The Minerals Sulfur, Tin, Vanadium & Zinc....

SULFUR -

Sulfur is known as a healing mineral. It aids every cell in the elimination of toxic substances. Sulfur is the flexible bond that connects cells and is the lubricant found between joints. A deficiency of water-soluble sulfur can lead to a variety of conditions. It is believed that sulfur can repair the myelin sheath which is the protector on the end of every nerve in the body. Damage to the myelin sheath causes the shaking condition in palsy, MS, lorenzo's disease & many other conditions where motor functions are uncontrollable. Chronic or severe allergies to materials such as dust, pollen, wool, animal hair, feathers, etc. with symptoms ranging from respiratory congestion to inflammation, itching and general discomfort can be relieved with sulfur. It increases blood circulation, reduces back pain, takes care of free radicals, beautifies the skin, relieves allergies to food, controls acidity in stomach ulcers, its important for carbohydrate metabolism and speeds wound healing. Sulfur is stored in the brain, nerves, bowel & liver and in all body cells, especially the skin, hair & nails.

Indications of insufficient sulfur may be: arthritis, infection, asthma, migraines, acne, muscle pain, back pain, nerve disorders, constipation, stress, circulatory problems, skin disorders, dry skin, urinary tract disorders, free radical damage, muscle & skeletal disorders, inflammation & wrinkles.

TIN -
Tin is concentrated primarily in the adrenal glands, but is also found in the liver, brain, spleen & thyroid. It's found in the tissue and has many chemical and physical properties similar to those of carbon, silica, germanium & lead. Tin has been implicated in hair loss & hearing loss. Little is still known about the functions for tin in humans.

Indications of insufficient tin may be: hair loss, male pattern baldness & unexplained hearing loss.

VANADIUM -
Vanadium regulates the circulatory system, helps reduce cholesterol levels & buildup in the central nervous system, lowers elevated blood sugar & is believed to help reduce the incidence of heart attack. When used in combination with chromium it is found to be very beneficial in dealing with those mineral deficiencies found in diabetics and hypoglycemics.

Indications of insufficient vanadium may be: cardiovascular disease, infertility, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction, high cholesterol, obesity, hyperinsulinism, pancreatic dysfunction & hypoglycemia.

ZINC -
Zinc deficiency is common due to depletion of our soil & losses associated with food processing. Zinc aids in: the proper assimilation of vitamins, normal growth & development, maintenance of body tissues, sexual function, immune system, chemical detoxification, synthesis of DNA & helps reduce healing time both before & after surgery. It is an anti-oxidant and must be in proper balance to assist some 25 enzymes in various functions involving digestion, metabolism & reproduction. In the 1800's surgeons used zinc as an antiseptic/antibiotic after surgery & it was noted for its healing properties. Lack of zinc in pregnant women can result in numerous birth defects such as: down's syndrome, cleft lip, spina bifida, clubbed limbs, hiatal hernia & umbilical hernias. Zinc is anti-bacterial, anti-viral & is found in all the body fluids, including the moisture in the eyes, lungs, nose, urine & saliva. Because zinc moves through all the fluids in the body, it creates a defense against infection-causing bacteria and viruses trying to enter the body & stops bacterial and viral replication. Zinc is stored in the thyroid, pancreas, liver, kidneys, bones, voluntary muscles, prostate, sperm, skin, hair,  nails, white blood corpuscles & parts of the eyes.

Indications of insufficient zinc may be: angina, herpes, alzheimer's, hypertension, anemia, hair loss, anthrax, infertility, alcoholism, infection, acne, anorexia & bulimia, loss of smell and taste, body odor, miscarriages, birth defects, obesity, cavities, pms, crohn's, still births, libido issues, depression, thyroid disorders, diabetes, urinary tract, infections, eye disease & free radical damage.

The Minerals Silicon, Silver & Sodium

SILICON -

Silicon is essential in the formation of bone & joint cartilage and in the health of nerve tissue. But silicon levels tend to decline a we get older. A long overlooked fact is that silicon reduces the accumulation of aluminum as researchers have established. When researchers added silicon to aluminum-laced water supplies, the silicon prevented the aluminum from being absorbed. Silicon also caused an increase in the excretion of aluminum in the urine & lowered the aluminum concentrations in the brain, liver, bone, spleen & kidneys. It has been shown to play a very important part in the maintenance of energy. It is a known fact that if one mineral is low, many more in the body are also low!

Indications of  insufficient selenium may be: decreased energy, mental confusion, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, dry hair, dry skin, weak-thin-brittle nails, weak bone structure, nervousness, sweaty odorus feet, diabetes, hair loss, sties on the eyelids, flabby skin, arthritis or atherosclerosis.

SILVER -
Silver is necessary for the immune system to function as it should. Silver has been used for thousands of years for health care. It is believed that silver is a systemic disinfectant and works like a secondary immune system. Since silver kills only bacteria that is anaerobic or nitrogen breathing, the friendly bacteria in the digestive tract are immune to it due to the fact that they are oxygen breathing (aerobic) Silver can also neutralize sodium flouride poisoning. Silver, in the ionic form, is known to kill more than 640 bacterial, fungal & viral infections. When man began to manufacture antibiotics, clinical uses for silver as an antibiotic were discarded when the pharmaceutical industry came on the scene and took over medicine with their chemical drugs. Happily silver is now being discovered as the healthiest antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal treatment as well as immune strenghtener because it is a non-mutating antibiotic.

Indications of insufficient silver may be: anthrax, gonorrhea, athlete's foot, impetigo, boils, infection, candida, influenza, cerebral-spinal meningitis, intestinal trouble, colitis, cystitis, ringworm, dermatitis, shingles, diphtheria, staphylococci, diplococcus, tuberculosis, dysentery, warts, e. coli & whooping cough.

SODIUM -
Sodium regulates fluid balance by controlling the flow of liquids in and out of each cell, sparks nerve impulses, helps the body to process and digest proteins & carbohydrates. Sodium chloride is essential for life. Most people think of table salt as sodium chloride when in reality -- in the processing of today's common table salt -- sodium chloride is processed out and all that's left are toxic chemicals. Hence the reason your doctor, without understanding sodium chloride, might tell you to stop salt intake. Sea salt, when processed properly contains sodium chloride. Sodium & chloride are principal in the fluids outside of cells which includes blood plasma. As such, they play critical roles in a number of life-sustaining processes of the body! Absorption of sodium in the small intestine plays an important role in the absorption of chloride, amino acids, glucose & water. Chloride is also an essential component of gastric juice, which aids the digestion and absorption of many nutrients.

Indications of insufficient sodium & an imbalance between sodium chloride & potassium are: electrolyte imbalances usually caused by dehydration, gastric cancer, ulcers, gastric esophageal problems (GERD), IBS, nerve weakness, inability to think rationally, senility, osteoporosis, kidney stones, hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, lack of energy, muscle weakness or muscle pain.

The Minerals Potassium & Selenium....

POTASSIUM -

Potassium is called the "alkalizer". It neutralizes acids and restores alkaline salts to the blood stream. Again...a mineral that requires other minerals to be effective. Potassium works with sodium in all cells including nerve synapses to maintain or restore membrance function and assist in metabolic processes. Potassium is critical to cardiovascular and nerve function, regulating the transfer of nutrients into cells and facilitating muscle energy. It also regulates water balance, assists recuperative powers, aids in detoxing acids to leave the joins so stiffness eases. It's vital for the elimination of wastes, is a natural pain desensitizer, helps control convulsions, headaches & migraines, promotes faster healing of cuts, bruises and other injuries and generally contributes to a sense of well being. Potassium is stored in the muscles.

Indications of insufficient potassium may be: bad circulation, insomnia, bluish tint to skin, intestinal pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle weakness, diabetes, oppressive breathing, earaches, pain in the eyes, edema, prolapsed uterus, headaches, swollen glands, heart palpitations, heart attacks, tissue anemia, hypertension & water retention.

SELENIUM -
A major essential trace mineral that works with vitamin E in metabolic functions. It promotes normal body growth, enhances fertility, encourages tissue elasticity and is a potent antioxidant that naturally reduces the retention of toxic metals in the body. Selenium is crucial for the proper functioning of the heart muscle and there is evidence that it can help the body fight cancer. The people of Norfolk, England are said to be among some of the longest-lived & scientists attribute that to the high concentrations of selenium in the soils. A low level of selenium has long been associated with higher cancer rates. Selenium is stored in muscle and other tissues, as well as in the liver & kidneys. It also enhances the effectivenes of vitamin E & this info has been known since 1957!

