HEALTH CONCERNS

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ADD/ADHD is the fastest growing childhood disorder in the United States, reportedly affecting an astounding 9 to 10 percent of all school-aged children. Ten times more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Although primarily thought of as a childhood disorder, ADD/ADHD can be found in adults as well. It causes a variety of learning and behavioral problems, often making it difficult not only for the affected individual, but for the entire family. Although the ADD/ADHD child is often labeled as having a learning disability, the child usually is of average or above-average intelligence and is also highly creative.

Factors that have been linked to the development of ADD/ADHD include heredity, anxiety, allergies, smoking during pregnancy, hyperinsulinemia, oxygen deprivation at birth, environmental stress or pollutants, artificial food additives, injury, infection, lead poisoning, allergies, and prenatal trauma. In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on the role of diet in ADD/ADHD. Many people with these conditions react to certain preservatives, dyes, and salicylates in foods. These items can throw off the balance in the chemistry of the brains, often producing undesirable changes in behavior. A low-protein diet may be a contributing factor. Though the topic has been hotly debated for decades, studies have definitively shown that food additives do play a major role in hyperactivity.

ADHD/ADD may be characterized by one or a combination of some of the following. Note that any of these symptoms can be present in a person suffering from ADD either with or without hyperactivity; however, symptoms marked with an asterisk (*) are most strongly associated with the headings under which they are listed.

Symptoms of ADD

• Difficulty solving problems or managing time*
• Extreme distractibility*
• rocrastination*
• Forgetfulness; a tendency to lose things frequently*
• Disorders of speech and hearing
• Difficulty in organizing or finishing tasks
• Absentmindedness; inability to remember sequences or events*
• Sloppy and/or impulsively done schoolwork that contain obvious mistakes*
• Lack of concentration*
• Continuous “brain chatter”*
• Learning disabilities
• Emotional instability; daily or hourly mood swings
• Sleep disturbances
• Lack of goals
• In adulthood, failure in career or relationships

Symptoms of ADHD

• Problems adapting to new things*
• A tendency to disturb other children*
• Self-destructive behavior*
• Difficulty doing assignments or chores on one’s own*
• Temper tantrums*
• Impatience; difficulty waiting*
• Low tolerance for stress and otherwise ordinary problems*
• A tendency to become frustrated quickly*
• Inability to sit still for any length of time*
• Impulsive, unpredictable, or daring behavior*
• Clumsiness or awkwardness*
• A tendency to talk too much*
• Disruptiveness in the classroom*
• A tendency to blurt out answers without having heard the entire question*
• Failure in school despite average or above-average intelligence*

The ADD child may be harder to diagnose than the ADHD child because the hyperactivity is more obvious than the inattentiveness. However, the procrastination, difficulty in concentrating, and inability to start or finish projects that is characteristic of the disorder can have damaging effects that can last through adulthood. ADHD produces hyperactive, restless, impatient, and impulsive behavior. Despite this, children with ADHD can have the ability to pay attention and complete assignments, often spending hours doing things that interest them. Adults with ADHD seem to constantly be going and getting things done, but they often grow impatient easily and have a tendency to lose their tempers quickly. The combined form of ADD/ADHD can be the most debilitating. Children with this type of the disorder often have low self-esteem, are impatient, do no follow rules or act responsibly, are often clumsy, think that they are always right, do not want to accept change, and do not adapt well.

Recommendations

• Include in the diet all fruits and vegetables (except for those containing salicylates, listed below), plus whole wheat breads, cereals (with no preservatives or coloring), and whole wheat crackers that contain only rice and oats.
• Include cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, and herring in your diet. These are all good sources of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid that is thought to be vital for brain development and is often deficient in those with ADD/ADHD.
• Follow a high-protein diet. Proteins are needed to supply the body with amino acids. Some researchers are studying a possible connection between hypoglycemia and ADD/ADHD.
• Be sure that your child is getting his or her carbohydrates from foods that contain complex carbohydrates and cut down on simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates can be found in fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, beans, and natural whole grains. They provide dietary fiber and have only a third of the calories found in fats ND simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose, are found in all forms of sugars, some juices, and in processed and refined grains (not whole grains).
• Limit dairy products if you notice behavioral changes after they are consumed. Dairy foods have been known to cause behavioral problems in some ADHD/ADD sufferers.
• Remove from the diet all forms of refined sugar (simple carbohydrates) and any products that contain it. Also eliminate junk food and all foods that contain artificial colors, Flavorings, monosodium glutamate (MSG), yeast, or preservatives; processed and manufactured foods; and foods that contain salicylates. Certain foods naturally contain salicylates. These include almonds, apples, apricots, all berries, cherries, cucumbers, currants, oranges, peaches, peppers, plums, prunes, and tomatoes.
• DO NOT CONSUME any of the following: apple cider vinegar, candy, catsup, chocolate, colored cheeses, chili sauce, corn, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meat, margarine, meat loaf, milk, pork, salami, soy sauce.
• Avoid carbonated beverages, which contain large amounts of phosphates. Phosphate additives may be responsible for hyperkinesias (exaggerated muscle activity). High levels of phosphorus and very low calcium and magnesium levels can indicate a potential for hyperactivity and seizures. Meat and fat also are high in phosphorus. Also carbonated beverages can cause bone loss or calcium loss.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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People with hiatal hernia often experience heartburn. It can also be triggered by excessive consumption of spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, alcohol, coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate, or tomato-based foods. Ulcers, gallbladder problems, stress, allergies, and enzyme deficiencies are other possible contributing factors.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. At the first sign of heartburn, drink a large glass of water. This often helps.
2. Try raw potato juice. Do not peel the potato-just wash it and put it in the juicer. Mix the juice with an equal amount of water. Drink it immediately after preparation, three times a day.
3. Try drinking a glass of fresh cabbage or celery juice every day.
4. Change your eating habits. Eat more raw vegetables. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Chew your food well. Eat slowly and enjoy your food. Following a disciplined diet is an important aspect of managing GERD.
5. Sip 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar, mixed with a glass of water, while eating a meal. Do not drink any other liquids with meals.
6. Eat a fresh papaya and/or pineapple to aid digestion. Chew a few of the papaya seeds as well.
7. Do not eat for three hours before bedtime. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down.
8. Do not consume carbonated beverages, fats, fried foods, processed foods, peppermint, spearmint, tobacco, tomatoes, onions, caffeine products, sugar, or spicy or highly seasoned foods. These seem to be the main cause of heartburn.
9. Do not take multienzyme complex containing hydrochloric acid (HCl).
10. Maintain an exercise program that includes walking, biking, or low-impact aerobics. Avoid running and weight lifting as these activities put pressure on the stomach. Do not exercise after eating, however.
11. Elevate the head of your bed.
12. As much as possible, avoid stress and anger.
13. If you are taking any medications, ask your doctor if heartburn may be a side effect.
14. Do not wear clothes that fit tightly around the waist. Do not wear tight clothing to bed.
15. Do not ignore symptoms of GERD. This condition can cause serious health problems. If heartburn lasts longer than two weeks, you should seek medical attention.
16. The early symptoms of angina and heart attack sometimes mimic those of “acid attacks”. If symptoms persist, if the pain begins to travel down your left arm, or if the sensation is accompanied by a feeling of weakness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical help at once.

