters which assist the brain and nervous system to function properly. Increasing levels of tyrosine helps support healthy thyroid function.

6. Coconut oil: Coconut oil is comprised mainly of medium chain fatty acids which increases metabolism by removing stress on the pancreas and promotes weight loss including proper functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems.

Always consult with your physician if you think you have a thyroid disorder before beginning any treatment.

Herbal Medicines For Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease covers a number of bowel disorders. It can describe colitis, which affects the colon, or regional enteritis (known as Crohn's disease), which affects the small intestine.

Colitis

The cause of colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine, is not properly understood, although a lack of fiber in the diet is thought to be partly to blame. Symptoms of this illness include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes blood or mucus in the motions.

Treatment

Diet and Nutrition Follow a wholefood diet with plenty of brown rice, fruit (stewed apples especially), and vegetables. As colitis can sometimes be caused by allergies to certain common foods - milk products and cereals such as wheat or oats, for example - cut them out of your diet for at least two weeks to see if there is any improvement. Eat plenty of garlic or, if you do not like it, take garlic capsules.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Herbal Medicine Slippery elm to reduce inflammation is often prescribed. Homeopathy Podophyllum 6c and Arsenicum alb. 6c are particularly helpful. Acupressure and Acupuncture Both of these can be effective.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is caused by recurrent inflammation of the small intestine. The digestive system can also become damaged, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients from food. Symptoms of the disease include pain, fever, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Treatment

Relaxation Techniques Yoga, meditation, and biofeedback can reduce stress, which often plays a major role in this disease.

Aromatherapy Essential oil of lavender is particularly beneficial. Massage This, together with regular exercise, is very beneficial. Herbal Medicine Slippery elm is recommended, alternated with astringent teas such as agrimony.

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Detected Under the Microscope

INCREASED SPECIAL WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN INTESTINE IS THE EARLIES SIGN OF GLUTEN INTOLERANCE AND CELIAC DISEASE

Specialized white blood cells known as lymphocytes are present in the tips of the villi of small intestine. They are believed to be important in surveying the digestive tract for potential invaders or attacks from viruses, bacteria and parasites. In the context of leaky gut that can occur from eating gluten containing grains and flour, these lymphocytes can increase in numbers at the tips of the intestinal villi. This change is critical in the development of celiac disease (CD).

INCREASES IN INTESTINAL LYMPHOCYTES CAN BE SEEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE BEFORE DAMAGE OF THE INTESTINE LINING IS SEEN

Though not specific for CD, increased lymphocytes in the tips of the villi, also known as increased intraepithelial lymphocytosis, is accepted as the earliest sign of gluten intolerance in the gut. This increase when significant is obvious to most pathologists reviewing biopsy slides from tissue obtained from the intestine during a scope examination. However, this may not be obvious without an objective count of the number lymphocytes in the tips of the intestinal villi.

HOW DO THE PATHOLOGISTS COUNT THE NUMBER OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE INTESTINAL LINING AND WHAT IS NORMAL?

Most pathologists either report the number of IEL's per 20 intestinal lining cells (enterocytes) or per 100 enterocytes. Generally there are only 1-4 lymphocytes in the tips of each villous where there are typically 20 intestinal cells. When the pathologist or a computerized counting microscope reports or counts the lymphocytes per 100 intestinal cells there are usually no more than 12-15 per 100 intestinal lining cells. In the past, 40 lymphocytes per 100 intestinal cells (or about 8 per villous tip) was considered the cut off for abnormal. More recently that number has been lowered to 30 lymphocytes per 100 intestinal or epithelial cells (about 6 per villous tip). There are some researchers who believe the number should be lowered to 25 per 100 (or about 5 per villous tip).

WHAT ARE CAUSES OF INCREASED WHITE BLOOD CELLS OR LYMPHOCYTES IN THE INTESTINE?