Indications of insufficient selenium may be: age spots, prostate cancer, liver spots, immune deficiencies, alzheimer's, infertility, anemia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, muscular weakness, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatic atrophy, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, fatigue, parkinson's, fibromyalgia, premature aging, heart disease, scoliosis, heart palpitations, sickle cell anemia, AIDS, SIDS & hot flashes.

The Minerals Molybdenum & Platinum...

MOLYBDENUM -

Is a little-known, though essential trace mineral instrumental in regulating pH balance in the body. For each pH point increase (e.g. 6.1-6.2), the oxygen level is increased ten times, thus increasing the metabolism and enhancing the body's ability to burn fat. Although very small amounts are needed, molybdenum is a vital part of three important enzyme systems and is necessary for the proper function of certain enzyme-dependent processes, including the metabolizing of iron. When the iron stored in the liver is freed, it can then carry oxygen to body cells and tissue. Molybdenum works in conjunction with the enzyme systems to help eliminate toxic nitrogen waste by turning it into uric acid. The uric acid then can be converted and more easily flushed oout of the system. It promotoes general well being, aids in carbohydrate metabolism, has proven itself useful in MSG or other chemical sensitivities, increases libido and may enhance the effect of flourine in tooth decay prevention. It also induces sleep! Because of molybdenum's ability to raise the body's pH, it may be beneficial in the treatment of cancer, viruses & parasites. There is no recommended dietary allowance (RDA) establish for this important mineral, but it is considered safe up to 15 mg. per day.

 

Indications of insufficient molybdenum may be: acne, e. coli, AIDS, eczema, allergies, epstein barr virus, anemia, gout, anthrax, gulf war syndrome, asthma, hepatitis c, athlete's foot, herpes simplex, bell's palsy, impotency, bladder infection, insomnia, cancer, liver damage-cirrhosis, candidiasis, lupus, canker sores, lyme's disease, cavities, multiple sclerosis, obesity, colds/flu, parasites, depression, prostate infection, diabetes & ringworm. 

 

PLATINUM -

Platinum is used in the treatment of cancer and as a base in some of the chemotherapeutic treatments in conventional hospitals. In a chemical which is man made, not in it's natural form, it can be toxic &  ineffective. In the early 1970's platinum was used in the dye in x-rays of women's breasts. Breast lumps reportedly began shrinking and even disappeared after use of the dye. Many believed the platinum in the dye was responsible for this. Since then, platinum dye has been replaced with radioactive dyes! Platinum may be effective in killing disease caused by bacteria, fungus, viruses and it can help to boost the immune system.

 

Indications of insufficient platinum may be: bad circulation, insomnia, bluish tint to skin, intestinal pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle weakness, diabetes, oppressive breathing, earaches, pain in the eyes, edema, prolapsed uterus, headaches, swollen gland, heart palpitations, tissue anemia, hypertension & water rentention.

 

 

The Minerals Iron, Lithium, Magnesium & Maganese

IRON -

Iron attracts oxygen and builds blood creating energy in the body. Along with maganese and copper, it is necessary for healthy blood chemistry and is essential for recovery from illness. It is stored in the blood, bone marrow, liver & spleen, with trace amounts in every organ. Iron is one of the most common deficiencies in men as well as women, although women require more iron than men because of their menstrual cycle. Without sufficient iron, the body cannot manufacture enough new hemoglobin, which is the red cell protein that transports oxygen in the blood. Iron helps the body rid itself of carbon dioxide and keeps liver tissue soft. It combines with other nutrients to produce vital blood proteins and is involved in food metabolism, digestion, elimination, circulation and helps regulate blood pressure. Iron needs the help of vit. C to improve iron absorption.

Indications of insufficient iron is: anemia, fatigue/lack of stamina, anorexia, fragile bones, brittle  nails, growth retardation, constipation, hair loss, dizziness, headaches, heart disease, depression, ice eating (pica), dysphasia & unnaturally pale skin.

LITHIUM -
Lithium is one of the better known and studied trace mineral that is useful in treating alcoholism, manic depression and mental instability. Lithium has been known to have serious side effects.

Indications of insufficient lithium may be: alcoholism, bi-polar/manic depression, mild to severe depression, foggy thinking & mental instability.

MAGNESIUM -
Magnesium is a natural tranquilizer & it alone is responsible for over 300 functions in the body. Known as an "anti-stress mineral", it aids in relaxing nerves, relieving tension, assisting digestion, activating enzymes important for protein and carbohydrate metabolism and modulating the electrical impulses across all cell membranes. Magnesium is important in the production and transfer of energy, muscle contraction/relaxation and nerve conduction. It also aids regularity, it's necessary to keep vertebrae in their proper position, induces restful sleep, purifies and purges body tissues (combats acids, toxins, gases, impurities and neutralizes poisons) and lowers fever. It's stored in the bowel, nerves and ligaments. Chlorophyll and green vegetables contain large amounts of magnesium.

Indications of insufficient magnesium may be: asthma, anorexia, migraines, cramps, muscular weakness, convulsions, muscle tremors, heart irregularities, heart attack, calcification of organs, muscle tics, calcification of small arteries, myocardial infarction, depression, neuromuscular problems, ECG changes (skipped or extra beats), PMS, growth failure, vertigo, headaches, wrinkles, kidney stones & heart disease.

MANGANESE -
Maganese, the "brain mineral" is important in the utilization of all mental functions/facilities. It aids health memory and other brain and nerve impulses. Though only found in trace amounts in the body, good health is impossible without it. It increases resistance and recuperative ability and, like iron, aids in oxygen transfer from lungs to cells. Manganese strengthens tendons, tissues, ligaments and linings in & outside of organs. If the human body is well supplied with manganese, various tissues, cells and nerves are kept elasticized and strong. It makes up part of a molecule which is used to form collagen, the strong fibrous connective material that builds tissue, bone & cartilage. This mesh of collagen is the franework on which calcium, magnesium and other bone hardening minerals are deposited. Deficiency of manganese is prevalent in deafness due to damage of the cartilage of the ear. Manganese has a positive effect on the libido by increasing energy levels and the brain's ability to send and receive messages. It also helps the reproductive organs to work properly because of it's effect on tissues and nerves. Production of sex hormones is aided by manganese. It can help reduce menstrual cramps and pms. Manganese is stored half in the bones and the reminder in the liver, pancreas, pituitary gland and kidneys.

Indications of insufficient manganese may be: carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, deafness, nerve problems, depression, pms, gout, poor muscle co-ordination, hearing problems, heart disease, retarded growth rate, infertility, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), lack of concentration, stiff tendons, loss of libido in both sexes, stuttering, memory loss/mental confusion, tremors, miscarriages or still births.

The Minerals Copper, Germanium, Gold & Iodine

COPPER -

Copper is most concentrated in the liver, heart, kidneys, brain, bones & muscles and it's essential in the blood. Trace amounts are present in all body tissues. Without copper, iron cannot be assimilated as they work together in the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Other enzyme activities also require copper. It increases healing by increasing the protein metabolism and improves vitamin C. Low or high copper levels can be found in those with mental & emotional problems. Copper helps rid the body of parasites and is beneficial for graying and thinning hair.

Indications of insufficient copper may be: allergies, kawasaki disease, anemia, liver cirrhosis, aneurysm, osteoporosis, arthritis, oppressed breathing (COPD), dry brittle hair, parasites, edema, parkinson's disease, gulf war syndrome, reduced glucose tolerance, hernias, ruptured disc, high blood cholesterol, skin eruptions or sores, hypo & hyper thyroid, white or gray hair, hair loss/baldness, varicose veins, hearth disease & wrinkled skin.

GERMANIUM -
Germanium is one of the most dynamic new discoveries of trace elements necessary for optimum nutritional health. Germanium increases the level of activity of various organs and helps to detox harmful pollutants and stop germ activity. It posses the ability to act as an electrical semiconductor, helping correct distortions in the areas of the body's electrical fields. Germanium continues to be researched for all its possible supplementary applications.