CONSIDERATIONS

1. Estrogens can weaken the esophageal hiatus muscle, which keeps the stomach acids in the stomach. Women who are pregnant and women who take birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone are therefore more likely to suffer from heartburn.
2. People with certain illnesses, such as cancer, often have excessive amounts of acid in their systems. The consumption of too much processed and cooked foods can also create an acidic environment in the body.
3. Aspirin and ibuprofen can cause heartburn.
4. Lying on your left side can help relieve heartburn. This keeps the stomach below the esophagus, helping to keep it acid-free.
5. Antacids often provide relief of symptoms. However, in so doing, they may mask an underlying problem. In addition, many over-the-counter antacids contain excessive amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. With prolonged use of these products, dangerous mineral imbalances can occur. Excess sodium can aggravate hypertension, and excess aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Reading the label of the antacids you intend to use will provide you with information concerning possible harmful ingredients contained in the product.
   
   Some types of antacids and the products they are found in are:
   • Aluminum salts or gels: AlternaGEL, Amphojel.
   • Aluminum-magnesium mixtures: Aludrox, Di-Gel, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta, Riopan.
   • Calcium carbonate: Alka-Mints, Chooz, Titralac, Tums.
   • Calcium-magnesium mixtures: Rolaids.
   • Magnesium salts or gels: Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia.
   • Sodium bicarbonate: Alka-Seltzer, Bromo Seltzer, Citrocarbonate.
6. Calcium carbonate works as an antacid and contains no aluminum.
7. Drugs that suppress the production of stomach acid are sometimes recommended for people who suffer from frequent heartburn. These include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and ranitidine (Zantac). It has been suggested that long-term use of these medications may lead to damage to the stomach lining, thus increasing the risk of benign or malignant tumors. According to an item in the John Hopkins Medical Letter, excessive (more than 3 grams a day) and pro- longed use of the heartburn medication cimetidine may cause impotence or breast enlargement. These conditions usually go away when the medication is discontinued.
8. One study showed that 57 percent of heartburn sufferers had hiatal hernias, almost half had damage to the esophageal lining, and 6 percent had developed Barrett’s esophagus.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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Arthritis is not a modern ailment-it has been with us since the beginning of time. Archeologists have discovered evidence of the disorder in the skeletons of Neanderthals and other prehistoric mammals, and even dinosaurs. Still, as long as this disorder has plagued humankind, conventional medicine remains confounded as to why it occurs.

These conditions affect the body's movable, or synovial, joints at the knees, wrists, elbows, fingers, toes, hips, and shoulders. The neck and back also have joints between the bones of the spine. There are six different types of synovial joints (hinge, ball-and-socket, and so on), but although the types of motion they allow are different, their underlying physiological structure is essentially the same: two or more adjoining movable bones, whose adjacent surfaces are cov­ered with a layer of cartilage, surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule made up of ligaments (tough, fibrous tissue). Fluid is secreted by a thin membrane, the synovial membrane, that lines the inside of the joint capsule. Thanks to this vis­cous fluid, and to the smooth, rubbery, blue-white cartilage covering the ends of the bones, the bones within the joint normally glide smoothly past one another.

In healthy joints, the synovial membrane is thin, the car­tilage that covers the bones is smooth, and a thin layer of synovial fluid covers the bone surfaces. A problem in any of these areas can result in arthritis. Arthritis may appear suddenly or come on gradually. Some people feel a sharp burning or grinding pain. Others compare the pain to that of a toothache. Moving the joint usually hurts, although sometimes there is only stiffness. The swelling and defor­mity that takes place in arthritic joints can result from a thickening of the synovial membrane, an increase in the se­cretion of synovial fluid, enlargement of the bones, or some combination of these factors.

There are many different types of arthritis. Here we pri­marily discuss the most common forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Osteoarthritis, also called degen­erative joint disease, involves deterioration of the cartilage protecting the ends of the bones. It is sometimes caused by injury or an inherited defect in the protein that forms carti­lage. More commonly, it is a result of the wear and tear of aging, diet, and lifestyle. The once-smooth surface of carti­lage becomes rough, resulting in friction. The cartilage be­gins to break down, and the normally smooth sliding surfaces of the bones become pitted and irregular. Os­teoarthritis affects the weight-bearing joints—the knees, hips, and back—most severely, but it also commonly affects the hands and the knuckles. The tendons, ligaments, and muscles holding the joint together become weaker, and the joint becomes deformed, painful, and stiff. There is usually some stiffness and pain (more stiffness than pain at first), but little or no swelling. Any resulting disability is most often minor. However, fractures become an increasing risk because osteoarthritis makes the bones brittle. As os­teoarthritis advances, bony outgrowths called osteophytes tend to develop. Often referred to as "spurs," osteophytes can be detected by x-ray and develop near degenerated car­tilage in the neck or in the lower back. This condition does not change a person’s appearance.

Osteoarthritis rarely develops before the age of forty, but it affects nearly everyone past the age of sixty. It may be so mild that a person is unaware of it until it appears on an x­ray. Nearly three times as many women as men have os­teoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a type of inflammatory ar­thritis, is an autoimmune disorder. An overactive immune system can be just as harmful as a weak one. As with other autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis is a "self­attacking-self" disease. In this case, the body’s immune system improperly identifies the synovial membrane as for­eign. Inflammation results, damaging cartilage and tissues in and around the joints. Often, the bone surfaces are de­stroyed as well because inflammation in the joints triggers the production of enzymes that slowly digest adjacent tis­sue. The body replaces this damaged tissue with scar tissue, forcing normal spaces within the joints to become narrow and the bones to fuse together. Rheumatoid arthritis creates stiffness, swelling, fatigue, anemia, weight loss, fever, and, often, crippling pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis frequently occurs in people under forty years of age. Currently, 2.1 million Americans have this disabling disorder, 75 percent of them female. Juvenile arthritis is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that strikes chil­dren under the age of sixteen. It affects 71,000 young Americans, again, most of them female. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with physical or emotional stress, poor nutrition, and bacterial infection. Rheumatologists have discovered that the blood of many people with rheumatoid arthritis contains antibodies called "rheuma­toid factors," a finding that can aid in the diagnosis of the condition. While osteoarthritis affects individual joints, rheumatoid arthritis affects all of the body’s synovial joints. Joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis tend to make a sound like crinkling cellophane, whereas osteoarthritic joints make popping, clicking, and banging noises.