Celiac disease is the most common but infection from the ulcer causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori or the parasite giardia can be a cause as well as recent viral infection. Cow's milk protein sensitivity and allergy is also a cause. Though not well established, it is believed that the number of lymphocytes in conditions other than Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may not be as high.

Inflammatory conditions in the esophagus, stomach, distal small bowel or colon may be associated with increased IEL's in those areas but the number has not been well studied. There is a concern that some pathologists may falsely attribute increased duodenal lymphocytes to associated inflammation going on in either the esophagus or stomach. Increased lympnocytes have been noted in the gut above the duodenum (esophagus and stomach) and below the jejunum (ileum and colon) in both celiac and microscopic or collagenous colitis caused by gluten sensitivity.

WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease of gluten intolerance or sensitivity not a food allergy though many people mistakenly refer to it as gluten allergy or wheat allergy. Previously thought to be rare it is now known to be very common, affecting 1/100 worldwide.

Celiac Sprue, as CD is also commonly known, is definitively diagnosed by the combination positive results for specific blood antibodies for CD, either endomysial (EMA) or tissue transglutaminase (tTG); a characteristic small intestine biopsy; and response to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Classically, flattening of the intestinal villi, known as villous atrophy, has been the gold standard for diagnosis. Positive EMA or tTG tests without villous atrophy on biopsy but increased IEL's is accepted as diagnostic in the context of response to GFD, especially when an individual is positive for one of the two predisposing genes, DQ2 or DQ8.

WHAT DID THIS RECENT STUDY FIND REGARDING THE NUMBERS OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE DIGESTIVE LINING?

A recent study of biopsies of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of 46 people without Celiac disease reached several conclusions. Though there may be a slight increase in lymphocytes in esophagitis and gastritis, the difference in lymphocyte numbers is not significantly different in normal biopsies of the esophagus and stomach. Though general ranges of duodenal lymphocytes found in active esophagitis (2-13, average 8.8), active gastritis with Helicobacter pylori infection (2-13, average 7.2) and chronic gastritis without H. pylori infection (4-20, average 10.2) was very similar to those with negative esophagus, stomach and duodenal biopsies (2-18, average 6.7) the average number of lymphocytes was slightly higher, though not statistically significant.

WHAT MIGHT THIS TELL US ABOUT LYMPHOCYTE NUMBERS IN THE INTESTINE?

In my opinion, I believe this study showed that the numbers of lymphocytes in people with normal biopsies, esophagitis and gastritis were significantly lower than those reported in people with Celiac disease (>30/100 ) and early gluten injury (20-25/100 enterocytes) but not meeting diagnostic criteria for Celiac disease. I believe this study is helpful because it argues against attributing more than 20-25 lymphocytes/ 100 enterocytes to other inflammatory processes in the esophagus or stomach. It also supports the findings of other studies that have found that >20-25 /100 as an early sign of gluten sensitivity.

WHAT ABOUT LYMPHOCYTE COUNTS LESS THAN 30 BUT 25 OR MORE?

In the context of elevated gliadin antibody levels I believe that intestinal lymphocyte counts in the villi of 25 or more likely indicates gluten sensitivity though it does not necessarliy mean Celiac disease. Strict criteria for diagnosing of this disease require a positive specific blood test such as endomysial antibody or tissue transglutaminase antibody and >30 IEL's/100 enterocytes and evidence of villous atrophy on small intestinal biopsy.

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE FROM THIS?

If you have had an intestinal biopsy but were told you did not have signs of Celiac disease, I recommend you consider asking that biopsy be reviewed by another pathologist who has experience in Celiac disease and you ask them to provide you with the number of lymphocytes in the villi. If they provided the number and you find there were 30 or more then that is clearly abnormal and can be diagnostic of Celiac disease if you have a positive specific blood test such as the endomysial or tissue transglutaminase antibodies, especially if you carry either the DQ2 and/or the DQ8 genetics. If you have less than 30 lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes but 20 or more and have a gliadin antibody elevation I would recommend you get HLA DQ genetic testing and try a gluten free diet.