Indications of insufficient germanium may be: asthma, leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, neuralgia, cardiac insufficiency, nephritis, hypertension, neurotic disorders, hepatic cirrhosis, softening of brain tissue...it is believed to act as an anti-cancer agent and is effective for viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

GOLD -
Gold promotes and enhances the body's natural defenses against illness and promotes vitality and longevity. Gold has been found to improve glandular function. It helps the body to relax. Some people report that after taking gold for an extended period of time, it raises energy levels. It is also believed that gold helps repair damanged DNA. Gold is effective against joint inflammation and when used with aspirin for arthritis, relieves pain, sometimes given in injectable form for severe arthritis. Gold does not stop the pain, but is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Indications of insufficient gold may be: autoimmune deficiencies, arthritis, gland dysfunction, brain dysfunction, heat flashes, chills, insomnia, cancer, joint inflammation, circulatory disorders, night sweats, depression, obesity, digestive disorders, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), drug/alcohol addiction, neutralizes flouride poisoning.

IODINE -
Iodine is one of the most vital of the biochemical elements. It mainly affects the thyroid, which not only controls many important functions in the body, but also keeps us in a quickened state of health. Iodine restores heat & assists calcium in the repair and building of tissue in the body. Iodine is stored mostly in the thyroid and in smaller amounts in the muscles, skin and bones. The thyroid gland secretes iodine. Hormones produced by the thyroid regulate and control the metabolism of the body, increasing the assimilation of salts. They also control digestion, heart rate, body temperature, nervous system, reproductive system and body weight. Iodine protects the brain by destroying harmful toxins and helps neutralize toxins in the rest of the body. It aids in the assimilation of calcium and silicon. Skin problems such as dry or scaly skin are indicative of an iodine deficiency. An elevated ongoing intake of iodine would be required in order to produce iodine toxicity. Allergic reactions to iodine occur occasionally, manifesting as skin rashes or acne.

Indications of insufficient iodine may be: acne, hyper or hypothyroidism, lethargy, depression, miscarriages, frustration, scaly or dry skin, hair loss, thyroid goiter (tumor), sterility, infertility, hormonal imbalance.

The Minerals Boron, Calcium, Chromium & Cobalt...

BORON -

Plays a part in estrogen's role in building bones by helping convert vitamin D into the active form necessary for the absorption of calcium. Unless your body's imineral content is stable then the 20 min./day sunshine won't be enough for the required vitamin D. Boron is essential to bone metbolism and calcification of bones and helps prevent osteoporosis, arthritis and tooth decay. Boron is necessary for cartilage formation and repair. It affects calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels. Memory and brain function can be improved with boron. It plays a role in regulating the hormones, especially estrogen, but testosterone as well. A boron deficiency can cause weak and fragile cell walls. Some research shows that boron improves libido. Boron is stored in the parathyroid glands.

Indications of insufficient of boron may be: arthritis, memory loss, brittle bones, muscle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, degenerative joint disease, receding gums, hormonal imbalance, weak cartilage and loss of libido.

CALCIUM -
Calcium is one of the most essential of the major biochemical elements needed in human nutrition. It is necessary for every organ of the body, including the brain. Calcium is called the "knitter" because it promotes healing or knitting everywhere in the body. It is valuable for tone, power, strength, longevity, vitality, endurance, healing of wounds, counteracting acids and help in regulating metabolism. Because it is used in almost every function, calcium is commonly deficient in our diets. It is one of the first elements to go out of balance when the diet is inadequate. Calcium is stored in the blood and teeth, as well as in the nerves, muscles & tissues. Calcium requires other minerals to be effective and do its job. Magnesium and vit. D increase calcium absorption while sodium helps keep calcium in the useable form in the body (it must be water soluble to be useable). Calcium raises the body's resistance to viruses, parasites, bacteria and cancer. A lack of calcium leads to a host of diseases and degenerative conditions. Pure water-soluble calcium serves a two-fold purpose; it can help reverse symptoms caused by the buildup of compounded calcium, like kidney stones, gallstones, arthritis and high cholesterol & helps reverse conditions caused by a deficiency of calcium like acidosis and osteoporosis. A high incidence of cavities or white spots on fingernails indicates a calcium deficiency. This mineral is necessary to regain the proper pH balance and we all know how important that is.

Indications of insufficient of calcium may be: acne, cancer, arthritis, cavities, acidosis, cataracts, ADD, enlarged heart, asthma, fibromyalgia, bell's palsy, gallstones, cramps, high cholesterol, common cold, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome & osteoporosis.

CHROMIUM -
Chromium deficiency is a major factor in the development of heart disease, which includes heart attacks & hardening of the arteries. Chromium is stored principally in the kidneys, spleen and testes, with trace amounts found in the heart, lungs, pancreas and brain. The body cannot easily absorb chromium if other minerals are out of balance as well. Chromium helps the body regulate metabolism and regulate insulin and blood sugar levels. Chromium helps the body lose weight by stimulating enzymes that metabolize glucose for energy. It plays an important role in the liver as it helps the liver burn fat. When the body is deficient in chromium, twice the amount of time is needed for insulin to remove glucose from the blood. Chromium enhances insulin performance and glucose utilization and halpes carry proteins. Chromium works better if taken before meals. Refined sugar causes the body to deplete chromium more rapidly. Strenuous exercise can also deplete chromium levels. The elderly are unable to store as much chromium in the body as are younger people. The refining of starches and carbohydrates robs foods of chromium. If you are American you have less chromium in the soil compared to European soil.

Indications of insufficient of chromium may be: anxiety, hyperinsulinism, ADD, hypoglycemia, aortic cholesterol plaque, hyperactivity, arteriosclerosis, impaired growth, bi-polar disorder/manic depressive illness, infertility, decreased sperm count, coronary blood vessel disease, obesity, depression, pre-diabetes, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, high blood cholesterol & heart attack.

COBALT -
Cobalt is an essential mineral even though the body only needs a small amount. It is also another mineral that will not functon without sufficient amounts of other minerals in the body.  Cobalt is stored in red blood cells with smaller amounts in the kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen. Research indicates that cobalt helps with the repair of the myelin (protective coating over the nerve) sheath, increases the effectiveness of glucose transport from the blood into body cells and increases the assimilation of iron and the building of red blood cells. Cobalt is an important agent of vit. B-12; it increases the body's ability to absorb it. Cobalt stimulates many enzymes of the body and normalizes the performance of other body cells. Because of it's low absorption rate and high excretion reate, cobalt toxicity is not common, but an excess can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Indications of insufficient of cobalt may be: digestive disorders, pernicious anemia, fatigue, poor circulation, myelin sheath damage, MS/Multiple Sclerosis, slow growth rate and nerve damage.

Minerals & Their Importance....

Why do you need balanced minerals to stay healthy? How do minerals work to create a healthy body and mind?

The body's organs and brain are made up of electrical currents running from the brain to the rest of the organs of the body. Those electrical currents can only happen with sufficient minerals in your body. You may hear medical personnel referred to minerals as a “chemical” or "chemical imbalance" or "Electrolytes" most often noted in mental illness yet not recognized by conventional medicine as important to the rest of the body. Minerals are necessary for the formation of blood and bone, body fluids, cellular growth and healing, energy, muscle tone, and nerve function. Even though information proving that minerals cannot be found in sufficient quantity in our food stuffs, it is still not being taught to our physicians and health care personnel!

One of the most commonly suffered maladies caused by insufficient minerals is "CHF" (chronic heart failure) Erratic heart beats, as well as other serious diseases or illnesses. Sadly unnecessary heart attacks are occurring in people in their 30's and 40's. One health issue that is diagnosed so often is Fibromyalgia which is pain in soft tissue, joints and muscles - but sadly a huge number are misdiagnosed. So many corrected their so-called FMS with a simple supplementing of balanced minerals every day! A hundred years ago a balance of minerals were obtained from the foods people ate, hence a healthier world. No longer possible today even if you eat 100% organic or free range every day!

Today's foods no longer contain near enough minerals to make us healthy. Our body can produce vitamins when given proper foods but that is not the case with minerals, our bodies make vitamins from the minerals we give it. We can only obtain them from our foods, yet we cannot get foods containing the balance our body needs, making supplementing an absolute must!