Arthritis can also be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of a joint. The microorganisms most commonly in­volved in this type of the disorder are streptococci, staphy­lococci, gonococci, hemophilus or tubercle bacilli, and fungi such as Candida albicans. Usually the infecting organism travels to the joint through the bloodstream from an infec­tion elsewhere in the body, but injury or even surgery can result in joint infection as well. Symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the affected joint, often ac­companied by systemic symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, and body aches.

The spondyloarthropathies are a group of rheumatic disor­ders that tend to affect the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the most common of these. In this disorder, certain joints of the spine become inflamed, then stiffen and be­come rigid. If confined to the lower back, AS causes virtu­ally no limitation of movement. In some cases, however, the entire spine may become rigid and bent. If the joints be­tween the ribs and spine are affected, breathing problems may result as the chest wall’s ability to expand becomes limited. Postural deformities are common. More than 400,000 Americans suffer from AS. Twice as many men as women have this disorder.

Gout, an acute form of inflammatory arthritis, occurs most often in people who are overweight and/or who in­dulge regularly in rich foods and alcohol. It typically at­tacks the smaller joints of the feet and hands, especially the big toe. Deposits of crystallized uric acid salt in the joint cause swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat and ex­treme pain. Approximately I million Americans suffer fromgout, and unlike most forms of arthritis, gout overwhelm­ingly affects men. Ninety percent of those who suffer from gout are male.

Arthritis can be reversible and, in some cases, curable with proper diet and lifestyle changes. These simple changes can not only relieve the inflammation and pain but stop degeneration and rejuvenate the affected joints. Most of the supplements listed can be found in multinu­trient complexes.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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A tumor can be either benign or malignant. Benign tu­mors are not cancerous. They can occur anywhere in the body and generally do not pose a threat to health, do not metastasize’ (spread to other parts of the body), and do not grow back if removed. Malignant tumors are cancerous. They are usually serious and can be life-threatening. Ma­lignant tumors grow uncontrollably, interfere with normal metabolic and organ functioning, and have the ability to metastasize and invade other tissues.

If a portion of a cell’s DNA is damaged, the cell can become abnormal. When the abnormal cell divides, it forms new cells that contain a photocopy of the damaged genetic material. This is an ongoing process occurring constantly within our bodies. Most of the time, our bodies have the ability to destroy these abnormal cells and maintain a sort of cellular equilibrium. If a crucial portion of the DNA is destroyed, however, and the abnormal cells cannot he con­trolled any longer, cancer forms. All cancer cells have two things in common: they grow uncontrollably and they have the ability to metastasize. They can spread through the lym­phatic system, the bloodstream, or avenues such as the cerebrospinal fluid (the watery cushion that protects the brain arid spinal chord).

It is not known exactly what causes the cell damage that initiates the cancer process. The chain of events that leads to cancer is very complex, and each individual body reacts differently. A combination of genetic, behavioral, environ­mental, and lifestyle factors are believed to be involved in turning normal cells into abnormal cells, and abnormal cells into cancer. There are also factors called inhibitors (such as certain vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and veg­etables) that are believed to slow the process, while other factors, called promoters (such as smoking or eating a high-fat diet), can speed up the process.

Possible contributors to the development and growth of cancer can be divided into three categories—external, in­ternal, and lifestyle. External factors include unhealthy workplace environments and exposure to air and water pol­lution, chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides. Internal factors include both genetics and infections. Lifestyle factors are those we personally can most readily control. These are also the factors scientists believe account for the largest propor­tion of cancers. They include diet, smoking, drinking, and sun exposure. Persons exposed to cigarette smoke have sig­nificantly higher rates of lung cancer than other people. Reg­ular alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers. A diet that is high in fat and low in fiber is associated with a greater risk of colorectal cancer and is a factor in breast and prostate cancer as well. According to a study released by the Harvard University School of Public Health, poor diet, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyle elements are responsible for about 65 percent of cancer deaths. The following is a breakdown of the overall per­centages of cancers many researchers and health care pro­fessionals attribute to different lifestyle factors:

Poor diet and obesity	30 percent
Smoking	30 percent
Genetics	10 percent
Carcinogens in the workplace	5 percent
Family history	5 percent
Lack of exercise	5 percent
Viruses	5 percent
Alcohol	5 percent
Reproductive factors	3 percent
Socioeconomic status	3 percent
Environmental pollution	2 percent

Many experts believe that what these risk factors have in common is that they increase the body’s exposure to free radicals. They theorize that damage from free radicals is an important factor in causing the uncontrolled cellular growth that is characteristic of cancer (see Free Radicals on page 54). Others believe that factors such as cigarette smoking and poor dietary habits increase the risk of cancer because they impair the immune system. While most re­searchers do not think stress brings on cancer directly, they do believe that it weakens the immune system, impairing the body’s ability to destroy precancerous cells before they develop into cancer. By making ourselves aware of all of the factors that may promote or inhibit the development and growth of cancer, and by taking appropriate action, we can reduce our cancer risk.

There are more than 100 different varieties of cancer. They have different causes, cause different symptoms, and vary in aggressiveness (the speed at which they spread). However, most types of cancer fall into one of four broad categories:

1. Carcinomas—cancers that affect the skin, mucous mem­branes, glands, and internal organs.
2. Leukemias—cancers of blood-forming tissues.
3. Sarcomas—cancers that affect muscles, connective tis­sue, and bones.
4. Lymphomas—cancers that affect the lymphatic system.

The seven classic early warning signs of cancer, which can be remembered by the acronym CAUTION, are the fol­lowing:

• Change in bowel or bladder habits.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.
• Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
• Obvious change in a wart or mole.
• Nagging cough or hoarseness.

According to the American Cancer Society, 50 percent of all men and 33 percent of all women in the United States will develop some form of cancer at some point in their lives. The good news is that with the increasing information and treatment methods available today, millions of people are either living with, or have been cured of, cancer, and the risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

The nutritional program and other recommendations outlined in this section are designed for persons who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as for those who wish to enhance their chances of avoiding this disease. Vitamins should be taken in injection form whenever possible. If you must use oral supplements, take them daily with meals (ex­cept for vitamin E, which should be taken before meals). Use only natural vitamin supplements.