This list of minerals are only the current recognized minerals and indications of health issue present - when those minerals are not in sufficient quantities. Note that several minerals relate to the same health issues, hence the reason for balanced minerals! We do not yet have all the information on all of the balance of minerals and the trace minerals - just that science knows their names - and in time will add more as studies are released or the discovery of more minerals information becomes available. What they know now should clue in minerals manufacturers that so many supplements are missing and we need many more minerals than they ever thought possible, not 8, 12 or 24 or 32 but a minimum of 74 and preferably 84 total minerals and trace minerals!!

Here is why each and every person over the age of 10 in this day - should be taking sea-based balanced liquid minerals daily! Our soil no longer contains the balance necessary for health therefore our foods (animal or vegetable) does not contain the minerals we need and our bodies cannot make them so the only way to assure that balance is by supplementing!

Taking a supplement made from ground up rock or dirt, which almost all mineral pills are made of, or egg shells like (Oscal) simply is not a balance! The body does not absorb pill/rock minerals and only assimilates about 1% into your system, making it imperative to take in substances that contain the minerals needed for a 99% absorption rate! All nutrients such as vitamins, proteins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, oil, etc., require minerals for activity. All bodily processes depend upon the action of minerals to work properly.

Trace minerals are more important in nutrition than vitamins. Vitamins can be synthesized by living matter - minerals cannot. Vitamins are required for every biochemical activity of the body but, vitamins cannot function unless minerals are present. Minerals are what make enzyme functions possible. Minerals combine with enzymes into an alkaline detoxifying agent that neutralizes the acid metabolic by-products of the cells and other toxic conditions within the body and prepares them for elimination.

Glandular hormonal secretion is dependent upon mineral stimulation, which is insufficient to non-existent without minerals to balance, hence the upsurge of PMS and early menopause in women and prostate cancer and other cancers in men. The acid-alkaline balance (pH) of tissue fluid is controlled by minerals. All elements work together as a collective whole. If there is a shortage of just one mineral, the balance of the entire bodily activity can be thrown awry. A deficiency of one mineral may disrupt the entire chain of life, rendering other nutrients either useless or inefficient.

In the upcoming blogs are the minerals they have discovered & the influences on our health that these minerals have. In reading the indications of insufficiencies keep in mind your own health & just maybe this could be the reason behind what ails you!?

The Importance of the Immune System!

In my opinion, your immune system is one of the most impt, if not THE most important system of your whole body! It helps your body fight off viruses, infections, disease & all sorts of illnesses. In my opinion, the key to optimal health is a top notch immune system. Most, if not all, disease starts in the gut because a large portion of cells from the immune system is found in the digestive tract. Even if you try to eat the best you can, the nutrition is not what it used to be in our foods. The more raw veggies you can eat, the better off you are and I always do a wash on all mine and we juice veggies about every other day, too expensive to do it every day and I think that’s sad. Other foods or spices that help along the immunity system lines are shiitake & reishi mushrooms, turmeric, onions, lemon, garlic, ginger. It takes time to build up the immune system to where you don’t get colds, flu, sinus issues and things like that. But cut down on sugar too, it affects the immune system in more ways than one could ever imagine. There’s been a lot of talk about probiotics and I never gave much thought about them until I had to go on a round of anti-biotics myself. I bought some & started taking them, along with doing some research on fermented foods, good bacteria and stuff like that & if you stop & think about it a lot of the meat we get has antibiotics in it, so we are getting them without realizing it. You’ve got to have lots of the good bacteria to help move things along & fight disease in your gut. Over 80% of your immune system cells are located in your stomach...so, it should start there!

I can’t stress enough how important vit. C is to our total health. But for this topic, I’m just gonna tell you that as soon as u start feeling bad or run down, etc. take some vit. C. you can take up to 6,000 mg/day when you are sick. Vit. C is water soluble and whatever your body don’t use, it will get rid of it because it is water soluble, so you need to replenish it every day. But be aware that alot of Vit. C comes from gmo's, if you can get rose hips, they are one of top sources for Vit. C!!! Bee pollen is one of the top super foods and has an antimicrobial effect on the body. It also helps people with allergies & helps to strenghthen the immune system as does honey & it’s best to obtain the pollen or honey from a local source, as this increases its antiallergenic properties. But if you can’t get it locally, it’s still better than not having any at all. If you get honey, make sure it’s raw, any type of heating on the honey destroys the health giving benefits. So you got bee pollen, vit. C, honey & foods & probiotics so far.

Herbal immune system builders not only help your body to ward off illness, but they can also teach it how to operate better. The best known one of course is Echinacea and it has been called the king of immune herbs. It helps the body by increasing the activity of 3 of the immune system’s workhorses…T-cells, interferon (a protein produced by virus infected cells that inhibits reproduction of the virus) and natural killer cells which are…the white blood cells. It even makes the cells stronger & more resistant to invasion. Our t-cells make a memory when they fight off things naturally. Drugs shut 'off' the immune system's ability to know what went wrong & how to defend itself the next time. Thing is about Echinacea is that it works best as a preventative…but it’s not the best herb to take for long term use. If you’ve taken Echinacea for a week or so and there’s no difference, then it’s probably not the right herb for you.

In Chinese medicine we have astragalus and it’s is used to promote healing. Licorice is another great one. The tincture is effective against candida & several types of bacteria, including staph. A compound in it increases interferon production. Another Chinese immune herb is bupleurum, the main ingredient in it helps to improve immunity system activity. Chinese skullcap stops the development of certain viruses & makes uninfected cells more resistant to invasion. Siberian ginseng has become very popular too and it’s an adaptogen which helps the body adapt in ways of building the immune system & counter the effects of stress….which we all know can lead to illness. The ayurvedic herb ashwagandha is also an adaptogen and immunity enhancer. Then there is the Chinese herb shizandra, it’s very popular in many herbal blends. The Peruvian rain forest herb cat’s claw is great for the immune system and it helps to fight off infections & degenerative diseases. Cat’s claw also contains a certain alkaloid that enhances the immune system’s capacity to engulf & destroy pathogens. it’s been shown to heal an array of other things as well, it increases the amount of disease-fighting immune cells in the blood. Goldenseal is a very strong immune system helper, but it gained such popularity so quickly that it was over harvested almost to extinction, everybody wanted the roots which is usually where the strongest medicine of any plant is located. It’s made a comeback, but it’s not one of those you should take regularly to keep that immune system up there…I believe it’s 7 days on, then 7 days off. It’s also very bitter, so it will help with digestion too, but it tastes really bad. Goldenseal is a mucous membrane restorative tonic and a topical antimicrobial. Though it does kill bacteria very effectively, it is very poorly absorbed into the blood stream and does not act as an "herbal antibiotic" as it is said to. It can be used to stimulate sluggish metabolism/liver function. Goldenseal & Echinacea should not taken together to help fight any type of cold or infection. They will fight against each other instead of each of them doing their own job. The more information we find out about goldenseal, the more we realize it’s not the go to herb to help fight ALL types of illnesses. Then there’s the infamous essiac that we’ve discussed before…it’s one of the top immune system builders around & has been for many many years!!

Elderberry is a berry & can be used specifically for viral infections and the flu. Elderberry inhibits the ability of a virus to break out and make copies of itself. Though viruses mutate year after year, the mechanism that they use to break into our cells often remains the same, and so elderberry does not lose its efficiency because of viral mutation. It stimulates white blood cell production which is similar to Echinacea and it’s rich in bio-flavinoids & provides excellent antioxidant activity, which helps to reduce tissue inflammation. I’m sure you’ve heard or seen the elderberry syrup…it works well from what I understand, I’ve never made it or taken it. But if you make or buy the syrup make sure if it has honey it, don’t give it to a child under 2 yrs old.

I got asked about andographs and in doing some research on it, I found it’s commonly used in china & India and they use the leaves & fresh juice of the whole plant. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s used to support digestive & cardiovascular health & the urinary systems. But in Sweden…and them folks got it going on with the herbs & such I’m telling ya…it’s been used for more than 10 yrs as the primary herb for the winter season for immune support.

Now I didn’t know about this about st. john’s wort before I started this research, so I’m kinda excited to be able to share this information. I knew St. John’s Wort had a reputation to help with depression, but I didn’t know that it is a powerful herb for use on the nervous system tissues and injuries. When injuries to the nerves are involved, it is often among the most beneficial and broadly acting herbs available. It is appropriate for conditions ranging from sciatica to atrophy of nerve tissue, and also often relieves the pain of sore muscles. But it’s also antimicrobial and can be effective topically against some strains of bacteria, including staph. It has been used on sunburns & radiation burns. It‘s useful for nerve pain, which is characterized by numbness/tingling and shooting or searing pain. It can also help sciatica and inflammation of nerve tissue, some skin infections & sore, tender, injured, overexerted muscles or joints. The frontline in the body’s defense system is the lymph glands, they filter out foreign materials, especially bacteria and they collect toxins, so if you have had an infection you have probably felt them all swelled up from time to time. They also work to stop cancer cells from spreading, but when they do, they become vulnerable to cancer themselves, kind of a catch 22 thing. They depend on you moving around & getting regular exercise to help them with their drainage and massages are great for lymphatic drainage. Of all the herbs to help with the lymph drainage, cleavers, goldenseal, mullein & Echinacea are some with the best reputation. Others include red clover, prickly ash, and lemon peel. The lymph herbs are safe to give to children who are plagued by constant ear infections too.

There’s so many different ways to help build up your immune system, some of them are rather tasty, others…well….not so tasty, but for your body to run at it’s peak performance it is necessary to make sure you re-enforce & build up that immune system and with foods, climate and so many different things starting to take that downward spiral, it’s vital that one makes that a priority, in my opinion anyway.

PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are healthy bacteria, also known as flora or microorganisms that live inside our digestive tract. The role of healthy bacteria is to boost the immune system by maintaining a good balance of the right type of bacteria in the body. These little helpers kill off bad bacteria which is harmful to us. There are several different strains of flora in our digestive tract, and each strain has a specific role within the body. Acidophilus is a well-known strain of bacteria that helps to improve microbial balance.

          Foods That Contain Probiotics

• They are many nutritious foods that contain generous portions of probiotics. You may already be eating some of these foods as part of your diet. Foods that contain high levels of probiotics are yogurt, raw milk, raw goat's milk, and raw cheese. In addition, you will also find many healthy treats and snack bars at your health food store with probiotics added as the main ingredient.

          Supplementation

• Some strains of flora reduce inflammation in the body. Taking antibiotics actually lowers our immune response because the drug kills both the good and the bad bacteria. It is important to take probiotic supplements right after taking antibiotics, in addition to avoiding antibiotics as often as possible. A good probiotic supplement actually contains ten or more different strains of flora in excess of over 10 billion.

         Dosage

• It is very difficult to overdose on probiotics. The conditions within your digestive tract need to be just right in order for probiotics to flourish. Many of these microorganisms are actually killed off so it is important to take doses in the billions with the hope that at least half will survive. You can take supplements containing up to 30 billion total flora per day without causing harm to your body. There are also about 400-500 different strains or flora. A good probiotic supplement contains 10 or more strains of beneficial bacteria. Some of the most common strains you will see on labels are: Bifidobacterium longum, acidophilus, lactobacillus lactis, lactobacillus reuteri, streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus rhamnosus and bifidobacterium infantis.

         Considerations

• Some people may experience mild diarrhea or stomach discomfort as their body adjusts to high doses of probiotics. However, you really want as many of these good bugs to survive as possible. In order to increase survivability you may need to do a few things first such as, eating raw vegetables, drinking plenty of pure water every day and doing a colon/parasite cleanse. A colon cleanse involves taking herbal supplements and fiber for one week or longer to cleanse the colon of excess mucous and fecal matter.

         Precautions

• If you suffer from IBS, also known as irritable bowel syndrome or any other type of digestive disorder, talk to your doctor before taking extremely high doses of probiotics and colon cleansing. You may need to proceed with cleansing more slowly that what is recommended on the label. For instance, if the dosage is two herbal capsules three times daily, you may need to adjust the dosage to one herbal capsule three times daily. Keep in mind that many doctors who practice mainstream medicine are not educated in nutrition or alternative medicine. You can always talk to your doctor, but you may also want to seek the advice of a Naturopathic doctor or another alternative health care provider as well.

76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health!

 

  In addition to throwing off the body's homeostasis, excess sugar may result in a number of other significant consequences. The following is a listing of some of sugar's metabolic consequences from a variety of medical journals and other scientific publications.

• 1) Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.
• 2)  Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body: causes chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
• 3) Sugar can cause can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.
• 4) Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.
• 5) Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.
• 6) Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.
• 7) Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.
• 8) Sugar can weaken eyesight.
• 9) Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract including: an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
• 10) Sugar can cause premature aging.
• 11) Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
• 12) Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
• 13) Sugar contributes to obesity.
• 14) Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis.
• 15) Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections)
• 16) Sugar can cause gallstones.
• 17) Sugar can cause appendicitis.
• 18) Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.
• 19) Sugar can cause varicose veins.
• 20) Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.
• 21) Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.
• 22) Sugar can cause a decrease in your insulin sensitivity thereby causing an abnormally high insulin levels and eventually diabetes.
• 23) Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.
• 24) Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.
• 25) Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• 26) High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs)(Sugar molecules attaching to and thereby damaging proteins in the body).
• 27) Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.
• 28) Sugar causes food allergies.
• 29) Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
• 30) Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.
• 31) Sugar can cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
• 32) Sugar can impair the structure of your DNA.
• 33) Sugar can change the structure of protein and cause a permanent alteration of the way the proteins act in your body.
• 34) Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.
• 35) Sugar can cause cataracts and nearsightedness.
• 36) Sugar can cause emphysema.
• 37) High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in your body.
• 38) Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.
• 39) Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson's disease.
• 40) Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide and it can increase the amount of liver fat.
• 41) Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.
• 42) Sugar can damage your pancreas.
• 43) Sugar can increase your body's fluid retention.
• 44) Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.
• 45) Sugar can compromise the lining of your capillaries.
• 46) Sugar can make your tendons more brittle.
• 47) Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.
• 48) Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders.
• 49) Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves which can alter your mind's ability to think clearly.
• 50) Sugar can cause depression.
• 51) Sugar can increase your risk of gout.
• 52) Sugar can increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• 53) Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances such as: increasing estrogen in men, exacerbating PMS, and decreasing growth hormone.
• 54) Sugar can lead to dizziness.
• 55) Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.
• 56) High sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.
• 57) High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration and is associated with a twofold increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.
• 58) Sugar is an addictive substance.
• 59) Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.
• 60) Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.
• 61) Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.
• 62) Your body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.
• 63) The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
• 64) Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• 65) Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.
• 66) Sugar can slow down the ability of your adrenal glands to function.
• 67) Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in a normal healthy individual and to promote chronic degenerative diseases.
• 68) I.V.s (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to your brain.
• 69) Sugar increases your risk of polio.
• 70) High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.
• 71) Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.
• 72) In intensive care units: Limiting sugar saves lives.
• 73) Sugar may induce cell death.
• 74) In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44 percent drop in antisocial behavior.
• 75) Sugar dehydrates newborns.
• 76) Sugar can cause gum disease.

Sugar comes in many forms & is added to just about everything out there in food land now. Most carbohydrates & starches turn into sugar/glucose in your bloodstream after you eat them. Depending on your situation, even fruit can be bad for you because of the sugar content....though many will disagree. Do your research, read your labels!! If you aren't sure what it is....check it out! YOU are in charge of your own destiny!!!

The Importance of Magnesium ~~ Part 3

The following is a list of effects/diseases that could be cause by lack of magnesium in our diets:

ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer's, angina pectoris, anxiety disorders, arrhythmia, arthritis (rheumatoid & osteoarthritis), asthma, autism, auto-immune disorders, cerebral palsy in children of Mg deficient mothers, chronic fatigue syndrome, congestive heart failure, constipation, crooked teeth/narrow jaw in children from Mg deficient mothers, depression, diabetes-- types I and II, eating disorders--bulimia and anorexia, fibromyalgia, gut disorders including peptic ulcer, crohn's & colitis, heart disease, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insomnia, kidney stones,  Lou Gehrig's disease, migraines, mitral valve prolapse, multiple sclerosis, muscle cramping, weakness & fatigue, myopia in children of Mg deficient mothers, obesity especially associated with high carbohydrate diets, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, PMS including menstrual pain & irregularities, primary pulmonary hypertension, Reynaud's syndrome, SIDS, stroke, syndrome X & thyroid disorders.