SELF-TESTS
Breast Cancer Self-Test
Colon Cancer Self-Test

A test kit can be purchased at most drugstores for detecting blood in the stool (an early sign of colon cancer).

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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Because candidiasis can affect various parts of the body- the most common being the mouth, ears, nose, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina-it can be characterized by many symptoms. These include constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching. Impotence, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, canker sores, persistent heartburn, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, congestion, nagging cough, numbness in the face or extremities, tingling sensations, acne, night sweats, severe itching, clogged sinuses, PMS, burning tongue, white spots on the tongue and in the mouth, extreme fatigue, Vaginitis, kidney and bladder infections, arthritis, depression, hyperactivity, hypothyroidism, adrenal problems, and even diabetes, and after consumption of foods containing sugar and/ or yeast. Because of its many and varied symptoms, this disorder is often misdiagnosed.

When CANDIDA infects the vagina, it results in Vaginitis characterized by a larger amount of white, cheesy discharge and intense itching and burning. When the fungus infects the oral cavity, it is called thrush. White sores may form on the tongue, gums and inside of cheeks. In a baby, the white spots of oral thrush may resemble milk spots. Oral thrush in an infant can spread to the mother’s nipples by breastfeeding, and can lead to a situation in which mother and baby continually reinfect each other. Thrush may also infect a baby’s buttocks, appearing as diaper rash. CANDIDA infection may also take the form of athlete’s foot or jock itch. SYSTEMIC CANDIDIASIS is an overgrowth of CANDIDA everywhere, throughout the body. In the most severe cases, CANDIDA can travel throughout the bloodstream to invade every organ system in the body, causing a type of blood poisoning called CANDIDA SEPTICEMIA. This condition almost always occurs in persons with serious underlying illnesses, such as advanced cancer or AIDS.

CANDIDIASIS may affect both men and women; however, it is rarely transmitted sexually. It is most common in babies (an infected mother may pass the fungal infection to her newborn) and in persons with compromised immune systems. Virtually all people with AIDS have some type of fungal infection. Anyone who has been on long-term antibiotic therapy, or has taken antibiotics often, probably has an overgrowth of CANDIDA somewhere in his or her body. Antibiotics weaken the immune system and also destroy the “friendly” bacteria that normally keep CANDIDA under control. As it proliferates, the fungus releases toxins that weaken the immune system further. Other factors that increase the chances of contracting a yeast infection include pregnancy and the use of corticosteroid drugs.

Very often, allergies to foods are present in people with CANDIDA infections, Oral thrush, athlete’s foot; ringworm’s, jock itch, fingernail or toenail fungus and even diaper rash can develop as a result of the combination of food allergies and C. ALBICANS. The symptoms of a food allergy or environmental sensitivity can also mimic those of CANDIDIASIS. To further complicate matters, some people with CANDIDIASIS go on to develop environmental sensitivities as well. Many cannot tolerate contact with rubber, petroleum products, tobacco, exhaust fumes, and chemical odors.

Candida Recommendations

1. Please eat vegetables, fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, raw nuts, olive oil (cold pressed), some red meat sweet potatoes, wild rice and gluten-free grains such as brown rice & millet.
2. After 2 weeks start to eat plain or vanilla yogurt that contain live yogurt cultures. For vaginal candidiasis apply yogurt directly to the vagina or mix one small container of plain yogurt with an equal amount of distilled water and use it as a douche once or twice daily until you see an improvement. you can also open two capsules of acidophilus (good bacteria) and add the contents to a douche. this helps to inhibit the growth of the fungus.
3. Acidophilus (good bacteria) helps to restore the normal flora in the bowel and vagina.
4. Drink distilled or spring water only. no city water.
5. Nutritional intake must be fruit free, sugar free, & yeast free. Candida thrives in a sugary environment. So your diet should be low in carbohydrates and contain no yeast products or sugar in any form.
6. Avoid aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods, chocolate, dried fruits, and fermented foods. all grains containing gluten (wheat, oats, rye, & barley), ham, honey, nut butters, pickles, white potatoes, raw mushrooms, soy sauce, sprouts, vinegar & carrots (they have a lot of natural sugar).
7. Eliminate citrus and acidic fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tomatoes, pineapple, and limes from your diet for one month; then add back a few twice weekly. although they seem acidic. These fruits are actually alkaline forming in the body and candida thrives on them.
8. Colloidal silver is a natural broad-spectrum antiseptic that kills fungus, viruses & bacteria & does not kill your good bacteria. Replace your toothbrush every thirty days. This is a good preventative measure against both fungal & bacterial infections of the mouth.
9. Wear white cotton underwear. Synthetic fibers lead to increased perspiration, which creates a hospitable environment for candida, and also traps bacteria, which can cause a secondary infection. Change underclothing daily.
10. Do not use oral corticosteroids or oral contraceptives until your condition improves. Oral contraceptives can upset the balance of good bacteria in the body, leading to increased candida.
11. Avoid household chemical products and cleaners, chlorinated water mothballs, synthetic textiles, and damp and moldy places.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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CFS is often difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of this syndrome resemble those of flu and other viral infections, so it is often mistaken for other disorders. It is often misdiagnosed as hypochondria, psychosomatic illness, or depression because routine medical tests do not detect any problems. The syndrome is three times more prevalent in women than in men, and primarily affects young adults between the ages of twenty and fifty.

The cause or causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are not well understood. Some experts believe it is linked to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and/or cytomegalovirus (CMV), members of the herpes virus family that also cause mononucleosis and retinal and gastrointestinal infections. This belief is based in large part on the fact that many people with chronic fatigue syndrome have been found to have high levels of EBV antibodies in their blood, and that many people date the onset of symptoms to a prolonged bout with a viral injection. However, no connection between EBV and chronic fatigue syndrome has ever been conclusively proved. Moreover, it is now known that many people have high EBV antibody levels without any apparent ill effects on their health, and that many cases of chronic fatigue occur without any known preceding infection. This has led researchers to look for other possible causes. Some suspect an as-yet-unidentified immune system problem or a defect in the mechanisms that regulate blood pressure. Other proposed causes of chronic fatigue syndrome include anemia, arthritis, chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, infection with the fungus Candida albicans, and sleep problems. Fibromyalgia, a muscle disorder that causes muscle weakness and fatigue, has been found in many people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Intestinal parasites are also comparatively common in people with this condition. It is likely that there are different combinations of factors that can result in chronic fatigue in susceptible individuals. A poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, thyroid dysfunction, candida, anemia, and stress all compromise the immune system, and can contribute to CFS.