The following are your best food sources for Magnesium....ranging from the best to the worst:

kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, buckwheat, brazil nuts, dulse, filberts, peanuts, millet, wheat whole grain, pecans, walnuts, rye, coconut meat (dried), collard greens, shrimp, sweet corn (organic), avocado, cheddar cheese, parsley, prunes, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, beef, asparagus, chicken, green pepper, winter squash, cantaloupe, eggplant, tomato & milk.

Sources: internet, westonaprice.org

The Importance of Magnesium ~~ Part 2

Magnesium is utilized by the body for all sorts of detoxification pathways and is necessary for the neutralization of toxins, overly acidic conditions that arise in the body & from protection from heavy metals. It plays a vital role in protecting us from the onslaught of man-made chemicals all around us. Glutathione, an antioxidant normally produced by the body & a detoxifier of mercury, lead and arsenic among others, requires magnesium for its synthesis. A deficiency of magnesium increases free radical generation in the body & causes glutathione loss, which is not affordable because glutathione helps to defend the body against damage from cigarette smoking, exposure to radiation, cancer chemotherapy, toxins such as alcohol and just about everything else.

When our bodies are abundant with magnesium (and in balance with other essential minerals) we are protected from heavy metal deposition and the development of associated neurological diseases. Research indicates that ample magnesium will protect brain cells from the damaging effects of aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury & nickel. We also know that low levels of brain magnesium contribute to the deposition of heavy metals in the brain that can cause Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It appears metals compete with magnesium for entry into the brain cells. If Mg is low, metals gain access much more readily. There is also competition in the small intestine for absorption of minerals. If there is enough Mg, aluminum won't be absorbed.

For the average person, magnesium supplementation is safe to experiment with on your own, especially if you know you have symptoms that could be related to Mg deficiency or are under extra stress, etc. Excess magnesium is excreted in urine & the stools, and the most common response to too much Mg is loose stools. Those with renal insufficiency or kidney disease, extremely slow heart rate or bowel obstruction should avoid magnesium therapy.

General dosage recommendations range from about 3-10 mg per lb. of body weight, depending upon physical condition, requirements for growth (as in children) and degree of symptoms.

Oral magnesium supplements are available in organic salt chelates, such as magnesium citrate and magnesium malate and are fairy easily absorbed into the body. It is important to divide your dosage during the day so that you do not load your body with too much Mg in any single dose. Dr. Dean recommends taking your first dose in the morning & another in later afternoon --  these correspond to times when magnesium levels are low in the body. Is it just a coincidence that these times of low magnesium and low energy also correspond to the cultural rituals of morning coffee & afternoon tea?

Loose stools indicate you are not absorbing the magnesium & therefore it is acting as a laxative. When the Mg travels through your intestines in less than 12 hrs, it is merely excreted rather than absorbed. If you cannot overcome the laxative effect by varying your doses, you may want to try an oral supplement that is chelated to an amino acid, such as magnesium taurate & magnesium glycinate, which some consider to be better absorbed than the salt forms. For those who need a little help with digestion, such as young children, older adults and anyone with reduced stomach acid or bowel dysbiosis, consider homeopathic magnesium, also referred to as tissue salts or cell salts. Magnesia phosphorica 6X is the appropriate dosage & it works to usher magnesium into the cells where it belongs. It is also indicated as a remedy for muscle spasms and cramps of many varieties. Mag phos can help reduce and eliminate loose stools while your are supplementing with oral magnesium, giving you a positive sign that your body is indeed taking the magnesium into the cells.

Another potential way to get more magnesium into your system is via the pleasant method of soaking in a bath of magnesium sulfate, otherwise known as Epsom salts. Commonly used to ease muscle aches & pains, magnesium sulfate also helps with detoxification when sulfur is needed by the body for this purpose. When used intravenously, magnesium sulfate can save lives in such crises as acute asthma attack, onset of myocardial infarction and eclampsia in pregnancy.

A couple of cups of Epsom salts added to a hot bath will induce sweating and detoxification, after the water cools a bit, the body will then absorb the magnesium sulfate. According to Mark Sircus, the effects from a bath of Epsom salts, although pleasant, are brief as magnesium sulfate is difficult to assimilate and is rapidly lost in the urine. Magnesium chloride, which can also be used in baths, is more easily assimilated and metabolized and so less is needed for absorption.

Finally, magnesium may be applied topically in a form commonly called magnesium 'oil'. This is actually not an oil at all, but a supersaturated concentration of magnesium chloride and water. It does feel oily and slippery when applied to the skin, but it absorbs quickly, leaving a slightly tacky, 'sea salt' reside that can be washed off. There are many advantages to transdermal magnesium therapy, since the gastrointestinal tract is avoided altogether, there is no laxative effect.

It is likely safe to say that most people would benefit from an increased supply of magnesium in their diets, especially in these times of so many dietary, environmental and social stressors. Of course the first priority is to eat a varied diet of whole plant and animal foods from the best sources nearest to you. Adding extra magnesium, however, might be the missing nutritional link to help guard against heart disease, stroke, depression, osteoporosis and many other disorders. In the prevention and alleviation of these diseases, magnesium can truly be miraculous.


Resources: internet, WestonAPrice.org, Mark Sircus, Dr. Carolyn Dean.

The Importance of Magnesium~~ Part 1

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal, the 8th most abundant mineral found in the earth's crust. Because of its ready solubility in water, magnesium is the 3rd most abundant mineral in sea water, after sodium and chloride. In the human body, Mg (magnesium) is the 4th most abundant element. Most Mg contained in the body is found in the skeleton and teeth -- at least 60-65% of the total. Nearly the entire remaining amount resides in muscle tissues and cells, while only 1% is contained in our blood. Magnesium must be bound to another substance before it can be adequately absorbed into our body.

The importance of Mg being beneficial to overall vibrant health is hard to overstate. It is required to give the "spark of life" to metabolic functions involving the creation of energy and it's transport (ATP, the body's fundamental energy currency), and the creation of proteins, RNA and DNA, in all known living organisms. In plants, Mg is found at the center of every chlorophyll molecule, vital for the creation of energy from sunlight. Mg is an essential element for both animals and plants, involved in literally over 300 enzymatic reactions & over 600 bio mechanical reactions in the human body affecting virtually all aspects of life.

Every single cell in the human body demands adequate Mg to function, or it will perish. Strong bones & teeth, balanced  hormones, a healthy nervous and cardiovascular system, well-functioning detoxification pathways and much more depend on magnesium sufficiency. Soft tissue containing the highest concentrations of magnesium in the body include the brain and the heart -- two organs that produce a large amount of electrical activity and which can be especially vulnerable to magnesium insufficiency. They have discovered a deficiency in magnesium has been identified as a precursor to heart disease.

Magnesium works in concert with calcium to regulate electrical impulses in the cell. Magnesium concentration inside healthy cells is ten thousand times greater than calcium and the body keeps this safeguard as it is necessary to prevent calcium accumulation in the cell, which could cause dangerous hyper-excitability, calcification, cell dysfunction and even cell death. When excess calcium enters the cells because of insufficient magnesium, muscle contraction is sustained for too long and we suffer, for example, twitches & tics in mild cases. When the magnesium deficiency becomes chronic, we suffer symptoms of heart disease such as angina pectoris, hypertension & arrhythmia, or the spasms and contractions characteristic of asthma, migraine headache or painful menstrual cramping. Magnesium operates as a natural calcium channel blocker & is responsible for relaxation -- counter to calcium's contraction. There is ongoing research which promises to uncover further associations between Mg deficiency and other illnesses.

Magnesium is one of the most depleted minerals in farm soils today. Of course, when these mineral-depleted crops are eaten by animals or by us, they will sooner or later cause disease. Organic raised crops isn't always a better bet either, you have to know how your supplier replenishes the minerals in his fields. It became a serious national concern more than 70 yrs ago and the deficit has been affecting us -- while steadily getting worse -- since our grandparents' generation. So due to soil depletion, storage, handling, harvesting, cooking, preparing, milling...all of these processes cause a loss of magnesium in our foods. Since our foods loose less calcium than magnesium, it can cause a troublesome dietary calcium overload to our systems. Fluoride in our drinking water binds with Mg creating a nearly insoluble mineral compound that ends up deposited in the bones, where its brittleness increases the risk of fractures. A diet of processed, synthetic foods, high sugar content, alcohol and soda drinks all 'waste' magnesium, as a lot of it is required for the metabolism and detoxification of these largely fake foods. The body requires at least 28 molecules of Mg to metabolize a single molecule of glucose. Phosphates in carbonated drinks and processed meats (so-called "luncheon meats" and hot dogs) bind with magnesium to create the insoluble magnesium phosphate, which is unusable by the body.