Even though chronic fatigue syndrome is not life-threatening, it cannot be cured, and it can result in serious damage to the immune system. Some people appear to recover spontaneously, but once you have had this condition, it can recur at any time, usually following a bout with another illness or during times of stress.

The major criteria used to distinguish chronic fatigue syndrome are:

1. Persistent fatigue that does not resolve with bed rest and that is severe enough to reduce average daily activity by at least 50 percent of at least six months.
2. The presence of other chronic clinical conditions, including psychiatric disorders, should be ruled out.

Jesse A. Stoff, M.D., co-author of the book Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, believes that CFS is a hidden epidemic, affecting more than 4 million people in the United States alone. Chronic fatigue syndrome should not be confused with the results of overwork and stress. With CFS, a normal, active level of life is impossible to maintain and the symptoms exceed, by far, the normal lethargy or tiredness associated with a stressful and hardworking lifestyle.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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There are two major types of diabetes. Type 1 (or insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus [IDDM]) and type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]). Type 1 diabetes affects 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes and usually starts at an early age. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Experts believe this may result from an immune response after a viral infection.

Type 2 diabetes, by far the most common form of diabetes, affects 90 to 95 percent of diabetes suffers. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does produce insulin in small quantities, but not enough to fuel the cells. The cells may also become resistant to the effects of what little insulin there is in the bloodstream. Many people have type 2 diabetes and are completely unaware of it. This type of diabetes usually begins in later years, although, unfortunately, it is now becoming more common in young people. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include diet, weight, race, age, lack of exercise, and heredity. It is much more common among Latinos, American Indians, African-Americans, and American-Asians than Caucasians. In fact, over the last thirty years, the number of African-Americans diagnosed with diabetes has tripled.

Gestational diabetes is a form of the condition that develops during pregnancy, affecting about 4 percent of pregnant women. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the body’s resistance to insulin. Most often, this condition disappears after delivery, but it seems to be a sign that the woman is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in later life. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a condition that affects about 11 percent of American adults. In people with IGT, blood glucose levels are above normal, but are not a diabetic levels. However, about 7 percent of people with IGT go on to develop type 2 diabetes.

According to figures published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 15.7 million people in America have diabetes. This disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the primary cause of blindness in people between the ages of twenty and seventy. The death rate for African-Americans with diabetes is 27 percent higher than the death rate for Caucasians who have the disease. If it is not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, edema, nerve damage, and infections of the mouth, gums, lungs, skin, feet, bladder, and genital areas. Skin sores may develop and fail to heal properly.

People with diabetes are subject to episodes of both high and low blood sugar. The symptoms of hyperglycemia (too much glucose in the blood) often include fatigue, a constant need to urinate, extreme thirst, constantly feeling hungry, loss of weight, and problems with eyesight. Episodes of hypoglycemia (less than normal amounts of glucose in the blood), which strike suddenly, can be caused by a missed meal, too much exercise, or a reaction to too much insulin. The initial signs of hypoglycemia are hunger, dizziness, sweating, confusion, palpitations, and numbness or tingling of the lips. If not treated, the individual may go on to experience double vision, trembling, and disorientation, may act strangely, any may eventually lapse into a coma.

The major danger with diabetes, however, is not the disease itself, but the complications that can arise if insulin levels are not maintained at a constant level. Untreated, diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar syndrome. DKA occurs when the body is so low in insulin that is starts using stored fat as fuel. When the fat breaks down, substances known as ketones are produced as a byproduct. In large quantities, ketones can cause body to become excessively acidic. Ketoacidosis is most often seen in people with type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include nausea, difficulty breathing, sweet breath, and confusion that can progress to coma. Hyperosmolar syndrome is a result of a combination of very high blood sugar levels (but without the presence of ketones) and dehydration. It is more common in older people with type 2 diabetes who are taking steroid medications. The condition may also be prompted by stress from a major illness. With hyperosmolar syndrome, blood sugar levels are so high that the red blood thickens. Symptoms include confusion, tiredness, and coma. Hyperosmolar syndrome can sometimes be the first indication of diabetes in older adults. Both of these conditions require the immediate attention of a physician. Urinalysis can often detect unsuspected diabetes.

Diabetes Self-Tests
There are several ways to test yourself for diabetes. The tests for type 1 diabetes are also used for self-monitoring by persons diagnosed with this condition. Home testing tends to be less accurate than tests done in a doctor’s office, however.

Type 1 Diabetes
To test for type 1 diabetes:

• Purchase chemically treated plastic glucose testing strips at a drugstore.
• Prick your finger and apply a drop of blood to the tip of the strip.
• Wait one minute and compare the color on the strip to a color chart which lists various glucose levels.

There are also electronic devices available that can analyze the test strip for you and give you a number readout of the glucose level. The Bayer Corporation of Elkhart, Indiana, manufactures two glucometer kits--Glucometer Elite and Glucometer Encore-- for testing blood sugar in the convenience of your own home. You simply prick your finger with the spring-loaded needle, apply a drop of your blood to the test strip, and place it in the machine for analysis. This test gives you an immediate blood sugar result. It is a device that all people with diabetes should own.

The following is an approximate guideline for blood sugar levels (the measure- ment is milligrams of glucose to one-tenth liter of blood):

1. 110 and under: normal
2. 110-126: impaired glucose tolerance/borderline
3. 126 and over for a two- or three-day period: diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes People with type 2 diabetes often cannot perceive sweet tastes. This abnormality may play an important role in how individuals with diabetes perceive the taste of their food, and also in how well they comply with the dietary aspects of treatment. Because our society as a whole is addicted to sugar, this distorted taste perception is very common among the population in general.

The following test can detect an impaired ability to taste sweets:

• Do not consume stimulants (coffee, tea, soda) or sweets for one hour before the test.
• Fill seven identical glasses with 8 ounces of water each and label the glasses as having no sugar, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons sugar. Add the appropriate amount of sugar to each glass, then ask someone else to rearrange the order of the glasses and hide the labels.
• Take a straw and sip from each glass, then write down the amount of sugar you think it contains. Between sips, rinse your mouth with pure water.

Healthy people generally notice a sweet taste when a teaspoon or less of sugar is added to 8 ounces of water. By contrast, people with adult-onset diabetes usually do not notice sweetness until 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of sugar have been added to the water.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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The most distinctive feature of fibromyalgia, one that differentiates it from similar conditions, is the existence of certain “tender points”- eighteen specific spots where the muscles are abnormally tender to the touch. The eighteen points tend to cluster around the neck, shoulders, chest, knees, elbows region, and hips, and include the following:

• Around the lower vertebra of the neck.
• Around the insertion of the second rib
• Around the upper part of the thigh bone.
• In the middle of the knee joint.
• In muscles connected to the base of the skull.
• In muscles of the neck and upper back.
• In muscles of the mid-back
• On the side of the elbow
• In the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks.

There are 5 to 6 million people known to be suffering from FMS in the United States. However, the real number of cases is probably much higher, as this condition is often misdiagnosed. Fibromyalgia manifests itself in similar ways to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chemical sensitivities, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic myofasicial pain (shortened muscle fiber syndrome). As a result, it often takes a long time for a proper diagnosis to be made. In the past, FMS was known as fibrosis's or fibromyositis, but both of these terms are now considered inappropriate because they imply inflammation of some sort (the suffix -itis is medical terminology for “inflammation”) and inflammation does not exist in fibromyalgia.

Some people with fibromyalgia also have an associated sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly. In this disorder, the individual’s deep sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. Some people with fibromyalgia are plagued by other sleep disorders as well, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, bruxism, and sleep myoclonus ( a sudden rapid contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles during sleep or as one is falling asleep). Not surprisingly, given all these sleep difficulties, people with fibromyalgia often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to incapacitating. Other disorders common in people with fibromyalgia include the following:

• Chemical and/or food allergies.
• Dizziness and loss of balance.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Headaches.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea and/or constipation, often alternating).
• Jaw pain
• Memory loss and difficulty in concentrating.
• Menstrual pain.
• Sensitivity to dairy products.
• Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises.
• Skin sensitivities.
• Stiffness in the morning and , often, when walking.

Fibromyalgia is much more common in females than in males, and most often begins in young adulthood. In most cases, symptoms come on gradually and slowly increase in intensity. They can be triggered (or made worse) by a number of different factors, including overexertion, stress, lack of exercise, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, grief, trauma, extremes of temperature and/or humidity, and infectious illness. In the majority of cases, symptoms are severe enough to interfere with normal daily acti9vities; a significant number of people with fibromyalgia are actually disabled by the condition. The course of the disorder is unpredictable. Some cases clear up on their own, some become chronic, and some go through cycles of flare-ups alternating with periods of apparent remission.

The cause or causes of fibromyalgia are not known, and there are no tests that can diagnose FMS with complete certainty. Some evidence points to a problem with the immune system; certain immunologic abnormalities are common among people with fibromyalgia. Their significance and relationship to the syndrome are not understood, however. A disturbance in brain chemistry may also be involved; many people who develop fibromyalgia have a history of clinical depression. Some research has found FMS is more likely to occur in people who have a history of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and even alcoholism. Other possible causes that have been proposed include infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, or with the fungus CANDIDA ALBICANS; chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings; anemia; parasites; hypoglycemia; and hypothyroidism. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia may be related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which causes similar symptoms, except that in fibromyalgia, muscle pain predominates over fatigue, whereas CFS, fatigue predominates over pain. FMS has even been misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.

Because malabsorption problems are common in people with this disorder, higher than normal doses of all supplemental nutrients are needed. Wherever possible, it is best to use sublingual vitamins and other supplements because they are more easily absorbed than tablets or capsules.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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A classic migraine is similar to a common migraine, but it is preceded by a set of symptoms referred to as an aura, which can consist of speech disorders, weakness, and disturbances in the senses of vision and/or smell. An aura can also consist of brilliant stars, sparks, flashes, or simple geometric forms passing across the visual field. The most common symptom is an inability to see clearly. Visual disturbances may last only a few seconds or may persist for hours, then disappear.

Migraines are a relatively common disorder, affecting about 10 percent of the population. An estimated 8.7 percent of females and 2.6 percent of males in the United States suffering from migraines. They may occur anywhere from once a week to once or twice a year, and they often run in families. One factor behind the higher incidence of migraine in women may be fluctuations in the level of the hormone estrogen' women typically get migraines around the time of menstruation, when estrogen levels are low. Migraines occur most often in people between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, and tend to decline with age. However, children too can suffer from migraines. In children, migraine pain tends to be more diffuse, rather than localized. Migraine can first show up in childhood not as headaches, but as colic, periodic abdominal pains, vomiting, dizziness, and severe motion sickness. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of migraine headaches has increased by nearly 60 percent in all age groups in recent years.

Any number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible individual, including allergies, constipation, stress, liver malfunction, too much or too little sleep, emotional changes, hormonal changes, sun glare, flashing lights, lack of exercise, and changes in barometric pressure. Dental problems may also be a factor. Low blood sugar is frequently associated with migraine; studies have shown that blood sugar levels are low during a migraine attack, and the lower the blood sugar level, the more severe the headache. Smoking can cause an attack because the nicotine and carbon monoxide cigarette smoke contains effects the blood vessels--the nicotine constricts them while the carbon monoxide tends to expand them. May different foods may precipitate an attack. Some of the most common offenders are chocolate, citrus fruits, alcohol (especially red wine), and any food that is aged, cured, pickled, soured, yeasty, or fermented.

The above was obtained from the book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", Second Edition, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

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A high blood cholesterol level, especially elevated low-density lipoproteins (LDL), is considered to be a contributor to plaque building up in the arteries and impeded blood flow to the brain, kidneys, genitals, extremities, and heart. It is among the primary causes of heart disease, because cholesterol produces deposits in arteries. High cholesterol levels may also be implicated in gallstones, impotence (although it is often the drugs prescribed to deal with high cholesterol that causes this), mental impairment, and high blood pressure.

Cholesterol is an essential part of every cell structure and is needed for proper brain and nerve function. It is also the basis for the manufacture of sex hormones. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and transported through the bloodstream to the sites where it is needed. It is a fatty substance and, because blood is mainly water, it has to latch on to molecules called lipoproteins to travel around successfully. Low- density lipoproteins (LDLs) are the major transporters of cholesterol in the bloodstream and, because LDLs seem to encourage the deposit of cholesterol in the arteries, it is known as “bad cholesterol.” High-density lipoproteins (HDLs), on the other hand, are considered to be “good cholesterol” because they carry unneeded cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it is broken down for removal from the body. If everything is functioning as is should, this system remains in balance. However, if there is too much cholesterol for the HDLs to pick up promptly, or if there are not enough HDLs to do the job, cholesterol can form plaque that sticks to artery walls and may eventually cause heart disease.

It is important to distinguish between serum cholesterol and dietary cholesterol. Serum cholesterol is the cholesterol in the bloodstream. Dietary cholesterol is cholesterol that is present in food. While eating foods high in dietary cholesterol can raise serum cholesterol, it is not the only source of serum cholesterol. Indeed, you would have some amount of serum cholesterol even if you never ate any food containing dietary cholesterol because the body produces its own cholesterol.