Many commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs cause the body to lose magnesium through the urine, such as diuretics for hypertension, birth control pills, insulin, digitalis, tetracycline and some other antibiotics and corticosteroids and bronchodilators for asthma. With the loss of magnesium, all of the symptoms being 'treated' by these drugs over time inevitably become worse. Magnesium is responsible for converting vitamin D to the active form that allows calcium to be absorbed, and also regulates calcium's transport to hard tissues where it belongs. Lactose is another inhibitor of magnesium absorption (and milk is not a good source of the mineral to begin with), along with excess potassium phosphorus and sodium.

Both calcium and magnesium are necessary for the healthy body --  in proper balance to one another. Yet calcium and magnesium must both be present in balanced amounts for either one to function normally in the body. Some researchers suggest that the healthy ratio of calcium to magnesium in the diet should be 2:1. Others say 1:1, but this number is based on our diets prior to the advent of agriculture. In modern industrialized countries the ratio from diet is anywhere from 5:1 to as much as 15:1. The imbalance of these 2 very important minerals produces many dire consequences in the body that are often overlooked by medical practitioners when treating the diseases they could cause. Aside from the intricate electrical dance that calcium and magnesium perform together, Mg is necessary to keep calcium in solution in the body, preventing its inappropriate deposition in soft tissues. As long as we have sufficient hydrochloric acid in our stomachs we can dissolve calcium from the foods we eat. After calcium leaves the acidic environment of the stomach and enters the alkaline arena of the small intestines, it is magnesium that is necessary to keep calcium soluble. Without sufficient magnesium, a whole host of physiological aberrations can occur with serious health consequences.

Information provided by the internet & WestonAPrice.org

Diabetes Information....

We need 90 essential nutrients every day to help prevent & reverse 900 diseases, out of these 90...60 are minerals & plants can not make minerals. Our bodies make vitamins from minerals. So if you don't give it the minerals it needs to make said vitamins, it will take what it needs from other areas of your body which can cause disease.  Fact is if you did a diet with little to no carbs, fruit or anything with sugar & base a diet on veggies & proteins you could possibly get it under control w/ the help of some supplements. So you have to become a huge label reader, almost everything out there contains some form of sugar (which is also a gmo, by the way)?

According to James Anderson, MD, dieticians/nutritionists and the ADA (american diabetes assn.) the diet info is all wrong, (taken from the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine) He recommends diets high in cereal grains, legumes, root veggies & low in simple sugars & fats. It’s called the high complex-carbohydrate, hi-fiber diet.

SUPPLEMENTS:
Chromium picolinate -- there is a chromium deficiency in the U.S. the optimal daily dosage is 200 mcg. It’s an important mineral in blood sugar metabolism. It can also lower body weight while increasing muscle mass. Chromium levels can be depleted by consuming refined sugars & white flour products & lack of exercise.

Vitamin C -- we know it assists in helping the immune system, but the transportation of vit. C into the cells is facilitated by insulin. Many diabetics do not have enough vit. C. recommended daily dosage is 500-1000 mg -- 3x/day.

Biotin -- this mineral functions in the manufacturing and utilization of carbs, fats & amino acids. It’s manufactured in the intestines by gut bacteria. A vegan diet has been shown to alter the intestinal bacterial flora so that it enhances the synthesis & promotes the absorption of biotin. Supplementing w/ biotin has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity.

Vitamin B6 -- appears to offer significant protection against neuropathy. 100 mg/day. Neuropathy from a B6 deficiency is indistinguishable from diabetic neuropathy. It appears to be caused by having too much sorbitol in the system. A particular cell salt called Kali Phos (potassium phosphate) helps nerves recover, relax & gain strength.

Vitamin B12 -- this is your stress vitamin!! It’s also been used with some success in treating diabetic neuropathy. Dosage: 1,000-3,000 mcg/day. There’s 2 types out there, you want methylcobalamin…it’s the real B12, it's also the most uncommon one!

Vitamin E -- d-alpha is the real one….dl-alpha is the fake! 800-1200 IU improves insulin action, but also may prevent long term complications of diabetes.

Magnesium -- It’s involved in several areas of glucose metabolism. Magnesium is used in over 300 processes in the human body. Without B6, Magnesium can not get inside the cell. There’s a world wide deficiency in Magnesium because of all the processed foods & soil depletions. 300-500 mg/day. But stress & anxiety causes the body to use up more & if those aren’t replaced, you get into a vicious cycle.

~*There are fat soluble & water soluble vitamins…fat soluble ones are retained in the fat in our bodies, but the water soluble ones have to be replaced on a daily basis.*~

CoQ10 -- the islet cells in the pancreas make insulin to control blood sugar levels. They use CoQ10 as the fuel they need for energy. Without CoQ10 the islets get tired and can’t make insulin as efficiently and at the same time, it powers them up it also protects them & that’s a good thing! In supplement form, the powder & tablets are useless, your body can’t absorb them. The best form is ubiquinol CoQ10 --  50 mg/day.

Vitamin K -- helps to keep blood sugar under control. It’s found in dark, leafy greens, pumpkins seeds & traditional Japanese foods like natto. And 2 foods that it’s abundant in are 2 foods people are told not to eat anymore and that’s eggs & beef. It’s a fat soluble vitamin, so try to get between 45-90 mcg a day, try to get it with your steak, the healthy fats improve absorption.

Zinc -- this mineral is involved in virtually all aspects of insulin metabolism and has a protective effect against beta cell destruction. Diabetics typically excrete excessive amounts of zinc in their urine, so they would require supplementation. It also helps with the wound healing process. 30 mg/day, but I think you can only find them in 50 mg, that’s ok too! It’s found in whole grains, legumes, nuts & seeds.

FOODS:
Onions/garlic….as much as you want!!! I love both & eat them daily! They both help to lower glucose levels along with providing the body with so many other benefits.

Cucumber juice -- contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which is beneficial as well.

HERBS:
There are quite a few herbs that can help: bitter melon (balsam pear), fenugreek, bilberry (which is about the only herb that helps to support eye health), gingko biloba, chicory & ginseng. Foods: prickly pear cactus, cinnamon, turmeric. And plenty of exercise!!! But my favorite herb in my opinion that helps most is Gymnema Sylvestre -- it’s known as the sugar destroyer!! When this is applied to the tongue, it blocks the sensation of sweetness. It’s actually thought that it increases production of beta cells. It’s been known to decrease glucose levels, decrease sugar cravings, and blocks 50% of the absorption of sugar! It supports the blood, spleen, pancreas and the endocrine system which the pancreas belongs too. 400 mg/day, but I know of people that take 550-600 mg twice day.

Anxiety & Magnesium

Anxiety can affect our lives dramatically. In a time when our society is more stressed than perhaps ever before, feelings of anxiety have become an everyday occurrence in many people's lives. Anxiety disorders are also becoming evermore prevalent. Because of this, natural anxiety remedies are more relevant than ever. Magnesium (Mg), a vital mineral nutrient is perhaps one of the most important natural anxiety remedies because of its effectiveness, record of safe use, availability and value.

Anxiety impairs concentration and causes sleeplessness, it increases the risk for illness, chronic back problems and even fatal accidents. Truly, anxiety can damage your mentally, physically & emotionally.

Although there are numerous anxiety medications in the market today, these medications can only relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety and are not a long-term solution. Anxiety medications come with a long list of side effects and safety concerns, not the least of which is the risk of drug dependence.

Side effects of anti-anxiety medications include low libido, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, trouble concentrating and many more. We should not have to live with these terrible side effects, nor should we be subjected to being overwhelmed by anxious feelings. Fortunately, magnesium offers a safe & effective solution for anxiety, without side effects.

Magnesium contributes to over 375 processes throughout the human body and is used by our bodies to make over 300 different enzymes!