Cholesterol levels are greatly influenced by diet, but they are also affected by your genetic makeup. The consumption of foods high in cholesterol and/or saturated fat increase cholesterol levels, while a vegetarian diet, regular exercise, and the nutrients niacin and vitamin C may lower cholesterol.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has set the “safe” level of total serum cholesterol (including both LDL and HDL) at 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). A reading above 200 indicates an increased potential for developing heart disease. A level of 200 to 239 is borderline, and levels over 240 are considered to indicate high risk. The normal HDL level for adult men in the United States is 45 to 50 mg/dI, and that for women is 50 to 60 mg/dI. It is suggested that higher HDL levels, such as 70 or 80 mg./dI, may protect against heart disease. An HDL level under 35mg/dI is considered risky. So if you have a cholesterol reading of 200, with HDL at 80 and LDL at 120, you are considered at low risk for heart disease. On the other hand, even if you have a total cholesterol level well under 200, if your HDL level is under 35, you would still be considered at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In other words, as your LDL decreases, your potential for heart problems intensifies, even if your total is on the low side.

CHOLESTEROL LEVEL SELF-TEST

A test called the Advanced Care Cholesterol Kit, produced by Johnson & Johnson, can be used to check your cholesterol level at home. It is available in drugstores without a prescription, and it gives a cholesterol reading in fifteen minutes. Be aware that the results can be skewed if you wait longer than five minutes after blood is drawn to perform the test or if you have taken the test four hours after taking a 500 milligram dose of vitamin C or after taking acetaminophen. This test shows total cholesterol level only. It is 97 percent accurate.

The test contains pads that are the size of a credit card and have a chemical reagent zone. When a drop of blood is placed on the surface of the pad, the reagents react with enzymes in the blood and the treated zone changes color. The color of the zone is then matched against a color-coded chart to find the serum cholesterol level.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Include the following cholesterol-lowering foods in your diet: apples, carrots, cold-water fish, dried beans, garlic, grapefruit, and olive oil.
2. Make sure to take in plenty of fiber in the form of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Water-soluble dietary fiber is very important in reducing serum cholesterol. It is found in barley, beans, brown rice, fruits, glucomannan, guar gum, and oats. Oat bran and brown rice bran are the best foods for lowering cholesterol. Whole-grain cereals (in moderation) and brown rice are good as well. Since fiber absorbs the minerals from the food it is in, take extra minerals separately from the fiber.
3. Drink fresh juices, especially carrot and celery, and beet juices. Carrot juice helps to flush out fat from the bile in the liver and this helps lower cholesterol.
4. Go on a monthly spirulina fast, with carrot and celery juice or lemon and steam-distilled water. ( See FASTING in Part Three.)
5. Use only unrefined cold-or expeller-pressed oils. Cold-pressed oils are those that have never been heated above 110 degrees F during processing-at this temperature, enzyme destruction begins. Use vegetable oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as olive, soybean, flaxseed, primrose, and black currant seed oil. Olive oil is recommended.
6. Do not eat any nuts except raw, unsalted walnuts and almonds. Almonds are rich in the amino acid argentine, and were found in one study to cut cholesterol levels by sixteen points over a four-week period.
7. Reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Saturated fats include all fats of animal origin as well as coconut and palm kernel oils. Eliminate from the diet all hydrogenated fats and hardened fats and oils such as margarine, and lard. Margarine that contains plant sterols, however, is a healthy option. Consume no heated fats or processed oils, and avoid animal products (especially pork and pork products) and fried or fatty foods. Always read food product labels carefully. You may consume nonfat milk, low-fat cottage cheese, and skinless white poultry meat (preferably turkey), but only in moderation.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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If blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood to all the tissues of the body. Ultimately, the condition often leads to kidney failure, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, high blood pressure is often associated with coronary heart disease, ar­teriosclerosis, kidney disorders, obesity, diabetes, hyper­thyroidism, and adrenal tumors.

About 35 million Americans have high blood pressure. An estimated 15 million are not aware that they are hyper­tensive, and of the people who do know that they have a problem, only two out of every five receive adequate treat­ment for this potentially dangerous condition. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, hypertension affects more than half of all Americans over the age of sixty-five. The percentage of the African-American population with high blood pressure is approximately one-third higher than that for whites. African-Americans between the ages of twenty-four and forty-four are eighteen times more likely than whites to develop kidney failure due to hypertension. One-third of all African-American women, and a slightly higher percentage of African-American men, have hypertension, as compared with under one-fifth and roughly one-fourth of white men. While high blood pressure was once thought of as a “man’s disease,” in fact women are very nearly as likely to suffer from this condition as men are, and more women than men die from complications of high blood pressure because women and, to some extent, their medical practioners, often ignore or fail to detect their high blood pressure until it is too late.

Because high blood pressure usually causes no symp­toms until complications develop, it is known as the “silent killer.” Warning signs associated with advanced hyperten­sion may include headaches, sweating, rapid pulse, short­ness of breath, dizziness, and visual disturbances.

Blood pressure is usually divided into two categories, designated primary and secondary. Primary hypertension is high blood pressure that is not due to another underlying disease. The precise cause is unknown, but a number of def­inite risk factors have been identified. These include ciga­rette smoking, stress, obesity, excessive use of stimulants

such as coffee or tea, drug abuse, and high sodiur. ~ The use of oral contraceptives used to be consider6 ~. tributing factor, but with the low-dose pills now av, this is not as much a problem as it once was. Becaü\ much water retention can exert pressure on the blood sels, those who consume foods high in sodium may -greater risk for high blood pressure. Elevated blood’1 sure is also common in people who are overweight. Bld pressure can rise due to stress as well, because stress caus the walls of the arteries to constrict. Also, those with a fan ily history of hypertension are more likely to suffer fror, high blood pressure.

When persistently elevated blood pressure arises as a i suit of another underlying health problem, such as a monal abnormality or an inherited narrowing of the aorta it is called secondary hypertension. A person may also havc secondary hypertension because the blood vessels an chronically constricted or have lost elasticity from ~ buildup of fatty plaque on the inside walls of th “essel, a condition known as atherosclerosis. ArtenioscleiZ~i atherosclerosis are common precursors of hyperteni~iuit> The narrowing and/or hardening of the arteries makes cir­culation of blood through the vessels difficult. As a result, blood pressure becomes elevated. Secondary hypertension can also be caused by poor kidney function, which results in the retention of excess sodium and fluid in the body. This increase in blood volume within the vessels causes elevated blood pressure levels. The kidneys may also elevate blood~ pressure by secreting substances that cause blood vessels to constrict.