Mental and physical stress, with its related continuous flow of adrenaline, uses up magnesium rapidly, as adrenaline affects heart rate, blood pressure, vascular constriction and muscle contractions, actions that all demand steady supplies of magnesium for smooth function. The nervous system depends upon sufficient magnesium for its calming effects, including restful sleep. Hibernating animals, by the way, maintain very high levels of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency will accelerate a vicious cycle and amplify the effects of chronic stress, leading to more anxiety, irritability, fatigue & insomnia--many of the symptoms of adrenal exhaustion--as well as to hypertension and heart pains--symptoms of heart disease. Staying in the anxious state also causes the body to use up greater quantities of magnesium.

A magnesium deficiency can cause or worsen symptoms of anxiety. Magnesium naturally calms the nervous system and the muscles (leg cramps at night/restless leg syndrome?); whereas, a deficiency can result in a tense body and an anxious mind.

Eating foods that are rich in magnesium is an important step in correcting a deficiency naturally. Magnesium can be found most abundantly in coconut water, kelp, cashews, buckwheat, molasses, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, cocoa powder, rice bran, nettles, spinach, coffee, purslane, swiss chard, almonds, avocado, bananas, almonds, peanut butter, raisins, oatmeal, halibut, cooked black-eyed peas, baked potato with skin, natural plain yogurt, cooked lentils, sea vegetables, chickweed, bone broths, whole grains -- as refined grains remove 80-97% of magnesium. Oh my goodness, look at all the magnesium rich foods out there!!!

Those with anxiety will often benefit from magnesium supplementation. The optimum daily amount should be between 500-700 mg and depending on if you need more, work your way up. Too much magnesium can cause loose stools & may signify your body isn't absorbing it properly. Try smaller doses throughout the day. Most people find that 400-800 mg taken in divided doses helps to ease their anxiety symptoms considerably.

Magnesium citrate, magnesium glycinate & magnesium chloride are among the most absorbable forms. Magnesium oil & epsom salts can also be used externally to boost magnesium levels.

Information provided by the internet, NaturalNews.com & WestonAPrice.org

Honey...A Superfood!

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” is one of the most popular quotes of Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine”. This is the same man who coined the phrase “First do no harm”, the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors take.

Honey has been used for eons both as a food and as a medicine in oriental as well as Ayurvedic cultures. According to one report archeologists found 2,000 year old jars of honey in Egyptian tombs and they still tasted delicious. Kept in an airtight container in a dry, cool place, honey never expires.

In our country we often see honey as nothing more than a handy sweetener but, in all reality, raw honey is antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and therefore has amazing healing properties. It can be taken internally or applied externally. Honey contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B2, B5 and B6, phytonutrients and 5,000 live enzymes. Summer and warm weather harvested honey can contain 10 forms of friendly bacteria. Oddly enough, honey harvested from hives fed sucrose during the winter months does not contain these healthy bacteria which are integral to its healing qualities.

82% of households currently use honey that is processed, heated and pasteurized rendering its health benefits void. That’s bad enough but even worse is that most grocery store brands contain high fructose corn syrup, may contain botulism and some brands contain minimal to no honey at all. These are dangerous for diabetics. These products not only do not help but actually can cause more harm to your health. Avoid them.

Instead, be sure to read the label and look for the following words: “raw, unprocessed, unfiltered, unpasteurized, unheated, organic 100% pure” honey. Honeys are Graded A for the best and D for the worst. Most raw honeys are Grade A and these are the honeys that have powerful healing capabilities.

Australia has approved Manuka honey as a medicine. “Manuka Honey is the only kind that retains its bacteria-fighting power when ingested,” says Peter Molan, Ph.D., Director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand. But its 80% sugar content means those with diabetes or insulin sensitivity should talk to their healthcare provider before taking.

Even though Manuka is the newest of the wonder honeys, many others tested do seem to be very helpful as well.
Internally honey can:

1) boost the immune system [1 spoon of honey and 1 TBSP of lemon juice in warm water before breakfast]
2) help with weight loss [ when taken prior to bed, speed up fat-burning metabolism],
3) help reduce the following risks of heart disease; cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and homocysteine
4) increase HDL (the good cholesterol) and improve function in the lining of blood vessels
5) contain cancer-preventing and anti-tumor properties
6) be a very effective cough suppressant for children ages 2 to 18 (especially since the FDA recommends no over the counter cough or cold remedies for children under age 6) [use buckwheat or Manuka honey] (never give honey to infants under 1 year old)
7) promote better blood sugar control and insulin control compared to other sweeteners (proper fueling of the liver at night helps optimize glucose metabolism during sleep)
8) help improve athletic performance [1 spoon of honey before exercise] and maintain blood sugar for 2 hours after a workout
9) inhibit e coli and Candida albicans (fungal infections)
10) increase bodily strength
11) eliminate muscle fatigue
12) be effective against morning sickness
13) be effective against sore throats [take 1 tsp of honey OR gargle with a mix of 2 TBSP of honey, 4 TBSP of lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt]
14) heal allergies
15) help with bronchitis
16) kill ulcer causing bacteria (Manuka honey in particular) [ 1 heaping spoonful on an empty stomach while symptoms persist]
17) prevent ulcers if taking NSAIDS like ibuprofen (Manuka) [1 spoonful 30 minutes before taking the medication]
18) improve sleep quality and minimize insomnia [1 TBSP of lavender honey before bed or 1 tsp of honey in 1 cup of chamomile tea]
19) relieve a hangover [ 15 ml liquid honey, 80ml orange juice, 70 ml of natural yogurt]
20) aid stomach digestion
21) fuel the liver [take before bed]
22) ease stress hormones [take before bed]
　

‎1) clean wounds, inhibit bacterial growth, promote healing and prevent scarring
2) deeply condition dry hair [apply from root to tip to hair after shampooing and rinse thoroughly]
3) moisturize skin [apply 1 tsp honey with lukewarm water on your face daily]
4) exfoliate, clarify and unclog pores
5) heal burns significantly better and more effectively with far fewer infections than silver sulfadiazine
6) help to heal diabetic ulcers (“Applied every 2 to 3 days under a dry dressing, honey promotes healing of ulcers and burns better than any other local application.” Journal of the American Medical Association, Robert Bloomfield.)
7) help improve eczema
8) help decrease acne
9) relieve arthritis pain and inflammation
10) reverse cataracts [ ancient Egyptian cultures put a few drops of raw honey in the eyes]; (it may sting at first)]
11) remove warts [ apply honey and cover with bandage daily…should take 1 ½ to 2 weeks]
By combining Hippocrates two favorite food cures, apple cider vinegar with honey, other maladies can be improved:

1. premature aging
2 food poisoning
3. heat exhaustion
5. heartburn
6. brittle nails
7. bad breath
8. high blood pressure
9. constipation
10. migraines

Try this healthy and refreshing vinegar and honey drink!
Essentially, to prepare:
* Mix a tablespoon of raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of raw honey. (Start out with 1 tsp of each) or see the sipping drink below on this page.) Dissolve in cold or lukewarm water.

Yet another powerful combination is honey and cinnamon. This duo can have a positive impact on:
1) bladder infections [mix honey and cinnamon in lukewarm water and drink]
2) toothache [mix cinnamon powder and honey and apply to aching tooth]
3) hair loss [mix a paste of hot olive oil, 1 TBSP of honey, 1 tsp of cinnamon and apply before bath, leave in 15 minutes and then wash]
4) arthritis [mix 1 part honey, 2 parts lukewarm water and some cinnamon powder; apply the paste to sore joints = pain relief in 15 minutes]
5) cholesterol [honey and cinnamon powder in 16 oz of tea reduces cholesterol in 2 hours]
6) common cold [mix 1 TBSP lukewarm honey with ¼ tsp cinnamon powder; take daily for 3 days]
7) stomach ache
8) reduce the accumulation of fats
9) help people recover from strokes

A sipping drink containing all 3 of the above listed power foods: put 2-3 tsp of ACV in 16 oz of filtered water, add raw unfiltered honey and 2 cinnamon sticks for flavor and to use as a stirring utensil. Mix in a glass container and sip throughout the day, stirring each time before drinking. In the cold winter months you may heat the water first and then add the ACV (but do not heat/cook the ACV or the honey because it will destroy the vitamins, minerals and enzymes)
Information here was provided by Kathy Sullivan, CNC.