To diagnose high blood pressure, a physician uses a de- —vice called a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure is repre­sented as a pair of numbers. The first is the systolic pressure, which is the pressure exerted by the blood when the heart beats, forcing blood into the blood vessels. This reading in­dicates blood pressure at its highest. The second reading is the diastolic pressure, which is recorded when the heart is at rest in between beats, when the blood pressure is at its low­est. Both figures represent the height (in millimeters, or mm) that a column of mercury (Hg) reaches under the pres­sure exerted by the blood. The combined blood pressure reading is then expressed as a ratio of systolic blood pres­sure to diastolic blood pressure.

It is impossible for a health care provider to make a cor- --rect diagnosis of high blood pressure with a single reading. The test must be repeated throughout the day to be accu­rate. Home testing is best because it enables you to monitor __ your condition periodically. Measuring blood pressure at home on a regular schedule may:

• Help determine whether your blood pressure is higl, only when taken during a medical visit.
• Enable you to collaborate with your health care provider in controlling your high blood pressure.
• Reduce the frequency with which you need to visit yo~. health care provider for blood pressure evaluation.

Blood pressure monitoring devices fall into two basic categories: mechanical gauges and automated electronic gauges. The mechanical gauge is the type most often used in physicians’ offices. It consists of an instrument to meas­ure the pressure, an air bladder (inflatable cuff), and a pres­sure bulb with a release valve to pump up the cuff. The standard-size arm cuff on blood pressure monitors fits arms up to thirteen inches around (if your arm is larger than this, you will need to obtain a larger cuff). With most of these de­vices, the pressure is read on a gauge dial.

Mechanical gauges are much less expensive than elec­tronic ones and many physicians feel they give more accu­rate readings, at least in the hands of an experienced user. However, if you use this type of device to take your own blood pressure, you must pump up the cuff with one hand, read a dial, and listen with a stethoscope more or less si­multaneously (see How to Measure Your Blood Pressure on page 439). In other words, using these devices correctly re­quires dexterity, good eyesight, acute hearing, and some training and practice.

An alternative to the mechanical gauge is the digital sphygmomanometer. With this device, the machine auto­matically gauges your blood pressure when the cuff is in­flated and presents the result in a digital format. These are more expensive than the mechanical types, but because they are much easier to use accurately, they are generally preferred for home use.

There are also other electronic devices available, includ­ing wrist and finger cuff monitors. Although they are easy to operate, most doctors do not recommend them because they tend to be less accurate and also more sensitive to the effects of temperature and poor blood circulation.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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A person suffering from hypoglycemia may display any or all of the following symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, irritability, fainting spells, depression, anxiety, cravings for sweets, confusion, night sweats, weakness in the legs, swollen feet, a feeling of tightness in chest in chest, constant hunger, pain in various parts of the body (especially the eyes), nervous habits, mental disturbances and insomnia. People with hypoglycemia can become very aggressive and lose their tempers easily. Any or all of these symptoms may occur a few hours after eating sweets or to the length of time since the last meal was eaten and the type of foods that meal contained.

More and more Americans today may have this condition, due to poor dietary habits that include eating large quantities of simple carbohydrates, sugars, alcohol, caffeine, and soft drinks, and insufficient amounts of complex carbohydrates. High stress levels are believed to be a contributing factor in the increasing incidence of hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia can be inherited, but most often it is precipitated by an inadequate diet. This is referred to as functional hypoglycemia (FH). Many other bodily disorders can cause hypoglycemic problems as well, among them adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, pituitary disorders, kidney disease, and pancreatitis. Immune deficiency and candidiasis are strongly linked to hypoglycemia. Glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin levels), producing hypoglycemia, frequently occur in people with chronic liver failure. Other common causes are smoking and the consumption of large amounts of caffeine, found in colas, chocolate, and coffee. Though it may seem paradoxical, low blood sugar can also be an early sign of diabetes (high blood sugar).

Diagnosis of hypoglycemia can be difficult because the symptoms often mimic those of other disorders, including allergies, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive or intestinal disorders, eating disorders, malabsorption syndrome, mental disorders, neurological problems, nutritional deficiency and weight problems. To diagnose hypoglycemia a health care provider may perform glucose tolerance test (GTT). However, many people have symptoms of hypoglycemia even though the results of a five-hour GTT are within normal limits. A useful diagnostic test may be to follow the dietary and nutritional supplement regimen outlined and see if symptoms improve.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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Many years before a woman stops ovulating, her ovaries slow their production of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Estrogen and progesterone are commonly thought of as sex or reproductive hormones. While estrogen is indeed essential for reproduction, it also acts on many nonreproductive organs and systems in the body. Cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and brain all contain estrogen receptors, and require this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function. Estrogen is needed to keep the skin smooth and moist, and the body’s internal thermostat operating properly. It is also necessary for proper bone formation. Although estrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, the hormone does not disappear entirely. Other organs take over from the ovaries and continue to produce a less potent form of estrogen. The organs known as endocrine glands secrete some hormones from fatty tissue to maintain bodily functions. Progesterone works as a counterpart to estrogen. During the second half of the menstrual cycle, it stimulates changes in the lining of the uterus to complete its preparation to actas a “home” for a fertilized egg. If no egg is fertilized, the uterine lining is broken down and expelled. The cycle then begins again. Progesterone too has effects beyond the reproductive system. It has a calming effect on the brain and appears to affect other aspects of nervous system function as well.

Testosterone is the hormone that is most important for sex drive. Women produce much less of this hormone than men do-about 80 percent less-but it is the driving force for maintaining a healthy libido (sexual appetite).

Perimenopause is the period when a woman’s body is preparing for menopause. For most women, hormone production begins to slow down when they reach their thirties, and continues to diminish as they age. Many women experience few if any symptoms during this time but others may suffer from some, or all, of the following: anxiety, dry skin, fatigue, feelings of bloating, headaches, heart palpitations, hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, decreased interest in sex, loss of concentration, mood swings, night sweats, reduced stamina, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness and itching, and weight gain.

Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating altogether. By this stage, most of the acute problems a woman may have experienced are actually over and a new balance between all hormones should be established. However, this is the time women become increasingly vulnerable to other, potentially serious health problems. Over the long term, the diminished supply of estrogen increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and vaginal atrophy. Osteoporosis in particular is a major problem for women after menopause. An estimated 80 percent of the 250,000 hip fractures that occur in the United States every year are due to osteoporosis.

With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized, if not eliminated.

The above information from third edition of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing", by Dr. James F. Balch M.D., & Phyllis A. Balch, CNC.

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